Across Africa, many schools, businesses, and organisations still struggle to integrate technology into their operations. But one Nigerian startup, Meshboc, is redefining how technology can power Africa’s next phase of growth.
Founded by Femi Michael B, Meshboc is a technology company that blends innovation with empowerment, building home-grown digital tools while training young Africans to thrive in the digital economy.
As part of Techparley’s Startup Drive100, a spotlight series profiling Africa’s most promising and impactful startups, we spoke with Femi Michael B, Founder and CEO of Meshboc on how the startup is bridging Africa’s digital divide, while redefining what it means to build technology that truly serves local communities.
“Meshboc bridges the gap between Africa’s potential and its digital readiness by providing localized, affordable, and high-impact technology solutions that drive transformation across education, business, and community development,” Femi told Techparley.
What You Should Know
According to Femi, Meshboc’s mission is to make technology affordable, accessible, and relevant to Africa’s unique context. Its work cuts across education technology, custom software development, digital marketing, and skills empowerment.
The company provides a suite of digital solutions tailored for African users. From small enterprises to large institutions, the company delivers tools that solve real, everyday problems.
Meshboc develops scalable applications and enterprise systems that meet local needs. One of its standout products is PocketShuttle, a school transportation management app that allows parents to track school buses in real time.
Beyond building products, Meshboc invests heavily in people. Through its Intech Meshboc Tech Empowerment Initiative, the startup has trained over 100 young Nigerians in software development, digital design, data analytics, and web technologies.
“We build scalable digital platforms, from apps to enterprise systems, designed to meet local market needs,” Femi explains. “Through structured bootcamps and partnerships, we train youths in software development, data analysis, design, and digital marketing.”
The company also supports more than 20 African brands in strengthening their online presence and customer engagement.
Milestones and Momentum
Since its rebrand in 2021, Meshboc has grown from a small digital agency into a recognised player in Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.
This year, it partnered with the Nigerian Legion HQ to create a digital system for military veterans and train their children in advanced technology skills.
Femi and his team believe that closing Africa’s digital gap requires more than just tools, it demands a mindset shift. Their programmes focus on equipping young people with the confidence to innovate, experiment, and lead in the tech space.
At the heart of Meshboc’s progress is a team of innovators combining technical expertise with social impact. Together, they represent a fusion of innovation, strategy, and community development, a combination observers say positions Meshboc as a catalyst for Africa’s digital transformation.
Challenges on the Road to Growth
Like most African startups, Meshboc has faced its share of challenges, from limited access to funding to slow digital adoption. Funding constraints have been a recurring hurdle.
“As a growing tech company focused on localized solutions, securing early-stage funding for product development and scaling has been challenging,” says Femi.
Adoption barriers among schools and SMEs also pose challenges, often due to cost or lack of digital literacy. Meshboc says it addresses this through onboarding support, free trials, and training programmes that demonstrate real-world value.
To combat talent retention issues, the company focuses on mentorship and internal training, creating a work culture that allows young developers to grow without leaving the continent.
Rethinking Africa’s Tech Future
Across Africa, investment in digital transformation is accelerating fast. The African digital-transformation market was valued at approximately $22.67 billion in 2024 and is forecast to expand to $45.76 billion by 2029.
For Femi, the biggest challenge facing Africa’s tech ecosystem isn’t talent or ideas, it’s infrastructure. He believes the government has a crucial role to play in bridging this gap, by improving broadband access, incentivising local innovation, and funding early-stage startups.
While some fear that artificial intelligence could disrupt the job market, Femi views it as an opportunity. He advocates for reskilling and ethical AI frameworks to ensure technology remains inclusive and fair.
Femi also believes venture capital in Africa must evolve. In a maturing ecosystem, he argues, startups need more guidance than cheques.
The Vision Ahead
Looking forward, Meshboc says it aims to expand its reach across Africa by building partnerships with governments, educational institutions, and international organisations that share its mission of inclusion.
The company is also exploring new product lines that leverage AI and data analytics to enhance digital learning and small business growth.
“Our long-term goal is to make Meshboc a hub for African-made technology, recognized for combining innovation, accessibility, and impact across education, mobility, and business transformation,” Femi said.
As Africa moves toward becoming a knowledge-driven economy, industry leaders say startups like Meshboc are proving that innovation doesn’t have to come from Silicon Valley. It can grow from classrooms, local labs, and communities that dare to reimagine their realities through technology.
Analysts believe Meshboc stands as a testament to what happens when technology meets purpose and when local innovators take the lead in shaping Africa’s digital future.
Talking Points
Meshboc’s focus on building technology that works for Africa, not just in Africa is a powerful positioning statement. It acknowledges the continent’s unique infrastructure, affordability, and accessibility challenges and turns them into opportunities for innovation.
It is particularly notable that Meshboc’s solutions, such as PocketShuttle, are not just designed to modernise schools but also to improve safety, efficiency, and parental trust, practical needs often overlooked by global EdTech platforms.
At TechParley, we see how initiatives like Meshboc’s Digital Empowerment Bootcamps and Intech Meshboc Tech Empowerment Initiative directly address Africa’s growing digital skills gap. This empowerment-first approach ensures technology adoption goes hand-in-hand with capacity building.
Meshboc’s ability to localise global technologies, while training users to operate and maintain them sets it apart in a market often flooded with imported, ill-fitting solutions. This dual model of innovation and education is precisely what Africa’s tech ecosystem needs to ensure sustainable digital transformation.
With its expanding footprint across education, business, and community development, Meshboc has the potential to become a cornerstone of Africa’s homegrown technology movement, driving inclusive digital transformation that empowers people, not just systems.
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