Photo of Elie Sfeir. (Credit: Photo provided by Elie Sfeir)
Graduating top of his class in June from Antonine University (UA), Elie Sfeir, a computer engineering major, has distinguished himself through significant achievements in application development and contributions to innovative projects.
This young man's passion for technology and determination to drive meaningful change have been evident since his early years. In 2019, his stellar performance in the Lebanese Baccalaureate in general science earned him a full scholarship to pursue his studies at UA. By the end of his five-year program in 2024, he was awarded the prestigious Raymond Najjar prize for his exceptional work in engineering.
"I’ve had a passion for technology and innovation since childhood, which led me to software development. As a self-taught teenager, I started developing and programming applications. Over time, this gave me valuable experience in developing the infrastructure for websites and applications," Sfeir recounted. He now aims to devote his career to creating software solutions that cater to users' needs.
"I’ve always been fascinated by how technology can solve real-world problems and improve lives. This has driven me to fully commit to my studies, to learn continuously and to remain on top of the latest advancements in the field. I aim to use my skills and knowledge to make people's everyday lives easier," he added.
Simly: a connectivity revolution
Sfeir’s most significant project to date is Simly, the first eSIM travel app in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Co-founded by Lebanese entrepreneurs Jake al-Mir and Marc Kanaan, Simly was launched in 2022, offering instant connectivity in over 200 countries without the need for physical SIM cards.
Sfeir joined the Simly team in 2022 as a backend development manager, where he designed the technical framework essential to the app's operation. His work was crucial in optimizing the system, enabling the start-up to support a growing number of users while maintaining high reliability, safeguarding data integrity, and collaborating with telecom providers globally.
One of the key challenges during Simly’s development was integrating telecom providers across different countries. "This required a great deal of testing and troubleshooting to enable our users to remain seamlessly connected at all times, and this was achieved by collaborating, as a team, with several suppliers with different technical standards and protocols," explained Sfeir.
"Also, as a start-up, we were faced with the usual obstacles of limited resources and the need to balance rapid development with maintaining a high-quality product. Despite these challenges, our team's dedication, collaboration and innovative solutions enabled us to overcome the obstacles and successfully develop and launch Simly."
Ambitious plans for the future
In addition to his work with Simly, Sfeir has been developing Quakely, an earthquake detection app in collaboration with his friend Lama Achek. Currently in the testing phase, the app aims to offer early warnings and improve response times in earthquake-prone regions like Lebanon. It is expected to launch publicly by the end of the year.
Sfeir isn’t stopping there. "I have several projects in mind, particularly in the gaming sector," he said. He envisions an app dedicated to video game tournaments, allowing players to connect, compete for prizes, and foster a strong community.
Tackling Lebanon’s energy crisis, Sfeir is also planning the long-term development of a decentralized renewable energy platform. Through the platform, he aims to provide a sustainable solution to the country’s frequent power cuts.
For young people aspiring to break into the tech world, Sfeir offered some advice: "Never shy away from a challenge, and never stop learning. Technology is always evolving, and each challenge is an opportunity for growth." He encourages students to stay curious, participate in hackathons, and surround themselves with like-minded individuals. Above all, he urges them to create solutions that address real-world problems.
“With perseverance and determination, you can make the impossible possible,” he concluded. With his talent, drive, and vision, Sfeir represents the future of technology in Lebanon. His journey shows that with hard work and passion, ideas can evolve into innovations that truly make a difference.
This article was originally published in French in L'Orient-Le Jour.
