Every harvest creates a question.

What happens next?

For tomatoes, that question is particularly important. Fresh produce has a limited shelf life, and when markets, storage or processing systems cannot absorb a harvest quickly enough, part of its economic value can disappear through spoilage.

For Louis Wilfried Yehouessi, the opportunity was therefore not simply to grow more food.

It was to preserve and transform more of what was already being grown.

Drawing on his background in genetics and food biodiversity conservation, Louis established CEVADEL-BENIN, an agro-processing company transforming locally grown tomatoes into tomato purée under the SWEETOUNVI brand.

From its base in Porto-Novo, the company is demonstrating a fundamental principle of agricultural development: sometimes the greatest opportunity is not in producing another crop, but in creating more value from the harvest already available.

Louis Wilfried Yehouessi saw value beyond the harvest

Agriculture plays an important role in Benin’s economy, supporting livelihoods and supplying food to communities across the country.

But agricultural production is only the beginning of the value chain.

Between a farmer harvesting a tomato and a consumer buying a finished food product are several opportunities to create additional economic value: aggregation, preservation, processing, packaging, distribution and retail.

When those capabilities are limited, fresh produce can become vulnerable to post-harvest losses.

Louis Wilfried Yehouessi saw an opportunity within that gap.

His background in genetics and food biodiversity conservation had given him an appreciation for the value of agricultural resources. Entrepreneurship offered him another way to protect that value—not simply by conserving biodiversity, but by turning locally available raw materials into marketable products.

That thinking became the foundation of CEVADEL-BENIN.

What does CEVADEL-BENIN do?

CEVADEL-BENIN is a food processing company that transforms locally sourced agricultural produce into value-added food products.

Its flagship product, SWEETOUNVI, is a tomato purée produced from locally cultivated tomatoes for consumers in Benin.

The business addresses a simple imbalance.

A fresh tomato has a relatively short commercial life. Processing it into another food product can extend the ways in which that agricultural output reaches consumers while creating additional economic activity around manufacturing, packaging and distribution.

CEVADEL has since expanded its portfolio with SWEETEPICES, a range of spice blends that further diversifies the company’s presence in the processed food market.

Its products are available through retail outlets including Nol Market, La Divine and Le Chariot de Damiaky, giving more consumers access to food products processed within Benin.

For Louis, this is about more than putting another brand on a supermarket shelf.

It is about capturing more of the agricultural value chain locally.

The economics of turning tomatoes into products

A tomato sold immediately after harvest generates value for the farmer.

But when that tomato becomes an input for a locally manufactured product, the economic chain becomes longer.

Someone processes it.

Someone manages quality.

Someone packages it.

Someone distributes it.

Someone sells it.

Each stage represents another point at which skills, employment and commercial activity can be created.

This is what makes agro-processing strategically important for economies seeking to generate more value from agriculture.

For Louis Wilfried Yehouessi, CEVADEL-BENIN sits within this opportunity.

By sourcing agricultural produce and transforming it locally, the company can contribute to a system in which more of the value associated with food production remains within the domestic economy.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation helped Louis Wilfried Yehouessi scale production

Before participating in the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme, CEVADEL-BENIN operated on a relatively modest scale.

The business generated approximately US$1,412.92 in monthly revenue and employed two people. Limited processing equipment constrained its production capacity and created barriers to expansion.

In 2019, Louis Wilfried Yehouessi participated in the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme, receiving US$5,000 in seed capital, alongside business training, mentorship and access to the Foundation’s pan-African entrepreneurial network.

Louis directed the capital towards one of the company’s most important constraints: production.

CEVADEL invested in modern food-processing equipment to strengthen its manufacturing capabilities and improve production consistency.

The company also began product certification processes—an important step for a food business seeking to strengthen consumer confidence and reach wider markets.

The subsequent growth was measurable.

Monthly revenue increased from approximately US$1,412.92 to US$4,415.36.

At the same time, CEVADEL’s workforce expanded from two employees to nine.

For Louis, the progression illustrates what targeted entrepreneurial capital can unlock when it is applied to a clear operational constraint.

The funding did not create the agricultural opportunity.

It helped the entrepreneur build more capacity to capture it.

Louis Wilfried Yehouessi is building beyond a single product

SWEETOUNVI may have provided CEVADEL with an entry point into food processing, but the introduction of SWEETEPICES points towards a broader ambition.

Diversification can be important for an agro-processing company.

A broader product portfolio can allow a business to serve different consumer needs, create additional revenue streams and develop a stronger brand presence.

It can also enable a company to apply existing capabilities in production, packaging and distribution across multiple products.

For CEVADEL, this means the infrastructure being developed around tomato processing can contribute to something larger: a growing locally rooted food-processing company.

That evolution matters because successful African food brands will increasingly need to compete not only on origin, but also on quality, consistency, convenience, packaging and consumer trust.

Being locally made creates an opportunity.

Building a trusted brand turns that opportunity into a business.

Why Louis Wilfried Yehouessi’s work matters for farmers

The success of an agro-processing company can have implications beyond the factory.

Processors need raw materials.

That creates potential demand for agricultural production.

By sourcing tomatoes from local producers, CEVADEL-BENIN participates in a value chain connecting farmers with processing and consumer markets.

Greater processing capacity can create additional channels through which agricultural produce reaches the market, particularly where fresh produce is vulnerable to deterioration.

For farmers, stronger domestic value chains can potentially mean more opportunities to sell what they grow.

For processors, stronger relationships with producers can improve access to raw materials.

For consumers, local processing can increase the range of domestically produced food products available in the market.

This interdependence is why Louis’s work matters beyond CEVADEL itself.

The company is part of a much larger question about how African economies can extract greater value from their agricultural resources.

From biodiversity to enterprise

There is also something distinctive about Louis Wilfried Yehouessi’s professional journey.

His background in genetics and food biodiversity conservation might initially appear separate from entrepreneurship.

In reality, the two are closely connected.

Biodiversity has ecological value, but agricultural resources can also generate economic value when they are sustainably developed into products that people need.

Louis’s journey represents a shift from understanding biological resources to building commercial systems around them.

That combination of scientific knowledge and entrepreneurship can be particularly valuable in agriculture, where questions of crop characteristics, food quality, processing and sustainability frequently intersect.

Through CEVADEL-BENIN, Louis is translating that knowledge into enterprise.

Building stronger local food systems

Across African markets, conversations about food security often begin with production.

How much food can farmers grow?

It is an essential question, but it is not the only one.

Equally important is what happens between harvest and consumption.

Can produce be stored?

Can it be processed?

Can businesses manufacture competitive food products locally?

Can those products reach consumers efficiently?

And can the value created along that journey support farmers, workers and businesses within the same economy?

Entrepreneurs such as Louis Wilfried Yehouessi operate within this often-overlooked middle of the food system.

By transforming agricultural raw materials into finished consumer products, agro-processors can help bridge the distance between farms and markets.

Looking ahead

Louis Wilfried Yehouessi wants CEVADEL-BENIN to grow beyond its current footprint.

His ambition is to build the company into a leading African agro-processing business focused on transforming locally sourced raw materials.

That next phase includes advancing product certification, increasing production capacity, strengthening logistics and pursuing opportunities for wider distribution.

The long-term opportunity extends beyond Benin.

If SWEETOUNVI and SWEETEPICES can establish stronger domestic market positions, regional expansion could open access to consumers across West Africa.

But the larger idea behind CEVADEL remains remarkably simple.

Africa does not only need to grow more.

It also needs to create more economic value from what it already grows.

Louis Wilfried Yehouessi is building his business in that space between harvest and consumption—where a locally grown tomato can become a product, a job, a brand and, ultimately, a larger economic opportunity.

The post Louis Wilfried Yehouessi Is Turning Benin’s Tomato Harvests Into Economic Value appeared first on The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

When a pipe bursts, an electrical fault disrupts a business or a home urgently needs repairs, finding the right technician can be as challenging as fixing the problem itself.

Across Cameroon, households and businesses have long relied on informal artisans for repair, maintenance and construction services. Many of these technicians possess valuable skills, yet customers can still face inconsistent pricing, limited accountability and uncertainty about the quality of work they will receive.

For Bamai Namata, the problem was not a lack of skilled workers. It was the lack of a trusted system connecting them to customers.

That insight led to Maibeta, a digital marketplace designed to connect customers with verified service providers while bringing greater transparency, efficiency and structure to everyday technical services.

In doing so, Bamai is tackling a deceptively simple question with significant economic implications: how do you make trust easier to access?

Bamai Namata saw the gap behind the informal economy

Across African cities, informal workers provide many of the services that keep homes, businesses and communities running.

Electricians, plumbers, carpenters, builders and maintenance technicians are essential to everyday life. Yet the systems connecting these professionals to customers have often remained informal themselves.

For customers, finding a qualified professional may depend on a recommendation from a neighbour, colleague or friend. For artisans, securing new work can depend heavily on personal networks and word-of-mouth referrals.

That creates a structural gap.

A skilled technician may have the ability to complete a job but lack the digital tools to reach more customers, manage bookings or build a professional track record. Meanwhile, a customer may need a service but have little information with which to assess who to hire.

Bamai Namata recognised that technology could address both sides of the problem.

