A Kenyan startup is among 10 innovators selected for the 2026 cohort of Qualcomm’s Make in Africa Mentorship Programme, underscoring Kenya’s growing influence in Africa’s deep technology ecosystem. The startup, Zerobionic, is developing assistive robotics solutions designed to enhance independence and inclusion for persons with disabilities addressing a critical need in accessible technology both in Kenya and across the continent.
Now in its fourth year, the Qualcomm Make in Africa programme is part of the Qualcomm Africa Innovation Platform that supports early-stage startups working on transformative technologies such as artificial intelligence, smart systems and connected solutions. The initiative provides mentorship, business training, technical guidance and intellectual property support to help startups scale their innovations.
This year’s cohort was selected from over 1,200 applications across more than 45 African countries, highlighting the competitiveness and growing sophistication of Africa’s innovation landscape.
“The inclusion of a Kenyan startup in this year’s cohort reinforces our position as a leading hub for technology and innovation in Africa, with local entrepreneurs increasingly building solutions that address real-world challenges in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and smart infrastructure,” Wassim Chourbaji, Senior Vice President and President, Middle East and Africa at Qualcomm, said.
Participants in the programme will receive hands-on mentorship, engineering consultation, and access to tools that support product development. They will also benefit from intellectual property training and guidance, enabling them to protect and commercialise their innovations more effectively.
At the end of the programme, startups will be eligible for funding opportunities through Qualcomm’s social impact initiatives, as well as stipends and support for patent filing. “The quality and ambition of this year’s cohort reflect the rapid growth of Africa’s innovation ecosystem. Startups across the continent, including Kenya, are leveraging advanced technologies to develop impactful, scalable solutions. We are proud to support this next generation of innovators as they move from concept to real-world application,” Chourbaji said.
The 2026 cohort includes the following startups
• Amperra Charging Company (Namibia): AI‑driven, grid‑adaptive smart EV charging platform designed to enable scalable electric mobility across Africa
• Anatsor Ltd (Nigeria): Integrated digital poultry management system that improves productivity, health tracking, and farm efficiency
• D-Olivette Labs (Nigeria): Bio‑intelligence platform delivering data‑driven insights for sustainable and efficient agricultural production
• Mindora Corporation (Zimbabwe): Braille keyboard solution that improves digital accessibility for visually impaired users
• MVUTU (Republic of the Congo): Solar‑powered IoT cold storage solution that reduces post‑harvest losses for smallholder farmers.
• QualiKeeper Investments Ltd (Zambia): Affordable AIoT livestock monitoring system designed for low‑connectivity rural environments
• SafeSip (Tanzania): Smart water access and monitoring solution that ensures safe, reliable drinking water in urban and peri‑urban areas
• Sesi Technologies Ltd (Ghana): AI‑powered field device that enables early cocoa quality assessment and transparent supply chains
• TWave Ltd (Uganda): Automated, solar‑powered fish feeding system that optimises aquaculture productivity
• Zerobionic (Kenya): Assistive robotics solutions designed to enhance inclusion and independence for persons with disabilities
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