Richard Odjardo: This African tech founder is making Smartwatches, laptops that will Rival Apple, Samsung Gadgets

A Republic of Benin tech entrepreneur Richard Odjardo is geared to give market leaders like Apple, Samsung and other electronic gadget producers a run for their money in the African market with his newly-developed smartwatches and laptops.

The functionality of Odjardo’s devices are said to be as efficient as other top existing products on the market. The smartwatch can reportedly help users discover their phone if stolen; it is water-resistant and monitors heart rate and body temperature. Interestingly, they are less expensive than the big-name designer brands.

Odjardo is one of the innovative Beninese spurring his home country to invest more in tech and entrepreneurship. The Republic of Benin is poised to establish itself as West Africa’s innovation and entrepreneurial centre. And to this end, the government has launched several funding initiatives.

The 32- year-old is on a quest to use technology to make life easier for Africans. He is not the first to do so, but Richard plans to make his devices more efficient and economical than other products.

His product range includes smartwatches, laptops and smart glasses, and according to him, these devices would be of high quality and low cost at the same time.

The smart sunglasses would help people answer phone calls while driving. With just a tap on the glasses, users would be able to talk to whoever is calling hands-free. It can also play music and be connected to multiple operating systems simultaneously. 

What inspired Richard Odjardo’s idea?

Richard Odjardo’s innovative idea for making electronic gadgets was inspired by his stolen phone that happened on a few occasions. As a result, he created a technology that would assist anyone in tracking down and recovering their lost or stolen phones. Also, after nearly dying in a car accident while trying to answer a phone call while driving, he decided to develop smart sunglasses primarily to improve safety during drive time.

Richard desires that Africans will continue to have access to high-quality technology at prices lower than what leading global tech companies could ever sell them. He also wants his items to serve as a continual reminder to Africans that they, too, can manufacture locally rather than relying on outsiders to provide them with the technology they require daily. 

 In a September 2021 interview with France 24, Richard said business, creativity, and technology are the best methods to combat unemployment in Africa.

AS World Tech

Richard Odjardo is the founder and CEO of AS World Tech, an acronym for Asuka Spirit meaning “warrior, protector, heroic spirit” in the Fongbe language of the Republic of Benin. 

“In the global technological universe, where our values and cultures are absent, it gives us our place in the concert of nations. We innovate with technological products that respect Africa, that solve our problems and accompany us in our daily lives”, says Odjardo.

Odjardo adds that AS World Tech’s mission is to become Africa’s technical leader and training platform for local engineers to aid production in Africa and the creation of jobs. According to him, this is to encourage young people to start businesses and show Africans that “the African dream” is attainable.

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