On Monday, June 8, DevCareer and Nomba launched a five-week competition in Nigeria for teams of software developers. Running through July 18, the challenge invites participants to create innovative payment solutions tailored to the Nigerian market. In addition to cash prizes, top-performing participants will have the opportunity to join a professional development partnership program and gain support in launching their careers.
From Wednesday, June 17, to Saturday, June 20, Paris will host Viva Technology, one of Europe's largest events focused on innovation and startups. This global gathering will attract entrepreneurs, investors, and researchers from around the world to discuss emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital health, and cybersecurity. The event offers an important opportunity to explore the latest digital solutions and forge strategic partnerships for the future.
From Friday, July 3 to Sunday, July 5, Cotonou will host the sixth edition of Bitcoin Mastermind. This event will bring together professionals, investors, and Bitcoin enthusiasts from across Francophone Africa. The program features conferences, hands-on workshops, networking sessions, and discussions on the future of Bitcoin. Open to everyone—from curious newcomers to entrepreneurs—the event offers an opportunity to explore the rapidly growing Bitcoin and digital asset ecosystem.
- Metaschool AI delivers a fully digital secondary education model aligned with West African curricula and examination standards.
- The platform aims to address teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, limited learning resources and disruptions to schooling.
- Founder Richard Duodu previously launched digital banking startup Finance Mobile and now leads AI research and development at Metaschool AI.
Ghanaian education entrepreneur Richard Duodu serves as founder and chief artificial intelligence research officer of Metaschool AI. He designed the platform to make education more accessible while addressing some of the region’s most persistent educational challenges.
Metaschool AI targets teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, inadequate educational resources and frequent interruptions to students’ academic journeys. The platform aims to keep students engaged throughout the year, including during periods when they cannot physically attend school. As a result, learners can continue their studies regardless of location.
The institution operates through a fully digital environment. Students attend interactive classes, complete assignments, sit examinations and receive continuous progress monitoring. Moreover, the platform adapts each learning pathway to the individual pace of the student. The system helps learners strengthen existing competencies while improving performance in subjects where they face difficulties.
Unlike many conventional online learning platforms, Metaschool AI combines digital tools with direct human support. Teachers, mentors and academic advisers regularly conduct live sessions, answer student questions and assist learners with examination preparation. The company believes this combination of human guidance and digital learning tools provides a more comprehensive educational experience and stronger academic support.
The platform supports several educational curricula and examination frameworks recognized across West Africa as well as internationally. Students gain access to lessons that align with official academic programs. They also use practical exercises, past examination papers and assessment tools designed to measure readiness and track academic progress.
Duodu developed his entrepreneurial and technology credentials well before launching Metaschool AI. In 2018, he founded Finance Mobile, a fully digital banking startup that operated without physical branches. The company focused on providing businesses with reliable financial tools and services.
Duodu holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences from the University of Pennsylvania in the United States. Earlier in his career, he worked at Ghanaian coding education startup Nieltin between 2014 and 2017. During that period, he served first as operations manager and later as chief executive officer.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- DR Congo will officially launch RDC-PASS, its national digital identity platform, on June 13 as part of the “DRC 2030 Digital Nation” strategy.
- The government values the project at $97.1 million under a 20-year public-private partnership with Singapore-based Trident Digital Tech Holdings.
- The system will support biometric SIM registration, e-government access, automated e-KYC services and secure digital identities.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is preparing to launch RDC-PASS, a national digital identity system that authorities view as a cornerstone of the country's digital transformation agenda. The government plans to officially unveil the platform on June 13 in Kinshasa under the patronage of President Félix Tshisekedi as part of the “DRC 2030 Digital Nation” strategy.
Authorities have presented RDC-PASS as a unique, secure and free digital identifier. The system aims to provide every citizen with an interoperable digital identity that can support access to administrative, financial and social services.
The government expects the platform to reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies, curb document fraud and improve access to public services in a country where identification systems remain fragmented and unevenly accessible.
A Strategic Project Valued at $97.1 Million
The Ministry of Planning estimates the cost of developing RDC-PASS at $97.1 million. The government launched the project through a public-private partnership signed in June 2025 with Trident Digital Tech DRC Africa SAS, a subsidiary of Singapore-based Trident Digital Tech Holdings.
The agreement grants the company exclusive rights to provide electronic know-your-customer (e-KYC) services for 20 years. The system relies on Web 3.0 technologies and advanced digital verification mechanisms.
Trident Digital Tech Holdings has also announced that it raised $2.6 million to support the project's initial deployment phase and the commercialization of the system in the Congolese market.
Several African countries have already implemented comparable initiatives. Nigeria has enrolled tens of millions of citizens through its National Identification Number (NIN) system, while Kenya has expanded digital identity adoption through integrated e-government services.
An Architecture Built Around Secure Identification and Integrated Services
RDC-PASS will support four primary use cases. The platform will enable biometric authentication of SIM cards to reduce fraudulent mobile phone registrations. The system will also provide unified access to e-government platforms through a single digital identifier.
In addition, the platform will integrate automated e-KYC capabilities for financial services providers. It will also issue secure digital identities that complement existing physical identification documents. The architecture positions the digital identifier as a central gateway to both public and private services. The framework promotes interoperability among government agencies, telecommunications operators and financial institutions.
Phased Deployment and Digital Sovereignty Challenges
Authorities plan to deploy the system in stages. The rollout will include technical audits, pilot testing and a gradual scale-up following the official launch. However, the project raises issues that extend beyond technology implementation.
Questions surrounding data sovereignty, data storage and data management remain central to discussions about the initiative. Stakeholders continue to examine the implications of entrusting a foreign private-sector partner with managing key components of the system under a 20-year agreement.
A Cornerstone of Congo’s Digital Strategy
RDC-PASS forms part of a broader government plan to invest $1 billion in digital development between 2026 and 2030. The government considers digital identity a foundational infrastructure layer alongside connectivity networks and e-government platforms. However, the project's long-term success will depend on its ability to achieve mass adoption and integrate seamlessly across public and private sector services throughout the country.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- SupaChat combines customer service, social media management and data analytics into a single platform for businesses.
- The startup, founded in 2025, aims to help African companies centralize and optimize customer interactions across digital channels.
- Founder Lindile Ndube brings nearly two decades of experience spanning media, strategy, sales and digital communications.
Lindile Ndube is the founder and chief executive officer of SupaChat, a startup launched in 2025. He created the company to simplify, streamline and optimize interactions between businesses and their customers. To achieve this goal, the platform relies on three interconnected solutions.
The first component of the ecosystem, known as Thuso, focuses entirely on customer relationship management. Thuso centralizes communication flows and enables businesses to respond to customer inquiries, process orders, handle complaints and schedule appointments directly through widely used channels such as WhatsApp and website-based instant messaging services.
In addition, SupaChat offers Khulu, a solution dedicated to social media management. Khulu enables brands to automate and optimize content publishing activities. The platform also allows businesses to respond quickly to comments and private messages, strengthening both visibility and engagement across digital communities.
At the same time, SupaChat provides a third service, Azi, which focuses on data analytics. Azi aggregates and interprets data generated through customer interactions. The solution delivers detailed insights into customer behavior and market trends, enabling decision-makers to manage performance more strategically.
Beyond these three core products, SupaChat expands its offering through an integrated e-commerce environment, a range of user-experience optimization tools and an advertising solution designed to convert clicks directly into commercial conversations.
Ndube built SupaChat on the foundation of a career that spans media, strategy and digital communications. He earned a National Diploma in Graphic Design from Nelson Mandela University in 2006.
He began his professional career in 2007 as design manager at Paperclip Design. He soon shifted toward media management. In 2012, he became creative media director at Primedia Group. He joined United Stations in 2015 as sales manager and later moved to media agency PHD in 2021 as head of strategy.
Before dedicating himself fully to SupaChat, Ndube served as managing director of British media publisher Naritive in 2025.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
African startups are invited to participate in ClawCon, a free community gathering focused on artificial intelligence. Taking place on June 18 at Strathmore University in Nairobi, the event is aimed at creators, developers, and students. The program includes live demonstrations and interactive discussions designed to help participants build their own digital tools and develop practical AI skills.
On Tuesday, June 9, global financial platform Yuno announced a partnership with pan-African network Onafriq aimed at simplifying e-commerce payments across Africa. Through the partnership, merchants worldwide can accept payments and send funds to one billion mobile wallets and 500 million bank accounts across the continent. This single-system approach eliminates the technical and regulatory hurdles typically caused by Africa's fragmented markets.
On Tuesday, June 9, Nigerian startup Myka announced it has secured seed funding to expand its operations. Founded in 2025, the digital platform allows individuals and small businesses to compare and buy insurance policies in real time. By partnering with major insurers, the startup aims to make insurance products, including health, auto, and home coverage, more accessible in a country where insurance penetration remains very low.
- Rwandan entrepreneur Bonheur Iraguha founded SomaPix in 2025 to help users locate their photos within large event image collections.
- The platform uses image-recognition technology to identify and retrieve photos in which a user appears, allowing viewing, purchasing, downloading and sharing.
- Iraguha also leads education technology startup Posinnove Tech and supports youth innovation initiatives through the Hack With Me programming hackathon.
Bonheur Iraguha is the founder of SomaPix, a platform that aims to transform the way users search for and share event photographs. Founded in 2025, the platform targets a broad range of events, including weddings, conferences, sports competitions and family gatherings. The service allows users to retrieve personal photographs quickly from extensive event galleries.
The platform relies on a simple process. A user uploads a reference photograph, which serves as a visual template. The algorithm then analyzes the event’s image database and identifies photographs in which the user appears.
Once the platform retrieves the images, users can view, purchase, download or share them. In addition, SomaPix enables users to locate group photographs, helping participants rediscover shared moments with friends, relatives and colleagues.
Bonheur Iraguha has extended his ambitions beyond digital photography into broader technological and educational initiatives. He co-organizes Hack With Me, an annual 24-hour programming hackathon designed exclusively for high school students. Through the initiative, he supports youth participation in technology and innovation.
Before launching SomaPix, Iraguha established himself in Rwanda’s technology sector through education-focused entrepreneurship. In 2023, he founded Posinnove Tech, where he serves as chief executive officer. The company seeks to bridge the gap between traditional academic curricula and the digital skills required by private-sector employers. The startup focuses on equipping young people with practical competencies that align more closely with labor market demands.
Bonheur Iraguha has built a diverse professional profile within a relatively short period. He began his career in 2022 as a customer service officer at IBomis, an organization that supports high school graduates in academic orientation. In 2023, he became an ambassador for Lifesten Health. In 2024, he became an ambassador for BAG, further expanding his involvement in technology-driven initiatives.
Later in 2024, he broadened his international exposure by joining StArfrica as a trainee consultant. The project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, seeks to strengthen connections between African startups and Germany while enhancing Germany’s attractiveness as a destination for African entrepreneurs and technology ventures.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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- Cameroonian entrepreneur Valère Tchapda co-founded OnDjoss, a messaging platform designed around the needs of African users.
- The application combines internet-based messaging, voice notes, HD audio and video calls, and multimedia sharing services.
- Tchapda also serves as deputy IT project manager at Germany-based engineering consultancy PhDSoft-Ingenieure GmbH.
Valère Tchapda, a robotics and automation engineer, serves as co-founder and IT project manager of OnDjoss, an instant messaging application that seeks to democratize access to digital communication services.
The company launched OnDjoss in 2020 and designed the platform to address the daily realities and specific needs of local users. The application supports family conversations, social interactions and professional collaborations through an interface that prioritizes simplicity and accessibility.
Beyond free internet-based messaging, OnDjoss offers a range of features that enhance the user experience. The platform places voice messaging at the center of its service offering and provides users with a fast and practical alternative to text-based communication.
In addition, the application enables users to organize group discussions and conduct high-definition audio and video calls. The platform also facilitates the instant sharing of multimedia content, including photographs, videos, professional documents and audio files. As a result, OnDjoss positions itself as a comprehensive digital communication platform rather than a simple messaging application.
Alongside his entrepreneurial activities, Valère Tchapda serves as deputy IT project manager at PhDSoft-Ingenieure GmbH, a German engineering consultancy specializing in the management of technology projects. His academic background reflects both technical and managerial expertise. He earned a bachelor's degree in Mechatronics, Robotics and Automation Engineering from the University of Hamm-Lippstadt in Germany in 2018. He also holds a bachelor's degree in Automotive Engineering Technology, further strengthening his profile as an engineer operating at the intersection of technology development and project management.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Burkina Faso-based startup Hacking Group developed SuiviVital to digitize patient monitoring and medical record management.
- The platform enables remote interactions between patients and doctors through a digital medical record system.
- SuiviVital aims to improve healthcare continuity, particularly for patients living with chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes.
Burkina Faso-based healthtech startup Hacking Group, co-founded by Bienvenu Emmanuel Birba, developed SuiviVital as an e-health solution that uses digital tools to improve patient monitoring and facilitate access to healthcare services.
The company offers features designed to strengthen medical data management, treatment monitoring and interactions between patients and healthcare professionals.
“When we noticed that even pregnant women and people living with chronic diseases such as cancer or diabetes often struggle to monitor their blood pressure or blood sugar levels, we developed SuiviVital, which allows patients to save their health parameters,” Bienvenu Emmanuel Birba said. He added: “With this application, it is also possible to connect patients and doctors. In other words, the doctor can monitor the patient remotely through a digital medical record.”
