The last decade has witnessed a tech revolution in Africa. An early adopter of e-banking and mobile phone technology, young and tech-savvy communities have leapfrogged traditional paths of development. The continent has also benefited from free-trade agreements creating transnational networks of startups, founders, and tech entrepreneurs. For Katapult, Africa is now primed to mobilize its development path for the purpose of ushering in the next wave of impact tech. In particular, the continent has the opportunity to become a leader in the food, climate, and agri-tech sectors. Not only helping to meet global consumption demands but do so both equitably and sustainably.
Recognizing the opportunity and potential that African markets represent, Katapult and its partners have launched the Katapult Africa Accelerator Program. Taking learnings from in-depth industry expertise and Katapult’s previous accelerator programs, the Africa Accelerator Program will adopt a holistic approach, investing in and helping to scale startups that innovate within the intrinsically linked fields of agri-food and climate-tech.
Katapult Africa has recently opened an office in Kigali, Rwanda. Positioned as a financial and technology center on the continent, Rwanda’s growing profile as a startup hub offers both the geographical proximity, networks, and enabling environment for companies looking to scale within and beyond African markets.
The program will take place over a 3-months period and take a hybrid format where participants will have the opportunity to participate in the program both digitally and on location in Kigali. The program seeks to accelerate and invest in up to 15 startups and additionally run a 30-place pre-accelerator program.
The program will focus on African agriculture, food, and climate solutions, and Katapult strongly encourages startups working in the following areas to apply:
{{Agriculture and Food Production}}
Startups with technologies in agricultural tools and equipment, agro-inputs, production and conservation management platforms, and enhanced biotech and foods.
{{Supply Chain Services}}
Startups providing innovative financial services and accessible data, information, and knowledge for consumers and businesses.
{{Distribution and Logistics}}
Startups working on sustainable transport, storage, and supply chain marketplaces and platforms.
{{Sustainable Infrastructure}}
Startups realizing critical value chain opportunities for renewable energy, and processing and recycling technology.
Speaking at the launch, Katapult Country Director for Rwanda, Philip Gasaatura said: “As Katapult launches the Africa Accelerator program, the Katapult Africa team here in Kigali, Rwanda is very excited to be working with our program partners TBI, Smart Africa and Norrsken, as well as engaging with companies, different ecosystem partners and corporate partners.
We believe African startups can help solve some of the big challenges Africa faces today as one of the fastest-growing markets and this we believe is a great investment opportunity and so our goal is to find, invest in and help scale some of the most exciting tech companies with the most impact potential on Africa’s food and agri value chains, across Africa.”
Commenting on the development, Katapult’s founder Tharald Nustad underscored that it has been determined in its vision to build a thriving world for all for the past five years.
“A key element in operationalizing this vision is to look to where we can have the most impact possible. With growing economies and proven entrepreneurial credentials, we believe the African continent is key in ushering in the agricultural, food, and climate solutions that the global population requires. In mobilizing Katapult’s investment model in Rwanda, we see the ability to not only harness innovation but to act as an impetus for job and wealth creation both in East Africa and the wider-continent.”
{{About Katapult VC}}
Katapult is an investment company, focused on highly scalable impact tech startups. It currently has 138 companies in its portfolio, spread across 35 countries.
Katapult’s accelerator programs secure a world-leading deal flow and strengthen investment in highly-promising impact tech startups. Katapult has offices in Norway, the UK, Mauritius, and Rwanda.
Katapult accelerator programs are designed for impact-driven startups within the fields of Climate, Ocean and Food-tech. Katapult has run 9 accelerator programs to date.
Launched in 2020, Katapult Africa aims to support and develop the growing impact community in East Africa and the wider continent. Through investing in and supporting startups working in the space of food, climate and agri-tech, the Katapult Africa Accelerator Program aims to leverage the potential of a young and tech-savvy population, providing both a source of employment and the solutions that will build a healthier planet for all.
Katapult established the Katapult Foundation in 2020, gathering its non-profit initiatives under one arm. The Foundation is focused on building the impact community, field building and education efforts around impact investment.
{{About TBI}}
The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change supports political leaders and governments to build open, inclusive and prosperous societies in a globalized world. We do this by developing policy advice and solutions and directly advising governments. TBI currently works with governments and leaders in 16 countries in Africa and has been working alongside the government of Rwanda since 2008, building capacity and delivery across government, including in the agriculture and ICT sectors. For more details about TBI’s work supporting governments and leaders in Africa, go to https://institute.global/advisory
TBI released a report last month, Supercharging Africa’s Startups: The Continent’s Path to Tech Excellence, which found that despite being home to the world’s largest free trade area and the globe’s highest rates of entrepreneurship, the continent is still punching below its weight in tech entrepreneurship. The report detailed steps governments and the tech industry need to take to reach tech start-up funding of more than $90 billion by 2030.
On the launch of the Katapult Africa Accelerator Program, Rishon Chimboza, TBI Managing Director, Africa, said: “Africa is a budding tech superpower with the potential to be a tech startup giant. This program is part of our work to take us one step closer to helping leaders and entrepreneurs harness the power of technology to change people’s lives for good.
Africans are creators, not just users, of technology. We hope this project unlocks the tech potential we know exists, to help find new and innovative solutions to food insecurity and scarcity in Rwanda and the region.”
{{About Smart Africa}}
Smart Africa is an alliance of 32 African countries, international organizations and global private sector players tasked with Africa’s digital agenda. The alliance is empowered by a bold and innovative commitment by African Heads of State to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development on the continent and usher Africa into the knowledge economy through affordable access to broadband and the use of ICTs.
With a vision to create a single digital market in Africa by 2030, the Smart Africa Alliance brings together Heads of State who seek to accelerate the digitalization of the continent and create a common market. Launched in 2013 by seven (7) African Heads of State, the Alliance now has 32 member countries, representing over 815 million people and over 40 Private Sector members committed to the vision and the advancement of Africa.
Commenting on the launch of the accelerator program, Smart Africa CEO, Mr. Lacina Kone declared: “We are very excited and proud to support the Katapult accelerator program. As part of the African digital transformation agenda, we focus on empowering the startup ecosystem of the continent and the Katapult initiative driven especially in Kigali will be a tremendous asset to the booming local start-up environment. We believe that this program will not only benefit Rwanda but also resonate across Africa as the implementation process kicks off today.”
{{About Norad}}
The Norwegian government agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) is supporting the Katapult accelerator program with operational financial funding. The Agency is a directorate under the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Norad provides expert advice about development and aid to foreign services and works together with a range of other players in development assistance. In order to provide good and relevant advice, it is important to understand the context in which the development aid must work. Norad draws on the best expert groups in Norway and has substantial knowledge and know-how on subjects ranging from health and education to climate, environment, energy, and human rights in recipient countries.
Mehraz Rafat, Senior Adviser in the Civil Society Department Section for Private Sector Development at Norad said: “In order to meet the SDG, it is critical that development aid agencies collaborate with the private sector and have a catalytic impact, mobilizing capital into the emerging economies. Incubation and acceleration projects are becoming increasingly important in that respect, as they support the growth of promising start-ups and SMEs and at the same time mobilize capital from institutional investors to African companies.
The focus on food, Agritech and climate is of particular importance today. We have great hopes when it comes to this partnership, as Katapult has proven elsewhere they are able to successfully nurture unicorn companies, and as the partnership constellation is very strong, including players like Norrsken, TBI and Smart Africa. Norad will monitor this initiative closely and hope it will expand and create lessons to be replicated elsewhere in the continent.”
{{About Norrsken}}
{{Norrsken House Kigali}}
Norrsken recently expanded to Kigali, Rwanda, where we are building Africa’s biggest hub for entrepreneurs. At Norrsken House Kigali, we gather extraordinary entrepreneurs in different fields under the same roof to enable synergies and knowledge sharing. The hub also offers its community ad-hoc resources and advisory services, and hosts inspiring events. Members also have access to Norrsken’s network of growth opportunities and investors. In East Africa, we want to create a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem and increase investment into innovative solutions.
Situated at the former Ecole Belge in downtown Kigali and boasting 15 000 square metres of workspace, Norrsken House will be the largest startup hub in Africa once completed. In December 2021, the house welcomed its first tenants and partners. The official opening of the house is scheduled for the second half of 2022.
{{About Norrsken Foundation}}
Norrsken is an impact ecosystem where entrepreneurs can find everything they need to make saving the world their business.
Norrsken runs the award-winning co-working space Norrsken House in Stockholm, Sweden, and Norrsken House in Kigali, Rwanda, the largest startup hub in East Africa. They incubated Norrsken VC – a $130 million impact VC fund investing in the best entrepreneurs that solve global challenges using technology and Norrsken22, a $200 million growth fund backing exceptional entrepreneurs building Africa’s new tech unicorns. They also manage the Norrsken Impact Accelerator, Europe’s leading Accelerator program for early-stage impact startups.
Norrsken is a non-profit, non-partisan and non-political foundation, with a strong belief in effective altruism. It was founded by Niklas Adalberth, co-founder of payment services unicorn Klarna.
Speaking at the launch of the accelerator program, Pascal Murasira, the Managing Director of Norrsken East Africa said: “It is so exciting to have Katapult launching its Africa Accelerator Program right here at Norrsken. We know the unique combination of startups, entrepreneurs, and investors sitting at the house will enable the program to thrive and contribute to the impact tech revolution occurring across the African continent.”
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