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Two teams of African female students have made it through to the finals of the Technovation competition, and are pitching their startup ideas at the World Pitch Summit in San Francisco today, with the chance to win US$10,000.

Technovation challenges girls all over the world to build a mobile app that will address a community problem. Participants do not need any programming experience, but are guided through the product and startup building process by volunteer mentors.

Two sets of finalists from around the world have been chosen to present their ideas at the live World Pitch Summit; where the winning team will be awarded US$10,000 to grow their startup

Six teams were selected in the high school category – in which participants are aged between 14 and 19 years old.

Four teams were selected in the middle school category, comprising girls under the age of 14.

Kenyan group named the Sniper Team are pitching in the high school category, with their product – a bus booking solution – M-Safiri app.

“The M-Safiri app was developed out of a strong urge to solve community problem using modern technology. It is the answer to the difficulties that come with booking a bus or matatu during peak seasons such as the festive seasons, back-to-school or when one is unable to physically go to a bus station to have a seat reserved for them,” Sniper Team said.

“We plan to provide a reliable and convenient way for citizens to book vehicles and channel transport payments so that the long queues that are usually in booking offices can come to an end,” they said.

The M-Safiri app was build under the App Challenge, forming part of Safaricom’s Women In Technology initiative.

In the middle school category, Cameroonian team Angels Tech of Africa are competing in the finals, with their solution Nature Gift, which aims to promote worldwide trade of natural and agricultural products from Africa.

One winning team in each of the two categories will win US$10,000 to build and grow their business idea.

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