A group of twenty talented young entrepreneurs from across Africa’s tech ecosystem has embarked on a transformative two-week study tour to the Republic of Korea. Selected by the African Development Bank Group’s (AfDB) Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab, these innovators represent some of the brightest minds in African technology ventures. The initiative seeks to connect African startups with South Korea’s dynamic technology landscape, fostering knowledge exchange, partnership opportunities, and investment in Africa’s burgeoning tech sector.
The entrepreneurs, chosen from a competitive pool of 133 ventures that participated in the recent Africa Tech Startup Forum, showcased exceptional business models during the Forum’s virtual market access and acceleration program. This program provided intensive preparation, training, and opportunities to connect with global markets, setting the stage for their Korean tour.
A Cross-Continental Collaboration for Innovation
Hailing from eight diverse nations—Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda—the delegation spans a variety of high-impact technological sectors, including agritech, health tech, and fintech. The study tour aligns with the Lab’s broader Leveraging the Entrepreneurial and Innovation Success of Korea to Strengthen African Enterprise Support project, an initiative designed to harness Korea’s technological success to bolster Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape.
The delegation’s itinerary includes visits to South Korea’s most prestigious innovation hubs, including the Global Startup Centre, LG Science Park, and the Korea Software Technology Association. These entrepreneurs will also engage with unicorn startups—companies valued at over $1 billion—and institutions like the Global Digital Innovation Network, which supports the scaling of South Korean startups globally.
Building Bridges Across Borders
Uche Ezadinachi, founder of Kenya-based health tech company Zuri Health, expressed her excitement about the trip.
“Korea is a leading technology-driven society, and this tour presents a unique opportunity to learn from their advancements. We aim to bring those innovations back to Africa to address pressing challenges in health and other sectors,” she said.
Ezadinachi also emphasized the reciprocal nature of the tour. “This isn’t just about learning from Korea—it’s about collaboration. We’ll share our experiences and perspectives as African entrepreneurs, fostering mutual growth.”
David Chen, co-founder of Rwandan health data venture Kapsule, highlighted the importance of the trip in creating meaningful connections.
“This tour allows us to build relationships through face-to-face interactions with Asian health tech companies. These connections could be pivotal for future collaborations and scaling efforts,” he noted.
Empowering Africa’s Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
The delegation, composed of young leaders aged 18 to 35, reflects a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, with over one-third of participants being women. Their agenda includes participation in key South Korean events like the K Startup Grand Challenge, an accelerator program supported by the South Korean government; the Africa Innovation Networking Gala; and COMEUP Korea, an event linking Korean startups with global investors and corporations.
This initiative is financially supported by the Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation Trust Fund and forms part of the AfDB’s broader Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy.
The Broader Vision
Martha Phiri, Director of Human Capital, Youth, and Skills Development at the African Development Bank, highlighted the initiative’s transformative potential.
“This program equips young entrepreneurs with critical skills to expand their businesses and create jobs. By fostering innovation and enterprise, we can accelerate Africa’s economic growth and development,” she stated.
Ndeye Absa Gningue, Innovation Platform Officer managing the Bank’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab, stressed the long-term benefits of the program.
“Platforms like the Africa Tech Startup Forum empower young people to nurture their talents and grow their ventures. Our work doesn’t stop here; we will continue supporting these entrepreneurs as they develop into global players,” she remarked.
A Blueprint for Future Growth
As the entrepreneurs immerse themselves in South Korea’s cutting-edge tech ecosystem, this initiative represents more than a learning opportunity—it’s a strategic move toward redefining Africa’s role in the global innovation landscape. By bridging continents and fostering collaboration, the African Development Bank’s program is sowing the seeds for a vibrant future where African startups not only thrive locally but also make a global impact.
This tour is a testament to the power of cross-border collaboration in driving technological advancement, economic empowerment, and sustainable development.
The African Research (AR) Index is a comprehensive scholarly directory and database focused explicitly on journal publishers that publish and disseminate African research.
