On September 26, 2024, our Embassy successfully co-hosted the event Africa’s Tech Uprising: Opportunities with Global and Diaspora Support in Stockholm, Sweden. Organized in collaboration with Bantaba, a digital platform that connects the African diaspora with startups in Africa, the event brought together passionate individuals to discuss the future of technology on the continent, focusing on the evolving tech landscape and startups, particularly in Ethiopia. Significant support from the diaspora and global community was a central topic throughout the discussions.
The purpose of Africa’s Tech Uprising was to introduce the Ethiopian diaspora and potential foreign investors to emerging trends and investment opportunities within the tech sector, specifically in Ethiopia and also across Africa. The event began with a welcome speech by His Excellency Ambassador Meherteab Mulugeta, followed by two panel discussions led by Tomiwa Onaleye, the Operations and Syndicate Lead of Bantaba. Tomiwa raised engaging questions and moderated discussions on both panels, which explored the dynamic tech landscape and the impact of international partnerships.
The first panel focused on how local innovation is shaping the future, with esteemed speakers including Addis Alemayehou, Chairman of Kazana Group; Kidus Asfaw, CEO of Kubik; Tigist Getachew, CEO of Araya Venture Lab; and Dr. Kalid Ahmed, Senior Ecosystem Advisor at the Ethiopian Ministry of Innovation and Technology. The session emphasized the enormous potential of Ethiopian youth in the tech and startup sector, with discussions on the range of resources and opportunities Ethiopia offers. Addis Alemayehou described it as “being a child in a candy store,” highlighting the abundant possibilities for growth. The panelists discussed the strengths and weaknesses within Ethiopia’s tech sector, emphasizing areas for improvement to help businesses thrive. Dr. Kalid Ahmed explained how the government is working toward creating a wider startup pool and a sustainable market, mentioning the establishment of science cafes to foster innovation across the country. Tigist Getachew shared that, while challenges remain as the concept of startups is relatively new in Ethiopia, the government has been playing its part in helping them thrive. Kidus Asfaw agreed, noting that while there are numerous opportunities, finding investors willing to take risks in Ethiopian startups remains challenging.
The second panel explored the importance of international partnerships in driving growth. Speakers included Bernard Laurendeau, CEO of Arifpay Ethiopia; Mateo Klemmayer, Co-CEO of ChipChip; Bethelhem Dejene, CEO of Zafree Papers; and Calvin Chitangala, VC and Project Manager at Renew VC. Panelists discussed how partnerships with the global community can bolster tech startups in Ethiopia and Africa. Bernard Laurendeau stressed that, while sector policies are strong, their implementation needs improvement to foster sector growth, emphasizing the need to attract and retain talent, especially from the African diaspora. Mateo Klemmayer described investment in Ethiopian startups as a way to “unleash opportunities you will not find anywhere else.” Bethelhem Dejene agreed on the potential within the sector but highlighted the difficulty of finding local investors willing to support new ventures. Calvin Chitangala added that now is an opportune time to adapt to the stable market, positioning Ethiopia’s tech ecosystem for growth.
The Africa’s Tech Uprising event brought together Ethiopian, diaspora, and international professionals from relevant sectors, providing an opportunity to make valuable connections and share insights during the panel discussions and networking sessions. The event emphasized the importance of collaboration to further develop Ethiopia’s and Africa’s tech sectors, creating a platform for innovation and growth through both local and international partnerships.
