The Royal Academy of Engineering has awarded the 2025 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation – the largest dedicated engineering prize in Africa – to Elly Savatia of Kenya for Terp 360. The vibrant live final was held in Dakar, marking the first time the Africa prize has been hosted in Senegal.
Terp 360 is an AI-powered application that translates speech into sign language using lifelike 3D avatars. Developed with deaf and hard-of-hearing communities, it draws on a growing dataset of more than 2,300 locally recorded signs to ensure cultural relevance and natural expression. The tool addresses interpreter shortages and improves accessibility in classrooms and public services.
After pitching alongside fellow finalists to a live audience and a panel of seven judges, Elly Savatia was crowned winner. He receives £50,000 to support the next phase of Terp 360. Elly and his team are preparing to expand into the B2B market, focusing on education, corporate and healthcare sectors.
“I’m totally grateful for this and it is a testament to the innovative assistive technology work that is coming from Africa. I’m really looking forward to the excellence that will come out of Signvrse, the rest of the short listees and the African continent.” said Elly Savatia, creator of Terp 360.
Each finalist was assessed on the strength of their engineering solution, evidence of impact, commercial viability, potential to scale and quality of the team. Judges also considered how well each innovator applied learning from the eight-month programme and the clarity of their vision for the future. This year’s judging panel included Rebecca Enonchong FREng (Chair), Sewu Steve Tawia, Richard Wylde FREng, Ian Shott CBE FREng, Yewande Odumosu, Marième Diop and Karim Sy.
“This is exactly what the Africa Prize is all about. It’s showcasing and celebrating cutting edge innovations by Africans for the World,” said Rebecca Enonchong FREng, Chair of the Africa Prize judging panel.
The three other finalists – Vivian Arinaitwe (Uganda), Neo Nest; Frank Owusu (Ghana), Aquamet; and Carol Ofafa (Kenya), E-Safiri – each received £10,000. A further £5,000 One to watch prize was awarded Rui Bauhofer (Mozambique) Eco-Plates chosen by the live audience.
For all finalists, the Prize offers more than financial rewards. Being shortlisted brings credibility, visibility and access to networks that can accelerate growth. Over the past eight months, finalists have refined business models, strengthened teams and prepared for investment. Alumni of the Prize consistently secure funding, and many now lead thriving ventures that create jobs and deliver impact.
This year’s Africa Prize attracted hundreds of applications from 30 countries. Sixteen entrepreneurs were shortlisted, each receiving a comprehensive support package to help commercialise their innovations. The eight-month training programme covered core business skills such as financial modelling and market analysis, combined with mentoring and access to the Academy’s global network of engineers, entrepreneurs and industry leaders. Four were selected as finalists:
- Vivian Arinaitwe (Uganda), Neo Nest: A portable, low-cost neonatal warming and monitoring device preventing hypothermia during ambulance transfers from rural health facilities to referral hospitals.
- Elly Savatia (Kenya), Terp 360: An AI application that translates speech into sign language using 3D avatars informed by locally recorded sign datasets.
- Frank Owusu (Ghana), Aquamet: A smart water-quality monitoring device for smallholder fish farmers that tracks key parameters and provides real-time alerts and recommendations.
- Carol Ofafa (Kenya), E-Safiri: Solar-powered charging and battery-swapping hubs for electric bicycles and motorbikes that also supply surplus power to nearby households.
Since its launch in 2014, the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation has supported more than 160 innovators from over 20 countries. By equipping entrepreneurs with training, mentoring and networks, it helps turn promising ideas into scalable businesses. Cycle 12 of the Africa Prize has just closed, welcoming the next group of innovators who will benefit from this transformative programme.
