Nubian Cheetah

We partner with dryland famers to help them plant drought-resistant trees on unproductive land. They get seedlings and tools on credit plus training, post-harvest processing and access to new markets. We spend less than $1 to plant a tree. And each tree returns at least $20 to the family. That’s over $6,000 from half an acre.

Farmers rise out of poverty. The trees restore the environment and prevent deforestation. And each tree farm yields enough extra money to start nine new farms. KOMAZA will be able to achieve self-funded growth to more families.

Angaza Design - using solar to power Africa

2010-12-17T16:13:00.004-05:00

Angaza Design aims to improve the quality of life in East Africa by making clean and affordable electricity accessible to all.

Our solar-powered household lighting and charging system will run clean, bright LED lights, charge cell phones, and run radios. Our product will change the lives of our East African customers by saving them money from buying kerosene and batteries, raising their productivity at night leading to increased income, and improving their health and education.

Agro-Hub - Making agriculture markets work

2010-12-17T15:51:00.002-05:00

About:

AGRO-HUB is a business venture set up to mine, manage and disseminate agricultural information. To make this possible, AGRO-HUB exploits three fundamental information and communication technology components (Joint Community Effort, Short Message Service, and the Web) with a focus to achieve its main vision; make Cameroon’s agricultural markets work.

Uganda Medicinal Plants Growers

2010-11-30T16:58:00.001-05:00

Uganda Medicinal Plant Growers, Ltd. (UMPG) is a project started and incubated under Project Diaspora as an example of Diaspora-led projects that can impact entire communities.

Project UMPG is a large commercial farmining initiative based in Masindi, Uganda designed to transform over 1500 susbsistence farmers to commercial farmers. Project UMPG’s goal is to create markets for crops such as moringa, chili peppers, neem and aloe vera. In order to increase farmer daily earnings by broadening their market reach. Project Diaspora role involves crop selection, agricultural training, product development, supply chain management and international marketing. UMPG has attracted customers and partners in South Africa, Canada and USA.

Targetting Africa: The case for investment

2010-11-30T16:55:00.001-05:00

AFRICA that u dont see on t.v

2010-11-30T16:49:00.002-05:00

Alive & Kicking - Made in Africa, by Africa, for Africa

2010-11-30T16:33:00.002-05:00

Vision: Alive & Kicking's vision is of an Africa where every child can play with a real ball, where thousands of jobs are sustained in the production of balls, and where sport contributes to the eradication of deadly disease.

Approach: Alive & Kicking believes that by combining social entrepreneurship with sport's mass appeal, lasting economic and social development can be achieved in Africa.

Mission: Alive & Kicking strives to help children exercise their right to play, to create employment for communities in Africa and to help raise awareness of preventable disease. This will continue to be achieved through the African manufacture and distribution of sports balls and the provision of appropriate health awareness materials for young people.

Africa's New Construction on VOA's In Focus

2010-11-05T12:56:00.002-04:00

The Knowledge Channel - African education

2010-10-31T20:09:00.004-04:00

The Knowledge Channel (TKC) is an educational television and Internet channel that enlightens and empowers high school and university students, professionals and artisans across Africa. This channel is a training outreach for individuals interested in developing and maximizing their knowledge, skills and potentials through flexible TV friendly training programs.

Pagatech - Nigerian mobile money startup

2010-09-29T11:43:00.004-04:00

About

Pagatech was founded in early 2009 with a vision to enable a cashless society and bank the unbanked in Africa. Our first product offering, Paga, is a direct to consumer mobile payments service. Paga is an innovative, open, secure, and interoperable mobile payments platform that allows any person who has a mobile phone to transact electronically – thus turning the mobile phone into an electronic wallet.

At launch, customers can use Paga to send cash, purchase airtime credits, or pay bills from their mobile phone. Paga supports all phones, even the most basic SMS-enabled phone. Customers will also be able to transact on Paga via USSD, over the internet, and via the Paga mobile application which will be made available for java-enabled devices. Paga will work on all mobile networks.

Nii Simmonds interview at Tech4Africa about financing for African Startups

2010-09-29T11:34:00.004-04:00

In August, I was invited to Tech4Africa and I participated in a panel discussion on venture capital in Africa and what startups need to do to be fundable. I was also interviewed by some local media, one in particular, Zoopy, has a clip below.

iYam.mobi - SMS Apps startup in Cameroon

2010-09-29T11:21:00.005-04:00

I met Fritz Ekwoge at Tech4Africa in Johannesburg, South Africa in August. His startup, iYam.mobi, uses apps focused on SMS. He demoed the product to me, and it seemed really cool and interesting. The key is hitting critical mass, but I wouldn't bet against this young man.

Flocash - let your cash flow

2010-09-29T10:58:00.004-04:00

FloCash is a fast and convenient payment method to send and receive cash around Africa using your email or mobile phone. You can use FloCash to pay for products at FloCashMart.com or at any of the growing number of online retailers that accept FloCash.

Entrepreneurs who run FloCash are based out of the UK, and East Africa.

TEU - Empowering communities through agriculture

2010-07-31T14:55:00.001-04:00

Tseai Energy Unlimited seeks to become West Africa's leading socially-responsible and environmentally-friendly producer and exporter of palm oil and rice commodities. Our company will adopt the strategic approach of utilizing small-scale agro-processing technologies to ensure appropriate, efficient, and sustainable commercial success - all while ensuring developmental support, in healthcare and education, for the communities we serve.

Diaspora Camp DC 2010 - African diaspora Barcamp focused on Access to capital & SME finance

2010-07-13T13:52:00.007-04:00

Diaspora Camp DC 2010

DiasporaCamp is a BarCamp with a focus on African Diaspora, primarily African affairs and issues. DiasporaCamp DC follows the successful organization of BarCamp Diaspora in Washington, DC on July 25, 2009. The event brought together Africans and people interested in Africa for a day of demos, dialogue and discussion about Africa. The theme was " Investing our talent where it counts."

DiasporaCamp DC 2010 will be held from 9am to 6pm on July the 24th, 2010 at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.

The Proposed Theme for our July 24th Event is: Financial innovations for African small & medium-scale enterprises.

AFRICAJOU Natural Oils - African Earth

2010-06-30T10:54:00.002-04:00

AFRICAJOU is a Senegalese company set up to produce and market natural vegetable oils extracted from the plants and seeds of the local pharmacopoeia. The objective is to allow people everywhere to discover the benefits of AFRICAJOU's African Earth Vegetable Oils - for their virtues have been known for thousands of years by the local populations who use them as food or cosmetics.

African Institution of Technology - supporting technology diffusion in Africa

2010-06-30T10:49:00.004-04:00

Our plan is to help the diffusion of semiconductor, microelectronics, nanotechnology, biotechnology and other emerging technologies in developing nations (especially African nations) by supporting schools, SMEs (small and medium-scaled enterprises) and governments through world class education support and technical consulting.

African Colours - Contemporary African art scene

2010-06-30T10:46:00.002-04:00

AfricanColours works towards a viable contemporary African art scene that is internationally recognised and technologically savvy. AfricanColours does so by connecting artists and engaging the art industry through leveraging technologies, offering cultural experiences in and creating value for contemporary visual arts in Africa”.

Mlako Purified Ice Cube - Tanzania

2010-06-30T10:28:00.004-04:00

Mlako is a Tanzanian commercial ice company focused on purified cube ice.

Mafuta Sasa Biodiesel Limited - Tanzania

2010-06-30T10:24:00.001-04:00

Mafuta Sasa collects used cooking oil as its feedstock for biodiesel production. The Company collects used cooking oil from local hotels, restaurants, and street cart vendors, and transports the used oil to its factory for processing. The Company produces one liter of biodiesel from each liter of feedstock.

In addition to biodiesel, the Company produces and sells crude liquid soap. Raw glycerine is the main by-product from the biodiesel production process, and is also a primary ingredient in soap. By making soap from the raw glycerine, Mafuta Sasa earns a secondary revenue stream, while efficiently and safely disposing of its waste stream.

Mafuta Sasa is a company limited by shares duly formed under the laws of Tanzania. The Company is fully licensed by local taxing, industrial, and health authorities.

ANZA - a technologies-focused social enterprise

2010-06-30T10:00:00.004-04:00

Anza turns the conventional notions of raw materials on their head by reinventing trash to make low-cost, high-utility products that will enable millions of African farmers to lift themselves out of poverty.

Founded in the summer of 2008, Anza employs a portfolio approach by offering a set of appropriate technologies products. Our company began selling “upcycled” solar cookers and water sanitation solutions in Pemba, Mozambique, in June 2009. To date, we have sold hundreds of solar cookers and Tip Taps, positively impacting the health and environment of over 2,500 villagers in Northern Mozambique, and creating over $50,000 in social benefits to these communities.

Kilonshele - Nigerian ticket marketplace

2010-05-28T11:50:00.002-04:00

Kilonshele® is a live entertainment and marketing company. We connect the world to live entertainment events in Nigeria by providing up-to-date information on live events and giving fans opportunity to buy tickets conveniently. Kilonshele® provides ticket sales, marketing and distribution through www.kilonshele.com, one of the best e-commerce sites on the Internet.

Africa Now

2010-05-28T11:41:00.002-04:00

AfricaNow! is an innovative collaboration of modern home decor and accessories celebrating the fusion of African art and life.

Inspired by authentic African cultures with a contemporary influence, products include contemporary and traditional jewelry, accessories, home textiles and furnishings, whimsical holiday ornaments, baskets, wood, ceramics, and more.

Elephant Pepper - African spices

2010-05-28T11:29:00.003-04:00

African Spices Pvt Ltd.(AS) was formed in 2000 to sell chilli peppers to domestic, regional and international markets. EPDT selected AS to act as a for-profit facilitator between a collection of communal farmers who normally harvest small amounts of cash and food crops. The specific reason that the chilli pepper was targeted as a cash crop was two fold; 1) the pepper is a highly adaptable plant which can grow under conditions other cash crop cannot and 2) the complex chemicals that make peppers hot make them unpalatable to mammal pests. One of the main constraints on agricultural in the Zambezi Valley is crop raiding by elephants, buffalos and a variety of primates.

Nuru Light

2010-05-06T16:42:00.005-04:00

We are a social enterprise that sought to provide an affordable and clean off-grid lighting system for the world’s poor. So, we created the Nuru Light, the most affordable and efficient lighting system in the world.

Kina Klothing

2010-05-06T16:17:00.002-04:00

Mkuki Bgoya is a Tanzanian designer and owner of Kina Klothing. Kina Klothing is an exciting East African apparel brand that is internationally recognized.

Quality Chemical Industries - Uganda

2010-04-08T11:36:00.004-04:00

We are the premier and leading world class pharmaceutical industry in Uganda. In partnership with our development partners (Cipla and Quality Chemicals Limited), we use the latest state of the art technologies to manufacture and sell antiretroviral and antimalarial drugs. With over twelve years of experience, our time tested products have been a big relief in dealing with HIV Aids and Malaria, the two predominantly atrocious epidemics in Africa.

Village Reach & VidaGas in Mozambique

2010-04-08T11:21:00.007-04:00

VillageReach’s model improves access to healthcare by providing a logistics platform to facilitate delivery of medical supplies and by starting and managing social businesses to improve local infrastructure.

Creation of social businesses to fill critical infrastructure gaps is a fundamental part of VillageReach’s model. VidaGas is VillageReach’s pilot social business program that fills the requirement for safe, clean, affordable energy with broad market appeal. In 2002, VillageReach and its local partner, Mozambique Foundation for Community Development (FDC), established VidaGas to provide critical propane fuel services to rural health centers operated by the Mozambique Ministry of Health.

