InnovaLab GW, which was founded by young professionals, is the first innovation accelerator in Guinea-Bissau. Through its programs, training, and services, it promotes the development of the country's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
InnovaLab GW is a start-up accelerator founded by young Guinea-Bissau professionals Adulai Bary -a computer engineer with years of experience currently serving as its CEO- and Claudinecia Cabral -a senior project manager and accountant serving as the accelerator’s Resources and Programs Manager.
Since its inception in 2016, it has worked to foster the development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem by supporting entrepreneurs and startups in the fields of education, agriculture, healthcare, and infrastructure. Its aim is "to [contribute] to the achievement of sustainable development in Africa, starting with Guinea-Bissau," it says on LinkedIn.
Through its co-working space, the accelerator offers a collaborative working environment where people meet, work, network, share ideas and collaborate on projects. Accessible at any time of the day, these fully-equipped spaces can accommodate up to 15 people and offer free Internet access.
They are designed for small and medium-sized businesses, freelancers, home workers, start-ups, digital designers, and other digital professionals whose work doesn't fit into a traditional office model.
InnovaLab GW also provides entrepreneurs with the coaching, tools, resources, and network to help them meet the myriad challenges that lie ahead. It offers mentoring and management training services to startups and new businesses.
It also connects entrepreneurs and business leaders with legal experts and other specialists and organizes exchange events between entrepreneurs from various sectors.
With the help of its partners, including AfriLabs, Seedstars, Yali Network, Next Einstein Forum, and Global Entrepreneurship Network, InnovaLab GW has created over 200 direct jobs, organized more than 300 events, and helped create more than 20 startups.
Melchior Koba
The World Health Organization estimates that 2.5 billion people would have some degree of hearing loss by 2050. In Kenya, a tech entrepreneur has come up with a solution to make everyday life easier for these people.
AssistALL is a digital solution developed by Kenyan firm Signs Media. It connects people with hearing impairments to a sign language interpreter via its mobile app. The solution was launched in 2022 by Luke Muleka.
According to Luke Muleka, the idea for assistAll was born during the coronavirus pandemic when he realized that deaf and hearing-impaired people were completely isolated with the requirements to wear face masks. Indeed, such people communicate with facial expressions and, with the mask-wearing requirement, they were unable to communicate effectively with interpreters. That's when the idea of developing the assistALL application was born.
AssistALL currently has an Android app, with the iOS version under development. Before accessing the platform, users need to register and add a profile picture. Companies or commercial entities may also use the application to promote the integration of their deaf staff. In this case, they register as corporate users.
Luke Muleka explains that the application was developed to promote the socio-professional integration of people with hearing disabilities. Hence, everyone can use it. The Kenyan start-up charges 30 Kenyan shillings (around $0.21) per minute, so users need to top-up their accounts before booking interpreters’ services.
To top-up, they simply need to click on the "Transactions" tab and follow the instructions to top up the account via M-Pesa, PayPal, or Visa cards.
By March 2023, the start-up was claiming over 7,000 users. According to Play Store data, its application has already been downloaded more than 5,000 times. It dreams of entering the Egyptian, South African, and Nigerian markets. "To penetrate the huge Nigerian market, we're looking for $1 million. These funds will enable us to develop our artificial intelligence (AI) to reach as many people as possible," the founder says.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
The burgeoning youth population in Africa offers a promising market for startups to seize. However, these startups are faced with bottlenecks, including racial inequality, that hinder their progress. Several initiatives are being put in place to level the playing field.
Google for Startups has selected 25 African startups for its Black Founders Fund (BFF), addressing racial inequality in venture capital funding. The chosen startups, representing diverse entrepreneurship across the continent, will receive $4 million in funding and support to fuel their growth. This is the third cohort of the Founders Fund.
Each startup will receive up to $150,000 in cash awards, $200,000 in Google Cloud credits, advertising support, mentoring, and access to Google's network. Leveraging technology, these innovative startups aim to tackle Africa's challenges in healthcare, logistics, and fintech. For example, Tushop, a Kenyan startup, is revolutionizing retail through a group purchasing platform, while Herconomy -Nigeria’s first Fintech company for women -aims to establish Africa's first women-focused bank.
With Nigeria leading with 10 grantees, Kenya with 5, and South Africa with 3, the selected startups highlight the importance of women in Africa's startup ecosystem, as 72% of the chosen ventures are led or co-founded by women. Google has launched additional initiatives to empower women in technology, including the Hustle Academy and the Women Founders Cohort.
Through the Black Founders Fund and associated initiatives, Google for Startups aims to bridge the venture capital funding gap, nurture diverse entrepreneurship, and unlock Africa's immense potential. By supporting these visionary founders, Google seeks to stimulate economic growth, create job opportunities, and foster innovation that addresses the continent's unique challenges.
“In 2020, with less than 0.5% of global venture capital (VC) funding going to Black-led startups, Google announced the Black Founders Fund and has since deployed $20M in funding to founders across the US, Europe, Africa, and Brazil,” Google wrote in a statement issued on its website.
Hikmatu Bilali
Here are the chosen startups:
- Akoma Health (Nigeria): Tech platform for accessible, culturally conscious mental health services in Africa.
- BezoMoney (Ghana):Digital banking for Africa's underbanked via mobile/web platforms.
- Chargel (Senegal):Digital trucking platform connecting shippers/carriers in Francophone West Africa.
- Charis UAS (Rwanda):Provides 3D geospatial data via drone technology.
- Evolve Credit (Nigeria):SaaS for digitizing and managing banking services.
- Excel At Uni (South Africa):Supports student funders via digital services.
- EzyAgric (Uganda):AI-powered mobile technology to enhance Africa's farming sector.
- Fez Delivery (Nigeria):Last-mile logistics platform for various industries.
- Fleetsimplify (Kenya):Monetization platform connecting gig drivers & vehicle owners.
- HealthDart (South Africa):Digital HMO providing end-to-end health services with insurance.
- Herconomy (Nigeria):Female-focused fintech aiming to be Africa's first women's bank.
- Jumba (Kenya):Improving Kenya's construction sector supply chain via B2B platform.
- MDaaS Global (Nigeria):Tech-powered diagnostic centers for affordable healthcare.
- My Pocket Counsel (Nigeria):Legal tech platform for contract generation and management.
- Orda (Nigeria):Pan-African neobank for restaurants, offering cloud-based software.
- Periculum (Nigeria):Data company aiding in credit assessment, fraud/churn risk.
- Raenest (Nigeria):Fintech offering global financial services to freelancers/startups in Africa.
- Ridelink (Uganda):E-logistics platform providing shipping and real-time tracking.
- Susu (Côte d'Ivoire):Health platform providing healthcare services/insurance funded by the African diaspora.
- Talamus Health (Ghana):Tech solutions targeting healthcare inefficiencies in Africa.
- TruQ (Nigeria):Streamlining mid-mile logistics across Africa with third-party vehicle connectivity.
- Tushop (Kenya):Tech platform for group buying of daily essentials in Kenya.
- Uzapoint (Kenya):Mobile/web POS for digitizing bookkeeping in Africa's informal sector.
- Zinacare (South Africa):Online platform for accessible, affordable healthcare services.
- Zydii (Kenya):Localised digital training solutions for African SMEs.
Africa has many assets, including its young population, to become a leader in the field of artificial intelligence. While some countries are slow to adopt it, others are stepping up their efforts to take full advantage of it in the coming years.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is to support Morocco in promoting digital transformation and artificial intelligence. The Director of UNESCO's Maghreb office, Eric Falt (photo, right), discussed the subject on Friday, June 16 in Rabat with Ghita Mezzour (photo, left), Morocco's Minister for Digital Transition and Administrative Reform.
"This meeting was an opportunity to study ways of strengthening cooperation with UNESCO in fields linked to digital transformation and artificial intelligence. I also stressed, in passing, the importance our country attaches to digitization and enhanced adoption of modern technologies in various fields,” Ghita Mezzour wrote on Twitter.
The global AI market is growing by leaps and bounds. Like several countries around the world, Morocco has accelerated the deployment of this new technology in several sectors. By mimicking human cognitive activity, artificial intelligence is able to assist in a great number of tasks. As such, it has a promising future and represents a huge opportunity for the country. However, it is essential to prepare the ground for the use of this technology in all fields, and even to participate in its development in both the public and private sectors.
Together with UNESCO, Morocco will work to promote digital transformation and harness the potential of artificial intelligence in the country. The UN organization has also pledged to support the Kingdom in its efforts to promote research, innovation, and the responsible use of digital technologies.
According to data from Tratica, a US market intelligence firm focused on human interaction with technology, AI is expected to generate nearly $90 billion in profits worldwide as early as 2025.
