Morgan Stanley has unveiled the 2025 cohort of its Inclusive & Sustainable Ventures (MSISV) program, spotlighting African startups and nonprofits tackling some of the continent’s most pressing challenges. Among the 33 global participants, four organizations from Africa have been selected: Kenya’s BuuPass, Nigeria’s Caring Africa, Nigeria’s LightEd Impact Foundation, and South Africa’s Pelebox. Their inclusion underscores the growing recognition of African-led solutions in transportation, healthcare, energy, and caregiving.
BuuPass: Transforming African Mobility
Kenya-based BuuPass is redefining intercity travel by offering a digital platform for booking bus, train, and flight tickets across Africa. The startup aims to reduce the inefficiencies of fragmented transport systems by centralizing ticketing into one accessible interface. With MSISV’s financial backing and mentorship, BuuPass is positioned to expand its reach, making travel more reliable and affordable for millions of commuters across the continent.
Caring Africa: Building the Care Economy
Nigeria’s Caring Africa is developing infrastructure to strengthen the region’s care economy. The nonprofit connects families with trained caregivers, while also supporting worker protections and advocating for policies that improve care delivery. By addressing both the demand for quality care and the working conditions of caregivers, Caring Africa is creating a model for sustainable caregiving services across Africa.
LightEd Impact Foundation: Turning Waste into Energy
Also from Nigeria, LightEd Impact Foundation is pioneering renewable energy by converting plastic and electronic waste into affordable electricity. Its mission is to bring clean power to underserved communities, while simultaneously tackling environmental challenges linked to waste management. The foundation’s innovative approach not only supports sustainable energy access but also promotes circular economy practices across the region.
Pelebox: Rethinking Medication Access
South Africa’s Pelebox is transforming healthcare delivery with its Smart Locker Dispensing System for chronic medication. Patients traditionally face long queues and limited access at overburdened healthcare facilities, but Pelebox’s lockers offer a faster, decentralized solution. This innovation improves last-mile access to essential drugs, helping patients manage long-term conditions with greater efficiency and dignity.
Support from Morgan Stanley
Each of these organizations will receive $250,000 in funding, along with access to mentorship, business development resources, and Morgan Stanley’s network of advisors and investors. The five-month accelerator program provides tailored training and will culminate in a global demo day in February 2026, giving participants the opportunity to showcase their progress. For African innovators, this support represents a chance to scale proven models and attract additional global partnerships.
Broader Significance
The inclusion of African startups and nonprofits in MSISV reflects a growing recognition of the continent as a hub of innovation. These organizations are addressing challenges that resonate globally—mobility, caregiving, energy, and healthcare—while tailoring solutions to Africa’s unique social and economic contexts. Their participation highlights how African entrepreneurs are not only responding to local needs but also shaping the global conversation on inclusive and sustainable growth.
By selecting BuuPass, Caring Africa, LightEd Impact Foundation, and Pelebox, Morgan Stanley is affirming the importance of African-led innovation in shaping a more equitable future. These organizations represent different sectors but share a common mission of delivering scalable, impactful solutions. Their journey through the MSISV program could set new benchmarks for how startups and nonprofits from Africa contribute to sustainable development worldwide.