Largest volume propane provider in northern Mozambique with an annual delivery of approximately 300 tons
Supplies more than 260 remote health centers supporting a population of approximately 5 million
A reliable and profitable market supplier, reaching an expanding customer base of households and businesses including hospitality, tourism and light industry
Recognized by the World Bank Development Marketplace and UNDP World Business Award

AfriCAN Solutions

2010-04-08T11:10:00.001-04:00

This 13 part series travels across Africa, celebrating the spirit of enterprise, technology and ingenuity while also taking a deeper look at the paradox of progress. This is the most Comprehensive TV series ever produced about African technology, innovation and ingenuity.

Aschobi - African fashion house

2010-03-05T15:48:00.003-05:00

Aschobi is a global fashion brand with an African essence. Aschobi exists in the space where luxury meets classic feminine elegance together with an aesthetic that enhances the natural curves of a modern woman. The Aschobi woman is a true global citizen – intelligent, well travelled, socially conscious, and fun. Clad in Aschobi she reflects the opulence and freedom of her modern lifestyle.

Sustainable Harvest - specialty coffee importers

2010-03-05T15:42:00.002-05:00

From site:

Sustainable Harvest is headquartered in the Natural Capital Center in Portland, Oregon, USA. The company has supply-side divisions in Mexico, Peru, and Tanzania with on-the-ground staff to support and train coffee producers.

Sustainable Harvest has the diversity of a true global company. Two-thirds of the staff work outside of the United States. The company has 24 employees from 10 different nationalities. More than 80% of the staff are fluent in two or more languages. Nine staff members are Q Grader cuppers, certified by the Coffee Quality Institute.

Ingenious Africa - tv series that profiles African ingenuity

2010-03-05T15:36:00.001-05:00

13 x 1/2 hour series shot across the continent of Ingenious Africa, focuses on the African continents amazing ability to solve problems, overcome obstacles, create new technologies, draw on some ancient wisdom as well as lead the world in fields like astronomy and conservation.

Myweku - All Things African

2010-03-05T15:25:00.002-05:00

My Weku was borne out of a strong desire to:
• Unearth positive news, talent and inspirational figures across Africa.
• Provide a hub for discussing and celebrating “All Things African….”
My Weku is a première online resource for the review, analysis and promotion of African Culture in its entirety.

Faso Foods - Ivory Coast consumer foods company

2010-02-18T16:21:00.006-05:00

We are importers of high quality and wholesome products that are certified organic and fair trade, providing a sustainable and economic stimulus to farmers and food producers in Africa and around the world. Faso Foods represents a range of natural and delicious grains, nuts, teas and produce that American consumers are sure to love.

AFAS International Group - Agribusiness conglomerate Nigeria

2010-02-18T16:17:00.003-05:00

From site:

Our mission is to produce fish and livestock feeds, and agricultural products that meet international quality standards. This will be an ongoing economy aligned initiative which will result in a decrease in poverty for beneficiaries conducting business with the company and an increase in economic productivity and other secondary entrepreneurial opportunities.
We aim to produce top quality feed products, hire, train and retain personnel with required knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to set in motion the growth of the agricultural economy of Nigeria and ECOWAS (the Economic Community of West African States) through fish and livestock feed manufacturing. This will be accomplished through the following objectives:

Trigen Healthcare

2010-02-18T16:10:00.004-05:00

Trigen Healthcare is committed to improving healthcare outcomes in resource-poor countries by providing continuing medical education, healthcare skills training and consultative services to healthcare professionals, medical facility managers and health policy leaders.

EGG-Energy - affordable power

2010-02-18T15:59:00.004-05:00

About EGG-Energy

Since June 2008, a multi-disciplinary team from MIT and Harvard has been working on an innovative solution to bring affordable power to communities in the developing world. Their goal is to bridge the power distribution gap that keeps 1.6 billion people worldwide in the dark.

The Energy Center, KNUST - Center of excellence for Africa energy research

2010-02-18T15:42:00.006-05:00

The Energy Center at KNUST, is an African energy research center devoted to sustainable energy sources. Their research in energy is pivotal to finding a sustainable long-term solution to the world-wide energy crisis.

Chembe Urban Security Competition 2010 - East Africa

2010-01-19T19:33:00.002-05:00

Chembe Ventures is an Irish owned company which provides seed capital to mobile application developers, social media start-ups and web ventures in East and Southern Africa. We’re sponsoring this competition to encourage innovative mobile solutions to assist residents in urban communities address a specific or general security problem. One prize of US $5,000 will be awarded to the winning entry. On top of that, we’re offering a potential further US $5,000 or more of investment and pilot testing capital to the winning team or individual.

Entry Criteria:

Entrants must be registered as a developer in the Betavine community
Entries need to be written in English
Entries must be designed for deployment in one of the following countries: Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa or Tanzania.
This challenge is all about helping residents living in low-income, densely populated urban areas improve their personal security.

early warning notifications of criminal activity, violence or other security threats
assistance for families, communities at risk of crime
reducing crime, preventing the spread of violence
location, identification and assistance of victims of violence or crime

LimbeLabs - Cameroon startup incubator for startups

2010-01-19T19:27:00.004-05:00

Limbe Labs is a unique community / collaboration space in Cameroon for startups, freelancers, designers, entrepreneurs (esp. internet entrepreneurs) and independent thinkers. Limbe Labs provides not only a great space to work but also opportunities to interact with other like-minded individuals.

African Capital Alliance - Private Equity fund manager West Africa

2010-01-19T19:23:00.003-05:00

African Capital Alliance (ACA) is a leading private equity firm focused on Nigeria and West Africa. ACA was founded in 1997 with a mission to build Africa’s premier private equity investment firm by mobilizing capital, technology and management resources from local and international sources to unlock Africa’s private sector potential. Through our funds, we strive to improve the economic landscape of Nigeria and Africa while earning superior returns for our investors based on management excellence through professionalism and unquestionable integrity.

