JSE-listed technology investment management companies Naspers and its Europe-listed subsidiary Prosus will provide equity-free grant funding totalling $100 000 to the five winning female founders of technology businesses that took part in the Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge.

In addition to the funding, each of the founders will receive mentorship from experienced investors and entrepreneurs within the Naspers and Prosus ecosystem, connections to institutional investors that can accelerate their growth and support navigating business development across African markets.

The ten finalists represented the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. They operate across the agritech, healthtech, climate tech, fintech, AI and sustainable manufacturing sectors.

The challenge garnered 1 163 applications during the one-month applications were open from technology founders across the continent, which signals the significant technology talent that exists in Africa, the companies say.

“The winners represent the next generation of technology leaders building viable businesses that solve real problems across Africa,” says Naspers and Prosus South Africa CEO and executive director Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa.

Africa’s digital economy is projected to reach $180-billion by this year and women entrepreneurs remain central to unlocking that growth. However, only a small share of venture funding flows to female-led startups, highlighting why targeted initiatives like the Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge matter, she says.

“The 1 163 applications from across Africa revealed the depth of talent present. These founders are building businesses with proven models that address significant market opportunities,” says Prosus and Naspers chief sustainability officer and VP Prajna Khanna.

“The Tech FoundHER Challenge builds on the successful India cohort in May and we’re committed to expanding this platform to support more exceptional founders across emerging markets,” she adds.

Further, the Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge addresses a capital access challenge that many entrepreneurs face.

Female entrepreneurs in Africa face a $42-billion funding gap, which represents an economic constraint and an opportunity for GDP growth and job creation across the continent.

Naspers and Prosus developed the Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge in partnership with Lionesses of Africa, which is a network of 1.8-million women entrepreneurs across Africa.

The partnership enabled this challenge to reach founders across diverse African markets and sectors.

Following an evaluation process and live pitch, five winners were selected across two categories.

The first place winner was Kenya-based Farmer Lifeline Technologies founder Esther Kimani, whose company builds solar-powered, AI-enabled devices and services that detect crop pests and diseases early, thereby helping smallholder farmers reduce yield- and post-harvest losses.

“Early detection is crucial for smallholder farmers, and recognition accelerates our ability to reach more farmers before pest damage destroys their harvests,” she says.

The second place winner was Nigeria-based Tix Africa founder Folayemi Agusto, whose company provides a self-service event ticketing and event-tech platform that helps organisers manage listings, ticket sales and payments for live and virtual events across the country.

“Nigeria's events industry needs reliable technology infrastructure. We are building that foundation for organisers across the country,” she notes.

Meanwhile, the joint third place winners were Kenya-based Pollen Patrollers founder Margaret Wanjiku and DRC-based Neotex founder Jenny Ambukiyenyi Onya.

Pollen Patrollers develops Internet of Things-enabled smart hive solutions and data services to monitor hive health, support beekeepers and improve pollination outcomes for farms.

“Technology can help us understand and protect pollinator health at scale, which directly impacts food security across Africa,” Wanjiku says.

Further, Neotex builds AI tools for agriculture and livestock, including the Halisi Livestock product that helps smallholder livestock-keepers digitise their herds, access services and improve productivity.

“Livestock keepers in the DRC lack access to basic digital tools. AI technology can transform productivity when adapted to local contexts,” says Onya.

Additionally, in the AI for Good category, South Africa-based Gender Rights in Tech (GRIT) founder Leonora Tim was named as the winner.

GRIT builds technology solutions, survivor-support systems and data-informed tools to help survivors of gender-based violence access support, reporting and justice pathways.

“Technology can create safer pathways for survivors to access help and justice. This recognition helps us expand these critical tools to reach more women, as being part of this ecosystem means exceptional support,” Tim says.