VivaTech has partnered with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to launch the first edition of the AfricaTech Awards, which will take place at VivaTech in June 2022.
The initiative aims to help create new market opportunities for emerging startups with great impact potential in Africa, catalyzing support and inspiring action from investors, policymakers, fellow entrepreneurs, and leading institutions in the tech space. There are three award categories Climate Tech, sponsored by New Energy Nexus; Health Tech, sponsored by Orange; and FinTech, sponsored by Cassava Technologies.
This first edition received over 300 applications from innovative tech startups. Each startup’s mission must address one of the three awards categories. Their solutions range from telemedicine and microlending platforms to solar panel pavers and so much more.
VivaTech, along with IFC today announced the long list of the top 45 startups – 15 for each category – for the 2022 AfricaTech Awards. Deloitte Africa, supported in the selection of startups based on specific criteria, including their potential impact on society/the environment, the level of innovation and scalability of their solutions and business models, as well as the experience and diversity of their teams.
Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, and Morocco had the most startups selected for the top 45, and the average amount of funds raised for each business in the long list was $1.14 million.
As a next step, a jury of industry experts will narrow down the list to nine finalists – three from each category. The top nine finalists will be invited to VivaTech in June, where they will have the opportunity to showcase their innovations and pitch their ideas in front of a global audience of top investors, tech industry leaders, and media, among others.
The final winners (one per category) will be announced at the first AfricaTech Awards ceremony, which will take place during the 2022 edition of Viva Technology on June 15-18 in Paris. The three winning start-ups will benefit from access to the Viva Technology, IFC and category sponsors’ networks, as well as select one-on-one meetings with leaders and top executives in the tech industry.
“Africa is buzzing with innovative tech solutions that can help address climate change, promote food security, and expand financial inclusion,” said Makhtar Diop, IFC’s Managing Director. “Yet over 80% of African startups report difficulties in accessing funding. Initiatives like the AfricaTech Awards, which bring together entrepreneurs, governments, and investors, are key to attracting the resources and support that tech startups need to scale their innovations across the continent and beyond.”
“Africa is a breeding ground for talent and new ideas, and we are delighted to see so many innovative entrepreneurs participating in this first edition of the AfricaTech Awards,” said Viva Technology Co-Presidents Maurice Lévy and Pierre Louette, and Managing Director Julie Ranty. “It is a pleasure to be able to highlight these impactful start-ups and help promote their solutions across the continent and beyond.”
The top 15 start-ups in the FinTech category, sponsored by Cassava Technologies, include:
abela – South Africa
Applied Logic Ltd – Niger
Click2Sure – South Africa
Crop2Cash – Niger
DREAMCASH Cameroon SA – Cameroon
Duhqa – Kenya
eMaisha Pay – Uganda
Franc – South Africa
ImaliPay – Kenya
Lipa Later – Kenya
Neqabty – Egypt
Popote pay – Kenya
Premiercredit – Zambia
Proxalys – Senegal
Singpay2022 – Gabon
The top 15 start-ups in the Health Tech category, sponsored by Orange, include:
Access Afya – Kenya
BokDoc – Egypt
Chefaa – Egypt
Keeplyna – Tunisia
Med – Tunisia
Meditect – Qatar
Primed E-Health – France, Nigeria, Uganda
SonoCare Healthcare – Nigeria
The Aviro Pocket Clinic – South Africa
Vekta Innovations – South Africa
Vula Mobile – Dr. W Mapham – South Africa
Wala Digital Health – Ghana
Welnes – Egypt
Zencey – Ivory Coast
Zuri Health – Kenya
The top 15 start-ups in the Climate Tech category, sponsored by New Energy Nexus, include:
AGROTECH PLUS – Kenya
ARESS – Benin
ATLAN Space – Morocco
Bekia – Egypt
Chafi – Niger
Easy Matatu – Uganda
Eco-V GreenTower – South Africa
Farmtopia – Egypt
iShamba Limited – Kenya
Koolboks – France, Nigeria, and 12 additional countries
Kumulus – France and Tunisia
Seavo – Egypt
Sunpave – Egypt
The Awareness Company – South Africa
WEEE Centre – Kenya
