Airbus calls for African tech startups for aerospace solution

Oct 31, 2018: The second edition of #Africa4Future, a joint accelerator programme between Airbus’ global aerospace accelerator BizLab and Make-IT in Africa, a programme by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit German (GIZ), the German agency for International Cooperation has been launched.

Airbus has invited African tech startups that are actively working on solutions related to unmanned logistics and remote sensing technology, including automation and drones, electrification, blockchain, artificial intelligence, data analytics and material composites and manufacturing. The startups can submit applications for the programme till 30th November, 2018. Following review, ten applicants will be chosen for to receive the opportunity to join #Africa4Future, a six-month acceleration program, starting January 7, 2019.

The joint program will be implemented by the MEST and Innocircle consortium—two organisations with a significant presence and deep knowledge of entrepreneurial ecosystems in Africa.

The call for startups took place during the release of The Great Enabler: Aerospace in Africa – a White Paper on the role of aerospace technologies and their impact on socio-economic development in Africa. The extensive report looks at how different segments of the industry can address a core set of challenges on the continent by increasing access to healthcare; by making African agriculture more competitive and sustainable; promoting education, training and innovation; empowering businesses with innovative products and solutions; and breaking down barriers to the movement of people and goods across Africa.

First launched in 2017, the initiative was created by Airbus BizLab with the objective to encourage and support entrepreneurship in Africa. The continent’s young and increasingly techno-savvy population is likely to be the driving force behind Africa’s socio-economic development. Through #Africa4future, Airbus seeks to build bridges between the aerospace industry and the different players in Africa.