Ghana’s MEST and ATF have partnered to unlock opportunities that foster the development of new African technologies and unlock the potential of African tech entrepreneurs.
The two aim to identify and introduce opportunities to help grow the Pan-African technology ecosystems and give them a competitive edge on the global scene.
According to Stephen Ozoigbo, Founder and CEO, African Technology Foundation, “There are quite a number of synergies between our organizations that make this partnership rather timely. Central to this theme is the bridging of knowledge gaps for aspiring African entrepreneurs that are either starting new ventures or scaling up their existing operations.”
Ozoigbo says Africa’s future will be hugely reliant on the rapid growth of knowledge economies and the entrepreneurial endeavors of a youthful population driven by stage agnostic technologies. He is therefore delighted to see ATF teaming with MEST, whose training program has empowered hundreds of entrepreneurs in West Africa and provided a unique and globally recognized platform for driving technology based investments to the region.”
ATF and MEST aim to redefine the future of African technology entrepreneurs, address key sectorial challenges and spark a new wave of investments and innovation in African–led technology enterprises.
The two will foster a mutually beneficial relationship between the parties to develop their respective and collective business interests in the internationalization of African technologies; they will also develop global opportunities including the establishment of partners for the investment and mentoring of aspiring African entrepreneurs.
The ATF – MEST partnership serves to promote and incentivize foreign investment in Africa’s technology sector as both have a presence in Silicon Valley, it is anticipated that this collaboration will allow ATF and MEST to work with in-country partners to select and evaluate suitable technology related opportunities and support scholarship and mentorship activities for African entrepreneurs.
“African Technology Foundation has done a superior job at bridging the gap and connecting the dots between innovators in Africa and tech forces in Silicon Valley and beyond,” says Neal Hansch, Managing Director, MEST Incubator. “We strongly believe this partnership with ATF will benefit our trainees and incubated companies at MEST by furthering their reach and visibility.”
ATF and MEST aim to see increased entrepreneurship and recognition of the skilled developers and tech talent across the continent.