Top 9 Tech Startups from Kampala You Need to Know About in 2017

The east African nation of Uganda is in the midst of a digital transformation—and with relative prosperity and stability in place, investors and entrepreneurs are capitalizing on emerging market opportunities. In fact, the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) recently named Uganda as the world’s most entrepreneurial country, with 28% of adults owning or co-owning a new business.

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9. Safeboda 8. Yoza 7. PesaMoni 6. Panya 5. Mambopay 4. Aloyo Electronics 3. Shillingguru 2. Fenix International 1. Piqsho Source(s):

In Kampala, the nation’s capital, events like the Uganda Startup Cup and Seedstars Kampala are bringing global exposure to the local tech startups ecosystem. Here are 9 of its best and brightest tech startups you need to know about in 2017 and beyond.

9. Safeboda

Though convenient, boda boda (motorcycle taxis) are often operated by inexperienced drivers, resulting in a greater likelihood of accidents and mishaps/injuries. Safeboda—one of a handful of boda boda hailing apps from Uganda, aims to offers safer transportation services through a careful driver screening/selection process and training.

8. Yoza

The average Ugandan cannot afford to purchase a washing machine, but with professionals busy with every day affairs, dedicating a morning or afternoon at the laundromat is not an option either. To remediate this predicament, Yoza connects users to individual laundry service providers with its streamlined mobile app; the service works via regular phone/voice as well.

7. PesaMoni

PesaMoni is a web and phone-based service that provides money transfer services across the globe via the cloud. Users can sign up and send/receive money in seconds without going through traditional financial system intermediaries to deliver funds.

6. Panya

Panya—slang for shortcut—is chat-based virtual assistant that operates using Facebook’s Messenger platform. Users can buy shoes, order an Uber, check bus timetables, and a host of other services through chat interactions.

5. Mambopay

Mambopay is a peer-to-peer (P2P) coupon-based payment platform that enables consumers and businesses to easily accept payments in the form of digital coupons tagged for a specific purpose. The company has partnered with MTN Uganda, the country’s premier telecommunications provider.

4. Aloyo Electronics

Aloyoe Electronics’ BodaCharger is an inexpensive mobile phone charging device that installs on motorcycles, enabled the over 700,000 motorcycle taxi drivers in the country to stay connected to customers and operate their businesses, even if they lack electricity at home.

3. Shillingguru

Shillingguru is Uganda’s version of Quora—the solution is a question and answer platform that enables users to discuss local issues and request or provide subject matter expertise.

2. Fenix International

Source: enixintl.com. — Source: fenixintl.com.

Fenix makes solar power accessible to average Ugandans by offering smart, expandable solar products purchased via affordable mobile money payments. Its patent-pending ReadyPay financial platform allows customers to pay-to-own Fenix solar energy systems over time for as low as $ 0.35 a day.

1. Piqsho

Piqsho is a social networking and messaging application that links Africa to the rest of the world. The app allow users to send and receive money worldwide, exchange messages/pictures/files/recorded audio without SMS fees—even create public and private groups of up to a million members.

From motorcycle taxi hailing platforms to affordable solar energy, these 9 Kampala-based ventures are putting Uganda on the world map of global tech startups. Be sure to keep them in your sights in 2017 and beyond.