Upskilling Young Africans to Make Positive Change

Tijan, a recent Graduate of the Ashinaga Africa Initiative (AAI), has transformed a personal journey of perseverance into a mission to close data gaps across Africa. Originally from The Gambia, he joined AAI after high school and, through the program, secured admission to Tokyo International University (TIU), where he studied Digital Business and Innovation. At TIU, he developed a strong interest in using data to address inequities in information access. This interest culminated in the founding of A2Zurvey, a startup dedicated to equipping underserved communities with the data necessary for evidence-based decision-making. 

Growing up in a low-income household, Tijan began working at age five to help support his family. “I started selling on the market when I was five,” he recalls. These early responsibilities taught him resourcefulness and resilience, shaping his belief in business as a force for good. “If something I’m doing in business harms the community just to make a profit, then it’s not aligned with my values,” he explains. 

As he grew older, this early foundation evolved into a deeper interest in innovation and entrepreneurship. Attending startup and tech events in The Gambia exposed him to new ideas and opportunities, and a pivotal encounter with a young local founder became a turning point. “He inspired me,” Tijan says. “He told me about the challenges he faced and how he had to find a way through. That reminded me to focus on solutions, not the obstacles.” 

Tijan credits the Ashinaga Africa Initiative with laying the foundation for his growth. “Sometimes I think, if it weren’t for Ashinaga, where would I be?” he reflects. During his preparation year in Uganda, he developed essential skills in leadership, networking, and public speaking. “That’s what laid the foundation for me,” he says. 

At TIU, Tijan pursued his studies with determination, especially in data-focused subjects. “There were five professors who taught data-related courses. I made sure to choose almost everything they offered,” he recalls. He also took on leadership roles and actively engaged with peers, noting that TIU provided space to grow both academically and personally. 

During his time in Japan, Tijan revisited earlier business ideas, drawing on his expanding knowledge and leadership skills. An internship with The Gambia’s Ministry of Health highlighted the lack of reliable data, a challenge echoed in his final-year thesis on mobile money. “I went online, and there was nothing,” he says. “So, I had to go back home, travel to rural areas, and collect the data myself.” This hands-on experience confirmed the scale of the issue. “Even a simple data set like mobile phone usage patterns can be almost impossible to find,” he explains. “It means many decisions across Africa are being made without evidence, and large parts of the population, especially in rural areas, are left out.” 

After attending Ashinaga’sTsudoi in 2023, a gathering that brings together Ashinaga scholars and alumni for mentorship, leadership training, and community building, Tijan reconnected with peers and relaunched his initiative, A2Zurvey, which was officially registered in September 2024. Its mission is to bridge Africa’s data gap to support more inclusive and evidence-based decision-making. “We want data to be available to everyone,” he emphasizes. A long-term goal is to train artificial intelligence models using African datasets. “Most existing systems are built on Western data. They don’t reflect how people live, work, or spendmoneyin Africa,” he says. “Africa has its own dynamics. You need to build with that in mind.” 

In his final year, Tijan balanced thesis work with entrepreneurial pursuits, also launching A2Z Global Connect to bring together a team of friends from Africa and abroad who shared his vision. He credits collaboration and trust as essential. “It would have been difficult to do this alone,” he admits. 

Upon graduation, Tijan made a purposeful decision to return to The Gambia and focus full-time on growing his ventures. “I realized it was time to stop waiting,” he said. “I want to go back, plant something meaningful, and nurture it before thinking about what comes next.” His commitment is grounded in a desire to create opportunities for others. “There is so much potential back home,” he says. “Many young people have the mindset and ambition. They just need a door to open.” 

Thanks to your continued support, young leaders like Tijan are not only accessing education but also transforming their communities. Your donations help open those doors and create a lasting impact, one scholar at a time. 

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