The platform centralizes selected health information and facilitates the monitoring of consultations, treatments and medical appointments. The company aims to improve the flow of medical information while reducing some of the administrative constraints that healthcare facilities and patients face.
SuiviVital forms part of a growing wave of African healthtech solutions that use digital technologies to address some of the limitations of traditional healthcare infrastructure. Meanwhile, the expansion of smartphone adoption, mobile internet access and digital services continues to support new use cases in connected healthcare across the continent.
The startup also aims to strengthen disease prevention and promote more consistent patient monitoring, particularly for chronic conditions that require long-term care. Digital tools can improve communication between doctors and patients while facilitating access to medical information.
This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Rwanda’s Cabinet approved the creation of a National Artificial Intelligence Agency on June 8 to accelerate AI development, adoption, investment and governance.
- The agency will coordinate public and private AI initiatives and support deployment across sectors including healthcare, education, agriculture and public administration.
- Rwanda continues to expand its AI ecosystem through initiatives such as the Rwanda AI Scaling Hub, which has secured about 25 billion Rwandan francs ($17 million) in funding.
Rwanda has expanded its institutional framework for artificial intelligence. The Cabinet approved the creation of the National Artificial Intelligence Agency on Monday, June 8. The new agency will accelerate AI development, adoption, investment and governance in support of the country's digital transformation and economic growth objectives.
The agency will become Rwanda’s first institution fully dedicated to artificial intelligence. The organization will coordinate public and private sector initiatives, promote the development of AI-based solutions and strengthen the governance framework required to deploy the technology across sectors including public administration, healthcare, education and agriculture.
The decision follows the implementation of Rwanda’s national artificial intelligence policy adopted in 2023. Through that roadmap, Kigali aims to position itself as one of Africa’s leading AI hubs by investing in skills development, research, data infrastructure, private-sector investment and responsible innovation.
At the same time, Rwanda continues to accelerate investment across its technology ecosystem. The Rwanda AI Scaling Hub program, supported by several international partners, has secured approximately 25 billion Rwandan francs ($17 million) in funding to promote the adoption of artificial intelligence solutions across the economy and public services.
Beyond the creation of a new government institution, Kigali aims to consolidate its lead in a continent where many countries remain at the strategic planning stage of AI development.
In 2023, Minister of ICT and Innovation Paula Ingabire said that nearly 70% of Rwanda’s national AI policy focused on skills development. She identified talent development as the primary driver for building a local industry capable of producing solutions tailored to African realities.
This strategy also responds to broader economic objectives. According to the UNESCO, Rwanda continues to face challenges related to the availability of specialized talent, access to training data and research capacity.
However, the country maintains significant advantages. Rwanda benefits from a regulatory environment that supports digital innovation, while government policy continues to prioritize emerging technologies as a driver of long-term economic development.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Guinea-based startup CGF Digital developed Dineroo to digitize food ordering and delivery services through a mobile platform.
- The platform connects restaurants, consumers and delivery riders within a single digital ecosystem.
- Dineroo operates in a fast-growing African foodtech market driven by smartphone adoption, mobile payments and rising demand for on-demand services.
CGF Digital developed Dineroo as a logistics solution that facilitates access to restaurant services through a digital food-ordering and delivery platform. The company operates in the foodtech segment and uses mobile technology and digital services to connect restaurants, consumers and delivery riders within a single ecosystem.
Dineroo allows users to order meals from multiple partner restaurants through a centralized interface. The platform processes orders, manages deliveries and tracks operations throughout the fulfillment process.
For restaurants, the platform provides an additional channel for visibility and distribution without requiring significant technology investments. As a result, Dineroo enables participating businesses to expand their customer reach while maintaining relatively low digital adoption costs.
Beyond food ordering, Dineroo aims to support the development of a local ecosystem focused on urban logistics and proximity-based digital services. The company places delivery rider management, route optimization and user experience at the center of its business model. Consequently, these operational capabilities play a critical role in improving service efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Dineroo operates in a market supported by rising smartphone adoption, expanding mobile payment usage and growing demand for on-demand services across several African cities. At the same time, the expansion of urban middle-class populations and changing digital consumption habits continue to support the growth of delivery platforms throughout the continent. However, Dineroo faces the same challenges that affect many African foodtech startups. The company must navigate logistical constraints, high operating costs and strong consumer sensitivity to purchasing power.
Despite these obstacles, the African food-delivery market continues to attract growing interest from technology entrepreneurs, who view the sector as significantly underdeveloped compared with more mature markets in other regions of the world.
This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum