The Baobab Network is one of Africa's leading accelerators. It supports tech start-ups by providing mentoring, acceleration, networking, and funding to help them grow and have a positive impact on their communities.

The Baobab Network is an accelerator that supports the best tech start-ups in Africa, providing entrepreneurs with funding, support and a global platform to grow their businesses.

Founded in Kenya, in 2015, by British Toom Fairburn and Toby Hanington, the accelerator invests up to $50,000 in early-stage tech companies. It has developed a unique, intensive program to ensure the success of each start-up that goes through its training. Each of the startups has access to a network of experts, mentors, corporate partners, and investors to grow their businesses.

Its acceleration program begins with two weeks of intensive consulting to address the most pressing challenges faced by founders, followed by 12 weeks of practical support for founders, during which an acceleration plan is created for each startup.  

The acceleration program takes place remotely so that founders are not kept away from their companies for too long. Registrations for the next cohort of the program are already open. 

The Baobab Network’s partners offer their expertise and services, run pilot projects, and explore early business partnerships. They also provide grants as well as equity and debt funding to the startups selected by the accelerator. 

Over the past five years, The Baobab Network has worked more than 10,000 hours alongside budding entrepreneurs in Africa. Its portfolio of supported start-ups includes advertising agency Adafri, on-demand warehousing company Afrigility, and Alerzo, a platform that empowers retailers.  

Melchior Koba