To enhance healthcare access for the population, a Beninese startup launched an e-health application. The solution integrates multiple features that allow patients to receive medical care.
goMediCAL is an e-health solution developed by the Beninese startup Open SI, established in 2013 by Gilles Kounou. Launched in 2017, this Android-exclusive app, which has been downloaded over 10,000 times, offers users the ability to schedule medical appointments, discover on-call pharmacies, maintain a digital health record, and conduct teleconsultations.
Users can create an account using their email address, granting them access to a variety of services. The platform provides a dedicated search bar that allows users to find doctors by surname or specialty, regardless of whether the doctor is a specialist or a generalist. This feature enables users to locate all doctors on the platform who share a specific name or surname. Furthermore, the platform provides a comprehensive list of specialists in the chosen field.
It’s worth noting that goMediCAL also integrates insurance options. Users can track their specific procedures and select their pre-registered insurance on the platform. Additionally, it offers the convenience of paying medical fees for a relative, irrespective of whether they reside in Benin or abroad. Doctors on the platform utilize a digital agenda that allows them to work according to their availability, providing greater flexibility. The e-health solution proudly hosts more than 300 doctors, 60 health centers, and facilitates 250 daily appointments.
goMediCAL has been the recipient of several awards, most notably the Afric’innov prize in 2018, presented by the World Bank, the French Development Agency (AFD), and the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF). It also secured third place in the startup awards in the health sector at the International Conference of Ministers of Health and ICT on Healthcare Safety in Africa (CIMSA).
Adoni Conrad Quenum
The Irish Tech Challenge South Africa calls on South African startups to collaborate with Irish counterparts. Organized with Wits University’s Tshimologong Digital Precinct and Dogpatch Labs, with support from Department of Science and Innovation DSI, Technology Innovation Agency TIA, and the Embassy of Ireland, the initiative aims to expand tech companies owned by South Africans, aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Selected startups will receive EUR10,000 each, a 10-day trip to Ireland, tech expertise, and government support. Applications are open until April 26th.
In 2024, a series of internet disruptions across Africa were linked to cuts of undersea fiber optic cables. As a countermeasure, Seacom, a Pan-African submarine cable provider, has launched internet services through low earth orbit (LEO) satellites in South Africa.
Seacom, a Pan-African submarine cable provider, recently unveiled its satellite internet services in South Africa. These services leverage low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, as announced in a press release on Monday, April 15.
For the launch, Seacom joined forces with Eutelsat Oneweb, a renowned British satellite internet provider. The partnership is designed to deliver superior internet connectivity, especially to businesses, in response to the growing need for high-speed connectivity throughout Africa.
The launch of Seacom’s satellite internet service is timely, given the recurrent disruptions in undersea cables that have been affecting connectivity in several parts of the continent. In February of last year, Seacom faced disruptions in its cable network in the Red Sea, which hindered internet connectivity between Africa and Europe, impacting countries like Egypt and Kenya. In March, technical glitches on the West African coast affected the WACS, MainOne, ACE, and SAT3 cables, leaving people in roughly ten countries without internet access.
In light of these incidents, satellite internet has emerged as a favored solution. Seacom has chosen to adopt LEO technology, which involves satellites orbiting the Earth at distances of approximately 2,000 kilometers or less. This technology promises lower latency for quicker communications and improved coverage for remote areas.
Alpheus Mangale, President and CEO of the Seacom Group, stated, “The end goal is to make the LEO service an essential value offering for organizations of all shapes and sizes. Connectivity is on track to become a wholesale service made up of different technologies that work together to meet clients’ needs and deliver the uptime and performance that’s expected from market leaders.”
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Launched in 2020, the Margaret Junior Awards celebrate the talents of young girls aged 7 to 18. Abigail Ifoma won this prestigious award thanks to MIA, the smart assistant solution project she submitted.
Abigail Ifoma (photo), a dynamic and passionate young Cameroonian, won the Margaret Junior Africa Awards in March 2024 for her project, MIA (My Intelligent Assistant). MIA is a system designed to manage and monitor patients in medically isolated areas.
Inspired by her grandmother's experience, Abigail felt a deep empathy for people suffering from chronic diseases. The challenge of regularly taking temperature and blood pressure was a personal obstacle for her, driving her to find an innovative solution.
Her project, a smart bracelet paired with an app, is the culmination of her efforts. She hopes her solution will reduce waiting times in hospitals and improve patient care. For Abigail Ifoma, this recognition validates her work and provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of innovation in healthcare.
Currently a student at Tassa Academy, a secondary school in Yaoundé, Abigail is determined to pursue medical studies while nurturing her passion for technology. She acknowledges the challenges she faces, including a lack of material resources and infrastructure issues, but remains optimistic about the future of her project.
As a young innovator, Abigail Ifoma aims to inspire other young people, especially girls, to engage in technology and science. She firmly believes that innovation can change the world and encourages young people to explore their creativity and face challenges with courage and determination.
The government aims to transform Cameroon into an emerging country by 2035. To accelerate the achievement of that goal, the executive is focused on developing information and communication technologies.
On Tuesday, April 16, in Yaoundé, the construction of the Digital Transformation Center of the Ministry of External Relations (CTDM-MINREX) was officially initiated by the Cameroonian Minister of External Relations, Lejeune Mbella Mbella. This center, slated to be fully operational within a year, is designed to digitize and secure consular data.
The CTDM will be housed in a four-story, eco-friendly building, outfitted with cutting-edge technologies. It will encompass an ICT laboratory, a management unit for the procurement, storage, and distribution of consular materials, a training room, a round-the-clock call center, and a data storage unit, among other facilities.
The establishment of this center is a key component of a wider modernization initiative undertaken by the Ministry of External Relations. This initiative encompasses the roll-out of a digital platform for managing consular services, the equipping and operationalizing of diplomatic and consular posts, and the enhancement of consular officers’ skills.
In executing these projects, Cameroon is backed by Impact Palmarès R&D SAS, an Ivorian firm specializing in biometric solutions. Headquartered in Abidjan, this company was a technical ally to Cameroon in the successful deployment of e-visas a year prior. As per MINREX, from April 30, 2023, to March 30, 2024, Cameroon welcomed 158,000 visitors.
Once operational, the CTDM-MINREX is expected to improve the quality of Cameroon’s consular services to meet international standards. The center will also streamline consular procedures and speed up the process, enabling applicants to receive their electronic visas within 24 to 48 hours.
Samira Njoya
Education, a fundamental right, is a powerful catalyst for development worldwide. For that reason, Mumbe Mwangangi is striving to improve child literacy in Kenya.
Mumbe Mwangangi (photo), a Kenyan social entrepreneur, co-founded and currently leads Nyansapo AI. This startup, established in 2019, leverages technology to enhance the learning experience of primary school children and provides key data to NGOs engaged in educational initiatives.
Nyansapo AI is dedicated to boosting literacy rates among primary school students by creating personalized educational tools powered by artificial intelligence. These tools are designed to streamline the workflow of educators, offering insightful data on student engagement and pinpointing areas that require attention.
Among these tools is an analytical dashboard that empowers educational program managers to evaluate the efficacy of their interventions and implement impactful strategies to improve children’s reading, writing, and arithmetic skills. The Nyansapo mobile app is another such tool that accurately identifies pronunciation errors as students read aloud on a screen, thereby providing trainers with detailed data to craft effective learning activities.
On April 17, 2024, Nyansapo AI was recognized as one of the 16 finalists in the Burning Heroes Africa Startups Awards. The company is set to participate in the competition’s final stage, scheduled for April 23 and 25, 2024.
Mumbe Mwangangi is an alumnus of Maseno University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in international relations. She also holds a master’s degree in disaster management and sustainable development from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.
Following an internship at UNESCO in 2017, Mumbe Mwangangi joined Pacemaker International in 2019 as a fellowship coordinator, contributing to efforts to enhance children’s access to education. In 2021, she took on the role of program coordinator at Peace First, an American incubator specializing in social innovation. These experiences have shaped her vision and fortified her dedication to education and community development.
Melchior Koba
The AgriTech4Egypt Innovation Challenge is now accepting applications from scientists and entrepreneurs with agri-tech solutions that can enhance Egypt’s agricultural system.
Selected ventures will benefit from a fully funded bootcamp, professional advice, a six-month acceleration program, and an equity-free grant of up to EGP300,000 (US$6,500) from the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT) of Egypt. The program runs from June to October, with a demo day in November. Applications are open until April 21st.
A seasoned logistics specialist, he leverages technology to streamline transportation processes and bolster the tracking of goods throughout their journey.
Marc Biegniebe (photo), a Togolese logistics expert and entrepreneur, co-founded Anaxar alongside Essoyodouna Amouzou in 2020. The innovative company aims to revolutionize the transportation of goods across West Africa through a user-friendly digital platform.
Anaxar, headquartered in Togo, extends its services to Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and other countries within the sub-region. With a network of 1,000 seasoned carriers, it guarantees secure and efficient goods transportation at a cost-effective rate for its African clients.
Beyond freight services, Anaxar offers moving and expedited delivery solutions, thereby boosting client productivity. A dedicated mobile app allows clients to monitor their shipments in real-time, ensuring timely deliveries and efficient customer satisfaction.
In a bid to broaden its reach, Anaxar launched GoodTRIP, a carpooling platform. Already functional in Togo, this app links drivers with spare seats to passengers intending to travel along the same routes. With over 768 destinations, 120 available routes, 43 drivers, and 350 registered passengers, GoodTRIP simplifies travel while fostering resource sharing.
Marc Biegniebe is an alumnus of Ecole supérieure de la Mer, where he obtained a degree in port and maritime activities management in 2012. He also earned a degree in port and maritime management in 2015 from the Regional Academy of Marine Sciences and Techniques.
Post-graduation, he joined Bureau Veritas, a global leader in testing, inspection, and certification, as a support assistant in 2015, a position he held until 2021. Simultaneously, he served as a training consultant at the maritime school of Togo.
In acknowledgment of his accomplishments, Marc Biegniebe’s company, Anaxar, was lauded at the inaugural Africa Supply Chain Awards in Senegal in 2023, clinching the award for the most exceptional company in the road transport sector.
Melchior Koba
After the failure of their first startup, two tech entrepreneurs decided to embark on a new venture. They turned to financial technologies, a popular segment on the continent. Then Futa was born.
Futa, a fintech solution developed by a Cameroonian startup based in Douala, enables users to send and receive money via mobile money, as well as pay for airtime and subscribe to telecom bundles. Founded in 2022 by Grace Jerolgan and Daniel Dang, the startup sees itself as more than just a payment app.
“Our goal is to build a modern bank for the modern African, enabling even a farmer in the remotest village to securely send and receive money, access loans, and even investment opportunities, with or without internet access,” the startup explains.
Currently, the app is available exclusively on Android, boasting over 5,000 downloads. For iOS users, access is provided through the web version of Futa. Users simply need to click on the ‘Install’ pop-up and follow the steps. This process installs a shortcut to the web app on the home screen, allowing users to use Futa just like any other app.
Once users register and create an account with their name, city, and phone number, they gain access to various services, including sending and receiving funds and purchasing plans. Notably, Futa enables users to manage multiple mobile money accounts from their dashboard. The fintech charges a fee ranging from 0 to 1.5%, depending on the type of transaction.
Futa reports having over 4,000 users, with more than 24,300 transactions processed through the app to date.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
The Malawi Government has hired local ICT firm E-Tech Systems to resolve a passport crisis at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services, which began after the system was hacked. The engagement of E-Tech Systems was confirmed by Frank Namangale, the Ministry of Justice spokesperson on April 14.
This move follows the cancellation of a contract with TechnoBrain in December 2021 due to alleged mismanagement.
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The Sierra Leone ICT Talent Development Program is inviting applications for a one-week intensive training on digital technologies, focusing on Cyber Security, Privacy Protection, and Digital Marketing.
The training will run from April 29th to May 3rd, 2024. Selected participants will be trained to educate secondary school students and traders across Sierra Leone. The application deadline is April 19, 2024.
Click here to apply.
Since its inception in 2022, the AfricaTech Awards have awarded a dozen startups for the tangible impact of their activities on society. For its third edition, the event organizers continue to pursue the same goal.
Viva Technology, or VivaTech, an annual exhibition dedicated to technological innovation, announced on Wednesday, April 17, the 45 African startups selected for the finals of the third edition of the AfricaTech Awards. This Pan-African initiative aims to identify and support impactful innovative startups across the continent. The event will take place on May 24 in Paris, alongside VivaTech.
The 45 finalists were chosen from 310 applications following an evaluation conducted by VivaTech and its knowledge partner, Deloitte. These startups hail from 37 African countries, with Kenya, Nigeria, and Egypt having the highest participation since 2022. The finalists are divided into three categories: e-commerce & FinTech (15), Climate Tech (15), and Health Tech (15).
Following a second evaluation by a panel of experts consisting of C-Level partners, investors, and CEOs of incubators, the top three startups from each category will have the opportunity to participate in the 2024 edition of Viva Technology, which will be held from May 22 to 25 in Paris.
According to VivaTech's press release, among the 45 selected startups, 42% are founded or co-founded by women, and nearly 90% have at least one woman on their board of directors. They were selected for the concrete impact of their activities on society or the environment, the creation of remarkable innovation, the scalability of their business in the African market, and the formation of a diverse and experienced team.
"In this new shortlist for the AfricaTech Awards, Africa demonstrates all the richness and dynamism of its startup ecosystem and positions itself as the continent to watch for tech and digital innovation. Viva Technology is delighted to make this African reality known to the whole world and to connect it to the stakeholders who will enable it to reach its full potential. This has been one of VivaTech's commitments since its inception, and this year it will once again be one of the key themes of our event," stated François Bitouzet, Managing Director of Viva Technology.
Samira Njoya
Since October 2022, Nigeria has embarked on the development of a regulatory framework designed to foster the growth of innovative startups. A series of initiatives have been rolled out to support young companies and stimulate the local tech scene.
On Monday, April 15, Nigeria’s Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, officially inaugurated the national startup portal. The initiative is designed to stimulate the growth of startups and nurture tech talent in Nigeria.
Bosun Tijani, speaking about this initiative, stated, “The platform will also facilitate a consultative forum where issues affecting startups can be discussed and properly defined for action by the government and other stakeholders.”
The digital platform, which can be accessed at startup.gov.ng, offers numerous benefits to local startups. These include registration and labeling, as well as access to valuable knowledge and information resources crucial for their growth and success. Registering on the platform also opens up opportunities for young companies to receive financial support and tax breaks, among other benefits.
The launch of this platform aligns with the objectives of the Nigeria Startup Act, which was enacted in October 2022. This act stipulates the creation of an annual fund of 10 billion naira (approximately $8.6 million) to finance labeled startups through seed funds, grants, or loans.
Official figures reveal that since its inception in November, the new platform has registered 12,948 companies, 912 venture capital investors, 1,735 angel investors, and 925 incubators, accelerators, and hubs.
Samira Njoya
Connecting households to the Internet is crucial for African development as it enhances access to information, education, and economic opportunities, fostering inclusive growth and bridging digital disparities.
South Africa plans to provide internet access to 1.5 million households in rural areas and townships, by the end of the year, by deploying Wi-Fi hotspots. Mondli Gungubele (pictured), the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, announced the initiative during a media briefing in Pretoria on April 4.
“We are dedicated to bridging the digital divide by providing Wi-Fi access to communities and ensuring universal access to the internet. This year, we have connected over 740,000 households to the internet, enabled by the installation of 4,250 Wi-Fi hotspots,” said Mondli Gungubele.
This initiative, part of a broader plan to connect 5.5 million households over the next three to four years, seeks to bridge the digital divide and ensure universal access to the internet. The focus is on rural and township areas across South Africa, with particular attention given to reducing the cost of data and providing affordable internet access.
Additionally, efforts are underway to equip rural schools with internet connectivity and digital skills training through the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) Cyber Labs.
According to Minges (2016) in the World Development Report 2016: Digital Dividends by the World Bank, an enhancement of 10 percentage points in fixed broadband usage could lead to a rise in GDP growth by 1.21% in advanced economies and 1.38% in emerging economies. However, to accomplish this goal, it is imperative to ensure universal access to the Internet so that all individuals can contribute to generating this wealth.
Hikmatu Bilali