The technology industry is full of opportunities for people who are willing to innovate and push their limits. In this article, we spotlight five exceptional engineers who have not only built successful careers, but also changed the landscape of their industries. Their journeys illustrate the real-world challenges and accomplishments in the field, and inspire you to make your own way in the tech world.
1. Olajumoke Oduwole
Olajumoke Oduwole's journey to becoming a successful tech entrepreneur and CEO is a testament to the immense talent and potential of African women in the tech industry. Born and raised in Nigeria, Olajumoke's passion for technology and entrepreneurship began at a young age.
At just 15 years old, Olajumoke received a scholarship to study software development, where she learned 16 programming languages, including C++, Java, and PHP. She gained this expertise through a scholarship program.
After completing her studies and working in a company, Olajumoke founded KJK Africa, one of Nigeria's leading software design and development companies. It provides end-to-end software engineering services to help corporates, organizations, and government agencies improve productivity and scale revenue. Under Olajumoke's leadership, KJK Africa has generated over $20 million in revenue for its clients since 2018.
But Olajumoke's entrepreneurial spirit didn't stop there. She also co-founded Alajo App, a fintech startup that provides digital savings and escrow services to underbanked Africans who lack access to the internet. Alajo App helps Africans save an average of $2.13 daily using basic mobile phones and money agents in their communities.
Olajumoke's achievements have been widely recognized both locally and internationally. She is a Forbes 30 Under 30 award recipient and has been trained in entrepreneurship and business management at nine accelerator programs and enterprise development centers in Africa and Europe.
As a strong advocate for gender diversity in the workplace, Olajumoke firmly believes that having more qualified women in leadership positions increases diversity and creates a more balanced and inclusive work environment.
2. Hema Vallabh
Hema Vallabh's journey from a disadvantaged background in South Africa to becoming the co-founder and CEO of WomEng and WomHub is a powerful story of resilience and innovation in the tech industry.
Growing up in a challenging environment, Hema's journey began with a scholarship to study engineering at the University of Cape Town. Faced with a male-dominated field, she was determined to create change rather than accept the status quo. This drive led her to create WomEng, a platform to support women in engineering and STEM. What started as a small initiative in South Africa has grown into a global movement that has impacted over 10,000 girls by providing them with resources and opportunities in STEM.
Hema defines entrepreneurship as the ability to identify problems and take action to create solutions. Her vision became clearer when she saw the first girl graduate from WomEng, confirming the need for her work. She emphasizes three key skills for success: resilience, determination, and the importance of surrounding yourself with supportive people.
Her entrepreneurial spirit is inspired by the desire to build an empire that not only generates profit, but also makes a positive contribution to society. Inspired by companies like Nike for their commitment to social justice, Hema strives to harness that power for good through her organizations.
Despite facing many challenges, including financial hardship and personal sacrifice, Hema learned valuable lessons about self-worth and persistence She faced gender bias directly, often being the only woman of color in work environments. This experience motivated her to advocate for other women experiencing similar obstacles.
3. Mudiaga Ejenavi
Mudiaga Ejenavi, known as Mudi, is a remarkable example of how determination and passion can transform a career. A full-stack software developer based in Lagos, Nigeria, Mudi's journey into the tech world began unexpectedly after he graduated with a degree in biochemistry. He first took a job as a sales representative at a bank, which he found unfulfilling and stressful. The daily grind of meeting sales targets in the chaotic traffic of Lagos left him feeling trapped and dissatisfied.
After a year in that role, Mudi made the bold decision to quit without another job in sight. He realized that coding was something he enjoyed, so he dedicated himself to learning software development full time. Over the course of five months, he immersed himself in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP through online resources. Despite challenges and self-doubt, Mudi persevered, sought mentorship, and eventually enrolled in Microsoft's 4Afrika Initiative for training in C# and .Net technologies.
Mudi's hard work paid off when he secured an internship at a startup, where he gained invaluable experience and mentorship. This opportunity not only enhanced his skills, but also led to job offers shortly after completing the internship. The transition from struggling banker to junior developer marked a significant turning point in his life.
Today, Mudi enjoys job security and a fulfilling career as a senior developer for global companies. His foreign currency earnings far exceed what he would have earned in banking, allowing him to travel internationally for work and build meaningful relationships around the world. In the future, Mudi wants to start his own online businesses that address global challenges.
4. Naadiya Moosajee
Born in South Africa in 1984, Naadiya Moosajee is a pioneering civil engineer and social entrepreneur who has made significant strides in promoting gender equality in engineering and technology. With a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Cape Town and an MBA from the University of Edinburgh, Naadiya's academic background has provided a strong foundation for her impactful career.
