For mobile apps aiming to maintain top performance, the Egyptian startup offers an approach that could become standard practice within a few years.
Egyptian startup Luciq (formerly Instabug) is launching a new approach to mobile application maintenance, offering an "agentic" artificial intelligence (AI) system designed to transform how apps are monitored, diagnosed, and repaired. Founded in 2016 and dual-headquartered in San Francisco and Cairo, the company is led by CEO Omar Gabr.
"With Luciq, we’re pioneering Agentic Mobile Observability – a system where AI agents actively work alongside teams. Instead of just flagging issues, these agents detect, diagnose, fix, and even validate in production, turning what used to be reactive firefighting into a proactive, self-healing process. It’s not just monitoring anymore – it’s mobile observability that acts on your behalf," Gabr said.
Luciq's agentic AI goes beyond simply flagging problems; it actively resolves them. This type of AI is capable of learning, reasoning, planning, and acting without direct human intervention to achieve a goal. Unlike reactive or generative AI, agentic AI is proactive and can break down complex objectives into smaller tasks, adapt to shifting environments, and make decisions.
In Luciq’s platform, this AI detects flaws, diagnoses them, and either proposes or executes fixes before the end-user is affected. It consolidates data, filters out irrelevant alerts, and determines incident priority based on business impact, allowing technical teams to redirect their focus.
In today's highly demanding tech market, users have minimal tolerance for unstable applications. A single crash, slowdown, or bug can push them to a competitor, translating into lost revenue, credibility, and active users for businesses. Luciq addresses this pressure by offering proactive observability, increased app resilience, and an improved user experience that the company markets as a competitive advantage.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Orange is leveraging the momentum of mobile payments to normalize digital gold trading. Given gold’s role as a hedge against inflation and currency volatility in Egypt, embedding it in mobile wallets could significantly expand retail participation in the gold market.
Orange Egypt has launched a platform for buying and selling gold via mobile wallets. The telecom company announced today, September 25. The platform was launched in partnership with mnGm, Egypt’s specialized online gold trading company.
“By introducing Egypt’s first digital gold trading platform, we are redefining mobile wallets,” said Ahmed El Abd, Chief Consumer Business Officer of Orange Egypt. “We want wallets to be full financial tools—letting customers save, invest, and diversify.”
Orange says customers can buy and sell gold via the My Orange app and Orange Cash Wallet, starting from as little as EGP 5. To drive adoption, Orange offers up to EGP 100 cashback on the first monthly gold purchase of EGP 500 or more, redeemable toward mobile bills, recharges, or bundles.
The user experience is fully digital—customers register once with their wallet PIN and national ID, pick the gold amount they want, confirm via SMS, and complete payment instantly through Orange Cash.
The move taps into a major shift in Egypt’s digital payments landscape. Mobile wallet transactions in Q2 2025 alone reached EGP 943.4 billion (USD 19.63 billion), rising 72% year-on-year, according to the National Telecom Regulatory Authority. Active e-wallet accounts in Egypt surged to 46.3 million, a 29% increase from the previous year.
This is a strategic expansion of Orange’s fintech presence. By embedding gold trading into its wallet ecosystem, Orange deepens customer engagement, strengthens loyalty, and unlocks new revenue channels beyond telecom services.
In a digital payments market projected to reach USD 184.31 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 16.76% during the forecast period (2025-2030), per Research and Markets data, the timing could provide Orange with critical leverage over competitors.
Hikmatu Bilali
• Ghana launched a 26-member national steering committee for e-commerce on Sept. 24.
• The body will align digital trade with national goals and global best practices.
• Ghana’s e-commerce market is projected to grow from $1.65 bln in 2025 to $2.64 bln by 2030.
Ghana’s Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry has launched a national steering committee on e-commerce. The 26-member body, unveiled on September 24, is tasked with driving coordination and providing strategic guidance to build a dynamic, inclusive, and competitive digital ecosystem.
Deputy Trade Minister Sampson Ahi said the committee will serve as an interministerial platform to harmonize e-commerce development with national objectives and international best practices. He stressed that with effective systems, online commerce could transform lives by opening international markets to rural artisans in Ghana.
The initiative follows the recent approval of Ghana’s first national e-commerce strategy, developed in partnership with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The government aims to leverage digital tools as a driver of growth and economic inclusion.
According to Statista, Ghana’s e-commerce market is expected to reach $1.65 billion in 2025 and $2.64 billion by 2030. Growth is fueled by a young population and rapid internet penetration, though challenges remain, including payment security, cross-border trade, consumer trust, and last-mile logistics.
The steering committee will play a key role in coordinating stakeholders, advancing innovative solutions to address these barriers, and strengthening Ghana’s position as one of West Africa’s most competitive e-commerce markets.
South African entrepreneur Matt Putman has emerged as one of the key players shaping electronic payments on the continent. As co-founder and chief executive of fintech firm iKhokha, he has focused on helping small merchants and businesses adopt digital tools.
Founded in 2012 with Ramsay Daly and Clive Putman, iKhokha offers affordable electronic payment solutions through mobile point-of-sale devices certified by major card networks. Merchants can accept payments via cards, e-wallets, and QR codes.
The company integrates services such as cash register management, reporting, invoicing, e-commerce and microfinancing into a single mobile application. It has also developed a cash advance product to improve access to credit for small enterprises often excluded from traditional banking.
In August 2025, Nedbank acquired iKhokha for about $94 million. Despite the acquisition, the company continues to operate with independent management, allowing it to preserve its entrepreneurial approach while leveraging the bank’s resources.
Putman graduated with a bachelor’s degree in media and communications from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2006. He began his career in 2003 in the UK at TMP Worldwide, an agency specialized in digital and social transformation of employer branding. Between 2006 and 2009, he worked as marketing director at Mainline Property Brokers, a real estate company.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum
- The Gates Foundation pledged more than $10 million to support Senegal’s New Deal technologique, its national digital strategy launched in February 2025.
- The partnership will fund a universal digital ID, an AI hub for health and agriculture, and a Delivery Unit to oversee project transparency and efficiency.
- Senegal’s digital strategy requires $2 billion, of which $155 million still needs to be secured.
Senegal signed a $10 million-plus partnership with the Gates Foundation on September 24 to accelerate its national digital strategy, known as the New Deal technologique. The agreement was finalized on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York, the state broadcaster RTS reported.
Le Président a reçu en audience M. @BillGates, Président de la Gates Foundation.
— Présidence Sénégal (@PR_Senegal) September 24, 2025
Cette rencontre a permis de conclure un partenariat stratégique de plus de 10 millions de dollars pour accélérer le #NewDealTechnologique et faire du Sénégal un hub africain d’innovation numérique. pic.twitter.com/kBJk37Sigr
The program, launched in February 2025 by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, aims to transform public services, strengthen digital sovereignty, and establish Senegal as a regional technology hub by 2034.
The deal provides for the rollout of a universal digital identity system, the creation of an artificial intelligence hub focused on health and agriculture, and the establishment of a Delivery Unit to ensure project transparency and efficiency.
The partnership follows an initial meeting between Bill Gates and President Faye during the 79th UN General Assembly, when both sides agreed to expand cooperation in areas including AI-assisted agriculture, sanitation, and digital innovation across strategic sectors.
Senegal budgeted CFA1,105 billion (about $2 billion) for the New Deal technologique. Authorities have already identified CFA950 billion, leaving CFA155 billion still to be mobilized.
Officials expect the Gates Foundation’s contribution to accelerate the implementation of priority projects, expand inclusive digital services for citizens, and attract additional private investment into Senegal’s tech ecosystem.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum
Amid growing pressure for companies to balance performance and responsibility, she offers a technological approach to transform business practices and create tangible environmental impact.
Souha Bejaoui, a Tunisian engineer and entrepreneur, has won the top prize at the POESAM Tunisia 2025 (Orange Social Entrepreneur Prize in Africa and the Middle East). Bejaoui is the co-founder and CEO of ProVerdy, a startup specializing in climatetech.
Founded in 2024, ProVerdy develops technology solutions that enable companies to measure, manage, and reduce their environmental impact. Its platform provides precise tracking of carbon footprints and offers tailored recommendations to curb greenhouse gas emissions.
ProVerdy utilizes advanced artificial intelligence to simplify carbon accounting and deliver actionable data, helping businesses cut emissions and optimize costs. The platform also streamlines compliance with environmental regulations and simplifies reporting, allowing organizations to monitor their ecological transition progress.
The startup aims to "become the reference platform for measuring and managing the overall environmental impact of companies, while helping them mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change."
Bejaoui holds a degree in scientific economics and management, earned in 2016 from the Polytechnic Institute of Tunisia. Following graduation, she joined LOGIDAS, a Tunisian industrial digitization firm, as a technical-functional consultant. In 2019, she moved to the French company Vneuron Risk & Compliance, where she served successively as a senior project manager and head of the quality and assurance department in Tunisia.
Melchior Koba
As both a scientific researcher and a digital innovator, Frédéric Ngaba explores artificial intelligence applications to design tools that solve real-world problems, especially in the education sector.
Frédéric Ngaba, a mathematician and artificial intelligence researcher, has won the top prize at the POESAM Cameroon 2025 (Orange Social Entrepreneur Prize in Africa and the Middle East). Ngaba is the co-founder and CEO of OSIA Technologies, a Cameroonian educational technology startup.
Founded in 2022 by Ngaba and Adidja Nezang Sale, OSIA Technologies developed a generative artificial intelligence solution dedicated to academic and career guidance. The platform allows users to submit their school results and receive a detailed analysis.
The OSIA solution integrates personalized psychotechnical tests to evaluate students' aptitudes and competencies. It also generates follow-up analytics to facilitate decision-making. Over 1,000 interconnected schools currently use OSIA's network to exchange exam materials and prepare students for year-end tests.
Full access to the platform costs 3,000 CFA francs (about $5) for users in Cameroon and 10 euros for international users. The startup already boasts over 13,500 active subscribers across 23 schools in Cameroon.
Ngaba holds a doctorate in analytical mathematics, which he earned in 2021 from the University of Yaoundé 1. Between 2020 and 2024, he worked as an affiliate manager for 1XBET in Cameroon while also serving as deputy manager for local cultural promoter Planet Saladin.
Melchior Koba
Designed to foster the emergence of software developers in remote or underserved areas, the solution aims to become a key player in technology-driven education across Africa.
Nigerian Startup Launches AI-Powered Mobile Coding Platform Efiwe for Underserved Youth
Efiwe is a mobile-first, artificial intelligence-powered platform designed to make coding accessible to everyone directly from a smartphone. The solution, which aims to become a key player in technology-driven education across Africa, was launched in August 2025 by founder Chidi Nwaogu.
"We believe coding education should be fun, accessible, and effective – and that's what Efiwe delivers," Nwaogu stated. "With over 33 languages available and a fully offline mode, we are breaking down barriers and giving people from all backgrounds the chance to learn how to code. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an aspiring developer, Efiwe is here to help you grow."
The initial modules cover HTML, with CSS and JavaScript lessons planned for release soon. The platform's curriculum is structured to guide users from scratch, enabling them to build a professional website without needing a computer or additional software. It also offers hundreds of structured, interactive challenges with real-time feedback.
In Nigeria, where many people rely solely on a smartphone and broadband access is uneven, Efiwe directly addresses the need for advanced digital skills among youth. By lowering financial and technical barriers, the platform provides access to high-demand skills without the investment in expensive hardware.
However, the startup faces several hurdles. These include ensuring the pedagogical content remains relevant, maintaining the quality of the AI experience, securing recognition for its certifications, and guaranteeing the offline access sufficiently covers more advanced technologies.
Efiwe has the potential to become a central figure in African edtech by fostering the emergence of developers in remote or underserved areas and boosting employability in the digital sector.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Docotela which means "doctor" in the Zulu language connects patients and providers online.
South African telehealth platform Docotela is striving to make medical access simpler, faster, and more affordable through an intuitive online interface. Founded in 2023 by entrepreneur Dineo Lioma, the service allows patients to consult with physicians registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) from their phone or computer, eliminating the need for travel.
"With our cutting-edge platform, we bridge the gap between patients and healthcare providers, delivering convenient and reliable medical services right to your fingertips," the startup stated. "We believe that by making healthcare more accessible and convenient, we can help people lead healthier, happier lives and ultimately extend their lifespan."
