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Through its training programs, advice, and technological solutions, Innovations Hub Liberia helps individuals achieve their goals and enables businesses to take the next step in their development process.
Innovations Hub Liberia (iHub Liberia) is a company dedicated to providing first-class training and services to help individuals and institutions thrive in the digital age. Founded in 2019, it is led by computer scientist Philip Bargin, who serves as its executive director.
The company is a social entrepreneurship training and consulting company that aims to improve the digital landscape in Liberia and Africa. To achieve its goals, the company offers corporate and vocational training, enabling individuals to acquire the skills they need to launch their careers in high-growth fields such as information technology and data collection.
"As we tend to ensure that participants have a simple and full learning community where they can share thoughts, ask questions, and challenge themselves with new tools learned within the training, we use WhatsApp as a platform for interactions and then other meeting platforms like Google Meets, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams for live classes and sessions," reads the company's website.
Innovations Hub Liberia often offers dedicated events to raise awareness of the business benefits of technology and connect students with industry experts... It organizes corporate seminars, boot camps, and information and communication technology (ICT) consulting.
In addition, iHub Liberia provides graphic design, branding, website design and redesign, computer networking, database development, and IT support services.
Melchior Koba
A serial entrepreneur known for heading multiple businesses, he is the founder of A-Trader, a platform that aims to democratize investment by simplifying access to African markets and promoting savings for Tanzanian individuals.
Tanzanian entrepreneur and computer scientist Andrew Tesha (photo), who holds a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology from Southern Cross University (2008), is the CEO of A-Trader Tanzania. This startup, established in 2016, digitizes African capital markets, facilitating the trading of shares on African stock exchanges for investors of all levels.
A-Trader's AI-powered platform, accessible via any mobile device, offers savings and investment services, including automated investment advice. The company's mission is to foster a culture of savings and investment in Tanzania and throughout Africa, enabling the middle class to achieve their financial goals.
In recognition of its impact, A-Trader was awarded the prize for best young startup at the seventh AfricArena Grand Summit in December 2023.
Tesha, a serial entrepreneur, also co-founded (in 2018) and directs Place Listed, a platform that aids in the discovery of dining, lodging, and travel locations for both local and international users. In 2008, he established The Green Thumb Initiative, a company that provides farmers with the resources to produce organic crops, access the value chain, and significantly increase their household income and regional agricultural productivity.
In 2010, Tesha co-founded Mpakasi, a portal for African entrepreneurs and managers. Six years later, in 2016, he also founded Andrea Consulting, a consultancy that develops business strategies and markets for startups specializing in innovative technology, mobile solutions, and agribusiness.
Melchior Koba
At the head of a neobank, he helps entrepreneurs develop their businesses by providing access to collateral-free commercial loans and several innovative payment methods.
Nigerian innovator and entrepreneur, Samuel Eze (photo), is the CEO and founder of OurPass Business Banking, a global neobank offering comprehensive banking, payment, and business management tools for businesses of all sizes. Initially launched in 2021 as a one-click payment platform to address the issue of abandoned shopping carts in online businesses, OurPass has evolved into a company providing end-to-end solutions that foster business growth. The company, backed by investors such as Techstars, Tekedia Capital, Berrywood Capital, and Volition Capital, aims to create a world without borders for successful businesses.
OurPass Business Banking, licensed as a microfinance bank by the Central Bank of Nigeria, offers businesses access to collateral-free commercial loans. It provides merchants with the ability to generate payment links via email and SMS for instant payment, and also offers offline payment collection through point-of-sale terminals.
Eze, a graduate of the University of Ilorin in Nigeria with a bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronic engineering, completed an innovation course at Leeds University in London in 2019. He is also the founder of Parkcrowdy, a parking app, where he served as CEO from 2019 to 2020.
He began his career in 2015 as an IT engineering trainee at Acti-Tech Ltd. He later worked as an IT trainee at Huawei West Africa in 2016 and served as a Key Account Manager at consumer goods company Procter & Gamble from 2017 to 2018.