Samira Njoya
The digital revolution underway on the African continent presents huge opportunities. However, the ecosystem needs to be developed for countries to be able to leverage it for socioeconomic development. Hence the partnership between countries for a stronger and more resilient ecosystem.
Egypt and Algeria want to intensify their cooperation to develop their respective digital sectors. On Monday, June 19, Algeria's Minister of Post and Telecommunications, Karim Bibi Triki (photo, left), and his Egyptian counterpart, Amr Talaat (photo, right), held talks to this effect in Cairo.
According to a press release issued by the Egyptian Ministry of ICT, the two officials discussed avenues to boost cooperation in the field of communications and information technology.
"In-depth discussions were also held on ways to advance cooperation and the exchange of experiences in a number of areas related to postal services, digital infrastructure, telecommunications regulation, the data center industry, the development of the information technology industry, and support for technological innovation and entrepreneurship," the release informs.
At the same time, the two countries announced plans for the installation of two new submarine cables, which would establish a stronger link between Egypt and Algeria. The cables are expected to become operational by 2025. The aim is to increase the number of direct submarine cable connections to four, providing optimum access to the broadband network.
The new network will enable operators in both countries to develop a range of broadband-based services. According to Mr. Karim Bibi Triki, the new collaboration also aims to encourage the younger generation to set up their own businesses.
Samira Njoya
In the Hausa language, Kaomini loosely translates to “bring me…”. The platform was launched to promote financial and social inclusion. It is gradually carving its niche, attracting a growing number of merchants and customers.
Kaomini is a virtual marketplace launched, in 2017, by Niger Poste, the public postal service operator in Niger. It enables merchants to sell products using unconventional channels. It also enables populations to purchase various products without having to travel.
"Kaomini has vouched to meet the needs of Suppliers who don't have the means to travel to exhibit their products internationally. [...] On Kaomini, products are ordered online via handheld devices. To order, [buyers] need to first set up an account [...] to secure the merchant’s products on our e-commerce site,” says Nasser Salifou Seyni, operations manager at Kaomini.
The solution currently has an Android app. Once registered, buyers can log in and directly access the various products available on the marketplace, such as groceries, food supplements, livestock, and more. It is also possible to order meals in restaurants or send laundry to the dry cleaner.
To back Kaomini, Niger Poste has set up a delivery service and has around a hundred relay points throughout the country to facilitate various commercial transactions. Payment can be made on delivery or via the site's integrated payment methods. Among others, buyers can opt for mobile money solutions or bank cards.
The platform claims between 70 and 80 orders per month. In the medium term, Niger Poste aims to cover around 50% of the national territory. What's more, most of the products marketed on the platform are "Made in Niger", which facilitates access to the specialties of remote regions by residents in major cities.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
He is passionate about using technology to solve key challenges. After his studies and a few years after working in the United States, he returned to his native country, Senegal, where he launched a healthtech company to solve challenges.
Mouhamed Ndoye (photo) is a Senegalese computer scientist who graduated from the Texas McCombs School of Business with a master's in information technology and management. He is the CEO and one of the co-founders of medtech startup Tanél Health.
The startup, founded in 2020, builds modern platforms for African healthcare companies, notably pharmacies, and insurers. Its goal is to build an integrated tool that connects all healthcare stakeholders.
The company has developed easy-to-use, affordable, and reliable software to streamline pharmacy management. The software enables pharmacy owners to optimally manage inventory, monitor sales, manage cash flow, track inventory, and manage their teams. It features a modern interface compatible with all types of devices. From its dashboard, users have access to detailed reports revealing actionable data for better decision-making.
In 2019, the CEO of the startup behind it co-founded Anythng, a company that reinvents the way modern restaurants communicate with their customers. He served as the CEO of that company till 2020. Still, in 2019, he co-founded Tékkil, a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting and promoting Senegalese-American professionals to become leaders in their careers and communities. He also served as the CEO of that organization till 2022.
In 2021, he took part in the startup acceleration program On Deck. The serial entrepreneur entered the professional world, in June 2010, as a software engineer for Tech Corps, a U.S. tech company. From 2014 to 2018, he was a consultant for Cardinal Solutions, a U.S. IT solutions provider.
Melchior Koba
Africa's digital revolution allures investors and cybercriminals alike, presenting both prospects and risks. In response, numerous countries are ramping up security measures to bolster trust in their information and communication systems.
