The Hanga Pitchfest, an annual startup competition championing tech innovation across Rwanda and Africa, has become a dynamic platform for young, ambitious entrepreneurs looking to tackle some of the continent’s most pressing issues. Organized by Rwanda’s Ministry of ICT and Innovation, the Rwanda Development Board, and UNDP Rwanda, the event has grown significantly, drawing attention from global investors, tech enthusiasts, and policymakers eager to empower Africa’s burgeoning tech ecosystem.
This year’s Pitchfest took place at the YouthConnekt Africa Summit on November 10, 2024, in Kigali, Rwanda, where five remarkable startup founders had the opportunity to pitch their solutions to an eager audience to win a share of 110 million Rwandan francs (approx. UGX293,582,853) in grants.
With solutions ranging from assistive devices made of recycled materials to accessible healthcare technology, this year’s finalists—Sinc, Geuza, Afya Wave, Clenville, and Life Line Africa—demonstrated the transformative power of tech-driven solutions to address critical challenges in Africa.
Hanga Pitchfest isn’t just a competition; it’s an incubator for Africa’s brightest minds and tech-driven solutions. By bringing together investors, business leaders, and key industry players, the competition provides an opportunity for startups to gain financial support, secure partnerships, and exposure. This holistic approach is aimed at empowering the next generation of tech entrepreneurs who are dedicated to solving social, environmental, and economic issues.
Since its inception, the Pitchfest has become a highly anticipated event, celebrating the spirit of entrepreneurship in Africa and paving the way for startups to secure the resources needed to grow their businesses. It is a key component of Rwanda’s national vision to foster digital innovation and economic resilience, offering a launchpad for innovations designed for Africa by Africans.
This year’s Hanga Pitchfest took place within the YouthConnekt Africa Summit, adding a layer of significance to the competition. The Summit is an annual gathering that brings together young people from across Africa to engage in discussions, networking, and showcases of youth-led initiatives. It was the perfect setting for this year’s Pitchfest, uniting young innovators with a shared vision of an empowered, self-sustaining Africa.
Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa while expressing her optimism said, “Today fills me with hope, seeing young innovators sharing powerful solutions for challenges like disability inclusion, waste management, and maternal healthcare. With their ideas and passion, our future is truly in great hands.”
Paula Ingabire, Rwanda’s Minister of ICT and Innovation, echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the progress made over the past three days that the competition was happening. “I’m thrilled to have you all here today as we celebrate innovators, entrepreneurs, and problem-solvers of our society,” she said. “Over the past three days, we’ve witnessed young people daring to dream, coming together to shape the future they deserve, empowered by the skills they bring.”
The 2024 Hanga Pitchfest showcased five startups, each with a unique mission to address a specific challenge facing Africa today. These startups demonstrated the diversity of African innovation and the potential for scalable solutions that can impact millions across the continent.
1. Sinc: Revolutionizing event management
Sinc, which emerged as the overall winner and took home 50 million Rwf (approx. UGX133.4 million), aims to transform the events industry through an all-in-one platform designed to enhance event discovery and management. With Sinc, event organizers and attendees alike benefit from a streamlined experience that simplifies the coordination of large-scale events. The platform addresses logistical and operational challenges commonly faced in the events industry, offering a comprehensive solution that integrates ticketing, scheduling, and audience engagement.
This innovation reflects a growing demand for tech-driven platforms that can cater to Africa’s growing creative and event-planning industries.
2. Geuza: Eco-friendly assistive devices
Second-place winner Geuza Limited is making a significant impact in the lives of people with disabilities by creating affordable assistive devices from recycled electronic waste. Geuza’s products, which include crutches, walkers, and prosthetics, are eco-friendly and tailored to meet the needs of individuals across low-income regions of Africa. By repurposing electronic waste, Geuza addresses two critical issues: environmental sustainability and accessibility for people with disabilities.
The 20 million Rwf (approx. UGX53.37 million)prize will help Geuza expand its operations and improve accessibility for people who might otherwise be left behind.
3. Afya Wave: Bringing sonographic services to underserved communities
Afya Wave, which placed third and received a grant of 15 million Rwf (approx. UGX40.03 million), is tackling the healthcare gap in East Africa with low-cost, medical-grade ultrasound devices. The startup’s portable devices are designed to bring essential sonographic services to mothers in remote and underserved areas, offering a critical resource for prenatal care.
By lowering the cost of ultrasound technology, Afya Wave is improving maternal healthcare and reducing health disparities in areas that lack access to traditional medical facilities. The technology holds the potential to save countless lives, particularly in regions where medical imaging services are scarce or unaffordable.
4. Clenville Ltd: Transforming plastic waste management
Clenville, awarded 12.5 million Rwf (approx. UGX33.36 million), is focused on reimagining waste management through its “We Collect” app, an innovation that incentivizes users to segregate recyclables. By encouraging proper waste disposal and recycling, Clenville aims to tackle the inefficiencies in Africa’s waste management systems. The platform leverages digital technology to connect waste generators with collectors, creating a system that not only reduces environmental pollution but also creates economic opportunities for local communities. Clenville’s solution could significantly reduce the continent’s plastic waste problem, promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship.
5. Life Line Africa: Enhancing access to emergency medications
Life Line Africa, which also received 12.5 million Rwf (approx. UGX33.36 million), has developed a software platform designed to improve access to emergency medications across Africa. The platform integrates both in-house and third-party insurance services, as well as an outpatient drug tracking system, ensuring that patients can access vital medications when they need them most.
Life Line Africa’s focus on emergency healthcare could help address issues of drug shortages and limited access to life-saving medications, particularly in rural areas. This innovation has the potential to transform healthcare delivery in underserved regions, providing a reliable lifeline for those in need.
Beyond the monetary awards, Hanga Pitchfest will provide startups with invaluable opportunities to connect with potential investors, collaborators, and mentors. By elevating the visibility of these startups, Hanga Pitchfest helps bridge the gap between promising entrepreneurs and the resources necessary to bring their ideas to life. For young founders, the experience of pitching to a large, diverse audience provides exposure and confidence essential for navigating the competitive world of tech entrepreneurship.
“What founders receive at the Grand Finale is just a drop in the ocean of what they need to scale their businesses. Through our one-year program of business development and acceleration, we connect them with funders who provide essential capital, enabling them to reach the next stage, secure their first clients, and ultimately scale,” said Hon. Minister, Ingabire.
Hanga Pitchfest competition is a testament to Rwanda’s commitment to becoming a tech hub on the African continent. The event aligns with Rwanda’s vision to foster an ecosystem where digital innovation thrives and can contribute to socio-economic development. By investing in homegrown tech solutions, Rwanda is inspiring neighboring nations to follow suit, creating a regional movement toward self-sufficiency and tech-enabled development.
As Hanga Pitchfest continues to grow, so does the potential for African innovation. The startups showcased this year are part of a larger movement of young Africans harnessing technology to address local and global challenges. From healthcare and waste management to disability inclusion and digital platforms, these innovators are proving that Africa has the talent, vision, and drive to contribute meaningfully to the world’s tech landscape.
The Hanga Pitchfest and similar initiatives will play a crucial role in nurturing Africa’s tech ecosystem, ensuring that African entrepreneurs have access to the funding, mentorship, and partnerships they need. The future of Africa lies in the hands of these bold, creative problem-solvers who are building solutions that have the potential to reshape industries, improve lives, and inspire a new generation of innovators.
