VIENNA: THE former Miss Tanzania and technology innovator, Nancy Sumari has once again raised Tanzania’s profile on the global stage after winning the prestigious Innovation Award from Zero Project in Austria.
Sumari, who was crowned Miss Tanzania 2006 and later named Miss World Africa, earned the international recognition for her work in advancing inclusive education for children with disabilities through her organization, JengaHub.
Serving as Executive Director of JengaHub, Sumari received the honourary award alongside other institutions, including Child Support Tanzania and Kyaro Assistive Tech, which were also recognized for their innovative contributions to supporting people with disabilities.
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According to her statement, JengaHub developed the Kalimani App, a digital learning platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI) designed to help children with hearing impairments learn reading, writing, numeracy, and digital skills.
“Kalimani App uses Tanzanian Sign Language and is expected to be implemented in both mainstream and special needs schools across six regions in the country,” part of the statement read.
The awards were presented in February 2026 during the Zero Project Conference held in Vienna, Austria.
Through this achievement, Sumari continues to serve as a catalyst for change in the education and technology sectors, demonstrating that Tanzanian innovation can gain international recognition and respect.