Afroes wins 3rd Prize at Dragon’s Den

Jun6

The 5th Global Forum on innovation and technology entrepreneurship saw Afroes scoop the 3rd prize in the Dragons Den competition. Afroes was chosen from 50 companies, which had entered the Dragon’s Den Pitching Competition. The Dragons’ Den was one of the highlights at the three-day Global Forum, organised by the World Bank’s infoDev, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Eastern Cape Province.

Derek Hanekom, South African Minister for Science and Technology was full of praise for the company headed by Anne Githuku Shongwe. “African innovators like Afroes are increasingly receiving global recognition in important technology areas. Such success stories clearly illustrate the impact innovation can have,” said the minister.

Afroes creates uniquely African mobile applications and tools for social development agencies and corporate enterprises keen to spread educational and branded messages across the continent. Hanekom said that Africa was embracing its role in advancing the global innovation agenda, at the same time empowering citizens, creating jobs and growing the economy.

Apart from the award competition, the Global Forum was a platform to connect entrepreneurs with mentors, financiers and partners from around the globe, and to exchange ideas of how to create the right ‘eco-system’ for innovative firms.

To read the full press release click on the link below:

http://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/science-minister-congratulates-sa-company-innovation

https://infodev.org/press-releases/media-release-5th-global-forum-innovation-and-technology-entrepreneurship-awards-five

Anne Githuku-Shongwe wins Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2013

Apr17

Anne Githuku-Shongwe, founder of Afroes, along with twenty-three other social entrepreneurs, has been acknowledged by the Schwab Foundation as Social Entrepreneurs of the Year 2013. The winners were selected in recognition of their innovative approaches and potential for global impact. was one of the winners

“Now that the terms social entrepreneurship and social innovation are well known, it is easy to forget that even a few short years ago they were virtually unheard of,” says Hilde Schwab. “For decades and in relative obscurity, social entrepreneurs have been doing the hard work of building trust with the poor, finding solutions to their problems and creating entire business models and organizations that take their needs into account.”

For more information go to: http://www.weforum.org/news/schwab-foundation-social-entrepreneurship-announces-social-entrepreneurs-year-2013

The Greatest Return of Investment Is Investing in the Mindsets of the Future Generation of Leaders

Mar8

“I have been guilty of the belief that the deep and complex challenges we face in Africa are insurmountable and the responsibility of governments or the United Nations. Of all the challenges, it worried me most that the youth in countries like Kenya, the country of my birth, or South Africa my adoptive home would continue in this vicious cycle. Yet we hear about the phenomenal growth of African economies and in particular, the story of the growth and reach of the mobile phone — connecting Africa in new ways previously unimagined. I felt challenged to play my part and contribute to the change in Africa.”

Read all about the Afroes story in the Huffington Post Blog

Direct Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anne-githukushongwe/afroes-anne-githuku-shongwe_b_2819045.html

Haki 2 gets Honourable Mention from UNAOC

Mar5

Haki 2: Chaguo Ni Lako was given Honourable Mention by The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), the MIT Education Arcade, and Learning Games Network during their international competition for app and game developers to produce apps and mobile games that enable new avenues for intercultural dialogue, spanning a range of relevant topics and applications. http://www.unaoc.org/create/honorable-mentions/

 

The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is an initiative of the UN Secretary-General which aims to improve understanding and cooperative relations among nations and peoples across cultures and religions, and to help counter the forces that fuel polarization and extremism. It works at the grassroots level promoting innovative projects that build trust, reconciliation and mutual respect. Create UNAOC is a global competition co-organized by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, the Learning Games Network, and the MIT Education Arcade in search of mobile apps and games that can enable new avenues for intercultural dialogue.

Haki 2 was designed by Afroes and the Tuvuke partnership to inspire players through critical information placed in a fun way, encouraging dialogue and contemplation about the contentious issues on forms of leadership; the rights and responsibilities of Kenyan citizen; access to and distribution of productive resources; and of livelihoods.

 

Haki 2 challenges the user to reflect on the choices they make and the consequences of such choices on peace in Kenya. The game, which is available on both Java and Android phones, is focused on ensuring that millions of young Kenyans (between 18 and 35) are encouraged to make a commitment to peace and tolerance and also raise their hands to the Tuvuke slogan NIMEJIANDIKISHA!

Afroes at TEDx Soweto

Dec10

Did you miss Afroes at Soweto TEDx - the independently organised global TED talks?

Well fear not! You can watch the video right here:

And read all about it on the TEDx Blog here.

Musings from Montreal by Nathan Masyuko

Nov19

Afroes Conquers the World Summit Youth Awards in Montreal

The WSYA 2012 Collective

After a long, long trip I finally land in Montreal and like clockwork meet with Mxolisi (whom we fondly call Mx around the office) and get a taxi to the apartment we will be staying at. By the way, even though Mx and I had worked together for a couple of years, this was the first time we actually met each other in person. I still find it amazing how the world has evolved, because up till now our work has been done via the internet and VoIP conference calls.

Both of us are visiting Montreal for the first time. We were invited to receive awards from the World Summit Youth Award (WSYA) 2012 for two games that we produced at our company, Afroes Company Ltd. Moraba which was produced out of South Africa, where Mx calls home, and Haki: Shield & Defend which was developed in Kenya, my home country.

The next day, after we manage to catch a few hours’ sleep and settle ourselves, we meet our friend, Masaud who is a resident of Montreal and he takes us on our first, amazing tour of one of the most beautiful cities I have ever visited.

