Grace Ashiru
The Digital for Development Hub (D4D Hub) has announced five startups selected for the Think Like an Investor 2026 programme, according to a programme announcement.
Selected Startups
The selected companies are Twiva from Kenya, agriBORA from Kenya, Niajiri Platform Limited from Tanzania, Ipachi Capital from Botswana, and OnCall – powered by Macquarie Medical from Namibia, according to the announcement.
The startups were selected after evaluations conducted between 2024 and 2025, according to the programme.
Startup Descriptions
Twiva operates an influencer-driven marketing platform connecting brands with social media creators, according to the programme description.
AgriBORA provides cereal storage, trading and financing solutions for farmers, according to the programme.
Niajiri Platform Limited has developed an AI-powered applicant tracking and hiring platform, according to the programme description.
OnCall – powered by Macquarie Medical operates an on-demand digital healthcare platform, according to the programme.
Ipachi Capital provides microloans for informal and small businesses, according to the programme description.
Programme Structure
The programme targets ventures building Digital Social Innovations (DSIs), defined as technologies designed to address social challenges while remaining commercially viable, according to the D4D Hub.
“These high-potential startups are selected to scale up their Digital Social Innovations following evaluations in 2024 and 2025,” the D4D Hub stated in its announcement.
The startups will receive support in commercial partnerships, market expansion, and governance, according to the programme. “This year, they will be supported in enhancing commercial partnerships, expanding into new markets, and improving governance to accelerate their sustainable growth,” the D4D Hub stated.
Programme Implementation
The programme is implemented by HAUS Finnish Institute of Public Management Ltd and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) as part of the Team Europe Data Governance in Africa Initiative, known as D4DataGOV, according to the programme description.
Funding comes from the European Commission as well as the governments of Germany and Finland, according to the announcement.
D4D Hub Description
The D4D Hub describes itself as “a strategic platform that aims to strengthen digital cooperation between the European Union and its Member States and partners in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the EU neighbouring countries.”
The platform states it focuses on building human-centric digital transformation. According to the D4D Hub, the human-centric approach “respects fundamental rights and aims to ensure secure, equal and meaningful access to the benefits of digitalisation.”
The programme states it places emphasis on women, girls, minorities and marginalised communities, as well as environmentally sustainable digital innovation, according to its description.
