Trained as a lawyer, she swiftly shifted her focus to financial technology. As the founder and CEO of the CaPay application, she has garnered recognition for her efforts in bolstering employees’ financial inclusion.
Ariane Akeret (photo) is a Gabonese entrepreneur who has revolutionized financial inclusion through her innovative mobile payment platform, CaPay. Through that platform, she has transformed the way underbanked employers and pensioners receive their salaries and social benefits.
With a master's degree in law from Omar Bongo University in 2017, she discovered mobile money during her travels in West Africa. Concerned with strengthening the financial inclusion of wage earners, she drew inspiration from the transformative power of mobile money to create a solution that would bridge the financial divide. In 2019, Akeret's vision materialized into CaPay, a platform designed to streamline the disbursement of salaries, pensions, and scholarships through mobile money technology.
"I created CaPay to address the challenges faced by people in remote areas who have to travel long distances to collect their pensions," the entrepreneur said in 2022.
CaPay's mission is to simplify and secure payroll processes, making them accessible and inclusive for all. Its user-friendly interface caters to a wide range of organizations, including associations, social benefit funds, cooperatives, companies, trade unions, public administrations, and more.
Eliminating the need for traditional bank accounts, the platform empowers employees and pensioners to receive their payments directly into their mobile money accounts.
Prior to embarking on her fintech journey, Akeret gained valuable experience in the legal field. In 2016, she served as an executive assistant in the legal and litigation department of the State Judicial Agency in Gabon. Subsequently, she worked as a legal assistant at the National Agency for Town Planning, Topographic Works and Cadastre (ANUTTC) in 2018.
Akeret's unwavering commitment to financial inclusion has garnered her numerous accolades. In 2022, she received the prestigious Margaret Prize in Paris in the "Entrepreneur Africa" category. Her dedication to innovation was further recognized in November 2023 when she and four other entrepreneurs won the national competition for invention and technological innovation.
Melchior Koba
As a software developer, he uses technology to solve local problems and create value for his community. With his company Twende Mobility, he is helping improve the transport conditions of millions of people across Africa.
Kiptoo Magutt (photo) is the co-founder and CEO of Twende Mobility, a mobility platform that seamlessly connects customers with transport operators, revolutionizing travel and logistics management in Africa. His platform's unified, transparent, and cost-effective approach empowers users to effortlessly navigate their transportation needs.
The tech entrepreneur studied at Princeton University, USA, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering in 2012. After years of working in structures in the United States, he decided to return to Kenya in 2017 to launch his own company, Twende Mobility which is named after its flagship solution.
The said solution empowers mobility and logistics operators to embrace the digital revolution. The platform seamlessly streamlines operations, encompassing booking management, dispatch, payments, customer relationship management, and more. It aims to make mobility more accessible, safer, and sustainable across Africa.
Before embarking on the Twende Mobility adventure, in 2011, Magutt co-founded M-Profesa, an e-learning platform that fosters the exchange of learning materials between teachers and students. His professional career began, in 2010, at Princeton University’s EDGE Lab, where he was a software developer and associate engineer. In 2011, he worked at the Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) in Hong Kong as an engineer-in-training. Between 2012 and 2014, he honed his skills in the United States, serving as a software developer for companies such as SevOne and Spreecast, an interactive video platform. From 2014 until his return to Kenya, Magutt was an Android developer for the independent Arab news channel Al Jazeera Media Network.
Melchior Koba
The coronavirus pandemic forced a change in consumer habits, affecting a wide range of sectors. To remain competitive, some of those sectors, including the creative industries adapted themselves, causing new revenue opportunities to emerge.
On Monday, November 20, Orange Middle East & Africa and Spotify announced a partnership to promote music, particularly African music. This collaboration, which enables Orange subscribers to enjoy free music on the Swedish streaming platform by subscribing to one of the telecom operator's mobile offers, is already effective in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, and Mali. It will soon be effective for Orange subscribers in Guinea and eventually cover all of Orange’s 18 markets in Africa and the Middle East.
"As a multi-service operator on the continent, we want to provide our customers with easier access to the rich musical culture in Africa and the promotion of local talents. The deployment of this service in the countries where we are present will greatly facilitate access to an incomparable musical experience for all communities and thus contribute to the acceleration of digital inclusion on the continent," said Brelotte Ba (photo, right), Deputy CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa.
