He is one of the African entrepreneurs aiming to make a significant impact on the digital sector. His career highlights the rise of local initiatives focused on transforming access to training across the continent.
Chadian tech entrepreneur Valery Kagro (photo) is the co-founder and CEO of PayiSkoul, an education-focused neobank based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, dedicated to financing and digitizing the education sector.
Founded in 2024, PayiSkoul aims to simplify the payment of school and training fees by accommodating the financial constraints of students and their families. The platform offers a digital wallet linked to bank accounts and Visa cards, allowing users to pay for tuition, housing, and educational materials in installments. It also includes services such as educational cashback, micro-savings, and microcredit for student projects.
For partner institutions, PayiSkoul provides an automated dashboard for payment tracking, managing due dates, and sending reminders to streamline the relationship between schools and families.
Before PayiSkoul, Kagro launched Genoskul in 2020, an edtech startup offering remote learning, a tutoring service, and an intelligent assistant to answer user questions.
Kagro holds a bachelor's degree in computer science from the University of Ngaoundere in Cameroon, which he earned in 2019. He also holds a certificate in artificial intelligence from the Virtual University of Senegal and a data analysis certificate from OpenClassrooms.
His professional career began in 2019 with an internship in the IT department of Chad’s Public Treasury. In 2022, he joined the United Nations Development Programme in his home country as the technology lead for the Youth Innovation Program.
Between 2022 and 2024, he served as a technical manager at Izipay, a Cameroonian fintech company. Concurrently, he was the technology director for Allô’Bailleurs, an Ivorian platform connecting tenants and landlords, and the technical and coordination manager for Central Africa at DAWN, an edtech company based in Lagos, Nigeria.
Melchior Koba
• Japan to train 30,000 AI experts in Africa by 2028
• Program includes AI courses in universities, $5.5B in development loans
• Strategy targets job creation, green energy, and rivals China’s influence
Japan plans to train 30,000 artificial intelligence (AI) experts in Africa over the next three years to accelerate the continent’s economic digitization and create jobs, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced Wednesday, August 20, 2025.
"Japan's goal is to support the training of 30,000 AI experts over the next three years to promote digitization and create jobs," Ishiba said in a speech opening the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-9), held in Yokohama, 40 kilometers south of Tokyo. The conference runs through Friday, August 22.
Ishiba also stated that Japan would share its digital expertise to "co-create solutions" for challenges facing Africa.
According to government sources cited by Japan’s Kyodo News agency, Tokyo intends to launch courses on AI and data science at African higher education institutions. This effort will be in cooperation with Yutaka Matsuo, a professor at the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Engineering and a leading Japanese AI expert.
These courses will be offered at dozens of universities in several countries, including Kenya and Uganda, and will focus primarily on integrating AI into the manufacturing, agriculture, and logistics sectors, the sources said.
In addition to developing AI talent, Ishiba revealed that Japan will train 300,000 people in other fields, including 35,000 in healthcare and medicine, over the next three years. The Japanese prime minister also proposed the creation of an "economic zone" linking the Indian Ocean to Africa, which would "contribute to Africa's integration and industrial development." He pledged to promote free trade and private investment on the continent.
Japan's strategy aims to differentiate itself from China
Ishiba also announced that Japan will provide loans of up to $5.5 billion to several African countries in coordination with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to promote sustainable development and address debt issues. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and private financial institutions also plan to provide $1.5 billion in impact investments to help African nations reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet sustainable development goals.
Unlike previous TICAD conferences, which have been held every three years since 1993, the Japanese government did not announce the total amount of funds it plans to inject into African economies over the next three years.
By focusing on investments in human capital, green energy, and improving living conditions, Japan is seeking to distinguish its approach from that of its powerful rival, China. In recent years, China has increased its influence on the continent by providing massive funding, often in the form of loans for infrastructure projects that have contributed to excessive debt in several countries.
According to Ecofin Agency, leaders from about 50 African countries are attending TICAD-9, including Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Kenyan President William Ruto.
