Data Entry Academy, a Lagos based education technology startup, has emerged winner of the United Nations Development Programme’s Get Ready 4 timbuktoo EdTech Accelerator, defeating 1,429 applicants from across Africa to claim the 10,000 dollar top prize. The startup, founded by Chioma Ifeanyi Eze, secured first place during the grand finale held in Dakar, Senegal, ahead of finalists from Egypt and Senegal, while another Nigerian startup, Varsity Scape, finished among the top 10 winners.
The competition attracted 1,429 applications, with 1,099 startups meeting the eligibility requirements. Following nearly 2,850 independent evaluations, 50 startups were selected for the 12 week accelerator programme, while 20 finalists advanced to the final pitch competition. The programme is designed to strengthen business models, improve products, increase market readiness and prepare startups for investment opportunities.
Founded in 2020, Data Entry Academy provides a 30 day online training programme that equips learners with workplace digital skills, including spreadsheet management, cloud accounting, payroll, inventory management and invoicing. The company says it has trained more than 17,000 learners across Africa through online platforms, helping job seekers, entrepreneurs and professionals acquire practical digital competencies.
The victory highlights the growing influence of Nigeria’s education technology sector as investors and development organisations increase support for digital learning solutions across Africa. The accelerator forms part of UNDP’s broader timbuktoo initiative, launched to mobilise one billion dollars over 10 years to support 10,000 African startups and accelerate innovation, job creation and economic growth across the continent.