Kenya’s “Sniper Team” has placed second in the global Technovation Challenge, for their bus ticket booking mobile app, M-Safiri.
Technovation challenges girls all over the world to build a mobile app that will address a community problem. Participants do not need any programming experience, but are guided through the product and startup building process by volunteer mentors.
The competition splits into two categories – the high school category for girls aged between 14 and 19; and the middle school category for girls under 14.
Disrupt Africa reported in this year’s competition, two African teams made the finals – Kenya’s Sniper Team in the high school category, and Cameroon’s Angels Tech of Africa in the middle school group.
Finalists from around the world were asked to present their ideas live at the World Pitch Summit; with the winning team in each category given US$10,000 to grow their startup.
Kenya’s Sniper Team came in second place for its bus ticket booking M-Safiri app; tying with a US team addressing food waste in restaurants.
“We are happy for the rare opportunity to participate in this year’s Technovation Challenge. We are also delighted that we are able to compete on a global platform and emerge second,” said Harriet Karanja, member of Sniper Team.
“This was a big challenge for us but we are now more encouraged to continue improving the app to ensure that it provides a reliable and convenient way for Kenyans to book and make payments for public transport. Eventually, we hope it will bring an end to the long queues witnessed at booking offices,” she said.
