Namibia’s emerging electric mobility sector has received a powerful jolt of global validation after Amperra Charging Company was selected for the prestigious Qualcomm Make in Africa Mentorship Programme 2026. This recognition places the Namibian company among the continent’s most promising deep-tech innovators.
For Amperra, this could be a game-changer, as protecting proprietary technology and refining a scalable business model are essential steps in attracting investors and expanding across borders. This is particularly applicable in a capital-intensive sector like EV infrastructure.
The recent acknowledgement by Qualcomm Incorporated signals more than just recognition as it positions Amperra at the forefront of Africa’s transition toward smart, scalable electric mobility infrastructure.
At the heart of Amperra’s innovation is its AI-driven, grid-adaptive EV charging platform that has been designed as a solution to tackle one of Africa’s biggest barriers to electric vehicle adoption, namely unreliable and constrained power grids.
Unlike conventional charging systems, Amperra’s technology intelligently adapts to grid conditions, optimising energy use while ensuring consistent charging availability. For many African markets, where grid stability and energy distribution remain uneven, this type of charging system could prove transformative.
The company’s inclusion in the Qualcomm programme underscores a broader shift that African startups are no longer just adopting technology but are building frontier solutions tailored to local realities.
Amperra’s selection is particularly significant given the scale of competition. The 2026 cohort was chosen from over 1 200 applications across more than 45 African countries, highlighting both the competitiveness of the programme and the rising sophistication of African innovation.
By securing a place in this elite group, the Namibian startup gains access to world-class mentorship, engineering expertise, and cutting-edge tools, all of which are resources that could accelerate its journey from prototype to commercial deployment.
Through the program, Amperra will receive technical guidance on advanced platforms from Arduino, including edge AI-capable systems that enable real-time decision-making directly at charging sites. This is critical for building resilient infrastructure in environments where connectivity is limited or inconsistent.
While each startup stands to receive a US$5 000 (about N$83 000 at current rates) completion stipend and potentially additional grant funding through Qualcomm’s Social Impact Fund, the real value lies in ecosystem access.
Participants benefit from one-on-one engineering consultations, business coaching, and intellectual property (IP) training, including support from Adams & Adams, one of Africa’s leading IP law firms.
With this latest accolade, Amperra joins a diverse cohort of startups spanning agriculture, assistive technology, smart infrastructure, and clean energy that are all united by their use of advanced technologies and next-generation connectivity.