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Mauritius has launched a nationwide project to digitize more than 10.5 million social security records and integrate them into its future E-Social Security platform.
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Social protection spending reached 91.4 billion Mauritian rupees ($1.9 billion) in fiscal year 2024-25, representing 37.4% of total government expenditure and 12.8% of GDP.
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Authorities expect the digital transformation to improve administrative efficiency, strengthen financial oversight and support the long-term sustainability of the pension system.
Mauritius has officially begun the digital transformation of its social security system after thirteen years of waiting. The government formally launched the digitization program for social benefit beneficiary records on May 27 under the “Bulk Scanning of Beneficiary Files” project.
The initiative aims to integrate more than 10.5 million documents into the future E-Social Security system.
The project comes as social protection remains one of the largest components of public expenditure in Mauritius. Official data show that social protection spending reached 91.4 billion Mauritian rupees ($1.9 billion) during fiscal year 2024-25, accounting for 37.4% of total government expenditure and 12.8% of gross domestic product.
As of June 2025, 279,559 people received the Basic Retirement Pension. Until now, authorities have managed a large share of social benefits through paper-based archives. In some Social Security offices, files accumulated from floor to ceiling and complicated the daily work of employees responsible for pensions, social assistance and contributor records, according to Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity Ashok Subron.
Administration Set to Gain Efficiency
The project will gradually digitize all records related to pensions, social assistance programs, disability benefits, as well as members of the National Pension Scheme (NPS) and the National Solidarity Fund (NSF). Authorities estimate that the complete integration of data will require approximately 18 months.
Every month, government agencies process nearly 800,000 payments for at least 350,000 beneficiaries. Against this backdrop, digital procedures offer significant potential to improve public service delivery.
Instant access to information should reduce application-processing times, lower errors associated with manual operations and improve working conditions for public-sector employees.
Consequently, authorities expect the modernization effort to make public services more efficient and accessible.
A Tool to Support Long-Term Sustainability
Beyond operational gains, the project also addresses long-term financial concerns. The reform comes as Mauritius undertakes a gradual restructuring of its pension system. The 2025-26 budget includes a phased increase in the eligibility age for the Basic Retirement Pension from 60 to 65 years.
Authorities introduced the measure to address population aging and rising fiscal pressures.
Meanwhile, several observers have highlighted structural weaknesses in the financing of pensions and social assistance programs. They have also raised concerns about the sustainability, intergenerational fairness and economic coherence of the generalized social contribution scheme that authorities introduced during the COVID-19 crisis.
In this environment, a centralized database could improve beneficiary monitoring, accelerate the identification of duplicate records and administrative anomalies, and provide greater visibility into financial flows.
These capabilities have become increasingly important for managing a system that represents more than one-third of national public expenditure.
Another Pillar of Mauritius’ Digital Strategy
The E-Social Security project also forms part of the Mauritian government’s broader digital roadmap. The administration has placed administrative modernization, transparency and public-sector governance at the center of its policy agenda.
The initiative mirrors a broader trend across Africa, where governments are investing in digital social registries to improve the targeting of public assistance, reduce inclusion and exclusion errors, and strengthen the effectiveness of social policies.
For Mauritius, the objective extends beyond the digitization of paper archives. Authorities aim to build a data infrastructure capable of supporting the future evolution of the social protection system and improving public decision-making as demographic and budgetary pressures intensify.
Challenges of the Digital Transition
However, the success of the project will depend on several factors. Cybersecurity remains one of the most significant challenges. The centralization of sensitive information concerning hundreds of thousands of citizens requires robust safeguards against cyberattacks and data breaches.
Authorities must also ensure compliance with personal data protection requirements, support public employees during the adoption of new digital tools and maintain access to services for vulnerable populations, particularly older citizens.
If authorities meet these conditions, the social security digitalization program could become one of the flagship projects of Mauritius’ administrative modernization agenda and strengthen the effectiveness of a system that remains a cornerstone of national solidarity.
