• At the 2024 AfricArena Grand Summit in Cape Town, nine African start-ups were recognized for their innovative contributions.
• Each winner is to receive USD 25,000 in AWS Activate credits to further their business development.
• The summit, co-hosted by organizations like TotalEnergies and AWS Startups, also recognized leaders in SaaS, Fintech, and more.

At the 2024 AfricArena Grand Summit in Cape Town, nine innovative African tech start-ups were awarded top honors across various categories, showcasing the continent’s growing entrepreneurial spirit.

The event, which brought together over 100 start-ups from 31 countries, celebrated excellence in fields ranging from AI to climate technology.

Honoring Innovation in Various Tech Sectors

Among the winners was OkHi, a Nigerian start-up that earned the Best AI & Deep Tech Startup Award for its innovative solution addressing address verification challenges in emerging markets. Djoli, an agricultural technology start-up from Ivory Coast, won the Agri-Tech Award for its efforts in improving smallholder farmers’ productivity.

Joro Cash, from Morocco, received the Best Fintech Startup Award for its significant contributions to financial inclusion, while Gjenge Makers from Kenya won the Best Climate Tech Startup Award for creating eco-friendly building materials from recycled plastic waste.

Recognizing Excellence Across Industries

Tunisian company Cynoia earned the Best SaaS Startup Award for its cloud-based solutions that enhance business efficiency.

In addition, Letsoela Agro-Aviation from Lesotho was awarded the Best Seed Startup Award, and Andafrom Angola was recognized as the Best Startupper for its innovative healthcare solutions.

Solimi from Togo was named the Most Promising Entrepreneur, and Knife Capital, a venture capital firm, was honored with the Most Value Add Investor Award for its impactful support to African tech.

Commitment to Africa’s Tech Growth

Each winner is to receive USD 25,000 in AWS Activate credits to further their business development. The summit was co-hosted by TotalEnergies, AWS Startups, and several other organizations, underscoring their commitment to supporting Africa’s tech ecosystem.

Christophe Viarnaud, CEO of AfricArena, emphasized the importance of investing in African tech, even amid economic challenges, noting the continent’s potential to lead in global innovation.