Pontem Welcomes Fresh Perspectives
Building our Global Team
Finding, attracting, and retaining talent is the lifeblood to any organization’s success and longevity. We continue to look for the best and brightest minds to grow Pontem globally. Our latest additions are no exception, helping to build an incredibly diverse and dynamic team:
Anne Marie Twagirayezu , a software engineer from Rwanda, joins us with a track record of innovation, including her AgriEmpower project, which uses technology to empower farmers and communities.
Princess Alao, a chemical engineer and master’s student in Oil, Gas, and Energy Engineering, brings her passion for tackling challenges and leadership experience to the team.
Both are already embracing Pontem’s mission of leveraging data and technology to drive impactful solutions, and we’re excited about the difference they’ll make! Keeping reading to hear more about their journeys.
Anne Marie Twagirayezu (Rwanda)
My Journey to Pontem Analytics: Harnessing Technology for Change
Every journey begins with a spark, and mine was ignited when I was just a child. I vividly remember the day my father called me into the living room, frustrated because he had accidentally deleted a document on his laptop. It was the first time I’d ever seen a computer. With no prior experience, I sat next to him, moved the cursor to the Recycle Bin, and managed to recover the document. It felt like magic—a small act that planted the seed for a passion that would shape my life.
My name is Anne Marie Twagirayezu, and I am currently pursuing a degree in software engineering at the African Leadership University (ALU). I grew up in a small village in Rwanda, where life was both vibrant and challenging. Traditional gender roles defined much of what was expected of women, but I dreamed of something different. Watching my father work tirelessly to provide for our family inspired me to think about how I could make life better—not just for him, but for others in my community.
Curiosity Meets Determination - Finding a Way Forward: My curiosity for technology grew despite limited resources. In high school, we had only one hour a week on outdated computers, but I made every second count. I memorized functions, stayed behind whenever possible, and taught myself new skills. Joining the Mathematics-Physics-Computer Science track in Advanced-Level studies confirmed that I was on the right path.
AgriEmpower Rwanda Project - Turning Dreams into Solutions: One of my proudest achievements so far is AgriEmpower Rwanda, a project I created to support farmers like my father. The platform integrates smart irrigation systems and financial services, enabling farmers to access credit and monitor their crops in real time. It empowers them to make informed decisions, bypass lengthy bureaucratic processes, and improve their yields. This project reflects my belief that technology isn’t just about advancement—it’s about creating solutions that address real-world challenges.
Beyond my technical pursuits, I’ve dedicated myself to empowering others. I’ve taught coding to young girls, designed platforms for entrepreneurs through ThinkGreen Afrika, and volunteered to create opportunities for those who often feel left behind. These experiences have deepened my understanding of how technology can bring about meaningful change.
Note: This is an excellent compliment to our previous story from Afsa related to data-driven initiatives in the agriculture sector.
Joining Pontem Analytics is an exciting new chapter in my journey. Pontem’s mission to bridge the gap between discipline and data, leveraging digital and data-driven solutions to create real-world impact, aligns perfectly with my vision of scaling initiatives like AgriEmpower Rwanda. The opportunity to learn and contribute in new areas, such as the energy sector—spanning fossil fuels and renewables—thrills me, and I’m eager to take on projects that tackle critical challenges while driving innovation that uplifts communities.
As I step into this role, I reflect on how far I’ve come—from recovering a deleted document on a laptop to becoming part of a global team spread across nine cities, united by a shared commitment to addressing some of the world’s most complex issues. From energy poverty to mining, health, food security, and agriculture, Pontem’s focus on applying engineering and digital solutions resonates deeply with my desire to shape Africa’s digital future.
This is not just my story—it’s the story of countless girls and communities determined to build a better tomorrow. Together with Pontem Analytics, I’m ready to make a difference—one solution, one connection, and one opportunity at a time.
Let’s build the future, together!
Q&A Session:
How do you see the future of things like ML/AI impacting your career?
