He is working to mitigate the effects of climate change and strengthen Africa's agricultural sector. To do this, he's using his technological know-how.
Christian Kusi (photo) is a Ghanaian expert in the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and cybersecurity. He is also an entrepreneur, and the founder and CEO of Climate Tech Solutions, a startup focused on agricultural technologies.
Founded in 2021, Climate Tech Solutions aims to combat global hunger and promote sustainable farming practices. The company harnesses technologies like IoT, AI, and renewable energy to transform agriculture, especially in regions hardest hit by climate change.
Through AI, the company helps farmers improve crop yields. It develops smart farms that can be automated and monitored in real time, and provides solutions to ensure a consistent water supply for agriculture.
Christian Kusi also serves as a technology consultant at The Innovation Spark, an organization supporting Africa’s startup ecosystem. Additionally, he is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) instructor at Firefly IO, a non-profit organization focused on passing these skills on to young people.
He graduated from Valley View University in 2023 with a bachelor's degree in computer science. Between 2022 and 2024, he worked as a STEM instructor at InovTech STEM Center, a Ghanaian organization that provides STEM training and hands-on learning experiences for students of all ages. In 2023, he interned in machine learning at minoHealth AI Labs, a pioneering AI startup in the healthcare sector.
Melchior Koba
A serial entrepreneur, he is committed to developing technological solutions for the e-commerce sector. He has already co-founded three tech startups in Egypt.
Mohamed Ezzat (photo) is an Egyptian electronics engineer and entrepreneur. He is the co-founder and CEO of Bosta, a tech startup specializing in logistics and financial solutions for e-commerce.
Founded in 2017, Bosta is an innovative logistics company offering next-day delivery and rapid transfer services to e-commerce businesses in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Its mission is to simplify shipping—whether for small documents, parcels, or large items—for businesses of all sizes.
The startup claims over 25 stores, 15,000 sellers, and 1,000 representatives. According to its website, it is "the largest transportation company for e-commerce and the number one trusted delivery partner, providing an exceptional experience on both ends, with futuristic technology that places us at the forefront of the market.”
Before founding Bosta, Mohamed Ezzat co-founded Lynks in 2014, an e-commerce company where he served as Chief Operating Officer until 2016, and remains an advisor today. His first start-up, DealGamed, an online store focused on offering a wide range of products to customers, also launched in 2014.
Ezzat graduated from the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in electronics and communications engineering. Between 2008 and 2015, he worked as a technical project manager at Alcatel-Lucent, a provider of communication, networking, and cloud services for businesses, before the company's acquisition by Nokia.
Melchior Koba
Digital payments provide access to financial services for unbanked or underbanked people. By facilitating easier and faster transactions, digital payments can boost economic activities. They reduce the costs associated with cash handling and improve the efficiency of businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
KaiOS Technologies, a provider of affordable smart-feature phones, has partnered with Mastercard to integrate digital payment solutions into its devices, the latter announced on September 25. Starting in Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria, this collaboration aims to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing markets by making digital payment acceptance more accessible and affordable.
Jorn Lambert, Mastercard’s Chief Product Officer, stated, "Acceptance fuels a successful digital economy. Our goal is to make it easy for merchants, from micro-merchants in Cote d'Ivoire to larger enterprises globally, to accept digital payments as easily as consumers make them."
Through this partnership, KaiOS-powered devices will offer Mastercard’s secure payment options, enabling even the smallest businesses to accept payments easily via Mastercard QR Pay by Link. Shortly, they will also support contactless payments using Tap & Go technology. Signing up for this service is simple, requiring business owners to use their KaiOS device to enroll, authenticate with a one-time password, and start accepting digital payments.
The partnership will initially focus on African markets, leveraging local partners like Touch and Pay Technologies (TAP) and Wizzit to extend these solutions to merchants across the continent.
