Global technology firm Qualcomm Incorporated has selected 10 African startups for its 2026 Make in Africa Mentorship Programme, reinforcing its push to support deep-technology innovation across the continent.
The initiative, now in its fourth year, forms part of the Qualcomm Africa Innovation Platform and is designed to nurture early-stage startups developing solutions in advanced fields such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, the Internet of Things and next-generation connectivity.
This year’s cohort was chosen from more than 1,200 applications submitted across over 45 African countries, reflecting growing interest and maturity in the continent’s technology ecosystem. The selected startups are working across sectors including agriculture, smart infrastructure, electric mobility, education and assistive technology.
Among them is Sesi Technologies Ltd, which is developing an artificial intelligence-powered device to assess cocoa quality at the farm level, aimed at improving transparency and efficiency in supply chains.
Other selected ventures include startups focusing on smart electric vehicle charging systems, solar-powered cold storage solutions, digital poultry management platforms and assistive robotics designed to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities.
Qualcomm said participants would receive technical mentorship, business coaching and access to engineering expertise to help refine their products and accelerate commercialisation. The programme will also provide hardware support through collaboration with Arduino, enabling founders to prototype and deploy edge-AI solutions.
In addition, startups will benefit from intellectual property training through platforms such as L2Pro Africa, as well as patent advisory support from legal experts. Those that successfully complete the programme will receive a $5,000 stipend, with further financial support available for patent filing.
At the end of the mentorship cycle, one startup will be awarded funding under Qualcomm’s Social Impact Fund, which targets innovations with strong societal and commercial potential.
Commenting on the selection, Qualcomm’s regional leadership said the quality and sophistication of applications continue to improve, with startups increasingly leveraging emerging technologies such as Edge AI and 5G to tackle real-world challenges.
The African Telecommunications Union is once again partnering the programme, underscoring its continued relevance in strengthening Africa’s digital ecosystem and supporting homegrown innovation.
The 2026 cohort is expected to undergo months of training and mentorship, with a focus on turning early-stage ideas into scalable, market-ready solutions capable of driving economic growth and technological advancement across the continent.
Source:
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