Twitter CEO Elon Musk (photo) announced in a tweet published on Thursday (May 11) the launch of the first version of encrypted direct messages on the platform. The feature allows subscribers to communicate without the platform storing their messages, which will only be available on their devices. Musk also mentioned that other features, such as voice and video calls, will be added 'soon’.
The Ivorian Minister of SMEs Souleymane Diarrassouba (photo) launched on Monday (May 8), a mobile application to fight against the cost of living crisis and monitor market prices.
According to the government official, the app dubbed “contrôle citoyen” allows any resident to report illegal pricing practices, the sales of outdated goods, and merchants who fail to display their prices.
The solution was launched by two foreign students in Mauritius as they believe the country is the best place to start, to quickly penetrate Southern African markets.
Vite is a digital solution developed by a Mauritian start-up. It allows users to book rides and parcel deliveries.
Through its mobile app, accessible on Appstore and Playstore, users can use its on-demand transportation services or even request the delivery of items like food, spice, etc as well as send for an errand. The platform integrates a WhatsApp link for users to report any issues that arise.
The solution claims more than 700 partner drivers, over 10,000 customers served and more than 24,500 trips and orders completed. To improve its efficiency, it is partnered with various entities. For example, it provides delivery services to more than 250 restaurants.
Based in Grand Bay, its founding startup was launched, in 2017, by Isaac Agyemang and Ukeme Augustine Jonah, two foreign students. Commenting on why it was launched in Mauritius, Vite’s chief marketing officer Anthony Takyi said: “If you are going to do business and get things smoother than smooth in Africa, Mauritius is certainly the starting point. It is the gateway to the SADC region.”
In 2020, the startup completed a funding round of an undisclosed amount to develop its technology and accelerate its growth. It is growing steadily and hopes to expand into the sub-region in the coming years. To date, its Android app has been downloaded more than 10,000 times from PlayStore.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Despite significant investment by the government in mobile telecommunications services, a significant portion of Nigeria's population still lacks access to them. Parliament is seeking answers regarding the reasons behind this delay.
The Nigerian House of Representatives on Tuesday, May 9, launched an inquiry to determine why the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has failed to promote the widespread availability and use of mobile telecommunication services throughout the country, especially in rural areas.
The investigation also seeks to question the use of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), which was established by the federal government to facilitate the achievement of the universal service objectives in rural, unserved, and underserved areas.
“It is therefore critical to note that it is not only people residing in urban areas that have the right to telecommunications, consideration should be extended to rural dwellers. [...] The NCC as the regulator needs to ensure proactiveness in ensuring qualitative and efficient services are offered by the telecommunication operators,” said Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker of Parliament, at the first public hearing organized by the ad hoc committee of the House of Representatives.
According to NCC figures, Nigeria had 227.1 million mobile subscribers as of February 2023. While this figure represents a penetration rate of around 110 percent, the actual numbers are lower because some subscribers have multiple SIM cards. The NCC estimates that about 27 million Nigerians do not have access to mobile telecommunications services.
So, for three days, NCC officials will be questioned about the 1,014 contracts funded through the USPF, including a digital library project that cost over NGN2 billion ($4.3 million).
Samira Njoya
He founded KondjiGbale to help doctors fulfill their lifesaving tasks. The startup has been celebrated in Togo and beyond and won him several awards.
Yvon Koudam (pictured) is a Togolese entrepreneur and co-founder/CEO of KondjiGbale, a start-up that aims to facilitate access to healthcare.
His startup, founded in 2019, develops medical technology solutions to simplify the daily management and monitoring of people's health. Through its platform, doctors can access patients’ medical records. Patients can also access teleconsultation services every day from 6 am (Togo time) to midnight and order medication by sending their prescriptions. It also lists on-call pharmacies and gives users the possibility to set medication schedules.
KondjiGbale is accessible, in local languages, via many channels including a mobile and web app, a USSD code, a call center, and SMS. It is partnered with three health centers and over 34 health professionals. To date, it has some 5,165 patients and over 500 consultations booked.
In March 2023, Yvon Koudam represented his country at the Brazzaville International Youth Leadership Forum (BILYF). He shared his knowledge and experience on the panel: "Sustainable Development and Digital Economy".
Between 2016 and 2022, the entrepreneur worked as a programmer analyst in the start-up Clin Sarl U in Togo. In that position, he supported the design, programming, and development of applications for clients and companies such as TMoney and AgriStore. In December 2021, he was a guest speaker at the Emerging Valley Summit. Since December 2022, he is the Delegate of the Youth Innovation Week in Togo.
Through his startup, he has won several competitions, including the Pitch Your Startup Idea organized by Enginnova, the French Embassy in Togo, and the Togo Innovation Challenge of the Ministry of Grassroots Development in 2019. A finalist in the Hacking Covid-19 Africa competition initiated by HEC Paris in 2020, he was also among the 10 finalists of the fifth edition of the RFI App Challenge.
Melchior Koba
Adaverse, a Cardano blockchain accelerator focussed on Africa and Asia, announced on Tuesday (May 9) its investment in BitSport, a blockchain-based Web3 gaming platform founded by Victor Ogunshina and Charles Adenuoye. The amount invested was not disclosed.
"Bitsport’s AI-powered Web3 gaming platform represents the future of gaming, and we are thrilled to be a part of it. Adaverse’s investment in Bitsport highlights our commitment to supporting the development of cutting-edge technology that has the potential to revolutionize the gaming industry," said Vincent Li, founding partner at Adaverse.
Fifty Lybian start-ups, including 36 women-led companies, were selected on Saturday (May 6) to participate in the TEC+ Accelerator program launched by UNDP in partnership with Tatweer Research.
The 8-week TEC+ program will allow the selected start-ups to build their physical and scientific capacities to accelerate their growth and create job opportunities in the market.
Tunisia announced the arrival of 5G technology in 2020, and investments have since been made to prepare for its deployment. The introduction of this advanced technology is anticipated to enhance trade and services in the country.
Tunisia is poised to proceed to the commercial launch of the 5G in 2024. The roadmap for its implementation is being developed and will be announced in the coming weeks. This was revealed by Nizar Ben Neji (photo), the Tunisian Minister of Communication Technologies, on Monday, May 8 at the ICT Summit 2023 organized by Huawei Tunisia.
"Pilot tests have been conducted with telecommunications operators. The technology will be gradually deployed dependent on the needs of various users, including businesses and administrations, "said Nizar Ben Neji.
Over the past three years, telecommunications operators have invested heavily in upgrading their networks to prepare for the deployment of ultra-high-speed internet technology. In November 2022, incumbent operator Tunisia Telecom confirmed its ability to offer 5G after a public test conducted on the sidelines of the 18th International Summit of the Francophonie. Ooredoo Tunisia and Orange Tunisia have also conducted successful tests.
The commercial rollout of the 5G is an essential part of Tunisia’s strategy to digitize its economy to promote digital inclusion. According to Nizar Ben Neji, 5G will ensure a significant increase in speed, ultra-fast connectivity, reduced latency, and increased capacity, paving the way for new opportunities and applications especially those related to the Internet of Things and connected objects in general.
In its report "5G in Africa: Realising the potential," the GSM Association (GSMA) reveals that 5G mobile networks are expected to contribute $26 billion to the African economy across the value chain by 2030.
Samira Njoya
Côte d'Ivoire plans to achieve full digital transformation by 2030. For that purpose, the country needs advanced technical and technological talents. Hence its interest in various partners that are already showing their interest in the market.
A delegation of 220 French companies specializing in digital infrastructure will be in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire from May 11 to 12. According to the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, which released the information on Monday, May 8, the companies will take part in the “Rencontres Internationales des infrastructures numériques” (International conference digital infrastructure).
During the two-day conference, participants will showcase their expertise in various areas including telecommunications networks, cloud infrastructure, and data management. They will also hunt for business opportunities in Côte d’Ivoire, where the government is currently engaged in a broad digital transformation project.
"The International Conference on Digital Infrastructure is an international event aimed at fostering exchanges, partnerships, and business opportunities in the field of digital infrastructure. This event will bring together experts, public and private sector actors, as well as investors interested in the development of digital infrastructure in Côte d'Ivoire," informed a release from the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy.
In October 2022, Digital Minister Amadou Coulibaly (photo), revealed the country's need for more than CFAF 2,000 billion ($3 billion) in investments for the implementation of the 96 projects covered by its 2021-2025 digital development strategy. Many of the projects aim to improve the access, quality, and security of digital services.
The projects offer significant business opportunities for the participating tech companies. The Ivorian government expects the conference will be an opportunity to attract strategic partnerships to support the realization of its digital projects, the most urgent of which are the construction of the National Data Center and the completion of the national fiber optic network.
Samira Njoya
The solution was launched after one of its co-founders’ employees got arrested for buying a stolen smartphone.
Badili is an online refurbished smartphone retailing platform developed by an eponymous Kenyan startup launched in 2022. It allows users to buy phones at competitive rates, that can go up to 50% down from brand-new prices.
“We are providing an alternative to people who don’t want to pay full price for a device, and I am more excited about the fact that we can help a lot of consumers buy their first smartphone,” Badili’s CEO, Rishabh Lawania, told media outlet Techcrunch in late 2022.
“One of my ex-employees in Kenya got arrested for buying a stolen phone, and it struck me that most people can’t buy pre-owned electronics here because the only option they have is the grey market, which is risky. That is when the Badili idea kicked in. I thought something needs to change,” he explained.
The solution has no mobile app yet, but users can visit its web platform to discover all the available smartphone brands and ranges, including Infinix, Apple, Samsung, Redmi, and Oppo.
Badili also allows individuals to resell their used smartphones. Its pricing algorithm makes a summary estimate of used phones’ value by considering brands and models. For thorough estimates, users have to give more details about the condition of their used phones, including the state of the screen, components, and additional accessories.
Users can also get their phones repaired on the platform. The founding startup plans to expand throughout Africa. For that purpose, the Naribo-based startup, founded in 2022, has already raised close to $3.9 million.
“We are launching in Uganda and Tanzania and have established strong partnerships with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Within the next six months, we will be expanding to a few West African markets to get our foot in the door of some of the major markets in Africa,” said Rishabh Lawania when the startup raised $2.1 million in pre-seed funding in December 2022.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
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He develops video games that highlight African cultures in an industry that has long been dominated by foreign companies. Through his hard work and dedication, he is transforming the industry and inspiring a new generation of African entrepreneurs.
Olivier Madiba (photo) is a Cameroonian entrepreneur and video game developer. He is best known for being the founder and CEO of Kiro'o Games, the first video game studio in Central Africa. Through his work, Madiba established himself as one of the leading players in the African video game industry, showcasing African culture.
The Cameroonian-born got interested in video gaming quite early. After his computer science studies at the University of Yaoundé 1, he went on to study business management, as a YALI scholar, at Dartmouth College, in New Hampshire.
In 2013, he founded Kiro'o Games, a video game creation studio with an all-African team. The studio creates the best African digital catalog with a mix of video games, comics, animations, illustrations, etc. In 2016, the company released its first game, "Aurion: Legacy of the Kori-Odan" which was inspired by African culture. The game soon became a commercial success.
The studio also developed several other games, including the game "Le responsable Mboa," a comic game satirizing civil servants’ vices, and "Aurion: Kajuta Gems Fighters," a puzzle adventure game in the Aurion universe.
In 2007, Olivier Madiba established his first enterprise, MADIA GROUP, an IT company providing services such as web development, hosting, and web design. This venture marked the origin of the Kiro'o project.
His work at Kiro'o Games has earned him several awards. He is recognized as one of the leading players in the video game industry in Cameroon. In 2016, he was the runner-up of the Total Energies Startupper Challenge in Cameroon. He is one of the 20 French-speaking African entrepreneurs to watch in 2023 according to the African media outlet Warketing Digital.
Melchior Koba
About 13 million cyber attacks targeting bank accounts and customer data in the Egyptian banking sector were thwarted by Kaspersky in the first quarter of 2023, according to Amin Hasbiny, the head of the global research and analysis team for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa at Kaspersky.
Speaking on the sidelines of Kaspersky's eighth annual cybersecurity forum in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Amin Hasbiny noted that the attacks were 186% up from the figures recorded in the same quarter last year.
Last Monday, LinkedIn announced a reorganization of its global sales organization and China strategy. The decision involves the reduction of roles for 716 employees and the phasing out of its local China jobs application, InCareer, by August 9. The decisions stem from the group’s desire to adapt to the changing market, and customer demand as well as become more agile and align teams for its next growth phase.
"As we plan for FY24, we’re expecting the macro environment to remain challenging. We’re adapting as we have done this year and will continue to operate with the ambition we need to deliver on our vision and the pragmatism required to run the business well," wrote Ryan Roslansky, LinkedIn's CEO.
Over the past few years, mobile money has become an increasingly important financial tool for a growing segment of the African population. As the service becomes more diversified, it continues to gain maturity and conquer new markets across the continent
In 2022, Africa was the fastest-growing mobile money market in the world. In its "State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money 2023", the GSM Association (GSMA) reveals that the continent recorded 166 active services (out of 315 worldwide) and 781 million active accounts (48.81% of the world's 1.6 billion registered users), up by 17% compared to 2021.
The continent also accounted for 44.9 billion (+21%) financial transactions estimated at $836.5 billion (+22%). The amount represents 66.39% of the $1.26 trillion mobile money transactions recorded worldwide in 2022.
East Africa remained the most dynamic sub-region on the continent with 390 million active accounts, 28 billion transactions, and $491.8 billion in transaction value. North Africa, due to its small size, recorded the lowest performance with 18 million active accounts, 97 million transactions, and $4.7 billion in transaction value.
Infographic: Mobile Money Market in Africa (2022)
Source: GSMA
According to the GSMA, despite this positive performance, there are lingering challenges that threaten financial inclusion. “Some countries have introduced taxes on mobile money transactions and fees that do not align with their financial inclusion objectives. Fraud also remains an industrywide issue, which many regulators are aiming to overcome through improved consumer awareness and capacity building,” the report indicates.