As one of the continent's most active investment sectors, fintech plays a critical role in driving financial inclusion and digital transformation. According to Mastercard, fintech start-ups in Africa have emerged as one of the most vibrant sectors for investment, attracting close to $3 billion in funding.
By integrating digital payment solutions into affordable KaiOS-powered devices, this initiative taps into a rapidly growing market. It will help bridge the gap for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have struggled with adopting digital payments due to cost barriers, contributing to the expansion of Africa's digital economy and supporting further investment in fintech. This initiative is expected to significantly boost financial inclusion and the digital economy in underserved regions.
Hikmatu Bilali
As businesses and governments accelerate digital transformation, demand for data storage, cloud computing, and AI capabilities is surging. This surge in demand is further fueled by emerging technologies, which generates vast amounts of data requiring advanced storage and processing capabilities.
Qatar-based telecom Ooredoo Group announced, on September 24, a major step in its data centre expansion plans, securing QAR 2 billion (US$549.4 million) in financing. The deal is backed by QNB, Doha Bank, and Masraf Al Rayan, with a 10-year hybrid facility aimed at accelerating Ooredoo's data centre and AI infrastructure capabilities across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Ooredoo Group CEO Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo noted, "This financing deal marks a major milestone in our strategic vision for expanding our data center and AI business, and we are excited to meet the region’s increasing demand while upholding our commitment to sustainable, energy-efficient infrastructure."
The funds will be strategically used to separate existing data center assets from Ooredoo's telecom operations. It will focus on enhancing capacity and upgrading infrastructure to meet the increasing demand for AI, cloud services, and hyperconnectivity in the MENA region.
The financing deal marks a significant milestone in Ooredoo's efforts to build a robust digital infrastructure, driving growth in regional AI and cloud services, and positioning the company as a critical player in the burgeoning data economy of the MENA region.
This growth aligns with the broader trend in the MENA region, where demand for data centers is expected to rise due to increased cloud adoption and accelerated computing needs. According to MENA Data Center Market: Current Analysis and Forecast (2023-2030) by market research aggregator Global Information, the MENA data center market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.5% during the forecast period, driven by the rise of smart cities, e-commerce, and cloud adoption.
Hikmatu Bilali
She is an entrepreneur with several years of experience in the construction industry. Her goal is to help professionals in the sector enhance their performance.
Eya Hammouda, a Tunisian tech entrepreneur (photo), is the co-founder and CEO of BIMFLOW, a startup offering an immersive virtual reality (VR) platform designed for teams in the construction and real estate sectors. Founded in 2022, BIMFLOW allows construction professionals to virtually tour, collaborate, test, and revise projects in real time. The platform also optimizes workflows by automating repetitive tasks, saving time and resources, with the ultimate goal of improving efficiency in construction.
BIMFLOW’s solution, Stride, enhances teamwork by ensuring seamless collaboration across construction projects. From task delegation and progress tracking to identifying potential obstacles, Stride provides full visibility into every aspect of a project, helping teams stay on course and aligned with objectives.
In addition to her role at BIMFLOW, Hammouda is also the managing director of HK Consulting, a Tunisian firm active in the construction sector. She holds a master's degree in Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Law from the Institut Supérieur des Sciences et Technologies de l’Environnement in Borj-Cedria, which she completed in 2012.
Hammouda began her career in 2011 as a media analyst at MediaScan, a marketing research firm. In 2012, she joined ETPPM (Entreprise de Travaux Publics Pétroliers et Maritimes), where she rose through the ranks from chief coordinator to director of marketing and business development. By 2015, she became director of public relations and marketing at Raven Prod, an audiovisual production company. In 2022, she also worked as an educational technologist at her alma mater in Borj-Cedria.
Hammouda has received numerous awards for her contributions to the industry. In 2022, she won the Workforce of the Future award at the Big 5 Impact Awards, which recognizes sustainability, collaboration, and technological advancements in the construction sector. In 2024, she was named one of the 50 finalists for Africa’s Business Heroes, a prestigious recognition celebrating Africa’s top entrepreneurs.
