At a Glance
- African Founders are leading the continent’s tech revolution, driving digital transformation across multiple sectors.
- Visionary leaders are fueling Africa’s rise in mobile tech, e-commerce, and fintech, surpassing global averages.
- These top Founders are shaping Africa’s digital future, setting new global standards for innovation and investment.
Africa’s tech landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation in the past two decades, positioning the continent as a global leader in digital innovation.
Once regarded as a follower in the global tech space, Africa has now become a vibrant hub of growth, leveraging its unique opportunities to forge new pathways in technology.
Central to this shift are visionary leaders who are driving the continent’s ambitious goals of leapfrogging traditional development methods and embracing the digital age.
As mobile technology took root, Africa rapidly surpassed global averages in mobile phone penetration, and today, the continent boasts one of the most dynamic tech startup ecosystems globally.
The rise of African tech startups is not merely a trend; it represents a significant structural shift across industries from fintech to engineering, telecommunications and e-commerce.
These trailblazers are not only transforming Africa’s digital landscape but are also setting new standards for global innovation.
In celebration of Leadership, Shore Africa highlights the top 10 Founders who are redefining Africa’s technological future.
These leaders are driving forward the Fourth Industrial Revolution with bold investments, groundbreaking technologies, and a commitment to transforming every sector, from financial services to telecommunication, to enable future change-makers. Their efforts are not just influencing Africa but reverberating across the world stage.
1. Mike Adenuga — Globacom
Nigeria’s second-richest man, Mike Adenuga, boasts a net worth of $6.8 billion, according to Forbes, making him one of Africa’s most influential tech magnates. In 2003, Adenuga founded Globacom, Nigeria’s second-largest telecom operator, with over 60 million subscribers across Nigeria, Ghana, and Benin.
Globacom has made strides in technological infrastructure, including the Glo-1 submarine cable, which spans 6,100 miles connecting Africa to the UK.
Under Adenuga’s leadership, Globacom has won numerous accolades, including the 2023 Champions Newspapers Telecommunication Company of the Year award. A philanthropist and owner of the Mike Adenuga Group, Adenuga’s investments also span oil, real estate, banking, and shipping, cementing his status as a diversified African business tycoon.
2. Strive Masiyiwa, Founder of the Econet Group
Strive Masiyiwa, with a net worth of $1.8 billion, has played a pivotal role in shaping Africa’s telecommunications and technology sectors.
As the founder of Econet Group, Masiyiwa launched Econet Wireless in Zimbabwe, which has become the country’s dominant telecom operator. ECONET is a 30-year-old entrepreneurial technology group, focused on digitally connecting customers across Sub-Saharan Africa.
His company, now diversified into sectors including fintech through Cassava Technologies, continues to push boundaries across multiple continents.
Masiyiwa’s impact extends beyond business. He has extensive philanthropic efforts, such as the Higher Life Foundation, which supports vulnerable children across Africa. A prominent figure in global development, he has been recognized by Bloomberg and New African Magazine as one of the most influential Africans.
3. Mounir Nakhla (Founder and CEO of MNT-Halan)
Mounir Nakhla has redefined Egypt’s fintech sector with MNT-Halan, the country’s first unicorn. Founded in 2017, the company provides innovative financial services such as micro-business lending, consumer finance, and e-commerce, with a user base of over 5 million customers.
Under Nakhla’s leadership, MNT-Halan has become Egypt’s first billion-dollar tech company, driving financial inclusion nationwide. With more than 15 years of experience in telecom and tech, Nakhla’s role as a serial entrepreneur has positioned MNT-Halan as one of the leading fintech firms in Africa.
4. Mark Essien, Founder & CEO of Hotels.ng
Nigerian-born entrepreneur Mark Essien has made his mark in Africa’s travel tech sector. With a background in computer engineering, Essien founded Hotels.ng in 2013, an online platform revolutionizing hotel bookings within Nigeria.
Essien’s commitment to shaping Africa’s digital travel ecosystem also led to the creation of the HNG internships, which train and recruit top software developers across the continent.
