• Burkina Faso and the U.S. discussed digital cooperation, focusing on cybersecurity and infrastructure
• 2025 plans include data centers, network expansion, digital IDs, and a $150M transformation project
• Talks are early-stage; U.S. firms like Starlink and AWS may benefit as Burkina Faso seeks to close its digital gap
The Burkinabe government is exploring stronger digital cooperation with the United States. This was a key topic last week during a meeting between Aminata Zerbo/Sabane (photo, right), Minister of Digital Transition, and Joann Lockard (photo, left), the U.S. Ambassador to Burkina Faso.
"The government of Burkina Faso is undertaking many initiatives to support digital transition," Ambassador Lockard stated. "The American experience can be of great help in making this transition a success, particularly in the fields of cybersecurity and data control to protect citizens." She expressed confidence in the potential of American companies in the digital sector to support Burkinabe authorities' projects.
Among the major projects announced for 2025 are the completion of data centers, already 70 percent finished, and extending network coverage to at least 500 additional underserved localities. The ministry also plans to digitize more administrative services, carry out a large-scale population enrollment for electronic unique identification, and launch the Digital Transformation Acceleration Project, estimated at $150 million.
While no specific companies have been named yet in connection with this outreach, these projects could offer tangible opportunities for several U.S. firms already active in Africa. For instance, American Tower, a telecom infrastructure provider, and Starlink, for satellite internet access, might be considered for expanding network coverage. Other companies specializing in digital transformation, such as Microsoft, Oracle, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cybastion, or Cisco, could also fit into this dynamic.
Furthermore, the United States is among the most advanced countries in digital governance. The United Nations ranks it 19th globally in the E-Government Development Index (EGDI), with a score of 0.9195 out of 1. In cybersecurity, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) considers the U.S. a benchmark in its 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index. The U.S. scores 97.4 out of 100 on the ICT Development Index for 2025.
In contrast, Burkina Faso ranks 175th in the EGDI with a score of 0.2895, well below the global average of 0.6382. For cybersecurity, the country falls into the third of five categories, indicating that further efforts are needed, particularly to strengthen technical capacity and develop human capital.
Discussions between the two parties remain at a preliminary stage. No agreement has been signed or officially announced yet. The progression of these talks will need to be monitored to assess concrete partnership prospects and the actual involvement of American companies in Burkina Faso’s digital transformation.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
The newly announced reforms are crucial steps in democratizing digital access, preparing the workforce for the future, and positioning Ghana as a leader in Africa’s digital economy.
Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has outlined reforms and key milestones in the country’s digital transformation agenda. This was during the Ministry’s second quarter (Q2) briefing held at the Information Services Department Press Centre on July 3.
The Minister announced that, effective July 1, all major mobile network operators have revised their data tariffs to provide greater value. MTN bundles have increased by 15%, while Telecel and AirtelTigo bundles have risen by 10%, allowing consumers to access more data at existing price points.
According to the Minister, these changes are part of broader sector reforms involving spectrum reviews, new licensing models tied to consumer pricing, and strengthened regulatory engagement to make internet access more affordable and equitable.
Hon. George announced that the Ministry has completed a review of existing ICT laws and is drafting 15 new bills. These include amendments to data protection and cybersecurity legislation and new frameworks to govern artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and digital trade.
He further revealed that the Ghana Startup Bill, which proposes tax incentives and regulatory clarity for startups, is on track for passage by December 2025. Additionally, a draft National Anti-Misinformation Bill is set to be presented to Parliament to combat the spread of false information online, while safeguarding freedom of expression.
Looking ahead, the Minister unveiled that Ghana’s draft National AI Strategy will be reviewed by Cabinet and launched in the third quarter of 2025. The strategy positions Ghana to become a leading AI hub in Africa by 2028.
On 5G deployment, Minister George reported that the Next Generation Infrastructure Company (NGIC) is on schedule to activate over 350 5G-ready cell sites by Q4 2025, including at least 50 sites going live in Accra and Kumasi. He emphasized that there would be no further deadline extensions, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring universal 5G access.
