Solutions (533)
To enhance healthcare access for the population, a Beninese startup launched an e-health application. The solution integrates multiple features that allow patients to receive medical care.
goMediCAL is an e-health solution developed by the Beninese startup Open SI, established in 2013 by Gilles Kounou. Launched in 2017, this Android-exclusive app, which has been downloaded over 10,000 times, offers users the ability to schedule medical appointments, discover on-call pharmacies, maintain a digital health record, and conduct teleconsultations.
Users can create an account using their email address, granting them access to a variety of services. The platform provides a dedicated search bar that allows users to find doctors by surname or specialty, regardless of whether the doctor is a specialist or a generalist. This feature enables users to locate all doctors on the platform who share a specific name or surname. Furthermore, the platform provides a comprehensive list of specialists in the chosen field.
It’s worth noting that goMediCAL also integrates insurance options. Users can track their specific procedures and select their pre-registered insurance on the platform. Additionally, it offers the convenience of paying medical fees for a relative, irrespective of whether they reside in Benin or abroad. Doctors on the platform utilize a digital agenda that allows them to work according to their availability, providing greater flexibility. The e-health solution proudly hosts more than 300 doctors, 60 health centers, and facilitates 250 daily appointments.
goMediCAL has been the recipient of several awards, most notably the Afric’innov prize in 2018, presented by the World Bank, the French Development Agency (AFD), and the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF). It also secured third place in the startup awards in the health sector at the International Conference of Ministers of Health and ICT on Healthcare Safety in Africa (CIMSA).
Adoni Conrad Quenum
After the failure of their first startup, two tech entrepreneurs decided to embark on a new venture. They turned to financial technologies, a popular segment on the continent. Then Futa was born.
Futa, a fintech solution developed by a Cameroonian startup based in Douala, enables users to send and receive money via mobile money, as well as pay for airtime and subscribe to telecom bundles. Founded in 2022 by Grace Jerolgan and Daniel Dang, the startup sees itself as more than just a payment app.
“Our goal is to build a modern bank for the modern African, enabling even a farmer in the remotest village to securely send and receive money, access loans, and even investment opportunities, with or without internet access,” the startup explains.
Currently, the app is available exclusively on Android, boasting over 5,000 downloads. For iOS users, access is provided through the web version of Futa. Users simply need to click on the ‘Install’ pop-up and follow the steps. This process installs a shortcut to the web app on the home screen, allowing users to use Futa just like any other app.
Once users register and create an account with their name, city, and phone number, they gain access to various services, including sending and receiving funds and purchasing plans. Notably, Futa enables users to manage multiple mobile money accounts from their dashboard. The fintech charges a fee ranging from 0 to 1.5%, depending on the type of transaction.
Futa reports having over 4,000 users, with more than 24,300 transactions processed through the app to date.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
The solution, launched by a Franco-Beninese tech entrepreneur, aims to improve pregnancy management across Africa.
Mama Care, an e-health solution developed by the Franco-Ivorian startup Susu, offers pregnant women comprehensive medical support and practical advice throughout their pregnancy and the initial months of their baby’s life. The startup, headquartered in Lyon, France, and with regional offices in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire), Dakar (Senegal), and Douala (Cameroon), was established in 2019 by Franco-Beninese entrepreneur Bola Bardet.
To enhance its technology, broaden its services, and facilitate its continental expansion, Susu has completed several funding rounds. In March 2022, it raised $1 million, followed by an additional $4.5 million in December 2023. Commenting on this recent fundraising, Bardet stated, “Our mission is to democratize healthcare access across the entire African continent by offering innovative solutions for quality care and financing our beneficiaries’ health. […] This funding will enable us to continue our development and fulfill our ambition of transforming the daily lives of millions of Africans.”
Launched in July 2022, the Mama Care app is available on iOS and Android and has already been downloaded over 50,000 times on PlayStore. After installing the app, pregnant women need to create an account to access Mama Care’s various services. These services include ultrasounds, blood tests, consultations, comprehensive assessments, and home visits from midwives, along with personalized advice and information on nutrition and lifestyle.
