BongoHive Technology and Innovation Hub

What BongoHive Technology and Innovation Hub does

BongoHive is Zambia's longest-standing technology and innovation hub, founded in 2011 and headquartered in Lusaka. It operates an integrated five-pillar service model spanning an AI Lab, coworking workspace, entrepreneurship support, innovation consulting, and technology consulting. The organization serves two primary customer groups: early-stage startups and entrepreneurs across verticals including fintech, green economy, and women-led businesses, alongside enterprise and government clients seeking digital transformation and technology advisory. Notable corporate engagements include end-to-end digital transformation work with Zamtel (telecommunications), fintech pitch events with First Capital Bank, and AR/VR product builds for financial institutions.

The company's technology infrastructure centres on an AI Lab that curates and showcases African-context AI solutions through an AI Show & Tell series, spanning offline AI assistants, AI-native financial intelligence, smart loan management, AI-curated news, and AI-powered clinical screening tools. Its accelerator and incubator portfolio includes Women in Tech Zambia (with Standard Chartered Foundation and Village Capital), GreenTech4CE (EU-funded, March 2026–February 2027), the AI for Business Accelerator 2026, FinTech4U (with UNCDF), Discover pre-accelerator, and MentorPitch angel-investment preparation. The technology consulting arm delivers end-to-end product development including USSD-based applications for low-connectivity environments and AR solutions for financial-sector clients.

BongoHive's revenue model is hybrid and grant-dependent. Revenue streams include professional services fees from consulting engagements, recurring coworking memberships, programme administration fees from donor-funded accelerators, and direct grant funding from development partners. Core operations are supported by the European Union, Standard Chartered Foundation, UNDP Zambia, UNCDF, and the Mastercard Foundation. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; accelerator participation is generally free for selected founders, with milestone-based non-equity grants ranging from €2,500 to €25,000 and Demo Day prizes up to US$10,000. The organization operates with a small disclosed team of 1–10 employees, supplemented by named programme managers, associates, and consultants across functions.

Name

BongoHive Technology and Innovation Hub

Legal name

BongoHive

Website

https://bongohive.co.zm

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

BongoHive is Zambia's longest-standing technology and innovation hub, founded in 2011 in Lusaka, offering AI, coworking, entrepreneurship support, and technology/innovation consulting services to startups, enterprises, and government clients across Zambia and the Southern African region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Innovation Hub and Technology Consulting Services

NAICS

Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Management Consulting Services (54161)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

AI/ML Solution Integration & MLOps Enablement (BPAEAAAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

MLOps/LLMOps & Model Lifecycle Management Services (BPAEAHAH), Data, Analytics & AI Training (BI, Data Engineering, ML/GenAI) (BPAEANAH)

Keywords

• Innovation hub services
• Technology consulting
• Startup accelerator programmes
• Coworking workspace
• Digital transformation advisory

Headquarters

HQ city

Lusaka

HQ country

Zambia

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Consulting Services: Fees for technology consulting, innovation consulting, and end-to-end product development engagements with enterprise and government clients such as Zamtel. Revenue is project-based, likely fixed-fee or milestone-based.
2. Coworking Memberships: Revenue from providing professional workspace, meeting rooms, and access to the innovation ecosystem to freelancers, startups, and remote teams.
3. Accelerator Programme Grants & Admin Fees: EU-funded GreenTech4CE provides milestone-based non-equity grants of €2,500–€25,000 to startups; AI for Business Accelerator offers up to $50,000 in follow-on funding. BongoHive likely earns programme management/administration fees from funders.
4. Partnership & Funder Grants: Core operations supported by funding from the European Union, Standard Chartered Foundation, UNDP Zambia, UNCDF, and other development partners. Revenue is grant-based for implementing programmes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

BongoHive operates Zambia's longest-standing technology and innovation hub, delivering an integrated five-capability model: AI Lab services, Coworking workspace, Entrepreneurship support programmes, Innovation Consulting, and Technology Consulting. It runs structured startup accelerators (Women in Tech Zambia, FinTech4U, GreenTech4CE, AI for Business, Discover, MentorPitch) and delivers end-to-end digital transformation, product development, and AI advisory to enterprise and government clients across Zambia.