Maibeta was built around the idea that a more organised marketplace could make skilled services easier to discover, book and manage.

What is Maibeta?

Maibeta is a digital on-demand marketplace connecting customers with verified technicians and service providers in Cameroon.

The platform covers services including:

• Electrical repairs
• Plumbing
• Carpentry
• Construction
• Home maintenance
• Corporate facility management

Rather than leaving the entire transaction to informal networks, Maibeta introduces digital tools into the process.

Customers can book services through the platform, while service providers can access a more structured way to receive and manage jobs.

The platform incorporates features such as technician verification, digital service booking, automated job matching, workflow management and secure payment channels.

Each feature addresses a different part of the trust problem.

Verification can give customers more information about who they are hiring. Digital booking creates a clearer record of the service request. Job matching can help connect demand with available professionals. Workflow tools can make service delivery more organised, while digital payments can reduce friction in the transaction.

The technology is important, but the underlying proposition is straightforward: make it easier for people to trust the service they are paying for.

Bamai Namata is bringing structure to skilled work

The formalisation of informal work is often discussed as a policy challenge.

But it can also be approached as a product and technology challenge.

For millions of skilled workers, the issue is not necessarily the absence of expertise. It is the absence of infrastructure that allows that expertise to become a more predictable business.

A technician who previously depended on referrals can potentially reach customers through a digital marketplace.

A customer who previously relied on a friend’s recommendation can access a structured service platform.

This creates value on both sides.

For artisans, digital platforms can create additional routes to customers and help them organise their work. For customers, they can make professional services more accessible and easier to navigate.

That is the opportunity Bamai Namata is pursuing through Maibeta.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation helped Bamai Namata take the idea further

Turning a marketplace concept into a functioning business requires more than technology.

It requires an understanding of customers, pricing, operations, growth and the realities of building a sustainable company.

Through the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme, Bamai Namata received US$5,000 in seed capital, alongside business training, mentorship and access to the Foundation’s pan-African entrepreneurial network.

The support provided resources to strengthen Maibeta’s development while giving Bamai access to a wider community of African entrepreneurs navigating similar challenges.

For an entrepreneur building at the intersection of technology and the informal economy, that combination matters.

Capital can help build the product. Training can strengthen the business model. Mentorship can challenge assumptions. And networks can create opportunities that are difficult to build alone.

Why Bamai Namata’s model matters beyond Cameroon

The challenge Maibeta is addressing is not unique to Cameroon.

Across Africa, informal businesses and independent service providers account for a significant share of economic activity. Yet many operate outside the digital systems that increasingly shape how customers discover, purchase and evaluate services.

This creates an opportunity for technology companies to build infrastructure around existing economic activity rather than attempting to replace it.

Maibeta does not need skilled artisans to become something entirely different.

It can give them another way to operate.

That distinction is important.

Digital transformation is often framed around sophisticated technologies. But some of its most meaningful applications can be remarkably practical: helping someone find a plumber, schedule an electrician or arrange maintenance for a business.

For Bamai Namata, technology becomes valuable when it solves those everyday problems.

Trust may be Maibeta’s most important product

Marketplaces succeed when both sides believe the transaction will work.

Customers need confidence that a service provider is capable and accountable. Service providers need confidence that customers are genuine and that the platform can help them access worthwhile opportunities.

This makes trust more than a feature.

It becomes infrastructure.

By combining verification, booking, matching, workflow management and payment tools, Maibeta is attempting to build that infrastructure into the service experience.

The wider implication is significant.

As African cities grow and digital adoption increases, consumers are likely to expect greater convenience from more parts of their lives. The next generation of digital marketplaces will not only sell products. They will help people access the skilled human services that keep urban economies functioning.

That creates room for businesses like Maibeta to play a larger role in the evolution of Africa’s service economy.

Building the future of everyday services

Bamai Namata’s ambition goes beyond putting technicians online.

It is about changing how customers and skilled workers interact with one another.

The traditional model relies heavily on proximity and personal connections. The digital model can make those connections more searchable, structured and scalable.

If Maibeta can continue strengthening its network of verified professionals and improving the customer experience, it could help demonstrate what happens when technology is designed around an existing economic reality rather than imposed on it.

The opportunity is especially relevant as African consumers become increasingly comfortable booking services digitally.

The same person who orders food from a smartphone or transfers money through a mobile application may eventually expect the same convenience when looking for an electrician, plumber or maintenance professional.

Looking ahead

For Bamai Namata, the future of service delivery is one where finding a reliable technician does not depend on who you happen to know.

Maibeta is building towards a marketplace where customers can discover and book skilled professionals through a more structured digital experience, while artisans gain new ways to access work and develop their businesses.

