Nthabiseng Mokoena

A South African tech entrepreneur who pioneered educational technology to bridge the digital divide in rural Africa

Nthabiseng Mokoena (born 1972) is a visionary South African entrepreneur whose work in education technology has transformed access to learning resources across sub-Saharan Africa. Founder of Mpho Tech, she developed the first mobile learning platform specifically designed for low-bandwidth environments in 1998. This innovation allowed students in remote areas to access digital textbooks and interactive lessons through basic feature phones, reaching over 500,000 learners by 2005.

Mokoena's breakthrough came during the post-apartheid era when 80% of South African schools lacked internet access. Her peer-reviewed research demonstrated how mobile learning could close achievement gaps, leading to partnerships with UNESCO and the World Bank. Her company's flagship product, 'EduLink', was adopted by governments in Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania to deliver teacher training programs.

What makes Mokoena's work transformative is her focus on sustainability - all devices used in her programs are solar-powered and locally serviced. A 2003 BBC documentary highlighted how her initiative enabled a rural school in Lesotho to achieve top national exam results for the first time. Her leadership inspired a generation of African tech entrepreneurs, including current CEO of Andela, Jeremy Johnson, who credits her 2001 TED Talk as a major influence.