Kenyan innovator Elly Savatia has made history by winning the 2025 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation for his groundbreaking invention, Terp 360—an AI-powered application that translates speech into sign language using 3D avatars. This transformative technology directly addresses Africa’s critical shortage of sign language interpreters, creating accessible communication channels for millions of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals across schools, workplaces, and public institutions. His achievement cements Kenya’s position as a leading hub for inclusive innovation on the continent.
The Terp 360 platform is uniquely designed using a dataset of more than 2,300 locally recorded signs, ensuring both linguistic and cultural accuracy. By using real-time AI-driven avatars, the tool offers a cost-effective alternative to human interpretation, making it scalable and impactful in underserved communities. With the £50,000 award by the Royal Academy of Engineering—equivalent to KSh 8.6 million—Savatia and his team are now well-positioned to scale the solution across education, healthcare, and corporate sectors, advancing digital inclusion at a continental level.
This victory is not only a personal milestone for Savatia but also a celebration of Kenya’s rising influence in the global technology ecosystem. The innovation reflects a broader shift in African entrepreneurship toward assistive and socially impactful technologies. Speaking after the award announcement, Savatia expressed his gratitude and optimism for the future, calling the recognition a testament to Africa’s growing leadership in transformative engineering and digital accessibility.
Kenya’s strong presence was further highlighted by fellow innovator Carol Ofafa, who emerged as a finalist for her startup E-Safiri—a venture focused on e-mobility through solar-powered charging and battery-swapping hubs for electric bicycles and motorbikes. Other finalists from Uganda and Ghana were also recognized for innovations in healthcare and sustainable agriculture, each receiving £10,000, while Mozambique’s Rui Bauhofer earned the “One to Watch” award for developing biodegradable plates from maize husks. These recognitions showcase Africa’s commitment to engineering solutions that address real-world social, economic, and environmental challenges.
Since its inception in 2014, the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation has supported more than 160 entrepreneurs across 20 African countries, transforming early-stage ideas into scalable ventures. The 2025 award ceremony, hosted in Dakar, Senegal—marking the first time the event was held in Francophone Africa—represents a new chapter in driving innovation across the continent. Savatia’s win underscores the immense potential of African engineering talent to solve continental challenges with globally competitive solutions.
