Kenya’s 21-year-old Mr. Peter Wachira and Nigeria’s Ezinne Uko emerged winners of the Kwese Gogettaz entrepreneurship competition.
Wachira is the founder of a Remote Youth Venture where they develop a solution that purifies water using clay pots at an affordable cost.
Ezinne Uko is the Founder and CEO of Contrail Stores which owns iMonitor app. A solution that provides business owners an opportunity to run their businesses technologically and efficiently.
“I do not know how I feel. I believe in my product. It has taken me four years. I am thankful,” said Ezinne.
“It has been a journey. I believed in my dream,” said Wachira.
Each will receive Ksh10 million in investments and a two-week mentorship programme with Econet Global founder, Strive Masiyiwa at Kwesé offices in South Africa.
The judges assessed the 12 finalists ventures on their business or non-profits’ sustainability, originality, social benefit, and scalability.
The competition had 12 finalist entrepreneurs from both for-profit and not-for-profit businesses in six African countries: Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zimbabwe pitched their ventures to a panel of judges and a live audience in Nairobi on Friday.
They include: Pascal Akahome (Nigeria), Olalekan Bankole Emmanuel (Nigeria), Veridique Musambaghani Kakule (DRC), Dumisani Mahlangu (South Africa), Farai Nechikwira (Zimbabwe).
The female contestants include Abisola Akindeinde (Nigeria), Ivy Barley (Ghana), Blessing Machiya (Zimbabwe), Shola Peter (Nigeria), Uwitonze Sarah ( Rwanda) and Ezinne Uko (Nigeria).
Selected from over 4,800 entries. The rest of the contestants will each receive USD 10,000.