Martino Yovo's journey from a small town in Togo to becoming a senior product engineer at Esri, the world's leading developer of geographic information system software, is a testament to his determination and passion for technology. Despite facing numerous challenges, including language barriers, Yovo has not only achieved success but is also giving back to his community by democratizing tech education for Francophone Africa through his platform TDEV.

Yovo's interest in programming began when his elder brother suggested he learn how to create a website. With no prior experience, Yovo borrowed his sister's Android phone and downloaded a free notepad app to start building his first website, a clone of the University of Lomé's website. Although the result was rudimentary, it sparked a passion in him to learn more. However, as a French-speaking student in Togo, Yovo faced a significant language barrier, as most programming resources were in English.

Undeterred, Yovo continued to learn, using YouTube tutorials and online resources to improve his skills. He eventually built a reputation in Togo's nascent startup scene, landing his first paid gig building mobile apps. The COVID-19 pandemic proved to be a turning point for Yovo, as he began to gain online visibility and built a community for Francophone developers, TDEV, which now has over 3,000 members across 14 countries.

Yovo's success is not limited to his work in Togo. He has become a thought leader in the tech ecosystem, participating in prestigious hackathons and events, and has been appointed a judge and mentor in tech skill empowerment initiatives. He has also been recognized as a Google Developer Expert (GDE) in Flutter, a feat he achieved in 2023.

Despite his achievements, Yovo felt stagnant and decided to take a leap of faith, applying for US and Canadian visas. In January 2024, he arrived in the US on a student visa to pursue a master's degree. He now works at Esri as a product engineer, a role that has given him a sense of fulfillment and purpose.

Yovo's ambitions go beyond his personal success. He wants to create a clearer path for more French-speaking Africans to get into tech and make careers of note. Through TDEV, he has developed a platform that offers expert-led courses across several subject areas in French, and has also been converting English language courses into French to make them more accessible. Yovo believes that by democratizing tech education, he can help bridge the gap between Francophone Africa and the rest of the world.

Yovo's story is an inspiration to many, and his work has the potential to make a significant impact on the tech ecosystem in Francophone Africa. As he continues to push boundaries and challenge himself, Yovo remains committed to giving back to his community and creating opportunities for others to succeed.