- Wuilt enables users to create fully functional websites and e-commerce stores within minutes without coding skills.
- The platform targets Africa’s fast-growing digital commerce sector with a simplicity-first approach.
- Founder Ahmed Rostom leverages a background in digital marketing to scale an all-in-one online business solution.
Ahmed Rostom, an Egyptian entrepreneur, co-founded and leads Wuilt, an online platform that allows individuals and businesses to build their web presence quickly and easily.
Rostom founded Wuilt in 2019 and designed the platform around an ultra-simple model. Users enter basic information about their activity, and the system generates a ready-to-use website within minutes. The platform requires no programming or design skills.
Wuilt offers two main types of digital products. First, it provides standard websites that showcase a business, services, or personal brand. Second, it delivers online stores that enable users to sell products, manage orders, and process payments. The platform presents all features through an intuitive interface that targets both beginners and experienced users.
Wuilt supplies predefined templates that users can customize by editing text, adding images, and publishing content. The platform also integrates operational tools that help users manage their online activity on a daily basis.
Users can add products, organize collections, track orders, and administer their stores from both computers and smartphones. In addition, Wuilt includes search engine optimization features that enhance online visibility.
The platform also handles hosting, domain names, and data security. As a result, it removes technical constraints and allows users to focus on business operations.
Before launching Wuilt, Rostom co-founded Vertex Advertising in 2013, a company specializing in digital marketing. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from October 6 University in 2008.
Rostom started his career in 2007 as a sales agent at Amecho Tech in Cairo. He later worked as a sales manager between 2010 and 2013 at eRankings and Quad Solutions, two digital marketing firms.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Botswana Tech Fund launched a £50 million ($67.5 million) investment vehicle on April 21, 2026, targeting technology start-ups across Southern Africa.
- The fund, backed by Pula Investments and Stephen Lansdown’s family office, will invest from pre-seed to scale-up stages, including secondary market transactions.
- The initiative aims to strengthen a structurally underfunded Southern African venture capital ecosystem amid broader market normalization in Africa.
The Botswana Tech Fund has launched a £50 million (approximately $67.5 million) investment vehicle to support technology start-ups across Southern Africa, as the region seeks to close a persistent funding gap in venture capital.
The fund, based in Gaborone, announced its launch on Tuesday, April 21. Pula Investments, the family office of Stephen Lansdown, cofounder of UK financial services group Hargreaves Lansdown, backed the vehicle.
The Botswana Tech Fund structured its investment strategy to cover multiple stages of company development. It targeted early-stage start-ups at pre-seed level as well as more advanced scale-ups. It planned to deploy capital through seed investments and growth-stage equity stakes, while it also included secondary market transactions to improve liquidity for investors and founders.
The initiative came as Southern Africa continued to develop its venture capital ecosystem, which remained constrained by structural funding shortages, particularly in application technologies and digital infrastructure. The region still relied heavily on foreign capital despite the gradual emergence of local investment initiatives.
The fund positioned Botswana as a strategic entry point for technology investment, citing an internet penetration rate of approximately 80% and a relatively stable governance environment. It also highlighted the broader Southern African Development Community (SADC) market, which represented a population of more than 370 million people.
Market data from Partech Africa and Briter Bridges showed that African start-ups raised between $3 billion and $4 billion in 2025, down from a peak above $6 billion in 2022. The data indicated a normalization of venture capital flows, characterized by stricter investor selection and concentration of funding in more mature markets such as Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt.
The Botswana Tech Fund stated that it aimed to reposition Southern Africa within the African venture capital landscape by structuring more tailored financing solutions and improving access to capital for founders.
Samira Njoya
- Burkina Faso received a delegation of Italian investors on April 22, 2026, to explore opportunities in digital health, drones, agriculture, and energy.
- Authorities prioritized public-private partnerships that ensure technology transfer, local training, and digital sovereignty.
- The government targeted universal digital coverage by 2030, with a focus on eliminating rural connectivity gaps through solar-powered infrastructure.
Burkina Faso has opened discussions with foreign investors as it accelerates its digital transformation agenda and seeks to attract capital into strategic technology sectors, including artificial intelligence, healthcare, and drone applications.
The Ministry of Digital Transition hosted an Italian investor delegation on Wednesday, April 22, led by Burkina Faso’s ambassador to Italy, Cyrille Ganou/Badolo, and received by Secretary General Borlli Michel Some. The meeting marked a step in the country’s strategy to connect public administration systems and eliminate remaining “white zones” in digital coverage.
The delegation presented several technology proposals tailored to local needs. It proposed drone-based solutions to improve healthcare delivery and vaccination campaigns in rural areas. It also introduced digital medical data management systems designed to strengthen health infrastructure. Investors from technology, agriculture, and energy sectors participated and expressed interest in public-private partnerships.
Burkina Faso’s authorities emphasized that they structured cooperation around digital sovereignty principles. They stated that they prioritized partnerships that included training programs, co-development frameworks, and local ownership of technologies. The government aimed to build domestic capacity to manage digital infrastructure and sensitive data.
The discussions also addressed energy constraints linked to digital expansion. The government set a target to eliminate all connectivity gaps by 2030 and promoted the use of solar energy solutions to power telecommunications infrastructure in rural regions. Authorities encouraged investors to propose sustainable technologies capable of supporting long-term network expansion.
The meeting took place as Burkina Faso accelerated multiple digital initiatives, including digital identity systems and the adoption of emerging technologies to improve public service efficiency.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Nafsia Clinic offers remote psychological consultations via a digital platform founded in 2023 by Mohammed Lamine Ouahabi.
- The service targets Algeria first and plans expansion into the broader Arab world, emphasizing accessibility, discretion, and no-travel consultations.
- The platform provides certified therapists, secure video sessions, and corporate mental health programs funded by employers or associations.
Mohammed Lamine Ouahabi, an Algerian software engineer and entrepreneur, founded Nafsia Clinic in 2023. He positioned the platform to serve initially the Algerian market before expanding to other Arab countries, with a focus on accessibility, confidentiality, and ease of use.
“Users select a specialist, book a session, and interact remotely, usually via video,” the company said. The platform secured communications and ensured strict confidentiality, and it avoided recording consultations while retaining only essential scheduling data.
Nafsia Clinic built its service around certified mental health professionals, and it implemented selection and monitoring processes to ensure service quality. The platform emphasized user experience, transparency in practitioner profiles, and simplified access to care.
The company expanded its offering beyond individual users and developed dedicated solutions for companies, associations, and organizations. It enabled employers to finance therapy sessions for employees under confidential conditions, while it allowed associations to allocate session credits through flexible funding systems.
Ouahabi graduated in computer science from Djillali Liabes University in Sidi Bel Abbes in 2007. He launched AL3akar.com, a real estate listings platform, in 2022 before founding Nafsia Clinic.
He started his professional career in 2008 as a software engineer at Algeria’s regional budget directorate. He later joined Naftal Spa, a subsidiary of Sonatrach, in 2010, where he worked in petroleum distribution systems. From 2011 to 2025, he served as IT manager at Algeria’s National Social Security Fund for Non-Salaried Workers (CASNOS).
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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- PayChangu operates as a fintech payment aggregator that connects mobile money, cards, and bank transfers through a single integration.
- The platform targets SMEs with low-cost, developer-friendly tools, including APIs, plugins, and payment links for e-commerce integration.
- The company aims to accelerate digital commerce in Africa by reducing payment fragmentation and improving transaction efficiency.
PayChangu, a Malawi-based fintech startup, has developed a unified payment infrastructure to address fragmentation in Africa’s digital payments market and support the expansion of e-commerce across the continent.
The company, founded in 2021 by Morgan Tembo and headquartered in Lilongwe, operates as a payment aggregator. It connects multiple payment channels into a single interface and enables businesses to manage transactions without integrating separate systems.
“PayChangu is a leading financial technology company in Malawi that revolutionizes payments for local businesses to make online transactions simple, transparent and secure, thereby improving the customer experience,” the startup said.
PayChangu enables businesses to accept payments through mobile money, bank cards, and instant bank transfers via a single integration. The company addresses a structural challenge in African digital commerce, where fragmented payment systems often complicate user experience and reduce online conversion rates.
The platform extends beyond payment processing. It provides a broader ecosystem that includes payment link generation, invoicing tools, and analytics dashboards that allow merchants to track sales performance in real time. It also offers application programming interfaces (APIs) and plugins compatible with platforms such as Shopify and WooCommerce, which facilitates adoption among developers and small and medium-sized enterprises.
The startup has positioned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) at the center of its strategy. It offers competitive transaction fees and low-code integration tools, which it says allow businesses to adopt digital payments without advanced technical expertise.
As Africa’s digital economy expands, driven by the rapid growth of mobile money and online commerce, PayChangu aligns itself with a broader trend of building localized payment infrastructure. The company aims to connect more African businesses to the global digital economy by streamlining transactions and reducing entry barriers for online trade.
This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Posta Uganda launches PostCom, a national e-commerce marketplace integrating logistics and digital transactions.
- The platform leverages the postal network to expand access, especially for SMEs and rural users.
- Uganda positions e-commerce as a growth driver within a market projected to exceed $110 billion in Africa by 2029.
Uganda’s State Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Godfrey Baluku Kabbyanga, officially launched the PostCom e-commerce platform on April 21 in Kampala. Public postal operator Posta Uganda developed the platform to expand its role beyond traditional logistics services into a fully integrated online commerce ecosystem.
PostCom operates as a national marketplace that allows individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises to buy and sell products online. The platform relies on Posta Uganda’s physical network to manage logistics and ensure nationwide delivery.
At the same time, the platform provides a secure digital interface that facilitates transactions and connects local sellers to a broader customer base, including international markets.
E-commerce continues to expand rapidly across Africa, and initiatives like PostCom target a fast-growing market. Analysts estimate that Africa’s e-commerce sector will reach about $55 billion in 2024 and could exceed $110 billion by 2029, driven by mobile money adoption, urbanization, and broader internet access.
Ugandan authorities are betting on digital transformation to stimulate economic growth. They expect digital services and online commerce to contribute several billion dollars to the economy by 2030.
PostCom differentiates itself from international private platforms through its public-sector foundation and integrated logistics model. Unlike traditional marketplaces, the platform combines e-commerce capabilities with existing postal infrastructure.
This model reduces delivery costs and expands access to e-commerce in rural areas. It also supports local SMEs by providing a structured national distribution channel in a market where logistics remain a major constraint.
Ugandan authorities aim to position PostCom as a central pillar of the national digital economy. The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to enhance economic inclusion, modernize trade, and strengthen Uganda’s role in East Africa’s digital commerce landscape.
The platform also gives sellers access to international markets. It enables them to reach customers in nearly 192 countries through the global postal network.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Orange Egypt and Circle K sign a deal to digitize more than 200 stores.
- The partnership deploys connectivity solutions and SD-WAN technology to optimize operations and network performance.
- The agreement reflects Egypt’s fast-growing retail market and broader push toward digital transformation.
Orange Egypt and Circle K announced on April 22 that they signed a partnership agreement to modernize the retailer’s distribution network, which spans more than 200 points of sale across the country. The agreement positions Orange as Circle K’s digital transformation partner in Egypt’s increasingly digitized retail environment.
Orange Egypt will provide a suite of connectivity and digital infrastructure solutions under the agreement. The company will deliver high-speed internet access and secure interconnection between all retail locations.
The companies aim to ensure operational continuity while improving performance and streamlining the management of commercial activities across the network.
The project also includes the deployment of Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) technology. This advanced networking solution enables centralized and flexible orchestration of data flows across multiple sites.
The system will strengthen security, improve service stability, and increase operational efficiency for Circle K.
Circle K operates in Egypt through a network of convenience stores and service stations. The brand ranks among the leading players in proximity retail and belongs to an international group active in more than 20 countries.
The company relies on strong distribution capabilities and serves a large daily customer base through its extensive network. It focuses on everyday consumer goods and fast services while pursuing continuous expansion in urban and peri-urban markets.
The partnership carries strategic importance for both companies in one of the Middle East’s largest retail markets. Egypt’s retail sector continues to grow, supported by its large population and evolving consumption patterns.
The agreement reflects a broader shift toward digitizing distribution networks, where connectivity and information systems act as key drivers of performance and expansion.
For Mohamed Shebl, Chief Business Officer of Orange Egypt, the collaboration demonstrates the operator’s ability to meet international standards. “Through this partnership, we continue to leverage cutting-edge innovations to enhance competitiveness and optimize operational efficiency, in line with our vision of leading the digital transformation of the business sector toward more advanced and sustainable models, while supporting the objectives of Egypt’s digital strategy and ‘Egypt Vision 2030,’” he said.
