Ajiri Omafokpe, a young Nigerian digital product designer, has become a trailblazer in Qatar’s burgeoning tech scene, building on her success at this year’s Qatar Innovation Hackathon. Her triumph, as part of the fintech startup Amanah, highlights not just her individual achievements but the growing opportunities within Qatar’s tech ecosystem.
Omafokpe’s role in Amanah, the first Takaful aggregator in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), solidified her reputation in the fintech space. Her team’s innovative approach to integrating digital technologies such as machine learning and augmented reality into Islamic insurance was a pivotal moment in her career. But her story extends far beyond competition triumphs.
Building a Tech Community in Doha
While the Qatar Innovation Hackathon primarily aimed to attract global talent and create innovative solutions, Omafokpe’s experience has evolved into a broader mission: building a stronger tech community in Doha. “Coming from Lagos, where there’s access to a supportive and collaborative tech environment, I noticed a gap here in Doha,” she shared. “The city lacked a space where tech enthusiasts and entrepreneurs could truly connect and grow together.”
In response, Omafokpe co-founded Builder Tribe with Michael Ifeanyi, a fellow Nigerian entrepreneur. Launched in July, Builder Tribe quickly gained traction, providing a much-needed platform for startups to scale and succeed across the Middle East. “We’ve seen how collaboration, not competition, can drive growth,” Ifeanyi noted.
Supporting Startups with Mentorship and Funding
Building on the objectives of Qatar’s National Vision 2030, which emphasizes innovation and entrepreneurship, Builder Tribe focuses on offering mentorship to aspiring tech entrepreneurs. By offering valuable guidance and bridging the gap between startups and potential investors, the platform is fostering a knowledge-based economy.
Omafokpe and Ifeanyi understand the importance of community support, having experienced the benefits of mentorship early in their careers. “When I was starting out, it was mentorship and community that helped me thrive in a fast-paced industry,” Omafokpe explained. “We want to provide that same guidance to startups in Qatar.”
Connecting Innovators and Sharing Stories
Beyond mentorship, Builder Tribe is helping to tell the stories of local innovators that often go untold in the shadow of larger corporations. “Qatar hosts international events like Web Summit, which are great for networking,” Ifeanyi commented. “However, we noticed many incredible stories from smaller startups were not being shared, and we wanted to change that.”
Since its inception, Builder Tribe has organized two successful community events, bringing together entrepreneurs and innovators to share their ideas. “At our last event, five startups were given the opportunity to present to an audience of 70 people,” Ifeanyi said. “For many of them, it was their first time speaking on stage.”
For Omafokpe, these events are a highlight of her journey. “Tech can be a lonely space to navigate, but seeing entrepreneurs share their stories and connect with like-minded people is what makes this journey so worthwhile,” she reflected.
Doha’s Potential as a Global Tech Leader
Omafokpe believes that Qatar is on track to become a global leader in innovation and technology. “For this to happen, we need to foster a local culture that encourages open sharing of ideas and opportunities,” she emphasized. With initiatives like Builder Tribe, she is confident that Doha’s tech ecosystem is poised for growth, offering a thriving community for aspiring entrepreneurs to thrive.
