The Innovators for Impact (i3) initiative is now accepting applications for its third cohort, aimed at ventures dedicated to improving access to affordable, high-quality health products and services across Africa. Applications will remain open until February 28, 2025, with the final cohort announced on April 30, 2025.
Eligible ventures must focus on addressing healthcare needs in Africa and have a legal presence or headquarters on the continent. They should provide tech-enabled solutions that enhance pharmacy services, excluding businesses solely focused on research.
This initiative seeks to empower innovators who can bring meaningful change to Africa’s healthcare landscape through partnerships, funding, and support.
In an increasingly digital global economy, there is a critical need to equip the continent’s youth with the skills required to thrive. Diversification into the digital sector is essential to build resilience, foster innovation, and create sustainable growth opportunities.
The International Trade Centre (ITC) has launched the "Sierra Leone: Empowering Youth through Digital Technologies" (READY Salone) project, it announced on January 24. Funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the four-year initiative will harness the potential of Sierra Leone’s youth, particularly women and persons with disabilities, to thrive in the digital economy.
During the project’s launch, ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton emphasized the transformative role of digital skills: “Trade is digital. It’s how business happens now, and young people are leading the way. Through READY Salone, we’re partnering with government and business to create a digital-friendly environment and build the online skills of youth, women, and persons with disabilities.”
READY Salone focuses on four key pillars: enhancing digital literacy, improving entrepreneurial competitiveness through upskilling, strengthening tech-focused business support services, and developing inclusive national digital strategies. Through this initiative, 3,000 youth and 250 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will access digital skills training and business opportunities, while an awareness campaign will reach 10,000 young people, encouraging digital careers and entrepreneurship.
The event also featured a slogan competition with 100 youth participants and discussions with financial institutions on advancing inclusive finance for women and launching a Skills for Youth Employment Fund (SkYE Fund) for Sierra Leonean youth.
The READY Salone project aligns with Sierra Leone’s National Digital Development Strategy (NDDS) which focuses on improving digital infrastructure, enhancing digital literacy, and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. The strategy reinforces efforts to bridge digital and economic divides by fostering inclusion, with a particular focus on women, rural communities, and marginalized groups, such as persons with disabilities (PWD).
Haja Salimatu Bah, Minister of Communication, Technology, and Innovation, highlighted the alignment, stating, “The READY Salone project’s focus on creating digital jobs and successful digital freelancers aligns perfectly with our national goals. We look forward to collaborating with ITC to amplify the impact of our work.”
Hikmatu Bilali
The government has ambitious goals for the digital economy this year, with expanding high-speed connectivity at the forefront. Improving and expanding high-speed internet access is a top priority. While fiber optics remain crucial, the government is also exploring other technologies to achieve this goal.
Guinea is moving closer to launching a satellite to strengthen its digital sovereignty and technological capabilities.
On Friday, January 24, Rose Pola Pricemou, Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and the Digital Economy, met with a delegation from AirSAT Technology, a Chinese company specializing in commercial satellite solutions, to discuss potential collaboration on the project.
According to a ministry statement, the satellite project aims to facilitate large-scale data transmission and lay the groundwork for technological skills transfer in the aeronautics sector. The initiative also includes plans to train local engineers to manage processes related to the operation and maintenance of satellite technologies.
This initiative aligns with Guinea's push for digital sovereignty. Such a project could be a turning point for the country, equipping it with a critical tool to modernize its telecommunications and reduce dependence on foreign infrastructure.
According to Space in Africa’s 2023 Annual Report on the African space industry, the sector was valued at $19.49 billion in 2021, with projected growth of 16% by 2026, reaching $22.64 billion.
By pursuing this ambition, Guinea could join the ranks of African nations leveraging space technologies to support their development. To date, nearly fifteen African countries have invested over $4.71 billion in 58 satellite projects, with further developments underway. Nations such as Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya are already utilizing their satellite capabilities to enhance internet connectivity, monitor climate change, and optimize natural resource management.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
The Telecommunication Union's 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index highlighted Africa's significant cybersecurity gap compared to other regions. It also suggested that with the right policies and investment incentives, the continent can rapidly improve its cybersecurity posture.
The African cybersecurity market holds significant economic potential for both local companies and international investors, despite facing various challenges. According to Mordor Intelligence, the market, valued at $0.6 billion in 2024, is expected to grow to $1.28 billion by 2029, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 13.5%.
The World Economic Forum's Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025 report reveals that 36% of businesses are skeptical about their country's ability to manage a critical infrastructure cyberattack. Additionally, 27% remain neutral on the issue, while only 9% express confidence, highlighting the continent's vulnerability to escalating threats in an increasingly digital landscape. Ransomware attacks are particularly prevalent, targeting sectors such as finance, email, social media, and critical infrastructure, including energy and transportation, as noted in Interpol's 2023 African Cyberthreat Assessment Report. These attacks disrupt economies and undermine public trust, with African banks experiencing a notable increase in attacks on their digital payment systems.
Several factors contribute to this vulnerability. Many African countries have inadequate cybersecurity budgets and face a significant shortage of skilled professionals. While some nations have implemented data protection legislation, many still lag behind. Furthermore, businesses and citizens often underestimate the severity of cyber threats. According to Orange Cyberdefense's 2023 Security Navigator report, cyberattacks could result in a 10% loss in GDP across Africa, with extortion cases rising by 70% in 2023. This situation presents a real opportunity for developing solutions tailored to the continent's specific challenges. African universities and training centers can expand their curricula to meet the growing demand for qualified professionals, while local startups can innovate by creating products and services that address local needs.
Cybersecurity is essential for Africa's successful digital transformation. Addressing existing weaknesses is crucial for building trust and ensuring resilience in the digital age. African governments can support this transformation by implementing policies that foster innovation and investment in cybersecurity solutions tailored to the unique context of the continent.
Samira Njoya
Launched in 2022, the Ivorian fintech offers a range of financial services to local communities. To accelerate its growth, it has forged strategic partnerships with organizations such as La Poste and the Coffee and Cocoa Board.
Push CI is a fintech solution developed by Ivorian company SEAD Group SA. It offers an all-in-one mobile account linked to a virtual or physical Visa card to simplify financial management for its users.
Launched in 2022 by Steven Bedi, along with Selma Ouiguini, a former Société Générale executive, the Abidjan-based startup provides a mobile app available on iOS and Android. The app, which has surpassed 100,000 downloads according to Play Store data, enables users to create an account and access a full range of digital financial services tailored to both individuals and professionals.
Linked to a phone number, the account provides two types of international Visa cards: a physical card (priced at 5,000 CFA francs, about $8) for in-store payments, ATM withdrawals, and online purchases worldwide; and a free virtual card for secure online transactions.
Push CI enables users to send and receive money instantly, both to other Push accounts and via leading mobile money operators. The app also allows users to pay utility bills – electricity, water, and internet – and top up their phone credit with a few clicks. Users have real-time access to detailed transaction histories for effective financial tracking.
To cater to users without internet access, the fintech provides a USSD code for accessing all its services. Additionally, the customer service center offers multilingual support in French, Dioula, Baoulé, Bété, and Mooré.
In January 2025, Push CI was selected alongside nine other Ivorian startups for the Ivoire Tech Champions Challenge. Winners will enjoy various benefits, including a visit to Silicon Valley in the United States from February 24 to 28, 2025.
By Adoni Conrad Quenum
Editing by Feriol Bewa
He is an experienced creative director with strong expertise in visual communication and marketing. As an entrepreneur, he has specialized in finance and e-commerce.
Mohammed Awami (photo) is a Tanzanian tech entrepreneur and the founder of Elevt Financial Technologies, a company specializing in fintech solutions.
Founded in 2024, Elevt Financial Technologies provides integrated working capital solutions aimed at fostering the growth of small businesses and their customers. The company offers low-interest loans, enabling businesses to expand and improve their operations.
Elevt's platform features an innovative payment solution called Tap to Pay, which transforms smartphones into payment terminals. This functionality supports several contactless payment methods, including credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and mobile money services. The platform also offers users detailed sales reports, giving them a clear view of their business performance.
Before founding Elevt Financial Technologies, Mohammed Awami launched Settlo in 2021, an omnichannel commerce platform based in East Africa. Settlo transforms business management for merchants, covering in-store sales, e-commerce, payments, and business performance analytics.
Awami holds a diploma in computer-aided publishing and digital image design, earned in 2009 from the AAA School of Advertising in South Africa. He began his career in 2005 as a graphic designer at Livewire Studios, a production and audio engineering studio. He subsequently worked as a graphic designer at Aggrey & Clifford, an advertising agency, in 2008. Awami later served as an art director at Lowe Scanad Tanzania, a communications agency, from 2011 to 2014, and at AIM Group, a Tanzanian digital media agency, from 2018 to 2021.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Her goal is to empower businesses to succeed. She provides expert guidance in finance, marketing, and technology.
Ebby Gatamu (photo) is a Kenyan marketing expert and entrepreneur. She is the co-founder and CEO of Cladfy Financial Services.
Founded in 2022, Cladfy provides microfinance lenders with modern solutions for loan management, credit assessment, and access to competitive financing. The company helps lenders confidently issue loans, streamline internal processes, and grow profitably.
