Tech

Ghana funds ten youth start-ups

Ghana has recently launched the Presidential Pitch competition; a business idea competition that aims to expand the entrepreneurial climate in the country and enable its youth come up with creative ideas that would be developed into global enterprises

Published

6 years ago

July 7, 2018

Africa News Watch

The maiden edition of the competition is an embodiment of the Ghanaian government’s efforts to implement policies and programmes that will create and expand the frontiers of ecosystem entrepreneurship skills among Ghanaian youth.

The competition operates under the auspices of the Ministry of Business Development which oversees it. They received over 2000 Business proposals nationwide. The 20 shortlisted proposals were benchmarked, based on four thematic areas; feasibility, innovative, scalability and impact fullness. These selected 20 youth entrepreneurs, between the ages of 18 and 35 years, will be assigned mentors and attached to various businesses. The rest will remain at the Ministry’s incubator hub for further developing them into viable businesses opportunities.

Out of the ten entrepreneurs who pitched their ideas is 19 year old Vanessa Aisha Liman, from Sissala in the Upper West Region, walked away with a cash price of USD 10, 50 on top of a personal donation of USD 5250 from the President of the Republic of Ghana. Abdul-Salam Mohammed came in as runners-up and won USD 10,000, followed closely by Ahmed Tijani who took home USD 9,386. The 7 remaining competitors taking away a cash price of USD 6,250 each.

President Akufo-Addo, who launched the Presidential Pitch on Monday, expressed his optimism and expectation that the 10 beneficiary companies would help “create jobs and employment for at least three people each.

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Tech

Tanzania to host 6th Ocean Innovation Africa summit in February

Published

23 hours ago

November 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, has been selected to host the sixth edition of the Ocean Innovation Africa (OIA) summit from February 24-28, 2025, as a flagship event within Regenerative Ocean Week.

The Ocean Innovation Africa is set to be Africa’s most significant platform for Ocean Innovation conservation, and sustainable development in the blue economy. OIA2025 will be co-organised with leading partners, including IUCN, GIZ, OceanHub Africa, Catalyze and the Ocean-Climate Platform.

With the theme, “Science-to-Solution”, the Regenerative Ocean Week will present a line-up of sessions designed to bridge the gap between scientific research, business innovation, policy, and community engagement.

According to the organizers of the event, it will bring together African ocean innovators, investors, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders to explore practical solutions that can be applied across the continent.

“These include the OIA Pitch Competition, which is a platform for Africa-based startups and entrepreneurs to showcase breakthrough ideas in ocean-impact solutions, allowing them to connect with investors and industry leaders and emphasizing Africa’s role in driving sustainable ocean initiatives,” the organizers said in a statement.

Tech

Orange Egypt earmarks $52.7m to support African startups

Published

2 days ago

November 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Orange Egypt has earmarked the sum of $52.7 million to support African startups in what is going to be the largest investment to drive a youth-focused tech revolution.

According to the company, the mammoth investment will see over 40 startups benefitting from the funds, with most of them being Egyptian companies.

‘It’s a boost for Egypt’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem and a step closer to cementing its spot as a top startup hub in Africa,” the company said in a statement.

The investment is coming on the heels of the telco signing a deal with the Egyptian government to roll out the second phase of its 5G licensing.

The statement noted that with Egypt’s startup game already strong and ranking as the third most funded country in the MENA region, “the numbers speak for themselves.”

“In 2022, Egyptian startups closed 143 funding deals worth nearly $766.7 million, outpacing the $606.79 million raised the year before.

“Plus over 2,100 startups employing more than 50,000 people, the country’s ecosystem is one of the top 10 emerging startup hubs globally.

“The Egyptian government is all in on this. And since launching initiatives like Egypt Ventures in 2017, they’ve been backing startups to drive innovation and growth in the tech space.

“Orange Egypt’s latest move only adds fuel to this already blazing fire, paving the way for more opportunities and a stronger startup culture across Africa,” it added.