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Iheb Triki is Innovating Solutions for Water Scarcity through Solar-Powered Technology

Iheb Triki is Innovating Solutions for Water Scarcity through Solar-Powered Technology

Iheb Triki is a visionary entrepreneur, engineer, and thought leader in the fields of water scarcity and renewable energy.

He is the co-founder and CEO of Kumulus Water, a company that develops innovative solutions to address the global water crisis by converting air into clean drinking water using solar-powered technology.

His work aims to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of the modern era: providing sustainable access to potable water, particularly in regions facing severe droughts and water stress, such as North Africa and the Middle East.

Born and raised in Tunisia, Iheb was acutely aware of the impacts of water scarcity, as the region suffers from periodic droughts and a growing demand for water resources.

His passion for solving real-world challenges led him to pursue an extensive academic career.

He earned his Master of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from UC Berkeley, and prior to that, he studied at the prestigious École Polytechnique in France, where he specialized in mechanical engineering and economics.

Before founding Kumulus Water, Iheb built an impressive career in the fields of consulting, finance, and renewable energy.

He began his professional journey at The Boston Consulting Group, where he worked on strategic projects across various industries.

His experience in private equity spans nearly seven years, during which he specialized in renewable energy and infrastructure investments across the Middle East and Africa.

As executive Director at Swicorp, he oversees sustainable infrastructure investments, particularly focusing on developing and operating assets in the energy and water sectors.

Iheb also served as an advisor to the Tunisian Ministry of Energy and played a key role in shaping renewable energy policies.

In 2021, Iheb co-founded Kumulus Water with the mission of delivering a groundbreaking technology capable of providing safe, clean drinking water by extracting moisture from the air.

The startup’s flagship product is a solar-powered atmospheric water generator that captures air, filters it, and condenses the humidity into drinkable water.

The machine produces 20 to 30 liters of water per day, and its reliance on solar energy makes it highly sustainable and ideal for remote or off-grid areas.

This solution addresses critical challenges in both water access and climate change by reducing the need for plastic water bottles and eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from water transportation.

Kumulus Water’s technology has attracted attention for its potential to serve millions of people globally who are living in water-scarce regions.

According to UN estimates, over 2 billion people worldwide experience water stress. Iheb’s innovation presents a concrete, scalable solution to one of humanity’s greatest challenges.

Iheb’s leadership and vision have earned him several accolades. In 2021, he was recognized by the Choiseul Institute as one of the Top 100 Young African Leaders, a prestigious honor highlighting his contributions to innovation and sustainability.

His company has also gained international recognition, securing substantial funding to scale its operations.

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Equator Africa Secures Additional $5 Million from IFC to Boost African Climate Tech Innovation

New Investments

Equator Africa Secures Additional $5 Million from IFC to Boost African Climate Tech Innovation

Equator Africa, a venture capital firm, has secured an additional $5 million from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to support businesses and foster innovation within Africa’s climate tech sector.
 

This new capital injection follows an initial close of $40 million in April 2023, aimed at bridging the persistent funding gap for climate tech startups, particularly those in the seed and Series A stages across sub-Saharan Africa.

A key component of the final investment is a $1.5 million guarantee provided by the Korea Green Resilient and Innovative Development (K-GRID) Programme.

Farid Fezoua, IFC’s Global Director for Disruptive Technologies, Services, and Funds, expressed enthusiasm about the potential of climate tech in Africa.

He noted that businesses in this sector are not only contributing to economic growth but also helping to reduce emissions and resource consumption.

“IFC’s investment in Equator Africa reflects our commitment to supporting these businesses to deliver solutions, from renewable energy to electric vehicles,” he said.

Equator Africa focuses on early-stage, tech-enabled companies in sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular interest in sectors such as green energy, agriculture, and mobility.

While its primary focus is on Kenya and Nigeria, the fund has also made investments in companies operating in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Madagascar, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Zambia.

Among the six companies that have already received funding from Equator Africa are SunCulture, a Kenyan company providing solar-powered energy and irrigation systems for farmers, and Roam, a company that designs and manufactures electric motorcycles and buses.

Additionally, Odyssey, a platform specializing in investment and asset management for distributed renewable energy infrastructure, has also benefitted from the fund.

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“We are delighted to partner with ISA to support the development of solar energy in Africa,” said Alain Ebobissé, CEO of Africa50. “This partnership will help to accelerate the deployment of solar energy in Africa and improve the lives of millions of Africans,” he added.

