Africa Celebrates Innovation: 15 Winners Shine at Global Startup Awards Africa

The African leg of the Global Startup Awards (GSA) recently concluded in Cape Town, South Africa, recognising 15 standout startups, organisations, and individuals. These winners, representing eight countries and diverse industries, will now proceed to the global finals to showcase Africa’s vibrant entrepreneurial spirit on the world stage.

A Celebration of Excellence Across the Continent

The GSA Africa Finale, organised in partnership with the Global Innovation Initiative Group (GIIG), spotlighted innovative solutions across industries such as health tech, green tech, and fintech. Winners hailed from nations including South Africa, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, and Morocco, underscoring the continent’s growing reputation as a hub for transformative ideas.

Among the notable winners was Anna Ekeledo of Nigeria, the executive director of AfriLabs, who received the Women in Tech award for her work in supporting over 450 tech hubs across 53 countries. In Kenya, Octavia Carbon clinched the Best Green Tech award for pioneering geothermal-integrated direct air capture technology to address climate change.

Egypt made a strong impression with multiple wins. Ultrateb secured the Youth Startup of the Year award for revolutionising healthcare e-commerce, while Dr. Eng. Nabil Shalaby was named Ecosystem Hero of the Year for his dedication to fostering entrepreneurship.

Driving Innovation Across Key Sectors

South Africa’s SeaH4 PTY Ltd earned the prestigious Startup of the Year award for its work in producing biofuels and e-fuels from seaweed and green hydrogen. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Pharmarun, which connects patients to medications through an on-demand platform, won Best Health Tech.

Other standout winners included Morocco’s Chari, recognised as the Best FinTech for its embedded e-commerce and financial services tailored to small retailers, and Zambia’s Mytochondria Group, which won Best Newcomer for its smart soil sensors transforming agriculture.

A Launchpad to Global Recognition

These 15 winners will represent Africa at the Global Startup Awards Grand Finale, gaining exposure to international investors and industry leaders. This opportunity not only amplifies their visibility but also underscores Africa’s growing role in global innovation.

According to GIIG, this year’s awards highlight the immense potential of Africa’s startup ecosystem. By connecting with the extended GSA network, these winners are poised to attract further investments and partnerships, reinforcing the continent’s place on the innovation map.

As the winners prepare for the next stage, their stories serve as a testament to the power of resilience, creativity, and a vision for a brighter future in Africa. Whether through sustainable energy solutions, groundbreaking healthcare platforms, or educational innovation, these trailblazers are redefining what is possible for Africa and the world.

Here’s the full list of winners at the event:

Here’s a complete rundown of the winners from the African leg of the Global Startup Awards, showcasing the continent’s talent and innovation:

Women in Tech: Nigeria’s Anna Ekeledo, the executive director of AfriLabs, was honoured for her work supporting over 450 tech hubs across 53 countries.

Accelerator/Incubator Programme: OceanHub Africa, based in South Africa, was recognised for advancing sustainable ocean-impact solutions.

Best Green Tech: Kenya’s Octavia Carbon stood out for its innovative use of geothermal-integrated direct air capture (DAC) technology to combat climate change.

Youth Startup of the Year: Ultrateb from Egypt received this award for revolutionising healthcare e-commerce, making services more efficient and accessible.Founder of the Year: Bethelhem Dejene of Ethiopia was celebrated for championing environmental sustainability through Zafree Papers.

Best AgriTech: Nigeria’s Winich Farms was awarded for empowering rural smallholder farmers with essential commerce infrastructure and embedded financial tools.

Startup of the Year: SeaH4 PTY Ltd, based in South Africa, was recognised for developing biofuels and e-fuels derived from seaweed and green hydrogen.

Best Coworking Space: Silikin Village in the Democratic Republic of Congo earned this accolade for supporting startups with talent development and fostering innovation.

Best Health Tech: Nigeria’s Pharmarun won for its on-demand platform that connects patients with the medications they need.

Best FinTech: Chari, from Morocco, was acknowledged for providing embedded e-commerce and financial services to small retailers.

Best Newcomer: Zambia’s Mytochondria Group impressed with its smart soil sensors that are revolutionising agriculture.

Best Mobility & Logistics: Loop, a South African company, was honoured for its innovative approach to bridging formal and informal markets in transportation.

Ecosystem Hero of the Year: Egypt’s Dr. Eng. Nabil Shalaby was celebrated as a prolific author and advocate for entrepreneurship across the continent.

Investor of the Year: EdVentures, also from Egypt, earned recognition for driving forward innovation in education and learning solutions.

GIIG Future Shaper: Uganda’s Medref Healthbridge Solutions was highlighted for ensuring accessible healthcare and striving to give every child a chance to thrive.