The Cladfy platform integrates credit assessment models and features a dashboard enabling staff to visualize loans, deposits, expenses, and other reports. It also facilitates communication between lenders and their clients through automated web notifications, two-way SMS, and emails.
In addition to her role at Cladfy, Ebby Gatamu is the co-founder of Adshop Online, a digital marketing agency established in 2017. As a preferred rate service provider (PRSP), the agency offers digital marketing solutions. She also mentors startups at Wentors, an organization supporting women in technology.
Gatamu holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Nairobi. Her professional journey began in 2011 at KPMG East Africa, where she worked as an audit advisor. Two years later, she became a project manager at Kenya Airways. In 2018, she took on the role of head of marketing and e-commerce at Vivo Activewear, a fashion company.
In 2019, Gatamu joined Digiduka, a digital payments provider, as marketing director. From 2020 to 2022, she served as director of customer experience at Alfluence, an AI-powered influencer marketing platform in Africa.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
He is a solutions architect, specializing in digital transformation and innovation strategy. He has extensive experience in the finance, consulting, and technology sectors across Africa.
Babatola Awe (photo) is a Nigerian computer scientist and tech entrepreneur. He is the co-founder and CEO of Revent Technologies, a company specializing in the development of technological solutions.
Founded in 2020, Revent Technologies provides tailored technology solutions and software development services for businesses of all sizes. The company also specializes in areas such as cloud computing, big data, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cybersecurity.
Among its innovations, Revent Technologies has developed several cutting-edge solutions. For instance, Flowmono is a comprehensive platform that streamlines interactions between individuals, data, data-generating processes, and intellectual property within organizations. The company also launched Vybecash, a platform designed to enhance digital payment experiences through services like financial account management, transfers, bill payments, and savings.
In addition, Babatola Awe co-founded Revent Advisory Partners in 2020, focusing on the finance, technology, and human resources sectors. In 2022, he launched Revent Academy, where he also serves as CEO, aiming to equip the younger generation with essential tech skills.
Babatola Awe graduated from the University of Ibadan with a bachelor’s degree in computer science in 2008. He began his professional career in 2010 at AXA Mansard Insurance as an executive assistant and software developer.
In 2012, he joined First Bank Nigeria as an assistant banking client officer before becoming a senior analyst for customer and payment solutions. Between 2018 and 2020, he worked at Deloitte as a digital consultant.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Data centers are critical to Africa's digital development as they provide the foundational infrastructure for storing, processing, and transmitting data. The expansion of data centers in Africa supports digital transformation, accelerates innovation, and boosts economic growth by attracting investments and enabling businesses to scale in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
PAIX Data Centres, a provider of digital infrastructure in Africa, has announced the construction of a state-of-the-art data centre in Dakar, Senegal, marking a significant milestone in its West African expansion. This new development, revealed on January 27, underscores PAIX’s commitment to meeting the growing demand for high-quality digital infrastructure across the continent.
For Boubacar Fall Sy, Managing Director of PAIX Data Centres Senegal, “The construction of this new data centre in Dakar demonstrates our commitment to the development of digital infrastructure in West Africa. We look forward to providing local and international businesses with world-class colocation and connectivity services, facilitating their digital transformation.”
The PAIX Dakar facility is designed to meet the highest global standards, offering 1.2 MW of IT load to ensure a stable power supply for critical operations, 918 m² of colocation space to provide scalable hosting solutions, and 330 secure bays for IT equipment in a controlled environment. The first phase of the project is set to be operational in 2026, enabling businesses to access reliable connectivity and world-class colocation services.
Aligned with its environmental goals, PAIX aims to use 100% renewable energy for its data centres by 2030. The Dakar facility will incorporate innovative design strategies to maximize efficiency, minimize water consumption, and reduce its carbon footprint, supporting Senegal’s sustainability efforts.
Dakar, already a critical connectivity hub with submarine cables such as ACE, MainOne, SAT3, and SHARE, will soon benefit from the 2Africa cable, further positioning the new data centre as a strategic access point for businesses targeting West African markets. The facility will provide essential digital infrastructure to support innovation, bolster competitiveness, and drive economic growth in the region.
The project will have a significant socio-economic impact. It is expected to create 200 construction jobs and 20 full-time operational roles while also providing opportunities for local suppliers, including architects, contractors, and maintenance providers. This development will strengthen Senegal’s digital infrastructure, attract international investment, and foster technological growth.
The number of data centres in West Africa surged from 2 to 47 between 2012 to 2022, according to the World Bank's 'Digital Progress and Trends Report 2023,' reflecting the region's accelerating digital transformation. This trend aligns with the Digital Senegal 2025 strategy, which seeks to position the country as a leader in the digital economy, underscoring the critical role of infrastructure like the new PAIX data center in achieving these objectives.
Hikmatu Bilali
The UAE will host the AI Everything Global Summit from February 4-6, 2025, in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, bringing together global tech leaders to explore AI's potential and connect innovators shaping the future.
On February 4, the summit kicks off at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort in Abu Dhabi, where discussions will focus on AI-driven transformation across sectors, including research, policy, partnerships, and commerce acceleration.
Startups will compete in the world’s largest AI pitch competition for equity-free cash prizes, with semi-finals on February 5 and finals on February 6 at the Dubai Exhibition Center.
The summit will offer startups exclusive access to investors and growth opportunities in the UAE and beyond.
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He is an expert in fintech, e-commerce, and software development. Leveraging his understanding of Asian and African markets, he helps merchants achieve significant growth.
Eric Ouedraogo (photo) is an Ivorian computer scientist and tech entrepreneur. He founded Trustineo International, a company specializing in international trade, in 2018.
Based in Singapore, Trustineo International aims to connect agricultural producers with end buyers by facilitating the entry and establishment of Singaporean, Asian, and European businesses and investors in Africa, while also creating similar opportunities for African players in the global market.
Trustineo International offers a new way of doing business with Africa, emphasizing a more ethical and secure approach. The company has developed an innovative e-commerce platform that automates transactions and manages all stages of commodity trading. This includes electronic contract signing, real-time tracking of various stages in the supply chain, and centralized access to certificates, documents, and transaction histories.
Eric Ouedraogo holds a master’s degree in computer engineering, earned in 2004 from the École Nationale Supérieure d’Ingénieurs Sud Alsace (ENSISA) in France. After his studies, he worked as a developer for several companies before joining Société Générale in 2008. At Société Générale, he worked as an application support analyst in the commodities market and also managed client relations.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
The Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), led by Secretary-General Rodney Taylor, recently visited the Abuja Secretariat of the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) to discuss strengthening partnerships and exchanging best practices in telecommunications and ICT regulation between the Caribbean and West Africa.
The meeting, announced on January 23, addressed shared challenges, opportunities, and strategies to leverage ICT for economic and social development. It also emphasized strengthening regional connectivity through operator agreements and improved roaming regulations.
The partnership is poised to transform regulatory practices, spur innovation, and promote significant growth in the telecommunications and ICT sectors.
The Guinean government prioritizes financial inclusion. To this end, several initiatives are underway to expand access to digital financial services.
Guinean fintech company Digital Wallet-Guinée (Diwalgi S.A.) launched a new electronic money solution, "Kulu-Guinée," on Friday, January 24. The launch, attended by Guinean government officials, marks a significant step forward in the country's efforts to digitize its economy.
"Nearly 60% of the adult Guinean population still lacks access to formal financial services. This situation exposes a large portion of our citizens, particularly merchants and informal workers, to significant risks. Kulu represents an innovative solution that not only promotes financial inclusion but also ensures transaction security while helping integrate our citizens into the formal economy," said Rose Pola Pricemou, Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and the Digital Economy.
The Kulu-Guinée platform offers various services, including secure money transfers using a QR code, a phone number, or a unique Kulu identifier. It also provides payment options for everyday needs, such as shopping, transportation, hairdressing or dining services, and even salary payments.
This private initiative aligns with the government's ongoing efforts to accelerate the country's digital transformation, notably through the Simandou 2040 Strategic Plan, which positions digital technology as a key driver of economic modernization.
The platform is expected to strengthen digital financial inclusion, provide a safer and more convenient payment solution, and facilitate the integration of Guineans—particularly informal workers—into the formal economy.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Specializing in human ressource management, the Nigerian startup has secured funding in multiple rounds to fuel its expansion. The company also operates in Ghana and Kenya.
SeamlessHR is a human resource management software designed for African businesses. It automates manual tasks and centralizes employee data management, reducing the risk of errors. Based in Ikeja, Nigeria, the startup was founded in 2018 by Deji Lana and Emmanuel Okeleji. On Wednesday, January 22, it announced the completion of a $9 million funding round to support its growth in Africa.
The solution offers a range of integrated modules to optimize various aspects of HR management. It provides insights into employee performance and enables precise calculations for generating secure reports. One feature helps manage and monitor payments as well as regulatory compliance.
The “Recruitment” function optimizes the hiring process through an applicant tracking system, helping attract and select top talent. SeamlessHR also includes performance and time management features, and allows employees early access to salaries and long-term loan options.
The startup claims 2,000 client companies worldwide and has physical offices in Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya. “Over the last 5 years, we have expanded to become the dominant HR and Payroll Software for medium to large enterprises in Africa,” said Emmanuel Okeleji.
By Adoni Conrad Quenum,
Editing by Feriol Bewa