“Mama Care covers all prenatal and postnatal consultations for the expectant mother, as well as her delivery, in collaboration with the top clinics and hospitals in Côte d’Ivoire,” the startup explains.
The platform offers three packages for its services. “Mama Light” starts at XOF5,000 (about $8) per month, “Mama Zen” at XOF20,000 per month, and “Mama Plus” at XOF60,000 per month. While the platform is available in Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Cameroon, some services are not yet available in the latter two countries.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
With over 100,000 downloads of its Android app, this Nigerian fintech continues the journey it began in 2018 to enable access to various financial solutions. Its participation in Y Combinator in 2019 enabled it to access funding to develop its technology and support its growth.
CredPal is a fintech solution developed by a Nigerian startup that allows users to access a variety of financial services through its mobile app, including saving, investing, and a Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) option. Founded in Lagos in 2018 by Fehintolu Olaogun and Olorunfemi Jegede, the company raised $15 million in March 2022 to expand its offerings and support growth across the continent.
Discussing the funding round, Fehintolu Olaogun said, "We’ve built out a merchant suite to cater to those who have like full-fledged e-commerce websites to those with brick and mortar store and social commerce merchants. [...] Our tech allows consumers to be able to interface with CredPal across a wide range of channel."
In 2019, the fintech joined the Winter cohort of the California-based accelerator Y Combinator and has positioned itself in the Nigerian market by highlighting its BNPL offering. The aforementioned funding has facilitated the rollout of services in a niche segment of financial technology. Users create an account when they first log into the mobile app, which is available on both Android and iOS platforms. They must provide personal information to gain access to all the financial services offered by the fintech.
In addition to BNPL, CredPal offers savings accounts, virtual credit cards, and the "Credit Builder" program. This latter service helps customers combat a poor credit history by providing access to credit through investments. It allows clients to demonstrate their ability to repay debts on time, thereby improving their credit score and securing a brighter financial future.
Regarding the credit card, Fehintolu Olaogun mentioned that it was designed to increase the reach of the BNPL service. The savings feature allows users to accumulate points to qualify for increasingly significant credit lines. CredPal lends between 5,000 (about $4.34) and 500,000 nairas to its users based on their eligibility. They have between 30 and 180 days to repay the loan, after making a 30% down payment. Interest rates range from 4% to 9%.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
The solution, launched by several tech entrepreneurs, aims to revolutionize the pharmaceutical supply chain. It is growing fast and intends to expand to several countries in Africa.
Egyptian startup Grinta has developed an e-health solution that allows pharmacies to replenish their medicine stocks via its web and mobile platforms. Founded in 2022 by Hamza Tag, Yosra Badr, Mohamed Azab, and Ali Youssef, the Cairo-based startup aims to become Africa’s leading wholesale platform for medicines, cosmetics, and medical supplies, serving as the primary intermediary between pharmaceutical laboratories and pharmacies.
To achieve its ambitions, Grinta has made several acquisitions of companies operating in its sector. Last August, it acquired Auto Cure, a business-to-business e-commerce platform serving independent pharmacists in Alexandria, bolstering its growth in this region. “The acquisition of Auto Cure underscores Grinta’s commitment to delivering value to its customers and expanding its presence in the Egyptian market,” said Mohamed Azab.
Grinta’s mobile application, available on iOS and Android, requires pharmacies to create an account to access its supply chain. They can replenish their supplies via digital distributors, manage their stocks and sales, access educational content, and arrange financing or loans. “We empower our customers to purchase the pharmaceuticals and supplies they need and provide them with tools to manage their working capital and inventory through an easy-to-use and inclusive platform, enabling them to prioritize patient care,” the startup explains.
Beyond Egypt, the e-health platform, which claims to have served over 7,000 pharmacies and delivered more than 200,000 orders by August 2023, is also operational in Tanzania. With ambitions for expansion, the Android version of its mobile application has been downloaded more than 10,000 times, according to the Play Store.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
The financial solution was set up by three African tech entrepreneurs to assist African migrants in their transition to life in France.
Moneco, a fintech solution founded by three African tech entrepreneurs Algerian Bilal Dahlab, Beninese Jimmy Kuassi Kumako, and Malagasy Shams Radjabaly was launched in 2022. The France-based startup, which raised approximately $1 million for technology development and growth, allows users to open a euro account, obtain an international VISA payment card, and make transfers throughout Europe or between Moneco users.
The Moneco mobile application, available on iOS and Android, requires users to create an account using a passport and a selfie. A physical address in France is necessary to complete the account creation process. Once the account is set up, users can order a Visa card for payments and other financial transactions. Moneco’s ultimate goal is to serve as a comprehensive financial resource.
The Moneco debit card is priced at €20, with a monthly fee of €1.5. Withdrawals outside France but within the Euro zone also incur a €1.5 fee. Transfers, account maintenance, direct debits, transfers to another Moneco user, card payments within the eurozone, and account opening are all free of charge.
Moneco took part in the Summer 2022 cohort of the Californian accelerator Y Combinator. Since its launch, the Android version of its mobile application has been downloaded over 5,000 times, according to the Play Store.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Following his IT training, tech entrepreneur Ousseynou Diop embarked on a mission to make IT training accessible to those seeking new opportunities. His startup has introduced training programs designed to meet the continent's needs amidst the rapid digital transformation.
Xarala Academy, an e-learning solution developed by a Senegalese startup, offers training in various information and communication technology areas through its web and mobile platforms. The startup, established in 2017 by Ousseynou Diop and based in Pikine, derives its name “xarala” from the Wolof language, meaning “technology”.
"We firmly believe that education has the power to transform - not just individuals, but entire communities and nations. Our vision is rooted in the belief that every African talent trained is one step closer to a better future, where technology is a lever for improving lives," says Ousseynou Diop.
The Xarala Academy mobile application, available on iOS and Android, allows users to access a variety of edtech courses after creating an account. These courses cover areas such as web and mobile development, cybersecurity, design, digital marketing, and project management, typically lasting twelve weeks.
The courses are designed for beginners, with the belief that the twelve-week period is sufficient to acquire the necessary skills in the chosen field. The startup does not require any specific level of education to access its courses, making them accessible to anyone who can read and write.
Xarala Academy, accessible 24/7, has over 6,000 learners on its web and mobile platforms. The Android version of its mobile application has been downloaded more than a thousand times, according to the Play Store.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
The solution was set up by young tech entrepreneurs to make it easier for people to buy medicines in local languages. It won first prize at the 2023 Orange Summer Challenge.
Seribox, an e-health solution developed by the Sily Group, leverages artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things to enable users to acquire medicines in local languages. The group, led by Youssouf Djafara Diallo, initially showcased its solution at the 2023 Orange Summer Challenge. This competition, organized by telecom operator Orange, assembled students from diverse universities across 15 countries in Africa and the Middle East.
Seribox operates as a medicine dispenser that can be procured via a smartphone functioning as an order terminal. Users simply press the microphone icon button, akin to creating a voice note on an instant messaging application, to place an order in their chosen local language. In a demonstration video, Diallo placed orders in Sousou and Peulh, two local languages prevalent in Guinea.
The system responds in the order’s language, ensuring to repeat the ordered medicine’s name and its price. It automatically shifts the order to the shopping basket, with the option to add more orders to the basket. Upon completion of this stage, users validate the order by pressing the corresponding green button. The terminal then displays a QR code, allowing the bill to be paid via the Orange Money application. Once payment is confirmed, the dispenser releases the ordered medicines for the user to collect without any issues.
It’s important to note that Seribox does not dispense medicines that require a doctor’s prescription. Doctors must log into a dedicated platform to prescribe drugs that can be utilized on Seribox. They can prescribe up to four drugs per prescription, and upon doing so, the system generates a QR code. Users can photograph the prescription or have it printed on paper to place their order with Seribox. An order can also be canceled by sending a voice message to the device.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
The solution aims to facilitate access to insurance policies for Africans. It was launched by a trained telecoms engineer who switched to the insurance sector after a fifteen-year career.
Assuraf, an insurtech solution developed by a Senegalese startup, allows users to purchase insurance policies online from their homes or offices. The Dakar-based start-up, founded in 2018 by Souleymane Gning (photo), has already secured approximately $200,000 since its inception to develop its technology and facilitate its growth.
The start-up’s innovation lab focuses on disruptive products, business models, and ultra-personalized coverage, serving as a digital advisor and software factory for the industry value chain, including insurers, reinsurers, brokers, end users, and the partner ecosystem, according to the company’s LinkedIn page.
Its mobile application, available on iOS and Android, enables users to access various insurance policies offered by the startup once they download the application and create an account. Assuraf provides car/motorcycle, home, travel, health, and life insurance. Users can even obtain a free quote within minutes by providing the necessary information.
Upon quote validation, Assuraf facilitates the completion of all procedures online. Its web and mobile platforms, accessible 24/7, allow for online payment and the submission of all documents required to finalize contracts. Additionally, it offers the capability to report a claim.
In the event of a road accident involving a car insured with Assuraf, users complete a form providing details such as the type of insurance, policy number, date and time of the accident, and the vehicle involved if they have insured multiple vehicles from their account. The startup then processes the information and ensures the completion of the procedure.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Amid a scarcity of doctors in certain regions of the continent, e-health is surfacing as a reliable alternative. A growing number of startups in this sector are emerging across Africa, aiming to facilitate individuals in managing their health effectively.
Esante Company, an e-health solution developed by a Burkinabe startup, allows patients to access healthcare online through its mobile application. The startup, based in Ouagadougou, was founded in 2021 by Yves Patrick Yanogo.
Its mobile application, currently available only on Android, requires users to create an account with their details. Once registered, users can access a range of healthtech services, including online appointment booking, teleconsultation, digital medical records, and access to medical advice on various topics.
To book an appointment, users search for the desired medical specialty, select a doctor from the platform, and choose a suitable date and time for the consultation. For online consultations, users need to connect to the waiting room ten minutes before the appointment time. They can then describe their symptoms to the doctor via videoconferencing from a computer or smartphone, who will then proceed with the necessary treatment steps.
For doctors operating on the platform, the process is streamlined. With a digital diary, they can plan their work schedule for days, weeks, and even months ahead. Patients’ appointments are displayed on their dashboard, providing them with full control over their time. The application also includes features for patient monitoring, prescription writing, and easy access to patients’ medical records from anywhere.
In December 2023, Yanogo said the startup was collaborating with certain hospitals in Ouagadougou, to expand coverage nationwide. He also highlighted the challenges faced by the startup, including the nascent digital culture and poor internet coverage in his country. As of early 2023, the internet penetration rate stood at 21.6%, according to DataReportal data.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
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Launched by a tech entrepreneur whose mission is to facilitate online transactions, the solution was licensed by the Central Bank of Liberia, in October 2021.
Liberian startup eWallie, founded by Abdullah Kamara in 2021, has developed a fintech solution that allows users to send and receive money, pay bills, purchase goods and services, shop online, and pay salaries.
The mobile application, available on Android and iOS, enables users to access a range of fintech services once they download the application and complete the account creation process. Notably, eWallie features a digital wallet that facilitates these operations.
“This mobile fintech company will engage in hospital bills and school fees payment services across the country. However, we will also support resellers and distributors including SATCON utility bills to enable key services of financial transactions to have the opportunity of complete cash flow management,” Kamara said in 2021 when he secured a central bank approval for the fintech solution.
The startup has integrated its platform with several local banks and supports Visa and Mastercard, allowing customers to easily top up their wallets and conduct transactions without the need for an agent. This integration also simplifies the process of transferring cash directly to and from bank accounts.
For businesses, eWallie offers services such as salary payment, payment receipt, and stock management. Since its launch, its Android app has been downloaded over 10,000 times, according to data from the Play Store.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Founded by a Guinean IT specialist, the solution was launched to enable easy access to a wide range of products. It now claims a presence in four West African countries.
Malian startup Sodishop, an e-commerce platform that allows users to purchase a variety of items online, was launched in 2019 by Guinea-born IT specialist Boubacar Biro Baldé. The platform, based in Bamako, offers Guineans the opportunity to order products from other countries in the sub-region, such as Mali, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire, with delivery in less than 72 hours.
“Our brand new Made in Africa marketplace now enables local Guinean brands to sell and deliver throughout Africa and anywhere else in the world,” Baldé explained.
The platform, whose Android app has been downloaded more than 10,000 times according to the Play Store, features a mobile application available on iOS and Android. While users can browse the platform without an account, one is required to place orders. The site offers a wide array of products, including food, computers, phones, gadgets, fashion items, hygiene products, and school kits.
Sodishop has integrated payment solutions such as Orange Money, Paypal, and bank cards like Visa and Mastercard. Speaking to Guineenews in August 2023, Baldé revealed that since its launch, the startup has processed over $4 million in orders and averages $500,000 in annual sales through its sellers.
“We are present in four countries in West Africa. Mali and Guinea since 2019 and 2020 respectively, Senegal since 2022, and we’ve been operational in Côte d’Ivoire since early 2023,” Baldé said.
Sodishop has received numerous awards, including the prize for the best online sales platform in Mali at the 2022 Africa Business Excellence Awards. That same year, it participated in the Top 35 MEST Africa Challenge Ghana. In 2023, it was selected as one of the Top 11 in the Afritech Startupbootcamp ASIP program, receiving technical support worth $750,000 and a three-month acceleration program in Dakar, Senegal.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
The digital solution was set up to facilitate the supply of goods to retailers.
Freshbag, a Cameroonian startup, has developed an agritech solution that serves as a bridge between producers or agricultural cooperatives and small retailers. The startup, founded by Brice Ludovic Bindzi Mvogo, received an undisclosed amount of funding in 2020 from GreenTec Capital, an investment fund launched in Germany in 2015 by Cameroonian-born Frenchman Eric Yong to support startups and SMEs.
Bindzi Mvogo expressed his gratitude for GreenTec Capital’s support, stating, “Thanks to Greentec, we now have a real opportunity to move into growth mode, scale our operations, and ultimately create a greater impact for the millions of street vendors across Africa. A dream now closer to becoming a reality.”
The solution does not require a mobile application. Interested parties can directly register on the startup’s web platform as sellers to join Freshbag’s network of distributors, or as producers to supply fresh produce. Following registration, the startup conducts site visits for the usual checks and to sign a partnership agreement with the user.
In September 2020, Bindzi Mvogo acknowledged the daily challenges faced by the startup stating, “The main risks are linked to the people we serve. Informal street vendors - because they live in constant uncertainty - are often unreliable and reluctant to commit to formal contracts. Our loyalty and reward programs are gradually helping to solve this problem, but we still have a long way to go to change attitudes and behavior.”
Freshbag currently boasts around 1,600 producers and 700 sellers but it plans to expand beyond Cameroon to other countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
TalabaStore, one of the first startups accredited by the Algerian Ministry of Startups, has been experiencing consistent growth since its inception. The company is steadily gaining ground in the Algerian e-commerce sector.
Algerian startup TalabaStore, founded by Sami Aliouche in 2017, facilitates online purchases and home deliveries, with a particular focus on student discounts.
Its platform, accessible via an Android-only mobile application, allows users to create personal accounts and browse a variety of items for sale, including clothing, bags, IT products, cosmetics, and sports goods. Account creation is not mandatory for browsing the platform.
TalabaStore aims to cater specifically to students, offering a range of discounts and benefits to facilitate their purchases. “Our goal is to meet the needs of students in Algeria,” the startup states.
Despite being based in the capital, Algiers, TalabaStore extends its delivery services to 48 wilayas, enabling students across a large part of the country to access their services and benefits. The startup received financing from the Algerian Startup Fund and participated in the incubation program of the Agence Nationale de promotion et de développement des parcs technologiques (ANPT), a government initiative promoting technological advancement in the country. It was also part of the Algeria Venture acceleration program in partnership with Google for Startups.
Adoni Conrad Quenum