Qualcomm Technologies Inc. said it has completed the third edition of its Make in Africa startup mentorship program, naming Kenyan agritech firm Farmer Lifeline as the winner of its 2025 Wireless Reach Social Impact Fund.
The equity-free initiative supported 10 early-stage startups from Kenya, Tunisia, Nigeria, Benin and Senegal, selected from more than 400 applications spanning 19 African countries, the US chipmaker said at a virtual finale event.
The startups are developing technology-driven solutions across healthcare, agriculture, climate resilience and urban mobility, using tools such as artificial intelligence, 4G and 5G connectivity, robotics and internet-of-things platforms.
Farmer Lifeline was selected for its solar-powered field devices that scan crops for pests and diseases and relay alerts directly to farmers’ mobile phones. Qualcomm said the solution has the potential to boost yields, reduce losses and improve food security for smallholder farmers. As the Wireless Reach winner, the startup will receive funding and tailored technical support to scale its technology.
“This year’s cohort has demonstrated how African founders are turning complex challenges into scalable, market-ready solutions,” said Elizabeth Migwalla, Qualcomm’s vice president for international government affairs.
John Omo, secretary general of the African Telecommunications Union, said innovation-led programs such as Make in Africa are essential to complement policy efforts on spectrum management, standards harmonization and open data across the continent.
The 2025 cohort includes startups working on AI-assisted drug discovery from African medicinal plants, virtual rehabilitation platforms, solar-powered aquaculture systems, localized flood-forecasting tools, smart beehive monitoring, portable ultrasound diagnostics, solar cold storage and electric two-wheelers.
Qualcomm said all participating startups will receive stipends to support business development and intellectual property protection, including access to its L2Pro Africa training resources.
The company added that applications for the 2026 Make in Africa Startup Mentorship Program are now open on its website.