In Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, Naomie Makasi is doing more than writing software; she’s rewriting the rules of entrepreneurship. As co-founder of Kivusoft Technologies, Naomie is proving that digital innovation doesn’t have to come from abroad. Her product, MSOMI, a groundbreaking school management system, is already used by 30 schools,  and she’s just getting started.

But Naomie’s story isn’t just about tech. It’s about starting young, breaking stereotypes, and building something real in a world that told her she couldn’t.

Q&A with Naomie

Q: Naomie, how did your journey into entrepreneurship begin?
 It really started in high school. We were learning computer science, but no one had enough access to actual computers. During the holidays, I’d help classmates type their internship reports on my laptop.  They’d pay me a little, and I saw it as a win-win. That’s when I realised that technology could solve real problems, and I could be the one to do it.. I didn’t wait for a perfect time or big funding. I had a laptop, some skills, and a lot of drive. Later, I partnered with two friends, one of them being Daniel Bichagari,who is now the co-founder of Kivusoft. We shared the same vision, and that’s how Kivusoft was born.

Q: What were the biggest challenges early on?
 Whew! Where do I start?

⚒️Market acceptance was tough. People preferred foreign tech. They didn’t trust software made locally.
⚒️Family pressure was real. Parents didn’t get it. In our culture, success is often defined as a stable office job and a steady salary, rather than pursuing “projects.”
⚒️Gender stereotypes were everywhere. I was told straight up: “Programming is a man’s field.”
⚒️Funding. Don’t get me started. Banks wanted collateral I didn’t have.

And worst of all, we lacked networks. No mentors, no roadmaps, just trial and error. But we pushed through. We worked on our product, earned trust, and got our first client – a relative who believed in us. From there, word spread, and more clients followed.

Q: What does your software actually do?
 MSOMI is a school management system that simplifies tasks like grading, report cards, and data tracking. Before, teachers would spend 2–3 days preparing 200 report cards. Now, with MSOMI, it takes 1–2 hours instead. That kind of time saved means better focus on teaching and less burnout. We’ve now reached 30 schools in Goma, and we’re planning to scale to other provinces.

Q: What’s been your proudest moment so far?
 Honestly, moving from our makeshift home office to a fully equipped workspace with a growing team was huge. We now have 10 full-time employees and 5 part-timers. We’ve also trained over 300 young people in tech skills – that’s part of our mission too. We’re not just building software. We’re building capacity.

Q: What helped you level up your business?
Joining the Anzisha Prize program was a turning point. I finally had access to mentors who helped me rethink everything – from marketing and sales to financial planning and team management. I stopped doing everything alone and started building systems, strategies, and support. That changed the game.

Q: What’s the bigger picture for you and your brand?
I want to make Kivusoft a globally recognised name, not just for the product, but for what it stands for: quality, local innovation, and African excellence. It frustrates me that most local stores are packed with imported products. In other countries, people trust and buy local. Why not us? I want to flip that mindset and show people that what we build here in Africa can compete with the best anywhere in the world.

Naomie’s hard-won lessons for young entrepreneur

 💡 Start small, but start. You don’t need huge capital. Use what you’ve got.
 💡 Believe in your product even if others don’t. Quality and persistence earn trust.
 💡 Network like your business depends on it because it does.
 💡 Don’t fear failure. Like Mandela said, “I never fail. I either win or learn.”
 💡 Be patient. Be disciplined. Be real. Entrepreneurship is a long game.

Naoimi isn’t just a woman in tech; she’s a force in education, a builder of local trust, and a role model for the next generation of African innovators.Whether she’s coding in Goma or pitching her products, she’s on a mission to prove that Africa’s future is digital and it’s homegrown.

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👉 Want to see more of Naomie’s story? Watch The Journey Season 3 to follow her story and get inspired to build your own impactful business.