Grand Challenges: Point-of-Care Diagnostics Grant Opportunity

2010-01-19T19:18:00.001-05:00

The Grand Challenges in Global Health initiative is seeking innovative ideas for diagnostics in the developing world. $30 million in funding is available for Phase I of a new grant program to create technologies and components that can be used to assess multiple conditions and pathogens at the point-of-care in a variety of settings.

Letters of inquiry will be accepted December 1, 2009 through February 16, 2010.

Specifically, we seek to create a new class of point-of-care (POC) diagnostics that will be easy to use, low cost and otherwise appropriate so that these new tools achieve significant impact and rapid uptake in resource-poor settings.

Mobile Web East Africa - Feb 3,4 Nairobi, Kenya

2010-01-19T19:11:00.005-05:00

Conference on African mobile technology

Mobile Web East Africa is the next in a series of progressive and innovative events to focus on one of the most important technological advances of the 21st century.

By utilising the exceptionally interactive roundtable format, the 2 day conference promises to be one of the leading events of 2010, where the future development of the mobile internet, mobile applications and mobile ecosystem in the region will be discussed and mapped.

Country Home - African consumer foods company

2009-12-18T14:56:00.003-05:00

Country-Home Food Products is a World Bank assisted Project located at Koforidua, the Capital of Eastern Region of Ghana. The company which is a privately wholly-owned Ghanaian limited Liability Company incorporated on 18th June 1981 to go into the processing and canning of vegetables, fruits, and other related products. The company’s first batch of products went on sales display at the Kingsway Stores in Accra.

Kasahorow - Propagating technical standards for African languages

2009-12-18T14:05:00.004-05:00

About Kasahorow

Kasahorow is a project spearheaded by a Suuch Solutions (a Ghanaian company) to bring Africa’s languages alive. Kasahorow brings together editors and contributors from all over Africa to help create dictionaries for African languages.

Kasahorow is a commercial project but it has several of its end products being open source. Kasahorow also brings African languages into the mainstream by releasing add ons and plugins for open source software and technologies.

Broadstreet Lagos - web based research portal on Nigerian securities

2009-12-11T13:44:00.004-05:00

BroadstreetLagos

From site:

BroadStreetLagos.Com – is APL’s web based research portal on Nigerian securities. It is a consolidation of publicly available information on all tradable asset classes; equities, fixed income and unit trusts. The portal allows users who register, access to all aspects of the site for free for a limited period. Features on the site are a screening function which allows users to search for securities that meet their selected investment criteria. Portfolio creation and tracking feature is also available. Summary profiles and historical financial and price information is available on over 100 equities, 59 FGN Bonds and 15 unit trusts.

Privaty Equity fund manager in in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Ghana

2009-12-11T13:35:00.003-05:00

About ManCap

ManoCap is a private equity fund manager that operates in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Ghana. We invest in the SME space, looking at expansions, MBOs, pre-IPO and venture capital transactions that have a clear exit. Our investments are in the $500,000 to $5,000,000 range in equity or quasi-equity instruments. We may take a controlling or minority stake depending on the particular needs of the business shareholders and managers.

Absolute furnishing limited - African furniture company

2009-11-18T02:46:00.003-05:00

From Site

Absolute Furnishings Limited manufactures a wide range of high quality hotel, office, school; and home furniture as well as home accessories. We have furnished some of the finest homes, hotels and offices in the country.

Our beautiful world class furniture is produced in wood, wrought iron, rattan, cane, a mixture of rattan or cane with wrought iron and rattan with wood, massive wood and carved massive wood. All these are expertly crafted and finished in exotic, classic and contemporary designs making our range of furniture the ultimate for both indoors and outdoors.

Haute - African fashion magazine

2009-11-17T19:26:00.003-05:00

HauTe is a 100+ page fashion magazine. It features the works of African designers all around the world, exhibiting a taste for the cultural tempered with an appreciation of the varied degrees of influence by the west in today's fashion.

Play Made energy - renewable electricity to schools

2009-11-17T19:20:00.004-05:00

About PlayMade Energy

PlayMade Energy’s mission is to bring renewable electricity to schools in the developing world through the fun of play. The Energee-Saw is a simple and fun see-saw which generates renewable electricity as a by-product of play. The Energee-Saw is currently in final development following further testing in Malawi during 2009.

OPIC - Global Technology and Innovation Fund

2009-10-26T13:14:00.003-04:00

The Overseas Private Investment Corporation ("OPIC") is inviting proposals from qualified private equity fund managers for the formation and management of one or more investment funds (“funds”) that plan to invest in a wide variety of companies or projects that provide access to technologies in the OPIC-eligible countries. OPIC will provide financing ranging between $25 million and $150 million in total capital for each selected fund.

Vodafone Wireless Innovation Project - award for social innovation in wireless

2009-10-26T13:04:00.004-04:00

About the Wireless Innovation Project™

The Vodafone Americas Foundation™ designed the Wireless Innovation Project™ as a competition to promote innovation and increase implementation of wireless related technology for a better world. To that end, Vodafone Americas Foundation’s Wireless Innovation Project™ is providing up to $600,000 in awards to support projects of exceptional promise that meet the criteria described in the Eligibility Criteria section. After successful completion of the Project last year, we are excited to launch the second Vodafone Wireless Innovation Project™. We will be accepting proposals from October 5, 2009 through February 1, 2010.

Aboubakar Fofana - Mali design house

2009-10-26T12:49:00.003-04:00

Today, Aboubakar Fofana reinterprets this blue magic, infusing it with a new vitality and a contemporary aesthetic. Inspired to preserve his cultural heritage and the health of the planet, he creates sublime, limited edition designs on organic fabrics for interior décor and fashion. Aboubakar Fofana expresses his passion in a nuanced blue palette. Each hue echoes a unique and profound emotion. Each creation evokes a soulful sensuality and timeless serenity.

GO Ingenuity Award - awarded to artists, inventors, and small business entrepreneurs

2009-10-26T12:44:00.002-04:00

GO Ingenuity Award

Sharing Invention & Innovation with Youth
Launched at Maker Faire Africa 2009, Accra, Ghana

The GO Ingenuity Award (GIA) is awarded to artists, inventors, and small business entrepreneurs to stimulate the next generation of "makers." Building on the momentum of Maker Faire Africa, GO Campaign will award one-year, one-time fellowship grants to individual applicants who are eager to share their skills with marginalized youth in developing countries in ways that educate and inspire youth to harness their own ingenuity. The GIA emphasizes the sharing of innovative artistry and technology in informal, hands-on learning workshops in places where youth already gather.

Guidelines

GO Campaign will award a maximum of five GO Ingenuity Awards per year in amounts ranging from $500 to $2,500 each. Award recipients are required to hold a minimum of 3 youth workshops at schools, orphanages, or youth organizations within 6 months of receiving the Award. Youth is defined as ages 25 and under.

Recipients will be required to sign an agreement with GO which will include a disbursement and reporting schedule based on the nature and timing of the workshops. The agreement will include recipients' requirements to:

Submit a brief narrative progress report after the first workshop including how funds received from GO have been spent
Submit a final comprehensive report with photos and narrative of the workshops, including letters from teachers, youth group leaders and feedback from attending youth
A budget and supporting collateral detailing how all the funds were spent

Winners will be profiled on the GO Campaign website and in media outlets at GO Campaign's sole discretion.

Applications for the 2010 GIA are due by December 1, 2009.

How to Apply

In completing the application, Artists, Inventors and Small Business Entrepreneurs are asked to submit a description and photo of their product/invention/craftwork, a timeline when the workshops will be held (all workshops must be completed by July 31, 2010), and a detailed line-item budget proposal of how the Award will be used. Budgets should include any necessary program development, promotion, supplies, transportation costs, as well as a stipend for the applicant. Applicant must clearly identify schools, orphanages or youth organizations where workshops will be held. Applicants must demonstrate potential and relative impact of product/invention/craftwork to be considered.

GO Campaign strongly encourages applicants to collaborate with non-profits, community-based organizations and local businesses to complete the application and, if selected as an Award recipient, conduct the workshops.

Gone Rural Swaziland - African high-end décor products

2009-10-26T12:40:00.003-04:00

About

Gone Rural embraces the vitality and artistic spirit of women living in rural Swaziland to create innovative, high-end décor products for discerning clients. Inspired by the vision of designer Philippa Thorne, indigenous grass has been transformed into a global sensation. Gone Rural’s range has been featured by leading magazines, such as Elle Decoration, and imparts a fresh elegance to homes and chic boutiques around the world.

Citadel Capital - African private equity firm

2009-10-26T12:23:00.006-04:00

Citadel Capital is a private equity firm based in Cairo. Majority controlled by its senior management and employees, Citadel Capital makes control private equity investments in the Middle East and North Africa and has more than US$ 8.3 billion in investments under control, spanning 19 Platform Companies in 14 industries across 12 countries.

2010 MIF competition for innovative financial solutions

2009-10-05T17:46:00.000-04:00

The Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the World Bank will co-host an international Marketplace on Innovative Financial Solutions for Development (2010 MIF) to be held in Paris on March, 4-5 2010.

The 2010 MIF will be dedicated to smart, fine-tuned, innovative financial mechanisms for mobilizing, channeling, and spending funds for development issues. The event will bring together development practioners, donors, philanthropists, social entrepreneurs, academics, representatives from across a range of financial institutions and policy makers to exchange experience and ideas on innovative development finance solutions. The event will be structured around workshops and a marketplace where innovators can showcase their initiatives and projects. The main objectives of the event are to:

The main objectives of the event are to:

advance the agenda on innovative financial solutions for development;
facilitate knowledge sharing and learning, including South/South learning, on innovative financial solutions for development, what works and what doesn’t , and how to design solutions to maximize development impact and cost-effectiveness; and
spur the evolution of cutting-edge projects that apply innovative financial mechanisms to development challenges.

The Competition

A key feature of the 2010 MIF will be a competition to garner and highlight fresh ideas on how innovative financing mechanisms can be used to solve development challenges at the local, country, regional, or global levels, with the goal that successful innovations can be scaled up and replicated.
The winners will be awarded pilot grants of up to US$100,000 to assist them in the implementation of their proposals.

Proposals are welcomed from all organizations involved in innovative finance focused on development, including financial institutions, private-sector companies, social enterprises, non-governmental and civil society organizations, government agencies, universities and other academic organizations, foundations, and development organizations. Guidelines and application forms can be accessed on the 2010 MIF website: www.fininnov.org

Proposals must be submitted by November 15th 2009.

For further informations, please contact: info@fininnov.org

Arts in Africa - one stop portal about arts in Africa

2009-10-05T17:41:00.002-04:00

From Site:

The objective of this website is to be a one stop portal for information about the arts in Africa listed by country as well as discipline. It includes information on UNESCO branches, Funding Agencies, E-newsletters, Cultural Policy, Creative Industries, Events, Conferences, Training Institutions and civil society organisations among others.

Global Mamas - handmade apparel

2009-10-05T17:37:00.002-04:00

Global Mamas enhances the international marketplace with unique, high quality, handmade apparel, and at the same time provides sustainable livelihoods for women and girls in Africa.

Global Mama’s reduces the economic inequality of women by significantly increasing the revenues and profits of woman-owned businesses in Africa. This in turn increases employee wages, generates new jobs and improves the standard of living. We believe that helping women gain economic independence is the most effective way to reduce dependence on foreign aid and steadily create a prosperous society.

BHF Magazine - African fashion

2009-10-05T17:11:00.003-04:00

BHF magazine is an exciting and dynamic new African Lifestyle Magzine. With a boldness and eged, the likes of which has never been seen before, this quartely publication is the brainchild of visionary entreprenurial power couple Geoffrey and Jennifer Olisa.

Agri-Vie - Africa Agribusiness investment fund

2009-09-28T21:33:00.003-04:00

From Site:

Agri-Vie is a private equity investment fund focused on agribusiness in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The fund’s mission is to generate an above average investment return, as well as demonstrable socio-economic development impacts through equity investments in agribusinesses.

The fund’s vision is to be a catalyst for sustainable growth through investing in one of the foundation sectors of Africa’s economies. The fund seeks to realise this vision through deploying development capital and management know-how according to sound investment and business principles.

Oliberte - African shoe startup

2009-09-28T21:22:00.002-04:00

Oliberté is the first footwear company to make urban shoes exclusively in Africa - based on Fairtrade principles.

Headquarted in Canada, Oliberte has launched the first international footwear company to work exclusively in Africa. Designs for men and women shoes are urban-casual inspired and sold online (www.oliberte.com) and in select stores this Fall in Canada and the United States. Initial styles include ROVIA (Men) and ELIKA (Women) and have colourful pop with Oliberte`s signatures including thin crepe rubber soles and circles throughout designs.

Canoe Magazine - African lifestyle magazine

2009-09-28T20:10:00.006-04:00

From Site:

CANOE is inspired to celebrate Africa’s evolving culture and lifestyle. It is a creative initiative by 7 entrepreneurs endeavoured to correct the image of Africa, predict growing trends and portray positively, the continent and its people. The result is a conservative, sexy template, heralding the rebirth of Afro-cool. CANOE seeks to guide ‘Black Diamonds and Pearls’ [your Afro-bourgeois]: Principally, in luxury trends and laudable knowledge through exposure - the power with which they can augment their lives and secure an exceptional lifestyle with a sense of pride and knowledge of self. CANOE is not hesitant to show success through extravagance as a merit of prosperity; but to create a lust, a passion for the rewarding things in life. Sail with us to see the new Africa.

2009 US - Africa Business Summit - Washington, DC, Sept 29 - Oct 1

2009-09-21T16:08:00.005-04:00

Conference website

The African continent continues to show potential as a leading foreign direct investment destination for American businesses, despite the economic downturn nations around the globe are currently experiencing. According to the IMF, Africa is still expected to maintain a positive growth rate of 3.4% for 2009, an impressive achievement for the continent. The continent is seeing increasingly higher levels of investment in industries such as infrastructure, financing, tourism, agribusiness, health, and energy.

What an important time for your business to explore investments in some of the world's key emerging markets. Partnerships between U.S. and African businesses will be formed, during The Corporate Council on Africa’s (CCA) 2009 U.S.-Africa Business Summit. Businesses of all sizes, representing various industries will be in attendance, eager to find new opportunities to grow and positively impact their bottom line.

Join CCA and more than 1,500 of the private and public sector's top leaders to find out about business and investment opportunities in Africa, the very place where some of today's major business deals are taking place.

When: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - Thursday, October 1, 2009

Where:

The Walter E. Washington Convention Center

801 Mount Vernon Place, NW

Washington, District of Columbia 20001

USA

Vittana - P2P student micro lending

2009-09-21T16:04:00.002-04:00

From their site:

We partner with microfinance institutions (MFIs) throughout the developing world to support and catalyze new student lending programs. By connecting you to students, we enable our MFI partners to raise the right kind of capital to work with more and more students. Each student that appears on our website is a real student and not marketing material.

We believe that the biggest waste in the world is not oil or food or, really, any other material thing — but, rather, human potential.

CollaborAid - knowledge sharing of aid resources

2009-09-21T15:57:00.004-04:00

From their site:

We aspire to increase the efficiency and sustainability of aid projects by making it easy for the diverse actors in the development community to connect, collaborate, and share information.

The impact of development aid falls far short of its potential. Inefficient practices are systemic due to a disconnect between development organizations, obstacles to sustained learning, limited insight into localized needs, and a failure to promote capacity building amongst indigenous stakeholders.

Aventura investment partners

2009-09-21T15:47:00.007-04:00

Aventura invests in early-stage investments in rural Africa. Specifically, the Fund addresses the challenges facing rural agricultural communities in Africa in a new, innovative way and is dedicated to investing in and promoting African entrepreneurs and managers.

Tebazile - African Jewelry house

2009-09-21T15:37:00.003-04:00

About Tebazile

Tebazile is an African jewelry house, their style stems from a combination of color and textures of traditional West African and European motifs...says owner/designer, Elizabeth Dankaro

Storm 360 - West Africa entertainment company

2009-09-21T14:50:00.006-04:00

About Storm 360

Storm 360 is a leading entertainment company in West Africa. Firmly at the forefront of the booming entertainment sector in this region, Storm 360 operates within a multi-platform, multi-purpose media space which makes them uniquely able to deliver genuine 360 degree content solutions to their clients.

Blue Skies - Agribusiness in Africa and other emerging markets

2009-08-31T00:30:00.005-04:00

Blues Skies employs 2000 people in Ghana, Egypt, South Africa and Brazil and supplies to a variety of customers including some of the biggest supermarket chains in the UK, Europe and South Africa. Their business includes producing and packaging fruits into juices and other by-products to the global markets.

Kelele - African bloggers conference

2009-07-21T22:58:00.002-04:00

What is Kelele?

Kelele is an annual African bloggers’ conference held in a different African city each year and run by an organising committee in that city. Kelele will be held for the first time in October 2009 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Why Kelele?
Kelele is the Kiswahili word for noise.

