🎥 Insider In January 2023, the World Economic Forum published a circular transformation white paper in collaboration with Bain & Company, the University of Cambridge and INSEAD. Insights from the paper revealed that companies that embark on circular transformation, creating more adaptable operating and business models, are better positioned to prosper, even in times of disruption, while contributing to sustainable growth. This kind of circular transformation is already happening in Uganda where TEXFAD – a banana textile company that produces handwoven textiles – transforms waste banana pseudo stems and other waste materials into high quality sustainable textile products. TEXFAD products Founded by Kimani…
Author: Admin
The 2023 Africa Business Heroes (ABH) top 10 entrepreneurs have been named! Selected through multiple stages of interviews and evaluations from 27,267 applications across all 54 African nations, the finalists for the award are: Bola Bardet (Co-Founder & CEO, Susu – Ivory Coast) Ayman Bazaraa (Co-Founder & CEO, Sprints – Egypt) Andrew Takyi-Appiah (Founder, Zeepay Ghana Limited – Ghana) Christina Gyisun (Co-Founder & CEO, Sommalife Limited – Ghana) Thomas Njeru (Co-Founder & CEO, Pula Advisors Limited – Kenya) Ismael Belkhayat (Founder & CEO, Chari – Morocco) Ikpeme Neto (Founder & CEO, Wellahealth Technologies – Nigeria) Albert Munyabugingo (Co-Founder & CEO,…
🎥Sahara Foundation A total of 10 outstanding social impact fellows have each been awarded $5,000 in seed funding, courtesy of the Sahara Group Foundation. These game-changing enterprises whose creative solutions are transforming sustainable development across the African continent include: Paul Nnaluo (Founder, Gas Monkey, Nigeria); Kehinde Fashola (Founder, Fizzle Power Tech Limited, Nigeria); Muideen Adegoke (Founder, DigitAgric Integrated Limited, Nigeria). Other regional beneficiaries are: Andrew Mpashi (Co-Founder, Twalima Agro Solutions Limited, Zambia); Philipo Kitungano (Founder, Kigoma Eco-cultural Tourism Enterprise, Tanzania); Ainomugisha Shifra (Founding Director, SOLAFAM, Uganda); Joyce Rugano (Founder, EcoRich Solutions, Kenya); Muofhe Ratshikombo (CEO, Oumie’s Grandè, South Africa); Timothy…
Guy Kamgaing (Founder & CEO, StarNews Mobile) StarNews Mobile, founded by Guy Kamgaing in 2017, has just raised $3 million in pre-Series A funding to consolidate its efforts of providing monetisation platforms for African content creators. Although the round was led by Africa-focused venture capital firm, Janngo Capital, high-profile participating investors included French footballers AurĂ©lien TchouamĂ©ni of Real Madrid, Jules KoundĂ© of Barcelona and AC Milan’s Mike Maignan. (L-R): AurĂ©lien TchouamĂ©ni of Real Madrid; Jules KoundĂ© of Barcelona; and AC Milan’s Mike Maignan Managed by Excellence Sport Nation, an athlete representation agency, all three footballers have joined the ranks of a growing…
(R-L): Mevis Aiyeju (co-Founder, M. E. Solutions); Nkemdilim Begho (Founder, Future Software Resources); Elele Ogunsanya This photo of Mevis Aiyeju (co-founder & Managing Director of M.E. Solutions Limited) was taken at the recent German-Nigerian Business Conference, in honour of the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr. Olaf Scholz. Dr. Scholz’s diplomatic trip to Nigeria was part of Germany’s effort at strengthening economic relations with countries linked to the reform of Berlin’s ‘Compact with Africa’ initiative – this, ahead of the November 20 meeting of African and G20 countries in Berlin. Mevis does some interesting and important Agricultural Technology…
📸 Thelma Ekiyor Founded by Thelma Osadebey (pictured, right) in 2023, the Breathe Women’s Mental Health Foundation is an endeavour that supports women in Nigeria with the state of their mental well-being by offering active, long term solutions to overcome depression and maintain good mental health. In support of Ms. Osadebey’s new venture, her mentor, Thelma Ekiyor (pictured, left) says: “Mental health continues to be a taboo in Nigeria and across Africa. Women, regardless of class or status, suffer in silence and are unable to confidentially find help and resources.”That is why I am extremely proud of my Mentee and…
Break away to a brilliantly bold and contemporary space, suspended aloft the N’wanetsi River in the Kruger National Park (South Africa). A hotel so embedded in nature you barely notice its presence. That’s what you get at the Singita Lebombo Lodge, recently ranked Number 15 on The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2023 listing. All communal areas of the lodge have been pushed out into nature to ensure that the outside bursts in, offering immersive and meditative spaces set in a dramatic landscape of giant euphorbia trees. The Singita Lebombo Lodge is a true pioneer of existing in harmony with the…
TEm Sukhiba Africa’s social commerce market is rapidly expanding as businesses leverage platforms like WhatsApp. However, there are limitations on the continent around digital payments and delivery on such platforms. This is where Ananth Gudipati (co-Founder & CEO, Sukhiba) steps up – to create WhatsApp flows and especially a payment gateway for a complete shopping cart experience on WhatsApp. Sukhiba has developed a B2B tool that lets companies reach and transact with customers directly within WhatsApp. Sellers can manage orders, accept mobile payments, send notifications and group buyers without leaving the app. Says Ananth: “We have been meeting a few…
Ezra Anajonu (Co-Founder, Bus 54) Organisers of the annual Africa Tech Festival, taking place in Cape Town (South Africa) from 14 to 16 November, have announced the top 10 finalists of the AfricaIgnite Pitch Competition. They will battle it out to win an opportunity to represent the African continent in the Startup World Cup on 1 December in Silicon Valley. The top 10 looking to win the AfricaIgnite Pitch Competition Final are: Bus54 – Based in Nigeria, Bus54 is a mobility technology company providing a platform to aggregate intercity bus transportation in Africa, allowing passengers to search, compare, book, and manage their journeys online. The platform enables transport operators to manage…
Soinato Leboo and Priscillah Wanjira Wakarera (Co-Founders of RHEA Soil Health Management) One of Africa’s leading incubator programmes for female-founded businesses, the Standard Chartered Women in Technology Incubator (WIT) Kenya, has awarded seven women-led businesses with a total of $70,000 (Sh 10.5 million). This marks the conclusion of the 6th cohort of WIT. The startups include: Rhea Soil Health Management: Provides access to soil testing and agricultural extension services to smallholder farmers, analysing soil and providing results and fertiliser recommendations through a machine learning-powered recommendation system; Imani Health Wallet: An e-Wallet that enables people to save specifically for healthcare. It…