Non-profit organization Tech4Dev recently announced the launch of its Women Techsters initiative, aimed at providing scholarships for a virtual learning program to girls and women in Africa.
The program will equip participants with skills in blockchain, cybersecurity, data science, and artificial intelligence engineering, mixed reality/3D animation, mobile app development, product design (UI/UX), product management, and software development.
African women between the ages of 16 and 40 interested in the program are invited to apply by May 27.
The solution is the result of one of its founder’s experience. The latter was assaulted when he was a student. After his painful experience, he decided to give others the means to quickly inform relevant authorities when they encounter such situations.
Usalama is a digital solution developed by a Kenyan startup. It allows users to alert relevant authorities when they are threatened, assaulted or burgled. The idea for the solution started from an unfortunate experience one of the founders had while still a student.
“One evening while going home I was suddenly surrounded by four men at gunpoint. I sadly realized that there was no way I could call for help. One of them punched me in the gut and as I was writhing in pain they ransacked me. The ordeal lasted for five minutes but afterwards I saw a problem,” explains Edwin Inganji, one of the founders of Usalama.
The solution has an Android app, through which users can register and select people to be contacted in case of emergency. The app uses GPS to pinpoint users’ exact location, which is transmitted to relevant people along with the time of danger facing the user. Four danger scenarios are predefined on the app and the user, in case of danger, can select one of them.
“Our focus as of now is on four types of emergencies: medical emergencies, security emergencies, roadside rescue and gender-based violence. In each of these areas we seek emergency service providers that offer services in the respective sector and sign them up for our platform,” Edwin indicates.
Usalama sends a message with the location of the victim, the location of the rescuers, the three police stations closest to the victim, and the respective paths to the victim. When the contacts to be reached also have the application on their smartphone, they receive distress calls or notification prompting them to open the app and check the emergency.
The app has already been downloaded more than 5,000 times. Its founders plan to launch it in other countries as more countries are faced with insecurity on the continent.
In 2017, Usalama was a winner of the Innovating Justice BoostCamp of The Hague Institute for Innovation in Law (HiiL). It was awarded €20,000 in funding. In 2019, it was also selected for the Westerwelle Young Founders¸ program, which offers access to six months of mentoring and access to the program’s network.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Last week, the Beninese IT development agency ASIN organized a workshop to review and update the national cybersecurity strategy.
This mid-term review gave digital actors the opportunity to lay the foundations for the coming update, which aims to respond to the new challenges arising from the evolution of digital uses and related threats, three years after the strategy was launched.
The Cameroonian Union of hospitality employers SPIHT launched, Tuesday (April 25), a digital platform for the promotion of the local hotel and tourism industry.
The platform, called Waka Waka 237, allows visitors to find and book hotel rooms, apartments, restaurants, tourist sites, and travel agencies throughout Cameroon.
The Pan African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) and the African Securities Exchange Association (ASEA), on Friday April, 14, signed a memorandum of understanding to improve cross-border payment systems and promote the development of financial markets in Africa.
According to the release announcing the memorandum, the partnership will, among other things, create a reliable and efficient payment system that will allow investors to easily carry out transactions on various transactions on the continent.
To achieve digital inclusion and digitally transform the continent, Smart Africa Alliance needs to collaborate with several actors. Hence the recent partnerships.
On the sidelines of the 6th edition of the Transform Africa summit (April 26-28) in Zimbabwe, the Smart Africa Alliance signed partnership agreements to promote digital transformation in all key sectors.
Notably, it signed agreements with the Internet Society, Hitachi Systems Security, Estonian ICT, Zhejiang University, and the Innovation for Policy Foundation (i4Policy).
With the Internet Society, Smart Africa signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on a range of issues, including community network development, measuring Internet resilience and reliability, and capacity building.
The agreement with Canadian company Hitachi Systems Security aims to assist and support African cyberspace among other things.
As for the agreement with the Estonian association Estonian ICT, it provides for the design, development, deployment, and operation of public digital infrastructure on the continent.
The collaboration with Zhejiang University will contribute to knowledge generation and dissemination through the Smart Africa Digital Academy (SADA).
With the Innovation for Policy Foundation, Smart Africa envisions collaboration on various topics consistent with their respective vision and mission. i4Policy advocates and lobbies for the adoption of innovation-friendly policies in various sectors, including digital.
It is worth noting that the partnership agreements add to the one signed on Tuesday, April 25 with the African Development Fund (ADF) for the launch of the IDECT project aimed at boosting e-commerce in Africa
The service was launched on April 1, 2022, by electric car assembler Solar Taxi. Officially, it covers the East Legon and airport area for the time being.
Solar Taxi Ride is an electric vehicle ride-hailing service developed by Ghanaian start-up Solar Taxi. It allows users to travel and move goods from one place to another using eco-friendly vehicles and motorcycles at competitive prices. Its founding startup was launched, in 2018, by tech-policy expert Jorge Appiah.
Through its Android and iOS apps, users can set up their Solar Taxi account to be able to hail the various rides available. Solar Taxi's fleet consists of solar-powered motorcycles, scooters, lounge cars, tricycles, and minivans. The startup offers attractive rates all thanks to its solar technology.
