Qualcomm taps Nigerian startups, others for elite Africa deep-tech cohort as IP race intensifies

Qualcomm has selected startups from Nigeria and across Africa for its 2026 Make in Africa mentorship programme, underscoring a growing race to build Intellectual Property (IP) and scale deep-technology innovation on the continent.

The U.S. chipmaker picked 10 early-stage companies from more than 1,200 applications spanning over 45 countries, reflecting both the surge in African tech participation and a shift toward more complex, hardware-driven innovation.

Nigeria emerged as a key contributor to the cohort, with Anatsor Ltd and D-Olivette Labs selected for their work in digital agriculture and data-driven farming systems, areas seen as critical to improving food security and productivity.

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Other 2026 cohort includes the following startups: Amperra Charging Company (Namibia): AI‑driven, grid‑adaptive smart EV charging platform designed to enable scalable electric mobility across Africa; Mindora Corporation (Zimbabwe): Braille keyboard solution that improves digital accessibility for visually impaired users and MVUTU (Republic of the Congo): Solar‑powered IoT cold storage solution that reduces post‑harvest losses for smallholder farmers.

QualiKeeper Investments Ltd (Zambia): Affordable AIoT livestock monitoring system designed for low‑connectivity rural environments; SafeSip (Tanzania): Smart water access and monitoring solution that ensures safe, reliable drinking water in urban and peri‑urban areas; Sesi Technologies Ltd (Ghana): AI‑powered field device that enables early cocoa quality assessment and transparent supply chains; TWave Ltd (Uganda): Automated, solar‑powered fish feeding system that optimizes aquaculture productivity and Zerobionic (Kenya): Assistive robotics solutions designed to enhance inclusion and independence for persons with disabilities.

The programme, now in its fourth year, is part of Qualcomm’s broader Africa Innovation Platform and offers equity-free support, including engineering mentorship, business training, and access to advanced development tools.

Beyond funding, the initiative places strong emphasis on intellectual property creation, a long-standing gap in Africa’s innovation ecosystem where startups often struggle to protect and commercialise their technologies globally.

Participants will receive technical support using platforms developed by Arduino, alongside patent advisory services from Adams & Adams and training through L2Pro Africa, aimed at helping founders secure and manage their innovations.

Industry observers say this focus signals a strategic pivot as global competition in artificial intelligence, edge computing and connected devices intensifies, with Africa increasingly seen as both a talent hub and a frontier market.

“This year’s cohort shows how African startups are pushing the boundaries of technologies like edge AI and 5G,” said Wassim Chourbaji, Qualcomm’s senior vice president for the Middle East and Africa, noting a rise in both the number and technical depth of applications.

The selected startups span sectors including electric mobility, smart infrastructure, assistive technology and water management, highlighting a shift away from consumer-focused apps toward systems that combine hardware, software and connectivity.

Each startup will receive a $5,000 stipend upon completion of the programme, while those that file patents can claim up to $5,000 in reimbursement for filing costs. One participant will also receive additional funding through Qualcomm for Good, the company’s social impact arm.

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The African Telecommunications Union, which is partnering the programme for the fourth consecutive year, said the initiative aligns with efforts to ensure emerging technologies directly address Africa’s development challenges.

Reflecting the program’s relevance across the continent, the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) returns as a partner for the fourth consecutive year. “The ATU’s key mandate is to ensure that Africa’s telecommunications ecosystem serves Africa’s people. Qualcomm Make in Africa embodies that same principle by putting cutting-edge technology directly in the hands of African innovators to solve African challenges. Having seen firsthand the quality of the startups this program produces, returning as a partner in 2026 was not a question of if, but of how we could deepen our contribution. We look forward to seeing this cohort carry that work forward,” said secretary general John Omo.

As global technology players compete to shape the future of AI and connected systems, Qualcomm’s latest cohort suggests Africa is moving beyond being a consumer of technology to becoming a creator, though the ability to generate and retain IP may determine how much value the continent ultimately captures.