Innovation at the African Startup Conference 2023

Innovations are the driving force behind progress, addressing today's challenges while creating new opportunities for society and the environment. Startups, as innovation hubs, bring fresh ideas and approaches to various industries, playing a crucial role in shaping our future.

From December 5 to 7, 2023, Algeria hosted the African Startup Conference, a pivotal event that served as a vibrant platform for startups. This conference was more than a gathering; it provided invaluable networking opportunities, access to potential investors, and insights from industry experts. It was a melting pot of the brightest startups and innovative solutions, all united with a common goal - advancing Africa's economy, society, and culture through the power of innovation.

The conference brought together key players in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, including African ministers responsible for startups, innovation, and digitalization, alongside researchers, developers, and investors. Together, at the African Startup Conference 2023, the aim was crystal clear - to foster technological excellence in Africa, translating ideas into commercial solutions that shape the future of societies and drive economic growth across the continent.

The South African-German Energy Programme (SAGEN) proudly sponsored the attendance of three participants. Zanele Hakamela, along with Lesego Ndhambi (Plentify), Yves Nzuzi-Khuabi (Ontec Systems), and Norman Moyo (Distributed Power Africa), represented SAGEN at the conference. The participants engaged in panel discussions on Strategic Growth and Development in the Energy Sector and Smart Grids IoT, and AI for Sustainable Energy. Additionally, they participated in an exhibition stand, served as jurors in a cleantech competition, and engaged in networking opportunities with startups and funders from the African continent.

SAGEN extends its heartfelt gratitude to GIZ Algeria and Algeria’s Ministry of Knowledge Economy, Start-Ups, and Micro-Enterprises for the special invitation to this event, affirming the commitment to driving innovation and progress in Africa.

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Within the technology innovation component, SAGEN collaborates with startups to pilot and test innovative technologies addressing South Africa's energy challenges. SAGEN is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), co-funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in cooperation with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), the National Treasury (NT), Eskom, the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI).

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Author: Elaine Cheung, elaine.cheung@giz.de