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Qualcomm has spotlighted the growing impact of startups in Nigeria and across Africa, noting that innovators on the continent are pushing the boundaries of emerging technologies such as Edge AI and 5G, while demonstrating their potential for large-scale, real-world deployment.
The company made this known while announcing the selection of 10 startups for the fourth edition of its Qualcomm Make in Africa Mentorship Programme—an initiative under the Qualcomm Africa Innovation Platform aimed at strengthening the continent’s deep-tech ecosystem.
Speaking at the announcement, Qualcomm’s President for the Middle East and Africa and Senior Vice President for Government Affairs (EMEA), Wassim Chourbaji, said the increasing sophistication of African startups reflects a maturing innovation landscape.
“This year’s cohort highlights not just growing participation, but the depth and quality of solutions being developed. Startups are leveraging Edge AI and 5G to build scalable, high-impact technologies tailored to African realities,” he said.
The selected startups operate across diverse sectors including agriculture, mobility, smart infrastructure, assistive technology, and digital services—underscoring the broad applicability of advanced connectivity and processing technologies.
Nigeria is represented in the 2026 cohort by Anatsor Ltd, which focuses on digital poultry management systems to enhance farm productivity and efficiency, and D-Olivette Labs, a bio-intelligence platform delivering data-driven insights for sustainable agriculture.
Other selected startups include innovators from Zimbabwe, Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Tanzania, Ghana, Uganda, and Kenya, working on solutions ranging from AI-powered livestock monitoring and smart water systems to solar-powered cold storage and assistive robotics.
The programme provides participating startups with technical mentorship, business coaching, and access to advanced tools, including edge AI-capable platforms. Founders also benefit from engineering consultations, intellectual property support, and training resources aimed at accelerating product development and commercialisation.
According to Qualcomm, the 2026 cohort was selected from over 1,200 applications across more than 45 African countries, reflecting strong interest in deep-technology innovation across the region.
Participants will also receive financial support, including a $5,000 stipend upon completion of the programme, with additional opportunities to secure funding through Qualcomm for Good’s Social Impact Fund.
Fabio Violante, Vice President and General Manager at Arduino, noted that the integration of AI capabilities into accessible hardware platforms will enable startups to move more quickly from concept to deployment.
By embedding intelligence directly into devices, he said, innovators can design solutions tailored to real-world challenges across sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and urban infrastructure.
The African Telecommunications Union (ATU), a returning partner for the fourth consecutive year, reaffirmed its support for the initiative. Secretary General John Omo emphasised the importance of equipping African innovators with the tools needed to address local challenges through technology.
Industry stakeholders view programmes like Qualcomm Make in Africa as critical to unlocking the continent’s digital potential, enabling startups to scale innovations that can drive inclusion, productivity, and economic growth.
As Africa’s technology ecosystem continues to evolve, the latest cohort reflects a broader shift—one where homegrown startups are not only adopting advanced technologies but actively shaping how they are applied across emerging markets.
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