To use Docotela, a patient schedules a time slot, pays online, and receives a video link for the consultation. If medically necessary, the physician can then issue a prescription, a medical certificate, and a medication voucher. The platform offers various subscription plans, including individual and family options, alongside single-session consultations. It also provides mental health support, featuring online sessions with certified professional counselors for anxiety, depression, stress, and other emotional well-being issues.
The healthtech firm seeks to provide accessible consultations even in rural areas, contingent upon internet connectivity. By offering monthly subscriptions with unlimited consultations, Docotela helps users better manage healthcare expenditures.
However, the startup faces several key challenges. These include ensuring the diagnostic reliability of telemedicine, particularly for complex cases, guaranteeing the protection of personal data, and securing adequate internet access in remote regions. Furthermore, Docotela must convince South African health authorities, medical aids, and insurers to formally recognize and cover online consultations.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
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Kenya central bank launches cybersecurity center for banking sector
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BS-SOC to handle threat intel, forensics, incident response
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Move follows sharp rise in cyber fraud, $14.7M exposed in 2024
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) announced on Monday, September 22, 2025, the establishment of the Banking Sector Cybersecurity Operations Centre (BS-SOC) to strengthen the financial system's resilience against rapidly evolving cyber threats.
"The successful implementation of this initiative requires the full collaboration and cooperation of all stakeholders. This partnership is imperative to enhance the resilience of the banking sector against the significant and persistent challenges posed by sophisticated cyber threat actors," the Central Bank said in a statement.
The BS-SOC is integrated into the CBK’s Cyber Fusion Unit and will provide essential services, including threat intelligence, incident response, digital forensics, and cyber investigations.
All regulated financial institutions, encompassing commercial banks and payment service providers, must now report security incidents within prescribed timelines. They must also comply with existing directives and new 2024 requirements concurrently, pending the full harmonization of the regulatory framework.
The center aligns with the 2024 Critical Infrastructure and Cybercrime Regulation and the CBK’s 2024–2027 Strategic Plan. The move follows a sharp rise in cyberattacks targeting the country's financial ecosystem.
In its Financial Sector Stability Report published in August 2025, the Central Bank noted that reported bank fraud cases more than doubled in 2024, rising from 153 to 353. The value exposed reached 1.9 billion Kenyan shillings ($14.7 million), while actual losses nearly quadrupled, hitting 1.5 billion shillings.
By creating the dedicated operational center, the CBK aims to enhance the country’s ability to counter intrusions, limit financial losses, and restore public trust in the banking system. The BS-SOC is also expected to foster increased cooperation among banks, payment service providers, and regulatory authorities, contributing to the overall stability and security of Kenya's financial sector.
Samira Njoya
More...
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Algeria’s UFC hosts National Digital Education Week, Sept 23–30
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University built 683 online courses, 68 platforms, trained 800 staff
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Agreement with Arabic Language Council grants access to 12,000 e-books
Algeria’s University of Continuing Education (UFC) launched its National Digital Education Week on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, an event running until September 30 to showcase its advancements in digital transformation. The university regards digitalization as a "strategic choice for the Algerian university," according to the state-run Algérie Presse Service (APS).
In his address, UFC Rector Yahia Djaafri stated that the university has already trained more than 800 instructors in information and communication technologies (ICT). This year, the UFC also finalized the design of 683 online courses, including 120 in English, and now operates 68 digital platforms for its students.
The first day of the event was also marked by the signing of a cooperation agreement with the High Council of the Arabic Language (HCLA). The pact will grant UFC students access to the HCLA’s digital library, which contains over 12,000 literary works.
Djaafri emphasized that investing in digitalization "strengthens quality and innovation, and opens up broad prospects for partnership with economic and technological institutions, positioning the university as a fundamental player in building a knowledge-based society."
The UFC's push aligns with a broader national project to digitize higher education. In January, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Kamel Baddari stated during a visit to the University of Oran 1 that the "digitalization of universities has become a reality and is beginning to yield results, realizing its general principle of simplification and efficiency," APS reported.
