Telecommunications operator Orange, has announced the winners of this year’s edition of its African Social Venture Prize that seeks to recognize and reward entrepreneurs and startups offering solutions using ICT to meet people’s needs.
The winners who were selected from the pool of over 450 projects that were submitted for this year’s prize ceremony, will receive financial grants of up to 250,00 euros (KSh2.8 million).
Announced at the just concluded AfricaCom awards, the first prize went to a Startup in Botswana for its livestock farm management application for desktops, mobile and web that make it easy for farmers to manage their farm.
Dubbed Modisar, the app is designed to stimulate development of the livestock industry in the country and cultivate interest in livestock farming among the young generation by integrating mobile technologies with the nation’s passion for farming.
Being that the livestock sector is a major contributor to Botswana’s GDP, the app Modisar aims to ensure continuity and sustainability for the sector in the long run.
In addition to the financial assistance that Modisar will receive from Orange, the Startup will also benefit from a patent application as part of the rewards for taking the first prize.
Taking second prize was Cote d’Ivore’s State Energy Ivoire project that aims to set up stores in rural and urban areas in the country, allowing for wide-spread and affordable access to energy.
The stores are set to provide a range of services including batteries to allow access to lighting, cold spaces, internet access and low consumption equipment.
An online platform in Senegal that allows people leaving abroad and in the country to pay for medical consultations directly for friends and family, took the third place.
Orange telecom will also offer professional and expert coaching to the winners as well as the 10 finalists that were selected for the African Social Prize this year through the coaching program hosted by VC4Africa.
Also receiving a new Orange Partner API award at the ceremony, was Mewanko Farm, a project that seeks to create an online platform to enable the sale of agricultural products to urban and international markets.
The Social Venture Prize by Orange, launched the first time in 2011 is in its fourth year and continues to welcome participants in various sectors growing Africa’s economy through telecommunications including, healthcare, energy, agriculture, education, industry and commerce.
