A young Nigerian digital product designer's accomplishment at this year's Hackathon competition highlights the expanding opportunities within Qatar's technology industry.
During the Qatar Innovation Hackathon, Ajiri Omafokpe leveraged her extensive six-year experience in fintech to lead product development amidst the competitive environment.
Participants were challenged to harness digital technologies, including machine learning and augmented reality, to create innovative business models across six specific industry themes.
Omafokpe was instrumental in the success of Amanah, the first Takaful aggregator in the GCC, which was recognized as one of the winners in the Fintech category. The team, composed of four talented professionals with diverse expertise, aimed to revolutionize the Islamic insurance sector through advanced solutions.
Amanah's victory not only demonstrated the potential of digital innovations but also emphasized Doha's capacity to serve as a vibrant startup ecosystem.
“My journey in the fintech industry began with Yellow Card, where I focused on product design, UX design, and marketing design,” Omafokpe shared with Doha News.
Her tenure at the pan-African fintech firm marked a significant milestone in her career, contributing to the company's expansion.
“When I joined, I was their seventh employee, and now they operate in 20 countries across the continent,” she noted.
Fostering a community
Ajiri Omafokpe (pictured centre-left) and the Amanah team were among the winners of this year’s Qatar Innovation Hackathon competition. Source: Amanah HQ.
While the primary aim of the Qatar Innovation Hackathon is to engage the Gulf state's innovative entrepreneurs in developing solutions for specific industry challenges, for Omafokpe, the experience had a broader impact beyond the competition.
“Having come from a robust tech community in Lagos, where there is ample access to like-minded individuals and mentors, I noticed a gap in Doha,” the Nigerian native remarked. “The city lacked a venue for tech enthusiasts and entrepreneurs to connect and collaborate.”
To address the existing gap, Omafokpe, in partnership with fellow Nigerian and co-founder Michael Ifeanyi, launched Builder Tribe, a platform focused on aiding startups in their growth and success throughout the Middle East.
"We initiated our journey in July, and the community's response has been remarkable. Smaller enterprises are realizing that collaboration is essential for nurturing and expanding the ecosystem, rather than viewing each other as competitors," Ifeanyi remarked.
Motivated by the objectives set forth in the government’s Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to foster a knowledge-based economy driven by innovation and entrepreneurship, Omafokpe and Ifeanyi's platform is designed to provide mentorship to tech startups.
"I once found myself at the beginning of my journey, and it was the community and mentorship that provided direction," Omafokpe shared, emphasizing the rapid pace of the industry and the critical need for upskilling initiatives, particularly for the youth in Qatar.
Moreover, Builder Tribe serves as a conduit for innovative concepts to connect with potential investors, effectively bridging the divide between startups and the necessary funding to realize their visions.
Omafokpe and Ifeanyi (pictured left of bottom row) with attendees at one of their community events. Source: Builders Tribe, via Instagram.
The significance of storytelling
"Qatar hosts major international events like the Web Summit, and the event in February was excellent for networking," Ifeanyi noted. "However, we recognized that many remarkable stories were being overlooked, and we aimed to create a platform where entrepreneurs could connect, share their narratives, and collaborate to make a significant impact."
The co-founder of Builder Tribe further pointed out that the local entrepreneurial efforts of startups can often be overshadowed by the presence of larger, more established firms.
"At times, it may appear that the entrepreneurial scene lacks vibrancy," Ifeanyi stated. "Yet, we have discovered that this is not the reality. There are numerous talented innovators in Qatar whose stories have not been effectively shared or connected."
To address this gap, the platform has organized two in-person community events aimed at connecting innovators across the country.
“At our most recent event, we provided five startups with the opportunity to present their ideas on stage to an audience of at least 70 attendees. For many, this was their first chance to do so, and the impact was truly remarkable,” stated Ifeanyi.
Omafokpe emphasized that these events have been the pinnacle of her experience thus far, remarking that “the tech industry can often feel isolating and challenging.” She further noted that Qatar is well-positioned to emerge as a global leader in innovation and technology.
“We must cultivate a local culture that strengthens community ties, fostering an ecosystem where information and opportunities can flow freely,” Omafokpe added.