The African startup ecosystem has grown and thrived exponentially in recent times crafting innovations and solutions tailored made for indigenous challenges. Many of these startups have received recognition and investment backings having impressed investors across the globe.
Only recently, five African startups were featured alongside global giants like Spotify, Nike, Netflix and Airbnb in Time Magazine’s first ever list of 50 Genius Companies. Interestingly, African startups made up ten percent of the list.
According to Times, in compiling its first Genius Companies list, Time’s editors and correspondents globally nominated businesses “inventing the future.” The nominated companies were eventually filtered based on originality, influence, success and ambition.
Meet the five African startups that made the list as compiled by Quartz Africa:
Ghana’s Bitland which uses blockchain technology to help locals create records of land purchases and ownership in partnership with local authorities is one of those listed. The verified, accessible record system cannot be illegally altered once transactions are verified. Bitland’s appeal has stretched beyond Ghana and it now operates in seven African countries.
Kenya’s BRCK Inc, developers of a mobile, battery-powered WiFi modem to boost internet access and connectivity in developing countries, also gets a nod. BRCK’s product line has grown over the past five years to include portable educational kits with cached content, a larger modem that can provide 3G internet to up to 100 devices and a free public wifi system. Ona, a Kenyan software-focused social enterprise, is also featured on Time’s list. Among other data-based projects, Ona has created an open source mobile health platform that allows health workers register and monitor patient cases and offer real-time interventions.
Nigeria’s Babymigo, a startup that provides an online community of expecting mothers with pregnancy-related information and connects them with local medical services and personnel, is also listed. Given Nigeria’s high maternal mortality rates, Babymigo’s service which goes beyond global generic health tips and offers locally contextualized information is plugging a gap.
Also mentioned is South Africa’s AgriProtein, a company that’s solving the problem of sustainable animal feed for poultry and fish farmers by harvesting insect protein through landmark fly farms. AgriProtein’s flagship fly farm which churns out 27 tons of insect protein daily is a model the company will replicate with three new farms planned in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