• Nigeria, DLN launch national “Free Laptops” program for students
• Plan targets 47M beneficiaries, with devices, training, and 50 Mbps access
• Project aims to bridge digital divide, modernize public education
Nigeria’s Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and U.S. company Digital Learning Network (DLN) signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday in Abuja to launch a national “Free Laptops” program. The initiative aims to provide digital devices to nearly 47 million students and teachers across the country.
“This initiative is more than technology, it is a promise to every Nigerian child: a promise of access, equity, and opportunity,” said Aisha Garba, UBEC’s executive secretary. “By bridging the digital divide, we are unlocking unlimited potential and positioning Nigeria as a leader in educational innovation in Africa.”
The agreement also includes provisions for teacher training, the creation of regional hubs for assembling and distributing the laptops and tablets, and the deployment of a hybrid internet infrastructure. This network will combine 5G, local telecommunication providers, and SpaceX’s Starlink satellite constellation. The goal is to guarantee a minimum speed of 50 Mbps for schools, including those in the most remote rural areas.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to modernize Nigeria’s public education system, where fewer than half of all public primary schools currently have digital equipment. The government aims to equip 95% of Nigerians with digital skills by 2030, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.
Touted as Africa’s largest digital education project, the program could boost digital inclusion in a country still grappling with a significant digital divide. It could also promote technological self-reliance by developing local infrastructure and serve as a catalyst for educational and economic transformation.
However, its success hinges on the ability to overcome several challenges, including unequal access to high-speed internet, securing sustainable funding, and providing adequate teacher training to ensure effective adoption of the digital tools.
Samira Njoya
Rwandan entrepreneur Félix Nkundimana is reshaping access to finance through Jali Finance, the Kigali-based fintech he co-founded in 2017. The company specializes in asset financing via leasing, with a strong focus on electric motorcycles, supporting both local production and job creation under the “Made in Rwanda” label.
In February 2025, Jali Finance launched JaliKoi, a multi-service “super app” designed to centralize financial and commercial services for individuals and businesses. The platform offers affordable loans with flexible repayment terms for items such as motorcycles and vehicles. It also integrates a cashback feature, rewarding users for every transaction — from retail purchases to utility bills and mobile services — with credits that can be reused for future payments.
Nkundimana also runs Jali Partners, a professional services firm in Kigali, and serves as president of the Association of Credit Service Providers, which brings together Rwanda’s non-deposit-taking financial institutions.
A graduate of the University of Rwanda with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance (2011), he earned an MBA from the U.S.-based Quantic School of Business and Technology in 2024. His career began at the Rwanda Revenue Authority, where he worked as an auditor from 2010 to 2013.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum
- Senegal launches digital plan to revive La Poste.
- Postal bank, e-commerce, fintech upgrades key pillars.
- Africa’s e-commerce seen doubling to $113B by 2029.
Senegal is pushing a sweeping digital transformation of its state-owned postal company in a bid to restore its relevance and position it at the center of the country’s e-commerce and financial inclusion drive.
The government unveiled the plan on Sept. 1 under the leadership of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, highlighting technology as the core lever to modernize postal, financial, and logistics services while expanding access to digital tools for citizens.
The strategy includes rolling out a national certified e-mail service to provide secure official addresses, overhauling Postefinances to improve banking access and transaction reliability, and establishing a postal bank—open to private capital by 2029—to expand digital financial services.
La Poste also plans to partner with small businesses and startups to strengthen delivery services and facilitate cross-border e-commerce, tapping into Africa’s fast-growing online trade. Cooperation with SENUM SA, the state’s digital implementation agency, is expected to accelerate the adoption of new technologies.
The initiative comes as private couriers and fintech players expand rapidly in a region where postal services have lagged technologically. Africa’s e-commerce market is projected to double to $113 billion by 2029 from $55 billion today, according to TechCabal Insights, driven by mobile commerce, super apps, and the African Continental Free Trade Area’s new e-commerce protocol.
