Behind every great movement lies a spark, a moment when curiosity turns into purpose. For Pastor Psalms Kalu, that moment came when he saw a group of young people mesmerized by a computer screen, creating beautiful designs with CorelDraw.
What began as a simple fascination grew into a lifelong mission: to empower young Africans through technology, education, and purpose-driven innovation.
Today, Pastor Psalms stands as one of Nigeria’s most respected technology leaders and educators, the visionary founder of Ashpot, a globally recognized innovation hub dedicated to bridging the digital divide.
His work has inspired countless youths, educators, and entrepreneurs to see technology not as a distant dream, but as a powerful tool for transformation.
But beyond the accolades and achievements, what sets Pastor Psalms apart is his heart, a deep, unwavering belief in people, purpose, and God.
His journey is one of resilience, faith, and relentless pursuit of impact. He has turned challenges into opportunities, and ideas into legacies that are shaping Africa’s digital future.
In this interview, Pastor Psalms Kalu opens up about his journey from a curious learner to a global tech influencer, the challenges that shaped his path, and the vision driving his mission to transform lives through technology.
CA: Pastor Psalms, your journey as a technology leader and educator is truly inspiring. Can you take us back to how it all began? What inspired you to build Ashpot?
Pastor Psalms: My journey into technology started from a deep curiosity about how things work. I was fascinated by how technology could solve everyday problems and create opportunities where none existed.
I remember the first day I went to visit a friend at a computer center where he was receiving computer training. They were learning CorelDraw that day.
I could see the excitement and fascination in their eyes as they explored how to create beautiful designs and graphics with it. The first thought that came into my mind was, I would like to build something that people could be fascinated about like this!
That curiosity evolved into purpose when I began to see how technology could empower young people and transform communities. From the first day I wrote my first line of code, I knew I had found something with which I could create a global impact!
Ashpot was born out of that curiosity and vision. The aim was to bridge the digital gap by providing access to quality tech education and building solutions that help individuals and businesses thrive.
What started as a small initiative has grown into a globally recognized innovation hub empowering hundreds of youths and institutions through training, digital tools, and community projects.
CA: That’s such a powerful beginning. Carving out a path as a visionary in digital transformation takes grit and heart. What was your journey like, and were there any key mentors or role models who guided you along the way?
Pastor Psalms: The journey has been both rewarding and challenging. Building anything meaningful in technology, especially in Africa, requires perseverance and adaptability.
Along the way, I’ve been inspired by visionary leaders like Steve Jobs for his daring approach to innovation, and local mentors who modeled integrity, purpose, and service.
My father was also a great mentor to me. He helped me make sure I had the right mindset about life and my goals. My biggest lessons came from experience, stuff I picked up from the street: how to read people, how to smell opportunities, how to stay humble and rooted through the grind.
With formal education and training, I learned how to lead teams, manage innovation sustainably, create systems, and stay grounded in purpose even when resources were scarce. Those early experiences shaped Ashpot’s culture of resilience, creativity, and excellence.
CA: That’s beautifully said. The tech world moves fast and can be unforgiving. What challenges did you face along the way, and how did you push through them?
Pastor Psalms: One of the biggest challenges was access, access to resources, infrastructure, and opportunities. In the early days, convincing institutions to adopt digital solutions or young people to embrace tech skills wasn’t easy. But we persisted, proving value through results.
I also had to constantly learn and evolve. In fact, I’ll attribute most of our success to this singular act, the act of constantly learning and reinventing ourselves.
Technology changes so quickly, and leading in that space requires continuous learning and reinvention. You can’t be the one talking about how it used to be done; you have to be the guy introducing the new way it should be done.
I pushed through by building a strong team, fostering collaborations, and keeping our mission at Ashpot centered on impact rather than just profit.
CA: That commitment to impact really stands out. What kept you motivated, especially during those tough early days of building Ashpot and your community initiatives?
Pastor Psalms: What keeps me motivated is seeing transformation happen, a student who started with zero tech knowledge now building real-world solutions, or a school that uses our platform to improve teaching and learning outcomes.
Impact is my fuel. Even in difficult seasons, the knowledge that what we’re doing is changing lives keeps me going. The support of my family, team, and community has also been instrumental.
I am also a very spiritual person, I draw a lot of strength from prayer and God! Ashpot was never just a business idea; it’s a purpose-driven mission to shape Africa’s future through technology.
When I started Ashpot, the vision statement was simply a verse of the Bible, Matthew 13:31-32. I didn’t know at the time if it was okay to use scripture as a vision statement for a business, but that was what I did.
CA: That faith-driven foundation is truly inspiring. How has your background and experience shaped the way you handle challenges in technology and innovation today?
Pastor Psalms: My background in Computer Science and years of hands-on experience as a Software Engineer and Solution Architect have taught me that every problem has a solution, it’s just a matter of perspective and persistence. In Ashpot, we have one simple mantra: Everything can be done!
Even if we don’t know how to do it at the moment, we accept the challenge for a new adventure and learning experience. With each step, we continue to push the boundaries of our knowledge.
As a leader, I’ve learned to see challenges as opportunities to innovate. That mindset is what drives Ashpot’s success today.
CA: You’ve mentored so many people and created lasting impact. How does it feel knowing your journey is guiding the next generation of digital leaders?
Pastor Psalms: It’s humbling and fulfilling. Every time I see a young person I’ve mentored launching a startup, teaching others, or solving local problems with technology, I’m reminded why we do what we do.
Over fifteen years, Ashpot has done a lot through training programs and community outreaches. Our just-concluded event, The Edtech Indaba, is a platform we created to help teachers and educators adopt digitization easier and faster.
I also founded the Python Abia community in 2019, which has produced many Python developers and helped others build fulfilling careers.
I’m also the organizer of the Django Girls Aba Workshop, a program that inspires young women to embrace technology and programming.
Over the years, we’ve seen hundreds of young people, especially women, gain confidence and clarity about their place in the digital economy. Knowing that my journey can inspire theirs is one of my greatest rewards.
CA: That’s remarkable! You’ve also spoken on global stages. What inspired you to start sharing your knowledge and experiences with others?
Pastor Psalms: I believe knowledge is only powerful when shared. My experiences, both the successes and the mistakes, have equipped me with insights that can help others navigate their own paths. Speaking at conferences allows me to multiply impact beyond the four walls of Ashpot.
Conferences like DjangoCon Europe and PyCon Africa give me a global platform to share my story and represent Africa’s tech potential. I’m passionate about changing the narrative, showing that innovation isn’t limited by geography but fueled by vision, creativity, and determination.
CA: And what’s next? Are there any exciting projects or milestones on the horizon for Ashpot or your community programs?
Pastor Psalms: Absolutely. We’re currently expanding Ashpot’s ecosystem by launching new platforms focused on education technology, youth innovation, and digital entrepreneurship.
One of our most exciting initiatives is EarlyStart, a coding app designed to help kids learn and master tech skills through gamified lessons and fun activities.
We’re also deepening our work with schools through Schoolzy, our comprehensive school management and e-learning platform that helps institutions transition seamlessly into digital operations.
Beyond that, I’m personally focused on scaling mentorship and thought leadership through content creation and global collaborations.
CA: That’s exciting to hear! Before we wrap up, what’s one misconception about technology or innovation you’d like to correct?
Pastor Psalms: Many people believe that technology is only for the highly technical or those in big cities. That’s not true. Technology is for everyone, farmers, teachers, traders, and students alike. It’s a tool to simplify life and multiply possibilities.
At Ashpot, we emphasize inclusive innovation, helping individuals and institutions leverage technology at their own level to improve efficiency, communication, and growth. True digital transformation starts with mindset, not machines.
CA: Beautifully said. Finally, if you could give just one piece of advice to anyone dreaming of making an impact in the tech and digital space, what would it be?
Pastor Psalms: It’s simple, and it’s something my father used to say to me: “Think Big, Start Small.” Start where you are, with what you have, but don’t stay there. The most successful innovators aren’t those with perfect conditions, but those who take the first step and keep learning along the way.
Stay curious, stay consistent, and stay connected to purpose. Technology will keep evolving, but passion, discipline, and integrity never go out of style.
