Scaling Innovation in Africa: Lessons from KNUST Technology Week 2025, on Connect, Innovate, Create.
At TWEEK 2.0, a conference hosted by the KNUST Department of Computer Engineering, the conversation revolved around one of the most pressing questions in technology today: How do we build solutions that truly scale?
For us at AxelleMD, the event was more than just a conference. It was a unique opportunity to connect academia with industry, bringing together students, entrepreneurs, and seasoned professionals to explore the real-world challenges of innovation in Africa.
Scalability Starts with People
Our CEO, Sam Nii Adjaidoo, shared a simple but powerful reminder:
“Scalability starts with people. If a few users are happy, we scale to make many more happier. A solution cannot scale if it doesn’t solve everyday problems.”
Too often, startups and innovators chase growth metrics, funding, or market share before answering the most important question: Does this solution truly improve people’s lives? At AxelleMD, we believe the road to scale begins with empathy—listening to users, solving their real challenges, and only then expanding to reach more communities.
Thinking Beyond Today: The Long-Term View
Sam also challenged young innovators to adopt a long-term mindset. While many dream of overnight success, the reality is that true impact may take 15–20 years to unfold.
The innovators who will stand the test of time are not necessarily those with the flashiest pitches or the fastest growth, but those who:
Keep building and iterating on their solutions.
Test rigorously to ensure real-world relevance and usability.
Stay compliant with standards and regulations that protect users and ensure sustainability.
This message resonated strongly with the young audience, many of whom are at the exciting but demanding intersection of creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship.
Industry Voices on Scaling and Adoption
The stage also hosted rich insights from industry leaders who have been at the frontlines of building and scaling solutions:
Philip Quainoo, Lead Engineer at Heidelberg Materials Digital Hub (Ghana)
Abdullah Mohammed Zainudeen, MD of ABZ Automations
Bernhard Janischowsky, MD of 4th-IR
Y. A-Gyamfi, Ghana Hubs Network
Together, they explored the challenges of scaling products in Africa—from infrastructure gaps to regulatory hurdles—and the crucial role of people in technology adoption. Because no matter how advanced the solution, adoption depends on whether communities trust, understand, and see value in it.
Building the Future, Together
TWEEK 2.0 reminded us that innovation cannot thrive in silos. When academia, industry, and young innovators come together, the results are transformative.
At AxelleMD, we carry this belief into our mission: health technology that scales because it starts with people. By focusing on clarity, accessibility, and local context, we are building solutions that empower individuals, strengthen systems, and stand the test of time.
Scalability is not about numbers—it’s about people. And when people are at the center, the future is limitless.
