In the heart of Ikoyi, within the modern walls of MTN Nigeria’s headquarters, a new chapter in Africa’s technological narrative is being fervently written.The selected innovators will gain unparalleled access to MTN’s vast infrastructure, a suite of powerful APIs, and strategic partnerships, effectively dismantling the traditional barriers that have often stifled African tech talent.
As Lynda Saint-Nwafor, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at MTN Nigeria, powerfully declared, this initiative marks the beginning of a bold new chapter. It is a direct challenge to the persistent “emerging” label, a statement that Africa is not waiting for the future but is actively building it, bursting with an innovation that is both resilient and deeply impactful.
The cohort itself is a testament to this transformative potential. In healthtech, ventures like Joseph Olowe’s DoktorConnect are shifting healthcare paradigms from reactive to preventive using FDA-certified IoT devices, while Shina Arogundade’s MYITURA is building integrated digital health ecosystems.
The fintech space is equally revolutionary, with Bello Rukayat’s Regxta targeting 600 million underserved Africans through AI-powered digital banking, and Kingsley Ibe’s Creditchek developing sophisticated machine learning tools for credit assessment.
The sustainability sector shines with pioneers like Olamide Phebe Ilesanmi’s Trashcoin Limited, which is digitizing recycling through Africa’s first eco-fintech platform, and Boluwatife Arewa’s Scrapays Inc., building decentralized recycling infrastructure that has already reached tens of thousands of households.
In agritech, Bayo Adewoye’s Agrovesto is significantly boosting incomes for over 20,000 farmers, and Abiola Jimoh’s XChangeBOX is driving excellence in agro-commodity trading, directly enhancing Nigeria’s export economy.
Beyond the financial grant, the program offers a rich tapestry of support: deep integration with MTN’s cloud infrastructure, access to the largest telecom network on the continent, one-on-one mentorship from industry titans, go-to-market strategy sessions, and coveted investor pitch opportunities.
Running from September to December 2025, this journey will culminate in a showcase event where these future titans will present their refined visions to the world. This initiative is more than a corporate program; it is a powerful reaffirmation of MTN’s commitment to fostering homegrown digital solutions.
It is the creation of a digital greenhouse where Africa’s brightest ideas are not only protected and nurtured but are primed to flourish on the global stage, forever changing the narrative of African innovation from one of potential to one of undeniable triumph.
