Founder Magazine spoke with Angela Oduor Lungati, a Kenyan technologist, entrepreneur, and global advocate for open innovation. She is the Executive Director of Ushahidi, a platform that has transformed how citizens worldwide crowdsource and share information in times of crisis. Angela is also a co-founder of AkiraChix, an organization empowering women in technology across Africa. Recognized by the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader (2024), Angela represents the voice of inclusive, human-centered innovation in Africa’s tech ecosystem.
Q1: Angela, thank you for joining us. Can you share your journey into the world of technology and entrepreneurship?
Angela Oduor Lungati:
My journey began with curiosity and a deep belief in the power of technology to change lives. Growing up in Kenya, I didn’t see many women in tech, which made me even more determined to break that mold. Early in my career, I discovered how civic technology could amplify voices, create transparency, and drive accountability. That led me to become part of Ushahidi, and later co-found AkiraChix to open doors for more young women like me.
Q2: Ushahidi is now a globally recognized civic tech platform. For readers who may not know, what problem does Ushahidi solve?
Angela Oduor Lungati:
Ushahidi was created during the 2007–2008 post-election violence in Kenya. Citizens needed a way to report incidents of unrest, violence, or need — directly from the ground. Ushahidi allowed people to submit reports via SMS, web, or email, and then mapped them for the public. Today, the platform has evolved into a global tool used in over 160 countries — from disaster response and election monitoring to human rights reporting. It democratizes information and gives ordinary citizens a voice in shaping their communities.
Q3: What has been your biggest challenge leading Ushahidi, and how have you navigated it?
Angela Oduor Lungati:
One of the toughest challenges has been sustainability — ensuring that civic tech solutions continue to operate long after the headlines fade. Donor funding helps, but our long-term vision required us to build business models that allow the platform to survive and grow. We’ve worked hard to diversify revenue streams, from enterprise services to partnerships. Navigating this has taught me that innovation must be paired with sustainability.
Q4: You’re also the co-founder of AkiraChix. What inspired you to create this organization?
Angela Oduor Lungati:
When I was starting out, there weren’t enough women in tech spaces. We wanted to change that narrative. AkiraChix was born out of a desire to empower young women from underprivileged backgrounds by giving them access to coding skills, mentorship, and opportunities in the tech industry. Today, AkiraChix has trained hundreds of women across Africa, many of whom have gone on to become developers, entrepreneurs, and leaders.
Q5: How do you see the role of women evolving in Africa’s tech ecosystem?
Angela Oduor Lungati:
I’m encouraged by the progress, but there’s still work to do. Women are increasingly leading startups, raising capital, and entering technical fields, but we need to normalize their presence even more. Diversity isn’t just a “nice to have” — it’s a necessity for building technology that serves everyone.
Q6: What advice do you give to young founders, especially those working in civic tech?
Angela Oduor Lungati:
Start with empathy. Civic tech isn’t about shiny apps; it’s about people’s lives. Understand the pain points of the communities you want to serve and co-create with them. Also, focus on building sustainability into your model from day one. Impact without longevity doesn’t serve anyone.
Q7: Ushahidi has had global reach. Can you share a success story that stands out to you personally?
Angela Oduor Lungati:
One that always moves me is how Ushahidi was used in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. Citizens on the ground sent in SMS reports of people trapped under rubble, medical needs, or areas where aid was required. Rescue teams used the platform to coordinate responses and save lives. That moment showed us that technology built in Nairobi could literally save lives across the world.
Q8: What’s next for Ushahidi under your leadership?
Angela Oduor Lungati:
Our vision is to scale Ushahidi into the most accessible civic tech platform globally. That means continuing to evolve our tools for crisis response, election integrity, and community organizing, while also ensuring we meet the needs of grassroots organizations that don’t always have big budgets but still need tech solutions.
Q9: Kenya is buzzing with innovation. What excites you most about the Kenyan startup scene right now?
Angela Oduor Lungati:
I’m inspired by the resilience of Kenyan entrepreneurs. Even in tough economic times, founders are building solutions in fintech, climate-tech, and healthcare that can scale globally. What excites me most is that many of these solutions are deeply rooted in solving African problems — which means they can resonate with the rest of the world too.
Q10: Finally, Angela, if you could give one message to our Founder Magazine readers, what would it be?
Angela Oduor Lungati:
Don’t underestimate the power of local innovation. You don’t need to be in Silicon Valley to build something world-changing. Solve real problems where you are, and the world will notice.
✍️ Closing Note from Founder Magazine
Angela Oduor Lungati represents the new face of African innovation — civic-minded, inclusive, and global. Through Ushahidi, she’s shown how technology can give citizens power and save lives. Through AkiraChix, she’s paving the way for a generation of women who will define Africa’s digital future.