-
Shema Steve develops a community-based fintech modelto expand access to savings and credit.
-
His company Exuus offers the “Save” platform, targeting users excluded from traditional banking.
-
The solution combines group savings, instant loans and alternative credit scoringto drive financial inclusion.
Shema Steve, a Rwandan technology entrepreneur, has positioned himself as a key player in digital financial services. He founded and leads Exuus, a company specializing in fintech solutions and software development.
Founded in 2014, Exuus developed Save, a digital platform designed for underserved populations. The application allows users to save money, access credit and manage daily financial transactions within savings groups. The platform relies on trust-based networks, including families, neighbors and colleagues. This structure provides a more reliable alternative to informal financial practices.
The use of Save requires users to form savings groups. Members define shared financial goals, contribute regularly and support each other. Trained agents can assist these groups. Each user can join multiple groups simultaneously. The system aggregates all commitments to assess loan eligibility and build a credit profile.
The platform allows users to request loans directly through the application. The system provides near-instant approval and disbursement. Loans can originate from the group, personal networks or financial partners. User behavior, including savings discipline, repayment punctuality and penalty management, feeds into individual and group credit scores. This model creates an alternative to traditional credit assessment systems.
In addition to savings and credit, Save enables users to transfer money and pay bills. The platform supports payments for utilities and subscription services. It also allows users to create virtual cards for secure online purchases. The service remains accessible via a mobile application or through a USSD code (*777#). This feature ensures access for users without smartphones or internet connectivity.
Shema Stevegraduated from the National University of Rwandain 2014 with a degree in environmental management. He served on the advisory board of Khalifa University in the United Arab Emirates between 2020 and 2022.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
Legal services platform Sidebrief is launching Signal, a quarterly event series organized with Diligence Africa and Impact Hub Lagos. The inaugural edition is scheduled for March 27, 2026, in Lagos and will feature 20 speakers across five panel discussions. It aims to bring together founders, investors, regulators and support organizations to address governance, funding and growth challenges.
On April 29, the Africa Blockchain, DeFi and Web3 Summit 2026 is scheduled to take place in Lagos, bringing together founders, investors, public officials and companies to discuss digital asset use cases.
The event will be held at the Lagos Oriental Hotel and will include keynote speeches, panel discussions, demonstrations and networking sessions. Registration and sponsorship details are available on the summit’s website.
From March 16 to 27, the city of Gitega is hosting the second coding camp of the African Girls Can Code Initiative at the Rusi training center. Implemented by UN Women Burundi with support from the Kingdom of Belgium, the program aims to strengthen the digital skills of young Burundian women and prepare them for careers in technology.
-
The Democratic Republic of Congo launched a National Network of Data Protection Officers (DPOs) on March 12 in Kinshasa to standardize personal data management practices.
-
The initiative supports implementation of Ordinance-Law No. 23/010 (Digital Code) adopted three years ago to regulate personal data processing.
-
Authorities view stronger data governance and cybersecurity frameworks as tools to attract investment in the digital economy.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has accelerated the rollout of its national data governance framework as digital services expand across the country. The Ministry of Digital Economy officially launched the National Network of Data Protection Officers (DPOs) on March 12 in Kinshasa. Authorities said the initiative aims to standardize personal data management practices and support compliance across public and private sectors.
The network brings together specialists responsible for ensuring that organizations respect data protection standards and regulations. The initiative follows the adoption of Ordinance-Law No. 23/010, which established the Digital Code three years ago.
The legislation introduced principles governing the lawful, transparent, and secure processing of personal data. Within this framework, Data Protection Officers play a central role. DPOs monitor compliance with legal and technical standards inside organizations and safeguard the fundamental rights of citizens whose personal data institutions process.
Protection des données : Augustin Kibassa Maliba lance le Réseau des Data Protection Officershttps://t.co/UY0SMMekDR
— Ministère de l'Économie Numérique - RDC (@econonumerique) March 13, 2026
The program received support from RUDI International and Droit-Numérique.cd, two organizations involved in promoting digital governance and cybersecurity practices in the country.
Minister of Digital Economy Augustin Kibassa Maliba said authorities consider the creation of the network a preparatory step toward establishing a National Data Protection Authority. He said the government aims to structure a pool of qualified experts before launching the future regulatory body responsible for overseeing data protection in the country.
Beyond regulatory considerations, Kinshasa views stronger data security frameworks as an economic priority. Authorities believe that robust data governance increases confidence among international partners and encourages investment in high-value digital and technology services.
