From Senegal to Montreal, a dream come true
Pape Wade always dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur. Born in Kaolack , a city in central Senegal , he lost his father at the age of two. He was adopted by his half-brother, who raised him as his own son and became one of the most influential figures in his life. From a young age, Pape Wade was not a particularly bright student, often placing himself at the bottom of the class. However, everything changed when he moved to France to pursue his higher education in Toulouse . There, he made a fresh start and excelled in his studies.
Quebec marks a decisive turning point in his life. Having arrived 16 years ago, Pape Wade saw it as an opportunity to realize his dream of entrepreneurship. Unlike France, where he did not see himself succeeding in this field, Quebec’s social project corresponded more to his values. He describes the human warmth and proximity between people as aspects that remind him of his native country. Today, he lives in Quebec with his family and is the father of two boys, aged 13 and 16.
Airudi: A Human-Centric, AI-Powered Company
In 2019, Pape Wade co-founded Airudi , an SME specializing in the development of platforms using artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize human resources management. The name “Airudi” comes from the contraction of the words “Artificial Intelligence” and “erudit” , reflecting the company’s approach: using AI intelligently and responsibly to solve complex problems.
Airudi’s goal is to enable businesses to reach their full potential through AI, while ensuring that technology serves humans, not the other way around. For Wade, AI is a powerful tool but must be used ethically. He stresses the importance of responsible and sustainable growth, so as not to fall into the excesses that can result from expanding too quickly.
International growth
Airudi quickly attracted customers in Canada, France and Africa. With more than 5,000 customers already , the company has signed contracts with major organizations. For example, it helps Urgence-Santé , the service that manages emergency calls in Montreal, plan its paramedic staffing needs according to demand forecasts. Thanks to Airudi, Urgence-Santé can deploy its resources more efficiently, by anticipating the volume of calls to come.
In France, Airudi is working with the Port of Le Havre , one of the largest ports in Europe, to improve the management of ship arrivals. With AI, the port can predict the arrival of ships up to 21 days in advance, compared to just 24 hours previously. In addition to these applications, Airudi offers solutions to automate up to 80% of recruitment processes and helps companies prevent workplace accidents.
A model of sustainable development
Despite its rapid growth, Airudi is betting on a sustainable development model. The company currently employs around fifty people, but plans to reach around one hundred employees by the end of 2025. Pape Wade ensures that this expansion is done responsibly, ensuring that each project has a positive impact , both on a human and organizational level. This vision is based on the principle that each action must have an impact, both on oneself and on others.
A return to roots: Africa at the heart of his vision
Although he is based in Quebec, Pape Wade maintains a strong connection with Africa. Airudi has opened an office in Dakar , Senegal, where about fifteen employees already work, and plans to open another office in Benin . For Wade, Africa has a unique opportunity to take advantage of artificial intelligence to catch up with its development lag compared to OECD countries. He explains that technologies developed in North America can be quickly adapted to African needs.
The entrepreneur sees this expansion as a way to give back to Africa , while contributing to the continent’s economic and technological development. According to him, AI represents a major lever for creating solutions adapted to local contexts, bringing concrete benefits in terms of growth and efficiency.
An inspiring journey
Pape Wade’s career is marked by unwavering determination and a constant quest for knowledge. A graduate of an MBA from HEC Montréal , as well as a master’s degree in organizational sociology , he also accumulated other degrees in Toulouse. Before founding Airudi, Wade worked for more than ten years as a human resources director in Quebec. This professional background equipped him to launch into entrepreneurship with confidence.
Pape Wade applies to his business the principles he learned from observing agriculture in his youth: sow, patiently cultivate and harvest. For him, this model is essential to building a sustainable business, capable of healthy growth and long-term results. His approach based on patience, impact and community engagement makes him an example to follow for young entrepreneurs around the world.
Local and international impact
In addition to his efforts in Africa, Pape Wade continues to give back to the Quebec society that has helped him so much. Each year, he offers scholarships to students at Université Polytechnique and HEC Montréal, in order to support future generations of innovators. For him, success is not limited to personal success, but involves sharing the fruits of his successes with the community, whether in Quebec or in Africa.
His journey shows that artificial intelligence , when used well, can be a real driver of change, enabling businesses and societies to develop in a fair and sustainable manner.
