Moniepoint’s founder to chair $200,000 Pan-African AI programme

n n

By Babajide Komolafe

n

Tosin Eniolorunda, founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Moniepoint, has been appointed honorary chairman of the inaugural cohort of the Askya AI Growth Platform, a pan-African initiative targeting investment of up to $200,000 in selected African artificial intelligence, AI, startups.

n

The programme, launched by Askya Investment Partners, will support 10 AI-native, Africa-focused startups with capital, execution support and market access to enable them achieve product-market fit and scale across the continent.

n

According to Askya, the initiative comes at a time when Africa’s AI ecosystem is gaining momentum, with the African Development Bank estimating that inclusive deployment of AI could add up to $1 trillion to the continent’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, by 2035.

n

The investment firm said the programme was designed to ensure that Africans become not only users of AI technology but also builders of solutions capable of competing globally.

n

Commenting on his appointment, Eniolorunda said: “Africans can build solutions for people all over the world, and AI may be the clearest opportunity yet to prove it.”

n

He added: “Our young founders are ready; what they need is execution support and access to real customers.”

n

Eniolorunda said helping talented African technology entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses remained a priority for him.

n

“Helping talented builders go further is the work I care about most, and it is why I am glad to chair this first cohort,” he stated.

n

Founder and Managing Partner of Askya Investment Partners, Babacar Seck, said Eniolorunda’s experience made him suitable to guide the initiative.

n

He said: “Tosin has shown how to build a generational technology company that addresses real African needs, with ambition, relentless commitment, superior execution and authenticity.”

n

Seck added that Eniolorunda would help “show the way to the next generation of builders” as they pursue product-market fit and continental expansion.

n

Applications remain open to African AI-native startups, with shortlisted candidates expected to be announced in October.

n n