In a landmark moment for Africa’s technology landscape, global chipmaker Qualcomm has successfully concluded the third edition of its Qualcomm Make in Africa Startup Mentorship Program. This year’s programme finale 2025 showcased outstanding innovation from emerging African tech startups and highlighted Qualcomm’s deepening commitment to building a thriving ecosystem for tech entrepreneurs across the continent.
As the virtual curtains fell on the 2025 edition, leaders, founders, investors and ecosystem supporters came together to celebrate a new generation of innovators who are developing solutions tailored to local challenges while meeting global standards of excellence. The initiative is part of Qualcomm’s broader strategy to support deep tech growth in Africa and help enable homegrown solutions in areas such as artificial intelligence, advanced connectivity, climate resilience and digital health.
Table of Contents
A Diverse and Competitive Field of Visionaries
The 2025 cohort stood out not just for its technical ingenuity but also for its diverse geographic and thematic spread. From more than 400 applications submitted across 19 African countries, just ten standout startups were selected to participate in the final stage of the programme. These innovators represented a mix of skill sets and ambitions, all united by a drive to solve hard problems with scalable technology solutions.
Among the trailblazers were Nigerian teams such as Aframend, which uses artificial intelligence to uncover medicinal properties in African flora and accelerate the creation of affordable treatments, and ClimatrixAI, which deploys connected weather and flood monitoring systems designed to give communities reliable early warnings. Other impactful ventures included Archeos from Benin, automating fish farming with solar-powered sensors, and Edulytics from Senegal, applying AI to handheld ultrasound devices for early liver disease detection.
Pioneering initiatives from Kenya and Tunisia also featured strongly. Kenyan agritech innovators like Farmer Lifeline introduced solar-powered pest and disease detection tools for smallholder farms, while Tunisian startups such as Pixii Motors are reimagining urban mobility with smart battery electric scooters. Across these teams, technology was not an end in itself but a practical tool designed to create jobs, improve lives and build resilient communities.
Championing Impact with the Wireless Reach Social Impact Fund
At the heart of the programme’s success was a renewed focus on meaningful social impact. This year, the Wireless Reach Social Impact Fund, an initiative backed by Qualcomm’s Wireless Reach programme, recognised Farmer Lifeline as the fund’s winner. Their solution earned this prestigious award for its potential to revolutionise agricultural productivity and food security among smallholder farmers.
“We were particularly impressed by Farmer Lifeline’s approach,” said Erica Ciaraldi, Vice President of Wireless Reach at Qualcomm. The solution stands out for empowering farmers with tools to boost yields and manage crop health more effectively, translating connected technology into real-world benefits for rural communities. The win brings with it dedicated funding and technical support to help scale the solution further across Africa and beyond.
Beyond the winner, all ten startups from the 2025 cohort received stipends and sustained development support designed to help them enhance operational capacity, protect intellectual property and build solid strategies for growth beyond the mentorship programme. This level of comprehensive backing underlines Qualcomm’s mission to cultivate resilient, globally competitive African tech ventures.
Voices from the Ecosystem
Industry champions and partners also underscored the importance of collaborative investment in Africa’s innovation future. Elizabeth Migwalla, Vice President for International Government Affairs at Qualcomm, praised the cohort’s ingenuity and tenacity, remarking that their achievements foreshadow a future where Africa is a major hub of technological innovation.
Partnership with key institutions like the African Telecommunications Union further amplifies this shared mission. John Omo, Secretary General of the union, emphasised the need for collective action from governments, universities and investors to build on the momentum created by initiatives like the Qualcomm programme, arguing that broad-based support will be vital in scaling impact continent-wide.
Building a Legacy and Looking Ahead
Since its inception, the Make in Africa Startup Mentorship Programme has steadily grown into one of the continent’s most respected platforms for early-stage tech founders. It offers tailored mentorship, targeted business coaching, engineering consultancy, intellectual property guidance and structured learning opportunities that help participants refine their product offerings and scale effectively.
This year’s successful finale underscores that Africa’s start-up ecosystem is maturing rapidly and becoming more competitive on the world stage. Moreover, it signals that programmes designed with equity and sustainability at their core can unlock exceptional value for local innovators.
Looking ahead, Qualcomm has already opened applications for the 2026 edition of the programme, inviting the next wave of entrepreneurs to step forward and contribute to Africa’s digital and technological transformation. Aspiring founders are encouraged to apply through the official Qualcomm channels and take part in shaping a future where African-made technology defines global innovation.
For many observers and ecosystem stakeholders, the story of the Make in Africa Startup Mentorship Programme is more than a series of annual events. It represents a long-term investment in talent, resilience and technological sovereignty for Africa. It shows what is possible when global vision meets local creativity and when technology is harnessed for inclusive growth and community empowerment.
If you would like to explore opportunities to join or support this programme, visit the Qualcomm official website for details on application timelines and mentorship resources.
Join Our Social Media Channels:
WhatsApp: NaijaEyes
Facebook: NaijaEyes
Twitter: NaijaEyes
Instagram: NaijaEyes
TikTok: NaijaEyes
