ABOUT US

RobotsAfrica is a rapidly growing organization aiming to democratize access to robotics education. 

 

The organization was founded by Bryson Hajee, a current grade 12 student and FIRST Robotics mentor in Calgary, Alberta.  Although born in Canada, Bryson has family roots in Africa, with grandparents born and raised in Kenya and Tanzania.  Having lived in South Africa as a young boy and visited many African countries, Bryson has seen first-hand the inequity in access that many, particularly the youth, have to basic education that many of us in North America and elsewhere take for granted. 

 

Competitive robotics programs, like FIRST Robotics, are proven to not only develop technical skills but, more importantly, skills in communication, negotiation, resource management and complex problem-solving -  all skills that the World Economic Forum has indicated will be vital for our youth to have to be best prepared for the current Fourth Industrial Revolution.​

 

RobotsAfrica's mission to scale robotics education in Africa is borne out of both need and opportunity.   There are over 15,000 FIRST Robotics teams in North America, Europe, Asia and Oceania, but only 200 teams in Africa.  Most African teams are in South Africa, with a handful in Kenya, Ghana, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.   We don't believe it's a coincidence that these same African countries are the highest ranked of all African countries on the Global Innovation Index, which measures the innovativeness of 132 countries. 

 

FIRST Robotics has been instrumental in so many kids' lives worldwide.   Robotics education and, in particular, youth participation in competitive robotics have been proven to lead youth into STEM careers.  

 

There exists a vast opportunity that must be exploited to get more African youth into robotics.  We are on a mission to do just that.  

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