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Guinean start-up Fifoow launched its mobile marketplace in February 2026 under founder Oumar Sadjo Barry.
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The platform connects buyers, sellers and recruiters through a centralized mobile application available on iOS and Android.
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The initiative aims to formalize largely informal, social media-driven commercial exchanges in Guinea.
Fifoow operates as an e-commerce solution developed by a young Guinean start-up. The company positions the platform as a mobile marketplace dedicated to classified ads and local opportunities. Founder Oumar Sadjo Barry launched the start-up in February 2026.
The solution offers a mobile application available on iOS and Android. The application allows users to buy, sell or search for various goods and services through a single interface. The platform connects sellers, buyers and recruiters directly within a digital space tailored to the Guinean market.
The platform covers multiple categories of use. Users can post real estate listings, offer vehicles, search for jobs, sell electronic products or promote professional services. Each listing includes photos, a detailed description, the seller’s location and direct contact via phone or messaging, which reduces intermediaries in transactions.
Fifoow follows a mobile-first approach and integrates a search engine with filters that sort offers by price, category, product condition or geographic area. The application also provides store profiles for merchants, real-time notifications and verification mechanisms designed to strengthen trust among users.
Beyond a traditional classified ads site, the platform aims to digitize everyday exchanges in a market where online commerce remains nascent, particularly in Guinea. By consolidating job offers, products, services and economic opportunities within a single platform, Fifoow seeks to create a unified digital entry point for local transactions.
This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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Ghana has finalized and government-approved its National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy, with an official launch expected in the coming weeks by President John Dramani Mahama.
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The strategy rests on four pillars, including data protection and exploitation, digital infrastructure development, skills training through the “One Million Coders” program, and ethical governance.
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The United Nations warns that AI deployment carries risks, including data bias, ethical concerns and digital divides, particularly in lower-income countries.
Ghanaian authorities have finalized the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which the government recently approved. Authorities expect President John Dramani Mahama to officially launch the roadmap in the coming weeks.
Samuel Nartey George, Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, disclosed the information during his address at the National Data Protection Conference 2026 held on Thursday, February 26.
Ghana’s National AI Strategy rests on four key priorities. Authorities aim to harness and protect national data, including African genomic data, as a strategic asset. Authorities also plan to develop robust digital infrastructure and adequate computing power to support innovation and large-scale data processing. In addition, authorities intend to strengthen skills development through initiatives such as the “One Million Coders” program to build a qualified workforce in AI and cybersecurity. Finally, the strategy commits to transparent and ethical governance, supported by concrete use cases that aim to generate tangible value for all citizens.
The roadmap reflects the government’s ambition to position digital technologies as a central driver of national development. Authorities emphasize AI’s transformative potential across multiple sectors. During the launch of the Stakeholder Consultation Forum on the National AI Strategy in May 2025, Samuel Nartey George cited specific applications, including crop health forecasting in agriculture, faster diagnostics in healthcare, personalized learning in education, enhanced transport safety and strengthened surveillance for defense and border security.
The United Nations has endorsed this strategic direction. In its “E-Government Survey 2024,” the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs states that artificial intelligence can optimize public sector operations. The report explains that automation of administrative tasks can increase efficiency and eliminate delays and redundancies. The report also states that AI can detect anomalies, classify data and generate precise recommendations.
However, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs highlights several potential risks. The report identifies data bias as a concern because bias can misrepresent certain groups. The report also underscores ethical, security and social concerns. In addition, the report identifies the digital divide as a major challenge for AI implementation in the public sector, particularly in middle-income, low-income and least developed countries.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
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The Gabonese government approved a draft ordinance amending the Criminal Procedure Code to regulate the admissibility of digital evidence.
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Authorities now require digital evidence to prove reliability, authenticity and traceability through verification by authorized public entities.
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An international Cellebrite study shows that 60% of investigators consider digital evidence more decisive than DNA in some cases, while 74% say it improves case resolution rates.
The Gabonese government approved a draft ordinance on February 26, during a cabinet meeting. Justice Minister Augustin Emane presented the text, which amends the Criminal Procedure Code to regulate the admissibility of digital evidence before courts. The reform introduces formal requirements that aim to adapt the judicial system to the rise in digital-related offenses.
