April 28-30, 2026, the Landmark Centre on Victoria Island in Lagos will host IoT West Africa, co-located with Data Center & Cloud Expo Africa. The event will bring together industry leaders, financial institutions, public officials and e-commerce companies to present the latest developments in IoT, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data centers and digital energy. Organizers say the aim is to support digital transformation and strengthen the competitiveness of African businesses.
Adlore Business Enterprise has launched a pilot of its Jollof Boss platform, enabling small businesses to manage product catalogues, orders and payments directly within WhatsApp. By integrating Paystack, the platform allows customers to select food items through an interactive menu and receive a payment link, while merchants are automatically notified once the payment is completed. The service is currently being tested in Benin City and Lagos and aims to remove friction between messaging and payments.
Yazi, a South African AI-driven research platform built on WhatsApp, has raised its first institutional funding round led by 3 Capital Ventures at a pre-money valuation of about $1.6 million. The capital will be used to launch automated voice interviews on WhatsApp, expand its African respondent panel, and support expansion into the UK and Europe, where demand is growing.
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Kenya launched an automated traffic management system that detects violations and sends fines to drivers via SMS.
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Authorities introduced the system to improve transparency, reduce corruption risks and curb rising road accidents.
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Motorists groups raised concerns about appeals procedures, oversight and delays in issuing vehicle license plates.
Kenya has taken another step in digitizing road enforcement as authorities deploy automated systems to detect traffic violations and issue instant fines by text message.
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) announced on Monday, March 9 that it had activated an automated road-traffic management system that relies on intelligent cameras to identify violations. The system sends SMS notifications directly to offenders, removing the need for direct human intervention. Authorities said the reform aims to strengthen transparency, improve enforcement efficiency and enhance road safety. The government launched the strategy in 2020 as part of a broader push to reduce road accidents, which increased between 2024 and 2025.
On Tuesday, March 10, the NTSA published a list of 35 traffic violations and the corresponding instant fines. The penalty scale ranges from warnings for minor speeding to fines of 10,000 Kenyan shillings ($77.37) for more serious offenses. Authorities classified serious violations to include speeding, obstructive parking, failure to install mandatory speed limiters on public transport and commercial vehicles, and driving without a valid roadworthiness certificate.
The system also targets other infractions such as running red lights, driving on sidewalks or pedestrian crossings, and failing to wear a seatbelt. Offenders must pay the fine within seven days. Otherwise authorities apply interest and may block access to NTSA services.
A series of technological investments
The automated enforcement system builds on several technological reforms that the Kenyan government introduced since 2020. Kenyan law now provides for smart driver’s licenses embedded with electronic chips. The chip stores driver identification data, fingerprints, photographs, signatures and biometric information.
Authorities introduced second-generation license plates in 2022. Kenyan officials often describe these plates as “digital” or secure plates because they incorporate advanced security features and allow digital traceability of vehicle ownership.
The government added speed cameras and video surveillance to its road-safety strategy in 2024. Authorities deployed the cameras in pilot phases in 2024 and plan to expand the network in 2026 by installing additional units across six major cities. President William Ruto requested the expansion.
In practice, authorities link biometric licenses, secure license plates and camera systems to identify vehicles that commit violations more quickly. The system also connects offenses to specific drivers or owners and creates a digital driving record for administrative use.
Concerns persist
The automated traffic management system with instant fines has already triggered criticism from motorists.
The Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) publicly asked the NTSA to provide urgent clarifications about the system. The group argued that the new system leaves several fundamental questions unanswered. It asked what procedure drivers can follow to contest fines and what safeguards can prevent an automated system from acting simultaneously as investigator, judge and enforcer. The association also asked who certifies and regularly verifies the quality of cameras and detection equipment. It further asked which public account will receive the collected fines and what public consultations preceded the system’s rollout.
The MAK also warned that the credibility of fully digital enforcement depends on the availability of vehicle identification documents. The association said production delays had left more than 70,000 license plates pending since February 2026, raising questions about how authorities used funds already collected from motorists for their manufacture.
“For the MAK, digitizing road control and sanctions is not enough,” the association said. “The entire administrative chain — plates, licenses, traceability and appeals — must function without delay or opacity.”
By placing roads under the watch of intelligent cameras and replacing paper tickets with SMS notifications, Kenya has signaled a clear ambition: reduce traffic violations, limit corruption-prone roadside interactions and modernize road safety.
Authorities hope the system will help reduce accidents, which reached 5,009 cases in 2025 compared with 4,748 in 2024, according to data from the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ).
This article was initially published in French by Muriel EDJO
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Orange Guinea relaunched the 2026 edition of the “Hello Women” program to encourage women to pursue careers in technology and digital sectors.
- The initiative offers training, mentorship, technical site visits and a women-focused hackathon through the Orange Digital Center.
- The program addresses a persistent gender gap in tech as women represent about 30% of researchers in Africa and less than 15% in engineering and technology in some regions.
Orange’s Guinean subsidiary announced the launch of the 2026 edition of its “Hello Women” program, an initiative that aims to encourage young girls and women to pursue careers in science, technology and digital industries.
Orange presented the program on Monday, March 9 and said it aims to strengthen Guinean women’s access to digital skills while supporting their entry into a sector that men still largely dominate.
The program includes several activities designed to introduce participants to technology careers and practical skills. Organizers will run awareness sessions on technology professions, facilitate meetings with female professionals in the sector and organize visits to the company’s technical sites.
Participants will also attend short training courses at the Orange Digital Center. The courses will cover topics such as software development, cloud computing, cybersecurity and data analysis.
The initiative will also host a women-focused hackathon to stimulate innovation and encourage participants to develop technological solutions that address local challenges.
Orange Guinea said the program will support women at multiple stages of their professional journey. Ousmane Boly Traoré, chief executive officer of Orange Guinea, said the initiative aims to guide women whether they want to discover digital professions, shift into technical careers or gain their first professional experience.
The company said it wants to expand women’s participation in scientific and technological sectors where female representation remains limited.
The initiative comes at a time when women still play a limited role in the digital sector across Africa. According to UNESCO, women account for about 30% of scientific researchers in Africa, but their presence in information technology fields remains significantly lower.
In parts of West and Central Africa, women represent less than 15% of researchers in engineering and technology, a gap that limits their participation in the digital economy. Technology companies and telecom operators have launched multiple initiatives to reduce this imbalance. Within the Orange Group, women represent about 25.4% of employees in technical and digital professions.
Orange said it hopes that training and support initiatives such as “Hello Women” will expand the pool of female talent and promote greater diversity in technology careers.
Beyond equality goals, policymakers and companies increasingly view female participation in science and technology as a driver of economic development. Africa’s digital transformation continues to create growing demand for skills in fields such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and data analytics.
The World Bank estimates that sub-Saharan Africa could generate up to 230 million digital-related jobs by 2030 as digital services expand rapidly across the region. This outlook increases the urgency to train more talent, including women, to meet the continent’s growing demand for digital skills.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Congolese entrepreneur Mannick Syllas Bryant developed “Shule System,” a digital platform used in 144 schools across the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- The platform currently serves 56,200 students and 18,262 parents, centralizing school administration and communication.
- Bryant co-founded Find Solution Technology, an IT company established in 2017 to develop digital solutions for institutions.
Congolese entrepreneur Mannick Syllas co-founded and leads Find Solution Technology, an IT company that develops digital solutions for institutions and organizations. The company aims to modernize administrative processes and improve communication within schools through digital tools.
Find Solution Technology launched operations in 2017. The company gained recognition through its flagship product “Shule System.” Shule System operates as a digital platform designed to help schools organize administrative activities and strengthen communication with parents. The platform centralizes school management processes within a single system.
Shule System functions as a comprehensive school management software. The platform enables schools to track student progress and manage daily institutional activities such as enrollment, grading, attendance and fee payments. Developers designed the software as a multi-purpose tool that supports administrators, teachers, parents and indirectly students.
The platform offers several operational features.
Schools can register students, track academic records and maintain detailed educational histories through the system. Administrators can monitor absences and lateness while teachers can review attendance records by student or by class. The system also allows institutions to manage grades, tuition payments, libraries and archives. In addition, the platform provides a direct communication channel between schools and parents. Parents can access key information about their children’s academic progress through the system.
The platform already operates in 144 schools across the country and serves 56,200 students and 18,262 parents.
Mannick Syllas Bryant graduated from IGIS-Goma, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science in 2016. Bryant also gained international recognition in 2022 when Forbes included him in its ranking of 30 African francophone personalities under the age of 30.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Cameroonian entrepreneur Fonguong Edrick co-founded Traitz Tech, a startup that helps companies expand their digital presence and strengthen their brands.
- The company has launched products including AsapChop, a food delivery platform, and Zomi, an AI-powered productivity assistant.
- Edrick also works as a mobile engineer at elifesaver, a health-tech platform connecting hospitals with blood donors in Cameroon.
Fonguong Edrick co-founded and leads Traitz Tech, a startup that supports companies in developing their online presence and strengthening their brand identity. The company focuses on designing digital solutions that help organizations expand their operations and execute business projects more effectively.
Traitz Tech launched operations in 2023. The company develops digital products that help businesses improve operational efficiency and accelerate growth. The firm designs tools that match the specific needs of its clients. These tools aim to help companies manage operations more efficiently while expanding their market reach.
Traitz Tech has already introduced several products. One product, “AsapChop,” operates as a fast and reliable food delivery platform. The platform connects users with their preferred local restaurants and enables a streamlined ordering experience.
Traitz Tech has also developed “Zomi,” an artificial intelligence-powered productivity assistant. Zomi helps users organize daily and weekly schedules. The system allows users to remain productive even without a stable internet connection because it offers offline functionality. The company designed the assistant to help individuals stay organized and efficient regardless of connectivity levels.
In parallel with his entrepreneurial work, Fonguong Edrick works as a mobile engineer at elifesaver. Elifesaver operates as a health technology solution designed to address blood shortages in Cameroonian hospitals. The platform connects hospitals with blood donors and simplifies donor recruitment during urgent medical situations.
Fonguong Edrick holds a master’s degree in computer science from the University of Bamenda, which he obtained in 2022. He completed a mobile development internship at the technology company Skye8 in 2023. He also worked as a junior mobile developer at Terminativ, a United Kingdom-based IT outsourcing firm, starting in October 2023.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Mauritania plans to digitize the entire driver’s license application process, including registration, examination and secure digital issuance.
- Authorities reviewed the project during a meeting between Digital Transformation Minister Ahmed Salem Bede and Transport Minister Ely Ould Veirek.
- The initiative forms part of a broader e-government strategy that already includes 800 administrative procedures listed on the national “Khdamati” digital platform.
Mauritanian authorities are now working on the dematerialization of driver’s license procedures. The initiative aims to simplify administrative processes and improve access to services for the population.
The project formed the core of a working meeting on the digitalization of transport services held on Tuesday, March 10.
The meeting brought together Ahmed Salem Bede, minister of digital transformation and administrative modernization, and Ely Ould Veirek, minister of equipment and transport.
During the meeting, the two ministers reviewed a detailed technical demonstration of a new digital system currently under deployment. The system aims to transform the entire process for obtaining a driver’s license.
The platform will digitize every step of the procedure. Applicants will complete registration remotely, take the driving examination through the digital system and receive a secure digital driver’s license once authorities approve the application. Authorities expect the system to reduce human intervention and strengthen the reliability and security of issued documents.
The Ministry of Digital Transformation and Administrative Modernization said the project reflects the government’s broader administrative reform agenda. “This project reflects the guidance of the high authorities regarding the modernization of public administration and the simplification of administrative procedures,” the ministry said in a statement published on social media.
The ministry added: “It places users at the center of an administration that is progressing, for public services that meet citizens’ expectations.”
The initiative follows the launch of a government platform listing 800 administrative procedures to help citizens access public service information. Authorities plan to gradually integrate these procedures into the national digital services platform “Khdamati.”
The platform already offers several services. Users can register students at the University of Nouakchott, access the Digital Road Traffic System (SNTR), register companies, apply for investment code approvals and request criminal record certificates.
Citizens can also apply for vehicle registration certificates and request loss certificates for official documents through the platform.
Authorities have not yet announced a precise timeline for launching the digital driver’s license system. However, questions remain regarding user adoption. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), 2G network coverage reached 97% of Mauritania’s population in 2023. Meanwhile, 3G and 4G networks covered 43.9% and 34.7% of the population respectively in 2022.
DataReportal estimates that Mauritania counted around 2 million internet users by December 2025, representing an internet penetration rate of 37.4%.
Network coverage and service quality represent only part of the adoption challenge. Access to compatible devices also influences the use of digital services. The World Bank estimates that 56.61% of Mauritanians aged over 15 owned a smartphone at the end of 2024.
Other factors may also influence the effective use of dematerialized services, including the population’s level of digital skills and the affordability of internet services.
This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Kenyan startup AgriBORA provides certified storage and digital tools to help farmers manage and sell crops.
- The platform enables farmers to access financing of up to 70% of crop value through digital warehouse receipts.
- The solution aims to reduce post-harvest losses and improve market access for smallholder farmers in East Africa.
Kenyan agritech startup AgriBORA has developed a digital platform designed to improve crop management and commercialization for smallholder farmers.
The solution responds to structural challenges that affect African agriculture. Farmers across the continent face high post-harvest losses, limited access to financing and fragmented markets.
Several startups have begun developing digital tools to modernize agricultural value chains. AgriBORA operates within this broader innovation trend.
The platform relies on a certified storage system that allows farmers, cooperatives and traders to store cereals in secure and controlled warehouses. This system aims to reduce post-harvest losses, which remain a major challenge in many African countries.
Entrepreneur Kizito Odhiambo founded the startup in 2018. “We build a complete ecosystem around farmers, enabling them to access agricultural inputs, financial services and sales markets in a way that makes the process affordable, convenient and reliable for them and their trading partners,” the startup said.
“Our goal is to reduce risks associated with small-scale farming, improve agricultural productivity and facilitate efficient trade.”
The platform integrates a financing mechanism based on digital warehouse receipts. Farmers who deposit crops in partner warehouses receive an electronic receipt. They can then use this receipt as collateral to obtain financing. This mechanism allows farmers to unlock up to 70% of the value of their stored crops while retaining ownership of their production.
The platform also connects farmers with buyers. Producers can access price information through the system and sell crops to verified buyers when market conditions become more favorable.
This model aims to prevent farmers from selling crops immediately after harvest at low prices, a common practice in many rural markets. AgriBORA seeks to build a digital ecosystem that structures grain trade across East Africa. The company integrates digital tools, climate data and financial services to improve farm productivity and resilience.
By combining smart storage, financing and market access, the agritech platform aims to reduce risk for farmers and improve the efficiency of agricultural supply chains across the region.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
- Kenyan entrepreneur Boit Victor founded QuePay in 2024 to automate services through cashless payments.
- The system connects customer payments directly to physical equipment such as vending machines, turnstiles and buses.
- The technology automatically activates a service once the payment is validated, while recording the transaction in real time.
Kenyan embedded systems engineer Boit Victor has developed a technology platform that connects digital payments directly to the delivery of services.
Victor founded QuePay in 2024. The company offers businesses a system that enables them to accept cashless payments and automate service activation.
The platform uses automation to link each payment to the immediate execution of a service without intermediaries or cash transactions.
QuePay provides a smart hardware controller and an online platform that connect a merchant’s equipment to customer payment methods.
Businesses can link the system to vending machines, turnstiles, buses or other service infrastructure.
Once a customer completes a payment, the system automatically triggers the associated action. The equipment can therefore dispense water, open a gate or grant secure access immediately after payment confirmation.
Merchants deploy the system by installing a dedicated controller on their equipment. The controller connects the device to the QuePay platform.
Once connected, the system records transactions in real time, monitors sensors and enables remote management of the equipment. Customers interact directly with the machine equipped with QuePay when they want to access a service. They complete the payment using one of the available payment methods.
After the system validates the payment, the machine automatically performs the requested action. The customer receives instant confirmation on the screen or on a mobile phone, while the platform records the transaction immediately.
Victor also founded Veno Autobotics in 2020. The company specializes in automation and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and develops custom systems designed to automate essential services across Africa.
Through these initiatives, Victor aims to expand the use of connected technologies that integrate payments, devices and service delivery into a single automated system.
Victor earned a degree in electrical and electronic engineering in 2017 from the University of Nairobi. He later completed advanced training in embedded software development and printed circuit board design in 2020, a program organized by the Noble Work Foundation.
Before launching his ventures, Victor gained professional experience in technology and research roles. He joined ZaOFISI Office Supplies as a web developer in 2018. He also collaborated with Firstdata Research Consultants, where he worked as a research supervisor on programming and consulting projects.
Melchior Koba
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- Tanzanian fintech Laina Finance offers installment-based payment plans for consumers and businesses.
- The company provides financing for electronics, insurance premiums and short-term cash loans through flexible repayment schedules.
- Founder Tonny Missokia designed the platform to simplify credit access without requiring a traditional credit history.
Tanzanian entrepreneur Tonny Missokia has developed a financial platform designed to simplify access to credit for consumers and businesses.
Missokia co-founded Laina Finance and currently serves as its director. The company provides financial services that allow individuals and companies to complete purchases through installment payments.
Missokia built the platform to improve financial well-being in Tanzania and to make payment systems more flexible and accessible.
Missokia founded Laina Finance in 2018. The company positions itself as an alternative to traditional payment models. The platform offers flexible payment plans that allow customers to divide purchases into several installments.
The company targets a broad customer base across Tanzania. The platform serves public-sector employees, private-sector workers including SME staff, telecom subscribers and small entrepreneurs.
Laina Finance primarily finances the purchase of electronic devices through installment-based payments. The company also provides financing solutions that allow customers to pay insurance premiums through smaller and more manageable installments.
In addition, the company offers fast cash loans for telecom subscribers, civil servants and private-sector employees. The platform delivers all these services through flexible payment plans that customers can access online within a few clicks during the checkout process.
Customers can choose payment schedules based on their financial capacity. The platform allows users to select weekly, biweekly or monthly repayment options.
The application process operates entirely online through a simplified digital form. The system does not require a traditional credit history and delivers approval decisions almost instantly.
Missokia also co-founded Solocodes in 2022. The company develops technology solutions designed to improve efficiency within the financial sector.
Missokia earned a master’s degree in management and entrepreneurship in 2012 from the Häme University of Applied Sciences. Before launching his fintech ventures, Missokia built experience across several industries. He became chief executive officer of Anthony International in 2013. The company exports Battery Energy Drink from Finland to Tanzania. He later worked as head of sales and business development at Creditinfo Tanzania, a licensed credit reporting agency, between 2017 and 2020.
Melchior Koba
- Gebeya and InterNetX signed a strategic partnership to allow African entrepreneurs to register and manage web domains using local payment methods.
- The partnership integrates InterNetX’s AutoDNS platform into Gebeya’s ecosystem, including Jitume AI and Dala AI.
- The initiative aims to remove barriers linked to international payments and strengthen digital inclusion for African SMEs.
Pan-African digital platform Gebeya and European domain registrar InterNetX, a subsidiary of IONOS Group, signed a strategic partnership to simplify access to domain registration services across Africa.
The companies announced the agreement on March 9. The partnership will allow African entrepreneurs, freelancers and small businesses to register and manage web domains directly through the Gebeya platform while using local payment methods.
This initiative aims to address persistent technical and financial barriers that limit access to online business tools across the continent.
Gebeya’s leadership says the partnership responds to a growing need for accessible digital infrastructure. “Possessing a web domain has become essential for any company or professional seeking to grow in the African digital market,” said Amadou Daffe, Chief Executive Officer of Gebeya.
“This partnership with InterNetX simplifies this crucial step and removes obstacles related to international credit cards and currency restrictions,” he added.
Many African entrepreneurs face difficulties when they attempt to purchase domain services because international payment systems often restrict transactions or require foreign currency cards.
The partnership will integrate InterNetX’s AutoDNS platform into Gebeya’s digital ecosystem. This integration will connect the technology with Gebeya’s solutions, including Jitume AI, its digital talent marketplace, and Dala AI, its digital services studio.
Users will be able to purchase domains, configure SSL certificates and launch websites within minutes through the platform.
The system will support payments in local currencies, which allows entrepreneurs to bypass common constraints associated with cross-border transactions.
The initiative comes at a time when Africa’s digital economy continues to expand rapidly. Data from We Are Social and Meltwater show that Africa counted about 670 million internet users at the beginning of 2025. Start-ups and small businesses across the continent increasingly seek to strengthen their online presence in order to reach customers and scale their operations.
The partnership aims to deliver broader benefits beyond domain acquisition. Simplified access to domain management tools and SSL security certificates will help businesses secure their websites and expand digital commerce. The initiative also supports digital sovereignty and online entrepreneurship in Africa by reducing technical and financial barriers.
By enabling easier access to essential digital infrastructure, the collaboration seeks to accelerate SME growth and deepen digital inclusion across the continent.
Samira Njoya
The TEMS Africa ICT Exhibition and Conference will take place on April 23 and 24, 2026, at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi. The event will bring together technology professionals, businesses, and tech enthusiasts for technology demonstrations, keynote speeches, and networking opportunities. The conference aims to showcase how ICT solutions can drive economic growth and digital transformation across the continent.
Zambian startup Padue is partnering with FasterCapital’s EquityPilot program to support the launch of its on-demand services app. The platform connects users with verified local service providers through geolocation, secure payments and customer support. The partnership will support the public rollout, the onboarding of providers across several cities, and a marketing campaign aimed at attracting 50,000 users in the first year.