Charlette N’Guessan (Ivory Coast)

Charlette N’Guessan Desirée (Ivory Coast)

(CEO and Co-Founder of Bace Group)

www.bacegroup.com 

Charlette N'Guessan is a trailblazing entrepreneur and CEO who has made history as the first woman to win the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation. Her remarkable achievements and groundbreaking work in the tech industry have cemented her position as a true game-changer in today's world.

As the CEO and co-founder of BACE API, an innovative software company based in Ghana, Charlette has revolutionized the field of digital verification. BACE API utilizes Artificial Intelligence and facial recognition to verify identities, bolster cyber security, and combat identity fraud in Africa. By matching live photos of users with the images on their official documents, such as passports or ID cards, BACE API provides a secure and efficient identity verification process.

The impact of Charlette's work extends beyond the financial sector. The facial recognition technology developed by BACE API can be integrated into various applications and systems, facilitating identity verification for a wide range of industries. With a primary focus on financial institutions, BACE API aims to strengthen the digital identity system in Africa, ensuring secure transactions and safeguarding against fraud.

Charlette's journey in the tech industry began during her studies at the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology in Accra, Ghana. Inspired by the challenges faced by financial institutions in dealing with identity fraud, she embarked on a mission to create a solution that would make a tangible difference. Alongside her team at BACE Group, Charlette developed the BACE API, which has garnered recognition and accolades, including the prestigious Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation from the Royal Academy of Engineering. 

Beyond her entrepreneurial endeavors, Charlette serves as an artificial intelligence consultant for the African Union High-Level Panel on Emerging Technologies (APET by AUDA-NEPAD) and a BI & Data Science Product Manager on data-driven Agritech projects in Ghana. She is also a renowned author, having co-authored "The AI Book" published by Wifey and Fintech Circle in 2020.

Charlette's exceptional achievements have earned her a place among the 80 African women advancing artificial intelligence in Africa and globally. Her work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Excellence Award in disruptive technology presented by CISO in 2022. As the first African woman to win the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation, Charlette continues to inspire and motivate others to pursue careers in technology.

With her unwavering determination, technical expertise, and commitment to making a positive impact, Charlette N'Guessan has become a true role model and a beacon of hope for women in the tech industry. Through her groundbreaking innovations, she is not only reshaping the landscape of digital verification but also empowering individuals and organizations across Africa to embrace the potential of technology for a better future.

(Information from World Bank Live, Dutchess International Magazine, CNN African Voices, Forbes Africa)