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BujaHub provides an environment conducive to the growth and success of entrepreneurs. With its ongoing commitment to innovation and socio-economic development, it contributes to building a continent driven by entrepreneurship and innovation.
BujaHub is a non-governmental organization created in 2019 by the Young African Development Foundation (YADF) and the Save African Youth Campaign (SAY), two organizations working for the socio-economic and political development of young people and women across Africa. BujaHub is headquartered in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi, and its CEO is Abiyah David, founder of SAY.
BujaHub's mission is to create a collaborative environment for entrepreneurs in the digital sector and beyond. The organization provides structured support through workshops, training, and seminars, complementing the natural networking environment it fosters. To improve accessibility, it has a co-working space, offices, and modern facilities in downtown Bujumbura.
The organization collaborates with private and public institutions to design and implement programs and activities to support innovators and digital entrepreneurship in Burundi. For example, it offers an incubator focused on business design and an acceleration program to help startups scale up.
BujaHub also provides young people with a community of designers who tackle complex problems. It offers a research lab to create a local data-driven economy and projects. It also fosters new partnerships with regulators, industry players, businesses, and local and international organizations to create a strong entrepreneurial and technological ecosystem.
To achieve its various goals, BujaHub has set up various programs and activities. For instance, its Digital Ladies program focuses on building skills and promoting Burundian women in the digital sector. In addition, it regularly organizes events such as Innovation Week, where innovators are shortlisted to present their projects.
BujaHub has already made a significant impact in Africa. It has supported over 100 innovative startups and launched more than 25 programs. It has a community of over 35,000 members, 45% of whom are women, and is supported by more than 15 partners.
Melchior Koba
Startups usually require support from institutions such as incubators and accelerators to accelerate their growth. In Guinea, Trustee excels in providing such essential assistance.
Trustee is a Guinean entrepreneurship support structure that invests in startups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with high growth potential. Established in 2018 by seasoned business developer Ibrahima Kalil Kaba, its current CEO, Trustee primarily focuses on projects within the information and communication technology, renewable energy, and agribusiness sectors.
Specializing in startup support and investment readiness, the company offers strategic advice and practical solutions to assist its clients in achieving their business and financial objectives. For instance, Trustee aids entrepreneurs in implementing a customized digital strategy by leveraging its team of developers, architects, and project managers to ensure the success of their projects. Additionally, the company manages a fund that invests between $30,000 and $500,000 in startups, acquiring 7-10% equity in return.
Trustee also operates an accelerator program to help beneficiaries accelerate their growth through access to experienced mentors, investors, and valuable resources. This program is open to startups across various sectors, ranging from technology and healthcare to food.
Beyond financial support, Trustee extends its services to include workspace provisions, legal and accounting support, as well as marketing and sales tools. The organization has also established the Digital Community, a dedicated space for technology entrepreneurs in West Africa seeking to expand their network, acquire new skills and grow their businesses. Trustee actively organizes events such as pitch sessions, mentoring meetings, seminars, and networking events for startups, with notable initiatives like Guinea FinTech Week 2023 that took place last September.
Furthermore, Trustee offers a comprehensive training program designed to empower entrepreneurs with skills and knowledge in areas such as web development, networking, product development, business strategy, fundraising, marketing and communications, human resources, management, and finance.
Backed by a robust network of local companies and partners, including BANKITRUCK and KF Invest & Consulting, Trustee is dedicated to fostering the development of Guinean startups
Melchior Koba
She is an inspiring woman dedicated to bridging the economic gender gap in Nigeria. Her exceptional leadership, innovation, and social impact have earned her numerous awards and distinctions.
Ife Durosimi-Etti (photo) is a Nigerian entrepreneur, author, and advocate for women's economic empowerment. As the founder and CEO of Herconomy, she leads a community platform providing financial services, professional opportunities, and training for women in Nigeria.
She graduated from Covenant University with a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry in 2009 and earned a Master's degree in Global Business from Coventry University in 2012.
She initially launched Herconomy, in 2018, as AGS Tribe, a community dedicated to networking and empowering young female entrepreneurs and professionals. The community has now evolved to become a fintech company that empowers women through grants and scholarships. The company offers women savings opportunities. Through its academy, it offers online courses on entrepreneurship, business management, and digital, from coding to artificial intelligence to digital marketing.
"On our platform, you will not just save and earn high interests, but you will also save as you spend on things that you need on a day-to-day basis. We believe that women cannot be empowered through bank accounts alone, they need community, capacity and access to opportunities that can move them, their businesses or careers to the next level and we are providing just that through our platform. We are building a world where women can connect, save, earn and thrive," explained Ife Durosimi-Etti in 2022.
Herconomy is a community of over 100,000 women. The company has already awarded over 100 grants. In June 2023, it was selected for the third cohort of Google for Startups' Black Founders Fund.
A volunteer with the Global Shapers Community, Ife Durosimi-Etti is, since 2017, the project manager of Dome, a project launched to bridge the gender gap through the socio-economic empowerment of women in Nigeria. Before Herconomy, she co-founded Parliamo Bambini, a baby furniture marketing company in Nigeria.
She began her professional career in 2009 at Standard Chartered Bank where she was an Operations Analyst. A British Red Cross volunteer between 2010 and 2012, she was Customer Relations Manager for Arcadia Group, a fashion retailer in the UK, during the same period. Between 2012 and 2017, she worked at Nigerian Breweries Plc.
Her works have been celebrated with several awards. In 2017, she received an award from the Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, in recognition of her contribution to women's empowerment. In 2018, she also received the Women's Advocacy Award from the West African Leadership Organization for her dedication to socio-economic development and equality in West Africa. In 2021, she was selected as a Mandela Washington Fellow, a flagship US government program for young African leaders.
Melchior Koba
The Dot offers a variety of support programs for startups. It has a significant impact on the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Africa. Its ambition is to become the spearhead of the Tunisian entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Dot is a Tunisian digital innovation hub supported by Fondation Tunisie pour le Développement, an NGO that promotes socioeconomic development in Tunisia. Launched in January 2021 as part of a public-private partnership, it aims to federate the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, support innovation and digital transformation, and strengthen ties between Tunisia and Africa.
The innovation hub is headed by Zeineb Messaoud, a business developer and entrepreneurial program designer. It offers free programs and services to entrepreneurs, innovative project leaders, and companies wishing to expand into the African market.
These include Dot Camp, a mentoring program that selects 37 innovative startups in the seed phase each year. It offers a year's free accommodation, privileged access to other programs offered by The Dot, and networking and business opportunities.
The hub also provides a free resource center called Dot Services. This center features event rooms, a space for exchanging and sharing with a community of innovators, open-plan offices, and computers equipped with a range of creative and editing software. It also provides a studio equipped for podcast creation and audiovisual equipment.
Its support program Dot Landing is tailored for entrepreneurs within the Tunisian diaspora and foreign companies looking to establish a presence in Tunisia or forge partnerships and business connections across various sectors in the country. The free 4-month program provides intensive coaching to entrepreneurs.
Beyond its structured programs, The Dot aspires to serve as a hub for interaction, knowledge-sharing, and learning among diverse stakeholders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The organization regularly organizes events, workshops, training sessions, hackathons, conferences, and competitions designed to stimulate creativity, innovation, and collaboration.
The Dot has already supported several companies. These include 3D Wave, which specializes in 3D printing and digitization, the online business management platform Iberis, the interactive educational platform ClassQuiz and the Cynoia platform, which aggregates communication and collaboration tools on a single platform. For its activities, it is supported by Expertise France, GIZ, and Smart Tunisia, among other partners.
Melchior Koba
Limited financial resources usually prevent some amputees from buying prostheses, therefore restricting their independence. In response to this issue, Nada Ghammem provides a solution by offering affordable, personalized bionic prostheses. Her innovative approach has earned her recognition and awards.
Nada Ghammem (photo) is a Tunisian entrepreneur and the founder/CEO of Bionic Soul, a startup that develops and manufactures advanced, personalized leg prostheses for amputees. She studied mechanical engineering at the Higher Institute of Technology Studies in Sousse from 2018 to 2021. She got the idea that would later lead to Bionic Soul (in 2022) during that period.