Melchior Koba
The Senegalese government is positioning artificial intelligence (AI) as a key driver of economic growth across various sectors. On September 19, the Ministry of Digital Economy unveiled a plan to reform the educational system to meet the evolving challenges and opportunities presented by AI.
Senegal's Minister of Communications, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy, Alioune Sall, met with Meta's Vice President Nick Clegg on September 25 to discuss a potential partnership for an AI data center in Senegal. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in Washington.
The AI data center would enable the processing of large volumes of data and the execution of advanced algorithms, thereby accelerating the development and deployment of AI applications in the country. The Senegalese government has already launched several initiatives, including the creation of a national AI strategy. In January, former President Macky Sall unveiled a roadmap outlining priority actions, with a budget of 7 billion CFA francs (about $11.9 million) allocated for the next two years.
Digital technology is a key pillar of Senegal’s socio-economic development, and the government views AI as a "catalyst for the Plan for an Emerging Senegal, youth employment, economic performance, public sector transformation, sovereignty, and the attractiveness of the country." A July 2024 study by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) estimates that AI could boost Africa's economy by $2.9 trillion by 2030, equivalent to an annual GDP increase of 3%.
However, while AI holds significant economic potential for Senegal, its adoption faces challenges, such as limited internet access. According to DataReportal, the country's internet penetration rate stood at 60% for its approximately 18 million inhabitants at the beginning of 2024. This presents a hurdle to fully harnessing AI’s transformative potential in Senegal.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
He actively encourages and supports the tech community in Africa. His efforts have been recognized with numerous awards and honors in his native South Africa.
Mixo Ngoveni (photo) is a South African tech entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Geekulcha, a platform that connects information and communication technology (ICT) students with the professional world.
Founded in 2013, Geekulcha brings together young, skilled, creative, and ambitious talent in the tech sector. The platform fosters knowledge sharing and collaboration on various projects. It organizes tech events, offers training, and helps students enhance and strengthen their skills. Geekulcha also hosts hackathons and numerous tech events, providing its "geek" community with opportunities to develop digital skills. Its mission is to make South Africa’s tech ecosystem more competitive while ensuring that innovative tech solutions incorporate sustainability wherever possible.
Mixo Ngoveni holds a bachelor's degree in computer science, with a focus on business applications, which he earned in 2013 from Tshwane University of Technology. Between 2011 and 2013, he was a "Microsoft Student Partner" while also serving as an assistant at the mLab incubator. From 2018 to 2021, he was the head of Red Bull Basement in South Africa, a tech initiative from the Red Bull brand.
Ngoveni has been recognized and celebrated as one of South Africa’s top young leaders and entrepreneurs by various media outlets and organizations. Notably, he was featured in the Mail & Guardian's Top 200 Young South Africans in 2015 and was a finalist for the South African Institute of Information Technology Professionals (IITPSA) IT Personality of the Year award in 2017.
Melchior Koba
To ensure a successful digital transformation, Morocco is prioritizing the development of a highly skilled workforce. The country is strategically partnering with government agencies and private sector organizations to address this critical need.
Morocco's Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform on Wednesday announced the signing of three partnership agreements to support the country's "Morocco Digital 2030" strategy. The agreements, with government ministries, public institutions, and private sector stakeholders, aim to accelerate Morocco's digital ambitions.
The first agreement, a program contract for 2024-2030, focuses on developing the outsourcing sector. Signatories include the Ministry Delegate for the Budget, the Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion, the Tanger Med Special Agency, and the Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development. The goal is to boost service migration and position Morocco as a regional outsourcing leader.
The second agreement, funded by the Ministry of Digital Affairs, will launch a scholarship program for doctoral assistants. In partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education and the National Center for Scientific and Technical Research, the program will offer 550 scholarships worth 7,000 dirhams per month for three years. It aims to foster research and innovation in digital technology.
