ABH’s Grand Finale in Kigali, a hero’s journey to solving Africa’s energy challenges, Figorr on partnering with GAVI in vaccine cold chain, and more
Africa's Business Heroes
We aim to identify, spotlight, support and fund African entrepreneurs -heroes -creating impact in their communities.
Welcome to African AI, the newsletter of Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH), where we spotlight impactful stories, insights, and innovations from across the continent.
In this edition, we feature Nthabiseng Mosia, a 2023 Top 10 Hero and co-founder of Easy Solar, as she shares her journey of bringing solar energy to some of Africa’s most challenging markets- Sierra Leone and Liberia. Nthabiseng reflects on her experiences as an entrepreneur in the energy sector and the lessons she has learned, particularly as a woman navigating this complex industry.
We also bring you insights from Oghenetega (Tega) Iortim, a 2021 ABH Top 10 Hero and founder of Figorr. Tega, whose company offers coldchain solutions for a range of healthcare and agriculture products, recently entered a partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance as part of their new pacesetters program. He discusses the significance of this partnership and the opportunities it opens with Gavi’s network across 58 countries.
As we look ahead, Africa’s Business Heroes is hosting its annual summit and Grand Finale in Kigali this December. Taking place under the theme of “Addressing Africa’s Pressing Challenges Through Entrepreneurship”, the summit will bring together business leaders and entrepreneurs from across the continent for a dynamic exchange of ideas through podcasts, debates, and panel discussions.
Our spotlight hero of the month is Dr. Khadija Elbedweihy, founder and CEO of Praxilabs and ABH 2021 Grand Prize winner, who continues her pioneering work in advancing scientific education across Africa and the Middle East. Remember to check out our Opportunity Desk at the end of this newsletter for career openings, courses, and programs offered by our community members from across the African continent.
We’re thrilled to have you with us on this journey!
Sincerely,
The ABH Team
In the article below we sit down with 2023 Top 10 hero, Nthabiseng Mosia as she shares her journey of co-founding Easy Solar and the ups and downs of running a renewable energy business in Africa’s toughest markets. She shares her journey of leading as a woman in a male-dominated field and she also shares her general views on the power sector in Africa and where our priorities as the continent should lie as we join the rest of the world in the race towards net zero. Easy Solar is a social enterprise that provides affordable solar energy solutions to off-grid communities in West Africa. Nthabiseng was born in South Africa and she co-founded the company in 2016, aiming to address the challenge of energy access in Sierra Leone and Liberia.
During the recent semi-finals in Cairo, Egypt, ABH hosted a panel discussion featuring entrepreneurs and business leaders from the ABH community on “Building Future-Proof Businesses.” The panel included Kareem Yassin, Vice President & General Manager of Procter & Gamble; Khadija Elbedweihy, CEO & Founder of PraxiLabs; Nour Ahmadein, Co-founder of BluWorks; and Tesh Mbaabu, CEO & Co-founder of Chpter. It was moderated by Zahra Boateng, Managing Director of Africa’s Business Heroes. The article below captures the key takeaways from that conversation for aspiring entrepreneurs.
In this interview, we sit down with Oghenetega (Tega) Iortim, the founder and CEO of Figorr, a Nigerian technology company tackling cold chain logistics challenges across Africa. Under Iortim's leadership, Figorr has successfully raised $1.5 million in seed funding, which has allowed the company to expand its services throughout the continent and develop a risk management platform specifically designed for perishable goods. With an impressive track record of tracking over 110 million items and saving customers more than $200 million in potential losses, Figorr's impact is substantial. Tega discusses their recent partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, as an INFUSE Pacesetter aimed at enhancing vaccine cold chain management, along with the company's future plans.
Following the incredible success of our 5th anniversary edition in 2023, we are excited to invite you back to the 2024 ABH Summit and Grand Finale as we return to the Kigali Convention Center in Kigali, Rwanda, from 4th to 5th December 2024. From nearly 20,000 applications spanning all 54 African countries, we have selected Top 10 finalists, representing a diverse range of sectors and countries, to compete in the Grand Finale.
This year’s Summit and Grand Finale will be held under the theme AI: African Insight, Innovation, and Impact - addressing Africa’s most pressing challenges through entrepreneurship. The event will feature dynamic panel discussions, podcast debates, a live pitch competition, and an award ceremony to celebrate our Top 10 Heroes.
We are excited to welcome you to this vibrant gathering, which will bring together investors, ecosystem partners, entrepreneurs, professionals, and key players from across the continent. It’s a great opportunity to gain insights, expand your network, and witness some of Africa’s most promising entrepreneurs in action. Confirmed speakers include Ibukun Awosika, Founder of The Chair Centre Group and Patrick Awuah, Founder & President of Ashesi University. We would be honored to have you join us for this momentous occasion. To secure your spot at the Summit and Grand Finale, please:
In line with our mission to spotlight African entrepreneurship and support the continent’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, registration is free. We look forward to welcoming you to Kigali for an unforgettable 6th edition of the ABH Summit and Grand Finale. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Our Hero Spotlight of the Month is Dr. Khadija Elbedweihy, the 2021 ABH 2nd Prize winner and founder of Praxilabs, a company focused on providing virtual science labs that enable students to conduct scientific experiments online. With a Ph.D. in Educational Technologies, Khadija launched Praxilabs in 2016 to address the resource and accessibility challenges many educational institutions face in delivering quality science education. Praxilabs offers 3D virtual simulations in physics, biology, and chemistry. These simulations replicate real-life laboratory environments, allowing students to safely and cost-effectively conduct experiments from remote locations. By providing these virtual labs, Praxilabs enhances STEM education, making lab experiences accessible to students who might be limited by high costs, logistical challenges, or inadequate resources in traditional lab settings.
In recent years, Praxilabs has achieved significant milestones. The platform has expanded globally, reaching educational institutions across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and the United States. Its virtual labs have been adopted by universities and schools, allowing thousands of students and educators to engage in hands-on science education. Praxilabs has received recognition as a top edtech startup in various international forums and won the Global Impact Award for its contributions to improving access to science education. Additionally, Praxilabs has formed valuable partnerships with academic institutions and organizations, further enhancing its offerings and extending its reach. The platform promotes inclusivity in education, particularly for students in remote or under-resourced areas. By providing virtual labs, Praxilabs helps bridge the gap in STEM education, especially in regions such as Africa and the Middle East, where financial constraints or lack of facilities often limit access to hands-on science learning. Praxilabs continues to push the boundaries of innovation by introducing new features that enhance the user experience.
These include greater interactivity, improved 3D graphics, and a more user-friendly interface, making the platform more accessible and engaging for students of all levels. The company plans to develop new products like a mobile app and "Praxilabs Junior," aimed at high school students. These advancements are designed to further enhance the accessibility and quality of science education in Africa and beyond. Through her work with Praxilabs, Khadija Elbedweihy has emerged as a leading figure in the education technology field. She remains committed to advocating for improved access to practical science education and exploring how technology can transform learning outcomes globally. Congratulations to Dr. Elbedweihy and Praxilabs on this remarkable achievement from all of us in the ABH community.
Source: PraxiLabs and Startup Africa News
We are excited to bring you the various opportunities that are emerging out of our broad community. Take a look and share them with your network as well.
OUR HEROES AS SEEN IN THE NEWS
Our heroes continue to do good work and the articles below highlight some of the heroes' featured in various publications in the month of October.
OUR HEROES ARE HIRING
OPPORTUNITIES FROM OUR PARTNERS
Register to attend Africa Tech Festival
Latitude 59 Kenya Edition 2024 This November, Latitude 59 joins forces with Tech Safari to open doors to East Africa & connect the international Tech community. Application Deadline: 1st November 2024 Event Details:
Date:November 11th 2024 - November 28th 2024Venue:A.S.K Dome, Nairobi.
Spaces are limited. Apply now!
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