TECH STARS (915)
A trained computer scientist, she has several years of experience with tech companies in the United States. She now leverages her expertise to support businesses and brands worldwide.
Stéphanie Assi (photo), an Ivorian entrepreneur specializing in technology, is the founder and CEO of Meraky Tech, a digital experience consulting firm that partners with global brands to drive innovation. Founded in 2019 and based in Montreal, Canada, Meraky Tech supports businesses in their digital transformation journeys by delivering tailored solutions. The firm stands out for its expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), web and mobile development, reputation management, data tracking and analysis, digital marketing, and UX/UI design.
In addition to its digital transformation consulting, Meraky Tech offers technology integration and digital project management services. In just five years, the company has completed over 700 digital projects, thanks to a team of more than 30 experts.
Beyond her work with Meraky Tech, Assi co-founded Moja Ride in 2017, an Ivorian platform that consolidates public and private transportation options onto a single digital interface. She served as the company’s Chief Technology Officer from 2019 to 2023.
A graduate of the University at Albany, United States, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science, Assi began her career in 2010 as a web developer with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. She joined IBM in 2012 as a developer, and in 2014, she took on the role of Chief Technologist at Booz Allen Hamilton, an American IT consulting firm.
In 2018, she became Software Technical Lead at Accenture, a global technology company. Two years later, she was appointed Director of Engineering at IntelliBridge, while also serving as Technical Lead at Koniag, an American investment management company.
Stéphanie Assi's career reflects her commitment to leveraging technology for business transformation, both in Africa and globally, and her work continues to shape the digital landscape.
Melchior Koba
A computer scientist and trainer specializing in AI and machine learning, he is committed to solving problems, making a positive impact on society, and strengthening communities.
Emmanuel Acheampong (photo), a tech entrepreneur passionate about artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), is the co-founder and CEO of yShade.ai, a startup focused on developing AI solutions. Founded in 2020 by Acheampong alongside Derby Chukwudi and Rofy Okyere-Forson, yShade.ai aims to address the needs of diverse skin tones and types through custom algorithms. These advanced algorithms enable accurate recognition, analysis, and matching of skin characteristics.
yShade.ai is built on a unique database containing over 10 million images and covering 100 different skin tones, which allows it to deliver tailored solutions for its partners. The technology also adjusts for variations in lighting and environmental conditions, ensuring precise and adaptable analyses.
In addition to his work with yShade.ai, Acheampong shares his expertise as an AI instructor on Maven, an online learning platform that offers courses in AI, marketing, design, and engineering. In 2020, he co-founded ROBO-Bootcamp, an educational platform that uses AI to address gaps in technical skills.
Academically, Emmanuel holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science and mathematics from Berea College (U.S.), earned in 2019, and a master’s degree in engineering, science, and technology from the University of Notre Dame, completed in 2021. Between 2021 and 2023, he also served as an instructor on Coursera, one of the world’s leading online learning platforms.
Melchior Koba
A young entrepreneur, she is fighting to reduce school dropout rates among African children. She offers innovative, tech-driven educational solutions.
Wiem Ben Mahmoud (photo) is a Tunisian tech entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of KidzRise, a startup dedicated to empowering children to actively contribute to their communities. Established in 2023, KidzRise uses an AI-powered detection system to identify and develop the unique talents and aptitudes of children between 5 and 17 years old. The company offers e-learning programs that transform these talents into concrete, marketable skills. KidzRise awards badges and certificates for achievements, aiming to make education more inclusive and equitable.
“At KidzRise, we believe every child is gifted. Each child has unique abilities and strengths that set them apart. Our mission is to uncover and nurture these hidden gems, ensuring each child reaches their full potential and shines in their own unique way,” reads the company’s website.
Wiem Ben Mahmoud graduated from the Institute of Higher Commercial Studies in Sousse, Tunisia, with a bachelor’s degree in business management and advanced commercial studies in 2021. She also holds a master’s in digital management and information systems, earned in 2022 from Esprit School of Business.
She began her career in 2016 as the media and communications manager for the Sousse International Festival. In 2020, she worked as a market research officer at Sarraj Immobilier before joining VERMEG for Banking & Insurance Software, a software provider for banks, capital markets, and insurance companies, as a business analyst in 2021.
Melchior Koba
He has years of experience working in construction companies. With a focus on digital transformation, he helps modernize industry practices.
Nabil Hassoune (photo) is a Moroccan investor and serial entrepreneur, founder and CEO of GRO’INO, which connects construction industry operators with the supplies and services they need.
Founded in 2022, GRO’INO is a B2B e-commerce platform tailored to professionals in construction and hardware. It provides merchants with centralized access to a wide range of supplies, competitive pricing, and flexible payment options. The platform offers an extensive product selection, including paint, sanitary materials, and various plumbing and carpentry tools, all with delivery service included. For exclusive hardware and DIY manufacturers and distributors, GRO’INO serves as a direct sales channel, providing targeted marketing tools and payment terms not exceeding seven days.
Hassoune is also the founder and CEO of AXURYS, an IT services startup, and an investor in PECSYS France, a company specializing in IT consulting, services, and digital transformation.
In 2018, he founded Nomalis International Group, a startup he led until 2023. This company focused on digitizing processes like logistics, B2B marketplaces, and integrated financial and insurance services.
Hassoune graduated from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Électricité et de Mécanique in Casablanca, Morocco, earning an engineering degree in mechanical design and manufacturing in 2001. He also holds a master’s degree in management from Ecole Hassania des Travaux Publics, obtained in 2014.
Before his entrepreneurial career, he worked from 2002 to 2004 as a B2B business development manager for southern Morocco at Total Petrochemicals. In 2004, he joined OCP Group, a fertilizer supplier, as operations manager. By 2012, he had become CEO of Prefamar SA, a construction materials manufacturer and distributor, while also serving as CEO of BigMat Morocco, a retailer selling construction materials.
Melchior Koba
An IT professional by trade, she is passionate about no-code development. She now uses this technology to create digital solutions in Madagascar.
Amboara Rabe-Harinoro (photo) is a Malagasy software developer and entrepreneur. She serves as the CEO of Misaina Incorporation, a company specializing in digital solutions.
Founded in 2017, Misaina Incorporation is an innovative startup in the no-code sector, providing solutions tailored to the specific needs of businesses. Its mission is to support the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups, allowing them to focus on their core activities.
Misaina Incorporation also offers no-code training courses aimed at entrepreneurs and freelancers, in addition to providing software development services.
In March 2024, Amboara Rabe-Harinoro launched NoCode Madagascar, the first no-code community in the country. She is also the lead developer of PayFacile, a platform that facilitates entrepreneurs' access to online payment solutions and subscription services. Simultaneously, she teaches software development at the IT University of Madagascar and serves as an IT consultant for BICI, a software development company.
She holds a bachelor's degree in computer science, obtained in 2017 from IT University Andoharanofotsy. She also graduated from Université Côte d’Azur, where she earned a master's degree in Mobility, Databases, and System Integration (MBDS) in 2019.
Amboara Rabe-Harinoro began her professional career in 2017 as a software developer at Madagascar Airport (ADEMA). In 2018, she joined BICI as a full-stack developer, where she also held the role of project manager. In 2019, she became a full-stack developer at iFox Code, a Mauritian mobile and web application development company, where she worked for three months.
Melchior Koba
He leverages his real estate investment expertise to help South Africans boost their income, utilizing technology to achieve this goal.
Ezra Rasethe (photo) is the founder and CEO of investRand, a South Africa-based investment firm. Through his startup, he aims to help individuals build sustainable real estate wealth.
Founded in 2021, investRand offers a marketplace connecting real estate investors with income-generating properties, reliable service providers, and various financing options. The company's goal is to enable individuals to generate passive income through real estate investment.
"Our platform is revolutionizing the real estate and PropTech industries by making it possible, accessible, and profitable for every South African to invest in property. We are proud to offer exceptional investment opportunities within every budget and area of interest, empowering our clients to make informed decisions about property investing," the company explains on its website.
Rasethe is also the founder and CEO of Infinity Property Group, established in 2017, which includes companies specializing in proptech, affordable housing, and student housing. These firms help South Africans make informed choices in real estate investment through technology.
Rasethe holds a degree in real estate development and investment from the University of Cape Town, obtained in 2022. He also serves as president of the 4thDimension Toastmasters club, where he helps members enhance their communication and leadership skills through public speaking.
Melchior Koba
Digital transformation and artificial intelligence are key to modernizing nations and boosting their competitiveness. By investing in these areas, countries can upgrade infrastructure, improve public services, and strengthen their digital economies.
Tunisia plans to implement a digital transformation strategy and an artificial intelligence (AI) strategy, according to Communications Technology Minister Sofiene Hemissi. The announcement came on the sidelines of the 10th International Forum for Chief Information Officers (CIOs), held in Hammamet from Thursday, November 7 to Saturday, November 9. The initiatives aim to boost digital usage and leverage Tunisia’s AI potential.
Hemissi explained that the national digital transformation strategy will be built on several core pillars: digitizing administrative and public services, fostering the digital economy, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in digital fields, enhancing communication network infrastructure, and strengthening legislative and regulatory frameworks to secure cyberspace.
The AI strategy, set for launch in 2025, aims to integrate AI into key sectors, including health, education, environment, and transport, while advancing digitalization and promoting open data usage. It also emphasizes creating business incubators and support programs for promising tech projects at the local level.
The upcoming digital strategy will replace the 2022-2025 plan, which positioned Tunisia among Africa's digital leaders. According to the latest report from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), released in December 2023, Tunisia ranks 8th in Africa with a score of 77.2 out of 100 in ICT development. In e-government, Tunisia leads in North Africa and ranks third continent-wide, according to the United Nations’ E-Government Survey 2024: Accelerating Digital Transformation for Sustainable Development. The report gives Tunisia a score of 0.6935 out of 1, surpassing the African average of 0.4247.
Samira Njoya
After a few years in finance, he turned his attention to entrepreneurship. Leveraging technology, he developed innovative solutions in finance, logistics, and event management.
David Christian Mbang (photo) is a Cameroonian accountant by training and the founder and CEO of Adwa Sarl, a software development startup. Established in 2017, Adwa Sarl supports businesses in their digital transformation, offering IT audit and consulting services. The company designs custom technology solutions tailored to the needs of both businesses and individuals, guiding them through their digital projects.
One of its flagship products is AdwaPay, an online payment platform that enables businesses and e-commerce sites to manage financial transactions. AdwaPay supports payments through Orange Money, PayPal, Express Union, and various credit cards.
The startup also offers a range of other solutions, including Kwanza, a multichannel e-ticketing system, and Kiwoti, a web and mobile platform for ticket sales. Additionally, MyEvent, a platform dedicated to event promotion and ticket sales, is part of Adwa Sarl’s offerings. The company rounds out its service lineup with Mboa Taxi, a chauffeured vehicle reservation service providing air-conditioned cars for urban and intercity travel.
David Christian Mbang holds a master’s degree in finance and accounting, earned in 2012 from the University of Douala. Before founding Adwa Sarl, he served as Administrative and Financial Director at NG Conseil Sarl, a consulting firm operating in Congo and Cameroon, from 2016 to 2017.
Melchior Koba
Energy efficiency and smart resource management are top priorities for businesses. In Senegal, he leverages technology to meet these needs by delivering innovative solutions.
Bassirou Ba (photo) is a Senegalese tech entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Witniss IoT, a startup specializing in fleet and fuel management. Witniss IoT aims to transform business operations by harnessing the power of the Internet of Things (IoT). The company addresses the need for monitoring and optimizing mobile assets through two main solutions: iGeoTrack and Fuel-Route.
The startup’s flagship product, iGeoTrack, enables companies to track the real-time location of their vehicles and monitor fuel consumption. By installing submerged fuel sensors, this technology boosts energy efficiency and reduces operating costs.
Additionally, Witniss IoT offers predictive maintenance services, along with driver identification and management systems. The company is also expanding its focus to include smart home solutions, temperature management for cold storage, and promotes the recycling of electronic and tech equipment.
Bassirou Ba graduated from the Institut Supérieur de Management in Senegal, earning a master’s degree in international management in 2018. After completing his studies, he worked as a business engineer for Group I.C.R., an IT and industrial engineering company, from 2018 to 2022. He then served as the B2B sales manager at Huawei in Senegal from 2022 to 2023.
Melchior Koba
Every year, many Africans move abroad in search of better opportunities. This Nigerian entrepreneur supports migrants like himself by enabling them to provide financial assistance to family members back home.
Emmanuel Ogbodo (photo) is a Nigerian computer scientist and entrepreneur based in the United Kingdom. He is the founder and CEO of OhentPay, a fintech startup specializing in international money transfers.
Founded in 2018, OhentPay is a UK-based money transfer platform serving individuals and businesses. It allows users to send and receive money easily and quickly, facilitating financial exchanges between friends, family and loved ones worldwide. The platform supports up to 40 currencies, offering competitive exchange rates.
OhentPay primarily targets the millions of Nigerians living abroad, making international transactions straightforward with fixed, transparent fees and no hidden charges. The company currently operates in over 190 countries, including Australia, Belgium, France, the United States, Canada, and Estonia.
Ogbodo graduated from the University of Greenwich in the UK with a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering in 2017. His career began in 2013 at Nigeria's National Information Technology Development Agency, where he worked as a programming instructor.
In 2015, he joined Facebook as a software engineer, then moved to Mobile Worker Plus, a software and technology company, in 2017, where he served as a software engineer and DevOps consultant. In 2018, he took on the role of full-stack developer at Gigaclear, a UK telecommunications company.
Melchior Koba
More...
He is an award-winning entrepreneur with a proven track record in digital marketing and business. He has founded over five companies in various industries, including finance, mobility, and logistics.
Wilson Ganga (photo) is an Angolan serial entrepreneur and business leader. He is the founder and CEO of Paypay Africa, a fintech specializing in mobile payment solutions for e-commerce across Africa. His mission is to make financial services more inclusive and payments more convenient.
Launched in 2020, Paypay Africa offers a mobile app that enables users to send and receive money, pay electricity, water, and TV bills, buy airtime, and shop at various retailers. The startup also helps individuals and businesses save money by eliminating maintenance fees and providing discounts to its customers.
On its website, the company states its goal is to empower Angolans to make international transfers through Paypay and establish the app as the top payment solution in Angola.
In 2015, Ganga co-founded Tranzind Delivery, an online ordering and marketing company where he now serves on the advisory board. In 2016, he co-founded Tupuca, a delivery startup where he holds a board position. The following year, he launched G-Smart Solutions, a firm focused on digital business services.
Ganga also serves as CEO of G-Corporate, an investment company in Angola. In 2021, he co-founded Gafran International, a transport and logistics company, and in 2023, he launched Avança Na Vida, a microcredit startup. He is also on the board of the Angolan group Dinelia.
Ganga holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in management and operations from the University of Saint Francis in the United States, awarded in 2015. In 2018, he was named Entrepreneur of the Year at Deloitte's Sirius Awards.
Melchior Koba
A computer science graduate with a passion for artificial intelligence, he aims to make education more accessible in Africa. He has received numerous awards and honors for his achievements.
George Boateng (photo) is a Ghanaian computer scientist, engineer, educator, and social entrepreneur. He is the co-founder and CEO of Kwame AI, a tech startup focused on democratizing science and technology education in Africa.
Founded in 2022, Kwame AI (formerly SuaCode.ai) specializes in artificial intelligence. The company supports students, educators, researchers, and legal professionals in enhancing their performance and productivity. It offers EsqAI, an AI-powered legal assistant.
Accessible via a web app, EsqAI enables lawyers and law students in Commonwealth countries to conduct legal research. This assistant combines semantic search with generative AI to answer users’ questions instantly, leveraging its database and aggregated content.
Boateng is also a lecturer at ETH Zurich, a renowned Swiss university known for its expertise in science and technology. Before founding Kwame AI, he co-founded the Nsesa Foundation in 2014, a non-profit organization promoting innovation in Ghana, where he served as president until 2022. He graduated from Dartmouth College in the United States, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science in 2016. He also holds a master’s in computer engineering from Dartmouth’s Thayer School of Engineering (2017) and a PhD in machine learning from ETH Zurich (2022).
In 2015, he interned as a software engineer at Sapho, a U.S.-based software company, and in 2021, he joined Amazon as an applied scientist. During his internship with the Alexa Edge ML team, he worked on multimodal sarcasm detection for Alexa AI.
His career has garnered significant recognition. In 2021, he was named among MIT Technology Review’s 35 Innovators Under 35. In 2022, he was listed as one of IBM’s “New Creators,” and in 2023, he was featured on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list.
Melchior Koba
After gaining several years of experience in France, she returned to Africa to contribute to its development. She is passionate about promoting women's inclusion in the tech industry.
Longa Andrea Mbuyamba (photo), a Côte d'Ivoire-based digital transformation consultant based, is the founder of Abidjanaises In Tech, an organization focused on strengthening and promoting women’s participation in the digital sector in Côte d'Ivoire. Established in 2023, Abidjanaises In Tech aims to inspire, connect, and equip women with the skills needed to thrive in the technology field. Positioned as a business network, the organization aspires to build the largest pool of qualified female tech experts in the country.
"Our goal is to create opportunities, enhance digital skills, and spark interest in tech careers while raising awareness across our ecosystem. We reflect the diversity and dynamism of women from all backgrounds in the STEM universe [science, technology, engineering, and mathematics] and work with determination toward a more inclusive, balanced digital future," the organization explains.
Abidjanaises In Tech hosts workshops, experience-sharing sessions, and mentoring programs to develop both technical and leadership skills among its members. It also highlights members' achievements on its communication platforms. Currently, the organization has over 280 members, including 38% professionals and 31% entrepreneurs and startup founders. In its first year, it generated more than fifty opportunities for its members.
Before founding Abidjanaises In Tech, Mbuyamba co-founded Panafrican Stories in 2018, a platform aimed at strengthening connections between Africa and its diaspora by sharing stories and insights on the continent.
Mbuyamba holds a State Certificate in Political Studies, specializing in economic intelligence, earned from Sciences Po Aix in France in 2014. She also obtained a Master’s in Management Science from IESEG School of Management in 2017.
Her professional journey began in 2014 as an account manager assistant at South African PR firm Amplicon PR. In 2017, she interned as a marketing assistant before advancing to project manager at Deloitte France. She later joined Accenture France in 2018 as a digital transformation consultant. From 2021 to 2023, she served as Head of Organization and Change Management for financial institution COFINA Group.
Melchior Koba
He harnesses technology to address unmet needs in Algeria. He leads two companies, one of which connects individuals to local and international experts.
Kheireddine Boulefa (photo), an Algerian tech entrepreneur, is the founder and CEO of Moustachir, an online consulting platform that connects users with Algerian experts across various fields, both nationally and internationally.
Founded in 2022, Moustachir enables users to engage with high-level Algerian specialists across diverse sectors, including economics, finance, entrepreneurship, and import-export. The platform also offers technical consulting in web and app development, artificial intelligence, networking, cybersecurity, operating systems, data analysis, and robotics.
In addition, Moustachir provides consultations in social, educational, linguistic, artistic, and media fields. With over 90 consultants, the platform extends services such as business domiciliation, training programs, and coworking space rentals.
Beyond Moustachir, Boulefa is also the CEO of Yinvesti, an Algerian crowdfunding platform that connects entrepreneurs and investors. Prior to founding Moustachir, he launched EURL KHEIROTAXI, a chauffeur-driven vehicle reservation platform, which he led until 2022.
Before his entrepreneurial ventures, Boulefa worked with Oriflame SPO, a beauty products company, joining in 2013 as an agency director in Algeria. In 2017, he became a project manager at BlueGreen Business, a startup incubator, a role he held until 2022.
Melchior Koba