By Amadou Kossi, from Lomé, Togo

My name is Amadou Kossi. I'm a software engineer born and raised in Lomé, Togo. I've always been passionate about how technology can solve real-world problems. Over the years, I’ve worked on projects ranging from digital health platforms to online education tools and accessibility features for the elderly. But at some point, I realized that technology alone wasn’t enough. Real change also requires political will  and active civic engagement.

It all started at a local neighborhood meeting. A resident, visibly exhausted, shared his frustration with the painfully slow and confusing online process to renew a simple ID document. At that moment, I didn’t just see a technical issue  I saw a citizen being failed by a system meant to serve him. That evening planted a seed in my mind. I asked myself: “What if I got directly involved and tried to change things from within?”

That’s how the idea of running in the municipal elections was born. I had no political background. No party behind me. Just a firm belief: it’s time for the people designing our digital tools to help shape public policy, too.

My campaign was intense and deeply human. With a small team of volunteers friends, colleagues, neighbors we went door to door, held citizen workshops, and above all, listened. I even built a mobile app to help residents easily report issues to the city council and track local projects. One of my favorite memories was during a digital security workshop for seniors: a 75-year-old woman, tearful, told me at the end, “Thanks to you, I’m no longer afraid to use my computer to talk to my grandchildren.”

But despite our energy and commitment, I didn’t win. On election night, I felt heartbroken. But over time, that loss transformed into something else. I realized I had planted something meaningful. Young people wrote to me, saying my story inspired them to get involved. Colleagues told me they never imagined a software engineer could make such a difference in local politics.

I found strength in the stories of people like Beto O’Rourke and Kamala Harris leaders who’ve faced electoral defeats yet continued to push forward with conviction. They reminded me that political engagement isn’t just about winning seats, but about inspiring others and making a real impact where you are.

Today, I’ve returned to my work as a software engineer, but I see my role differently now. I collaborate closely with local organizations to make technology more inclusive, more accessible, and more community-driven. And who knows? Maybe one day, I’ll run again.

What I’ve learned is this: losing an election isn’t a failure. It’s a chapter in a bigger story. A story of resilience, service, and love for your community. And if my journey can inspire even one more person to stand up and get involved  then I didn’t lose at all. In fact, I won something far more meaningful.