The timbuktoo MineTech Hub on June 17th, 2025 celebrated a significant milestone with the unveiling of ten innovative mining technology startups that will play a key role in driving Zambia — and Africa — toward a future of sustainable, inclusive, and innovation-led mining.

The event, held at the National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (NISIR) in Lusaka, marked the culmination of a ten-day intensive bootcamp led by BongoHive, Zambia’s premier innovation and tech hub. The startups, selected from a competitive pan-African innovation challenge, showcased their transformative ideas in front of a panel of experts, investors, and key stakeholders in the mining and technology sectors. These ventures are set to continue their journey at the timbuktoo MineTech Hub, where they will be incubated and further refined during a subsequent virtual bootcamp before making their final pitches.

A Partnership Driving Progress

The event highlighted the power of collaboration between the Government of Zambia, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and essential players in the innovation ecosystem such as BongoHive. Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Honourable Minister of Technology and Science Mr. Felix Mutati acknowledged the strength of this partnership and the potential for homegrown solutions to address Africa’s mining challenges. “This is not just a milestone for Zambia, but for Africa,” he said. “Through the MineTech Hub, the solutions to the problems we face in mining are not going to be imported; they are going to originate from here in Africa for Africa to change Africa.”

The timbuktoo MineTech Hub serves as a flagship initiative within the larger timbuktoo innovation ecosystem, which unites academia, private sector players, development partners, and government to support startups that are tackling critical development challenges. In Zambia, the MineTech Hub is focused on the mining sector, which remains central to the country’s economy and Africa’s drive toward greener, more inclusive industrialization.

Innovation for Impact

During the demo day, each of the ten startups presented their solutions aimed at transforming mining practices across Africa. The event was a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation, as the selected startups showcased ideas that ranged from advanced mineral traceability and AI-driven resource mapping to sustainable energy systems and environmental restoration technologies.

As Sinazo Charlotte Sibisi, Chief Investment Officer at timbuktoo Foundation, remarked, “You are not just engineers of technology; you are architects of impact.” Her words resonated with the startups, emphasizing the importance of creating technologies that not only solve today’s problems but also lay the groundwork for a sustainable future in the mining sector.

The Future of Mining in Africa

The unveiling of these startups is a step towards creating a new wave of innovation within Africa’s mining industry. Mattias Naab, Director of the UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa, underscored the hub’s transformative potential: “This hub is more than just a building. It is a commitment — our collective commitment to innovation, sustainability, and to our young people who will lead us into the mining of tomorrow.”

Reflecting on the broader impact, Eng. Kabwe Musonda, Chairperson of the NISIR Board, spoke about the importance of empowering young innovators: “We are embracing a future with renewed purpose. This is part of our transformation agenda to create environments where young innovators are not only trained and mentored but also empowered to design the next generation of technologies that will revolutionize Zambia and the continent’s mining sector.”

The Road Ahead

Following the successful completion of the bootcamp, the startups will embark on a virtual bootcamp, where they will refine their ideas and receive further mentorship from industry experts, investors, and development partners. This process will culminate in the final pitches, where the most promising innovations will gain the support needed to scale and make a lasting impact in the mining sector.

Beatrice Mutali, UNDP Resident Coordinator in Zambia, captured the essence of the startup mission: “These startups are not just solving problems of today; they are creating the future of mining, one that is automated, data-driven, low-impact and, above all, human-centered.”

With the timbuktoo MineTech Hub now fully operational, these ten startups are poised to lead Zambia and Africa into a new era of sustainable mining. The collaboration between Zambia’s government, UNDP, and innovation partners such as BongoHive promises to fuel this transformation and position the continent as a global leader in the mining sector.

This demo day marks a key moment in Zambia’s mining innovation journey, showcasing the power of collaboration and the potential for African-led solutions to address global challenges. The timbuktoo MineTech Hub is not only an incubator for new technologies but also a symbol of Africa’s commitment to sustainable industrialization and inclusive development.