Yango fellowship helps African innovators solve local problems with technology

The 2026 Pan-African Yango Fellowship concluded on September 19 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, with a final pitch competition. During the event, six teams presented digital products developed over a 12-week period to a panel of technical experts. These projects included a mobile payment solution for informal transit, a platform linking African workers to international remote roles, and a waste management service. Out of more than 600 initial applicants from nations such as Ghana, Senegal, Zambia, Ethiopia, and Mozambique, 24 participants were chosen to join the program. The competition offered $12,000 in total prize money for the top performers.

The Dubai-based Yango Group organized this initiative to empower regional innovators to address specific community challenges through technology. By fostering cross-border collaboration among fellows, the program aims to cultivate scalable business models within the continent. As these emerging startups move toward commercialization, their growth could influence how regional enterprises manage digital transactions, such as automating tax reporting or updating invoicing workflows.