In a continent where financial inclusion remains closely tied to physical distribution networks, Moroccan startup WafR is betting on a hybrid model that combines fintech, retail technology and the informal economy.
WafR, a Moroccan startup, has built a digital platform that turns local corner shops known as hanouts into access points for financial and digital services.
Founded in Casablanca in 2021 by Ismail Bargach and Reda Sellak, the company said in February it had raised $4 million to expand its technology and scale operations.
Its solution includes a mobile app available on iOS and Android, with more than 100,000 downloads on the Play Store, according to platform data. Through its website and app, small retailers can offer services such as mobile top-ups, bill payments and other digital transactions without requiring customers to visit a traditional bank branch.
The model builds on the trust neighborhood merchants have long established within their communities. In a country where cash remains dominant and access to financial services is uneven, these shops are emerging as a key last-mile channel for digital finance.
WafR says it has nearly 20,000 active merchants on its platform, making it one of Morocco’s largest digitized retail networks. The startup now plans to expand into peer-to-peer transfers and domestic remittances, strengthening its role as a community-based fintech platform.
Beyond financial services, WafR also enables consumer goods brands to run targeted promotions and analyze purchasing patterns using data generated by traditional retail outlets.
The strategy reflects a broader shift in African fintech. Rather than displacing existing networks, some startups are opting to digitize informal retail structures to accelerate the uptake of digital services.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Drawing on marine research technology, she aims to decode the biological signals of fish, a simple yet decisive idea for an industry striving for sustainable efficiency.
Sarah Carroll is a South African scientist and entrepreneur. She is the co-founder and chief executive of MariHealth Solutions, a deep-tech company specialising in aquaculture health and nutrition. Her aim is to improve how fish farms and feed manufacturers monitor operations and enhance performance.
Founded in 2021, MariHealth Solutions seeks to deepen understanding of fish physiology under different environmental, pathogenic and dietary conditions. The company acts as a decision-support partner, converting complex biological data into practical recommendations for aquaculture professionals.
Its technologies monitor fish health and welfare, analyse disease mechanisms and evaluate vaccine efficacy. They also measure the real-world impact of novel ingredients, new feed formulations, and varying farming practices and environmental conditions on animal physiology.
Carroll holds a bachelor’s degree in zoology from Rhodes University (2013). She earned a master’s degree in marine biotechnology in 2016 and a PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology in 2020, both from the University of Cape Town. She worked there as an associate researcher from 2020 to 2022.
Melchior Koba
He offers a seamless alternative to traditional financial channels. His solution reflects the ambition of a more open and more efficient market.
Victor Alade is a Nigerian technology entrepreneur. He is the chief executive of Raenest, a fintech company he co-founded in 2022 with Richard Oyome and Sodruldeen Mustapha.
Raenest allows users to open foreign currency accounts in U.S. dollars, British pounds or euros to receive international payments. Those funds can then be used for online purchases, travel expenses, money transfers or savings in the selected currency. The platform also offers virtual and physical cards for online payments and subscriptions.
The startup primarily targets freelancers, content creators, travelers, online shoppers, students and social commerce sellers. It also offers rewards programs to encourage regular use of its services.
Raenest Business
Raenest is developing a business-focused product called Raenest Business. More than 600 companies already use the platform to manage international payments and receive funds in more than 13 countries. Businesses can open an account, collect payments from foreign clients and pay employees or contractors across multiple markets.
The platform supports withdrawals to bank accounts or mobile money wallets in more than 70 countries. It also integrates with major third-party services including PayPal, Payoneer, Wise, Mastercard and Revolut.
Alade holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronic engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria, awarded in 2014. After graduating, he worked as a software engineer at several technology companies, including Procrea8 Technology Solutions, Jumia Group and Andela.
Melchior Koba
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Tunisia CDC launches MAIR for greentech scale-up
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Program targets commercialization-stage startups, SMEs
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Tunisia startups raised $6.6 million in 2025
Tunisia’s Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC) on Tuesday announced the launch of the first cohort of the MAIR program, Market Access for Impact and Resilience. The financing mechanism targets greentech startups and small and medium-sized enterprises in the commercialization phase.