The third partnership, financed by the Ministry of Digital Transition, will promote research in advanced technologies and train a new generation of digital specialists. In collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Inclusion, the agreement seeks to strengthen national expertise in these critical areas.
These agreements align with the "Morocco Digital 2030" strategy, which aims to create 240,000 direct jobs in the digital sector and contribute 100 billion dirhams to GDP by 2030. Morocco is committed to becoming a key player in the global digital economy.
Samira Njoya
The adoption of a digital traceability system facilitates better quality control and enhances the reputation of African produce globally. It will offer new opportunities for farmers and exporters while addressing the barriers that have historically hindered market access.
Uganda is adopting a digital traceability system aimed at boosting the global competitiveness of its fruit and vegetable farmers, Dr. Caroline Nankinga from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries revealed at a press conference held on September 23.
Dr. Nankinga emphasized the system’s role in enhancing efficiency, noting that, starting September 30, 2024, agricultural inspectors will use the platform to verify consignments, expediting operations.
The system, developed by the Re-engineering of Uganda's Sanitary and Phytosanitary Inspection of Horticulture Exports (RUSH) initiative, seeks to improve tracking of fresh produce from farms to Entebbe International Airport, ensuring compliance with international standards and reducing market access barriers caused by past interceptions. It is set to transform the inspection and certification process, replacing the outdated manual documentation methods with a streamlined digital platform.
One of the major benefits of RUSH is its ability to address long-standing challenges, such as delays and interception risks due to manual processes. Exporters can now upload essential documents online, enabling real-time compliance checks and swift corrective measures if issues arise during inspections.
Pests and diseases are major causes of export interceptions in Uganda. According to HortiFresh, a business membership organization that supports Uganda's Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (FFV) sector, in 2022, over 200 interceptions were reported due to pests, leading to substantial revenue losses for exporters. The RUSH system's digital traceability solution directly addresses these challenges by ensuring better monitoring, compliance, and real-time corrective actions. This can help reduce interceptions, safeguard revenue, and restore confidence in Uganda's agricultural exports.
Hikmatu Bilali
The technological revolution is steadily advancing across Africa, impacting every sector and offering numerous advantages. In the field of education, two tech entrepreneurs have developed a tailored solution specifically for schools.
Tespire is an innovative edtech solution developed by a Nigerian startup that enables schools to fully digitize their administrative systems while allowing parents to monitor every aspect of their children's education. Based in Abuja, the company was founded in 2022 by Abdulkadir Suleiman Lapai and Umar Madugu. In September 2024, Tespire announced the successful completion of a funding round, though the amount raised remains undisclosed, aimed at supporting its expansion efforts.
“Tespire’s vision goes beyond just fixing administrative issues. They are committed to using the power of data to increase access to quality education across Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan African countries, starting with local schools and scaling toward a broader national and international market,” stated Abdulkadir Suleiman Lapai.
The platform operates as a web portal where parents can directly access comprehensive school-related information, including tuition fees, class schedules, and enrollment processes. If a parent selects a Tespire-affiliated school, they can navigate to the school’s webpage from their computer, choose the application portal, and click "Go."
On the left side of the page, they select "New Applicants," fill in the necessary fields, and submit the application. If accepted, the parent receives an application number for their child. Subsequently, they can log into their dashboard to complete the enrollment process.
Access to Tespire's services incurs a fee. The startup offers various subscription plans for schools to join its partner database, with options starting at 2,000 naira (approximately $1.21), 2,500 naira, and higher. Tespire has ambitious plans for growth, aiming to expand its reach across Nigeria and into other countries within the region.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
More...
Morocco aims to build an information society by significantly integrating ICT into all sectors of the economy by 2030. To realize this vision, a strategic roadmap has been developed, with clear objectives and concrete actions to be implemented.
On Wednesday, September 25, Morocco officially unveiled its national strategy, "Digital Morocco 2030," an ambitious roadmap aimed at transforming the kingdom into a regional and international digital hub by 2030. The strategy is built around two main pillars and key objectives to accelerate economic and social development through digital transformation, while enhancing the country's global competitiveness.
