A Kenyan entrepreneur has won global acclaim for creating an AI-powered app that translates speech and text into sign language using 3D avatars, revolutionizing communication for the deaf community across Africa.
Elly Savatia, founder of Terp 360, developed the web-based platform that functions like “Google Translate for sign language.” The app converts spoken or written words into real-time sign language displayed by photorealistic 3D avatars, allowing seamless interaction without the need for a human interpreter.
Savatia was awarded £50,000 ($67,000) by the UK’s Royal Academy of Engineering, after winning its prestigious Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation 2025. The ceremony took place in Dakar, Senegal, where his innovation was selected from four finalists representing top talent from across the continent.
“What really stood out about Elly’s solution — and Elly himself — is the level of innovation,” said Rebecca Enonchong, chair of the judging panel. “It’s proof that Africans are capable of using cutting-edge technology to solve problems, not just locally but globally.”
The AI model behind Terp 360 was trained using motion sensors attached to signers’ hands, capturing and digitizing over 2,300 signs — including common words and phrases in Kenyan Sign Language (KSL).
Savatia’s mission stems from a desire to bridge the communication gap that isolates millions of deaf individuals from essential services in Africa.
“Deaf people are often left behind in education, healthcare, and employment,” he said. “We see ourselves as enablers — providing sign language at scale.”
While similar translation technologies exist, most cater to Western sign languages. Terp 360 is uniquely designed to respect African linguistic and cultural contexts, currently supporting translations from English and Swahili into KSL, with future expansion planned for Rwandan, Ugandan, South African, British, and American Sign Languages by mid-2027.
To scale up, Savatia’s team is partnering with local NGOs and sign language projects across Africa, leveraging motion capture studios and video data from regional broadcasters. Their Nairobi-based studio can now record and process 1,000 new signs per day.
The Africa Prize judges praised the innovation’s potential for social transformation, calling it a major step toward inclusivity and accessibility in Africa’s digital future.
“Elly has created a real solution that can truly transform lives,” Enonchong said.
Dedicated to uncovering stories that matter, Hareem crafts news and content that truly connects. Covering current affairs, trends, and social issues, she delivers insightful reporting with clarity, creativity, and purpose. Passionate about storytelling that informs, engages, and inspires readers.
Dedicated to uncovering stories that matter, Hareem crafts news and content that truly connects. Covering current affairs, trends, and social issues, she delivers insightful reporting with clarity, creativity, and purpose. Passionate about storytelling that informs, engages, and inspires readers.
