Kibera Boy Who Cleaned Trucks To Pay College Fees Starts IT Firm Training Kids, Teachers

• Paul Akwabi was born in Kibera and raised through hardship after his father died when he was 10
• He washed trucks to raise college fees and borrowed laptops from classmates to do IT projects
• Akwabi beat the odds and now runs a successful IT company that nurtures coders and innovators

Paul Akwabi, the visionary director of Tech Kidz Africa, has a story that transcends adversity and demonstrates the transformative power of education and technology.

Born and raised in Kibera, Akwabi faced unimaginable hardships, including the loss of his father when he was just 10 years old.

Forced to move in with a relative, he struggled with self-esteem and financial difficulties, often unable to afford school fees.

Akwabi's eureka moment

Akwabi told TUKO.co.ke that a pivotal moment in high school changed the trajectory of his life.

He met a blind teacher who wanted to learn about computers, which sparked his passion for technology and education.

"I don't know who gave him my name, but that move inspired me to dream of a career in Information Technology," he said.

How did Akwabu survive in Mombasa?

After completing high school, Akwabi became a hawker at the Busia border, saving every shilling he could.

Eventually, with just KSh 10,000, he applied to the Technical University of Kenya, where he pursued a degree in computer science.

During his time as a student, he lived on the rooftop of a building in Mombasa as he had no relative to accommodate him.

"I worked as a cleaner in the building by day, with my side job being washing trucks for the freight companies," he continued.

What awards did Akwabi's inventions win?

Despite the hardships, Akwabi’s determination was unwavering even when he had to borrow laptops from fellow students to do coursework.

Things started looking up when he developed a mobile app called M-Shamba, designed to assist farmers.

The app won prestigious ICT awards in 2012 and 2013, marking a breakthrough in Akwabi’s tech journey.

His big break came when he met a Norwegian investor who was looking for sharp young minds to partner with ZoomIT.

How 10-year-old boy challenged Akwabi

The investor also introduced him to a 10-year-old prodigy who was an IT. whiz, an encounter that challenged him.

"That boy's ingenuity ignited my desire to create opportunities for other young minds in tech," Akwabi noted.

In response, he founded Tech Kidz Africa, a hub designed to teach children technology skills.

Under his leadership, the hub has nurtured numerous talented young coders and innovators.

Some of his prodigies have gained national recognition, appearing on popular TV shows like Lions Den.

Akwabi now teaches teachers

As his initiative expanded, Akwabi recognized a growing gap: teachers were often outpaced by their students in tech knowledge.

This realization led to his latest project, which he's christened "Experience AI."

The ambitious program seeks to train 100,000 Kenyan teachers in artificial intelligence over the next two years.