This past summer, Rwanda experienced a surge in malaria cases, especially in rural areas where access to timely diagnosis remains a critical challenge. Seeing the growing urgency, I felt compelled to act. As part of the AI6 program, I took on a project to develop a machine learning model capable of detecting malaria in red blood cells. Using a convolutional neural network (CNN), I trained a model on thousands of microscopic blood sample images. The goal was clear: to accurately identify malaria parasites and offer an accessible diagnostic tool that could be used even in resource-constrained settings. By the end of the project, we achieved remarkable accuracy, demonstrating the potential of AI to revolutionize disease detection.
Working on the malaria detection project gave me a clear vision of how ML/AI will shape my career. I see these technologies as transformative tools that can bridge the gap between complex challenges and scalable solutions, particularly in fields like agriculture and healthcare. Imagine AI-driven platforms that can predict disease outbreaks, optimize farming practices, or recommend interventions based on real-time data—all accessible to people in remote areas. This is the future I’m committed to building.
In my career, I envision leveraging AI to create solutions that are not only innovative but also deeply rooted in the needs of local communities. Whether it’s through predictive analytics for farmers adapting to climate change or AI-powered tools for diagnosing diseases like malaria, my goal is to harness technology to drive impactful, lasting change. ML and AI represent a unique opportunity to democratize access to resources and empower those who need it most, and I am determined to be at the forefront of this revolution.
What advice do you have for other young professionals early in their career?
Interesting, I still see myself as someone who requires advice; however, I would say that hard work and perseverance should be the first sets of qualities any your student should emulate. In high school, I set my sights on achieving excellence, not just for myself but as a testament to the potential of hard work and perseverance. I didn’t just aim to succeed; I aimed to be the best. Topping my national exams was a pivotal moment. This achievement earned me the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship, a recognition of my academic prowess. This scholarship was a turning point. It wasn’t merely financial support; it was an investment in my future.
I will digress a bit here. For context, my journey is part of a larger family legacy of ambition, hard work, and a shared belief in the power of education. I am inspired daily by my two brothers who are currently studying at Harvard University and my sister who studied at the University of Manchester. Their achievements are a reflection of our family’s collective drive and the standard of excellence that has been instilled in us from a young age. Their journey has been a source of strength for me, paving the way and reminding me that success is possible regardless of where we come from. This isn’t about competition; it’s about building a foundation for future generations, showing young Rwandans that our roots are a source of strength, not limitations.
If I could give one piece of advice to young professionals starting their journey, it would be this: embrace your curiosity and let it guide you, even when the path ahead seems uncertain. Don’t shy away from challenges or new opportunities. When I first stepped into the AI6 program, I felt overwhelmed, but I pushed myself to learn and grow, taking every struggle as a chance to develop. Invest in your learning, seek mentors who inspire you, and remember that every setback is an opportunity to build resilience. Your journey might be filled with unexpected turns, but those experiences will shape you and set you apart.
What made you choose Pontem?
I chose to join Pontem Analytics because of the immense learning potential, given the diverse sectors they operate in and their mission to bridge the gap between data and discipline. Pontem's commitment to empowering decision-makers by integrating industry expertise with data science resonates with my experiences in developing tech-driven solutions for agriculture and healthcare. Thankfully, Pontem Analytics works across some verticals that mean a lot to me – health, Industries (including Agriculture), energy, etc. Their collaborative approach, which emphasizes building strong relationships across the offices in 9 cities and creating context around complex problems, offers an ideal environment for me to apply my skills in machine learning and drive impactful change.
Looking ahead, I’m filled with optimism and excitement for what lies ahead. The future of technology in Africa holds immense promise, and I am determined to be at the forefront of this digital revolution. I envision a world where machine learning can predict climate shifts, where AI tools are in the hands of every farmer, and where local innovations meet global standards of excellence. With Pontem Analytics, I am ready to support projects that go beyond innovation such as eradicating or reducing energy poverty and enabling food security for the continent of Africa.
