Qualcomm has unveiled 10 innovative startups selected for the 2026 edition of its flagship Make in Africa Mentorship Programme, reinforcing its commitment to advancing Africa’s deep-technology ecosystem.
Now in its fourth year, the initiative—part of the Qualcomm Africa Innovation Platform—focuses on nurturing early-stage startups working on cutting-edge technologies such as Edge AI, machine learning, IoT, and advanced connectivity systems.
Strong Competition, Diverse Innovation
This year’s cohort was chosen from over 1,200 applications across 45+ African countries, highlighting the rapid growth and competitiveness of Africa’s tech ecosystem. The selected startups span sectors including agriculture, smart infrastructure, electric mobility, education, and assistive technology.
Notably, Nigeria secured strong representation with startups like:
Anatsor Ltd – offering a digital poultry management system to boost farm productivity
D-Olivette Labs – providing bio-intelligence solutions for sustainable agriculture
Other selected startups across the continent are tackling real-world challenges—from solar-powered cold storage systems and AI-driven livestock monitoring to assistive robotics for people with disabilities.
Funding, Mentorship, and Technical Support
Participants in the programme will receive:
A $5,000 stipend upon successful completion
Access to Qualcomm’s Social Impact Fund grant at the finale
Technical mentorship and engineering consultation
Business coaching and product development guidance
Startups will also work with hardware tools from Arduino, enabling them to rapidly prototype and deploy intelligent solutions using edge-AI technology.
Focus on Intellectual Property and Growth
Beyond product development, the programme emphasizes intellectual property (IP) protection. Startups will receive:
Patent filing guidance
Free IP training via L2Pro Africa
Up to $5,000 reimbursement for patent filing costs
Driving Africa’s Tech Future
According to senior Qualcomm executive Wassim Chourbaji, the growing sophistication of applicants reflects Africa’s expanding innovation capacity. He noted that startups are increasingly leveraging technologies like 5G and AI to create scalable, real-world solutions.
The programme continues to partner with the African Telecommunications Union, ensuring alignment with the continent’s digital development goals.
A Platform for Impact
With access to mentorship, funding, and global expertise, Qualcomm’s Make in Africa programme is positioning startups to move from idea to commercialization, while addressing critical challenges across African communities.
As Africa’s digital economy accelerates, initiatives like this are playing a key role in empowering entrepreneurs to build locally relevant, globally competitive technologies.
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