TECH STARS (1006)
He is an experienced creative director with strong expertise in visual communication and marketing. As an entrepreneur, he has specialized in finance and e-commerce.
Mohammed Awami (photo) is a Tanzanian tech entrepreneur and the founder of Elevt Financial Technologies, a company specializing in fintech solutions.
Founded in 2024, Elevt Financial Technologies provides integrated working capital solutions aimed at fostering the growth of small businesses and their customers. The company offers low-interest loans, enabling businesses to expand and improve their operations.
Elevt's platform features an innovative payment solution called Tap to Pay, which transforms smartphones into payment terminals. This functionality supports several contactless payment methods, including credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and mobile money services. The platform also offers users detailed sales reports, giving them a clear view of their business performance.
Before founding Elevt Financial Technologies, Mohammed Awami launched Settlo in 2021, an omnichannel commerce platform based in East Africa. Settlo transforms business management for merchants, covering in-store sales, e-commerce, payments, and business performance analytics.
Awami holds a diploma in computer-aided publishing and digital image design, earned in 2009 from the AAA School of Advertising in South Africa. He began his career in 2005 as a graphic designer at Livewire Studios, a production and audio engineering studio. He subsequently worked as a graphic designer at Aggrey & Clifford, an advertising agency, in 2008. Awami later served as an art director at Lowe Scanad Tanzania, a communications agency, from 2011 to 2014, and at AIM Group, a Tanzanian digital media agency, from 2018 to 2021.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Her goal is to empower businesses to succeed. She provides expert guidance in finance, marketing, and technology.
Ebby Gatamu (photo) is a Kenyan marketing expert and entrepreneur. She is the co-founder and CEO of Cladfy Financial Services.
Founded in 2022, Cladfy provides microfinance lenders with modern solutions for loan management, credit assessment, and access to competitive financing. The company helps lenders confidently issue loans, streamline internal processes, and grow profitably.
The Cladfy platform integrates credit assessment models and features a dashboard enabling staff to visualize loans, deposits, expenses, and other reports. It also facilitates communication between lenders and their clients through automated web notifications, two-way SMS, and emails.
In addition to her role at Cladfy, Ebby Gatamu is the co-founder of Adshop Online, a digital marketing agency established in 2017. As a preferred rate service provider (PRSP), the agency offers digital marketing solutions. She also mentors startups at Wentors, an organization supporting women in technology.
Gatamu holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Nairobi. Her professional journey began in 2011 at KPMG East Africa, where she worked as an audit advisor. Two years later, she became a project manager at Kenya Airways. In 2018, she took on the role of head of marketing and e-commerce at Vivo Activewear, a fashion company.
In 2019, Gatamu joined Digiduka, a digital payments provider, as marketing director. From 2020 to 2022, she served as director of customer experience at Alfluence, an AI-powered influencer marketing platform in Africa.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
He is a solutions architect, specializing in digital transformation and innovation strategy. He has extensive experience in the finance, consulting, and technology sectors across Africa.
Babatola Awe (photo) is a Nigerian computer scientist and tech entrepreneur. He is the co-founder and CEO of Revent Technologies, a company specializing in the development of technological solutions.
Founded in 2020, Revent Technologies provides tailored technology solutions and software development services for businesses of all sizes. The company also specializes in areas such as cloud computing, big data, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cybersecurity.
Among its innovations, Revent Technologies has developed several cutting-edge solutions. For instance, Flowmono is a comprehensive platform that streamlines interactions between individuals, data, data-generating processes, and intellectual property within organizations. The company also launched Vybecash, a platform designed to enhance digital payment experiences through services like financial account management, transfers, bill payments, and savings.
In addition, Babatola Awe co-founded Revent Advisory Partners in 2020, focusing on the finance, technology, and human resources sectors. In 2022, he launched Revent Academy, where he also serves as CEO, aiming to equip the younger generation with essential tech skills.
Babatola Awe graduated from the University of Ibadan with a bachelor’s degree in computer science in 2008. He began his professional career in 2010 at AXA Mansard Insurance as an executive assistant and software developer.
In 2012, he joined First Bank Nigeria as an assistant banking client officer before becoming a senior analyst for customer and payment solutions. Between 2018 and 2020, he worked at Deloitte as a digital consultant.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
He is an expert in fintech, e-commerce, and software development. Leveraging his understanding of Asian and African markets, he helps merchants achieve significant growth.
Eric Ouedraogo (photo) is an Ivorian computer scientist and tech entrepreneur. He founded Trustineo International, a company specializing in international trade, in 2018.
Based in Singapore, Trustineo International aims to connect agricultural producers with end buyers by facilitating the entry and establishment of Singaporean, Asian, and European businesses and investors in Africa, while also creating similar opportunities for African players in the global market.
Trustineo International offers a new way of doing business with Africa, emphasizing a more ethical and secure approach. The company has developed an innovative e-commerce platform that automates transactions and manages all stages of commodity trading. This includes electronic contract signing, real-time tracking of various stages in the supply chain, and centralized access to certificates, documents, and transaction histories.
Eric Ouedraogo holds a master’s degree in computer engineering, earned in 2004 from the École Nationale Supérieure d’Ingénieurs Sud Alsace (ENSISA) in France. After his studies, he worked as a developer for several companies before joining Société Générale in 2008. At Société Générale, he worked as an application support analyst in the commodities market and also managed client relations.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
A passionate entrepreneur, she drives innovation across diverse sectors, including legal technology and sustainable tourism. She excels at building businesses that create a positive and lasting societal and environmental impact.
Norchen Mezni (photo) is a Tunisian entrepreneur known for her innovation and diverse ventures. She founded E-Tafakna, a startup transforming the legal landscape in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) through technology.
Launched in 2022, E-Tafakna offers a digital platform that allows users to create, manage, collaborate on, sign, and send contracts online. With its mobile app, users can track the status of their contracts in real time and see who has viewed, accepted, rejected, revised, or signed them. The startup’s main goal is to make legal services affordable, accessible, and easy to use for startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), freelancers, and individuals.
E-Tafakna also features innovative artificial intelligence, Elyssa AI, which meticulously analyzes every contract clause. This AI identifies risks, provides clear explanations, and offers recommendations to enhance compliance and contract robustness.
Beyond E-Tafakna, Norchen Mezni founded She! Ready to Wear, a premium women’s fashion label, in 2018. In 2019, she launched My Sweet Retreat, a platform focused on wellness tourism and personal development in Tunisia. She also serves as the CEO of Bohemian House of Flower, a business specializing in flower sales.
A graduate of South Mediterranean University, she earned her master’s degree in marketing in 2014. Her professional journey began two years earlier as an intern at Aon Tunisia, an insurance company.
In 2024, Norchen Mezni won Tunisia’s National Innovation Competition, and E-Tafakna was ranked among the 20 most promising startups by Tunisia Managers Magazine. That same year, she also won the MENA Region Innovating Justice Challenge, organized by HiiL (The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law).
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
He is a venture capital investor with over 25 years of experience in executive and management roles. His focus is on investing in technology companies based in Africa and the Middle East.
Ahmed El Alfi (photo) is an Egyptian entrepreneur and venture capitalist dedicated to fostering innovation and supporting entrepreneurs across Africa. He is the founder and chairman of Sawari Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in technology-driven businesses in the region.
Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Cairo, Sawari Ventures focuses on funding startups in North Africa that leverage innovative technologies and knowledge-based solutions. The firm’s mission is to support entrepreneurs in building transformative businesses capable of driving sustainable economic growth in local markets.
Sawari Ventures primarily invests in early-stage and growth-stage startups across a diverse range of sectors, including consumer internet, fintech, edtech, healthtech, deeptech, e-commerce, and enabling infrastructure. A portion of its budget is allocated to seed investments, contributing to the strengthening of the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
In 2011, El Alfi co-founded Flat6Labs, a regional startup accelerator and venture capital firm focused on seed and early-stage investments in Africa and the Middle East. This initiative has played a critical role in nurturing startups by providing funding, mentorship, and resources.
El Alfi also ventured into education with the launch of Nafham in 2011, an online platform offering educational videos aligned with the Egyptian public school curriculum. The platform aims to enhance access to quality education for students across the country.
In 2013, El Alfi launched The GrEEK CAMPUS, a technology and innovation park in Cairo. He served as its chairman until 2022. The campus provides state-of-the-art office spaces for startups and established companies in technology and media, fostering a collaborative and innovative business environment.
With more than 25 years of experience in executive and leadership roles, Ahmed El Alfi has become a pivotal figure in Africa’s tech ecosystem. His investments and initiatives continue to empower entrepreneurs and accelerate the region’s transition to a knowledge-based economy.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
A recognized pioneer in African blockchain, he brings years of experience to the field. He has collaborated with numerous public and private sector organizations and successfully founded several startups throughout his career.
Lorien Gamaroff (photo) is a South African computer scientist and co-founder, as well as the CEO, of CentBee, a company specializing in cryptocurrency payments.
Founded in 2017, CentBee offers an innovative platform that merges social networking with digital money management, simplifying everyday transactions. Built on blockchain technology, the platform allows users to make payments with brands and stores worldwide. It also enables secure and straightforward storage, sending, and receiving of digital money.
“A lot of people think that Centbee is a crypto wallet but we are not a crypto wallet. We don’t support multiple cryptos, we don’t have charts, we don’t allow users to trade or anything like that. It does fit solidly in the mobile money category which is how a lot of emerging economies work these days,” said Gamaroff in 2024.
In addition to his role at CentBee, Gamaroff serves on the advisory board of the African Utility Week Conference, a three-day trade show and conference bringing together professionals from Africa’s electricity, energy, and water sectors. He is also an ambassador for the Bitcoin Association in Africa.
Before founding CentBee, Gamaroff co-founded LiveBet in 1999, an online sports betting platform where he served as Chief Technology Officer until 2002. In 2014, he founded Bankymoon, a trailblazing company in blockchain applications. The following year, he co-founded Blockchain Academy, serving as Training Director.
Gamaroff holds a degree in computer science and music from Rhodes University (1997) and a software engineering degree from the University of South Africa (2008). His professional journey began in 1998 at Grey Group, a global advertising agency, where he worked as a creative director. He later held Chief Technology Officer roles at various firms, including Professional Development Institute, a software publisher, and Invirohub, a company specializing in smart metering and monitoring solutions for public, private, and residential sectors.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
As part of its digital transformation ambitions, the Congolese government has set a goal of developing the country's digital sector and infrastructure. This initiative is part of the 'Congo Digital 2025' strategy, which is set to conclude this year.
Congolese Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and the Digital Economy Léon Juste Ibombo (photo, right) unveiled an ambitious roadmap on Wednesday to tackle the challenges of digital, financial, and social inclusion by the end of the year. Reappointed to his position, Ibombo reaffirmed his commitment to transforming the sector in line with directives from President Denis Sassou N’Guesso, who emphasized the need for "tangible results" during the last Council of Ministers.
"The President of the Republic firmly reminded government members of the need to accelerate the implementation of priority projects, which symbolize the expected response to the population's essential needs. He stressed the importance of concrete achievements," Ibombo explained.
The roadmap established by the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and the Digital Economy is built around several strategic pillars. According to the roadmap, the priority for postal service operator SOPECO is to restore a peaceful social climate, a prerequisite for advancing structural reforms and developing new innovative digital products. Congo Telecom SA is preparing to launch its mobile network in the country's main cities, a critical project for the historic operator. The Digital Economy Development Agency (ADEN) is tasked with supporting young innovators, overseeing the e-government portal, and organizing initiatives such as the Denis Sassou N’Guesso Prize, in partnership with Huawei.
The Digital Transformation Acceleration Project (PATN) is also a key project in that roadmap. It plans to connect 186 rural localities to electronic communications and train 1,200 young people in digital skills. Other initiatives include restructuring the General Directorate of Posts and Telecommunications and reducing the digital divide through the Regulatory Agency for Posts and Electronic Communications (ARPCE).
A rigorous monitoring and monthly evaluation system will accompany this mobilization to ensure the completion of priority projects. Through modernizing infrastructure and strengthening digital capabilities, this roadmap is expected to make 2025 a pivotal year for digital inclusion and the socio-economic development of the Republic of the Congo.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
He has approximately seven years of experience in business finance and evaluation. With GoGetta, he aims to empower African entrepreneurs by providing access to funding for their projects.
Sthembiso Zwane (photo) is a South African finance expert and tech entrepreneur. He is the co-founder and CEO of GoGetta, a startup specializing in venture capital and private equity.
Founded in 2022, GoGetta connects venture capital opportunities in Africa with investors worldwide. The company identifies high-growth African businesses in need of funding and links them with potential investors.
Through GoGetta, international investors can fund promising African companies in exchange for equity stakes. Before listing a company on its platform, the startup conducts a rigorous evaluation of its financial health, market position, leadership capabilities, and growth potential, ensuring optimal returns for its investors.
Sthembiso Zwane has been serving, since 2013, as a marketing and finance assistant at the KwaZulu-Natal Society for the Blind (KZNSB), an organization advocating for the rights of blind and visually impaired individuals in the KwaZulu-Natal region. Additionally, he works as an investment professional at Grovest Corporate Advisory, an investment firm.
Zwane holds a bachelor’s degree in financial management from IIE Varsity College in South Africa, which he earned in 2015. Between 2019 and 2022, he worked as an investment manager at Fulo Capital, a housing fund focused on student accommodation with an emphasis on impact investment.
In 2023, he was recognized as one of the 200 Most Influential Young South Africans by Mail & Guardian magazine.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
He is dedicated to providing financial services that transform the lives of individuals and businesses across Africa. His primary goal is to promote financial inclusion throughout the continent.
Ken Kakena (photo), a tech entrepreneur from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is the co-founder and CEO of fintech startup Mekka Group. Founded in 2024, Mekka Group develops technological infrastructure aimed at transforming how businesses in Africa make and receive payments. It offers tailored financial solutions to help companies place orders, pay suppliers, collect payments, access instant credit, and track their financial activities in real-time.
Mekka Group provides personalized financial solution that allows businesses to place orders, pay suppliers, collect payments, access instant credit, and monitor their finances in real time. Whether for freelancers, merchants, or large corporations, the startup adapts to the specific needs of each client.
The company also facilitates the sending of electronic invoices and receipts. In terms of payments, the startup enables users to accept transactions via mobile money or cash from anywhere and transfer funds to their bank accounts.
Before Mekka Group, Ken Kakena co-founded Wizall Money in 2015, a startup specializing in mobile money solutions for businesses, organizations, and governments to handle disbursement and collection operations. It operates in Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Côte d’Ivoire.
Ken Kakena holds a master’s degree in marketing, which he earned in 2012 from ISTEC Business School Paris, a higher education institution specializing in business and marketing. Before embarking on his entrepreneurial journey, he worked from 2013 to 2016 as a mobile financial services consultant at Advise Consulting & Technology, a company specializing in organizational, management, and business training consulting.
With Wizall Money, Ken Kakena received the Makatuno Prize in 2019, which honors individuals and companies that have elevated the DRC’s reputation internationally. In 2021, Wizall Money also won the award for Best Digital Innovation Company at the annual event Calebasses de l’excellence Awards.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
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He is a software developer and project manager passionate about innovation and entrepreneurship. He has designed several technological solutions, particularly in the finance and education sectors, leveraging his expertise to support ambitious projects.
Hugues Cédric Ngbwa (photo) is a Cameroonian IT specialist and serial entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of MendoLearn, a digital learning platform with over 6,000 users.
Launched in 2019, MendoLearn is an educational and professional social network centered on users' interests. The platform facilitates skill exchanges based on users’ professional orientations. It also allows for sharing articles, courses, and questions to enhance collective knowledge.
In addition to promoting learning, MendoLearn offers users the opportunity to explore the insights and activities of education experts. Through its search engine, users can find collaborators and institutions to expand their professional networks and enrich their content.
This platform is one of the solutions developed by Mendo Company, a web and mobile development firm also founded by Hugues Cédric Ngbwa. Other innovations from the company include MendoCash, a solution that consolidates various payment services available in Cameroon, and MendoCoti, a tool that simplifies fund management for micro-projects.
Hugues Cédric Ngbwa holds a General University Diploma (DEUG) in Computer Science, earned in 2011 from the University of Yaoundé I. He also has a Secondary Education Teaching Diploma (DIPES 1) in Mathematics and Computer Science, obtained in 2014 from the Higher Teacher Training College in Maroua, Cameroon.
In 2018, he served as a developer for Duegho, a free social networking platform dedicated to the African continent.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
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