Discover how Tedom Noutchogouin Donald built HooYia from a student project into one of Cameroon's most promising tech companies, revolutionizing Africa's tech landscape through innovation, education, and visionary leadership.
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In a continent rapidly embracing digital transformation, one Cameroonian innovator stands out with his relentless drive and technical prowess. Meet Tedom Noutchogouin Donald—a visionary entrepreneur whose journey from classroom to boardroom is reshaping Cameroon's tech ecosystem.
Born in Cameroon's West Region, Donald's path to tech greatness began at Collège Moyopo in Bafoussam. Initially pursuing Mathematics at the University of Dschang, Donald's innate curiosity about technology led him to pivot towards Computer Engineering at the prestigious National Higher Polytechnic Institute (NAHPI) in 2020.
What sets Donald apart isn't just his academic credentials—though they are impressive, with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering (2024) and a Master's degree (2025) from the University of Bamenda. It's his remarkable ability to envision and execute transformative tech solutions while still completing his education.
In 2022, while most students were focusing solely on their studies, Donald launched what would become one of Cameroon's most promising tech startups—HooYia.
Named after the chameleon, symbolizing adaptability and resilience, HooYia embodies Donald's philosophy of constant evolution in the face of technological change. The company wasn't created merely as a business venture but as a movement to revolutionize Cameroon's IT landscape.
"Technology shouldn't just be imported to Africa—it should be created here, by Africans, for African challenges," Donald often emphasizes when speaking about his vision.
What truly distinguishes Donald from other tech entrepreneurs is his commitment to knowledge sharing. In 2021, before HooYia's inception, he launched "Donald Programmeur," a YouTube channel dedicated to demystifying complex programming concepts.
Starting from zero subscribers, Donald's authentic teaching style and comprehensive tutorials on Python, Django, Machine Learning, DevOps, and AI have attracted over 10,000 followers. His channel has become a virtual classroom for aspiring developers across Francophone Africa, proving that quality tech education can come from within the continent.
Donald's impact extends into the academic sphere, where his research contributions are addressing uniquely African challenges. His work on solar radiation forecasting using machine learning addresses one of Africa's most promising energy sectors, while his e-commerce recommendation systems are helping local businesses compete in the digital marketplace.
These aren't theoretical exercises—they represent Donald's commitment to applying cutting-edge technology to practical African problems.
Under Donald's leadership, HooYia has evolved from a student project into a full-service tech powerhouse, specializing in:
The company's approach combines technical excellence with deep cultural understanding, creating solutions that resonate with local contexts while meeting international standards.
Donald's ambitions for HooYia are unapologetically bold: to become Africa's equivalent of Google—a homegrown tech giant capable of competing on the global stage while addressing distinctly African challenges.
"We're not just building a company," Donald explains. "We're building an ecosystem where the best African engineering talent can thrive and create solutions that work for our unique context."
His roadmap includes expanding HooYia's educational initiatives, creating more specialized tech solutions for key African industries, and eventually establishing innovation hubs across the continent.
In a landscape where tech success stories often involve relocating to Silicon Valley or European tech centers, Donald represents something different: the possibility of building world-class technology companies without leaving Africa.
His journey demonstrates that with the right vision, determination, and technical foundation, Cameroon's youth can transform the country into a tech powerhouse—creating jobs, solving local problems, and eventually competing globally.
For aspiring Cameroonian tech entrepreneurs, Donald isn't just a success story—he's proof that the path to innovation can start right here at home.
Follow Tedom Noutchogouin Donald's journey and learn more about HooYia's innovative solutions by visiting their website or connecting on social media. Are you an aspiring tech entrepreneur inspired by Donald's story? Join us at Codees Cameroon to become part of the movement building Cameroon's tech future.
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