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Makhtar Diop leads Jiwall, a platform enabling pooled real estate investment in Senegal.
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The company structures each project through a dedicated entity in which investors become shareholders.
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Jiwall aims to improve housing access and democratize property investment across sub-Saharan Africa.
Makhtar Diop operates as co-founder and chief executive officer of Jiwall, a real estate investment platform that allows individuals to pool resources to finance property developments in Senegal.
The platform enables participants to jointly fund apartment and building projects. Founded in 2017, Jiwall aims to make housing and real estate investment more accessible across sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, the company offers a diversified portfolio of projects tailored to different investor and buyer profiles.
Jiwall bases its model on co-construction, a collaborative investment approach inspired by carpooling. The platform brings together individuals seeking housing or investment opportunities and landowners willing to develop property projects. Each participant contributes capital according to financial capacity. As a result, participants acquire property ownership or generate capital gains upon project completion.
Jiwall establishes a dedicated company for each real estate project. Participants become shareholders in these project-specific entities. The platform manages administrative and technical operations and supervises the full development process. At the same time, Jiwall applies a strict selection protocol to participants, prioritizing financial solvency and profile compatibility with project requirements.
In parallel, Makhtar Diop serves as operations director at Tanél Health, a technology company founded in 2020. Tanél Health develops insurance infrastructure to improve access to healthcare across Africa. Makhtar Diop earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance in 2012 from New Mexico State University. He completed an internship at Ernst & Young in 2013. The firm promoted him the same year to senior associate within its financial services office insurance division.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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Gabon will deploy a digital data hub to track timber from forest to export.
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Authorities aim to address major inconsistencies in production and revenue data within the forestry sector.
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The forestry industry employs about 15,000 people and remains Gabon’s largest private-sector employer.
The government of Gabon has announced the creation of a digital data hub to ensure full traceability of logs from forest sites to export ports. Maurice Ntossui Allogo announced the initiative on Thursday, March 12 during a presentation on modernizing the timber sector and improving natural resource monitoring.
According to the World Bank, the forestry sector represents the largest private employer in Gabon, with about 15,000 jobs. Therefore, authorities aim to strengthen governance in this strategic industry through digital tools.
The system will rely on the digitalization and centralization of forestry data. Authorities will track each tree from the planning stage using GPS geolocation before logging operations begin. They will also record timber volumes after extraction and monitor quantities sent to processing plants, transformed, and exported.
At the same time, the platform will harmonize data across government agencies, including forestry services and customs authorities. As a result, authorities expect to improve coordination and oversight across the timber value chain.
The initiative follows significant discrepancies in sector statistics. Government data shows that 1.5 million cubic meters of logs generated more than CFA42 billion ($73.5 million) in 2024. However, more than 3 million cubic meters generated only CFA31 billion in 2025. Therefore, authorities consider these gaps difficult to explain and indicative of weaknesses in the current monitoring and control system.
By deploying the digital hub, authorities aim to improve transparency and strengthen the reliability of sector data. They also seek to reduce fraud risks and reinforce forest governance sovereignty. Ultimately, the system should enhance control over the entire value chain, from production to export. In addition, authorities expect the initiative to support more efficient and sustainable management of natural resources.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Algeria plans a national digital registry to catalog all locally produced goods and services.
- Authorities aim to improve export diversification as hydrocarbons still account for nearly 90% of export revenues.
- The platform will centralize fragmented data to better target international markets and support competitiveness.
Algeria is planning to establish a comprehensive national digital registry to catalog all locally produced goods and services in order to better structure its export offering. Authorities discussed the project during a coordination meeting held on Tuesday, March 17 in Algiers. Kamel Rezig chaired the meeting in his capacity as Minister of Foreign Trade and Export Promotion.
#Commerce_extérieur
— Algérie Presse Service وكالة الأنباء الجزائرية (@Algerie_aps) March 17, 2026
Vers la création d’un fichier numérique des services et produits fabriqués en #Algérie
🔗https://t.co/P1BG0KZTZj pic.twitter.com/nc3L8uxHdg
The planned system will create a centralized and continuously updated database. Authorities will use the platform to better direct Algerian products toward international markets and improve their visibility.
At the same time, the registry will help identify national production capacities. Currently, multiple administrations hold fragmented data, which limits coordination and efficiency. As a result, the initiative seeks to streamline information flows and strengthen policy alignment.
The project forms part of Algeria’s broader economic diversification strategy. Hydrocarbons still generate nearly 90% of the country’s export revenues. Therefore, authorities consider the structuring and promotion of local production essential to expanding non-hydrocarbon exports.
In this context, the registry will help sectors identify their needs in goods and services more precisely. Consequently, policymakers expect to improve coordination across public policies and industrial strategies.
