The selected startups were chosen from over 1,200 applications spanning 45 countries, reflecting growing interest in technology-driven solutions addressing Africa’s development challenges.
Qualcomm has announced the selection of 10 startups for the 2026 edition of its Make in Africa Startup Mentorship Program, marking the fourth year of the initiative aimed at accelerating innovation across the African continent.
The selected startups were chosen from over 1,200 applications spanning 45 countries, reflecting growing interest in technology-driven solutions addressing Africa’s development challenges.
The cohort represents a wide range of sectors including agriculture, assistive technology, smart cities, utilities, electric vehicle transportation, smart infrastructure, and education. These startups are developing solutions aimed at tackling some of the continent’s most pressing socio-economic challenges through locally grounded innovation.
As part of the program, each startup will receive seven months of mentorship, access to Qualcomm technologies, structured masterclasses, educational resources, and potential funding support through the Qualcomm Wireless Reach Social Impact Fund.
Qualcomm said the initiative is designed to support early-stage innovators by equipping them with technical expertise, global exposure, and resources needed to scale impactful solutions across African markets.
