Amidst the challenges of a nation grappling with educational and agricultural disparities, one young innovator is charting a transformative path with two giant startup enterprises, Skolarr, an AI-powered educational app.
Afopezi Moses, Co-founder and CEO of Skolarr and AgricFresh, has embarked on an indelible journey of transforming the education and agriculture sectors in a developing nation. Born in the West Region of Cameroon and raised in the Northwest, his story is one of perseverance, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to uplifting his community. His childhood was shaped by a deep curiosity and an unrelenting desire to learn, despite limited access to technology and educational resources. Raised by parents who instilled in him the values of hard work, resilience, and the importance of education, Afopezi Moses’ path was always guided by a strong moral compass
. It was during the onset of the Anglophone crisis that he truly understood the magnitude of the challenges faced by his community, particularly in terms of access to quality education. This experience ignited a passion within him to find solutions through technology, leading him to pursue a career dedicated to bridging these educational gaps. Growing up in an environment where the digital world was a distant dream, Afopezi Moses found himself captivated by technology, often seeking ways to engage with it despite the scarcity of resources.
The Anglophone crisis, which led to the closure of many schools and the disruption of educational services in his region, became a pivotal moment in his life. This crisis, while devastating, presented an opportunity for him to channel his efforts into finding innovative ways to deliver education to those most affected by the conflict. He realized that education could be the key to not only overcoming the crisis but also to transforming his community and the country at large.
First steps in innovation
In the early stages of his career, Afopezi Moses founded DDevWorld-Tech, a startup that aimed to address the educational challenges in Cameroon. While studying telecommunications, he developed a school management system using Microsoft Excel VBA, a project that demonstrated his ability to think creatively and apply technology to real-world problems. This initiative marked the beginning of his journey into the intersection of technology and education. He went on to launch the #FreeTech4Teens-Tech4All program, which sought to introduce technology to underserved teenagers, and created the Cam E-Guide app, a digital platform designed to provide educational resources to students across Cameroon.
These early projects were just the beginning of what would become a lifelong mission to revolutionize education through technology.But it was the creation of Skolarr, an AI-powered educational app that truly solidified Afopezi Moses’ status as a leader in the tech-for-education space. Skolarr was designed to provide real-time tutoring and comprehensive educational resources to students, particularly those in conflict zones like the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon, which had been severely impacted by the ongoing Anglophone crisis. The app’s impact has been profound, providing access to quality education to over 10,000 students. For many of these students, Skolarr has been a lifeline, offering them the opportunity to continue their education despite the chaos and disruption around them.
This initiative has earned Afopezi Moses widespread recognition, including numerous awards that highlight the success of Skolarr and its role in transforming the educational landscape in Cameroon.Among the accolades that have come his way are the National Youth Connekt Challenge awards in 2021 and 2022, the National Prize for the MTN Y’ello Digital Talent Inter-University Competition in 2023, and the Presidential Prize for Cameroon’s Student Ingenuity and Talent Contest GETEC in 2023. Additionally, he was named the winner of the Cameroon Youth Award Prize for Tech and Innovation in 2024 and was recognized as one of the Top 50 Finalists for the chegg.org Global Student Prize in 2023.
These awards are a testament to the impact of Afopezi Moses’ work, not only in Cameroon but also on the global stage, and they serve as a powerful reminder of the potential for technology to reshape the future of education.
Values and vision
At the core of Afopezi Moses’journey are the values that have guided him every step of the way: a deep commitment to education, a passion for social equity, and a relentless drive to innovate. For Afopezi Moses, success is not defined by personal accolades but by the positive change one can bring to the lives of others. This perspective has shaped his career and has driven him to continuously seek out new ways to make a difference. His work is not just about providing access to education; it’s about empowering individuals to take control of their futures and create lasting change in their communities.
Throughout his journey, Afopezi Moses has faced numerous challenges. The Anglophone crisis, which disrupted education for millions of students, was one of the most difficult periods in his life. Many schools in his region were forced to close, and the lack of access to education became a pressing issue
. But rather than being discouraged by these setbacks, Afopezi Moses saw them as an opportunity to innovate. He drew strength from his vision of a future where every child had access to quality education, regardless of the circumstances. He faced criticism and encountered obstacles, but his determination never wavered. He built partnerships with teachers, sought online certifications to enhance his skills, and continually refined his projects to meet the evolving needs of his community. As Afopezi Moses continues to build on his success in the education sector, his focus is expanding into agriculture, a field that is crucial to the economy of Cameroon but also faces significant challenges.
The agricultural sector in Cameroon suffers from inefficiencies, particularly when it comes to post-harvest loss, with up to 40% of perishable produce such as tomatoes, cabbages, and pineapples going to waste due to poor storage and lack of access to markets. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, Afopezi Moses launched AgricFresh, a venture dedicated to reducing post-harvest loss through innovative solutions.
AgricFresh offers solar-powered cold storage systems and a digital platform that connects farmers directly with buyers, ensuring that their produce is stored properly and sold in a timely manner. The impact of AgricFresh has been profound, with the initiative already earning recognition for its contributions to agricultural innovation. In 2024, AgricFresh won the Overall Best Prize at the Camtel BlueTech Challenge, and the project was selected as one of the Top 20 National Projects in the Agritech Challenge, which seeks to find groundbreaking solutions for farmers.
Through AgricFresh, Afopezi Moses aims to not only reduce food waste but also to empower farmers by providing them with the tools they need to succeed in a competitive marketplace. Looking ahead, Afopezi Moses is focused on expanding both Skolarr and AgricFresh, ensuring that these initiatives continue to benefit communities across Cameroon. He envisions a future where technology is used to empower individuals, reduce inequalities, and create sustainable solutions for the country’s most pressing challenges
. He hopes to be remembered as someone who democratized access to education and agriculture, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, empowerment, and lasting change. In the face of adversity, Afopezi Moses has demonstrated that innovation and compassion are powerful forces for change. His journey is a testament to the transformative power of technology and the impact that one individual can have on the world. As he continues to break down barriers and create new opportunities, Afopezi Moses is not just changing the lives of the people he serves; he is inspiring an entire generation to dream bigger, aim higher, and believe in the power of innovation to shape the future.
His story is a beacon of hope, a reminder that with determination, vision, and a commitment to making a difference, anything is possible. Through his work in education and agriculture, Afopezi Moses is not just building a better future for himself but for his country and the generations to come.