In 2019, Eze and his parking app, Parkcrowdy, won several awards and competitions, including the Digital Africa Conference and Exhibition by Digital Africa and the Wennovation Hub Demo Day. Parkcrowdy was also recognized as one of the top 10 best African mobility start-ups at the Bosch Demo Day organized by Founders Factory Africa.
Melchior Koba
Dz Hadina Tech is a key player in the field of innovation in Algeria and Africa. Through its programs and its support for startups, it contributes to the economic recovery of its country and the promotion of digital entrepreneurship.
Dz Hadina Tech, a digital incubator based in Algeria, fosters innovation across various fields by empowering young entrepreneurs with the tools and guidance to launch and grow their startups.
Founded by Chaouche Adlane, Benamar Abdelfatah, and Abdelkarim Chelali, the incubator currently sees Chelali serve as its managing director. Chelali, a graduate of the Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales de Koléa specializing in finance and accounting, brings additional experience as a co-founder and finance and communications manager of AFPESS, an Algerian foundation that promotes entrepreneurship.
Dz Hadina Tech's comprehensive support system equips budding businesses with technical assistance, training sessions, expert advice, and dedicated mentors who help navigate potential pitfalls. The incubator's key initiatives include the Dz Excellence Camp and the Open Innovation Program.
Dz Excellence Camp serves as a national platform for young entrepreneurs, developers, and designers to hone their skills in innovation, creativity, and originality across diverse sectors within Algeria.
The Open Innovation Program facilitates collaboration and business partnerships between innovators, emerging companies, and established corporations. Utilizing challenge-based projects, the program provides vital support and guidance for innovative ventures, ultimately accelerating research and development efforts for participating companies.
Available statistics point to the incubator's impact, with over 300 startup applications received, more than 8 successful launches, over 20 professional opportunities created, and a current cohort of 15 incubated companies. These achievements illustrate Dz Hadina Tech's significant contribution to fostering innovation both within Algeria and across the African continent.
Melchior Koba
A serial entrepreneur, she is behind a startup that helps organizations design, launch, and manage innovative initiatives such as hackathons and creative competitions.
Sabrine Assem, a seasoned Egyptian entrepreneur with a passion for fostering innovation in Africa and smaller organizations, leads Untap, a platform democratizing access to talent and innovative solutions.
After graduating in 2010 with a Bachelor's degree in Innovation Management and Information Systems from the German University in Cairo, Assem further strengthened her expertise with a Master's in Information Systems and Digital Innovation from Warwick Business School in 2018, some two years after founding Untap.
Untap, founded by Assem in 2016, empowers organizations to manage diverse initiatives like innovation platforms, citizen engagement projects, open innovation challenges, hackathons, startup programs, creative competitions, and even scholarship and student competitions. Its core mission lies in uncovering valuable solutions, ideas, and talent.
"We created [a] software that enables organizations to easily and quickly plan, launch, and manage online innovation challenges, creative contests, hackathons, grants, scholarships, and anything that requires application handling," explained Assem in a 2022 interview.
Before Untap, Assem co-founded and led SolverMine (2011-2015), an online platform focused on open innovation in the Middle East. Her career journey began in 2010 as a teaching assistant at the German University in Cairo, followed by stints at Nutty Scientists (2013) as a management consultant and eSpace (2013) as a business development manager. From 2014 to 2016, she honed her entrepreneurial skills as a consultant and researcher at the German-Arab Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AHK Egypt).
Melchior Koba
Softstart Business and Technology Incubator (Softstart BTI) provides a comprehensive environment for nurturing the growth of innovative digital companies on an international scale. Its support ecosystem goes beyond traditional incubation with its focus on tailored mentoring, expert advice, and robust networking opportunities.
Softstart Business and Technology Incubator (Softstart BTI), established in 2006, has carved a niche for itself as a leading technology business incubator in Johannesburg, South Africa. Born from the merger of Softstart Trust and Bodibeng Technology Incubator, it strives to empower digital entrepreneurs, aiming to become the top provider of incubation services in the region.
Backed by prominent institutions like the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), University of Pretoria (UP), Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), and the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), Softstart BTI fosters innovation and international competitiveness within its portfolio of digital businesses.
Its comprehensive support system features dedicated incubation space, alongside expert consulting and mentoring services. Clustering and networking opportunities further bolster budding firms, enabling them to thrive in a collaborative environment.
It also goes beyond simply providing physical space. Mentorship, coaching, training, and financial management are just a few of the diverse services offered. Access to resources and guidance from like-minded peers within the incubator empowers these startups to reach their full commercial potential.
Over 60 black-owned businesses operate within its physical center, while a network of over 100 off-campus and virtual ventures benefit from its services. Additional support and sponsorship come from the SEDA Technology Program (STP), solidifying its role in fostering South Africa's digital entrepreneurship landscape.
Melchior Koba
With the technology revolution quickly advancing across Africa, there is a growing number of startup support structures fueling that advance. Team@Solutions, a Cameroon-based incubator, is one of those structures.
Cameroon-based incubator Team@Solutions, specializing in new information and communication technologies (NICT), is a product of a partnership between German organization Brücke e.V and the International Association for Development and the Environment in the 21st Century (AIDE21). The organization, led by coordinator Touna Onguene Philippe, supports startups by providing a nurturing environment and professional guidance, aiding entrepreneurs in digitalizing their structures.
Team@Solutions operates in various sectors including trade, services, industry, agriculture, livestock, health, logistics, education, good governance, infrastructure, and renewable energies. It designs and implements IoT, big data, AI, and cloud solutions tailored to the African context. It has also established production and processing units to encourage local production and processing of raw materials, including agricultural products.
The incubator promotes cooperation, exchange, and knowledge sharing, offering coworking spaces, certified training courses in NICT and mechanical engineering technologies, and job opportunities in Germany for IT developers and mechanical engineers.
Supported by the German international development cooperation agency, GIZ, Team@Solutions has assisted several startups such as Health Map, which has established a hospital IT system to facilitate patient care, E-Gadget & IO-Tech, a builder of electronic equipment with AI and IoT capabilities, and Katika, a fintech firm.
Melchior Koba
Confronted with the challenge of high international export costs faced by African firms, Matthew Davey established TUNL as a solution.
South African entrepreneur Matthew Davey (photo), a University of Cape Town Civil Engineering graduate and Oxford University Geography and Environment PhD holder, is the co-founder of startup TUNL. Established in 2020 by Davey and COO Craig Lowman, TUNL aims to address export challenges for African manufacturers, designers, and retailers. The platform provides express courier options with global carriers to nearly all countries and has introduced TUNL Economy, a cost-effective export courier service from Africa.
Davey stated in December 2023 that cross-border shipping in Africa leads to an estimated annual business loss of $50 billion. Despite the presence of major carriers, high-quality products like textiles and camera accessories can be priced out of the market due to steep shipping costs. TUNL partners with these carriers, such as UPS and FedEx, to negotiate favorable rates and offer significant savings to merchants, with SMEs saving up to 50-75%.
In December 2023, TUNL secured $1 million in pre-seed financing from investors including Founders Factory, Digital Africa Ventures, E4E Africa, and Jozi Angels. This funding will facilitate the company's continued expansion in South Africa and preparation for entry into other African and emerging markets.
Before founding TUNL, Davey worked as a civil engineer for Jones & Wagener, a specialist engineering and scientific consultancy in South Africa, between 2013 and 2014. He served as an analyst with Sustainia, a consulting firm for companies and organizations, from January to June 2017. From August of the same year to February 2021, he was the managing director of Vesconite Bearings, a polymer bushings and wear materials manufacturer.
Melchior Koba
With a goal to democratize investment in Africa, an innovative entrepreneur has integrated finance and technology to ease access to African markets.
Cameroonian tech entrepreneur Boum III Jr (photo), co-founder and CEO of fintech startup Daba, is on a mission to democratize investment in Africa. A graduate of Southern Polytechnic State University with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, Boum III Jr earned an MBA from HEC Paris and an entrepreneurship-focused MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 2021.
Daba, established in 2021 by Boum III Jr and Anthony Miclet, provides a unified investment platform aimed at facilitating high-quality investments in Africa for individuals and companies. With offices in the USA and Côte d’Ivoire, the company offers a more transparent, accessible, and efficient investment process.
In a 2022 interview, Boum III Jr outlined Daba’s ambitions, stating, “In the next five years, I envision Daba being the premier destination for any investor, whether an individual or an institutional investor when they want to start or manage their investments on the African continent.” He expressed a desire for Daba to have a significant presence in key African markets such as Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa, as well as emerging economies like Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal.
In addition to Daba, Boum III Jr founded Mbo’Wam in Atlanta in 2017, a platform offering hotel-style accommodations in apartments and private residences, primarily for business travellers. In 2020, He also co-founded Afrika Startup Lab, a non-profit organization supporting potential entrepreneurs.
Boum III Jr worked as a software engineer at Nasdaq eVestment, a Nasdaq division providing institutional investment data, analysis, and information on public and private markets, from 2015 to 2019. In 2022, he won the AFRICON pitch competition, earning a $10,000 prize.
Melchior Koba
Kenya's ambitious Konza Technopolis project seeks to establish the East African nation as a leader in technology and innovation across the continent.
Kenya's Konza Technopolis, a sprawling project aiming to transform into a smart city, is betting on information technology (ICT) and innovation to propel the country to the forefront of Africa's tech scene.
Launched in 2012, the project has become a cornerstone of Kenya's Vision 2030 national development plan, with the government backing its development in partnership with the World Bank's International Finance Corporation.
It is led by John Paul Okwiri, a seasoned procurement and supply chain executive, through the Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA).
The project envisions a world-class city powered by a thriving ICT sector, robust infrastructure, and investor-friendly policies. It aims to attract businesses in outsourcing, software development, data centers, disaster recovery, call centers, manufacturing, and light assembly.
Konza Technopolis also fosters innovation through initiatives like the Jitume program, which equips young people with digital skills and access to services to leverage technology for job creation. In 2024, it will host the 41st world conference of IASP, a global network of innovation ecosystems.
The project has already generated 17,000 jobs and hosted events like the 2020 Africa Digital Influencer Awards (ADIA20). It was also recognized for excellence in smart city development at the 2023 Africa Public Sector Conference and Awards (APSCA).
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An impact entrepreneur, he has developed an application offering goods and services on credit, as part of his broader efforts to design technological solutions that simplify life for his compatriots.
Rwandan social impact entrepreneur Ignace Turatsinze, co-founder and co-CEO of PayingTone, has developed a marketplace that offers credit for products and services. A business administration graduate from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Turatsinze launched PayingTone with Brenda Munezero in 2021 to facilitate retail access across Africa.
“We provide up to 200,000 RWF [approximately 143 euros], but only up to a third of the user’s income. Once the credit is in the PayingTone wallet, it can be spent with any of our network of merchants. We charge five percent interest,” Turatsinze explained in 2022.
In addition to PayingTone, in 2018, Turatsinze founded Netot Lab, a startup providing an electronic device for monitoring and managing LPGs, payment assistance for services, and a microcredit service.
Turatsinze’s career began in 2016 at New Media Communications of Rwanda as a marketing and public relations specialist. He later joined Women for Women International as a monitoring and evaluation consultant in 2017 and became the project coordinator of LEAPR Labs in 2018. In 2020, he was hired by i4SD as a program manager, and in 2021, he joined Spenn Technology as Head of Spenn Connect.
Turatsinze’s PayingTone participated in CcHub’s fintech incubation program and won second prize at the HangaPitch Fest in December 2022.
Melchior Koba
Through its training courses, activities, and programs, Bamako Incubateur supports young entrepreneurs in realizing innovative projects and creating diversified services in various digital sectors.
Bamako Incubateur, a startup incubator and accelerator project for young innovative companies, was launched in 2016 as an initiative of the Mali@venir community created by the NGO Groupe Eureka. The incubator aims to foster entrepreneurship and generate youth-led solutions to Mali’s challenges, providing a unique ecosystem of resources, inspiration, and collaborative opportunities for creative young Malians.
