Gustav Praekelt

Gustav Praekelt is a prominent technology entrepreneur and social impact leader based in South Africa. He is the founder and chairman of the Praekelt Group, which encompasses several initiatives aimed at leveraging mobile technology for social good. Praekelt.org, established in 2007, is a notable social enterprise under this group that develops scalable mobile solutions to improve lives, particularly in underserved communities. The organization has reached over 100 million people across 65 countries with its programs, focusing on health information and services.12

Background and Education

Gustav Praekelt co-founded his first company, Delapse, in 1994 and later established Helm in 2003. His academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pretoria, where he studied Computer Science, English, and Philosophy from 1990 to 1993.56 His experiences volunteering at a local hospice significantly influenced his commitment to using technology for humanitarian purposes.3

Key Contributions

One of Praekelt.org's significant achievements is the development of MomConnect, Africa's first universal pregnancy registry and mobile maternal health information system. Launched in 2014 in collaboration with the South African National Department of Health, this initiative has been crucial in supporting maternal health.13 Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Praekelt.org played a vital role by managing the South African national COVID-19 hotline and developing one of the world's most popular WhatsApp services for health information dissemination.3

In 2018, he co-founded Turn.io, a platform designed to empower organizations in the Global South to provide personalized support through private messaging services.25 This venture builds on technologies initially developed at Praekelt.org.

Vision and Impact

Gustav Praekelt's work embodies a strong belief in the transformative power of mobile technology to address social challenges. His initiatives focus on creating open-source solutions that are adaptable and sustainable for emerging markets. Through his leadership, he has fostered collaborations with various organizations, including UNICEF and USAID, to enhance public health communication and access to essential services.14

Overall, Gustav Praekelt continues to be a significant figure in the intersection of technology and social impact, advocating for innovative solutions that can improve lives across Africa and beyond.