-
Burkina Faso presented 12 flagship digital projects to the African Development Bank (AfDB) during talks in Ouagadougou.
-
The government seeks funding and technical support for digital infrastructure, public service modernization, and emerging technology skills.
-
The discussions form part of Burkina Faso’s broader strategy to diversify digital partnerships with Russia, the UAE, Niger, and Mali.
Burkina Faso stepped up efforts to expand partnerships in the digital sector as the government seeks to accelerate its digital transformation agenda. Against a backdrop of growing regional and international initiatives, the African Development Bank (AfDB) reaffirmed its interest in supporting the country’s strategic projects.
Digital Transition, Posts and Electronic Communications Minister Aminata Zerbo/Sabane met an AfDB delegation in Ouagadougou on Wednesday, May 6, during a working session focused on Burkina Faso’s digital priorities. The meeting reflected the authorities’ strategy to strengthen strategic partnerships around digital development, which the government considers a key driver of economic and social growth.
During the discussions, the minister presented the 12 flagship projects under her ministry, alongside the main progress achieved and ongoing initiatives. The projects notably target the expansion of digital infrastructure, the modernization of public services, and the strengthening of skills in emerging technologies. She also reaffirmed the government’s ambition to position digital technologies as a central engine for transforming the economy and public administration.
The talks identified several potential areas of cooperation. Both parties will now deepen technical discussions to determine which projects could receive AfDB support.
The African Development Bank, which already supports several digital transformation initiatives across Africa, welcomed the consistency of Burkina Faso’s strategic direction. The institution also reiterated its readiness to back major sector projects, particularly those related to infrastructure and digital skills development.
The discussions form part of the implementation of Burkina Faso’s Country Strategy Paper “DSP-i 2022-2025,” which the parties extended through 2026 and which frames AfDB interventions in the country. The strategy gives digital transformation an increasingly prominent role as a cross-cutting driver of competitiveness, inclusion, and modernization.
The meeting also came as Burkina Faso diversified its digital partnerships. In recent days, the country launched discussions with Russia on technological cooperation. Burkina Faso has also expanded regional collaborations with Niger and Mali, while developing digital-sector ties with the United Arab Emirates.
At the multilateral level, Burkina Faso already benefits from World Bank support through several flagship programs, including the Digital Transformation Acceleration Project (PACTDIGITAL) and the West Africa Unique Identification for Regional Integration and Inclusion (WURI) initiative, which focuses on regional digital identification systems.
Samira Njoya
-
Tunisia’s central bank launched the national “TUNPAY” label to unify and strengthen the country’s mobile payment ecosystem.
-
Mobile transactions in Tunisia rose 81% in 2025 to 8.4 million operations worth 1.769 billion dinars ($616 million).
-
Banks, payment institutions, and Tunisia’s postal service must integrate the TUNPAY visual identity into their digital and physical payment channels.
The Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) advanced its digital payments strategy through the launch of “TUNPAY,” a national label designed to unify and strengthen the country’s mobile payment ecosystem. In a note published on Monday, May 5, the institution said it developed the initiative in partnership with Société Monétique Tunisie (SMT).
The initiative aims to harmonize the identification of mobile payment services for the general public. Authorities want to make payment solutions more visible and easier for users to recognize.
Under the framework, banks, payment institutions, and Tunisia’s postal service, which operate electronic wallet services, must integrate the TUNPAY visual identity into their applications, digital interfaces, and physical acceptance points. Merchants, agencies, and agent networks using mobile payment services will also display the label.
Through the initiative, the central bank seeks to strengthen user confidence and accelerate the adoption of digital payments in a market that remains in a development phase. Authorities also want to improve service interoperability and simplify the user experience as financial technology offerings continue to diversify.
The move comes as mobile payments record sustained growth in Tunisia. According to BCT data, the number of mobile phone transactions increased by 81% in 2025 to 8.4 million operations. In value terms, the transactions reached 1.769 billion dinars ($616 million) during the year.
Despite the momentum, Tunisia’s market still trails several African countries where contactless payments and near-field communication (NFC) technologies are expanding rapidly. In Tunisia, many mobile transactions still rely on SMS-based validation systems.
Tunisian authorities nevertheless continue to roll out initiatives aimed at accelerating the digitization of financial services. The strategy reflects a broader trend across North Africa and the continent, where central banks seek to modernize payment infrastructure to promote financial inclusion and reduce cash usage.
With TUNPAY, Tunisia aims to lay the foundations for a payment environment that is more structured, more recognizable, and better aligned with the rapid expansion of digital financial services.
Samira Njoya
-
Kenyan fintech entrepreneur Agosta Liko leads Pesapal, a payments platform that centralizes multiple payment methods for African businesses.
-
Pesapal combines mobile money, bank card and contactless payments within a single system and payment terminal.
-
The company also integrates payment services with hospitality and restaurant management software to streamline business operations.
Agosta Liko founded and leads Pesapal, a payment services platform that facilitates transactions for businesses and consumers.
Founded in 2009, Pesapal provides solutions that enable businesses to accept mobile money and bank card payments both online and through a unified payment terminal. The platform aims to simplify business operations by centralizing multiple payment methods within a single system while accelerating transaction processing.
Among its products, the startup developed a payment terminal that processes collections directly at points of sale. The device accepts both mobile payments and bank cards, including Visa and Mastercard, which gives customers greater flexibility during checkout. The solution also supports contactless payments through selected mobile devices, including Google Pay and connected watches.
In addition, the platform integrates with merchants’ existing cash register systems, allowing businesses to centralize sales and payment management within one tool. Pesapal also offers dedicated integrations for the hospitality and restaurant sectors through specialized software connections. These integrations allow businesses to combine payments, online reservations and operational monitoring through a single interface.
Before founding Pesapal, Agosta Liko launched Verviant in 2006, a U.S.-based IT consulting company. The company provides web design and development, programming, marketing, software development and technical support services.
Before becoming an entrepreneur, Agosta Liko worked as a web administrator at litigation-focused law firm Shook, Hardy & Bacon between 2002 and 2003. He later served as a database systems engineer at First Citizens Bank from 2003 to 2008.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
-
Luke Romyn launched Adebt Debt Recovery in January 2026 to help companies recover debts unpaid for more than 90 days.
-
The South African startup uses a technology-driven four-step process and works with certified debt recovery specialists.
-
Romyn previously held roles at crypto exchange Blockkoin and financial crime technology firm Flagright.
South African finance expert and technology entrepreneur Luke Romyn is betting on digital tools to tackle one of the most persistent challenges facing businesses: the recovery of long-overdue debts.
Romyn co-founded and now leads Adebt Debt Recovery, a company specializing in the collection of receivables that businesses often classify as unrecoverable.
Founded in January 2026, Adebt Debt Recovery focuses on difficult claims, particularly invoices that have remained unpaid for more than 90 days. The company aims to help businesses convert “forgotten” receivables into cash that can return to their balance sheets and improve liquidity.
Adebt structures its service around a four-step process designed to reduce administrative complexity and accelerate recovery timelines.
First, clients upload unpaid invoices and company information directly onto the Adebt platform without completing lengthy forms or navigating complex procedures.
The company then analyzes each claim to assess the level of recovery difficulty, particularly according to the age of the debt. Based on this assessment, Adebt determines a performance-based fee structure that only applies if the company successfully recovers the funds.
After validation, Adebt assigns the files to debt recovery professionals across South Africa drawn from its network of certified specialists. The experts use their experience to locate debtors, open negotiations, and agree repayment terms.
Once the process begins, the client company no longer manages follow-ups or negotiations. Debtors make repayments in installments, while Adebt automatically transfers recovered funds to the client as collections occur.
Romyn graduated from the University of Cape Town in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics.
After completing his studies, he worked as head of the trading desk at cryptocurrency exchange Blockkoin between 2022 and 2024. From August 2025 to January 2026, he also served as a risk analyst at Flagright, a company that develops financial crime prevention technologies for financial institutions.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
Nigerian fintech firm Fincra has received approval from the Bank of Ghana to operate in the country, allowing merchants to collect local payments and process transfers through mobile money and bank channels. The company said the move would help facilitate cross-border transactions between international businesses and African markets.
The African Union Development Agency has launched a call for applications to support early-stage startups using digital technology to strengthen healthcare systems or address climate change in Africa. Selected companies will receive practical support to expand their operations and strengthen long-term resilience. Applications are open until May 19, 2026, with the program focused on African-led solutions.
Bellatrix on Wednesday launched the “Ndjaba Seed” fund to support innovative early-stage companies across Southern Africa. Backed by $10 million in committed funding, the program plans to invest in 35 to 50 ventures in sectors including fintech, agritech, healthtech, education, clean energy, e-commerce and enterprise software. The initiative aims to help address the shortage of local funding and support entrepreneurs in building sustainable businesses.
- Huawei, Moroccan authorities, and Dott Medical signed an agreement to deploy telemedicine solutions and upgrade primary healthcare facilities.
- The partnership will combine digital infrastructure, medical equipment, and remote consultation platforms, starting with a pilot phase.
- The initiative supports Morocco’s broader healthcare reform and aims to reduce regional disparities in access to care.
On the sidelines of GITEX Future Health Africa, Morocco’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection signed a memorandum of understanding with Huawei Morocco and Dott Medical on May 4 in Casablanca. The agreement aims to structure the deployment of telemedicine solutions and modernize primary healthcare facilities.
Amine Tehraoui oversaw the signing of the agreement. The initiative aligns with Morocco’s ongoing healthcare reform, which includes the gradual expansion of universal health coverage and efforts to reduce disparities in access to care.
The partnership will develop an integrated solution that combines digital infrastructure, medical equipment, and remote consultation platforms. The stakeholders aim to improve patient care, optimize the use of medical resources, and streamline care pathways, particularly in underserved regions.
Huawei will provide connectivity and digital infrastructure, while Dott Medical will supply specialized medical equipment tailored to healthcare facilities.
At the same time, the partners will ensure compliance with national health data protection requirements, which remain critical to building a sovereign digital health ecosystem.
Before scaling deployment, the partners will launch a pilot project to assess the technical, clinical, and organizational viability of the system. In addition, they will implement training programs to help healthcare professionals adopt and use these tools effectively.
This initiative comes as e-health gains momentum across Africa, where governments are leveraging digital tools to address demographic pressures and infrastructure constraints. In Morocco, authorities are betting on these technologies to improve system efficiency, as the country has about seven doctors per 10,000 inhabitants, a ratio that remains below some emerging market standards.
Beyond healthcare modernization, Morocco aims to capture economic and strategic value from digital health. The country seeks to build a local ecosystem, stimulate innovation, attract investment, and position itself as a regional hub in the sector.
Authorities reaffirmed this ambition during the launch of the first edition of GITEX Future Health Africa Morocco, which brought together public and private stakeholders in Casablanca to advance healthcare system transformation.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Outalma offers an integrated e-logistics platform covering the full delivery chain from international purchase to final delivery.
- The startup addresses last-mile challenges in Africa through a dedicated delivery fleet and real-time tracking tools.
- The solution targets inefficiencies in African e-commerce logistics, including high costs, long delays, and limited transparency.
Outalma positions itself as a digital solution that aims to streamline logistics flows between Africa, Europe, and Asia. The company focuses on simplifying a segment often characterized by long delivery times, high costs, and complex procedures.
The platform operates as an integrated e-logistics system that manages the entire delivery chain, from international purchasing to final delivery to customers. The startup operates in several cities across Africa and Europe, and Alioune Mbengue launched it in 2019.
The solution allows individuals and businesses to purchase goods abroad, route them to partner warehouses, and ship them to multiple African countries via air or sea freight.
The model relies heavily on its ability to manage last-mile delivery, which remains one of the most significant logistical challenges in Africa. Outalma deploys a dedicated fleet, including vans and scooters, to handle final delivery and reduce constraints linked to local distribution.
The platform enables users to track parcels in real time, obtain quotes, and manage shipments end-to-end. This visibility addresses a critical need for transparency in a sector that still faces traceability gaps.
In addition, Outalma offers complementary services such as secure warehousing, customs management, and logistics flow optimization. These services position the company as a full-service player across the supply chain.
By addressing logistics bottlenecks, Outalma aligns with broader efforts to strengthen Africa’s e-commerce infrastructure. Over time, such solutions could play a key role in accelerating trade flows and integrating the continent into global supply chains.
