Nigerian startups leading the charge in Africa’s artificial intelligence (AI) revolution by solving continental challenges with innovative digital solutions are showcasing their innovation this week at GITEX Africa.
Some of these companies will be in the spotlight at GITEX AFRICA 2024, the largest tech and startup event on the continent, taking place from May 29-31 in Marrakech, Morocco, according to organisers of the event.
AI in Healthcare
FundusAI is an AI-powered diabetic care ecosystem that empowers doctors with early detection of Diabetic Retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness. The tech company has an ambitious goal of diagnosing over five million patients annually.
By 2027, the startup hopes to expand its reach to address other eye health concerns. FundusAI said it wants to “be able to diagnose 5 different vision loss causing diseases, such as Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma, Cataract, and macula degeneration” and also “be the leading provider of an easy to use automated diagnostic system.”
Abulmalik Adeyemo, Founder/CEO, FundusAI said that the company’s “product stands out as Africa’s first AI-powered ecosystem for diabetic care.”
FundusAI offers automated diagnosis, appointment scheduling, treatment referrals, and even community support for patients. Additionally, its gamified data collection ensures personalised healthcare insights, said Adeyemo.
AI in Agriculture
Another Nigerian startup, Farmatrix, is tackling agricultural challenges with its AI-powered Software-as-a-Service (SaaS platform). This agro allied technology company connects farmers directly with agro-commodity aggregators and buyers in real-time using advanced AI and consumer purchasing algorithms. This not only reduces post-harvest losses significantly but also boosts profits for farmers, according to the technology company.
The contract procurement platform, Farmatrix, addresses a critical issue in Africa. According to the startup’s founder, Nyafamu Manzo, over 60% of smallholder farmers in Nigeria lose nearly half their harvest due to difficulty connecting with buyers. Farmatrix, Manzo said, solves this problem by “democratising purchase orders,” and “guaranteeing an end-to-end market, secure storage facilities, and trusted logistics services for every farmer and agro-commodity aggregator in our network.”
About GITEX AFRICA 2024
The organisers of GITEX Africa said that over 30 high-level Nigerian-based speakers, including government officials like Tunji Alausa, Minister of State, Health and Social Welfare for Nigeria; Akin Abayomi, Commissioner for the Lagos State Ministry of Health and Dauda Lawal, Governor of Zamfara State.
Other headliners include Aminu Maida, CEO of Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC); Prasanna Burri, Group CISO of Dangote Group; Yewande Adewusi, COO of Altheia Capital, and Yau I. Garba, National Director of the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics; Tosun Eniolorunda, Co-founder, CEO, Moniepoint and Tayo Oviosu, Founder and CEO, PAGA; Babs Ogundeyi, Founder and CEO, KUDA, among others.
According to the event organisers, Nigeria’s bold initiatives are “establishing the country as a dominant force in AI, and tech talent development will be amplified by strong venture capital demand and interest at GITEX Africa’s AI Everything showcase, the continent’s most progressive power forum for AI exploration and deep tech innovation.
That demand will be intensified by the incredible AI growth opportunity in Nigeria; according to analysts Statista, Nigeria’s AI market value will surpass the US$1 billion mark in 2024, growing 17 percent annually over the next seven years to reach US$3 billion by 2030.”
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