Stories1

Applications for the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship are now open!Starting in November 2025, the CSF is a six-month programme designed to fuel high-potential startups from across eligible Commonwealth countries and move them closer to commercial reality. With a fully funded two-week bootcamp in Accra, Ghana, plus ongoing online support with business coaching, expert-led sessions, and valuable peer connections. If you’re a startup with early-stage traction and want to gain essential skills and build a global network, then apply now!The Fellowship includes:💷 £35,000 Fellows Fund🎓 Fully funded 2-week intensive bootcamp in Accra, Ghana💻 Online workshops and coaching💡 Build a global network of fellow entrepreneurs💰…

The Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition 2025 is now accepting applications from African entrepreneurs eager to scale their ventures and amplify their impact. This flagship initiative by the Jack Ma Foundation offers a transformative platform combining funding, mentorship, and global exposure. Why Apply? Grant Funding: A total of $1.5 million in grant funds is distributed among the top 10 finalists. The grand prize winner receives $300,000, the first and second runners-up receive $250,000 and $150,000 respectively, while the remaining seven finalists each receive $100,000. An additional $100,000 is allocated for global immersion training. Mentorship & Training: Finalists gain access…

(L-R): AwaDoc co-Founders – Chinonso Egemba and Jesse Benedict LAGOS, NIGERIA – AwaDoc, the innovative healthtech startup co-founded by popular Nigerian health influencer Chinonso Egemba (famously known as “Aproko Doctor”) and Jessee Benedict, has officially gone live on WhatsApp, marking a significant leap in accessible healthcare for millions of users. This groundbreaking platform leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) to provide immediate health guidance and seamlessly connect individuals to medical professionals, all within the familiar and widely used WhatsApp interface. AwaDoc is not a typical telemedicine app. Instead, it positions itself as a “first point of contact” for health inquiries, aiming to…

Ikenna Nzewi – CEO @ Releaf Earth Releaf Earth’s launch of Nigeria’s first industrial biochar carbon removal facility in Cross River State marks a significant advancement in the nation’s climate technology and sustainable agriculture sectors. Says Ikenna Nzewi (CEO, Releaf Earth): I’m excited to announce the launch of Releaf Earth (YC W19)’s biochar facility in Cross River State, Nigeria, the nation’s very first industrial production site! We create premium biochar for permanent carbon removal using palm kernel shells, a byproduct from our patented Kraken nutcracking technology. Leveraging Riverse’s certified carbon removal credit registry, we are poised to remove 40,000-60,000 tons…

Guinness World Record holder for world’s smallest GPS tracking device, Oluwatobi Oyinlola (Researcher at Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Cambridge, MA — May 8, 2025 / Oluwatobi Oyinlola, a Nigerian-born researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by developing the world’s smallest GPS tracking device. The prototype, measuring just 22.93 x 11.92 mm, has been officially recognised by Guinness World Records, marking a significant advancement in miniaturised technology. The device’s compact size and versatility hold promise for transformative applications across various sectors, including logistics, security, healthcare, and transportation. Its development underscores the potential of Nigerian…

In a bold move that defied conventional career paths, Abigail Asantewah Agyapong transitioned from the structured world of finance to the vibrant realm of entrepreneurship. Leaving behind a promising career at Goldman Sachs, she embarked on a mission to celebrate and globalise a cherished African beverage through her venture, Sobel Drinks. Sobel Drinks, founded in July 2023, is more than just a beverage company; it’s a cultural renaissance in a bottle. Drawing inspiration from the traditional hibiscus-based drink known variably as Sobolo in Ghana, Zobo in Nigeria, Bissap in Senegal, and Sorrel in the Caribbean, Agyapong sought to bring this…

🎥 Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson The health and well-being of women are not niche concerns, but rather fundamental pillars upon which thriving societies and economies are built. Recognising this crucial reality, the Banking on Women’s Health Conference 2025 offers a vital platform to address the everyday health needs of half the global population. Says conference convener, Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson (Founder & CEO, Healthtracka): I want to officially invite you to the Banking on Women’s Health Conference 2025.Women’s Health is not a trend, it’s the everyday reality of half the population.Banking on Women’s Health Conference is the annual platform for policymakers, healthcare providers, researchers,…

Ayona Aguele-Trimnell – CEO & Founder of PlanB Insurance for Nigerian Women 📸 In collaboration with Leadway Assurance, former Banker, Ayona Aguele-Trimnell, recently (in March 2025) launched PlanB Insurance for Nigerian Women, a product that seeks to bridge a gap in insurance coverage by offering resources that genuinely cater to women’s unique needs, enabling them to secure their futures with confidence. PlanB Insurance is intuitive in several key ways, making it uniquely suited to the realities of Nigerian women: Tailored to women’s needs – Instead of offering generic insurance products, PlanB Insurance is specifically designed to address the unique challenges…

Lagos, Nigeria – The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) has proudly unveiled the 3,000 young entrepreneurs across 52 African countries, selected for the 11th cohort of the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme, with each beneficiary set to receive a $5,000 non-refundable seed grant to launch or scale their businesses. The announcement unveiling the $15 million grant was made by TEF Founder, Tony Elumelu, marking another significant milestone in the Foundation’s mission to empower Africa’s next generation of business leaders and catalyse economic transformation across the continent. Driving entrepreneurship amid economic challenges This year’s selection comes at a crucial time as Africa’s…

The outcome of the HFN Women’s Forum Pitchathon, held during the 10th Anniversary Conference of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria, was riveting. Out of five outstanding pitches, these three teams rose to the top—not just because of their ideas, but because of their vision, execution, and potential for real-world impact: Code Red (revolutionising emergency care), HerAid, and MyDrugaida (prescription management) – each winning ₦500,000, ₦300,000, and ₦200,000 respectively. Fola Akinrinlola (distinguished Nigerian healthcare professional, recognised as the country’s first cardiac physiologist, and Indirect Channels Director at GE HealthCare), who served as one of the Pitchathon judges, had this to say:…