Africa’s Brightest Mining Innovators Arrive in Zambia for timbuktoo MineTech Bootcamp

June 9, 2025
A lively group of people sitting around a wooden table in a warmly lit restaurant, smiling and chatting.
Photo by: UNDP Zambia/Choolwe Hamududu

Today marks the beginning of an exciting journey for ten exceptional startups selected for the timbuktoo MineTech Accelerator, as participants from across Africa arrive in Zambia for an intensive bootcamp.

Chosen from over 350 applications, these startups represent some of the most promising early-stage ventures using frontier technologies—such as drones, data analytics, and AI—to solve real challenges in the mining sector.

The UNDP accelerator programme in partnership with  the National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (NISIR) and implemented by Bongohive aims to foster innovation and sustainability in Africa’s mining industry.

Logos and headshots of participants in the MineTech Hub from Timbuktu Initiative.

Meet the 1st Cohort of the timbuktoo MineTech Accelerator Programme - Light Group – Yves B N Solanga from Cameroon; Synchros – Walter K Mboninyinwami from DRC; Eco Mining – Grace Akinyi from Kenya; Milsat Technologies – Taslim O Salaudeen from Cameroon, MineTech – Kelvin Rwihimba, Rwanda; Tukutech Company – Tukuapala M Mwalyolo from Tanzania; Anchor Machines – Arthur Abaliwano from Uganda; J&E General Dealers – Eric Kausu from Zambia; Zanfit Enterprise – Chitula Lukonde from Zambia; MineProtect – Benette Kadeya from Zimbabwe

During the bootcamp — hosted at the MineTech Hub in NISIR — the startups will refine their business models, strengthen their prototypes, and validate their solutions with potential users and industry stakeholders.

At the end of the bootcamp, the top five startups will advance to the Acceleration Phase, where they will receive industry mentorship and networking opportunities. The journey will conclude with Virtual Pitch Sessions, giving these innovators a platform to showcase their work to a global audience of investors and mining experts.

Stay tuned as these entrepreneurs work towards shaping the future of sustainable mining in Africa.

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