Nixon Okiya

Co-founder of Africell, revolutionizing telecommunications in Africa through affordable mobile services

Nixon Okiya is a Kenyan entrepreneur and co-founder of Africell, a telecommunications company that has transformed mobile service accessibility across Africa. Born in 1975 in Nairobi, Okiya's early exposure to the challenges of rural connectivity inspired his mission to bridge the digital divide. After studying computer science at the University of Nairobi, he worked in tech startups before partnering with German investor Hutchison Whampoa to launch Africell in 2015.

Innovative Service Models

Africell pioneered pre-paid mobile plans priced 30-50% lower than competitors, enabling millions of low-income users to access voice and data services. The company's SIM-free initiative allows users to switch networks without physical SIM cards, a groundbreaking feature in regions with high network churn. By 2023, Africell operated in 12 African countries with over 15 million subscribers, achieving 95% network uptime despite infrastructure challenges.

Social Impact Initiatives

Beyond core services, Okiya led Africell's EduConnect program providing free educational content via SMS and USSD. This initiative delivered literacy resources to 2.3 million primary school students in rural areas. The company also partnered with UNICEF to distribute emergency health information during Ebola outbreaks, demonstrating how telecom infrastructure can save lives.

Industry Recognition

Okiya's work earned Africell the GSMA Mobile for Development Prize in 2019 and a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer designation. His TED Talk 'Building Africa's Digital Future' has over 2 million views, highlighting strategies for inclusive tech growth.

Read more about his vision in Connecting Africa: A Decade of Innovation and watch his interview on TechCrunch Africa.