Through her company, she strives to offer a more cost-effective alternative to traditional prostheses without compromising product quality. Using advanced technologies, Bionic Soul designs its prostheses according to the measurements of each patient, who also benefits from personalized follow-up. Working in partnership with hospitals and customers to offer its services to as many patients as possible, the company also raises awareness of the importance of making bionic prostheses accessible to amputees.
Bionic Soul has developed two distinct types of prostheses. The first, ErgoLeg, is a mechanical prosthesis designed to provide fundamental mobility, equipped with a joint and a walking damper. This enables users to regain independence and resume their daily activities. Successful testing of this prosthesis version was concluded in October 2023.
The second option, BioniLeg, stands out as an intelligent bionic prosthesis incorporating sensors and an artificial intelligence algorithm. This advanced design offers users an almost natural, adaptive walking experience. Additionally, the company has created a dedicated app that allows users to customize their prosthesis settings, monitor their physical activity, receive personalized advice, and access valuable resources for both rehabilitation and maintenance of their prosthetic devices.
With Bionic Soul, Nada Ghammem won the international women's prize at the 13th edition of the international stage of Orange’s POESAM, which was concluded in October 2023. She received €20,000 in funding.
Currently, Nada Ghammem is a student at Enova ROBOTICS, a company specializing in the design and manufacture of robots through combined expertise in software, hardware, and perception. She began her professional career in 2018 as a student intern at the Centre Technique des Industries Mécaniques et Électriques (CETIME) in Tunisia. She also completed an internship in 2019 at Precimold Plastic Industries Sdn Bhd, a plastics company located in Malaysia.
Melchior Koba
mHub, a key player in Malawi's technology ecosystem, promotes innovation and entrepreneurship. It has already created a thousand jobs and trained tens of thousands of young people.
mHub is Malawi's first technology and innovation hub, located in Lilongwe, with workspaces in Blantyre (Malawi) and Lusaka (Zambia). Founded in 2014, the hub's mission is to promote technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation in Malawi. It offers tailored technology solutions, entrepreneurship support, and digital skills training for Malawian youth and businesses.
The center was initiated by Rachel Sibande, a Malawian computer scientist and social entrepreneur. A fervent advocate of technology in Africa, she was featured on the Forbes list of Africa's 30 most promising young entrepreneurs in 2016.
mHub offers creators tailored entrepreneurial support, software development services, co-creation opportunities, digital skills, and on-demand startup assistance. It also hosts programs and activities to strengthen Malawi's entrepreneurial and innovative ecosystem. One such program is Digital Malawi, a project that has benefited over 500 young people, some of whom have received funding of around $2,500 as seed capital for their businesses.
The Modern Cooking for Healthy Forest Accelerator (MCHF), a project aimed at improving forest management and mitigating land-based emissions, is another of the center's initiatives. It has trained 94 entrepreneurs and linked 20 participants with beneficiaries, thereby contributing to sustainable forest management.
In partnership with Care Malawi, mHub has also set up a project called Ntchito Mbambande. This focuses on improving employability and self-employment opportunities for young people. It is mainly funded by the European Union (EU) and operates in five development districts: Blantyre, Machinga, Salima, Dedza, and Mzimba.
Since its inception, mHub Malawi has facilitated over $1 million in funding for emerging entrepreneurs, created over 1,000 jobs, and trained over 42,000 young people in business and technology. In 2018, mHub won the Most Innovative Organization award at the Cloud Awards and the IOT Awards.
Melchior Koba
Christine Namara is one of Africa's leading investors and mentors most committed to the development of the technology ecosystem. Her appointment to Flat6Labs is proof of her expertise and commitment.
Christine Namara (photo) is a Kenyan businesswoman, investor and mentor. On Wednesday, November 15, 2023, she joined leading MENA seed-stage venture capital firm Flat6Labs as a partner in its Africa Seed Fund (ASF).
"With innovation as our compass and collaboration as our engine, I am honored to join Flat6Labs, a pioneering force in shaping Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape. Together, we will embark on a transformative journey, unlocking the vast potential of startups across the continent. In this interconnected world, every idea has the power to change lives. I am excited to champion these innovations, catalyzing progress and leaving a lasting impact on communities in Africa and beyond," Ms. Namara said, according to a release published by Flat6Labs.
