Qualcomm Technologies Inc. Celebrates the Success of its Third Annual "Make in Africa" Mentorship Program
Qualcomm Technologies Inc. is celebrating the success of the third annual edition of its "Make in Africa" (QMIA) mentorship program, culminating in a virtual finale. This initiative demonstrates Qualcomm's long-term commitment to Africa's dynamic innovation ecosystem, as part of the Qualcomm Africa Innovation Platform.
A Flagship Initiative
As a flagship initiative, this equity-free program highlights the creativity and determination of African entrepreneurs who leverage cutting-edge technologies such as AI, 4G/5G, robotics, connectivity, and IoT to address concrete and pressing challenges.
Mission and Objectives
For its third edition, the program remains true to its mission of accelerating the growth of emerging tech startups by offering individual mentorship, customized business support, expert engineering consultations, and expert advice on intellectual property protection. Qualcomm's online training platform, L2Pro Africa, is also made available to startups free of charge. This comprehensive support enables entrepreneurs to transform their visionary ideas into sustainable and market-ready solutions.
Testimonials
"The cohort this year has shown incredible ingenuity, turning complex challenges into scalable technological solutions that will have a social and economic impact across the continent," said Elizabeth Migwalla, Vice President of International Government Affairs, Qualcomm Incorporated.
"Innovation is the driver of Africa's future, and this year's startups are a brilliant demonstration of that. The African Telecommunications Union (ATU) is proud to have partnered with Qualcomm for this year's Make in Africa program," said John Omo, Secretary General of the ATU. "Together, we are working towards harmonizing spectrum management policies, regional standards, and open data practices, but we know that true progress relies on large-scale support. That's why we call on governments, universities, investors, and industry to support these initiatives... and, more broadly, any business that puts African ingenuity at the forefront."
The 2025 Cohort
The 2025 cohort includes the following innovative startups:
- AmalXR (Tunisia): Offers AI-powered virtual rehabilitation sessions on everyday devices, allowing patients and clinicians to easily track progress.
- Ecobees (Tunisia): Develops intelligent beehive monitors and a digital platform to provide real-time information on beehive health, protecting bees and the crops that depend on them.
- Pixii Motors (Tunisia): Designs electric scooters with smart batteries that can be exchanged at local stations, aiming to revolutionize urban mobility.
- Aframend (Nigeria): Uses AI to explore African medicinal plants for new drug discovery and aims to transform local remedies into safe and affordable treatments for diseases.
- Archeos (Benin): Automates fish farming using solar-powered sensors and feed distributors, providing real-time data on water quality and feeding levels to improve fish health.
- ClimatrixAI (Nigeria): Designs and installs connected weather stations and flood alert systems with an AI platform to predict risks street by street, enhancing early warnings and disaster response for local communities.
- Edulytics (Senegal): Applies AI to portable ultrasound devices for early detection of liver diseases, aiming to make specialized screening widely accessible.
- Farmer Lifeline (Kenya): Deploys small solar-powered devices that scan fields for pests and diseases, sending alerts directly to farmers' phones to protect crops.
- Pollen Patrollers (Kenya): A women-led agritech startup using connected beehive technology and AI to maintain healthy bee colonies.
- Solar Freeze (Kenya): Provides solar-powered cold rooms with remote monitoring, enabling farmers to keep fruits and vegetables fresh and increase their income.
Farmer Lifeline Wins the Wireless Reach Social Impact Fund
This year, Farmer Lifeline, a Kenyan startup, won the Wireless Reach Social Impact Fund. This annual fund, sponsored by Qualcomm's Wireless Reach initiative, recognizes innovative uses of wireless connectivity to address urgent community needs. Farmer Lifeline will receive dedicated funding and customized technical support to deploy its solution on a larger scale.
"Farmer Lifeline has distinguished itself with innovative technology that enables local farmers to scan their fields, protect their crops, increase yields, and improve food security," said Erica Ciaraldi, Vice President, Wireless Reach, Qualcomm Incorporated. "Their visionary approach and dedication to agricultural resilience have positioned them as leaders in their field, generating significant and inspiring change for local farmers. This fund will enable them to amplify their impact, driving wider reach and deeper influence across Africa and the world."
Recognition and Support
In recognition of the remarkable innovations demonstrated by all finalists, each will receive a $5,000 allocation to accelerate their growth, support strategic development, and protect their intellectual property. This comprehensive support demonstrates Qualcomm's commitment to fostering innovation and ensuring that these visionary projects can thrive sustainably.
Launch of the Qualcomm Make in Africa 2026 Mentorship Program
Following the considerable success of previous years, Qualcomm will launch a fourth edition of the program in 2026, further enhancing support for startups by encouraging rapid prototyping with platforms such as Arduino in combination with AI/ML integration and open-source collaboration.
Candidates are invited to visit Qualcomm's website for more information and to apply.
