20/05/2026
The Orange Corners has announced the SME Track 2026 cohort bringing together growth-ready entrepreneurs solving critical challenges across healthcare, climate, agriculture, energy, retail and manufacturing with businesses already generating revenue and ready to scale.
Meet the founders driving this momentum:
Arlette Irankunda (Burundi) – CareConnect Physiotherapy (health & rehabilitation)
Christabel Ofori (Ghana) – Afcallo Ventures (natural skincare & honey value chains)
Dericia Massingue (Mozambique) – Consultorio Psicologico Equilibrio (mental health services)
Jolis Nduwimana (Burundi) – WEGE COMPANY (eco-friendly packaging from waste)
Devys Convolbo AET (Senegal) – E-chips (local crop-based snack manufacturing)
Rahma SEGNI (Tunisia) – RAMA (recycled textile innovation & smart wearables)
Richard Okoe (Ghana) – WYN-BG (beekeeping & sustainable agriculture)
Shadrach Akpan (Nigeria) – Wheatstone Gates (AI-powered solar energy solutions)
Sicelo Siyabonga Mabuza (South Africa) – Homegrown Shandis (sustainable footwear & manufacturing)
Sidy Aidara (Senegal) – Sassoumane Cosmetics (climate-adapted grooming products)
Valecia Sambo (South Africa) – DAILY SAMBO SERVICES (water systems & infrastructure solutions)
Vanessa Nhabete (Mozambique) – Mulandi Brindes (digital retail & gifting)
They are joinded by other global innovators Moayad AL-Najdawi (Jordan) – BarqBoxes(Arabic STEM education kits)
Nomrota Saker & Shadman Karim (Bangladesh) – Saus Taus Global (clean-label food brand)
These are not early-stage experiments. They are growth-ready businesses with customers, revenue and real impactfrom rural supply chains to urban infrastructure. With SMEs contributing up to 90% of businesses in Africa, this cohort reflects a clear shift from startup hype to scalable, sustainable entrepreneurship.
📖 Read the full story: https://magazine.thenextafrica.com/new-sme-cohort-signals-shift-from-startup-hype-to-sustainable-african-businesses/