The initiative also aligns with the country’s commitments under the Malabo Convention. By professionalizing the DPO function, the Democratic Republic of Congo seeks to align its regulatory practices with cybersecurity and data protection standards promoted by the African Union.
Authorities consider data a strategic resource and aim to transform it into a secure engine of economic growth. At the same time, policymakers want to strengthen protections against rising risks linked to cybercrime and the illicit exploitation of personal information.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
-
Rwanda launched Innovate Rwanda, a national digital platform designed to centralize the country’s innovation ecosystem.
-
The platform connects startups, investors, incubators and institutionsto improve access to funding and partnerships.
Rwanda is centralizing its technology ecosystem as the government seeks to streamline fragmented support initiatives for startups.
The government officially launched Innovate Rwanda on March 12. Authorities designed the national digital platform to centralize the country’s innovation ecosystem and connect startups, investors, incubators and public institutions.
The initiative aims to strengthen coordination in a technology sector that has become a pillar of Rwanda’s growth strategy in East Africa. The Ministry of ICT and Innovation Rwandadeveloped the platform as a single digital gateway to funding programs and support mechanisms.
Paula Ingabire, Rwanda’s minister of ICT and Innovation, outlined the government’s objective during the launch.
“We want to create an environment where innovators can easily access the resources, funding and partners needed to transform their ideas into concrete solutions,” she said.
A growing startup ecosystem
The launch of Innovate Rwanda comes as the country’s technology ecosystem continues to expand. Rwanda now hosts more than 76 active startups, according to estimates from ecosystem stakeholders and innovation tracking platforms in East Africa. The country also hosts several incubators and technology hubs supported through public and private partnerships.
According to the Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2025published by StartupBlink, Rwanda ranks 96th globally, gaining two places compared with the previous year.
Within East Africa, Rwanda holds third place, positioning itself as a strategic innovation hub behind Uganda and ahead of Somalia.
Innovate Rwanda provides investors with greater visibility into local startups by offering verified company profiles and performance indicators.
The platform centralizes data that was previously scattered across different institutions and programs. As a result, it aims to streamline due diligence processes and strengthen investor confidence in Rwanda’s startup pipeline.
Addressing coordination challenges
Beyond improving visibility, the platform addresses a structural challenge within the ecosystem: limited coordination among innovation support programs.
Officials at the ministry said that the centralized system should reduce duplication among incubators, identify gaps in the market and direct funding more efficiently toward high-potential projects.
By improving coordination and transparency, the government expects the platform to accelerate innovation development and strengthen Rwanda’s position as a regional technology hub.
Samira Njoya
-
Moroccan fintech Mynk enables users to send and receive money instantly using only a phone number.
-
Entrepreneur Driss Zizi launched the mobile payment solution in 2021 to support digital payment adoption in Morocco.
-
The platform uses an e-wallet funded by bank cards, with free instant transfers between users.
A Moroccan startup developed Mynk to allow users to send and receive money instantly without entering bank details such as an IBAN or account number. Entrepreneur Driss Zizi launched the solution in 2021 as part of a broader push to modernize digital payments in the country.
The application allows users to transfer money using a simple phone number. The process resembles an instant messaging experience because the user selects a contact from a phone directory, enters the amount and confirms the transaction.
The developers designed the application primarily for students and young professionals. The platform simplifies everyday financial transactions such as splitting expenses, paying for services, transferring money among friends, purchasing mobile airtime, paying bills and buying gift cards or online services.
The company built the platform around an electronic wallet that users fund through a bank card. The system allows users to transfer funds instantly and free of charge between Mynk accounts. However, the platform charges a commission when users send funds to a traditional bank account.
At the regulatory and security level, the fintech relies on partnerships with local banking institutions and on infrastructure that complies with Moroccan financial regulatory requirements.
The company described its security approach on its LinkedIn page.
“Mynk is in partnership with a Moroccan bank and offers the highest standards in terms of security.”It positions itself within a broader transformation of Morocco’s fintech ecosystem.
The startup simplifies digital transactions and improves accessibility to financial services. As a result, the platform supports faster adoption of mobile payments and promotes financial inclusion, particularly among younger urban populations.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
-
Beninese entrepreneur Rachid Ali Osinachi founded Steamy Academy, an edtech company that teaches science and digital skills to children.
-
The startup has trained more than 10,000 learners and sold over 500 learning kits.
-
Steamy plans to expand to Togo, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Niger by 2028.
Rachid Ali Osinachi works as an industrial product designer and entrepreneur from Benin. He serves as chief executive officer of Steamy Academy, an education technology company that he founded with Térakh Sourokou, Gildas Chabi Chadrac and Maryam Ali Gadzama.
The company develops a comprehensive learning ecosystem that introduces children to science and digital technologies.
Osinachi launched the STEAMY project in 2016 when he began developing his first electronic board prototypes designed for teaching STEAM subjects—science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. At the same time, he organized training sessions and observed a strong demand for accessible and practical educational tools adapted to local realities. He described the problem in an interview with We Are Tech Africa.
“If you attended middle or high school here, you probably encountered physics or technology laboratories that were poorly equipped or not equipped at all, computer rooms without computers, or even the total absence of dedicated rooms due to the lack of budget to install such often very costly infrastructure.”
Steamy offers a progressive and hands-on learning pathway. Through Steamy Learn, the company’s e-learning platform, children gradually discover the fundamentals of science, electronics, robotics and digital technologies.
At the same time, STEAMY kits allow children as young as six to build, manipulate and test their own creations. The kits turn theoretical concepts into practical experiments. In addition, Steamy Events expands the learning ecosystem. Workshops, competitions and events encourage children to collaborate, develop creativity and tackle real-world challenges.
Steamy Academy emerged in 2025 from the Tech It All incubator, which Osinachi founded in 2020. The startup joined the second cohort of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowshipin the same year. The company has already trained more than 10,000 learners and sold more than 500 educational kits. Steamy now plans to expand its activities to Togo, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Niger by 2028.
Alongside this venture, Osinachi co-founded Adiyeabain 2017, an agricultural technology startup specializing in smart and connected control systems. He served as chief technology officer at the company until 2020.
Osinachi graduated from École de design Nantes Atlantique, where he earned a master’s degree in digital design in 2025. Earlier in his career, he worked as project manager at WoeLab, a social and technological innovation lab based in Togo, between 2017 and 2019.
At the same time, he worked as a consultant at Blolab Bénin, a digital fabrication workshop, and as a 3D designer at Agence DYS, a digital marketing agency, between 2018 and 2020.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
-
Ghanaian entrepreneur Kelvin Nyameco-founded MeQasa, an online platform connecting property seekers with landlords and real estate professionals.
-
The company has become a major digital marketplace for real estate listings in Ghana since its launch in 2013.
-
The platform provides thousands of property listings and market insights, improving transparency in the housing search process.
Ghanaian entrepreneur Kelvin Nyame serves as co-founder and chief executive officer of MeQasa, an online platform that connects people searching for housing or property with landlords and real estate professionals.
Nyame and co-founder Rashad Seinilaunched MeQasa in 2013. Since then, the platform has established itself as a key player in Ghana’s real estate market.
The company lists thousands of properties available for rent or sale, including residential homes, office spaces and land. The platform operates in major Ghanaian cities such as Accraand Tema, and it now serves as a starting point for many property searches in the country.
MeQasa helps individuals and companies identify properties that match their needs and budgets. Users browse a large selection of listings, compare offers and gain a clearer view of the market without making repeated in-person visits.
The startup works closely with landlords, brokers and real estate agencies to publish detailed property listings that it updates regularly.
The platform facilitates connections and communication between buyers, prospective tenants and sellers. In addition, MeQasa provides offline support and market guidance to help individuals navigate Ghana’s real estate sector.
Kelvin Nyame graduated from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technologyin Kumasi, Ghana. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and statistics in 2010, studying probability, economics and abstract mathematics.
Between 2011 and 2013, Nyame trained as an entrepreneur at the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technologyin Ghana.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Zimbabwe launched a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy for 2026–2030to support socio-economic development.
- The strategy focuses on talent development, infrastructure sovereignty, AI adoption and ethical governance.
- Zimbabwe ranks 149th out of 193 countries in the UN 2024 E-Government Development Index, highlighting major digital gaps.
The Zimbabwean government launched its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy for 2026–2030on Friday, March 13. The roadmap outlines how Zimbabwe intends to deploy AI to support socio-economic development over the next five years.
President Emmerson Mnangagwaemphasized the government’s commitment to responsible technology use.
“We commit to ensuring that the use of artificial intelligence remains human-centred, transparent and free from bias. The protection of our national interests as well as the dignity of all Zimbabweans remain at the heart of the legal frameworks we are putting in place,” Mnangagwa said in his speech.
The strategy rests on four pillars: talent and capacity development, infrastructure sovereignty, AI adoption and ethical governance.
Authorities plan to integrate AI into strategic sectors such as agriculture, mining, healthcare and education. The government expects these applications to improve productivity, efficiency and service quality.
In addition, the roadmap introduces incentives for companies and innovators that adopt AI technologies. Policymakers aim to stimulate a dynamic digital economy and encourage local technological development.
The strategy also emphasizes the design of ethical and human-centred AI systems that respect fundamental rights while supporting inclusive growth.
The AI roadmap forms part of Zimbabwe’s broader digital transformation ambitions.
Through the Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan, the government plans to integrate information and communication technologies across society and throughout the economy in order to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development.
The plan cites a study by the International Telecommunication Unionshowing that a 10% increase in a country’s digitalization score raises GDP per capita by about 0.75%.
However, Zimbabwe still faces significant digital development challenges. The country ranked 149th out of 193 countriesin the 2024 E-Government Development Indexpublished by the United Nations, with a score of 0.4481 out of 1, below the global average of 0.6382.
Challenges to address
Like any emerging technology, artificial intelligence carries risks.
President Mnangagwa urged policymakers to strengthen legislation and regulatory frameworks to protect children and citizens in digital spaces as AI technologies expand.
The UNESCO, which helped design the strategy, also assessed Zimbabwe’s readiness for artificial intelligence. In a report published in July 2025, the organization said the strategy should include measures to address the main risks associated with AI.
These risks include foreign technological dominance, loss of human autonomy, and constraints related to financing, technical infrastructure and research capacity. The report noted that the emigration of highly qualified professionals further compounds these challenges.
The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairsalso highlighted AI’s potential to support socio-economic development in its E-Government Survey 2024report. However, the department warned about risks such as biased datasets that may misrepresent certain groups, along with broader ethical, security and social concerns.
The agency also identified the persistent digital divide as a major obstacle to AI deployment in the public sector, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
In Zimbabwe, 58.4% of the population did not use the Internet in 2024, according to data from the International Telecommunication Union. Limited telecom network coverage, the high cost or scarcity of compatible devices such as computers and smartphones, and low levels of digital skills help explain the gap.
This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
More...
Persistent, an African venture capital firm, is launching a $70 million fund dedicated to early-stage climate tech startups in Africa. The fund targets companies from pre-seed to Series A and includes $5 million set aside for operational support. It aims to accelerate startups in the energy, agriculture and resource management sectors across the continent.
On Wednesday, June 10, Bluechip Technologies will host its third Bluechip Data and Artificial Intelligence Summit. The event will bring together executives, innovators and experts to examine how data and AI are reshaping business and society. The program includes 12 focused workshops, real-world case studies, live demonstrations and networking opportunities.
Kinshasa is hosting the eighth regional workshop on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) from March 16 to 20. The event is co-organized by the Regulatory Authority for Posts and Telecommunications of the Congo and brings together authorities, operators and partners to discuss awareness, collection, recycling and the development of a circular economy for a more sustainable digital future.
- Université de la Formation Continue (UFC) in Algeria created a commission to steer its transition toward the “University 4.0” digital education model.
- The institution has already trained more than 800 teachers in digital technologiesand developed 683 online courses.
- Algeria counted 1.53 million students in the 2024–2025 academic year, highlighting the need to modernize higher education.
Public distance-learning institution Université de la Formation Continue (UFC)has established a commission tasked with guiding its transition toward the so-called fourth-generation university model, or “University 4.0.”
According to Algérie Presse Service, which reported the development on March 12, the initiative reflects the Algerian higher-education sector’s effort to adapt to global technological changes and strengthen the university’s role in innovation.
The institution said the move represents “a step toward building a smart and innovative university capable of addressing future challenges and contributing effectively to national development and the knowledge economy.”
The new commission builds on a digital foundation that the university has already developed. During the National Digital Education Week in September 2025, UFC Rector Yahia Djaafri said the institution had trained more than 800 teachers in information and communication technologies. He added that the university had completed 683 online courses, including 120 in English, and had deployed 68 digital platforms dedicated to students.
The creation of the commission now provides an institutional framework to expand these initiatives. The initiative also forms part of a wider effort to modernize Algeria’s higher education system.
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research reported 1,530,230 students enrolled during the 2024–2025 academic year, including 938,673 women, representing 63% of the total. These figures illustrate both the expansion of the system and the urgency of updating academic content and training methods.
Meanwhile, Algeria has improved its visibility in international university rankings. The QS Arab Region University Rankingslisted 46 Algerian institutions in its 2026 edition, compared with 17 in 2025 and 14 in 2024.
This growth places Algeria first in the Maghreb and the Arab worldby number of ranked universities. However, policymakers still face a central challenge: translating this academic momentum into stronger graduate employability, a key objective of the University 4.0 model.
This article was initially published in French by Félicien Houindo Lokossou
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum