Mentorship

Top 10 startup mentors in Africa by region: East Africa

Profile photo of Boyewa Abiodun-Adepoju
Written by
Boyewa Abiodun-Adepoju
·
April 3, 2025

Mentorship serves as a foundational pillar in any thriving startup ecosystem. For entrepreneurs in East Africa, access to seasoned mentors can significantly accelerate their journey by offering strategic guidance, industry insights, and expansive professional networks. The region has a diverse pool of dedicated professionals committed to supporting founders and business leaders. Below are some of the most influential startup mentors in East Africa who are making a tangible impact:

  1. Emily Wakasa (Nairobi, Kenya)

    Expertise: Circular Economy specialist

    Background: With extensive experience advising early-stage businesses, Emily Wakasa has built a reputation as a trusted mentor for early stage startups looking to scale and mature businesses interested in going circular. Her deep knowledge of leadership development and strategic planning helps entrepreneurs make informed decisions that drive growth.

    Contribution: Emily actively supports founders in navigating investment opportunities, structuring their businesses effectively, and developing long-term strategic plans.

    Connect with mentor: Emily Wakasa

  2. Rahel Getachew (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)

    Expertise:Leadership, strategic planning, brand building, team management, innovation, female entrepreneurship empowerment.

    Background: Trained in Software Engineering, with 5+ years in software development, entrepreneurship, and the co-founder & COO of Lenat, managing 50,000+ active users.

    Contribution: Mentoring entrepreneurs, especially women, in overcoming business barriers and building sustainable ventures. Focus on leadership and business scaling.

    Connect with mentor: Rahel Getachew

  3. Theresa Fehle (Nairobi, Kenya)

    Expertise: Venture capital, investor relations, startup growth strategies, climate tech and agri tech.

    Background: Theresa is Chief of Staff at Ignitia a climate tech company, with extensive experience in the African startup ecosystem, expertise in managing budgets, fundraising, and enhancing business practices.

    Contribution: Empowering female founders, supporting sustainable ventures, leveraging networks for investment and partnerships, and advocating for sustainable agri-food systems.

    Connect with mentor: Theresa Fehle

  4. Stella Zedekiah (Iringa, Tanzania)

    Expertise: Public relations, marketing, business development, event coordination, creative communication, and social impact.

    Background: Stella brings over eight years of diverse experience in marketing, PR, event management, and social impact. She founded a creative communication startup and currently manages Tatua Hub, a coworking space.

    Contribution: Mentoring startups in marketing, communication, and business development. Advocates for giving back and building sustainable, supportive business relationships.

    Connect with mentor: Stella Zedekiah

  5. Nuba Elamin (Kampala, Uganda)

    Expertise: Business & brand development, market entry strategies, customer acquisition, and marketing/selling strategies.

    Background: Founder of two startups, Buqisi-Ruux and KweNu Juice & Salad Bar, Nuba comes with experience in talent acquisition, financial planning, marketing, and raising capital. Recently supported startups in Uganda and Kenya.

    Contribution: Mentoring and supporting startups in business development, brand strategy, and market penetration across Africa.

    Connect with mentor: Nuba Elamin

  6. Charles Muthui (Nairobi, Kenya)

    Expertise: Business partnerships, strategy, team culture, employee engagement.

    Background: Founding partner at Adept Advisory, with experience in enterprise development consulting, team leadership, and as a board member/advisor. Skilled in mentoring, public speaking, and fostering work-life integration.

    Contribution: Mentoring entrepreneurs, particularly in business strategy, leadership, and soft skills.

    Connect with mentor: Charles Muthui

  7. Melvin Malanga (Nairobi, Kenya)

    Expertise: Innovation, growth, business scaling, startup ecosystems, sales consulting.

    Background: Melvin is an experienced founder, sales consultant for startups across EMEA and North America. Strong in agile and fast-paced environments.

    Contribution: Access to network and collaboration to share knowledge, mentor startups, and explore new opportunities.

    Connect with mentor: Melvin Malanga

  8. Justine Massaba (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania)

    Expertise: Leadership development, emotional intelligence, partnership development, grants management.

    Background: Justine is an experienced consultant with experience in team building and structuring and strategic decision-making for startups, and also experience in the creative industry.

    Contribution: Mentors founders on leadership skills, partnerships, and venture growth, especially in emerging markets like Africa.

    Connect with mentor: Justine Massaba

  9. Mark Semakula (Kampala, Uganda)

    Expertise: Health informatics, financial technology, software engineering strategic operations.

    Background: Operations Lead at Inzozi, with a focus on leveraging technology for impactful solutions in fintech and health informatics.

    Contribution: Mentoring entrepreneurs to merge technology, fintech, and health informatics, sharing insights to help them succeed earlier in their journey.

    Connect with mentor: Mark Semakula

  10. Gidibo Tindwa (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania)

    Expertise: Technology-driven innovations, market expansion, business strategy, angel investing.

    Background: Gidibo comes with 15 years of experience in business development, angel investor at WV Angels Network, mentoring entrepreneurs.

    Contribution: Focusing on technology disruption, global market expansion, and crafting strategies for growth. Passionate about helping startups scale and become impactful businesses.

    Connect with mentor: Gidibo Tindwa

Find the right mentors for your startup on VC4AFind any mentor tailored to your professional and startup needs using the VC4A Mentorship Marketplace. Connect with top mentors in fundraising today and gain access to their insights and networks. Additionally, explore other tools on the VC4A platform, such as the Startup Academy, where you can sharpen your entrepreneurial skills, or the DealRoom, where you can showcase your business to investors. Combined, these resources form a powerful ecosystem designed to help you achieve your business growth ambitions and succeed.