These trailblazers, representing eight African nations, will now advance to the global finals, marking a significant milestone in their journeys to achieve international recognition.

The winners were unveiled at the GSA Africa Finale, hosted in Cape Town, South Africa, in partnership with the Global Innovation Initiative Group (GIIG). 

This year’s honorees hailed from South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Egypt, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Morocco, and Zambia.

The Winners and Categories:

• Women in Tech: Anna Ekeledo (Nigeria) – Executive Director of AfriLabs, a network spanning 450+ tech hubs in 53 countries.
• Accelerator/Incubator Programme: OceanHub Africa (South Africa) – Driving sustainable ocean-impact solutions.
• Best Green Tech: Octavia Carbon (Kenya) – Innovators in geothermal-integrated direct air capture (DAC) technology to tackle climate change.
• Youth Startup of the Year: Ultrateb (Egypt) – Transforming healthcare e-commerce for greater efficiency and accessibility.
• Founder of the Year: Bethelhem Dejene (Ethiopia) – Promoting environmental sustainability through Zafree Papers.
• Best AgriTech: Winich Farms (Nigeria) – Empowering smallholder farmers with commerce infrastructure and embedded finance.
• Startup of the Year: SeaH4 PTY Ltd (South Africa) – Pioneering biofuels and e-fuels using seaweed and green hydrogen.
• Best Coworking Space: Silikin Village (DRC) – Supporting startups with innovation and talent development.
• Best Health Tech: Pharmarun (Nigeria) – On-demand platform connecting patients to medications.
• Best FinTech: Chari (Morocco) – Providing embedded e-commerce and financial services to small businesses.
• Best Newcomer: Mytochondria Group (Zambia) – Innovating agriculture with smart soil sensors.
• Best Mobility & Logistics: Loop (South Africa) – Bridging formal and informal markets with transformative transport solutions.
• Ecosystem Hero of the Year: Dr. Eng. Nabil Shalaby (Egypt) – Advocate for entrepreneurship and prolific author.
• Investor of the Year: EdVentures (Egypt) – Supporting innovation in education and learning.
• GIIG Future Shaper: Medref Healthbridge Solutions (Uganda) – Ensuring healthcare access for children and underserved communities.

The winners now progress to the Global Startup Awards Grand Finale, where they will compete on a global stage.

This opportunity positions them for amplified visibility and potential investor connections.

It also integrates them into the wider GSA network of industry leaders and innovators.