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Kenya, 24 October 2025 - Kenyan technology innovator Elly Savatia, 25, has been named the 2025 winner of the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation, taking home £50,000 (about KSh 8.6 million).
His award-winning creation, Terp 360, is a web-based platform that uses artificial intelligence and 3D avatars to translate speech and text into sign language instantly, bridging a long-standing communication barrier for the deaf community.
Often described as a “Google Translate for sign language,” Terp 360 allows deaf and hearing individuals to communicate in real time without requiring an interpreter. The platform emerged as the top innovation among four finalists from across the continent at the awards ceremony held in Dakar, Senegal, on October 16.
“What really stood out about Elly’s solution is the level of innovation,” said Rebecca Enonchong, chair of the judging panel.
“It’s a demonstration that Africans are capable of using cutting-edge technology to solve problems, not just locally but globally.”
Savatia was inspired to build the tool after witnessing how limited access to sign language interpreters affects deaf people in Kenya, restricting their ability to receive quality health care, education, legal services, and employment opportunities.
He highlighted the gap in resources, noting that many companies lack the capacity to hire interpreters or provide accessible communication tools.
“Companies cannot afford interpreters, and they just don’t have the tools to effectively integrate deaf people,” Savatia said.
“We see ourselves as an enabler. We are able to do sign language, but at scale.”
Developed in collaboration with deaf and hard-of-hearing Kenyans, Terp 360 currently translates English and Swahili into Kenyan Sign Language.
The platform already features more than 2,300 recorded signs captured using motion-tracking technology.
To accelerate growth, Savatia’s team has established a motion capture studio in Nairobi, with the ability to record up to 1,000 new words daily.
Their goal is to incorporate Rwandan, Ugandan, South African, British, and American sign languages by mid-2027, making the tool more inclusive across borders.
While similar avatar-based signing tools exist globally, Savatia’s model is unique for focusing on African sign languages, cultural expressions, and contextual accuracy, a gap often ignored in mainstream tech solutions.
The Africa Prize is one of the continent’s most prestigious recognitions for engineering innovations that offer scalable and impactful solutions to African challenges.
Enonchong emphasized the significance of Savatia’s work, “He has a real solution that works and that can truly transform lives.”
Beyond personal achievement, Savatia’s win underscores Kenya’s rising profile in artificial intelligence and inclusive tech innovation.
With the prize funds, he intends to pilot the platform across multiple African countries, helping make digital communication more accessible for millions in the deaf community.