The larger opportunity is to help transform the informal service economy from a collection of disconnected transactions into a more connected marketplace.

Cameroon’s digital economy will not be built only through fintech, e-commerce or software.

It will also be built through the technologies that make everyday economic activity more visible, accessible and efficient.

Bamai Namata is betting that trust can be the starting point.

And through Maibeta, he is building the digital infrastructure to make that trust easier to find.

The post Bamai Namata Is Building Trust Into Cameroon’s Informal Service Economy appeared first on The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

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 iMed Tech 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.

Through the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme, Nneile Nkholise received US$5,000 in seed capital, 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

Healthcare innovation 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.

For 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.

Standing before a room of investors, he explained the architecture, capabilities and long-term potential of FasterDev, a platform designed to simplify how software is built. The technology was ambitious, but the audience struggled to see beyond the technical language. The meeting ended without the investment he had hoped for.

As Hannington packed his materials, however, one investor approached him outside the conference room. Where others had seen complexity, he saw potential. That conversation marked the beginning of a partnership that would help shape FasterDev into a growing software company serving businesses across Africa.

Today, FasterDev is demonstrating that African technology companies can build solutions tailored to African realities—making software development faster, more affordable and more accessible for businesses across the continent.

Hannington Mambo believes African businesses deserve software built for African realities

As businesses across Africa embrace digital transformation, many still encounter the same obstacle: finding software that fits their needs without exceeding their budgets.

Custom-built systems are often expensive and time-consuming to develop, while many off-the-shelf solutions are designed for markets with different business environments and operational challenges. For developers, delivering reliable software can also involve repetitive processes that increase costs and delay deployment.

Hannington understood these frustrations from a unique perspective.

Before transitioning into software development, he built a career in accounting, grants management and humanitarian operations, including experience at Save the Children. As a self-taught programmer, he combined operational insight with technical expertise, recognising that software projects often struggled not because Africa lacked talent, but because the development process itself was unnecessarily complex.

Together with his brother and co-founder, Lamek Mambo, he set out to change that.

FasterDev is simplifying how software is built

Originally developed under the umbrella of Mambo Software, FasterDev began as an internal development tool designed to automate repetitive and error-prone aspects of software engineering.

As the platform matured, its potential became increasingly clear. Rather than serving only one company, FasterDev evolved into a standalone software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform that could support developers, technology companies and growing businesses across Africa.

Today, the platform enables organisations to build and deploy software more efficiently while reducing development costs and delivery timelines.

Its solutions support accounting and financial reporting systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP) platforms for institutions such as schools and SACCOs, and business management software tailored to the needs of African small and medium-sized enterprises.

By reducing technical complexity, FasterDev allows developers to focus more on innovation while helping businesses access locally relevant software without relying on costly imported systems.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation helped strengthen Hannington Mambo’s vision

Building innovative technology requires more than technical expertise. It also requires access to capital, business support and an entrepreneurial ecosystem that encourages growth.

In 2018, Hannington Mambo was selected for the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme, receiving US$5,000 in seed capital, business training, mentorship and access to the Foundation’s pan-African entrepreneurial network.

The support helped strengthen FasterDev’s business structure, increase its visibility and position the company for sustainable growth as it transitioned from an internal development tool into a commercial platform serving businesses across Africa.

For Hannington, the programme reinforced a belief that continues to shape FasterDev’s mission: Africa’s challenges are best solved by entrepreneurs building solutions for the continent.

Why Hannington Mambo’s work matters

Africa’s digital economy continues to expand rapidly, but software development remains a significant barrier for many businesses seeking to modernise their operations.

By making software development faster and more accessible, FasterDev is helping lower that barrier.

The company has created skilled employment opportunities for software developers, technical leaders and executive professionals, contributing to Kenya’s growing technology ecosystem while supporting continued product innovation through its recurring software-as-a-service revenue model.

Its impact extends beyond employment. Businesses across Africa can now access software designed with local operating conditions in mind, avoiding the high costs and lengthy implementation periods often associated with imported enterprise solutions.

FasterDev has also expanded its reach through SME networks, developer communities and connections within the Tony Elumelu Foundation alumni network, strengthening collaboration across Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Today, the company is led by Amadou Chico Sissoko, its angel investor and Chief Executive Officer, reflecting a founder-investor partnership built on trust, shared purpose and long-term commitment. Hannington continues to shape the company’s strategic direction alongside his brother, whose technical leadership has been instrumental in FasterDev’s evolution.

Building Africa’s digital future from within

For Hannington, FasterDev represents more than a software platform.

It is part of a broader vision to ensure African businesses can build world-class technology without depending on imported systems or expensive development processes.

As the company continues to grow, it aims to become the platform of choice for developers and businesses seeking to build software faster, more efficiently and at lower cost across the continent.

Africa’s digital future will depend not only on the number of technology companies it creates but also on the quality of the tools those companies use to innovate.

Hannington Mambo believes those tools should be built in Africa, for Africa.

Through FasterDev, he is proving that simplifying software development can unlock new opportunities for businesses, strengthen local innovation and empower the next generation of African technology entrepreneurs—one line of code at a time.

The post Hannington Mambo Is Helping African Businesses Build Software Faster appeared first on The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

Across many rural communities in Kenya, something as routine as accessing a computer, applying for jobs online or completing a digital skills course can require travelling long distances. While cities continue to benefit from rapid technological advancement, many smaller towns remain on the wrong side of the digital divide, limiting opportunities for education, employment and entrepreneurship.

Rather than accepting this gap as inevitable, Noah chose to build a business that could help close it.

As the Founder of Kerilinks Enterprises Limited, he is making digital services and ICT training more accessible through the Kasheen ICT Centre, a community-based technology hub that equips residents with the tools and skills needed to participate in today’s digital economy.

Noah Kipkoech believes digital access should not depend on geography

Technology has become essential to almost every aspect of modern life. From applying for jobs and accessing government services to running businesses and acquiring new skills, digital literacy is increasingly a requirement rather than an advantage.

Yet for many people living in rural Kenya, these opportunities remain out of reach because access to computers, affordable internet and structured ICT training is limited.

Having grown up in Kericho County, Noah witnessed these challenges firsthand. Young people eager to develop digital skills had few local options. Entrepreneurs struggled to access online markets and services. Families often travelled considerable distances simply to complete tasks that required an internet connection.

Recognising both the challenge and the opportunity, Noah founded Kerilinks Enterprises Limited, a social enterprise committed to making technology more accessible where it is needed most.

Kasheen ICT Centre is making digital inclusion practical

At the heart of Kerilinks Enterprises is the Kasheen ICT Centre, a technology hub designed to bring affordable digital services directly into underserved communities.

The centre provides affordable computer and internet access, practical ICT training programmes and a collaborative environment where students, freelancers, entrepreneurs and job seekers can build the digital skills increasingly required in today’s workforce.

Rather than relying on donor funding alone, the business generates revenue through ICT services, internet access and digital training, demonstrating that community-focused technology solutions can also be commercially sustainable.

By combining accessibility with a viable business model, Kerilinks is helping reduce one of the biggest barriers to economic participation—limited access to digital tools and knowledge.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation helped accelerate Noah Kipkoech’s vision

Building a business that creates both commercial and social value requires more than determination. It requires access to capital, business knowledge and a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Through the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme, Noah received $5,000 seed capital that enabled Kerilinks Enterprises to expand the operations of the Kasheen ICT Centre and strengthen its early growth.

The support helped increase the centre’s reach, enhance service delivery and establish sustainable revenue streams while continuing to make digital services affordable for local communities.

Beyond funding, the programme connected Noah to a network of entrepreneurs across Africa who are building businesses that solve pressing local challenges through innovation.

Why Noah Kipkoech’s work matters

Digital inclusion is increasingly recognised as a foundation for economic growth.

Without access to technology, individuals face greater barriers to employment, education and entrepreneurship, while communities risk being left behind as economies become more digital.

Through the Kasheen ICT Centre, Noah is helping ensure that these opportunities are available closer to home.

The enterprise has already created direct employment for two young people while providing hundreds of residents with affordable access to computers, internet services and digital skills training.

Young people who have completed the centre’s programmes report greater confidence using technology and improved readiness for jobs requiring basic ICT competencies, helping strengthen workforce participation within the community.

In recognition of his leadership, Noah was invited to serve as a judge for the Warriors for Good Awards in early 2025, celebrating social innovation and community impact across Kenya.

Looking beyond Kericho

For Noah, expanding digital inclusion is only the beginning.

Kerilinks Enterprises plans to grow its digital skills programmes, strengthen partnerships with community organisations and develop scalable models of last-mile connectivity that can be replicated in underserved communities across Kenya.

As Africa continues its digital transformation, entrepreneurs like Noah are demonstrating that innovation does not have to begin in major cities to create meaningful impact.

The future of digital inclusion will depend not only on better technology but also on making that technology accessible to everyone.

Noah Kipkoech envisions communities where location is no longer a barrier to opportunity and where every young person can acquire the digital skills needed to participate in the modern economy.

Through Kerilinks Enterprises, that vision is already becoming a reality—one community, one learner, and one connection at a time.

The post Noah Kipkoech Is Bringing Digital Opportunity Closer to Rural Kenya appeared first on The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

What began as a deeply personal search for healthier food options has grown into a business that is helping reshape how people think about baking, nutrition and inclusion.

As the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Batter Bakes, Siphilele Magagula is proving that healthier food does not have to compromise on taste, convenience or accessibility.

Siphilele Magagula turned a personal challenge into a business opportunity

Many successful businesses begin with solving a problem the founder has experienced firsthand.

For Siphilele Magagula, that problem was navigating life with gastrointestinal health challenges and finding food that met her dietary needs without sacrificing flavour or quality.

Rather than accepting limited options, she decided to create them.

Founded in 2018, Batter Bakes has become Eswatini’s first food and lifestyle brand dedicated to producing nutrient-dense, allergen-free baked goods and baking solutions. Every product is designed to be gluten-free, lactose-free and refined sugar-free, with vegan, plant-based and low-carbohydrate options available for customers with different dietary requirements.

The company’s philosophy is simple: no one should ever feel excluded from the dinner table.

Batter Bakes is making healthy eating more accessible

Healthy eating is often associated with expensive speciality products or complicated recipes.

Batter Bakes takes a different approach.

The company produces ready-to-use baking mixes, frozen batters and wholesome baked goods that simplify food preparation for households, cafés and hospitality businesses while reducing waste and maintaining consistent quality.

By combining convenience with nutrition, Batter Bakes enables both professional and home bakers to prepare fresh products more efficiently without compromising on health or taste.

The business also places strong emphasis on using carefully sourced natural ingredients and increasing the use of locally available grains and superfoods, making healthier food choices more accessible within Eswatini.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation helped transform Siphilele Magagula’s vision into a business

A pivotal moment in Siphilele Magagula’s entrepreneurial journey came in 2019, when she was selected for the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme.

Chosen from more than 216,000 applicants, she received US$5,000 in seed capital, business training and mentorship to launch Batter Bakes as Eswatini’s first nutrient-dense, allergen-free food business.

The programme provided more than financial support.

It helped establish the management structures, business systems and entrepreneurial confidence needed to transform an innovative idea into a scalable enterprise.

Today, Batter Bakes continues to demonstrate how entrepreneurship can improve public health while creating sustainable commercial opportunities.

Beyond food, Siphilele Magagula is shaping Eswatini’s creative economy

While Batter Bakes has become one of her most recognised ventures, Siphilele Magagula’s influence extends well beyond food entrepreneurship.

A multidisciplinary designer, branding strategist and creative entrepreneur, she has contributed to international design, cultural and innovation initiatives while advocating for design thinking, mental health awareness and stronger creative ecosystems in Eswatini.

Her work reflects a broader philosophy that entrepreneurship is not simply about building businesses—it is about designing better systems, stronger communities and more inclusive experiences.

Why Siphilele Magagula’s work matters

Across Africa, demand for healthier food options continues to grow as consumers become more aware of nutrition, wellness and food sensitivities.

Businesses like Batter Bakes are helping ensure that this shift is inclusive rather than exclusive.

By developing products that meet specialised dietary needs while remaining practical and enjoyable, Siphilele Magagula is expanding access to healthier lifestyles without asking consumers to compromise on quality or convenience.

Her entrepreneurial journey also demonstrates how personal experiences can inspire businesses with broader social impact, transforming individual challenges into solutions that benefit entire communities.

Looking ahead

The future of food will be shaped not only by what people eat but also by who has access to healthier choices.

Siphilele Magagula continues to position Batter Bakes as more than a bakery. It is an inclusive food brand committed to improving wellbeing through innovation, nutrition and thoughtful product design.

As awareness of specialised dietary needs grows across Africa, Batter Bakes is well positioned to help lead a new generation of food businesses where health, sustainability and inclusion work together.

For Siphilele Magagula, success is not measured only by the products sold. It is measured by ensuring that everyone, regardless of dietary restrictions, has a place at the table.

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

It should create businesses capable of competing internationally while creating opportunities at home.

As the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Greenhill Estates PTY Ltd, Phiwayinkhosi Mavuso is building an agribusiness that combines sustainable farming, export readiness and environmental stewardship to strengthen food systems and create employment in Eswatini.

Phiwayinkhosi Mavuso believes agriculture must create value beyond the farm

Growing crops is only one part of a successful agricultural business.

Preserving quality, reducing post-harvest losses and accessing high-value markets are equally important if farmers are to improve incomes and build resilient enterprises.

Recognising these challenges, Phiwayinkhosi Mavuso established Greenhill Estates with a vision of transforming traditional farming into a modern agribusiness capable of serving both domestic and international markets.

The company produces high-quality vegetables for Eswatini’s local market while preparing to expand into the export of fresh fruit, baby vegetables and conventional vegetables that meet international standards.

Rather than focusing solely on increasing production, Greenhill Estates is investing in systems that increase value across the agricultural supply chain.

Greenhill Estates is investing in long-term sustainability

Modern agriculture demands more than higher yields. It requires resilience.

Under Phiwayinkhosi Mavuso’s leadership, Greenhill Estates is developing an ambitious programme to plant 10,000 subtropical fruit trees each year, including avocado, mango and litchi varieties across approximately 100 hectares.

The initiative is designed to achieve two objectives simultaneously.

First, it supports the company’s ambition of producing export-quality fruit for international markets. Second, the expanding orchards contribute to carbon sequestration, demonstrating how commercial agriculture can also support environmental sustainability.

To strengthen operations further, Greenhill Estates has integrated a fully equipped packhouse and post-harvest preservation technologies, including blast freezers, helping reduce food waste while maintaining the quality required for commercial distribution.

This investment reflects a broader understanding that competitiveness in agriculture depends as much on infrastructure as it does on cultivation.

The Tony Elumelu Foundation accelerated Phiwayinkhosi Mavuso’s vision

A defining milestone came in 2019, when Phiwayinkhosi Mavuso was selected for the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme.

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

The support enabled Greenhill Estates to expand beyond supplying informal local markets and begin building commercially viable farming operations capable of serving larger and more sophisticated markets.

More importantly, the programme strengthened the business foundations needed to pursue long-term growth while creating employment opportunities for young people in Eswatini.

Why Phiwayinkhosi Mavuso’s work matters

Africa’s agricultural potential extends far beyond food production.

The continent has the opportunity to become a global supplier of high-quality agricultural products, but doing so requires entrepreneurs willing to invest in infrastructure, quality standards and sustainable production.

Through Greenhill Estates, Phiwayinkhosi Mavuso is helping demonstrate that export-ready agriculture can begin at the local level.

By integrating commercial farming, post-harvest technology and environmental sustainability into one business model, he is creating a blueprint for how African agriculture can become more competitive while remaining socially and environmentally responsible.

His work also highlights the important role entrepreneurship plays in addressing youth unemployment by creating businesses that generate jobs alongside agricultural output.

The next chapter of African agriculture will belong to businesses capable of competing globally without losing sight of local impact.

Phiwayinkhosi Mavuso continues to position Greenhill Estates as one of those businesses.

As new orchards mature and export ambitions become reality, the company aims to demonstrate that sustainable farming, commercial competitiveness and environmental responsibility are not competing priorities—they are complementary strengths.

For Phiwayinkhosi Mavuso, success is measured not simply by the tonnes harvested each season, but by the opportunities created for farmers, workers and communities across Eswatini.

His journey shows that the future of African agriculture lies not only in producing more food, but in producing greater value.

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, when she was selected for the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme.

Through the programme, she received business training, mentorship, US$5,000 in seed capital 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.

Through Sante City Academy Limited, she is building an institution that places learning at the centre of long-term social and economic development, demonstrating how entrepreneurship in education can create lasting impact that extends well beyond the classroom.

Why quality education matters

Education plays a central role in strengthening communities, improving economic opportunities and preparing young people for an increasingly competitive global economy.

For many families, schools represent more than places of academic instruction. They are environments where children develop confidence, critical thinking, discipline and the skills needed to navigate an ever-changing world.

Recognising this, Tembo Cleopatra established Sante City Academy with a vision of creating a learning environment that supports both academic excellence and personal growth.

Her approach reflects a broader understanding that investment in education is ultimately an investment in people.

Building Sante City Academy around student success

As the founder and leader of Sante City Academy Limited, Tembo Cleopatra has focused on providing high-quality education that equips learners with the knowledge, values and practical skills required for lifelong success.

The academy is built on the belief that education should nurture the whole child, combining strong academic foundations with personal development and leadership.

By creating a supportive learning environment, the school seeks to prepare students not only for examinations but also for future opportunities in higher education, employment and entrepreneurship.

This commitment has positioned Sante City Academy as part of Zambia’s growing private education sector, where innovative institutions are helping expand educational choice and improve learning outcomes.

Joining the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme

In 2024, Tembo Cleopatra was selected for the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme, joining thousands of entrepreneurs from across Africa recognised for their potential to drive economic transformation through business.

The programme provides entrepreneurs with business training, mentorship, seed capital and access to a continent-wide entrepreneurial network designed to strengthen sustainable business growth.

For an entrepreneur operating in the education sector, this support offers valuable opportunities to refine business strategy, strengthen institutional capacity and connect with fellow founders addressing diverse challenges across Africa.

By becoming part of the Foundation’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, Cleopatra gained access to resources that complement her vision of expanding educational opportunities while building a resilient and sustainable enterprise.

Education as a catalyst for community development

Schools have a unique ability to influence generations.

Beyond delivering education, institutions like Sante City Academy contribute to stronger communities by creating environments where young people can develop confidence, leadership and the ability to contribute meaningfully to society.

Tembo Cleopatra’s work reflects an understanding that educational entrepreneurship carries responsibilities beyond business performance. Every learner supported today represents future potential for families, communities and the wider economy.

By investing in quality learning experiences, the academy contributes to Zambia’s broader efforts to strengthen human capital and prepare young people for the opportunities and challenges of the future.

As demand grows for innovative education models across Africa, entrepreneurs like Cleopatra are demonstrating how private enterprise can complement national education goals while expanding access to quality learning.

Tembo Cleopatra’s long-term vision for Sante City Academy is rooted in creating an environment where every learner has the opportunity to develop academically, personally and professionally.

As the institution continues to grow, it aims to strengthen its contribution to educational excellence while preparing students to become confident leaders, innovators and responsible citizens.

Her entrepreneurial journey illustrates that education is not simply about teaching today’s curriculum. It is about equipping tomorrow’s generation with the knowledge, resilience and ambition to shape Africa’s future.

The post Tembo Cleopatra Is Transforming Education in Zambia appeared first on The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

Rethinking governance for Africa’s growing businesses

Corporate governance is often associated with large listed companies, complex regulatory frameworks and extensive boards of directors. For many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), it can appear distant, expensive or unnecessary.

Ntini challenges that perception.

He believes governance should be practical, accessible and designed to support entrepreneurs as they grow rather than becoming a consideration only after businesses reach maturity.

By translating governance principles into practical business tools, he helps organisations improve decision-making, manage risk, strengthen accountability and position themselves for long-term growth.

This approach reflects the evolving needs of African enterprises operating in increasingly competitive and interconnected markets.

Building the Global Governance Group

As the founder and CEO of Global Governance Group, Dumisani Ntini has built a consultancy focused on helping businesses embed ethical leadership, effective management systems and sustainable governance structures.

Rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions, the company tailors governance frameworks to the realities of businesses operating in emerging African markets.

Its work spans strategic advisory services, governance implementation and executive development, helping organisations navigate regulatory expectations while strengthening internal systems that support sustainable growth.

For entrepreneurs seeking investment or expansion opportunities, these governance foundations can improve operational resilience and increase investor confidence.

Accelerating growth through the Tony Elumelu Foundation

In 2021, Dumisani Ntini joined the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme, becoming part of the Foundation’s pan-African network of entrepreneurs.

Through the programme, he received US$5,000 in seed capital, alongside business training, mentorship and access to an entrepreneurial ecosystem spanning all 54 African countries.

The experience reinforced his vision of making corporate governance more accessible to businesses across the continent.

Beyond financial support, participation in the programme expanded opportunities for collaboration, strengthened his regional network and provided additional momentum to scale the Global Governance Group’s impact.

The Foundation’s support complemented Ntini’s mission of equipping African enterprises with the governance systems needed to grow sustainably and compete globally.

Building stronger institutions through knowledge

Recognising that governance is most effective when it is understood rather than imposed, Ntini has invested heavily in business education and public engagement.

Under his leadership, the Global Governance Group launched the #GoodGovernanceWorkshops, bringing together executives, board members and entrepreneurs to explore practical approaches to governance, leadership and organisational sustainability.

These workshops encourage businesses to view governance not simply as a compliance exercise but as a strategic asset that strengthens resilience, improves transparency and supports better decision-making.

By making governance knowledge more accessible, the company is helping cultivate stronger business institutions across Botswana and beyond.

Shaping the conversation on corporate governance

Dumisani Ntini’s influence extends beyond consulting.

He is a recognised voice in Botswana’s business community, regularly contributing insights on corporate governance through appearances on Botswana Television (BTV) and his #CorporateGovernanceCorner column published in Botswana Business Weekly.

Through these platforms, he continues to advocate for governance as a catalyst for business success, investment readiness and sustainable economic development.

His work contributes to a broader conversation about the role governance plays in strengthening Africa’s private sector and creating businesses capable of delivering long-term value.

Dumisani Ntini believes the continent’s future competitiveness depends not only on entrepreneurial ambition but also on the strength of the institution’s entrepreneurs build.

Through the Global Governance Group, he is working to ensure that governance becomes an integral part of business growth rather than an afterthought.

For entrepreneurs seeking to build lasting organisations, governance is not simply about managing risk it is about creating the conditions for enduring success.

The post Dumisani Ntini Is Advancing Corporate Governance in Africa appeared first on The Tony Elumelu Foundation.