Qualcomm Incorporated has officially selected ten pioneering startups for the fourth edition of its Qualcomm Make in Africa Mentorship Program, a strategic initiative aimed at bolstering the continent’s burgeoning deep-technology ecosystem. This programme, operating under the Qualcomm Africa Innovation Platform, focuses on equipping entrepreneurs with technical training and mentorship in advanced connectivity and processing fields. By concentrating on Edge AI, machine learning, the Internet of Things, and the AI development platform created in partnership with Arduino, the company aims to bridge the gap between initial concepts and commercially viable, intelligent systems.
The 2026 cohort emerged from a highly competitive pool of over 1,200 applications spanning forty-five African nations, a statistic that underscores the rapid sophistication and growth of the local innovation landscape. The selected startups represent a diverse array of sectors including smart cities, electric mobility, agriculture, and assistive technology. Among the finalists are companies such as Namibia’s Amperra Charging Company, which develops AI-driven electric vehicle charging solutions, and Kenya’s Zerobionic, focused on assistive robotics. Other participants include Nigeria’s D-Olivette Labs and Ghana’s Sesi Technologies, both of which utilize advanced processing to enhance agricultural productivity and quality assessment.
Beyond technical guidance, the programme offers a robust support structure that includes business coaching and intellectual property education. Participants will benefit from one-on-one engineering consultations and access to the L2Pro Africa initiative to navigate patent filing. To further incentivise progress, all startups that successfully complete the curriculum will receive a $5,000 stipend, while those who file for patents during the cycle may be reimbursed up to $5,000 for associated costs. The partnership with the African Telecommunications Union continues for its fourth year, ensuring the initiative remains aligned with regional mandates to deliver tangible technological benefits to the African population.
Reflecting on the impact of the initiative and the calibre of this year’s participants, Wassim Chourbaji, Senior Vice President and President for the Middle East and Africa at Qualcomm, noted the following:
“The increasing number and quality of applications highlight the rapid evolution of Africa’s innovation ecosystem. Startups in the program are advancing the application of technologies such as Edge AI and 5G to scalable, real-world solutions, with Qualcomm supporting them from early-stage design through to commercialization.”
The cycle will culminate in a finale where one exceptional startup will be awarded a Social Impact Fund grant through Qualcomm for Good. This funding is specifically reserved for solutions that demonstrate significant and measurable societal and market impact. By providing edge AI-enabled hardware from Arduino and fostering direct engagement with target environments like clinics and farms, the programme ensures that these African innovators have the requisite tools to solve local challenges while competing on a global technological stage.
