From investment banking to visionary: Kudzai Mubaiwa supports Africa’s green start-ups

In Africa, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups face significant challenges in implementing digital and green innovations, including limited financial resources, skilled personnel, and access to capital. Meanwhile, the need for digital solutions to adapt to climate change is growing. Many African communities suffer from climate change impacts, such as floods, droughts and crop failures.

Recognising the potential of digital technologies for environmental solutions, Kudzai Mubaiwa left a successful investment banking career to join the Higherlife Foundation Innovation Hub in Zimbabwe and to connect creative minds with great ideas for more climate protection and sustainability with each other.

What excites me is the opportunity to use the internet to support innovators, link them to training and to help them learn from each other.

When asked to help set up a programme to promote green start-ups, Kudzai seized the opportunity. The Digital and Green Innovation Acceleration Programme (DGIx), which Kudzai has been supporting ever since, is part of the #TeamEurope initiative Digital and Green Innovation Action (DGI). As part of this acceleration programme, an innovation call was launched to find high-impact digital solutions to Africa’s environmental challenges.

As a selection committee member, Kudzai helped identify four outstanding winners. Going forward, Kudzai will support them on their journey as part of the Digital and Green Innovation team.