Two Kenyan Startups Top in the race for African Union Entrepreneurship Prize

Two Kenyan Startups, Tekizo Africa limited and NANASI have been selected among the finalists and semifinalists respectively, in the ongoing Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Caravan Competition.

Tekizo Africa which is run by Dennis Onkangi Onkundi, is a Mombasa -based enterprise that manufactures and distributes solar-powered chillers (Kuza Freezers), to small-scale fishermen. It offers them a sustainable cooling service during and after fishing to reduce post-fish losses and improve food security.

The enterprise emerged position eight among the top ten finalists also competing for the prize

NANAS, which is an operating system for restaurants and retail businesses in Africa, took the second position out of the ten semi-finalists.

The NANASI system offers an all-in-one platform for restaurants and retail businesses to unify their sales and engagements channels, manage core daily operations and grow with intelligent insights.

The two, Tekizo Africa Limited and NANASI were chosen from a pool of 1,500 enterprises across the continent.

fCFTA Caravan Initiative, is a flagship of the broader African Union-led 4D Initiative, with a platform (www.afcfta.app) that aims to boost small enterprises and startups in Africa by providing extensive soft infrastructure to help them expand beyond their home countries.

The AfCFTA Caravan Prize is a component of the wider Initiative and targets a select few of the supported enterprises with more intensive support and some cash grants.

“AfCFTA Caravan Initiative itself is designed to eventually offer more than the token cash grants and recognition that winners of the Prize received. In conjunction with the other elements of the 4D Agenda, it provides a toolkit for startups and SMEs to flourish in a more connected ecosystem. Through bespoke digital platforms and targeted policy interventions, Governments, corporates, financial institutions, and standards organizations can coordinate their SME and startup programs across multiple countries to create corridors for trade, commerce and investment throughout Africa”, said the Caravan Prize Committee.

“If there is one hope that animates everything we do as a Secretariat, it is that AfCFTA must become the most inclusive and most digital Free Trade Area & Process in the World. By focusing on SMEs, digital innovation, gender & equitable transformation, the AfCFTA Caravan Prize will serve as a continental beacon for Agenda 2063. I celebrate the Prize Laureates for sharing our vision and thank the Jury and Partners for stepping up to the challenge,” Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General, AfCFTA Secretariat said.