For a patient waiting for a prosthetic limb or a specialised medical device, time matters. So does fit.

A device that does not adequately reflect a patient’s anatomy can affect comfort, usability and quality of life. Yet across many African healthcare systems, patients and clinicians have historically had to work with medical technologies developed and manufactured far from the communities they serve.

For Nneile Nkholise, that gap represented an opportunity for engineering to become more responsive to patients.

As the Founder of iMed Tech, Nkholise is developing locally manufactured prosthetics, bio-implants and other medical technologies using biomedical engineering, digital design and advanced manufacturing.

Her work sits at the intersection of healthcare and technology—but its starting point is human: how can medical devices be designed to better respond to the people who use them?

Nneile Nkholise is bringing engineering closer to healthcare

Medical innovation is often associated with large research institutions and global manufacturers.

But healthcare challenges are also shaped by local realities.

Availability, cost, production timelines and the ability to customise a device can all influence a patient’s experience. When specialised products have to be sourced internationally, healthcare providers may also face additional logistical and procurement challenges.

With her engineering background, Nneile Nkholise saw an opportunity to approach these challenges differently.

Instead of relying exclusively on technologies developed elsewhere, she founded Tecnologia iMed to develop medical products closer to the healthcare professionals and patients who need them.

The company’s work combines biomedical engineering with digital manufacturing, creating a process in which clinical requirements can be translated into digitally designed and locally produced medical solutions.

What does iMed Tech do?

iMed Tech is a medical technology company focused on biomedical engineering, digital design and the development of customised medical devices.

Its work includes the design and production of:

• Customised prosthetic devices
• Bio-implants and medical devices
• Three-dimensional anatomical models
• Surgical planning and visualisation tools
• Biomedical engineering solutions
• Rapid prototypes for healthcare applications

A key part of the company’s approach is the use of 3D design and digital modelling.

These technologies allow engineers to create and refine digital representations before producing a physical device. For medical applications, that can be particularly useful where anatomy, dimensions and individual patient requirements need to be considered.

The process also creates opportunities for faster iteration: a design can be modified digitally before another physical prototype is manufactured.

For iMed Tech, advanced manufacturing is therefore not simply about producing objects differently. It is about creating a more flexible approach to medical device development.

From digital model to medical solution

The journey from a clinical problem to a finished medical device involves several disciplines.

Doctors and surgeons understand the clinical requirement. Engineers translate that requirement into a technical design. Digital manufacturing technologies then make it possible to produce increasingly customised physical solutions.

Nneile Nkholise operates within that intersection.

Through iMed Tech, she is helping connect clinical knowledge, engineering and manufacturing within a single innovation ecosystem.

Three-dimensional anatomical models, for example, can help clinicians visualise complex structures before procedures. Custom prosthetics can be developed around individual measurements rather than relying entirely on standardised dimensions.

This convergence of medicine and engineering is creating new possibilities for African healthcare systems—particularly as digital manufacturing becomes more accessible.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation strengthened Nneile Nkholise’s entrepreneurial journey

Technical expertise is only one part of building a medical technology company.

Turning engineering capabilities into a sustainable enterprise requires commercial strategy, capital, mentorship and access to networks.

Através de Programa de Empreendedorismo da Fundação Tony Elumelu, Nneile Nkholise received US$5 000 em capital inicial, business training, mentorship and access to the Foundation’s pan-African entrepreneurial network.

The support gave iMed Tech additional resources to strengthen its innovation and business development efforts.

For Nkholise, the experience brought together two sides of her professional journey: her expertise as an engineer and her ambition as an entrepreneur.

That combination is particularly important in medical technology, where successful innovation must ultimately work within real healthcare environments while also developing a viable commercial model.

Nneile Nkholise is also changing who gets to build medical technology

The significance of iMed Tech extends beyond the products it develops.

Biomedical engineering, advanced manufacturing and technology remain fields where women are often underrepresented.

Through iMed Tech, Nkholise is creating opportunities for young professionals to participate in areas including biomedical engineering, digital prototyping, additive manufacturing, research and development and clinical collaboration.

That matters because Africa’s healthcare technology ecosystem will require more than imported equipment.

It will require engineers, designers, scientists, technicians and entrepreneurs capable of developing technologies that respond to local needs.

Nneile’s journey provides an example of what that ecosystem can look like.

Why Nneile Nkholise’s work matters

Assistência médica inovação is ultimately about access to effective solutions.

Hospitals need appropriate equipment. Clinicians need tools that support their work. Patients need medical devices that are available, functional and suited to their circumstances.

Local medical technology companies can contribute to that ecosystem by developing products closer to the markets they serve.

Para Nneile Nkholise, this is the opportunity behind iMed Tech.

The company’s work demonstrates how African engineers can participate in the development of sophisticated medical technologies rather than remaining solely consumers of products manufactured elsewhere.

It also illustrates the potential of digital manufacturing to change how medical devices are designed and produced.

When a patient’s needs can inform a digital design, and that design can then be translated into a physical product locally, the distance between clinical need and engineering response becomes smaller.

Building Africa’s biomedical manufacturing capacity

There is a broader industrial question behind Nkholise’s work.

Africa’s healthcare systems depend on complex global supply chains for medicines, equipment and medical devices. Building stronger local capabilities does not mean eliminating international trade or expertise.

It means developing more capacity within African economies to design, manufacture, maintain and improve the technologies their healthcare systems use.

That is the space iMed Tech occupies.

By combining engineering expertise with entrepreneurship, Nneile Nkholise is contributing to a growing ecosystem of African companies exploring what is possible in medical manufacturing.

The opportunity is significant: local expertise can generate new products, new technical skills and new businesses while creating pathways for African innovators to participate in global health technology markets.

Medical technology is becoming increasingly personalised.

Advances in digital modelling, 3D printing, biomedical engineering and data-driven design are creating new possibilities for devices tailored to individual patients.

Nneile Nkholise believes Africa should be part of that future not simply as a consumer, but as a creator.