Recognized by Forbes as one of Africa’s most promising young entrepreneurs, Essien’s work continues to lay the foundation for a more interconnected and tech-savvy Africa.
5. Mitchell Elegbe, Group Managing Director/CEO of Interswitch
Mitchell Elegbe’s Interswitch, founded in 2002, has become a leading force in Africa’s digital payments industry.
Known for its role in transforming payments across Africa, Interswitch has expanded into multiple African markets, driving innovation and financial inclusion.
Elegbe’s leadership has earned Interswitch several accolades, including recognition by Deloitte as one of Africa’s fastest-growing technology businesses.
A recipient of multiple awards, including the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year and CNBC/Forbes African Business Leader award, Elegbe has firmly established himself as one of Africa’s most influential tech entrepreneurs.
6. Zak Calisto Chairman/CEO/Founder at Karooooo Ltd.
South African tech entrepreneur Zak Calisto founded Karooooo Ltd., which owns Cartrack, a leading global mobility SaaS platform.
With over 2 million active users in 23 countries, Cartrack provides comprehensive fleet management solutions, processing over 180 billion data points monthly.
Calisto’s visionary leadership has allowed Karooooo to expand beyond its initial vehicle recovery services into a multifaceted tech platform, revolutionizing enterprise mobility solutions.
His leadership has positioned Cartrack as a global player in the mobility sector, with a market value of over $124 million in subscription growth.
7. Naadiya Moosajee, Co-Founder and CEO at WomEng
Naadiya Moosajee has been a trailblazer in closing the gender gap in STEM, particularly in engineering and technology.
As the co-founder and CEO of WomEng, she has empowered thousands of young women across Africa to pursue careers in engineering. Moosajee’s leadership has earned her numerous accolades, including being named one of Forbes’ Top 20 Young Power Women in Africa.
Through WomEng and other initiatives like WomHub, she continues to foster a more inclusive tech landscape by developing high-skilled women for the engineering and tech sectors.
8. Tope Awotona, Founder and CEO of Calendly
Nigerian entrepreneur Tope Awotona has revolutionized business communications with Calendly, a scheduling platform that has become a $3 billion global tech company.
Founded in 2013, Calendly now has 10 million users, including major companies like Lyft and La-Z-Boy. After overcoming multiple failed ventures, Awotona’s perseverance paid off when Calendly became profitable in 2016.
With an impressive funding round securing $350 million, Awotona’s success story is a testament to the potential of tech entrepreneurship in Africa.
9. Ashish J Thakkar, founder of Mara Group
Ashish Thakkar, the founder of Mara Group, has built a multi-sector empire spanning technology, financial services, real estate, and infrastructure across 25 African countries.
Starting with a $5,000 loan at the age of 15, Thakkar’s entrepreneurial journey is a symbol of Africa’s potential for homegrown business success.
His Mara Foundation, which mentors young entrepreneurs, has empowered hundreds of businesses across the continent. A co-founder of Atlas Mara and a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, Thakkar is committed to fostering sustainable economic growth in Africa.
10. Ham Serunjogi Co-Founder & CEO of Chipper Cash
Ham Serunjogi, CEO and Co-Founder of Chipper Cash, has led the fintech startup to success by offering a no-fee, cross-border payment service.
Alongside co-founder Maijid Moujaled, Serunjogi created Chipper Cash in 2018 after recognizing the challenges Africans face with cross-border transfers.
The company has grown to 4 million users across seven African countries, the U.K., and the U.S. After securing early-stage investments, including a $2.4 million seed round, Chipper Cash reached a $2 billion valuation in its 2021 Series C round.
Serunjogi’s leadership has driven the company’s expansion, with partnerships, cryptocurrency offerings, and innovative marketing strategies.
Shaping Africa’s digital future
These leaders represent the cutting edge of Africa’s digital transformation, each shaping the future of technology and business across the continent. Their contributions not only drive the economy but also serve as beacons of inspiration for the next generation of African tech entrepreneurs.
