LIONS@FRICA

LIONS@AFRICA is a partnership to enhance the startup and innovation ecosystems of African economies.

Over the last decade, sub-Saharan Africa has transformed into a hub of technology growth and development. Consider the facts: Internet usage in Africa has grown faster than any other continent over the past decade. Mobile subscriptions now number over 700 million. Major innovation hubs have been established across the continent and countries are vying to become the “Silicon Valley” or “Silicon Safari” of Africa. Bolstering this growing interest in Africa’s tech sector is a burgeoning class of innovators launching innovative, new startups that are launching real-world solutions to real business and development challenges. Despite the positive outlook and increasing global interest in Africa’s technology sector, entrepreneurs looking to grow their small and growing businesses still face significant challenges in reaching scale. For many, the biggest barrier to growth is the lack of access to the appropriate resources. In short, there isn’t enough capital, business development support, local support, or international support working to support the needs of these burgeoning ventures.