For Jocelyne Muhutu-Remy (photo, left), Managing Director for Spotify in Sub-Saharan Africa, the collaboration addresses a specific issue. “We are aware that data costs continue to be a hindrance for people who would like to stream music, that’s why we are actively working at Spotify SSA on partnerships like this one," she said.
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) reports that streaming is currently the highest revenue-generating segment for the global music industry. In its "Global Music Report 2023", it reveals that starting from 2017, the growth in streaming revenues has accelerated to account for 67% of global music revenues in 2022. Specifically, streaming accounted for $17.5 billion out of the $26.2 billion in revenues generated by the music industry worldwide in 2022. Streaming also contributes to greater visibility for artists on the international scene.
Sub-Saharan Africa was the region with the fastest growth in recorded music revenues in 2022, at +34.7%. This growth was driven by a strong increase in revenues in South Africa, the region's largest market (+31.4%). Meanwhile, the Middle East and North Africa posted the world's third-highest revenue growth in 2022 (+23.8%, with 95.5% of that performance being driven by streaming).
Muriel Edjo
BujaHub provides an environment conducive to the growth and success of entrepreneurs. With its ongoing commitment to innovation and socio-economic development, it contributes to building a continent driven by entrepreneurship and innovation.
BujaHub is a non-governmental organization created in 2019 by the Young African Development Foundation (YADF) and the Save African Youth Campaign (SAY), two organizations working for the socio-economic and political development of young people and women across Africa. BujaHub is headquartered in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi, and its CEO is Abiyah David, founder of SAY.
BujaHub's mission is to create a collaborative environment for entrepreneurs in the digital sector and beyond. The organization provides structured support through workshops, training, and seminars, complementing the natural networking environment it fosters. To improve accessibility, it has a co-working space, offices, and modern facilities in downtown Bujumbura.
The organization collaborates with private and public institutions to design and implement programs and activities to support innovators and digital entrepreneurship in Burundi. For example, it offers an incubator focused on business design and an acceleration program to help startups scale up.
BujaHub also provides young people with a community of designers who tackle complex problems. It offers a research lab to create a local data-driven economy and projects. It also fosters new partnerships with regulators, industry players, businesses, and local and international organizations to create a strong entrepreneurial and technological ecosystem.
To achieve its various goals, BujaHub has set up various programs and activities. For instance, its Digital Ladies program focuses on building skills and promoting Burundian women in the digital sector. In addition, it regularly organizes events such as Innovation Week, where innovators are shortlisted to present their projects.
BujaHub has already made a significant impact in Africa. It has supported over 100 innovative startups and launched more than 25 programs. It has a community of over 35,000 members, 45% of whom are women, and is supported by more than 15 partners.
Melchior Koba
Deferred payment options that were once a luxury available only in developed nations are gradually being introduced in African countries. This introduction is spearheaded by financial technology startups, through innovative solutions that cater to the continent's unique financial landscape.
Sympl is a checkout platform developed by an Egyptian startup. It enables users to buy goods online and pay later or save towards the purchase of goods they want. Founded in 2021 by Karim Tawfik, Mohamed El-Shabrawy El-Feky, and Yasmine Mohamed Henna, this Cairo-based startup raised $6 million in funding that same year to, among other things, accelerate its growth.
Commenting on the successful $6 million fund-raising, Mohamed El-Shabrawy El-Feky said: "The huge market opportunity is evidenced by this capital raise, and the support of Beco Capital, A15, and Global Ventures- who recognize Sympl’s ability to scale and disrupt Egypt’s deferred payments industry, and the size of the market opportunity."
The startup has been growing steadily ever since, and the Android version of its mobile app –also available on iOS and Huawei's AppGallery has been downloaded more than 50,000 times, according to Play Store data. To access its services, users need to visit the web platform or mobile app, and purchase from Sympl's partner boutiques.
At checkout, the user chooses a payment plan. They can choose to pay in three, four, or five interest-free installments on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis, with or without a deposit. They then enter their telephone number and pay the service fee. After this step, the user can finalize the purchase and get the payment schedule in the mobile application.
The startup also has an application for merchants wishing to join Sympl's world, enabling them to open their online store and easily track the progress of their customers' reimbursements. Earlier this month, the fintech was selected to be part of the 2023 cohort of the Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator program.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Startups usually require support from institutions such as incubators and accelerators to accelerate their growth. In Guinea, Trustee excels in providing such essential assistance.
Trustee is a Guinean entrepreneurship support structure that invests in startups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with high growth potential. Established in 2018 by seasoned business developer Ibrahima Kalil Kaba, its current CEO, Trustee primarily focuses on projects within the information and communication technology, renewable energy, and agribusiness sectors.
