• South African startup Uptooyoo operates a digital marketplace linking service providers with clients.
• The platform has recorded more than 10,000 downloads on Android, according to Play Store data.
• Uptooyoo targets both physical services and digital freelancing, with secure payments for online work.

Uptooyoo operates as a digital platform developed by a South African startup. The company designed the solution as an all-in-one digital marketplace that allows anyone offering physical or digital services to gain visibility, manage assignments, and connect with clients within a few clicks.

The platform offers a mobile application available on iOS and Android, where it has already surpassed 10,000 downloads, according to Play Store data. Service providers can create a professional profile within minutes, describe their skills, pricing, and experience, and manage bookings and customer reviews in one place. Meanwhile, clients can search for providers by category or location and communicate directly before confirming a service.

For digital services, Uptooyoo integrates a secure payment system that holds client funds until the customer validates the completed work. This mechanism provides financial protection for both parties. By contrast, for physical services, the platform focuses on matchmaking and coordination, while payment usually takes place off-platform after service delivery.

Uptooyoo targets a broad range of profiles, from traditional trades such as plumbers, gardeners, and hairdressers to digital freelancers offering design, web writing, web development, or marketing services. The platform’s added value lies in its ability to centralize and formalize activities that previously relied largely on informal channels such as social media, word of mouth, and community groups.

“We created Uptooyoo to connect talent with opportunities. South Africans should not have to rely solely on social media, community groups, or word of mouth to find work. With Uptooyoo, you can formalize your activity, expand your client base, and easily create your own professional website, all from the app,” said Courtney Wilson, head of business development.

By positioning itself within Africa’s expanding gig economy, Uptooyoo addresses growing demand for formalization and access to economic opportunities for independent workers. At the same time, the platform offers consumers a reliable, structured, and local way to find qualified service providers.

This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum

• Zambian tech entrepreneur Chanda Phiri co-founded CareHive, a digital platform that links households with vetted domestic workers and caregivers.

• Founded in 2025, CareHive targets easier and safer access to home maintenance and daily care services.

• The platform applies a simplified digital matching process to professionalise domestic services.

Chanda Phiri (photo) works as a Zambian technology entrepreneur and a business growth and marketing strategist. He co-founded and leads CareHive Maid and Homecare Limited, a home services platform that connects families with qualified domestic workers.

Founded in 2025, CareHive seeks to simplify access to reliable professionals for home maintenance and daily living assistance. The company offers a vetted domestic staffing service that allows users to choose between two main categories based on household needs: maids and caregivers.

The platform relies on a simple and intuitive online form. Users specify the type of assistance they need, including housekeeping or in-home care, before accessing a curated selection of matching profiles.

This streamlined process aims to make home assistance more accessible while ensuring worker reliability and user security.

Alongside his role at CareHive, Chanda Phiri serves as a technology and team development advisor at Mighty Fin Solutions, a company specialising in tailored digital financial services.

Between 2024 and 2025, he worked as product and growth associate at Zonka Farms, a digital platform that connects farmers with buyers and restaurants.

Phiri holds a certificate in digital transformation from the India School of Business. He has also completed several certified courses on Coursera in business strategy, technological innovation, leadership, marketing and social collaboration.

This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM

• Djibouti launched its Mobile ID platform to enable secure digital identification and access to public and private services.

• The government positioned Mobile ID as a core pillar of administrative modernisation and digital economy development.

• Authorities pledged to store biometric data exclusively at the Interior Ministry to address privacy and data sovereignty concerns.

Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh officially launched the Mobile ID platform on Monday, February 9. The launch took place alongside the closing session of the National Digital Identity Forum held at the People’s Palace under presidential patronage.

The government designed Mobile ID to simplify and secure citizen access to public and private services. The platform enables electronic authentication through smartphones or a unique digital identifier. Authorities aim to reduce administrative procedures, strengthen transparency in state interactions and anchor Djibouti in a modern digital economy.

Priority use cases include access to civil registry services, tax procedures, bank account opening and electronic signature of official documents.

Beyond administrative simplification, the government plans to use Mobile ID as a data interoperability tool. Authorities expect the platform to integrate documents such as driving licences and selected health information around a single citizen identifier.

The Interior Minister illustrated this objective by citing emergency medical care. He said a doctor could quickly access essential patient health data through a biometric identifier during urgent treatment.

The project forms part of a broader public administration modernisation strategy. Authorities aligned the initiative with programmes such as “Djibouti, Foundation of Digital,” a five-year plan that aims to expand broadband infrastructure, promote digital skills and strengthen mobile and internet coverage nationwide.

The launch comes as connectivity gradually improves. DataReportal data showed Djibouti recorded 616,000 active mobile cellular connections at the end of 2025, representing 51.9% of the population. The data also showed 772,000 internet users, corresponding to a penetration rate of 65%.

However, project success depends largely on data security. The government addressed privacy concerns by stating that the Interior Ministry will store citizens’ biometric data exclusively.

Authorities said other institutions will access information only through a secure system that exchanges encrypted requests and responses between servers. The government said the architecture will preserve data sovereignty and confidentiality.

This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM

• Kenyan tech entrepreneur Daniel Litunya founded Dairy Sense to automate on-farm milk quality testing using artificial intelligence.

• The solution claims 98% accuracy and targets revenue gains of up to 50% for dairy farmers while enabling early disease detection.

• The technology has reached farmers across 47 counties in Kenya since the company’s launch in 2024.

Daniel Litunya (photo) works as a Kenyan computer scientist and technology entrepreneur. He founded and leads Dairy Sense, a company that helps African dairy farmers earn more from their activity by providing a fast and simple tool to check milk quality directly on the farm.

Founded in 2024, Dairy Sense aims to transform dairy farming in Africa by giving small-scale producers access to on-site technology that tests milk quality and detects herd diseases at an early stage. The company targets lower waste, higher farmer incomes and healthier livestock.

Dairy Sense relies on artificial intelligence-based milk quality tests. The solution delivers immediate results on the farm with accuracy comparable to laboratory analysis. The system also enables early detection of health issues such as mastitis, which limits disease spread and protects milk production. At the same time, the technology reduces post-harvest losses.

Dairy Sense extends its offering beyond hardware and software tools. The company also supports farmers through comprehensive training programmes that strengthen skills and technical knowledge. Farmers have adopted the solution across 47 counties in Kenya.

The start-up reports 98% accuracy in its milk quality tests. The company also says the solution can increase dairy farmers’ incomes by nearly 50% by reducing rejection rates and improving milk pricing.

Alongside his role at Dairy Sense, Daniel Litunya works as a backend developer at Kre8.Hub, a platform that provides African creatives with tools, resources and infrastructure to develop, scale and monetise their work.

Litunya also represents young people at the World Food Forum. He holds a degree in computer science from United States International University–Africa.

This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba 

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum