Organization · Accelerator
Africa Startup Initiative Program
The Africa Startup Initiative Program (ASIP) is an accelerator launched by Telecel Group to support young startups in Africa. Founded in 2017, it focuses on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship across various sectors.
Overview
What Africa Startup Initiative Program does
What Africa Startup Initiative Program is
The Africa Startup Initiative Program (ASIP) is an accelerator launched by Telecel Group to support young startups in Africa. Founded in 2017, it focuses on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship across various sectors.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and program host capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Accelerator
- Founded
- Founded in 2017
- Approximate age
- About 9 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Program host
- Last reviewed
- March 5, 2026
What Accelerator means
An accelerator is a structured, short-term program designed to speed up a startup's progress toward product-market fit, traction, fundraising, or scale.
Open the glossary entryOfficial channels
Find Africa Startup Initiative Program elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
Africa Startup Initiative Program as a funder
Investment thesis
ASIP focuses on empowering young startups in Africa by providing them with resources, mentorship, and access to funding. The program emphasizes mobile technology and supports startups across various sectors.
Focus narrative
ASIP invests in startups operating in various sectors, including FinTech, InsureTech, AgriTech, eCommerce, Digital Health, and CleanTech. The program is particularly focused on startups with a mobile technology emphasis. ASIP provides support through an Accelerator program that includes coaching, mentoring, workshops, and access to markets, as well as an Investment program that emphasizes access to funding, grants, and venture capital.
Value beyond capital
ASIP adds value to portfolio companies through coaching, mentoring, workshops, and access to markets, as well as facilitating access to funding, grants, and venture capital.
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed · Seed+
- Regions
- Africa
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
- Recorded portfolio count
- 7
Portfolio context
Notable portfolio companies include: Babimo: Established in 2021 in Abidjan, this startup focuses on contactless payment systems through QR codes. Primed E-Health: Founded in 2012 and incorporated in 2021, this company offers Smartclinic, an Electronic Hospital Management System tailored for Nigeria. LyfPlus Limited: A telemedicine provider based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, addressing healthcare accessibility challenges. Messenger: A logistics platform that connects operators with businesses for efficient last-mile deliveries. Ostafandy: An Egyptian platform providing technological software services for various professionals. Edusko Inc.: An education marketplace that connects students with top K-12 private schools in Nigeria. Munakyalo Agrofresh: Founded in 2021 in Uganda, this startup offers solar-powered cold storage solutions for smallholder farmers.
Capability profile
Africa Startup Initiative Program as a program host
Program thesis
ASIP focuses on empowering African startups through mentorship, coaching, and access to funding. The program is dedicated to fostering innovation and growth in various sectors, particularly those leveraging mobile technology.
Focus narrative
ASIP invests in startups across multiple sectors, including FinTech, InsureTech, AgriTech, eCommerce, Digital Health, and CleanTech. The program particularly emphasizes mobile technology solutions, providing startups with coaching, mentoring, workshops, and market access to help them grow and succeed.
Value and support
Founders participating in ASIP benefit from tailored coaching, mentorship, and workshops designed to enhance their business skills. The program also offers access to funding opportunities, grants, and venture capital, enabling startups to secure the financial support they need to scale their operations.
Availability
- Application state
- Not published
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Accelerator · Pre-seed · Seed
- Regions
- Africa
Alumni and track record
Alumni context
Notable alumni of ASIP include Babimo, a contactless payment system startup; Primed E-Health, which offers an Electronic Hospital Management System; LyfPlus Limited, a telemedicine provider; Messenger, a logistics platform; Ostafandy, a tech services provider; Edusko Inc., an education marketplace; and Munakyalo Agrofresh, which provides solar-powered cold storage solutions.
Common questions
What to know about Africa Startup Initiative Program
Upseed classifies Africa Startup Initiative Program under the Accelerator organization type. Its current public profile includes funder and program host capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
March 5, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.