Qualcomm Picks 10 African Startups for Elite Tech Program

African innovators are claiming their seat at the global tech table, and a U.S. chipmaker just gave them a major boost.

Qualcomm selected 10 startups from across Africa for its 2026 Make in Africa mentorship program, choosing them from a pool of more than 1,200 applications spanning 45 countries. The cohort represents a shift toward deep technology innovation on the continent, focusing on hardware, AI, and connected devices rather than consumer apps.

Nigeria contributed two companies to the elite group. Anatsor Ltd and D-Olivette Labs both work in digital agriculture and data-driven farming systems, technologies critical for improving food security across the continent.

The other eight winners are solving equally pressing challenges. Amperra from Namibia built an AI-powered EV charging platform that adapts to Africa's power grids. Zimbabwe's Mindora Corporation created a Braille keyboard for visually impaired users. In the Republic of the Congo, MVUTU designed solar-powered cold storage that helps smallholder farmers reduce crop losses.

Zambia's QualiKeeper developed livestock monitoring for areas with poor internet connectivity. SafeSip in Tanzania ensures safe drinking water access. Ghana's Sesi Technologies uses AI to assess cocoa quality in the field. Uganda's TWave automates fish feeding with solar power, and Kenya's Zerobiotic builds assistive robotics for people with disabilities.

The program offers equity-free support, meaning founders keep full ownership of their companies. Each startup receives engineering mentorship, business training, and access to advanced development tools from Arduino. They also get patent advisory services from Adams & Adams to help protect their innovations globally.

This focus on intellectual property matters more than many realize. African startups historically struggle to protect and commercialize their technologies on the world stage, often losing value to companies in other regions.

Each participant receives a $5,000 stipend upon completion. Startups that file patents can claim up to $5,000 in reimbursement for filing costs. One company will receive additional funding through Qualcomm for Good, the chipmaker's social impact arm.

The Ripple Effect

The program represents something bigger than ten startups getting support. Africa is moving from technology consumer to technology creator, competing in artificial intelligence, edge computing, and connected devices.

"This year's cohort shows how African startups are pushing the boundaries of technologies like edge AI and 5G," said Wassim Chourbaji, Qualcomm's senior vice president for the Middle East and Africa. The African Telecommunications Union partnered with the program for the fourth consecutive year, seeing it as essential to ensuring emerging technologies address Africa's development challenges directly.

The question isn't whether Africa can innovate anymore, it's how much value the continent will capture from the technologies it creates.