- 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
- Senegal, UNDP sign deal to advance digital governance, AI
- Partnership to support innovation hubs, startup ecosystem growth
- Government targets 500 startups, 150,000 jobs by 2034
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Communication, Telecommunications and the Digital Economy (MCTN) signed a framework agreement on Tuesday, April 14, in Dakar. The partnership aims to structure Senegal's digital governance and accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence into public services.
Minister Alioune Sall and UNDP Resident Representative Njoya Tikum signed the agreement. The deal comes at a strategic time, as authorities aim to strengthen digital inclusion and establish a regulatory framework conducive to innovation. The government said the partnership is "structuring and results-oriented," aligning with its priorities for public service digitalization and economic competitiveness.
The first tangible outcome of the partnership is expected on April 27 with the inauguration of the University Innovation Pod (UNIPOD) at Amadou Mahtar Mbow University. Funded with $1 million, the hub is designed as an incubator to support young innovators in turning research projects into high-impact startups. Authorities plan to replicate this model nationwide to expand the network of innovation centers.
The initiative is part of the "Technological New Deal," Senegal's national digital transformation strategy, which aims to create more than 500 certified technology startups by 2034 and generate around 150,000 direct jobs. According to StartupBlink, the country currently has about 60 active startups, highlighting an ecosystem still taking shape and scaling.
Samira Njoya
The General Confederation of Guinean Enterprises, in partnership with Microsoft, is launching “AI Xcelerate”, a program aimed at helping 250 companies adopt artificial intelligence. The initiative combines training with practical applications to improve SME productivity and competitiveness. It forms part of the national 2026-2035 roadmap to narrow the technology gap and modernize the economy amid global shifts.
- Magezi Sagesse co-founded JusticeBot to improve access to legal information and services through digital tools.
- The platform supports the full legal process, from initial contact to case management and billing.
- JusticeBot targets legal professionals, institutions and citizens with integrated, affordable solutions.
Congolese entrepreneur Magezi Sagesse has developed a digital approach to improve access to legal information. He co-founded JusticeBot and currently serves as its chief executive officer.
Founded in 2018, JusticeBot designs innovative solutions to prevent rights violations and resolve legal issues in an efficient and affordable way. The organization structures its offering around a digital platform that supports legal professionals, public institutions and judicial systems in their daily operations.
The platform covers the entire user journey. It guides users from the initial contact through case tracking and billing. It provides clear and structured steps that simplify data collection, improve understanding of legal issues and direct users toward the appropriate procedures or stakeholders.
JusticeBot provides lawyers, law firms, legal clinics and organizations with a unified solution under a subscription model. The platform integrates several tools into a single environment.
These tools include a legal-focused conversational agent called Eve JusticeBot, a multilingual website, a client request management system, and built-in billing and communication functions. This integrated approach allows users to streamline operations and improve service delivery.
Magezi Sagesse holds a degree in computer engineering obtained in 2013 from the Université chrétienne bilingue du Congo. He also serves as an IT product manager at Bidhaa Sasa, a Kenyan social enterprise that distributes and finances technology products for rural households, mainly in Kenya and Uganda.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Philippe Ohandja Ayina founded E-Santé Cameroun to connect patients with healthcare providers via digital tools.
- The platform enables home visits and teleconsultations, reducing travel and wait times.
- Digital medical records support continuous patient monitoring and coordinated care.
Philippe Ohandja Ayina, a Cameroonian doctor and entrepreneur, founded E-Santé Cameroun to bring healthcare services closer to the population by facilitating access to consultations and patient follow-up.
Founded in 2018, E-Santé Cameroun aims to improve the quality of medical and paramedical care by simplifying interactions between patients and healthcare professionals. The platform connects individuals with a network of doctors and practitioners who provide services either at home or through teleconsultation, depending on patient needs.
The service operates through a structured process. The patient books an appointment online or via messaging, provides personal information, specifies the required specialty, and selects the preferred date and location. A healthcare professional then contacts the patient to confirm the consultation and either travels to the patient’s home or delivers remote follow-up care. This model reduces unnecessary travel and long waiting times in medical facilities.
E-Santé Cameroun offers a range of medical services, including general medicine, pediatrics, gynecology and physiotherapy. The platform also enables medical testing, organizes medical evacuations and provides personalized support for chronic diseases.
