We are still riding high as LOOKA Research took home the top prize at the Jobtech Idol Pitch at this year’s Africa Jobtech Summit 2025  in Nairobi, and we couldn’t be more proud!  This was not just a win for us. It was a moment for the entire team, our 500+ surveyors, and over 50,000 panelists across the continent who have made LOOKA what it is today. 

We have always been driven by the belief that high-quality research should be both accessible and fast, and this win fuels our fire even more to make that a consistent reality. And let’s just say, Nairobi did not disappoint. The two-day summit was packed with future-forward conversations, deep dives, and some seriously inspiring people. Here’s our unofficial, very real recap straight from our notebook to you.

What Stuck With Us 

1. You can't build the future of work with copy-paste solutions
The vibe? Africa’s not borrowing blueprints from anyone rather, it’s crafting its own. From agri-tech to call centers to solar jobs, the summit made it clear: if it works here, it was built here. This means storytelling drives platform growth by transforming features into emotional, aspirational narratives, and peer-led clinics offer raw, honest, and practical lessons for builders focusing on truly African solutions.

2. The AI conversation? Less apocalypse, more assistance.
Yes, AI was a hot topic, but there was no fear-based buzz in the room. The spotlight was on how AI can genuinely improve work life. Think better job matching, smoother onboarding, and smarter tools that let people focus on what they do best, which is being human. Empathy is not going anywhere.

3. More than gigs. It’s about dignity.
A recurring theme? Jobs should offer more than just income. Workers need to feel secure, structured, and meaningful. One speaker nailed it: “This isn’t just about going digital. It’s about delivering dignity.” We felt that.

And to consider, 9 out of 10 platform users reported improved livelihoods, and in some cases, women were earning up to 24% more than men on certain platforms. Now that’s the kind of disruption we’re here for.  We also noted a powerful breakout session highlighting evidence-based strategies to improve women's participation and earnings in digital work, covering everything from platform design to financial inclusion and skilling.

4. Remote work isn't just a pandemic phase.
We saw examples of African talent plugging into global jobs from literally anywhere, even in refugee camps. From healthcare to customer support, borders were not a barrier. “Telemigration” is real and it’s growing.

5. Protection is not a nice-to-have, it’s the assignment.
Even with all the wins, there were warnings. Unpredictable pay, no benefits, and vulnerable groups slipping through the cracks. The big takeaway? Platforms need to build safety nets into the tech and not treat them as a post-launch fix.

6. It’s not a solo mission.
No one can fix labor challenges alone. Startups, investors, policymakers, civil society, literally every stakeholder has got a role to play. One standout model? South Africa’s partnership between the government and private sector on job creation. Talk about teamwork goals.

So what now?

Winning the pitch was amazing.But more than that, this summit reminded us why we started LOOKA in the first place, Nairobi inspired and recharged. Big thanks to the Jobtech Alliance for creating a space where bold ideas meet action and to every founder, funder, and panelist who reminded us that Africa’s future of work isn’t just bright. It’s already happening. Now back to work.