The Duke of Edinburgh celebrates innovation at Commonwealth Startup Fellowship bootcamp in Ghana

His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh joined Fellows at the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship bootcamp in Ghana to find out about their innovative startups.

The Duke met some of the business founders taking part in the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship programme – a flagship Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) programme funded by the UK government and delivered in partnership with Imperial. 

His Royal Highness was visiting Ghana, to reinforce the modern partnership between the United Kingdom and Ghana. His visit highlighted tangible areas of collaboration including sustainable climate-smart development, education, innovation, inclusive sports, and the Commonwealth. The Duke also undertook a range of engagements that reflect the vibrant living bridge between the UK and Ghana. 

The Duke was welcomed by Ryan Shorthouse, Commonwealth Scholarship Commissioner and Clare Turner, Associate Director of Imperial Global Ghana, and was introduced to the startups by Abigail Ninson, Ghana programme manager for the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship and Ingeborg Albert UK-based Commonwealth Startup Fellowship programme manager. The visit was hosted at the British High Commission in Accra. 

In his closing remarks, The Duke commended the Fellows’ on their bold and innovative ventures and emphasised the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation in delivering global prosperity. He also urged the Fellows to strive for excellence and trust in their ability to lead transformative, successful businesses in their societies. 

The startups included:

• Hellen Munyasa, founder of Uganda based Helton Traders. 
  They turn plastic waste into affordable sewing threads to power Africa’s textile industry.
• Roy Kirianja Njoka from Kenya based Terralima Technologies.  
  A digital platform connecting African farmers to fair markets with traceable trade and finance.  
• Umair Aslam from Pakistan based Markaz Technologies.  
  A social commerce app enabling women and first-time internet users to sell online without capital.
• Faith Sebastian Kuya from Tanzania based SafeSip.  
  A life-saving water filter straw providing safe water for rural families.
• Anthony Owusu-Ansah from Ghana based ShaQ Express.
  A tech-powered green logistics company enabling last-mile delivery with electric bikes in Ghana. 

Faith, from SafeSip, said: “His Royal Highness’ visit created a remarkable moment for us at the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship Bootcamp. I was delighted to present SafeSip and share our vision for advancing access to clean and safe water and innovation across Africa.” 

Hellen, from Helton Traders, added: “Meeting His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh felt like being part of history. Talking to him directly was empowering and a clear reminder that hard work and purpose open doors. I’m inspired to keep building, be a good leader, serve better, and turn the impact of Helton Traders into a story worth telling around the world.”   

The programme empowers early-stage entrepreneurs from across the Commonwealth to address global development challenges through innovation and enterprise.   

The 23 startups were selected for the highly competitive programme which assessed applications from more than 1,800 companies across 44 eligible countries and territories.    

The successful Fellows come from countries including: Bangladesh, Botswana, Ghana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Uganda, and have been taking part in a bootcamp in Accra, Ghana. Two of the Fellows from Ghana are funded by Imperial Global Ghana – Imperial's African hub based in Accra.    
Imperial Global Ghana, Imperial College London’s hub in Accra, supports hundreds of academics and entrepreneurs in West Africa by strengthening collaboration on research, technology, education and entrepreneurship between West Africa and the UK.    

"At Imperial Global Ghana we are so proud to support their development and help them achieve their ambitions." Professor Majid Ezzati Academic Director of Imperial Global Ghana

Professor Majid Ezzati, Academic Director of Imperial Global Ghana, said: "The Commonwealth Startup Fellowship supports incredible entrepreneurs and helps their businesses to unlock talent, accelerate growth, and transform communities. At Imperial Global Ghana we are so proud to support their development and help them achieve their ambitions. As someone who has spent most of my academic career working with partners in Africa, I can see how these inspiring innovators are bringing bold ideas and the determination to address some of today’s most critical challenges in areas such as healthcare, climate change and food security." 

Ryan Shorthouse, CSC Commissioner, said: “The Commonwealth Startup Fellowship programme addresses an urgent need for meaningful job creation by equipping entrepreneurs to deliver scalable business solutions - from sustainable agriculture and clean water to circular economy and gender equity. What really drives change in communities is talented individuals starting and leading new initiatives and institutions, so the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission is proud to be identifying and nurturing such talent through this programme.” 

Commonwealth Startup Fellowship

The Commonwealth Startup Fellowship is a dynamic six‑month programme dedicated to igniting and elevating high‑potential startups from low‑ and middle‑income Commonwealth countries. The entrepreneurs are equipped to build thriving businesses, scale operations effectively, and drive job creation in their home countries.     
The landmark initiative, developed by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in partnership with Imperial Enterprise Lab and Imperial Global Ghana, selects startups from low- and middle-income Countries around the Commonwealth to take part.  

The programme culminates with a special investor showcase in London where the startups can pitch their innovative ideas. The first cohort, which included 19 founders, presented their businesses at the event at Imperial in September this year. A keynote speech was given by Imperial alum, Babatunde Soyoye, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Helios Investment Partners, the world’s largest Africa-focused private investment firm.