Muriel EDJO
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Kenya aims to increase international tourist arrivals from 3 million to 5 million and boost tourism revenue by 50% under its new tourism strategy.
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Google Kenya and the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife signed a partnership focused on digital skills, artificial intelligence infrastructure and global marketing campaigns.
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Authorities plan to use AI, cloud technology and data analytics to strengthen Kenya’s competitiveness and expand tourism-related economic growth.
The East African nation has officially launched its new tourism strategy, "Magical Kenya – The Origin of Wonder," an ambitious roadmap that aims to increase international visitor arrivals from 3 million to 5 million and raise tourism revenue by 50%. Authorities plan to achieve those objectives through digital transformation initiatives and global technology partnerships.
At the center of the strategy, Google Kenya and Tourism and Wildlife Minister Rebecca Miano signed a partnership agreement on May 29. The memorandum of collaboration establishes joint investments across three key areas: digital skills development and youth empowerment, artificial intelligence infrastructure deployment through Google Cloud, and enhanced international visibility through Google Ads and market intelligence tools.
The program will run from May through December 2026. The initiative will rely on implementation partners including The Africa Growth Lab and Action Lab. The program will follow several phases, beginning with the development of technological and organizational foundations, continuing with the activation of the ministry’s cloud infrastructure and culminating in global marketing campaigns.
Consequently, authorities expect the initiative to transform Kenya’s tourism industry into a more competitive and digitally driven engine of economic growth.
Kenya Strengthens Its Tourism Appeal
To support the transformation, authorities have established a 22-member task force. The group will redesign the positioning of the "Magical Kenya" brand, strengthen the country’s international appeal and develop innovative strategies to boost tourist arrivals and youth employment.
During the signing ceremony, Minister Rebecca Miano welcomed the strategic collaboration and highlighted the central role of digital technology in diversifying Kenya’s tourism offering.
According to Miano, technology integration will help authorities better showcase all 47 counties through tourism experience mapping and the creation of more personalized visitor journeys.
Through the partnership, Kenya is reinforcing its position as one of Africa’s most advanced adopters of digital technologies for economic development.
By investing in artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure and digital marketing, Nairobi aims to strengthen its competitiveness against leading global tourism destinations.
The strategy aligns with broader continental trends. Several African destinations, including Tanzania, Rwanda and South Africa, have accelerated investments in digital marketing and online booking platforms.
Kenya now aims to convert its established international reputation into more structured tourism revenues by leveraging Google's distribution capabilities and data analytics tools.
Authorities will evaluate the initiative’s effectiveness through the end of 2026, when the first global marketing campaigns are expected to become fully operational.
Muriel EDJO
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Côte d’Ivoire plans to establish a public university dedicated to artificial intelligence under its National Development Plan (PND) 2026–2030.
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The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen digital sovereignty, develop local technology talent and support economic transformation.
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The government has allocated more than CFA114.8 trillion ($204 billion) to the PND, including major investments in digital infrastructure, higher education and public-sector digitalization.
Côte d’Ivoire is placing artificial intelligence at the center of its development agenda as the country seeks to address an urgent shortage of digital skills and strengthen its technological sovereignty.
The government plans to establish a public university dedicated to artificial intelligence under its National Development Plan (PND) 2026–2030, recently presented by Souleymane Diarrassouba.
The initiative aims to align the education system with the needs of an economy increasingly driven by data, automation and emerging technologies.
The proposed AI university forms part of a broader higher education expansion program.
Ivorian authorities plan to build new universities in Abengourou, Daoukro and Dabou. Authorities also plan to establish several university technology institutes.
The government pursues two objectives. First, it seeks to increase enrollment capacity. Second, it aims to direct more academic programs toward sectors considered critical for growth, including digital technology, agro-industry, mining, healthcare and services.
Beyond expanding the university system, the initiative supports the implementation of Côte d’Ivoire’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy through 2030.
Authorities launched the framework last year and positioned artificial intelligence as a driver of digital sovereignty and economic competitiveness.
The strategy also provides for the creation of AI-focused centers of excellence within universities and technical institutions. These centers will support advanced training, applied research and technological innovation.
The planned curriculum will cover several key disciplines, including data science, machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision and intelligent systems.
Authorities aim to build a skills pipeline that reflects market demand at a time when demand for specialized technology professionals significantly exceeds available supply.
Consequently, the university could play a critical role in narrowing the country’s digital talent gap and supporting the growth of a domestic technology ecosystem.
The PND 2026–2030 allocates more than CFA114.8 trillion, equivalent to approximately $204 billion, to support the country’s long-term development agenda.
The plan also includes major investments in digital infrastructure.
Authorities intend to expand fiber-optic networks, develop data centers and deploy resilient technology solutions. At the same time, the government plans to accelerate the digitalization of public administration.
Within this broader framework, the artificial intelligence university represents a foundational component of an ecosystem that remains under construction.
The institution should strengthen links between academic training and productive sectors while enhancing research capabilities and encouraging the development of locally designed technological solutions.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Chad held talks with major U.S. technology companies, including Starlink, InterSystems, Cybastion, Vertiv and 19Labs, to attract expertise and investment.
- Authorities discussed projects covering connectivity, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, e-government services and digital healthcare.
- Chad raised concerns with Starlink over service quality and pricing while seeking broader improvements in internet access and digital inclusion.
Chad intensified its efforts to establish partnerships with leading global technology companies during a mission to Washington from May 23 to May 31.
Telecommunications, Digital Economy and Digitalization Minister Haliki Choua Mahamat led the delegation, which held discussions with several U.S. stakeholders operating in technology, infrastructure and digital healthcare.
The government sought to attract expertise and investment capable of accelerating the country's digital transformation and supporting broader economic modernization.
During the visit, Chadian officials met representatives from the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Commerce and several major technology companies, including InterSystems, Starlink, Cybastion, Vertiv and 19Labs.
Participants discussed a range of strategic projects focused on connectivity, digital infrastructure modernization, cybersecurity, public-service digitalization and digital health development.
One of the most sensitive issues involved Starlink's satellite internet services. Chadian officials raised concerns with representatives of the SpaceX subsidiary regarding service quality in Chad and pricing levels that authorities consider higher than those charged in several other African markets.
N'Djamena views improved internet access as a critical priority because existing telecommunications infrastructure remains insufficient to meet growing demand from government agencies, businesses and households.
The diplomatic outreach comes as Chad seeks to position the digital sector as a key driver of economic diversification.
Although the country has recorded progress in recent years, Chad still ranks among the least advanced African nations in terms of connectivity and digital development.
According to the International Telecommunication Union, internet penetration remains below the African average, while access to digital services remains particularly limited in rural areas.
The government also views digital technologies as a tool for modernizing the healthcare system. Discussions with specialized U.S. institutions focused on plans to digitalize the country's five university hospitals, 23 regional hospitals and more than 1,000 health centers.
Authorities aim to improve medical data management, strengthen patient monitoring and expand access to healthcare services through digital technologies.
Beyond infrastructure investments, Chad aims to strengthen domestic technological capabilities. Talks with U.S. partners included training initiatives and technology-transfer programs designed to develop national expertise in digital technologies, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
The government considers those capabilities essential for reducing technological dependence and building a digital ecosystem capable of supporting its long-term economic modernization strategy.
Through this outreach mission, Chad seeks to secure a place within the global technology partnership landscape. The next challenge for policymakers will involve converting discussions held in Washington into concrete projects capable of delivering lasting improvements in connectivity, public services and national economic competitiveness.
Samira Njoya
- Happy Tidjani founded HappyMeet, a platform that helps businesses and organizations organize and manage professional meetings.
- He launched Brillio Africa in January 2026, combining artificial intelligence, personality assessments and mentorship to provide tailored career guidance.
- He serves in several technology leadership roles, including positions at the Claudine Talon Foundation, Racefolio and France-based Fortneo Bank.
Beninese full-stack software developer and entrepreneur Happy Tidjani has focused his career on building digital solutions tailored to African realities. He serves as founder and chief executive officer of HappyMeet, a platform designed to optimize the organization and management of professional meetings.
HappyMeet serves businesses, organizations, business networks and project leaders. The platform allows users to schedule and join video conferences and in-person meetings.
In addition, the platform integrates advanced invitation management tools and session-recording capabilities. As a result, organizations can streamline meeting coordination and improve collaboration efficiency.
Tidjani has broadened his contribution to Africa’s technology ecosystem through a second venture. In January 2026, he launched Brillio Africa, an application that combines artificial intelligence, personality testing and mentorship.
The platform delivers personalized career guidance while taking into account local realities and the African professional environment. Consequently, users can access tailored recommendations designed to support their career development.
Alongside his entrepreneurial activities, Tidjani provides technical expertise to several organizations. He serves as information technology consultant and project manager at the Claudine Talon Foundation in Benin. He also serves as chief executive officer of Racefolio, a competition that promotes outstanding talent among developers and designers. In addition, he works as a full-stack engineering consultant for Fortneo Bank, a mobile banking institution based in France.
Tidjani has built his expertise through international academic training. He earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Benin’s National School of Applied Economics and Management (ENEAM) in 2018. He later obtained a master’s degree in software development and data analytics from the University of Rennes in France in 2025.
Tidjani began his professional career in 2019 as a web development intern at Sewema, a platform that helps trainers and educational organizations monetize training programs across Africa.
Building on that experience, he joined the EtriLabs incubator as a web and mobile development trainer, where he contributed to the development of emerging technology talent.
Between 2023 and 2025, he strengthened his technical profile as a full-stack web developer at OPEN, a company focused on advancing digital innovation.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Sophie Tall launched women’s health initiative Amanii in March 2026 to provide information, counseling and support to girls and women.
- Amanii uses WhatsApp, online communities, social-impact events and tele-advisory services staffed by midwives.
- Tall previously co-founded pan-African telemedicine platform La Ruche Health and serves as vice president of Africaines in Tech.
Based in Côte d’Ivoire, Sophie Tall has positioned technology at the center of female health services. She founded Amanii in March 2026 as an initiative dedicated to informing, listening to and supporting girls and women on issues related to their health.
Tall designed Amanii as a secure and supportive environment. The initiative relies on WhatsApp, one of the continent’s most widely used messaging applications, as its primary engagement tool.
The platform combines an online community, high-impact social events and a tele-advisory service. This ecosystem allows users to discuss personal concerns and ask questions about their bodies, menstrual cycles, motherhood and general well-being in a confidential setting.
In addition, qualified midwives provide reliable information and guidance through the platform.
Tall has built her career around innovation and women’s leadership. She currently serves as vice president of Africaines in Tech, an expertise network that brings together more than 700 women across Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Cameroon and Togo. The organization promotes inclusion and professional intermediation within the Francophone African technology sector.
Before launching Amanii, Tall co-founded La Ruche Health in 2023, a pan-African telemedicine platform. She served as the company’s development director until March 2026.
Tall supports her entrepreneurial activities with expertise in both engineering and management acquired in France. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Health Engineering and Management from the Institut Supérieur de la Santé et des Bioproduits d’Angers (ISSBA) in 2014. She later completed a master’s degree in Project Management and Health Product Commercialization at the University of Montpellier in 2016.
Tall began her professional career in 2012 as Quality Control Manager at EUROP COSMETICS. She joined Pierre Fabre Group in 2014 as Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs Manager at the pharmaceutical company. A year later, she became Digital Project Manager at e-commerce company Plastimea. She subsequently joined Bayer, the international healthcare and nutrition company, as Cardiovascular Product Manager.
