A new Sh64 million investment pilot aimed at accelerating digital innovations for persons with disabilities has been launched in Nairobi, marking a major step toward expanding access to assistive technologies across Africa.
The initiative, known as the Momentous Pilot Fund, is a partnership between the Assistive Technologies for Disability Trust and the Judith Neilson Foundation.
The fund seeks to support early-stage African start-ups developing technology-driven solutions that address critical challenges faced by persons with disabilities.
Speaking at the launch, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AT4D Bernard Chiira noted that the programme was designed to unlock financing opportunities for innovators whose solutions often struggle to attract early investment.
Chiira observed that despite the growing demand for assistive technologies across the continent, innovators in the sector continue to face structural barriers when seeking capital to develop and scale their products.
“Early-stage assistive technology innovators across Africa face significant structural barriers to accessing capital,” lamented the CEO.
“This is the first fund on the continent dedicated to investing in emerging assistive technology start-ups at the early stage. The Momentous Fund allows us to test an investment model that centres lived experience while strengthening the ecosystem required to scale disability innovation across Africa,” he added.
Concurrently, Chairman of the AT4D Board of Trustees Enos Weswa revealed that the fund was created in response to the large gap in access to assistive products across Africa.
Weswa cited statistics from the World Health Organization showing that nearly 200 million people in Africa require at least one assistive product but only a small proportion are able to access them.
“Nearly 200 million people in Africa require at least one assistive product, yet access remains critically low, with only one in ten people able to obtain the devices they need,” he stressed.
Further, the Chairman added that the shortage of assistive technologies continues to hinder inclusion by limiting education, employment and economic opportunities for persons with disabilities.
On his part, AT4D Investment Manager Harry Ochieng reported that the initiative also aims to transform how disability innovation is viewed within the investment ecosystem.
Notably, Ochieng disclosed that many investors still regard disability-focused innovations as charity-driven initiatives rather than viable businesses with strong growth potential.
“Many investors still associate disability innovations with charity and donations. The Momentous Fund is an opportunity to change that narrative and demonstrate that this sector presents real opportunities for investment, impact and sustainable returns,” he reiterated.
Through the pilot programme, up to five early-stage assistive technology ventures from across Africa will receive catalytic investment, technical assistance, venture-building support and access to strategic partnerships to help develop and scale their innovations.
Meanwhile, organisers highlighted that the fund will focus on solutions that enhance mobility, communication, inclusive education, independent living and digital accessibility for persons with disabilities.
In addition to supporting selected ventures, the pilot will generate insights to help shape sustainable investment models for assistive technology innovation on the continent.
Equally, lessons from the pilot phase are expected to inform the design and expansion of the Momentous Fund’s second phase, which aims to scale financing for disability-focused techology ventures across Africa.
The initiative is ultimately expected to strengthen the continent’s assistive technology ecosystem while promoting inclusive development through increased access to innovative solutions for persons with disabilities.
By Naif Rashid