In 2005, while still a student, Naadiya co-founded Women in Engineering (WomEng), a non-profit organization dedicated to developing female engineering talent across Africa. This initiative was born out of her personal experiences as a woman of color in a male-dominated field. WomEng has since expanded its reach to 3,000 girls and women in South Africa and Kenya, offering programs such as GirlEng, which encourages young girls to pursue engineering careers, and scholarships that provide female engineering students with business skills and opportunities for technological innovation.
Naadiya's career has been full of diverse roles bridging technical engineering and social impact. She worked as a Project Engineer at Arcus Gibb Engineering and played a critical role as the VIP & Media Transport Coordinator for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Her commitment to youth empowerment led her to become a Global Leadership Fellow with Youth Action Network, where she worked on development projects impacting emerging markets.
In 2014, Naadiya was named one of Forbes' "Top Twenty Young Power Women in Africa" in recognition of her leadership. She continues to influence the next generation through her work with WomHub, which focuses on gender parity in various sectors, including finance and technology. Her commitment to fostering youth leadership is evident through her roles on several boards, including the International Youth Foundation and Pegasys.
5. Jay Alabraba
A native of Nigeria, Jay Alabraba moved to the United States when he was just 16 years old. His journey began at Ohio State University, where he earned a degree in electrical and computer engineering, graduating with honours.
After graduating, Jay joined Microsoft in Redmond, Washington. There he made significant contributions to anti-piracy technology and was awarded several patents. This experience not only honed his technical skills, but also ignited his passion for creating impactful solutions.
Following his time at Microsoft, Jay ventured into investment banking with Goldman Sachs before returning to Nigeria to lead an M&A team at BGL Plc. It was during this time that he recognised the immense potential for digital financial services in his home country. In 2010, he co-founded Paga, a mobile payment platform designed to simplify financial transactions for Nigerians and promote financial inclusion.
In an interview, Jay shared his insights on the cultural differences between doing business in Nigeria and the U.S. He highlighted three key values that guide his work: humility, hard work and honesty. Growing up in Nigeria taught him that success requires not only intelligence, but also respect for others and a commitment to integrity — qualities that have been essential in building Paga.
Under Jay's leadership, Paga has grown significantly to become Nigeria's largest mobile payment service. His focus on transparency and customer trust has helped the company grow in a challenging environment. Recognised as an Endeavour Entrepreneur, Jay is also actively involved in supporting other start-ups and serves as Chairman of the Association of Licensed Mobile Payment Operators (ALMPO).
For all his achievements, Jay remains grounded and focused on making a difference in Nigeria. He is passionate about improving education and housing for low-income families and believes that uplifting his community is part of his mission.
1. Olajumoke Oduwole
Olajumoke Oduwole's journey to becoming a successful tech entrepreneur and CEO is a testament to the immense talent and potential of African women in the tech industry. Born and raised in Nigeria, Olajumoke's passion for technology and entrepreneurship began at a young age.
At just 15 years old, Olajumoke received a scholarship to study software development, where she learned 16 programming languages, including C++, Java, and PHP. She gained this expertise through a scholarship program.
After completing her studies and working in a company, Olajumoke founded KJK Africa, one of Nigeria's leading software design and development companies. It provides end-to-end software engineering services to help corporates, organizations, and government agencies improve productivity and scale revenue. Under Olajumoke's leadership, KJK Africa has generated over $20 million in revenue for its clients since 2018.
But Olajumoke's entrepreneurial spirit didn't stop there. She also co-founded Alajo App, a fintech startup that provides digital savings and escrow services to underbanked Africans who lack access to the internet. Alajo App helps Africans save an average of $2.13 daily using basic mobile phones and money agents in their communities.
Olajumoke's achievements have been widely recognized both locally and internationally. She is a Forbes 30 Under 30 award recipient and has been trained in entrepreneurship and business management at nine accelerator programs and enterprise development centers in Africa and Europe.
As a strong advocate for gender diversity in the workplace, Olajumoke firmly believes that having more qualified women in leadership positions increases diversity and creates a more balanced and inclusive work environment.
2. Hema Vallabh
Hema Vallabh's journey from a disadvantaged background in South Africa to becoming the co-founder and CEO of WomEng and WomHub is a powerful story of resilience and innovation in the tech industry.
Growing up in a challenging environment, Hema's journey began with a scholarship to study engineering at the University of Cape Town. Faced with a male-dominated field, she was determined to create change rather than accept the status quo. This drive led her to create WomEng, a platform to support women in engineering and STEM. What started as a small initiative in South Africa has grown into a global movement that has impacted over 10,000 girls by providing them with resources and opportunities in STEM.
Hema defines entrepreneurship as the ability to identify problems and take action to create solutions. Her vision became clearer when she saw the first girl graduate from WomEng, confirming the need for her work. She emphasizes three key skills for success: resilience, determination, and the importance of surrounding yourself with supportive people.
