• Mobile technologies and services generated $240 billion in economic value in Africa in 2025, equivalent to 7.8% of the continent’s GDP.

• The sector supported around 13 million jobs and contributed $45 billion in public revenues, according to the GSMA.

• Mobile operators are expected to invest more than $76 billion in network infrastructure between 2024 and 2030 to expand 5G coverage and accelerate digital adoption.

Mobile technologies and services generated $240 billion in economic value across Africa in 2025, representing 7.8% of the continent’s gross domestic product, according to a report published by the GSMA on June 16. The sector also supported approximately 13 million jobs and contributed $45 billion in government revenues, underscoring its growing role in Africa’s economic development.

In its report, The Mobile Economy Africa 2026, the GSMA said the sector’s performance reflects a broader transformation of the mobile industry beyond traditional connectivity services. Mobile operators increasingly position themselves as digital transformation partners by integrating artificial intelligence, digital services and open application programming interfaces (APIs) designed for developers. As a result, operators are expanding their role within the digital economy and supporting innovation across multiple sectors. Despite significant progress in network deployment, digital adoption continues to lag behind connectivity availability.

The GSMA reported that approximately 63% of Africans who live within mobile broadband coverage areas do not use mobile internet services. The report identified device affordability, data costs and limited digital skills as the primary barriers to adoption. Consequently, affordability remains the biggest obstacle to achieving broader digital inclusion across the continent.

The report also highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence in the mobile sector. Operators increasingly use AI technologies to improve network performance, optimize customer experiences and develop new digital services.

However, the GSMA noted that existing AI models remain insufficiently adapted to Africa’s linguistic diversity and local market realities. As a result, the industry continues to face challenges in developing AI solutions tailored to the continent’s specific needs. Meanwhile, mobile operators are expected to invest more than $76 billion in network infrastructure between 2024 and 2030. The investments will support 5G expansion, improve service quality and accommodate rising digital usage across Africa.

The GSMA said these investments will play a critical role in converting existing connectivity into tangible economic gains. Moreover, the organization said stronger infrastructure investment will help narrow Africa’s digital adoption gap and unlock additional value from the continent’s expanding mobile ecosystem.

This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum

• South African entrepreneur Thabo Leotlela founded Synapes AI in 2024 to automate customer communication through AI-powered omnichannel chatbots.

• The platform centralizes conversations, generates sales leads and automates repetitive customer service tasks across multiple channels.

• Leotlela leverages a background in accounting and financial management to build technology solutions that improve business efficiency.

South African entrepreneur Thabo Leotlela, a trained accountant and business founder, serves as the chief executive officer and founder of Synapes AI, a technology start-up that helps organizations automate customer interactions and optimize digital communications.

Founded in 2024, Synapes AI builds its offering around intelligent omnichannel chatbots designed to streamline customer experiences. The company aims to deliver instant responses while automating repetitive interactions that frequently burden customer support and after-sales teams. By centralizing communication flows on a single interface, the platform provides continuous and consistent engagement around the clock. As a result, customers can interact with brands at any time without experiencing service interruptions.

Synapes AI positions its technology as more than a customer service solution. The platform actively supports lead generation by engaging website visitors, identifying customer needs and collecting strategic information during initial interactions. Consequently, businesses can accelerate sales prospecting efforts while improving customer engagement processes.

The company also differentiates itself through its omnichannel architecture. The platform enables conversations to move seamlessly between communication channels, such as websites and messaging applications, without losing contextual information. As a result, users maintain continuity throughout the customer journey regardless of the channel they choose.

Synapes AI automates time-consuming activities such as answering frequently asked questions, scheduling appointments and collecting basic customer information. The platform allows employees to focus on higher-value tasks by reducing administrative workloads and repetitive interactions. Consequently, organizations can improve productivity while maintaining consistent customer engagement.

Leotlela draws on extensive experience in finance and business management to develop operational efficiency solutions. He holds a professional accounting qualification from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). He began his career in 2013 with the City Lodge Hotel Group in South Africa.

He subsequently expanded his financial management experience across several organizations, including mining-sector company AMIS. He later transitioned into technology entrepreneurship, where he combined his financial expertise with emerging technologies to build digital solutions for businesses.

