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Darshan Chandaria

African Changemaker

Darshan Chandaria

Darshan is a prominent Kenyan businessman and entrepreneur widely recognized for his contributions to the growth and development of the African economy.

He is the CEO and Director of Chandaria Industries, a family-owned business that has become one of the region’s leading manufacturers and distributors of consumer goods. He is also the Founder of Chandaria Capital, a Nairobi-based Venture Capital Fund investing in scalable, high-impact, and innovative businesses creating sustainable long-term growth for Africa. Beyond his role as a business leader, Darshan is also deeply committed to giving back to his community as he is involved in various philanthropic initiatives, including education, health, and environmental conservation.

Darshan’s business acumen and philanthropic efforts have earned him numerous awards and recognitions.
In 2014, he was awarded the Order of the Grand Warrior by the President of Kenya in recognition of his contributions to the country’s economic growth.

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Did you know that over 525 million people used the internet in Africa in 2019? If current growth trends continue, almost 75% of Africans are expected to come online by 2030.
Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli is a renowned Nigerian social entrepreneur, advocate for sustainable development, and a thought leader in the fields of agriculture, nutrition, leadership development, and social innovation.
Nsadi F. Mbiapa is a Congolese entrepreneur and computer scientist whose mission is to address the pressing challenges faced by African populations through innovative technological solutions.
Aya Data, a Ghanaian artificial intelligence (AI) startup, has successfully raised $900,000 in a seed funding round led by 54 Collective, with additional contributions from several angel investors.
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Catherine Muraga

African Changemaker

Catherine Muraga

Catherine is a Kenyan information technology professional and tech leader with a passion for applying technology to create business outcomes or impact lives positively.

 She is currently serving as the Managing Director of Microsoft Africa Development Centre. Launched in 2019, the Microsoft Africa Development Centre (ADC) is focused on driving innovation, developing technology solutions, and fostering talent in Africa. The ADC is Microsoft’s premier software engineering and development centre on the African continent and aims to leverage the talent and potential in Africa to solve global challenges, address local needs, and contribute to Microsoft’s overall mission.

In her role, Catherine leads ADC’s collaborations with various stakeholders, including governments, universities, and local communities, to empower developers, entrepreneurs, and businesses in Africa. 

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Did you know that over 525 million people used the internet in Africa in 2019? If current growth trends continue, almost 75% of Africans are expected to come online by 2030.
Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli is a renowned Nigerian social entrepreneur, advocate for sustainable development, and a thought leader in the fields of agriculture, nutrition, leadership development, and social innovation.
Nsadi F. Mbiapa is a Congolese entrepreneur and computer scientist whose mission is to address the pressing challenges faced by African populations through innovative technological solutions.
Aya Data, a Ghanaian artificial intelligence (AI) startup, has successfully raised $900,000 in a seed funding round led by 54 Collective, with additional contributions from several angel investors.
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Farida Bedwei

African Changemaker

Farida Bedwei

Farida Bedwei is a Ghanaian software engineer, tech entrepreneur, and disability rights advocate.

Despite her physical challenges, Bedwei developed a passion
for technology and pursued her education in computer science at the University
of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom.

After completing her studies, she embarked on a successful
career in the technology industry.
Bedwei is known
for her significant contributions to Ghana’s financial and banking sectors,
having co-founded 
Logiciel Limited, a Ghanaian software company
specializing in financial and banking software solutions. She is also a
Principal Software Engineer at 
Microsoft. Bedwei has
received several awards and recognition for her work, including being named one
of Africa’s Most Influential Women in Business and Government.

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Did you know that over 525 million people used the internet in Africa in 2019? If current growth trends continue, almost 75% of Africans are expected to come online by 2030.
Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli is a renowned Nigerian social entrepreneur, advocate for sustainable development, and a thought leader in the fields of agriculture, nutrition, leadership development, and social innovation.
Nsadi F. Mbiapa is a Congolese entrepreneur and computer scientist whose mission is to address the pressing challenges faced by African populations through innovative technological solutions.
Aya Data, a Ghanaian artificial intelligence (AI) startup, has successfully raised $900,000 in a seed funding round led by 54 Collective, with additional contributions from several angel investors.
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Jeremiah Thoronka

African Changemaker

Jeremiah Thoronka

Jeremiah Thoronka is a Sierra Leonean innovator, entrepreneur, and scholar with intimate knowledge of energy, climate change, environment, sustainability, and development.

Born in Freetown, Jeremiah is best known for inventing a device that develops and deploys kinetic energy harvesting systems to generate clean, renewable energy from pedestrian and street traffic vibrations.

In 2017, he founded Optim Energy which was behind the development of the device. Optim Energy has deployed its systems in several countries, including Sierra Leone, Rwanda, and Kenya. It received funding from the United Nations Development Programme and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Jeremiah is a recipient of the prestigious Global Student Prize Laureate.

 

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Did you know that over 525 million people used the internet in Africa in 2019? If current growth trends continue, almost 75% of Africans are expected to come online by 2030.
Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli is a renowned Nigerian social entrepreneur, advocate for sustainable development, and a thought leader in the fields of agriculture, nutrition, leadership development, and social innovation.
Nsadi F. Mbiapa is a Congolese entrepreneur and computer scientist whose mission is to address the pressing challenges faced by African populations through innovative technological solutions.
Aya Data, a Ghanaian artificial intelligence (AI) startup, has successfully raised $900,000 in a seed funding round led by 54 Collective, with additional contributions from several angel investors.
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 Lillian Barnard 

African Changemaker

Lillian Barnard

Lillian is a South African tech enthusiast with extensive knowledge and experience in technology

She is currently serving as the President of Microsoft in Africa.

In her role, Lillian is leading Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to drive impact in Africa at scale.

The company’s impactful initiatives range from developing digital skills among African youth to supporting startups and entrepreneurs.

Before her current role, Lillian was the Managing Director of Microsoft South Africa, becoming the first woman to hold the position since the company reinvested in the country in the early 1990s.

Lillian is also playing a vital role in bridging the technology gender gap in Africa.

 

 

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Did you know that over 525 million people used the internet in Africa in 2019? If current growth trends continue, almost 75% of Africans are expected to come online by 2030.
Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli is a renowned Nigerian social entrepreneur, advocate for sustainable development, and a thought leader in the fields of agriculture, nutrition, leadership development, and social innovation.
Nsadi F. Mbiapa is a Congolese entrepreneur and computer scientist whose mission is to address the pressing challenges faced by African populations through innovative technological solutions.
Aya Data, a Ghanaian artificial intelligence (AI) startup, has successfully raised $900,000 in a seed funding round led by 54 Collective, with additional contributions from several angel investors.
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Breaking Barriers: Twiga Foods’ Journey to Transforming Africa’s Food System.

StartUp Spotlight

Breaking Barriers: Twiga Foods' Journey to Transforming Africa's Food System

| Article

This week, we shine a spotlight on Twiga Foods, a groundbreaking company that is reimagining the way food supply chains operate in Africa.

With a mission to create efficient, transparent, and sustainable food systems, Twiga Foods has emerged as a catalyst for change, positively impacting farmers, vendors, and consumers alike. Twiga Foods was founded in Kenya in 2014 by Grant Brooke and Peter Njonjo. Their shared vision was to address the challenges faced by small-scale farmers in accessing reliable markets and fair prices for their produce.

 

Starting with a focus on bananas, Twiga Foods gradually expanded its operations to include a diverse range of fresh fruits, vegetables, and staple crops. Since its inception, Twiga Foods has experienced remarkable growth, propelled by its innovative approach and transformative impact.

The company’s commitment to leveraging technology to streamline the supply chain has led to significant advancements in the agricultural sector across Africa.

 

At the core of Twiga Foods’ mission is the belief that everyone deserves access to affordable, high-quality food.

They envision a future where smallholder farmers can thrive, vendors can access a reliable fresh produce supply, and consumers can enjoy nutritious and affordable food options.

Twiga Foods strives to empower farmers by providing them with a fair market for their produce, reducing post-harvest losses through efficient logistics, and offering access to financial services.

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 Shola Akinlade

African Changemaker

Shola Akinlade

Shola is a software engineer and fintech entrepreneur who has played a vital part in revolutionizing online payments in Nigeria.

He is the Co-Founder of Paystack, a company that provides payment solutions to businesses, helping them accept various payment methods, including debit and credit cards, bank transfers, and mobile money. Shola and his old schoolmate, Ezra Olubi, set out to unlock the Nigerian digital economy by offering businesses and individuals new ways to transact online.

 

In November 2015, Paystack was accepted into the Y Combinator accelerator program, helping propel it toward becoming one of Africa’s most prominent tech companies. Paystack’s success led to its acquisition by Stripe, a global online payment processing company, in October 2020. The acquisition marked a significant milestone for the Nigerian tech industry, showcasing the potential and talent within the country’s startup ecosystem. Shola’s entrepreneurial journey and efforts to transform the online payment landscape in Nigeria have earned him recognition as one of the notable figures in the Nigerian tech and business community.

 

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Did you know that over 525 million people used the internet in Africa in 2019? If current growth trends continue, almost 75% of Africans are expected to come online by 2030.
Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli is a renowned Nigerian social entrepreneur, advocate for sustainable development, and a thought leader in the fields of agriculture, nutrition, leadership development, and social innovation.
Nsadi F. Mbiapa is a Congolese entrepreneur and computer scientist whose mission is to address the pressing challenges faced by African populations through innovative technological solutions.
Aya Data, a Ghanaian artificial intelligence (AI) startup, has successfully raised $900,000 in a seed funding round led by 54 Collective, with additional contributions from several angel investors.
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 Ory Okolloh

African Changemaker

Ory Okolloh

Ory is a Kenyan activist, lawyer, and a strong advocate for using technology to promote democracy and human rights.

Born in Kenya, Ory has been at the forefront of leveraging technology to advance good governance and transparency in Kenya. She was formerly the Policy Manager for Africa with Google. She is currently a Partner at Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures, a pan-African-focused venture capital firm that backs exceptional founders in and from Africa.

 

Her contribution to promoting good governance has earned her global recognition and honour. In 2011 Ory was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and one of Africa’s Most Powerful Women by Forbes Magazine. In 2014 she was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World.

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Did you know that over 525 million people used the internet in Africa in 2019? If current growth trends continue, almost 75% of Africans are expected to come online by 2030.
Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli is a renowned Nigerian social entrepreneur, advocate for sustainable development, and a thought leader in the fields of agriculture, nutrition, leadership development, and social innovation.
Nsadi F. Mbiapa is a Congolese entrepreneur and computer scientist whose mission is to address the pressing challenges faced by African populations through innovative technological solutions.
Aya Data, a Ghanaian artificial intelligence (AI) startup, has successfully raised $900,000 in a seed funding round led by 54 Collective, with additional contributions from several angel investors.
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 Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson

African Changemaker

Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson

Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson is a Nigerian health tech entrepreneur paving the way for a healthier and brighter future for all.

She is the Founder and CEO of Healthtracka , a health tech company making medical diagnostics accessible and affordable with at-home lab testing in Africa. Founded in 2021, Healthtracka offers API infrastructure for tele-health service providers, hospitals, and pharmacies, empowering them to provide at-home blood testing for their patients. Through Healthtracka, Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson is championing a new era of healthcare management by providing accessible tools and resources, all at the touch of a button.

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Did you know that over 525 million people used the internet in Africa in 2019? If current growth trends continue, almost 75% of Africans are expected to come online by 2030.
Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli is a renowned Nigerian social entrepreneur, advocate for sustainable development, and a thought leader in the fields of agriculture, nutrition, leadership development, and social innovation.
Nsadi F. Mbiapa is a Congolese entrepreneur and computer scientist whose mission is to address the pressing challenges faced by African populations through innovative technological solutions.
Aya Data, a Ghanaian artificial intelligence (AI) startup, has successfully raised $900,000 in a seed funding round led by 54 Collective, with additional contributions from several angel investors.