Through iMed Tech, she is building a business around that belief—developing medical technologies that connect engineering expertise with real healthcare needs.

The journey will require continued investment in research, manufacturing capabilities, clinical partnerships and regulatory systems.

But the direction is significant.

The future of African healthcare will depend not only on who can provide treatment, but also on who can build the technologies that make better treatment possible.

For Nneile Nkholise, that future is one where innovation begins closer to the patient.

And where Africa’s medical technology is increasingly designed, engineered and built on the continent.

The post Nneile Nkholise Is Building Medical Technology Around African Patients. appeared first on The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

Tatenda Mungofa saw a gap between vehicles and the roads they travelled

African drivers operate in an unusually diverse range of conditions.

Urban roads sit alongside rural routes. Smooth highways can quickly give way to rough terrain. Vehicles may encounter intense heat, dust, flooding and infrastructure that varies considerably from one location to another.

For drivers and businesses, reliability is therefore not a luxury.

It directly affects the cost of moving people, transporting goods and running businesses.

Mungofa’s experience of these conditions helped shape his thinking about automotive design.

The question was not whether imported vehicles could work in Africa. Many do.

The more fundamental question was whether Africa could develop vehicles with its own operating realities in mind from the beginning.

That question became the starting point for Mureza Auto.

What is Mureza Auto?

Mureza Auto is an automotive company founded by Tatenda Mungofa that is focused on developing and assembling vehicles for African markets.

The company’s approach combines automotive engineering, digital design and flexible manufacturing concepts to develop vehicles intended for demanding operating environments.

Rather than treating local conditions as an afterthought, Mureza’s design philosophy considers factors such as:

• Ground clearance
• Suspension performance
• Heat management
• Durability
• Maintainability
• Manufacturing flexibility
• Local component integration

Digital design and virtual prototyping also play a role in the development process, allowing engineers to evaluate different vehicle configurations before committing to physical production.

That matters because automotive manufacturing is capital intensive. Testing ideas digitally can help engineering teams identify problems earlier and refine designs before they reach the production stage.

Building a car is also about building an industry

The significance of Mureza Auto extends beyond the vehicle itself.

Automotive manufacturing sits at the intersection of multiple industries. A functioning vehicle ecosystem requires engineers, component manufacturers, technicians, software specialists, assembly workers, logistics providers, distributors and after-sales service networks.

That means a locally manufactured vehicle can potentially create value far beyond the factory floor.

Mungofa’s ambition therefore fits into a larger industrial question facing Africa:

Can the continent move from being primarily a consumer of manufactured products to becoming a producer of them?

For Mureza Auto, local manufacturing and supplier development are part of that equation.

The company’s modular approach is intended to provide flexibility as production develops, while creating opportunities to incorporate locally sourced components as supplier networks mature.

It is an incremental approach to industrialisation rather than a claim that an entire automotive ecosystem can appear overnight.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation backed the entrepreneur behind the ambition

Large industrial ideas require capital, but they also require entrepreneurial discipline.

Em 2020, Tatenda Mungofa participated in the Programa de Empreendedorismo da Fundação Tony Elumelu, receiving US$5 000 em capital inicial, business training, mentorship and access to the Foundation’s pan-African entrepreneurial network.

For an entrepreneur pursuing a capital-intensive manufacturing business, this kind of early-stage support can provide useful room to develop the business behind the engineering vision.

The programme also placed Mungofa within a broader community of African entrepreneurs building businesses across different sectors and markets.

The Foundation’s role was to provide catalytic support.

The ambition, technical development and persistence required to build Mureza Auto remained Mungofa’s.

Tatenda Mungofa is creating more than vehicles

The automotive industry is one of the clearest examples of how entrepreneurship can create value through an ecosystem rather than a single product.

Mureza Auto’s multidisciplinary operations span areas including automotive engineering, digital design, assembly and industrial development. The company has reported a workforce in the 11–50 employee range, creating skilled opportunities around its manufacturing activities.

But the potential economic impact goes further.

A growing automotive manufacturer can generate demand for suppliers of components, electronics, tyres, bodywork, maintenance equipment and other services.

It can also create opportunities for technicians, designers, software developers and other skilled professionals.

This makes automotive entrepreneurship particularly relevant to Africa’s industrialisation agenda.

The objective is not simply to produce a finished vehicle.

It is to develop the capabilities, knowledge and commercial relationships that make more manufacturing possible.

Why building African vehicles matters

Africa’s automotive market is large and diverse, but the continent’s position in the global automotive value chain remains uneven.

Many African countries import finished vehicles while opportunities for local design, component production and manufacturing remain comparatively limited.

Mureza Auto’s proposition challenges that pattern.

Even at an early stage, the company demonstrates the value of asking different questions about African manufacturing.

What should a vehicle designed around African conditions look like?

What components can eventually be produced locally?

What skills can be developed around automotive manufacturing?

And how can African companies participate in a sector historically dominated by global manufacturers?

Tatenda Mungofa is attempting to answer those questions through a business rather than simply through theory.

From Zimbabwean entrepreneur to African automotive builder

Mungofa’s story is ultimately about changing the starting point.

Instead of asking how an imported vehicle can be adapted to African conditions, he is asking what becomes possible when African conditions influence the design process from the outset.

That distinction may appear subtle.

Industrial strategy rarely is.

Design decisions influence manufacturing requirements. Manufacturing creates supplier demand. Supplier networks create jobs and skills. Skills strengthen future manufacturing capacity.

Over time, these connections can become the foundations of an industrial ecosystem.

That is the longer-term opportunity behind Mureza Auto.

Perspetivas para o futuro

Mureza Auto’s next challenge is also its biggest: turning engineering ambition into repeatable, commercially viable production at scale.

The company is working towards production readiness, manufacturing configurations and partnerships that can support future vehicle assembly.

Success will require capital, reliable supply chains, engineering talent, regulatory approvals and customers willing to adopt locally developed vehicles.

Those are significant hurdles.

