Tanzania’s Sheila Aron never planned to be a tech leader. She wasn’t the “girl who built robots in her garage” or the “child prodigy hacking into systems.” She was just curious. As a kid, she dreamed of being an astronaut or a doctor—until a single moment changed her life.
“Growing up, I wasn’t the ‘tech girl,” she confesses, a hint of amused disbelief. “I was just curious.” Curiosity, it turns out, is a potent algorithm. It’s the spark that ignited a journey from childhood dreams of space and medicine to the vibrant, bustling reality of Code Her, Teens in AI Tanzania, and a constellation of ambassadorial roles. Indeed, her story isn’t just about code; it’s about rewriting the code of possibility itself.
It happened at a hackathon in junior high school. Her team built an educational game for kids, inspired by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. They weren’t expecting much. Then they won. Not just locally, but globally. Tanzania versus teams from France, Kenya, South Africa, and the UK. And they placed in the top five.
“That moment changed everything,” Sheila says. “It wasn’t just a win; it was proof that young Africans belong in tech.” That win, a global validation, was a seismic shift. Consequently, the narrative shifted, from passive consumption to active creation. She didn’t just stumble into tech; tech, in a way, chose her, recognizing the raw potential bubbling beneath the surface.
Recognized as one of Tanzania’s 2024 100 Changemakers, Sheila is now an Aspiring Data Scientist, an AI enthusiast, and the founder of Code Her. At just 20, she’s the Lead Organizer of Teens in AI Tanzania, a WiDS Africa Ambassador, a Google Women Techmakers Ambassador, and a Blackbox AI Student Ambassador. If tech had ever doubted that young African women could lead, Sheila is here to prove otherwise.
“The founder of Teens in AI saw my potential and encouraged me to organize hackathons,” she explains.
The Unlikely Road to AI
Sheila’s journey wasn’t textbook. Her introduction to data science didn’t come through a formal class or a high-end research lab. It came through mentorship.
“I’ve always been fascinated by how technology can make things easier, smarter, and more efficient,” she says. “But what truly hooked me on AI and data science was seeing how it could solve real-world problems—from predicting diseases to optimizing education.”
But the real epiphany? Watching a 7-year-old go from playing games to building one during one of her hackathons. “AI isn’t just for the privileged,” she says. “If made accessible, it can change lives.”
Furthermore, her projects are a reflection of her unwavering commitment to solving real-world problems. “One of the most exciting projects was when I mentored a team that built an AI-powered mental health chatbot for teens,” she shares. “Mental health is often overlooked in African communities, and this chatbot was designed to provide emotional support and resources to young people.” This is AI with a purpose, a tool for social good.
Building a Movement, Not Just a Career
Sheila isn’t just navigating the tech space—she’s restructuring it. She founded Code Her, a platform designed to help girls gain confidence in technology. She’s on a mission to bridge the digital divide, ensuring African youth aren’t just tech consumers but creators and innovators.
Another project she’s excited about? A no-code renting app for Tanzanian university students, streamlining the chaotic student housing process.
Similarly, her no-code renting app for Tanzanian university students addresses a practical, everyday challenge. “What I’ve learned from all these projects is that AI isn’t just about big tech companies; it’s a tool we can all use to make life better in simple but powerful ways.”
“What I’ve learned from all these projects is that AI isn’t just about big tech companies,” she says. “It’s a tool we can all use to make life better in simple but powerful ways.”
The Challenge of Building Africa’s Tech Future
Tech revolutions don’t happen without roadblocks. Sheila’s biggest challenge? Funding and resources.
“Organizing hackathons takes a lot—venue, laptops, internet, mentors,” she explains. “At first, I struggled. My mom had to fund most of my first event.”
“The biggest challenge is funding and resources,” she admits.
But despite the hurdles, the rewards outweigh the struggles. She recalls a young participant telling her, “Sister Sheila, I only knew how to play games on my mom’s computer, but now I can create one!”
“That moment?” she says, “That’s why I keep going. I see the future of African innovation in these kids, and I know it’s just the beginning.” This is the human algorithm in action, the tangible impact of accessible technology.
To be sure, balancing her myriad roles is a delicate dance. “Honestly, it’s not easy,” she confesses. “People always ask me, ‘Sheila, how do you do it all?’ The truth is I don’t do everything at once. I work in seasons.” Her motivation stems from a singular vision. “Realising that a workshop I hosted or a hackathon I organized changed someone’s perspective on tech makes all the late nights worth it. Every teen I mentor, every project I work on, every speech I give, it’s all part of a bigger vision: an Africa where young people lead in tech innovation.”
The Urgency of Representation
Diversity in tech isn’t just about numbers. It’s about changing the narrative. Sheila has met far too many talented girls who say, “I don’t think I belong here.”
“Why?” she asks. “Because they’ve never seen women like them leading in tech.”
That’s why her work with WiDS Africa and Google Women Techmakers is crucial. She focuses on mentorship, visibility, and opportunity. She wants girls to see that they are just as capable as anyone else. Visibility, mentorship, and opportunity are her weapons against this insidious doubt.
“We’re not just inviting women into tech,” she says. “We’re building spaces where they can thrive.”
The Future of African Tech Is Being Written Now
Balancing her roles isn’t easy. Lead organizer, mentor, entrepreneur, student. Some weeks, she’s in full execution mode—planning events, mentoring, building. Other weeks, she’s recharging. But what keeps her moving? The vision of an Africa where young people lead in tech innovation.
“In 10-15 years, I see an Africa where we’re not just adopting technology but creating it,” she says. “Where African startups lead in AI, fintech, and data-driven solutions. But we need to act now.”
The action plans?
- Invest in digital education.
- Improve infrastructure.
- Fund young innovators.
- Encourage cross-country collaborations.
“We also need to shift our mindset to ‘tech is for us, by us,’” she adds. “The next wave of global innovation will have Africa’s touch all over it.”
Ultimately, her vision for Africa’s tech future is bold and unapologetic. To achieve this, she calls for investment in digital education, infrastructure, and funding.
A Message to Africa’s Future Innovators
If Sheila could tell young African tech enthusiasts one thing, it would be this:
“You are capable of more than you think. Don’t wait for permission to start. Just start. The world isn’t waiting for us to catch up. We have to take charge, innovate, and build the future we want to see. Because if we don’t, who will?”
She’s not just saying it—she’s proving it. One hackathon, one mentorship, one groundbreaking initiative at a time. Sheila Aron, the algorithm of hope, is leading the charge, one line of code, one empowered youth, one transformative moment at a time.
