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African News Highlight: 50 Perspectives from UrbanGeekz

Technology Tycoon Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Nigerian Origin, Boasts of Co-Founding Two African Tech Billion-Dollar Firms: Andela

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Tech pioneer and financier based in Africa, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, proudly stands as the founder of two...
Tech pioneer and financier based in Africa, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, proudly stands as the founder of two African tech companies valued at over $1 billion each: Andela.

African News Highlight: 50 Perspectives from UrbanGeekz

Nigerian Tech Titans: A Spotlight on Africa's Innovative Trailblazers

Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, a renowned tech entrepreneur and investor, and co-founder of two African tech unicorns, Andela and Flutterwave, is currently the CEO and Founding Partner of Future Africa. With investments worth over $6 billion in various continents, the venture capital firm has supported over 100 companies in sectors such as FinTech, EdTech, HealthTech, and AgriTech. Aboyeji has also made significant strides in car ownership through his founding investment in Moove, a platform that empowers Uber drivers in Nigeria, and Itana, a network of charter cities for African technology talent.

Maya Horgan Famodu, a venture capital investor and entrepreneur, made history as the first solo woman to raise a tech fund in Nigeria. Before founding Ingressive Capital in her twenties, Famodu conducted economic research in Southern Africa and Latin America. Ingressive Capital, an early-stage VC focused on tech-enabled businesses across sub-Saharan Africa, has collaborated with industry giants like Y Combinator, 500 Startups, and USAID. Some of Ingressive Capital's portfolio companies include Paystack, Bamboo, Carry1st, Mono, Tizeti, Lenco, Jetstream, 54Gene, and OZÉ. Famodu is also the co-founder of Ingressive for Good, a nonprofit offering micro-scholarships, technical skills training, and talent placement, and Ingressive Advisory, an advisory firm providing market entry/market ops services and tech research for corporates and investors.

Gregory Rockson, another tech entrepreneur, stands at the forefront of potential health sector revolutions in West Africa. In 2014, he launched mPharma, a patient-centered technology-driven healthcare company focused on addressing high drug prices and access issues. Through its wholesale, retail, and diagnostics business units, mPharma offers various solutions, including vendor-managed inventory services, primary care solutions for community pharmacies, and data analytics. Since its launch in Ghana, mPharma has expanded to 10 African countries and serves over 200,000 patients monthly. Rockson is an alumnus of the World Economic Forum Global Shapers Community, and he has also founded initiatives such as the Big Brother Big Sister program in Denmark and the Six Days of Peace Project in the Middle East.

For a comprehensive list of Africa's influential tech entrepreneurs and investors, additional research would be necessary to encompass the diverse sectors and regions across the continent.

Influential Tech Entrepreneurs:

  • Roger Nengwe Ntafam, Founder & CEO of PaySika, has made waves in the fintech sector by making payments more accessible across West Africa. PaySika was recognized as a top fintech startup, winning the Best Fintech Startup Award at the AfricArena Lagos Summit.
  • Emeka Ehinze, Founder & CEO of Retail Loop, was awarded the Best Logistics Startup at the AfricArena Lagos Summit for his platform that has made e-commerce more inclusive for entrepreneurs across Nigeria and beyond, enhancing logistics infrastructure.
  • Lolade Alonge, Business Communications Project Manager at Koolboks, focuses on innovative energy solutions, particularly in off-grid refrigeration. Koolboks won the Best Energy Startup Award at the AfricArena Lagos Summit.

Influential Investors:

Organizations like AfricArena, GIZ, and various venture capital firms play a crucial role in supporting African startups by providing funding and platforms for growth. AfricArena is renowned for hosting summits that recognize and support top African tech startups, enabling them to connect with global investors and capital markets. Africa Tech Summit London connects African startups with global VCs, private equity firms, and angel investors, bridging African innovation with global capital markets. These platforms help African ventures secure funding and expand their reach.

  1. Iyinoluwa Aboyeji's venture capital firm, Future Africa, has invested over $6 billion in various continents, supporting over 100 companies in sectors like FinTech, EdTech, HealthTech, and AgriTech.
  2. Maya Horgan Famodu made history as the first solo woman to raise a tech fund in Nigeria and her firm, Ingressive Capital, has collaborated with industry giants on tech-enabled businesses across sub-Saharan Africa.
  3. Gregory Rockson launched mPharma, a patient-centered technology-driven healthcare company in West Africa, addressing high drug prices and access issues, and has expanded to 10 African countries.
  4. The diverse sectors and regions across the African tech landscape require additional research to fully acknowledge the continent's influential tech entrepreneurs and investors.
  5. AfricArena, GIZ, and various venture capital firms play a vital role in backing African startups, offering funding and opportunities for growth, as seen through their hosting of summits and bridging African innovation with global capital markets.

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