At just 26 years old, Crystal Kewe is not only breaking glass ceilings—she’s building new floors for others to rise. As the CEO and co-founder of Crysan Tech, one of PNG’s most promising software companies, Kewe represents a new generation of tech leadership that blends tradition with innovation.
Her journey from a curious teenager tinkering with code to an internationally recognized tech entrepreneur is a powerful reminder that Papua New Guinea’s youth—especially young women—have the potential to shape global technology with a local heartbeat.
Coding with Culture
Crystal’s early inspiration didn’t come from Silicon Valley, but from the colorful threads of a bilum, PNG’s iconic handwoven bag. In her teens, she noticed how local artisans, mostly women, struggled to market and sell their products beyond their immediate communities.
That observation sparked the idea for one of her earliest projects: a bilum-focused mobile app designed to help craftswomen document, price, and sell their pieces through mobile technology.
“I wanted to build something meaningful—something that gave value to women like my mother, aunties, and neighbors,” Crystal shared in a recent interview.
The app gained traction, catching the attention of development organizations and digital inclusion advocates across the Pacific.
Building Crysan Tech
From that initial success, Crystal and her father co-founded Crysan Tech, now known for delivering custom software solutions, building e-commerce platforms, and training young coders in PNG.
What sets Crysan Tech apart is its emphasis on building local tech talent—particularly among women. The company actively runs training programs and internships for students from underserved communities, helping bridge the digital skills gap that has long held back innovation in the country.
“We don’t just want to build apps,” Crystal says. “We want to build a tech ecosystem rooted in PNG’s culture and values.”
Recognition and Global Reach
Crystal’s work hasn’t gone unnoticed. She has been invited to speak at global tech summits, featured by organizations like UN Women, and named among Asia Pacific’s Top 100 Digital Changemakers.
Yet she remains grounded in her mission: to use tech as a tool for economic inclusion, gender equity, and community empowerment.
A Role Model for PNG Youth
For many young Papua New Guineans, especially girls, Crystal represents what’s possible when curiosity meets commitment. She often visits schools to talk about tech careers and is passionate about making STEM fields more accessible.
In an industry still dominated by men, her success story offers not just inspiration but a practical path others can follow.
Looking Ahead
With Crysan Tech expanding its services to clients across the Pacific and launching new platforms focused on artisan empowerment, SME development, and education, Crystal shows no signs of slowing down.
And while she now codes less and leads more, her heart remains close to the people who inspired her journey.
“I’m just one thread in the bigger PNG bilum,” she says with a smile. “But if my work helps others weave their future, that’s the success that matters most.”
