In a significant boost to Edo State’s tech ecosystem, Co-creation Hub (Cc Hub) has announced a $700,000 investment in local startups through its Innovation Challenge and Support programs. In collaboration with the Edo State Government and with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Cc Hub aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.

Under the initiative, 30 startups stand to receive $10,000 each through the Inclusion-Focused Support Program, while another 20 startups will benefit from the Innovation Challenge Program, receiving $20,000 each.

This strategic move is expected to strengthen the digital solutions landscape in Edo State.Dr. Bosun Tijani, co-founder of Cc Hub and Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, emphasized the inclusive nature of the programs, targeting startups with underrepresented founders, particularly women.

The call for applications is open, inviting interested startups in Edo State to apply by the deadline on February 12, 2024.

This initiative aligns seamlessly with the Federal Government’s Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (i-DICE) program, which plans to inject $617.7 million into Nigerian startups. Spearheaded by the Office of the Vice President, i-DICE aims to promote entrepreneurship and innovation in the digital technology and creative industry sectors.

International collaboration plays a crucial role in i-DICE, with funding contributions from the French Development Agency, African Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, and the Bank of Industry. Of the total fund, the French Development Agency is contributing 100 million euros ($116 million).

The overarching goal of i-DICE is to train two million young people, empowering them to build their ecosystem. Access to financing for innovative businesses and startups is a key component, signaling a concerted effort to shape the future of Nigeria’s digital and creative landscape

The post Co-creation Hub to Invest $700,000 in Edo State Tech Startups appeared first on Tech Digest News.

By Abbas Badmus

TECHDIGEST – In the realm of innovation and technological advancement, the anticipation surrounding Bosun Tijani’s potential appointment as the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation is nothing short of electrifying.

Tijani, a visionary entrepreneur and tech luminary, stands poised to revolutionize Nigeria’s technological landscape and spearhead a new era of progress. From his humble beginnings as a tech enthusiast to his meteoric rise as a prominent figure in Africa’s tech ecosystem, His journey is an inspiring testament to the power of innovation.

Bosun Tijani was born on 20 July, 1977 in Agege, Lagos, Nigeria and spent his formative years there before moving to Abeokuta, Nigeria for his secondary education.

In 1996, he went on to Jos, Nigeria to study at the University of Jos where he first started off studying for a diploma in Computer Science before going on to study Economics, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in 2002. He later obtained an MSc in Information Systems and Management from the Warwick Business School, United Kingdom in 2007.

He is a Nigerian-British entrepreneur, co-founder and CEO of Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB), the leading Pan-African innovation and technology centre.Co-Creation Hub works at the forefront of accelerating the application of innovation and social capital for a better society.

Tijani is widely acknowledged as a pioneer and industry leader in the African technology ecosystem and was named as one of the 100 Most Influential People on the continent by New Africa Magazine.

READ ALSO: Digital Literacy: NITDA Has Empowered Over 3 Million Nigerians – Kashifu

He initiated the first visit of Mark Zuckerberg to Nigeria in August 2016 as part of efforts to place Africa on the global technology map.

He has also hosted other global technology leaders in Nigeria, including former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey in 2019 and most recently in June, 2023, hosted a fireside chat with Microsoft founder and co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates.In 2019, under his leadership, CcHUB acquired Kenya’s iHub and launched the CcHUB Design Lab in Kigali, Rwanda in the same year.

He has also expanded CcHUB’s Pan-African footprint into Southern Africa by opening CcHUB Namibia, the main tech hub in Windhoek, Namibia in 2023.

Tijani is also currently an associate researcher at the Wits School of Governance,with research interests in collaborative projects that inform practice through support to policymakers, inventors and entrepreneurs while advancing theories in innovation systems and governance.

In 2023, Tijani earned a PhD in innovation and economic development from the School of Business, University of Leicester.

Tijani has also been part of the Innovation for Economic Development executive programme at Harvard Kennedy School in 2013 as well as being a 2014 Draper Hills Fellow of the Centre for Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law (CDDRL) at Stanford University.

One of Tijani’s most notable achievements is the establishment of the iHub, an initiative aimed at providing aspiring entrepreneurs with the resources and mentorship needed to transform their ideas into impactful businesses. Under his guidance, the iHub has incubated and accelerated countless startups, propelling Nigeria’s tech ecosystem to greater heights.

As a potential Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, he brings a unique blend of business acumen, technological expertise, and an unwavering passion for progress. His extensive network within the tech industry, both locally and globally, positions him as a bridge between Nigeria and the global tech community, paving the way for collaborations, investments, and knowledge exchange.

Tijani’s vision extends beyond mere technological advancements; he envisions a future where innovation is harnessed to address pressing societal challenges. His emphasis on leveraging technology for social good, evident in initiatives such as the “Tech for Good” program, showcases his dedication to using innovation as a force for positive change.

Under his leadership, the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation could become a catalyst for innovative solutions to critical issues, ranging from healthcare to agriculture and beyond.

Furthermore, Tijani’s track record of advocating for policies that promote a conducive environment for tech startups and entrepreneurs is a testament to his commitment to nurturing homegrown talent. His involvement in crafting policies that facilitate access to funding, reduce regulatory hurdles, and encourage research and development could pave the way for a thriving tech ecosystem that rivals even the most advanced nations.

In conclusion, the prospect of Bosun Tijani assuming the role of Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation is a thrilling one. With his unparalleled passion, extensive experience, and unyielding dedication to innovation, Tijani has the potential to not only elevate Nigeria’s tech sector but also inspire a generation of future innovators.

As Nigeria stands on the brink of a technological renaissance, Bosun Tijani’s appointment could mark a defining moment in the nation’s journey toward progress, innovation, and prosperity.

The post Bosun Tijani: The Tech Enthusiast who may become Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister appeared first on Tech Digest News.

TECHDIGEST – Whether you’re looking to begin a tech career as a newbie or transitioning from another industry, Nigeria’s tech community is a great place to start. As the digital landscape expands, tech enthusiasts seek spaces to connect, collaborate, and grow their skills and businesses.

Fortunately, Nigeria has several outstanding tech hubs that catalyse innovation and networking. These rapidly growing tech hubs are great for connection, collaboration, and growth. These hubs also provide opportunities for startup founders to build a good networking profile and grow their businesses.

Like a computer network hub, which is a connection point for devices in a network, a tech hub is a physical space (or virtual location), a city, a suburb, or a collective suite of offices geared towards helping technology startups succeed and scale up.

These tech hubs foster an environment explicitly designed to nurture the development of young technology startups and tech enthusiasts by promoting:

Incubation: Tech hubs provide resources and support to early-stage startups to help them get off the ground. This can provide workspace, mentoring, and financial assistance.

Fast track: Tech hubs help startups accelerate their growth by connecting them to a network of experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and customers.

Networking: Tech hubs allow startups to network with other entrepreneurs, investors, and customers. This can aid entrepreneurs in their search for partners, collaborators, and consumers.

Collaboration: Tech clusters encourage startups to work together. This may result in the exchange of ideas, resources, and skills.

Now that we’ve explored some benefits of being part of a tech hub, the next natural question is about their locations. In this article, we will explore five popular tech hubs in Nigeria that offer the perfect environment for tech bros and sis to thrive.

Five tech hubs in Nigeria

1. Co-Creation Hub (CC-Hub)

The CC-Hub is Nigeria’s first open living lab and pre-incubation space. It is located in Yaba, Lagos, dubbed the Nigerian silicon valley and a significant driver of the city’s tech ecosystem. The CC-Hub offers a variety of resources and services to tech entrepreneurs, including co-working space, mentorship, and access to funding.

The CC-Hub is also a leading hub for social impact in Nigeria. It provides a space for technologists, social entrepreneurs, government, tech companies, impact investors, and hackers to co-create new tech solutions to the many social problems in Nigeria.

One of the ways the CC-Hub has done this is through its incubation units, from pre-incubation, incubation, and accelerator programs. The incubation unit provides early-stage startups the resources and support they need to develop and scale their social impact businesses.

If you are a tech enthusiast seeking a dynamic community that encourages experimentation and creativity, CcHUB provides the perfect environment. To be honest, their regular tech events and workshops provide ample opportunities for techies to connect and exchange ideas.

2. Wennovation Hub

Wennovation Hub is a tech hub with multiple locations in Lagos, Ibadan, and Abuja. It offers many opportunities for techies to connect, collaborate, and grow their businesses. Wennovation Hub provides various programs and services to help techies grow their businesses.

It provides early-stage startups the resources and support they need to get off the ground. This can include workspace, mentorship, and access to funding. Wennovation Hub also helps startups accelerate their growth by providing them access to a network of experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and customers.

The hub offers training programs on various topics, such as business development, marketing, and finance, and hosts various innovation-driven events, such as hackathons, meetups, and conferences.

3. nHub Nigeria

The nHub, located in Plateau, Jos, is the first technological centre in Northern Nigeria. nHub plays a leadership role in promoting conversation and knowledge and reconstructing the region’s ecosystem through various community-based initiatives aimed at establishing an army of skilled and employable young people matching industry needs in priority sectors.

They support entrepreneurs at every stage of development to provide them with the equipment, materials, knowledge, and skills they require to be successful. This also helps startups expand their businesses, promote cutting-edge services, and attract new customers through mentorship, training, co-working spaces, incubation, collaboration, etc.

Other services they offer include Sevo Coder. This program is designed to teach kids the basics of software development, digital skills, and entrepreneurship. Students learn to code, design websites and apps, and start their businesses.

If you are a startup or an entrepreneur looking to succeed in the Northern part of Nigeria, or a tech bro/sis looking to make a difference in their communities while connecting with a supportive network, nHub might be the right kind of help.

4. Enspire Incubator

Enspire is a technology-centric incubation program that caters to early-stage startups with a strong focus on fostering viable businesses. Located in Abuja, Nigeria, Enspire’s tech hub is a dynamic space that hosts ideation sessions led by tech leaders, business clinics, and co-working office spaces, fostering an environment conducive to networking and collaboration among tech enthusiasts.

Enspire operates as a significant project under the Abuja Technology Village Free Zone Company (ATV), with the core mission of stimulating economic growth and fostering sustainable job creation through innovation, entrepreneurship, enterprise development, and technology commercialization.

The program’s comprehensive support system includes training, mentoring, networking opportunities, and access to potential investors, all designed to assist startups in building and scaling their ventures. A prominent feature of Enspire is its quarterly ideation program, which accommodates up to 20 startups. During this program, startups receive personalized mentoring and guidance, setting them on the path to developing a minimum viable product (MVP).

5. Roar Nigeria Tech Hub

ROAR Nigeria Tech Hub, situated within the premises of the esteemed University of Nigeria, Nsukka, is a beacon of technological innovation in the region. This initiative marks the university’s pioneering step in establishing the first fully-fledged university-embedded technology community in West Africa.

Operating in the South East region of Nigeria, the Tech Hub aims not only to catalyze the growth of successful tech ventures in the region but also to leave a lasting impact on the broader tech ecosystem within the country. Guided by the principle of the triple helix, the Tech Hub endeavours to facilitate dynamic interactions between Academia, Industry, and Government (AIG), fostering an ecosystem where each entity complements and strengthens the others.

At the core of the Tech Hub’s offerings are membership programs, comprehensive training, and a diverse array of engaging events and workshops. These include captivating pitch competitions and invigorating hackathons designed to stimulate creative thinking and problem-solving skills among participants.

The Tech Hub also provides its members access to a vast and supportive community of like-minded individuals, fostering collaborations and partnerships instrumental in shaping innovative ideas into market-induced solutions.

For tech bros and sis looking to dive into the entrepreneurial realm while connecting with like-minded individuals, especially in the South Eastern region, ROAR Nigeria Tech Hub is a must-visit destination.

The tech hubs in Nigeria have developed into crucial pillars of the nation’s technological revolution, providing techies with chances to network, collaborate, and expand their knowledge and enterprises.

The good news is that almost one is accessible to everyone, even though they are only a fraction of Nigeria’s nearly one hundred innovation centres.

These five tech hubs may be your starting point if you’re an experienced entrepreneur or an aspiring tech enthusiast since they offer the perfect settings for fostering creativity, connecting with like-minded people, and having a long-lasting influence on Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

So, why delay? Explore these tech hubs to be part of the dynamic journey of technological transformation in Nigeria.

The post Five tech hubs in Nigeria for techies to connect, collaborate, and grow appeared first on Tech Digest News.

TECHDIGEST – Nigeria is said to have attracted about $1 billion funding to the technology startup ecosystem businesses in 2022.

This was disclosed yesterday by the Founder of CcHub, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who featured on a television programme to intimate the public about Pan African Youth Innovation Forum 2023, with the theme: “Unleashing Africa’s Innovative Future with Bill Gates,” an hybrid event happening tomorrow, which will feature Microsoft Co-Founder, Bill Gates, among others.

Tijani said the technology ecosystem is fast becoming big and currently has the capacity to attract over $10 billion in funding.

He recalled: “When we started CcHub about 14 years ago, it was difficult for folks to actually get funded. People struggled to find $5000 to back their businesses. But it was then we reached out to a billionaire, who created a fund that is now funding firms across Africa.

“As of last year, Nigeria alone raised over $1 billion in funding technology businesses in the country. But about six years ago, we were struggling seriously to get about $200 million into this economy. This is not from government and I don’t think it is necessarily government’s role to actually fund businesses. Government is to create an enabling environment for investors and investments to come in,”

READ ALSO: TNW Conference 2023: NITDA Unveils N10bn Funds For Startups, Hubs, Others 

Tijani said there has been significant progress over the years, but lots of works still need to be done. He stressed that there are so many things that still need to be done to inspire confidence and drive much more money into the ecosystem.

“Going by the trajectory of what we have seen lately, Nigeria is a country that can be attracting $10 billion to technology companies almost on a yearly basis. For this to happen, we need to plug into innovation communities around. When we started CcHub 14 years back, we were the first in the country and today I think Nigeria has over 150 technology hubs spread across the country, doing amazing things, developing solutions and solving problems. It is about been part of the community because that is where things happen. With that opportunity, one can gain access to resources, know how to build businesses, how to scale them and make them sustainable thereafter. The most important thing is how you eventually gained access to funding,” he stated.

Speaking on the Startup Act, the CcHub boss said it shows that something is happening in the country’s technology ecosystem. He however, said there is still the need to further create the right policies and regulations to back it up because innovation is expensive and intentional.

According to him, the normal law of doing business doesn’t really support innovation, explaining that innovation is not entrepreneurship, “but innovation cannot be completed without innovation. So, the laws that will drive innovation have to be intentional, which is what the Startup Act is all about. In more advanced countries, they have what is called the National Innovation System, the Startup Act needs to be in this regard to be able to strengthen innovation across board, where there are vast opportunities not just for startups but to large corporate, micro businesses, been also able to innovate. This is because when more people innovate, we are going to see more people solve our problems.”

On the programme, where Gates will be addressing the technology ecosystem, Tijani said the forum is the gathering of some of the brilliant people on the Continent, especially those based in Nigeria, to be to be led by the Microsoft boss, who is highly inspirational and has been committed to developing people.

He said the idea behind the forum is to bring young people together, to innovate and help us develop solutions that can help solve some of the world’s problems through science and technology.

On his part, the MBA Director, Lagos Business School (LBS), Chinedum Ewuzie, said the school is partnering CcHub on the forum because a major function of the LBS is to create programmes and also platforms.

Ewuzie said the forum is a platform for likes mind to come discuss issues around the globe. He said the expected outcome include knowledge transfer, “we all know that the industry has grown, so also is science and technology. It has driven out innovation in Nigeria and across Africa. The question now becomes how do you turn these things into sustainable businesses and that is the question we are trying to answer by bringing people together to discuss knowledge, investments and partnership. How you can build businesses, get funding. It is basically how to build a sustainable business.”

On the outcome of the conference, he said by design, the programme is hybrid, which will be broadcasted across the whole world. According to him, there are other opportunities including investments, because so many people are coming together to discuss issues.

According to him, the challenges in Nigeria are not unique to the country, but the fact remains that the industry is growing, which is an opportunity for youths to come and learning new things.

Speaking on the Startup Act, Ewuzie said the law has been signed and it is hoped that it will improve access to funding and attract more players in the industry.

“One key thing for the industry is actually the need to have a balance ecosystem of innovators, investors and governments. There is also the importance of guidance in business decision making,” he stated.

Meanwhile, a startup, Eze, a wholesale marketplace for used and new electronics, has secured $3.7 million in seed funding to develop its technology infrastructure, broaden its product offering and expand into new markets in Africa, Europe and South America. Right Side Capital Management led the funding round, with participation from C2 Ventures, Boro Capital, EVPI Investments and other angel investors.

The global market for consumer electronics is projected to grow to reach $1.70 trillion by 2028, driven by rising disposable incomes of consumers, the growing tendency towards digitization and the increasing utility of personal electronic devices such as smartphones, wearables and other devices.

However, the process of buying and selling these devices in wholesale quantities still remains heavily manual, especially in emerging markets. This heavily manual process leads to various inefficiencies and adds to the cost burden for buyers which they typically pass on to consumers, raising the barrier to access potentially life changing products.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Eze connects thousands of buyers across the world to used and new smartphones, laptops, tablets and other electronics. Buyers can purchase from the largest electronics inventory repository in the world with over 200,000 SKUs available at any time and have their orders delivered as quickly as the next day, depending on where they are ordering.

According to CEO and co-founder of Eze, Josh Nzewi, “Our mission is to power unfettered access to consumer electronics across the world, enabling users to maximise their potential with the experiences provided by these devices. We are thrilled to have the support of our investors, and we look forward to using this funding to enhance our platform and provide even more value to our customers. Our goal remains to become the go-to destination for B2B buyers and sellers in the electronics industry, especially in emerging markets, and this investment will help us achieve that goal.”

“We believe that Eze has the potential to revolutionise the wholesale electronics marketplace,” said Chris Cunningham of C2 Ventures. “Their platform is user-friendly, with integrations that enable an excellent buyer experience. We are excited to support them in their expansion journey.”

The Guardian

The post Nigeria attracts $1 billion tech funds in 2022 – CcHub Boss appeared first on Tech Digest News.

TECHDIGEST – Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB), the largest innovation hub in Africa, has launched a $15 million accelerator program called ‘The Edtech Fellowship Program’ to develop and fund 72 entrepreneurs in Nigeria and Kenya over the next three years.

This is contained in a statement seen by Ripples Nigeria on Friday.

According to the statement, the accelerator program will boost the effect of edtech businesses across Africa.

It will also support entrepreneurs who are presenting tech solutions to solve learning innovation in a sector of education rife with several problems.

Commenting on the need for the funding, Bosun Tijani, the co-founder, and CEO of CcHUB said: “It is important that when we build a program that not only finds the smartest people in the startup ecosystem but also connects the startup ecosystem with government authorities, public sectors, schools, and academic institutions so that we can ensure that there’s a clear understanding of how to scale education solutions in the space.”

READ ALSO: Adoption Of Emerging Technologiess Will Scale Nigeria’s Socio-economic Development – NITDA Boss

The fellowship program aims to support entrepreneurs in Nigeria and Kenya, two of the largest edtech marketplaces on the continent.

The post CcHUB launches $15m fund pool to back startups across Nigeria, Kenya appeared first on Tech Digest News.

TECHDIGEST – With various studies conducted globally indicate that by 2030 there would be a short fall of expertise in Information Technology, (IT) skills throughout the world, the Nigeria government has concluded arrangement to carry out research on IT talent gap in the country with the view to bridging the gap the short fall would create and position the country to be competitively prepared for it. 

The research, which is commissioned behalf of the Federal Government by the National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA) is to be conducted by Co-creation Hub within six months of its launch. 

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami while speaking as the special guest of honour at the virtual ceremony put together to launch the commissioning of the research yesterday opined that it has become imperative to carry out the assessment gap in order to build on the “modest achievements the sector has recorded in the last three years.”

Prof Pantami maintained that, “The digital economy sector in Nigeria has been the crown jewel of the economy and it has been blessed with so many achievements and gains particularly in the last three years.” Citing the National Bureau of Statistics’ data, the Minister stated that the sector remains the fastest growing sector of the economy and the only sector that grows in double digits in recent time. 

He noted that there are many opportunities the digital economy sector offers globally and Nigeria must be well positioned to benefit from them adding that at the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a report that says 90 million IT jobs were created and with the population of the country, Nigeria ought to have contributed three to four million of jobs being created. 

He said, “This initiative will guide us to know the opportunities we have locally; the opportunities we have globally and what we need to do to ensure we bridge the gap that exists.” He added that, “There are 1,995 ICT companies in Nigeria and this research will take this into consideration and I hope at the end of it, we will have excellent report that if implemented, would guide our country to make informed decision for the sector.     

While commending the initiative, the Minister observed that the research will make the small, micro and medium enterprises very effective because they are the bedrock of Nigerian economy. “Whatever we do is very important and we should accommodate our small, micro and medium enterprises because of their prominence to our economy particularly looking at the gap that exists in relation to their adoption of innovations,” he said.

Prof Pantami also stated that the Nigeria Start Up Bill is in the process of transmission to President Muhammed Buhari for his assent and believes that if the bill is assented to, it will avail the start-ups many opportunities because most of the challenges encountered by the start ups have been effectively addressed in the bill. 

While urging NITDA to keep him posted on the progress report of the research, he encouraged both the Agency and CC Hub to ensure success of the “important project.”       

Earlier in his remarks, the NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa stated that the research on IT Talent Gap Assessment is to be carried out in line with Mr. President’s desire to diversify the Nigerian economy and also in alliance with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, NDEPS.  He added that the outcome of the research would also help in attaining the 95 per cent digital literacy target being provisioned in the NDEPS. 

“The gap analysis will let us know where we are so that it will help us come up with the right strategies to adopt in achieving the 95 per cent target on digital literacy. And in addition to that, there are also global talent shortage and we see this as an opportunity to position Nigeria to create and capture values in this global talent pipeline”, the DG noted.    

Inuwa stated that the outcome of the research will offer the nation the opportunity to have its national talent strategy that would look at the demand and supply sides, train people to have their own start ups with already-to-market products. 

“We decided to partner with CC-Hub because it remains the right partner due to of its coverage and experience. And we are enjoining you not to use arm chair theory but go to the field and collect data. Within six months of this commissioning, we wish to have information about the talent gaps in the country and identify areas we can have competitive advantage.   

In his presentation titled “The Importance of Technology Talent Gap Analysis in Nigeria, the co-founder and Head of Research, CC-Hub, Dr Oluseun Adepoju stated that there was no better time to carry out the research than now because of the position of Nigeria as a very robust country when it comes to technology.   

He said the importance of the research is to move in accordance with the pace of the technological advancement which he said “keeps growing in geometrical rate.”  According to him, “the issue we have been facing is that we are not able to build talent that can catch up with technological advancement.

Dr Adepoju declared that with the vibrance of our IT ecosystem, “there are loopholes and gaps we need to fill and this research will give us the insights into where the loopholes are existing.

He said the country could not afford to be late because there is new investment to be built in the IT talent demand and supply scale “because the future is highly definitive.” 

While enumerating the strength of the country in relation to the research, he maintained that the nation’s strength lies in “leadership talent in technology, investment in technology ecosystem and youthful population.”

On the opportunities the research could also offer, he said it will avail the country to identify the knowledge gap on specific technological skills deficiency; identify other government parastatals’ involvement in technology talent development; identify knowledge gap on technology talent expert pipeline and identify gap on the impact of tertiary education institution of technology programs on general technology talent ecosystem in Nigeria. 

The research which would be conducted in all the six geo political zone with two states per zone would collect data from one federal university, one private university and one federal polytechnic using both quantitative and qualitative triangulation sampling method. 

The post FG To Conduct IT Talent Gap Assessment Research appeared first on Tech Digest News.

TECH DIGEST – Google has renewed its commitment to growing Africa’s startup ecosystem with the announcement of a new Google for Startups Accelerator (GFSA) Africa class, the launch and opening of applications for a new $3 million Black Founders Fund (BFF) Africa programme.

There is also the opening for application for Google.org-backed $3 million grant to the Tony Elumelu Foundation, leading philanthropy empowering young entrepreneurs across all 54 African countries, to support female entrepreneurs on the continent.

Google for Startups Accelerator (GFSA) Africa

Applications for GFSA Africa opened earlier this year making way for 15 startups, from across the continent, to join the 6th class of the programme starting on 21 June, 2021.

The three-month online programme, which includes virtual training bootcamps, mentorship and Google product support, is designed to support these nascent businesses through their early growth phases.

Google for Startups Black Founders Fund (BFF) for Africa

In a further show of support for innovation on the continent, a new $3M Google for Startups Black Founders Fund Africa is launching as part of Google’s global commitment to support underserved communities.

This fund, which is part of the company’s racial equity commitments announced in June 2020, will provide cash awards and hands-on support to 50 Black-led startups in Africa and, unlike most startup investments, it does not require founders to give up any equity in exchange for funding.

Google will be working with the Co-Creation Hub, a Google for Startups partner and leading tech community hub with presence in Nigeria, Kenya and Rwanda, to distribute the funding to the selected companies across Africa.

Applications are now open for access to funding, as well as technical and business support, for 50 early-stage startups across the continent in 2021.

BFF Africa is open to all startups in Botswana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe, that meet the eligibility criteria. Applications will close on 7 July, 2021.

“It’s encouraging to see Google’s continued dedication to strengthening and elevating the startup ecosystem in Africa. Google was one of the early believers in tech entrepreneurs on the continent and this support over the last 10 years reflects a thoughtful commitment. This programme is extremely timely and will not only empower founders across the continent but also deepen the pipeline and unlock follow-on funding from both local and foreign investors,” says the Co-founder & CEO at Co-Creation Hub, Bosun Tijani.

“Google understands that the growth and success of one player in the startup space lays the path for others. This is what drives the commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and startups and effectively driving employment and enabling both economic and social development on the continent. We are determined to help black founders grow their businesses, not just through access to capital but also through access to the best of Google’s resources,” says the Managing Director of Google Sub-Saharan Africa, Nitin Gajria.

Google.org grants $3 million to the Tony Elumelu Foundation

Furthermore, Google.org’s $3M grant support to the Tony Elumelu Foundation will go towards providing entrepreneurship training, mentorship and coaching to at least 5,000 women with low digital skills, who come from rural areas and currently operate in an informal sector. Seed capital in the form of one-time cash grants will also be provided to 500 African women aspiring entrepreneurs in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and select Francophone countries.

This will prepare women founders who otherwise wouldn’t have access to opportunity to navigate their businesses through the startup journey.“We are dedicated to building a world where all women can thrive. According to data collected by the World Bank in 10 African countries, male-owned enterprises have six times more capital than female owned enterprises. This huge capital gap is not stopping the rise of female entrepreneurs, but it slows them down and makes their journeys that much more challenging. We hope that the support to The Tony Elumelu Foundation will help accelerate the growth of women techmakers and entrepreneurs in Africa,” adds Gajria.

“As Africa’s leading philanthropy empowering young African entrepreneurs, this grant support will provide financial and technical support for additional women-owned businesses and marginalized groups in the informal sector through the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme. There is no better time to invest in women’s economic participation on the continent than now. Through this support, women will drive growth for local economies and enable better living conditions for their communities. We are delighted to disburse the Google.org grant to scale our ongoing efforts to empower young African entrepreneurs as we believe this will be instrumental in building much-needed businesses and resilient economies,” concludes the CEO at Tony Elumelu Foundation, Ifeyinwa Ugochukwu.

Those interested in applying for the Google for Startups, Black Founders Fund Africa may find more information at goo.gle/BFFAfrica.

The post Google For Startups Accelerator Africa Class Begins appeared first on Tech Digest News.