Authorities expect the digital registry to support a more targeted export strategy. They also aim to enhance the competitiveness of local companies in global markets. Ultimately, the tool should strengthen Algeria’s ability to position its products internationally and reduce reliance on energy exports.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Kenya introduced a loan guarantee mechanism to improve bank lending to startups.
- The scheme involves United Nations Capital Development Fund and Co-operative Bank of Kenya under the DigiKen program.
- Authorities aim to address persistent financing constraints despite a fast-growing startup ecosystem.
Kenya has introduced a credit guarantee mechanism to strengthen financing for its technology ecosystem by addressing constraints in local bank lending. United Nations Capital Development Fund and Co-operative Bank of Kenya formalized the initiative on Tuesday, March 17 in Nairobi.
They integrated the mechanism into the DigiKen program to reduce the perceived risk associated with early-stage and scaling digital companies. Therefore, the initiative aims to encourage banks to extend credit to startups that typically struggle to secure financing.
𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐒𝐌𝐄𝐬
— Ministry of Info, Comms & The Digital Economy KE (@MoICTKenya) March 17, 2026
Nairobi, Kenya – 17th March, 2026
The Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy today… pic.twitter.com/rWoBshALxJ
A Structured and Growing Digital Ecosystem
The mechanism comes amid strong growth in Kenya’s digital economy. Kenya has established itself as a leading technology hub in Africa, supported by a dynamic startup ecosystem across fintech, digital services, and e-commerce. International rankings confirm this trend.
According to the StartupBlink index published in March 2026, Kenya hosts 612 startups, reinforcing its position as a regional innovation hub. At the same time, public investment in infrastructure has supported this expansion.
Authorities report that more than 40,000 kilometers of fiber optic networks have been deployed nationwide. They also state that the eCitizen platform has more than 16 million users and records around 500,000 daily logins.
Addressing Startup Financing Constraints
Despite these advances, startups continue to face significant barriers to accessing financing. Banks often consider these companies high-risk due to emerging business models and uncertain revenue streams.
Therefore, the new mechanism relies on risk-sharing to reduce financial institutions’ exposure. As a result, stakeholders aim to correct this market failure by mobilizing public and private partners around an innovative financing model. They expect the scheme to stimulate lending and support the scaling of local startups.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Claude Dimo leads Studirium, an AI-driven platform digitizing school management.
- The platform serves hundreds of institutions and thousands of users across Africa and Europe.
- Studirium centralizes school data to enable real-time administrative oversight and decision-making.
Claude Dimo operates as co-founder and chief executive officer of Studirium, a technology company that uses artificial intelligence to digitize the school ecosystem. The platform integrates AI tools with administrative management to provide real-time oversight for educational institutions.
Founded in 2024, Studirium supports schools in both Africa and Europe by improving organization and operational monitoring. Therefore, the company positions itself as a digital infrastructure provider for modern education systems.
Studirium operates through web and mobile applications. Each institution registers through a dedicated form that captures essential school data. Once the platform validates the submission, it assigns a unique ID and password that enable access to a centralized management portal. The system stores and secures all institutional data, including structures, classes, staff, and students.
As a result, administrators can access and manage information in a unified digital environment.
Studirium structures its platform to reflect the diversity of school communities. The system supports multiple user profiles, including administrators, teachers, administrative staff, and students.
The platform organizes data to ensure that authorized users can easily access relevant information. Therefore, institutions gain a comprehensive and dynamic view of daily operations.
Claude Dimo earned a bachelor’s degree in condensed matter and materials physics in 2017 from University of Dschang. He then pursued graduate studies at University of Lorraine, where he obtained a master’s degree in physical sciences in 2018 and a PhD in digital physics and information sciences in 2021. Between 2022 and 2025, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at University of Kaiserslautern.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
Deel’s 2026 Pitch Startup Competition is now accepting applications from pre-seed, seed, and Series A startups. Selected startups will pitch at regional events, where up to 100 winners will receive $50,000 each and advance to the global final. The top ten finalists can secure up to $1 million in funding to accelerate their international growth.
The Botswana Innovation Fund and Scalar International have launched the Scalar Botswana Innovation Program, a 12-month accelerator supporting ten startups in climate tech and digital technologies. Selected firms will gain access to a $150 million fund targeting decarbonization in Southern Africa, aimed at scaling sustainable energy solutions and digital infrastructure.
- System to enable tree-level traceability from forest to export
- Reform targets data gaps, fraud risks, and weak sector oversight
Gabon's government announced Thursday the creation of a national digital data center to ensure end-to-end traceability of logs from forest to export.
The announcement was made by Water and Forests Minister Maurice Ntossui Allogo during a briefing on efforts to modernize the timber sector and strengthen monitoring of natural resources.
The system will be based on digitizing and centralizing forestry data. It will allow authorities to track individual trees from the forest management stage, including GPS tagging before felling, measurement of harvested volumes, and monitoring of timber sent to processing plants, processed and exported. It will also standardize data across government agencies, including Water and Forests services and Customs.
The initiative comes amid inconsistencies in sector data. Ministry data show that 1.5 million cubic meters of logs generated more than 42 billion CFA francs ($73.5 million) in 2024, compared with more than 3 million cubic meters in 2025 that generated only 31 billion CFA francs. Authorities said the gaps were hard to explain and pointed to weaknesses in the current monitoring system.
Officials said the digital center will improve transparency, strengthen data reliability, reduce fraud risks and reinforce state control over forest resources. Over time, it is expected to improve oversight of the value chain from production to export and support more sustainable resource management.
Samira Njoya
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Orange Botswana and Special Economic Zones Authority signed a strategic agreement to modernize digital infrastructure in special economic zones.
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The partnership will deploy IoT-based services, smart security systems and advanced connectivity solutions.
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Botswana aims to boost investment attractiveness and diversify its economy beyond mining through digitally enabled zones.
Orange Botswana and the Special Economic Zones Authority have signed a strategic partnership to modernize digital infrastructure across the country’s investment hubs. The parties formalized the agreement on Friday, March 13 through a memorandum of understanding that defines a framework for technical innovation and the deployment of tailored connected solutions.
This initiative comes as Botswana seeks to strengthen the competitiveness of its special economic zones in a broader push to diversify its economy. Nene Maiga emphasized the role of connectivity in economic performance. “Digital connectivity is now a key driver of economic competitiveness. Through this collaboration, we aim to strengthen ICT and telecommunications capabilities in these zones so that businesses operating there can benefit from modern digital solutions,” she said.
Therefore, the partnership positions digital infrastructure as a central pillar of investment attractiveness. The agreement focuses on integrating advanced technologies within special economic zones. Orange Botswana plans to deploy Internet of Things (IoT) services to support public utility management. The company will also implement smart security systems and advanced connectivity solutions.
These technologies aim to transform the zones into smart ecosystems capable of meeting the productivity requirements of international investors. The partnership aligns with Botswana’s broader economic diversification strategy. The government seeks to reduce reliance on the mining sector by promoting industrialization and attracting foreign investment.
Special economic zones play a central role in this policy framework. Authorities use these zones to offer regulatory and fiscal incentives designed to attract industrial, logistics and service companies.
As digital transformation accelerates, the competitiveness of these zones increasingly depends on the quality of technological infrastructure, including connectivity, digital platforms and smart services.
Samira Njoya
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Angola has launched the ANGEO-1 Earth observation satellite project with an estimated cost of $259 million.
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Airbus Defence and Space is developing the satellite in partnership with Angolan authorities.
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The satellite will deliver more than 1,000 high-resolution images per day to support economic planning, resource management and security.
The government of Angola has officially launched the construction and deployment of its first Earth observation satellite, ANGEO-1.
Authorities initiated the project on Monday, March 16, with an estimated cost of €225 million ($259 million). Airbus Defence and Space is developing the satellite under a partnership agreement.
Officials launched the works at Airbus Defence and Space facilities in Toulouse. Mário Augusto da Silva Oliveira said the satellite will strengthen Angola’s sovereign access to critical data.
The satellite will provide more than 1,000 high-resolution images per day, according to a statement from the GGPEN, which participated in the delegation.
“This capacity will be essential to support economic development, sustainable management of natural resources and national security, strengthening the country’s ability to design public policies and make strategic decisions based on concrete data,” the statement said.
The project forms part of Angola’s broader National Space Program. Authorities aim to transform Angola from a user of space services into a producer and operator of space technologies. They also aim to secure technological independence in the sector.
In addition to telecommunications, the program includes an Earth observation component focused on environmental monitoring, precision agriculture, natural resource management and disaster prevention.
João Lourenço announced the creation of the Angolan Space Agency in October 2025 to support these ambitions.
The government also outlined plans in its “ICT White Paper 2023–2027” to establish a space studies center, train national experts and develop infrastructure in communications, navigation and meteorology.
Angola has already expanded its presence in the space sector. The country operates AngoSat-2, which supports telecommunications coverage across the national territory. Authorities now aim to complement this capability with Earth observation infrastructure to broaden the country’s space-based services.
This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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Yalidine Express operates a nationwide parcel delivery network covering more than 50 wilayas in Algeria.
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The platform targets both B2B and e-commerce B2C segments, with cash-on-delivery remaining the dominant payment method.
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The company integrates real-time tracking and API connectivity to streamline logistics for online merchants.
In Algeria, Yalidine Express positions itself as a key player in the ecosystem by offering delivery solutions tailored to local market conditions. Yalidine Express provides e-logistics services across the country. The company collects and distributes parcels nationwide and covers more than 50 wilayas through a network of local offices and dedicated teams. Djamel Eddine Toumiat launched the solution in 2013.
The company targets two main segments. It serves businesses through B2B services that handle mail and logistics flows. It also focuses on e-commerce players through B2C parcel delivery services. The platform integrates cash-on-delivery as a core feature, and this payment method remains widely used in Algeria.
Yalidine Express differentiates itself through its technology stack. The platform provides real-time tracking that allows senders and end customers to monitor each stage of delivery. It also integrates with e-commerce management systems through application programming interfaces. These integrations allow merchants to automate shipments, calculate delivery costs and manage logistics flows more efficiently.
Beyond delivery, the company offers additional services that expand its role in the value chain. It provides storage solutions, manages product returns and ensures secure payment collection. This integrated approach addresses the operational and financial challenges that online merchants face in a developing market.
By improving delivery reliability and speed, Yalidine Express helps remove one of the main barriers to e-commerce growth in Algeria.
As digital adoption increases, logistics infrastructure of this type is expected to play a central role in transforming commerce and supporting the expansion of the digital economy.
This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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Tekwane Mwendwa leads Leja, a platform that helps micro-entrepreneurs manage daily finances via mobile tools.
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Leja enables users to track cash flows, send money, pay bills and operate via Android or USSD, expanding access beyond smartphones.
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Mwendwa also heads Asilimia, which provides integrated financial management services for small businesses.
Kenyan Entrepeneur Tekwane Mwendwa co-founded and leads Leja, a mobile application designed to simplify day-to-day financial management for small and micro-businesses.
Founded in 2018, Leja allows users to track income and expenses within a business.
The application enables entrepreneurs to record transactions, analyze financial flows and make more informed decisions. It also allows users to send money, pay bills from their phones and purchase mobile airtime.
Leja targets small businesses seeking to organize their finances without using complex tools. The platform offers a simple and accessible solution tailored to local operating conditions.
The application is available on Android devices and through a USSD service, which allows access even without advanced smartphones.
In parallel, Tekwane Mwendwa co-founded Asilimia in 2017 and serves as its chief executive officer. Asilimia aims to make financial services more accessible and affordable, particularly for small entrepreneurs across Africa.
The company offers a suite of tools that allow businesses to manage their finances in one place. Its application enables users to record sales, track expenses, identify outstanding payments from customers and gain an overview of their operations.
Before launching his ventures, Mwendwa started his career in 2011 as an accountant at the SISDO Kenya. He then founded his first company, Active8 Kenya Ltd, in 2012, focusing on 3D modeling services. He has since shifted his focus toward fintech solutions aimed at addressing financial access challenges for small businesses.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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Shema Steve develops a community-based fintech modelto expand access to savings and credit.
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His company Exuus offers the “Save” platform, targeting users excluded from traditional banking.
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The solution combines group savings, instant loans and alternative credit scoringto drive financial inclusion.
Shema Steve, a Rwandan technology entrepreneur, has positioned himself as a key player in digital financial services. He founded and leads Exuus, a company specializing in fintech solutions and software development.
Founded in 2014, Exuus developed Save, a digital platform designed for underserved populations. The application allows users to save money, access credit and manage daily financial transactions within savings groups. The platform relies on trust-based networks, including families, neighbors and colleagues. This structure provides a more reliable alternative to informal financial practices.
The use of Save requires users to form savings groups. Members define shared financial goals, contribute regularly and support each other. Trained agents can assist these groups. Each user can join multiple groups simultaneously. The system aggregates all commitments to assess loan eligibility and build a credit profile.
The platform allows users to request loans directly through the application. The system provides near-instant approval and disbursement. Loans can originate from the group, personal networks or financial partners. User behavior, including savings discipline, repayment punctuality and penalty management, feeds into individual and group credit scores. This model creates an alternative to traditional credit assessment systems.
In addition to savings and credit, Save enables users to transfer money and pay bills. The platform supports payments for utilities and subscription services. It also allows users to create virtual cards for secure online purchases. The service remains accessible via a mobile application or through a USSD code (*777#). This feature ensures access for users without smartphones or internet connectivity.
Shema Stevegraduated from the National University of Rwandain 2014 with a degree in environmental management. He served on the advisory board of Khalifa University in the United Arab Emirates between 2020 and 2022.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
Legal services platform Sidebrief is launching Signal, a quarterly event series organized with Diligence Africa and Impact Hub Lagos. The inaugural edition is scheduled for March 27, 2026, in Lagos and will feature 20 speakers across five panel discussions. It aims to bring together founders, investors, regulators and support organizations to address governance, funding and growth challenges.