As the curtain draws to a close, it is time to reflect and look back at all the amazing things that happened in the 2018 African Tech Ecosystem. It has certainly been a wild ride and we want you to join us as we countdown our most memorable moments of the year.
From the Google Impact Challenge, to hefty sums invested in bright ideas and groundbreaking innovations made in Africa, here is the list of our most memorable moments of 2018.
For the first time in Africa, Google announced that 12 different start-ups won its Impact Challenge from three countries – South African, Kenyan and Nigerian. Four Startups emerged from each Country. These innovators are using technology to solve social problems on the continent and the winners received $250k each.
When we reported it – Meet the 12 Start-ups that Won the First Google Impact Challenge Across Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa
In June, President Kagame’s anti-used vehicle campaign yielded meaningful impact as Volkswagen launched the first car built in Kigali, Rwanda. The German carmaker rolled off a small Polo hatchback vehicle from its new assembly plant at Kigali’s Special Economic Zone.
This was greeted by the Rwandan President and Volkswagen South Africa boss, Thomas Schafer at the $20 million (17 million euros) facility, set up following a December 2016 deal.
When we reported it – Volkswagen Launches the First Car from Rwandan Plant
Brian Gitta Won the Africa Prize for Innovation, the 24-year-old Ugandan software engineer won the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation with his project ‘Matibabu‘, a device that tests for malaria without drawing blood. This is important because Gitta happens to be the first Ugandan and the youngest African to win the prize.
Matibabu, which means ‘medical centre’ in Swahili is not claiming to cure any diseases. Instead, it focuses on diagnosing malaria faster and easier so those who are infected can get treated immediately. It didn’t stop at that, Matibabu was named as one of the three Entrepreneurs of the Year at the Pitch at Palace Global 3.0 competition.
Over 30 African young entrepreneurs from 11 countries were named in the 3rd Cohort of the eFounders Fellowship. This fellowship was put together by Alibaba Business School and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) for empowerment and training courses to become catalysts for digital transformation in their respective countries.
When we reported it – African Entrepreneurs Shine At 3rd Cohort of the eFounders Fellowship
The Pan-African software development training startup made Rwanda its fourth African market with the launch of a technology hub in Kigali via a partnership with the Rwandan Development Board (RDB). Andela launched operations in Nigeria in 2014 to help global companies overcome the shortage of skilled software developers and invest in Africa’s top technical minds. Since then, the company has hired and developed more than 700 software engineers across the continent, who collectively help power the technology teams of more than 150 global companies, including Viacom, Pluralsight and GitHub. It has also expanded into Kenya and Uganda. Pretty exciting times right?
Co-Creation Hub (CcHub) announced that it will be launching a Design Lab in Rwanda’s Capital, Kigali in the coming weeks. According to the CEO, Bosun Tijani, this Design Lab will be a ‘first of its kind’. This seems to be another initiative aside from its hub. The workroom will house its internal research and development unit comprised of designers, engineers and product developers— who will work together with top scientists globally to take on social challenges.
When we reported it – CcHub Is Launching its First Design Lab in Kigali
Three Nigeria students – Tawakalitu Giwa, Oluwaseun Omotayo, and Ayomide Adetunji won big at the 2018 World Adolescent Robotics Competition in Guiyang City, China by claiming Gold medals for proper documentation of processes on engineering note.
The students also won the “Rajaa Cherkaoui El Moursli’ Award for Courageous Achievement at the event organised by the China Association of Science and Technology.
When we reported it – Nigerian Students Win Gold Medal at 2018 World Adolescent Robotics Competition
In Addition, Five Nigerian Junior Secondary School girls won the Technovation World Pitch in United States of America (U.S.A). The girls developed a mobile application called “FD Detector” to tackle the problems of fake pharmaceutical products in Nigeria by scanning the barcode on drugs to determine the genuineness of a drug.
The Forbes 30 Under 30 list for 2019 was released and lots of young African techpreneurs made the list. In this year’s list, Ghanaian-American computer scientist and digital activist, Joy Buolamwini (28) represents in the enterprise and technology section. While 25-year-old Nigerian who founded Lightning Labs, Olaoluwa Osuntokun name was found in the finance section.
Nigerian co-founders of Helium Health, Adegoke Olubusi, Tito Ovia, and Dimeji Sofowora were also mentioned in the list. And Libyan born senior copywriter at Droga5, Nedal Ahmed (29), makes the list in the marketing and advertising section.
When we reported it – African TechPreneurs That Made Forbes 2019 30 Under 30 List
Three African Start-ups Made the 2018 KPMG Global Fintech100 List.The list is meant to highlight dynamics in FinTech Startups around the world, transforming the financial services industry ranging from digital payments and lending, to insurtech, to neo-banking.
South Africa’s Thisisme, Kenya’s Cellulant and Nigeria’s WalletNG are the only 3 start-ups from Africa to make the list. The US tops the Fintech 100 with 18 fintechs placed, including three of the top 10, followed by the UK with 12 and China with 11. Australia and Singapore also placed strongly with 7 and 6 Startups respectively.
CNN announced their Top 10 Heroes for 2018 and Nigeria’s Abisoye Ajayi-Akinfolarin made the shortlist. Abisoye is a computer programmer and the founder of Pearls Africa Foundation, an initiative that teaches disadvantaged young girls in Lagos Nigeria how to code.
When we reported it – Abisola Ajayi Included in CNN Top Heroes 2019
And there you have it, our top 10 moments in 2018. Quite a number of exciting things happened and we had such a tough time cutting them down to fit the list.
This is our final Weekly Round Up for the year and we must say that it has been a lovely time with you.
We promise to be back bigger and better come 2019 and we thank you for your support.
Till next time!