Addressing digital payments, the minister revealed ongoing collaborations with the Bank of Ghana to restore full PayPal access and broaden digital payment solutions for individuals and businesses. He also highlighted ongoing talks with platforms such as TikTok and MultiChoice Ghana on issues related to content safety, fair compensation for creators, and subscription pricing — part of wider efforts to strengthen consumer protection and grow the digital economy.
Together, these measures make Ghana’s digital ecosystem more inclusive, affordable, secure, and globally competitive, supporting the country's vision to become a leading digital economy and technology hub in Africa.
Hikmatu Bilali
BusyMed, a South African healthtech startup, is transforming how patients access medicines through its mobile app. Founded in 2018 by Mphati Jezile in Port Elizabeth, BusyMed allows users to order pharmaceutical products directly from their homes.
“BusyMed seeks to solve a challenge that many South Africans face – not having access to affordable and convenient primary healthcare services. COVID-19 has made us all realise the strain our healthcare system is under, which means more services like BusyMed are essential in supporting the struggling healthcare system,” Jezile said in July 2022 to Disrupt Africa.
BusyMed integrates local pharmacies on its platform so patients can check real-time stock, place orders, and receive medicines within hours. The app also lets users submit prescriptions, consult healthcare professionals, and make secure payments.
The platform especially serves people in rural and remote areas, where medicine shortages and long waits at pharmacies are common. BusyMed’s model digitizes the entire pharmaceutical supply chain, building an integrated system around community-based healthcare.
Beyond delivering medicine, BusyMed plans to expand its app with teleconsultation and treatment management features. “Our goal is to offer primary healthcare businesses in the public and private sector the technology and resources they would need to serve the communities they are based in, and beyond, from the comfort of the patient’s home, at an affordable price,” Jezile emphasized.
This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum
Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum
Morocco is stepping up efforts to make digital technology a key driver of development and technological independence. The country plans to open an engineering school focused on digital transition and artificial intelligence.
On July 4, Minister of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni signed a partnership deal with Minister of Higher Education Azzedine El Midaoui and André Azoulay, president of the Foundation for Research, Development and Innovation in Science and Engineering (FRDISI). The agreement sets up the Higher School of Engineers in Digital Transition and Artificial Intelligence and launches specialized training programs.
The Ministry of Digital Affairs said the initiative aims to align academic programs with real-world needs. The goal is to match training to the demands of local regions, the economy, and national technology priorities.
This project supports Morocco’s “Digital Morocco 2030” strategy, which targets training 100,000 young people annually by 2030 and creating 240,000 digital sector jobs. The plan follows the National AI Forum held last week in Salé, where nine agreements were signed with public and private partners. The forum stressed the importance of building human capital and developing a national roadmap for ethical and responsible AI use.
The new school will train engineers who can create and implement innovative digital solutions across sectors like public services, healthcare, industry, and education. Morocco aims to solve internal challenges while preparing young people for the jobs of the future.
Beyond education, the project will boost Morocco’s digital sovereignty, drive innovation, and help position the country as a magnet for tech startups and regional R&D centers.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum
• Emeka Ajene leads Afri.capital, focused on early-stage African tech investments
• The firm links global investors, the African diaspora, and innovation opportunities
• Ajene previously co-founded Gozem, a major super app in Francophone Africa
Nigerian entrepreneur, mentor, and investor Emeka Ajene (pictured) is helping connect global capital with Africa’s growing technology startup ecosystem. He is the founder and CEO of Afri.capital, a venture capital firm dedicated to investing in and supporting tech startups across the continent.
Founded in 2023, Afri.capital serves as a bridge between international investors, the African diaspora, and high-potential opportunities in Africa’s innovation economy. The firm also publishes insights, analysis, and data through platforms like Afridigest to inform investors.
Afri.capital’s mission is to help institutional investors, business angels, and other stakeholders access, understand, and actively engage in Africa’s digital transformation. The company relies on Africa’s growing digital economy and strong local networks to identify, select, and support promising startups, with a focus on early-stage companies.
The firm is part of a broader ecosystem built by Ajene, which includes Afridigest, focused on market analysis, and Africreate, a strategic consulting platform. Together, these initiatives combine investment, advisory services, and information to help drive the growth of Africa’s tech sector.
Before launching Afri.capital, Ajene co-founded Gozem and served as its CEO until 2023. Gozem (founded in 2018) is a pan-African super app offering mobility, delivery, financial services, and e-commerce solutions across Francophone Africa, including Togo, Benin, Gabon, and Cameroon.
Ajene holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and quantitative economics from Morehouse College in the United States. He also earned a postdoctoral law degree and a master’s degree in finance and growth strategy from the University of Michigan.
Before his entrepreneurial ventures, Ajene held leadership positions in Africa’s digital economy. In 2015, he joined Konga Online Shopping in Nigeria as vice president for customer experience and marketing. In 2016, he became director of operations and business development for Uber Nigeria.
A Benin native, he opted to establish his professional career in France. His work now involves balancing corporate duties with youth development programs throughout Africa.
Michel Idjinou (photo), a Beninese engineer and expert in information systems architecture, specializes in data and digital transformation. He is the co-founder of RINTIO, a digital services company, and heads its French subsidiary.
Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Benin, RINTIO also operates in France. The company develops custom IT solutions, offers systems integration services, and works in data science, big data, and artificial intelligence. It supports African and international businesses in their digital transformation, delivering technology tools tailored to specific industry needs.
RINTIO is also committed to training young Africans in digital professions. It regularly hosts bootcamps and hands-on training programs in areas such as software development, AI, and data science. In 2021, it launched E-learning Coraq Lab, an online training platform.
Beyond his role at RINTIO, Idjinou is a business and data architect consultant at La Française des Jeux, the French national lottery operator. He is the founder of Africa TechUp Tour, a training initiative focused on AI and data careers for young people across Africa. He also plays an active role in the nonprofit 10.000 Codeurs, serving as the lead for the data community and mentoring youth toward careers in tech.
Michel Idjinou holds an engineering degree in computer science from Institut National des Sciences Appliquées (INSA) in Lyon, earned in 2010. Since then, he has built over 15 years of experience in information systems architecture, data project management, and digital transformation, working with major firms in France including BNP Paribas, Société Générale, and My Money Bank.
Melchior Koba
In 2023, Orange launched Lead the Future, a new business model driven by responsibility and efficiency. This approach is redefining the boundaries between economic performance and social impact, with visible results multiplying year after year across its markets, especially in Africa.
On June 5, 2025, Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA) marked the first anniversary of Orange Engage for Change. This program of social and environmental initiatives showcases OMEA's positive impact actions while allowing employees to get directly involved and make a tangible difference in communities and regions. This innovative program, which highlights OMEA’s initiatives through the Orange Foundation, Orange Digital Centers, Orange Villages, and other projects, was simultaneously rolled out across its 17 markets, a first for the continent. The pioneering initiative engages every employee on key societal and environmental issues in the countries where the group operates. Since its 2024 launch, 5,676 employees, nearly a third of the total workforce, have taken part in on-the-ground actions. They have shared their experience, skills, and support in education, digital access, the environment, and social solidarity. Each OMEA employee received three workdays per year from their local entity for community missions. These missions were grouped into over 280 engagement opportunities listed on the program's dedicated platform.
At the 2024 launch, Asma Ennaifer, Executive Director of CSR, ODC and Communications for Orange Middle East and Africa, explained that Orange Engage for Change was born from a desire to empower employees. She emphasized that every initiative and action taken by employees demonstrates their collective ability to bring about significant change. Ennaifer expressed pride in seeing this commitment materialize and witness the positive impact it generates.
The education sector proved the most dynamic, offering 123 engagement opportunities to staff, with 54 specifically dedicated to digital skills development. Regarding OMEA’s investment in skills development, the telecom company highlighted digital inclusion as a powerful lever for reducing inequality and empowering individuals. Orange stated its belief that digital technology should foster equal opportunity, not division, making it a core priority within Orange Engage for Change, its solidarity engagement program. The company affirmed that acting for digital inclusion means acting concretely for shared, sustainable progress, fully aligning with its mission as a responsible operator. Meanwhile, the environmental field provided 53 engagement opportunities for Orange employees in Africa and the Middle East.
Local Initiatives, Global Impact
The success of Orange Engage for Change heavily relies on its local roots. Orange missions are tailored to needs identified by subsidiaries and partner non-governmental organizations, ensuring maximum relevance. In Côte d’Ivoire, 150 volunteers collaborated with a local partner to reforest 30 hectares in the Azaguié forest. In Mali, 350 volunteers planted 1,000 trees and supported efforts to create an urban park for children. In Madagascar, 240 volunteers raised climate change awareness among 1,200 students across each of the country's 24 regions. Overall, the actions span a wide range of fields, including education, culture, digital inclusion, environment, and health, illustrating the program’s rich and broad impact. This diversity is part of a broader vision: to use digital technology as a tool for inclusion and to promote societal responsibility at every level.
Millions of Lives Touched
Orange’s social initiatives across Africa and the Middle East impacted the lives of over 18 million people, either directly or indirectly, in just one year. Through hundreds of missions, thousands of children and youth attended coding workshops at Orange Digital Centers. Project leaders gained skills through mentorship sessions, and hundreds of rural women participated in skills training workshops in digital homes. Urban sanitation drives included trash collection, gutter cleaning, electronic waste recycling, construction of modern school toilets, installation of community drinking water points, and distribution of medications in detention centers.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, for example, the Kisenso General Referral Hospital in Kinshasa received water and electricity storage equipment to improve working conditions for medical staff and patient care. In Guinea, Senegal, Burkina Faso, and Cameroon, digital kits were donated to schools in rural or underprivileged areas to improve students' access to richer learning resources. In Botswana, Madagascar, and Guinea-Bissau, several initiatives were launched at Digital Homes to help women develop entrepreneurial skills and build greater autonomy.
Hélène Ndogmo, a housekeeper and member of the Widows’ Association of Douala 5th, was among the women who discovered digital crafts through workshops organized by Orange Cameroon. She learned to design creations using a drawing program and produce them with a laser cutting machine. Ndogmo expressed great pride in her training, recalling that she previously thought computers were only for college students, not for older mothers like herself.
In the Central African Republic, Noelle Jessica Gandou, a senior-year student in the G2 track at the Technical High School of Bangui, benefited from a sanitation operation led by Orange Centrafrique. After the campaign, which involved removing paper and plastic waste, clearing brush, maintaining green spaces, and cleaning up areas to combat malaria and harmful insects, the teenager expressed her delight. She looked forward to seeing their playground clean and gathering area beautified with flowers, anticipating a lovely view in a few months.
Transformed Employees
One of the key anticipated effects of this program is the transformation observed among the employees themselves. Taking part in field missions provided them with a new perspective on their role in the company and strengthened their sense of social purpose.
Jacqueline Diomandé, an Orange Côte d’Ivoire customer, views Orange Engage for Change as essential. She called it a fantastic initiative, noting the difficulty for office workers to find time to get out and give back to humanity, which everyday habits often inadvertently harm.
In Madagascar, where 563 employees participated, Domoina Randriamananoro, PMO for Technical Logistics, joined colleagues in preparing and delivering care packages to children in hospitals. She explained her involvement as a way to find personal joy through helping and showing solidarity. Randriamananoro spoke of the pleasure of giving and receiving satisfaction in return, expressing pride in making her small contribution and working alongside people who share the same values in the company's varied and far-reaching humanitarian work.
Prisca Mihanta Randrianarisoa, an advertising manager at Orange Madagascar, participated in a digital education workshop for students at a public school in Ambohidratrimo. She happily recounted teaching them how to use tablets, which she believes will benefit their studies and prepare them for the future.
Omar Al-Majali of Orange Jordan added that participating in the reforestation was a unique experience. He noted that it strengthened the bond among colleagues and deepened their commitment to the environment.
Toward a Scaling Up of the Program
Buoyed by the success of this second edition, Orange plans to expand and intensify the program. The goal is to involve one out of every two employees in Orange Engage for Change, increasing team participation in high-impact societal actions. With this new social engagement initiative, OMEA is no longer simply supporting causes; it is actively engaging its people in a process of social transformation. This model is built on the belief that large corporations have a vital role to play in building more just and resilient societies. However, one of the main challenges facing OMEA as it scales up the initiative will be ensuring that the supported projects continue to thrive after employee involvement ends.
African payments technology company Flutterwave has announced it has secured 20 new Money Transmitter Licenses (MTLs) across the United States, significantly expanding its ability to offer faster and more reliable cross-border payment services.
The newly acquired licenses mean customers across more U.S. states and territories can now send money more easily and securely to countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, and Cameroon.
The new licenses reinforce the company’s mission to simplify international payments and strengthen economic ties between the U.S. and Africa.
African payments company Onafriq launched its new cross-border payment service on July 3 in Accra. This ushers in a transformative way for individuals and businesses to move money seamlessly across African borders.
The new service directly connects banks, fintechs, and mobile money operators, enabling instant transfers from Ghanaian mobile wallets to Nigerian bank accounts and wallets. This integration allows traders to settle cross-border transactions more efficiently, families to remit money to loved ones, and businesses to streamline payments to suppliers and employees.
The service launch marks a significant step toward reducing reliance on costly and slow traditional remittance channels, making it easier for millions of Africans to participate in regional economic activities.
Liquify, an invoice financing platform for SMEs, has officially announced the close of its oversubscribed $1.5 million seed round aimed at accelerating its expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The round was led by Future Africa, with participation from Launch Africa Ventures, 54 Collective, and Equitable Ventures, along with a group of strategic angel investors. Emerald Africa also extended its debt facility, strengthening Liquify’s liquidity and enabling greater flexibility to support its expanding SME customer base.
With this fresh capital, Liquify plans to scale operations in its Ghanaian hub by hiring across product, technology, and customer success teams. The company will also expand into both Anglophone and Francophone markets, extending its reach to serve more SME exporters across the region.
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Mohamed Benmansour, a Moroccan technology entrepreneur, creates digital tools to simplify business operations and improve everyday life in Africa. He founded Nuitée Travel in 2017, an online platform that helps travel agencies and airlines book hotel rooms for their clients through a direct connection to hotels.
“Our infrastructure allows developers to seamlessly integrate hotel booking features, simplify integration, and unlock unlimited possibilities,” Benmansour says. His API-based system links hotels to travel agencies, letting partners customize their own booking interfaces, control pricing, and manage their audience.
Nuitée Travel aggregates offers from 2.2 million properties worldwide, including hotel chains, independent hotels, global distribution systems, and channel managers. Through modular APIs and white-label solutions, it enables businesses to keep full control over their brand while offering a streamlined booking experience.
Benmansour’s entrepreneurial journey began with Safarclick Travel Group, an online travel agency he founded in 2009. A year later, he co-founded Superdeal.ma, a Moroccan group-buying site. In 2013, he launched Ticket.ma, an online ticketing service. In 2014, he introduced Binga, a digital payment platform that lets businesses and government offices accept cash payments at local points of sale.
Before starting his ventures, Benmansour earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 2004. He then worked as an application engineer at Silicon Laboratories in the U.S. that same year, before joining Kawasaki Microelectronics as a senior analog design engineer until 2009.
Melchior Koba
A trained veterinarian, she shifts her career toward real estate with a digital solution aimed at transforming industry practices.
Souhila Merraouche, an Algerian entrepreneur and executive, is recognized for her commitment to the digital transformation of the real estate sector. She is the founder and CEO of Krello, a startup that develops innovative solutions to digitize and streamline property management.
Founded in 2022, Krello is a digital platform revolutionizing how individuals and professionals access the real estate market. Available on mobile and web, it connects buyers, sellers, renters, and real estate agents within a comprehensive, secure, and transparent ecosystem. The platform covers rentals, sales, property exchanges, and the promotion of real estate services.
The application allows property owners and agents to manage and publish their listings, while renters and buyers can search for properties based on specific criteria. An automatic matching algorithm links user needs with available listings, simplifying the search process and speeding up access to properties.
Krello includes a messaging service for user communication, an ad management module to enhance listing visibility, and dedicated customer support. The platform enables filtered searches by location, budget, property type, or duration, as well as online booking, service reviews, and public or private sharing of listings.
Souhila Merraouche earned a doctorate in veterinary medicine in 2009 from Hadj Lakhdar University of Batna. She also obtained a bachelor's degree in industrial and organizational psychology in 2023 from the University of Algiers 2. Her career began in 2009 at BCCM, a French manufacturer of crushers and grinders, where she worked as a marketing analyst in Algeria.
In 2010, she opened the Merraouche veterinary clinic, which she managed until 2018. Between 2016 and 2022, she served as a director in Algeria for Unicity International, a U.S.-based company specializing in nutritional products.
Written in French by Melchior Koba,
Translated and adapted into English by Mouka Mezonlin
- “Siraj” service covers 1.2 million students with tools for attendance tracking and records access.
- Part of a broader push to digitise education, including e-textbooks and diploma authentication.
- Low internet penetration and device access remain key implementation challenges.
Mauritania has launched a new digital service enabling parents to monitor their children’s school attendance, academic records and learning materials, authorities said on Tuesday, July 1, as the country accelerates efforts to modernise its education system.
The platform, called “Siraj,” is accessible via the government’s digital portal “Khidmati” and serves about 1.2 million students nationwide. Parents can view required textbooks, track absences, check annual grade averages, request school transfers, and locate schools on an interactive map.
The initiative is part of a national digital education transformation strategy under development. Earlier this year, officials began designing a roadmap to digitise the sector, including plans to introduce digital diplomas and an online training platform for primary school teachers. In October 2024, the government announced the rollout of e-textbooks.
Authorities said Siraj is intended to strengthen family engagement in education, a factor linked to improved academic performance. A 2023 UNESCO report, Edtech And Parental Engagement, cited strong potential for educational technologies to help parents better support their children’s learning.
However, implementation faces hurdles. UNESCO’s research on similar initiatives in Kenya highlighted obstacles such as limited parental involvement, lack of digital skills, and inadequate infrastructure.
In Mauritania, internet access remains uneven: only 37.4% of the population was online in 2023, according to the International Telecommunication Union. Ensuring that parents have internet-capable devices and affordable connectivity will be critical to the programme’s success, officials said.
- MPs propose a West African pact for responsible AI and multilingual digital content.
- Initiative aligns with ECOWAS Digital Strategy 2024–2029 and $10.5 mln World Bank project.
- Region aims to equip 63% youth population with 21st-century digital skills.
Integrating digital technologies into African education systems is often presented as a panacea for the structural weaknesses of the sector. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) wants to make it a strategic lever for its youth.
As part of efforts to modernise schools and train young people for the digital economy, West African lawmakers recommend drawing a regional pact for ethical and sovereign use of artificial intelligence in education.
Meeting since June 30 in Dakar, members of the ECOWAS Parliament’s joint committee on Education, Health, Culture, Telecommunications, and IT discussed accelerating the integration of technology into education systems across the region.
The proposed West African Pact would promote responsible AI, develop inclusive multilingual digital content, and strengthen teacher training through a regional EdTech lab network, officials said.
Lawmakers also called for expanded electricity and internet access in schools, a comprehensive mapping of digital platforms, support for homegrown innovation in universities, and deeper regional cooperation to share educational resources.
The discussions align with the ECOWAS Digital Strategy 2024–2029, adopted last October, which positions ICT and digital education as pillars for growth, inclusion, and regional autonomy.
Funding will partly come from the West Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (WARDIP), a $10.5 million World Bank programme aiming to improve connectivity and promote an integrated digital market.
Some member states, including Senegal and Nigeria, have already deployed online learning platforms and distributed tablets in rural communities. ECOWAS now plans to expand these efforts through transnational e-learning initiatives and a regional fund to narrow the educational digital divide.
With about 63% of the region’s population under 25, ECOWAS faces a demographic imperative to equip youth with relevant digital skills. The African Union estimates that $60 million will be needed over the next five years to finance large-scale digital education programmes across the continent.
Officials said the investments should not only improve employability and foster EdTech innovation but also reduce inequalities, enhance academic mobility, and bolster the region’s technological sovereignty.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho