Across Sub-Saharan Africa, nearly 98 million children are out of school, highlighting the continent’s significant educational challenges. However, Mwasi Wilmore is working to change this narrative. As the CEO of Ubongo, Africa’s leading educational entertainment platform, she has made it her mission to improve how children learn. Since joining the platform in 2022, she has played a pivotal role in expanding its reach, ensuring millions of children can access educational content that is both enjoyable and meaningful.
Wilmore’s career is built on a strong educational foundation. She holds a degree in Finance and Banking from Lincoln University and a Master’s in International Management from King’s College London. Before joining Ubongo, she worked with major financial institutions such as Citibank, Wachovia, and Bank of America. Her previous roles with Africa Insight Advisors and Camara Education Tanzania further strengthened her growth management and community development expertise. These experiences prepared her to take on the complex challenges in education.
At Ubongo, Mwasi Wilmore identified an opportunity to broaden the platform’s impact without straying from its mission to combine education and entertainment. Under her leadership, Ubongo Kids has expanded across multiple platforms, including TV, radio, and mobile phones, reaching children even in the most remote areas. Her focus on inclusivity has also led to creating content for neurodiverse children, including those with autism and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), ensuring all children can learn in a way that suits them best.
The company’s success stems from its ability to resonate with diverse audiences. Its content educates and reflects the cultural backgrounds of the children it serves. This connection makes learning more relatable and impactful. In areas where traditional education has struggled to reach all students, Ubongo has proven highly effective.
“UKids cartoons have encouraged children to love going to school more than before. Hence, the number of absentees has decreased,” says a teacher from Njeula, Tanzania.
That shows how the organisation has sparked a greater interest in learning and reduced absenteeism in classrooms. Ubongo’s impact is also evident in the feedback from parents and children.
“Ubongo Kids really helps kids learn because they enjoy watching the show. Even kids who don’t like maths are improving their grades because of it,” a parent remarks.
That also highlights how Ubongo makes education effective and fun for children across Africa. Under Wilmore’s leadership, the organisation’s reach has grown significantly. Today, the platform reaches over 42 million households across 41 countries.
Through Ubingi, Mwasi Wilmore is bridging the education gap in Africa. By 2030, she aims to reach 120 million children, further expanding the platform’s positive impact.
Her commitment to education is driven by the belief that every child deserves access to quality learning regardless of background or ability. Through her leadership, Ubongo is shaping education today and laying the foundation for future generations of African children to thrive.
