TECH STARS (981)
A trained computer scientist, he leverages his skills to support small retailers in Ethiopia. Through his technological solution, he aims to transform the distribution sector for fast-moving consumer goods.
Ethiopian-born tech entrepreneur Estephanos Zewdie (photo) is the co-founder and CEO of Jemla, a tech startup specializing in the distribution sector.
Founded in 2021, Jemla operates a B2B platform for wholesale, enabling retailers to easily access consumer goods at competitive prices, with direct delivery to their doorsteps. The company's goal is to build a sustainable ecosystem where retailers, manufacturers, importers, and consumers benefit from seamless interactions.
“We provide retailers with access to a wide range of essential products, allowing them to maintain adequate stock levels and operate more efficiently,” Estephanos Zewdie said in 2024.
Leveraging strategic partnerships and innovative solutions, Jemla also offers financial services, including credit and digital payment options, to help retailers streamline their operations. Since its launch, the start-up has attracted more than 10,000 retailers.
Estephanos holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from Addis Ababa University. In 2020, he joined M.A.D Technologies, a company specializing in website and mobile app development, as a software developer. By 2022, he was promoted to CEO, a position he held until 2023.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
A trained petroleum engineer, he has ventured into entrepreneurship by developing technologies to address challenges faced by local populations. At the same time, he supports other entrepreneurs in growing their businesses.
Francis Omorojie (photo) is a Nigerian technology entrepreneur and investor. He is the founder and a venture partner at Ennovate Ventures, a firm dedicated to supporting ambitious founders who leverage innovation to improve lives, create jobs, and promote sustainable development.
Founded in 2018, Ennovate Ventures focuses on empowering underrepresented entrepreneurs in Africa's tech sector. The company offers a 12-month capacity-building program, equipping founders with the essential skills and knowledge needed to succeed. Its mission is to help businesses accelerate the growth of their business models, refine their technologies, access new markets, and develop revenue-generating strategies.
One of its flagship initiatives is TheNextFund, a bespoke venture capital program investing in the most promising tech start-ups in East Africa. This hybrid program combines targeted funding with personalized technical assistance, helping start-ups structure their operations and position themselves to attract additional investments.
In addition to his role at Ennovate Ventures, Francis Omorojie is the co-founder of Serengeti Angels, a Tanzanian angel investor network. He also serves as a project manager for entrepreneurship at PlumarInc, a platform connecting start-ups with global talent, and as vision director at Get Haba, a fintech company.
Francis holds a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, which he obtained in 2013. In 2016, he became Deputy Regional Director at DKT International, an organization specializing in the distribution of contraceptive products. Between 2022 and 2023, he worked as a consultant for the European Business & Innovation Centre Network (EBN), a European network of innovation hubs.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
A trained geologist with extensive experience in business management, entrepreneurship, and technology, he has successfully launched ventures in the finance and automotive sectors.
Justus Obaoye (photo) is a Nigerian entrepreneur specializing in technology and finance. He is the co-founder and CEO of Billboxx, an innovative cash management solution designed for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The startup facilitates incoming and outgoing payments while optimizing businesses' cash flow management.
Founded in 2023 by Justus Obaoye and Abdulazeez Ogunjobi, Billboxx addresses the common issue of payment delays that disrupt SME operations. The platform simplifies and automates billing and payment processes, allowing businesses to focus on their core activities.
"We found that many businesses struggle with inefficiencies in billing and cash flow management, often relying on manual processes or Excel sheets," Justus Obaoye noted. This insight led to the creation of Billboxx.
In December 2024, Billboxx secured $1.6 million in a funding round combining debt and equity. These funds will enhance the startup's technological infrastructure, expand its partnerships, and tackle the issue of payment delays affecting SMEs.
Before launching Billboxx, Justus Obaoye had extensive entrepreneurial experience. In 2018, he co-founded Charistouch Technologies, a tech solutions startup that was acquired by Cars45 in November 2019. In 2021, he co-founded Fixit45, an automotive technology company, where he served as CEO until 2022.
Justus Obaoye graduated from the University of Ilorin in Nigeria with a bachelor's degree in geology in 2008. He began his professional career that same year at Schlumberger as a geoscience support specialist. In 2013, he became a data manager at Sahara Energy Field, an energy sector company.
