Over twenty startups from Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa have been invited to London to take part in the first Go Global Africa programme in a move to improve their business skills and capability, and connect them with UK’s thriving counterparts.
The programme was started by the UK Israel Tech Hub and over the last four years it has helped develop new UK-Israel collaborations in the digital economy. According to the most recent report on its impact, the UK Israel Tech Hub has led 175 tech partnerships in deals worth £85 million.
According to Digital Minister Margot James: “Africa is a vibrant and dynamic continent, with huge potential for growth, and the firms chosen for the first Go Global Africa programme see tech as a force for good in society.
“I’ve no doubt they have the talent to play a transformative role in their country’s growth while also building connections for UK startups in new markets and highlighting Britain as the place to develop new technology.”
The startups will receive coaching from pitching experts Enterprise Academy, a public speaking masterclass, and advice on scaling up from PriceWaterHouseCoopers dedicated startup team and the Natwest Fintech Accelerator.
Bethnal Green Ventures, Europe’s tech for good accelerator, will provide the startups with insights on how to launch and scale tech for good ventures and Carlos Espinal from Seedcamp will provide guidance on fundraising. The startups will receive ongoing support from the UK’s International Tech Hub Network and will act as Go Global champions and share the skills they have learned to mentor other firms in their countries.
The startups include:
- Ethredah Chao Mwalwala, Afya-Plan, Health Financing start up
- Godfrey Allan Tollo Ochieng, Myfugo Innovations LTD, Agritech
- Nasreen Ali Mohamed, Cherehani Africa, Fintech
- Richard Machomba Muita, FlexPay Technologies, Fintech
- Jamie Wilfred John Magambo, CropCrowd, Agritech
- Isaac Maina Karani, Elikham Systems Limited, Water Management Tech
- Tochukwu Chiemeziem Egesi, Innovation Corner Digital Health
- Paul David Azemoh, Thrive Agric, Agritech
- Muhammad Salisu Abdullahi, eTrash2Cash, Fintech
- Eunice Odunayo Eweniyi, Piggybank.ng, Fintech
- Abiodun Akanji Adereni, HelpMum, Digital Health
- Faith Ekwebelam, Social Lender, Fintech
- Ralph Gbenga Oluwole, Helium Health, Digital Health
- Vinodhan Naidu, Envisionit E-Escrow, Fintech
- Owen David Meredith, GLU Global (Pty) Ltd, Information Technology Systems Integration
- Tania Engau Ikedji Mukwamu, MaxiCash (Pty) Ltd, Fintech
- Tyron Geoff Fouche, Nobuntu, Fintech
- Marnus Jacobus van Heerden, Pineapple Tech (Pty) Ltd, Insurtech
- Neo Valentine Hutiri, Technovera Pty Ltd, Digital Health
- Stephanus Hattingh, Health Solutions Africa, Digital Health
The tech sector is one of the fastest growing sectors in Africa. The continent’s startups raised 50 per cent more venture capital in 2017 than in 2016, and the majority of this is being invested in South Africa (£130 million), Kenya (£114 million) and Nigeria (£89 million). Nigeria and Kenya’s technology sectors are growing rapidly and generate more than ten per cent and 11 per cent of their respective economic output.
Strengthening the UK’s partnership with African nations is a key element of the Government’s commitment to reinvesting in the UK’s relationships across the world, expanding and deepening the nation’s overseas network, working with others to face challenges and advancing common interests.
Prime Minister Theresa May announced the UK-Nigeria, UK-Kenya and UK-South Africa tech hubs in August 2018. The hubs are one pillar of a broader Digital Access Programme which aims to boost digital inclusion across Africa.