Years later, that curiosity has evolved into a bigger mission: building artificial intelligence solutions from Africa with the ambition of creating a billion-dollar technology company.
Together with his partner, Sarah Oba, a product manager turned software developer and tech entrepreneur, Yerins is building an AI startup in Rwanda while beginning a new chapter of their personal lives, including their engagement story that unfolded against the backdrop of the country’s scenic landscapes in Bigogwe, Western Province.
IGIHE caught up with the couple at Noorsken House Kigali, where they are building their products. The couple spoke about their journey, their decision to move to Rwanda, their vision for AI, and how they are combining love and entrepreneurship.
Settling in Rwanda
For Sarah, the idea of moving to Rwanda started with conversations about the country’s growing reputation as a destination for technology and innovation.
She recalled being inspired after attending a conference where she met a Canadian friend who spoke highly of Kigali.
“He kept talking about how beautiful Kigali is,” she said, adding that he told her Nigeria was great but that Rwanda was a place he would consider moving his family to.
Her interest grew after attending the Inclusive Fintech Forum held in March, where she encountered more conversations about entrepreneurs building businesses in Kigali.
“I wanted something different, a place where I could grow my startups and businesses,” she said.
After sharing the idea with Yerins, the couple decided to take the leap.
For Yerins, Rwanda quickly exceeded expectations.
“We’ve been here since and have never regretted it. Not even once,” he said.
He praised Kigali’s cleanliness, organisation, security, and the welcoming nature of its people.
“Everything feels organised. Security is excellent. There’s also a strong sense of community and oneness here,” he added.
A Rwanda engagement story
Beyond business opportunities, Rwanda became the setting for one of the couple’s most memorable moments.
Yerins had always imagined proposing to the love of his life in a nature-filled location, perhaps somewhere in Europe. But after experiencing Rwanda’s landscapes, Lake Kivu, wildlife, and the beauty of Bigogwe, he felt the country was the perfect place.
“I knew this was where I wanted it to happen,” he noted.
While Sarah organised a birthday photoshoot for Yerins at Lake Kivu, he secretly worked behind the scenes to make the moment special, coordinating with photographers and locals while keeping the plan hidden.
The weather did not make things easy, with rain affecting the original plans, but the team worked to make the day memorable.
When Sarah turned around during what she thought was a birthday photoshoot, Yerins was on one knee.
“It was perfect,” she recalled.
Yerins said the support from Rwandans made the experience even more special.
“The people of Rwanda were amazing throughout the planning. They were eager to help,” he said.
From mentorship to partnership
The couple’s relationship started before Rwanda, after they met at Nigeria Fintech Week.
Sarah initially approached Yerins for mentorship, but their conversations gradually developed into something deeper.
“I fell in love with his mindset, personality, and authenticity,” she revealed.
She saw a future where they could build, work, and achieve goals together.
Today, that partnership extends beyond their personal lives into business.
Building Africa’s next AI unicorn?
The couple’s biggest professional ambition is rooted in artificial intelligence.
Through their company Creovine, they are developing AI-powered tools designed to help businesses automate processes and improve efficiency.
Their products include Lyra, an AI customer support solution, and Brydg, an AI recruitment platform.
Yerins believes Africa should not only consume technology created elsewhere but should also develop solutions that reflect the continent’s realities.
“We’re not just adopting foreign tools, we’re building our own,” he said.
Their goal is ambitious: to build a globally competitive technology company and potentially Africa’s next billion-dollar AI unicorn.
“We want to create globally used products built by Africans for African realities, culture, data, and context,” Yerins said.
The polymath journey
Yerins’ journey into technology is shaped by his diverse background.
Although he trained as a medical doctor, his curiosity pushed him toward technology, where he began exploring areas such as blockchain, fintech, and digital innovation.
For him, medicine, technology, and art are connected by one common goal: solving problems.
“I’m a very curious person,” he said, explaining that his identity as a polymath allows him to explore different fields without limiting himself.
His appearance on Big Brother Naija helped introduce that mindset to a wider audience.
After leaving the show, he said people remembered him less for reality TV drama and more for his curiosity and knowledge-driven personality.
The experience opened doors to speaking engagements, meetings with business leaders, and opportunities to share his ideas.
Sarah’s journey into tech
Sarah’s path into technology began while she was still at university.
She gained experience managing products, teams, and marketing before moving deeper into software development.
She later launched an AI marketing agency in her early twenties. Although the venture did not succeed, she described it as a valuable learning experience that eventually led her to build her first software product, Uncut AI.
Today, she combines her experience in product management and software development to build AI solutions through Creovine.
Building together
Running a company as a couple comes with challenges, but Yerins and Sarah say a shared vision keeps them focused.
They approach disagreements by prioritising the bigger mission over personal egos.
“We treat it as an ‘us’ thing,” they said, highlighting communication, respect, and openness as important parts of working together.
As they continue building their company in Rwanda, the couple believes the country’s innovation ecosystem offers a strong environment for young entrepreneurs.
They see Rwanda not only as a place where they can build their lives together but also as a launchpad for technology solutions that can reach the world.
Watch the full conversation below to learn more about the couple’s journey.
Leave a Reply