iHub Kenya, in partnership with the Mastercard
Foundation, recently celebrated the conclusion of the 2023 Mastercard Foundation EdTech
Fellowship with a Demo Day. The Demo Day was held at the Nairobi Museum of Kenya, and was a
chance to showcase the achievements of 12 innovative start-ups transforming education out of Kenya.
The day’s attendees included stakeholders from the government, investors, and other tech ecosystem
players, all of whom were able to witness firsthand the transformative impact of these start-ups on
education in Kenya through their product demos.
The Fellowship, which was first announced in February 2023, went through a rigorous selection
process leading to the selection of 12 start-ups that met the robust criteria outlined by the Mastercard
Foundation and iHub. These start-ups were then inducted into a six-month accelerator program that
started in May 2023 which involved advisory support across learning science, investment, product
development, financial management, and communication strategy among others. The start-ups also
received $100,000 each in funding to help drive the growth and scaling of their businesses.
The Demo Day was an opportunity for the start-ups to highlight their growth in the last six months
while in the program, as well as share their plans with potential investors and customers. The
participating start-ups in the 2023 cohort of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship include:
● Arifu – An interactive learning platform that supports small businesses and job seekers in
Africa.
● MsingiPack – A self-paced learning content offering.
● Kidato Inc – An interactive online learning platform for the entire family.
● FunKe Science – A solution that offers online and offline content that makes science fun and
relatable for African children.
● EasyElimu – An online platform providing K-12 learning content and exam prep for students.
● Ntemata – A learning management system supporting teachers to deliver more efficient
assessments for students.
● Angaza Elimu- An adaptive and interactive platform that leverages technology to improve
access to quality and relevant education on demand.
● Silabu – A platform that connects students with qualified tutors to support their learning
goals, providing an alternative to traditional education.
● Smart Brains Kenya – A Edtech solution focused on empowering schools to independently
provide quality Coding & Robotics lessons in schools.
● Loho Learning – An e-learning platform that delivers personalized and interactive content in
various digital formats to the schooling generation.
● Snapplify- An innovative and e-learning solution that works with students and teachers to roll
out e-learning content and materials.
● Goomzu by Elewa – An education innovation solution focused on supporting teachers,
schools and large training audiences to deliver cost-effective and highly scalable continuous
professional development.
As part of the benefits of the Fellowship, these start-ups will continue to receive post-acceleration
advisory support from iHub over the next 12 months. The Fellowship is part of a broader goal of the
Mastercard Foundation Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning to support the growth of an
impactful African EdTech ecosystem that will catalyze innovation and advance promising practises in
the use of technology in learning and teaching to benefit African learners, education, and EdTech
innovators across the continent.
Overall, the process has been intentional to ensure that the cohort offers a range of solutions covering
digital content, learning management platforms, STEAM education support, workforce and skill
development, tutoring and testing, curriculum-based online learning content, and providing support
for teachers in lesson delivery and assessment.
The call for entries for the next cohort of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Program
will be open soon to select 2024’s cohort of 12 start-ups as part of the continued three-year partnership
between iHUb and the Foundation.
