Many African economies have historically relied on natural resource exports. However, industries like IT and customer experience offer an opportunity to diversify revenue streams and build resilience against commodity price fluctuations.
Provider of Customer Experience (CX) solutions and contact center services Foundever has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA). The agreement, announced on December 7, aims to expand Foundever’s operations in Egypt and outlines a €65 million investment over the next four years, creating 5,000 new jobs in Egypt.
ITIDA CEO Ahmed Elzaher expressed pride in Foundever’s expansion, aligning with Egypt’s Digital Egypt Strategy for the Offshoring Industry. The expansion also reinforces Egypt’s position as a hub for business process outsourcing, particularly in Cairo and Upper Egypt, he remarked.
The MoU was signed by Elzaher and Mina Wahba, Foundever’s General Manager in Egypt, with key officials from ITIDA and Foundever present. Discussions also explored ways to enhance freelancer capabilities and support women’s economic empowerment in Egypt.
Foundever plans to expand its centers in Nasr City and Maadi Technology Park and open a new center in Luxor, demonstrating its commitment to the Egyptian market. The MoU aims to strengthen the country’s offshoring industry, focusing on customer support, technical assistance, and sales services.
Minister Talaat praised Foundever’s decision to open a Luxor center, reflecting growing confidence in Egypt’s skilled workforce and the country’s ability to deliver multilingual services. He highlighted the government's efforts to enhance Egypt’s digital infrastructure, foster investment, and provide workforce training to support the offshoring sector.
The unemployment rate in Egypt has been a challenge, particularly for youth. According to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), Egypt’s Unemployment Rate increased to 6.70% in Sep 2024, from the previously reported figure of 6.50% in June 2024. The Foundever expansion directly addresses this issue, offering young people career opportunities, particularly in a high-demand sector like customer service, which requires strong multilingual and digital skills. The agreement aligns with Egypt’s broader economic strategy to boost the Information Technology Outsourcing (ITO) and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industries.
Hikmatu Bilali
To help children and teenagers better understand various school concepts, a tech entrepreneur has launched an online learning platform that is revolutionizing education through innovative content.
Sikul, an online learning platform developed by a Gabonese startup, offers educational and entertaining content for children and teenagers. Founded by Lynda Hernandez Moibouey in September 2020, Sikul aims to make learning engaging and accessible.
Currently, Sikul is accessed through a web browser. Users create accounts with personal information to explore the platform's offerings, which include videos and digital books often developed in collaboration with educators.
The platform covers a range of subjects, including grammar, mathematics, conjugation, spelling, vocabulary, English, and local languages. "We teach children while entertaining them, helping them develop essential skills to become well-rounded adults," said Moibouey. "Our offerings include video DVDs like 'Ma maternelle en poche' (volume 1), 'Mon premier syllabaire' (volumes 1 and 2), 'L'écriture des mots,' 'Je sais conjuguer,' and a special word search DVD."
Regarding digital books, Moibouey highlighted titles such as "Mon super alphabet illustré," "L'abécédaire des animaux," "L'abécédaire des fruits et des légumes," and "Animal Alphabet."
Sikul currently boasts 161 active accounts, 77 videos, and 30 educational games. Access requires a subscription, starting at 7,000 CFA francs (approximately $11.20) per month for one parent and one child. A three-month subscription for one parent and two children costs 15,000 CFA francs, while an annual subscription for two parents and five children is 48,000 CFA francs
Adoni Conrad Quenum
To simplify financial and commercial transactions for the Gambian population, a tech entrepreneur has taken the initiative to digitize several financial services by developing a tailor-made solution.
Waychit is a digital solution developed by a Gambian startup to revolutionize financial transactions in the country. The app allows users to pay for fuel, airtime, mobile data, purchases at merchants, internet bills, and insurance—all through its mobile platform. Founded in 2022 by Hassan Y. Jallow, the start-up operates out of Brufut, offering convenience and innovation to individuals and businesses alike.
The mobile app is available on both iOS and Android and has already been downloaded over a thousand times, according to Google Play Store data. After downloading the app, users can create an account by entering their personal details. They are then granted access to all the services provided by the fintech, including a digital wallet that can be topped up to make online purchases at affiliated shops.
Waychit also offers tailored services for businesses. For instance, companies can use its digital fuel vouchers, enabling employees to refuel at partner gas stations hassle-free—an efficient alternative to physical vouchers that can be misplaced or forgotten.
"Waychit is a payment aggregator in The Gambia offering customized payment solutions for businesses. Our goal is to make payments easy and convenient, whether it’s paying, getting paid, or shopping," the start-up explains.
In July 2024, Waychit was selected as part of the inaugural cohort of the Timbuktoo Fintech Hub, a project supported by African nations and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It joined 41 other African fintechs in this initiative aimed at fostering innovation across the continent.
By Adoni Conrad Quenum,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
He has over 15 years of experience from companies across the United States, France, and Gabon. His expertise spans corporate strategy, finance, talent management, and program development
Yannick Ebibie (photo) is a technology entrepreneur dedicated to advancing digital innovation across Africa. He is the founder and CEO of SING (Société d’Innovation Numérique du Gabon), a company focused on enhancing the competitiveness of African economies through digital transformation.
Founded in 2018, SING specializes in providing digital innovation services. The company offers expertise, tools, and methodologies tailored to help businesses and public institutions successfully execute their digital transformation projects. From strategic consulting to innovation management, SING supports its clients in maximizing the success of start-ups in their early stages.
SING also operates an incubator that supports startups at every stage of their growth, offering operational assistance and innovative financing solutions to optimize costs. Additionally, the company develops IT and engineering solutions and is the publisher of SingPay, a digital platform that helps businesses streamline and enhance their payment processes.
Beyond his role at SING, Yannick Ebibie serves as a team leader at the Founder Institute, a global startup accelerator, and as vice president of TECH 241, a syndicate that brings together digital and technology professionals and businesses in Gabon.
Ebibie holds a master’s degree in management and international marketing from the Center for Franco-American Management Studies in France (2003) and a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurial studies from Temple University in Philadelphia, USA (2007).
His professional journey began in 2006 at the Women’s Opportunities Resource Center, a U.S.-based community development financial institution, where he worked as a business development consultant. In 2007, he became a business analyst at PIDC, a public-private economic development organization in Philadelphia.
Returning to Gabon in 2013, Ebibie joined Performances Group, a company dedicated to driving economic transformation in Africa, as a senior consultant. From 2016 to 2018, he served as director of strategy and marketing at Gabon’s National Investment Promotion Agency.
Melchior Koba
Many African nations are actively working to leverage information and communication technologies (ICT) to boost their socio-economic progress. A key focus for these countries is fostering international collaboration to achieve their development objectives.
Algeria is exploring bilateral partnership opportunities with African nations to advance information and communication technologies (ICT). Sid Ali Zerrouki (photo, right), Minister of Post and Telecommunications, held separate meetings with his peers from Tunisia, Mauritania, the Comoros, and the Congo on the sidelines of the ministerial summit at the third African Startup Conference. The event took place in Algeria from December 5 to December 7.
According to a statement from Algeria’s Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, the discussions focused on enhancing cooperation and sharing expertise in key areas of mutual interest. These included telecommunications infrastructure, electronic communications regulation, training, data centers, ICT development, as well as support for technological innovation and entrepreneurship.
This initiative aligns with a broader trend across Africa, where most countries are prioritizing digital transformation as a cornerstone of their socio-economic development strategies. Central to this effort is the expansion of telecommunications infrastructure and ICT.
Algeria currently ranks sixth in Africa among 47 countries assessed for ICT development by the International Telecommunication Union, with a score of 80.9 out of 100. Tunisia follows in eighth place (77.2), Mauritania is 21st (55.5), the Comoros are 25th (46.5), and Congo ranks 42nd (30.7).
Notably, a joint study by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Google predicts that Africa's digital economy will reach a value of at least $712 billion by 2050, accounting for approximately 8.5% of the continent's GDP.
By Isaac K. Kassouwi,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Djibouti is proactively pursuing digitalization to modernize its public sector and drive sustainable growth. By cultivating strong partnerships with international leaders in technology, the nation aspires to become a beacon of digital transformation within East Africa.
Djibouti’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Innovation (MDENI) announced on Tuesday, December 10, the signing of a memorandum of understanding with eGov Foundation, an Indian organization specializing in open-source solutions for public services. The partnership aims to accelerate Djibouti’s digital transformation by leveraging the DIGIT platform, developed by eGov, to enhance public service delivery, foster innovation, and advance the country’s national digital agenda.
"This partnership is a crucial step toward realizing our vision of a digitally autonomous Djibouti. Implementing solutions such as the building permit system will not only transform public services but also position Djibouti as a leader in using technology to drive sustainable urban growth," said Mariam Hamadou Ali (photo, left), Minister of Digital Economy and Innovation.
Founded in India, eGov Foundation is a globally recognized leader in open-source digital solutions designed to improve governance and citizen experience. This collaboration aligns with its mission to provide digital public goods and support developing countries in their digital transformation efforts by 2030. For Djibouti, the initiative is part of the "Djibouti Smart Nation" roadmap, which lays out the national digital sovereignty strategy.
Under the partnership, several projects will be launched, including a pilot phase for a building permit system aimed at streamlining administrative processes and enhancing transparency. The DIGIT platform will also be deployed across other key sectors such as healthcare, sanitation, public finance, and local governance. Additionally, a capacity-building program will be implemented, including knowledge transfer to local teams to ensure the autonomous management of digital tools.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Djibouti’s efforts to modernize its public services. While the country currently ranks 174th globally in the 2024 E-Government Development Index (EGDI), with a score of 0.2911 out of 1—below the regional average of 0.3903 and the global average of 0.6382—this initiative underscores the government’s determination to tackle these challenges head-on.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Qualcomm has opened applications for the 2025 Qualcomm® Make in Africa Startup Mentorship Program. The initiative empowers early-stage startups using advanced connectivity and processing technologies.
The program offers business coaching, engineering consultations, and IP guidance to help turn ideas into market-ready solutions. Participants will receive personalized mentorship from Qualcomm leaders, gaining insights into product development and market strategies.
The application deadline is February 16, 2025.
InternCity Hub, a platform empowering young African tech enthusiasts, launched virtually on December 10 with an 8-week virtual bootcamp aimed at bridging the gap between education and industry demands.
The program provides hands-on experience in Frontend Development, Backend Development, Product Design, Product Management, Data Analysis, and Digital Marketing.
The initiative addresses youth unemployment by equipping participants with practical skills tailored for the tech industry. The next Cohort starts January 30, 2025.
AI is revolutionizing economic and social models worldwide, providing innovative solutions to complex challenges. In Africa, it raises significant hopes for accelerating sustainable development, reducing inequalities, and fostering local innovation.
The Congolese government views artificial intelligence (AI) as a strategic lever for accelerating digital and economic development, according to Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy Léon-Juste Ibombo. Speaking at the 3rd African StartUp Conference held in Algiers last week, Ibombo outlined the country's AI vision, emphasizing innovation and international collaboration.
One of the key priorities identified is the improvement of AI research. To meet this challenge, Congo, in partnership with the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), has launched the African Center for Research in Artificial Intelligence (CARIA). Located in Brazzaville, the center aims to act as a catalyst for innovation and south-south cooperation in fields such as computer vision, robotics, and genetic computing.
Léon-Juste Ibombo also highlighted Congo’s initiatives to direct AI toward economic and social development. For nearly seven years, the country has recognized digital innovation through the Sassou-Nguesso Prize, an initiative complemented by the Seeds for the Future program in collaboration with Huawei to promote local start-ups. In 2022, a specific law on start-up certification was enacted to encourage their growth and attract investments in this strategic sector.
Congo also seeks to play a key role in training and developing local skills by collaborating with Cameroon to establish an Inter-State University on Digital Technology. This strategic project aims to forge strong links between universities and industries to promote innovation and support young talent in fields such as AI and robotics.
Beyond research and training, the country aims to explore AI’s transformative potential in critical sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, transportation, and finance.
All these projects align with a continental momentum, where AI is seen as a technology capable of addressing major social and economic challenges. For Africa, leveraging this technology offers an opportunity to bridge the digital divide, modernize economies, and strengthen local capacities. According to Olumide Balogun, Google’s Director for West Africa, AI could contribute up to $1.5 trillion to Africa’s GDP by 2030.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Ride-hailing services have disrupted transportation, but autonomous technology marks the next evolution. Moove’s origin as an African startup tackling local mobility financing challenges exemplifies how innovations designed for underserved markets can address global needs.
Moove, a Nigerian-born fintech startup, has partnered with Waymo, Alphabet's autonomous vehicle division to manage fleets of self-driving cars in Phoenix, Arizona, and Miami, Florida. This initiative, announced on December 5, will introduce Waymo’s all-electric Jaguar I-PACE fleet to Miami streets by early 2025, with full ride-hailing operations expected in 2026 via the Waymo One app.
Ladi Delano, Moove's Co-founder and Co-CEO, highlighted the transformative nature of the collaboration, stating that it signals a major shift in urban mobility. “Moove is proud to partner with Waymo, bringing the operational expertise to make this transformation possible," he added.
Founded in 2020, Moove has revolutionized vehicle financing through its revenue-based model, allowing gig economy drivers to pay for vehicles using earnings. This innovative approach has empowered thousands across Africa and beyond, with the startup recently raising $100 million in a Series B funding round led by Uber. Moove has expanded into Mexico, India, and now the United States, demonstrating the growing global influence of African startups.
Through the Waymo partnership, Moove ventures into the autonomous vehicle sector, showcasing African innovation’s potential to solve complex global challenges. It represents a convergence of cutting-edge technology and innovative financing.
For Waymo, it enables faster scaling of its ride-hailing service while maintaining a high standard of safety and service. For Moove, it marks a pivotal moment in its global expansion and entry into advanced technologies.
This collaboration underscores the potential of African tech ecosystems to influence global industries. By leveraging their expertise, startups like Moove are paving the way for broader adoption of African-born solutions to address worldwide challenges.
Hikmatu Bilali
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He is an entrepreneur specializing in the healthcare sector, leveraging technology to revolutionize the delivery of healthcare services in Tanzania.
Henry Mathayo (photo) is a Tanzanian entrepreneur and digital innovator who is redefining access to healthcare through technology. He is the founder and CEO of MedPack Tanzania, a company leveraging mobile solutions to revolutionize healthcare delivery.
Founded in 2020, MedPack Tanzania aims to streamline access to essential medicines and healthcare products through advanced digital tools and fast service delivery. The company offers a mobile application designed to optimize inventory management, procurement, and sales for healthcare facilities.
The app also enables patients to order medications from pharmacies and have them delivered to their homes. Additionally, it provides a platform for scheduling medical appointments via telemedicine. "We are committed to revolutionizing the accessibility and delivery of healthcare by providing quality medicines and services to all Tanzanians at low cost with fast home delivery," the company's website states.
In addition to his work with MedPack, Mathayo is a co-founder and board member of Health Initiative Afrika, a startup established in 2017 that focuses on improving healthcare by addressing health challenges through education, technology, and innovation.
Trained in pharmacy and international relations, Henry Mathayo began his career in 2018 as a pharmacy technician at the Benjamin Mkapa Hospital. Between 2020 and 2022, he served as a data analyst at dLab Tanzania, a center dedicated to data management and utilization.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
After completing his studies in the United States, he returned to Uganda to apply his knowledge and skills for the benefit of his country. Passionate about technology, he developed innovative solutions that make it easier for people to access financial services and capital.
Abraham Banaddawa (photo) is a Ugandan investment advisor and technology entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of Level Africa, a company dedicated to simplifying, accelerating, and securing investments for individuals.
Founded in 2021, Level Africa offers a digital investment platform that provides users access to top-tier investment opportunities while delivering essential insights to grow their wealth. The platform enables investments in Treasury bonds, mutual funds, and fixed-income assets, offering returns of up to 17%.
"After extensive research, I founded Level to provide safe, vetted African investment opportunities. We prioritise user-friendly access, thorough vetting, and affordable entry points, starting at just $26," Banaddawa explains. Currently, Level Africa boasts over 500,000 users and serves around 50 institutional clients.
In addition to his work at Level Africa, Banaddawa is the founder and CEO of Utilis Ventures, a fintech company established in 2018. Utilis Ventures develops scalable and practical solutions to tackle financial challenges across Africa, actively addressing economic inequalities.
Banaddawa holds a bachelor's degree in biology with minors in chemistry and business from Florida Southern College, USA, which he earned in 2014. In 2016, he joined Zzimba Games as a creative designer, contributing to the game publishing industry. By 2019, he had transitioned to project management at CryptoSavannah, a tech company specializing in blockchain-based solutions.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Information and communication technologies (ICT) hold significant potential to foster creativity and learning from an early age. However, in Africa, their integration into education remains limited, hindered by a lack of preparedness and inadequate infrastructure.
SCHOOLAP, a digital platform dedicated to remote education, announced on Friday, December 6, a strategic partnership with the National Union of Secular Private Educational Institutions (UNEPEL) in Burkina Faso. The project aims to modernize more than 1,400 private secular schools across the country through tailored technological solutions.
“Several pilot schools in Ouagadougou are currently being activated with data collection, training for stakeholders, and the provision of educational tablets. Initial feedback has been very positive, particularly regarding tools designed for school directors,” SCHOOLAP stated in a press release.
This initiative aligns with a broader continental push for educational advancement. The African Union has designated 2024 as the "Year of Education," urging nations to intensify efforts to ensure inclusive, quality education. As part of this momentum, the African Union’s Digital Education Strategy (2023–2028) prioritizes the development of digital infrastructure in schools. Goals include equipping at least 50% of schools with high-speed internet by 2027 and ensuring that one-third of students and all teachers have access to digital devices by 2030.
The partnership between SCHOOLAP and UNEPEL represents a significant step forward for Burkina Faso, where digital educational infrastructure remains underdeveloped. By modernizing school management and providing tailored educational tools, this initiative not only enhances teaching but also positions the country within a continental vision focused on the future of education in Africa.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Africa has a young, tech-savvy population, but a significant skills gap in digital technologies remains. This gap is a barrier to maximizing the continent’s potential. Creating centers for digital skilling can directly address this challenge by providing targeted training for the youth to help accelerate the continent’s digital transformation.
Kenya has launched the Timbuktoo GreenTech Hub and the Africa Centre of Competence for Digital and AI Skilling to drive Africa's digital and green transformation. Led by the Ministry of Information, Communications, and Digital Economy (MICDE) in partnership with the UNDP, Konza Technopolis, and other stakeholders, the initiatives were inaugurated by President William S. Ruto on December 6.
President Ruto highlighted Africa’s untapped potential, stating, “Through the timbuktoo GreenTech Hub and the Africa Centre of Competence for Digital and AI Skilling, we can harness emerging technological opportunities and invest in ideas that propel Africa as the next frontier of tech-enabled response to the impacts of climate change and enhanced public service delivery.”
Ahunna Eziakonwa, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Africa Regional Director, noted, “Africa’s green and climate tech sectors hold immense potential. The timbuktoo GreenTech Hub will leverage initiatives like the Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative to unlock Africa’s green energy capacity.”
The timbuktoo GreenTech Hub, hosted at Konza Technopolis, invites African innovators to develop and scale climate solutions, while the Africa Centre of Competence will train 100,000 Kenyan civil servants in its first phase, expanding to include participants from Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Nigeria. It will equip civil servants with digital competencies to enhance efficiency and policymaking. Partners like Microsoft and Google are supporting the program to modernize public service delivery.
The timbuktoo GreenTech Hub is vital for Africa’s green transformation as it supports the development of climate-resilient solutions across the continent. Africa is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including extreme weather events, droughts, and rising temperatures. A report from the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) highlights that Africa contributes only 3.8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet it bears the brunt of the consequences of climate change. The hub aims to accelerate the development of green technologies by providing startups with the resources needed to scale their solutions.
Kenya is strategically positioned as a regional hub for digital and green innovation. The Konza Technopolis, where the GreenTech Hub is hosted, has been developed as “Africa’s Silicon Savannah,” and is poised to attract tech startups and investors. These initiatives advance the African Union’s vision for a prosperous, tech-driven, and inclusive continent.
Hikmatu Bilali