Product overview

BongoHive is Zambia's leading innovation hub offering five integrated capabilities: Technology Consulting (end-to-end product development), Innovation Consulting (digital transformation advisory), Coworking (professional workspace), Data & AI (AI solutions for African business), and Entrepreneurship Support (structured programmes, mentorship, investor access). The portfolio includes accelerator programmes such as the Women in Tech Zambia (Cohort 6), FinTech4U, GreenTech4CE, AI for Business Accelerator 2026, and the Discover pre-accelerator, along with the MentorPitch angel investment preparation programme.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AI Lab: AI solutions and services including AI Show & Tell series, showcasing local AI innovation in Zambia
• Coworking
• GreenTech4CE
• Women in Tech Zambia
• FinTech4U
• MentorPitch
• Discover

Products and services

• AI Lab
• Coworking
• Entrepreneurship Support
• Innovation Consulting
• Technology Consulting
• GreenTech4CE Digital Economy Incubator and Accelerator
• Women in Tech Zambia Accelerator Programme
• AI for Business Accelerator 2026
• FinTech4U Accelerator Programme
• Discover Programme
• MentorPitch Programme

Quantifiable outcome

• 200+ startups supported since inception
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• Standard Chartered FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 March 2026Standard Chartered Foundation co-funds and partners on the Women in Tech Zambia Accelerator Programme, Cohort 6. The programme delivers 12 weeks of intensive accelerator support culminating in Demo Day with up to US$10,000 in equity-free funding for winners. BongoHive implements the programme while the Foundation provides financial support and brand backing.
• Village CapitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 March 2026Village Capital partners with Standard Chartered Foundation and BongoHive on the Women in Tech Zambia Accelerator, providing mentorship, coaching, peer learning frameworks, and expert-led sessions on growth strategy, financial management, and fundraising.
• First Capital BanksecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerBongoHive partnered with First Capital Bank to host a Fintech Pitch Day where finalists presented solutions for potential equity investment ranging from a specified amount. The event showcased Zambia's fintech innovators to a major financial institution.
• ICRAFsecondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBongoHive partnered with ICRAF (World Agroforestry Centre) under the ICRAF_Z4ABC project to deliver training sessions empowering local farmers in Zambia with sustainable practices, market insights, and business skills in Vizimumba Village, Nyimba, and Katete.
• Smart AfricasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBongoHive participates in Smart Africa's SANIA Platform (Smart Africa Network on Incubators and Accelerators), a soft-launched initiative at Transform Africa Summit 2025 aimed at creating a unified, borderless African entrepreneurship ecosystem connecting startups, investors, and support organizations.
• PARIS21 and Ubuntu AIsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBongoHive partnered with PARIS21 and Ubuntu AI to develop and launch an AI ecosystem mapping report and host an Industry Dialogue focused on the future of artificial intelligence in Zambia, advancing the localisation of Zambian AI solutions.
• Swedish Ambassador to ZambiaminorOthersHis Excellency Johan Hallenborg, the Swedish Ambassador to Zambia, visited BongoHive with his delegation to explore potential collaborations between Zambia and Sweden in entrepreneurship and innovation.
• International Trade Centre (ITC)secondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBongoHive partnered with ITC to deliver group coaching sessions for entry-level online sellers and upskill 100 Zambian SMEs in digital marketing and e-commerce. ITC selected and funded the programme while BongoHive facilitated the training.
• Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts (Zambia) and UNDP ZambiasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBongoHive facilitated the Youth-Led MSME Empowerment Programme, a UNDP Zambia initiative in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts. The programme equipped 170 Zambian entrepreneurs through workshops held in Livingstone, Kitwe, and Lusaka.
• Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ)secondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBongoHive supported the Engineering Fund by EIZ, a grant programme awarding over K1.1 million to 10 innovators working on solutions addressing real-world challenges. BongoHive provided programme support and ecosystem facilitation.
• Standard Chartered BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerStandard Chartered Bank partners with BongoHive on the Women in Tech Zambia Programme, providing equity-free grant funding of up to US$10,000 for top performers at Demo Day. BongoHive implements the accelerator while the bank provides financial backing and programme visibility.
