From Tuesday, May 5 to Thursday, May 7, GISEC GLOBAL will bring together governments, businesses, experts and startups at Dubai Expo City. Conferences, workshops and demonstrations will focus on AI in security, protection of critical infrastructure, and resilience to cyberattacks, with an emphasis on knowledge sharing and international networking.
From May 19 to 21, AI Everything Kenya and GITEX Kenya will bring together policymakers, startups, investors and digital experts in Nairobi. Conferences, workshops, exhibitions, pitch sessions and investment forums will focus on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, fintech, agritech, and digital health and education, aiming to foster collaboration and support tangible projects across East Africa’s digital economy.
Qualcomm has unveiled 10 African startups selected from more than 1,200 applicants for the 2026 edition of its Make in Africa mentorship program. They will receive free support, including business coaching and technical guidance on edge AI, the Internet of Things, and Arduino, as well as a grant for each startup and additional funding for the most impactful social project.
- Rafode utilizes mobile money and ICT to digitize lending for rural Kenyans and micro-entrepreneurs.
- The startup links financial services with green energy by financing solar kits and clean cooking tools.
- The company mitigates risk through innovative group-lending models and mutual borrower guarantees.
A Kenyan startup developed the Rafode solution to serve marginalized communities. The company operates as a non-banking microfinance institution. Rafode primarily targets rural populations and micro-entrepreneurs who remain outside the traditional banking system. Furthermore, the firm uses information and communication technology (ICT) to digitize its operations and scale its services. CEO Antony Mayodi leads the Kisumu-based enterprise and oversees its strategic growth.
Rafode offers a diverse range of financial products to meet local needs. These products include individual loans, group loans, asset financing, and education credits. The solution distinguishes itself through its specific integration of renewable energy products. Specifically, the startup facilitates access to solar kits and clean cooking equipment for rural households. These families often lack a reliable connection to the national power grid.
The company relies on innovative financing mechanisms to ensure sustainability. Beneficiaries utilize group loans where members provide mutual guarantees for one another. This community-based approach reduces the risk of default. Additionally, Rafode uses mobile money platforms to distribute funds and collect repayments. This digital approach enhances transaction efficiency and provides clear financial traceability for all parties.
The platform aims for a broad social impact beyond simple credit access. Rafode supports small businesses, local agriculture, and rural energy access simultaneously. Ultimately, Rafode represents a growing trend of hybrid fintech solutions across the African continent. These companies combine financial inclusion with energy transition and local development goals. This successful approach offers a potential model for other African markets facing similar economic challenges.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
- Refiant optimizes existing AI models to significantly reduce operational costs and energy consumption.
- The startup provides edge and cloud-based AI products designed for critical industrial applications.
- CEO Viroshan Naicker leverages his mathematical background to improve computational performance for global hyperscalers.
Viroshan Naicker serves as the co-founder and chief executive officer of Refiant. The South African entrepreneur specializes in energy-efficient and high-speed artificial intelligence solutions. His startup also prioritizes data privacy for all users. Consequently, these core values define the company's position in the competitive global technology market.
Naicker founded Refiant in 2025 with a primary focus on optimization. The startup improves existing AI models to make them lighter and more powerful. This process reduces operational costs for businesses. It also expands available computing capacity for complex tasks. Specifically, the technology manages large volumes of text and extended contexts with high efficiency.
The company offers a suite of AI products through flexible delivery methods to ensure maximum utility. Clients run these tools either at the "edge" on their own equipment or within the cloud. Refiant designs its products for easy deployment and simple configuration. Furthermore, the company provides an application programming interface (API) for seamless integration. This allows clients to connect Refiant’s tools to their existing legacy systems without friction.
Refiant targets critical use cases within industrial and professional environments where reliability is paramount. These sectors require high speed, data confidentiality, and energy efficiency. The startup actively pursues partnerships with major digital hyperscalers. It also markets its services to large corporations and public institutions. Interested parties may request dedicated demonstrations to evaluate the technology’s impact on their specific operations.
Viroshan Naicker earned a doctorate in mathematics from the University of Johannesburg in 2015. He worked as a lecturer at Rhodes University in South Africa from 2011 to 2017. Later, he served as a product director at the solar-focused insurance platform Aphelian between 2024 and 2025. These academic and professional experiences provide the mathematical and industrial foundation for his current leadership at Refiant.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Agreement sets technical support framework through 2035
- Plan includes tech hubs, AI training, support for local solutions
Guinea's Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy signed an agreement with the United Nations Development Programme on Wednesday to advance digital innovation and artificial intelligence in the country.
The document was signed by Minister Mourana Soumah and UNDP Resident Representative Anthony Ohemeng-Boamah. It establishes a technical support framework to guide the country's digital transformation through 2035.
The agreement includes support mechanisms for the technology sector, focusing on developing technology hubs and the rollout of AI training programs across the country.
The new cooperation framework builds on earlier joint efforts. In May, the Higher Institute of Technology in Mamou launched UniPod Guinea, the country's first university-based technology innovation hub, supported by the UNDP's pan-African Timbuktoo program. The center serves as a prototyping and incubation space for student and entrepreneurial projects in areas such as agritech, green technologies and applied artificial intelligence.
Through the agreement, Guinean authorities and the UNDP aim to better coordinate initiatives in research, training and digital entrepreneurship. The goal is to support the development of locally developed technology solutions capable of addressing economic and social needs, while integrating emerging technologies into public policy.
Samira Njoya
- Ubiquity AI uses artificial intelligence to anticipate repayment risks and reduce loan defaults.
- The company positions its model upstream to limit losses and avoid excluding vulnerable borrowers.
- Its conversational agent SimONE combines behavioral science and AI to improve repayment outcomes.
Kaveer Beharee operates as a South African entrepreneur and leads Ubiquity AI as co-founder and chief executive officer. The company develops fintech solutions that support financially vulnerable individuals and the institutions that serve them.
Ubiquity AI launched operations in 2024 and set a mission to promote financial inclusion by helping struggling clients remain within the credit system rather than facing exclusion. The company differentiates its approach from traditional debt collection firms by intervening early, before missed payments escalate into critical defaults.
This model allows lenders to reduce losses, lower recovery costs, and limit provisions for non-performing loans.
SimONE serves as the core product of Ubiquity AI and operates as a conversational agent designed with behavioral science principles. The tool identifies at-risk clients, supports them in preventing or managing payment delays, and delivers solutions that outperform internal teams or external collection agencies in cost efficiency.
Ubiquity AI collaborates with banks, credit providers, and other financial institutions to improve collection performance and prevent over-indebtedness. The company works in partnership with ResolvSA, an outsourced services provider, to deliver a seamless customer experience that combines human expertise with technology.
Kaveer Beharee graduated from the University of Johannesburg with a bachelor’s degree in economics in 2001. He held the position of strategy director at Draftfcb, an international advertising network, from 2006 to 2008. He also served on the provincial committee of the Black Management Forum from 2012 to 2014, where he contributed to strengthening management and leadership capabilities among members.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Rwanda signed a strategic agreement with Ansys to integrate simulation tools into higher education.
- Universities will gain access to advanced software, licenses, and industry-linked training programs.
- The initiative aligns with a global simulation software market projected to exceed $36 billion by 2030.
The Ministry of ICT and Innovation of Rwanda announced on Tuesday, April 14, in Kigali that it signed a memorandum of understanding with Ansys, a U.S.-based firm specializing in digital simulation. The partnership aims to integrate advanced engineering simulation tools into the curricula of universities and polytechnic schools across the country.
Minister of State @yves_Iradukunda welcomed a delegation from @ANSYS led by Mr. Lou Major, Managing Director for Africa, for the signing of an MoU between MINICT and Ansys. The agreement establishes a single framework through which universities and polytechnics can be onboarded… pic.twitter.com/is1CiD2GEZ
— Ministry of ICT and Innovation | Rwanda (@RwandaICT) April 14, 2026
The agreement, which Minister of State Yves Iradukunda and Lou Major signed, establishes a centralized framework to connect Rwandan universities and polytechnic institutions to Ansys platforms.
Institutions will access advanced simulation software and associated licenses, while the initiative aims to accelerate the adoption of these technologies across the education system.
The agreement also includes training programs, conferences, demonstrations, and industry engagement sessions. These initiatives aim to expose students and faculty to real-world applications of simulation and strengthen alignment between academic training and labor market needs.
This project forms part of Rwanda’s broader strategy to strengthen alignment between university curricula and industry requirements, particularly in engineering and technology sectors. The government seeks to improve practical skills development suited to an increasingly digital economy by embedding simulation tools into academic programs.
Ansys solutions already support industrial groups across sectors such as aerospace, automotive, and energy by simulating product behavior before manufacturing. These tools help companies reduce development costs and accelerate innovation cycles.
Their introduction into Rwanda’s higher education system aims to familiarize students with widely adopted industry technologies amid rising demand for advanced engineering skills.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Ivory Coast partners with University of Montpellier to train space engineers and develop its first satellite.
- The initiative supports the rollout of the national space agency and existing satellite projects.
- African countries plan more than 100 additional satellite launches by 2030, reflecting rapid sector growth.
Ivory Coast seeks to leverage the expertise of University of Montpellier in France to train its first cohort of space specialists. The collaboration will also cover the development of the country’s first national satellite.
Authorities discussed this cooperation on Wednesday, April 15, during a meeting between Adama Diawara, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and a delegation from the Space Center of the University of Montpellier led by its director Laurent Dusseau.
This meeting marked an initial step in launching the activities of the Ivorian Space Agency (ASCI), which authorities established to structure the sector.
According to the Ivorian government, Dusseau emphasized that the University of Montpellier provides infrastructure capable of training technicians and engineers by combining theoretical knowledge with practical skills.
He stated: “We deliver this training through a specialized master’s program designed for engineers who already hold degrees in various fields and who complete an अत्य intensive one-year course to acquire space expertise that enables them to access highly specialized roles such as IT engineer or systems engineer.”
This initiative forms part of broader efforts to develop the space sector in Ivory Coast. In May 2023, the country announced a partnership with Universal Konstructors Associated (UKA) to build Yam-Sat CI 01, the first national satellite, with a launch initially scheduled for August 2024.
Earlier, authorities announced plans in 2021 to establish a national space agency, and they formalized the creation of the agency by decree in June 2025. The agency oversees capacity building and infrastructure development in the space sector.
The Council of Ministers outlined the agency’s scope in its June 4, 2025 report and confirmed that its activities cover key pillars of the space sector. “Its scope of activity covers essential pillars of space applications, namely Earth observation, space weather, astronomy, space exploration, as well as satellite navigation and communication,” the report stated.
The government added that these capabilities will address economic development challenges, strengthen national security, and support environmental protection.
Ivory Coast’s efforts align with a broader continental trend. A report by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies published in September 2025 indicated that African states allocate approximately $500 million annually to space programs.
The study reported that more than 21 African countries have established space programs, while 18 have launched at least one satellite. African nations have launched a cumulative total of 65 satellites and plan to deploy more than 120 additional satellites by 2030.
This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
Visa’s Africa Fintech Accelerator has passed the milestone of 100 startups supported, as it launches its sixth cohort. Since its inception, the program has backed 104 companies across 28 markets, with a combined valuation of $1.4 billion. Applications for the new cohort are open until Sunday, May 17, as the program seeks to help a new wave of founders scale financial solutions across the continent.
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The online school Koa Academy is launching a free entrepreneurship challenge for South Africans aged 9 to 16. Over five weeks, participants will learn how to develop an idea, set prices, identify their target market, and pitch their ideas to professionals. The hands-on program aims to build confidence, business skills, and initiative from an early age.
The Morocco Gaming Expo will take place from Wednesday, May 20, to Sunday, May 24, 2026, at the Sofitel Jardin des Roses in Rabat. In its third edition, the event is positioning itself as the leading gathering for video games, e-sports, and immersive technologies in Morocco. It will bring together enthusiasts, studios, publishers, and public sector stakeholders, featuring demonstrations, competitions, and networking opportunities.
- Uganda to launch first national internet exchange point (NIPX)
- Platform to keep domestic traffic local, reducing costs and latency
- Initiative aims to boost ICT growth, investment, digital services
Uganda’s National Information Technology Authority (NITA-U), in collaboration with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, on Monday announced the upcoming deployment of the National IP Peering Exchange (NIPX), the country’s first Internet exchange point.
The platform is expected to streamline the routing of domestic digital traffic and improve the efficiency of Uganda’s Internet ecosystem.
@NITAUganda1 in collaboration with @MoICT_Ug have officially announced the launch of the National IP Peering Exchange (NIPX) scheduled to take place this Friday, 17th April, at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
— NITA-Uganda (@NITAUganda1) April 15, 2026
As Uganda’s first neutral and open Internet Exchange Point (IXP), the NIPX… pic.twitter.com/aLH7YgzImJ
Speaking to reporters, Minister of State for National Guidance Kabbyanga Godfrey Baluku said the NIPX would position Uganda as a competitive ICT hub in East Africa and beyond. He added that the infrastructure is expected to attract investment, support innovation, and boost the development of local digital content and services, while creating new economic opportunities for youth and entrepreneurs.
Scheduled for official launch on Friday, April 17, the NIPX will function as a national interconnection hub, allowing internet service providers, content platforms, public networks, and private operators to exchange traffic locally.
Until now, much of Uganda’s domestic Internet traffic was routed through infrastructure abroad before returning to the country, increasing costs and latency. The new system aims to keep this traffic within national borders, reducing costs and improving network performance.
The project falls under the Uganda Vision 2040 framework, which prioritizes digital transformation, science, and innovation as key drivers of economic growth.
It also underscores the government’s push to strengthen digital sovereignty, modernize the ICT sector, and enhance the country’s appeal to digital economy investors.
Authorities say the NIPX is expected to lower international connectivity costs, improve service speed and quality, and strengthen the resilience of the national network against external disruptions. For users, this should translate into smoother online experiences, particularly in communications, e-government services, and education.
Samira Njoya
- Mauritania, IsDB negotiate $50 million digital transformation financing
- Program targets infrastructure, cybersecurity, skills, system modernization
- Country seeks growth despite low digital, cybersecurity rankings
Mauritanian authorities are negotiating a $50 million financing deal with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) to support the country’s digital transformation. The two parties signed a principle agreement on Tuesday, April 14.
The program covers four areas: digital infrastructure and equipment, cybersecurity, interoperability and system modernization, and the development of digital skills, connectivity, and innovation.
In January 2025, the government launched the Digital-Y project, backed by €4 million and implemented with German development cooperation. It aims to integrate digital tools into public administration to modernize services, improve transparency, and support economic and social development.
Mauritania is also working with the World Bank and the European Union. The EU is supporting several initiatives, including the construction of a data center in Nouakchott and the country’s connection to a new submarine fiber optic cable. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing €25 million ($29.4 million) for the project, while the World Bank is contributing $10 million.
The initiative is part of the government’s strategy to make digital technology and innovation key drivers of administrative modernization, social inclusion and competitiveness. Under its 2022–2025 plan, Mauritania targets digital sector value added of $700 million by 2025, or 8% of GDP, up from $350 million and 4.5% in 2020. It also aims to create 15,000 direct and indirect jobs, compared with 5,000 in 2020.
Mauritania currently ranks 165th out of 193 countries on the United Nations’ 2024 E-Government Development Index, with a score of 0.3491, below both the African average (0.4247) and the global average (0.6382), highlighting persistent gaps in public service digitalization.
In cybersecurity, the country is placed in the fourth (second-lowest) tier of the International Telecommunication Union’s 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index, with weaknesses in organizational, technical, capacity-building and cooperation areas.
Isaac K. Kassouwi