Africa leads the way in techpreneurship

With this year's World Youth Skills Day focusing heavily on youth empowerment through artificial intelligence and digital skills, we profile young tech entrepreneurs across Africa and the diaspora who are creating impactful digital solutions, driving innovation, and shaping a growing tech landscape through business and community initiatives.

Maya Horgan Famodu (Nigeria/America)

Credit: @TPP_Africa

Maya Horgan Famodu is a Nigerian American entrepreneur and the founder of Venture Growth Pioneer, an investment firm that funds tech startups across Africa. Venture Growth Pioneer supports young African innovators by providing tech scholarships, boot camps, talent placement services, and resources to enhance digital literacy and promote employment.

Maya is recognized as the youngest Black woman and the youngest person to launch a tech fund in sub-Saharan Africa, marking a historic milestone as the first woman to raise a tech fund independently.

One of her successful initiatives is the Ingressive Campus Ambassador program, which provides funding resources and mentorship to computer science students in countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, South Africa, and Rwanda.

Kelvin Doe (Sierra Leon)

Credit:@AfricaTopTier

Driven by a passion for technology, education, and community development, social entrepreneur and innovator Kelvin Doe from Freetown, Sierra Leone, built his radio station at the age of 13. Now 28, Kelvin runs his own company, K-Doe Tech Inc., a non-profit organization in Canada where he designs and sells consumer electronics.

He has also developed several innovations, including a sound amplifier, a three-channel mixer, a microphone receiver, and a battery capable of powering multiple homes. Kelvin has also lectured Harvard engineering students and was invited to speak at TEDxTeen.

Shamim Nabuuma Kaliisa (Uganda)

Image: linkedin.com

Shamim Nabuuma Kaliisa is a Ugandan technopreneur and the founder of the Chil Artificial Intelligence Lab company.

Drawing from her experience as a cancer survivor, Shamim established a lab dedicated to the early screening and detection of cancer in patients. The lab utilizes AI-guided e-oncology services to detect cancer specimens, particularly among patients residing in rural areas, saving them time and travel costs.

She received the Young African Entrepreneurs Award 2018 and was among the top ten chosen African startups by Google.

Njabulo Skhosana (South Africa)

Credit: @WeAreTechAfrica

Njabulo is the founder and CEO of CureRoot, a South African startup that uses technology to explore African medicinal plants to discover new drugs.

The company was recently recognized as one of Africa's top rising startups. As a deep tech startup in Africa, CureRoot has positioned itself as one of Africa's leading companies in implementing AI systems for disease diagnostics and treatment, utilizing locally developed solutions and African-based drugs.

Mounir Nakhla (Egypt)

Image: gulfafricareview.com

Nakhla is the CEO and co-founder of MNT-Halan, a leading fintech from Egypt. MNT-Halan achieved a significant milestone in 2023 by becoming the first Egyptian startup to exceed a $1 billion valuation. The company has helped drive growth and financial inclusion in the northern Africa region.

The startup has primarily provided financial solutions to the population. Mounir's leadership has been instrumental in the fintech company's growth, especially in providing accessible banking solutions to underserved communities.