• Bank of ZambiaminorOthersBank of Zambia is listed as a partner in the FinTech4U Accelerator Programme, providing regulatory guidance and ecosystem support to participating fintech startups.
• Zambia Information Communication and Technology Authority (ZICTA)minorOthersZICTA is a listed partner in the FinTech4U Accelerator Programme, supporting regulatory navigation and ecosystem coordination for fintech startups.
• Securities Exchange Commission (Zambia)minorOthersSecurities Exchange Commission is a listed partner in the FinTech4U Accelerator Programme, providing regulatory guidance to fintech and digital financial services startups.
• Mozilla FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBongoHive Consult led an AI workshop titled 'From Insights to Integration: AI and the Power of Togetherness' at the Mozilla Festival, exploring AI's role in Zambia's economic and social development. Also participated in a VISA/Mozilla workshop on Africa's fintech revolution.
• Cavendish University ZambiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBongoHive and Cavendish University Zambia signed an MOU in August 2022 to establish a formal working relationship creating platforms and opportunities for students and graduates to engage in entrepreneurship and innovation.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB): Co-Creation Hub is Nigeria's leading technology innovation hub, operating accelerator programmes, an innovation consultancy practice, and ecosystem-building events analogous to BongoHive's five-capability model. It is the closest direct African peer in terms of integrated hub-plus-consulting-plus-coworking operations serving enterprise and government clients.
• iHub: iHub is Kenya's pioneer innovation hub, offering coworking, accelerator programmes, corporate innovation consulting, and an AI/emerging-tech research practice. It compares directly to BongoHive as a multi-capability African tech hub with enterprise consulting and a community-driven startup support model.
• MEST Africa (Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology): MEST operates pan-African entrepreneur training, incubation, and seed-funding programmes with strong corporate and donor partnerships. Like BongoHive, it combines structured accelerator cohorts with corporate sponsor engagement, but at significantly larger multi-country scale.
• Flat6Labs: Flat6Labs is a leading early-stage venture capital firm and accelerator operating across North Africa and the MENA region, running seed programmes and corporate innovation partnerships. It is comparable to BongoHive's accelerator practice and donor-funded cohort model, though anchored in equity investment rather than grants.
• Innovation Village (Uganda): Innovation Village is Uganda's flagship innovation and startup hub, providing coworking, accelerator cohorts, and corporate innovation services. It is a regional direct peer to BongoHive across the East/Central African corridor, with similar enterprise-consulting and founder-support offerings.
• Gearbox (Kenya): Gearbox is Kenya's prototyping and innovation hub offering coworking, fabrication, and corporate innovation services. Comparable to BongoHive's coworking and Innovation Consulting pillars and to the earlier MakerHut initiative within BongoHive.

Broad incumbents

• Impact Hub Network: Impact Hub is a global network of innovation hubs offering coworking, incubation, and innovation programmes across multiple African cities. It overlaps with BongoHive on the coworking-plus-accelerator community model but has a global brand and broader international donor reach.
• Founders Factory Africa: Founders Factory Africa builds, funds, and scales startups across the continent in partnership with large corporates. It overlaps with BongoHive's accelerator-plus-corporate-innovation model but operates at a much larger pan-African scale and with explicit venture-building capabilities.
• Plug and Play Tech Center: Plug and Play is a global startup accelerator and corporate innovation platform with growing presence in Africa. It is comparable to BongoHive's programme-plus-corporate-partnership model but operates from outside the continent with much larger corporate sponsor networks.

Emerging players

• Baobab Network / Baobab Insights: The Baobab Network is a UK-based accelerator specifically focused on supporting African tech startups through cohorts and mentorship. It overlaps with BongoHive's accelerator cohorts and donor-funded programmes but targets the same founder pool from an offshore programme structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bongohive
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@BongoHive
• Facebookfacebook.com/bongohive
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/2557257
• Instagraminstagram.com/bongohive

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BongoHive Technology and Innovation Hub