The reform establishes a technical framework for the use of electronic data in criminal proceedings. Authorities will admit digital evidence only if it demonstrates reliability, authenticity and traceability. Authorized public entities, including cybersecurity services and competent state bodies, will verify the data before courts accept it. Authorities aim to secure the judicial use of digital data and to limit manipulation and falsification risks.
Through this amendment, authorities seek to strengthen the reliability of investigations and to enhance the protection of litigants. The formal recognition of technical validation standards also aims to regulate prosecutions related to digital offenses, which have increased alongside the rapid expansion of digital usage in the country. Internet penetration now covers more than half of Gabon’s population, which increases the volume of digital interactions that may generate disputes.
The ordinance forms part of a broader regional movement to modernize African legal frameworks in response to digital transformation. Governments across the continent face a growing number of disputes related to electronic content, online transactions and information systems. At the international level, digital evidence continues to gain importance in criminal investigations. A study conducted by Israeli digital forensics specialist Cellebrite among more than 2,000 investigators, prosecutors and experts shows that 60% of respondents consider digital evidence more decisive than DNA in certain cases, while 74% state that its use improves investigation resolution rates.
According to Gabonese authorities, the ordinance will enter into force after publication in the Official Gazette, in line with legislative promulgation procedures. Authorities consider the reform a first step toward modernizing the judicial handling of digital offenses and strengthening legal certainty in criminal matters in line with the country’s technological evolution.
Samira Njoya
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President Évariste Ndayishimiye met Lyca Mobile’s founder Subaskaran Allirajah to lay the groundwork for a strategic digital partnership.
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Internet penetration in Burundi reached 11.1% at end-2025, or about 1.6 million users, according to DataReportal.
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Lyca Mobile secured a telecommunications license in October 2025 and has moved discussions into a technical deployment phase.
President Évariste Ndayishimiye received a delegation from British group Lyca Mobile on Friday, February 27. Subaskaran Allirajah, the group’s founder and chairman, led the delegation. The presidency said the meeting laid the foundations for a strategic partnership that aims to accelerate the country’s digital transformation and strengthen healthcare coverage.
SE @GeneralNeva, le Chef de l’Etat #Burundi-ais et Président en exercice de l’ @_AfricanUnion a reçu en audience Mr Subaskaran Allirajah,Président-Fondateur du Groupe Lyca Mobile et sa délégation. Les échanges ont porté sur la coopération entre l’opérateur LYCA et le Gouvernement pic.twitter.com/3ijRKDQ6oO
— Ntare Rushatsi House (@NtareHouse) February 27, 2026
In telecommunications, the envisaged cooperation seeks to expand universal access to internet and communication services across the country. Internet penetration in Burundi remains low despite recent growth. DataReportal data show that penetration reached about 11.1% at end-2025, which corresponds to nearly 1.6 million users.
Lyca Mobile also plans to support the digital integration of public administrations and services. The group aims to improve administrative efficiency and enhance the delivery of essential services. Authorities consider digital transformation a key growth driver in this context.
Beyond telecoms, the group plans to operate in the health sector through its Lyca Health division. The initiative aims to strengthen universal health coverage, introduce solutions such as telemedicine and support the modernization of selected medical infrastructure. Authorities have aligned this approach with Burundi’s National Vision 2040-2060, which identifies information and communication technologies as structural levers of economic and social transformation.
This initiative extends previous exchanges between Burundian authorities and the group. Lyca Mobile, which already operates in Uganda and Tunisia, obtained a license in October 2025 by presidential decree to establish and operate a telecommunications network in Burundi. Discussions have now entered a technical phase focused on deployment preparations. Authorities and the group aim to expand access to reliable connectivity, improve service quality and foster more affordable communication offers for the population.
Samira Njoya
CcHUB is accepting applications for the fourth cohort of its EdTech startup fellowship in Nigeria. Twelve projects will receive $100,000 each in non-dilutive funding and 12 months of support. The program prioritizes solutions targeting marginalized learners, including those in rural communities, refugees, people with disabilities, and women and girls. Applications close on April 10.
Nigerian crypto startup Zap Africa has cut 44% of its workforce, reducing staff from 18 to 10 employees as part of a restructuring aimed at improving efficiency through automation. The layoffs mainly affected roles in design, operations, marketing and support, with many of those functions shifted to AI tools. Despite the downsizing, the company says it remains stable and continues to develop its products.
