Meet the Top 10: Code for Impact 2025 Finalists Building Rwanda's Tech Future

Muraho TTS has developed a comprehensive Kinyarwanda text-to-speech platform that goes far beyond simple translation. Their system translates foreign languages into Kinyarwanda, converts sign language, integrates with IoT devices, and provides visual and sign recognition capabilities. What sets them apart is performance; exceptionally low latency, ready-to-use SDKs and APIs, and pay-as-you-go pricing that makes the technology accessible to developers and businesses of all sizes.

The applications are extensive; from voice-driven systems and smart IoT devices to text chatbots that can communicate authentically in Kinyarwanda. For a country working to ensure technology serves all citizens regardless of language ability, Muraho TTS represents critical infrastructure for digital inclusion.

Motorcycle accidents represent a significant public safety challenge in Rwanda's cities. L-Guard addresses this with an IoT device that monitors motorcycle speed, tracks location in real-time, and automatically alerts hospitals, police, and relevant authorities when accidents occur; including severity assessment to ensure appropriate emergency response.

The tool cost $30 per device, L-Guard has been manufactured and will begin pilot testing next week with 10 motorcycles in Kigali. This rapid progression from concept to deployment demonstrates both the team's execution capability and the urgent need for their solution in Rwanda's transportation ecosystem.

Seruka has built a travel booking platform that aggregates thousands of hotels worldwide and hundreds of airlines, allowing travelers to compare prices and book instantly. What differentiates them is their AI recommendation engine that provides customized suggestions based on individual preferences; turning overwhelming choice into personalized, actionable options.

Unlike many finalists still in development, Seruka is already operational in the market, serving real customers and proving their business model works. Their participation in Code for Impact positions them to scale further and refine features based on user feedback and ecosystem support.

The inspiration came from a simple encounter. A founder met a Red Cross volunteer collecting blood and realized how many willing donors miss opportunities simply because they lack information about when and where blood is needed. Their solution is a comprehensive system designed for implementation by the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) to address blood shortage challenges.

The platform includes a mobile app for smartphone users, USSD service for rural and non-smartphone populations, and an admin dashboard for RBC to manage requests in real-time. Users can register their willingness to donate, and when blood is needed, the system connects donors with collection points; turning the passive desire to help into active, coordinated life-saving action. As the founders emphasize: "Donating blood means giving life."

Most Rwandans don't know their legal rights and aren't willing to read lengthy PDFs of official gazettes. They want simple answers and digestible information about legal issues they face. Menyalo digitizes Rwanda's legal knowledge, making it easily accessible, readable, and searchable through an intuitive app that transforms complex law into practical guidance.

Beyond individual access, Menyalo creates connections: a community feature allows users to help each other and share legal knowledge, while law firms can use the platform to connect with people seeking professional legal assistance. By bridging the gap between legal expertise and public need, Menyalo addresses a fundamental barrier to justice; awareness of one's rights and available recourse.

In maternal and child healthcare, delays can prove fatal. Mother Link connects mothers, healthcare workers, and hospitals in real-time, enabling health workers to track mothers and babies throughout pregnancy and postpartum periods. The system includes a mobile app, admin dashboard for healthcare facilities, and USSD for communities without smartphone access.

Their scaling strategy include partnering with NGOs already working in maternal health to integrate Mother Link as the digital infrastructure powering their programs. This approach leverages existing trust, relationships, and field presence while adding the coordination and tracking capabilities that can prevent emergencies before they escalate.

AgriMerge tackles two critical farmer challenges: accessing markets for their produce and detecting crop diseases early. Their integrated AI allows farmers to photograph crops and receive instant diagnosis; identifying problems before they devastate harvests. Simultaneously, the platform connects farmers directly to markets, eliminating middlemen who traditionally capture most value.

The team projects reaching 8,000 users within two years and generating over 45 million Rwandan francs in revenue. Ambitious but achievable targets given agriculture's centrality to Rwanda's economy and the clear pain points they address.

NTDM Animal Hospital has developed IoT devices currently deployed in Nyagatare tracking livestock health. Their cutting-edge tracking devices and diagnostic tools monitor animals continuously, detect diseases early, and provide veterinary consultation services remotely—bringing professional animal healthcare to rural farming communities that traditionally lack access.

The solution is already proving its value because seven cows are currently being monitored with promising results according to the founder. This real-world testing phase validates both the technology's reliability and farmers' willingness to adopt IoT solutions when they deliver tangible value in animal health and productivity.

Non-communicable diseases; cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, and cancer, are rising across Africa, yet rural populations face limited screening access, insufficient diagnostic infrastructure, fragmented reporting systems, and low health literacy. NCD Medtech's Sanitel system addresses these barriers comprehensively through AI-powered screening tools that administer risk assessments, biomarker inputs, and questionnaires.

Machine learning processes this data, stratifies patient risk, and offers clinical guidance. The system integrates automatically with central health information systems, enabling seamless follow-ups, referrals, and tracking across facilities. Real-time dashboards give doctors, hospitals, and policymakers visibility into population health trends, risk hotspots, and resource allocation needs. Automated SMS and call reminders engage patients with medication prompts, appointment reminders, and tailored health education.

Their mission is Detect Early. Act Smart. Live Longer.

In emergencies, seconds matter, but victims often cannot safely call for help. Inkingi Rescue transforms smartphones into intelligent emergency alert systems. When users shake their phones a preset number of times, the app automatically captures video, images, and voice recordings, then sends these with GPS location to authorities.

The system can also alert neighboring users who've opted in, creating community-based emergency response networks. If you witness someone else's emergency, you can report it with evidence through the same system. By combining official emergency response with community support and automatic evidence collection, Inkingi Rescue addresses multiple failure points in current emergency communication systems; particularly valuable in situations where victims cannot safely make phone calls or articulate their location.