Introduction
The Jobtech Alliance, led by Mercy Corps and BFA Global, has unveiled its second cohort of platforms aimed at enhancing access to quality job opportunities for Africans. Following the selection of the first cohort in April, eight innovative startups have been chosen for the second edition, representing a diverse range of sectors and countries across the continent.
Nigerian Innovators Leading the Way
Selar and Instollar
Two Nigerian startups have made it into the second cohort. Selar is an e-commerce tool that empowers African creatives and entrepreneurs to sell digital content, products, and services across borders. Instollar, on the other hand, is a green energy marketplace that utilizes location and skill algorithms to connect renewable energy companies with freelance green-collar workers across Africa.
Kenyan Ventures Revolutionizing Local Economies
Mwingi and Gwiji
Kenya is also well represented with two groundbreaking ventures. Mwingi is a tech-enabled trading network that revolutionizes the supply of essential goods to remote, rural areas of Africa through franchised retail outlets. Gwiji is a mobile platform that connects underprivileged women with urban households in need of cleaning services, providing much-needed employment and empowerment.
Pioneering Solutions from Uganda, South Africa, and Ethiopia
Opareta, CatalyzU, Goodayon, and Afriwork
The remaining startups in the cohort include Uganda’s Opareta, which digitizes mobile money agent businesses to support activities like float management and performance analytics. South Africa’s CatalyzU offers an end-to-end solution that vets, trains, and places non-technical talent at global startups and VC funds via a matchmaking talent marketplace. From Ethiopia, Goodayon is a location-based gig platform that connects customers with reliable domestic help and home repair services, while Afriwork leverages Telegram to provide fully automated recruitment services for SMEs and beyond.
Jobtech Alliance’s Commitment to Employment
"We’re thrilled to double down on our efforts with another cohort of jobtech innovators improving access to decent employment across Africa," said Michelle Hassan, Co-director at Jobtech Alliance. "By building an enabling ecosystem, we can improve livelihoods across the continent."
Benefits for Selected Startups
Each platform in the cohort will receive investment capital, bespoke venture-building support, advisory services from leading experts, and opportunities to scale their innovative platforms through the Alliance’s growing cross-sector partnerships. This initiative is part of Jobtech Alliance’s broader effort, which engages hundreds of jobtech platforms across Africa and involves stakeholders, including investors and policymakers, in learning and community-building activities.
