Future Africa

Itana is Nigeria's first Digital Free Zone, designed to facilitate the operation of global technology-driven companies, including startups, e-commerce firms, and service providers, without the necessity of physical presence in the country. This innovative platform offers an optimal online jurisdiction for businesses seeking to expand across Africa. Itana is committed to supporting companies through various operational services, including business incorporation, banking, licensing, and immigration. Additionally, Itana aims to create a favorable environment for African technology talent by providing essential infrastructure and amenities, such as coworking spaces and outdoor facilities, to foster innovation and enhance the digital economy.

At Smile ID they believe anyone should be able to prove their identity easily, anywhere in the world. Their team is made up of American and African engineers and financial services professionals with experience across global markets in highly regulated environments. They have built encryption, authentication and security solutions. They have developed image processing technology from the chip level up. They have been part of security investigations and have pursued fraudsters. Having worked with, or for, telecoms, lenders, banks and startups, they know the challenges of building world class technology and they understand the needs of the African consumer and enterprise customer. They are backed by leading Silicon Valley & African investors and they have pan-African reach, with representation in the United States, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and Rwanda.

Nexford University is an online higher education institution founded in 2017 and based in Washington, D.C. It offers degree programs and courses designed to meet the demands of various industries, including technology, business, and healthcare. The university focuses on providing quality, affordable education that aligns with the needs of global employers, utilizing a curriculum informed by the skills most sought after in the job market. Nexford caters to students in multiple countries, such as the United States, the Philippines, Nigeria, and Egypt, and emphasizes flexible learning options to accommodate diverse learners. By leveraging artificial intelligence, the institution enhances its educational offerings to prepare students for success in a global workplace.

Big Cabal Media (BCM) is a digital media company focused on serving African audiences through high-quality media brands and original content with both local and global relevance. It operates two prominent publications: TechCabal, which provides in-depth coverage of the technology sector's impact on Africa, and Zikoko, which captures and amplifies the narratives of Nigeria's youth culture. TechCabal offers valuable insights into startups, innovation, and technology, catering to entrepreneurs, investors, and decision-makers. Its data and intelligence unit, TechCabal Insights, assists development finance institutions, NGOs, and startups in navigating challenges within the digital economy. Meanwhile, Zikoko engages younger audiences through diverse content formats, including written articles, videos, and memes, reflecting the vibrant elements of youth culture. BCM aims to leverage Africa's digital economy as a path to prosperity for the continent.

Eden Life, Inc. is a technology-enabled service provider based in Lagos, Nigeria, that specializes in housekeeping and related services for busy individuals. The company simplifies household management by offering a variety of services, including laundry, meal preparation, cleaning, equipment maintenance, and beauty services. Eden Life operates through an online platform and a mobile application, allowing users to conveniently book and access these services. Additionally, the company creates a diverse marketplace by partnering with various vendors, ensuring that customers can meet their household needs efficiently in both Nigeria and Kenya.

Edves Limited is a company based in Lagos, Nigeria, that specializes in designing and developing school management software aimed at automating various administrative and educational processes. Founded in 2016, Edves's platform serves over 1,700 K-12 schools across 11 African countries, streamlining enrollment, school fees payment, result processing, and online learning. The software offers features such as e-books, video tutorials, and virtual classrooms, facilitating a comprehensive digital learning environment. Additionally, it provides tools for school owners to manage fee defaulters and set reminders, while educators can generate annual reports to track student performance. By enhancing digital infrastructure for educational institutions, Edves aims to improve learning outcomes and optimize school operations.

Releaf is a Nigerian company founded in 2017 that operates as an online marketplace connecting agribusiness buyers and sellers. It focuses on sourcing ingredients for African food factories, including cassava, palm oil, ginger, and maize, among others. Releaf aims to create climate-adaptive supply chains in response to the continent's growing population. The firm provides extension services to smallholder farmers, acting as a buyer and streamlining the conversion of raw materials into factory-grade inputs for vegetable oil production. By leveraging digital technologies such as USSD and open banking, along with proprietary machinery, Releaf collaborates with over 2,000 smallholder farmers, facilitating the supply of high-quality palm kernel nuts to food factories. This approach not only enhances operational efficiency for food manufacturers but also supports the economic development of small agricultural startups.

MarketForce is a technology company based in the US, Kenya, and Nigeria, focused on creating a comprehensive SuperApp for Africa's merchants. Through its B2B commerce and fintech platform, known as "RejaReja," it enables over 200,000 merchants across Sub-Saharan Africa to digitally source and order inventory, make payments, and access financing. The platform also allows merchants to generate additional income by reselling digital financial services, including airtime and bill payments. Founded in 2018 and supported by Y Combinator, MarketForce operates in five markets and employs an asset-light business model. Additionally, it offers tools for sales and distribution automation, empowering field agents to efficiently record activities and collect data in real-time using mobile devices. This integration enhances the overall efficiency and productivity of businesses in the region.

At Smile ID they believe anyone should be able to prove their identity easily, anywhere in the world. Their team is made up of American and African engineers and financial services professionals with experience across global markets in highly regulated environments. They have built encryption, authentication and security solutions. They have developed image processing technology from the chip level up. They have been part of security investigations and have pursued fraudsters. Having worked with, or for, telecoms, lenders, banks and startups, they know the challenges of building world class technology and they understand the needs of the African consumer and enterprise customer. They are backed by leading Silicon Valley & African investors and they have pan-African reach, with representation in the United States, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and Rwanda.

Rivy is making it easier to finance small and medium sized businesses in Africa. There is a need for financing of $158 bn for SMEs in Nigeria alone. To start, Rivy o helps SMEs access and spend lender capital effectively. During their first full operational year in 2020, the Rivy o co--founders leveraged their domain expertise and founding experience to beat their 2020 goal by 50%.

Nexford University is an online higher education institution founded in 2017 and based in Washington, D.C. It offers degree programs and courses designed to meet the demands of various industries, including technology, business, and healthcare. The university focuses on providing quality, affordable education that aligns with the needs of global employers, utilizing a curriculum informed by the skills most sought after in the job market. Nexford caters to students in multiple countries, such as the United States, the Philippines, Nigeria, and Egypt, and emphasizes flexible learning options to accommodate diverse learners. By leveraging artificial intelligence, the institution enhances its educational offerings to prepare students for success in a global workplace.

Evolve Credit Limited operates a platform designed to enhance financial accessibility and transparency for consumers in Africa. Established in 2020 and based in Lagos, Nigeria, the company enables users to compare a variety of loan products, including personal loans and business loans, based on price, interest rates, and terms. Its platform also features expert reviews and personalized recommendations, helping users select the most suitable financial options for their needs. In addition to serving individuals, Evolve Credit provides solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises, addressing a broad spectrum of lending requirements. The company's goal is to streamline the loan application process while promoting inclusivity in financial services.

Kobo360 is a tech-enabled digital logistics platform that aggregates end-to-end haulage operations to help cargo owners, truck owners, and drivers, and cargo recipients to achieve an efficient supply chain framework. Through an all-in-one robust logistics ecosystem, Kobo uses big data and technology to reduce logistics frictions, empowering rural farmers to earn more by reducing farm wastages and helping manufacturers of all sizes to find new markets. Kobo enables unprecedented efficiency and cost reduction in the supply chain, providing 360-visibility while delivering products of all sizes safely, on time and in full. The Kobo mission is to build the Global Logistics Operating System that will power trade and commerce across Africa and Emerging Markets. The company is also preparing to enter the agro-trading space by creating a marketplace that links farmers with buyers all over the world. The marketplace will effectively eliminate the high cost of middlemen for smallholder farmers and significantly improve profits. Ife Oyedele ll and Obi Ozor founded it in 2017 and is headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria.