Born in the vibrant Tanzanian town of Shinyanga and raised in that country’s bustling city of Mwanza, Khassim Mtunda’s entrepreneurial journey was shaped by an early passion for computers and the arts.
Khassim, founder and chief executive officer of Letis Platforms, can be proud of his achievements as a trailblazing entrepreneur.
He has succedded in adding a lot of value in the Tanzanian education sector by helping students to appreciate and embrace technology as a learning tool and a way of life.
Harnessing technology
Through his work at Letis Platforms, Khassim is right at the center of a technological revolution that is not only changing the face of educational learning methods but is also equipping students for the digital age.
“At Letis Platforms, we are reshaping education by harnessing the power of technology, innovation and creativity. Our mission is to break barriers, ignite curiosity as well as open the doors to opportunities that were once out of reach to many young people,” he explains.
“Our platform fosters a nurturing environment where innovation, critical thinking, creativity and collaboration thrive.
“Through mentorship and resources in digital innovation and STEAM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) we equip students with the skills to explore, excel and turn their passions into action.”
Apart from STEAM subjects, Letis Platforms also provides tutorials in subjects such as Robotics, Animation, Photography and empowers learners to shoot their own documentaries. The company also provides an enabling environment for those wishing to enhance their creativity in Web Designing and Development as well as Digital Literacy.
Letis Platforms also offers coding classes, digital marketing education, training in computer hardware and software skills, animated content production as well as career guidance clubs. All subjects and activities are tailored to meet the specific needs of students, educators, and educational institutions.
Early childhood and formal education
Looking back on his journey, Khassim vividly remembers how his young mind would always be fascinated by technology and other things that were outside the scope of his studies at school.
“My formal education began at Mkolani Primary School and continued at Mkolani Secondary School, where I immersed myself in Mathematics and Physics. While these foundational years were invaluable, I also sought to expand my knowledge through social platforms like YouTube and organizations such as Ennovate Ventures.
“I delved into flutter programming as well as digital marketing. So my experience in the tech industry spans many years and has equipped me with the insights required to forge my own path. I am inspired by my work in the education sector particularly when I collaborated with the Urafiki Girls Organization from 2021 to 2022 as a means to empower young girls and tackle community challenges.”
A drive to revolutionize education
It was Khassim’s passion to empower others, more than anything else, that resulted in the birth of Letis Platforms.
“I launched Letis Platforms in March 2023. The initiative was brought about by our success in winning a social innovation award, igniting my drive to revolutionize education. The inception of Letis Platforms was fueled by a poignant realization that there exists a critical gap in career guidance. This leaves many students and graduates with lofty aspirations, yet grappling with obstacles like soaring tuition fees and a lack of essential skills.
“I vividly recall how a transformative experience in 2016, under the tutelage of a teacher from the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), reshaped my perception of Physics through captivating illustrations and multimedia. This revelation propelled me to craft innovative solutions for modern educational challenges.”
As founder and chief execitive officer of Letis Platforms, Khassim is dedicated to a mission that transcends traditional education. His commitment lies in changing lives by bridging gaps in career guidance and providing students with the resources, mentorship and inspiration necessary for them to thrive.
Pushing beyond barriers
Though his path has been fraught with many challenges such as financial constraints and other barriers associated with the pursuit of adequate mentors, the resilience that Mtunda and his team at Letis Platforms have demonstrated is now paying off.
“Through strategic funding efforts and refined marketing strategies, we have navigated past difficult obstacles while fostering a positive workplace through effective team collaboration. At Letis Platforms, our journey so far has been punctuated by notable achievements.
“I am honored to serve as a mentor for girls in technology through Technovation Global and have been recognized as a youth ambassador for girls in STEM at UNIAID. This year, we are on the brink of launching an exciting new service aimed at enhancing innovation and leadership skills among young students, reaffirming our commitment to empowerment.”
Embracing the future
The company’s current team of four individuals is just the beginning and Khassim anticipates that the number will grow beyond all expectations.
“As we continue to grow, we have set our sights on hiring 30 new team members by 2030, focusing on roles that will further our efforts in technology, innovation and leadership. Looking ahead, our goals are ambitious.
“In the next five years, we aim to increase our revenue, expand our product and service offerings as well as enter new markets all with the intention of creating a lasting impact in the education sector. At Letis Platforms, we steadfastly believe that every child deserves a chance to succeed, regardless of their circumstances.”
As he looks at the road ahead, Mtunda is encouraged by the appreciation that every student carries within them an untapped potential that is waiting to be discovered. He is convinced that Letis Platforms has a huge role to play in unlocking this potential.
“We envision a world where no dream is too big and no obstacle is too great. A world where education equips young minds to innovate, lead and effect change not just within their communities, but on a global scale.”