Mozilla is aiding Kenya’s upcoming tech startups with grants and acceleration

The Mozilla Africa Mradi Innovation Challenge in Nairobi is poised to help Kenyan tech entrepreneurs develop their products and be ready for market.

This week, Mozilla Corporation hosted a two-day Mozilla Africa Mradi Innovation Challenge in collaboration with the Nairobi City County Government (NCCG) at the Arboretum Park in Nairobi. The challenge identified three tech startups—Getpayd, Deaf Elimu, and Hali Halisi—and three student innovators: Classify Me, Audred, and Mama Pesa. The innovators received grants of KES 13 million ($92,500). They will also receive technical assistance to develop their products further and position themselves in the market.

During the ceremony, Nairobi County governor Sakaja A. Johnson said, “Nairobi City County Government is working with Mozilla Africa Mradi to ensure that tech startups and innovators get access to grants and are enabled to access venture capital investments locally and globally.”

Why the Mozilla Africa Mradi Innovation Challenge is important

Mozilla launched the programme to help African tech entrepreneurs and students develop their products and get them to market. The program seeks to provide technical support, grants, and market access to help these innovators bring their ideas to life. It is also designed to promote innovation led by the unique needs of users on the African continent. Mozilla says investing in African innovators can help create a more inclusive and equitable digital future for locals and others.

Mozilla announced the Africa Mradi Innovation Challenge in Nairobi just last month. Over the years, and as part of its commitment to boosting innovation, the technology corporation has invested $20 million in fellowships and awards to support individual and collective actions that nurture innovations benefiting local communities in Africa.

Mitchell Baker, CEO and chairwoman of Mozilla Corporation, said, “From 2015, Mozilla has distributed over $20 million through fellowships and awards to support individual and collective actions that nurture unique innovations that benefit communities.”

Startups in Kenya by numbers

According to the 2022 Kenya startup ecosystem report by Disrupt Africa, there are currently 308 active tech startups in Kenya, employing over 11,000 people. However, only 50% of these startups have undergone acceleration or incubation processes.

The Africa Mradi Innovation Challenge aims to address this gap by providing resources and support to tech innovators in Kenya. Its goal is to help these innovators develop and grow their businesses, contributing to the overall advancement of the tech ecosystem in the country.

The Digital Economy Blueprint reports that Kenya is a regional frontrunner in digital infrastructure access. Projections indicate that by 2030, around 55% of job roles in Kenya will require digital skills.