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Charles Oyamo is Innovating Sustainable Fashion through Agricultural Waste Solutions

Charles Oyamo is Innovating Sustainable Fashion through Agricultural Waste Solutions

Charles Oyamo is a Kenyan entrepreneur and the founder of Rethread Africa, a pioneering startup focused on tackling environmental challenges by transforming agricultural waste into biodegradable textile materials.

A graduate of the University of Nairobi, where he earned a degree in Development Communication, Oyamo is committed to using innovation to solve global problems, particularly those related to sustainability and waste management in the textile industry.

At Rethread Africa, Oyamo and his team are working on creating sustainable, bio-based synthetics from waste products like sugarcane and corn.

These agricultural by-products, which are often discarded, are transformed into high-performance textile fibers.

The fabrics produced by Rethread Africa are biodegradable, meaning they naturally decompose, significantly reducing their environmental impact compared to traditional synthetic materials like polyester.

This approach contributes to the circular economy by repurposing waste, reducing reliance on non-renewable resources, and lowering carbon emissions by up to 80% while using 99% less water than conventional cotton production.

Oyamo’s work addresses critical issues in the fashion industry, which is notorious for its high environmental impact, particularly in terms of water use, pollution, and waste.

By offering sustainable alternatives, Rethread Africa seeks to reduce the fashion industry’s ecological footprint and promote planet-positive solutions.

Oyamo’s innovative approach has garnered significant international attention and accolades.

In 2023, he was named one of the winners of the Global Change Award, an initiative by the H&M Foundation that supports groundbreaking innovations aimed at transforming the fashion industry.

Additionally, in 2022, Rethread Africa was one of the 13 winners of the Make It Circular Challenge, an innovation competition organized by What Design Can Do and the IKEA Foundation.

Oyamo is driven by a passion for sustainability and social impact. His vision for Rethread Africa is not only to reduce waste but also to create new economic opportunities, especially for small-holder farmers who supply agricultural waste to the company.

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Consortium Launches $17 Million Seed Fund to Boost Tech Startups in South Africa

New Investments

Consortium Launches $17 Million Seed Fund to Boost Tech Startups in South Africa

A consortium of leading institutions, including the SA SME Fund, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), and E Squared Investments, has launched a R300 million (approximately $17 million) seed fund aimed at supporting tech startups in South Africa.
 

The fund, known as the “Seed Fund of Funds,” will provide much-needed early-stage capital to local startups, addressing a significant funding gap that has historically hindered the growth of emerging technology-driven businesses in the country.

The initiative is expected to support at least 50 startups by providing seed capital, with a strong focus on fostering innovation and driving transformation within the South African economy.

The fund will be managed by experienced fund managers, who will help entrepreneurs turn their innovative ideas into scalable ventures with the potential to succeed both locally and internationally.

Ketso Gordhan, CEO of the SA SME Fund, highlighted the crucial role that seed funding plays in driving entrepreneurship and innovation.

“Seed funding is the lifeblood of innovation and entrepreneurial growth. Without it, many great ideas would never see the light of day. This fund will ensure that South Africa’s brilliant minds have the resources they need to succeed,” he said.

South Africa’s venture capital ecosystem has traditionally focused on later-stage investments, leaving early-stage startups with limited access to capital.

The launch of this seed fund aims to bridge that gap, creating an environment where emerging entrepreneurs can thrive.

In addition to supporting innovation, the fund’s backers believe it will contribute to job creation and economic transformation, aligning with global trends where tech companies are key drivers of employment in innovation-led industries.

Over the next few years, the fund will distribute capital through five skilled fund managers, helping to ensure the sustainability of South Africa’s venture capital industry while empowering the next generation of tech entrepreneurs.

Patrick Krappie, acting CEO of TIA, noted the importance of this initiative for the country’s entrepreneurial landscape, stating, “This fund will play a catalytic role in building the foundations of a strong seed-stage funding ecosystem.”

Gladwyn Leeuw, CEO of E Squared Investments, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the role of accessible capital in driving innovation and economic growth.

E Squared Investments, known for its commitment to transformative change, is a key player in this fund, supporting the vision of fostering technological advancement and economic progress in South Africa.

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AMAKA Studio Secures $2 Million in Seed Funding to Empower African Creators

New Investments

AMAKA Studio Secures $2 Million in Seed Funding to Empower African Creators

AMAKA Studio has raised $2 million in seed funding, aimed at advancing its mission of empowering Black and African creators worldwide.
 

Equitane, previously known as the Africa Transformation and Industrialization Fund (ATIF), led the funding round, which included contributions from partners like Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Lab and Silverbacks Holdings.

Founded by Adaora Oramah in 2021, AMAKA Studio originally centered on telling stories about Pan-African womanhood.

Since then, the platform has evolved into a broader media-tech space that provides creators with resources to monetize their work and connect with major brands.

With a growing audience, AMAKA Studio has worked alongside influencers and global brands such as Nike and Disney.

At the heart of the company’s vision is the promotion of financial inclusion, representation, and equity for creators from underrepresented groups.

The newly secured funds will be used to expand AMAKA’s creator platform, AMAKA Gigs, designed to connect creators directly with brands.

This platform aims to simplify the process of finding opportunities, allowing creators to secure paid commissions.

The integration of enhanced payment solutions will address the common challenge of compensation within the global creator economy, ensuring seamless transactions for creators.

Additionally, the funding will support targeted marketing campaigns to grow AMAKA’s community and increase user engagement.

CEO Adaora Oramah emphasized AMAKA’s commitment to addressing the needs of underrepresented creators, ensuring they have the tools to build sustainable careers.

She stated, “We are focused on driving economic impact and fostering change for a dynamic community that has long been underserved.”

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ARISE IIP Secures $443 Million Capital Raise from Afreximbank’s FEDA and AFC to Boost Industrial Expansion in Africa

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ARISE IIP Secures $443 Million Capital Raise from Afreximbank’s FEDA and AFC to Boost Industrial Expansion in Africa

ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP), a leading developer and operator of industrial parks across Africa, has successfully raised $443 million in new capital to fuel its expansion efforts.
 

This funding includes a major investment of US$300 million from The Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), the development arm of Afreximbank. 

With this infusion, FEDA secures a significant stake in ARISE IIP, marking a pivotal strategic partnership between the two entities.

Additionally, the capital raise is backed by a US$143 million contribution from Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), a key shareholder in ARISE IIP.

This new investment builds on a longstanding debt financing relationship between ARISE IIP and Afreximbank, which has facilitated over US$2 billion in funding for ARISE IIP’s projects across the continent over the past 12 years.

With this latest round of financing, ARISE IIP’s total equity capital now exceeds US$1 billion.

AFC remains the majority stakeholder, followed by Afreximbank’s FEDA and Equitane.
The capital injection is set to accelerate ARISE IIP’s growth and improve its operational capabilities across 12 African countries, including key markets such as Cameroon, Gabon, Nigeria, and Rwanda.

The funds are expected to enhance Africa’s industrial infrastructure and position the continent more competitively within global value chains, aligning with Afreximbank’s mission to promote both intra-African and international trade.

ARISE IIP’s CEO and Founder, Gagan Gupta, welcomed the partnership, stating:

“This equity partnership with Afreximbank significantly strengthens our financial capacity to execute our pan-African industrial development strategy. It’s a strong endorsement of our business model and future prospects.”

Prof. Benedict Oramah, President of Afreximbank, also expressed satisfaction with the investment, emphasizing that it aligns with Afreximbank’s strategic goals of fostering industrialization and boosting trade across Africa.  

Marlene Ngoyi, CEO of FEDA, reinforced the importance of the investment in promoting sustainable industrial development across Africa.

She highlighted the role of ARISE IIP in creating high-impact industrial infrastructure that will drive economic diversification and strengthen Africa’s position in global markets.

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South African Fintech Startup LittleFish Secures Seed Funding Led by TLcom Capital to Empower SMEs

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South African Fintech Startup LittleFish Secures Seed Funding Led by TLcom Capital to Empower SMEs

South African fintech startup LittleFish has successfully closed its seed investment round, with TLcom Capital leading the financing and Flourish Ventures participating as a co-investor.
 

This marks TLcom’s first venture into South Africa, as the firm previously focused on East and West African markets.

The new funding will allow LittleFish to enhance its platform, which aims to help banks better serve small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa by leveraging fintech solutions.

The investment represents a strategic move by TLcom to tap into South Africa’s expanding fintech sector, which has been drawing increasing attention from global investors.

It aligns with TLcom’s broader strategy to diversify its investments across key African markets.

In April 2024, the firm completed the final close of its TIDE Africa Fund II, a $154 million fund aimed at seed and Series A startups across the continent.

TLcom, which manages over $300 million in assets, has previously invested in notable startups such as Andela, Twiga Foods, and Kobo360.

Founded in 2021 by Brandon Roberts and Miod Davith Kahwa, LittleFish is on a mission to bridge the financial services gap for Africa’s 80 million SMEs.

The company offers a digital platform that enables banks, insurers, and fintechs to streamline financial operations, provide digital payment processing, and offer access to credit.

Through these partnerships, LittleFish helps traditional financial institutions better serve their SME clients with more efficient and customer-focused services.

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Nigeria’s Winich Farms Secures $3 Million in Pre-Series A Funding to Revolutionize Agricultural Supply Chain

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Nigeria's Winich Farms Secures $3 Million in Pre-Series A Funding to Revolutionize Agricultural Supply Chain

Winich Farms, a Nigerian agritech startup, has announced the successful completion of a $3 million pre-Series A funding round aimed at addressing the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in Nigeria.
 

The funding is a mix of debt and equity, with contributions from Acumen Resilient Agriculture Fund, Climate Resilient Africa Fund, Marula Square, Plug and Play, Tekedia Capital, and Sahel Capital.

Founded by Riches Attai, along with Chichebem Jibunoh and Winners Attai, Winich Farms was born out of the need to tackle significant inefficiencies in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

Despite Nigeria being one of the world’s largest producers of beans, Attai noted that domestic prices for the crop were surprisingly higher than in international markets.

This paradox spurred the creation of Winich Farms to improve supply chain transparency and provide smallholder farmers with better access to markets and financial services.

With over 139,000 farmers using its platform across 16 states, Winich Farms directly connects these small-scale producers with food processors, bypassing middlemen and lowering costs.

The startup also equips farmers with digital wallets and has introduced a pilot debit card program in partnership with Sterling Bank, helping farmers improve their financial standing by building creditworthiness.

The new $3 million injection, which includes $2.5 million in equity from key investors such as Acumen Resilient Agriculture Fund and $590,000 in debt financing from Lagos-based Sahel Capital, will further fuel Winich Farms’ expansion.

The funds will be used to scale its operations, enhance its digital platform, and expand its financial services to more farmers.

The company also aims to increase the number of debit cards in circulation from 25,000 to 195,000 in the coming years.

“Smallholder farmers face multiple bottlenecks along the value chain, limiting their productivity and access to markets, which in turn hinders their income potential and growth,” said Tamer El-Raghy, Managing Director of Acumen Resilient Agriculture Fund.

“Investing in Winich aligns with our goal of growing local businesses that support smallholder farmers toward increased productivity, sustainable agricultural development, better livelihoods, and increased food security.”

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Blandine Umuziranenge: A Champion for Women’s Health and Empowerment in Africa

Blandine Umuziranenge: A Champion for Women's Health and Empowerment in Africa

Blandine Umuziranenge is a distinguished Rwandan social entrepreneur, widely recognized for her commitment to improving reproductive, maternal, and child health across Africa.

As the founder and CEO of Kosmotive, a social enterprise established in 2014, she has dedicated her career to addressing critical issues related to menstrual hygiene and women’s health access in Rwanda.

Born and raised in the northern province of Rwanda, Blandine’s journey into social entrepreneurship was shaped by her personal experiences with the challenges women face regarding reproductive health.

Blandine began her career as an intern at Contact FM radio station and later worked at the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency.

Her background in communication and technology played a crucial role in her decision to establish Kosmotive, aiming to provide sustainable health solutions for women.

Under her leadership, Kosmotive has launched several innovative products, including the KosmoPad—an eco-friendly and affordable sanitary pad that has been distributed to over 54,000 girls.

This initiative helps girls continue their education during menstruation, thus combating period poverty.

In addition to the KosmoPad, Blandine has developed the KosmoHealth App, which offers vital information for pregnant women and connects them with healthcare services.

Blandine’s mission is rooted in the belief that access to reproductive health information and sustainable hygiene products is a fundamental right for every woman.

Through Kosmotive, she strives to tackle the systemic issues of period poverty, which affects many girls and women across sub-Saharan Africa.

Currently, her initiatives aim to produce reusable sanitary pads that not only reduce environmental waste but also provide substantial cost savings for women.

Blandine’s work has garnered significant recognition both locally and internationally. She was named one of the Top 50 African Business Heroes in 2021 and has been a finalist in various prestigious competitions.

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