Edith Makoni

Zimbabwean tech entrepreneur bridging digital divides through low-cost educational tablets

Edith Makoni (b. 1990) is the founder of e-Kasi Tech, a Zimbabwean startup that created the $29 EduPad - the world's most affordable educational tablet. Launched in 2021, these solar-powered devices have been distributed to over 500,000 students across 14 African nations through UNESCO partnerships.

Makoni's vision combines hardware innovation with localized content. Each EduPad contains a library of 20,000+ lessons in 16 African languages, developed in collaboration with local educators. Her team's EduCloud platform enables offline access to e-learning resources, critical in regions with limited internet connectivity.

In 2023, Makoni introduced the 'Girls Code Africa' initiative, providing free coding courses to 25,000 young women through her devices. This program has produced 1,200 certified developers, with 34% starting tech ventures. The World Economic Forum named her one of Africa's Top 100 Innovators in 2024.

Her latest project, the $15 EduPad Mini, targets primary school students. Production facilities in Harare and Nairobi employ over 1,500当地人, 68% of whom are women. Makoni's TED Talk 'The Tablet That Changes Lives' (2024) highlights how technology can empower marginalized communities.