Princess Alao (Cyprus)
Hi there! I’m Princess Alao. I was born in Nigeria, but South Africa is where I grew up and spent most of my life. Imagine moving countries at a young age, I was confused, curious and trying to figure out what everything was. I started my primary school (from grade 5) there and stayed there all the way through University, eventually earning my bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. The moving experience taught me a lot about adapting to new environments and working hard, especially in moments when I felt like I didn’t quite fit in. Honestly, it made me resilient, and now I take challenges as part of an adventure.
Fast forward to today, I’m currently in Cyprus (Yes, A whole new Country again!) pursuing my master’s in Oil, gas and energy engineering at the University of Nicosia. I was privileged in 2023 to become the vice president for SPE, UNIC chapter adding a little leadership flair to my story.
When I started my MSc, I told myself one thing: No thesis for me! I knew I wanted an internship! I did both a thesis and an internship during my bachelor’s degree and I preferred the internship. Thankfully, God heard me because I got connected to Pontem Analytics through the help of Dr. Sarris. Shoutout to him for setting the wheels in motion! I had the privilege of chatting with Kostas, who, after several meetings, welcomed me onto the team as an intern.
Now, after a little over a month at Pontem Analytics, it’s been great. My colleagues Ivan, Markos, and Joseph deserve a standing ovation for how helpful and patient they’ve been with me. And Kostas? An absolute legend! He’s made this whole experience smooth and comfortable for me. The work given has been challenging in the best way possible (I mean I didn’t expect any less), and I’ve learned so much in such a short time, I can only imagine what’s more to come.
This experience has truly been a game changer. It’s like a sneak peek into what’s to expect in the professional world, and I feel somewhat confident and ready to take what I’ve learned and show it off to whatever company I end up with next (Lucky them, right?). Pontem Analytics will definitely have a place in my story, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes me next.
Q&A Session:
How do you see the future of things like ML/AI impacting my career?
As someone in the energy sector, I see machine learning (ML) and Artificial intelligence (AI) as transformative tools to the industry in ways that I can’t even fully grasp yet. These technologies are not only faster but are able to predict system behaviours and optimize output by predicting failures.
I believe that ML/AI will be an integral in achieving sustainable goals in the fuel and energy sector. However, there is a downside to AI and that is the fact that it utilises information from the internet to solve problems. What happens when a new issue comes up that hasn’t been discovered yet? I’m not scared of “losing my job to a machine” however I do believe that working alongside these technologies will give me a bit of an edge by allowing me to thrive in my skills and solve problems quicker.
What advice do you have for young Professionals early in their career?
I don’t think I’m the best person cut out to give advice to anyone right now, but I will say this: My Dad always tells me “Whatever is worth doing is worth doing best” meaning, whatever it is you’ve set out your mind to do, no matter how small, make sure you’re doing it the best way you can. That is the best advice I can give anyone as this has helped me in more ways that I could have imagined.
Secondly: don’t shy away from challenges! What I’ve noticed is that in your early career, there will be so much to tackle. You will not always have all the answers but being proactive and staying curious will give you that front and set you apart. All in all, don’t forget to remain patient, learning is a process and success takes time.
What made you choose Pontem Analytics?
When I first heard about Pontem Analytics through Dr. Sarris, I knew absolutely nothing about the company, and I had to do my research. I am such a curious mind, and I was drawn to the company’s mission of empowering decision-making by bridging the gap between data and discipline. Now that isn’t something you see very often! I was excited to learn more about what Pontem offers. After my initial meeting with Kostas, I knew that Pontem would be a place where I could challenge myself, learn and grow.
In my career, I’m looking for continuous evolvement combined with meaningful work. I want to be part of a team that values collaboration, embraces diversity and drives impactful change. At the end of the day, I’m not just looking for a job but something more like a journey. I want to grow professionally while contributing to my field. The thought of it alone excites me and I’m taking steps towards that direction!
Conclusion
With their unique backgrounds and shared passion for using technology and innovation to address real-world challenges, Anne Marie and Princess embody the values we uphold at Pontem Analytics. Together, they are poised to make meaningful contributions, not only to our team but to the communities we aim to impact. We’re excited to see their journeys unfold and the transformative work they will help deliver. Welcome aboard!