Global oil and gas company Total has named 99 “Startuppers of the Year” from 33 African countries, with the winning startups set to be rewarded with financial assistance and coaching from the company and affiliates.
Disrupt Africa reported in November Total had opened applications for the “Startupper of the Year” award in the 34 African countries in which it operates. Though the winners of the Nigerian leg have yet to be announced, 99 winning startups have already been declared.
The aim of the competition was to identify, reward and provide support to the best startups across the continent, with Total saying it was part of a global initiative supporting socio-economic development in countries where it operates worldwide.
“It is a very concrete action launched to locally contribute to the reinforcement of the industrial fabric and to employment on the African continent, by supporting the most daring and innovative entrepreneurs in realising their project. This approach targets the emergence of new initiatives, while respecting the Total Group values,” the company said.
A jury of professionals originally pre-selected up to ten projects in each country based on specific criteria, which include innovation, originality, audacity and potential to impact on socio-economic development.
A candidates’ defence then took place by March 15, after which the final list of winners was announced.
Total operates in Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Guinea, Republic of the Congo, Reunion, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