Between 2012 and 2019, he also served as a managing partner at Quantum Bridge, a strategic development consulting firm. In 2022, Justus Obaoye was the Country Manager for Bolt in Nigeria, a mobility company.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
He is an experienced graphic designer, art director, and cultural promoter with a proven track record of transforming ideas into innovative and impactful creations.
Fiacre Dagbegnon (photo) is a Togolese entrepreneur committed to driving the digital transformation of businesses and products in Africa. He is the founder and promoter of Klumer, a platform dedicated to players in the event industry.
Launched in 2018, Klumer is an event management solution that provides innovative tools to streamline the work of African event professionals. The platform simplifies fundraising, logistical coordination, and financial management, making it easier to plan and execute successful events. Key features include online voting, crowdfunding, stakeholder networking, and electronic ticketing, fostering greater interaction with target audiences.
"Klumer was developed following the style of Facebook and Instagram. Today, we have nothing to envy when it comes to what Silicon Valley developers have achieved in social network development. The only difference lies in the logistics, which we have yet to fully match," Fiacre explains. The platform has already attracted more than 200,000 users and participants, along with over 250 virtual agencies.
Since 2015, Fiacre Dagbegnon has served as the CEO of EODS C Group, a company specializing in technology and cultural affairs. During his time there, he has also worked as a graphic designer.
Between 2017 and 2020, Dagbegnon worked as a freelance graphic designer. In 2019, he joined La Voix du Peuple, a Togolese weekly publication, as a production graphic designer. From 2020 to 2023, he served as a web interface designer at the French Institute of Togo.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Passionate about developing high-impact technological solutions for Africa, he incorporates artificial intelligence and machine learning into his innovations.
Thapelo Nthite (photo) is a South African engineer and tech entrepreneur. He is one of the co-founders of Botlhale AI, a company developing artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning solutions to improve lives across Africa.
Founded in 2019, Botlhale AI specializes in natural language processing (NLP) with a focus on African languages. The company’s tools enable businesses to communicate with their customers in familiar and trusted languages. Botlhale AI envisions a future where Africans can use their native languages to access digital services, learn, grow, and interact with the world.
“Through my research and work at Botlhale I want to see people interact with service providers through digital platforms in languages they understand and trust using text and speech,” Nthite explained in 2020.
One of the company’s flagship products is Bua, a suite of NLP tools that simplifies the deployment of conversational AI across various platforms and industries. Botlhale AI also offers Vula, an AI-powered API designed to enhance call center analytics.
Nthite holds a bachelor’s degree in mechatronic engineering from the University of Cape Town, which he earned in 2018. His career began in 2015 at At Lets Meet, a marketing company, where he worked as a mobile developer and web designer. In 2018, he interned at Sasol, a leading chemical and energy company, gaining hands-on experience in engineering.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Following his studies in economics and finance, he worked with startups in South Africa, guiding them through their growth phases. Now an entrepreneur himself, he's using technology to empower businesses with more efficient workforce management solutions.
Niven Poleman (photo) is a South African economist and tech entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of WorkWeek, an innovative startup helping businesses optimize workforce management.
Founded in 2023, WorkWeek offers a digital platform tailored to businesses employing salaried workers. Using data analytics, the platform streamlines payroll management, rewards top-performing employees, and simplifies time tracking, attendance management, and compliance with labor laws—particularly in labor-intensive industries like construction.
WorkWeek’s mission is to simplify workforce management, empower workers, and strengthen employer-employee relationships. “I’ve always believed that people deserve a fair chance to rise above their circumstances. WorkWeek is our way of helping wage-earning workers build great careers and giving businesses the tools to invest in their people,” says Poleman.
A graduate of the University of Cape Town, Poleman earned a bachelor’s degree in management and economics in 2018, followed by a bachelor’s in financial market economic analysis in 2022.
He began his professional journey in 2019 as a digital marketing manager and studio manager at YogaSpirit, a yoga studio. In 2020, he joined WeAreMonsters Innovative Venture Development, focusing on research and UX (user experience) design. From 2021 to 2023, he served as venture manager at The Delta, an entrepreneurial ecosystem supporting founders in creating groundbreaking ventures.
By Melchior Koba
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
As an entrepreneur, he is actively dedicated to advancing financial inclusion across Africa, with a specific emphasis on empowering young people. He utilizes technology to achieve this objective.
Kiiru Muhoya (photo) is a Kenyan entrepreneur and tech innovator specializing in the financial sector. He is the co-founder and CEO of Fingo Africa, a fintech startup developing a pan-African neobank tailored for the continent's youth.
Founded in 2020, Fingo Africa is a digital bank designed to meet the needs of young Africans. Its mission is to empower this generation to contribute to a more prosperous Africa through accessible financial tools. The platform enables users to manage daily expenses, set savings goals, and plan for their financial future. Through its partnership with Ecobank, Fingo Africa benefits from the bank's presence in 33 countries across the continent, accelerating its expansion.
“Fingo allows users to download the ‘Fingo Africa’ app and receive access to a bank account in under 5 minutes, paired with free peer-to-peer transactions and immediate access to multiple services such as savings, financial education and smart spending analytics,” according to the company’s website.
The startup also offers FingoPay, a comprehensive solution designed to meet the needs of both small and large businesses. This service incorporates advanced analytics tools, providing entrepreneurs with real-time insights into their business performance.
Before launching Fingo Africa, Kiiru Muhoya founded Build for Kenya in 2016, a social enterprise focused on developing affordable housing.
A graduate of the University of Warwick in England, Muhoya holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy, politics, and economics. He also served as President of the Warwick Africa Summit and worked as Executive Assistant to the CEO of Acorn, a Kenyan real estate company, between 2019 and 2020.
By Melchior Koba
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
With a deep understanding of Cameroon's entrepreneurial ecosystem, Ngala Boris leverages his experience to guide and mentor aspiring young entrepreneurs. He provides them with the support they need to increase the chances of their projects succeeding.
Ngala Boris is an experienced Cameroonian entrepreneur and investor. He is the founder and CEO of the Boris Bison Youth Empowerment Incubator (BBIncubator).
Founded in 2020, BBIncubator aims to combat poverty in Cameroon by providing young entrepreneurs with a supportive environment to realize their ambitions. The incubator offers a spacious, secure, and Internet-connected workspace, along with round-the-clock technical support. It also provides networking opportunities and free seed funding for 20 selected entrepreneurs per cohort.
Through its incubation program, BBIncubator supports young entrepreneurs by training and mentoring them every three months. This program helps familiarize them with the entrepreneurial ecosystem, develop governance and project management skills, and adopt best business practices.
The incubator also teaches participants how to leverage the Internet to grow their businesses by improving communication and business correspondence skills. It trains them in using modern payment gateways for fast and efficient transactions and in loan management to support their projects.
In 2023, BBIncubator launched "Finance Your Startup" pitch competition, enabling entrepreneurs to present their tech ideas to a jury, with the winner receiving CFA 1 million (approximately $1,600) in startup funding.
In addition to BBIncubator, Ngala Boris is the founder and CEO of Boris Bison Sarl, established in 2020. The company operates in various sectors, including agriculture, import-export, real estate, contracting, and supply chain management. The business management graduate also serves as Vice President of the National Federation of Incubation Structures of Cameroon (FENASIC), an association of public and private incubators.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
She aims to help businesses streamline their operations and enhance customer loyalty. Her innovative projects have garnered numerous awards and accolades.
Evelyn Namara (photo) is a Ugandan tech entrepreneur. She is the founder and CEO of Vouch Digital, a startup that helps businesses, corporations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) leverage data and digital tools to enhance transparency and efficiency in their programs.
Founded in 2017, Vouch Digital developed a digital supply chain management solution aimed at addressing issues such as unreliable payments, lack of trust among suppliers, distributors, and farmers, and limited access to affordable rural financing.
In 2020, the company introduced an innovative promotion engine that enables the design, management, and distribution of digital coupon campaigns. This platform is designed to drive customer acquisition, activation, and loyalty through targeted incentives.
Beyond her entrepreneurial work, Evelyn Namara serves as a Non-Executive Director at KCB Bank Uganda and as a board member of Village Enterprise, an organization dedicated to combating rural poverty in Africa. She is also the Senior Programs Lead at the Global Digital Inclusion Partnership, a coalition of public, private, and nonprofit actors committed to connecting as many people as possible to the internet worldwide.
Evelyn holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Makerere University, which she earned in 2010. Her professional journey began in 2008 as a UNIX administrator at Orange Uganda. In 2010, she became the Country Director for Solar Sister, an organization empowering women through economic opportunities. Later, in 2014, she joined Beyonic as East Africa Regional Director for the fintech company. Between 2018 and 2021, she worked as Manager of Global Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and Community Engagement Lead at the Internet Society.
In 2012, she received the Anita Borg ABIE Change Agent Award, recognizing her efforts to empower women and girls in technology. She was also a finalist for the Cartier Women’s Initiative Award for Sub-Saharan Africa in 2018.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
He is a digital transformation consultant and web activist. His career demonstrates a strong commitment to local development and the promotion of Guinean cultural heritage.
Lansana Keita (photo) is a Guinean entrepreneur and heritage management expert. He is the creator of Zaly Merveille, a project that recently won first place in the "Start-up" category at the ANSUTEN (National Universal Telecommunications and Digital Service Agency) Grand Prize for Technology and Innovation.
Zaly Merveille is a digital initiative dedicated to promoting and preserving the cultural heritage of Guinea’s Forest Region. The project aims to encourage sustainable tourism while creating a positive economic impact locally.
Through its communication channels, Zaly Merveille offers virtual museum tours, tourism circuits to explore the wealth of the Forest Region, and detailed access to information on the country’s artworks.
“Our primary motivation was to change the reputation of Guinea’s Forest Region, which is considered a conflict zone. We wanted to show the world that this region is not just a conflict zone but also brimming with enormous tourism potential,” said Lansana Keita in 2024.
The project is spearheaded by Webzaly, a digital communications firm founded in 2021 by Lansana Keita. The firm’s mission is to leverage digital tools to support local development. Specializing in digital and cultural fields, Webzaly is committed to promoting cultural heritage while encouraging citizen participation through information and communication technologies (ICT).
Lansana Keita is also an active member and focal point of the Association of Bloggers of Guinea. He graduated from Mahatma Gandhi University in Guinea with a degree in Political Science and Governance in 2015. In 2022, he expanded his expertise with a certification in Cultural Heritage Management from the School of African Heritage.
His professional career began in 2016 at the National Directorate of Fisheries in Guinea, where he was responsible for monitoring and evaluation. In 2017, he transitioned to the role of Digital Communications Manager at the Federation of Rice-Fish Farmers in the Forest Region. From 2023 to 2024, he served as the coordinator of the House of Democracy and Human Rights in Guinea.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
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An IT specialist by training, he leverages his skills to improve healthcare access for all Ivorians.
Rory Assandey (photo) is an Ivorian computer engineer and tech entrepreneur. He is the co-founder and CEO of La Ruche Health, a startup specializing in health technologies.
Founded in 2022 by Rory Assandey and Benjamin Sasu, La Ruche Health’s mission is to bring quality, affordable, and tailored healthcare closer to Ivorian communities. Among its innovative solutions is Kiko, a generative AI-powered health chatbot accessible via WhatsApp.
By analyzing data from the chatbot, the startup offers personalized healthcare services in collaboration with independent medical practitioners. La Ruche Health has also developed an electronic medical record system for its partner healthcare professionals, allowing them to automate the management of appointments, documentation, billing, and payments.
Through these solutions, the company provides a variety of services, including teleconsultations, home consultations, personalized health advice, and laboratory testing. By October 2024, it had already reached over 160,000 users.
“The main added value we offer is helping the African population (60% of whom are under 25) avoid self-diagnosis and self-medication. We eliminate frustration and provide instant, trustworthy advice, increasing the likelihood of patients seeking professional assistance,” explains the startup’s CEO.
Rory Assandey holds a bachelor’s degree in business computing, earned in 2014 from Dublin City University in Ireland. His professional career began in 2011 at Amazon Ireland, where he worked as a technical support agent for the Kindle app. In 2013, he joined SAP, a U.S.-based tech company, as an intern in Dublin. He became a support engineer in 2014 before being promoted to IT consultant in the United States in 2017, a role he held until 2022, when he dedicated himself fully to La Ruche Health.
In 2022, La Ruche Health was selected alongside 14 other African startups to join the Google for Startups Accelerator program. In 2024, it was also chosen by Ivorian authorities to represent the country at the VivaTech technology fair in Paris.
By Melchior Koba
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
An expert in education and financial management, she leverages technology to share her expertise, supporting businesses and assisting rural populations.
Mariama Ndiaye (photo) is a Senegalese tech entrepreneur specializing in finance. She is the founder and CEO of The UpTribe, a financial education company.
Founded in 2020, The UpTribe’s mission is to promote financial inclusion for Africans. Its financial automation platform provides young people with access to financial products and services, along with practical advice. The company offers a variety of resources, including courses on personal finance management, individual mentorship sessions, articles, audio content, and an online community.
The UpTribe’s training programs are tailored to the needs of businesses and entrepreneurs, while its coaching sessions aim to help individuals improve the management of their personal finances. The company’s flagship initiatives include Achieve, PEFE and Yokkuté Kom. Achieve is designed to support businesses while PEFE focuses on strengthening financial management skills for entrepreneurs, and Yokkuté Kom provides financial education in local languages for rural populations.
In addition, The UpTribe is developing an innovative platform called FinEducation, with the goal of training 100,000 young people by 2026. This platform is specifically designed for use in schools.
Mariama Ndiaye holds a master’s degree in accounting and financial management, earned in 2018 from CESAG Business School in Senegal. In 2021, she also obtained certifications in financial education and planning, followed by a certificate in finance and financial management services in 2024.
Her professional career began in 2015 with an internship in risk management at Crédit Mutuel du Sénégal. In 2019, she became the head of YUX Design Academy, a Senegalese design training center. The following year, she worked as a financial accountant at the Coordination Unit for Solid Waste Management in Dakar.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Drawing on his experience and diverse skills, this entrepreneur develops innovative solutions to revolutionize the agricultural sector through technology.
Hazem Salaheldin Eltawab (photo) is an Egyptian tech entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of ReNile, a technology company focused on developing environmental and agricultural solutions.
Founded in 2017, ReNile specializes in integrated smart agriculture solutions, leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT) and water quality management. The company offers monitoring systems that analyze real-time data from agricultural operations, enabling farmers to optimize production while minimizing resource consumption.
ReNile’s solutions address a wide range of agricultural needs, from farm monitoring to emergency alerts. They also include best-practice recommendations accessible via an online platform. Using a cloud-based system, farmers can access their data anytime and anywhere, allowing them to efficiently manage aquaculture operations, hydroponic crops, or greenhouse activities.
Hazem holds a bachelor’s degree in Energy and Bioprocess Engineering, earned in 2018 from Zewail University in Egypt.
From 2018 to 2022, he served as a teaching assistant at the Zewail City of Science and Technology. Between 2019 and 2020, he worked as a business and management consultant with Nexel Partners, a Kuwait-based consulting firm. From 2023 to 2024, Hazem was a process management consultant specializing in artificial intelligence for Tahaluf Al Emarat Technical Solutions, a UAE-based company focused on cybersecurity and IT.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Driven by a passion for entrepreneurship, she's on a mission to revolutionize childcare services in Tunisia. Her dedication and hard work have garnered numerous awards and accolades.
Nivine Moussa (photo) is a Tunisian marketing expert and entrepreneur. As the founder and CEO of Bambinosit, she aims to revolutionize childcare services in Tunisia.
Bambinosit is a digital platform that connects parents with qualified babysitters and social and school support workers. Through this platform, parents can easily find profiles that align with their expectations, both in terms of skills and personal values.
Beyond assisting parents, Bambinosit also provides young students and unemployed individuals with income opportunities. The platform offers practical tools such as availability calendars, geolocation services, and detailed nanny profiles that highlight their skills and experience. Parents can even arrange interviews and babysitting trials directly through the platform.
A graduate of the Higher Institute of Business Studies in Carthage, Tunisia, Nivine Moussa earned a bachelor's degree in marketing in 2019 and a research degree in marketing in 2021. She began her professional journey in 2018 as a telemarketing operator at MFR Consulting, a health insurance firm. After an internship in 2019 at Medianet, an agency specializing in e-business and digital strategy, she worked as a French teacher.
In 2021, Moussa received the award for Best Student Entrepreneur in Tunisia. The following year, she was named Tunisia’s Best Entrepreneur. In 2024, she was recognized as a laureate of the Lab’Innova Italian program by the Italian Trade Agency.
Melchior Koba