🌟Transforming Employee Welfare & Key Updates from Africa's Startup Ecosystem 🌟

Priscilla

27 Nov 2024 — 3 min read

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In this Edition

Founder spotlight
Ecosystem pulse

🌟 Founder Spotlight: Lekan Olude - Revolutionizing Employee Benefits in Africa 🌟

This week’s Founder Spotlight shines on Lekan Olude, the visionary founder of Motherboard, a platform transforming employee welfare by aggregating vendors to provide employees with flexible, company-funded benefits like healthcare, transportation, food, and utilities.

His Story:

Lekan’s entrepreneurial journey is rooted in a passion for improving livelihoods. After co-founding Jobberman, one of Africa’s largest job portals, Lekan realized the significant gap in how companies approach employee welfare. Inspired by the need to make employee benefits more meaningful and adaptable, he founded Motherboard. His mission: to empower employees with options that align with their personal needs, while helping employers save costs and enhance satisfaction.

Current Projects:

At Motherboard, Lekan is focused on expanding its vendor network to deliver even more customized and accessible benefits to employees across Africa. From healthcare and transportation to utilities, the platform ensures that employees can select the services most relevant to their lives. Motherboard is also engaging companies to help them see the value of these personalized benefits in fostering employee happiness and productivity.

Lessons Learned:

Vision Drives Impact: Lekan’s commitment to transforming livelihoods continues to inspire his work and partnerships.
Education is Crucial: Many companies need to be educated on the importance of personalized employee benefits, highlighting the need for strategic advocacy.
Adaptability Overcomes Challenges: Navigating regulatory constraints and scaling vendor partnerships have required constant innovation and flexibility.

Listen to Lekan's Full Story

🌍 Ecosystem Pulse: Key Updates in the African Startup Scene

Upcoming Events:

The AESIS 2024 summit, themed "Pioneering Pathways: Innovating Mobilization in Africa," will take place on the 28th and 29th of November in Cape Town. This event will bring together over 1,500 Africa-focused investors, offering opportunities for networking and collaboration. Attendees will also have access to virtual sessions, with 600+ participants expected. Get your tickets now to join the conversation on advancing innovation and mobilization across Africa. Learn more here.

Major Ecosystem Updates:

The Global Startup Awards (GSA) Africa celebrated its 2024 winners at The Unique Summit in Cape Town, showcasing African innovation across diverse industries. With 27,814 applications from 2021 to 2024, the awards reflect Africa’s growing momentum in tech-driven solutions for sustainable development. The winners, hailing from eight African nations, highlight the region’s talent, including prominent categories like Women in Tech, Youth Startup of the Year, and Best Green Tech. Notable winners include Anna Ekeledo (Nigeria), Bethelhem Dejene (Ethiopia), and Octavia Carbon (Kenya). These startups now have the opportunity to engage on the global stage and connect with investors through the GIIG Africa Fund, further driving Africa’s innovation ecosystem. Read more here

Government Policy Shifts:

The Osun State Government in Nigeria has announced two major initiatives to support innovation and entrepreneurship. The 2025 budget will include a dedicated startup fund to support high-potential startups in Osun, with details on eligibility and the application process to be released soon. Additionally, selected startups will be sponsored to participate in international tech events in Canada and South Africa in 2025, providing global exposure and fostering international collaborations. These efforts are complemented by the upcoming passage of the Startup Bill, which aims to create a supportive environment for startups in the state, positioning Osun as a key tech innovation hub. Read more here

Stay tuned for more exciting updates!