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Leveraging his extensive legal and financial expertise honed at leading firms like KPMG and PwC, this entrepreneur is now building a platform that simplifies access to legislation, regulations, and court rulings across his target markets.
Walid Ghanemi (photo), an Algerian entrepreneur, is leading a revolutionary transformation in the African legal landscape through his startup, Legal Doctrine, where he serves as the founder and CEO. Ghanemi earned his bachelor's degree in business law in 2012 and a master's degree in accounting, control, and auditing in 2015 from the Algerian Higher School of Business (ESAA).
In 2018, he established Legal Doctrine, a legaltech startup that aggregates and publishes legislation, regulations, and court rulings from Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, and Cameroon. The platform, leveraging artificial intelligence, offers a comprehensive and accessible repository for legal professionals, including lawyers, students, and businesses, providing them with in-depth analysis of legislative and regulatory texts for current and relevant information.
As arguably the first legaltech in Algeria, Legal Doctrine boasts a user base exceeding 4,000 customers who utilize its legal search engine to enhance efficiency and save time in their research endeavors. The company's contributions to the field have earned it the title of "Best African Legaltech Startup" twice, first in 2018 in Zurich and again in 2019 in Tunis.
Beyond Legal Doctrine, Walid Ghanemi also founded Algiers Arbitration Day, an annual event that convenes international arbitration practitioners to delve into the latest developments, emerging trends, and critical issues in the arbitration landscape across Algeria, Africa, and the Middle East and North Africa region.
He is also the President and CEO of the Algiers Business Law Institute. He entered the professional world in 2007 at CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats, where he worked as a lawyer. Over the years, he transitioned to roles such as financier at Alstom Group in 2012 and tax specialist at KPMG Algeria in the subsequent year. From 2015 until the inception of Legal Doctrine, he served as an associate senior financial and tax auditor at PwC.
Melchior Koba
In 2022, Mauritius achieved a score of 1.02 points on the Startup Ecosystem Index, placing it among the highest-ranked African nations in this category, according to data released by StartupBlink. This performance can be attributed in part to the vital role played by the Mauritius Start-up Incubator.
Mauritius Start-up Incubator (MSI) is a support hub for burgeoning enterprises seeking growth and guidance in Mauritius. Established in 2016 by entrepreneur Nicolas Goldstein, MSI distinguishes itself by providing comprehensive support services, encompassing the entire journey from launch to the establishment of successful businesses.
At MSI, startups benefit from an optimal growth environment featuring modern facilities, access to a network of experts and mentors, tailored training sessions, workshops, and crucial financial and administrative support. The fully-equipped incubator offices, wired and furnished with 1 to 25 workstations, boast advanced internet technology.
Beyond physical infrastructure, MSI extends its support to consulting services for staff recruitment and aids in the establishment and accounting processes for companies in Mauritius. The incubator facilitates trademark registration, assists in securing occupation permits (OP) for expatriates, and guides businesses through various administrative procedures.
Moreover, MSI also advises companies interested in establishing themselves in Mauritius, offering insights on company incorporation, networking with offshore management entities, and navigating the complexities of obtaining work permits, occupancy permits, or other necessary authorizations for digital enterprises.
Its backers include financial institutions like Banque des Mascareignes, Barclays, Standard Bank, Bank One, MAU Bank, and Mauritius Commercial Bank, among others. They also include major corporations like Harel Mallac Group, Evaco Group, and CIEL Group.
Melchior Koba
In Africa, startups often need more funding to expand operations but most of them lack access to financial support. Justin Stanford aims to address this issue through his South Africa-based venture, 4Di Capital.
Justin Stanford (photo) is a South African self-taught engineer, entrepreneur, investor, and venture capitalist deeply committed to fostering innovation within the African technology ecosystem. As the Co-founder and General Partner of 4Di Capital, a venture capital firm headquartered in Cape Town and Atlanta, he is focused on supporting and financing high-potential technology startups.
Established in 2009, 4Di Capital, under Stanford's leadership focuses on providing crucial financial backing to African technology entrepreneurs. The firm concentrates its investments in key sectors such as digital health, online education, fintech, green technology, transport, and infrastructure. Noteworthy companies within 4Di Capital's portfolio include Aerobotics, LifeQ, Talk 360, Wasoko, and VALR.