Senegal’s plan aims not only to boost trade flows and restore public trust in the postal system, but also to generate skilled jobs and support broader economic growth. Its success will hinge on execution, stakeholder buy-in, and the ability to adapt to Africa’s evolving digital landscape.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum
• Mobile money and online banking are driving digital finance growth across Africa.
• Interoperable systems in Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya show strong adoption and economic impact.
• Challenges remain with digital access, cybersecurity, and regulatory harmonization.
Africa’s financial sector is undergoing rapid change with the rise of mobile money and digital banking. At the center of this shift, interoperable instant payments -systems that enable transactions across banks and mobile operators- are emerging as a key driver of financial inclusion and regional trade.
According to the World Bank, about 350 million adults in sub-Saharan Africa remain unbanked. Mobile money has helped bridge part of this gap, with 44% of adults holding an account in 2024, compared with the global average of 29%, the latest Global Findex 2025 report shows.
Several countries have taken major steps to build interoperable payment systems. In Ghana, the GhIPSS platform connects banks and mobile operators, handling an average of 17.9 million instant transactions per month since December 2022, involving more than 55 financial institutions.
In Nigeria, the NIBSS platform processed interbank instant payments worth 600,360 billion nairas (around $390 billion) in 2023. In Kenya, M-Pesa continues to dominate, accounting for nearly 55% of GDP, according to the Fintech Association of Kenya.
More recently, Sierra Leone, the Comoros, Somalia, and Algeria have announced national interoperable payment systems, adding to the continent’s growing financial infrastructure.
These efforts also support the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by making cross-border transactions cheaper and faster. The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) reflects this trend, enabling central banks and financial institutions to make real-time payments in local currencies, lowering costs and delays while deepening integration. According to the GSMA, mobile money transactions in sub-Saharan Africa reached $190 billion in 2023, or 4.5% of regional GDP, up from $150 billion in 2022.
Challenges ahead
Interoperable instant payment systems are boosting financial inclusion, lowering transfer costs, encouraging fintech and e-commerce innovation, and strengthening regional integration. They also help states track financial flows and secure transactions, reinforcing digital sovereignty.
But hurdles remain. The digital divide is still wide, especially in rural areas with weak Internet coverage. Cybersecurity risks such as fraud, hacking, and data theft continue to undermine trust. And the lack of harmonized regulations slows the rollout of cross-border solutions.
To unlock the full potential, African countries need to expand digital infrastructure, step up cybersecurity, train populations in digital finance, and move toward unified regulation. With smartphone penetration in sub-Saharan Africa projected to reach 87% by 2030, these initiatives could bring millions into the financial system, support intra-African trade, and speed the transition toward an integrated digital economy.
- Alexander Hizikias co-founded eQub, a fintech digitizing Ethiopia’s traditional equb savings circles.
- The mobile app secures transactions, integrates mobile money, and offers access to extra financial services.
- Hizikias, an Addis Ababa University economics graduate, previously launched ventures in textiles and coffee.
Alexander Hizikias, an Ethiopian economist and entrepreneur, is co-founder and chief executive of eQub, a fintech launched in 2020 that brings the country’s traditional savings groups into the digital era. Known as “equb” in Amharic, these rotating savings circles are a long-established form of community finance in Ethiopia.
The eQub mobile app allows users to organize savings groups, secure their transactions, and reduce the risks linked to cash handling. It helps participants manage their finances more effectively and extends access to services for people outside the formal banking system.
The app integrates mobile money payments, automates contributions, and provides transparent tracking of group activities, strengthening trust among members. It also includes a points-based system that unlocks additional financial services such as credit or payment facilities.
According to the company, the eQub app is the first platform that helps people draw on their future savings. It allows users to set up and manage their personal groups in just a few clicks, while making it easier to interact with fellow eQubers.
Hizikias graduated in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in economics from Addis Ababa University. Before launching eQub, he created Alexander Hizikias Couture, a textile design and manufacturing company active from 2016 to 2019. In the same year, he co-founded The Goat Cafe, a coffee business.
