The Cameroonian startup Iclan was recognised at the 7th International Africa Development Forum held in Casablanca from June 21 to 23, 2024. The company co-founded and led by Agborndang Joëlle Ako, won the 3rd place prize for the Young Entrepreneur Trophy for its innovative initiative to facilitate and secure the payment of school fees.
Iclan offers a digital platform that allows parents to pay their children’s school fees online, securely and easily. The platform integrates with existing school management systems and offers a variety of payment methods, including bank cards, mobile money transfers, and cash payments.
Iclan’s initiative was praised by the Young Entrepreneur Trophy jury for its positive impact on education in Africa. The startup received an award of 100,000 Moroccan dirhams (around 6 million CFA francs) to support its development and expansion.
Agborndang Joëlle Ako, co-founder and CEO of Iclan, said: “We are very proud to receive this award, which is a recognition of our commitment to improving access to education in Africa. This award will allow us to continue to develop our platform and reach even more students and parents.”
The Young Entrepreneur Trophy is an annual award given by the International Africa Development Forum to young African entrepreneurs who are developing innovative solutions to the continent’s challenges. The prize aims to encourage entrepreneurship and support business creation in Africa.
The 7th International Africa Development Forum brought together over 2,000 participants from more than 40 African and international countries. The forum was an opportunity to discuss development issues in Africa and promote investment in the continent.
