Fourteen Nigerian technology start-ups are among 40 that have qualified to launch products on the DEMO Africa stage in September 2014.
Kenya, Ghana, Egypt, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Africa Tunisia, Benin, Cameroon, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia have two representatives each.
Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana recorded the highest number of entries.
More than 400 applications were received but only 242 met the threshold for adjudication.
Out of 12 categories, communication attracted 76, the highest. The sector will also have the highest number of representation with 14 projects.
Finance and banking will have representation of eight out of 18 entries. Other categories with representation include retail, health and education.
No entries were recorded for water and sanitation, and waste management and recycling.
Communications Technology Minister, Omobola Johnson
Communication Technology Minister, Omobola Johnson, said the forum “presents another opportunity for African tech start-ups. Africa may have missed out on the industrial revolution, but we surely will not in the ICT revolution.
“Through innovation, we will put Nigeria and Africa in general on the ICT map. “Realising the huge potential of the software industry, we have put in place a set of initiatives that will assist tech start-ups to create successful businesses, which will directly create jobs and wealth.”
DEMO Africa Executive Producer, Harry Hare, acknowledged the efforts of the participating start-ups and urged investors to support the work of the young entrepreneurs.
“We had really amazing entries this year, but unfortunately the DEMO Africa team can only accommodate 40 for now. The high number of entries is inspiring,” he said.
“It only shows that entrepreneurs have risen above the fear of venturing into new waters to create new products. This in itself shows that confidence levels in African-made solutions are steadily rising. I am confident that we will get to levels where we can generate solutions that can be applied globally.”
VC4Africa Founder, Ben White, noted that the standard of applications continues to rise each year. Victor Okigbo, one of DEMO Africa’s jurists, echoed the view, saying shortlisting the final 40 was not easy.
Applications for this year’s DEMO Africa were received between March and June 2014.
The selected 40 start-ups will have a chance to launch products to an ecosystem of venture capital investors, tech acquisition specialists, IT buyers and media from across Africa and around the globe.
They will also participate in a coaching and mentorship programme for one and a half months, spearheaded by DEMO Africa and the American State Department.
The mentorship programme, to be co-ordinated by VentureHive Chief Executive, Susan Amat, will include both local and international mentors and coaches.
DEMO Africa 2014 will be staged between September 22 and 26 at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos.
Partners include the Ministry of Information and Communication, LIONS@FRICA partners (Microsoft, Nokia, U.S. State Department, DEMO, USAID, African Development Bank, VC4Africa).
