Developped to support merchants in restocking their supplies, it positions itself as an intermediary to facilitate and streamline various commercial transactions.
Vuleka is a business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce platform developed by a South African startup to transform how informal merchants replenish their stocks. Founded in 2017 by Brian Makwaiba, the Johannesburg-based platform connects shop owners with small-scale manufacturers and wholesalers.
Vuleka allows users to create accounts and place orders either through its Android or iOS app or via WhatsApp. The platform consolidates these orders and purchases products in bulk directly from suppliers.
“We build credit profiles for informal and unbanked business owners platform then provide them with credit (loans) in order to acquire stock from us. They in turn give stock on credit to their customers who then pay them at an agreed upon time,” explains the startup.
To ensure seamless operations, Vuleka employs field agents who handle last-mile deliveries, assist with order placements, and collect data on products and customers. This data enables Vuleka to offer market insights, empowering manufacturers and merchants to make strategic decisions.
Vuleka’s innovative model has garnered recognition, earning it a spot in the eighth cohort of the Google for Startups Accelerator program. Alongside five other startups, Vuleka will receive a grant of 1 million rand (approximately $55,415), Google Cloud credits, individualized training, and access to a network of mentors.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
A finance expert and advocate for financial inclusion in Africa, she is passionate about digital transformation. Leveraging technology, she provides digital financial services to Cameroonians, aiming to bridge the gap and empower underserved communities.
Grace Jerolgan Nganakala (photo) is a Cameroonian accountant by training and a tech entrepreneur. She is the co-founder and CEO of Futa, a fintech startup transforming how Cameroonians manage their mobile money transactions.
Founded in 2022 by Grace Jerolgan Nganakala and Daniel Dang, Futa offers an innovative platform that consolidates all mobile money accounts into a single interface. This solution streamlines money transfers and payments across different operators while providing critical support to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Businesses can efficiently pay suppliers and employees, while employees gain simplified access to fast loans.
“Our platform develops a credit scoring system based on salary data and payment history to ease payroll management, boost employee productivity through hassle-free microloans, and accelerate credit analysis for financial institutions,” explains Nganakala.
In addition to her work with Futa, she co-founded Bayebi Consulting in 2021, a management consulting firm specializing in digital marketing and information technology. Bayebi Consulting supports businesses in achieving operational excellence.
Nganakala holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU), earned in 2017. She later obtained a master’s degree in finance from GBSB Global Business School in Spain in 2019 and another in international finance from the Graduate School of Management in Barcelona in 2020.
Her professional journey began in 2016 as an accounting assistant at Nissi Pharma, a Ghanaian pharmaceutical distribution company. In 2018, she joined the Barcelona-based fintech Kantox as a financial assistant. She later served as the administrative and financial manager for Dimbaya.com, a financial platform, in 2020.
Melchior Koba
The Lagos State Government has awarded N100 million ($59, 618.93) in grants to 26 innovative agripreneurs. The announcement was made during the inaugural Lagos Agrinnovation Summit held on November 14.
Beyond the financial support, these entrepreneurs receive mentorship, technical assistance, and access to an extensive professional network to scale their ventures.
The grants aim to promote sustainable practices across the agricultural value chain. It is part of Lagos State’s broader strategy to engage youth in agriculture and create a sustainable economy.
After graduating with a bachelor's degree, he moved to France, where he lived and worked for several years in the tech industry. He then embarked on an entrepreneurial journey, creating digital solutions for both professionals and individuals.
Fabrice Tra (photo) is an Ivorian computer scientist and tech entrepreneur. He is the co-founder and CEO of bim!, a company specializing in digital networking solutions.
Founded in 2022, bim! offers an innovative digital business card that allows users to instantly share personal or professional information with a friend, prospect, or client. This eco-friendly solution aims to make networking simpler, more efficient, and reliable. The startup’s products are managed via a mobile app, enabling users to store and update their professional details. The app also facilitates network management and prospect data collection at trade shows, fairs, and other professional events.
In addition, Fabrice Tra is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Tuzzo, a startup launched in 2023. Tuzzo helps merchants boost their revenue by selling products through social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and TikTok. It offers an application that centralizes all sales channels, streamlines operations, and enables targeted promotional campaigns to build customer loyalty and drive sales.
Fabrice Tra holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the Félix Houphouët-Boigny National Polytechnic Institute (INP-HB) in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, obtained in 2018. He also earned a master’s degree in computer methods applied to business management from the University of Rennes in 2021.
His career began in 2017 at Global Business Link Group, a company specializing in digital transformation, where he worked as an assistant IT project manager. In 2019, he interned in data visualization at Inria, France’s national institute for research in digital sciences and technologies.
In 2020, Tra joined DataGrowb’, a French company specializing in data and artificial intelligence, as an AI consultant. He later worked at Avril, a French industrial and financial group, as a technical architect. From 2021 to 2023, he served as a business and data analyst at Capgemini, a global leader in technology services.
Melchior Koba
Digital transformation has become a crucial driver of economic and social development worldwide. Governments and their partners are stepping up initiatives to harness digital potential and bridge technological divides.
On Monday, November 18, the Ivorian government launched the Digital Readiness Assessment (DRA) and the Digital Flagship for West Africa project. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Digital Transformation and Digitalization, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Italian embassy, these initiatives aim to strengthen the digital ecosystem and advance Côte d'Ivoire toward a connected, inclusive society.
“Although it’s just one step, we’re realizing a vision a Côte d'Ivoire firmly committed to digital transformation as championed by President Alassane Ouattara,” stated Ibrahim Kalil Konaté, Minister of Digital Transformation and Digitalization.
The Digital Readiness Assessment, developed by UNDP, serves as a strategic tool to set data-driven digital priorities. It also identifies technological opportunities that could accelerate sustainable development goals and enhance the country's digital preparedness.
Funded by the Italian government, the Digital Flagship for West Africa project focuses on improving connectivity in rural and remote areas, strengthening digital infrastructure, and creating efficient public digital systems.
Both projects align with the National Digital Development Strategy for 2025, which aims to connect the entire country, develop digital skills among civil servants and young people, and support digital entrepreneurship. Côte d'Ivoire has already made significant strides, with more than 30,240 km of fiber optic cable installed, covering 94.86% of the country’s localities as of March 31, 2024, according to the telecom regulator.
These new initiatives are expected to provide a detailed assessment of existing infrastructure, pinpoint gaps, and outline strategic priorities for balanced sector development. They also aim to reduce the digital divide by bringing quality Internet access to underserved areas, thereby promoting digital inclusion and territorial equity.
Samira Njoya
Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, is preparing to launch in Tanzania. Its local subsidiary, Starlink Satellite Tanzania Limited, has applied for national network facilities and application services licenses with the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), as confirmed in a public notice on November 15, 2024.
The TCRA has opened a 14-day public consultation period for stakeholders to comment on the applications, with a decision expected afterward.
Starlink’s expansion into Tanzania could help bridge the digital divide and improve connectivity nationwide.The service aims to provide high-speed satellite internet, particularly in underserved rural and remote areas.
Somali authorities aim to strengthen digital infrastructure. The telecom regulator is working with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to develop a new regulatory framework for fiber-optic submarine cables.
Somali plans to improve the country’s digital infrastructure by developing a unified fiber-optic deployment policy. For that purpose, the Ministry of Communications and Technology held public consultations on November 17 and 18 to gather input from stakeholders.
“The unified fiber-optic deployment policy aims to guide national telecom companies toward collaboration in installing and expanding fiber-optic cables. This initiative will help reduce the costs associated with deploying and expanding fiber infrastructure while promoting the growth of a modern digital economy and national interconnectivity,” the ministry announced on its Facebook page on November 17.
In its Digital Economy Diagnostic – Somalia report, published in March 2024, the World Bank indicated that Somalia’s domestic fiber network remains significantly underdeveloped and fragmented. It noted that only isolated segments have been deployed by sub-regional operators, while cross-border links remain weak. Although Somalia is connected to five international submarine cables, with a sixth expected in 2025, the lack of a robust domestic infrastructure limits the equitable distribution of available capacity.
“The absence of a robust backbone network prevents the distribution of international capacity across Somalia, yielding uneven access to broadband, mixed network quality, limited redundancy, and hampers market competition,” the report stated.
Densifying the national fiber-optic network through this policy could improve internet quality and coverage across Somalia. However, challenges persist, as the World Bank pointed out, which could hinder internet adoption, with penetration rates standing at only 27.6% in early 2024, according to DataReportal. Key obstacles include limited access to affordable, broadband-compatible devices, a lack of attractive data-based services, insufficient relevant local content, and a digital skills gap.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
Cloud technologies are essential to modern IT, enabling businesses to create scalable and resilient applications. However, a shortage of skilled professionals hinders adoption. Training African developers in this field opens access to high-paying tech jobs locally and globally.
Global talent outsourcing company Andela announced on November 15 a partnership with the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) to train 20,000 to 30,000 African developers in cloud-native basics. This initiative is part of a three-year program aimed at addressing the growing global demand for cloud-native expertise.
Andela CEO Carrol Chang highlighted the growing demand for skilled tech professionals in Africa. ”We are excited to partner with CNCF to extend training and, ultimately, enhance job opportunities for African workers. The continent is emerging as one of the most important markets in the world […] and its young workforce will be key to solving the tech talent shortage,” she stated.
The training program will take participants six to nine months to achieve certifications and is designed to ensure graduates are equipped to meet the needs of the global cloud-native ecosystem. It will focus on key cloud-native tools, including Kubernetes, and prepare participants for industry certifications like the Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate (KCNA) and Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD).
The program will be available to Andela’s talent marketplace of over 150,000 professionals, predominantly from Africa. Andela’s talent marketplace in Africa spans 49 countries; including Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana.
According to The Rise of the African Cloud 2023 report by Xalam Analytics, the African cloud market has emerged as a multi-billion-dollar opportunity, experiencing annual growth rates of 25% to 30%. This represents a transformative opportunity for the continent and global technology ecosystems through the creation of high-demand roles in IT.
The collaboration between Andela and CNCF offers African developers the chance to gain in-demand cloud computing skills, addressing the global talent shortage and enhancing their access to international opportunities. This initiative is a significant step toward bridging the digital skills gap, empowering African tech talent, and establishing their role as key contributors to the global technology landscape.
Hikmatu Bilali
African parliaments are increasingly turning to digital technologies to improve efficiency. However, the digital divide remains a significant challenge, hindering progress in many regions.
South Africa (8 out of 10), Zimbabwe (8), Burundi's Senate (7), Morocco (7), and Mauritius (7) lead the continent in digital maturity among African parliaments, according to a new report published in October 2024 by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), a global organization of sovereign state parliaments. The report is based on responses from 115 parliaments or chambers across 86 countries, as well as from supranational parliamentary organizations.
Titled the "World e-Parliament Report 2024," the report offers a comprehensive analysis of digital technology use in parliaments worldwide through a digital maturity index, an innovative benchmarking tool. This index assesses parliaments across six key areas: governance, digital strategy and management; infrastructure; parliamentary systems; user support; digital content and publications; and citizen engagement.
“The purpose of benchmarking is not to create a league table of ‘good’ or ‘bad’ parliaments. Rather, it supports strategic decision-making on the use of digital technologies by highlighting the factors that can affect maturity,” the IPU stresses.
In addition to the leaders, Tunisia (6), Burundi's National Assembly (5), and Malawi (5) stand out with scores of 5 or higher. However, sub-Saharan Africa remains underrepresented among the top performers. According to the IPU, 50% of parliaments in the region rank among the 30 least digitally mature institutions, a situation attributed to a lack of modernization initiatives, insufficient investment in new digital systems, and an absence of ambitious digital transformation programs.
Distribution of parliaments by region for each decile ranking
At the bottom of the index, parliaments in countries like Djibouti, Lesotho, Madagascar, and the Central African Republic scored an average of 1 out of 10, reflecting significant gaps in digital adoption.
To address these gaps, the report recommends that institutions and governments develop clear strategic visions and comprehensive digital strategies; allocate adequate financial, human, and technological resources; establish robust governance frameworks; invest in capacity building; prioritize citizen participation; and strengthen inter-parliamentary collaboration.
Additionally, generative artificial intelligence is highlighted as a strategic lever to accelerate parliamentary digital transformation, offering the potential to deliver valuable insights and enhance the accessibility of parliamentary processes.
Samira Njoya
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In recent years, ride-hailing services have gained popularity across Africa. In Nigeria, two tech entrepreneurs have decided to enter the market by offering luxury ride-hailing services.
Wenzo is a premium ride-hailing solution developed by a Nigerian startup. The platform, launched in 2023 by Precious Okafor and Gbenga Fola-Alade, Wenzo operates offices in Lagos, Nigeria; Accra, Ghana; and Dover, Delaware, in the United States.
It offers an iOS-exclusive mobile app, where users create an account to access the service. Based on their location and destination, they are matched with drivers ready to provide their rides. Notably, Wenzo collaborates with various leisure destinations from beaches to restaurants to enhance the experience for users headed to these spots in its service areas.
Beyond standard rides, Wenzo allows bookings for events, such as weddings, conferences, or tourist outings, providing transportation for guests or speakers to select venues. Since its launch, the startup has not conducted any fundraising to fuel its growth.
In October, it was selected as one of ten early-stage startups to pitch at Angel Fair Africa in Nairobi, Kenya. Organized by Chanzo Capital in partnership with Startupbootcamp AfriTech, MEST Africa, Antler, iHub, and GrowthAfrica, the event offers Wenzo a chance to capture investor interest for potential future funding rounds.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
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He has over seven years of experience in IT, project management, business development, and operations. He leverages technology to advance education in Africa, making it more accessible for everyone.
Pacifique Nezerwa (photo) is a Rwandan social entrepreneur and tech innovator. He is the founder and CEO of Nelevat, a startup describing itself as a “social edtech enterprise” dedicated to raising education standards and empowering learners to unlock their full potential.
Founded in 2023, Nelevat offers a wide range of educational resources, interactive activities, and instant feedback to help learners progress effectively. Its online courses feature engaging content and assessments to measure participants' understanding and advancement. The startup also provides valuable data insights to enhance the learning experience.
Nelevat tailors its digital training programs to suit various learner profiles. The company believes that “With good Education and the right Technology, people and institutions today can still solve hard problems and change the world for better.”
Nezerwa holds a bachelor’s degree in information technology from the University of Kigali in Rwanda. His professional career began in 2019 at Hamwenawe Group Ltd, an online broadcasting company, where he worked as a digital data administrator. In 2022, he joined the Kenyan logistics startup Amitruck as a depot supervisor in Rwanda.
In 2021, he served as a web developer at WKS Trading, a company specializing in trade, maritime transport, and freight shipping. In 2023, he partnered with DIFFvelopment, an organization dedicated to strengthening skills among young Black talent, as an operations consultant.
Melchior Koba
A trained computer scientist, she has several years of experience with tech companies in the United States. She now leverages her expertise to support businesses and brands worldwide.
Stéphanie Assi (photo), an Ivorian entrepreneur specializing in technology, is the founder and CEO of Meraky Tech, a digital experience consulting firm that partners with global brands to drive innovation. Founded in 2019 and based in Montreal, Canada, Meraky Tech supports businesses in their digital transformation journeys by delivering tailored solutions. The firm stands out for its expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), web and mobile development, reputation management, data tracking and analysis, digital marketing, and UX/UI design.