“The company estimates to save the environment of two million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year while saving the average Ghanaian commuted by GH¢10,000 [about $839 each year on transportation cost,” indicated Gilbert Sefa Nuwordu, head of Solar Taxi Ride.
Solar Taxi thus wants to reduce the rate charged by its competitors already on the market by 80%. Nevertheless, Gilbert Sefa Nuwordu was keen to point out that the very high prices of other on-demand transport applications are mainly due to the rising cost of fuel. The solution is not yet accessible in most major cities in Ghana but, its Android app has already been downloaded over a thousand times. These numbers prove that it is on the right track and its expansion could eventually bode well for Ghanaians.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
The partnership comes a month after Mastercard partnered with Egypt to digitize the local economy. It aims at giving consumers faster access to digital loans.
Egyptian software development company egabi FSI and Mastercard recently signed a partnership to expand access to digital lending solutions across Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. The information was disclosed by Mastercard on Thursday, April 27.
This agreement will lead to the digitization of the lending ecosystem and the introduction of innovative products for “growing segments such as BNPL, microfinance and SME.”
According to Ahmed Sameh, CEO of egabi FSI, the partnership with Mastercard "reflects the confidence of global financial institutions in egabi FSI as a fintech facilitator and the quality of egabi's products. This partnership will pave the way for greater market coverage and together with Mastercard, we will be able to redefine the digital lending industry in the region."
Under the partnership, “Mastercard will activate egabi’s digital-lending capabilities and assets to provide an end-to-end lending proposition to financial institutions and fintech companies.” The proposition will be “further enhanced by offering Mastercard’s Digital First products to issuers willing to enter the digital lending space.”
This strategic partnership follows partnerships initiated by Mastercard in Egypt to connect and power an inclusive digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere with secure, simple, smart, and accessible transactions. In March 2023, Mastercard announced a new partnership with the National Bank of Egypt (NBE) to “bring next-level digitization into the Egyptian economy.” Five months earlier, in October 2022, the company partnered with some Egyptian banks to bolster the local fintech ecosystem and boost financial inclusion.
Samira Njoya
E-commerce is often touted as the way of the future in Africa. The sector has grown exponentially in recent years and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) expects it to grow further in the coming years.
Last Tuesday, the African Development Fund (ADF) -the concessional window of the African Development Bank (AfDB)- and the Smart Africa Alliance announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch the Multinational - Institutional Support for Digital Payments and e-Commerce Policies for Cross-Border Trade (IDECT), which aims to streamline digital payments and e-commerce policies in ten African countries.
The MoU was signed in Zimbabwe by Lacina Koné (photo, left), the CEO of Smart Africa, and Leïla Mokaddem, Director General of the African Development Bank for Southern Africa on the sidelines of the 6th Transform Africa Summit (TAS), which runs until Friday, April 28, in Victoria Falls.
"This initiative will support the development of harmonized e-payment policies, capacity building, and gender-responsive frameworks, ultimately fostering a digital business ecosystem that generates employment opportunities across the continent," Leïla Mokaddem said.
According to the AfDB, IDECT will assess policy gaps in the digital trade and e-commerce ecosystems of Côte d'Ivoire, Benin, Ghana, Liberia, Uganda, South Sudan, Zimbabwe, Republic of Congo, São Tomé and Príncipe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The 3-year project will be executed by the Smart Africa Alliance from Kigali (Rwanda) and jointly funded by the African Development Fund and Smart Africa.
Ultimately, IDECT's programs are expected to reach 600 participants, 60% of whom will be women and youth. In addition, a certified online training program will be designed for 2,500 participants, 60 percent of whom will be women. This program will be gender sensitive and address the specific challenges faced by women in the fields of e-commerce and digital business.
Samira Njoya
Senegal wants to recapitalize its postal company to save it from its ongoing problems. One of the main solutions considered for this restructuring bid is service digitization.
Last Tuesday, Senegal’s public postal operator La Poste and mobile money company Orange Finances Mobiles Senegal signed a partnership agreement to implement innovative projects.
On its Twitter account, La Poste indicates that the agreement focuses on customer management with innovative and inclusive tools as formulated in its strategic expansion plan PSE-La Poste.
A few months ago, Senegal decided to restructure its postal company and revive its activities. For that purpose, sectoral actors elaborated a strategic expansion plan aimed at transforming the public postal company, modernizing its sorting and hybrid mailing center, setting up a modern customer relations center, improving existing processes, products, and services, and introducing innovative services.
To successfully implement the expansion plan, La Poste joined forces with choice partners, including Orange Finances Mobiles and Ecobank.
Under the new partnership, La Poste will benefit from Orange’s experience in the development of innovative services and products. Meanwhile, Orange will capitalize on the postal operator’s assets and advantages, such as its proximity to the population and its extended network that allows it to be a reliable partner in the rapidly changing mobile money industry.
Samira Njoya
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The solution aims to help merchants with their transportation needs.
Garri is a digital solution developed by an Ethiopian startup. It allows shippers to easily and reliably move their goods anywhere within Ethiopia using carriers and drivers approved by the startup. The solution, launched in 2020, has raised $100,000 to support its growth.
It aims to eliminate freight logistics hassles by optimizing and digitizing every aspect of the industry. For that purpose, it developed mobile apps -for Android and iOS devices- to make the process easier. Shippers and drivers sign up and Garri handles driver approval to allow only trusted ones on its platform.
It explains that its “vetted drivers earn more money per trip, have a safer and more flexible work experience, and develop better relationships with transporters and shippers, with increased opportunity to own/operate their own truck.”
“Garri works to find round trips and multileg to minimize empty miles and maximize customer earnings,” it added.
Before booking a driver, shippers need to request a quote via the mobile app or the web platform. Once the price is agreed upon, Garri matches the shipment with the best carrier for the job. Then, when a driver is assigned to the shipment, the startup notifies the requester, who can then track the delivery in real-time. Upon successful completion, all paperwork is handed to the requester.
In 2022, Garri was selected among the 60 startups to participate in the second cohort of the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund for Africa, receiving a share of the $4 million support dedicated to the participants.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Low Internet penetration and growing demand for broadband have attracted many international and local investors to the Democratic Republic of Congo. To meet the population’s demand, companies are joining forces to develop common strategies.
Last Friday, tech company CSquared and data center management operator Raxio signed a memorandum of understanding to improve Internet connectivity in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Yannick Sukakumu (photo, left), Raxio's general manager in the DRC, says the MOU provides the missing piece for Raxio to serve its customers in the country. It will allow CSquared DRC to connect the various Raxio data centers to offer quality internet to clients.
The partnership is part of Raxio's ambition to deploy several data centers to host IT equipment, and critical communication infrastructures, among others. For CSquared, this collaboration is part of a coherent strategy to expand its footprint across Africa in a context marked by high demand for broadband connectivity on the continent.
"By building infrastructure such as fiber optics and data centers and connecting them with existing technology solutions and services, we believe we are building an ecosystem” that will support the creativity of our youth, which is in dire need of such support, said Alain Malanda (photo, right), manager of CSquared DRC.
Samira Njoya
The African video game market is currently growing steadily with a rising number of gaming communities being built on the continent. It is therefore important to create a framework to develop the sector and train future professional gamers on the continent.
On April 19, 2023, in Dakar, the Senegalese eSport promotion committee CONAPES and Senegal Digital (SENUM SA) signed a partnership agreement to promote eSport in the country. The agreement aims to allow access to digital development centers (ESS) for gamers.
On Twitter, CONAPES explains that the partnership is an opportunity to democratize eSport, but also an opportunity to offer training in professions related to gaming, in line with the digital inclusion so desired by and for the Senegalese youth.
Under the agreement, SENUM SA and CONAPES will build a network of 45 ESSs dedicated only to gaming. Therefore, gamers will access the resources available to all the ESSs present in the 14 regions, including 6,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable offering very high-speed internet. The main objective is to create 45 eSport Clubs (Pro Gamer), 45 eLeagues, and a national eSport competition, namely the Senum Esport Competition (SECO).
The partnership will also give CONAPES staff access to a vast training and mentoring program on professions related to electronic games, immersive sports, cybersports, techsport, and phygital sports including innovative technologies, artificial intelligence, drones, and exoskeletons...
For CONAPES, with such an agreement, Senegal becomes the first African country to launch a LAN network dedicated to competitive gaming.
Samira Njoya
Sourcing supplies has always been a challenging task for informal traders. The solution aims to address those challenges since its founder knows them very well for being the son of an informal trader.
Alerzo is a b2B solution developed by a Nigerian startup. It allows informal traders to easily source their supplies online. The startup, which founded the solution, was established in 2019, by Adewale Opaleye. Since its inception, it has raised about $16 million to improve its technology and accelerate growth.
“I started Alerzo to help my mom, a single mother who ran two informal retail stores to support me and my three siblings. Before Alerzo, she had to close her shop and travel for hours to buy inventory to stay in business. [...] Women are often victims of theft because street boys know retail store operators often carry cash. I wanted to apply what I learned in China to make life better for working mothers in Nigeria,” explains the founder.
Through its Android and iOS apps, merchants can easily access Alerzo's services. They first need to create their accounts. Then, they can browse the registered wholesalers, stock up in just a few clicks and get their goods delivered for free within 24 hours. “With Alerzo, informal retailers can receive and make cashless payments, track store profitability better and facilitate a portfolio of digital services,” the platform reads.
In 2021, the startup had a team of fewer than 250 people (according to Crunchbase data) and was working with about 150,000 informal merchants. In March 2023, it decided to lay off some of its staff because the economic environment in Nigeria was not what it projected it to be.
“Given previous market dynamics, we hired very aggressively during the past couple of years to fuel quick growth and expansion across the country. This does not align now with the economic environment today, so we, unfortunately, had to make changes to our business to be more focused around pursuing strong unit economics,” it said in a release.
Despite this lean period, Alerzo is not giving up on its expansion plans. The Nigerian e-commerce platform wants to expand across Africa and beyond.
Adoni Conrad Quenum