The program aims to support industrial scale-up, facilitate initial market entry, and strengthen revenues for selected companies.
MAIR prioritizes sectors linked to the green transition, including renewable energy, sustainable mobility, eco-construction, waste management, sustainable agriculture, water technologies, energy efficiency and biodiversity. By providing financing at a stage when funding needs increase for industrialization and commercialization, MAIR seeks to bridge the gap between seed funding and full commercial rollout.
MAIR is deployed under the GreenTECH initiative led by Smart Capital and integrated into the Greenov'i project. The project is funded by the European Union through the Tunisie Verte et Durable program and implemented by Expertise France in collaboration with the International Center for Environmental Technologies of Tunis, the Ministry of Environment, and the Ministry of Economy and Planning.
Financing architecture
The mechanism forms part of a broader financing framework that also includes VAIR, Venture Acceleration for Impact and Resilience, which supports startups in the ideation phase as they develop proofs of concept. The overall program plans to fund 32 early-stage startups and support 10 startups and SMEs in accessing markets, with a target of roughly 300 direct jobs in green transition sectors.
The launch comes amid limited funding for Tunisia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. According to Wamda’s annual report, Tunisian startups raised $6.6 million across 13 deals in 2025, below levels recorded in several other Middle East and North Africa markets. In that context, public instruments dedicated to impact-driven innovation are positioned as key support mechanisms for early-growth companies.
By targeting industrial segments linked to the green transition and focusing on companies at a later stage of development, MAIR aims to strengthen the ability of Tunisian startups to turn innovations into marketable products and secure a sustainable position in their markets.
Samira Njoya
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Orange Maroc launches Yo Max 5G plans
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Introduces Livebox 7 router with Wi-Fi 7
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Morocco counts 57.1 million mobile connections
Orange Maroc unveiled two new consumer offerings on Tuesday in Casablanca: customizable Yo Max 5G mobile plans and the Livebox 7, a next-generation router which the company described as a global first. Both products are built on the carrier's recently launched 5G network.
The Yo Max 5G plans allow subscribers to tailor their mobile plan by selecting services suited to their needs, including video and music streaming, gaming and e-learning. Available in six tiers priced between 99 and 649 dirhams (approximately $11 to $71), the plans offer up to 160 gigabytes of data or unlimited data. Subscribers can manage their plan via the Maxit app.
The Livebox 7 is the first consumer router to feature Wi-Fi 7 and introduces the prplOS operating system, which allows applications to be installed directly on the device. These include a built-in VPN and parental controls. The router is equipped with 10 smart antennas designed to deliver stable speeds throughout the home. Orange Maroc said the platform also gives local developers the opportunity to build applications tailored to the Moroccan market, expanding what it calls the Nova Box ecosystem.
Orange Maroc said the products support Morocco's digital transformation and respond to rising demand for connected services, including the proliferation of screens in households, e-learning, streaming and gaming. According to DataReportal, Morocco had nearly 57.1 million mobile connections at the end of 2025, equivalent to roughly 148% of the population, and more than 35 million internet users, with a penetration rate exceeding 92%. DataReportal attributed the mobile figure to widespread use of multiple SIM cards per household and per individual.
Samira Njoya
The Mastercard Foundation has opened applications for the FAST Fund, an initiative for alumni of the YALI Network, African Leadership Academy, the Anzisha Prize and the Scholars Program. The fund aims to help alumni launch or scale their ventures through financial support and targeted assistance.
After graduating its 10th cohort, Founder Institute Abuja is now accepting applications for its 11th cohort. The program targets pre-seed and early-stage tech founders. Selected entrepreneurs will take part in a structured multi-week program that includes expert mentorship, hands-on workshops, and fundraising support. Applications close on May 3, 2026.
