Akpene Diata Hoggar

Knowing Yourself Is the Beginning of Learning

Akoben: Stories of Impact, Tales of Courage is a series that speaks about the power of education as a tool for transformative change in the world. They are told through the lens of Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni. From Carnegie Mellon University Africa, here is Akpene’s story.

Akpene was born and raised in Akatsi, in the Volta region of Ghana. When she was 18, she embarked on a transformative adventure journey, moving to Accra to pursue her studies at Ashesi University. This journey would pave the way for a career in creative entrepreneurship, ultimately fueling her passion for Information Technology (IT).

Akpene teaching at the football academy in 2016

Akpene heard about the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program through her classmates at Ashesi University. After her undergraduate studies in 2016, she went on to teach social entrepreneurship at a football academy. Her experience as a teacher sparked in her a desire to pursue a career in IT.

In the early stages of her entrepreneurial career, Akpene established her own creative consulting company, Creatives Anonymous Africa. At the time, its mission was to create a digital platform for creative entrepreneurs to learn, grow, and build a community.

One of the greatest impacts of entrepreneurship is that it’s an equalizer. It gives you the opportunity to advance and grow your skills while solving problems through problem-solving

Akpene Diata Hoggar

Akpene sitting in front of the CMU Africa sign

Akpene emphasizes the transformative power of entrepreneurship, stating, “One of the greatest impacts of entrepreneurship is that it’s an equalizer. It gives you the opportunity to advance and grow your skills while solving problems through problem-solving. Service is important, and entrepreneurship is a tool young Africans can use to serve their communities.”

Akpene’s journey was littered with challenges, most notably her failed entrepreneurship venture with Creatives Anonymous Africa. Looking back, she carries many lessons from her journey, including the importance of connecting with the problems one seeks to solve. She advocates for a collaborative approach, emphasizing the need to work closely with the communities entrepreneurs aim to impact by creating solutions.

The pivotal role of education in Akpene’s journey becomes evident, and she is grateful for the support she has received through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at CMU-Africa since joining in 2022. She speaks about the impact of the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program on her entrepreneurship. She is now able to focus on her new startup business without worrying about funding her studies. With fellow students from CMU-Africa, she is now involved in creating a new startup, a venture made possible by the support she received.

“One of my goals is to provide young people on the continent with the skills and resources they need to become problem solvers. Change happens by many factors coming together. One of these factors is education. Education allows you to not only learn but also expand your thinking and horizons. The effect of expanding your thinking and horizon is being exposed to new skills and knowledge that will help you think about problems differently. It allows you to see beyond what is in front of you, dream bigger than we have ever dreamt, expand, and grow.”

Akpene Diata Hoggar

Akpene advises prospective Mastercard Foundation Scholars to believe in themselves and their story, as this will build their authenticity. She credits her authenticity as a significant contributing factor towards her selection into the Program. She encourages prospective applicants to take pride in their journey.

Akpene’s motivation is deeply rooted in both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. She finds inspiration in owning her story, reflecting on her journey, and recognizing how far she has come. Simultaneously, she is driven by a desire to be a facilitator, creating an environment that empowers others to change the world around them.

Her successful failure in business was a revelatory experience and led her to discover specific gaps. She sought to immerse herself in a learning environment as certain learnings can only take place in a controlled environment. She is grateful for the opportunity to learn from and be around people she can learn from and help push herself even further.