Carlos Oba is an entrepreneur dedicated to solving social challenges in rural Africa. In his previous role at a Tanzanian startup that provided rental LED lanterns to villages, he witnessed firsthand the severity of issues such as lack of electricity and fragile living infrastructure. From this experience, he realized that delivering “things” alone could not create sustainable change, and that the true key lay in providing “experiences” through communication and digital services—such as access to education, finance, and job opportunities.

Driven by this conviction, he founded Dots for Inc. in 2021. The company builds ultra-low-cost, decentralized telecom infrastructure and enables rural residents to access a wide range of services—including education, financial tools, vocational training, and digital gig work—through smartphones available via installment payments. Today, in countries such as Benin and Senegal, over 600,000 people are connected to digital services for the first time, leading to higher incomes and improved quality of life.

Oba’s mission is clear: “to ensure that no village is left behind, and that everyone can participate in the global digital economy.” By combining on-the-ground engagement with innovative business models, he is committed to creating sustainable social impact at scale.

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