Samira Njoya
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On Wednesday, June 17, CYSEC MENA will bring together technology decision-makers, security officers and experts in Manama, Bahrain, for a three-day conference on regional cyber threats. The agenda includes panels on critical infrastructure protection, IT/OT strategies, compliance and digital resilience. The event is expected to promote international collaboration and networking among governments, businesses and cybersecurity solution providers across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Gebeya (Ethiopia) and VukaOS (South Africa) are joining forces to combine their artificial intelligence technologies and create a seamless pipeline from planning to execution for entrepreneurial projects. Entrepreneurs validate their ideas on VukaOS and then bring them to life in Dala Studio, a no-code platform that allows users to build apps, websites, games, and multimedia content using natural language.
European venture capital firm Speedinvest is launching its first fund focused on growth-stage companies in the Middle East and Africa, backed by the Qatar Investment Authority, Mubadala and the European Investment Bank. With $1.4 billion in assets under management, the initiative strengthens ties between Europe and the Middle East and Africa, giving founders direct access to a global network of experts and strategic investors.
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- Riaz Moola launched HyperDev in 2025 to generate full applications from simple text descriptions.
- The platform enables users to design, test and deploy apps without complex coding processes.
- The solution offers flexible architecture choices and unlimited iterations to refine applications.
Riaz Moola is a South African computer scientist, investor and entrepreneur. He founded and chairs HyperDev, an online platform that uses artificial intelligence to transform ideas into functional applications without lengthy and complex processes.
Founded in 2025, HyperDev allows users to design, test and deploy full applications from a simple natural-language description. The user defines requirements and operating rules, and the platform automatically generates an application that runs directly in a web browser.
HyperDev differentiates its offering through flexibility. The platform does not impose a single project model and instead allows users to select backend architecture and data storage options.
As a result, users retain full control over project structure and long-term evolution. Consequently, the platform positions itself as a customizable alternative to rigid no-code solutions.
HyperDev also removes constraints on creation volume. The platform allows users to create, test and iterate as many times as needed.
Users can explore multiple approaches, compare different versions of the same project and progressively refine applications until they reach optimal performance. Therefore, the solution encourages experimentation and rapid prototyping.
Riaz Moola also founded and leads HyperionDev, an online certification and education technology platform established in 2012. In addition, he co-founded Dark Math Games in 2023 and invested in Longdue, a British company focused on gaming technologies.
Riaz Moola earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science and mathematics from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2011. He then earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science and artificial intelligence from the University of Edinburgh in 2014, followed by a master’s degree in technology policy from the University of Cambridge in 2016.
Before his entrepreneurial career, he held several roles in the technology sector. In 2014, he worked as a developer and technology analyst at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. In 2015, he became an associate product manager at Google in Switzerland. In 2016, he served as chief technical advisor at Injini.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J. A de Berry Quenum
- Senegal launched a national digital library for students as part of a $206 million education digitization plan for 2025–2029.
- The platform offers validated educational content across all levels and supports both in-class and remote learning.
- Unequal internet access, especially in rural areas, remains a major constraint to adoption.
Senegal decided in January 2025 to invest $206 million to finance its digital education strategy for 2025–2029. As a result, authorities have started to implement concrete initiatives.
The government announced on Monday, April 20 the launch of a national digital library dedicated to students. The platform aims to facilitate access to educational resources and ensure continuity of learning amid recurring disruptions to the school calendar.
The digital library is accessible online via smartphones, tablets and computers. The platform provides content across multiple education levels, from preschool to secondary education.
Teachers validated the resources, which include lessons, interactive exercises and revision tools. Two solutions structure the offering: Senkala focuses on assessments and exercises, while Promet delivers educational content and supports autonomous learning.
The initiative aims to guarantee pedagogical continuity by enabling students to continue learning outside the classroom. In parallel, the program supports a broader strategy to modernize education by integrating digital technologies into teaching methods.
The platform also aims to reduce educational inequalities, particularly between urban and rural areas. Therefore, authorities position the initiative as both an access tool and a structural reform lever.
However, access to home internet remains highly unequal across Senegal, according to a survey published in July 2025 by the National Agency of Statistics and Demography (ANSD). Only 43.8% of households in Dakar have internet access, while the rate falls to 16.3% in other urban areas and drops below 3% in rural areas.
DataReportal estimates higher levels of mobile internet access. By the end of 2025, Senegal had 11.5 million internet users, representing a penetration rate of 60.6%. Nevertheless, these disparities could limit the full impact of the digital library.
This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Cliniva combines teleconsultations and physical clinics to improve access and continuity of care.
- The Nairobi-based startup targets women and underserved patients with affordable, patient-centered services.
- The company plans to expand beyond Kenya as hybrid healthtech models gain traction across Africa.
Cliniva is an e-health solution developed by a Nairobi-based startup founded in 2022 by Yulia Sidorova. The company aims to transform the patient experience, particularly for women who remain underserved by traditional healthcare systems.
“We challenge the idea that high-quality, patient-centered care is inaccessible and expensive. To prove this, we are building a continent-wide platform where every woman can access affordable, compassionate care of exceptional and consistent quality,” the startup said.
Cliniva built its model on seamless integration between in-person consultations and telemedicine services. Patients can access care remotely or visit local clinics, while the system reduces waiting times and improves personalized follow-up.
The company delivers continuous care that covers routine services, chronic disease management, gynecology, pregnancy and family planning. Consequently, Cliniva positions itself as a comprehensive healthcare provider rather than a single-service platform.
Cliniva differentiates its offering through a strong focus on user experience. The startup targets common barriers in African healthcare systems, including long travel distances, high costs, low service quality and brief consultations.
The platform combines digital tools, personalized monitoring and physical presence to offer a more accessible and efficient alternative. As a result, the company seeks to improve both access and quality of care.
Cliniva leverages data and preventive care programs to improve long-term health outcomes. In addition, the company develops corporate health solutions that enable employers to monitor employee health, reduce absenteeism and lower healthcare-related costs.
The startup already operates several service points in Nairobi. It now plans to expand its model to other African markets.
Cliniva reflects a broader trend across the continent. Hybrid healthtech solutions are emerging as scalable responses to structural healthcare challenges by combining digital innovation, local access and patient-centered design.
This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Burundi approves a 2025–2030 national AI strategy to support governance and growth.
- Authorities structure the roadmap around six pillars including governance, infrastructure, and human capital.
- Government plans pilot projects in health and agriculture to demonstrate economic impact.
Burundi has stepped up efforts to position itself in emerging technologies by adopting a national artificial intelligence strategy for 2025–2030, authorities said following validation of the plan on Wednesday, April 22 in Bujumbura.
The Ministry of Finance, Budget and Digital Economy, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), designed the roadmap to make artificial intelligence an operational tool for governance, economic growth, and public service modernization. Authorities aim to structure the local ecosystem and capture economic gains linked to data exploitation as AI adoption accelerates globally.
A Strategy Structured Around Six Priorities
Authorities anchored the strategy on six core pillars, starting with governance. The government plans to create steering bodies, draft an ethical charter, and adapt the regulatory framework to oversee AI development. In parallel, authorities will promote ethics, inclusion, and sustainability by introducing algorithm oversight mechanisms, integrating local languages, and supporting responsible AI practices.
On the technical front, the government will strengthen digital infrastructure and data management capacity. Authorities plan to modernize data centers, establish sector-specific hubs, and develop sovereign cloud solutions while expanding telecom networks.
The government has also prioritized human capital development. Authorities aim to align university training with AI-related jobs, train more than 1,000 public officials, and foster talent through programs targeting youth and women.
In addition, the strategy emphasizes innovation and entrepreneurship. Authorities will introduce dedicated financing mechanisms, set up incubators in several cities, and provide incentives to support the emergence of AI-focused startups.
Finally, the government will prioritize practical applications. Authorities plan to deploy around 15 pilot projects in key sectors such as healthcare and agriculture. These projects will include diagnostic support tools, telemedicine solutions, climate alert systems, and advisory services for farmers, with the goal of quickly demonstrating productivity gains and improved public services.
A Position Still Under Development
However, Burundi still faces structural constraints in digital infrastructure and data utilization. As in several African economies, challenges include limited data availability, weak system interoperability, and evolving regulatory frameworks.
Nevertheless, authorities designed the strategy to address these gaps by aligning investments, skills, and use cases within a coherent vision. The plan also fits within the country’s Vision 2040–2060 framework, which identifies digital technology as a key driver of economic transformation.
Once implemented, the strategy could position Burundi alongside African countries that have already structured their AI approaches, including Rwanda, Senegal, Morocco, and Benin. However, authorities must now translate this ambition into concrete deployments capable of delivering measurable economic gains amid growing competition around data and advanced technologies.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum