June 29, 2023
by
Kenyan innovators have emerged triumphant in the Mozilla Africa Innovation Challenge, securing grants totaling Ksh. 13 million. In collaboration with the Nairobi City County Government (NCCG), the event took place at Nairobi’s Arboretum Park and aimed to identify and support tech entrepreneurs and students with groundbreaking ideas.
The Mozilla Africa Mradi Innovation Challenge featured an intense pitching and selection process, recognizing three tech start-ups and three student innovators. The successful start-ups included Getpayd, Deaf Elimu, and Hali Halisi, while the student innovators were Classify Me, Audred, and Mama Pesa.
These exceptional individuals received substantial grants and access to technical assistance to develop their products further and establish themselves in the market.
The program specifically aimed to identify African tech entrepreneurs and students who could benefit from an acceleration program. It sought to provide them with technical support, access to grants, and ultimately, market opportunities for their innovative products. The program operates on the belief that innovation should be driven by and catered to the unique needs of African users.
During the opening ceremony, H.E Sakaja A. Johnson, representing the Nairobi City County Government, reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting tech start-ups and innovators. He emphasized the significance of providing access to grants and enabling these entrepreneurs to secure venture capital investments, both locally and globally. As part of this commitment, an incubation hub was established at the Eastlands Library in Maringo Hamza Ward, Makadara, supporting over 20 start-ups by offering assistance in investor readiness and coding for children aged 7 to 13 years.
The Mozilla Africa Mradi Innovation Challenge was launched in May 2023, calling on tech innovators across Africa to develop creative solutions tailored to the continent’s unique needs. Mitchell Baker, CEO and Chairwoman of Mozilla Corporation, highlighted the company’s ongoing efforts to support innovative initiatives. Over the years, Mozilla has distributed more than $20 million through fellowships and awards to nurture individual and collective actions that benefit communities.
According to the 2022 Kenya Start-Up Ecosystem Report by Disrupt Africa, Kenya is home to 308 active tech start-ups, providing employment for over 11,000 Kenyans. However, the report revealed that only 50% of these start-ups, primarily Fintech companies, have undergone some form of acceleration or incubation. This highlights the importance of initiatives like the Mozilla Africa Mradi Innovation Challenge in providing crucial support to Kenya’s tech start-up ecosystem.
John Omo, the Secretary-General of the African Telecommunication Union (ATU), emphasized the advancement of Africa’s digital economy. The ATU aims to create harmonized digital economies in the African region through standardized policy and regulatory frameworks. Kenya stands out as a regional leader in terms of access to digital infrastructure. By 2030, it is projected that 55% of jobs in Kenya will require digital skills, underscoring the growing importance of nurturing and supporting digital innovation in the country.
The success of Kenyan innovators in the Mozilla Africa Innovation Challenge serves as a testament to the incredible talent and potential within the country’s tech ecosystem. With access to grants, technical assistance, and market opportunities, these innovators are well-equipped to further develop their products and make a significant impact in their respective industries. As Kenya continues to prioritize digital skills and infrastructure development, initiatives like the Mozilla Africa Mradi Innovation Challenge play a crucial role in fostering a thriving and inclusive digital economy.
