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What transforms a curious young boy from Likoni into a globally-recognized innovator creating life-changing solutions for fishing communities? In this captivating conversation, Dennis Okangi shares his remarkable journey from watching neighbors' TVs through windows to meeting world leaders and showcasing his innovation across continents.

Growing up as the only boy among five siblings in Mombasa's densely populated Likoni area, Dennis navigated the challenges of shared Swahili houses where multiple families coexist in close quarters with limited privacy and resources. These early experiences shaped his resilience and problem-solving mindset that would later define his entrepreneurial approach.

Dennis takes us through his educational journey – from earning a scholarship to Moi Forces Academy despite scoring below the typical threshold, to switching from an assigned zoology program to computer science at Rongo University. Along the way, he discovered his passion for hardware development through Science Congress competitions and mentorship at Swahili Box tech hub.

With refreshing candor, Dennis unpacks the failures of his first two business ventures, sharing painful lessons about equity distribution, investor relationships, and the importance of market validation. These experiences set the stage for the creation of Kuza Freezer – a revolutionary cold storage solution that's transforming the fish value chain in coastal Kenya.

By collaborating with local boat makers and embracing bottom-up design, Dennis cut production costs by 50% compared to imported alternatives. This approach not only makes the technology accessible to low-income fishing communities but also enables fishermen to preserve their catch longer and sell at fair market prices instead of at throwaway rates.

The impact of Dennis's innovation has earned him recognition across Africa and beyond, with acceleration programs taking him to India, Germany, Algeria, and South Africa. Yet he remains focused on the immense untapped potential within East Africa before expanding further.

Dennis leaves us with powerful insights about entrepreneurship not being "for the faint-hearted" and the wisdom of building solutions by first understanding community problems. His journey reminds us that with resilience, community understanding, and locally-appropriate technology, we can create sustainable solutions that uplift entire communities.

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Dive into the remarkable journey of Dr. Mthew Egessa, whose path from computer science to blue economy innovation demonstrates the transformative power of purpose-driven technology. Growing up in Western Kenya and navigating his way through the academic world, Mathew's story isn't just about personal achievement—it's a testament to how passion and persistence can create meaningful change in unexpected places.

This conversation explores how Mathew's formative experiences shaped his approach to innovation. From his days teaching in a resource-constrained village school to his time at the prestigious University of Nairobi School of Computing, each chapter of his life contributed to a unique perspective on technology's role in society. Particularly moving is his account of bringing drama and competitive opportunities to underserved students, witnessing firsthand how access and exposure can transform self-belief.

Mathew's work at the Technical University of Mombasa, where he now serves as chairperson of the Management Science Department and leads the Blue Economy Innovation Hub (BayHub), represents a fascinating intersection of academic research and practical innovation. His creation of Vua Solutions, a fintech platform helping small-scale fishers build financial resilience against seasonal income fluctuations, showcases the profound impact simple technologies can have on vulnerable communities.

What makes this episode particularly enlightening is Mathew's nuanced understanding of sustainable development. Rather than pursuing technological innovation or profit maximization alone, his work emphasizes environmental sustainability, financial inclusion, and community empowerment. As he explains the challenges and opportunities within Kenya's blue economy—from sustainable fishing practices to coastal tourism and environmental conservation—listeners gain valuable insights into how contextually appropriate solutions can address complex societal challenges.

Whether you're interested in technology, social entrepreneurship, or sustainable development, Mathew's thoughtful approach to bridging academic knowledge with real-world impact offers inspiration and practical wisdom. Listen now to discover how innovation with purpose can create ripples of positive change across communities.

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🎤 Guest: Dr. Mathew Egessa
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathewegessa/
Twitter: https://x.com/MathewEgessa

🎤 Host: Michael Kimathi
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelkimathi/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/m_k_global

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Support the show

Subscribe and show some love. Ubuntu.

Let us know how we are doing

Support the show

Subscribe and show some love. Ubuntu.