Kenyan engineer and entrepreneur Elly Savatia has been named the winner of the 2025 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation for his creation, Terp 360, an artificial intelligence-driven sign language translation app. The award, presented by the Royal Academy of Engineering, recognizes groundbreaking solutions addressing local challenges across the continent. Savatia received £50,000 during a live final held in Dakar, Senegal, marking the first time the event was hosted in Francophone Africa.
A Breakthrough in Accessibility
Terp 360 leverages AI and 3D avatars to translate speech into sign language, directly tackling the shortage of interpreters across Africa. Developed collaboratively with deaf and hard-of-hearing communities, the app uses a growing dataset of over 2,300 locally recorded signs to ensure cultural and linguistic relevance. The innovation aims to enhance communication access in classrooms, workplaces, and public services, setting a new benchmark for inclusive technology on the continent.
Scaling Impact Across Sectors
With the prize money, Savatia and his team plan to accelerate Terp 360’s expansion into education, healthcare, and corporate environments. The startup is focusing on a business-to-business model to deliver scalable accessibility solutions that can be integrated into digital systems. By doing so, Terp 360 seeks to empower institutions to adopt assistive technology that bridges communication barriers and fosters inclusion.
Recognition from the Royal Academy of Engineering
The Africa Prize, supported by the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, is Africa’s largest engineering award. It recognizes not only technical innovation but also commercial viability and potential for social impact. This year’s judging panel, chaired by Rebecca Enonchong FREng, evaluated the finalists on criteria including scalability, business potential, and the quality of their teams. Other panel members included Sewu Steve Tawia, Richard Wylde FREng, Ian Shott FREng, Yewande Odumosu, and guest judge Marième Diop.
Honoring Innovation Across Africa
Three other finalists were awarded £10,000 each for their contributions to sustainable and socially impactful technologies. Ugandan innovator Vivian Arinaitwe developed Neo Nest, a low-cost neonatal warming and monitoring device that prevents hypothermia during emergency transfers. Ghana’s Frank Owusu created Aquamet, a smart water-quality monitoring system for fish farmers, while Kenyan engineer Carol Ofafa designed E-Safiri, a solar-powered charging and battery-swapping network for electric two-wheelers. Mozambique’s Rui Bauhofer received a £5,000 “One to Watch” award for Eco-Plates, biodegradable dishware made from maize husks embedded with germinating seeds.
Driving Innovation Through Mentorship and Training
Beyond financial rewards, the Africa Prize offers its participants extensive training, mentorship, and access to global networks. This year’s 16 shortlisted innovators underwent an eight-month program covering business modeling, financial planning, and market analysis. The initiative has become a vital launchpad for African engineers, many of whom have gone on to build high-growth ventures that create jobs and address pressing challenges in their communities.
A Decade of Impact
Since its inception in 2014, the Africa Prize has supported more than 160 innovators from over 20 countries. It has consistently turned promising engineering ideas into viable businesses through a mix of funding, visibility, and strategic connections. The program continues to grow its influence, underscoring the importance of locally driven innovation in shaping Africa’s technological and economic future.
Elly Savatia’s victory symbolizes a wider shift toward inclusive and sustainable innovation in Africa’s technology landscape. Through Terp 360, he is not only redefining accessibility but also highlighting the transformative potential of African engineering talent. Applications for the next edition of the Africa Prize will open in mid-2026, offering another generation of innovators the opportunity to bring life-changing ideas to scale.