Viva Technology and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), yesterday announced the top 45 start-ups that have been long-listed for the first edition of the AfricaTech Awards.
This pan-African initiative, supported by Proparco, aims to recognize and support emerging start-ups that are driving innovation and development impact across the continent in three main sectors – Climate Tech, FinTech, and Health Tech.
The 45 start-ups – 15 in each of the three Awards categories – have been selected from a total pool of more than 300 applications, with Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, and Morocco showing the highest participation rates.
There are two Nigerian start-ups shortlisted in each of the three categories: FinTech – Applied Logic Ltd, and Crop2Cash; Health Tech – Primed E-Health, and SonoCare; and Climate Tech – Ipren Group, and Koolboks.
According to African Media Agency (AMA) in a statement issued in Paris, France, the FinTech category received the most applications (124), followed by Health Tech (95), and Climate Tech (93).
Nearly 60% of the applicant start-ups have at least one woman on their board, it added.
“The number and quality of applications received is a testament to Africa’s vibrant tech scene, which has proven to be resilient even in the face of the many challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Makhtar Diop, IFC’s Managing Director.
“These Awards will help scale innovations in key sectors like climate tech, health, and financial services, which are critical to supporting the continent’s sustainable and inclusive growth.”
Selection of winners
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.
These Awards will help scale innovations in key sectors like climate tech, health, and financial services, which are critical to supporting the continent’s sustainable and inclusive growth.
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 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.”
VivaTech is the biggest startup and tech event in Europe and is recognized worldwide as a powerful catalyst for business transformation, startup growth and innovation for the common good.
Since 2016 VivaTech has brought together in Paris the world’s top business leaders, startups, investors, researchers and thinkers for a unique experience combining inspiration, networking and a showcase for innovation.
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets.