Three African startups tackling accessibility, plastic waste and agricultural waste walked away as winners at the GEC+Africa 2026 pitching session in Cape Town. The event formed part of the two-day Global Entrepreneurship Congress Africa, which closed this week after bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, corporates and ecosystem leaders from across Africa and beyond.
Fifteen entrepreneurs took the stage to pitch their businesses during the session, one of the final highlights of the congress. After a competitive round, organisers named their top three.
The Winners
South African startup deaftouch took first place. The company builds accessible communication tools for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community and runs what organisers describe as Africa’s first Deaf-to-Deaf call centre model. Founder Claybourne Appies started the business after seeing a mother struggle to get life insurance for her deaf daughter because of call centre accessibility limits. The platform uses a video-based digital system to connect the Deaf community with government entities and corporate services. The goal, according to the company, is genuine economic inclusion rather than token access.
Uganda’s Helton Traders Limited took second place. The women-led social enterprise turns plastic waste into polyester sewing threads. It was founded by Hellen Munyasa, who serves as Managing Director, together with co-founder Ankunda Recho. The company recycles post-consumer PET plastic bottles collected across East Africa, where plastic pollution remains a serious problem. By converting waste into usable thread, the business helps close a regional shortage of fabric thread and lowers costs for local tailors. Munyasa’s venture also puts a strong focus on social impact, aiming to create jobs for thousands of women and youth through local waste collection networks.
Egypt’s Agrona placed third. The climate-tech company converts agricultural waste into low-carbon materials used in packaging, furniture and construction. It was founded by Mohamed El-Kafafy, who serves as CEO, and Hisham Sobhy, who serves as Operations Manager. El-Kafafy left a corporate role at a major international steel company to focus on climate technology and agricultural sustainability. Agrona uses proprietary engineering technology to turn unused crop residues and agricultural waste into eco-friendly chipboards and wood panels. This addresses two problems at once: deforestation and the common practice of burning agricultural waste. The company also cuts standard wood manufacturing costs, offers a local alternative to imported timber, and creates new income for rural farming communities.
A Continent-Wide Gathering
Beyond the pitching session, the final day of the congress featured panel discussions, networking sessions and an exhibition floor showcasing businesses shaping Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
GEC+Africa 2026 ran under the theme “Connecting Africa” at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 16 to 17 September. The congress drew around 2,000 delegates from across the continent and around the world. Sessions covered entrepreneurship-led growth, digital transformation, market access, investment readiness, small business development and cross-border collaboration.
The event was hosted by the Global Entrepreneurship Network Africa and 22 On Sloane, and powered by African Bank in partnership with Microsoft, Amazon, Telkom, Masisizane, UNDP, W&RSETA, FirstRand, Wesgro, the Western Cape Government, SEDFA and the City of Cape Town.
