Why Lived Experience is Critical to Solving the World's Problems, Especially in Africa

When it comes to designing programs or interventions to tackle complex global problems, particularly in Africa, having lived experience is often more effective than relying solely on theoretical knowledge. Lived experience gives individuals a unique perspective and personal insight into the challenges people face daily, allowing them to create solutions that are not only practical but empathetic and impactful. This principle is especially important in the work of empowering marginalized groups, such as women facing economic hardship.

While theoretical frameworks are valuable, they often fall short when disconnected from the realities on the ground. Solutions designed from an outsider’s perspective risk missing the nuances of the issues they are meant to address. Praxis theory—which emphasizes reflective action—highlights this balance between theory and practice. It is not just about taking action but doing so with a deeper understanding that comes from reflection on personal experience. This reflection is key to solving real-world problems because it provides insights into the specific needs and limitations of the target population.

For example, my journey of founding the Techy Train Incubator (TTI) was rooted in personal experience. In 2018, at 25 years old, I found myself at a crossroads after leaving an abusive marriage with my 2-year-old son. I had no job, was financially vulnerable, and felt the sting of society’s neglect towards women in crisis—much like 21% of women globally who face similar struggles. Despite having a degree in Medical Laboratory Science, it wasn’t academia or theoretical knowledge that saved me—it was technology and digital solutions. Technology gave me the tools to rebuild my life, and as soon as I found stability, I was determined to help other women find the same path to empowerment.

The unique advantage of lived experience is empathy. My own struggles made me deeply aware of the systemic and societal barriers that African women face, such as the lack of economic opportunities and societal support. This empathy became the driving force behind TTI’s mission to equip young African women with the digital skills needed to break free from poverty. TTI provides the very tools that helped me: digital training and skill-building that allow women to earn recurring income, care for their families, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

So far, we’ve reached over 10,000 young women across 35 countries in Africa through our bootcamps, empowering them with skills like social media management, graphic design, and customer support. These skills are not just academic credentials; they are practical, immediately applicable tools that allow women to compete in the global workforce. The key to our success has been my lived experience—it allows me to design programs that address the exact struggles these women face, and it ensures that the solutions we provide are sustainable and rooted in reality.

Africa, as a continent, faces unique challenges that often require context-specific solutions. While global frameworks offer insights, those with lived experiences in African contexts—like growing up or working within marginalized communities—have a deeper understanding of the social and cultural barriers that external actors may miss.

Lived experience means having firsthand knowledge of what it feels like to be marginalized, to face economic hardship, and to be excluded from opportunities. It means understanding the limitations of existing systems and knowing how to navigate through them in practical ways. In my own journey, my studies at UC Berkeley, where I am completing a Master of Development Engineering, have equipped me with more technical knowledge and tools, but it is my lived experience that enables me to truly understand and address the needs of African women effectively. I don’t just rely on theoretical frameworks—I apply them to the realities I’ve experienced and continue to see in the communities I work with.

This same ethos applies to my work with Hire Emmie , a hybrid marketplace connecting vetted African female tech talent to global opportunities. The platform focuses on providing in-demand digital services such as social media management and virtual assistance—skills that I know from experience can create immediate income-generating opportunities for women. The platform is designed with the understanding that many women need flexible, accessible opportunities that are easy to apply in their everyday lives, rather than requiring advanced technical knowledge. Hire Emmie’s success lies in its alignment with both global business needs and the lived realities of African women looking to break out of economic marginalization.

Programs driven by lived experience have a far greater likelihood of being sustainable because they are designed with a deep understanding of the practical constraints and opportunities within the target community. As someone who has walked the path of the women I now seek to help, I am building sustainable models that not only address immediate needs but also empower these women to continue thriving long-term.

You will agree with me that lived experience brings a level of understanding and empathy that theoretical frameworks alone cannot provide. In Africa, where social and economic challenges are deeply intertwined with cultural realities, lived experience is critical to creating solutions that are not only effective but also sustainable. Whether through the Techy Train Incubator or Hire Emmie, my work is a testament to the power of lived experience in addressing the critical issues of women’s marginalization in Africa.

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