The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-Africa Business Center on Monday announced the top 3 finalists in the 2022 Africa Digital Innovation Competition.
The annual competition, held in partnership with the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) and American Chambers of Commerce across Africa, rewards African innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups for developing solutions through digital products and services that have a positive impact on African citizens.
The announcement of the 3 finalists— Imodoye Abioro, CEO and co-founder of Healthbotics; Ore Alemede, cofounder of GrowAgric; and Frank Nana Addae, cofounder of Shopa—was made by Scott Eisner, President of the U.S.-Africa Business Center, and Travis Adkins, President, U.S. Africa Development Foundation, during a live interview on Voice of America (VOA).
“There’s a clear link between digital and economic growth, and Africa is on the cusp of being home to the world’s next mass generation of digital consumers and talent,” said Eisner. “The U.S. Chamber is proud to empower the African innovators and entrepreneurs whose digital initiatives are making a difference across the continent, such as—in the case of our 3 finalists—increasing access to life-saving medicines and quality healthcare, assisting farmers with low-cost investments for high-impact results, and connecting informal retailers in underprivileged communities to suppliers. We commend our top 3 finalists, true changemakers who are lifting others as they climb.”
“We also thank our generous competition sponsors and partners: Prosper Africa, Voice of America (VOA), Cybastion, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, Trimble, American Tower Corporation (ATC), Vista Bank, Standard Bank, and the Kosmos Innovation Center.”
“Africa is a place where innovation begins,” said Travis Adkins, President, and CEO of the U.S. African Development Foundation. “USADF’s mission is to create pathways to prosperity across Africa through a community-led development approach and African network of local partners to support African-designed and African-delivered solutions.”
“We’re glad the U.S. Chamber recognizes that true digital transformation in Africa must lead with homegrown solutions, and we join the U.S. Chamber in congratulating our top 3 finalists today.”
The top 3 finalists will travel to Washington, D.C. in December to be honored at an event on the sidelines of the U.S. Africa Business Summit. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business organization representing companies of all sizes across every sector of the economy.