At the core of the system, the platform creates an online medical record that centralizes patient health data, including test results, treatments and vaccinations. This remotely accessible record supports continuous monitoring and improves both preventive care and therapeutic management.
In parallel, Philippe Ohandja Ayina founded and leads Clinic Home, another platform that delivers home-based and online healthcare services. The platform allows patients to receive care without traveling, either through home visits or teleconsultations.
Philippe Ohandja Ayina graduated as a medical doctor in 2017 from the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences of Douala. He also teaches at the Catholic University of Central Africa (UCAC).
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
The Estonian tech conference Latitude59 is closing applications for its African startup pitch competition this Wednesday, April 15. The event, scheduled for May 20–22 in Tallinn, offers a prime opportunity to connect with European investors and mentors. Early-stage companies from across the continent are invited to apply to showcase their potential at this influential European event.
The Kenyan startup Zuri Health is expanding its mobile clinic fleet in Nairobi with three new buses equipped for diagnostics, dental care and cervical cancer screening. Deployed in busy areas, these solar-powered, self-sufficient units bring healthcare closer to low-income workers, reducing travel and time away from work. Consultations start at 500 Kenyan shillings (about $4).
- z.systems connects brands, distributors, retailers and consumers through a B2B2C platform
- Startup raised $1.65 million to expand and scale its digital retail ecosystem
- Company targets Africa’s fragmented and largely informal retail market
z.systems operates as an e-commerce startup offering a business-to-business-to-customer (B2B2C) platform. The platform connects brands, distributors, retailers and consumers within a single ecosystem. The Casablanca-based startup was founded in 2022 by Samer Choumar, Meriem Benabad, Youssef Haddouch, Reda Nebri and Youssef Drafate.
“On one side, we connect brands directly with retailers through the Z platform, which ensures product availability, price control and in-store visibility, while reducing the costs and complexity of traditional distribution,” the company said. It added: “On the other side, we attract consumers to Z retailers through dynamic promotions, gamified loyalty programs and deferred payment options, thereby recreating the modern retail experience in the informal retail sector.”
The solution relies on a full-stack approach built around several applications. It includes a mobile application for retailers, a web platform for partners and an e-commerce application for consumers.
Retailers can order products directly from brands, monitor inventory and access additional services such as loyalty programs and payment solutions.
Meanwhile, brands gain greater visibility over sales and can manage campaigns in real time. At the same time, consumers access personalized offers and incentive mechanisms such as rewards and deferred payment. At the core of its model, z.systems leverages data to optimize operations and improve performance across stakeholders.
The startup has secured backing from several investors and recently raised $1.65 million to accelerate its development and expand into new markets. Over the long term, z.systems aims to transform neighborhood shops into a structured and connected network capable of competing with modern distribution channels while preserving their local roots.
This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Mozambique collaborates with the European Union under the TAIEX program to boost cybersecurity capacity.
- Five INTIC cyber incident response technicians undergo training in Portugal.
- Country ranks mid-tier in global cybersecurity index despite progress in cooperation and organization.
African countries are intensifying efforts to strengthen cybersecurity, as governments increasingly view it as essential to fully capture the benefits of digital transformation.
Mozambican authorities are relying on European expertise to reinforce cybersecurity. The government is advancing efforts to protect its national cyberspace against rising threats linked to accelerated digital transformation.
The Instituto Nacional de Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação (INTIC) disclosed the initiative on Monday, April 13. The program forms part of the European Commission’s TAIEX instrument, which provides technical assistance and information exchange to share European Union best practices and support institutional and legal reforms in partner countries.
Under the initiative, a team of five technicians from INTIC’s Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) is currently in Lisbon. The team is conducting a study visit and intensive training with Portugal’s National Cybersecurity Centre (CNCS), with a particular focus on exchanges with CERT.PT. The mission aims to strengthen technical skills, enhance incident response capacity and promote international best practices.
The partnership also includes a second phase. European experts will travel to Mozambique to continue capacity-building activities on site and ensure knowledge transfer adapts to local conditions. In addition, the cooperation will support the development of public policies aligned with international standards, particularly in combating digital fraud and online identity theft.
Through this partnership, Mozambique is expanding its reliance on international expertise to secure its national cyberspace. The country strengthened ties with the United States in February, which the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) considers a global benchmark in cybersecurity. In November 2025, Maputo signed a memorandum of understanding with Togo covering technical and operational capacity building for both countries’ CSIRTs, information sharing on emerging threats and the exchange of best practices.
Mozambique also participates in several international frameworks that provide a basis for cooperation. These include the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, the African Union Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection (Malabo Convention) and the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime. The partnership with the European Union is expected to facilitate Mozambique’s access to the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST), a global association of cybersecurity incident response teams.
For now, Mozambique ranks in the third tier out of five in the ITU Global Cybersecurity Index in 2024, with a score of 66.05 out of 100. While the country shows relatively strong performance in organizational measures and cooperation, challenges remain in legal frameworks, technical capabilities and capacity development.
This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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Orange plans to invest more than €5 billion in Africa and the Middle East between 2026 and 2028.
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The group targets over 40 million new 4G and 5G users by 2028.
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Africa and the Middle East generated €8.4 billion in revenue in 2025, up 12.2%, leading group growth.
As its historical European markets reach maturity, Orange shifts its center of gravity toward Africa and the Middle East. The French telecommunications group plans to invest more than €5 billion between 2026 and 2028, double its fibre customer base and build more than 15,000 new telecom sites in rural areas under its new strategic plan, “Trust the Future.”
A Strategy Built on Trust and Innovation
Orange presented the plan to the international press on April 8, 2026, in Casablanca, Morocco. The strategy focuses on trust and rests on three ambitions: customer proximity, growth through innovation and excellence at scale.
Chief Executive Officer Christel Heydemann said the group aims to reassure customers on service availability, quality, usefulness and reliability, particularly in high-speed connectivity, which underpins digital transformation.
“In a world where digital complexity and risks increase, expectations for service quality, security and simplicity evolve rapidly, while AI transforms every sector. In this context, trust becomes a decisive criterion. ‘Trust the Future’ materializes Orange’s advantage in trust through reliable networks, built-in cybersecurity, responsible data and AI practices, and seamless user experiences. Trust forms the foundation on which the Group will build its future,” the company said.
Orange bases its growth ambitions in Africa on the continent’s ongoing transformation. Mobile technology already acts as a key driver of economic and social development.
The mobile ecosystem accounted for 7.7% of GDP, or $220 billion, in 2024, and it could reach $270 billion by 2030, according to the GSM Association (GSMA).
This momentum reflects several structural trends, including a young and fast-growing population, rising digital usage, increasing adoption of data-driven services, expansion of 4G and 5G networks, continued growth in mobile financial services and stronger demand for accessible and locally relevant solutions.
Under this strategy, Orange targets more than 40 million additional 4G and 5G users by 2028. In 2025, the operator reported 179 million customers across its 17 African markets and Jordan, an increase of 14 million subscribers in one year. The group also counted more than 90 million 4G users, while it offered 5G services in seven markets: Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan, Senegal, Botswana and Madagascar. Its fibre and fixed broadband base reached 4.8 million customers.
Expanding Beyond Connectivity
Orange’s expansion in Africa extends beyond network infrastructure. The group aims to position the continent as a growth driver for higher value-added services, including mobile finance, super apps, cloud computing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and enterprise services.
The company targets double-digit growth in its business-to-business segment, with a focus on IT services. It also plans to integrate AI and language models across both network operations and commercial offerings.
The strategy aims not only to connect users but also to capture a larger share of the digital value generated across the continent. This importance already reflects in the group’s financial results. In 2025, Africa and the Middle East contributed the most to Orange’s growth, generating €8.4 billion in revenue, up 12.2%. EBITDAaL also increased by 13.9%.
However, Orange faces potential headwinds in Africa. The World Bank Group’s latest semiannual report on Sub-Saharan Africa, published on April 8, 2026, forecasts regional growth at 4.1% in 2026, unchanged from 2025, while highlighting rising downside risks.
Higher prices for fuel, food and fertilizers, combined with tighter financial conditions, could drive inflation higher, disrupt economic activity and disproportionately affect vulnerable households, which allocate a larger share of income to food and energy.
This article was initially published in French by Muriel EDJO
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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Zambia rolls out mobile money payments across all NRFA-operated toll gates.
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The reform aims to reduce congestion, improve efficiency and enhance revenue collection.
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Mobile money transactions in Zambia exceeded 100 billion kwacha ($5.2 billion) in March 2025.
The National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) has introduced a mobile money payment system across all toll gates it operates nationwide. The reform aims to modernize fee collection, reduce congestion at toll plazas and improve operational efficiency.
