BongoHive Mid-Year Buzz 2025: Innovation, Impact & Momentum

Halfway through 2025, BongoHive is buzzing with big wins, bold ideas, and the grit to keep going. In a year where economic slumps have been felt across the globe, our focus has remained clear—fueling Zambia’s innovation ecosystem.

🚀 Tech That Matters
We kicked off the year with the launch of the BongoHive AI Lab—a game-changer for AI innovation in Zambia, unlocking solutions across agriculture, healthcare, education, and financial services. This dedicated R&D space is now empowering startups, researchers, and institutions to harness AI for national impact.

We also led the charge in reshaping the continent’s mining sector through the timbuktoo MineTech Accelerator, implemented in partnership with UNDP Zambia and NISIR. Ten startups from across Africa joined us in Zambia to explore how drones, data, and AI can transform mining. Their journey included bootcamps, field visits, and a dynamic networking cocktail featuring Mr. Jito Kayumba, Special Assistant to the President for Finance & Investment, and Dr. James Wakiaga, UNDP Resident Representative.

🌐 Zambia’s Digital Future: Developer Ecosystem Survey Launch
In April, we took a major step toward shaping Zambia’s digital transformation with the launch of the “State of the Developer Ecosystem in Zambia Survey 2025”, in partnership with ICTAZ. The event, hosted at BongoHive, was graced by Hon. Felix Mutati, Minister of Technology and Science, who delivered an inspiring keynote on the role of developers in Zambia’s digital economy.

Minister Mutati emphasized the survey’s importance in guiding national policy and upskilling strategies:

“By empowering our developers, we are laying the foundation for an inclusive, prosperous, and innovative Zambia.”

This landmark event united developers, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and policymakers in a shared mission to build a robust tech ecosystem.

🌍 Next-Gen Founders Rising
With the support of UNDP and the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, our Youth-Led MSME Empowerment Programme has reached 200 young entrepreneurs across Lusaka, Kitwe, and Livingstone. From business model design to investment readiness, these youth-led ventures are being positioned to scale across regional markets under the AfCFTA.

👩🏽‍💼 Women in Tech, Leading the Charge
The Women in Tech Zambia Accelerator, powered by the Standard Chartered Foundation and Village Capital, is nurturing 18 women-led startups with targeted mentorship, technical support, and $10,000 equity-free grants. We’ve also amplified female voices through the Women in FinTech Hackathon and celebrated Women’s Month with thoughtful engagements—including a vibrant Paint & Sip session to honour creativity and connection in tech.

🌱 Ecosystem in Action
We’ve remained committed to building a holistic innovation ecosystem—from university design sprints and executive leadership breakfasts, to cross-border collaborations with Smart Innovation Norway, Solar Village, and Digital Africa.

We were honoured to host several high-profile guests this year, including Dr. Samuel Maimbo, candidate for President of the African Development Bank; Thani Mohamed Soilihi, French Minister Delegate for Francophonie and International Partnerships; and French Ambassador Thomas Rossignol. Their visits highlighted the growing global recognition of BongoHive’s role in driving innovation across Africa.

💡 Scaling with Purpose
From human-centered design workshops to intensive coaching and mentorship, BongoHive continues to provide the tools startups need to thrive. With partners like Deloitte, we’ve strengthened the foundations of hundreds of ventures—and in 2024 alone, startups supported by BongoHive raised over $1.5 million in capital.

🎯 What’s Next?
We’ve grown through change—welcoming new team members, saying goodbye to a few, and deepening our partnerships. As we head into the second half of 2025, we do so with stronger networks, sharper focus, and unstoppable momentum.

Thank you for walking with us. Let’s keep building an inclusive, innovative, and opportunity-rich

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