Qualcomm Incorporated announced yesterday the successful conclusion of the second year of its Make in Africa Startup Mentorship Program, which will culminate in the Make in Africa Finale 2024.

The company said the platform continues to highlight the energy and innovation emerging from Africa's technology sector.

Qualcomm added that program is its commitment to assisting entrepreneurs as part of the company's larger Africa Innovation Platform.

Now in its second year, this program has successfully directed early-stage technology firms by offering mentorship, business coaching, engineering consultation, and intellectual property protection counsel, according to the company.

This year's Make in Africa finalists, hailing from six African countries, are solving real-world challenges in healthcare, agriculture, Artificial Intelligence, and the industrial sector.

The Qualcomm Make in Africa Startup Mentorship Program 2024 concluded with Kenya's Aurora Health Systems being named the recipient of the 2024 Wireless Reach Social Impact Fund.

Aurora Health Systems won the award after competing against nine other startups from six African countries with its portable electrocardiogram (ECG) device with LTE connectivity, which helps patients with cardiovascular disease by allowing remote data transmission of ECG data to healthcare providers, including in rural areas.

Sparcx from South Africa, led by Sujo Mulamattathil, demonstrated the use of AI to improve public safety.

Other participants include CropScan from Kenya, Cure Bionic from Tunisia, DevisionX from Egypt, Kitovu from Nigeria, NextAI Studios from Kenya, RIM Nextgen from Kenya, and ViZmerald from Tunisia.

“The Make in Africa start-ups are disrupting traditional industries and tackling socio-economic challenges, crafting innovative solutions with global market reach by using AI, advanced connectivity, and IoT,” said Wassim Chourbaji, SVP and president, Qualcomm MEA & SVP, Government Affairs EMEA.

He added: “This startup mentorship program reflects Qualcomm’s commitment to support promising early-stage deep tech startups, empowering local talents, creating jobs and driving economic growth."