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Africa is a rising global competitor in the technology industry. It was already a leader in mobile to mobile payment systems with its m-Pesa system, but now startups are being launched all over the continent, even in rural areas with little to no electricity, as more people gain access to wireless internet and smartphones. There are now more than 90 tech hubs across Africa,according to the World Bank. South Africa still has the most, but Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Senegal aren’t far behind.
People in the Western world are finally starting to take note, too. Data from CrunchBaseshowed that 2013 was the most active year for tech investments on the continent and in 2014, investments are already surging. Big whig companies like Microsoft, Google, and IBM are putting money into local startup accelerators and their own initiatives.
Here are 10 African tech startups to keep your eye on in 2014 and beyond. They’re all making waves because of their emphasis on affordability, diversity, and accessibility.
1. Dropifi
In 2013, Dropifi became the first African startup to be accepted into 500 Startups, a Silicon Valley seed accelerator and investment fund. Launched in 2011, Dropifi is a widget that offers an intelligent contact form. It helps businesses analyze, visualize, and respond to incoming messages, with a way to use social media to see the demographics of site visitors and message senders, as well as a formula to analyze the emotions in the messages. Dropifi won first place in the Global Start-Up Open Competition in 2012. It has about 6,000 clients in more than 30 countries and plans to expand even more.
2. Angani
Based in Nairobi, Kenya, Angani is a public cloud computing provider that offers services to East Africa. The company buys infrastructure in bulk and leases it at a lower rate to enterprises in the region so that companies don’t have to worry about buying hardware, software, servers, and cooling systems. Angani services range from 512 MB to 16 GB of storage. The company is also doing an Amazon Web Service system play for Kenya.
3. Able Wireless
Able Wireless launched in 2013 as an on-demand wireless streaming service provider in Kenya. The equipment used sits at the edge of the network and reduces the travel distance for content and creates real infrastructure on the ground in Kenya that makes it easily accessible and available locally. A household box that is made from a modified Raspberry Pi allows the content to be delivered. It also serves a wireless hotspot that can connect to two other devices in the home. With a 24-month contract, Kenyans can use the service for about US $6 a month, much cheaper than other options in the area.
It’s been called the “Netflix for Africa” because it streams documentaries, movies, music, YouTube videos, specific local content, Al Jazeera, and other general content. This content is mostly available in pirate shops, which are very popular in Africa, said Able Wireless founder, Kahenya Kamunyu. When he visited his rural village after it got electricity, there were already two such DVD shops open. He wants to solve the pirating issue and make it easier for people to enjoy content.
4. SleepOut Kenya
SleepOut is an online portal that puts Kenya’s local accommodations on the map. It can be used by backpackers, hotel aficionados, or tourists visiting the area. There are reviews, bookings, and contact information for all the hotels. It doesn’t sound revolutionary, but… (READ MORE HERE)
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