Her entrepreneurial spirit is inspired by the desire to build an empire that not only generates profit, but also makes a positive contribution to society. Inspired by companies like Nike for their commitment to social justice, Hema strives to harness that power for good through her organizations.
Despite facing many challenges, including financial hardship and personal sacrifice, Hema learned valuable lessons about self-worth and persistence She faced gender bias directly, often being the only woman of color in work environments. This experience motivated her to advocate for other women experiencing similar obstacles.
3. Mudiaga Ejenavi
Mudiaga Ejenavi, known as Mudi, is a remarkable example of how determination and passion can transform a career. A full-stack software developer based in Lagos, Nigeria, Mudi's journey into the tech world began unexpectedly after he graduated with a degree in biochemistry. He first took a job as a sales representative at a bank, which he found unfulfilling and stressful. The daily grind of meeting sales targets in the chaotic traffic of Lagos left him feeling trapped and dissatisfied.
After a year in that role, Mudi made the bold decision to quit without another job in sight. He realized that coding was something he enjoyed, so he dedicated himself to learning software development full time. Over the course of five months, he immersed himself in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP through online resources. Despite challenges and self-doubt, Mudi persevered, sought mentorship, and eventually enrolled in Microsoft's 4Afrika Initiative for training in C# and .Net technologies.
Mudi's hard work paid off when he secured an internship at a startup, where he gained invaluable experience and mentorship. This opportunity not only enhanced his skills, but also led to job offers shortly after completing the internship. The transition from struggling banker to junior developer marked a significant turning point in his life.
Today, Mudi enjoys job security and a fulfilling career as a senior developer for global companies. His foreign currency earnings far exceed what he would have earned in banking, allowing him to travel internationally for work and build meaningful relationships around the world. In the future, Mudi wants to start his own online businesses that address global challenges.
4. Naadiya Moosajee
Born in South Africa in 1984, Naadiya Moosajee is a pioneering civil engineer and social entrepreneur who has made significant strides in promoting gender equality in engineering and technology. With a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Cape Town and an MBA from the University of Edinburgh, Naadiya's academic background has provided a strong foundation for her impactful career.
In 2005, while still a student, Naadiya co-founded Women in Engineering (WomEng), a non-profit organization dedicated to developing female engineering talent across Africa. This initiative was born out of her personal experiences as a woman of color in a male-dominated field. WomEng has since expanded its reach to 3,000 girls and women in South Africa and Kenya, offering programs such as GirlEng, which encourages young girls to pursue engineering careers, and scholarships that provide female engineering students with business skills and opportunities for technological innovation.
Naadiya's career has been full of diverse roles bridging technical engineering and social impact. She worked as a Project Engineer at Arcus Gibb Engineering and played a critical role as the VIP & Media Transport Coordinator for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Her commitment to youth empowerment led her to become a Global Leadership Fellow with Youth Action Network, where she worked on development projects impacting emerging markets.
In 2014, Naadiya was named one of Forbes' "Top Twenty Young Power Women in Africa" in recognition of her leadership. She continues to influence the next generation through her work with WomHub, which focuses on gender parity in various sectors, including finance and technology. Her commitment to fostering youth leadership is evident through her roles on several boards, including the International Youth Foundation and Pegasys.
5. Jay Alabraba
A native of Nigeria, Jay Alabraba moved to the United States when he was just 16 years old. His journey began at Ohio State University, where he earned a degree in electrical and computer engineering, graduating with honours.
After graduating, Jay joined Microsoft in Redmond, Washington. There he made significant contributions to anti-piracy technology and was awarded several patents. This experience not only honed his technical skills, but also ignited his passion for creating impactful solutions.
Following his time at Microsoft, Jay ventured into investment banking with Goldman Sachs before returning to Nigeria to lead an M&A team at BGL Plc. It was during this time that he recognised the immense potential for digital financial services in his home country. In 2010, he co-founded Paga, a mobile payment platform designed to simplify financial transactions for Nigerians and promote financial inclusion.
In an interview, Jay shared his insights on the cultural differences between doing business in Nigeria and the U.S. He highlighted three key values that guide his work: humility, hard work and honesty. Growing up in Nigeria taught him that success requires not only intelligence, but also respect for others and a commitment to integrity — qualities that have been essential in building Paga.
Under Jay's leadership, Paga has grown significantly to become Nigeria's largest mobile payment service. His focus on transparency and customer trust has helped the company grow in a challenging environment. Recognised as an Endeavour Entrepreneur, Jay is also actively involved in supporting other start-ups and serves as Chairman of the Association of Licensed Mobile Payment Operators (ALMPO).
For all his achievements, Jay remains grounded and focused on making a difference in Nigeria. He is passionate about improving education and housing for low-income families and believes that uplifting his community is part of his mission.