TLDR:
- Six African tech startups have been named finalists for the “Meet the Tôshikas” programme
- The programme provides Japanese investors with insights into African startup ecosystems and offers investment opportunities for African startups
Six African tech startups have been selected as finalists for the “Meet the Tôshikas” programme, organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (METI). The programme aims to introduce Japanese investors to African startup ecosystems and provide investment opportunities for promising African startups. The selected startups will undergo a three-month investment readiness support programme, receive a US$20,000 grant, and take part in an investors roadshow in Tokyo. The finalists include two startups each from Angola, South Africa, and Zambia.
The Angolan startups selected are Anda, which focuses on formalizing the two-wheeler moto-taxi market, and Mamboo, which specializes in food and FMCG deliveries. From South Africa, the finalists are e-health startup Zoie Health and Jobox, a platform that helps university graduates find jobs. Representing Zambia are Bosso, a platform simplifying house building, and AfriOnline Group, an integrated platform for ordering from restaurants, supermarkets, and wholesale.
Tomas Sales, private sector special advisor at the UNDP Africa Sustainable Finance Hub, expressed enthusiasm for the programme, highlighting the opportunity it provides for African startups to connect with Japanese investors and vice versa. The programme aims to showcase opportunities in both mature and nascent African markets, offering a comprehensive view of potential early-stage investment opportunities across the continent.
The “Meet the Tôshikas” programme is a valuable initiative that aims to bridge the gap between Japanese investors and African startups, providing a platform for collaboration and investment in the continent’s burgeoning tech ecosystem.