South Africa and France have signed a cooperation protocol agreement to combat cybercrime and enhance anti-corruption efforts. The agreement, signed by South African Justice Minister Ronald Lamola and French Minister for Europe and foreign affairs Catherine Colonna on Monday, June 19, aims to bolster South Africa's Special Investigating Unit (SIU) by establishing an anti-corruption academy in Tshwane. This academy will benefit the SIU, as well as other law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and beyond.
The collaboration focuses on enhancing the SIU's cyber-forensic investigations, financial crime expertise, and analytical skills. Ronald Lamola highlighted that this training initiative will bring the country's forensic cyber capabilities up to global standards, essential for addressing transnational cyber threats effectively. "This kind of cooperation will be of great value and help to enhance our skills to deal with cybercrime in the country," said Lamola.
Lamola also emphasized the vital role of this collaboration in fortifying South Africa's cybercrime-fighting prowess and revitalizing investor confidence. With cybercrime incidents on the rise, it is crucial to ensure a secure digital environment. During a hybrid information session hosted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on April 4, 2023, Billy Petzer, research group leader, highlighted that cybercrime causes a significant loss of R2.2 billion to the South African economy annually, emphasizing its substantial impact.
Catherine Colonna, the French Minister, also expressed optimism about the partnership's benefits for South African citizens and the broader SADC region. The SIU has already gained expertise through exchanges with French professionals, with 22 trainers now capable of instructing other investigators.
She also stressed the importance of further collaboration and knowledge sharing in the field of cyber investigations. The agreement represents a significant stride in strengthening cyber forensic capabilities and anti-corruption measures, to protect citizens and foster a secure digital environment in South Africa and the SADC region.
“Since the very early stages of our cooperation, members of the SIU have been to France and have had opportunities…to see and experience the French expertise in the field of mostly cyber investigations. I call for those exchanges to grow,” she said.
Hikmatu Bilali
In Madagascar, the lack of newborn registration is a nationwide problem. By leveraging new technologies, the government wants to address the problem soon.
On Friday, June 15, the authorities of the urban commune of Toamasina in eastern Madagascar launched the trial phase of the digitized civil registration and identity system.
The new solution, which has been two years in the making, will be launched in the next few days in Toamasina, and by the end of 2023, it will be launched in several other communes in the country.
“... The official launch is scheduled for the end of June. Digitizing civil registration data means that birth information can be stored securely, to protect it from fire and loss,” said Volana Rakotonirina, Director General of the National Civil Registration Center at the Ministry of the Interior and Decentralization.
In Madagascar, as in many African countries, the identification of individuals remains a real problem. According to UNICEF data, nearly a quarter of children under the age of 18 in Madagascar have no birth certificate, i.e. some 2.5 million children. An estimated 1 million adults are unregistered and therefore invisible. The reasons for this shortfall lie partly in ignorance of the procedure, but also in structural problems such as administrative malfunctions.
Thanks to the new system, hospital data will be transferred directly to the communes, and the information will be validated by the registrar. Maternity wards will be equipped with connected tablets for this purpose. The aim is to interconnect at least 30 communes by the end of the year.
This digitization project is part of the Malagasy Digital Governance and Identity Management Project (Prodigy), launched in 2019 and financed by the World Bank. The project aims to increase inclusive access to legal identity for all Malagasy citizens and improve access to and the quality of key public services.
Samira Njoya
The solution was launched by a Mauritanian tech entrepreneur to address the challenges faced by his compatriots when sending remittances to their relatives.
Cadorim is a fintech solution developed by a Mauritanian start-up. It enables the Mauritanian diaspora in Europe to send remittance home.
The startup behind the app is based in Nouakchott and Brussels. It was founded, in 2018, by Mohamed Elmoctar Neine. Guests can browse the web platform to get a feel of its services without creating an account.
In case they need to make a transfer, users can register for an account or just log back in and provide the required information to complete the transaction. Among other things, the user will be asked to enter the amount in euros or pounds sterling, the recipient's first and last name, telephone number, the receiving city, and whether the person will receive the money in cash at one of the fintech's branches or in their MauriPay e-wallet.
Once the transaction is validated, the next step is to upload a valid identity document issued by a European country to finalize the procedure.
“The technology used by Cadorim is based on the blockchain which guarantees maximum security. It protects your money both when sending and withdrawing,” the platform assures.
Cadorim also allows users to send money to Senegal and Cameroon. These transactions are carried out through its partner MauriPay. Recipients receive the funds directly into their e-wallets. Unlike Cadorim, MauriPay has a mobile application. In 2019, the start-up won the first edition of the Fintech Challenge organized by the Central Bank of Mauritania
Adoni Conrad Quenum
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Kuassi Jimmy Kumako (photo) is a computer engineer with a degree from Dakar's Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD). He is one of the co-founders of fintech start-up Moneco, which guides members of the African diaspora as they settle in France. It enables them to open an account, have access to an international payment card and make transfers anywhere in Europe.
His startup, founded in 2022, is a one-stop shop for all the financial needs of the African diaspora in Europe. It is the only startup in the S22 batch to be accepted by Y Combinator the same year it began operations. It was developed to help the diaspora save money by aggregating all their financial needs on one platform.
The Moneco platform enables immigrants settled in Europe to open a current account with local IBAN. It also gives them the possibility to top up their accounts via various methods, set up group saving schemes, send funds to Africa free of charge, and make international payments among other things.
Besides Moneco, Kuassi Jimmy Kumako also co-founded (in 2016), a classified ads platform for SMEs based in Francophone Africa. He is a member of the Benin Business Angel Network, an association of local and diaspora entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals willing to invest, open their networks, and guide entrepreneurs in the Beninese ecosystem.
In 2010, he co-founded SITBusiness, which coordinated the design and use of a geographic information system for non-governmental organizations in Senegal. In 2014, he also co-founded Dev Engine Labs, an agency that supports start-ups and banks in the design, creation, and optimization of digital services to meet their customers' needs.
A former consultant in finance, competitiveness, and innovation at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and ex-business associate at Google, he worked from 2020 to 2022 for Paystack, a fintech specializing in online and offline payments in Africa, as a developer.
Melchior Koba
Cheikh Tidiane Mbaye is Chairman of the International Jury of the Orange Social Venture Prize in Africa and the Middle East (POESAM). For several years, he has reviewed thousands of high-potential projects. He was interviewed by We Are Tech about the impact of Orange's innovation support ecosystem and his perception of the African digital economy.
We recently attended the 13th edition of POESAM. Looking at the projects you've judged over the years, what's your assessment of the level of tech innovation in Africa?
This is indeed the 13th edition. I've been on the jury for about ten years now, and I've been chairing it for about six if I'm not mistaken. And so, when you look at the number of entries, the interest generated by the prize, the evolution of the media impact, you realize that we're growing fast. To give you a figure, the number of candidates for this year's edition (2023) is around 1,400. And it seems to me that four, even five years ago, we were still around half that number. We've almost doubled in less than five years, and I find that very interesting. Another point to note is that the percentage of women is also increasing. At the moment, we're almost at 30% women, which is very significant. I think it's also important to understand that the projects submitted to POESAM reflect African needs in some way. I find it interesting to observe that these projects reflect not only the ability of young entrepreneurs to create, innovate and develop but also reflect African needs. For example, at the last award, the majority of projects focused on education, health, agriculture, and e-commerce, in order of growth. It's very interesting to see the evolution of innovation in these fields, and the Orange Prize rewards above all social impacts.
Personally, why did you agree to chair the international jury?
As I said, I've been a member of the jury for ten years. I was offered the presidency a few years ago, and I accepted. But what counts for me is the fact that I've been a member of the jury for so many years. I think my choice reflects a passion and a conviction. My passion is development. I'm passionate about development and what it takes to get there. My conviction is that we can do it. We can do it because we have the resources to do it. One of the keys for me is the private sector and the role it plays, particularly the role played by small and medium-sized enterprises. The government also has a role to play. Good governance will accelerate all these, despite the weaknesses. That's what I'm passionate about, and I'm ready to take part in any serious initiative that serves this passion and conviction, highlighting projects that have an impact on everyday life.
How did your love of innovation, which feeds your passion for development, come about?
I worked for Orange as a manager, in particular as Managing Director of Sonatel for 25 years. I was also involved in another field, that of telecoms infrastructure, which I believe is essential to the development of tech entrepreneurship. You need a good base, you need good infrastructure. Everything we've done over the years is based on the infrastructures we've taken several years to install. We've seen what our network innovations bring to communities. The innovative services offered by entrepreneurs are channeled through them. Those innovative services are offered by talented young Africans, particularly those who are promoted, supported, and encouraged by this extremely useful prize [POESAM]. So there's a continuity between what I've done since I started working and what I'm doing today.
