The timbuktoo MineTech Accelerator Programme has successfully concluded after an intensive five-week hybrid bootcamp and dynamic pitch sessions before an audience of investors and venture capitalists. From over 350 applications, ten startups were initially selected, with five emerging as winners of critical seed financing. These five startups will now enter a three-month incubation programme designed to help them scale their solutions and increase market access. Hosted at the National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (NISIR) in Lusaka, the MineTech Hub is part of UNDP’s pan-African timbuktoo initiative, aimed at catalyzing technology-driven, sustainable mining across the continent.
Addressing the innovators, Hon. Felix C. Mutati, Minister of Technology and Science, emphasized that the programme showcases the power of combining innovation, entrepreneurship, and partnerships to drive Africa’s transformation. He congratulated both the top ten startups and the five awardees, highlighting their creativity, resilience, and ability to solve real-world problems while unlocking growth and prosperity opportunities.
UNDP Resident Representative Dr. James Wakiaga noted that the initiative reflects the visionary leadership of Africa’s youth and the organization’s commitment to cultivating local talent. In just under two years, the timbuktoo initiative has established ten sector-specific Tech Hubs and fourteen University Innovation Pods across Africa. The programme is structured to empower young innovators to contribute to its ambitious 10-year goal of impacting 100 million lives.
The five winning startups are Arthur Abaliwano – Anchor Machines (Uganda), Chitula Lukonde – Zanfi Entreprise Ltd (Zambia), Taslim Olawale Salaudeen – Milsat Technologies (Nigeria), Tukupala Mussa Mwalyolo – Tukutech Company Ltd (Tanzania), and Walter Mbonyimwami – SYNCHROS (Democratic Republic of Congo). Their success represents a glimpse into the future of mining innovation on the continent and globally.
Tukupala Mwalyolo emphasized that the programme is an investment in Africa’s future, encouraging fellow innovators to continue fostering inclusion, resilience, and collaboration. She highlighted that the achievements of the programme demonstrate that Africa’s progress will be shaped by the creativity, courage, and unity of its people.
