African Technology Foundation
African Technology Foundation is a Palo Alto-based non-profit that connects African technology entrepreneurs and innovation ecosystems with global counterparts through stage-agnostic programs, advisory services, and partnership projects such as Lions@africa.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersPalo Alto, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What African Technology Foundation does
African Technology Foundation is a Palo Alto-headquartered non-profit organization that operates as a bridge between African technology entrepreneurs and global innovation ecosystems. Its functional mandate is to deliver stage-agnostic programs and initiatives that equip African startups with the knowledge, tools, and resources required to bring ideas to market and build sustainable businesses, while also providing bilateral trade and technology platforms for cross-pollination between African stakeholders and global counterparts.
The foundation's product surface is non-technological and consists of three layers: (1) Programs and Initiatives, including Venture Path, Gender Empowerment, African Connections, and Why Africa?; (2) bespoke Advisory Services for governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, covering training on latest technologies, policy guidance, strategic support, ecosystem engagement, and market entry methods; and (3) Projects, with Lions@africa positioned as the flagship initiative. The organization does not build proprietary technology, software products, or AI/ML systems; its underlying 'platform' is reputational and relational rather than technical.
The business model centers on professional services revenue from advisory engagements, supplemented implicitly by grants or donor contributions typical of non-profits. Customer segments span African technology startups and entrepreneurs (primary), governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, global innovation stakeholders, and universities and research institutions. Distribution is direct, with marketing conducted through the organization website and an email newsletter. The organization is founder-led by Stephen Ozoigbo, with no disclosed institutional investors, funding rounds, or board structure.
African Technology Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- African Technology Foundation
- Legal name
- African Technology Foundation
- Website
- https://africantechnologyfoundation.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- African Technology Foundation is a Palo Alto-based non-profit that connects African technology entrepreneurs and innovation ecosystems with global counterparts through stage-agnostic programs, advisory services, and partnership projects such as Lions@africa.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
African Technology Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Technology Ecosystem Development Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (61171), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Digital Development & ICT4D / GovTech Technical Assistance (BPADAEAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Program & Project Implementation (TA Delivery) (BPADAEAA), Economic Growth, Trade & Private Sector Development Programs (BPADABAF), STEM, Digital Skills & Innovation Partnerships (EDADALAJ)
Keywords
Where African Technology Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Palo Alto
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
African Technology Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Advisory Services Revenue: The organization provides bespoke advisory services to governmental and non-governmental stakeholders that seek to advance technology, investment and entrepreneurship activities on the African continent. This includes training on latest technologies, policy guidance, strategic support, ecosystem engagement, and market entry methods.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels2 records
African Technology Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
African Technology Foundation delivers programs, advisory services, and partnership-driven projects that support African technology entrepreneurs and the ecosystems they operate in. It offers stage-agnostic support activities that build bilateral trade and technology platforms connecting African innovation actors with their global counterparts, including training on emerging technologies, policy guidance, strategic support, and market entry methods.
Product overview
African Technology Foundation operates as a unified platform offering programs, advisory services, and project-based initiatives to support African technology entrepreneurs. The organization provides a holistic ecosystem support structure comprising Programs and Initiatives that enable cross-pollination of innovation and investment, Advisory Services for bespoke stakeholder guidance, and Projects including Lions@africa that leverage Pan-African and global partnerships to drive innovation across key economic sectors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Programs and Initiatives
- Advisory Services
- Projects
- Lions@africa
Companies that use African Technology Foundation
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
African Technology Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
African Technology Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
African Technology Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- iHub (Nairobi): Kenyan innovation hub providing workspace, programs, and community for African tech entrepreneurs and investors. Comparable as a pan-African technology ecosystem builder connecting startups to global counterparts.
- Tony Elumelu Foundation: Pan-African entrepreneurship foundation running flagship programs (TEF Entrepreneurship Programme) that train, mentor, and seed African entrepreneurs across sectors. Closely comparable mission — empowering African entrepreneurs through programs, training, and ecosystem support.
- AfriLabs: Network organization aggregating over 400 African innovation hubs and tech communities across the continent. Directly comparable as a pan-African platform orchestrating programs, partnerships, and ecosystem engagement for technology entrepreneurs.
- Co-creation Hub (CcHUB): Africa's leading technology and innovation hub, operating innovation centers, accelerator programs, and advisory services for startups and government stakeholders. Directly comparable as an ecosystem builder targeting African tech entrepreneurs with programs and advisory.
- Smart Africa Alliance: Blended African initiative headquartered in Kigali, working with African governments on digital transformation, ICT policy, and innovation ecosystem development. Comparable as a pan-African, government-facing technology ecosystem builder with advisory mandates.
Others
- Mozilla Foundation: Global non-profit foundation supporting a healthier internet through programs, grants, fellowships, and advocacy. Comparable as a foundation-led, program-driven model for technology ecosystem stewardship, though focused on internet health rather than African entrepreneurship.
Broad incumbents
- GSMA: Global mobile industry organization running ecosystem programs, innovation funds, and policy advocacy across Africa. Comparable as an ecosystem-builder and advisory provider to governments on technology and investment policy.
- Andela: Large-scale African tech talent platform that trains software engineers and connects them to global employers. Comparable in mission of developing African technology capacity and connecting the continent to global markets, though for-profit and commercially focused.
- African Development Bank (AfDB): Multilateral development bank running programs that fund African entrepreneurship, innovation, and private sector development, often with technical assistance components. Comparable as a large-scale ecosystem funder and policy advisor on African technology and investment.
Emerging players
- Africa No Filter: African non-profit organization funding narrative-change initiatives and supporting storytellers, researchers, and innovators across the continent. Comparable as a grant-making and program-delivering foundation supporting African innovation actors with global donor backing.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
African Technology Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceAfrican Technology Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
African Technology Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
African Technology Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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African Technology Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about African Technology Foundation
What does African Technology Foundation do?
African Technology Foundation delivers programs, advisory services, and partnership-driven projects that support African technology entrepreneurs and the ecosystems they operate in. It offers stage-agnostic support activities that build bilateral trade and technology platforms connecting African innovation actors with their global counterparts, including training on emerging technologies, policy guidance, strategic support, and market entry methods.
Is African Technology Foundation a public or private company?
African Technology Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was African Technology Foundation founded?
African Technology Foundation was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is African Technology Foundation based?
African Technology Foundation is headquartered in Palo Alto, United States, in the North America region.
How does African Technology Foundation make money?
One revenue line is on record: advisory Services Revenue.
Who are African Technology Foundation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are iHub (Nairobi), Tony Elumelu Foundation, AfriLabs, Co-creation Hub (CcHUB) and Smart Africa Alliance. Mozilla Foundation is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are GSMA, Andela and African Development Bank (AfDB). Africa No Filter is listed as an emerging player.
Does African Technology Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for African Technology Foundation.
What industry is African Technology Foundation in?
African Technology Foundation's product category is Technology Ecosystem Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADAEAL, Digital Development & ICT4D / GovTech Technical Assistance, with a secondary code of BPADAEAA, Program & Project Implementation (TA Delivery). Its NAICS code is 61171 and its SIC code is 8742.