Qualcomm has announced the ten startups selected for the third edition of its Make in Africa startup incubation program. These are early-stage ventures, selected from over 435 applications spanning 19 countries.
At the heart of the program is a simple, powerful idea to unlock African innovation by combining advanced technology such as 5G, AI, IoT, edge computing, with local ingenuity. The selected startups will receive equity-free mentorship, free access to Qualcomm’s hardware platforms, engineering consultations, and support in product development, business strategy, and intellectual property protection.
“This year’s cohort is a testament to how African innovators are rethinking big challenges from climate change to healthcare with cutting-edge tech,” said Wassim Chourbaji, SVP and President of Qualcomm MEA. “Our goal is to support these bold thinkers and help scale their solutions to make a lasting impact.”
These are the 10 Startups:
- Aframend (Nigeria) – Pioneering AI-driven drug discovery using Africa’s native phytochemicals to identify new, accessible treatments.
- AmalXR (Tunisia) – Combines AI and virtual reality to create immersive rehab therapies that track clinical progress and patient recovery.
- Archeos (Benin) – Uses solar energy and IoT to automate fish farming and optimize water quality and feeding in real time.
- ClimatrixAI (Nigeria) – Delivers hyperlocal flood risk predictions with AI to help communities prepare for and respond to climate disasters.
- Ecobees (Tunisia) – Monitors hive health and climate conditions to protect pollinators.
- Edulytics (Senegal) – Offers mobile, AI-powered liver fibrosis detection using ultrasound images, bringing diagnostics to remote regions.
- Farmer Lifeline (Kenya) – Solar-powered AI robots to detect crop pests and diseases early, helping farmers protect yields.
- Pixii Motors (Tunisia) – Produces electric scooters with IoT-enabled battery optimization and an expanding swap-station network.
- Pollen Patrollers (Kenya) – Fighting hive collapse with AI and IoT technology that supports precision pollination and ecosystem health.
- Solar Freeze (Kenya) – Solar-powered cold storage units designed for off-grid, rural communities to reduce food loss.
The program’s impact is amplified by collaboration with the African Telecommunications Union (ATU). ATU Secretary General John Omo called on stakeholders across the continent to support the next generation of African tech. “Innovation is the engine of Africa’s future,” he said. “These startups show what’s possible when we back African talent and ensure the right ecosystem is in place to help them thrive.”
All the listed startups are eligible for stipends and the 2025 Wireless Reach Social Impact Fund. One of the standout ventures is set to receive a dedicated award for using wireless technology to drive community transformation.
