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Standard Chartered, in partnership with AUC Venture Lab and Village Capital, has launched the first Futuremakers Women in Tech Accelerator in Egypt. Funded by the Standard Chartered Foundation, the program is part of the global Futuremakers initiative and aims to support women-led tech startups with the tools, mentorship, and funding to succeed.
The three-month program targets early-stage, tech-enabled ventures led by women. It offers masterclasses, mentorship, and investment readiness training, with participants competing for up to USD 10,000 in equity-free funding. Participants will gain access to a global network of investors, experts, and startup resources.
The program reflects Standard Chartered Foundation’s mission to promote economic inclusion, especially for women and youth in underserved communities.
The Africa Deep Tech Foundation has officially launched the Africa Deep Tech Challenge 2025, a pan-African innovation initiative designed to spotlight high-impact technologies that thrive under real-world constraints.
Powered by Future Africa and organized in collaboration with Ilorin Tech Hub, CcHub, and IHS, the challenge calls on African innovators to transform scarcity into cutting-edge solutions. It is open to individuals or teams of up to four members, aged 18 or older, residing in eligible African countries. No startup or funding experience is required. Submissions must be original work by the team.
Finalists and winners will receive a range of benefits, including cash grants, mentorship, incubation opportunities, and global exposure. The submission deadline is set for July 31.
Nigerian Edtech Startup Tespire LLC has been awarded a $100,000 equity-free grant as one of the 12 startups selected for the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship, run in partnership with Co-creation Hub (CcHUB). The award follows a highly competitive selection process that saw over 1,000 startup applications from across the continent.
This milestone marks a significant step in Tespire’s mission to transform education through technology. The company, which provides data-driven tools for schools and institutions, has developed integrated software and free internet-enabled tablets to enhance school administration and boost revenue generation.
With support from the Mastercard Foundation and CcHUB, Tespire will further refine its solutions, expand its reach, and continue working to close gaps in education access and quality across Africa.
Registration is now open for Kids Tech Fest 2025, an international summit designed to introduce children aged 6–16 to the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) through fun, hands-on learning experiences. The event is scheduled for Saturday, June 14, 2025, at the Landmark Event Center in Victoria Island, Lagos, and kicks off at 9:00 AM.
The event will feature specially curated sessions for kids, parents, and tutors — creating a dynamic space for young minds to explore the power of technology alongside the adults shaping their learning environment.
With a focus on accessibility, innovation, and interactive education, Kids Tech Fest 2025 aims to inspire the next generation of tech leaders and digital thinkers making AI learning engaging, age-appropriate, and community-driven.
Ghana will showcase its digital progress at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, led by Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP). The focus will be on Ghana’s achievements in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and its vision to become a digital innovation hub in Africa.
A sub-committee has been formed to guide preparations, with sector agencies developing content aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Expo offers Ghana a global platform to attract investment, build partnerships, and promote its digital economy. The event started from April 13 and will go on till October 13, 2025.
The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) has launched the SA Tech Challenge 2025, inviting South African tech innovators to apply for a chance to win R1 million in funding (about $55,000), gain global exposure at the G20 Summit in Cape Town, and unlock major growth opportunities.
Applicants must be South African-owned and headquartered, post-revenue companies with fewer than 250 employees and an annual turnover under R250 million. Solutions must be at least at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7—beyond prototype and already in use—and address at least one of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with measurable impact and potential for global growth.
The challenge targets companies in six sectors: Digital Platforms, FinTech, Secured Digital Infrastructure, Circular Economy, Innovations for Connectivity, and Innovations for Development (including Agri-tech, Health-tech, and Ed-tech). Applications close on Monday, June 30, 2025.
The West African Internet Governance Forum (WAIGF) 2025 officially commenced on May 19 in Abuja, Nigeria, hosting its 17th edition at the Digital Economy Complex, NCC building in Mbora. The event, themed "Building a Resilient, Inclusive, and Safe Digital Future for West Africa," brings together stakeholders from across the region to advance internet governance.
Scheduled for five days, WAIG will strengthen the capacity of West African stakeholders by addressing key issues and emerging trends specific to the region, highlighting its growing influence in the digital landscape. The forum includes the School of Internet Governance, the Youth Internet Governance Forum, and main sessions featuring the African Parliamentary Track on Internet Governance.
Participants include policymakers, academics, private sector representatives, ECOWAS officials, and government bodies from across West Africa, all collaborating to promote a secure, inclusive, and resilient digital future for the region.
MaxAB-Wasoko, Africa’s retail e-commerce and supply chain super app, announced, on May 19, the acquisition of Egypt-based B2B marketplace Fatura from EFG Finance, a subsidiary of EFG Holding. As part of the deal, EFG Finance becomes a significant shareholder in MaxAB-Wasoko and gains a seat on the company’s board.
MaxAB-Wasoko’s embedded financial services will extend credit access to its growing merchant base, enabling retailers to restock faster and grow sustainably. The acquisition also enhances operational efficiency, strengthens supplier networks, and positions the company for continued top-line growth over the next 12–18 months.
The move strengthens MaxAB-Wasoko’s ambition to unify the fragmented B2B commerce and fintech landscape across Africa.
Egyptian cybersecurity startup THE WHITEGUARD has secured a six-figure pre-seed investment, led by Den VC, to scale its AI-driven, regulation-ready cybersecurity solutions across Egypt, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).
The funding reflects strong investor confidence in the startup’s vision of using intelligent, adaptable tools to address rising cyber threats and regulatory demands.
The funds will support product development, team growth, and market expansion, as THE WHITEGUARD positions itself to meet the region’s growing need for secure and compliant digital infrastructure.
Nawy, an Egyptian proptech platform, has raised $75 million to fuel its regional expansion, scale operations, and enhance its technology stack. The funding, announced May 12, includes $52 million in Series A equity, led by Partech, and $23 million in debt from top Egyptian banks to support its fast-growing mortgage business.
The Series A attracted leading global and regional investors, including e& Capital, Verod-Kepple, MCI, VentureSouq, Endeavor Catalyst, DPI’s Nclude Fund, Shorooq Partners, and Plug and Play.
The new funds will power Nawy’s market expansion, AI product development, and mortgage vertical growth, positioning it to lead regional real estate innovation.
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The Global AgriInno Challenge 2025, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Zhejiang University (ZJU), is accepting applications from young innovators and agritech entrepreneurs developing digital solutions for sustainable agrifood systems. Finalists will pitch their innovations at the FAO Science and Innovation Forum in Rome this October.
The challenge seeks innovations addressing climate resilience, supply chain efficiency, and nutritional security. Participants will benefit from a 48-hour co-creation bootcamp with global mentors, expert coaching from UN agencies, investors, and private sector leaders, and access to the Global AgriInno Challenge alumni network.
Winning teams will receive up to $30,000 in seed funding and full sponsorship, including travel, visa, accommodation, and meals, to attend the final event in China. The deadline to submit an expression of interest is 7 June 2025.
Innovate Africa, a product-focused venture fund, will host World Product Day Lagos 2025 on Wednesday, May 21, at The Strong Tower Hall, Lagos.
Part of the global Mind the Product initiative celebrated in 100+ cities, the event will bring together product builders, engineers, founders, and tech teams for expert talks, workshops, and a live pitch showcase.
Under the theme “Bold Builders Wanted,” the event follows a continent-wide innovation sprint that began in March with an open Ideathon. Innovate Africa selected 12 major challenges across health, climate, governance, and infrastructure, guiding teams through product sprints to prototype stage. The top five teams will pitch live for a $2,000 prize and post-event support, including potential incubation and mentorship.
Nigerian preventive healthcare startup Platos Health announced on May 7 that it has raised $1.4 million in pre-seed financing. The round included backing from Google for Startups, Invest International, and notable angel investors affiliated with Google, Tesla, and Unicredit.
This funding milestone underscores Platos Health’s growing credibility and ambition to reimagine health systems by focusing on early intervention and holistic risk reduction, rather than reactive treatment.
The company is scaling nationwide through 300+ pharmacy partners and preparing for global expansion into emerging markets.
Ms. Geek Africa, an initiative under the Girls in ICT Rwanda, supported by Smart Africa and other partners, is inviting girls aged 13 to 21 from Smart Africa member states to submit innovative, AI-powered solutions under the theme “AI for Africa: Innovate Locally, Impact Globally.” The competition aims to empower young African women to tackle pressing local and continental challenges through technology.
Applicants must submit a written concept of no more than 500 words outlining the problem they aim to solve, how their solution uses Artificial Intelligence, a simple conceptual design or drawing to illustrate how it works, and a clear explanation of how it could be implemented or scaled. Submissions can be an idea, a prototype, or a working product, and must be original or represent a meaningful innovation on an existing solution.
The deadline to submit entries is May 16, 2025. Finalists will receive high-level exposure, prizes, and access to mentorship opportunities.