Bildup AI is launching its latest AI training cohort and opening new learning hubs in Enugu, Abuja, and Lagos. These centers complement our online programs by offering hands-on, guided learning for both students and professionals. Our mission is simple: democratize AI across industries and future-proof Nigeria’s workforce for the age of automation.
- Algeria launched four new digital platforms, bringing total integrated university digital services to 73.
- The platforms target academic management, entrepreneurship, student welfare, and service modernization.
- The initiative aligns with Algeria’s national digital transformation strategy through 2030.
Kamel Baddari, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, officially launched the platforms on February 24, in Algiers. The launch increased the total number of digital services integrated into the sector’s information system to 73.
During the ceremony, Kamel Baddari stated that universities, data centers, and research laboratories across the country jointly drove the expansion of the digital ecosystem.
He emphasized that the platforms “illustrate the high level of digitalization achieved by the sector in its teaching, research, governance, and services to the university community.”
The four new platforms cover strategic and social priorities.
The Digital Registry of University Programs aims to improve the management of university economic programs and enhance the conversion of scientific research results into projects with high economic and social added value.
The University Network of Incubators and Entrepreneurship Development Centers (AUNEI) seeks to consolidate the innovation ecosystem and support students and researchers in launching start-ups.
An online psychological consultation platform promotes mental health within universities. In addition, an integrated meal reservation platform within the student mobile application modernizes campus catering services.
The launch builds on a broader digitalization process within the higher education sector. Authorities have already deployed electronic diploma management systems, scientific research monitoring portals, and dematerialized administrative management modules in recent years.
These services aim to reduce bureaucratic delays, improve governance efficiency, and strengthen collaboration between universities and socio-economic partners.
The initiative aligns with Algeria’s national digital transformation strategy through 2030.
Two cross-cutting pillars support this strategy. First, authorities are establishing an adapted legal and regulatory framework, including a draft law on digitalization currently under development. Second, authorities are strengthening cybersecurity measures to protect data and information systems against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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Kenya detected 12.5 billion cyber incidents in 2025, up 247% year-on-year.
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Kenya explores cybersecurity cooperation with Safetech Innovations under an existing bilateral framework with Romania.
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Kenya launched the Kenya Cyber Resilience project worth 454 million Kenyan shillings ($3.5 million).
The Kenyan government explores cybersecurity cooperation with Safetech Innovations, a Bucharest-based cybersecurity firm.
William Kabogo Gitau, Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, received a delegation from the company. Gentiana Serbu accompanied the delegation.
Kenya welcomes structured cooperation that strengthens our national cybersecurity posture and safeguards our digital transformation gains.
— H.E William Kabogo Gitau, E.G.H (@honkabogo) February 24, 2026
This morning at the Ministry Headquarters, I hosted a courtesy call from the delegation of Safetech Innovations, and Romanian Ambassador to… pic.twitter.com/7UhO2liwTs
On Tuesday, February 24, the minister published a statement on X. He wrote: “Our discussion focused on cybersecurity as a critical priority for Kenya, especially as we accelerate digitization across government. We discussed the protection of critical infrastructure, strengthening institutional capacity, and the need to build strong and sustainable cyber resilience frameworks.”
He added that discussions also covered research and development collaboration. He emphasized partnerships with Kenyan higher education institutions to promote knowledge transfer and experience sharing.
Kabogo stated that the engagement forms part of bilateral cooperation between Kenya and Romania under an existing memorandum of understanding. The framework promotes collaboration in key sectors such as ICT and innovation.
The talks followed the launch of the Kenya Cyber Resilience (KCR) project approximately one month earlier. Kenya implements the project in partnership with the European Union. The initiative aims to strengthen the security, resilience, and reliability of Kenya’s expanding digital ecosystem. Authorities estimate the total cost at approximately 454 million Kenyan shillings ($3.5 million).
Kenya has also strengthened cybersecurity cooperation with the United States, the United Nations, and Huawei.
In addition to regional and international partnerships, Kenya strengthens its domestic cybersecurity framework. Authorities are advancing plans to establish a National Cybersecurity Agency (NCSA) to complement existing institutions.
Kenya enforces a Data Protection Act, the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, and a National Cybersecurity Strategy covering 2022–2027.
In its 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index, the International Telecommunication Union ranked Kenya 21st globally and third in Africa.
The country achieved maximum scores in cooperation, capacity development, and organizational measures. However, the ITU indicated that Kenya must further strengthen its regulatory framework and technical measures.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
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Pikelo combines artificial intelligence and pedagogy to remove barriers to spoken English mastery.
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Founded in 2024, the app targets learners facing time constraints, confidence issues, and lack of conversation partners.
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Pikelo offers a 24/7 AI-powered virtual coach that corrects mistakes in real time.
Miranda Anya is a Cameroonian technology entrepreneur. She co-founded and currently leads Pikelo as chief executive officer. She designed the application to improve spoken English efficiency through continuous interaction.
Founded in 2024, Pikelo targets users who want to improve their English but face recurring constraints. These constraints include the lack of conversation partners, fear of making mistakes, busy schedules, and low speaking confidence. The application addresses these challenges by offering continuous support and reducing learner isolation.
Consequently, Pikelo provides a simple, flexible, and always-available conversational environment. The platform allows users to practice without geographic or time limitations.
At the core of the platform, Pikelo deploys a virtual coach that remains available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The coach allows users to practice English as often as needed, simulating interaction with a human conversational partner.
This repeated exposure integrates English into daily routines. As a result, users develop fluency through natural, constraint-free conversation practice.
Pikelo promotes a learning environment free from fear of mistakes. The virtual coach instantly corrects errors and guides users step by step through their learning journey.
This approach encourages consistent improvement while maintaining a supportive and confidence-building atmosphere that motivates users to speak more frequently.
Miranda Anya graduated from the University of Buea in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering. She later earned a master’s degree in artificial intelligence in 2024 from Nexford University.
She began her professional career in 2018 at Primeway Technologies in Dubai, where she worked as an IT sales engineer. In 2019, she joined World Attachments and assumed the role of business development manager.
Between 2020 and 2023, she worked as a UI/UX designer at Smartminds Studio. In parallel, she held the same position in 2021 at Peers Exchange Cameroon Agency.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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Genuka centralizes sales, inventory, and financial tracking for small businesses on a single platform.
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Founded in 2024, Genuka targets merchants operating both online and offline, including social commerce.
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Founder Wilfried Djopa combines entrepreneurship with his role as a software engineer at TheFork.
Wilfried Djopa is a Cameroonian software engineer and entrepreneur. He founded Genuka, an online platform that allows small businesses and merchants to monitor and manage their daily operations from a single interface.
Founded in 2024, Genuka targets entrepreneurs who sell products or services in physical stores, online shops, marketplaces, or through social media channels. The platform aims to help users, in Djopa’s words, “sell more, earn more, and manage less” by consolidating all operations into one system.
As a result, Genuka positions itself as an operational hub for fragmented and informal commercial activities.
The software provides daily tracking of sales and inventory levels. It triggers automatic alerts when stock levels decline to prevent shortages.
Genuka presents revenues, expenses, and margins through clear reports. These dashboards help users assess financial health and support faster and more informed decision-making.
Genuka allows businesses to list all products, including physical goods, digital items, and services. Users can assign prices, images, and descriptions to each product.
The platform groups products into collections based on seasons, promotions, or categories to simplify customer navigation. In addition, the tool supports the simultaneous management of multiple points of sale.
The platform also enables users to create a complete website to showcase their business and sell online. Users can customize design, layout, and content to reflect brand identity and target audiences.
Integrated marketing tools support customer acquisition and retention, strengthening sales performance beyond physical locations.
Alongside his entrepreneurial activity, Wilfried Djopa works as a software engineer at TheFork, a European online restaurant booking platform.
Before founding Genuka, he co-founded “La Mater” in 2019, a company providing services to individuals and businesses. He served as chief executive officer until 2024.
Djopa holds a master’s degree in digital systems engineering, obtained in 2020 from ESIGELEC, a generalist engineering school in France.
Djopa began his professional career in 2018 as a software development consultant at Junior Etudes ESIGELEC, a student association specializing in web and mobile development.
Between 2020 and 2022, he worked as a software development engineer at Ignifai, a French company specializing in artificial intelligence platforms.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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Uganda signed a public-private partnership to establish an ICT innovation hub in Mbale focused on skills and jobs.
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The project includes blockchain-based digital certification to reduce credential fraud.
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Authorities aim to align youth training with global digital labor demand.
The Ministry of ICT and National Guidance announced on February 19, the signing of a partnership with Spotlight on Africa and Algorithmic Partners.
The agreement provides for the creation of an ICT innovation hub in Mbale. The hub aims to strengthen digital skills among Ugandan youth and support local technology entrepreneurship.
According to authorities, the initiative marks a shift from policy intent to implementation in Uganda’s digital development agenda. The project relies on public-private collaboration to expand access to in-demand skills, stimulate local innovation, and promote economic empowerment, particularly for women.
The future center will offer training ranging from basic digital literacy to advanced competencies, including coding, artificial intelligence, and blockchain technologies.
The program also integrates a blockchain-based digital certification system. The system aims to secure qualification verification and reduce document fraud.
By strengthening trust between training institutions, employers, and graduates, the tool should improve transparency in the digital labor market and support the emergence of a structured, skills-driven innovation ecosystem.
Beyond training, the project seeks to expand access to digital public services in underserved areas and energize local innovation ecosystems.
The initiative aligns with Uganda’s national digital roadmap, which prioritizes digital infrastructure, skills development, cybersecurity, and data protection. The roadmap aims to build an inclusive, job-creating digital economy.
Programs such as the DigiTrack mobile computer lab have already trained more than 11,000 people nationwide over the past two quarters. These programs have included young people with special needs by delivering digital skills directly to communities.
The initiative also complements Uganda’s national business process outsourcing strategy, which aims to connect English-speaking young professionals to global markets.
The initiative also reflects broader continental trends. According to the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation, sub-Saharan Africa will require digital skills for approximately 230 million jobs by 2030.
The fourth industrial revolution accelerates the digital transformation of labor markets and creates large-scale demand for qualified talent. As a result, centers such as the Mbale hub provide practical responses by training youth for future jobs and supporting economic and social inclusion at scale.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Dakar-based healthtech MedSen digitizes student medical records across Senegal.
- The platform claims coverage of more than 6 million students nationwide.
- Founder Ndeye-Talla Dioum launched the startup in 2020 to modernize school health systems.
Designed as a Senegalese medical monitoring platform for students, MedSen seeks to digitize the entire school health pathway, from prevention to individualized follow-up. The solution addresses a frequently overlooked challenge: coordination among schools, medical staff, parents and health authorities. Dakar-based entrepreneur Ndeye-Talla Dioum launched the startup in 2020.
“MedSen was born from our strong desire to leverage our local and international experience and expertise in service of a cause close to our hearts: improving the health of our populations in Senegal and Africa through innovative technological solutions,” the startup stated.
The platform operates through the creation of a unique digital health record for each student. The system centralizes essential information, including medical check-ups, vaccination history, consultations, screenings and referrals to healthcare facilities. The company aims to replace fragmented monitoring and paper-based records with a secure database accessible to authorized professionals.
MedSen also integrates operational tools for school medical teams. Medical inspectors can organize and monitor vaccination campaigns, visual and nutritional screenings, while accessing real-time statistical dashboards to guide public health policies at local and national levels.
In addition, a dedicated portal enables parents to monitor their children’s health, receive notifications, provide digital consent and communicate with medical teams. The feature strengthens continuity between school and family.
Through this approach, MedSen reflects a broader trend across Africa, where local digital solutions are supporting the modernization of health systems while addressing on-the-ground realities. The healthtech company reports that it covers more than 6 million students and operates in all regions of Senegal.
This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum