Silas Adekunle, the visionary Nigerian-British inventor and co-founder of Reach Industries, is igniting hope for young Africans aspiring to conquer the worlds of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), urging them to harness their unique perspectives and collaborate to reshape the continent’s technological landscape.
Known for pioneering an intelligent gaming robot that seamlessly blends lifelike robotics with augmented reality, Adekunle shared his insights in an exclusive interview today, emphasizing that aspiring innovators should not be deterred by limited resources. “Your ideas are valid, and the world is waiting for them,” he declared. “Collaboration is vital—find others who share your vision and build together, turning knowledge into tangible solutions that drive progress for Africa.”
As CEO of Reach Industries, Adekunle is doubling down on his commitment to bridge critical gaps in Nigeria’s AI infrastructure and STEM education through his latest venture, Awarri. Highlighting the transformative potential of AI as a subset of information technology, he explained,
“Strengthening IT structures enhances how society accesses and uses information, creating efficiency that connects to everyday realities.” Addressing the challenge of Africa’s tonal, audio-first languages—often overlooked by text-based global models—Adekunle revealed Awarri’s groundbreaking work, including the recent launch of N-Atlas, a multilingual AI tool, alongside data capture systems and educational platforms.
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These initiatives have already generated jobs, trained professionals, and laid a foundation for future developers, positioning Nigeria as a potential tech hub. “We’ve built systems others can build upon, and that’s just the beginning,” he added.
Looking ahead, Adekunle predicts that frontier technologies in robotics and AI will revolutionize industries like healthcare, research, and automation, with agriculture poised for a seismic shift. Speaking from his Nairobi base, where he oversees Awarri’s expansion, he stressed the need for foundational investments to compete globally.
“Scaling agriculture isn’t just about more hands—it’s about blending human intelligence with automation to amplify productivity,” he said. With Nigeria’s agricultural sector still under-resourced in automation, Adekunle envisions a future where innovative tools empower farmers, researchers, and healthcare providers, urging young Africans to use their creativity as a force for good. As Reach Industries and Awarri continue to push boundaries, Adekunle’s leadership signals a bold new era for Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.
