Akinkunmi Akindiji | kunmi Akindiji

1. Top 10Technology Startupsto Watchin Sub-SaharanAfrica;by AkinkunmiAkindiji The techstartupscene inSub-SaharanAfrica is flourishing,withrecord-breakinginvestmentand innovativeideas drivingits growth.These are the top10startupstowatchoutforintheregion. Chipper Cash is a peer-to-peer cross-border payment service app that allows Africans and Europeans tosendmoneywithoutfees.Prior to its creation,itwasdifficultto sendfundsacrosscountries,and platforms like PayPal had even blacklisted countries like Nigeria. Chipper Cash is now used in many African countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Africa, and Kenya, and is a useful tool for businesses and merchants. The app's unique selling point is that it is free of any fees.Amountraised:$302.2millionfrom 6rounds. Jumois a platform forfinancialservicescateringtomobile networkoperators andbanks.Founded by Andrew Watkins-Ball, the South African and London-based app uses powerful AI to securely process financial transactions and interpret data, reducing costs and risks. Currently, the app is used in countries such as Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, and the Ivory Coast, serving over 10 million customers. Jumo is definitely one to keep an eye on this year. Amount raised: $214.2 million from6rounds. Payhippois a startupthatprovidesloanstosmallbusinessesinAfrica withinthreehours.Smalland medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make up a large part of Nigeria's economy, accounting for 85% of employmentinthecountry.Payhippowas created toaddress the difficulty smallbusinesses face in obtainingcredit,which hasbeenlimiting thecountry'sGDPgrowth. Payhippois definitelyworth watching. Trellaisa B2B platformconnecting multiple shippersand carriers inthe freightindustry.Basedin Cairo, the app operates in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan and serves over 350 shipping partners andover15,000carriers.Trellawas accepted intotheYCombinator accelerator andsuccessfully acquiredits localcompetitor,TruckoTechnologies,withthe aim of expanding intheMENAP region. Trellaisdefinitelyastartuptowatch. Amountraised:$42.8millionin5rounds. Expensya is a B2B platform that helps businesses manage and automate their expenses using API- based tools, saving time on manual tasks. The startup serves over 100 countries and has over 600,000 active users. It has gained the attention and partnerships of major companies such as Orange, BNP Paribas, Grant Thornton, and Microsoft. The system is capable of handling simple to complex tasks,such aspurchases,overheads,expensereports,commutes,per diems,andmileage expenses. Amountraised:$25.6millionfrom 4rounds. mPharma is a Ghanaian health tech startup that aims to make it easier to access and administer medical care.The company assists withfinancing andeasy inventory managementfor medicineand

2. creates a network ofpharma communitiesthroughoutAfrica.Its goal is tobecome aleading healthcare service provider, helping millions of patients in need. Amount raised: $88.2 million in 2 rounds. Auto Check is a startup that connects vehicle buyers and sellers and provides information on the history of the first owner. It has recently acquired a digital car sales marketplace in Nigeria and Ghanaandalsooffers financing incollaborationwith12banks from NigeriaandGhana. Affectiva is a startup that uses AI to analyze and interpret emotions in human facial expressions and voicepatterns.It isusedin avarietyofindustries, includingautomotive, market research, and media,andhas partnerships withmajorcompanies suchasBMW,Unilever,andNBCUniversal. Amountraised:$117million M-Shule is a platform that allows for the sharing of knowledge through SMS, helping individuals and organizations quickly spread and share information. This innovative concept allows people to learn newskillsand tracktheirprogressthroughevaluations.M-Shuleoffersnewopportunitiesfor millionsofpeopleinSub-SaharanAfricaandbeyond. Bamboo is a startup that helps Nigerians and other Africans explore investment opportunities, particularlyfor newandamateurusers.The companyhas seena growthrateof68%. The startupscene inSub-SaharanAfrica is onthe rise,thanks toalarge number ofinvestors and countries usingthe servicesof startups.The unique solutions provided by thesestartupsare addressing pressing needs in various industries, including property, insurance, banking, automotive, andtechnology. Kunmi Akindiji, an MBA graduate from Cardiff, has a diverse range of expertise in digital transformation and is dedicated to making a positive impact in the business world through sound strategicdecision-making