2026.03.26
- FR
- EN
VIVATECH UNVEILS THE TOP 30 RANKING OF THE 2026 AFRICATECH AWARD: NIGERIA, KENYA AND EGYPT ARE THE THREE MOST REPRESENTED COUNTRIES
VIVATECH UNVEILS THE TOP 30 RANKING FOR THE 2026 AFRICATECH AWARD: NIGERIA, KENYA AND EGYPT ARE THE THREE MOST REPRESENTED COUNTRIES
- The AfricaTech Award returns for a fifth annual edition to spotlight the best high-impact tech solutions from African entrepreneurs;
- 30 startups were selected by VivaTech with the help of Deloitte, Knowledge Partner since 2022;
- 34 African countries are represented by the more than 260 finalists (+13% vs 2025)
- 11 countries are represented by the 30 selected startups, led by Nigeria (11), Kenya (4) and Egypt (4);
-The six finalists will be invited to pitch during a Pitch Session organized at VivaTech 17 June 2026, and the winner will be announced at the VivaTech Startup Winners Ceremony on 19 June 2026.
Paris, 26 March 2026 - VivaTech, Europe's largest event dedicated to startups and technology, reveals the Top 30 ranking for the 2026 AfricaTech Award, a prize recognizing startups whose technological solutions address the economic, societal and environmental challenges of the African continent. On the occasion of VivaTech's 10th anniversary, the award reaffirms VivaTech's commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship on the continent.
A leading trio confirming the place of innovation on the African continent
To highlight the richness of the African tech ecosystem and entrepreneurship, VivaTech selected 30 startups from more than 260 submissions (+13% vs. 2025) from 34 different African countries, reflecting the diversity of the continent. Nigeria confirms the dynamism of its innovators' ecosystem and retains its top position, with more than a third of the finalists, i.e. 11 startups out of 30. Kenya once again secures its place on the podium, demonstrating the strength and consistency of its positioning among the continent's key economic players, with four startups in the running. Egypt takes third place in the ranking with four selected startups.
Representing strategic sectors and enhanced diversity
For the first year, the AfricaTech Award broadens its scope and highlights players from seven innovative industries: FinTech; HealthTech; HRTech; AI & Big Data; GreenTech; Agri-Fintech; and Industry Tech, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Logistics.
Among these sectors, FinTech, HealthTech and HRTech stand out as growing industries: FinTech is represented by 12 startups, HealthTech by 8 startups and HRTech by 4.
Among the selected startups, 75% of the selected companies are "growth" startups or scaling organizations. A statistic that reinforces VivaTech's positioning since its creation 10 years ago, namely to spotlight startups with strong growth and internationalization potential.
Among the 30 selected startups, 50% of them are founded or co-founded by women, such as 10mg Health, IFunza and Eight Medical. HRTech stands out among the sectors, as 69% of women make up the workforce of startups participating in the 2026 edition of the AfricaTech Award. These statistics highlight the importance placed on diversity and inclusion in tech across the African continent and the central role of women in its development.
"Once again this year, I am proud of the reach of the AfricaTech Award. This fifth edition of the award makes it possible to recognize those who are driving innovation on the African continent across a plurality of strategic sectors. Organized on the occasion of VivaTech's 10th anniversary, it is a reminder of the event's primary objective: to be a platform bringing together European and international tech players to shape the innovation of tomorrow," explains François Bitouzet, Managing Director of VivaTech.
Selection Criteria
The 2026 AfricaTech Award Top 30 was selected with the help of Deloitte, Knowledge Partner, based on the following criteria:
- The maturity and quality of the innovations (technology used, disruptive solution);
- The positive and concrete impact of the proposed solutions on society or the environment;
- The potential for development at scale on the African continent and beyond;
- The quality, expertise and size of the team;
- The viability of the business model and the ability to ensure sustainable growth, supported by solid traction and a proven product-market fit.
The winner will be announced at the VivaTech Startup Winners Ceremony to be held 19 June 2026 at VivaTech.
FinTech :
- 10mg Health Nigeria
- Billboxx Nigeria
- eShandi Zambie
- Exuus Rwanda
- Flexpay Kenya
- Leya labs Côte d’Ivoire
- Ndovu Kenya
- PressPayNg Nigeria
- Sahl Egypte
- Trade Lenda Nigeria
- Ubiquity AI Afrique du Sud
- XChangeBOX Nigeria
HealthTech/Healthcare/BioTech :
- Bwell Egypte
- Cure Bionics Tunisie
- DeepEcho Maroc
- Eight Medical Nigeria
- Famasi Nigeria
- Lifebank Nigeria
- SURGiA Egypte
- Trashcoin Nigeria
HRTech/HR/EdTech/Education :
- Breedj Mauritanie
- iFunza Kenya
- Job Crystal Afrique du Sud
- PraxiLabs Egypte
AI & Big Data :
- AgriEdge Maroc
- Scandium Nigeria
- Shamba Records Kenya
Agri-Fintech :
- Winich Farms Nigeria
Industry/Manufacturing/Supply Chain/Logistics :
- Instaware Tunisie
GreenTech/Sustainability :
- Anda Angola
More information about the AfricaTech Award is available on the VivaTech website
- The AfricaTech Award returns for a fifth annual edition to spotlight the best high-impact tech solutions from African entrepreneurs;
- 30 startups were selected by VivaTech with the help of Deloitte, Knowledge Partner since 2022;
- 34 African countries are represented by the more than 260 finalists (+13% vs 2025)
- 11 countries are represented by the 30 selected startups, led by Nigeria (11), Kenya (4) and Egypt (4);
-The six finalists will be invited to pitch during a Pitch Session organized at VivaTech 17 June 2026, and the winner will be announced at the VivaTech Startup Winners Ceremony on 19 June 2026.