But they are precisely why entrepreneurs such as Tatenda Mungofa matter to Africa’s industrial future.

The continent cannot build manufacturing capacity simply by declaring that it wants more of it. Someone has to attempt the difficult work of designing products, testing them, finding customers, developing suppliers and building the companies that can make production possible.

Mungofa is doing that with automobiles.

His story is therefore bigger than a car.

It is about whether Africa can increasingly become a place where products are not only bought, but imagined, engineered and made.

And for Tatenda Mungofa, that future begins on the road.

The post Tatenda Mungofa Is Building Vehicles for Africa, Not Just Selling Cars to It appeared first on The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

O que começou por ser uma busca profundamente pessoal por opções alimentares mais saudáveis transformou-se num negócio que está a ajudar a redefinir a forma como as pessoas encaram a pastelaria, a nutrição e a inclusão.

Na qualidade de cofundador e diretor executivo da Pequenos bolos de massa, Siphilele Magagula está a provar que uma alimentação mais saudável não tem de comprometer o sabor, a conveniência ou a acessibilidade.

Siphilele Magagula transformou um desafio pessoal numa oportunidade de negócio

Muitas empresas de sucesso começam por resolver um problema que o fundador vivenciou em primeira mão.

Para Siphilele Magagula, o problema consistia em lidar com os desafios de saúde gastrointestinal e encontrar alimentos que satisfizessem as suas necessidades alimentares sem sacrificar o sabor nem a qualidade.

Em vez de se contentar com opções limitadas, decidiu criá-las.

Fundada em 2018, a Batter Bakes tornou-se a primeira marca de alimentação e estilo de vida de Eswatini dedicada à produção de produtos de padaria ricos em nutrientes e isentos de alergénios, bem como de soluções para panificação. Cada produto foi concebido para ser sem glúten, sem lactose e sem açúcar refinado, com opções veganas, à base de plantas e com baixo teor de hidratos de carbono disponíveis para clientes com diferentes necessidades alimentares.

A filosofia da empresa é simples: ninguém deve, em circunstância alguma, sentir-se excluído da mesa de jantar.

A Batter Bakes está a tornar a alimentação saudável mais acessível

Uma alimentação saudável é frequentemente associada a produtos especializados e caros ou a receitas complicadas.

A Batter Bakes adota uma abordagem diferente.

A empresa produz misturas para panificação prontas a usar, massas congeladas e produtos de panificação saudáveis que simplificam a preparação de alimentos para famílias, cafés e estabelecimentos de hotelaria, reduzindo simultaneamente o desperdício e mantendo uma qualidade consistente.

Ao combinar praticidade com valor nutricional, a Batter Bakes permite que tanto os pasteleiros profissionais como os amadores preparem produtos frescos de forma mais eficiente, sem comprometer a saúde nem o sabor.

A empresa também dá grande importância à utilização de ingredientes naturais cuidadosamente selecionados e ao aumento do uso de cereais e superalimentos disponíveis localmente, tornando as opções alimentares mais saudáveis mais acessíveis em Eswatini.

A Fundação Tony Elumelu ajudou a transformar a visão de Siphilele Magagula num negócio

Um momento decisivo em De Siphilele Magagula a sua jornada empreendedora começou 2019, quando foi selecionada para o Programa de Empreendedorismo da Fundação Tony Elumelu.

Selecionado entre mais de 216 000 candidatos, ela recebeu US$5 000 em capital inicial, formação empresarial e orientação para lançar a Batter Bakes como a primeira empresa alimentar de Eswatini a oferecer produtos ricos em nutrientes e isentos de alergénios.

O programa proporcionou mais do que apenas apoio financeiro.

Contribuiu para estabelecer as estruturas de gestão, os sistemas empresariais e a confiança empreendedora necessários para transformar uma ideia inovadora numa empresa com potencial de crescimento.

Hoje, a Batter Bakes continua a demonstrar como o empreendedorismo pode melhorar a saúde pública, ao mesmo tempo que cria oportunidades comerciais sustentáveis.

Para além da gastronomia, Siphilele Magagula está a moldar a economia criativa de Eswatini

Embora a Batter Bakes se tenha tornado um dos seus empreendimentos mais reconhecidos, a influência de Siphilele Magagula vai muito além do empreendedorismo na área da alimentação.

Designer multidisciplinar, estratega de branding e empreendedora criativa, tem contribuído para iniciativas internacionais nas áreas do design, da cultura e da inovação, ao mesmo tempo que defende o design thinking, a sensibilização para a saúde mental e o fortalecimento dos ecossistemas criativos em Eswatini.

O seu trabalho reflete uma filosofia mais ampla, segundo a qual o empreendedorismo não se resume simplesmente à criação de empresas — trata-se, antes, de conceber sistemas melhores, comunidades mais fortes e experiências mais inclusivas.

Por que é que o trabalho de Siphilele Magagula é importante

Em toda a África, a procura por opções alimentares mais saudáveis continua a crescer, à medida que os consumidores se tornam mais conscientes das questões relacionadas com a nutrição, o bem-estar e as sensibilidades alimentares.

Empresas como a Batter Bakes estão a contribuir para garantir que esta mudança seja inclusiva e não exclusiva.

Ao desenvolver produtos que satisfazem necessidades alimentares específicas, mantendo-se, ao mesmo tempo, práticos e apetecíveis, Siphilele Magagula está a alargar o acesso a estilos de vida mais saudáveis, sem exigir que os consumidores abram mão da qualidade ou da comodidade.

A sua trajetória empreendedora demonstra também como as experiências pessoais podem inspirar negócios com um impacto social mais amplo, transformando desafios individuais em soluções que beneficiam comunidades inteiras.

Perspetivas para o futuro

O futuro da alimentação será determinada não só pelo que as pessoas comem, mas também por quem tem acesso a opções mais saudáveis.

Siphilele Magagula continua a posicionar a Batter Bakes como algo mais do que uma padaria. Trata-se de uma marca alimentar inclusiva, empenhada em melhorar o bem-estar através da inovação, da nutrição e de um design de produtos bem pensado.

À medida que a sensibilização para as necessidades alimentares específicas cresce em toda a África, a Batter Bakes está bem posicionada para ajudar a liderar uma nova geração de empresas do setor alimentar, onde a saúde, a sustentabilidade e a inclusão andam de mãos dadas.

Para Siphilele Magagula, o sucesso não se mede apenas pelos produtos vendidos. Mede-se pela garantia de que todos, independentemente das restrições alimentares, tenham um lugar à mesa.

The post Siphilele Magagula Is Redefining Healthy Baking in Eswatini appeared first on The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

Deve criar empresas capazes de competir a nível internacional, criando simultaneamente oportunidades a nível nacional.

Na qualidade de fundador e diretor executivo da Greenhill Estates PTY Ltd, Phiwayinkhosi Mavuso está a desenvolver um negócio agroindustrial que combina a agricultura sustentável, a preparação para a exportação e a gestão ambiental, com o objetivo de reforçar os sistemas alimentares e criar emprego em Eswatini.

Phiwayinkhosi Mavuso acredita que a agricultura deve criar valor para além da exploração agrícola

O cultivo de produtos agrícolas é apenas uma parte de um projeto bem-sucedido empresa agrícola.

Preservar a qualidade, reduzir as perdas pós-colheita e aceder a mercados de elevado valor são aspetos igualmente importantes para que os agricultores possam aumentar os seus rendimentos e criar empresas resilientes.

Reconhecendo estes desafios, Phiwayinkhosi Mavuso estabelecido Greenhill Estates com a visão de transformar a agricultura tradicional num agronegócio moderno, capaz de abastecer tanto o mercado nacional como o internacional.

A empresa produz legumes de alta qualidade para O mercado local de Eswatini ao mesmo tempo que se prepara para expandir a sua atividade para a exportação de fruta fresca, mini-legumes e legumes convencionais que cumprem as normas internacionais.

Em vez de se concentrar exclusivamente no aumento da produção, a Greenhill Estates está a investir em sistemas que aumentam o valor ao longo de toda a cadeia de abastecimento agrícola.

A Greenhill Estates está a investir na sustentabilidade a longo prazo

A agricultura moderna exige mais do que rendimentos mais elevados. Exige resiliência.

Sob a liderança de Phiwayinkhosi Mavuso, a Greenhill Estates está a desenvolver um programa ambicioso para plantar 10 000 árvores de fruto subtropicais por ano, incluindo variedades de abacate, manga e lichia, em cerca de 100 hectares.

A iniciativa foi concebida para atingir dois objetivos em simultâneo.

Em primeiro lugar, apoia a ambição da empresa de produzir fruta com qualidade de exportação para os mercados internacionais. Em segundo lugar, os pomares em expansão contribuem para o sequestro de carbono, demonstrando como a agricultura comercial também pode apoiar a sustentabilidade ambiental.

Para reforçar ainda mais as suas operações, a Greenhill Estates integrou uma unidade de embalagem totalmente equipada e tecnologias de conservação pós-colheita, incluindo congeladores de choque, o que contribui para reduzir o desperdício alimentar, mantendo simultaneamente a qualidade exigida para a distribuição comercial.

Este investimento reflete uma compreensão mais ampla de que a competitividade na agricultura depende tanto das infraestruturas como dos métodos de cultivo.

A Fundação Tony Elumelu impulsionou a visão de Phiwayinkhosi Mavuso

Um marco decisivo ocorreu em 2019, quando Phiwayinkhosi Mavuso foi selecionado para o Programa de Empreendedorismo da Fundação Tony Elumelu.

Através do programa, recebeu US$5 000 em capital inicial, formação empresarial, orientação e acesso a um dos maiores ecossistemas empreendedores de África.

Este apoio permitiu à Greenhill Estates expandir-se para além do abastecimento dos mercados locais informais e começar a criar explorações agrícolas comercialmente viáveis, capazes de abastecer mercados maiores e mais sofisticados.

Mais importante ainda, o programa reforçou as bases empresariais necessárias para promover o crescimento a longo prazo, criando simultaneamente oportunidades de emprego para os jovens de Eswatini.

Por que é que o trabalho de Phiwayinkhosi Mavuso é importante

O potencial agrícola de África vai muito além da produção alimentar.

O continente tem a oportunidade de se tornar um fornecedor global de produtos agrícolas de alta qualidade, mas para tal são necessários empresários dispostos a investir em infraestruturas, normas de qualidade e produção sustentável.

Através da Greenhill Estates, Phiwayinkhosi Mavuso está a ajudar a demonstrar que uma agricultura preparada para a exportação pode começar a nível local.

Ao integrar a agricultura comercial, a tecnologia pós-colheita e a sustentabilidade ambiental num único modelo de negócio, está a criar um modelo de referência que mostra como a agricultura africana pode tornar-se mais competitiva, mantendo-se, ao mesmo tempo, social e ambientalmente responsável.

O seu trabalho também destaca o importante papel que o empreendedorismo desempenha no combate ao desemprego juvenil, através da criação de empresas que geram postos de trabalho a par da produção agrícola.

O próximo capítulo da agricultura africana pertencerá às empresas capazes de competir a nível global sem perder de vista o impacto local.

Phiwayinkhosi Mavuso continua a posicionar a Greenhill Estates como uma dessas empresas.

À medida que os novos pomares amadurecem e as ambições de exportação se tornam realidade, a empresa pretende demonstrar que a agricultura sustentável, a competitividade comercial e a responsabilidade ambiental não são prioridades concorrentes — são, sim, pontos fortes complementares.

Para Phiwayinkhosi Mavuso, o sucesso não se mede apenas pelas toneladas colhidas em cada época, mas pelas oportunidades criadas para os agricultores, os trabalhadores e as comunidades em todo o Eswatini.

A sua trajetória demonstra que o futuro da agricultura africana reside não só na produção de mais alimentos, mas também na geração de maior valor.

The post Phiwayinkhosi Mavuso Is Building an Export-Ready Future for Eswatini Agriculture appeared first on The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

That question became the foundation of Passion Poultry Pvt Ltd, an agritech company designing affordable, environmentally friendly equipment that helps small-scale poultry farmers improve productivity, reduce losses and build more sustainable businesses.

Evangelista Chekera designs solutions around farmers, not laboratories

Innovation is often associated with sophisticated technology and expensive machinery. Yet some of the most transformative inventions emerge from observing everyday challenges.

For Evangelista Chekera, those challenges were visible in poultry farms across Zimbabwe, where high chick mortality continued to limit farmers’ incomes and confidence.

Working closely with producers, she designed a specialised chick brooding device that recreates the natural warmth of a mother hen. Powered by biomass briquettes made from agricultural waste, the system provides consistent heat while reducing dependence on charcoal, helping protect forests and lowering operating costs.

The innovation has been shown to reduce chick mortality by as much as 95 per cent, offering farmers a practical solution that improves productivity without increasing complexity.

Passion Poultry is modernising smallholder farming

Evangelista Chekera’s vision extends beyond a single product.

Through Passion Poultry, she has developed a growing portfolio of agricultural innovations designed to make poultry farming more efficient, affordable and environmentally sustainable.

Among them is an innovative poultry slaughtering device that simplifies processing for small-scale producers while improving consistency and reducing labour demands.

Both innovations received utility model protection from the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), reflecting the originality and practical value of her work.

Today, Passion Poultry supports hundreds of farmers across Zimbabwe while continuing to expand access to technologies that bridge the gap between traditional farming practices and modern agricultural efficiency.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation accelerated Evangelista Chekera’s growth

A defining milestone in Evangelista Chekera’s entrepreneurial journey came in 2021, quando foi selecionada para o Programa de Empreendedorismo da Fundação Tony Elumelu.

Through the programme, she received business training, mentorship, US$5 000 em capital inicial and access to one of Africa’s largest entrepreneurial ecosystems.

The investment helped Passion Poultry formalise its growth by registering as a Private Limited Company and increasing production of its patented agricultural equipment.

Beyond financial support, the programme strengthened her ability to scale innovations capable of improving livelihoods for poultry farmers across Zimbabwe and beyond.

From Zimbabwe to the global stage

Evangelista Chekera’s work has attracted recognition far beyond Zimbabwe.

She has participated in the TechWomen Emerging Leaders programme, received national innovation awards and earned international recognition for advancing sustainable agricultural technologies.

Her innovations have also been recognised by organisations including the World Farmers’ Organisation, highlighting the growing global interest in practical African solutions for sustainable food systems.

These achievements reinforce a broader truth: African entrepreneurs are not simply adopting global innovations—they are creating them.

Why Evangelista Chekera’s work matters

Food security begins long before food reaches the market.

It begins with farmers having access to the right tools, reliable technologies and affordable innovations that improve productivity while protecting natural resources.

Through Passion Poultry, Evangelista Chekera is demonstrating that agricultural innovation does not have to be complex to be transformative. By designing solutions around the realities of smallholder farmers, she is helping strengthen food production, reduce waste and promote greener farming practices.

Her work represents a growing movement of African entrepreneurs building technologies specifically for African challenges.

Evangelista Chekera continues to expand Passion Poultry’s mission of making poultry farming smarter, more sustainable and more profitable for smallholder producers.

Her journey demonstrates that meaningful innovation is measured not by the sophistication of a product, but by the lives it improves.

For every farmer whose chicks survive, every household whose income becomes more secure and every tree preserved through cleaner energy alternatives, Evangelista Chekera’s vision continues to prove that the future of African agriculture can be built one practical innovation at a time.

The post Evangelista Chekera Is Reinventing Poultry Farming in Africa appeared first on The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

For generations, farming has relied on experience, observation and instinct. Today, those instincts are being strengthened by technology.

Artificial intelligence, satellite imagery and digital advisory platforms are changing how farmers understand their crops, respond to changing weather patterns and make decisions that directly affect yields. Across Africa, these technologies are becoming powerful tools in addressing one of agriculture’s biggest challenges: making better decisions before problems become costly.

As the Co-Founder of eAgro Pvt Ltd, he is helping smallholder farmers access timely, data-driven insights that improve productivity, strengthen climate resilience and make agriculture more efficient.

Tafadzwa Chikwereti believes information can be as valuable as rainfall

A healthy harvest often depends on making the right decision at the right time.

Knowing when crops need attention, understanding soil conditions or anticipating changing weather patterns can significantly influence agricultural outcomes. Yet many smallholder farmers lack access to the tools and information needed to make those decisions confidently.

Recognising this gap, Tafadzwa Chikwereti cofundado eAgro Pvt Ltd, an agritech company that combines artificial intelligence, satellite technology and digital communication to make agricultural intelligence more accessible.

Instead of requiring farmers to invest in expensive equipment or specialised software, eAgro delivers practical recommendations through familiar channels such as WhatsApp e SMS, ensuring that innovation reaches the people who need it most.

eAgro is making precision agriculture more accessible

Modern agriculture is increasingly driven by data, but technology only creates value when it is practical and easy to use.

Through eAgro, farmers can access crop health monitoring, soil insights and climate-informed recommendations that support day-to-day decision-making.

The platform enables growers to identify potential issues earlier, respond to changing environmental conditions and improve farm management using information that was previously difficult to obtain.

This approach is particularly valuable for smallholder farmers, who often face resource constraints while managing increasingly unpredictable weather patterns linked to climate change.

By combining advanced technology with accessible delivery channels, eAgro demonstrates how digital innovation can reduce barriers to agricultural knowledge and strengthen rural livelihoods

The Tony Elumelu Foundation helped strengthen Tafadzwa Chikwereti’s vision

Em 2024, Tafadzwa Chikwereti foi selecionado para o Programa de Empreendedorismo da Fundação Tony Elumelu, joining thousands of entrepreneurs across Africa building businesses that solve local challenges through innovation.

Através do programa, recebeu US$5 000 em capital inicial, business training, mentorship and access to the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s pan-African entrepreneurial network.

For a technology-driven business operating in agriculture, these resources provide opportunities to refine business strategy, strengthen operations and connect with fellow innovators addressing similar development challenges across the continent.

The programme reinforces the Foundation’s belief that African entrepreneurs are uniquely positioned to create solutions that respond to local realities while contributing to sustainable economic growth.

Why Tafadzwa Chikwereti’s work matters

Agriculture remains one of Africa’s largest economic sectors, employing millions of people and supporting food security across the continent.

Helping farmers make more informed decisions can improve productivity, reduce losses and strengthen resilience against climate-related risks.

Through eAgro, Tafadzwa Chikwereti is contributing to a future where access to agricultural intelligence is no longer limited by geography or infrastructure.

His work highlights how digital innovation can empower farmers rather than replace traditional agricultural knowledge, creating practical solutions that improve productivity while supporting long-term sustainability.

As Africa’s agricultural sector continues its digital transformation, entrepreneurs like Tafadzwa Chikwereti are helping ensure that technology becomes an inclusive tool for development rather than an exclusive advantage.

The future of African agriculture will depend not only on stronger seeds or larger farms but also on better decisions.

Tafadzwa Chikwereti envisions an agricultural ecosystem where every farmer—regardless of location—can access reliable information that improves productivity and strengthens resilience.

As eAgro continues to develop new digital tools and expand its reach, the company is helping demonstrate that innovation in agriculture is not measured by the sophistication of technology alone. It is measured by the difference that technology makes in farmers’ lives.

For Tafadzwa Chikwereti, the goal is clear: ensure that every data point collected translates into better decisions, stronger harvests and more sustainable livelihoods across Africa.

The post Tafadzwa Chikwereti Is Helping Farmers Make Smarter Decisions with AI appeared first on The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

Electricity powers opportunity. It keeps businesses running, students learning after sunset and healthcare facilities operating when communities need them most. Yet for many households and businesses across Africa, reliable access to electricity remains one of the biggest barriers to economic growth.

Através de Ex Africa Energy, Tawanda Maruza is helping expand access to affordable solar energy across Zimbabwe, providing practical solutions for homes, businesses, and off-grid communities seeking dependable electricity.

Tawanda Maruza believes energy access is an economic opportunity

Energy is often discussed as infrastructure, but its impact reaches much further.

Reliable electricity enables entrepreneurs to increase productivity, allows schools to extend learning hours and gives healthcare providers greater confidence in delivering essential services.

Recognising this, Tawanda Maruza has dedicated his entrepreneurial journey to supporting Zimbabwe’s transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy.

As a professional associated with Ex Africa Energy, he contributes to the company’s mission of delivering solar power systems and energy-efficient solutions that respond to the everyday needs of customers while reducing dependence on conventional energy sources.

Rather than treating renewable energy as a luxury, Ex Africa Energy positions solar technology as a practical investment in long-term resilience and economic development.

Ex Africa Energy is helping power Zimbabwe’s future

Founded to support the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions, Ex Africa Energy provides solar installations and renewable energy systems for residential, commercial and off-grid applications.

Its work reflects a broader transformation taking place across Africa, where energia renovável is becoming an increasingly important driver of economic inclusion and environmental sustainability.

By delivering clean energy solutions, the company is helping customers improve energy reliability while encouraging greater adoption of environmentally responsible technologies.

As demand for affordable electricity continues to grow, businesses like Ex Africa Energy demonstrate how entrepreneurship can accelerate the transition towards cleaner and more resilient energy systems.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation strengthened Tawanda Maruza’s entrepreneurial journey

Em 2024, Tawanda Maruza foi selecionado para o Programa de Empreendedorismo da Fundação Tony Elumelu, joining thousands of entrepreneurs from across all 54 African countries working to solve local challenges through business innovation.

Através do programa, recebeu US$5 000 em capital inicial, business training, mentorship and access to the Tony Elumelu Foundation Alumni Network.

For entrepreneurs operating in fast-evolving sectors such as renewable energy, access to knowledge, experienced mentors and a continent-wide entrepreneurial ecosystem can be as valuable as financial investment.

The programme has strengthened Tawanda Maruza’s capacity to continue supporting Ex Africa Energy’s mission of expanding clean, reliable and affordable energy solutions across Zimbabwe.

Why Tawanda Maruza’s work matters

Africa’s economic future depends on more than generating electricity. It depends on ensuring that energy reaches the people and businesses capable of creating jobs, strengthening communities and driving innovation.

Through Ex Africa Energy, Tawanda Maruza is contributing to that future by supporting renewable energy solutions that make electricity more accessible and environmentally sustainable.

His work reflects a growing generation of African entrepreneurs who recognise that clean energy is not simply an environmental priority—it is a foundation for inclusive economic growth.

By helping households, businesses and off-grid communities’ access solar power, Tawanda Maruza is demonstrating how entrepreneurship can create practical solutions to one of the continent’s most pressing development challenges.

Tawanda Maruza continues to support the growth of Ex Africa Energy with a vision of expanding access to reliable renewable energy while contributing to Zimbabwe’s sustainable development.

As solar technology becomes increasingly important to Africa’s energy landscape, businesses like Ex Africa Energy will play an essential role in helping communities become more energy secure.

For Tawanda Maruza, every solar installation represents more than a source of electricity. It represents a step towards greater opportunity, stronger businesses and a future powered by sustainable innovation.

The post Tawanda Maruza Is Expanding Solar Energy Access in Zimbabwe appeared first on The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

Na qualidade de fundador e diretor executivo da RealityTech Advisory, Matilde Rungo is helping businesses harness technology to improve efficiency, strengthen cybersecurity and build resilient organisations prepared for the future.

Matilde Rungo believes digital transformation starts with strategy

For many companies, adopting new technology can feel overwhelming. Investments in digital tools often fail to deliver meaningful results when they are introduced without clear business objectives or organisational readiness.

Matilde Rungo established RealityTech Advisory to bridge that gap.

The consultancy works with startups and established organisations to design technology strategies that align innovation with business growth. From digital transformation planning to cybersecurity and technology advisory services, RealityTech helps organisations make informed decisions that improve operational performance while preparing them for an increasingly digital economy.

Rather than viewing technology as an end in itself, Matilde Rungo approaches innovation as a business capability—one that should solve problems, strengthen resilience and create sustainable competitive advantage.

Building businesses that are ready for tomorrow

Across Africa, digital transformation is becoming essential rather than optional.

Businesses that embrace innovation are better positioned to improve productivity, respond to changing customer expectations and compete in both local and international markets.

Através de RealityTech Advisory, Matilde Rungo supports organisations as they navigate this transition, helping them adopt practical, technology-driven solutions that strengthen long-term sustainability.

Her work extends beyond implementing digital systems. It focuses on enabling organisations to build the confidence, capabilities and strategic mindset needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

In Mozambique’s growing technology ecosystem, this type of guidance is becoming increasingly valuable as businesses seek trusted partners to support their digital journeys.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation strengthened Matilde Rungo’s entrepreneurial journey

Em 2024, Matilde Rungo se juntou ao Programa de Empreendedorismo da Fundação Tony Elumelu, becoming part of a continent-wide network of entrepreneurs developing innovative solutions to Africa’s biggest challenges.

Através do programa, ela recebeu US$5 000 em capital inicial, business training, mentorship and access to the Tony Elumelu Foundation Alumni Network.

For a technology entrepreneur operating in a fast-changing sector, these resources provide more than financial support. They offer opportunities to strengthen business strategy, refine growth plans and connect with fellow founders building technology-driven enterprises across Africa.

The Foundation’s support complements Matilde Rungo’s vision of using innovation to help businesses become more resilient, competitive and prepared for the digital future.

Why Matilde Rungo’s work matters

Africa’s digital economy is expected to play an increasingly significant role in the continent’s economic growth over the coming decades.

Realising that potential depends not only on developing new technologies but also on helping businesses use them effectively.

Through RealityTech Advisory, Matilde Rungo is contributing to that transformation by making digital innovation more accessible to organisations seeking sustainable growth.

Her work demonstrates that successful digital transformation is not measured by the number of technologies adopted. It is measured by how effectively those technologies help organisations solve problems, improve performance and create lasting value.

As more African businesses accelerate their digital ambitions, entrepreneurs like Matilde Rungo will continue to play an important role in shaping a more connected, innovative and resilient economy.

For Matilde Rungo, technology is ultimately about enabling people and organisations to achieve more.

As RealityTech Advisory continues to grow, the company aims to expand its contribution to digital transformation, cybersecurity and innovation across Mozambique and the wider African market.

Her entrepreneurial journey reflects the growing influence of African technology leaders who are building businesses that strengthen economic resilience while helping organisations embrace the opportunities of digital change.

In an increasingly connected world, competitive advantage belongs not simply to those with access to technology, but to those who know how to use it well. Through RealityTech Advisory, Matilde Rungo is helping ensure more African businesses are ready for that future.

The post Matilde Rungo Is Helping Mozambican Businesses Navigate the Digital Future appeared first on The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

Na qualidade de fundador e diretor executivo da Green Fire Innovation Limited (Green Fire Zâmbia), Septiya Muhandu está a transformar resíduos agrícolas e industriais em briquetes de carvão vegetal ecológicos, que fornecem um combustível mais limpo e sustentável para residências e empresas. O seu trabalho demonstra como a inovação ambiental pode proteger os recursos naturais, criando simultaneamente soluções práticas que as pessoas podem adotar no dia a dia.

Septiya Muhandu está a repensar o que os resíduos podem vir a ser

Os resíduos agrícolas são frequentemente tratados como pouco mais do que lixo. Nas comunidades agrícolas, a biomassa é frequentemente queimada, descartada ou deixada a decompor-se, apesar do seu potencial para se tornar um recurso energético valioso.

Septiya Muhandu viu uma oportunidade escondida neste desafio.

Através da Green Fire, desenvolveu um negócio que transforma resíduos agrícolas e industriais em briquetes de carvão vegetal renováveis, criando produtos que reduzem a pressão sobre as florestas da Zâmbia e, ao mesmo tempo, promovem alternativas energéticas mais limpas.

Em vez de extrair mais recursos naturais, a Green Fire concentra-se em maximizar o valor dos materiais já existentes. O resultado é um modelo de negócio assente nos princípios da economia circular, em que os resíduos se tornam um recurso, em vez de um fardo.

A Green Fire está a construir um futuro mais limpo para a Zâmbia

A sustentabilidade ambiental e as oportunidades económicas andam frequentemente de mãos dadas.

Ao produzir produtos a preços acessíveis briquetes de carvão vegetal A partir de resíduos de biomassa, a Green Fire dá resposta a vários desafios em simultâneo. A empresa promove a redução de resíduos, incentiva a adoção de energias renováveis e oferece às famílias e às empresas uma alternativa ambientalmente responsável ao carvão vegetal convencional.

Esta abordagem traz benefícios que vão além da conservação ambiental. Contribui também para a atividade económica local, criando valor a partir de subprodutos agrícolas que, de outra forma, poderiam ficar por utilizar.

À medida que o debate sobre a resiliência climática e a energia limpa continua a ganhar impulso em toda a África, empresas como a Green Fire demonstram como a inovação local pode contribuir para objetivos ambientais mais amplos, ao mesmo tempo que responde às necessidades do dia a dia.

A Fundação Tony Elumelu ajudou a fortalecer o percurso empreendedor de Septiya Muhandu

Em 2024, Septiya Muhandu foi selecionado para o Programa de Empreendedorismo da Fundação Tony Elumelu, integrando-se numa rede de empreendedores que trabalham para resolver os desafios mais prementes de África através do empreendedorismo.

No âmbito do programa, recebeu US$5 000 em capital inicial, formação empresarial, orientação e acesso ao ecossistema empreendedor pan-africano da Fundação.

Para a Green Fire, este apoio proporcionou mais do que apenas recursos financeiros. Reforçou a capacidade da empresa para aperfeiçoar o seu modelo de negócio, desenvolver a sua estratégia de crescimento e estabelecer ligações com empreendedores de todo o continente que estão a criar empresas inovadoras e orientadas para o impacto.

O investimento da Fundação reflete a convicção mais ampla de que a transição de África para uma economia mais ecológica será impulsionada não só pelas políticas, mas também por empreendedores que criam soluções práticas e escaláveis.

Por que é que o trabalho de Septiya é importante

O futuro da energia sustentável em África depende das empresas que tornam as escolhas ambientalmente responsáveis acessíveis e a preços razoáveis.

Septiya Muhandu faz parte de uma nova geração de empreendedores que está a provar que a inovação climática não tem de depender de tecnologias dispendiosas ou de soluções importadas. Por vezes, uma mudança significativa começa por repensar os recursos de que as comunidades já dispõem.

Através da Green Fire, Septiya Muhandu está a ajudar a reduzir a dependência do carvão vegetal tradicional, ao mesmo tempo que incentiva práticas de cozinha mais limpas e promove a utilização responsável dos recursos naturais.

O seu trabalho destaca o papel cada vez mais importante que os empreendedores desempenham no apoio à conservação ambiental, no reforço das economias locais e na promoção da transição de África para sistemas energéticos mais sustentáveis.

Para Septiya Muhandu, a Green Fire é mais do que uma empresa de energias renováveis. Representa uma visão de um futuro em que o crescimento económico e a gestão responsável do ambiente se reforçam mutuamente.

À medida que a procura por soluções energéticas mais limpas aumenta na Zâmbia e em toda a região, a Green Fire pretende continuar a ampliar a sua contribuição para a produção sustentável de combustíveis e para a conservação ambiental.

A trajetória empreendedora de Septiya Muhandu demonstra que algumas das soluções climáticas mais eficazes assentam em ideias simples, mas poderosas. Ao transformar resíduos em combustível limpo para cozinhar, ele está a ajudar a proteger as florestas, a criar valor a partir de recursos menosprezados e a contribuir para um futuro mais sustentável para a Zâmbia.

Por vezes, as inovações mais marcantes não começam por criar algo novo — começam por olhar para os recursos existentes sob uma perspetiva diferente.

The post How Septiya Muhandu Is Giving Agricultural Waste a Second Life Through Green Fire appeared first on The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

Na qualidade de cofundador e diretor executivo da CARABLAZE ENTERPRISE LIMITED, Bright Phiri is developing solutions that convert agricultural waste into renewable energy products. His vision reflects a growing movement across Africa, where entrepreneurs are tackling climate challenges through innovation, proving that environmental responsibility and commercial enterprise can grow side by side.

Rethinking waste through entrepreneurship

For decades, waste management and energy production have largely been treated as separate challenges. Bright Phiri believes they can be addressed together.

Founded to advance sustainable development, CARABLAZE ENTERPRISE LIMITED converts agricultural residues into environmentally friendly energy products that provide cleaner alternatives to traditional fuels.

The business is built on a simple but powerful principle: resources should not be wasted simply because they have reached the end of their original purpose.

By giving agricultural by-products a second life, CARABLAZE contributes to cleaner production, reduced waste and more sustainable resource use. Its work aligns with the growing global movement towards a circular economy, where innovation focuses on maximising value while minimising environmental impact.

For Zambia, where agriculture remains an important pillar of the economy, this approach offers an opportunity to connect environmental stewardship with economic development.

Building a business with climate impact

Environmental entrepreneurship often demands patience.

Developing sustainable products requires balancing commercial viability with environmental responsibility—a challenge that many early-stage businesses must navigate as they grow.

For Bright Phiri, success has never been measured solely by the products CARABLAZE creates. It is equally about demonstrating that climate-conscious businesses can generate economic value while addressing real-world challenges.

Through renewable energy innovation, the company contributes to cleaner energy production while encouraging more efficient use of agricultural resources that might otherwise go unused.

Its model illustrates how local innovation can support national sustainability goals while creating new possibilities for green enterprise.

Acelerar o crescimento através da Fundação Tony Elumelu

In 2024, Bright Phiri joined the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme, becoming part of a pan-African community of entrepreneurs building businesses that respond to some of the continent’s most pressing challenges.

Through the programme, he received US$5,000 in seed capital, practical business training, mentorship and access to the Tony Elumelu Foundation Alumni Network.

For a business operating within the green economy, these resources provide more than financial support. They strengthen leadership, sharpen business strategy and connect entrepreneurs with peers working across industries and geographies.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation’s role is not to define the entrepreneur’s vision, but to help create the conditions in which ambitious ideas have greater opportunities to grow.

Why businesses like CARABLAZE matter

The conversation around climate action is often dominated by governments, global institutions and multinational companies.

Yet many of the practical solutions are emerging from entrepreneurs building businesses close to the communities they serve.

CARABLAZE Enterprise represents this new generation of African innovation businesses that recognise sustainability as both an environmental responsibility and an economic opportunity.

By transforming agricultural waste into renewable energy products, the company demonstrates how entrepreneurship can simultaneously reduce waste, encourage cleaner energy adoption and stimulate local economic activity.

These solutions may begin at community level, but their relevance extends far beyond national borders as countries seek practical pathways towards more sustainable development.

Bright Phiri belongs to a growing generation of founders proving that climate innovation does not always require groundbreaking new technologies. Sometimes, it begins with seeing overlooked resources differently.

For CARABLAZE Enterprise, the future is not simply about producing renewable energy. It is about demonstrating that environmental responsibility and commercial success can reinforce one another.

In a world searching for sustainable solutions, the next breakthrough may not come from creating something entirely new. It may come from recognising the value in what has been there all along.

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