Facebook parent Meta is laying off about 8,000 employees worldwide as it shifts its focus to artificial intelligence (AI), with engineers bearing the brunt of the cuts. At the same time, the company is reassigning 7,000 employees to teams working on next-generation technologies. Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg has made AI the company’s top priority, even at the cost of reducing headcount to fund digital infrastructure.
Egyptian startup ARRW has raised $4 million to expand its ride-hailing platform. The company, the first local app to secure an official licence, plans to use the funding to recruit drivers and strengthen its technology. ARRW is positioning itself against global competitors with a safer service tailored to local users.
Registration is now open for the 2026 Enugu Gaming Summit, taking place on July 30-31. Hosted in partnership with the Enugu State Gaming Commission, the event will bring together tech companies, investors and gaming enthusiasts. The summit will feature discussions on industry innovation, player safety and payment technologies. Free and paid tickets are available on the official website.
- TikTok removed 820,552 videos in Kenya between October and December 2025 for violating community guidelines.
- The platform said artificial intelligence systems detected 99.9% of removed Kenyan videos before users reported them.
- TikTok suspended 108,752 Kenyan accounts during the quarter, including 93,704 accounts linked to suspected users under 13 years old.
Chinese social media platform TikTok removed 820,552 videos in Kenya between October and December 2025 for violating community guidelines, according to the company’s latest quarterly transparency report published on Tuesday, May 19.
The report detailed the platform’s global content moderation operations as digital platforms face growing criticism over harmful content management and the protection of underage users.
TikTok said artificial intelligence and machine-learning systems automatically detected 99.9% of the removed videos in Kenya before users reported them.
The company also said moderators removed 98.4% of content classified as violating platform rules within 24 hours after publication. The removals included misinformation, hate speech, violent content and online safety violations.
In addition, TikTok said it suspended 108,752 accounts in Kenya during the same period. Among those accounts, 93,704 allegedly belonged to users younger than 13 years old, which falls below the platform’s minimum age requirement.
The company said those measures formed part of its strategy to protect minors and strengthen digital safety as several countries tighten regulations targeting social media platforms.
The increase in moderation activity comes as digital usage and social media adoption continue to expand rapidly across Africa. According to DataReportal, Kenya counted more than 18 million active social media users by the end of 2025, driven by strong growth in mobile video consumption.
TikTok ranks among the most popular applications for young Kenyan users, particularly through short-form entertainment, music and news content.
Globally, TikTok said it removed more than 175.3 million videos during the fourth quarter of 2025, representing about 0.5% of all content published on the platform during the period.
The company said artificial intelligence tools automatically detected more than 152 million of those videos. However, TikTok also restored about 8.4 million videos after human review, highlighting the limitations of automated moderation systems.
Samira Njoya
- Pierre Kanoha founded Ayokai in 2021 to help European and African organizations optimize and secure digital tools.
- Ayokai launched Kokamba, an ERP platform for African SMEs, in 2024 with offline functionality for low-connectivity areas.
- Kanoha built his expertise through roles at Capgemini, ODDO BHF, Accor and STET.
French-Congolese entrepreneur Pierre Kanoha specializes in software testing and digital quality assurance. He founded Ayokai in 2021, a technology company operating in Europe and Africa that supports organizations in the creation, optimization and monitoring of digital tools.
Ayokai helps companies identify technical defects and stabilize platforms before deployment, whether for websites, mobile applications or internal software solutions. In addition, the company develops tailor-made digital products designed to remain simple and intuitive for both African and European markets.
Ayokai expanded its services in 2024 with the launch of Kokamba, an enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform designed for African small and medium-sized businesses.
The system allows companies to manage accounting, invoicing, human resources, payroll and financial reporting from a single dashboard. Moreover, the platform integrates regional regulatory requirements and includes an offline mode for businesses operating in areas with limited internet connectivity.
Alongside his entrepreneurial activities, Kanoha serves as operations and maintenance program manager at STET, a payment services operator in France.
Kanoha graduated from the University of Rennes with a bachelor’s degree in economics and business management in 2010. He later earned a master’s degree in innovative business management in 2012.
He built his expertise within major European corporations. He joined Capgemini in 2014 as a testing and quality assurance consultant. In 2022, he became head of quality assurance at ODDO BHF. Between 2024 and 2025, he worked as strategic head of quality assurance at Accor, a company specializing in hotels and restaurants.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Representatives from 24 African countries adopted a common 2026-2030 roadmap on personal data governance in Abidjan.
- Regulators called for stronger national data protection authorities and stricter compliance mechanisms for companies and public institutions.
- African regulators linked data security and digital trust to the continent’s projected $721 billion digital economy by 2050.
African personal data protection authorities want to accelerate the harmonization of digital regulations across the continent. Representatives from 24 African countries adopted a new roadmap covering the 2026-2030 period during the 9th conference of the African Network of Personal Data Protection Authorities (RAPDP) held this week in Abidjan.
African Network of Personal Data Protection Authorities organized the discussions with support from Ivory Coast Telecommunications and ICT Regulatory Authority. The participants sought to define a common African position on personal data governance, cybersecurity and the regulation of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
The declaration adopted after the meeting urged African states to treat personal data protection as a strategic digital sovereignty issue rather than a purely administrative or legal matter.
Consequently, regulators called for stronger national data protection authorities, improved coordination among African countries and stricter compliance mechanisms for both public institutions and private companies.
In addition, participants discussed the need to adapt African regulatory frameworks to the rapid growth of digital financial services, biometric technologies, global digital platforms and artificial intelligence applications.
The initiative comes as several African countries accelerate digital transformation projects linked to e-government services, digital payments and digital identity systems.
However, regulators warned that rapid digitalization also increases exposure to cyberattacks, personal data exploitation and technological dependence on large foreign platforms.
Therefore, African authorities aim to secure the long-term development of the continent’s digital economy while strengthening trust in digital systems.
Beyond regulatory concerns, African states also want to safeguard the expansion of the continent’s digital economy.
According to African Continental Free Trade Area, Africa’s digital economy could reach $721 billion by 2050 if governments and businesses sustain large-scale investments and digitalization efforts.
Regulators now consider digital trust and data security essential conditions for the development of e-commerce, digital financial services and public digital platforms across the continent.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Raji Kudus Adewale founded DeDataHub in 2024 to help professionals build careers in data and artificial intelligence.
- The platform provides virtual advisers, job-market analysis and interview preparation tools to improve employability.
- Adewale currently serves as product lead at JP Morgan Chase while expanding his entrepreneurship activities.
Raji Kudus Adewale is a Nigerian data product manager and entrepreneur. He founded DeDataHub, a platform designed to support professionals and learners seeking careers in data and artificial intelligence.
Founded in 2024, DeDataHub emerged from a clear observation: many aspiring tech professionals abandon career transitions because they lack mentorship, visibility on opportunities and professional support. Consequently, the start-up helps users understand labor-market trends, strengthen technical skills and build career strategies aligned with their ambitions.
DeDataHub differentiates itself by providing high-level career guidance that many professionals previously accessed only through closed networks or specialized consultants. The platform aims to help users understand recruiter expectations, identify critical skills and improve employability.
The platform offers several tools to support user progression. These tools include virtual advisers capable of recommending learning paths tailored to each user’s profile and career objectives. In addition, the start-up provides skills recommendations, job-offer analysis, project feedback and interview preparation support.
Furthermore, DeDataHub emphasizes labor-market monitoring. The company says it analyzes recruiter demand to help users focus on the most sought-after skills and avoid spending time on less relevant subjects.
Alongside DeDataHub, Adewale has hosted the podcast “Tech Journey With DeDataDude” since 2024. Through professional insights and personal testimonies, he shares practical action plans aimed at helping listeners succeed in the technology sector.
Adewale currently serves as product lead at JPMorganChase, the U.S. financial giant. He graduated in 2019 from the Federal University of Technology Akure with a bachelor’s degree in remote sensing and geographic information systems. He later earned a master’s degree in international business management from Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland.
Before launching his entrepreneurial venture, Adewale worked as a data scientist at Milsat between 2023 and 2024. At the same time, he served as a generative AI solutions engineer at Dana Consulting.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
Electric motorcycle leasing startup Spiro is expanding its vehicles and battery-swapping stations in Rwanda and Cameroon. Already operating in seven African countries, the company aims to replace fossil fuels with cleaner energy solutions. In Rwanda, it is also partnering with a local organization to train and finance women, helping them enter the fast-growing sustainable mobility sector.
Digital Africa, a French-backed initiative, is launching a $57 million fund to support African tech startups in 20 underserved markets often overshadowed by hubs such as Nigeria and Kenya. The fund will focus on early-stage ventures in healthcare, artificial intelligence and climate-related technologies.
Uganda’s Ministry of Technology has launched a call for local developers, universities and startups to submit software prototypes for the next generation of government IT systems. Applications are open until Saturday, May 30, ahead of an official presentation scheduled for June 25. The initiative aims to leverage local expertise to modernize public administration.
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- Rwandan entrepreneur Benoit Ngabonziza co-founded CityMoshi, a mobile platform launched in 2024 for discovering and organizing local events.
- The application targets tourism, hospitality and social networking through physical community experiences.
- Ngabonziza also leads consulting and cultural ventures focused on intellectual property, investment and African heritage promotion.
Ngabonziza co-founded CityMoshi and currently serves as the platform’s chief executive officer.
Founded in 2024, CityMoshi operates as a mobile application designed to help users discover, create and join physical events organized around them. The platform seeks to connect individuals through real-world experiences while supporting tourism, hospitality and social interaction at regional and international levels.
The application offers a broad range of tools for both users and event organizers. Individuals can search for cultural activities and social outings, while organizers can plan private or community gatherings, manage invitations and monitor participant feedback. In addition, CityMoshi includes a dedicated memory-storage feature that allows users to revisit and preserve past experiences.
Alongside his technology activities, Ngabonziza serves as managing partner at BeneDico Consult, a consulting firm specializing in intellectual property, trade and investment. He also founded Ikiringo Africa Culture Hub, a social enterprise focused on promoting the cultural heritage of sub-Saharan Africa.
Ngabonziza earned a master’s degree in international economics and intellectual property in 2014 from Volodymyr Dahl East Ukrainian National University. He later obtained a doctorate in international management in 2024 from Geneva Business School.
Ngabonziza started his professional career in 2015 at Rwanda’s Ministry of Youth and ICT, where he served as director of youth empowerment and program coordination. In 2017, he continued his work within the Ministry of Youth as director of youth economic empowerment. His expertise later led him toward international organizations.
In 2021, he became a consultant for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Between 2022 and 2023, he also worked in Rwanda as a national entrepreneurship expert for Expertise France.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Tunisia Customs integrated an artificial intelligence module into its national customs selectivity system to improve fraud detection and cargo screening.
- The system uses machine learning algorithms to analyze customs data and identify high-risk transactions automatically.
- Tunisian authorities recorded nearly 4,000 customs cases in the first quarter of 2026, involving seized goods worth more than 51 million Tunisian dinars ($17.6 million).
Tunisia Customs has continued its digital transformation by integrating an artificial intelligence-based module into the country’s national customs selectivity system, as authorities seek to modernize border controls and improve trade processing efficiency.
The Directorate General of Customs announced the measure in a statement published on Saturday, May 16, following a meeting of the central customs risk management commission held in Tunis.
The new system relies on machine learning algorithms capable of processing large volumes of customs data to identify transactions that present elevated fraud risks automatically.
In practice, the platform analyzes several variables, including the nature of goods, their origin, declared value, import histories and the profiles of economic operators.
Through those predictive models, customs authorities aim to improve the accuracy of suspicious cargo targeting, reduce systematic manual inspections and accelerate the processing of compliant shipments.
The initiative comes as Tunisian authorities pursue a broader modernization of the customs chain to support foreign trade and improve administrative efficiency.
The Directorate General of Customs is also developing “Sinda 2,” a next-generation digital platform designed to connect the various government agencies involved in customs operations. Authorities expect the first phase of the project to enter service by the end of 2026.
At the same time, Tunisia has expanded international partnerships to accelerate customs digitalization efforts. In April, Tunisia Customs launched, in cooperation with South Korea, an integrated electronic system project aimed at further digitizing customs procedures and strengthening transparency in administrative exchanges with economic operators.
The modernization effort also reflects growing economic and security concerns. According to data released by Tunisia Customs, authorities registered nearly 4,000 customs-related cases during the first quarter of 2026. The value of seized goods exceeded 51 million Tunisian dinars ($17.6 million).
Authorities seized foreign currencies, gold, cartridges, clothing and smuggled goods during those operations. Through the integration of artificial intelligence, Tunisian authorities aim to improve customs risk management, reduce processing times and strengthen the country’s logistics competitiveness.
The initiative also reflects a broader trend across customs administrations, where automated analytics technologies increasingly serve as strategic tools to secure trade flows while facilitating legitimate commerce.
Samira Njoya
- Ugandan entrepreneur Hakiza Ronald co-founded Vestafi, a real estate co-acquisition platform launched in 2025.
- Vestafi allows members to pool capital to acquire apartments and receive shares of rental income.
- The platform operates through an invitation-only model designed to maintain network quality and investor selection standards.
Hakiza Ronald co-founded Vestafi in 2025 and currently serves as the company’s chief executive officer.
Vestafi operates through a private-circle model in which members pool financial resources to acquire residential properties and receive proportional shares of the rental income generated by those assets.
According to the company, several properties in its portfolio already operate commercially and distribute dividends to participants.
Vestafi adopted an invitation-only structure to preserve the quality of its network and investor base. The registration process remains relatively straightforward. Applicants submit membership requests, and Vestafi’s team manually reviews each profile before granting access.
Once the company validates a profile, members gain access to a private platform where they can review detailed apartment listings and freely select both investment assets and contribution amounts.
Hakiza Ronald also serves on the board of Golden Boots Uganda, an organization that develops community programs focused on healthcare, sports and professional integration. Before launching Vestafi, he co-founded UgaBus in 2016, a startup specializing in travel technology solutions. Hakiza Ronald graduated from Makerere University and started his professional career in 2010 as a project manager at Straight Talk Foundation, an organization specializing in communication for social change. From 2017 to 2025, he also served on the advisory committee of Mr. Gift Uganda, a last-mile flower delivery platform.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
German programme develoPPP Ventures has launched a competition targeting early-stage African startups. Companies operating in countries including Côte d'Ivoire and Rwanda can receive up to €100,000 in non-dilutive funding. Applicants must already be generating revenue and secure matching funding from an external investor. Applications close on June 30.