As Africa develops, the need for innovative solutions that will keep the continent running arises. African tech startups over time have leveraged modern technologies to build groundbreaking solutions that Africans need to get by. So many tech startups evolved in 2019 but few of them stood out with their innovations.
We have put together a list of top new African Startups that serenaded 2019 with interesting innovation.
Enjoy your read!
As Africa develops, the need for innovative solutions that will keep the continent running arises. African tech startups over time have leveraged modern technologies to build groundbreaking solutions that Africans need to get by. So many tech startups evolved in 2019 but few of them stood out with their innovations.
We have put together a list of new African Startups that serenaded 2019 with interesting innovation.
Enjoy your read!
54gene: Launched in 2019, 54gene is a healthtech startup that aims to unlock Africa’s genome. The startup partners hospitals, research institutions, biotech companies, and pharmacies to provide multiple diverse genomics data needed for medical discoveries and new healthcare solutions. The startup aims to build the world’s largest pan-African biobank.
OPay: Initially launched in 2010 under PayCom Nigeria, OPay became widely accepted in June 2019 with the advent of ORide; its on-demand motorcycle platform. Opay is primarily financial inclusion oriented. The fintech startup offers bill payment, money transfer and cash-out services to the banked and unbanked. The super app features financial services, ORide, OCar, OWealth and OTrike; its ride-hailing arm.
Plentywaka: Launched in 2019 under the Crowdyvest umbrella, the startup offers on-demand bus-sharing services to commuters in Lagos. The startup leverages cutting-edge technology to offer swift and comfortable transport services to its users. With its Wakapurse, multi-rider feature, better navigation system and a referral icon, the startup aims to grant its users access to travel in style and comfort. It is definitely one of the startups to watch out for.
Crop2Cash: Based in Ibadan Nigeria, the agritech startup connects farmers and their crops to markets. The startup leverages an A.I. powered Agri-Commerce platform to push farmers and their produce to industries. This year, they launched Cashcard which enables smallholder farmers in rural Nigeria to receive digital payments and build their financial identity. Crop2Cash was founded in 2018 but gained prominence in 2019 after winning the 2019 Seedstars Africa pitch event.
Lentera Africa: Working out of Nairobi Kenya, the startup enables farmers adapt to climate change promoting smart agriculture across rural East Africa. Lentera achieves this through climate smart inputs, precision agriculture and conservation tillage. Led by Moses Kimani, the startup won the MTFC Innov8Agric Challenge with a prize of $5,000 to expand their reach across East Africa.
BitPesa: popular for providing wholesale cryptocurrency liquidity for individuals and companies across Africa, BitPesa was founded in 2013. However, its beta version was launched in 2014 and it gained prominence in 2018 after acquiring Spain-based Transferzero. The startup rebranded in 2019.
TenaCare: the Ethiopia-based healthtech startup leverages technology to transform the healthcare system in Ethiopia. The startup grants healthcare facilities access to capture, store, analyze and communicate patient information. The startup was built to align with Microsoft’s 4Afrika initiative.
Traders of Africa: The eCommerce company leverages technology to foster trade between Africa and the world. The B2B marketplace for made in Africa goods aims to create sustainable wealth for people across Africa.
One Kiosk Africa: the startup aims to bridge the e-commerce and logistics challenges that a typical African face. The startup allows its users access to leverage GPS in locating safe, swift and secure online stores around them.
Majik water: The Kenya based startup leverages technology to harvest clean drinking water for off-grid communities in the country. Majik Water utilizes desiccant materials to adsorb water from the arid and semi-arid regions.
