The founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Moniepoint, Tosin Eniolorunda, has been appointed honorary chairman of the inaugural cohort of the Askya AI Growth Platform, a new initiative targeting investment of up to $200,000 in selected African artificial intelligence startups.
The programme, launched by Askya Investment Partners, will support 10 AI-native startups focused on African markets. Selected companies will receive capital, execution support and access to markets as they work towards achieving product-market fit and scaling their businesses across the continent.
Askya said the initiative is being introduced as Africa’s artificial intelligence ecosystem continues to develop. The investment firm cited estimates by the African Development Bank that inclusive deployment of AI could contribute as much as $1 trillion to Africa’s Gross Domestic Product by 2035.
According to the firm, the programme is intended to position Africans not only as users of artificial intelligence but also as developers of solutions capable of competing in global markets.
Commenting on his appointment, Eniolorunda said Africa’s technology entrepreneurs have the capacity to build products for markets beyond the continent. He described artificial intelligence as a significant opportunity to demonstrate that potential.
“Africans can build solutions for people all over the world, and AI may be the clearest opportunity yet to prove it,” Eniolorunda said.
He added that the continent’s young founders already have the ambition to build, but require practical support and access to customers to turn their ideas into sustainable businesses.
“Our young founders are ready; what they need is execution support and access to real customers,” he said.
Eniolorunda said supporting African technology entrepreneurs to build sustainable companies remains one of his priorities. He expressed his willingness to contribute to the first cohort through his role as honorary chairman.
“Helping talented builders go further is the work I care about most, and it is why I am glad to chair this first cohort,” he stated.
Founder and Managing Partner of Askya Investment Partners, Babacar Seck, said Eniolorunda’s experience in building Moniepoint made him well suited to guide the programme.
Seck described him as an entrepreneur who had demonstrated how technology companies could address real African challenges while pursuing ambitious growth.
“Tosin has shown how to build a generational technology company that addresses real African needs, with ambition, relentless commitment, superior execution and authenticity,” Seck said.
