Today marks the beginning of an exciting journey for ten exceptional startups selected for the timbuktoo MineTech Accelerator, as participants from across Africa arrive in Zambia for an intensive bootcamp.

Chosen from 350 applications, these startups represent some of the most promising early-stage ventures using frontier technologies—such as drones, data analytics, and AI—to solve real challenges in the mining sector.

The accelerator is implemented by BongoHive, on behalf of UNDP Zambia and National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (NISIR), with the aim of fostering innovation and sustainability in Africa’s mining industry.

The top 10 selected startups are:

Cameroon: Light Group – Yves B N Solanga
DRC: Synchros – Walter K Mboninyinwami
Kenya: Eco Mining – Grace Akinyi
Nigeria: Milsat Technologies – Taslim O Salaudeen
Rwanda: MineTech – Kelvin Rwihimba
Tanzania: Tukutech Company – Tukuapala M Mwalyolo
Uganda: Anchor Machines – Arthur Abaliwano
Zambia: J&E General Dealers – Eric Kausu
Zambia: Zanfit Enterprise – Chitula Lukonde
Zimbabwe: MineProtect – Benette Kadeya

During the bootcamp—hosted at NISIR—the startups will refine their business models, strengthen their prototypes, and validate their solutions with potential users and industry stakeholders.

At the end of the bootcamp, the top five startups will advance to the Acceleration Phase, where they will receive industry mentorship, networking opportunities, and equity-free funding. The journey will conclude with Virtual Pitch Sessions, giving these innovators a platform to showcase their work to a global audience of investors and mining experts.

Stay tuned as these entrepreneurs work towards shaping the future of sustainable mining in Africa.