Four Kenya-linked ventures have been chosen to move into the second phase of the Seedstars-run SANAD ElevateHer accelerator after pitching at the Techne Summit in Alexandria on October 3, 2026.
The selected firms are Riziki Nature Based Solutions Limited, which makes mesquite-derived fuel and biochar for land restoration; Soko Kijiji, a digital platform that improves market access for women traders; VunaPay Solutions Limited, which digitises cooperative operations and farmer payments; and Wavu, which uses WhatsApp to link fish farmers with inputs, logistics and technical support.
SANAD ElevateHer, delivered by Seedstars and financed by the SANAD Fund for MSME through Finance in Motion GmbH, supports a total of 38 startups at various development stages, with a focus on women-led businesses and those that expand women’s participation.
In its first round the programme selected 22 startups from nine markets – Egypt, Ghana, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe – for further coaching and investment-readiness assistance.
Three of the 22, Morocco’s MIRRIAH, Jordan’s SmartWTI and Uganda’s Freza Nanotech, received cash prizes for solutions in solar irrigation, water-monitoring sensors and food-preservation products, although the prize amounts were not disclosed.
The accelerator’s activities have included workshops in Marrakech, an intensive founders bootcamp before the Alexandria pitches, and mentoring on pricing, unit economics, sales, business development and investor readiness.
Sabrina Salama, MENA Partnerships Lead at Seedstars, said “Making technology work for customers means deciding who installs it, how it is delivered and what people can afford to pay. We help founders test those choices and build a business around them.”
The next phase will provide the Kenyan firms and the other selected ventures with tailored guidance to strengthen operations, attract investment, develop partnerships and prepare for scaling.
Other participants in the cohort include Ghana’s Biowax Ghana, which creates edible coatings for fresh produce; Morocco’s Jafife, which uses solar drying to cut food waste; Tunisia’s Pixii Motors, developing battery-swapping for electric two-wheelers; and Zimbabwe’s Nyamula Logistics Solutions, which offers digital matching and tracking for freight operators.
