30 tech start-ups to pitch at DEMO Africa

DEMO Africa has announced a list of the thirty technology start-ups from across Africa that will pitch at the 2015 edition of the DEMO Africa event.

Last year’s giant, Nigeria, topped the list again with eight representatives followed by Kenya with six.

South Africa is third with three representatives while Ghana, Egypt, Cameroon and Zimbabwe each have two. Uganda, Tanzania and new comer, Ivory Coast, will each be represented by 1 start-up.

The presence of Ivory Coast on the list of giants is a strong signal that more African nations are warming up to the ability of the continent to craft her own solutions to various needs.

The highest represented category on the 2015 list is finance and banking with eight products. Other categories are education, transport and logistics, retail, communication and media and entertainment.

The Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Peter Jack, has congratulated the start-ups and welcomed them to Nigeria for the epic Pan African technology event.

“We are excited at the opportunities that technology has presented to our African youths in creating jobs and wealth. This is a great moment in the history of Africa, steadily rising to establish its digital footprint in the world. Congratulations to the finalists,” he emphasized.

The Ex producer of DEMO Africa, congratulated all the participating entrepreneurs noting the increase in the number of products from the applications received this year.

“I would like to congratulate every entrepreneur that took part in the DEMO Africa challenge, though the stage can only accommodate thirty entrepreneurs this year, our pride is particularly in the large numbers of entrepreneurs that continue to support the cause to have Africa generated solutions,” he commented.

The 30 start-ups have been selected from a list of over 600 applicants with four earning direct nominations during the DEMO Africa pre-pitch events.

The selected start-ups will now be placed under a mentorship programme which will run till September 22, 2015.