Startups + Innovations
Sub-Saharan Africa
- Daily Observer
- A local energy company, New Energy Electric Vehicles (NEEV), is paving the way for a transportation revolution in Liberia. By introducing innovative solutions like the solar tricycle (kehkeh) and a range of all-electric bikes, NEEV aims to improve commuting experiences for citizens going to work, school, or other places of interest.
- Financial Review
- Beth Koigi’s 30 solar-powered atmospheric water generators already produce more than 200,000 litres a month for people facing extreme water scarcity in Kenya. Now Rolex has stepped up to help. Recalling a method her mother had used of making activated carbon from charcoal to absorb contaminants in water, Koigi began making her own water filters.
- Africa News
- "Kuza Freezer is a youth-led company based in Mombasa, Kenya. And we are focused on providing cold storage solutions to small-scale businesses in the fish value chain and enabling them to sustainably improve their income and reduce post-harvest losses," says Purity Gakuo, CEO Kuza Freezer. Kuza Freezers has been running for three years and has delivered more than 350 machines to customers.
- Startup|Energy
- Startup|Energy has been supporting African startups in the field of decentralised renewable energies since 2019. A new programme is now targeting a often neglected group of people: innovators from universities.
- Techeconomy
- Stanley Anigbogu launched LightEd to provide sustainable and affordable lighting solutions, combining recycled plastic and electronic materials to create clean energy through lamps and solar stations. Furthermore, the proliferation of electronic waste (e-waste) poses a dual challenge of environmental degradation and resource waste.
- CIO Africa
- Founded with the mission to democratize e-mobility, eBee Africa introduced electric bicycles as a viable solution to the continent’s urban transport woes. Focused on last-mile deliveries and daily commutes, eBee’s electric bicycles present an economical alternative to petrol and electric motorbikes. The bicycles are designed for affordability, durability, and ease of repair.
- Ventureburn
- PowerUP, the Uganda-based electric cooking start-up, announces the successful initial close of its seed round. Delta40, the Nairobi-based venture studio and VC fund championing inclusive climate ventures, leads the funding, accompanied by Autodesk Foundation’s investment and pro bono support. PowerUP is at the forefront of transforming cooking habits in Africa.
- Innovation Village
- Kofa has announced plans to launch the Kore 2 Swap & Go network, marking the arrival of Africa’s pioneering multi-use, swappable battery platform. The Kofa Swap & Go system, built on affordable, renewable energy, is a customer-centric grid consisting of portable batteries and swap stations enabling immediate access to a fully-charged battery.
- Techcabal
- While energy and water start-ups took the lion’s share, agtech dominates the early-stage pipeline, also pointing to the need for greater innovation across diversified sectors that will need to adapt to climate impacts. Africans showed a strong inclination towards green solutions such as solar-PV and electric vehicles, which are slowly entering the market.
- Deutsche Welle
- Jamlia Mayanja is an award-winning social entrepreneur committed to empowering women in Uganda. She's developed a solar-powered bag designed to make it easier for girls to go to school each day, and still do their studies when the sun goes down.
- Tech Economy
- Blockchain, originally devised for secure financial transactions, has evolved into a decentralized force influencing sectors beyond finance. Switch Electric recognizes the need for change in the way electricity is distributed, and blockchain becomes the linchpin for a more efficient, transparent, and accessible system.
- Tech Economy
- In many parts of Nigeria, there’s a bit of a problem with waste—no efficient system to handle it. This has led to a waste pandemic, causing big issues like environmental damage and diseases. Here’s where GreenRepublic steps in. Imagine a digital team that comes to your door, picks up your waste, and turns it into something valuable—that’s what the startup does.
- TechCrunch
- There was considerable debt uptake and regional VC diversification. Also, while fintech sustained its top position as the most funded sector, there was continued sectoral diversification with startups in spheres such as climate tech, commerce, health, and biotech, capturing investor interest.
- Tech in Africa
- This funding round was spearheaded by the Ecosystem Integrity Fund (EIF) and saw participation from notable investors such as Acumen and the Hard Edged Hope Fund. Other prominent investors included Beyond Capital Ventures, TotalEnergies, Societe Petrolieres du Rwanda, Alphamundi VC, and EIF. This new round of funding ensures that Ampersand will maintain its momentum in expanding its operations.
- Nairametrics
- Currently, Africa’s share of global startup value stands at just 0.2%, compared to 2% of global trade value. The vast majority, 89%, of venture capital coming into Africa is foreign capital and 83% is concentrated in four countries: Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt, with over 60% of capital flowing to one sector, fintech.