We are organising a gathering of African bloggers in the tradition of historical African societies where everyone has a voice. With too many voices marginalised or simply ignored in African society today for a variety of reasons, we believe that the internet in general and grassroots media tools such as blogs in particular represent the most powerful way in which to give Africans back their voice. We are gathering to make a powerful, positive, inspirational noise that will be heard across the continent and beyond. KELELE!

The specific theme of Kelele ’09 Nairobi is Beat Your Drum – which connects the traditional African method of getting your message across vast distances – the talking drums – to the 21st century and the tools we use today, blogs and the Internet. We anticipate that this conference will continue to be called Kelele wherever it is held. For example Kelele Nairobi ’09, Kelele Accra ’10, Kelele Cairo ’11 and so on.

We Care Solar - Dr. Laura Stachel

2009-07-16T17:52:00.005-04:00

From site:

Our Mission

WE CARE SOLAR promotes safe motherhood and reduces maternal mortality in developing regions by providing health workers with reliable lighting, blood bank refrigeration and mobile communication using solar electricity.

Solutions

We originally designed a photovoltaic system to power lighting, medical equipment, a blood bank refrigerator, and communication equipment in a major municipal hospital in Northern Nigeria. We installed this system in early 2009.

Our emergency obstetric PV system powers the following:

Overhead surgical lighting in areas of critical need such as the operating room and labor and delivery
Mobile telecommunications between hospital staff and on-call physicians
Existing on-site surgical equipment that is currently underutilized
A blood bank refrigerator that utilizes DC electricity
Battery chargers that power LED headlamps for night duty workers

Spaceloon - Africa consortium for near space communication

2009-07-16T17:42:00.002-04:00

From site:

Spaceloon was created as the common face of a consortium of companies operating in Africa that seeks a cheaper than satellite approach to communication. Our target is to provide ubiquitous wireless coverage to Africa at the cheapest price possible. We believe the time is now to deploy such spacial technology to enable the continent to leap frog into the 21st century.

Mecene investment - socially responsible investments in Africa

2009-07-16T17:36:00.001-04:00

Mecene Investment is a Private Equity Advisory Firm that specializes in socially responsible investments in Africa.

The company draws on its successful private equity experience in African microfinance industry to promote equity and debt investments in industries that provide high social, environmental and developmental impact.

Advans - acccess to finance in emerging markets

2009-07-16T17:12:00.003-04:00

Advans SA's mission is to build a network of financial institutions in developing and emerging countries offering loans, deposits and other standard financial services to MSMEs which have limited or no access to formal banking services. These institutions are commonly known as microfinance institutions (MFIs) or microbanks when they are licensed as banks.

Building Zambikes in Zambia - Video

2009-07-16T17:03:00.002-04:00

Zambikes

Mission: To provide high quality bicycles and educational training to underprivileged and service based Zambians.

Aqua Port - easy transportation of Water

2009-06-30T17:21:00.004-04:00

The Aquaport is a modular design that allows the user to attach and detach different parts of the device depending upon the amount the user can pull. Each part can be filled individually, and has a handle attached for easy carrying. The device will be pushed like the Hippo Roller. Due to its modular nature it can be broke into smaller pieces for storage and distribution.

Capri Capital Partners

2009-06-30T17:16:00.002-04:00

Capri Capital Partners focuses on real estate and infrastructure investments in Emerging Markets. They have a portfolio of $4 billion for investments.

Africa Sustainable Energy - Solarix launches Sustainer

2009-06-30T17:12:00.002-04:00

The Sustainer is a unique solution to produce fuel and electricity in remote rural areas, for example in the African countryside where only 5 to 20 percent of the population have electricity. In many of these situations, access to energy would facilitate development, higher productivity and better education. Moreover, locally available resources can be used instead of expensive imports.

Bikes made out of Bamboo & Carbon Fiber

2009-06-30T17:02:00.003-04:00

Calfee Design is working towards assisting entrepreneurs in the developing world to make their own bicycles out of locally sourced bamboo. The reasons to do this are so strong that it would be foolish not to try:

Bicycles are in great demand as a major labor savings device. Transporting water, people, food and other items is six times more efficient.
Bamboo bikes cost less than inferior imported steel bikes.
Bamboo is plentiful and does not need to be imported as a raw material. Bamboo is easy to grow and can be cultivated in dry areas with minimal irrigation.
Bamboo bikes require a significant amount of labor to produce, providing skilled employment and an apprenticeship model that helps youth find opportunity.
Bamboo bicycle production is not easily done in large factories. This keeps large industrialized countries from getting into the business and competing on an unfair level.
Making Bamboo bikes does not require electricity or a large investment in equipment.

Solar cooker in use Maasai Mara via Afrigadget blog

2009-06-30T16:58:00.002-04:00

Maasai using a solar cooker via Afrigadget blog

Solar cooker in use Maasai Mara

I didn’t believe it possible but I found this lady actually using a solar cooker in the Masai Mara!

Mama solar cooker

Made only of cardboard and tin foil this cooker fold up into a neat little package. It apparently cooks potatoes and cabbage in just 1 hour!

She told me that she got it as part of a study - one solar cooker was given to every manyatta. She couldn’t rememer which organization was handing them out but she has adapted hers by putting her pot into a plastic bag which she says retains the heat better. She says she’ll continue using the solar cooker after the study and will even buy one at Ksh 1,000.

She still has a 3 stone wood fire to cook meat.

I wonder what happens to this device when it rains…does the cardboard become a sodden mess?

Zeep Travel - Nigerian Online Travel portal

2009-06-22T01:38:00.004-04:00

Our portal provides direct access to one of the broadest selections of travel deals and services. Zeeptravel.com features airline tickets, hotel reservations, private transfers and many other travel services from a broad selection of partners addressing different consumer needs like families and individuals booking a summer vacation to corporates arranging a business trip.

Zeeptravel.com partners include major International and Local Airlines operating in Nigeria like British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates Airlines, Lufthansa Airlines, Air France/KLM, Qatar Airlines, South African Airlines, Virgin Nigeria, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and more. Zeeptravel.com also provides over 45000 hotels globally at discounted rates.

African Agricultural Capital - AAC

2009-06-22T01:28:00.004-04:00

A new scheme that distributes simple tasks via text messages is being used to target a potential untapped work force in developing countries.

African Agricultural Capital (AAC) is a leading agribusiness-focused investment fund in Africa that delivers positive financial returns to its investors, supports its investees through the provision of affordable and flexible capital, and has a high social and development impact on smallholder farmers and rural economies, thereby encouraging greater investment in the agriculture sector.

TeleMed Africa

2009-05-22T17:40:00.004-04:00

TeleMed Africa will be the first low cost medical service enabling millions of sub-Saharan Africans to access timely, affordable, and professional diagnosis and advice. By leveraging existing mobile technologies and infrastructure, TeleMed Africa is advancing the front lines of healthcare.

AQUADA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

2009-05-22T17:33:00.004-04:00

Aquada Development Corporation is in the business of developing and managing property and communities for residential, commercial, and recreational use. They undertake large developments as well as small individual projects.

Txteagle - transcription service via SMS

2009-05-22T17:21:00.002-04:00

Digital Planet

Alka Marwaha
BBC World Service

Txteagle is making it possible for many people in countries like Kenya to earn small amounts of money by completing simple tasks like translations or transcriptions.

Amazon's "Mechanical Turk" similarly divides up tasks but Txteagle differs in that it distributes them via text messages over mobile phones, which have a higher penetration rate - particularly in the developing world.

SHE - Sustainable Health Enterprises

2009-05-22T17:08:00.004-04:00

SHE intends to fulfill girls’ and women’s unmet need by helping local women in developing countries jump-start their own businesses to manufacture and distribute affordable, quality, and eco-friendly sanitary pads. SHE will look to use local raw materials, instead of all imported materials, to ensure affordability and accessibility.

SHE will couple its product innovation with a financially sustainable business model operated and owned by women in the community that can be replicated wherever the need exists. SHE will instigate the launch of a local business by

Partnering with existing local women’s networks;
Ensuring a microfinance loan for women who will share start-up costs;
Training local group in necessary business skills and health and hygiene.

African Digital Art

2009-05-22T16:57:00.001-04:00

African Digital Art is an online collective, a creative space, where digital artist, enthusiasts and professionals can seek inspiration, showcase their artistry and connect with emerging artists.

Wired Magazine - Students Build a Nano For Africa

2009-04-30T14:54:00.004-04:00

Photos: Dr. Yasin Naku Ziraba

From Wired Magazine:

Eleven Ugandan college students believe they can bring affordable transportation to rural Africa with a home-grown, dirt-cheap car assembled from farm equipment.

The prototype of the "Poor Man’s Car" isn’t much to look at, fashioned as it is from sheet metal, wood seats and a diesel engine pulled from a corn mill, but the design and materials would be refined should the car ever see production. Moses Sebulime and his classmates at Makerere University believe the utilitarian runabout could bring mobility to the masses, much like the Tata Nano.

Zambeef - Zambia agribusiness

2009-04-30T14:51:00.001-04:00

Zambeef Products PLC is one of the largest agri-businesses in Zambia and the region, involved in the production, processing, distribution and retailing of beef, chickens, eggs, milk and dairy products throughout Zambia and Nigeria.

The company is also one of the largest cropping operations in Africa with 2,700 hectares under irrigation and a further 1,500 hectares of dry land crops.

Pen + Bytes - promoting journalism through ICT

2009-04-30T14:47:00.002-04:00

International Institute for Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) Journalism (PenPlusBytes) is a registered company limited by guarantee since 18th July 2001. PenPlusBytes seeks to empower the media through the use of ICTs to advance the work of journalism. It consists of a network of media organizations and journalists interested in using ICTs effectively to advance the course of journalism. We have trained over 100 journalists from various parts of Africa and across the globe in cutting edge new media technologies and contemporary ICT issues.

Thomro Investments - Zambia Biofuel production

2009-04-30T14:39:00.005-04:00

Thomro Investments Limited is among the few pioneer companies in Zambia promoting and engaging in the development of biofuels industry in Zambia. The main plant for biofuel production comes from Jathropa. Thomro also offers consultancy services and training in order to improve the performance of operations in the industry.

Advertfarm - African mobile content network

2009-04-30T14:33:00.003-04:00

Advertfarm is a mobile content provider that helps businesses, organisations and institutions deliver their mobile contents to their targeted audience:
We provide premium mobile services on our permission based mobile network.
Our services include but are not limited to:

SMS marketing and loyalty programs

SMS Recruitment

Events Broadcasting

Sponsored Mobile Services

Referral campaigns

Targeted Mobile Advertisements

PowerMundo - Improving lives, conserving nature

2009-04-30T14:29:00.002-04:00

PowerMundo builds and manages a network of customers, retailers, and suppliers to design, develop, and disseminate a suite of appropriate technology products for people in emerging markets.

PowerMundo first listens to the needs of people and then displays a suite of products that may fit their needs.

Movirtu - innovative mobile technology solutions

2009-04-30T14:08:00.002-04:00

Movirtu works with mobile service providers located in Sub-Sahara Africa and South Asia deploying network infrastructure solutions and implementing sustainable business models that realise basic voice access and connectivity for people earning less than two dollars a day. We work closely with our clients, the mobile phone operators, to identify the most suitable solutions that fit the particular market needs.

Rwanda Rising - Fast Company article

2009-04-30T13:54:00.005-04:00

Photograph by Marcus Bleasdale