- Tech specialist Youssef Sami founded Datalentech in 2025 to transform raw corporate data into automated decision-making solutions.
- Datalentech launched PAULA, a specialized poultry sector platform that predicts farming performance and optimizes profit margins.
- Sami concurrently drives circular technology projects as CTO of Environ-Adapt and advises digital health startup MedTech Solutions Egypt.
Egyptian entrepreneur Youssef Sami focuses his primary professional efforts on converting corporate data capital into genuine growth drivers. The tech specialist founded Datalentech in 2025 to achieve this goal. Sami designed Datalentech to convert raw corporate information into actionable decision-making solutions and automated operational processes.
To deliver these outcomes efficiently, Sami structures his organization as an artificial intelligence laboratory around a three-part strategic framework. Datalentech treats corporate data as its raw material. The firm utilizes tech talents as its primary transformation engine. Finally, the company delivers technological innovation as its scalable final product.
Datalentech services a diverse corporate clientele that spans major conglomerates and high-growth enterprises. The firm deploys a comprehensive portfolio of technical expertise to support these partners. Datalentech designs customized AI strategies, builds advanced predictive models, programs intelligent conversational assistants, and manages massive Big Data infrastructures. These target interventions maximize corporate operational efficiency, reduce enterprise overhead costs, and uncover new revenue streams for business partners.
This robust enterprise framework enables the rapid deployment of specialized vertical software solutions across traditional industries. PAULA represents one of the most prominent innovations from Sami's development pipeline. Datalentech developed this dedicated platform specifically for the commercial poultry sector. The digital tool allows poultry industry operators to forecast farming performance metrics, optimize corporate profit margins, and schedule agricultural production schedules with high precision. An integrated intelligent assistant supports these operators by issuing early warning alerts and providing real-time management recommendations.
While Datalentech occupies significant corporate resources, Sami expands his market footprint across other sustainable technology sectors. Sami simultaneously holds the position of Chief Technology Officer and co-founder at Environ-Adapt, an enterprise that develops circular economy technologies. Sami also provides strategic guidance to the healthcare sector as the primary technology advisor for digital health startup MedTech Solutions Egypt.
A rigorous academic foundation and extensive corporate experience support this diverse multi-firm portfolio. Sami graduated from the American University in Cairo in 2010 with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Business Management. He advanced his academic specialization in 2018 by earning a Master's degree in Business Analytics and Big Data from the IE School of Science and Technology in Spain.
Sami initiated his professional trajectory in 2011 at the American technology firm Schlumberger, where he executed projects as a digital production solutions engineer. Sami joined American energy firm Sensia Global in 2020. He managed the digital solutions team in Egypt before he assumed the role of Regional Head of Digital Solutions for the Middle East and Africa region. Sami expanded his sustainability credentials from 2022 to 2024 when he directed technical strategy as the Chief Technology Officer of Intro Sustainable Resources, an operator that develops green energy projects.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Ivorian fintech startup Green Pay launched an interoperable platform that aggregates mobile money, credit cards, QR codes, and e-wallets into a single terminal.
- Foundering partners Anouar Traboulsi and Hervé Tairou aim to build a vast merchant network to bridge the gap between cash-reliant retailers and mobile banking users.
- The platform consolidates retail operations by processing bill payments, executing money transfers, and generating real-time business activity reports.
Ivorian financial technology startup Green Pay is aggressively capturing market share in the merchant services sector. The company provides a unified ecosystem that helps local retailers accept multiple digital payment methods seamlessly.
The emerging fintech firm designed its core payment infrastructure to eliminate technical fragmentation for businesses. The software allows merchants to process mobile money transactions, bank cards, QR code payments, and electronic wallets. Consequently, corporate clients manage their entire digital revenue streams without purchasing multiple hardware terminals or executing complex software integrations.
Co-founders Anouar Traboulsi and Hervé Tairou launched the Abidjan-based business in 2019. The executive team targets a clear operational milestone to "create a vast network of acceptance points available to mobile subscribers for merchant payments."
This commercial strategy addresses a heavily fragmented West African financial landscape where diverse mobile wallet ecosystems coexist alongside traditional banking networks. Green Pay leverages technical interoperability to accelerate financial inclusion and modernize the region's retail commerce sector.
The enterprise platform specifically serves high-volume retail stores, commercial distribution chains, and independent service providers. In addition to core transaction processing, Green Pay delivers critical value-added features to its clients. The system automates utility bill payments, manages peer-to-peer money transfers, and produces analytical business activity reports.
The corporate business model relies on an interconnected network of physical terminals and digital acceptance points. This infrastructure expands consumer access to digital financial services, particularly within geographic regions that lack physical bank branches. However, the company faces distinct market challenges, including the need to secure widespread merchant adoption and maintain durable technical integrations with top-tier mobile money operators and commercial banking institutions.
The expansion of Green Pay coincides with a broader macroeconomic surge in digital payments across West Africa. Rising smartphone penetration rates and increasing consumer adoption of mobile transaction systems fuel this structural regional growth.
Over the long term, these integrated platforms will reduce cash dependency and formalize capital flows within both informal and formal African retail markets. Rival regional fintech firms, including Djamo, FeexPay, and CinetPay, pursue similar market opportunities in this rapidly evolving sector.
This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Somalia is accelerating its national migration to Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) to expand its digital infrastructure capacity and support economic growth.
- The National Communications Authority (NCA) convened internet service providers, universities, and telecom experts on June 10 to synchronize deployment strategies.
- The government established a dedicated National IPv6 Center at Jamhuriya University to train technical experts and bypass the severe address limits of older IPv4 technology.
Somali authorities leverage digital transformation to boost the country's socio-economic development. Government agencies are aggressively strengthening infrastructure networks to support the rapid growth of digital services across the nation.
To achieve these long-term goals, Somalia is intensifying its structural transition to the new generation of internet addresses (IPv6). This strategic initiative expands the capacity of the country's digital infrastructure and anticipates the future growth of online applications.
The National Communications Authority (NCA) and the National IPv6 Center advanced this agenda on Wednesday, June 10, by hosting a specialized technical workshop. This strategic meeting united internet service providers, academic institutions, telecommunications experts, and diverse digital sector stakeholders.
According to the national news agency, this collaborative gathering provided a vital platform to raise institutional awareness about IPv6 adoption. The workshop strengthened technical collaboration among key stakeholders, supported the national digital transformation roadmap, deployed next-generation internet technologies, and upgraded existing network infrastructures.
"Today, we do not plan only for the current needs of the internet, but also for those of future generations, ensuring that they have access to modern technologies and remain prepared for the continuous growth of the digital economy," said Mustafa Yasiin Sheikh, Director General of the telecom regulator.
Prior to this workshop, Somalia adopted a dedicated national IPv6 strategy in February 2025 to create a unified implementation framework. This policy framework enabled the successful creation of the National IPv6 Center. Located inside Jamhuriya University, this research hub serves as a specialized center for research and training to prepare a new generation of experts in IPv6 deployment and network management.
These domestic infrastructure initiatives match critical global realities, as the previous generation protocol (IPv4) reached its maximum allocation limits in 2011 despite its continued widespread use across Africa. Launched originally in 1981, IPv4 provides a maximum capacity of approximately 4.3 billion unique IP addresses. Conversely, IPv6 generates up to 340 undecillion addresses, which delivers a permanent solution for the rising connectivity demands of traditional web users and connected Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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.
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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
- 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