Abdul Karim Sesay is a young man full of dreams and plans for the tech world. A Sierra Leonean with a positive attitude and a solution-focused mentality. Sesay is a trained environmentalist who focuses on nature conservation. In 2016, he embarked on a journey of turning trash into treasures to create a better community. Sesay has always been a smart guy whose level of intelligence and coherence when presenting matters made people think he would delve into law. Alas, Sesay had a broader calling, to reshape the world with technology. He dreamed of becoming a computer scientist since his childhood days. Sesay’s aspiration to learn more, grow in knowledge, and make life better for everybody was genuine.
He has always been celebrated for his numerous contributions through awards and scholarships. In the recently concluded Africans in East Africa award sponsored by The Connected Awards. Sesay emerged as the winner of the Promising Data Analyst category. Apart from being a techie, his communication/ writing prowess is top-notch. Sesay’s journey of innovation was not a walk-in-the-park affair, he remained resilient and patient.! If you are trying to build your level of perseverance and staying through to your goal, you shouldn’t miss this.
Abdul Karim Sesay- Taking Us Through the Memory Lane
Abdul Karim had a defined path, so choosing an undergraduate course wasn’t a problem. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Systems, Networking, and Telecommunications. Sesay loves knowledge and upskilling, so he took it a step further. He is currently learning about global challenges and general natural resource conservation at The African Leadership University. Sesay is an action taker, he identified the issues facing his country and he wants to give his best shot at solving them. He has always gotten involved in volunteering activities since his undergraduate days. Sesay was a student volunteer at the Conservation Society of Sierra Leone. He also joined the Environmental Protection Agency, Sierra Leone and Millennium Campus Network as an intern volunteer.
Sesay began his journey into tech as a graphics designer/ project manager. Afterwards, he worked at ALX as a data analyst. Sesay is an advocate of SDG goal 6 and he has shown his interest by contributing to research projects in different organizations. Sesay served as a research intern at Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet, ALU School of Wildlife Conservation, and the Ministry of Environment, Sierra Leone. Presently, he is a communication intern at JR Farms Africa, Rwanda. Sesay is the epitome of determination and discipline, he was criticised in his quest for creating solutions in his environment. He initiated the idea of building a talking robot that can deliver health services to hospitals in Freetown during the Ebola virus outbreak. Alas, he was named ‘lazy’ because he resulted to using crap materials due to lack of funds.
A Community development man
In 2017, Sesay’s community had a major electricity shortage. As a student who knows how that could affect studies, he suggested building a fuel-free power generator. Most people around him didn’t see it as feasible. Sesay was not discouraged, he fired on and successfully solved the problem. Sesay wouldn’t stop thinking of innovative ideas, he recognized technology as the new norm and wanted his fatherland to benefit. As the popular saying “charity begins at home”.
In 2020, Sesay presented the idea of creating digital identities for all Sierra Leoneans to the Mayor and minister of ICT of Freetown. The unavailability of digital tools, competencies and readiness of the community hindered the project. Sesay is still on a mission to create an enabling environment where technology can thrive with full acceptance from the citizens. One prominent attribute of change makers is working with a life mantra. Sesay has a favourite quote” Do not say it can’t be done, life is too short to think small”. No wonder he keeps delving into unique areas.
Abdul Karim Sesay- A Gist About Africa, People and Technology
Abdul Karim Sesay is a tech evangelist who is ready to give his all to redefine the state of technology in Africa. He perceives technology as the game-changer that the African nations need. He highlights the benefits embedded as boosting the economy/ industrialization, alleviating poverty, and improving the quality of people’s lives. As a research/data analysis, Sesay stated that females leave tech roles at a 45% rate higher than males ( Accenture and Girls Who Code, 2021). Technology has impacted various sectors, Sesay noted that nature conservation and natural resources management is yet to get the needed technological impact. How do highly effective people live? They set goals and timelines and then work towards them.
Sesay has a lot of academic and personality awards to his name. He was credited as the best academic writer and an outstanding student at African Leadership University, Rwanda. Sesay was Sierra Leone’s representative in Mexico for the world robotics competition. Sadly, he could not participate due to management issues in the team. mentioned. Sesay can perform excellently in critical and design thinking, business and data analytics, computer security and coding. He mentions that determination and attention to detail are the survival skills newbies need to succeed in tech. Techies need to be consistent, open to feedback and upskill in order to be relevant in the field. He supports it with his quote “If you know you can do it, don’t let people tell you it’s not possible”.
Abdul Karim Sesay- Specs and the Next Big Thing
Abdul Karim Sesay visions himself in 5 years becoming one of the personalities leading the tech evolution in Africa. He wants to be one of the icons helping people unlock their potential in tech. He sees himself being a driving force that will make people love technology. People around him view technology as a powerful tool but are unaware of how to employ it to foster the nation’s development. Sesay is working on building a tech creative hub that will promote digital literacy and enhance the use of technology.. Apart from tech, Sessay can function well in Journalism and Accounting. Being a techie creating solutions requires time, Sesay employs time management and prioritization skills to create a perfect work and life balance. When he is not working, he passes the time by singing and rapping. What a nice brain relaxation hobby!
Abdul Karim Sessay, you have brought glory to the fatherland, the people of Sierra Leone are proud of you. All of us at Techtrend Africa applaud your efforts.