In 2017, Tall moved to Laboratoires URGO Healthcare, where she worked as a pharmacy trainer and sales coach. In 2019, she became Training and Marketing Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa at cosmetics company NAOS. From 2022 to 2025, she worked as a Management and Strategy Consultant for IQVIA, the global clinical research services provider, in Côte d’Ivoire.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
The seventh annual Africa FinTech Forum will take place in Kenya on Wednesday, June 10. The event will gather executives, regulators, and innovators from the digital finance sector. Discussions will focus on financial inclusion, AI-powered credit scoring, and streamlining cross-border payments. The forum will also feature an awards ceremony honoring the continent's top tech innovations.
Nairobi will host the CYSEC Kenya International Summit in October 2026. The event will bring together cybersecurity experts, IT leaders, and public-sector executives to discuss protecting digital infrastructure. Participants will exchange strategies for defending against cyber threats and explore emerging technologies, including AI-driven security solutions and cloud security.
Registration for the global TiE Women program closes on Wednesday, June 10. The initiative supports women entrepreneurs around the world, regardless of the stage or size of their business. Participants will receive high-quality training, expert mentorship, and opportunities to connect directly with international investors. They will also have a chance to win up to $50,000 in equity-free grants.
As Africa’s tech boom reshapes access to skills development, the language-learning market is still searching for an effective model. Seeking to move beyond passive learning methods, she developed a solution built around interactivity and spoken communication.
Amina Boumaiza is a young Algerian entrepreneur and the founder and chief executive of Talkina, a digital language-learning platform.
Launched in 2025, Talkina aims to make language learning more engaging, practical and accessible. Through interactive lessons, regular sessions with tutors and immersion in real-life situations, the platform prioritises speaking skills, helping learners build confidence and fluency more quickly.
The platform offers a broad catalogue of languages, including English, French, Spanish, German, Russian, Turkish, Italian and Chinese. Courses are organised by proficiency level, catering to both beginners and more advanced learners. Some programmes focus on everyday communication, while others target specific objectives such as exam preparation or improving spoken communication skills.
Talkina combines teacher-led classes with daily conversations with tutors and interactive workshops. Learners can practise languages in a variety of real-world contexts, ranging from cooking and sports to professional environments. The approach is designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical language use.
The platform also seeks to expand access to language education through personalised support and what it describes as modern, accessible teaching methods. It offers structured learning pathways tailored to each learner’s level and objectives, with a focus on helping users achieve sustained progress.
The project reflects Boumaiza’s background in both business and language education. She holds a management degree from the University of Lille in France and a commerce degree from the Algerian School of Business (ESAA), which she completed in 2023.
Boumaiza began her professional career in 2021 as a Spanish teacher at IN-tuition Languages & Exams, an Algerian language-training centre. Between 2023 and 2024, she gained corporate experience as a human resources specialist at Schneider Electric, the multinational energy management and automation company.
Melchior Koba
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From his early days as a freelance developer to his rise as a seasoned business leader, he has established himself as a key figure in Africa's technology sector. Through his technology platform, he helps e-commerce businesses centralize and streamline the management of their advertising operations.
Mohamed Fergany is an Egyptian entrepreneur and investor, best known as the co-founder and chief executive of Converted, a company specializing in digital marketing solutions for e-commerce businesses.
Founded in 2019, Converted was created with a simple goal: to make it easier for businesses to find, attract and retain customers online. The company has developed an integrated platform that brings together advertising, communication and marketing management tools in a single interface, helping businesses manage their digital operations more efficiently.
Converted's growth platform is aimed primarily at emerging markets, enabling companies to manage advertising campaigns, online ad payments and broader marketing activities from one centralized workspace. The aim is to reduce the complexity of operating across multiple digital platforms and provide businesses with a more streamlined approach to digital marketing.
At the heart of the platform is a unified view of customer and product data. By consolidating this information, businesses can better understand consumer behavior, identify purchasing patterns and develop more personalized marketing campaigns. The platform also provides audience segmentation tools that allow brands to tailor their messaging based on customer interests and habits.
Beyond data management, Converted enables users to run advertising campaigns across multiple digital platforms from a single dashboard. The company has also integrated artificial intelligence tools designed to improve marketing performance by analyzing campaign results, identifying relevant audiences and helping businesses optimize advertising spending.
Alongside his role at Converted, Fergany is an active investor in the start-up ecosystem. His portfolio includes Nawy, a real estate platform; Captain, a technology venture studio focused on commerce; and Kenzz, an e-commerce platform.
An engineer by training, Fergany began his professional career in 2009 as a freelance software developer. His entrepreneurial journey took shape in 2015 when he co-founded Youtta, a mobile and cloud services application where he served as product lead. The following year, he joined Speakol, a digital advertising platform, as deputy chief executive and head of product. The experience helped shape the company he would later co-found, Converted.
Melchior Koba
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A World Bank study found that businesses receiving digital payments are more likely to access credit because transaction records help banks assess their financial activity
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The impact is strongest for small firms and businesses in low-income countries, where limited banking data often makes access to financing difficult
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Africa’s rapid growth in mobile money and interoperable payment systems could help expand credit access and support small business financing
Digital payments are becoming increasingly central to business activity, particularly for small firms. A World Bank study published in January 2026 shows they go beyond saving time — they are also associated with better access to credit.
The report, titled "Firm Credit Constraints and Electronic Payments: A Global Analysis," notes that banks will not lend to businesses whose revenues, payment habits and commercial standing remain unknown to them. In Africa, where most business-to-business transactions are still conducted in cash, many merchants and traders remain largely invisible to banks. Without sales data or a verifiable track record, they struggle to obtain credit even when their business is thriving.
The study surveyed 48,581 firms across 101 countries and quantifies the scale of the problem. Across all countries studied, 14.78% of firms have no access to external financing, while another 16.23% have only partial access. In total, more than 30% of formally registered private-sector firms worldwide are cut off from the credit they need to grow.
The unexpected role of digital payments
The report finds that firms receiving payments digitally — via bank transfer, mobile money, card or similar methods — are significantly more likely to obtain credit than those operating exclusively in cash.
The mechanism is straightforward. When a customer pays by mobile money or bank transfer, the transaction leaves a digital record: date, amount and frequency. Accumulated over months or years, these data points give banks a clearer picture of a firm's revenue streams. To some extent, they can compensate for the lack of formal accounting records that many small African businesses do not maintain.
Receiving digital payments reduces by an average of 3.3 percentage points the probability that a firm is completely excluded from credit. That is equivalent to 22% of the average exclusion rate observed in the study.
The World Bank also specifies that receiving digital payments matters more than making them. Payment inflows directly reflect a firm's sales activity and the revenue it generates. That is the information banks rely on when deciding whether to extend credit.
Smaller firms benefit the most
The effect is strongest among the smallest firms, which are often the least visible to banks. For businesses with fewer than 20 employees, the reduction in the probability of being excluded from credit reaches 4 percentage points, compared with less than 2 points for larger firms. Companies with no formal accounting systems, no declared innovation activity or low productivity also benefit more from adopting digital payments.
At the country level, the effect is even more pronounced in low-income economies and those with underdeveloped credit registries. According to the report, the impact of digital payments on access to credit is nearly three times greater in poorer countries than in wealthy ones.
Where conventional tools for assessing borrowers are lacking, a digital transaction history can serve as a credible alternative.
Africa at the heart of the transformation
Africa combines two dynamics rarely found together: limited access to formal banking services and widespread adoption of mobile payments. According to the annual report of the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), published in March 2026, more than $1.4 trillion passed through mobile money accounts in Africa in 2025, up more than 27% year-on-year. The continent accounts for 52% of all mobile money accounts worldwide and 66% of the global value of such transactions.
These flows represent a massive reservoir of information on firms' financial health that banks have only begun to exploit. Some fintech companies are already moving in that direction. In East Africa, 4G Capital uses mobile usage data to extend loans to small entrepreneurs. In Nigeria, platforms such as Moniepoint combine digital payment collection with lending services for small and medium-sized enterprises based on their payment histories.
Interoperability remains essential
For banks to make effective use of payment data, the information must be consolidated and accessible. A merchant receiving payments through several operators generates fragmented datasets that are difficult to aggregate. Interoperability — the ability of different payment systems to communicate with one another — therefore remains a key technical requirement.
Significant progress is under way. According to the "State of Inclusive Instant Payment Systems in Africa 2025" report by the AfricaNenda Foundation, published jointly with the World Bank, 36 instant payment systems were active across Africa in 2024, processing 64 billion transactions worth a combined $2 trillion. The report highlights growing interoperability across the continent. “Half of Africa's instant payment systems (IPS) now connect banks, mobile payment operators and fintechs through cross-domain platforms,” AfricaNenda states.
In the countries of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), the regional central bank has set Tuesday, June 30, 2026, as the deadline for all financial institutions to join the Interoperable Instant Payment System Platform (PI-SPI), a shared instant payment infrastructure launched in September 2025. This could mark an important step toward smoother transactions and broader access to credit.
The study provides African governments with a concrete policy argument: encouraging businesses to adopt digital payments is not only a modernization strategy, but also a tool for improving private-sector financing.
Three priorities emerge from the findings: accelerating the rollout of interoperable payment systems; encouraging banks to incorporate transactional data into credit assessments; and establishing clear rules governing the use of payment data so that businesses can share it with confidence.
Melchior Koba
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Cameroon launches 20,000 smart electricity meters to improve monitoring and billing accuracy
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World Bank-backed project aims to reduce losses, fraud, and revenue leakages
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Initiative forms part of a broader $710 million electricity sector reform programme
Cameroon's Ministry of Water and Energy (MINEE) announced on Wednesday, May 27, the launch of a nationwide deployment of 20,000 smart electricity meters, a move aimed at improving consumption monitoring, reducing technical losses and enhancing billing accuracy across the country's power sector.
The project is backed by the World Bank under the Electricity Sector Reform Programme (PRSEC-PforR) and relies on Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) technology capable of automatically transmitting electricity consumption data. According to MINEE, the system will enable real-time monitoring of energy use and improve the detection of anomalies, fraud and non-technical losses that have long strained the sector's finances.
Implementation is being overseen by the Programme Coordination Unit within MINEE, in partnership with Cameroon's national electricity company Socadel (formerly Eneo). Following technical trials conducted between January and February 2026, the equipment passed final acceptance in April, paving the way for a phased rollout. A data centre is also under construction in Douala to centralise and secure information collected by the smart meters.
The initiative is part of the Electricity Sector Recovery Plan (PRSEC), a broader reform agenda running from 2024 to 2026 and valued at nearly 400 billion CFA francs ($710 million). The programme is supported by 180 billion CFA francs in World Bank financing and an additional 48 billion CFA francs from the African Development Bank.
Beyond smart metering, the PRSEC includes a range of infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving service quality, including network expansion, the reinforcement of electrical substations, the replacement of more than 50,000 wooden utility poles, and the gradual migration of 1.5 million postpaid customers to prepaid meters.
For Cameroonian authorities, the digitalisation of electricity metering is a key tool for strengthening energy governance, securing operator revenues and keeping pace with rising power demand driven by the country's urban and industrial growth.
Samira Njoya
South African accelerator Savant has opened applications for its incubation program for African innovators. The initiative supports startups developing hardware-based solutions and environmental technologies, including water management and sustainable energy systems. Over three months, ten founders will refine their investor pitches and prepare their businesses for fundraising. The strongest startups will be eligible for grants of up to €80,000. Applications close on June 15, and the program is scheduled to begin in August.