On Monday 24 November, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh joined Fellows at the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship bootcamp in Ghana to find out about their innovative startups.
The Duke met the 23 Commonwealth Startup Fellows at the British High Commission in Ghana, where Fellows have been participating in training sessions and workshops to identify the key areas for improving their businesses.
Accompanied by Ryan Shorthouse, CSC Commissioner, and Clare Turner, Associate Director of Imperial Global Ghana, His Royal Highness took part in an interactive exhibition with five of the current startups. During the exhibition, The Duke met Anthony Owusu-Ansah, founder of ShaQ Express, which provides efficient, eco-friendly delivery solutions in Ghana, and Hellen Munyasa of Uganda-based business Helton Traders, which transforms plastic waste into affordable sewing threads to power Africa’s textile industry. His Royal Highness also met Roy Kirianja Njoka, founder of the agritech startup Terralima Technologies, Faith Kuya of SafeSip, a water filter technology startup providing safe drinking water for rural communities, and Umair Aslam, co-founder of Markaz Technologies, an e-commerce marketplace that is revolutionising the digital economy in Pakistan
In his closing remarks, The Duke commended the Fellows’ on their bold and innovative ventures and emphasised the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation in delivering global prosperity. He also urged the Fellows to strive for excellence and trust in their ability to lead transformative, successful businesses in their societies.
His Royal Highness with the new cohort of Commonwealth Startup Fellows in Ghana
About the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship
The Commonwealth Startup Fellowship supports high‑impact startups and founders from low and middle income Commonwealth countries. It helps the founders in scaling their businesses and building collaborative networks with the aim of accelerating job creation throughout the Commonwealth.
Ryan Shorthouse, CSC Commissioner and Executive Chair of Bright Blue, said of the Commonwealth Startup Fellowship:
‘The Commonwealth Startup Fellowship programme addresses an urgent need for meaningful job creation by equipping entrepreneurs to deliver scalable business solutions – from sustainable agriculture and clean water to circular economy and gender equity. What really drives change in communities is talented individuals starting and leading new initiatives and institutions, so the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission is proud to be identifying and nurturing such talent through this programme.’
Shared values and a modern partnership
His Royal Highness during the interactive exhibition
The Duke’s two-day visit to Ghana will reinforce the modern partnership between the United Kingdom and Ghana. As part of the visit, His Royal Highness is meeting students, entrepreneurs, athletes, and performers across the country to explore collaboration between the UK and Ghana and highlight the UK’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship, innovation, and inclusive economic growth across the Commonwealth.
Speaking ahead of the visit, the British High Commissioner, Dr Christian Rogg said:
‘His Royal Highness’s visit to Ghana is a celebration of the strong and evolving relationship between the UK and Ghana. It’s about recognising our shared values and the real impact of our collaboration from education and climate action to inclusive development and innovation. It also honours Ghana’s vital role and enduring leadership within the Commonwealth.’
