Who is Austin Gboru?

Austin Gboru, also known as Augustine Gboru, is a Nigerian technology entrepreneur, engineer, inventor, and scientist born on August 11, 2002, in Igbuzo, Nigeria. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Abuja between 2019 and 2023.

Gboru is best known as the co-founder, Executive Chairman, and President of NearSwipe, a fintech company he established in October 2024, headquartered in Austin, Texas, with a focus on sustainable technology solutions. NearSwipe develops patented multifunctional NFC-enabled smart cards that serve as credit cards, access control devices, and identification for students, employees, and public servants, aiming to reduce plastic use in the financial industry and introduce contactless payment innovations like Apple Pay in developing countries, particularly in Africa.

Gboru's work emphasizes the intersection of artificial intelligence and sustainability, with research interests in these areas.

He is an active writer and commentator on technology trends, publishing articles on Medium and LinkedIn about topics such as AI ethics, energy efficiency in data centers, generative engine optimization, and the implications of models like GPT-5. As of August 2025, his recent commentary includes discussions on GPT-5's release (noting it as an incremental improvement rather than superintelligence), Google's nuclear energy initiatives for AI sustainability, and the risks of overhyping AI advancements. He resides in Toronto, Canada, and maintains an online presence on platforms like X (@austingboru), LinkedIn, Medium, and ResearchGate, where he shares insights and engages with topics like space exploration and population dynamics. At age 23, he is recognized as a young leader driving innovation in ethical and eco-friendly tech.