In April 2024, a report presented to the Council of Ministers highlighted notable progress in developing management methods for university institutions and modernizing student services. These developments are aimed at improving student living conditions and rationalizing public expenditure in the sector.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
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Government to launch Morocco Digital for Sustainable Development at UNGA
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Initiative backed by UNDP to strengthen digital governance and AI adoption
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Morocco ranks 4th in Africa on UN e-government index, above global average
Morocco will officially launch an Arab-African center of excellence in artificial intelligence and data science during the 80th United Nations General Assembly, which begins on September 23. Backed by the UN Development Program (UNDP), the Morocco Digital for Sustainable Development (D4SD) hub aims to promote inclusive digital transformation across Arab states and African regions.
The initiative stems from a memorandum of understanding signed in July between Morocco and the UNDP, on the sidelines of the National AI Forum. According to the UN agency, the partnership will help countries improve digital public services, encourage responsible AI use, and build institutional and regulatory systems to support digital transformation and sustainable development.
UNDP highlighted Morocco’s leadership in digital governance, AI, and data science. The country ranks 90th worldwide and 4th in Africa in the 2024 UN E-Government Development Index (EGDI), with a score of 0.6841 out of 1, above both the African and global averages. In September 2023, Morocco also launched its “Digital Morocco 2030” strategy to consolidate its progress and accelerate socio-economic development through digital innovation.
The initiative comes as digital benefits remain unevenly distributed across Africa. According to UNDP, countries still face systemic barriers such as weak infrastructure, limited AI capacity, low investment in digital innovation, and uncoordinated regulatory frameworks.
• Botswana’s Lasiwe Boago Robert, founder of Afras Technology, wins POESAM 2025 prizes.
• Startup develops tech solutions in education, agriculture, AI and digital infrastructure.
• Her AI platform Letlotlo la rona links unemployed graduates to paid work programs.
Botswanan entrepreneur Lasiwe Boago Robert, founder and CEO of Afras Technology, has received the Women’s Prize and third prize at the 2025 Orange Social Venture Prize Africa & Middle East (POESAM) in Botswana.
Founded in 2023, Afras Technology develops technology solutions for education, agriculture, digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence. The company said it is working to build a future where technology is created in Africa for Africa, aimed at empowering communities, businesses, and governments through scalable, data-driven innovation.
At the POESAM competition, Robert presented Letlotlo la rona, an AI-powered platform that connects unemployed graduates with public and private initiatives considered strategic by stakeholders. The platform offers paid professional experience and certification to participants.
Alongside her entrepreneurial work, Robert is a research assistant at the Botswana International University of Science & Technology (BIUST), where she earned a degree in pure and applied mathematics in 2022. She also holds a professional certificate in data analysis obtained in 2023 from online learning platform DataCamp.
Before founding Afras Technology, she taught mathematics as a private tutor. In 2023, she joined the Orange Summer Challenge, a three-month internship program run by the Orange Digital Center, and took part in the Digital Makers Challenge, another initiative of the center.
• DeepLeaf, founded in 2023 by Aboulmanadel El Mahdi, wins Orange POESAM Morocco 2025 prize.
• Its AI platform detects over 1,000 plant diseases, pests and deficiencies across 80 crops.
• Startup offers mobile app, drones and API tools to support precision agriculture.
Moroccan entrepreneur and AI specialist Aboulmanadel El Mahdi, founder and CEO of DeepLeaf, has won the first prize of the Orange Social Venture Prize Africa & Middle East (POESAM) Morocco 2025. His startup develops agricultural technology solutions using artificial intelligence.
Created in 2023, DeepLeaf has built machine learning models capable of detecting plant diseases from a simple photo of a leaf or fruit. Its AI platform can identify more than 1,000 diseases, pests, and nutritional deficiencies affecting over 80 major crops.
The system has processed millions of diagnostics worldwide and keeps improving through real-time feedback loops. Its models are tailored to local conditions and updated every two months with new data from experimental sites and new partners.
DeepLeaf also provides drones for crop monitoring and a mobile app for instant detection. It has developed an application programming interface (API) for agritech platforms seeking to integrate crop diagnostics into their services.
Aboulmanadel El Mahdi graduated in computer engineering from the Polytechnic School of Agadir in 2023. That same year, he won first place in the PitchAgriHack competition. In April 2025, he also took the top prize at the GITEX Africa innovation contest.