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TurnStay raises $2m to cut Africa travel payment fees.
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Startup claims up to 70% savings via stablecoin model.
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Launches free booking platform to bypass agency fees.
South African fintech startup TurnStay has raised $2 million in a recent funding round to expand its payment platform, which aims to significantly reduce transaction costs for the African travel industry.
Founded in 2021 by Alon Stern and James Hedley, the Cape Town-based company has developed a solution to lower payment processing fees by up to 70%. The platform acts as a "merchant of record," processing international card payments in the traveler's home country and settling funds locally using stablecoins. This model minimizes currency conversion risks and high banking commissions, which can translate into more competitive pricing for tourists.
"Since our pre-seed round last year, we’ve processed over ZAR250 million in transactions and secured partnerships with industry leaders. This validates our approach and demonstrates the substantial value we create for the industry. We’re not just reducing costs – we’re enabling African travel companies to compete on a level playing field with international platforms," said co-founder Alon Stern.
The funding will support the growth of its core payment service and its new commission-free online travel agency platform, TurnStay Explore. This secondary platform allows accommodation providers to list their properties directly, bypassing the high fees charged by major online travel agencies and further enhancing the continent's appeal to international visitors.
This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum
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Massar Sall launches WholeOrder, a B2B platform connecting African restaurants and suppliers.
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The platform aims to optimize food supply chains, reduce waste, and improve logistics.
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WholeOrder addresses unique African market challenges, leveraging Sall's actuarial and data engineering expertise.
New digital solutions are rapidly transforming supply chain management for businesses across Africa. At the forefront of this evolution is Massar Sall, a Senegalese data engineering consultant and tech entrepreneur, who is connecting restaurants and suppliers through his innovative platform, WholeOrder.
Founded in 2024, WholeOrder is a business-to-business (B2B) online platform specifically designed to optimize the food supply chain in Africa. As its founder and CEO, Sall aims to streamline the procurement process for restaurants, thereby reducing food waste and enhancing logistical efficiency for culinary professionals.
The digital platform automates order management, facilitating seamless interactions between various stakeholders in the food service industry. By digitalizing this critical function, WholeOrder provides a tailored solution to the unique challenges prevalent in African markets, where food distribution often faces significant hurdles.
Sall brings a robust background to his entrepreneurial venture. He holds a degree in statistical and financial engineering, earned in 2018 from the Université Panthéon-Assas in Paris. His professional career commenced in 2016 at Wakam (formerly La Parisienne Assurances), where he served as an actuarial studies intern.
In 2017, he joined Société Générale Insurance as an actuarial studies officer. By 2018, he transitioned to EB Partners, a firm specializing in insurance technology, as an international actuary. Most recently, from 2021 to 2024, Sall worked as a data engineer at AXA, the parent company of EB Partners.
This article was intially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum
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Sény Ganemtore's Mtopo Payment Solutions simplifies West African SME transactions.
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The fintech startup offers mobile money processing and digital management tools.
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Conekto app provides real-time transaction tracking, enhancing productivity for businesses.
Sény Ganemtore, a Burkinabe electronics engineer with extensive experience in telecommunications and mobile payments, is the founder and CEO of Mtopo Payment Solutions, a financial technology startup. Established in 2016, Mtopo Payment Solutions focuses on mobile money payment processing and developing management tools to support the digitalization of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across West Africa.
The company offers several digital solutions designed to enhance productivity and optimize internal management for businesses. Among these, Conekto is an application that simplifies daily life for its users by streamlining purchases, mobile wallet management, and centralizing digital operations. The platform provides real-time transaction tracking through SMS and email notifications.
Ganemtore is an alumnus of the Institut National Supérieur de l’Enseignement Technique (INSET) in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, where he earned a master’s degree in electrical, electronic, and communications engineering in 1994.
His career began in 1997 at Loteny Telecom as a regional maintenance manager in Yamoussoukro. He later became head of operations and maintenance in Abidjan in 1998, and then head of the radio and optimization division between 2001 and 2005. Prior to founding Mtopo Payment Solutions, he held several positions in various telecommunications companies.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum
More...
- Mauritius launches inter-ministerial committee to coordinate national digital transformation strategy.
- Committee focuses on digitizing schools, public alerts, social benefits, and protecting vulnerable users.
- Island nation ranks highly in e-governance, AI readiness, and digital infrastructure in Africa.
The Mauritian government has established an inter-ministerial committee to coordinate the implementation of its national digital strategy, unveiled in May 2025. The inaugural meeting of this new body took place on August 26 in Ébène, chaired by the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation (MITCI).
The committee will serve as a single point of contact to ensure coherence across various ministries involved in the digital transformation. Discussions at the meeting focused on several priority areas, including the digitization of schools, the establishment of a national public alert system, the development of a platform for managing social benefits, and reducing delays in public service delivery. Authorities also emphasized the critical need to protect vulnerable populations from online abuses.
This initiative aims to accelerate the modernization of Mauritian administration and strengthen the state's capacity to offer more efficient and inclusive services. It comes as African nations increasingly adopt e-governance programs to enhance public service quality and support their broader digital transformation efforts.
Mauritius has consistently demonstrated strong performance in digital development. In 2024, the Republic of Mauritius ranked 76th globally for its online administration development, placing it at the forefront in East Africa, according to the United Nations Department of Social Affairs. The island nation also secured the 69th position globally and 2nd in Africa for its AI readiness, surpassing South Africa and Morocco, as reported by UK-based consultancy Oxford Insights. Furthermore, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) positions Mauritius as the 3rd in Africa for its digital infrastructure development.
Should these projects progress as planned, the island nation is poised to further solidify its position in digital governance. This momentum is also expected to bolster citizen confidence in digital administration.
This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum
- Senegal launches 'New Deal Technologique' to digitize public services, including parliamentary operations.
- Lawmakers receive training in AI, cybersecurity; electronic voting system adopted for real-time suffrage.
- Despite progress, African parliaments lag in digital maturity, highlighting need for continued investment.
Senegal is accelerating its national digital transformation strategy, dubbed the "New Deal Technologique," launched in February. This initiative aims to enhance the efficiency of public services through widespread digitization, with a particular focus on the legislative branch.
In a collaborative effort, the Senegalese government, the National Assembly, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) recently concluded a five-day digital training workshop for members of parliament. This program is part of broader actions designed to fast-track the digital evolution of the parliamentary institution.
The strategic workshop focused on equipping lawmakers with essential skills in digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), personal data protection, and cybersecurity. The objective is to empower them to guide the nation towards digital sovereignty by crafting public policies and legislation that address contemporary challenges, aligning with the "New Deal Technologique" framework.
Significant strides have already been made. In December 2024, the National Assembly implemented an electronic voting system, featuring a platform capable of recording votes in real-time. El Malick Ndiaye, President of the National Assembly, has prioritized the digitization of parliamentary services. The modernization plan also includes the development of an interactive institutional website for b
oth deputies and citizens, alongside the launch of a parliamentary television channel. A dedicated project team has been established to oversee this transformation.
Further demonstrating this commitment, President Ndiaye met with a delegation including executives from the technology company Airudi in May to explore potential collaborations in AI, digital transformation, and professional training. These efforts unfold within a context of profound technological shifts in parliaments globally, driven by demands for greater efficiency, transparency, and citizen participation, as highlighted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in its 2024 World e-Parliament Report.
"Traditional siloed systems are giving way to more integrated and intelligent cloud-based solutions. AI, machine learning, and natural language processing are revolutionizing everything from document management to cybersecurity. These technologies enable parliaments to automate routine tasks, better analyze data, and offer more responsive services to parliamentarians, staff, and citizens," the IPU report, published in October 2024, states.