Truecaller has partnered with 365 Digital, appointing it as the exclusive reseller of its advertising inventory in South Africa and Kenya. Brands and agencies can now book targeted mobile campaigns on the Truecaller app through this local partner. The agreement expands Truecaller’s footprint in Africa and simplifies access to high-impact ad formats.
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Boubacar Roger Thiam founded Techbridge Capital in 2025 to bridge technology and private equity.
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The firm develops software solutions and AI tools, including Blabladoc, to enhance data-driven investment management.
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Thiam previously held roles at CACEIS, BlackRock and SWEN Capital Partners.
Boubacar Roger Thiam is a Senegalese expert in financial data and information systems applied to asset management. He founded Techbridge Capital, a consulting firm that helps financial institutions and technology companies fully leverage their IT tools to optimize investment management.
Founded in 2025, Techbridge Capital positions itself as a bridge between technology and private equity. The firm primarily targets investment funds and companies specializing in digital solutions. It seeks to connect technological innovation with financial performance by emphasizing data quality, responsive management oversight and the creation of measurable gains for clients.
The firm structures its activities around the design, deployment and operation of software solutions dedicated to investment professions. It conducts diagnostics, designs system architectures, organizes tool deployment, defines data governance rules, automates specific processes and supports teams in adopting new practices.
Beyond advisory services, Techbridge Capital also develops proprietary innovative solutions. One of its flagship products is Blabladoc, an artificial intelligence-based tool designed to convert documents into actionable information. The solution extracts data reliably, classifies content, performs advanced searches across large document volumes and conducts systematic quality controls.
Thiam graduated from Paris Dauphine University in 2013 with a master’s degree in computer science and finance. He also earned a financial engineering degree in the same year from CY Tech in France.
He began his professional career in 2011 as a data engineering intern at ALALOOP, a French company specializing in IT performance monitoring and reporting. He joined CACEIS, a banking group, the following year as a financial engineer.
Between 2013 and 2023, he worked as a senior consultant at BlackRock, an asset manager and technology provider. From 2016 to 2025, he worked at SWEN Capital Partners, where he successively served as financial data scientist, partner and Director of Financial Engineering and Information Systems.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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Nigerian entrepreneur Oluwatomi Ayorinde founded Timon in 2025 to combine payments and mobile connectivity in one travel-focused platform.
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The app offers physical and virtual cards usable in more than 100 countries and integrates eSIM connectivity and cross-border transfers in over 16 countries.
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Ayorinde previously founded CrowdForce and held roles at Appzone Group, SAP and PayForce by FairMoney.
Oluwatomi Ayorinde is a Nigerian fintech entrepreneur. He founded and leads Timon, a travel services platform designed to help travelers pay and stay connected more easily worldwide.
Founded in 2025, Timon operates as a financial platform tailored to travelers and digital nomads. The company seeks to simplify payments and digital connectivity during international travel. The platform integrates several essential services into a single application.
The application provides physical and virtual payment cards that users can access in more than 100 countries. The cards are compatible with Apple Pay and Google Pay. Users can complete purchases directly from their phones or other connected devices. Timon also integrates mobile connectivity solutions through eSIM technology. In addition, the platform enables users to transfer money to banks and electronic wallets in more than 16 countries.
Ayorinde launched his first start-up in 2006. He named the company VELImage International and focused it on technology solutions development. He served as chief technology officer for two years. In 2018, he founded CrowdForce, a crowdsourcing platform targeting emerging markets. He led CrowdForce as chief executive officer until 2023.
Ayorinde graduated from Covenant University in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems. He began his professional career the same year as Head of Retail Banking Development at Appzone Group, a payment infrastructure company.
In 2011, he joined SAP, a global enterprise software and artificial intelligence company. He served first as an integration development consultant and later as a business process consultant. Between 2023 and 2024, he served as chief executive officer of PayForce by FairMoney, a company providing banking solutions dedicated to businesses.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
Medical robotics is reshaping healthcare in Africa, creating new opportunities to improve care quality and streamline costs. But the continent faces significant hurdles, from workforce training to financing, if these technologies are to deliver tangible benefits for patients.
Medical robotics, covering robot-assisted surgery, diagnostics and hospital logistics, is emerging as a lever for healthcare modernization in parts of Africa.
According to Data Bridge Market Research, the medical robotics market in the Middle East and Africa is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 13.5% between 2022 and 2029. The market is projected to expand from $451.26 million in 2021 to $1.14 billion by 2029.
Despite this growth, adoption across Africa remains limited compared with other regions and is largely confined to higher-income countries or those with advanced hospital infrastructure.
Flagship initiatives across the continent
South Africa is among the most advanced markets. Several public hospitals have performed more than 600 robot-assisted procedures, mainly in urology and gynecology. Hospitals report shorter recovery times and fewer post-operative complications.
In Nigeria, authorities recently approved a robotic surgery platform, enabling such procedures in a public hospital for the first time.
In Luanda, Angola, medical teams have conducted telesurgery trials using robotic systems. These tests suggest robotic surgery could be deployed even in settings with limited network capacity.
Morocco has also positioned itself as a regional pioneer. A radical prostatectomy was performed remotely between Casablanca and Shanghai, demonstrating the feasibility of long-distance telesurgery. Additional procedures between Moroccan cities point to growing domestic expertise and institutional interest in robotic surgery.
Beyond surgery, robotics is being deployed in Kenya and other countries for hospital logistics and assistance tasks. This improves operational efficiency and allows nursing staff to focus on clinical care.
Barriers to wider adoption
Cost remains the primary constraint. Robotic systems often cost several million dollars, limiting access for public hospitals. A platform such as the da Vinci 5 typically ranges between $1.5 million and $2.5 million, excluding maintenance and consumables.
Training is another major hurdle. Robot-assisted procedures require specialized surgical and technical skills, as well as ongoing certification.
Institutions such as Ircad Africa in Rwanda are addressing this gap by training African surgeons in minimally invasive and robotic techniques. At the same time, the rise of startups and innovation hubs focused on artificial intelligence, robotics and e-health could support longer-term ecosystem development.
Medical robotics also presents regulatory and ethical challenges, including liability in case of system failure, data protection standards and the role of automation in patient care.
Growth trajectory despite constraints
Globally, the surgical robotics market is expected to exceed $22.89 billion by 2030, according to Spherical Insights. Emerging economies investing in healthcare digitization could capture part of this expansion.
For African countries, scaling medical robotics will depend on coordinated public policy, targeted investment, workforce training and international partnerships. If these conditions are met, robotics could become a practical tool for strengthening healthcare systems and improving the quality of care.
Samira Njoya
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As payments and financial operations rapidly digitize, new solutions are emerging to simplify day-to-day business management. Swypex positions itself within this shift with an all-in-one platform dedicated to financial management.
Swypex is a fintech platform developed by an Egyptian startup that centralizes financial functions typically handled by separate tools, including payments, invoicing, expense management and corporate cards.
The Cairo-based company was founded in 2022 by Ahmad Mokhtar, Tarek Mokhtar and Sasan Hezarkhani.
The platform operates as a financial dashboard with a mobile application available on iOS and Android. It has recorded more than 1,000 downloads on the Play Store, according to publicly available data.
Companies can open a business account, issue corporate cards to employees, track transactions in real time and automate expense-related workflows. The platform is designed to replace manual processes such as spreadsheets, paper-based approvals and cash handling with integrated digital systems.
One of its flagship products is a corporate card with dynamic approval limits. Transactions can be approved based on rules set by the finance team before a payment is executed, providing real-time visibility over cash flows and tighter budget control.
Approval-limit cards add precision and speed to corporate finance, Mokhtar said. They bridge traditional cash management and modern corporate spending, allowing companies to move from reactive expense tracking to structured financial control.
Swypex targets small and medium-sized enterprises and fast-growing firms with fragmented financial operations, including multiple payment channels, complex invoicing and difficulties tracking employee expenses. By consolidating these functions into a single interface, the company aims to reduce administrative burdens and improve financial oversight.
As African economies accelerate digital adoption, platforms such as Swypex illustrate a broader shift toward integrated financial management systems designed to automate day-to-day operations.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
After several years of experience in the banking and financial sectors, she turned to entrepreneurship, combining geolocation technology with banking data to transform how users access their money.
Saima Znaidi is a Tunisian fintech entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of DABy Go, a mobile application that helps bank customers locate the nearest working ATMs.
Launched in 2022, DABy Go enables users to avoid wasting time on out-of-service machines. The app is straightforward to use. After logging in and enabling location services, users can view nearby ATMs marked with a color code: green for operational machines, red for out-of-order units, and orange for other statuses. By selecting an ATM, users can access the shortest route, either on foot or by car, via built-in GPS navigation.
The app also sends SMS notifications when a previously unavailable ATM is back in service. It provides practical information, including withdrawal limits per transaction, and allows users to leave reviews or report malfunctions.
DABy Go incorporates advertising features for banks, with promotional content displayed on the app screen during ATM selection through daily or monthly campaigns. By combining precise geolocation with real-time operational data, the platform aims to simplify access to banking services.
Znaidi is also the co-founder of AivaCore, a fintech startup focused on transaction security and fraud prevention. In addition, she serves as a consultant for HelpWise Bank in Tunisia.
She graduated from the Higher Institute of Management of Tunis with a master’s degree in finance in 2005. She began her career that year as a financial accounting analyst at ATM Consulting Tunisia. From 2007 to 2019, she worked in the banking sector, first as a credit analyst and later as a customer relations manager.
Melchior Koba
By combining design and technology, he explores new ways to connect individuals and professionals in the housing sector. His approach aims to streamline access to the market.
Aghiles Mahmoudia is an Algerian entrepreneur and product designer. He is the co-founder, general manager, and chief designer of Mooshir, a mobile app and online platform focused on real estate listings and home services.
Founded in 2021, Mooshir brings together real estate listings and property services on a single platform. It helps users buy, rent, or renovate properties while providing access to services such as construction, maintenance, and interior design.
The platform serves both individuals seeking housing and real estate professionals. It features detailed property listings alongside a dedicated section for home services, including construction, repairs, maintenance, and interior design.
An integrated messaging feature allows users to communicate directly with advertisers to ask questions, negotiate, or request additional information. The platform enables users to manage listings, conduct targeted searches, handle contacts, and promote professional services.
Mahmoudia is also the co-founder and chief designer of Fenovation SPA, a digital creative agency launched in 2015. In 2017, he founded Hanini Shop, a retail startup offering electric bike delivery services.
He earned a degree in industrial and product design in 2019 from the National Institute of Graphic Arts and Industries. He began his career in 2015 as a graphic designer at Lougorss Design. The following year, he joined the Algerian communication agency L’Empreinte Magique in the same role.
In 2019, he joined INTAJ MOHTWAYAT, a company developing mobile solutions, as a UX/UI designer. In 2021, he joined Concordal SPA, a manufacturer of paints, adhesives, derivatives, and sanitary products, where he worked as a product designer.
Melchior Koba
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Plan includes artisan ID card, national registry
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Sector employs 22%, contributes 7% to GDP
Morocco will invest 36 million dirhams ($3.9 million) to fast-track the digital transformation of its handicrafts sector, under agreements signed on Wednesday between the State Secretariat for Handicrafts, the Chambers of Handicrafts and their Federation, and the Digital Development Agency. Two additional agreements covering international promotion and institutional support were signed at the same ceremony.
The digitalization agreement provides for the rollout of a professional artisan ID card and the launch of a National Artisan Registry. It also includes the digitalization of services offered by the Chambers and their affiliated bodies. Authorities say the system will streamline administrative processes, improve efficiency, and establish core digital infrastructure for the sector.
The initiative is part of the national development program for handicrafts. The sector is a key contributor to Morocco’s economy, supporting employment, exports, and regional development.
Official figures show the sector employs 22% of the national workforce and contributes 7% to GDP. Exports have grown by 7.6%, while handicraft sales account for 10% of tourism-related foreign exchange earnings. The digital upgrade is expected to boost productivity, formalize activities, and expand access to domestic and international markets.
International promotion and institutional support
The two additional agreements focus on promoting Moroccan craftsmanship abroad, in partnership with SMAP EVENTS, and on a 2026 sector development plan. That plan targets professional structuring, training, and technical support for artisans.
Together, these measures aim to strengthen the sector’s competitiveness and improve market access for artisans, while fostering a more structured and productive ecosystem alongside the digital reforms led by the Digital Development Agency.
Samira Njoya