TECH STARS (1006)
He has over 25 years of experience in developing digital services in Africa. His innovative solutions have earned him numerous awards and distinctions, both nationally and internationally.
Jil-Alexandre N’Dia (photo) is an Ivorian entrepreneur and the co-founder of Weblogy, a fintech and digital media group that aims to accelerate digital transformation across Africa.
Founded in 1998, Weblogy provides digital services primarily in French-speaking Africa, creating websites, mobile applications, and online marketing campaigns that deliver commercial advantages for businesses and brands. The company’s mission is to support African nations' development by integrating new technologies.
Beyond digital activities, Weblogy also offers consulting services and provides co-working spaces for startups to help them develop their projects. It is also committed to promoting financial inclusion and meeting the growing need for fast, secure payment solutions. Since 2016, it has offered Abidjan.net-branded prepaid VISA cards, designed in partnership with VISA and local banks. These reloadable e-wallets do not require a bank account. To simplify online payments, Weblogy also launched an application called APAYM, a portal that enables users to manage their Abidjan.net cards along with other domestic and international bank cards.
To date, Weblogy has completed more than 3,000 web and mobile projects for a portfolio of over 700 international clients. The company operates an independent ad network covering 48 countries, reaching over 20 million unique visitors per month, and is present in 11 countries through six offices and six commercial representations.
Jil-Alexandre N’Dia is also the president of the NGO J’aime Jacqueville, which promotes financial inclusion in rural areas, the spread of new technologies, and health and wellness initiatives. Additionally, he serves as vice president of the Kaydan Foundation. Founded by a group of Ivorian entrepreneurs, this organization seeks to foster a strong entrepreneurial culture in Africa, particularly in Côte d’Ivoire.
N’Dia holds a bachelor’s degree in Information Systems Management from Indiana University Bloomington, earned in 1999. He was honored with the Ivorian President's Youth Entrepreneurship Excellence Award in 2013 and received the second prize for Communication Development in 2019.
He is an Officer of the National Order of Côte d’Ivoire and of the Order of Ivorian Merit. In 2021, he received the award for Best Fintech in Francophone Africa, presented by Global Technology Partners in partnership with Visa. In 2022, N’Dia was promoted to Commander of the Order of Merit for Posts and Telecommunications in Côte d’Ivoire.
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A serial entrepreneur, he has already founded three companies in the science and technology sector. His latest startup aims to simplify payment processes for businesses.
Mohamed Abdelmottaleb (photo) is an Egyptian serial entrepreneur, managing partner, and founder of XPay, a fintech company focused on digital transformation and financial empowerment.
Founded in 2018, XPay aims to enhance quality of life by offering a suite of solutions to streamline financial management. The platform enables businesses to handle various payment types with ease, providing multiple transaction options and complete control through a unified dashboard.
XPay also simplifies end-to-end event management for organizers, covering everything from event creation to ticket sales and providing unique payment links to facilitate transactions. Its innovative payment gateway is adaptable for businesses of all sizes, enabling a smooth, simplified payment process for online operations.
Before founding XPay, Abdelmottaleb launched SabryCorp Ltd in 2006, a company dedicated to improving living conditions in developing countries through science and innovation. In 2011, he co-founded Trendak, a firm specializing in data analytics and artificial intelligence.
Abdelmottaleb graduated from Ain Shams University with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1997 and earned a Ph.D. in nanotechnology from KU Leuven, a leading multidisciplinary research university in Belgium, in 2002.
In 2004, he joined Chemnitz University of Technology in Germany as a senior researcher, and in 2009, he became an assistant professor at Nile University in Egypt. There, he founded the Nanotechnology Center and led the university’s nanotechnology master’s program for five years.
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Passionate about entrepreneurship, he leverages technology to help farmers grow their businesses. He also provides communities with opportunities to invest in agriculture and livestock sectors.
Ntuthuko Shezi (photo) is a South African serial entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Livestock Wealth, an agrifinance company.
Founded in 2015, Livestock Wealth offers a digital platform that connects potential investors with certified farmers who own cattle, macadamia trees, or farmland. The start-up facilitates investment agreements, ensuring transparency and trust between all parties involved. Through this model, Livestock Wealth recruits qualified farmers who, with the invested capital, manage assets on behalf of investors to achieve expected returns, allowing clients to invest in tangible, sustainable assets.
In 2020, the company introduced the Farmers Club Meat Box, an e-commerce service that allows customers to purchase grass-fed beef through its online platform.
Before founding Livestock Wealth, Ntuthuko Shezi co-founded Imfundo in 2003, serving as CEO until 2007. Imfundo was a math and science school offering supplementary Saturday education to students from Alexandra and Soweto.
Shezi graduated from the University of Cape Town in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in electromechanical engineering. His professional career began in 2002 at Accenture, a global management and technology consulting firm, where he worked as a strategy consultant.
In 2006, he became CEO of Scratch Mobile, an airport-based car panel cutting and spray-painting business. From 2014 to 2016, he worked as a program manager at Connectivity, Entrepreneurship, Energy, and Education for Entrepreneurship (CE3), an initiative aimed at stimulating local economic activity in South Africa.
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After studying finance, he gained several years of experience working in various companies. He now leverages technology to offer financial solutions to communities.
Tshepo Moloi (photo) is a South African entrepreneur and expert in finance and economics. He is the founder and CEO of Stokfella, a fintech startup launched in 2016.
Stokfella was born from the idea of modernizing collective savings and fostering community growth. By combining technology, finance, and cooperative economics, the startup aims to transform how South Africans save and build wealth in groups. Stokfella simplifies the management of rotating savings groups by enabling organizers to create groups, set savings goals, make secure payments, and track collective financial progress. The platform also offers tutorials and expert advice to support users on their shared savings journey.
Moloi holds multiple degrees from the University of Johannesburg. In 2009, he earned a master’s in mechanical engineering. In 2010, he completed a master’s in business management, accounting economics, and corporate law, followed by a master’s in finance in 2018.
His career began in 2008 as a lecturer at the University of Johannesburg. In 2011, he joined South African financial firm Nedbank, initially as a pricing specialist. He went on to serve as manager of pricing initiatives and reviews and later as a strategic analyst.
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A trained computer scientist with several years of experience in web development, he created a digital platform to facilitate collaboration among various stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
Francis Bemyin Bibiang (photo) is a Cameroonian web developer, data analyst, and cybersecurity specialist. In 2018, he co-founded Iwolonet, a social network that facilitates business relationships between producers and buyers of agricultural products across Africa.
The platform enables farmers, livestock breeders, equipment suppliers, and pesticide providers to promote their products and services, enhancing their sales opportunities. It also offers investors the chance to identify promising agribusiness projects for investment. Service providers, consultants, and support specialists can showcase their expertise to producers in need of assistance.
Iwolonet includes a job-matching space for employers and job seekers in the agropastoral sector. To date, the mobile app has been downloaded over 10,000 times on Google Play.
Francis also heads Research and Development at Bloosat CM, a Cameroonian operator delivering high-speed internet access nationwide and across the sub-region.
The Cameroonian holds a diploma from the Institut Samba Supérieur, where he earned a Higher National Diploma (BTS) in IT management in 2014. He recently added two more qualifications to his portfolio—a project management certification and a cybersecurity diploma obtained in 2024 from the Oxford Home Study Center (OHSC), an online educational institution.
His professional career as a web developer began in 2014, with roles at the IT company Wise Decision, the F2B CONCEPT’ tech lab, and the software and electronics design start-up KENTNIX.
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A leading entrepreneur in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he specializes in e-commerce, fintech, and logistics, driving innovation within the country's tech ecosystem.
Bonny Maya (photo), a DRC-born serial entrepreneur, is the founder of TINDA, a tech company specializing in last-mile delivery. Established in 2017, TINDA provides delivery services for e-commerce businesses, easing logistics for online and offline retailers alike. “Issues related to poorly referenced addresses, route misunderstandings, client availability hours, traffic jams, and other hassles will no longer stand in the way of your business,” the company promises.
TINDA’s services can be accessed via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, email, or its online platform. Upon delivering packages or mail, TINDA collects payment from customers on behalf of sellers, then transfers the funds to them using fintech solutions available in the DRC.
Bonny Maya also serves as president of FENX, a Congolese IT engineering firm supporting organizations and businesses in their digital transformation journeys. Prior to founding TINDA, he launched eMart.cd in 2016, a marketplace for local goods, where he served as CEO until 2021. The platform enables users to shop online with ease.
In addition, Maya coordinates the Central Africa E-Commerce and Fintech Expo, an annual gathering for sector stakeholders. The sixth edition of the event is scheduled for April 17-19, 2025.
Maya holds an engineering degree in radio transmission, electrical, and electronic engineering from the Higher Institute of Applied Techniques in Kinshasa, obtained in 2008. His career began in 2011 at the International Bank for Africa in Congo (BIAC) as an IT assistant specializing in electronic banking. From 2012 to 2016, he managed extranet services at the Congolese Control Office (OCC), before becoming president of the Silikon Bantu tech hub from 2017 to 2018.
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After honing his skills in finance and accounting at several industry-leading companies, he now leverages technology to provide tailored, efficient solutions for SMEs.
Ojema Joel (photo) is a Ugandan finance expert and serial entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of Trampo Technologies, an innovative logistics and mobility company.
Founded in 2020, Trampo Technologies leverages technology to simplify logistics services for businesses. The startup offers a mobile platform that enables small and medium-sized enterprises to access a wide range of trucks and other logistics services easily and conveniently.
With its solutions, Trampo Technologies optimizes transport routes, enhances vehicle utilization, and efficiently distributes shipments.
In 2016, Ojema Joel also co-founded Famunera Online, an e-commerce company focused on the agricultural sector. This platform allows farmers to access affordable, high-quality agricultural inputs and services while providing them with a marketplace to sell their produce.
Ojema Joel holds a bachelor’s degree in business management with a specialization in information systems, earned in 2013 from the University of Buckingham in the UK. He also graduated from the International University of East Africa in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance.
After completing his studies, he joined Byabakama, Kwemala & Associates, a Ugandan financial management firm, as a trainee auditor in 2016. He later worked as a financial agent at Cellulant, a pan-African payments company, before becoming a financial analyst in 2017 at Imuka Ventures, a social entrepreneurship hub that connects entrepreneurs with experts, partners, and funding.
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A serial entrepreneur, he assists brands from emerging markets in making more informed decisions. His work in the digital sector has earned him numerous awards and distinctions.
Alex Mativo (photo) is a Kenyan computer scientist and entrepreneur. He is the co-founder and CEO of Duck, a company specializing in data collection and management.
Founded in 2023, Duck provides small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with real-time market data on product performance, competition, distribution coverage, and customer expectations. The goal is to help companies understand what sells, where, and why, guiding their decision-making.
Duck enables retailers to monitor each of their stores and distribution centers to ensure shelves are well-stocked and products are moving. It offers performance, inventory, and expiration date tracking to help identify products nearing expiry and inform actions that quickly clear excess stocks.
Mativo is also the founder and CEO of E-LAB, an organization he established in 2014 that uses design and art to raise awareness about the harmful effects of electronic waste.
In 2018, he founded Ethnic Brand, a “virtual factory” dedicated to fashion brands. In 2020, he co-founded Nanasi.co, an all-in-one platform that enables restaurants to centralize their sales and payment channels, manage daily operations, and grow with the help of smart analytics.
Mativo holds a bachelor’s degree in software engineering, earned in 2018 from the African Leadership University. His work in the digital sector has garnered him multiple accolades.
In 2019, he received the "Under 30 Founder of the Year" award at the FOYA Awards, which honor young entrepreneurs contributing to Africa’s development. In April 2024, he was named on the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list.
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With a background in business and finance, he transitioned to entrepreneurship, focusing on developing tech solutions for African markets. He specializes in mobile games and apps.
Hugo Obi (photo) is a Nigerian serial tech entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Maliyo Games, a pan-African company developing mobile games for African and international markets.
Founded in 2012, Maliyo Games is dedicated to creating captivating and unique gaming experiences tailored for mobile players worldwide. The company stands out with its well-crafted narratives, immersive settings, and engaging visuals, aiming to become a pan-African leader known for quality and innovation in game development.
Maliyo Games has launched several notable initiatives. In 2021, the company introduced GameUp Africa, an intensive five-month program for aspiring game developers across the continent, which attracted over 5,000 African applicants. In 2023, Maliyo Games launched a Game Art Training program, a free three-month accelerated online course aimed at helping artists hone their skills.
Obi is also the Managing Director of Games Laboratories Ltd, an organization providing professional games and mobile applications development services. In 2008, he founded AC Company, a tech and information services startup based in Manchester, England. In 2023, he co-founded Ojemba, an organization training African software engineers to provide services to European companies.
Hugo Obi holds a degree in international business, strategy, finance, and economics from the University of Manchester, earned in 2007. He previously worked as a financial analyst at General Electric (GE) Capital, a finance company in Connecticut, USA.
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As an entrepreneur, he leverages technology to serve communities by offering practical solutions tailored to their needs.
Pierrick Chabi (photo) is a Beninese-born creative engineer and tech entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of Wakatoon, an immersive communication platform designed for children and families.
Founded in 2014, Wakatoon is an innovative company that blends technology and creativity by offering coloring books that encourage cultural awareness in young children. The company’s solution instantly transforms a traditional paper coloring book into a personalized animated cartoon on a screen.
This technology allows children to enjoy a hands-on activity by coloring and then watching their story come to life as a cartoon. Designed for children aged 3 to 9, Wakatoon’s books aim to reduce screen time while boosting creativity.
Before founding Wakatoon, Pierrick Chabi co-founded ArdoiseDuJour in 2013, a free website allowing users to discover daily menu specials from local restaurants. These digital blackboards are updated daily by the restaurateurs themselves. That same year, he also co-founded Startup Africa Paris, a community of over 250 entrepreneurs connected to Africa.
Chabi holds an engineering degree in image analysis and processing and computer-assisted vision, earned in 2005 from Télécom Saint-Étienne in France. Between 2007 and 2016, he taught as a part-time lecturer at his university, giving courses in image analysis and synthesis.
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Encouraging women's participation in the tech sector is crucial today. To address this challenge, the South African entrepreneur is dedicating herself to training women in tech skills.
Zandile Mkwanazi (photo) is a South African entrepreneur and advocate dedicated to promoting women in technology. She is the founder and CEO of GirlCode Group, a non-profit organization aimed at empowering women through technology.
Founded in 2014 as a hackathon, the social enterprise GirlCode has set an ambitious mission to train 10 million women and girls in tech skills by 2030. The goal is to reduce inequalities and bridge the gender gap in the tech sector. So far, over 76,000 female students have benefited from GirlCode’s programs.
In 2020, Zandile Mkwanazi also founded GirlCode Talent, a startup where she serves as CEO. The company leverages artificial intelligence to connect women with employers, providing a dedicated platform for women’s employment in tech across Africa. GirlCode Talent’s mission is to facilitate access to professional opportunities for women while helping companies attract, develop, and retain female talent.
Zandile Mkwanazi holds a bachelor’s degree in computational and applied mathematics, which she earned in 2011 from the University of Witwatersrand. In 2020, she participated in a social entrepreneurship program at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) in South Africa.
Her commitment and achievements have earned her numerous accolades. In 2020, she was ranked among the Mail & Guardian’s top 200 young South Africans. In 2021, she was named Social Entrepreneur of the Year at the Santam Woman of the Future Awards. In 2023, she was recognized as one of the ten most influential women by telecommunications operator Telkom and won the Digital Woman of the Year award at the GovTech Awards.
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Innovation and technology are changing many different industries. In South Africa, one entrepreneur is making a difference by offering special solutions for different people involved in the fresh food supply chain.
Greg Whitaker (photo), a trained accountant and South African entrepreneur, is the founder and CEO of Agrigate One Ltd, a startup aimed at simplifying the trade of fresh produce. Established in 2019, Agrigate One Ltd leverages technology to enhance connectivity and profitability in the agricultural sector. The startup offers a platform that digitizes and automates the supply chain for perishable goods.
For suppliers, Agrigate One Ltd provides comprehensive visibility into transactions, inventory, market trends, and the supply chain. By automating documentation, ensuring traceability, and planning for needs before and during the agricultural season, the startup optimizes operations and supports better decision-making.
Buyers benefit from access to a global supply network, while agricultural service providers gain tools to streamline export processes and automate administrative tasks, thereby reducing manual work and ensuring smoother operations.
Greg Whitaker holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Stellenbosch University and a Management Accounting diploma obtained in 2016 from The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
He is also a member of OPUS, a community of entrepreneurs, founders, and business creators. Prior to launching Agrigate One Ltd, Whitaker worked at DSV, a transport and logistics company, where he joined the strategic support team for the president of Africa in 2012.
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He wants to be a key player in growing Gabon's digital economy. To do this, he helps tech projects and teaches young people different digital skills.
Simplice Mve Asseko (photo) is a Gabonese expert in digital project management and an IT coordinator. He is the founder and CEO of Cyberschool Entrepreneuriat, an incubator dedicated to new information and communication technologies.
Founded in 2010, Cyberschool Entrepreneuriat leverages technology to promote entrepreneurship and supports young people in bringing their projects to life. The incubator offers training and support programs, as well as specialized seminars on creating business plans. To facilitate project tracking, it developed the Business Booster app.
The incubator regularly organizes digital luncheons, bringing together IT professionals, and offers training workshops in programming, software development, and IT project management for both young people and professionals.
Simplice Mve Asseko also works as an IT coordinator for Renault Group in France. He graduated from CY Tech, a school of science, engineering, economics, and management, where he earned a master’s degree in IT project management in 2012.
Between 2017 and 2018, he worked on several projects for ENGIE Home Services, a company specializing in heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems. In 2021, he served as an agile coach and product manager at Gabon's National Employment Office.
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An expert in international trade, he shifted to entrepreneurship by offering e-mobility solutions. His goal is to help taxi drivers increase their earnings.
Serge Itjo (photo) is a Cameroonian entrepreneur and business graduate. He is the founder and CEO of Klandoo, a tech startup specializing in taxi booking services.
In 2023, Klandoo launched a mobility platform allowing users to book professional drivers. Using geolocation technology, the app connects users with nearby taxi drivers.
For partner drivers, the app provides access to a wide customer base. They operate independently, keeping 80% of their earnings while Klandoo takes a 20% commission. The startup also prioritizes safety, conducting regular vehicle inspections. In case of an accident or assault, both drivers and passengers are covered through partner hospitals.
“Drivers are available 24/7. However, for any trips—business, tourism, shopping, conferences, congresses, airport transfers, private parties, weddings, or events—it is important to book a day or even a year in advance,” explains the Cameroonian entrepreneur.
In addition to his role at Klandoo, Serge Itjo works as a project manager at Air Liquide, a company specializing in gases, technologies, and services for industry and healthcare. He holds an engineering degree in international trade, earned in 2002 from École Supérieure de Commerce International (ESCI) in France.
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