When I graduated from high school, I wanted to study Actuarial Science. What else could a boy who loved numbers and predicting the future choose?
But I didn’t trust the quality of the only university in my country that offered it, and I couldn’t study abroad.
So, I chose engineering at the best university in my country. I was able to switch because I knew what I wanted: not just to predict the future, but to influence it. I found that same power in becoming an engineer.
Still, I never stopped loving numbers or imagining what comes next. I use those skills every day, in my work, in my businesses. If I had my own (totally unbiased) benchmark, I’d say I’ve got a 99% success rate predicting the future 🤪.
But what truly keeps me up at night is this: How are our youth choosing what to study after the high school diploma?
Every year, thousands of young West Africans enter university confused, misinformed, or simply following what others tell them.
But what if we flipped the question?
Instead of asking:
What are you good at?
We asked:
What problem do you want to solve for Africa?
That’s the idea behind Africa Needs You, an interactive orientation simulation built around mission, purpose, and local impact.
As part of my broader goal to design a new kind of university model for Africa, I believe that helping youth choose their path with intention is one of the most important starting points.
I want to test a simple but powerful hypothesis:
If students start with purpose, they will make stronger, more motivated, and more meaningful choices.
From purpose to path: Evaluating the impact of mission-driven simulations on career decision-making among West African youth
Does a purpose-driven orientation simulation increase clarity, motivation, and alignment between students’ university choices and Africa’s development needs?
Students will be randomly placed into one of two groups:
| Group | Experience |
|---|---|
| A: Simulation Group | Guided through Africa Needs You, a chatbot where they choose a real African challenge, explore university fields that can help solve it, and reflect on their motivation |
| B: Control Group | Receive traditional orientation: suggestions based on academic background and favorite subjects |
Each participant will answer a set of questions before and after the experience to measure:
Group A will explore a preconfigured list of real challenges facing Africa today, such as:
In the Africa Needs You experience, students begin by facing a powerful question:
What urgent problem in Africa speaks to you the most?
From energy poverty to failing health systems, to the silent disappearance of our languages, the challenges are real and deeply personal.
These aren’t just statistics; they reflect the daily struggles of our families and our futures.
But here’s what many students don’t realize:
Solving these problems doesn’t require just one kind of person.
You don’t have to become a doctor to improve healthcare.
An engineer can design better hospitals.
A chemist can develop life-saving drugs.
A software developer can build health tracking systems.
A good economist can help governments fund more clinics.
The simulation helps students understand that every problem is multidisciplinary, and that their strengths, in math, language, science, or art, can all find purpose in service to Africa’s future.
They choose the problem that resonates most, then explore how different university paths can contribute to solving it. They can ask questions, dig deeper, and reflect with a chatbot that guides, not dictates.
Group B will go through a classic orientation flow, receiving 5 suggested university fields based on their high school diploma field and strengths.
Logeco Africa is a West African edtech startup transforming the way schools, students, and parents manage all aspects of school life.
They are the ideal partner for building and deploying this simulation. Their deep commitment to education makes them perfect for this mission.
We’re building Africa Needs You as a chatbot, mobile-friendly, AI-powered, and designed to guide students through a deeply personal, reflective journey.
Africa needs you. Now more than ever.
Let’s help students choose paths not just with their heads, but with their hearts and their continent in mind.
Occasional updates on my latest ideas and experiments.