Digital Job Creation and Training
A major goal of this strategy is the large-scale creation of jobs in the digital sector. To support this initiative, the government has allocated an investment of 11 billion dirhams ($1.14 billion) between 2024 and 2026. Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch outlined Morocco’s aim to train 100,000 young people annually in digital professions, a significant increase from the 14,000 trained in 2022. The objective is to create 240,000 jobs in the digital sector by 2030, addressing the growing demand for skilled workers.
Digitization of Public Services Through AI
Another critical pillar of the strategy focuses on the digitization of public services. Morocco aims to improve its global ranking in the United Nations' e-Government Development Index, seeking to move from 90th to 50th place by 2030. The country has already taken concrete steps by digitizing 600 public services: 300 for citizens, 200 for businesses, and 100 for government agencies. Artificial intelligence (AI) will play a crucial role in optimizing these services. Planned AI-based solutions will automate administrative processes and analyze data to anticipate user needs and improve service quality.
Boosting the Digital Economy and Promoting Exports
The "Digital Morocco 2030" strategy also emphasizes developing the digital economy. One key objective is to increase digital export revenues, which are expected to rise from 17.9 billion dirhams in 2023 to 40 billion by 2030. To achieve this, Morocco plans to expand outsourcing services, establish 3,000 startups by 2030 (1,000 of them by 2026), and raise 7 billion dirhams in funding. The country also aims to foster the emergence of one or two unicorn companies, which would significantly enhance its attractiveness in technology and innovation.
Strengthening Digital Infrastructure: 5G and Fiber Optics
Developing digital infrastructure is another central aspect of the strategy. Morocco aims for 70% nationwide 5G coverage and plans to connect 5.6 million households to fiber optics. Additionally, improving internet access in 1,800 rural communities is a priority, ensuring an inclusive digital transition and bridging the digital divide between urban and rural areas. The government also intends to establish a sovereign cloud, a crucial infrastructure to enhance the country's technological independence and secure national data.
Strategic Partnerships and Offshoring Development
The rollout of "Digital Morocco 2030" began with the signing of several partnership agreements between the Ministry of Digital Transition, public institutions, and private sector stakeholders. Among these partnerships is a program contract for developing offshoring, a sector in which Morocco seeks to become a leader. Other partnerships focus on strengthening vocational training in digital professions and attracting more investments in information technology. In the coming years, Morocco aims to forge numerous strategic partnerships across various digital fields.
The "Digital Morocco 2030" strategy represents a major turning point for the country, as it strives to become a key digital hub in Africa and beyond. By combining efforts in training, infrastructure, strategic partnerships, and the growth of the digital economy, Morocco is well-positioned to achieve its ambitious goals.
Samira Njoya
She has over 17 years of experience in media, communication, and technology. She also supports the creation and development of high-impact tech companies in Africa.
Irene Phoebe Kiwia (photo), a Tanzanian tech entrepreneur based in South Africa, is the co-founder and Chief Growth Officer of Adanian Labs, a high-impact tech venture studio that drives digital transformation across Africa. Founded in 2020, Adanian Labs focuses on the creation, development, and scaling of tech startups, emphasizing innovation in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT). The studio provides expert software engineering support to help startups develop tailored solutions and has successfully created over 40 tech startups to date.
In addition to startup creation, Adanian Labs enhances the capabilities of tech teams through training programs in software development, data science, IoT, AI, and blockchain. These offerings include short courses, boot camps, and masterclasses. The studio also provides a comprehensive suite of services, including legal support, accounting, financial planning, technology management, human resources, and marketing.
Irene Kiwia is a member of Top Tier Impact, a global ecosystem of investors and entrepreneurs, and serves as the Tanzanian ambassador for the Women in Africa Initiative. She is also on the advisory board of African Women in Energy and Power.
