Africa’s startup ecosystem is experiencing a surge in innovation and investment. FollowICT, the digital economy platform, highlights the week’s most notable developments from across the continent.
Itana Opens Applications for Digital Residency Launchpad
Itana, Africa’s first digital special economic zone headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, has officially opened applications for its Digital Residency Launchpad program. The initiative targets founders, entrepreneurs, and diaspora professionals eager to build, scale, and invest across the continent.
As the first licensed operator of digital economic zones in Nigeria, Itana enables global companies to establish remote operations within its free zone, offering streamlined business setup, favorable commercial incentives, and enhanced digital economy services.
The Launchpad is tailored for both Africa-based entrepreneurs and diaspora members seeking to reconnect with the continent through investment and business opportunities. Participants gain access to strategic networks, regulatory insights, and marketing support to navigate Africa’s fast-growing markets.
By leveraging Itana’s regulatory-friendly environment, residents benefit from simplified operations and innovation-friendly policies. Interested applicants can apply via the link.
South Africa’s The Invigilator Raises $11M to Scale AI-Powered Anti-Cheating Platform Globally
Edtech startup The Invigilator, based in South Africa, has secured $11 million in funding to expand its AI-driven remote assessment monitoring platform worldwide. The round was led by Caltraco, a family investment firm headquartered in the Channel Islands.
Founded in 2020, The Invigilator helps educational institutions combat cheating during remote exams. Its mobile-based platform uses students’ smartphones to monitor activity and employs artificial intelligence to detect suspicious behavior—optimized for low-bandwidth environments.
More than 100 institutions in South Africa, including Varsity College and Kuro Academy, currently use the platform.
Nigeria’s Babban Gona Secures $7.5M to Scale Support for Smallholder Farmers
Lagos-based agritech social enterprise Babban Gona has received a $7.5 million debt facility from British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution.
The funding will enable Babban Gona to expand its comprehensive suite of agricultural services—including credit, training, harvesting, storage, and market access—for smallholder farmers across northern Nigeria.
The company’s franchise model trains high-performing farmers to manage micro-enterprises that serve as distribution hubs for tools, inputs, and capital. As these hubs mature, Babban Gona supports them in securing loans from regional banks, fostering sustainable financial inclusion.
Africanar Group Acquires Côte d’Ivoire’s Leading New Car Pricing Platform Koto.ci
Africanar Group Pty Ltd, parent company of AUTO24.africa—Africa’s fastest-growing certified used car marketplace—has announced its acquisition of Koto.ci, Côte d’Ivoire’s premier online reference platform for new car prices.
Backed by global automotive giant Stellantis, AUTO24.africa currently operates in five African countries: Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, South Africa, Senegal, and Rwanda, with active expansion into new markets.
The acquisition marks a strategic move in Africanar’s mission to build a comprehensive digital automotive ecosystem across the continent, supporting buyers and sellers at every stage of vehicle ownership.
MOPO Raises $6.7M to Expand Solar Battery Rental Across Sub-Saharan Africa
Clean energy startup MOPO has secured £5 million ($6.7 million) in funding from Norfund, the Norwegian development finance institution, to scale its solar-powered battery rental service across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Founded to address energy scarcity, MOPO operates solar charging hubs run by local agents. Customers rent portable batteries on a pay-as-you-go basis, offering a cleaner and more affordable alternative to costly gasoline generators.
MOPO’s devices range from the MOPO50—used for lighting and charging phones—to the MOPOMax, which powers small business equipment and e-mobility solutions. The company has facilitated over 28 million rentals and achieved nearly 300% annual growth, backed by Octopus Energy and British International Investment (BII).
CEO Chris Longbottom described Norfund’s investment as “a strong signal of our model’s success—combining impact, innovation, and commercial returns.”
MOPO currently operates in Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Chad, and Uganda. Its R&D partnership with the University of Sheffield aims to improve battery efficiency and affordability, while international funding reflects growing investor interest in scalable, climate-friendly energy models.
NABAN and Bellatrix Launch Three-Year Partnership to Strengthen Namibia’s Startup Ecosystem
The Namibia Business Angel Network (NABAN) has announced a transformative three-year partnership with Bellatrix SME Finance and Bellatrix Investment Managers, unveiled during the latest edition of the Startup Success Series.
The collaboration brings a commitment of N$450,000 to support early-stage innovation in Namibia and establishes Bellatrix Capital as NABAN’s newest anchor sponsor.
Together, NABAN and Bellatrix will host pitch events, Startup Success Series editions, and investor meetups to grow the country’s investment portfolio. The partnership also includes financial readiness workshops, mentorship programs, and investor engagement initiatives.
The goal: to expand access to flexible financing tools tailored for growth- and impact-driven startups, and to empower founders with the resources and networks needed to build scalable, sustainable ventures.
