Tekedia Best Global Foundations For Africa – Omidyar Network, Indigo Trust And Legatum

Today, we just commissioned  Tekedia Technology Quarterly, which mirrors the Economist’s Magazine Technology  but focuses on technologies in Africa. We understand that in this age of global redesign, no continent or nation must be left behind. This publication will provide the world with first rate information on the technology progress in the continent. We are talking with native doctors, local bricklayers, palm wine tappers, ICT experts and indeed all areas of technology to find if there are innovations in any of the business processes or operations. We are not skewed within the European model of innovation. We are looking for patterns in even how the local people are managing erosion control. If they employ any useful technology, we report it.

As we push to move into the domain of providing this type of information, we are also examining the Foundations that are helping the African continent. While the likes of Ford Foundation, Rockefeller, Kaufman, MacArthur and others continue to help the continent, in the last few months, the radar is shifting to the speed, pragmatism and execution of Omidyar Network. Following Omidyar Network is the Legatum. Indigo Trust has also evolved to become a solid powerhouse for funding. These three institutions, global and outside of Africa, are becoming vehicles to access capital for entrepreneurship. They enable the formation of ecosystem and incubation hubs to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship across our continent.

Omidyar Network is a philanthropic investment firm, established by iconic and legendary eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and his wife Pam. Omidyar Network is  dedicated to harnessing the power of markets to create opportunity for people to improve their lives. They invest in and help scale innovative organizations to catalyze economic, social, and political change.  They just provided the necessary funding to help create Co-Creation Hub in Nigeria. They have also supported Africa Transparency and Technology Initiative, African Leadership Academy and the Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship which is managed by Legatum. These are instruments for sustainable development and not consumptive in nature. They want to build capacity and through that way give Africans the opportunities to make themselves whole. When you see these organizations, just note that ON is somehow around them: Ushahidi, FrontlineSMS, Africa Media Initiative, Praekelt Foundation, Infonet, Sahara Reporters, Enough is Enough Nigeria and the Africa Transparency and Technology Initiative. Recall that iHub Kenya is a brainchild of Ushahidi and ON is a key player in the Ushahidi vision.

Legatum has emerged as one of the platforms for entrepreneurs to get inspired in Africa. Tekedia continues to be impressed on what they are doing in MIT through the center which they help to mentor MIT selected students on the path of entrepreneurship. Many African students have been chosen and that continues to play a major impact in whatever we hope to become. But the best we know about Legatum is the Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship. It has become a pivot that opens the hope for any African to build a sustainable business, create jobs, be honest to all stakeholders and get to the global stage.

The Indigo Trust is a grant making foundation that funds technology-driven projects to bring about social change, largely in African countries.  It was founded by Fran Perrin and now runs it with the husband William.  The Trust, one of the 18 Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts (SFCT), focuses mainly on innovation, transparency and citizen empowerment. The Indigo Trust makes grants to African projects or programmes, or to organisations which operate at least partly in African countries. They believe that access to information for all empowers people to change their own lives and communities.  If you have visited Cameroonian Activ Spaces, this Foundation is playing a key role in what is happening there. Also, they invested in the C-Creation Hub, Nigeria.

Tekedia continues to thank all these progressive institutions that continue to offer the vistas for the next Africa. We want to wish them more opportunities in their businesses so that Africa can have more.