Kenyan Tech Genius Elly Savatia Wins African Innovation Award for Groundbreaking App That Turns Speech into Sign Language
Kenyan entrepreneur Elly Savatia has won a major African innovation award for designing an app that translates spoken language into sign language using artificial intelligence and 3D avatars. The breakthrough project is being celebrated for advancing digital inclusion and accessibility for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community across Africa.
Developed with a small team of engineers, linguists and designers, Savatia’s app converts live or recorded speech into accurate sign language displayed by lifelike 3D avatars. The tool was created to help bridge communication gaps in education, healthcare, and daily interactions by ensuring that Deaf individuals can access spoken information in real time.
According to Savatia, the goal was to create a solution that makes communication inclusive for everyone. “Technology should remove barriers, not add them,” he said after receiving the award. “We built this so conversations can include everyone in classrooms, clinics, marketplaces and online.” The app uses artificial intelligence to process speech, translate it into sign language grammar and animate a 3D avatar that performs the appropriate gestures and expressions. Unlike earlier systems that relied on pre-recorded animations, Savatia’s software generates natural, fluid movements in real time. Linguists and Deaf community representatives were involved in the process to ensure cultural accuracy and linguistic authenticity across different regional sign languages.
Pilot programs in Kenyan schools for the Deaf and public health centers have shown significant success. Teachers report improved classroom engagement, while health workers say the app has made patient communication more effective and respectful. Because it runs efficiently on Android devices and can function offline, the app is well-suited for both urban and rural communities with limited internet access.
The African innovation award recognizes the project’s blend of social impact, technical excellence and scalability. Judges praised Savatia’s focus on inclusion and his collaboration with Deaf organizations during development. The award also comes with funding that will support the expansion of the app to other African sign languages and the enhancement of avatar customization features such as skin tone, attire and gestures.
Despite its success, Savatia acknowledges that challenges remain, particularly in gathering more linguistic data for African sign languages. To address this, his team is partnering with local Deaf communities to collect data ethically and train sign language annotators to help refine the AI models. “Technology alone is not enough,” Savatia noted. “We need policies and investments that make accessibility standard in all digital products.”
His achievement marks a milestone for African innovation, demonstrating how homegrown solutions can use cutting-edge technology to solve pressing social issues. With his app, Savatia is proving that inclusive communication is possible and that Africa’s next generation of tech leaders is building it.