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Bridging The Gap: EdTech Leaders Transforming Literacy in Africa

Bridging The Gap: EdTech Leaders Transforming Literacy in Africa

The state of literacy in Africa is improving, but there is still a long way to go.

According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the adult literacy rate in Africa was 61.6% in 2020. This means that about 38.4% of adults in Africa cannot read or write.

There is a significant gender gap in literacy rates in Africa, with the female literacy rate at 56.3%, while the male literacy rate at 66.7%.

This gap is widest in the Arab States region, where the female literacy rate is 42.6% and the male literacy rate is 77.7%.

Literacy rates also vary widely across countries in Africa. The highest literacy rates are found in Mauritius (92.7%), Seychelles (91.9%), and South Africa (91.4%).

There are a number of factors that contribute to low literacy rates in Africa. These include poverty, lack of access to education, and gender discrimination.

Educational technology (EdTech) companies and initiatives have been actively working to bridge the education gap in Africa and other regions facing similar challenges.

These efforts are aimed at improving access to quality education, addressing issues related to literacy, and enhancing overall educational outcomes.

At Empower Africa, we believe in the incredible, untapped potential that lies within the hearts and minds of people across this beautiful continent.

Last Friday, on World Literacy Day, we were reminded once again of the power of knowledge and the profound impact it can have on individuals and communities.

Today, we are thrilled to shine a spotlight on 30 exceptional individuals who are leading the charge in bridging the literacy gap in Africa.

These remarkable changemakers are at the forefront of the educational technology (edtech) sector, harnessing innovation and passion to empower countless lives through the gift of literacy.

Here’s to our EdTech Heroes, the champions of literacy in Africa!

1. Adewale Yusuf – Co-Founder at AltSchool Africa
2. Uche Onuora – Co-Founder @ HITCH
3. Betelhem Dessie – CEO, iCog Anyone Can Code
4. Claire Mongeau – Founder, M-Shule
5. Tonee Ndungu – Founder and C.E.O of Kytabu Inc.
6. Adrien Bouillot – Founder – Chalkboard Education
7. Sam Gichuru – Founder & CEO
8. Fred Swaniker – Founder of African Leadership Academy
9. Yahya Bouhlel – Founder & CEO – Go My Code
10. Sim Shagaya – Founder of uLesson
11. Eric Pignot – Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Enko Education
12. Hertzy Kabeya – Founder & CEO at The Student Hub
13. Ashley Immanuel – Co-Founder of Semicolon
14. Samy Mwamba – Co-Founder of itot Africa
15. Jennifer Cotter Otieno – Founder & CEO of Education Design Unlimited
16. Muliande Alex – Founder at EduOnline
17. Doris Ratego – Co-Founder at Koding & Kahawa Developers Community
18. Tsepo Ngwenyama – Portfolio Head at Injini
19. Grover Abrahams – EdTech Specialist
20. Maged Harby – GM at EdVentures
21. Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji – Founder at Passnownow
22. David De Villiers – CEO at Uni4 EdTech
23. Hossam Taher – Founder at Orcars
24. Afeez Olalekan – Founder, LACED Africa
25. Muhammad Gawish – Co-Founder, iSchool
26. Salim Addih – Co-Founder, AlgoSchool Morocco
27. Khadija El-Bedweihy – Founder, Praxilabs
28. Felix Malombe – Executive Director @STEAMLabs Africa
29. Dr. Adetola Salau – EdTech Expert
30. Precious Ajoonu – EdTech Thought Leader

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South African Solar Startup Wetility Raises $48 Million For Expansion

New Investments

South African Solar Startup Wetility Raises $48 Million For Expansion

Wetility, a South African startup that offers solar energy solutions for households and businesses, has raised R903 million (~$48 million) in debt and equity.
 
 
 
 

MultiChoice, a leading African media and entertainment company, led the funding round.

Other investors in the round include Sanlam, a financial services group, and “large commercial and development banks”.

The funding will accelerate Wetility’s expansion plans and grow its customer base.

The company plans to use the funds to install solar panels on more homes and businesses and to develop new products and services.

Wetility was founded in 2019 by Vincent Maposa and Johanna Hortz.

The company’s flagship product is a digital solar energy management system that allows users to manage their power usage remotely.

The system includes rooftop solar panels, a hybrid inverter, lithium-ion batteries, and switchgear and consists of a dashboard where users can monitor their energy usage and make payments.

Wetility’s solar energy solutions are designed to help South Africans reduce their reliance on the country’s unreliable power grid.

In recent years, Eskom, the state-owned power utility, has struggled to meet demand for electricity, leading to frequent power outages.

With the new funding, Wetility is poised to become one of the country’s leading solar energy solutions providers.

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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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Rentoza Secures $6M in Funding to Revolutionize African E-commerce

New Investments

Rentoza Secures $6M in Funding to Revolutionize African E-commerce

Rentoza, a South African online subscription platform that allows users to rent electronics, furniture, and other home goods, has secured $6 million in funding.
 
 
 
 

The investment round was led by Alitheia IDF, a women-led and women-focused private equity fund.

Other investors in the round include the Vumela Enterprise Development Fund, which focuses on fostering growth in black-owned SMEs.

The funding will be used to expand Rentoza’s product offering, grow its team, and enter new markets. The company plans to launch in Nigeria and Ghana in the coming months.

Rentoza is a disruptive force in the African e-commerce market. The company’s subscription service makes it easier and more affordable for Africans to access the latest products. This is especially important for women, who are often excluded from traditional lending channels.

“Our growth initiatives and expansion plans will drive transformative change in the South African economy and beyond, creating accessible and flexible shopping experiences for consumers across the continent. Real access is finally coming to the continent,” Aviraag Ramdhani, Co-Founder at Rentoza said.

With this funding, Rentoza is well-positioned to become a major player in the African e-commerce market.

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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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FSD Africa Investments (FSDAi) Announces $19.5 Million Investment in African Climate Projects

New Investments

FSD Africa Investments (FSDAi) Announces $19.5 Million Investment in African Climate Projects

FSD Africa Investments (FSDAi), the investment arm of FSD Africa, has made a significant financial commitment of $19.5 million towards climate adaptation and climate-aligned infrastructure projects across Africa.
 
 
 

This announcement marks a significant stride towards bolstering the continent’s resilience against climate change while supporting innovative financing mechanisms for sustainable development.

Strategic Investments to Foster Sustainability

FSDAi’s investments in Acre Impact Capital’s Export Finance Fund I, Catalyst Fund, and Camco’s Spark Energy Services reflect their strategic approach to collaborate with local asset managers and venture builders.

The primary objective is to inject much-needed funding into climate-smart projects that often struggle to secure financial backing.

Breaking Down the Investment:

$12 Million in Acre Impact Capital’s Export Finance Fund I

This fund addresses the challenge of obtaining commercial debt financing for sustainable infrastructure projects backed by official Export Credit Agencies (ECAs).

FSDAi’s investment is expected to facilitate the flow of ECA finance for social and green infrastructure, ultimately unlocking $67 million in funding.

This initiative is projected to improve access to essential services for over 500,000 people and create more than 2,000 jobs.

$4.5 Million in Catalyst Fund

The Catalyst Fund is a pre-seed venture capital fund and accelerator focused on tech start-ups dedicated to enhancing climate resilience in Africa.

The investment aims to demonstrate the viability of venture building as a model to accelerate the growth of climate-smart businesses in Africa, with a target of creating or advancing 40 such businesses and assisting 5 million individuals and households in adapting to climate change.

$3 Million in Spark Energy Services (Spark)

Managed by climate and impact fund manager Camco, Spark Energy Services seeks to provide financing to captive solar and energy efficiency developers in Sub-Saharan Africa.

This platform aims to address the financing challenges faced by smaller-scale projects by aggregating them to reduce transaction costs and diversify risk.

FSDAi’s investment in Spark is set to support a just transition, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 0.61 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e), creating 1,400 jobs, and providing affordable, reliable, and clean power to commercial and industrial SMEs.

FSDAi’s Unique Approach

FSDAi specializes in investments that support innovative financial instruments, facilities, and intermediaries, accelerating finance’s role in Africa’s green economic growth.

It is funded through UK International Development from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

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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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Egyptian Health Insurance Startup Sehatech Raises $850k to Digitize Healthcare

New Investments

Egyptian Health Insurance Startup Sehatech Raises $850k to Digitize Healthcare

Sehatech, an Egyptian health insurance startup that uses technology to automate medical approvals, claims processing, and billing, has raised $850k in funding.
 
 
 

The round was led by A15 and Beltone Venture Capital, a subsidiary of Beltone Holding Company.

Sehatech was founded in 2022.

The startup’s platform aims to improve the efficiency and transparency of the healthcare insurance industry by digitizing the entire claims process.

This can save insurers time and money, and it can also help to prevent fraudulent claims.

The startup’s latest round of funding will be used to grow Sehatech’s team and expand its product offerings.

The startup plans to launch new features that will allow insurers to better manage their relationships with healthcare providers. Sehatech also plans to expand into new markets in the Middle East and Africa.

The investment in Sehatech is a sign of the growing interest in health-tech startups in Africa.

The continent’s healthcare system is facing a number of challenges, including a lack of access to quality care, high costs, and fraud.

Healthtech startups are using technology to address these challenges, and they are attracting increasing investment from both local and international investors.

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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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Olatomiwa Williams

Olatomiwa Williams

Olatomiwa Williams is a trailblazing leader in the IT industry

She is the Country Manager for Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana and has over 20 years of experience in the field.

She is an expert in cloud computing and digital transformation and is passionate about using technology to solve real-world problems and empower people and businesses.

Olatomiwa is also a strong advocate for women in technology and a mentor to many young women.

Her contribution to Africa’s technology landscape has earned her several accolades, including the Microsoft Gold Star Award for Excellence and the Techpoint Africa Top 50 Women in Tech Award.

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Flavien Kouatcha Simo

Flavien is a Cameroonian agricultural engineer and entrepreneur passionate about agriculture and committed to the development of Africa.

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Francis Nderitu

Francis Nderitu is a Kenyan tech entrepreneur redefining the cold chain industry and transforming how perishable goods are distributed across Kenya.

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Okra Secures $12 Million Series A to Power Mesh-Grid Electrification in Africa

New Investments

Okra Secures $12 Million Series A to Power Mesh-Grid Electrification in Africa

Okra, a solar technology company bringing solar power to grids in developing areas, has raised $12 million in Series A funding.
 
 
 

The round was led by One Ventures, with participation from FMO, Susquehanna Private Equity Investments LLP, Autodesk Foundation and King Philanthropies.

Okra’s technology uses a mesh-based solar solution that re-apports excess energy based on proximity.

This means that rather than redirecting energy flow to a centralized area, it prioritizes neighboring homes. This helps increase efficiency while decreasing costs, which are especially important in developing markets.

The company plans to use the funding to expand its operations in India and Africa. It also plans to develop new products and services that will help to make solar power more affordable and accessible to people in developing areas.

Okra’s technology has the potential to make a significant impact on the global energy landscape.

The funding from One Ventures and other investors will help Okra to scale its operations and reach more people with solar power.

With this new funding, Okra is well-positioned to make a significant impact on the global energy landscape.

The company is poised to bring solar power to millions of people who currently lack access to electricity, and it is helping to make the future of energy clean and decentralized.

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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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Catalyst Fund Closes $40 Million Fund to Back Next Generation of African Climate-Tech Startups

New Investments

Catalyst Fund Closes $40 Million Fund to Back Next Generation of African Climate-Tech Startups

The Catalyst Fund, a pre-seed venture capital fund and accelerator focused on driving climate resilience innovation in Africa, today announced the successful first closing of its $40 million fund.
 
 

The first close was oversubscribed, with commitments from FSD Africa Investments (FSDAi), Cisco Foundation, USAID Prosper Africa, and Andrew Bredenkamp.

With the backing of JPMorgan Chase & Co and the Global Environmental Facility, Catalyst Fund also strives to deliver dedicated support for measuring and researching the impact on climate innovators.

Additionally, it aims to disseminate valuable insights and knowledge while facilitating partnerships through its Ecosystem Hub.

Focusing strategically on solutions within agri-tech, fishery management, food systems, insurtech, climate fintech, cold chain, waste management, and water management, Catalyst Fund is expediting sustainable green growth.

The primary emphasis is on solutions that empower communities to enhance their preparedness and management of shocks, adapt their livelihoods to climate impacts, and foster long-term resilience.

The $40m fund is set to back 40 pre-seed startups, with a particular focus on supporting mission-driven local and women founders.

It will provide crucial early-stage capital while offering tailored venture-building support to accelerate the growth of these startups.

Importantly, Catalyst Fund’s commitment extends beyond the initial stage, as it pledges to offer follow-on capital during the seed and Series A rounds.

By bridging this critical funding gap, Catalyst Fund addresses a significant hurdle for climate-focused ventures in Africa, positioning them for further funding at the growth stage, specifically Series B.

The Catalyst Fund is expected to have a major impact on the development of climate tech in Africa.

The fund will help to accelerate the growth of the climate tech ecosystem in Africa and create new opportunities for job creation and economic growth.

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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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Nigerian Embedded Finance Platform Anchor Raises $2.4 Million in Seed Funding for Expansion

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Nigerian Embedded Finance Platform Anchor Raises $2.4 Million in Seed Funding for Expansion

Nigerian fintech startup Anchor has successfully secured $2.4 million in seed funding to further its mission of transforming the financial landscape in Nigeria.
 
 

The investment round was led by prominent venture capital firms, including Goat Capital.

Founded in 2022, Anchor has quickly emerged as a prominent player in Nigeria’s burgeoning fintech sector.

The company specializes in providing embedded finance solutions to businesses, enabling them to integrate financial services into their platforms seamlessly.

These services include payment processing, lending, savings, and insurance, all aimed at empowering businesses to enhance their customer offerings.

“We are thrilled to have gathered such strong support from investors who share our vision of expanding access to financial choices through BaaS and embedded finance. This has been a significant journey for the Anchor team after our pre-seed raise last year. We have grown tremendously and increased our impact across various clients and customer segments in Africa,” said Segun Adeyemi, CEO and co-founder of Anchor after the raise.

The Nigerian fintech ecosystem has been rapidly evolving, driven by increasing smartphone penetration, a young and tech-savvy population, and a growing demand for digital financial services.

Anchor is well-positioned to tap into this demand by providing businesses with the tools they need to offer sophisticated financial solutions to their customers.

As part of its expansion plan, Anchor aims to launch new products, invest in its licensing and compliance infrastructure, and evaluate expansion markets.

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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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