Showcasing the growing prominence of African-made technology in global industries, Gécamines, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s state-owned mining company, has turned to Okapi, a tech firm founded by Congolese-born MIT professor Jean Mongu Bele, for its operational needs.
For Gécamines, the choice of Okapi technology was rooted in practicality. Verdy Mukuka, Gécamines’ director of information systems, described the devices as a natural fit for the challenges faced by the company’s workforce. “When you hand someone a ‘Rambo’ and they drop it, it’s not a problem. Even if it falls into the water, there’s no issue. It’s a solution to our concerns,” Mukuka said, emphasizing the Durability of the devices. Beyond their durability, smartphones and tablets come equipped with technical capabilities that rival those of major international brands. Notably, the devices are patented and commercially available in the United States, adding global credibility to their local roots.
Jean Mongu Bele, Okapi’s founder, brings an uncommon blend of academic and entrepreneurial credentials to the company. A professor of nuclear physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Mongu Bele launched Okapi in 2019 with an ambitious vision: to create high-quality, affordable technology tailored to African needs, while positioning an African brand in the competitive global tech market. 
Okapi’s trajectory has been swift. Its flagship smartphone was introduced in the United States before launching into the Congolese market in August 2021. That same month, the Okapi Win8 laptop received ISO certification in the U.S., further affirming the company’s commitment to international quality standards. As internet connectivity improves in the Democratic Republic of Congo and digital adoption accelerates, Okapi sees expanding opportunities for its products to reach new customers and applications.
Gécamines’ decision to adopt Okapi devices signals a notable pivot for the African industry, long reliant on imported technology, the state-owned mining giant is not only addressing practical demands but also affirming the growing capability of African innovation to tackle complex, industry-specific challenges.
The rise of Okapi in Congo aligns with a wave of technological optimism sweeping across Africa, as innovators from Lagos to Nairobi challenge the notion that high-quality products must be imported. In many ways, Okapi embodies this shift, not only by delivering world-class technology but by doing so from a distinctly African perspective.