However, the digital transformation process within the Senegalese Parliament remains in its nascent stages. According to the IPU, the most digitally advanced African parliaments include South Africa, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Morocco, and Mauritius, followed by Tunisia and Malawi. The report indicates that Sub-Saharan Africa remains largely underrepresented among top-performing parliaments, with 50% of its institutions ranked among the 30 least advanced in terms of digital maturity.
This disparity is primarily attributed to a lack of modernization initiatives, insufficient investment in digital systems, and the absence of ambitious digital transformation programs.
This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum
He develops digital businesses, with operations ranging from online health and hospitality management to IT services.
Rachid Maou, an Algerian entrepreneur who earned a master's degree in computer science from Badji Mokhtar Annaba University in 2011, is the co-founder and general manager of DZDOC, a health tech startup.
Founded in 2015, DZDOC developed a multi-service online medical platform. For patients, the platform simplifies access to care by allowing them to search for and book appointments with doctors. The service is free and includes appointment reminders via text message or email.
The platform provides healthcare professionals with management tools for scheduling, video consultations, patient monitoring, and interpreting results. Its stated goal is to improve healthcare accessibility in Algeria through digital tools.
DZDOC also provides medical information content and allows users to save their favorite practitioners for easy access. The company was named Algeria's best health website at the 2016 Algeria Web Awards. It now has more than 21,300 registered practitioners and thousands of daily users.
Maou's first venture was Khidma Tech, an IT company he founded in 2013, and where he serves as director. The company designs, publishes, and develops software, websites, and online platforms. He is also the co-founder and director of Hotelo, a solution for hoteliers to manage their daily operations.
Melchior Koba
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Mauritius ranks top in Africa for AI readiness and ICT infrastructure.
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National Digital Mauritius 2030 plan drives inclusive, next-gen digital economy.
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Strategic international partnerships boost innovation, start-ups, and tech adoption.
Mauritius is positioning itself as a digital hub at the crossroads of Africa and the Indian Ocean, leveraging strategic vision, innovation, and international collaboration to become a model of digital transformation.
The island nation has advanced rapidly in recent years through coherent strategies, heavy infrastructure investments, and continuous support for innovation. These efforts place Mauritius among Africa’s best-prepared countries for a digital economy transition.
International Rankings Highlight Progress
The United Nations’ 2024 E-Government Development Index ranks Mauritius 76th globally, underlining its leadership in East Africa with a score of 0.7506. Meanwhile, the AI Readiness Index 2024, which assesses governance, technological capabilities, and data availability, ranks Mauritius 69th worldwide—second in Africa and first in Sub-Saharan Africa—outperforming South Africa, Rwanda, Morocco, and Senegal.
Mauritius also ranks third in Africa on the ITU’s 2025 ICT Development Index with a score of 86.3, reflecting robust digital infrastructure and a thriving tech ecosystem.
Ambitious Vision: Digital Mauritius 2030
The country’s Digital Mauritius 2030 plan aims to build an inclusive, sustainable digital economy, structured around five pillars: digital governance, ICT infrastructure, innovation, talent management, and cybersecurity.
Mauritius has rolled out a national fiber-optic network, expanded 4G LTE coverage, and initiated 5G deployment. Tier-4 data centers and upcoming 5G Advanced trials are expected to accelerate IoT adoption and next-generation digital services.
Inclusive initiatives, such as free mobile internet for citizens aged 18–25 and digital skills training programs, reinforce talent development. Internet penetration reached 79.5% at the start of 2025, up from 75.5% in January 2024, according to DataReportal.
International Partnerships Drive Innovation
Strategic collaborations with India, the EU, and UNDP have fostered digital literacy programs, start-up support, and technology transfer. These partnerships enhance access to financing and advanced technologies, accelerating Mauritius’ 2030 digital vision.
By combining strategic planning, strong infrastructure, and global collaboration, Mauritius is not only a regional leader but also aims to compete with emerging digital economies worldwide, creating a model of inclusive, sustainable growth for Africa.
Samira Njoya