Category: African Changemakers

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Uka Eje

African Changemaker

Uka Eje

Uka Eje is a Nigerian entrepreneur and social impact leader using technology to solve Africa’s agriculture challenges.

He is the co-founder and CEO of Thrive Agric, an agritech company that provides smallholder farmers access to input finance, data-driven extension services, and premium markets. Before founding Thrive Agric, Eje worked as a Team Lead at Royal Impact Corp, a social enterprise that builds systems around the food, agricultural and technological sectors aimed at solving the daily challenges of a targeted society.

Under Eje’s leadership, Thrive Agric has raised over $10 million in funding from investors such as Y Combinator, partnered with over 100,000 farmers across Nigeria and Ghana, and has disbursed over $50 million in loans to farmers.

In addition to his work at Thrive Agric, Eje is also a member of the Young Entrepreneurs of Nigeria (YEN), where he serves as the head of the Agro cluster. He also mentors several startups in the agriculture and technology sectors. Eje is a recipient of the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Award and the Seedstars World Global Finalist Award.

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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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The Commercial Potential of Africa’s Digital Revolution

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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.
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Zanele Abraham Matome: Transforming African Healthcare Through Innovation and Compassion

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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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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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Egyptian Startup Nowlun Secures $1.7 Million in Seed Funding to Transform Logistics Industry

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Zanele Abraham Matome: Transforming African Healthcare Through Innovation and Compassion

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President Biden Announces Over $1 Billion in Support to Tackle Food Insecurity in Africa

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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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The Commercial Potential of Africa’s Digital Revolution

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Zanele Abraham Matome: Transforming African Healthcare Through Innovation and Compassion

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President Biden Announces Over $1 Billion in Support to Tackle Food Insecurity in Africa

President Joseph R. Biden has announced more than $1 billion in additional humanitarian assistance to address urgent needs arising from food insecurity and crises affecting refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and vulnerable communities in 31 African countries.
READ MORE
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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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The Commercial Potential of Africa’s Digital Revolution

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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.
READ MORE

Egyptian Startup Nowlun Secures $1.7 Million in Seed Funding to Transform Logistics Industry

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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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The Commercial Potential of Africa’s Digital Revolution

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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.
READ MORE

Egyptian Startup Nowlun Secures $1.7 Million in Seed Funding to Transform Logistics Industry

Egypt-based logistics platform Nowlun has raised $1.7 million in a seed funding round led by Nama Ventures and A15, with additional contributions from Sanabil 500 Global and prominent angel investors.
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Zanele Abraham Matome: Transforming African Healthcare Through Innovation and Compassion

Zanele Abraham Matome is a South African entrepreneur and the founder of Welo Health, a healthtech startup launched in 2020.
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President Biden Announces Over $1 Billion in Support to Tackle Food Insecurity in Africa

President Joseph R. Biden has announced more than $1 billion in additional humanitarian assistance to address urgent needs arising from food insecurity and crises affecting refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and vulnerable communities in 31 African countries.
READ MORE
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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.

You may also like...

The Commercial Potential of Africa’s Digital Revolution

  • EmpowerAfrica
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.
READ MORE

Egyptian Startup Nowlun Secures $1.7 Million in Seed Funding to Transform Logistics Industry

Egypt-based logistics platform Nowlun has raised $1.7 million in a seed funding round led by Nama Ventures and A15, with additional contributions from Sanabil 500 Global and prominent angel investors.
READ MORE

Zanele Abraham Matome: Transforming African Healthcare Through Innovation and Compassion

Zanele Abraham Matome is a South African entrepreneur and the founder of Welo Health, a healthtech startup launched in 2020.
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President Biden Announces Over $1 Billion in Support to Tackle Food Insecurity in Africa

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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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The Commercial Potential of Africa’s Digital Revolution

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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.
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Egyptian Startup Nowlun Secures $1.7 Million in Seed Funding to Transform Logistics Industry

Egypt-based logistics platform Nowlun has raised $1.7 million in a seed funding round led by Nama Ventures and A15, with additional contributions from Sanabil 500 Global and prominent angel investors.
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Zanele Abraham Matome: Transforming African Healthcare Through Innovation and Compassion

Zanele Abraham Matome is a South African entrepreneur and the founder of Welo Health, a healthtech startup launched in 2020.
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President Biden Announces Over $1 Billion in Support to Tackle Food Insecurity in Africa

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READ MORE