The agency presented the initiative on Sunday, April 12, through its public relations officer, Alphonsius Hamachila. The rollout forms part of a broader digital transformation strategy within the NRFA.
The new system operates alongside existing payment methods, including cash and the E-Toll electronic card, offering motorists three payment options. According to the NRFA, the system enables faster, more secure transactions and reduces reliance on cash handling, while improving traffic flow at toll points.
In practice, drivers complete payments directly via mobile phones. Toll agents enter the user’s phone number, and the system confirms the transaction instantly on the driver’s device.
However, the agency stated that the solution will not apply to toll gates operated under public-private partnerships (PPP), which maintain their own management systems.
The reform comes as mobile money usage accelerates in Zambia. According to the Bank of Zambia, the sector reached a record milestone, with transactions exceeding 100 billion kwacha (about $5.2 billion) in March 2025, marking the highest monthly level ever recorded.
By integrating mobile money into toll management, authorities aim to improve the collection of revenues used to maintain and modernize the national road network. The system should also reduce risks linked to cash handling and strengthen transaction transparency.
Samira Njoya
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Innobid, founded in 2024, offers a digital platform to manage tenders and procurement processes.
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The system targets governments, NGOs and companies to improve efficiency, security and transparency.
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The platform integrates encrypted submissions, real-time tracking and supplier management tools.
Eliud Luutsa, a Kenyan entrepreneur, co-founded and leads Innobid, a company that simplifies and secures the procurement of goods and services for organizations. The startup emphasizes social impact as a core part of its mission.
Innobid, founded in 2024, provides an online platform dedicated to managing tenders and procurement processes in both public and private sectors. The company targets governments, non-profit organizations and businesses, and it aims to make procurement more efficient, secure and transparent.
The platform reduces administrative delays, lowers operational costs and mitigates risks associated with supplier selection.
The portal manages the full procurement cycle, from publishing tenders to tracking submitted bids. Companies create profiles, submit proposals and monitor application progress in real time, including updates on contract opportunities.
Innobid designs the platform to provide a highly secure submission environment through an encrypted filing system that protects sensitive bidder information. Users receive instant notifications on tender status, which reduces communication delays and strengthens transparency.
The platform also integrates a supplier management system. This feature enables buyers to register, monitor and continuously update partner company data.
As a result, public and private buyers improve their ability to assess, manage and retain supplier networks over time.
Before founding Innobid, Eliud Luutsa co-founded Centafique Consulting in 2018, a firm specializing in business development, strategic advisory, applied research, capacity building and project management.
Eliud Luutsa graduated from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in financial engineering. He also earned an executive postgraduate diploma in strategy and innovation in 2025 from the Institute of Management, Technology and Finance in Portugal.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in Engmlish by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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Anda utilizes a "drive-to-own" model to grant vehicle ownership to drivers through progressive platform earnings.
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The Luanda-based startup secured $3.4 million in international funding last November to accelerate its growth.
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The platform professionalizes the sector by offering digital payments, GPS tracking, and a dedicated training academy.
Anda offers an integrated technological platform. The system combines mobility, financing, and training. The startup utilizes a "drive-to-own" model. Drivers access vehicles through a specific financing mechanism. They repay the debt using revenues from the platform. Consequently, participants eventually become owners of their motorcycles or vehicles.
Sergio Tati and Joerg Nuehrmann founded the startup in 2022. The company maintains its headquarters in Luanda. The startup describes its model in a formal statement: "The partnership model of Anda allows the investor to recover capital and obtain a return during the contract period. The driver keeps the vehicle at the end of the contract as a reward and to encourage the pursuit of sustainable business activity."
The company prioritizes the professionalization of the transport sector. Anda provides training programs through its dedicated academy. The platform also includes digital tools for geolocalization and electronic payments. These features improve user safety. The technology simultaneously increases driver incomes. These tools allow the startup to address long-standing gaps in the regional market.
Anda fills a structural deficit in the African mobility market. The solution facilitates access to income-generating assets. This model helps populations without access to traditional banking systems.
Furthermore, international investors support the startup’s mission. The firm raised $3.4 million last November. The management uses these funds to accelerate development. The capital also supports the company's regional growth. The startup potentially serves as a model for other African markets. These regions face similar transport challenges. Anda establishes the foundation for structured mobility. The platform promotes safer and more inclusive transit for the continent.
This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum