This archive report was first published on 23 October 2019.
On October 23, 2019, German Chancellor Angela Merkel will honor a Kenyan social entrepreneur for her groundbreaking work in digital revolution in Africa. Juliana Rotich, a 42-year-old IT pioneer from Kenya, will receive this year's German Africa Award for her tireless efforts in harnessing technology to transform lives in Africa.
Rotich is the co-founder of Ushahidi, an open-source platform that has revolutionized the global flow of information. Through Ushahidi, witnesses can upload events and incidents, helping to locate them chronologically and geographically on a map. These real-time maps are now used in over 160 countries, particularly during times of crisis, natural disasters, or election monitoring.
Rotich is also the co-founder of technology company BRCK, the largest public Wi-Fi provider in sub-Saharan Africa. Her contributions to the digital landscape have earned her international recognition, and she will be feted by Chancellor Merkel during a ceremony at the Allianz Forum next to the Brandenburg Gate in Germany.
