This archive report was first published on 23 October 2019.
On October 23, 2019, Juliana Rotich made history when she was awarded the prestigious German Africa Award for her groundbreaking social entrepreneurial commitment.
The award, presented by German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin, recognizes Rotich's technological innovations that have significantly contributed to Africa's development.
Rotich, a pioneer of the digital revolution in Africa, is the co-founder of Ushahidi, an open-source platform that allows users to upload events and locate them chronologically and geographically on a map.
Ushahidi's real-time maps have been used in over 160 countries, particularly during times of crisis, natural disasters, and election monitoring.
The software was developed in response to the 2007 General Election in Kenya, which saw several riots and violent acts recorded.
As an open-source software, anyone can upload incidents such as electoral fraud, corruption, or human rights violations, making the information accessible in real-time on an online map.