This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Cheikh Gueye launched Nixacom in 2024 to finance consumer technology purchases through flexible credit.
- The platform uses artificial intelligence to assess creditworthiness and deliver near-instant financing decisions.
- The startup targets underserved consumers in emerging markets who lack upfront purchasing power.
Cheikh Gueye, co-founder and chief executive of Nixacom, launched the company in 2024 to specialize in financing technological equipment. He aims to expand access to credit and accelerate financial services in emerging markets.
Founded in 2024, Nixacom acts as an intermediary between financial institutions and end users. The platform allows customers to acquire devices such as mobile phones and computers without paying the full cost upfront.
The company structures its model around tailored financing solutions, often in partnership with financial institutions. The platform evaluates each customer’s financial situation before approving access to products.
To streamline the process, Nixacom has developed a digital platform powered by artificial intelligence. The system analyzes user data, verifies identities, and assesses repayment capacity.
As a result, the platform delivers near-immediate responses, reduces processing times, and improves the reliability of credit decisions while expanding access to financial services.
In addition to leading Nixacom, Cheikh Gueye serves as strategy director at RentX Rewards, which offers flexible rent payment solutions. He previously founded VoitGo in 2020, an online service that manages vehicle imports from the United States, including sourcing, shipping, and customs procedures.
Cheikh Gueye graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a bachelor’s degree in corporate communication in 2013. He began his professional career in 2020 at LabEight, a technology startup incubator. He later joined Robinhood in 2022, where he worked in compliance before launching his fintech ventures.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
More...
- Joel Parfait Kuate leads Digital House Company, which supports organizations in AI-driven digital transformation.
- The firm develops AI solutions such as Jurisis and Indibot to automate tasks and improve access to information.
- The company combines software, hardware, and training services to enhance enterprise productivity.
Joel Parfait Kuate, a Cameroon-born technology entrepreneur based in Brussels, specializes in generative AI, data, and digital transformation. He founded and leads Digital House Company, a company that supports organizations in their transition to digital operations.
Founded in 2014, Digital House Company operates across several complementary areas. The company delivers user experience (UX) services that simplify and improve digital interfaces.
At the same time, the firm develops artificial intelligence solutions and builds digital products, including websites, e-commerce platforms, and applications. These services aim to help organizations streamline operations and improve customer engagement.
Among its flagship solutions, the company offers Jurisis, an AI-powered legal platform designed for Belgian citizens. The platform provides contextualized answers through an interactive chat interface.
The firm has also developed Indibot, a generative AI tool that produces articles, posts, visual content, code, and business ideas. These tools allow companies to automate content creation and enhance productivity.
In parallel, Digital House Company supplies technology hardware tailored to business needs. The company also organizes training sessions to help teams master digital tools and adapt to technological change.
Joel Parfait Kuate teaches programming, generative AI, UX/UI design, and Web3 technologies. He also provides training in digital marketing and cybersecurity. In addition, he works as a data analyst at Hyla Benelux, a company specializing in air and water purification systems. He graduated from ST-LUC BXL École supérieure des arts with a bachelor’s degree in communication and media in 2022.
He later earned a bachelor’s degree in administration and information technology management in 2023 from the Institut des carrières commerciales de Bruxelles. He also obtained a master’s degree in design and applied arts in 2024 from the Institut supérieur libre des arts plastiques.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Burkina Faso launched a national portal to centralize public e-services and secure user access.
- The platform already lists 1,672 service guides, 95 digital procedures, and involves 183 public institutions.
- Authorities introduced a parallel citizen petition platform requiring 5,000 signatures for review.
Burkina Faso is accelerating the digitalization of public services as governments across Africa expand e-service delivery to improve efficiency and user trust.
The government launched a national portal on May 5 in Ouagadougou to centralize all online public services and secure access. Authorities designed the initiative as part of a broader digital transformation strategy aimed at improving service quality and strengthening user confidence in digital platforms.
The portal, accessible via www.service-public.gov.bf, aggregates digital services offered by the state and directs citizens to official channels. The government introduced the platform to address the growing issue of fraudulent administrative websites by ensuring the authenticity of online services.
At this stage, the platform provides 1,672 practical information sheets, 95 dematerialized procedures, and integrates 183 public institutions, reflecting the scale of the ongoing reform.