This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba

Adapted in English by Ange J. A de Berry Quenum

• Guinea has launched a $393,333 Japanese-funded digital health pilot to improve maternal and neonatal healthcare access in remote areas.

• The project uses SPAQ technology developed by SOIK Corporation and combines a mobile application with portable ultrasound devices.

• The initiative aims to directly benefit more than 5,000 pregnant women and 5,000 newborns while supporting the digital transformation of Guinea’s healthcare system.

Guinea launched a digital health pilot project in Conakry on Tuesday, June 16, to improve access to maternal and neonatal healthcare services in remote communities. The Government of Japan finances the initiative with $393,333 and implements the project in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The project relies on the Japanese SPAQ technology developed by SOIK Corporation.

“By connecting a dedicated application to a portable ultrasound device, SPAQ enables healthcare providers to optimize and modernize prenatal monitoring, centralize medical results and strengthen monitoring activities in isolated areas,” Japanese Ambassador to Guinea Kato Ryuichi said. He added that the project will also deploy a mobile clinic, equip 10 healthcare facilities and train 20 midwives to use the digital solution.

The initiative aims to bring healthcare services closer to populations living in some of the country’s most remote locations. The combination of a mobile application and a portable ultrasound device will allow healthcare workers to conduct prenatal examinations, identify high-risk pregnancies more quickly and improve monitoring of both patients and newborns.

The project expects to directly benefit more than 5,000 pregnant women and an equal number of infants. The initiative comes as Guinea continues to face significant maternal and neonatal healthcare challenges. According to government authorities, the country has only one midwife for nearly 20,000 inhabitants.

At the same time, recurring floods have increased pressure on healthcare access. Authorities reported that floods affected more than 175,000 people in 2024, further complicating access to health facilities across several regions.

Long travel distances, shortages of medical equipment and limited healthcare coverage in some rural areas continue to constrain maternal healthcare delivery and prenatal monitoring services.

Beyond improving prenatal care, the project seeks to accelerate the digital transformation of Guinea’s healthcare system. Authorities aim to demonstrate the effectiveness of digital tools in expanding access to specialized healthcare services in remote areas. They also expect the initiative to strengthen the resilience of the healthcare system against future health emergencies and climate-related disruptions.

This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum

• Paul Mponzi, a Congolese business intelligence consultant and data expert based in the United States, co-founded and leads TCE Global, a digital services company established in 2007.

• TCE Global delivers technology, cybersecurity, cloud computing and digital transformation solutions to clients across the financial, industrial and healthcare sectors.

• The company helps organizations strengthen operational resilience, modernize infrastructure and improve performance through data analytics and technology integration.

Paul Mponzi, a Congolese business intelligence consultant and data specialist based in the United States, has positioned his company in the strategic technology consulting and cybersecurity segment. He serves as co-founder and chief executive officer of TCE Global, a digital services company that provides strategic support to organizations seeking to modernize their technology operations and improve business performance.

Founded in 2007, TCE Global delivers customized solutions that stabilize, secure and optimize clients’ information technology environments. The company specializes in infrastructure management, business continuity planning and the integration of innovative technologies.

At the same time, TCE Global offers services spanning systems management, cloud computing, digital mobility and digital transformation consulting. Through these capabilities, the company aims to enhance corporate performance by streamlining technical ecosystems and improving operational efficiency.

In the financial sector, TCE Global modernizes banking operations, streamlines payroll systems and helps insurance companies extract greater value from their data assets to maintain competitiveness.

The engineering consultancy also serves industrial clients. Through advanced cybersecurity and data analytics solutions, the company enables manufacturers to modernize production processes and strengthen resilience against changing market conditions.

In addition, TCE Global collaborates closely with healthcare organizations, including hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and telemedicine providers. The company aims to modernize information technology infrastructure and accelerate innovation across the healthcare sector.

Paul Mponzi built the foundation of his expertise at West Virginia University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering in 2002. He began his professional career immediately after graduation at Paychex, a major payroll management company, where he worked as a database administrator.

Between 2008 and 2011, he applied his data expertise at the University of North Texas Health Science Center and UNT Health, where he served as a data analyst and contributed to data-driven decision-making initiatives.

This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum