TECH STARS (1007)
Following a philanthropic stance, Zafy Tody provides its expertise and financial support to a select group of Malagasy startups annually, without seeking equity or future ownership rights in the supported companies.
Zafy Tody, a Malagasy tech startup incubator and business angel, offers free incubation and funding to selected startups without taking equity stakes. Founded in 2019 by Andréa Zafitody Li-Sai Chimento and CEO Manambina Ramaroson Vandewalle, the incubator aims to boost Madagascar's startup ecosystem.
Each year, Zafy Tody offers free incubation to 5 to 10 Malagasy startups, providing financing without any equity investment or future ownership stake in the company. For other Madagascar-based start-ups, the incubator offers a paid program for personalized support.
Its 12-month incubation program allows beneficiaries to validate their business plan, test their product, bring it to market, and prepare for fundraising or competitions. Incubated startups also gain access to Amazon Web Services' AWS Activate program.
In 2023, Zafy Tody supported startups selected for the Miary Digital program, including E-voyage, Andao Share, NextFoodAfrica, and Zion. Partners include Orange Fab Madagascar, NextA Accelerator, LivePlan, the Center for Excellence in Entrepreneurship, and the French Embassy in Madagascar.
To cater to companies or individuals seeking to enhance their skills in entrepreneurship and digital transformation, the incubator offers professional training programs. These include training in UX & UI (user experience and interface), entrepreneurship, and the tech tools and solutions offered by the AWS cloud platform.
Zafy Tody has established several partnerships to aid in its mission. It is supported by Orange Fab Madagascar, NextA Accelerator, LivePlan, a business planning solution, the Center for Excellence in Entrepreneurship, and the French Embassy in Madagascar, among others.
Melchior Koba
Despite his background in business and marketing, he has carved out a niche for himself in the technology sector, focusing on solar innovation in Madagascar. He offers innovative and sustainable solutions to address the increasing electricity demand.
Yann Kasay (photo), a tech entrepreneur and consultant from Madagascar, is the founder of Jirogasy, a company that designs, assembles, and manufactures solar home systems and Internet of Things (IoT) devices powered by solar energy locally.
Established in 2017, Jirogasy has developed a range of innovative distributed solar stations. “We import only the raw materials. All parts, especially electronics, are printed with a three-dimensional printer we designed ourselves, and assembly is done in our workshop,” Kasay explained in 2019.
In the same year, Jirogasy, in partnership with AccesMad, a French non-governmental organization dedicated to developing scientific and technical education in Madagascar, launched Jirodesk, a solar-powered generator with an integrated mini-laptop.
In 2022, Kasay launched Jiro France, a design office of Jirogasy. The office offers services to technology and industrial groups looking to develop a hardware project.
In addition to his role at Jirogasy, Kasay also undertakes temporary assignments as a strategy and market intelligence consultant, aiming to assist large companies and startups in their decision to implement innovation and new software products.
The cleantech entrepreneur studied commerce and international business at the Paris School of Business, business administration and management at Paris-Sud University, and marketing at Washburn University.
In 2015, he co-founded International Studies Solutions, where he served as COO until 2018. The company advises athletes and students on their projects abroad. Before becoming an entrepreneur, he worked for MCA BENELUX, a European engineering and technology company, as an IT business manager between 2014 and 2015.
In 2018, Jirogasy was selected as one of the 100 startups in the Marathon Pitch at the Salon des entrepreneurs. In 2019, Kasay was named Young Leader by the French-African Foundation.
Melchior Koba
With programs like Newbie and Cracker, Enovation Factory is shaping a new generation of entrepreneurs, guiding them from the early stages of ideation through to the execution of their concepts.
Enovation Factory, an African startup support institution based in Cameroon, is committed to fostering the next generation of African leaders. The organization provides project leaders with the necessary knowledge, attitude, and skills to shape the future of Africa, as stated on its website.
The organization offers its services free of charge, relying on a network of partners to provide the necessary resources for its operations. It offers two main programs, namely Newbie and Cracker.
Newbie is an incubation program aimed at accelerating the growth and success of entrepreneurs in the ideation stage. In contrast, Cracker is an acceleration program for entrepreneurs who have completed their business plans. This program offers startups intensive support, specialized resources, and opportunities for rapid development.
The organization’s program application portal is currently open to all project leaders in Cameroon. Both the Newbie and Cracker programs run for six months. They provide participants a workspace for collaboration with other entrepreneurs, mentoring sessions for advice and sector expertise, and access to a network of entrepreneurs, investors, experts, and potential partners.
In addition, Enovation Factory offers workshops, seminars, and training courses to equip beneficiaries with the skills and knowledge required to build and develop their projects. The organization also facilitates investment by organizing pitching events and connecting startups with investor networks interested in funding opportunities.
Enovation Factory’s partner network includes both local and international institutions such as Google Cloud, Eagle Consulting Group, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Creative Valley, Qwasar Silicon Valley, and The Network.
Melchior Koba
A computer scientist by training, he designs technological solutions to make life easier for businesses, institutions, and individuals. Through Maviance, he has developed several digital payment solutions.
Jerry Cheambe (photo), a Cameroonian technology entrepreneur and computer scientist, founded Maviance, a technology company, in 2010 after earning a degree in Business Administration and Computer Science from the Technical University of Berlin in 2004.
Based in Germany and operating in Europe and emerging economies, Maviance offers customized solutions, value-added services, and specific web and mobile solutions for telecoms, utilities, financial institutions, enterprises, and governments. The company has developed several technology solutions, including Smartcash, Mavimeter, and SMobilpay.
Smartcash is a comprehensive solution that digitizes corporate payment flows and optimizes business processes, offering users in the CEMAC region (Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa) an efficient and transparent transaction experience through high flexibility, real-time reporting, and direct access to banks.
SMobilpay is a secure digital payment solution that simplifies bill payment for consumers and businesses in the CEMAC region, providing agency-free, value-added, and cashless payment options to governments, financial institutions, businesses, operators, and customers.
Mavimeter is a technology solution designed for smart meter reading, addressing the infrastructure challenges of gas, water, and electricity utilities in emerging markets. It aids administrators in reducing error risk, detecting fraudulent activity, and enhancing the efficiency and performance of subcontracted field operatives.
Before his entrepreneurial venture, Cheambe worked as a software engineer at Fraunhofer FOKUS, a German company developing communication infrastructure solutions, from 2003 to 2004. In December 2004, he joined Accenture, an international company focused on talent and innovation, as head of systems integration and technology, where he worked until 2010.
Melchior Koba
A travers son programme d’accélération, PesaTech Accelerator s’efforce de renforcer l’écosystème des fintechs en facilitant les investissements, les partenariats et l’autonomisation entrepreneuriale.
PesaTech Accelerator est un accélérateur de start-up conçu pour aider les entreprises fintech en phase de croissance ou post-revenu en Tanzanie. Lancé en 2022 par le Fonds d’équipement des Nations unies, il s’engage à améliorer la capacité des fintechs à attirer des investissements par le biais d’un programme de préparation des investisseurs (IRP) tout en servant d’intermédiaire entre les start-up, les partenaires stratégiques et les investisseurs.
PesaTech Accelerator, à travers son programme d’accélération, veut autonomiser les entrepreneurs fintech et favoriser des solutions durables et impactantes pour la communauté. Il soutient les fintechs qui résolvent les défis numériques dans les domaines du paiement, de l’épargne, du prêt, de l’investissement, de l’assurance et du commerce électronique. Les start-up lauréates du programme reçoivent un soutien technique et commercial sur mesure afin d’améliorer la qualité de leur projet.
Le programme d’accélération de PesaTech Accelerator dure trois mois. Il comprend des ateliers physiques mensuels de quatre jours, suivis de sessions virtuelles et de mentorats. Par ailleurs, les entreprises reçoivent aussi un soutien post-programme de trois mois. Ce qui permettra de combler les lacunes opérationnelles, d’améliorer les dossiers d’investissement, de fournir un mentorat et de favoriser les partenariats visant à accélérer la croissance des entreprises fintech.
De plus, l’accélérateur organise des événements de mise en réseau des investisseurs ainsi que des journées de démonstration. Avec ses partenaires Digital for Tanzania, Anza Entrepreneurs, NMB Bank et Village Capital entre autres, il a soutenu plusieurs start-up.
Lors de la première cohorte de son programme, PesaTech Accelerator a accompagné Bizzyn, Dawa Mkononi, et plus encore. Bizzyn, par l’intermédiaire de BizzyPay, aide les petites et moyennes entreprises qui n’ont pas d’antécédents en matière de crédit à accéder facilement au financement. Dawa Mkononi est une application de commerce électronique qui permet aux pharmacies, aux dispensaires agréés et aux établissements de santé d’acheter des produits pharmaceutiques en ligne.
Melchior Koba
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A lawyer turned entrepreneur, she leverages technology to pioneer social and educational programs in Tanzania's education sector.
Tanzanian social entrepreneur and lawyer Faraja Kotta (photo), a University of Dar es Salaam graduate, is the founder and executive director of Shule Direct. This non-governmental organization, established in 2013, provides innovative educational solutions and resources.
Shule Direct leverages technology to offer digital educational resources to Tanzanian learners. Collaborating with local teachers, the organization creates a wide array of digital content, including lecture notes, interactive tutorials, quizzes, and multimedia, spanning 13 subjects in the national secondary school curriculum.
The NGO also develops educational mobile games to enhance primary school students’ reading, writing, and math skills. With a growing suite of products, including the Shule Direct mobile app, the Elimika learning management system, and the Makini SMS platform, Shule Direct has become a significant force in Tanzania’s digital education sector.
Over 4.2 million users have accessed the high-quality learning resources on the organization’s digital platforms to date. Shule Direct has more than 59,000 registered teachers and over 276,000 mobile downloads.
Named the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leader 2020, Kotta has served as the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Tanzanian Education Network since 2022. She is also a board member of the Global Campaign for Education.
Kotta’s work with Shule Direct has earned her several accolades, including the Woman in Technology Africa award in 2016 and the Hall of Fame Website of the Year award from the Tanzania Leadership Awards. In 2017, she received the System Innovator award from the Segal Family Foundation for transforming digital learning in secondary education in Tanzania. In 2019, her startup was recognized as the Best Educational Platform of the Year at the Tanzania Elimu Awards.
Melchior Koba
Through its programs and resources, hapaSpace supports young people at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey, from developing STEM skills to accessing finance, and from incubating to accelerating innovative ideas.
HapaSpace, a technology and collaborative innovation center located in Kumasi, Ghana, was established in 2016 by CEO Gideon Brefo and CFO Albert Yaw Opoku. The hub helps young people create start-ups and develop skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through workshops, specialized training, meetings, mentoring, and incubation and acceleration programs. It supports the entire business journey, from idea generation to pre-seed financing.
It also offers coworking spaces and fully-equipped offices with reliable Internet connectivity. In addition to physical infrastructure, hapaSpace facilitates access to volunteers, organizes events, and fosters networking opportunities for budding entrepreneurs. Moreover, the center collaborates with venture capital firms, angel investors, and sponsors competitions to provide funding avenues for startups.
Among the programs launched by hapaSpace, SmartWoman aims to equip 150 women with basic digital skills in Adjamesu, in the Ashanti region of Ghana. The program is part of the DigiWorks project sponsored by the Digital Transformation Center of the German Agency for International Development Cooperation (GIZ) and eSkills for Girls.
The center provides technical assistance to companies and individuals. It carries out market research for individual start-ups, companies, and development partners. It has created four active communities to help entrepreneurs build resilient businesses.
The hapaSpace technology community totals over 500 people who support one another. It also has an entrepreneurs' community, an artists' community, and a readers' club. The first counts over 1,000 innovative people, while the second totals around 158 creative artists. In the readers' club, a book is read each month and discussed.
Melchior Koba
In Tunisia, Connect'Innov supports companies by promoting entrepreneurship and technological innovation in the healthcare field. It offers a range of services, from pre-incubation to business acceleration.
Connect'Innov is a Tunisian support institution dedicated to identifying, supporting, and promoting innovation in the healthtech field, particularly e-health, medtech, and biotechnology. It was founded in 2020 by biochemist Wafa Bchir and accountant Hichem Radoine.
It offers pre-incubation and awareness-raising services with ongoing training for entrepreneurs and researchers. It also creates startups and supports innovative projects, providing incubation and acceleration programs and organizing events and meeting sessions to create more partnership opportunities.
Currently, Connect'Innov hosts a range of impactful programs. Among these initiatives is Connect'Innov Prep, a foundational program that introduces participants to entrepreneurship and innovation while providing pre-incubation support. Additionally, Connect'Innov Camp offers a series of concise yet comprehensive training modules focused on fostering entrepreneurial skills and innovative thinking.
Its startup creation initiative, Connect'Innov Studio, cultivates in-house ideas spearheaded by its dedicated team. Furthermore, with its incubation arm, Connect'Innov Lab, Connect’Innov supports startups in the innovation phase. The primary goal of this program is to assist young entrepreneurs in refining their concepts, and comprehensively preparing them for subsequent phases of development.
For startups that have progressed beyond the ideation phase and validated their prototypes, Connect'Innov offers the acceleration program known as Connect'Innov Fab. This initiative helps healthtech companies secure funding and expand their market presence both nationally and internationally.
To date, Connect'Innov has run over 30 programs and events and has logged over 550 hours of support. More than 55 startups have been or are currently being supported, and more than 25 have been accredited. The institution is supported by entities such as the World Bank, Start-up Tunisia, Institut français, Deloitte, and Eurobiomed.
Melchior Koba
Through KudiGo, a technology platform, the entrepreneur aims to redefine micro and small business operations in Africa. He seeks to transform the continent's retail landscape.
Kingsley Abrokwah (photo) is a young Ghanaian entrepreneur and computer scientist. He is the founder and lead facilitator of KudiGo, a startup that aims to strengthen African retail through local technology solutions.
Founded in 2017, KudiGo offers omnichannel digital commerce infrastructure for micro and small business retailers in Africa. Its solutions include an in-store storefront, a code-free online store, a WhatsApp bot, and enterprise data solutions. The startup also offers white-label infrastructure for FMCGs, banks, fintechs, and other stakeholders.
The Ghanaian holds a higher professional diploma in network engineering obtained in 2010 from the National Institute of Information Technology (NIIT) Ghana Ring Road Centre. Since October 2017, he has been a consultant with Topia Technology Consult, a company specializing in cloud infrastructure, cloud security, and digital strategy. Since February 2024, he has also been a business mentor with Ashesi Venture Incubator, which trains emerging entrepreneurs to integrate outcomes focused on the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) into their business models.
Before KudiGo, Kingsley Abrokwah served as the co-founder of Chillax in 2013. Chillax is a mobile application offering personalized going-out suggestions, and Abrokwah led the team until 2015. He has also worked for several companies.
Between 2010 and 2022, he led PentiumTech successively as managing partner and CEO. At the same time, between 2014 and 2015, the entrepreneur worked for Apurimac Media, a digital media and marketing agency based in South Africa, as head of business development. In 2023, he took up the position of interim executive consultant at iJANU, an e-mobility technology company focusing on ecological and equitable mobility in African markets.
Kingsley Abrokwah was a student at the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) between 2013 and 2014. In 2013, he won Startup Weekend Accra with his Chillax solution. He was also a finalist at DemoAfrica in 2017.
Melchior Koba
Known for his innovations, the Tunisian video game entrepreneur invests in digital entrepreneurship. He also holds board positions in multiple organizations.
Walid Sultan Midani, a Tunisian entrepreneur and video game enthusiast, founded YouRun, an independent video game development studio based in Malta, Europe, in 2018. The studio, which publishes the 2D arena shooter Warshmallows, aims to combine elements of casual games, e-sports, and animated series to provide a unique gaming experience.
Midani is also a stakeholder in Bravvo, an AI-powered cloud platform designed to enhance employee engagement. The platform assists African companies in implementing top-tier employee engagement programs, allowing employees to acknowledge and reward each other’s work achievements.
Midani serves on the boards of La FrenchTech Tunis and Game for Change Africa. The former is a community comprising a broad network of digital economy players, aiming to generate services and actions beneficial to the Tunisian entrepreneurial ecosystem. Game for Change Africa, on the other hand, leverages the power of games to drive social impact and economic growth in Africa.
Additionally, Midani is a founding member of the Pan Africa Game Group (PAGG), a network comprising over 200 game development talents across the continent. The Tunisian entrepreuneur, who earned an engineering degree in computer systems and networks from the Ecole supérieure privée d’ingénierie et de technologie (ESPRIT) in Tunis in 2008, founded DigitalMania Studio, a video game studio, in 2011. He served as the CEO of the studio until November 2023. From April 2022 to January 2023, he co-founded and served on the board of Makers Factory, an initiative aimed at accelerating innovation in creative sectors such as gaming.
DigitalMania Studio received Microsoft’s Best Performing Start-up Award in 2012 and was selected for the Europe4startups program the following year. In 2014, Midani, along with DigitalMania Studio, received the award for the best pitch and business model among the 10 international entrepreneurs participating in the PITME program in Silicon Valley. In 2017, Quartz named him one of the African innovators.
Melchior Koba
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With over twenty years of experience working around the globe, he founded Open Access Energy. The startup is the embodiment of his passion for using technology to simplify energy transactions and promote sustainable energy.
Gerjo Hoffman (photo) is a South African entrepreneur and Stellenbosch University graduate with Bachelor's degrees in Information Science, Afrikaans, and Dutch obtained in the year 2000, followed by a Bachelor's degree in Journalism in 2003. He is the co-founder and CEO of Open Access Energy, a company established in 2021 with Christoff Albertyn to enhance energy accessibility. His platform facilitates the automated matching of energy generation and consumption loads, allowing for transparent energy transactions between producers and consumers.
Open Access Energy introduces two key solutions: Amptera and Energypro. Amptera serves as an all-in-one energy billing tool empowering municipalities, utilities, and homeowners. On the other hand, Energypro addresses the intricacies of private energy distribution through advanced technologies.
Before his involvement with Open Access Energy, Gerjo Hoffman co-founded Qikcommerce in 2012, offering an intuitive e-commerce solution for businesses venturing into online product sales. This platform enables users to swiftly establish their online stores.
Hoffman's professional journey includes roles at various companies. At WeChat Africa, a technology platform supporting diverse communication modes like group chat and multimedia messaging, he served as the Head of Marketing from 2013 to 2014. Subsequently, at Tencent Africa, he held positions such as Head of Operations (2014-2017), Director of Innovation (2017-2018), and Director of Sales and Marketing (2019-2021).
Between 2018 and 2019, Gerjo Hoffman assumed the role of Managing Director at JET8 Africa and later became the Global Head of Sales and Marketing for JET8, a social commerce technology platform.
Melchior Koba
Ishango Startups Center stands as a beacon, guiding young talents toward entrepreneurial success. It aims to stimulate economic development and promote innovation in the DRC.
Ishango Startups Center, a startup incubator based in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is a product of a public-private partnership between Medialab Group and its host country’s SME promotion agency OPEC. Launched in 2021, the initiative aligns with President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi’s vision to enhance the business environment and foster entrepreneurship in the DRC.
The center’s mission is twofold, according to project coordinator Félix Mangwangu. “Firstly, we aim to educate young people from the incubation stage, transforming their projects into formal businesses or startups within the Congolese market. Secondly, we provide ongoing support to these individuals across Africa via an acceleration program.”
Ishango Startups Center is designed to address unemployment issues and cater to the specific needs of the professional sector. It provides both private and open workspaces equipped with high-speed internet and computers. Additionally, the center houses a fablab where entrepreneurs can create 3D models of prototypes relevant to their industries.
To successfully carry out its missions, Ishango Startups Center collaborates with other institutions, including Orange Digital Center (ODC) for additional startup support. In 2023, the center participated in ODC's Orange Fab acceleration program in the DRC. Supported startups include Inki, which provides digital customer feedback solutions, and STAR UP KOBIKA NA NDAKU. The latter develops neonatal incubators with phototherapy, solar power, and health software to reduce infant mortality.
Melchior Koba
Recognizing digital inclusion as a critical factor in economic growth, education, and healthcare access, organizations are working to expand internet access and promote digital literacy in Africa.
The UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the International Society of Mobile Operators (GSMA) announced a new phase of their partnership on Monday, February 27, at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. The strategic partnership, valued at £37.3 million ($47.3 million), aims to accelerate digital innovation and address barriers to digital inclusion in low- and middle-income countries, including Africa.
Max Cuvellier, Head of Mobile for Development at the GSMA, expressed gratitude for the FCDO’s leadership and ongoing collaboration. “The renewal of this partnership is a tremendous opportunity to continue leveraging our respective strengths to accelerate the impact of transformative digital innovation and tackle local socio-economic challenges and climate change. We are extremely thankful for the FCDO's thoughtful leadership and longstanding collaboration,” he said.
The partnership, which has been in operation for over a decade, has already benefited over 100 million people by creating jobs and enhancing opportunities. The new phase aims to extend its reach to an additional 110 million people, including 60 million women.
The joint “Mobile for Development” program focuses on accelerating the digital and green transition for all, with a particular emphasis on supporting emerging technologies such as AI. In Africa, the program aims to overcome obstacles that hinder countries, businesses, and citizens from fully harnessing the power of digital technologies, including challenges related to mobile Internet adoption such as affordability and digital skills.
According to the GSMA, the number of unique subscribers in sub-Saharan Africa continues to grow. By 2022, the region is expected to have almost 287 million mobile Internet subscribers. Over the next six years, the total number of subscribers could reach nearly 700 million, representing a mobile penetration rate of 50%, thanks to various ongoing projects in the continent.
Samira Njoya
A computer scientist and entrepreneur, he aims to become a key player in the development of the Chadian tech ecosystem. With years of freelance experience across various digital projects, he is now dedicating his expertise to empowering the youth in his country.
Mahamat Issaka Saleh (photo), a web and mobile developer and entrepreneur from Chad, is the founder of Sahelindev. This startup, through its namesake platform, offers IT services, supports tech-related projects, and provides digital skills training for young people.
“There is a shortage of qualified and fast-acting IT service providers in Chad, especially for website creation,” says Saleh explaining that this observation led him to establish Sahelindev, with the primary mission of meeting digital needs and promoting digital technology across Africa.
In an interview with We Are Tech Africa, Saleh expressed his long-term goals of expanding his platform across Africa to foster wider digital transformation. His aim is “ to expand the platform on a continental scale, targeting various African countries to foster broader digital transformation and play a key role in supporting startups by offering innovation spaces and incubation programs." He also wants to "actively participate in social responsibility initiatives by using technology to solve social problems.”
Saleh, who has a deep passion for technology, is driven by his desire to contribute to Chad’s technological progress and create innovative solutions. His journey in the digital world began in secondary school. After earning his high school diploma, he enrolled at M’Hamed Bougara University in Boumerdes, Algeria, in 2018, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science.
Upon graduation, Saleh embarked on a freelance career, offering his skills on various freelancing platforms and providing services to his network and local organizations. His portfolio includes several projects in programming, web and mobile development, and graphic design.
In December 2023, he received the Actor for African Ecosystem ASC award in the “Technology” category at the African Start-up Conference in Algiers.
Melchior Koba