Tag: Tanzanian

  • Kenyan, Nigerian, and Tanzanian startups advance to Latitude59 finals, vie for €1M prize

    Kenyan, Nigerian, and Tanzanian startups advance to Latitude59 finals, vie for €1M prize

    The Latitude59 competition, a renowned event that showcases innovation and entrepreneurship around Africa, announced on November 15 that 10 promising startups have been chosen to compete in the final lap.

    A press conference announced the selection of these startups as part of a competitive process to showcase new ideas and promote entrepreneurship across the continent. During the event, startups can network with investors and partners.

    The winner will get to pitch at the main event in Tallinn, Estonia, where they will compete for a €1 million (about US$1.1 million) prize pool (approximately ₦900 million in Nigeria, KSh 162 million in Kenya, and TSh 2.75 billion in Tanzania).

    Early-stage firms need this competition to reach global investors and industry leaders. The Latitude59 event promotes networking and Africa’s startup environment.

    Read also: OPay awards ₦12 million scholarship to ABU students 

    Overview of Latitude59 finalists

    In May 2024, Latitude59, Estonia’s leading startup and innovation event, held its 12th edition, attracting over 3,500 attendees, including approximately 600 investors and over 900 startup representatives.

    Latitude59 was aggressively seeking early-stage entrepreneurs across Africa to pitch at its next competition, a publication reported last month. Latitude59 pitch competition prizes have been €1 million for two years.

    A total of 382 applications were received from 37 African countries, and the top 10 startups have been selected as finalists. These startups will pitch their innovative solutions at an event in Kenya on November 28, where the African winner will be determined.

    Selected Startups

    Eight of the selected ventures are from Kenya, showcasing a diverse range of innovative solutions:

    Paycloud: a neobank designed to help African MSMEs with payments, credit access, and aggregation.

    Roadrims: Offers reliable, efficient, and cost-effective logistics solutions.

    Twiva: A social commerce platform.

    VunaPay: Facilitates instant payments to farmers.

    Eco Nasi: Transforms pineapple pulp waste into high-quality vegan leather.

    Grekkon: Scales up moisture sensors for smallholder farmers.

    Read also: Bluesky’s rise: Can it overtake X as the top social media platform?

    Zerobionic: Develops a humanlike robotic arm to assist students with hearing impairments.

    NoMa: A tech platform that digitises school transportation.

    Zerobionic: Develops a humanlike robotic arm to assist students with hearing impairments.

    Also, two other startups from Nigeria and Tanzania have been selected:

    Afya Mama (Tanzania): Provides answers about maternal care and reproductive health via SMS and web app.

    AcemyX (Nigeria): An LMS that helps students prepare for exams with personalised learning tools and study materials. 

    Startups will compete in Kenya to advance to Latitude59 in Estonia. Emerging innovators can win a lot and gain international recognition.

  • Tanzanian researchers unite to boost sustainable scientific advancement

    Tanzanian researchers unite to boost sustainable scientific advancement

    In a bid to foster scientific research, facilitate knowledge sharing, and promote sustainable development, a group of dedicated researchers in Tanzania has established the Association of Tanzania Researchers (ATARE). This association aims to serve as a unifying platform for researchers, empowering both emerging and seasoned researchers to tackle various challenges and contribute to the nation’s development.

    ATARE, under the leadership of its President, Prof Joseph Ndunguru, seeks to promote scientific research by encouraging the dissemination of research findings, sharing information and knowledge, and supporting projects. Prof Ndunguru highlights the association’s role as a potential “basket fund” for its members, raising funds and resources to support research initiatives within the organization.

    Furthermore, ATARE plans to recognize and celebrate exceptional researchers who have made significant contributions to national development through their discoveries, inventions, and innovations.

    One of the association’s primary goals is to bring together researchers from diverse disciplines to encourage knowledge-sharing and mutual empowerment. Prof Ndunguru emphasizes the importance of establishing research initiatives in science, innovation, and technology to drive sustainable development.

    Additionally, ATARE aims to connect Tanzanian researchers with their counterparts at regional and global levels to facilitate capacity development. The association will establish and maintain a comprehensive database of research conducted in Tanzania, ensuring that researchers and the public have access to valuable information.

    ATARE also plans to unearth the wealth of research conducted in Tanzania over the years. Prof Ndunguru points out that Tanzania ranks 11th out of 54 countries in terms of the number of scientific articles published in 2020. However, the whereabouts of many of these publications remain unknown. ATARE intends to locate and utilize these resources for current and future use.

    Read also: Sahara Agriculture Expo showcases growing Sino-Egyptian agricultural collaboration

    Supporting Agricultural Research and Market Access

    Researchers like Ms. Elizabeth Maeda believe that ATARE will be instrumental in connecting research with practical applications, especially in agriculture. The platform will facilitate the identification of markets for research-derived products, particularly in the field of agricultural research.

    Farmers will benefit from increased access to information about markets for their produce, potentially encouraging greater agricultural output. ATARE aims to establish a coherent strategy for communicating research findings and connecting researchers with markets to secure contracts for farmers.

    The Call for Human Resource Development

    Dr. Maeda emphasizes the importance of human resource development in achieving a positive impact on the country’s development. She believes that government and stakeholders should prioritize initiatives that enhance the skills and capabilities of researchers and other professionals.

    As ATARE takes its first steps in unifying Tanzania’s research community, its vision of promoting scientific advancement, knowledge sharing, and sustainable development holds great promise for the nation’s future. Through collaboration, capacity building, and the effective use of past research, ATARE aims to contribute to Tanzania’s growth and prosperity.

    Building a Sustainable Africa through Research

    Scholars have, over the years, emphasised that scientific research plays a pivotal role in advancing sustainability across Africa. According to Dr. Jane Omojokun, a leading environmental scientist at the African Environmental Conservation Organization, “Scientific research is the cornerstone of sustainable development in Africa. It provides the knowledge and insights needed to address pressing challenges, from climate change to healthcare, and to drive innovation.”

    Professor Kwame Asante, an expert in agricultural sciences at the University of Ghana, concurs: “Without rigorous scientific research, we cannot hope to develop sustainable agricultural practices that will feed our growing population. Research allows us to optimize crop yields, reduce environmental impacts, and ensure food security.”

    A public health researcher at the African Health Research Institute, Dr. Amina Diop, also highlights the role of research in healthcare: “Evidence-based healthcare policies and interventions stem from scientific research. It’s the foundation for improving healthcare systems, addressing diseases, and enhancing overall well-being.”

    These scholars stress the need for increased investment in research infrastructure and capacity building to harness Africa’s potential for sustainable development. Their positions further harp on the importance of the establishment of ATARE, which has the capacity to contribute in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on the continent.