From Botswana, Uganda, Namibia and Algeria to Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya and South Africa, the Road to GEC+Africa 2026 has brought together ambitious founders and entrepreneurial ecosystems from across the continent. In South Africa, the journey reached all nine provinces, showcasing the breadth of innovation and talent emerging across the country.
Congratulations to our Top 6 entrepreneurs selected to represent South Africa at GEC+Africa 2026:
- Candy Androuakos – Leafline Pty Ltd, producing sustainable sanitary products from pineapple leaf fibres. (Eastern Cape)
- Sandakahle Sivungu – Batho Pele BioLoop Africa Farm, transforming waste into sustainable agricultural solutions. (Eastern Cape)
- Kabelo Mahlobogwane – The Marking App, using AI to automate the marking of handwritten assessments. (Gauteng)
- Zimkhitha Duze – Uuka Eco-Bricks, transforming plastic and glass waste into sustainable construction materials. (Northern Cape)
- Claybourne Appies – DeafTouch, developing accessible communication solutions for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. (Gauteng)
- Jamie Wyngaard – Loop, A digital platform enabling transactions and shared-ride bookings to support digital mobility across Africa. (Western Cape)
Each stop has showcased the remarkable talent, resilience and innovation emerging across Africa, reminding us why connecting ecosystems and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs matters.
Congratulations to all six entrepreneurs on securing their place on the continental stage.