The Africa Seed Fund she is joining was recently set up by Flat6Labs to extend its reach in Africa. The $95 million investment vehicle targets North, West, and East African regions, to invest in over 160 seed-stage startups in the region's tech ecosystem.
With her wealth of venture capital and private equity experience, the new partner will be a key asset in achieving the fund’s objectives. Indeed, in 2012, she graduated from Uganda Christian University with a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Management, specializing in Law and Business Policy. She then kickstarted her professional career as an executive administrator trainee at the Institute of Customer Service Kenya the same year. In 2013, she worked as an intern at CS Consulting Ltd. as well as a member of the customer service and marketing team at Thornsoft International.
Later, in 2021, Christine Namara joined The Baobab Network, a Nairobi-based accelerator that invests in early-stage technology companies across Africa, as a senior venture capital partner. The following year, she was appointed Head of Enterprise at the same accelerator, a position she held until October 2023.
Melchior Koba
O'Botama catalyzes innovation and is a driving force for entrepreneurial change in Africa. It provides support, training, and assistance to young entrepreneurs in securing financing for their businesses.
The O'Botama Collaborative Innovation Workshop (AIC) is a business incubator based in Cameroon. Since 2018, it has been supporting local Cameroonian entrepreneurs and those from the diaspora in the development of their businesses. It was created by the collective O.S.E.R. L'Afrique (a non-profit association established by the diaspora) and is headed by Benjamin Ngongang, an experienced professional in the financial and investment sector.
AIC is dedicated to catalyzing talent and strengthening the entrepreneurial spirit among young Africans, guiding them in creating innovative solutions for their region. To fulfill this mission, AIC provides comprehensive support to project leaders from conceptualization to value proposition assisting in the implementation of their innovation or activity, aiding in the search for financing, and facilitating connections with suitable partners.
It features a coworking space that regularly welcomes professionals and an online platform for events, training, and diverse services, it offers an incubation program specifically designed to support and accelerate innovative projects with a social impact. Program members receive tailored training sessions to address their unique needs, coupled with expert guidance to ensure the successful development of their businesses.
The incubator also has a center of expertise where a team of experts offers technical assistance, consultation, and training in the fields of law, taxation, labor and social security, project management, accounting, and finance. It also offers training in business management, digital marketing, accounting management, and personal development.
Since its creation, O'Botama has supported over 40 companies and project leaders in Cameroon and welcomed over 1,000 participants to its activities. It regularly hosts 111 coworkers in its shared workspace. A member of the AfriLabs network, the incubator is supported by Afric'Innov, Genius Center, Kmer Tech, Fiatope, and Objis, among others.
She connects African entrepreneurs with major international groups in Europe. She has received several awards and distinctions, making her a true pioneer in technology and business.
With a diverse academic and professional background, she earned a master's degree in foreign languages and cultures (USA, UK) in 2001 from Université Paris Cité. Additionally, she holds a certification in entrepreneurship from ESSEC Business School.
In 2015, she co-founded Afrobytes to offer African startups increased visibility, networking opportunities with investors, as well as opportunities for rapid expansion. Afrobytes facilitates access to the African market for European startups, companies, and investors looking for growth and investment opportunities. In addition, the company organizes technology conferences in Paris, providing a platform for meetings with players strongly committed to Africa.
Apart from Afrobytes, in 2019, Ms. Haweya Mohamed co-founded The Colors, a platform that aims to add value to the cosmetics and fashion products of African origin.
Before embarking on her entrepreneurial career, Haweya Mohamed worked for Endemol, where she was a TV production assistant between 2001 and 2003. In 2004, she worked as a reality TV production assistant at Lagardère Active. The following year, she became Channel 4's broadcast rights sales coordinator before being hired in 2006 as executive assistant to the CEO of RTL in France. In 2011, RTL appointed her to the position of Head of Communications.
A member of the Harambe Entrepreneur Alliance, in 2018, Haweya Mohamed was recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the 50 most audacious entrepreneurs. The same year, U.S. business magazine Fast Company singled her out as one of the most creative minds in business. At the same time, Forbes included her in its list of 92 Women To Follow Who Are Disrupting Tech In France.
Melchior Koba
Iris Hub plays a key role in the fight against youth unemployment in Rwanda and across Africa as a whole. Through its innovative programs and commitment to education and creativity, it is positively influencing the future of Africa.
Iris Hub is an incubation and innovation center that uses technology to address youth unemployment in Rwanda. Founded in 2016 by Benjamin Manirafasha, its president and CEO, it supports young people with innovative projects in the fields of technology, art, textiles, audiovisual, e-commerce, gaming, and cybertech.
Located in the Kicukiro area of Kigali, Rwanda, Iris Hub was set up to encourage innovation and creativity, provide training, and foster connections between entrepreneurs through a variety of activities. Thanks to dedicated coaches and mentors, it provides young people and women with the right support to turn their business ideas into reality. Through workshops, conferences, bootcamps, and hackathons, it offers training, networking, and exposure opportunities.
Iris Hub has a magazine on entrepreneurship and innovation for young people, called Iris Magazine. It has also introduced a 3-6 month accelerator program that includes an initial investment, networking opportunities, sales strategies, mentoring, and a public presentation event where participants unveil their prototype at a demo day. The program aims to accelerate selected startups’ growth.
Furthermore, the center coordinates business events and conferences while providing software design and development services for managers seeking to incorporate technology into their businesses.
Since its creation, Iris Hub has incubated 15 startups, including edutech platform East African Dictionary, fintech BetaPay, cybersecurity company Intore Security Lab, and healthtech Mentale. A member of the AfriLabs network, it is supported by several partners, including ICT Chamber, Deep Ecosystems, and the Africa Europe Innovation Partnership.
Melchior Koba
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He is an accomplished software developer with a demonstrated track record in the financial sector. Through his financial technology company, EvMak, he has garnered numerous awards and distinctions.
Evans Makundi (photo) is a Tanzanian IT specialist with a career in digital health, business consulting, and banking. He is the founder and CEO of EvMak Tanzania, a financial technology company offering a range of tools and services to help other businesses prosper.
He graduated from Bangalore University in 2010 with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and holds a Business Administration and Management Certificate from HarvardX (2020).
The tech entrepreneur founded EvMak Tanzania in 2012 to bring change to the communications, banking, and financial industries as well as to small and medium-sized enterprises and large corporations such as airlines.
His company offers a unified payment solution for both online and offline businesses, enabling them to automatically send payments to customers, employees, and various beneficiaries.
"We are focused more on software development, helping mostly the non-governmental organizations but also the government organizations as well as the Ministry of Health, focusing on developing their software, enhancing their sub sales and billing integration on the payment side, and anything else related to software development," said Evans Makundi in 2021.
Evans Makundi is also the Managing Partner of DIGI FARM, a social enterprise that leverages technology and data to empower smallholder farmers in Africa. Since 2021, he is also Head of Software Quality Assurance at CRDB Bank Plc.
Before establishing EvMak Tanzania, he worked at the Kenya Medical Research Institute in 2012, where he was an expert in geographic information systems. He has also been a CRDB Bank software developer between 2014 and 2020. During this period, he deployed SWIFT GPI, a digital payment solution.
In 2019, EvMak was named one of the best business-to-business companies in Tanzania by Clutch, a company that helps companies find the right partners to grow their business. In 2022, the entrepreneur was recognized as one of the country's top 100 CEOs and Managing Directors.
Melchior Koba
In recent years, a growing number of young Africans have embarked on the path of entrepreneurship. Most often they either want to create jobs for themselves and others, diversify businesses, or just innovate to address local issues. In Guinea, the incubator Ose Ton Emploi has set itself the mission to support them.
Ose Ton Emploi is an entrepreneurial support institution created in 2018 in Guinea by Danda Diallo, a young Guinean entrepreneur. The incubator stimulates entrepreneurial desire, encourages, mentors, and directs innovation efforts toward growth-generating sectors. It aims to create a new generation of entrepreneurs committed to the growth and development of Guinea Conakry.
The Incubator provides customized support to meet the specific needs and profiles of entrepreneurs. It establishes incubation programs and arranges training, coaching, mentoring, and networking sessions to enhance entrepreneurs' capabilities and streamline their access to funding, markets, and partners. Operating on an inclusive approach, it centers around the entrepreneur, valuing the diversity of sectors, regions, and genders.
In 2022, the incubator introduced a digital platform, specifically designed for youth training, named Sanku Lab. Funded by Orange Guinea, the platform's goal is to train 2,100 individuals in "digital professions, prototyping, and the manufacturing of various objects." According to Danda Diallo, the founder and CEO of the incubator, Sanku Lab occupies a central role in the activities and support programs provided by the incubator.
Sanku Lab provides learners with a 3D printer, laser cutter, vinyl cutter, heat press, electronic tools, digital embroidery machines, and laptops, among others.
One of Ose Ton Emploi’s core programs is the Guinea Startup Challenge launched in 2019. It aims to imprint the entrepreneurial culture into young students through training, awareness-raising, and competition.
Ose Ton Emploi also offers a coworking space for young entrepreneurs. A member of the Afric'Innov community, it is supported by several institutions, including the Guinean Ministry of Youth and Youth Employment, the UNDP, and the University of Kindia in Guinea.
Melchior Koba
In Africa, managing payroll and human resources poses significant challenges for companies. In Benin, Mario Zannou established Uptimise to streamline and automate these processes.
Mario Zannou (photo) is a Beninese entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Uptimise, a startup offering an online solution to simplify human resources and payroll management.
The entrepreneur holds a master's degree in computer engineering from Debrecen University's Faculty of Engineering, obtained in 2014. He also holds an engineering degree in telecoms networks obtained in 2015 from Sup Galilée and two Master's in Business Administration, obtained in 2023, from IFG Executive Education and IAE Paris respectively.
Mario Zannou founded Uptimise in May 2023. The company centralizes employee data and ensures efficient management of HR-related processes. Its platform facilitates the management of salaries, leave and absences, bonuses and benefits, salary advances, expense reports, and pay slips. It also enables better management of employee-related data and documents, including employment contracts and payslips.
In addition, the company provides real-time reporting and performance-tracking tools to assist companies in monitoring key indicators and making informed decisions.
Since 2020, Mario Zannou has been head of the cybersecurity department at cybersecurity and digital transformation consultancy Erugis. His professional career began in February 2015 at Prosodie, a subsidiary of the Capgemini Group that designs and hosts front-office services for major accounts, where he was a software engineer.
In October 2015, he joined the rail company VIIA as an IT project manager. In 2019, he joined business consultancy Willing as a cybersecurity consultant. At the same time, he works for civil engineering company Egis as head of the IT security department.
Melchior Koba
For more than a decade, Wiki Start Up has been dedicated to equipping startups with the essential resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities they need to transform their ideas into successful businesses.
Wiki Start Up is the first private incubator in Tunisia. Founded in 2011, it is a center that combines business incubation, coaching, and seed financing with certified investment professional Mohamed Salah Frad as its managing director.
The incubator specializes in support, consulting, research, and training, offering several programs to Tunisian startups. One of its programs is Startup Nest, an incubation program financed by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs with technical support from the NGO SPARK, dedicated to assisting and supporting innovative project leaders.
In 2015, Wiki Start Up initiated Start’Act in collaboration with the Carthage Business Angels Association. The said program supports innovative startups by helping them materialize and develop their projects. It features a rich incubation program with a wide range of shared training courses, in addition to personalized expertise-building training established in collaboration with project leaders. In addition, the program has a 50 million dinars (around $16 million) seed fund (Capital’Act) dedicated to startups that go through the Start’Act program.
In addition to helping startups raise funds, the center also co-launched CapitaLease Seed Fund, the first pre-seed fund in Tunisia. The pre-seed fund provides financial support to startups during their conception and prototyping phases.
Wiki Start Up has a significant impact in Africa. It has reached over 750 startups and supported more than 90 entrepreneurs. Its network comprises over 100 experts, mentors, and business angels, and more than 50 private companies, public bodies, and international organizations.
Melchior Koba