Paris, 26 March 2026 - VivaTech, Europe's largest event dedicated to startups and technology, reveals the Top 30 ranking for the 2026 AfricaTech Award, a prize recognizing startups whose technological solutions address the economic, societal and environmental challenges of the African continent. On the occasion of VivaTech's 10th anniversary, the award reaffirms VivaTech's commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship on the continent.
A leading trio confirming the place of innovation on the African continent
To highlight the richness of the African tech ecosystem and entrepreneurship, VivaTech selected 30 startups from more than 260 submissions (+13% vs. 2025) from 34 different African countries, reflecting the diversity of the continent. Nigeria confirms the dynamism of its innovators' ecosystem and retains its top position, with more than a third of the finalists, i.e. 11 startups out of 30. Kenya once again secures its place on the podium, demonstrating the strength and consistency of its positioning among the continent's key economic players, with four startups in the running. Egypt takes third place in the ranking with four selected startups.
Representing strategic sectors and enhanced diversity
For the first year, the AfricaTech Award broadens its scope and highlights players from seven innovative industries: FinTech; HealthTech; HRTech; AI & Big Data; GreenTech; Agri-Fintech; and Industry Tech, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Logistics.
Among these sectors, FinTech, HealthTech and HRTech stand out as growing industries: FinTech is represented by 12 startups, HealthTech by 8 startups and HRTech by 4.
Among the selected startups, 75% of the selected companies are "growth" startups or scaling organizations. A statistic that reinforces VivaTech's positioning since its creation 10 years ago, namely to spotlight startups with strong growth and internationalization potential.
Among the 30 selected startups, 50% of them are founded or co-founded by women, such as 10mg Health, IFunza and Eight Medical. HRTech stands out among the sectors, as 69% of women make up the workforce of startups participating in the 2026 edition of the AfricaTech Award. These statistics highlight the importance placed on diversity and inclusion in tech across the African continent and the central role of women in its development.
"Once again this year, I am proud of the reach of the AfricaTech Award. This fifth edition of the award makes it possible to recognize those who are driving innovation on the African continent across a plurality of strategic sectors. Organized on the occasion of VivaTech's 10th anniversary, it is a reminder of the event's primary objective: to be a platform bringing together European and international tech players to shape the innovation of tomorrow," explains François Bitouzet, Managing Director of VivaTech.
Selection Criteria
The 2026 AfricaTech Award Top 30 was selected with the help of Deloitte, Knowledge Partner, based on the following criteria:
- The maturity and quality of the innovations (technology used, disruptive solution);
- The positive and concrete impact of the proposed solutions on society or the environment;
- The potential for development at scale on the African continent and beyond;
- The quality, expertise and size of the team;
- The viability of the business model and the ability to ensure sustainable growth, supported by solid traction and a proven product-market fit.
The winner will be announced at the VivaTech Startup Winners Ceremony to be held 19 June 2026 at VivaTech.
FinTech :
- 10mg Health Nigeria
- Billboxx Nigeria
- eShandi Zambie
- Exuus Rwanda
- Flexpay Kenya
- Leya labs Côte d’Ivoire
- Ndovu Kenya
- PressPayNg Nigeria
- Sahl Egypte
- Trade Lenda Nigeria
- Ubiquity AI Afrique du Sud
- XChangeBOX Nigeria
HealthTech/Healthcare/BioTech :
- Bwell Egypte
- Cure Bionics Tunisie
- DeepEcho Maroc
- Eight Medical Nigeria
- Famasi Nigeria
- Lifebank Nigeria
- SURGiA Egypte
- Trashcoin Nigeria
HRTech/HR/EdTech/Education :
- Breedj Mauritanie
- iFunza Kenya
- Job Crystal Afrique du Sud
- PraxiLabs Egypte
AI & Big Data :
- AgriEdge Maroc
- Scandium Nigeria
- Shamba Records Kenya
Agri-Fintech :
- Winich Farms Nigeria
Industry/Manufacturing/Supply Chain/Logistics :
- Instaware Tunisie
GreenTech/Sustainability :
- Anda Angola
More information about the AfricaTech Award is available on the VivaTech website