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 his sign language translation app, Terp 360.
The live final of the Africa Prize programme, which is part funded by the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, was held in Dakar, 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 people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, 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 the 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 shortlistees 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 their clarity of vision for the future.
This year’s judging panel included Rebecca Enonchong FREng (Chair), Sewu Steve Tawia, Richard Wylde FREng, Ian Shott FREng, Yewande Odumosu, and guest judge, Marième Diop.
“This is exactly what the Africa Prize is all about. It’s showcasing 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 to Rui Bauhofer, Mozambique, for his innovation Eco-Plates, chosen by the live audience for their future potential impact.
Eco-Plates are disposable plates made from recycled maize husks that are fully bio-degradable and infused with seeds that will germinate and grow once discarded.
For all finalists, the Prize offers more than financial rewards. Being shortlisted brings credibility, visibility, training and access to networks that can accelerate growth. 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 significant interest from entrepreneurs across the continent. 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. In addition to Carol, three other entrepreneurs were also 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.
- Frank Owusu (Ghana), Aquamet: A smart water-quality monitoring device that helps smallholder fish farmers to farm more sustainably and profitably by tracking key parameters and providing 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.
Applications to join the Africa Prize programme will open again in mid-2026. Prospective applicants are encouraged to visit here for more information.
