Ishango: what’s behind the name?

We are often asked what our name ‘Ishango’ means. In this post, we want to share not only the meaning behind the name but also how it connects with our mission and vision.

The Ishango bone was discovered in 1960 at Ishango, a lakeshore near Lake Edward in the Democratic Republic of Congo by Belgian professor Jean de Heinzelin de Braucourt. The bone which is believed to be about 20,000 years old, was first thought to be a tally stick. Later on, scientists suggested that it was a mathematical tool that was used for calculations beyond counting .

The discovery of such an important and valuable mathematical artifact demonstrates the important role that Africa has played in humanity’s history. In today’s discourse, however, particularly when it comes to science, technology and innovation, Africa is often overlooked. With the ever-increasing role that technology is playing in our daily lives and within the global economy, securing Africa’s position as a key player in the global technology ecosystem is crucial to ensuring the region is not left further behind.

Africa is the world’s second fastest growing region and it is estimated that by 2034, Africa’s workforce will be larger than that of either China or India. We at Ishango.ai are committed to showcasing the immense potential of the region through its talent. We find and nurture the best and brightest African data science talent and connect them with remote working opportunities with international companies. With the continent grappling with high unemployment, our mission is to create high-skill, decent jobs. Importantly, by leveraging remote working, we are also helping to stem the growing trend of Africa’s young people leaving the region to seek greener pastures elsewhere.

Our vision is a world where talented African data scientists are not limited by their geographic location. We are building the infrastructure and talent pool to enable global companies to work remotely with the best African data science talent. Creating jobs, fuelling business growth, and driving impact.