In addition to its digital transformation consulting, Meraky Tech offers technology integration and digital project management services. In just five years, the company has completed over 700 digital projects, thanks to a team of more than 30 experts.
Beyond her work with Meraky Tech, Assi co-founded Moja Ride in 2017, an Ivorian platform that consolidates public and private transportation options onto a single digital interface. She served as the company’s Chief Technology Officer from 2019 to 2023.
A graduate of the University at Albany, United States, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science, Assi began her career in 2010 as a web developer with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. She joined IBM in 2012 as a developer, and in 2014, she took on the role of Chief Technologist at Booz Allen Hamilton, an American IT consulting firm.
In 2018, she became Software Technical Lead at Accenture, a global technology company. Two years later, she was appointed Director of Engineering at IntelliBridge, while also serving as Technical Lead at Koniag, an American investment management company.
Stéphanie Assi's career reflects her commitment to leveraging technology for business transformation, both in Africa and globally, and her work continues to shape the digital landscape.
Melchior Koba
Anambra aims to integrate information and communication technologies across all sectors of the economy. It previously initiated projects to strengthen digital infrastructure, notably through a project to establish an Internet Exchange Point.
Anambra State, Nigeria, plans to develop its own data management platform as part of efforts to fast-track its digital transformation. With an estimated budget of 97.08 million naira (about $57,200), the project received approval last week during a State Executive Council meeting.
“By enabling better data integration across sectors, the platform will ensure that vital information is accessible in real-time for decision-makers, supporting data-driven governance,” said Law Mefor, Anambra’s Commissioner for Information.
The initiative is part of Anambra’s broader ambition to leverage technology to improve governance and drive development. Guided by its strategic vision, "Everything Technology, and Technology Everywhere," the state government aims to establish a digital economy that attracts investors, innovators, and businesses.
To achieve these digital ambitions, Anambra has been implementing various projects to upgrade its digital infrastructure. In August 2023, the state eliminated right-of-way fees to speed up fiber optic deployment. By July 2024, it had launched an extensive project to lay 2,400 kilometers of fiber optic cable, a move that supports its goal of providing free Wi-Fi across the state. Additionally, the government is planning to establish other essential digital infrastructure, including an Internet Exchange Point (IXP).
This data management platform is expected to contribute to Nigeria’s broader digital transformation, as Africa’s digital economy is projected to reach at least $712 billion by 2050—equivalent to 8.5% of the continent's GDP—according to a joint study by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Google. However, the timeline for the platform’s development and implementation has not yet been disclosed.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
Satellite technologies are becoming a strategic tool for nations looking to fast-track their digital development. In this context, access to advanced technologies is essential to meet the growing demand for connectivity.
Augustin Kibassa, Congolese Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information and Communication Technologies (PT-NTIC), visited the facilities of satellite manufacturer Thales Alenia Space in France on Thursday. During his visit, Kibassa met with European company executives and toured the entire satellite production process, from design to launch. This visit aligns with the Congolese government's goal of developing satellite capabilities to meet a range of national needs.
Just two days earlier, on November 12, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) signed a memorandum of understanding with satellite operator Monacosat. This strategic partnership reflects the DRC's ambition to expand its internet capacity through various telecom technologies, aiming to deliver quality telecom services nationwide, including its most remote regions.
While the PT-NTIC ministry has not disclosed specific strategic goals for the Thales Alenia Space visit, the trip suggests potential responses to the DRC's previously expressed concerns about territorial surveillance. In 2022, the Congolese government announced its interest in acquiring a $100 million Earth observation satellite funded domestically. An official tender was issued by the Ministry of Scientific Research and Technological Innovation that November.
Whether for telecommunications or Earth observation, satellites represent high-value technology. For the DRC, which faces significant security and economic challenges, satellites could be instrumental in securing borders and localities against rebel groups, identifying areas affected by natural disasters, combating illegal mining activities, and assessing the condition of the country's critical infrastructure.
Samira Njoya