Want to launch a tech startup in Africa? Here are 5 ideas to consider

Human evolution is fueled by technological progress and innovation. This is why different innovative startups have driven Africa’s recent advancements.

Globally, African entrepreneurs and innovators have taken a leading role in recent years, placing the continent at the centre of that emerging digital space with the many startups birthed on problem-solving ideas.

However, Africa as a continent is still ripe with opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to start a tech startup. With a population of over 1.3 billion people and increasing internet users, a vast market is waiting to be tapped.

This article will explore some of these ideas and provide insights on how they can help tech founders build successful startups.

Virtual lab/eLearning platforms

The EdTech space in Africa is perhaps one of the industries that have received considerable attention given the platforms that have emerged to remedy the problems with formal learning, which the covid-19 pandemic highlighted.

Virtual classrooms and online meeting platforms like Zoom, Google Meet and the like have thrived recently. Edtech platforms have begun exploring ways to take education beyond the four walls of a classroom and also help provide a better learning experience.

However, one major problem educational institutions face in Africa is the unavailability of practical learning laboratories, which are useful for practical learning and follow-up. Now, this may sound ridiculous, but with the emergence of sophisticated AI tools, Virtual learning can even go beyond accessing a few books and learning materials to provide real-time 3D labs for classrooms.

Virtual labs are interactive, digital simulations of activities that typically take place in physical laboratory settings. Virtual labs simulate the tools, equipment, tests, and procedures used in chemistry, biochemistry, physics, biology, and other disciplines.

Tech has revealed that there are currently no boundaries to what is achievable with its infusion. Nonetheless, the scalability of this kind of innovation is even more plausible, considering the obvious partnerships and stakeholders at play.

Some other ideas that could be explored in the Edtech industry in Africa are virtual classes with the possibility of local language transmission. This help solves the problem of accessibility and language as a barrier to learning.

Travel and Tourism platforms

At first, when you look at Africa’s enormous potential in tourism and travel destinations, you would think numerous tech platforms are offering end-to-end services for people looking to visit the continent.

But on a second look at the internet, you would find agencies only facilitating a section or part of a tourist travel experience. While this is not a criticism of the already established players in the industry right now, be it agencies or companies, an infusion of tech could even improve the industry if it is used to provide a better travel experience for tourists.

Say, for example, that there is a platform which facilitates travel experience from the point of getting a Visa to arriving at a destination in a country of choice in the continent, and then helps with the arrangement around transportation, accommodation and logistics, as well as possible sites for tourism.

Of course, it might be difficult to achieve with just a single platform, but there is the possibility that it works too. Also, what if there was a platform that integrates these various services into a singular consumer interface platform?

This reduces the multifacetedness of the process and provides a simple and hassle-free process for people to move between borders. Just to bring you back a bit, this article does not dispute the fact that there are players in these industries right now, it only seeks to portray the many other possibilities that founders could leverage to build that next startup.

Agribusiness

Undoubtedly, Africa is richly blessed with arable land and diverse crops capable of ensuring that the continent can help it to take care of its food needs and possibly export for trade.

And although the sector has continually thrived in the face of states’ contribution and commitment, it is yet to fully meet its potential as Africa is yet to be sufficient in food production. This is where tech is needed.

However, there are still areas in which tech is yet to be deployed to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. One such area is crop processing and all-around season farming, especially in areas with low rainfall. A case study is the Northern part of Nigeria, where crop production by farmers is enormous but met with little or no food processing companies that can help ensure that these crops do not go to waste.

Apart from this, these tech-driven companies can help ensure the provision and packaging of perishable foods, such that these crops that could have gone to waste are preserved and transformed to meet other food needs of society.

E-Commerce platforms

One area where e-commerce platforms can thrive in Africa is in the sale of locally made products. There is a growing demand for African-made products both within the continent and internationally. E-commerce platforms that focus on selling locally made products can help bridge the gap between producers and consumers, creating a more efficient market.

Another area where e-commerce platforms can succeed in Africa is in the sale of essential goods such as groceries and household items. Many people in Africa still rely on traditional markets for their daily needs, but e-commerce platforms can provide a more convenient and efficient way to shop for these items.

There are other areas to explore, like creating a platform for people to access household services rendered in small retail forms. For instance, booking services online, which may include cleaning and plumbing and some other menial jobs.

Healthcare platforms

Healthcare is a major challenge in many parts of Africa. According to the World Health Organization, Africa accounts for 25% of the global disease burden but only has 3% of the world’s healthcare workforce.

There is a need for innovative solutions that can improve access to healthcare services and make them more affordable, especially in rural areas, where more childbirths and mortality are prevalent.

One area where healthcare technology can make a significant impact is telemedicine. Telemedicine involves using video conferencing and mobile apps to provide remote medical consultations. This can help improve access to healthcare services in rural areas with few healthcare facilities.

Another area where healthcare technology can make a difference is managing chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. Mobile apps and other digital tools can be used to monitor and manage these conditions, improving the quality of life for patients and reducing the burden on healthcare systems.

Launching a tech startup can be an exciting and challenging endeavour, thus requiring careful consideration and planning. While there is no guaranteed formula for success, a lot more than “good ideas” is required for founders to build successful startups. However, having a good idea is the best starting point.