Muluh Godson, a young Cameroonian tech developer, has gained global recognition after winning the Google 2024 Gemini AI Award in the “Best Use of Firebase” category.
His project, TRIPPY, earned him a $50,000 prize (approximately FCFA 31 million), making him the only African among winners in the award’s nine categories.
More than 3,500 submissions came in from 119 countries for the awards, with TRIPPY standing out as a groundbreaking travel application.
Using artificial intelligence, TRIPPY simplifies travel planning by allowing users to compare flights and accommodations based on cost, capture photos of receipts for accountability, and convert currencies with simple voice commands.
During a recent interview with CRTV, Muluh said he learnt about the competition just one month before the submission deadline.
But he successfully competed against engineers from top universities and renowned tech firms.
“There were competitors and software engineers from big companies and renowned universities. I was working alone, yet Cameroon was the only country to win in this category,” he said.
Recognition at Home
On November 28, Muluh presented his award to Cameroon’s Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Minette Libom Likeng.
Praising his achievement, the Minister named him an Ambassador of Digital Technology in Cameroon.
She said, “We are not only celebrating a victory that honours you but the entire nation. Your case is an example to young people because you dared despite challenges and risks.”
Muluh Godson’s win is not his first for digital innovation. In 2022, he won the MTN MoMo National Hackathon with Miya, a crowdfunding platform.
Through Miya, he raised over FCFA 1 million to renovate and equip a computer lab at Government Bilingual High School Mudeka in Tiko Subdivision, Southwest Region.
Thanks to his initiative, the school, which serves nearly 1,000 students annually, now boasts a modern, functional computer lab.
Vision for the Future
After his Google AI victory, Muluh wants to expand digital education in Cameroon’s remote communities.
He aims to address barriers like lack of computers, internet, and electricity by deploying cost-effective digital gadgets powered by solar energy.
“Without electricity and the Internet, you cannot have computer labs. Without computer labs, what are we really doing? My project focuses on bringing technology to places without electricity, ensuring sustainability,” Muluh said during “Cameroon Feeling” on CRTV.
He added, “Cameroon has abundant sunlight, which translates to abundant energy. We plan to use solar power to set up digital infrastructure in remote villages. This will enable children who have never seen electricity to learn computer skills, attend classes, and connect with the world from their homes.”
His vision is a path towards decentralising digital education in Cameroon.
By leveraging renewable energy and innovative technology, he hopes to bridge the digital divide and empower future generations.