Authorities said the platform acts as a single gateway for digital administrative procedures. As a result, the system should simplify processes and improve the user experience in interactions with public administration.
In parallel, the government launched a dedicated citizen petition platform to strengthen public participation in institutional life. The system allows citizens to submit proposals and raise concerns directly with authorities. However, a petition must gather at least 5,000 signatures before authorities review it.
These tools demonstrate the government’s intention to accelerate public sector digitalization while increasing interaction with citizens. Officials said they will gradually integrate additional services into the portal to expand the dematerialization of administrative procedures.
Within this framework, each ministry will propose new procedures for digitalization in the coming months. Authorities will invite users to help prioritize these services, aiming to align digital public offerings with citizens’ actual needs.
The launch follows recent efforts to expand e-services. In early April, the public treasury introduced two digital platforms, Lanaya and e-BDT, to modernize financial operations management and simplify administrative processes.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
-
MainMoney introduced palm-vein biometric payments that eliminate the need for cards or mobile phones.
-
The system targets over 29 million mobile money users while addressing persistent cash dominance.
-
The solution aims to expand financial inclusion and improve transaction security across sectors.
MainMoney has introduced palm biometric technology into the Congolese financial market through the deployment of its payment terminal. The company officially launched the device on April 29. It aims to facilitate transactions and expand financial inclusion across the country.
The solution allows users to make payments without a bank card or mobile phone. It uses biometric authentication based on the palm of the hand. The system relies on “Palm Vein” technology, which analyzes the internal vein pattern of the hand to identify each user.
This method offers higher security than traditional fingerprint systems because it uses unique biological characteristics that are difficult to replicate. As a result, it strengthens transaction reliability. Users must first register their biometric data to link their physical identity to their payment profile.
“This is what we want to explain behind the MainMoney concept: your hand becomes your wallet. We created MainMoney because we know that at least 29 million Congolese have a mobile money account, and some also have a bank account, but cash still dominates in our community. We wanted to expand financial inclusion,” said Sylvain Mubenga, Chief Executive Officer of MainMoney.
The device targets both individuals and organizations. It serves civil servants, students, and everyday service users, including those in supermarkets, fuel stations, and healthcare facilities.
For businesses, the platform centralizes payments and improves payroll management. It enables use cases such as wage payments based on actual working days, which can streamline administrative processes.
In a country where cash usage remains widespread despite mobile money adoption, the solution addresses persistent barriers to financial inclusion. It aims to secure transactions, reduce risks associated with cash circulation, and simplify access to digital financial services for a population still heavily reliant on physical currency.
Therefore, MainMoney positions its biometric payment system as a tool to accelerate the transition toward a more inclusive and secure digital financial ecosystem in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
-
Bobson Rugambwa co-founded MVend Group in 2013 to expand access to financial services.
-
MVend Group enables payments, fund distribution, and large-scale financial transfers across multiple channels.
-
The platform operates without requiring smartphones or internet access, using USSD and SMS systems.
Bobson Rugambwa, a Rwandan entrepreneur, co-founded and leads MVend Group. The company supports organizations in deploying and managing scalable financial solutions.
Founded in 2013, MVend Group targets businesses, institutions, organizations, and savings groups. The company aims to reduce inequalities in financial access, particularly for populations excluded from traditional banking systems.
The company develops a range of tools that enable multiple financial operations. These solutions include payment collection, fund distribution, and integration of financial services into existing systems.
As a result, organizations can process payments for invoices, subscriptions, and services. In addition, they can execute large-scale transfers, including salary payments, supplier settlements, and social assistance distribution.
MVend also connects multiple channels, including mobile platforms, banking systems, and messaging services. Therefore, the company centralizes operations on a single platform to improve efficiency.
At the same time, the company prioritizes accessibility. It enables users to access services without smartphones or continuous internet connectivity by relying on USSD menus and text messaging systems.
Bobson Rugambwa graduated from Makerere University in 2010 with a degree in computer science. He later obtained a master’s degree in information technology in 2018 from Carnegie Mellon University Africa.
He also worked as a technical manager at Imaginet between 2012 and 2015. His experience in technology development supported his later work in building scalable financial infrastructure.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum