New York City will once again open its doors to Africa’s brightest minds. On 19 September 2025, at Google’s headquarters, ten entrepreneurs will pitch their ventures to global investors during the 12th edition of Angel Fair Africa (AFA@12).
Themed “Building and Investing in Africa,” this year’s gathering coincides with the United Nations General Assembly week, ensuring that the global spotlight remains firmly fixed on the continent’s ingenuity.
“From fintech and mobility to healthtech and retail, these founders showcase the drive and ingenuity that power Africa’s startup scene. Their solutions address real challenges, create new markets and demonstrate how African ventures can scale with the right support,” the Angel Fair Africa said in a statement.
The Entrepreneurs Pitching at AFA@12
Chisepo Chirwa – Bosso (Zambia)
Housing remains one of Zambia’s most urgent needs. Chisepo Chirwa, CEO of Bosso, is tackling the crisis head-on. His platform digitises the building materials supply chain, connecting over 800 hardware stores and 400 home builders in just a year. With $400,000 already raised in venture capital, Bosso offers transparent pricing, efficient delivery, and affordable options online.
Moka Lantum – CheckUps COVA (Kenya)
Health care delays cost lives. CheckUps COVA, led by Dr. Moka Lantum, is rewriting that story. By offering families and businesses access to four times more health benefits than traditional insurers, the platform scales quality care while keeping costs low. Its mission is simple yet profound, no African family should postpone treatment because of affordability.
Agnes Mukuiya – ChipMango (Kenya/USA)
In the United States, the semiconductor industry is short of hundreds of thousands of skilled workers. Enter ChipMango, led by Agnes Mukuiya, also of Google. Her AI-powered learning platform equips students and professionals with hands-on skills in chip design, verification and hardware systems. With industry-standard EDA tools integrated into custom labs, ChipMango is ensuring America’s microchip future is powered by a globally diverse workforce.
Michael Ogundare – Crop2Cash (Nigeria)
Agriculture is Nigeria’s lifeblood, yet smallholder farmers often struggle to thrive. Crop2Cash, founded by Michael Ogundare, bridges that gap. Farmers can now access drought-resistant maize seeds via USSD, link directly to buyers and secure financing for inputs. Its AI-powered “FarmAdvice” tool connects farmers to extension agents in local languages, boosting both yields and resilience. For many farmers, this is the first true taste of digital empowerment.
Mutembei Kariuki – Fastagger (Kenya/USA)
Artificial intelligence often lives in the cloud, far from Africa’s realities. Fastagger, founded by Mutembei Kariuki, brings AI into the field. Its intelligent agents operate offline on smartphones and industrial devices, useful in places as remote as mines, telecom towers or security zones. Inspired by years in Japan studying embedded systems, Kariuki is proving that AI can reason and act independently wherever it is needed most.
Foluso Ojo – truQ (Nigeria)
Logistics across African cities can be chaotic. truQ, co-founded by Foluso Ojo, provides an elegant fix. With one tap, users or businesses connect to the nearest available driver, avoiding endless phone calls, failed negotiations and late deliveries. For businesses, truQ eliminates the burden of managing fleets or unreliable drivers. It is building the financial and operating infrastructure that logistics in Africa has long lacked.
Max Smith – Lengo AI (Nigeria)
Emerging markets run on informal retail. Lengo AI, backed by Google, is giving brands a direct window into that world. By optimizing route-to-market strategies and capturing real-time competitive data, Lengo equips companies to reach informal retailers with precision. Its AI-powered platform is already helping global brands invest confidently in Africa’s fastest-growing markets.
Timbo Drayson – OkHi (Kenya)
A broken address system stifles business. OkHi, founded by Timbo Drayson, is solving it with a digital address book that verifies where people live. The impact is striking: faster deliveries, better credit ratings and cheaper compliance for banks. By turning mobile phones into address markers, OkHi is enabling economies to leapfrog outdated systems while giving users control of their data.
Cordy Joseph – Timo (South Africa)
Mobility defines opportunity. Timo, championed by Cordy Joseph, is Africa’s first decentralised ridesharing platform. With mobile money, stablecoin payments and driver ownership at its core, Timo is rewriting the rules of ride-hailing. It is also testing Africa’s first potential driverless taxi initiative an audacious move that signals how far the continent is willing to go in embracing frontier mobility.
Omar Aziz – Save App (Kenya/UAE)
Food waste is both a tragedy and an opportunity. Save App, led by Omar Aziz, connects restaurants, cafés and bakeries with consumers eager for quality food at discounted prices. Already active in the UAE, Save App rescues surplus meals, supports local businesses and champions sustainability. Every transaction is a step toward solving food insecurity while reducing waste.
Beyond the Pitch
The day will open with a fireside keynote featuring Esther Dyson of Term Limits, USA, in conversation with Eric Osiakwan of Chanzo Capital. Dyson will draw from her cross-continental experience, offering a preview of her forthcoming book Term Limit (2027).
Panels will feature seasoned voices: Iyinoluwa Aboyeji of Accelerate Africa, Barbara Iyayi of Liquid Credit, Benjamin Fernandes of NALA and Alexandre N’djore of Digitech. Investors such as Candice Morgan of Black Angel Group and Dr. Ola Brown of HealthCap Africa will share how they select founders and scale portfolio companies.
Angel Fair Africa has spent over a decade shaping the continent’s entrepreneurial story. This year’s edition is more than a pitch event. It is a reminder that Africa’s builders armed with vision, resilience and innovation are no longer waiting for the future. They are constructing it brick by digital brick and New York will hear their voices loud and clear.
