Ivorian Technology entrepreneur, Alain Capo has won World Literacy Award for his outstanding contribution in the individual category which celebrates his contribution to Smartphone Language Development that promotes literacy in Ivory Coast.
He was among five hundred literacy specialists, 40 ambassadors and high commissioners present during the presentation ceremony at Oxford University, UK. The award recognizes individuals and organisations annually for their outstanding endeavours that promote literacy learning.
World Literacy Foundation CEO Andrew Kay said the World Literacy Awards “puts a spotlight on people and organisations doing exemplary and innovative work in the literacy sector.” “We know the past 24 months have highlighted the need for communities to unite for literacy,” he said. “The pandemic has caused serious disruption in the lives of people in sub-Saharan who can’t read and write, particularly those from low-income homes with limited access to books, education resources and online learning tools.”
He invented a smartphone that allows users to communicate in 16 different languages spoken in Ivory Coast and 50 more in other West African languages. ‘It’s an amazing honor to receive this award and the global acknowledgment of the work in literacy as we increase access to education and literacy for all,’ Capo said.
Capo’s smartphone uses an operating system called “Kone” which enables illiterate people to speak into the phone to communicate in one of the many other regional dialects.
Through his work in telecommunications and technology and his advocacy for literacy, he has shared with the world his long-term vision is to fighting illiteracy on the African continent and provide low-cost, simple-to-use digital tools to bridge the reading-writing gap.
