TechLit's Nelly Cheboi Named CNN Hero of the Year

On Dec. 11, 2022 –– CNN announced Nelly Cheboi, CEO and founder of TechLit Africa as the CNN hero of the year during the 16th annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute, which aired live from the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

Traveling to New York

Cheboi’s mother traveled from rural Kenya for the first time to witness the announcement on live television.

Viewers worldwide watched as Cheboi embraced and celebrated with her mom, the inspiration for TechLit Africa. Cheboi and her mother saw firsthand the lack of opportunities for women and girls to live their lives to the fullest.

See here for photos of the event for media use with photo credit to TechLit Africa.

See here for a video of Nelly’s reaction.

Nelly's Reaction

"Poverty has an expiration date."

“Rural Africans lack opportunities to make a living, but digital skills can solve that,” said Nelly Cheboi, CEO and founder of TechLit Africa. Nelly said that with this kind of support, “poverty has an expiration date.”

In being selected as the CNN Hero of the Year, Cheboi’s TechLit Africa has also been awarded a 2023 Elevate Prize, which includes an unrestricted grant and supporting services. The Elevate Prize Foundation, whose mission is to amplify changemakers, drive meaningful impact, and build a fanbase for good, will also host all CNN Hero honorees at its annual Make Good Famous Summit in Miami, FL.

New Opportunities

TechLit Africa is teaching digital skills to thousands of kids every day in rural kenya.

With the award and grants won at the event, TechLit Africa will expand their reach from central Kenya to the rest of the country and abroad. TechLit brings technology into the classroom and empowers young people with the digital skills they need to thrive in the digital age.

Since 2007, CNN has profiled more than 350 Heroes, who have worked in more than 110 countries around the world, helping millions of people.