Specializing in startup support and investment readiness, the company offers strategic advice and practical solutions to assist its clients in achieving their business and financial objectives. For instance, Trustee aids entrepreneurs in implementing a customized digital strategy by leveraging its team of developers, architects, and project managers to ensure the success of their projects. Additionally, the company manages a fund that invests between $30,000 and $500,000 in startups, acquiring 7-10% equity in return.
Trustee also operates an accelerator program to help beneficiaries accelerate their growth through access to experienced mentors, investors, and valuable resources. This program is open to startups across various sectors, ranging from technology and healthcare to food.
Beyond financial support, Trustee extends its services to include workspace provisions, legal and accounting support, as well as marketing and sales tools. The organization has also established the Digital Community, a dedicated space for technology entrepreneurs in West Africa seeking to expand their network, acquire new skills and grow their businesses. Trustee actively organizes events such as pitch sessions, mentoring meetings, seminars, and networking events for startups, with notable initiatives like Guinea FinTech Week 2023 that took place last September.
Furthermore, Trustee offers a comprehensive training program designed to empower entrepreneurs with skills and knowledge in areas such as web development, networking, product development, business strategy, fundraising, marketing and communications, human resources, management, and finance.
Backed by a robust network of local companies and partners, including BANKITRUCK and KF Invest & Consulting, Trustee is dedicated to fostering the development of Guinean startups
Melchior Koba
Last week, Nigerian social e-commerce platform Pricepally successfully completed a $1.3 million funding round, Techcrunch reveals.
The financial resources will fund the platform’s expansion to Nigerian cities other than its current markets: Abuja, Lagos, and Port-Harcourt.
To achieve its digital ambition, Chad, like most African countries, needs a qualified workforce. For that purpose, the country is actively forging partnerships to secure a skilled workforce, ensuring that its youth gain access to essential digital skills.
Simplon Africa, a social enterprise that provides training in digital professions, and WenakLabs, a tech hub in Chad, signed a partnership agreement in N'Djamena on Thursday, November 16.
One of the goals of this collaboration is to give the Chadian youth access to high-quality training in digital professions, improving their employability.
"This partnership shows a strong dedication to developing digital skills in Chad. By working together and sharing our expertise, WenakLabs and Simplon Africa want to create top-notch training courses, giving learners exceptional learning opportunities," said the Chadian hub.
Under the agreement, Simplon Africa will create the teaching content and provide learners access to its online training platform. On the other hand, WenakLabs will give access to its resources and training materials to support both face-to-face and online learning.
This collaboration will result in the launch of a campus in the next few months, offering both paid online and face-to-face training courses to its main targets: students, entrepreneurs, and professionals.
This new collaboration follows a previous partnership that led to the Tech4Tchad program in 2021. Funded by France, Simplon, and several partners, including WenakLab, Tech4Tchad has trained 150 young people in the digital field so far.
Samira Njoya
She is an inspiring woman dedicated to bridging the economic gender gap in Nigeria. Her exceptional leadership, innovation, and social impact have earned her numerous awards and distinctions.
Ife Durosimi-Etti (photo) is a Nigerian entrepreneur, author, and advocate for women's economic empowerment. As the founder and CEO of Herconomy, she leads a community platform providing financial services, professional opportunities, and training for women in Nigeria.
She graduated from Covenant University with a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry in 2009 and earned a Master's degree in Global Business from Coventry University in 2012.
She initially launched Herconomy, in 2018, as AGS Tribe, a community dedicated to networking and empowering young female entrepreneurs and professionals. The community has now evolved to become a fintech company that empowers women through grants and scholarships. The company offers women savings opportunities. Through its academy, it offers online courses on entrepreneurship, business management, and digital, from coding to artificial intelligence to digital marketing.
"On our platform, you will not just save and earn high interests, but you will also save as you spend on things that you need on a day-to-day basis. We believe that women cannot be empowered through bank accounts alone, they need community, capacity and access to opportunities that can move them, their businesses or careers to the next level and we are providing just that through our platform. We are building a world where women can connect, save, earn and thrive," explained Ife Durosimi-Etti in 2022.
Herconomy is a community of over 100,000 women. The company has already awarded over 100 grants. In June 2023, it was selected for the third cohort of Google for Startups' Black Founders Fund.
A volunteer with the Global Shapers Community, Ife Durosimi-Etti is, since 2017, the project manager of Dome, a project launched to bridge the gender gap through the socio-economic empowerment of women in Nigeria. Before Herconomy, she co-founded Parliamo Bambini, a baby furniture marketing company in Nigeria.
She began her professional career in 2009 at Standard Chartered Bank where she was an Operations Analyst. A British Red Cross volunteer between 2010 and 2012, she was Customer Relations Manager for Arcadia Group, a fashion retailer in the UK, during the same period. Between 2012 and 2017, she worked at Nigerian Breweries Plc.
Her works have been celebrated with several awards. In 2017, she received an award from the Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, in recognition of her contribution to women's empowerment. In 2018, she also received the Women's Advocacy Award from the West African Leadership Organization for her dedication to socio-economic development and equality in West Africa. In 2021, she was selected as a Mandela Washington Fellow, a flagship US government program for young African leaders.
Melchior Koba
Côte d’Ivoire, like several African countries, wants to set up a regulatory framework conducive to the development of innovative startups. The aim of this framework is to support local startups and spur the growth of the local tech ecosystem.
On Tuesday, November 14, the Ivorian Senate unanimously approved a law on the promotion of digital startups. Defended by the Minister for Digital Transition and Digitization, Ibrahim Kalil Konaté, before the Research, Science, Technology, and Environment Commission, it aims to define an incentive-based legal and institutional framework for the creation and development of young technology companies in Côte d'Ivoire.
"We have noticed that startups face some challenges as their models haven't been structured around proven business models that demonstrate market viability. Our goal is to provide support, incubate these startups, and help them realize their full growth potential," said Ibrahim Kalil Konaté.
The new law is part of the Ivorian government's efforts to encourage the emergence of digital startups in the country. Between 2020 and 2022, more than 2,847 digital entrepreneurs were supported by the Ivorian government, to the tune of more than 577 million CFA Francs ($960,000). Earlier this year, the executive also launched "Start-up Boost Capital", a 1 billion CFA Franc fund established to finance local startups.
Upon the President of the Republic's promulgation, this law will further fortify these initiatives. It is poised to catalyze the development of startups in their early stages, providing a dedicated framework for the support and governance of these enterprises. The overarching goal is to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem, thereby accelerating socio-economic growth.
Samira Njoya
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Africa has one of the largest underbanked populations in the world. To capitalize on the business opportunities offered by such potential markets and help populations access the services they need, financial services for those populations, startups (both local and international) are introducing increasingly disruptive solutions.
Konnect, a fintech solution created by a Tunisian startup, empowers users to seamlessly send and receive money, make online purchases, settle transactions with merchants or delivery drivers using QR codes, purchase airtime, and collect payment by generating payment links. Founded in 2021 by Amin Ben Abderrahman and headquartered in the city of Tunis, the startup has garnered approximately 500,000 Tunisian dinars (equivalent to around $160,540) in funding since its inception. These funds have been instrumental in advancing its technology and accelerating its growth.
The solution features a mobile application accessible on iOS and Android. Whether they are accessing the solution through its mobile or web platform, users are required to create an account as individuals, businesses, or startups. They will therefore be able to monitor real-time incoming payments, track income progression, receive transaction notifications, and access a secure private administration interface.
Konnect integrates Visa and Mastercard payment solutions as well as In Flouci, a solution developed by local fintech startup Kaoun. It charges 1.6% on deal value as transaction fees. In November 2023, it was selected with 22 other African startups for the Visa Africa Accelerator Program.
According to Amin Ben Abderrahman Konnect’s selection for the Visa Africa Accelerator program is a testament to the startup’s unwavering commitment to innovating and transforming the fintech sector in Tunisia. The Android version of the startup has already been downloaded more than a thousand times, according to Play Store data.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
The Dot offers a variety of support programs for startups. It has a significant impact on the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Africa. Its ambition is to become the spearhead of the Tunisian entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Dot is a Tunisian digital innovation hub supported by Fondation Tunisie pour le Développement, an NGO that promotes socioeconomic development in Tunisia. Launched in January 2021 as part of a public-private partnership, it aims to federate the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, support innovation and digital transformation, and strengthen ties between Tunisia and Africa.
The innovation hub is headed by Zeineb Messaoud, a business developer and entrepreneurial program designer. It offers free programs and services to entrepreneurs, innovative project leaders, and companies wishing to expand into the African market.
These include Dot Camp, a mentoring program that selects 37 innovative startups in the seed phase each year. It offers a year's free accommodation, privileged access to other programs offered by The Dot, and networking and business opportunities.
The hub also provides a free resource center called Dot Services. This center features event rooms, a space for exchanging and sharing with a community of innovators, open-plan offices, and computers equipped with a range of creative and editing software. It also provides a studio equipped for podcast creation and audiovisual equipment.
Its support program Dot Landing is tailored for entrepreneurs within the Tunisian diaspora and foreign companies looking to establish a presence in Tunisia or forge partnerships and business connections across various sectors in the country. The free 4-month program provides intensive coaching to entrepreneurs.
Beyond its structured programs, The Dot aspires to serve as a hub for interaction, knowledge-sharing, and learning among diverse stakeholders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The organization regularly organizes events, workshops, training sessions, hackathons, conferences, and competitions designed to stimulate creativity, innovation, and collaboration.
The Dot has already supported several companies. These include 3D Wave, which specializes in 3D printing and digitization, the online business management platform Iberis, the interactive educational platform ClassQuiz and the Cynoia platform, which aggregates communication and collaboration tools on a single platform. For its activities, it is supported by Expertise France, GIZ, and Smart Tunisia, among other partners.
Melchior Koba
To bolster its digital transition program, Morocco requires a proficient workforce in digital professions. By ensuring the readiness of this workforce, the country wants to align the skills of its graduates with the dynamic requirements of the job market.
Morocco wants to triple the number of graduates in the digital sector within 4 years. To this end, an agreement was signed on Wednesday, November 15, by its Minister of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, Ghita Mezzour (photo, right), the Minister for the Budget, Fouzi Lekjaa, and the Minister for Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, Abdellatif Miraoui.
The agreement covers a program that equips graduates with digital specializations from Moroccan universities, spanning the period between 2023 and 2027. The objective is to elevate the number of graduates from the current 8,000 across various training cycles to 22,500 by 2027.
Notably, it provides for the launch of new digital training courses in 12 universities across the country. These courses will be broken down into 144 new fields of study, including data analysis, digital technologies, cybersecurity, program development, big data, and artificial intelligence (AI).
This interministerial project, which will take effect from the start of the next academic year, is part of the country's new digital strategy, which is currently being finalized. Dubbed "Maroc Digital 2030", it replaces the current strategy, which aims to make Morocco a benchmark digital and technology hub in Africa by 2025.
The new strategy places particular emphasis on talented, creative young people. It calls for the training of 45,000 digital talents per year, the introduction of 50,000 young people to digital professions, and the welcoming of 6,000 new foreign digital talents per year, among others.
Samira Njoya
The move is a strategic decision taken by Ghanaian authorities to help the University of Ghana’s students familiarize themselves with smart systems and cutting-edge technologies.
Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Ghana's Minister of Communication and Digitalization, revealed on Tuesday, November 14, during the 75th annual New Year School Conference in Accra, the establishment of the Digital Youth Village at the University of Ghana. This initiative is designed to provide students with opportunities to engage with advanced technologies and intelligent systems.
"The Digital Youth Village for the New Year’s School is a project I am very excited about. The project would enable our students to have practical, hands-on learning about smart environments and smart offices alongside other cutting-edge technologies. Despite the challenges that have delayed the fruition of the project, I can confidently say that the Digital Youth Village for the New Year School and Conference of the University of Ghana will become a reality," said Ursula Owusu-Ekuful.
Ghana's authorities are actively advancing the nation's digital transformation by investing across various sectors to enhance the country's technology ecosystem. While not part of the continent's "Big Four" (Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa), which collectively accounted for 67% of total startup fundraising in Africa during the third quarter of the year, as reported by TechCabal Insights in "The State of Tech in Africa Q3 2023," Ghana, under the leadership of Nana Akufo-Addo, is making significant strides. The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) "E-Government Survey 2022: The Future of Digital Government" positions Ghana as the seventh-ranked e-administration champion among sixteen leading nations on the continent. Additionally, earlier this year, Ghana joined the Digital Cooperation Organization, further underlining its commitment to digital progress.
During the November 14 event held under the theme Nurturing Resilience: Adopting Technology and Embracing Humanism for Sustainable Development," Minister Ursula also disclosed the various projects (both completed or underway) in the tech sector, including the Smart Community Project and The Rural Community Project.
"By embracing people-centered technology, Ghana will continue to strengthen its educational systems, healthcare services, and businesses and promote our own culture while empowering citizens to face the future with confidence and the requisite skills," added the Minister.
Adoni Conrad Quenum