African startups are witnessing significant developments. That’s why FollowICT Digital Economy Platform brings you a weekly roundup of the most important startup news across the continent.
– 50 Finalists Selected for the Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) 2025 Competition Worth $1.5 Million – Including 8 Egyptians
The Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize, the flagship philanthropic initiative of the Jack Ma Foundation in Africa, has announced the top 50 finalists for its 2025 competition, which offers $1.5 million in grant funding. This year marks a record high in participation and regional representation.
ABH supports outstanding entrepreneurs from all 54 African countries who are building inclusive and sustainable economies. The 2025 edition received 32,000 applications — the highest number in the prize’s history — with participation from all African nations.
Fifty startups were shortlisted as finalists in the 7th edition of the competition. The top 10 will be selected in Dakar and move on to the grand finale in Kigali in December, where they’ll compete for their share of the $1.5 million grant funding and be crowned this year’s Africa’s Business Heroes.
The list includes eight Egyptian entrepreneurs:
Alaa Afifi – Bekia
Gowhar Zaki – Suplyd
Jessie Radwan – Careerha
Mostafa Ibrahim – Dar El Elm
Mostafa Hashisha – Ispark Egypt
Naemat El Tazi – PoultrySync
Rania Ayman – Entreprenelle
Sara Aziz – Safe Egypt
– AfriLabs Supports 280,000 Entrepreneurs and Bets on Africa’s $1 Trillion Digital Future
AfriLabs, the largest innovation hub network on the continent, has directly supported over 280,000 entrepreneurs and startups across 53 African countries and more than 220 cities, through its growing network of 519 innovation hubs.
These achievements were detailed in its 2024 Impact Report, showcasing significant yet steady growth in Africa’s tech ecosystem, especially as global venture funding shrinks and investor focus shifts from emerging markets.
AfriLabs reports having created over 100,000 jobs through skills development initiatives, innovation support, and ecosystem-building programs in key markets like Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, and Cameroon. The organization also empowered 444 women with business skills and access to funding in five countries and trained 173 African youth in digital skills through the “Talent for Startups” program.
Executive Director Anna Ekeledo said:“We are deeply committed to ensuring every African innovator has access to the resources, networks, and platforms they need to thrive.”
– Google Commits $37 Million to Expand AI Development in Africa
Google has announced a $37 million investment to support artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives across Africa.
This funding will support a range of programs, including local research, language innovation, food security solutions, and startup development in sectors like health and education.
The announcement was made during the opening of a new AI Community Center in Accra, Ghana, which will serve as a regional hub for training, experimentation, and collaboration in AI.
At the launch event, James Manyika, Google’s SVP of Technology & Society, highlighted the importance of the ongoing work in AI across Africa.
One of the flagship initiatives is the AI for Food Security Collaboration Program, which aims to connect researchers and nonprofits to develop tools for early hunger detection, crop resilience, and decision-making support for smallholder farmers.
– Gather Ventures Invests in Female-Led Climate Startups Across Africa
Gather Ventures, founded by Jo Obot, a Kenyan-born entrepreneur, has launched a climate-focused investment fund dedicated to supporting female-led startups across Africa. The fund is backed by the Clara Lionel Foundation, founded by singer Rihanna.
Jo Obot, who grew up in Kenya, is well aware of the barriers African women face in building wealth. She pointed out that women in Kenya only legally gained inheritance rights in 2012.
This reality inspired her to focus not just on helping women generate income but also on asset ownership to build generational wealth.
The Gather Impact Fund, launched in 2021, prioritizes startups that promote environmental resilience and women’s economic advancement.
