A 26-year-old is the first woman to win the UK Engineering Prize for innovation

In a remarkable achievement that highlights the potential of African innovation, 26-year-old Charlette N’Guessan from Ivory Coast has made history by becoming the first woman to win the prestigious Royal Academy of Engineering’s Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation. N’Guessan and her team received this accolade for their groundbreaking work on the BACE API, a digital verification system leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and facial recognition technology to combat identity fraud and enhance cybersecurity across the continent.

Pioneering Identity Verification with BACE API

The BACE API, the brainchild of N’Guessan and her team, addresses a significant challenge in Africa: reliable identity verification. Unlike traditional methods that often require physical presence or extensive hardware, BACE API can verify identities remotely and in real-time using a live photo or a short video captured on a user’s device. This image is then matched against the user’s submitted identification documents, such as passports or ID cards.

“For the person trying to submit their application, we ask them to switch on their camera to make sure the person behind the camera is real, and not a robot,” N’Guessan explained. “We are able to capture the face of the person live and match their image with the one on the existing document the person submitted.”

Addressing a Critical Need

The inspiration for BACE API emerged while N’Guessan was studying at the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) in Accra, Ghana. Through interactions with tech entrepreneurs, she and her team identified a pervasive issue of cybersecurity and identity fraud within Ghanaian financial institutions, which spend approximately $400 million annually to verify their customers’ identities.

“We decided to make our contribution as software engineers and data scientists by building a solution that can be useful for this market,” N’Guessan stated. The BACE API has since proven to be a cost-effective and efficient solution, gaining traction with financial institutions and other sectors that require robust identity verification.

Recognition and Impact

N’Guessan’s innovation did not go unnoticed. On September 3, 2020, during a virtual award ceremony, the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Africa Prize judges and a live audience voted in favor of BACE API. Rebecca Enonchong, an entrepreneur and judge for the prize, emphasized the significance of N’Guessan’s work, stating, “It is essential to have technologies like facial recognition based on African communities, and we are confident their innovative technology will have far-reaching benefits for the continent.”

This recognition not only underscores the importance of tailored technological solutions for Africa but also marks a significant milestone for women in tech. The Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation, founded by the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2014, aims to reward innovative solutions that address critical challenges on the continent. N’Guessan’s victory as the first female recipient highlights the rising influence and contributions of women in the tech industry.

A Vision for the Future

Beyond her work with BACE API, N’Guessan is a vocal advocate for responsible AI. On her LinkedIn profile, she describes her commitment to leveraging AI for the betterment of African communities. She currently serves as the Data Solutions and Ecosystem Lead at AMINI, a deep-tech startup focusing on environmental data scarcity using space technology and AI. Additionally, she is an AI expert consultant for the African Union’s High-Level Group on Emerging Technologies, contributing to the development of the continental AI strategy.

N’Guessan has co-authored significant publications, including “The AI Book” and “Rising to the Top,” reflecting her thought leadership in AI and engineering. Her achievements have earned her numerous accolades and features in prominent media outlets, inspiring a new generation of African women to pursue careers in technology.

Conclusion

Charlette N’Guessan’s journey from a young software engineering student to a pioneering tech entrepreneur is a testament to the transformative power of innovation and the critical role of women in technology. Her success with BACE API not only addresses pressing issues of cybersecurity and identity verification in Africa but also paves the way for more inclusive and representative technological advancements. As she continues to break barriers and inspire future leaders, N’Guessan exemplifies the limitless potential of African ingenuity and the importance of nurturing talent within the continent.

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