Moniepoint’s Tosin Eniolorunda to Chair Programme Investing $200,000 in African AI Startups

• Moniepoint Founder and Group CEO Tosin Eniolorunda has been named honorary chair of Askya’s inaugural AI Growth Platform.

• The pan-African programme will select 10 AI-native startups, with successful companies eligible for investment of up to $200,000.

• The six-week programme is free and takes no equity, with applications closing on September 30, 2026.

September 08, () — Tosin Eniolorunda, Founder and Group CEO of Moniepoint, has been named honorary chair of the inaugural cohort of the Askya AI Growth Platform, a pan-African initiative designed to help African artificial intelligence startups develop and scale.

Launched by Askya Investment Partners, the programme will select 10 AI-native, Africa-focused startups from pre-seed to Series A stage.

Selected companies will receive coaching, technology and infrastructure support, corporate connections and other resources aimed at strengthening their products and commercial traction.

Participation is free, and founders will not give up equity, while selected startups may be considered for investment of up to $200,000 from Askya.

Eniolorunda brings technology-building experience

Eniolorunda’s appointment places an experienced African technology entrepreneur at the centre of an initiative seeking to build more home-grown AI companies across the continent.

The Moniepoint founder said African entrepreneurs have the capacity to build solutions for global markets but require stronger execution support and access to customers to turn promising ideas into sustainable businesses.

“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 young founders need execution support and access to real customers, describing support for talented builders as work he particularly values.

Askya Founder and Managing Partner Babacar Seck said Eniolorunda’s experience building Moniepointmade him well suited to guide founders participating in the programme.

According to Seck, the initiative will help African AI companies achieve product-market fit and build the capacity to scale across the continent.

Programme targets 10 AI startups

The six-week programme will combine masterclasses, one-on-one coaching and company-building support, with founders gaining access to expertise covering technology, product development, governance and distribution.

Participants will also be connected with potential corporate customers and gain access to cloud and computing infrastructure through technology partners.

Askya said it is targeting startups with live products and demonstrated customer demand rather than companies still at the idea stage.

Applications are open to founders across Africa, with the first cohort scheduled to be announced in October.

The initiative comes as artificial intelligence gains importance in Africa’s technology and economic development agenda.

The African Development Bank estimates that inclusive deployment of AI could add up to $1 trillion to Africa’s GDP by 2035, highlighting the potential economic impact of wider AI adoption.

Askya’s programme is combining funding prospects with market access and execution support, reflecting the growing need to help African technology companies move beyond developing products to securing customers and achieving sustainable growth.

Applications for the inaugural cohort close on September 30, 2026, while the programme is scheduled to run from October 26 to December 4.