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15 winners emerge at the African leg of Global Startup Awards

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Fifteen African startups, organisations and individuals have emerged winners at the continental leg of the Global Startup Awards (GSA), which will see them proceed to the global final.

GSA Africa, in collaboration with the Global Innovation Initiative Group (GIIG), revealed the 15 African winners at the GSA Africa Finale held in Cape Town, South Africa, recently.

This year’s winners which were from eight African nations including South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Egypt, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Morocco, and Zambia, represent a wide array of industries, according to the organizers.

Below is a list of the winners the across 15 categories:

Women in Tech: Anna Ekeledo (Nigeria) – executive director of AfriLabs, a network of over 450 tech hubs in 53 countries.

Accelerator/Incubator Programme: OceanHub Africa (South Africa) – Advancing ocean-impact solutions for sustainable development.

Best Green Tech: Octavia Carbon (Kenya) – Pioneering geothermal-integrated DAC technology to combat climate change.

Youth Startup of the Year: Ultrateb (Egypt) – Revolutionising healthcare e-commerce to improve efficiency and access.

Founder of the Year: Bethelhem Dejene (Ethiopia) – Championing environmental sustainability through Zafree Papers.

Best AgriTech: Winich Farms (Nigeria) – Enabling rural smallholder farmers with commerce infrastructure and embedded finance.

Startup of the Year: SeaH4 PTY Ltd (South Africa) – Creating biofuels and e-fuels from seaweed and green hydrogen.

Best Coworking Space: Silikin Village (DRC) – Empowering startups through talent development and innovation.

Best Health Tech: Pharmarun (Nigeria) – Connecting patients to medications through an on-demand platform.

Best FinTech: Chari (Morocco) – Providing embedded e-commerce and financial services to small stores.

Best Newcomer: Mytochondria Group (Zambia) – Revolutionizing agriculture with smart soil sensors.

Best Mobility & Logistics: Loop (South Africa) – Bridging formal and informal markets with innovative transport solutions.

Ecosystem Hero of the Year: Dr. Eng. Nabil Shalaby (Egypt)– A prolific author and advocate for entrepreneurship.

Investor of the Year: EdVentures (Egypt) – Driving innovation in education and learning solutions.

GIIG Future Shaper: Medref Healthbridge Solutions (Uganda) – Ensuring healthcare is accessible and where every child has a chance to thrive.

The African winners now have the opportunity to advance to the global stage, representing the continent at the Global Startup Awards Grand Finale, where they will gain global recognition and amplified visibility to investors, and connect with the extended GSA network of leading industry experts and founders.

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Huawei launches cloud service in Nigeria

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Global technology company, Huawei, has launched its first African hyperscale local cloud service in Nigeria, making it the first international cloud provider to offer such services in the country.

The CEO of Huawei Nigeria, Chris Lu, who unveiled the new local cloud in Lagos on Wednesday, said it was powered by Tier 3+ data centres, providing ultra-fast services with a latency of just 15 milliseconds.

According to Lu, this will ensure that data storage and computing resources remain within Nigeria, benefiting local businesses and sectors, particularly fintech companies that require strict adherence to data protection laws.

At the launch event, themed “Leap Now With A Better Cloud,” Lu emphasised the company’s dedication to supporting Nigeria’s digital economy.

He noted that the initiative was a significant milestone towards meeting the country’s data protection regulation, and alignment with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission’s objectives to limit cross-border data transfer and have data kept within the country.

“With disruptive technology, we can transform our daily lives, our industries, and our economy. Not knowing where your data is stored is terrifying,” Lu said.

“The Huawei local cloud ensures your data and that of your customers are safely protected. Our local cloud provides better latency, better services, and ensures data sovereignty for our customers.

“Huawei’s is offering enhanced data sovereignty, reduced latency, and bolstered support for local businesses.The service aims to support Nigerian startups, SMEs, and the broader tech ecosystem and aligns with Nigeria’s regulatory environment and digital transformation goals.”

Beyond cloud technology, Huawei has invested heavily in Africa’s tech ecosystem, forming partnerships with governments and private entities to drive digital transformation.

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SunCulture partners Turaco to empower Kenyan farmers with affordable climate insurance

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Kenyan solar-powered irrigation solutions startup, SunCulture, has joined forces with leading mass-market insurtech company, Turaco, to launch a platform called “SunCulture Protect”, aimed at providing enhanced protection to small holder farmers using SunCulture’s pay-as-you-go (PAYG) devices.

According to Samir Ibrahim, the CEO of SunCulture, the partnership between two leading Kenyan tech companies will address the urgent need for risk mitigation tools, such as insurance, for the most vulnerable populations, enabling and expanding access to healthcare.

“As the impact from climate change escalates, the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are expected to rise, negatively affecting health outcomes and pushing millions of Africans into poverty,” Ibrahim said.

“At SunCulture, our mission has always been to help small holder farmers grow more food and improve their livelihoods.

“Partnering with Turaco allows us to extend our commitment by not only providing sustainable energy solutions but also offering financial security and peace of mind to our customers and their families,” he said.

He also stated that SunCulture Protect offers essential health and life coverage, safeguarding customers and their families against unforeseen medical expenses and risks that are exacerbated by extreme weather events.

Ted Pantone, CEO of Turaco, who also commented on the partnership, said he believed affordable insurance should be accessible to everyone, especially those that are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

“Our partnership with SunCulture enables us to provide essential coverage that not only protects livelihoods but also fosters long-term resilience among small holder farmers,” he said.

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