Before co-founding Adanian Labs, Kiwia established Frontline Media Africa in 2006, a pan-African media and communications firm focused on technology. In 2017, she launched Twaa, an AI-powered knowledge-sharing and mentorship platform for women and girls in Africa. In 2019, she founded eCOBba, an AI-driven fintech company, and in 2021, she established The Africa Blockchain Center, a Web 3 company specializing in blockchain skills and solutions development.
Kiwia holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Public Administration from the University of Dar es Salaam (2004) and a master’s degree in Marketing (2011). In 2015, she was named Africa Woman of the Year by Africa Reconnect, a pan-African platform dedicated to women's empowerment and girls' education.
Melchior Koba
The digital transformation underway in Africa aims, among other things, to equip populations with essential digital skills to adapt to the demands of the modern world. It is crucial that this modernization be inclusive, ensuring everyone can benefit from the opportunities the digital age offers.
The British government has announced a funding of 390 million shillings ($3.02 million) to improve digital access in Kenya. This information was revealed on Monday, September 23, by the British Deputy High Commissioner to Kenya, Ed Barnett (, left), during the launch of a digital agricultural project in Busia County. The funding is aimed at enhancing digital access in the counties of Busia and Mandera, specifically for marginalized populations.
"Putting young people, women and persons with disabilities at the heart of development is transformative. The UK is committed to working with Kenya to ensure these underserved groups within the population enhance their digital skills and their access to vital services like e-citizen, secure jobs and participate meaningfully in this digital world," said Ed Barnett.
This initiative is part of the "Strengthening Digital Communities" project, which seeks to promote the digital inclusion of marginalized groups in these regions. The goal is to reach more than 190,000 people, including 10,000 young people, while contributing to Kenya's ambition to train 20 million citizens in digital skills by 2027.
The collaboration between the British High Commission and the Kenya Information Communication and Technology Action Network (KICTANet) will particularly focus on digital employability. It will identify high-potential young women and youth, training them in job-ready skills, mentoring, financial management, and entrepreneurship.
The financial support will also facilitate ongoing digitization efforts in Busia and Mandera counties, through community awareness campaigns on cybersecurity, digital hygiene, and the benefits of digital inclusion. Furthermore, the project will support the production of research, policy briefs, and other strategic documents aimed at improving public ICT policies.
Samira Njoya
He is an expert in supporting and financing innovation in Africa. He runs a startup incubator in the Republic of the Congo.
Dexter Trésor Omono is a Congolese entrepreneur and businessman. He is the founder and CEO of Kosàla, an organization dedicated to supporting innovative startups in Africa.
Founded in 2020, Kosàla helps develop startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Central Africa, guiding them from the ideation stage to project realization. The organization offers its expertise and network to assist these companies in securing the necessary funding for success. While Kosàla is open to all types of projects, it places particular emphasis on technological and environmental initiatives. The organization provides a structured approach to help entrepreneurs, from data collection to analysis, facilitating effective decision-making. To date, Kosàla has received 16,450 requests for support and has backed 4,186 projects, 3,136 of which were led by women.
Dexter Trésor Omono also serves as an observer on the Local Development Council at the French Embassy in Congo. He is a consultant for the World Bank’s Digital Transformation Acceleration Project and is part of the scientific team of the National Digital Summit, which is affiliated with Congo’s Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and the Digital Economy.
Omono holds a technical diploma in human resource management from the Institute of Advanced Management Studies, obtained in 2011. In 2021, he earned a postgraduate diploma in project management from the Canadian Academy of Management and Technology, followed by a master’s degree in international trade from HEC Morocco in 2022.
His career began in 2011 at Escom Group, an investment management firm in Congo, where he worked as a logistics officer. In 2018, he joined Oukaley, a crowdfunding platform for sub-Saharan Africa, as the representative for Congo and the DRC. In 2021, he became a specialist consultant for the International Association of Francophone Mayors.
Melchior Koba