Catapult: Inclusion Africa 2021 Announces 14 Selected Startups

The 2021 edition of Catapult: Inclusion Africa has announced the 14 fintech startups that will take part in the bi-annual programme. Developed by the LHoFT Foundation, the program targets companies focusing on financial inclusion in Africa, aiming to build bridges between Africa and Europe, highlighting their initiatives and very much aligned with the sustainability goals of Luxembourg’s finance centre.

The startups were revealed on 13 May and these startups will take part in an eight-day boot camp during which they will train and network with industry stakeholders. Catapult: Inclusion Africa 2021 will run from 19 to 28 May. It is sponsored by the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign & European Affairs.

In addition to the startups, the programme will feature investors from several financial outlets. The outlets include Bamboo Partners, ZedCrest Capital, AfricInvest, and Sherpa Africa Partners. The investors will work with the startups throughout the programme as part of the boot camp.

Startups at Catapult: Inclusion Africa 2021

The fintech startups participating in the programme offer services across a variety of fields such as cryptocurrency, digital payments, and financing.

The selected startups include the following:

• Emata (Uganda)
• Moja Bank (Ivory Coast)
• AWABAH (Nigeria)
• Mosabi (Sierra Leone)
• Mipango (Tanzania)
• Igugu Global (Nigeria)
• Chromepay (Israel)
• Nokwary Technologies (Ghana)
• Kotani Pay (Kenya)
• Juakali (France)
• RePay.Africa (Kenya)
• Crop2Cash (Nigeria)
• Asilimia France (France)
• Vooli Insurtech (Kenya)

The participating startups will conclude the programme by staging a pitching event. The event will take place on 27 May and is open to the public.

You can register to attend the pitching event here.

Applications

Only 14 applicants were selected to take part in the intensive bootcamp. The bootcamp will take place over one week and applicants can be completed online. The bootcamp will provide training in investment readiness, one-on-one mentorship along with venture development and growth tools. 

Following the first programme, a three-day Catapult: Inclusion Africa programme will take place in December 2021 at the Luxembourg Pavilion of the World Expo in Dubai, with the winner of the May 2021 edition. 

Franz Fayot, Minister of the Economy and Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs explain what the three-day programme offers. 

“The programme builds upon the success of Catapult: Inclusion Africa, a program enabling African start-ups to liaise with Luxembourg players in order to align common sustainability goals and promote financial inclusion.”