Hello guys,
Welcome to our weekly recap of the big news + funding in Ghana’s startup ecosystem. Here’s a look at the bold moves shaping the ecosystem this week.
- ACKWEST Group acquires market intelligence platform Safiyo to expand into Africa.
- PwC Ghana’s Ayesha Bedwei Ibe joins Wahu Mobility as Board Chair.
- Kodu Technology nabs $50,000 as winner of NBPA x UM6P Innovation Challenge.
- Fido partners with Bolt to offer credit solutions to ride-sharing drivers.
- GCB Bank taps Ex-Kowri Group CEO Patrick Quantson as Chief Digital Officer.
- Agricom Assurance selected for the 2025 Bimalab Africa Insurtech Accelerator.
Accelerator & Incubator
Kodu Technology nabs $50,000 as winner of NBPA x UM6P Innovation Challenge.
Kodu Technology, the Kosmos Innovation Centre-backed cleantech and femtech innovator, has been named the Grand Prize Winner of the inaugural “Jump Shot: The NBPA × UM6P Innovation Challenge,” a new initiative by the One Court Africa program. After a competitive pitch event held in Benguerir, Morocco, the startup secured the top spot and a $50,000 grant.
Kodu Technology, which manufactures affordable and eco-friendly sanitary pads from banana and plantain waste, was ranked first out of a cohort of six African and diaspora-led startups. The $50,000 grant will support the company in scaling its operations and expanding its product reach into new regions within Ghana and across West Africa. In addition to the cash prize, the company will receive mentorship from industry players who will provide strategic guidance as they scale.
Agricom Assurance selected for the 2025 Bimalab Africa Insurtech Accelerator.
Agricom Assurance, the Ghana-based climate insurance provider to smallholder farmers, has been selected for the 2025 Bimalab Africa Insurtech Accelerator. While Agricom is known for offering insurance to protect farmers against climate risks like droughts and floods, its services go far beyond traditional coverage. The company leverages satellite technology to provide farmers with insights on crop health, pest threats, and hyperlocal weather forecasts. Agricom also supports long-term resilience by offering pension plans and input insurance for seeds and fertilizers, ensuring that farmers are protected across the entire agricultural cycle.
Over the six-month accelerator program, BimaLab will support selected startups to develop innovative insurance solutions, build investor-ready businesses, navigate regulatory hurdles, form strategic partnerships, and attract funding.
Acquisition
Ghana’s consumer intelligence platform Safiyo acquired by ACKWEST Group.
ACKWEST Group, the consumer insights and marketing services acquisition holding company, has acquired Safiyo for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition will integrate Safiyo’s robust technology and extensive reach into ACKWEST’s growing portfolio, enhancing its modern, first-party data creation capabilities.
Founded in 2020 by Stephan Eyeson and Dr. Samuel Chinenyeze, Safiyo (formerly Survey 54) has carved a niche by solving a critical problem for global brands: gathering reliable, at-scale customer data in emerging markets. The company’s mobile-first platform and proprietary consumer panels operate across over 15 African countries, including key markets like Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt.
Talent
GCB Bank taps Ex-Kowri Group CEO Patrick Quantson as Chief Digital Officer.
GCB Bank PLC, Ghana’s largest indigenous bank, has appointed Patrick George Quantson as its new Chief Digital Officer (CDO) as part of its digital transformation journey. Quantson, formerly the Group Chief Executive Officer of Kowri, brings a wealth of experience in financial technology and digital innovation to his new role.
As CDO, Patrick Quantson will lead the bank’s digital agenda, transforming internal operations and customer-facing platforms. He will focus on delivering frictionless, inclusive, and high-impact financial experiences for all GCB Bank customers.
PwC Ghana’s Ayesha Bedwei Ibe joins Wahu Mobility as Board Chair.
Wahu Mobility, the e-bike manufacturer, has assembled a four-member board to help steer its vision of providing sustainable transportation in Africa. The board will be chaired by Ayesha Bedwei Ibe, PwC’s partner and global leader. Ms. Ibe is a Tax Partner and Global Leader at PwC Ghana. Her deep expertise in finance, tax, and international leadership, combined with her strong network in government and the energy sector, will be instrumental. She joins the board as an independent and pro bono director.
Other board members include Sahara Impact Ventures’ partner, Mandy Nyarko MBE, Wahu Mobility’s co-founder and angel investor, Chris Ehl, and Toyota North America mobility strategist Geoff Barker.
Partnership
Bolt partners with Fido to provide flexible credit solutions to ride-sharing drivers.
Ghana’s leading ride-hailing platform, Bolt, has partnered with Fido, the credit-led neobank, to provide short-term and flexible credit solutions to the drivers on the platform. Since the partnership’s launch, Fido has underwritten loans to over 2,400 Bolt drivers. The partnership makes it easier for Bolt drivers to access business loans without the hassle of proving formal business ownership.
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About the Author
Staff Reporter
Staff writer at Ghana Innovation Journal covering innovation, technology and entrepreneurship across Ghana and Africa.