Justin Stanford's journey into entrepreneurship began with a bold move when driven by a passion for technology, he left high school in 2000. In 2003, he co-founded ESET Southern Africa, a company dedicated to distributing ESET's high-end Internet security products in the Southern Africa region. He currently serves on the company's Board of Directors.
In 2009, he took a pivotal step in advancing South Africa's tech landscape by co-founding The Silicon Cape Initiative, a non-profit community movement. The initiative aims to foster the growth of technology startups in South Africa, with a particular focus on the Western Cape region.
"The potential we saw in the very nascent, siloed, and undeveloped local tech startup ecosystem eventually led to us founding the Silicon Cape Initiative in 2009 with my friend Vinny Lingham, to try and kickstart and catalyze things, and the creation of 4Di Capital as a Valley-style early-stage tech VC fund here in South Africa," the South African entrepreneur said, in 2015, on the reasons that prompted the creation of 4Di Capital.
Over the years, he has received numerous national and international accolades. In 2011, the Mail & Guardian ranked him among the top 200 young South Africans, and in 2013, Forbes listed him in the prestigious 30 Under 30 category of Africa's best young entrepreneurs. From 2014 to 2018, he consistently appeared on the Choiseul Institute's Choiseul 100 Africa: Economic Leaders for Tomorrow list. In 2017, he secured a spot on the inaugural list of the 100 most influential young South Africans.
Melchior Koba
The founder of the TechHorizon-Tanzania program, Caroline Mohoni, is passionate about community education. In this interview, she introduces the initiative she currently champions for women in ICT-related matters.
We Are Tech: What is TechHorizon?
Caroline Mohoni: TechHorizon-Tanzania is a program that aims to bridge the digital divide in Tanzania through comprehensive training in digital and ICT skills. It caters to everyone, from those with a background in technology looking to enhance their expertise to those without technological training seeking foundational knowledge to foster innovation for self-employment or improvement in their current endeavors.
TechHorizon offers four services: an online learning platform providing courses in digital skills; community technology centers offering access to digital resources, physical training spaces, and community development activities to address the urban-rural digital gap; practical education workshops in digital skills and mobile technology extending training to remote areas; and a digital empowerment program focused on women and girls, equipping them with digital skills to reduce the gender gap in tech education and employment.
TechHorizon-Tanzania envisions significant empowerment, improved employability, educational progress, and community development. It aligns with SDGs 4 (Quality Education), 5 (Gender Equality), and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
We Are Tech: What inspired the creation of TechHorizon Tanzania?
Caroline Mohoni: The program, initially named "ICT Basic Skills with Caroo," was born in September 2021 after realizing that 60% of Tanzanians lack basic digital skills, with rural areas being even more disadvantaged as 80% of people in those areas have no access to digital technologies. Women, in particular, are disproportionately affected, with only 13% having access to the internet compared to 21% of men.
We Are Tech: What has the program achieved so far?
Caroline Mohoni: Regarding user enrollment and engagement, we have over 262 trainees who have been trained via online platforms (Zoom, Google Meet, Teams) and Vide App, a mobile application for educational content creators. As of October 2023, we have seen an impressive 28% increase in enrollments in the last 4 months. Post-training evaluations indicate an average improvement of 73% in participants' digital skills where they study or work. Our women-focused digital empowerment program has resulted in a 34% increase in women's professional participation, narrowing the gender gap in digital skills.
We Are Tech: What challenges do you face in your activities in Tanzania?
Caroline Mohoni: While striving to have a significant impact in Tanzania, TechHorizon still faces challenges such as a lack of essential services like internet connectivity and access to quality electricity in rural areas. This affects the accessibility and effectiveness of digital training initiatives. Our limited financial resources also hinder the scalability and reach of TechHorizon programs, impacting the depth and breadth of the impact our programs aim for. Cultural barriers also present a significant challenge. Cultural perceptions and attitudes toward technology and education hinder the acceptance or participation of populations in digital literacy programs, especially among certain demographic groups or in specific regions. Some societal considerations also impede women and girls from pursuing further education or careers in technology. Addressing these challenges requires a multidimensional approach, adaptive strategies, collaboration with communities and local authorities, and a commitment to long-term sustainability. At TechHorizon, we continuously work to overcome these challenges to maximize our impact and efficiency in Tanzania.
We Are Tech: What do you need to make your actions more efficient?
Caroline Mohoni: Our needs come in various forms. Adequate funding is crucial to expand programs, reach more communities, improve infrastructure, and support ongoing initiatives. We hope for the government to upgrade technological infrastructure, especially in rural areas, as it is essential to ensure reliable internet connectivity and access to necessary training resources for populations in these areas. A firm collaboration with local organizations, businesses, and government agencies can amplify our impact, facilitate community engagement, and streamline program implementation.
We Are Tech: What are your plans for the future?
Caroline Mohoni: TechHorizon has short-, medium-, and long-term goals, aiming to create a sustainable impact on Tanzanian communities.
Within two years, we aim to expand the reach of our digital literacy programs to more regions, focusing on rural and underserved areas; significantly increase enrollments in our training programs, especially among women and marginalized communities; advocate for effective improvement of technological infrastructure in targeted areas to ensure reliable connectivity for learning.
Within five years, we aim to strengthen existing programs to deepen their impact on participants by providing advanced skills and specialized training, develop strategies for program sustainability, including partnerships with local stakeholders, capacity building, and financial planning, build stronger ties within communities through technology hubs, encouraging collaboration and community initiatives.
Beyond five years, we aim to expand our initiatives nationally, establishing a more extensive network of community technology centers and mobile technology workshops across Tanzania. We also aim to make progress in reducing the gender gap in technology education and employment by aiming for more equal representation in the tech sector. Finally, we want to advocate for policies supporting digital inclusion, targeting government support and initiatives further reducing the digital divide in Tanzania.
Background:
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) Caroline Mohoni works at Mkombozi Commercial Bank PLC as the Manager of ICT Audit. She is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration in Information Technology at the Institute of Accountancy Arusha. A former employee of KPMG East Africa and the e-Government Authority (e-GA), she has made a mark in the local digital scene over the years through various achievements and accolades. She is a member of cohort 47 of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and the youth advisory council of DOT Tanzania. While still a student, in 2019, she developed a water vending system controlled by a mobile phone and integrated with a water quality monitoring device as part of the cooperation between the University of Dar es Salaam and KTH University in Sweden under the DAWASA project to address water issues in Tanzania. In 2020, she was among the 100 Tanzanian Sheroes. In March 2022, she was awarded by the Next Einstein Forum as part of the Woman Emerging Careers Awards.
Incubators, accelerators, and fablabs are now vital players in driving technological development. In Cameroon, Kmer Tech actively supports these structures, empowering entrepreneurs and accelerating innovation.
Established in 2020, Kmer Tech is a Cameroonian network of support structures dedicated to accelerating technological and innovative entrepreneurship. Its mission is to prepare the ecosystem for a thriving digital economy, empowering incubators and startups through comprehensive support programs.
Kmer Tech champions the interests of incubators, providing them with resources and visibility through branding, lobbying, and access to valuable partnerships. It also promotes, develops, and enhances the competitiveness of startups within the network.
Responding to the challenges of the digital age, Kmer Tech launched the KMER TECH TIE project (Tech-Innovation-Entrepreneurship) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This national program aims to equip companies and organizations with the skills and technologies needed to address outstanding socio-economic problems in Cameroon. KMER TECH TIE usually culminates in the KmerTech TIE Champion competition–launched in December 2021, which recognizes and rewards innovative startups across various sectors. In 2022, the competition awarded six startups in the healthcare, education, and commerce sectors.
Furthermore, the network's KMER TECH ESO SUPPORT program empowers its member hubs with grants ranging from XAF100,000 to 250,000 (approximately $160 to 400), depending on their specific activities.
With over 134 members and supporting more than 22 startups, Kmer Tech plays a vital role in driving youth employment and accelerating technological entrepreneurship in Cameroon. The network receives valuable support from ST Digital, the European Union, and the French Embassy in Cameroon.
Melchior Koba
Before entering a new market, companies and brands typically undergo a crucial phase of market research. In Angola, Filipa Oliveira offers her expertise in market research and economic intelligence to assist these companies.
Filipa Oliveira (photo) is an Angolan entrepreneur holding a degree in Economics from the University of Coimbra (1992) and a Master's in Strategic Marketing Management from the University of Sao Paulo (2015). She is also one of the co-founders and the CEO of Market Intelligence Research Angola (MIRA).
Established in 2016, MIRA comprises a dedicated team of experts proficient in market research, data analysis, and business intelligence. Leveraging their extensive experience in the Angolan market, the company excels in collecting, processing, and developing reliable information systems. This valuable resource is then made accessible to both private and state institutions, aligning with MIRA's mission to transform information into actionable ideas that empower clients to gain a competitive edge in their respective markets.
Beyond her role at MIRA, Filipa Oliveira is actively engaged in fostering entrepreneurship in Africa. Since 2019, she has served as a mentor at Founder Institute in Luanda, a business accelerator facilitating the transformation of entrepreneurial ideas into fundable startups and, subsequently, into global businesses.
Since 2010, she has been a board member of the Pan African Media Research Organisation (PAMRO), a collaborative platform that contributes to the creation of a comprehensive continental media research database.
Her professional journey includes a stint at Marktest Angola (2007-2016), a subsidiary of the Portuguese Marktest Group specializing in market research and software development. It was her experience with this company that inspired the creation of MIRA.
Melchior Koba
Lawyers Hub is one of the most important players in the African legal technology landscape. Through its thought leadership and innovative programs, it is shaping the future of law and technology on the continent.
Founded in 2017 by digital law expert Linda Bonyo, Lawyers Hub is a pan-African organization that champions legal and technological innovation across the continent. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the organization provides digital policy guidance, leverages technology to empower startups, and fosters a thriving legal technology ecosystem.
Steered by a team of committed and experienced professionals, it has set up several programs and activities to support its objective. One of these, the Africa Digital Policy Institute, offers in-person and virtual training sessions targeting different industries on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data protection, and compliance courses for legal professionals and practitioners. It also manages the Africa Law Tech Association and the Africa Startup Law Accelerator.
Lawyers Hub organizes flagship events that bring together key stakeholders within Africa's legal and technology sectors. For instance, The Africa Law Tech Festival, an annual gathering attracting over 2,000 participants from more than 40 countries, serves as a catalyst for dialogue and collaboration on the latest trends and developments in legal technology. Africa Legal Innovation Week, another marquee event, convenes legal technologists from across Africa to delve into the transformative potential of technology in shaping the future of justice and the legal sector. The 2023 edition of that innovation week took place from November 27 to December 1st.
Through these initiatives, Lawyers Hub empowers African lawyers in technology law and equips ecosystem players and governments with the knowledge they need to navigate the policies governing the technology industry. The organization further recognizes outstanding achievements and groundbreaking advances in the world of law and technology through the Africa Legal Innovation Awards. These awards honor individuals working in the legaltech space in Africa, including lawyers, policymakers, and innovators.
The organization collaborates with several international companies and organizations. Among others, these include Mozilla, Witness, Edgelands Institute, UNESCO, and the University of Cambridge.
Melchior Koba
After several years working for non-profit organizations, the entrepreneur decided to promote local tourism. He developed several solutions –including LearnSwahili App that promotes Swahili and mobile games –to achieve his goal.
Elias Patrick (photo) is a young Tanzanian entrepreneur with an International Diploma in Business Information Technology (IDBIT) obtained in 2016 from NCC Education in England. He is the founder and a tutor for edtech platform LearnSwahili App Ltd.
Founded in January 2023, LearnSwahili App Ltd's mission is to provide an immersive and enriching platform where individuals can learn Swahili, connect to its cultural heritage, and gain new opportunities for personal and professional development. Apart from teaching Swahili and promoting its culture, the startup also promotes local tourism.
In July 2022, the entrepreneur unveiled three mobile games he and six other technicians have been working on to promote local tourism. The games available in 177 countries are named Kilimanjaro Block Puzzle, Serengeti Block Puzzle, and Tanzanite Crush, after Tanzania's main tourist attractions.
Apart from his duties with LearnSwahili App Ltd, Elias Patrick is also the Managing Director of TechForward Tanzania, a non-profit organization that harnesses the transformative power of technology to drive positive change. He is also the knowledge management specialist for Nacopha, an organization created by people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) to serve as the apex body and ultimate voice for their concerns in Tanzania.
Before entrepreneurship, Elias honed his digital marketing skills at UBA Tanzania (2018-2020) and McDaan Ltd. (2020). He then joined Save the Children International (2021-2022) as the communications and knowledge specialist. In 2016, the Tanzanian was voted Entrepreneur of the Year by the Learnit Institute of Business and Technology and the UK's NCC Education.
Melchior Koba
Thanks to the support and guidance provided by 2iE Incubator, numerous projects have been launched and contributed to the economic development of Burkina Faso. Far from resting on its laurels, the incubator continues to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa.
2iE Incubator is a technological and social incubator that plays a pivotal role in empowering and supporting innovative entrepreneurs across diverse sectors, including agro-industry, eco-construction, water, sanitation, and renewable energies. Established in 2012 by the International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE) in Burkina Faso, 2iE Incubator is dedicated to fostering the development of locally-driven solutions with a profound social and environmental impact.
The incubator provides project leaders and innovative companies with tailored support, access to cutting-edge technical and scientific infrastructure, financial backing, and a comprehensive network of mentors, experts, and investors. It additionally organizes a range of training courses, workshops, competitions, and networking events to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing among its constituents.
Located within the scientific complex of the Ouagadougou campus, it boasts 257 square meters of dedicated space, encompassing two coworking rooms, two meeting rooms, three individual offices, a testing and prototyping platform, a reprography room, a kitchen, a coffee/relaxation and idea exchange area, and ample archiving and storage facilities. These coworking spaces are accessible to entrepreneurs and professionals, whether or not they are formally part of the 2iE Incubator program.
2iE Incubator also serves as an accelerator and incubator for established companies seeking rapid expansion or planning to establish their operations at 2iE sites. The incubator aims to facilitate their transition to scale by providing preferential access to financing sources tailored to their specific growth requirements.
Since its inception, 2iE Incubator has nurtured a multitude of successful projects. One notable example is the agri-food social enterprise InnoFaso, which is a member of the incubator. InnoFaso is committed to combating malnutrition by developing preventive and curative solutions, primarily utilizing locally sourced raw materials.
The incubator is supported in its mission by SOGEA SATOM, the Organisation internationale de la francophonie, the Fondation l'Occitane, the Maison de l'entreprise du Burkina Faso and Total, among others.
Melchior Koba
Like virtually every socio-economic sector, agriculture, a cornerstone of development in Africa, is undergoing a digital revolution. In Togo, a young entrepreneur has designed a tech tool to digitize the value chain for more efficiency in the sector.
Edeh Dona Etchri (photo), a Togolese entrepreneur, is the founder of digital marketplace E-Agribusiness and the CEO of CLIN SARL, the company behind the marketplace. He graduated from CFI Médias (France) in 2017 with a diploma in digital and citizen project management.
Through E-AgriBusiness, he seamlessly connects various stakeholders within the agricultural industry, with the platform being accessible through a website, mobile application, USSD solution, SMS, chatbot, or call center, accommodating users in multiple local languages. As of now, the application is active in Togo, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, and Congo-Brazzaville.
E-AgriBusiness serves as a lifeline for farmers, helping them minimize crop losses, enabling optimal pricing, fostering technological and financial inclusion, increasing income, and ultimately improving living conditions. The solution also enables buyers to streamline product targeting and purchasing processes, enhancing efficiency in the agricultural supply chain. It is also a valuable ally for governments and development partners, aiding in implementing agricultural policies, offering relevant indicators, promoting financial inclusion, and contributing to poverty reduction.
In an interview with CIO Mag in 2020 on the reasons that prompted the creation of E-Agribusiness, Edeh Dona Etchri explained that pre-harvest market linkages empower farmers to minimize post-harvest losses, eliminate the threat of spoilage, and enhance income stability, thereby promoting household well-being and uplifting socioeconomic status.
Apart from his role as CEO at CLIN SARL, the entrepreneur serves as the Technical Director of the IT company Wassa Group Sarl and holds the position of the national president of the Togolese association Numérique Citoyen, since 2021. His first company, EDZEPROCOM INFO, founded in 2011, introduced E-orga, a system for securing tickets, banknotes, and documents in Togo. He also founded MIABETOGO MARKET, an e-commerce platform promoting business visibility, WassaSMS, an SMS platform facilitating communication for companies, and the Doomevi platform designed to foster participatory democracy.
In 2016, E-AgriBusiness earned him the first prize for innovative applications in Togo, followed by another first prize at the 2017 AgriPME hackathon. In 2019, the Togolese head of state conferred upon him the title of chevalier national de l'ordre de mérite agricole, and in 2022, he received an honorary doctorate from the European-American University.
Melchior Koba
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Leveraging its extensive experience, robust network, and forward-thinking vision, StartUp Maroc plays a pivotal role in fostering the growth of entrepreneurial and innovative ecosystems in Morocco and across Africa. The organization empowers aspiring entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into impactful ventures that generate positive social change.
StartUp Maroc is an organization that promotes entrepreneurship in Morocco and across Africa. Founded in 2011 by a group of young Moroccan entrepreneurs, including CEO Zineb Rharrasse, the organization is dedicated to nurturing high-potential entrepreneurs and startups poised to reshape the country, the continent, and the world.
Its comprehensive approach to entrepreneurial support encompasses a diverse range of activities designed to empower entrepreneurs and startups. The organization's flagship initiative, the Startup Africa Summit, serves as a platform for fostering collaboration, exchanging experiences, and exploring investment opportunities. This summit highlights the transformative power of innovation and the diaspora in shaping Africa's future.
Its suite of comprehensive programs to empower entrepreneurs includes the StartUp Maroc Booster program. This flagship initiative focuses on strengthening startups through three key pillars: financing, acceleration/mentoring, and international exposure. The program carefully identifies and accelerates high-potential Moroccan startups, providing them with the necessary capital and guidance to thrive.
With a focus on the Mediterranean region, its MEDVENTURES program aims to accelerate job creation and foster innovation. The program empowers entrepreneurs and ecosystem players to connect internationally, enhancing their skills and fostering collaboration. MEDVENTURES brings together entrepreneurs, investors, companies, NGOs, and public and private initiatives supporting innovation, research, and economic development clusters in Europe and the Mediterranean region.
StartUp Maroc has extended its operations across 17 cities in Morocco, offering support to over 15,000 entrepreneurs at various stages of their entrepreneurial journey, from initial ideation to commercialization. The organization's coaching and support initiatives encompass training courses, acceleration programs, one-on-one support, mentoring, conferences, and pitch events.
With a network consisting of over 400 experts and mentors, it has successfully organized more than 100 activities. It is supported by a number of partners, including The Next Society, Founder Institute, Startup Nations, the Euromed University of Fez, Technopack, the International University of Agadir, the Moroccan Exporters Association (ASMEX), and Orange Corners.
Melchior Koba
He believes data can revolutionize businesses and societies. So, with his team, he develops tailored data solutions helping companies make more sense of their data.
Walid Kaâbachi (photo) is a Tunisian computer scientist and technology entrepreneur, currently serving as the Managing Director of Biware, a consulting and integration company specializing in data management and analytics solutions.
He founded Biware, in 2011, with his partner Amine Boussarsar. The company focuses on providing tailored solutions for customer insight, risk management, fraud and compliance, demand forecasting, and model analysis to companies across various sectors, including finance, telecoms, retail, energy, and utilities. It has two flagship solutions. The first, Credit Squares, targets credit institutions, leveraging statistical methods, data analysis, and advanced artificial intelligence to enhance operational and commercial efficiency. This solution facilitates informed decision-making and effective customer lifecycle management.
The second solution is Synapse-HR, designed to help companies connect, engage, and develop their staff. Customizable based on each customer's specific needs, it provides detailed reports and dashboards for data visualization. Additionally, it can seamlessly integrate with various third-party analytical tools depending on the company's requirements.
Walid Kaâbachi's academic background includes a master's degree in theoretical and mathematical physics obtained in 1994 from the Nabeul Preparatory Engineering Institute. He also holds a diploma in computer engineering from the Tunisian School of Computer Science in 1998 and a master's degree in business administration from South Mediterranean University in 2019.
His professional journey commenced in 1998 at Informatique Développement et Etudes (IDEE), a software provider for the banking industry. From 2005 to 2009, he served as a business intelligence manager at Business & Decision SA, an international data and digital consulting and engineering group.
In 2012, Walid Kaâbachi and his partner Amine Boussarsar were featured in the special November edition of Entreprise Magazine, which recognizes the 100 managers who have significantly contributed to the business landscape in Tunisia.
Melchior Koba
FSAT Labs provides a comprehensive suite of services, including incubation, open innovation, training, and startup acceleration, to nurture and empower entrepreneurs. Since its inception, it has fostered the continental and international success of numerous companies.
French South African Tech Labs (FSAT Labs) is a digital startup incubator and accelerator based in Century City, Cape Town, South Africa. Established in 2016 by Methys, a digital innovation and consulting firm, and the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda), it is committed to propelling early-stage digital startups across Africa.
Led by economic development and SME startup support expert Ndileka Zantsi, FSAT Labs provides a comprehensive ecosystem of support services for startups. The services include 400 square meters of dedicated space for startups to collaborate, innovate, and grow; equipping entrepreneurs with the digital skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the ever-evolving tech landscape; mentoring and coaching startups with personalized guidance and support throughout their journey; and tailored software development and research services to meet the specific needs of both enterprises and technology startups.
FSAT Labs offers two flagship programs to empower startups at every stage of their growth. Its six-month incubation program helps startups transform their ideas into businesses and get their first clients by providing workspace, mentoring, access to a network of experts and partners, and convertible loan financing. The program is divided into three phases. The first phase is the pre-incubation stage, a 4-week period during which the entrepreneur’s idea is validated. The second phase is the 6-month incubation period during which intensive support and guidance are provided. The last phase is the launch stage where startups are equipped to enter the market with confidence.
FSAT Labs also offers a 24-month acceleration program that propels startups to pre-seed or seed funding by offering comprehensive support, from mentoring to resources, throughout their growth journey.
Recognizing the importance of women's participation in the entrepreneurial world, FSAT Labs has established the Khwezi Lodestar Program, an initiative that aims to digitally develop 20 startups founded by women in each cohort. The program provides grants for software licenses and digital platforms, technical support, and mentoring led by accomplished businesswomen.
FSAT Labs has supported several startups, including Gamer's Territory, a technology hub to promote gaming in Africa; Lawyered Up, an African legaltech startup committed to accessibility, social impact, and gender equality within the legal industry; and HourlyRate, an AI-powered freelancing platform.
It is also supported by several organizations and institutions. These include Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), AfricArena, Old Mutual, French Tech Entrepreneurs Cape Town, Enrich in Africa, Silicone Cape Initiative and La French Tech.
Melchior Koba
Young Africans often dream of pursuing their higher education at international universities. But, they sometimes need more information, which makes them waste time and resources. In Madagascar, Tsanta Rakotoarimanga has developed a platform that connects students with mentors who provide guidance and support throughout their educational journey to address that issue.
Tsanta Rakotoarimanga (photo) is the founder and CEO of Mapwess, an online platform that helps students access quality higher education. He holds a bachelor's degree (2019) in finance from Université des Mascareignes in Mauritius and a master's degree in international strategy and management (2023) from Paris-Saclay University.
Driven by his own experiences navigating the complexities of studying abroad, Rakotoarimanga founded Mapwess in 2020 to empower African students to pursue their dreams of higher education at prestigious international universities. The platform connects students with experienced mentors who provide personalized guidance and support throughout their educational journey, from orientation and enrollment to settling into their new environment. With the platform, Rakotoarimanga aims to help 10,000 students realize their dream of studying abroad.
"The idea for Mapwess stemmed from our own challenges in preparing for our studies abroad," Rakotoarimanga explained. "We realized that many students face similar struggles, and we wanted to create a solution that would make the process more accessible and less daunting."
Prior to launching Mapwess, Rakotoarimanga established Dream Studio Agency, a student placement agency that successfully helped numerous young Africans secure placements at renowned institutions. He attributes his entrepreneurial success to the support he received from startup incubators like Orange Fab Madagascar and Zafy Tody, which provided him with valuable resources and mentorship in a context where entrepreneurship was not an easy task in Madagascar and financial institutions and private investors were not confident enough to back him.
Rakotoarimanga's dedication to empowering African students has earned him recognition and accolades, including the third prize in the national stage of the Orange Social Venture Prize in Africa and the Middle East (POESAM) in 2020. In 2021, he was selected as one of Africa's best young entrepreneurs for the Anzisha Prize. This year, he got the opportunity to represent Madagascar in the YALI (Young African Leaders Initiative) program for the Southern African region.
Melchior Koba