![Canon’s RF/EF lens production exceeds 170 million units, extending its world record in interchangeable lens production Both EF and RF lenses have gained strong support from a wide range of users—from beginners to professionals—leading to steady growth in production volume Canon Inc. announced that, in October 2025, Canon reached a historic milestone of producing a cumulative total of 170 million RF and EF interchangeable lenses for its EOS series, extending its world record for the highest number of interchangeable camera lenses ever produced. The EF lens was introduced in 1987 as the dedicated lens system for Canon’s EOS autofocus single-lens reflex film camera, debuting simultaneously with the EOS system itself. Since their inception, EF lenses have led the industry by incorporating a series of world-first technologies, including the Ultrasonic Motor (USM), Image Stabilizer (IS) technology, and a multilayered Diffractive Optical (DO) element, and have undergone numerous evolutions. In 2018, Canon launched the RF lens series, designed for the EOS R mirrorless camera system, which features a large aperture, short back focus, and high-speed communication system to deliver even higher image quality. The RF and EF lens series lineup now includes a total of 108 models , covering a wide range of focal lengths from ultra-wide 10mm to super-telephoto 1200mm. The series also includes the world’s first VR lens lenses with built-in power zoom suited for video shooting, and even those compatible with power zoom adapters—expanding the scope of creative expression and meeting the diverse needs of users for both still photography and video. EF lens production began at Canon’s Utsunomiya Plant in 1987. Since then, both EF and RF lenses have gained strong support from a wide range of users—from beginners to professionals—leading to steady growth in production volume. Today, Canon manufactures lenses at five sites: Utsunomiya Plant; Canon Inc., Taiwan; Canon Opto (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.; Oita Canon Inc.; and Miyazaki Canon Inc. Milestones include 10 million units produced by 1995 and 50 million by 2009. Then in 2014, Canon became the first company in the world to reach 100 million interchangeable camera lenses produced. In October 2025, the company reached 170 million units, leading to the achievement of this world record. The 170 millionth lens produced was the RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Z. Canon has maintained the No.1 global market share for digital interchangeable-lens cameras for 22 consecutive years since 2003. Moving forward, Canon will continue to refine its proprietary imaging technologies and further strengthen and expand its lens lineup, pioneering new imaging possibilities and contributing to the continued evolution of photographic and video culture. Highlights in the development of the RF/EF Lens Series The EF lens, which was introduced alongside EOS in March 1987, has adopted a variety of world-first technologies, including Image Stabilizer (IS) technology, featured in the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM released in 1995; a multilayered Diffractive Optical (DO) element, used in the EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM launched in 2001; and Subwavelength Structure Coating (SWC) [7], applied to the EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM released in 2008. In 2021, Canon launched the EOS VR System, a VR video system consisting of a mirrorless camera [8], dedicated lens, and PC software, thereby creating a 3D 180° VR video through an interchangeable lens camera. In 2024, Canon began rolling out a new series of hybrid lenses equipped with iris rings, designed to meet the needs of both still photography and professional video production. For zoom lenses, the company has also launched RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z and RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Z which are compatible with power zoom adapters. For single focus lenses, the company released F1.4 L hybrid prime lens series that unified the size and ring and button position across models. In September 2025, Canon launched RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM, the fifth model in this series, demonstrating that it can meet demands in line with the changing times. [1] Includes EF, EF-S, EF-M, EF Cinema, RF, RF-S, and RF Cinema lenses and extenders. As of October 21, 2025 (according to a survey by Canon) [2] Among SLR cameras (according to a survey by Canon) [3] Number of products sold as of October 22, 2025 (including extenders). The number of lens models for sale is different according to market figures. [4] Focal length is 5.2mm to 1200mm when including VR lenses [5] An interchangeable digital camera lens that enables VR footage with a single camera. Among interchangeable lens digital cameras released as of October 5, 2021 (according to a survey by Canon) [6] Refers to unit share (according to a survey by Canon) [7] A special coating with advanced anti-reflective properties [8] For applicable cameras, please visit the official Canon website *Release dates in this document refer to dates in Japan. Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) is a division within Canon Middle East FZ LLC (CME), a subsidiary of Canon Europe. The formation of CCNA in 2016 was a strategic step that aimed to enhance Canon’s business within the Africa region - by strengthening Canon’s in-country presence and focus. CCNA also demonstrates Canon’s commitment to operating closer to its customers and meeting their demands in the rapidly evolving African market. Canon has been represented in the African continent for more than 15 years through distributors and partners that have successfully built a solid customer base in the region. CCNA ensures the provision of high quality, technologically advanced products that meet the requirements of Africa’s rapidly evolving marketplace. With over 100 employees, CCNA manages sales and marketing activities across 44 countries in Africa. Canon’s corporate philosophy is Kyosei – ‘living and working together for the common good’. CCNA pursues sustainable business growth, focusing on reducing its own environmental impact and supporting customers to reduce theirs using Canon’s products, solutions and services. At Canon, we are pioneers, constantly redefining the world of imaging for the greater good. Through our technology and our spirit of innovation, we push the bounds of what is possible – helping us to see our world in ways we never have before. We help bring creativity to life, one image at a time. Because when we can see our world, we can transform it for the better.](https://businessinsights.africa/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/1.-Canon-EOS-R50-Mirrorless-Camera-for-Beginners-1024x764-1-100x70.jpg "Canon makes history with 170 Million lenses milestone")
