Entrepreneurs across Africa are invited to submit their entries for the Qualcomm Make in Africa 2025 programme, which aims to promote innovation and support startups in the region, as announced by the organisers. This initiative is aligned with Qualcomm's broader commitment to harnessing the potential of technology to drive economic growth and develop local talents.
The programme’s 2024 edition witnessed a competitive landscape, ultimately honouring Kenya’s Aurora Health Systems, which was awarded the Wireless Reach Social Impact Fund. This accolade was achieved after they outperformed nine other finalists that were each selected from six different African countries. Nigeria was represented by the startup Kitovu, founded by Nwachinemera Emeka, which has made significant strides in agricultural innovation with its WareGuard smart warehouse management solution. This technology aims to mitigate post-harvest losses, therefore enhancing food security for millions of farmers throughout the continent.
The ten startup finalists were acknowledged for their innovative responses to critical challenges in various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, artificial intelligence (AI), and industrial applications. The Make in Africa Startup Mentorship Program is a key part of Qualcomm's efforts to showcase the energy and creativity springing from the African technology ecosystem, exemplifying the company’s dedication as part of the Qualcomm Africa Innovation Platform.
The Wireless Reach Social Impact Fund, executed under Qualcomm’s Wireless Reach Initiative, is intended to assist these startups in expanding both their societal influence and market presence. Aurora Health Systems was recognised specifically for its groundbreaking development of a wireless, portable ECG device, which boasts LTE connectivity. This device is particularly valuable for patients suffering from cardiovascular issues, as it facilitates the remote transmission of ECG data to healthcare professionals, particularly benefitting those in rural areas of East Africa.
Moreover, this firm stands out as the first in East Africa to train ECG AI models using locally sourced data, enabling the creation of more precise algorithms, thus enhancing AI-driven diagnostics. “The Make in Africa startups are disrupting traditional industries and tackling socio-economic challenges, crafting innovative solutions with global market reach by using AI, advanced connectivity, and IoT,” remarked Wassim Chourbaji, President of Qualcomm MEA. He went on to underscore that “this startup mentorship program reflects Qualcomm’s commitment to supporting promising early-stage deep tech startups, empowering local talents, creating jobs and driving economic growth.”
Business Post Nigeria reports that the distinguished finalists for the 2024 programme include a diverse array of innovative firms. They comprise CropScan from Kenya, which utilises solar-powered smart farming IoT devices; Cure Bionics from Tunisia, known for its smart 3D printed prosthetic devices; DevisionX from Egypt, which produces AI-based low-code computer vision tools; and Kalio from Cameroon, which is focused on developing AI tools for Agricultural IoT. Additional noteworthy participants are NextAI Studios from Kenya for its AI-based emotion detection toys aimed at children's mental health, RIM Nextgen from Kenya for monitoring propane consumption with smart tools, Sparcx from South Africa using AI in radar signal processing, and ViZmerald from Tunisia, which works on AI-driven textile industry inspection technologies.
This collaboration amongst various disruptive startups across multiple sectors exemplifies the emerging trends in AI automation, showcasing how technology can be integrated into business practices aimed at addressing both local and global challenges.
Source: Noah Wire Services