The activities of Bamako Incubateur encompass several areas. It promotes digital technology among children, women, and young people in urban and rural areas, as well as among the diaspora and migrants. It also facilitates the integration of digital technology in developing sectors, identifies and simplifies the creation of digital solutions, promotes youth employability, and offers financing opportunities for digital start-ups.
Bamako Incubateur provides training in JAVA programming technologies for young people, with the goal of training 10,000 developers over a decade. One of its notable programs, “GENESIS Startups MALI”, launched in 2017, equips young graduates with practical skills to significantly enhance their employability and success in the job market in the growth sectors of science, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
In 2018, the incubator launched a program, SENECIS, to support digital entrepreneurship, innovation, and the competitiveness of incubators and start-ups in Mali. This eight-month program teaches young students who have graduated or are about to graduate the fundamentals of entrepreneurship in the digital economy.
Bamako Incubateur has incubated several startups, including So-Dôkôtôrô, a Malian platform specializing in homecare services; BioBanque, a biotech start-up offering a computerized blood management system from donation to patient transfusion; and AgroMaliMarket, a web and mobile platform that connects agricultural producers with buyers.
Melchior Koba
In the realm of online advertising, visibility is easily achieved, yet the cost can be a barrier for many. Abdou C. Dieng is offering an alternative solution that aims to be accessible to all Africans.
Senegalese entrepreneur Abdou C. Dieng (photo), co-founder and CEO of Adafri, is offering a solution to the challenge of prepaid card restrictions on the Google Ads platform. Dieng, an alumnus of the University of Rouen Normandie, launched the startup in 2020 with Ibrahima Touré.
In 2018, Google Ads ceased accepting prepaid cards, posing a significant hurdle for African advertisers seeking to launch digital campaigns. "To address this issue, we've integrated payment methods that align with the African context, specifically mobile money," Dieng said in 2021.
Adafri, an automated advertising platform, caters to small and medium-sized businesses aiming to enhance their online visibility. The platform allows users to initiate Google ads from a single location and monitor performance and budget in real-time.
The startup has seen swift success, boasting over 600 active advertisers and facilitating more than 10,000 campaigns. Currently operational in several countries, including Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, and Mali, Adafri plans to expand across French-speaking West Africa.
Since 2019, Dieng has served as the President of Sen Startup, a Senegalese startup association. The organization aims to represent, unite, and empower startups, fostering a conducive environment for their growth. The entrepreneur began his digital journey at online retailer Jumia, where he gained comprehensive digital knowledge. He served as the managing director for Jumia Car from 2014 to 2015. In 2016, he established Comparez.co, a price comparison service in nine African countries. He is now a recognized serial entrepreneur in the African tech scene.
Melchior Koba
Through its programs, activities, and events, IncuBooster helps entrepreneurs and project leaders turn their business ideas into successful projects.
Launched in 2022 by entrepreneurs including Khnata El Kadiri, IncuBooster acts as a launchpad for startups in Morocco's bustling Fez region. This incubator and "gas pedal" is dedicated to nurturing the growth and success of young businesses in a competitive market.
At IncuBooster's core are comprehensive programs designed to empower startups. These programs, encompassing learning, skill development, and hands-on sessions, aim to take each venture to a higher level of maturity. The incubator's focus extends beyond individual startups, raising awareness of entrepreneurship, incubation, and the value of coaching and mentorship.
One of IncuBooster's key initiatives is the FEZ STARTUP CHALLENGE, a competition igniting entrepreneurial spirit among young people from the Office of Vocational Training and Work Promotion (OFPPT). The first edition, culminating in April 2023, saw 12 projects compete, several of which have now flourished with the incubator's support.
IncuBooster's commitment to fostering a diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem extends to events like SHE'S A BOSS, empowering women in business, and After Work sessions facilitating discussions on various topics. The incubator's portfolio also includes programs like MRE Business, Innova Green, Social Business Boost, Innov Summet Camp, and Women Positive Impact.
Beyond its programs, IncuBooster provides a dedicated workspace for project teams, training workshops, personalized coaching, networking opportunities, and access to financing options.
Melchior Koba