In my view, “Montreal is a city you can fall in love with and a city you can fall in love in.” No surprise then that I simply loved it. The buildings’ design with their French and English influences, Old Montreal, the Old Port and the most breathtaking view of the city when you ascend Mount Royal - were all quite incredible. We also got to try a couple of the dishes native to Montreal, like smoked meat and poutine. I’ll be forever grateful to Masaud for his time patience (especially when we did boring stuff like shop) and for sharing the best of Montreal with Mx and I.

Then came the reason we travelled halfway across the world, the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) and WSYA. The WCIT is an impressive showcase of industry leaders, government ministers and speakers who shared their experiences and goals that are setting their countries and companies at the forefront of development.

I even got to meet Larry King and participate on a panel he was moderating with 7 other high profile panelists.

We also had the opportunity to mingle and network with them. But what I will forever take away with me, is the opportunity I had to interact with wonderful young people I met who including Mx and I formed the 18 winners and 12 runner’s up of the World Summit Youth Awards.

I was impressed by the work they are doing in their respective countries and how they are helping to influence the next generation in a positive way. They say that “Social Enterprise” is a new breed of business that is a cross between Non-for-Profit and for-profit business.

So getting to interact with them and share ideas was ultimately what the WSYA stands for. This was a celebration of young people who are developing solutions using mobile and internet to realize the Millennium Development Goals.

I made new, like-minded friends and look forward to changing the world together with them in our different corners of the world.

Reflections from World Summit Youth Awards Montreal, Canada

Nov16

Moraba: The Anti Gender Based Violence Mobile Phone Game, winner in the “Power2Women” category of the World Summit Youth Awards (WSYA) 2012 has been acknowledged for it’s ability to deliver on the Afroes promise to let audiences play, be inspired and facilitate interactive in-game messages to impact players lives.

In the eyes of the World Summit Youth Awards 2012 judging panel, Moraba is an initiative and game app that epitomizes what it means for youth to take action on the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s). And as a result, Moraba attained international acclaim and recognition at the World Conference on Information Technology (WCIT) in Montreal, Canada.

Moraba: Winning Game At World Summit Youth Awards

Moraba impressed the judges and panelists with its deliberate targeting of young males in it’s anti-gender based violence messaging. Thereby, bringing the male figure into the conversations around the violence perpetrated against women and children. Moraba’s user generated content methodology is a new take on content delivery.  Afroes is not only seeking to change mindsets of global youth but the same youth are also an integral part in developing the in-game content of the game and make it a platform to interrogate harmful attitudes, motivate action and address negative stereotypes.

It is heartening to know we are not alone in our endeavour to create a more equitable society and eradicate violence against women and children, this is evidenced by the work and efforts of fellow winners in the Power2Women category .’I heart being a girl‘, GotStared.At and The African Women Power Network are all doing inspirational and transformational work in their respective countries. The onus is now on us to take the acknowledged ‘islands of excellence’ that these projects are and fashion a global village of excellent, inspiring global citizens; all while encouraging a global network of individuals who are mindful of their rights and responsibilities towards one another in creating equitable, respectful and supportive societies.

Moraba highlighted the missing voices of youth around the issues of gender based violence. Moraba provided insights into impact in terms of what are perceived to be appropriate gender roles and behaviours amongst youth and asked the pertinent question of individuals, communities, societies, organizations and institutions: Who will change the status quo?

Call To Action: Do you want to change the status quo? Play Moraba, Share Moraba, Discuss Moraba!!!

Change Is Ours!!!

@ www.afroes.com/moraba

 

Afroes featured on infodev.org Website

Sep20

 

 

Please click here to see Anne Shongwe and Moraba featured on infodev.org’s website.

 

Afroes has been selected for the Enablis Growing IT Entrepreneurs Programme

Sep20

It has been a month of good news and the Afroes team is feeling truly blessed. Today we received some more good news - we are proud to announce that Afroes has qualified for the Enablis Growing IT Entrepreneurs Programme.

The project, which is an initiative of Enablis Entrepreneurial Network supported by NetHope Inc. seeks to transform IT Techies into successful entrepreneurs. The one-year Project running in three countries (Kenya, Rwanda and Ghana) is targeting IT Techies from universities, technical institutions, and technological incubation centers among others.

The project will support a total of 100 Techies in all three countries. The selected Techies will be trained on how to draw up a fundable business plan, receive training on how to start and run their businesses effectively and will also have access to marketing linkages and business funding platforms.

We are very happy to share this prestigious position with some very innovative and driven peers. Below is Nathan Masyuko - Afroes Business Development and Product Manager - holding up Afroes’ membership certificate.

 

 

Nathan Masyuko with the Enablis Membership Certificate

 

 

 

 

 

Afroes scoops coveted Meffys Award

Sep17

Afroes is proud to announce that MoRaba won the first ever Meffys Award in the newly established Social Responsibility & Development category on the 12th of September 2012.

Afroes strategy head, Tom Kabuga, was at London’s Park Lane Hotel to accept the award on behalf of the Afroes Team.

The Meffys are the most established & coveted global awards for mobile content & commerce - now in their 9th year. As the industry’s official benchmark for measuring success and rewarding innovation, the Meffys honour the most influential players from around the world. Over the years, the industry’s most coveted awards have recognised the global brands, dynamic start-ups and visionary individuals who have helped shape the mobile content & commerce industry.
Afroes couldn’t be more proud to have won an award of this calibre and to be representing African social innovation amongst such global forerunners!