Speech-to-Sign Language App Breaks Barriers for the Deaf Community Across Africa
In a world where technology is constantly reshaping communication, one innovation is making waves for its powerful impact on inclusivity a speech-to-sign language app designed to bridge the gap between the Deaf and hearing communities across Africa.
Developed by Kenyan innovator Elly Savatia, the app called Terp 360 recently won the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation, a prestigious award recognizing groundbreaking ideas that address everyday challenges on the continent. But beyond the prize and the headlines, this invention carries a deeper meaning: it represents access, dignity, and connection for millions of Deaf Africans who often find themselves excluded from conversations that shape their world.
A Step Forward for Communication Equality
For many Deaf individuals, the daily struggle to communicate in public spaces from hospitals and banks to classrooms and government offices is not just inconvenient; it’s isolating. Terp 360 aims to change that.
Using artificial intelligence (AI), the app translates spoken words into sign language in real-time, allowing Deaf users to follow conversations without needing an interpreter. It also works in reverse converting sign language gestures back into speech so hearing people can understand.
This means a Deaf student can follow a teacher’s explanation more clearly, a patient can communicate with a doctor without frustration, and a Deaf entrepreneur can negotiate business deals without waiting for a translator.
As Savatia shared in a recent interview, the motivation behind the app was personal: “My close friend is Deaf, and I saw how difficult everyday communication was for him. I wanted to create something that could give the Deaf community more independence.”
A Revolutionary Win for Africa’s Deaf Community
There are an estimated 34 million Deaf or hard-of-hearing people across Africa, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Yet, sign language interpretation remains limited in most public institutions, and awareness of Deaf culture is still low.
The introduction of a tool like Terp 360 could become a turning point. By giving Deaf people access to real-time translation, the app promotes equal participation in education, employment, and social life.
In many African countries, the Deaf community often depends on relatives or paid interpreters to navigate basic systems from school admissions to medical check-ups. This dependence can lead to delayed access, miscommunication, or even discrimination. With this app, a Deaf person can now independently interact and express themselves freely in more spaces.
“This is not just a tech win,” said one Deaf advocate from Kenya’s National Association of the Deaf. “It’s a human win. It means we can finally be heard and seen on our own terms.”
Technology with Heart: How Terp 360 Works
Unlike many Western-built tools, Terp 360 was designed with African Sign Language in mind. The app uses a camera to capture gestures, a microphone for speech input, and a smart translation engine trained on local linguistic patterns.
It’s also designed to work offline or in low-data environments, a critical feature in regions where internet connectivity is inconsistent.
By combining visual recognition, voice processing, and AI, the app demonstrates how technology can be localized to solve real African problems. Its impact isn’t just about convenience; it’s about representation and empowerment.
Breaking Stigmas and Building Bridges
In countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya, the Deaf community continues to face stereotypes and social barriers that limit access to education and employment. Tools like Terp 360 not only promote accessibility but also challenge these stereotypes by showing that Deafness is not a disability — it’s a difference.
When hearing individuals begin to use technology that interacts with sign language, it opens doors for empathy and understanding. Schools, for instance, can use this app to make classrooms more inclusive. Hospitals can improve patient communication. Even workplaces can start rethinking how to integrate Deaf employees more effectively.
The ripple effect goes far beyond the technology itself — it begins to reshape mindsets.
Recognition That Matters
Winning the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation is no small feat. The award, founded by the Royal Academy of Engineering, recognizes African innovators who develop scalable, impactful solutions to the continent’s most pressing challenges.
Elly Savatia’s victory puts him alongside a growing generation of African tech changemakers who are using innovation for inclusion rather than profit alone. The win also highlights how African engineers are increasingly leading conversations around AI ethics, accessibility, and diversity in tech.
But what truly makes Terp 360 remarkable is that it didn’t come from a multinational company or a big research lab — it came from a young African engineer who saw a problem close to home and decided to solve it.
A Future of Inclusive Communication
As Terp 360 continues to gain attention and partnerships, there’s growing optimism that the app could soon expand to other African countries, including Nigeria where the Deaf community is large and vibrant but often underrepresented in mainstream technology solutions.
For the Deaf community, the app is more than a digital tool; it’s a symbol of progress. It gives a new sense of independence and visibility. It reminds society that accessibility should never be an afterthought.
In an era where Africa’s tech scene is booming, innovations like this prove that technology can be a bridge not a barrier.
Conclusion
The story of Terp 360 is not just about a prize-winning app; it’s about restoring voices that were never silent just unheard.
With this breakthrough, Africa takes another bold step toward a future where communication is truly for everyone, and where no one is left out of the conversation simply because they communicate differently.
As the world celebrates innovation, the Deaf community across Africa celebrates something greater: inclusion, equality, and hope.
Written by Fikayo Ajayi
For fikayoajayi.com.ng
