Ngwako Ramakgoakgoa

A tech entrepreneur driven by a deep passion for building systems that simplify complexity and automate everyday processes. My journey into technology began long before university. Growing up in a village where access to computers was rare, my first real encounter with one came when I visited my father’s friend, who repaired computers. I was fascinated by how this “big box” could take input, process it, and produce meaningful output. That moment stayed with me. Later, I was fortunate enough to receive my own computer, and from then on, I became deeply hooked on understanding and building with technology. What drew me into tech was not only curiosity, but a strong interest in automation and making things easier. I have always been intrigued by how systems can be designed to reduce effort, eliminate repetition, and improve efficiency. Over time, this curiosity evolved into a commitment to building solutions that solve real problems through intelligent automation and thoughtful design. My academic journey, however, was not linear. I initially enrolled in the wrong field due to limited career guidance and a lack of exposure to different opportunities. Without a clear understanding of my strengths and interests at the time, I had to make the difficult decision to step back and redirect my path. I later found my way into Computer Science, where I finally aligned my studies with my passion for technology and problem-solving. This experience shaped a strong personal mission in me. I believe Africa’s progress depends not only on access to education, but on proper career guidance early in a student’s life, especially in underserved and rural communities. Many students only realise they are in the wrong field once they are already in institutions, leading to dropouts, unnecessary academic pressure, or emotional strain. My goal is to help change that reality by building systems that guide learners early, so they can make informed, confident decisions about their future. This vision is what led to the creation of Univio, where I serve as Co-founder and CTO. Univio is an AI-powered platform built on a familiar and widely accessible interface, WhatsApp. We intentionally chose WhatsApp because it is already embedded in daily communication across communities. By building on top of this familiar channel, we remove barriers to access and allow students to interact with complex university admission systems in a simple and intuitive way. Through Univio, students can discover suitable courses, understand requirements, and navigate applications without needing advanced digital literacy. Beyond my work, I am deeply committed to the belief that African tech progress will not be built in isolation. To the African geek community, my message is simple: keep building, and keep collaborating. Collaboration is not optional, it is essential. At Univio, I have seen how complementary skills and shared vision can accelerate progress. What we are building is not different from what successful global teams have done before us, and that means there is no reason we cannot build our own Silicon Valleys, Y Combinators, and globally impactful platforms from Africa. Through collective effort, we can elevate the African tech ecosystem and build solutions that are not only innovative, but globally competitive and locally transformative.