What has the experience of chairing the POESAM jury brought you?
I have to say that I'm learning a lot, coming from an infrastructure background. We're talking about innovation and startups here. These young entrepreneurs we're supporting today criticize our activities. They criticize the companies I've worked for. This allows me to correct these companies. It allows me to get to the other side and see how things can be improved. I've intervened several times in several Orange countries to facilitate relations between startups and the Orange operators, which we represent. Operators are big, strong and don't always think of everything. These interactions have given me knowledge and humility too. I think digital inclusion in Africa is happening, and it's already not bad, contrary to popular belief.
What is your assessment of the impact POESAM has had over the years on technological innovation in Africa, and economic and social development in particular?
The prize helps a lot of entrepreneurs and startups. I have some pretty good examples. I have in mind the example of Mr. Johnson from Liberia, who is now developing palm oil-based products to offer renewable energy solutions. Thanks to the POESAM grant he received in 2018, he has doubled his income and created 24 additional jobs. Then there's the Tunisian company Kumulus, which has developed a machine that turns air into water. It managed to raise its first million euros, thanks to us, to increase its visibility. It works with Orange Group companies. There are other examples we can cite. These companies have a concrete impact on their customers. It's not just the POESAM prize-winners that this award has helped, it has stimulated innovation by enabling a large number of young Africans to dare [to innovate] and I think that's something very important. Orange Africa and the Middle East covers 17 countries. Every Orange company in every country has contributed to nurturing this innovation and drive.
Given all the innovations you've seen over the last 13 editions, how do you see Africa's prospects in the global digital economy?
I believe that Africa will play a decisive role in the digital economy. I met an entrepreneur who has worked in some of the world's biggest tech companies and has now returned to Africa. He gave up an attractive position in a big company to create his startup in the health sector. Like me, he too - along with several international firms, the World Bank, the IFC, and specialized organizations - believes that the future of Africa's digital economy will be formidable. I think that this entrepreneurial dynamism is well understood by those of us who have an insightful reading.
Besides its drive-through, the solution also offers food delivery services.
Ordera is a mobile application developed by an Egyptian start-up. It enables users to order food in advance, pay for it and benefit from drive-through service. They can then collect their meal without having to get out of their car, and therefore without having to queue.
Based in Cairo, the start-up was launched in 2019 by Karim Abdel Kader, Noha Bassiouny, and Abeer Mostafa. It has already raised $150,000 to support its growth.
Through its mobile (Android and iOS) app, a user can order food from over 150 partner restaurants, cafés, and fast-foods. He/she can track the order progress and even get the classic delivery service. All the user has to do is enter his or her location to have it delivered.
Ordera also gives its customers loyalty points that can be exchanged for gifts in partner stores. The start-up makes money by charging partners a commission on each order. Its Android app has been downloaded over 50,000 times. After Cairo, it has now expanded to Alexandria, the first step of its nationwide expansion.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Outbox Hub plays a key role in promoting tech entrepreneurship. Since its inception, it has established a solid reputation as a catalyst for innovation and an invaluable support for budding entrepreneurs.
Outbox Hub is a tech innovation space and incubator based in Uganda. Founded in 2012 by Richard Zulu, also its director, it helps new and aspiring African entrepreneurs keen to use technology to create high-growth businesses.
With its modern and inspiring collaborative workspace, Outbox Hub offers an environment that fosters creativity and idea sharing. Like all incubators, it does not provide just workspaces but also offers comprehensive incubation programs that help startups turn their ideas into sustainable businesses. Selected entrepreneurs benefit from personalized mentoring, specialized training, business consulting, and access to a network of experts and investors.
In collaboration with its partners NSSF Uganda, Mastercard Foundation, JICA, World Food Programme (WFP), USAID Uganda, AfriConEU, Ye! ITC Community, etc., the incubator launched several initiatives to promote youth involvement in the tech industry. These initiatives include UpAccelerate, a one-year initiative to support young entrepreneurs tackling the challenges of sexual and reproductive health in Uganda. There is also the NSSF Hi-Innovator learning lab for agricultural businesses launched on Thursday, June 15, 2023.
Outbox Hub also designs and develops technological solutions that enable organizations to accelerate their social impact. It works to increase the number of women and girls in technology through the conferences and training courses it organizes under its Women in Technology program.
Melchior Koba