Eight Nigerian technology start-ups were on Tuesday selected to join 22 others from across Africa to pitch at the 2015 edition of the DEMO Africa event.
This is the second consecutive year that Nigeria will top the list having had 14 out of the 40 technology start-ups at the 2014 edition.
Co-incidentally, the country will be hosting the DEMO Africa event for the second consecutive year running as the weeklong event will take place in Lagos from September 21 to 25, 2015
Kenya follows Nigeria with six representatives; South Africa is third with three representatives; while Ghana, Egypt, Cameroon and Zimbabwe have two start-ups each.
One start-up each will represent Uganda, Tanzania and newcomer, Cote d’Ivoire.
“The presence of Cote d’Ivoire on the list of giants is a strong signal that more African nations are warming up to the ability of the continent to craft her own solutions to various needs,” the Chairman, DEMO Africa’s Local Organising Committee, Yele Okeremi, stated in Lagos.
While presenting some of the start-ups to journalists, he said the highest represented category on the 2015 list was finance and banking, with eight products.
“Other categories are education, transport and logistics, retail, communications and media, and entertainment,” Okeremi added.
The LOC chairman said the 30 start-ups were selected from a list of over 600 applicants, with four earning direct nominations during the DEMO Africa pre-pitch events.
According to him, the LOC will place the selected start-ups under a mentorship programme, which will run until September 22, 2015.
“This programme is aimed at sharpening the pitching skills of the entrepreneurs and readying them for the DEMO Africa stage,” he said.
Okeremi said preparations for the event were in the final stage, adding, “We are excited that local and international players in the transport and accommodation industries have come forth to offer their support. I am confident that we will deliver an excellent event.
“Over 500 guests, including investors, Information Technology buyers, IT consumers and the media are expected.”
The Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency, Mr. Peter Jack, congratulated the start-ups and welcomed them to Nigeria for the Pan-African technology event.
“We are excited at the opportunities that technology has presented to our African youths to create jobs and wealth. This is a great moment in the history of Africa, as it is steadily rising to establish its digital footprint in the world. Congratulations to the finalists,” he said.
The Executive Producer of DEMO Africa, Harry Hare, also congratulated all the participating entrepreneurs and noted the increase in the number of products from the applications received this year.
“I will like to congratulate every entrepreneur that took part in the DEMO Africa challenge. Though the stage can only accommodate 30 entrepreneurs this year, our pride is particularly in the large number of entrepreneurs that continue to support the cause to have Africa generated solutions,” he said.
PUNCH.
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