Johannesburg – April 8, 2026 – Qualcomm Incorporated has announced the selection of 10 high-potential startups for the fourth edition of its flagship Qualcomm® Make in Africa Mentorship Program, reinforcing its commitment to advancing Africa’s deep-technology ecosystem.
The initiative, part of the broader Qualcomm Africa Innovation Platform, focuses on nurturing early-stage startups developing cutting-edge solutions in areas such as Edge AI/ML, IoT, advanced connectivity, and embedded computing.
Strengthening Africa’s Deep-Tech Ecosystem
Now in its fourth year, the equity-free mentorship program attracted over 1,200 applications from more than 45 African countries, reflecting the continent’s rapidly growing innovation landscape. The selected startups were chosen based on their ability to deploy advanced technologies into scalable, end-to-end solutions across key sectors including agriculture, smart infrastructure, education, and mobility.
Participants will benefit from a comprehensive support package that includes:
- Technical mentorship and business coaching
- Engineering consultations for product development
- Product design support using Arduino AI platforms
- Intellectual property (IP) training, including access to L2Pro Africa
- Patent advisory support from Adams & Adams
Additionally, each startup will receive a $5,000 stipend upon successful completion of program requirements, while at the programs's Finale, one startup will be awarded a Social Impact Fund grant from Qualcomm for Good.
Meet the 2026 Cohort
The 2026 cohort represents a diverse mix of innovators tackling real-world challenges across Africa:
- Amperra Charging Company (Namibia) – AI-driven EV charging infrastructure
- Anatsor Ltd (Nigeria) – Digital poultry farm management systems
- D-Olivette Labs (Nigeria) – Data-driven agricultural intelligence platform
- Mindora Corporation (Zimbabwe) – Braille-based digital accessibility solutions
- MVUTU (Republic of the Congo) – Solar-powered IoT cold storage systems
- QualiKeeper Investments Ltd (Zambia) – AIoT livestock monitoring solutions
- SafeSip (Tanzania) – Smart water monitoring and access systems
- Sesi Technologies Ltd (Ghana) – AI-powered cocoa quality assessment tools
- TWave Ltd (Uganda) – Solar-powered automated fish feeding technology
- Zerobionic (Kenya) – Assistive robotics for people with disabilities
Driving Innovation Through Technology and Partnerships
According to Wassim Chourbaji, President for the Middle East and Africa at Qualcomm, the program highlights the increasing sophistication of African innovation:
“These startups are pushing the boundaries of what technologies such as Edge AI and 5G can enable, and how they can be deployed at scale across the continent.”
Participants will also receive edge-AI capable development boards such as Arduino® UNO™ Q and upcoming VENTUNO™ Q, enabling rapid prototyping and deployment of intelligent solutions in sectors ranging from agriculture to healthcare and urban infrastructure.
The program continues to benefit from strategic collaboration with the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), which returns as a partner for the fourth consecutive year.
Unlocking Commercialization and Impact
Beyond mentorship, the program emphasizes real-world commercialization and IP protection, providing startups with tools to secure patents and scale their innovations sustainably. Startups that file patents during the program may also receive up to $5,000 in reimbursement for filing costs, further lowering barriers to innovation.
As Africa’s digital economy accelerates, initiatives like Qualcomm Make in Africa are playing a pivotal role in bridging the gap between innovation, commercialization, and societal impact.
Final Thought
With growing participation and increasingly advanced solutions, the 2026 cohort underscores Africa’s emergence as a global hub for deep-tech innovation. Qualcomm’s continued investment not only supports startups but also strengthens the continent’s position in shaping the future of intelligent, connected technologies.
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