The streaming market is dominated by American giants like Netflix, HBO, and Amazon Prime Video. In Senegal, Modou Lolly Sarr wants to create a solution of similar scale.
Wawaw is a digital platform offering streaming access to African cinematic content. Founded in Dakar in 2024 by Modou Lolly Sarr, the startup received a grant of XOF 7 million (approximately $11,000 USD) from Senegal's General Delegation for Women and Youth Entrepreneurship to support its growth.
“Becoming the leading streaming platform for African films, showcasing the best of African cinema, and enabling African filmmakers to share their stories with the world” is the startup's ambitious goal.
While Wawaw has yet to launch a mobile application, users can access its catalog of films by creating an account directly on the web platform. The library currently features a mix of Hollywood blockbusters and Senegalese and African productions. In 2024, the company actively pursued partnerships with African producers to better promote their work.
Beyond streaming, Wawaw aims to expand into film project booking and management and the modernization of production processes. To support this, the company plans to train 500 young cinema enthusiasts in collaboration with the Yennenga Center, teaching them the basics of production and how to use modern tools.
The startup also plans to invest in new equipment and eventually produce its own films, following in the footsteps of major platforms like Netflix, Crunchyroll, and AppleTV. For 2025, Wawaw intends to roll out an Android mobile app and enhance its web platform to improve user experience.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
He aims to help businesses boost their performance by providing customized WhatsApp solutions that enhance customer engagement.
Jonathan Elcock (photo) is a South African tech entrepreneur and the CEO/Cco-founder of rather.chat, a startup specializing in developing AI-powered chatbots.
Founded in 2017, rather.chat creates chatbots designed to help businesses of all sizes and sectors market their products, close sales, and interact with customers via WhatsApp. These chatbots can conduct conversations with potential clients while gathering essential information for the brands they represent.
The company aims to revolutionize how businesses communicate with their customers by strengthening relationships and expanding reach. To date, the rather.chat platform has facilitated interactions with over 15 million South Africans through its chatbots.
“Scaling sales and service is tough. I’ve lived through the headaches of trying to meet customer expectations using call centers, SMS and email automations. I eventually reached the conclusion ‘there had to be a better way’, that’s why I started rather.chat,” explains Jonathan.
The tech entrepreneur graduated from the University of Cape Town in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science. His career began in 2010 at Zestlife, a financial services provider, where he worked in product development. In 2013, he moved to the company’s call center operations department. From 2014 to 2017, he served as Head of Sales and Commerce at MiWayLife, a South African insurance company.
Melchior Koba
In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, African countries are modernizing their education systems. Integrating digital technologies is crucial for addressing current educational challenges and creating a more inclusive and accessible learning environment.
Gabon’s Council of Ministers on Sunday approved a draft ordinance aimed at digitizing the country’s education system.
The ordinance seeks to integrate digital technologies and educational platforms into teaching and learning methods, according to a government statement.
"The draft ordinance aims to strengthen the legal and regulatory framework governing the transformation of teaching and learning methods through the integration of digital technologies and educational platforms," the statement said. "This reform is all the more urgent as the COVID-19 health crisis highlighted the need to develop alternatives to in-person teaching."
This decision aligns with the government's ongoing efforts to modernize the education system. In December, the government launched an inter-ministerial partnership to connect schools to the internet.
The anticipated outcomes of the digitization initiative include greater resilience in the education system during crises, reduced inequalities between urban and rural areas, and the modernization of teaching practices. The reform is also expected to help train a skilled workforce to support the country's economic transformation.
Samira Njoya
The Congolese government is banking on international cooperation to accelerate its digital transformation. In November 2024, a memorandum of understanding was already signed with Poland to develop digital infrastructure.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Qatar are exploring ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector, among others. The issue was discussed during a meeting between Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi (photo, left) and Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (photo, right), on Sunday, January 5, during an official visit to the Middle Eastern nation.
This rapprochement comes as the Congolese government intensifies its efforts under its vision of making "Congolese digital technology a lever for integration, good governance, economic growth, and social progress." In 2024, the country ranked 41st out of 47 African nations in ICT development, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), with a score of 31 out of 100. Furthermore, official sources report that internet penetration in the DRC is at 30%, compared to about 50% for mobile telephony.
The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) ranked the DRC 175th out of 193 countries globally in e-government development in 2024, with a score of 0.2715 out of 1. This places the country below the regional averages for Central Africa (0.3354), Africa (0.4247), and the global average (0.6382).
Regarding cybersecurity, the ITU places the DRC in Tier 3, a category for countries that "demonstrate a basic commitment to cybersecurity through government-led actions, including assessment, establishment, or implementation of some generally accepted cybersecurity measures." The country faces significant challenges in areas such as technical measures, capacity building, and cooperation.
In contrast, Qatar boasts an ICT development score of 97.8 out of 100 and an e-government development score of 0.8244. The ITU also considers Qatar a global model in cybersecurity.
Strengthening collaboration with Qatar could provide the Congolese government with the support needed to develop its ICT sector and accelerate its digital transformation ambitions. However, the specific details of this partnership, including areas of intervention and implementation timelines, have yet to be defined. Moreover, no formal agreement has been signed or officially announced between the two parties at this time.
By Isaac K. Kassouwi
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
In recent years, several African social networks, including Ushahidi, Blueworld, and Eskimi, have emerged with varying degrees of success. In Togo, Bienvenu Fanagnon has developed a social network designed to highlight the continent's talent and rich cultural heritage.
Afrolook is a social network developed by a Togolese startup based in Lomé. It allows users to capture unique moments through photos and videos and communicate via messages. Launched in 2024 by Bienvenu Fanagnon, the platform aims to bring African culture to the forefront.
“Afrolook is an African social network developed by a group of students, built on AI models called XILO and inspired by African culture. [...] We aim to create an engaging and authentic experience to promote African culture on a global scale,” explains Fanagnon.
Currently available only on Android, Afrolook has already been downloaded over 100 times, according to Play Store data. Users must create an account to access its features. One notable tool is the conversational agent XILO, which engages users in discussions on various topics for entertainment. However, it’s worth noting that the platform is still in its testing phase.
The network integrates many familiar concepts from platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Users can post diverse content—photos, videos, or text—to express their creativity and share ideas on various topics. They can also discover inspiring content created by African users worldwide or follow others to stay updated on their shared posts.
Afrolook also fosters community interaction by enabling users to like, comment on, or share posts. Additionally, the startup has introduced a monetization program to reward the platform’s most impactful content creators.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
As an entrepreneur, he blends technological expertise with innovative vision to develop solutions for African needs. He provides digital marketing services to help businesses thrive.
Koami Rummenigge Aziabou is a Togolese-born IT specialist and serial entrepreneur. He is the co-founder of Trenderz, a digital startup based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, that helps businesses and brands effectively promote their products.
Founded in 2023 by Aziabou and Kim Tran, Trenderz operates a platform connecting African businesses with qualified influencers. Boasting a network of over 1,000 active influencers on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, the app enables companies to expand their reach and boost growth by leveraging the power of influence.
Trenderz is designed to help local businesses attract new customers, deepen engagement, and foster loyalty. The platform also supports organizing events such as product launches, store openings, and contests, where influencers can generate buzz and elevate brand visibility.
In addition to his role at Trenderz, Aziabou is also the co-founder of Kidolé, another 2023 startup. Kidolé offers an online platform for finding, booking, and managing advertising spaces across Africa. It simplifies performance data collection, allowing advertisers to optimize their campaigns. Primary users include advertisers, ad agencies, and media operators.
Koami Rummenigge Aziabou’s career began in 2017 as a developer and project manager at Jet-Solutions, a Togolese IT firm. Between 2019 and 2021, he served as a development lead at MAONO, a strategy and IT solutions consultancy. He later became the technical director of BrandOpera Group, specializing in brand development, and worked as a backend developer for Send Freight, a digital freight forwarder and customs broker for the African market, in 2022.
Aziabou earned a professional bachelor’s degree in Information Technology in 2022 from the University of Lomé. He is currently studying artificial intelligence at the Dakar Institute of Technology in Senegal.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
As a current student in digital engineering, he leverages his skills to impact education and employment. His startup, LaBoussole, has garnered numerous awards and distinctions.
Wilfried Mbeyo’o Nna (photo) is a Cameroonian tech entrepreneur and the founder of LABOUSSOLE, a startup specializing in educational technologies. What began as a development project in June 2022 evolved into a fully-fledged startup by January 2024. LABOUSSOLE offers an intelligent web application designed to guide students and learners in their academic and professional orientation.
The platform helps users achieve socio-professional integration, whether by securing decent employment, becoming self-employed, or venturing into entrepreneurship. Beyond these core services, LABOUSSOLE also provides online training focused on digital careers.
The startup's primary mission is to help users find their path and thrive in their chosen careers. According to its website, the vision is to “create a world where access to information and education is open to everyone, regardless of gender, social background, or level of qualification, enabling all individuals to find their path and flourish in their careers.”
Currently in his final year of digital engineering studies at the International School of Digital Engineering at the Congo-Cameroon Inter-State University in Sangmélima, Cameroon, Mbeyo’o Nna balances his academic pursuits with freelance work in digital marketing and communication. Between 2021 and 2023, he served as the Marketing and Communications Manager for the Cooperative Society of Young Farmers of Dja and Lobo in Cameroon.
In 2024, his entrepreneurial talent earned widespread recognition when LABOUSSOLE won the first prize in the “Social and Human Sciences” category at the GETEC (Génie et Talent de l’Étudiant Camerounais) startup competition, organized by Cameroon’s Ministry of Higher Education.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
The telecommunications sector is a vital driver of Africa’s digital economy. Regulating the distribution and sale of equipment fosters a competitive and well-structured market, ensuring that businesses and consumers have access to reliable, high-quality devices, which are essential for comfortable user experience and growth.
Kenya has developed a new regulatory framework to enhance the telecommunications equipment market. The Telecommunication Equipment Distributor (TED) Licence, proposed by the Communications Authority of Kenya, aims to ensure compliance with industry standards, reduce e-waste, and promote accountability among distributors and vendors in the ICT sector. Stakeholders and members of the public have until January 23rd, 2025 to review the proposals and submit their feedback.
According to the Communications Authority, “the current review aims to remove certain market barriers identified over time, in line with the Authority’s mission of enabling regulation.”
The TED Licence will be required for wholesale suppliers of communication equipment, such as importers and distributors, and foreign manufacturers who wish to distribute their products locally. Kenyan manufacturers are exempt from this requirement but must sell their equipment exclusively to licensed TEDs. Local manufacturers wishing to distribute their products directly to vendors must still obtain a TED Licence. Licence holders must obtain type approval for all low-power communication equipment they sell, ensuring compliance with standards, a minimum one-year warranty, and spare parts availability.
The Licence will involve an application fee of Kshs. 5,000, an initial licence fee of Kshs. 250,000, and an annual operating fee of Kshs. 120,000 or 0.4% of gross annual turnover, whichever is higher. A total of Kshs. 375,000 ($2,883) for the beginning. The licence will be valid for 15 years.
This regulatory framework aims to standardize the telecommunications equipment market, enhance consumer confidence in ICT products, support sustainability by curbing e-waste, and foster fair competition by clearly defining the roles of manufacturers, importers, and vendors. By implementing these measures, Kenya is taking a significant step toward creating a more accountable and efficient telecommunications equipment market while promoting a sustainable and digitally inclusive future.
The move complies with Section 24(1) of the Kenya Information and Communications Act, 1998, which provides that “No person shall operate a telecommunication system or provide any telecommunication services except per a valid Licence granted under this Act. For players like Starlink, who market their telecommunications equipment, the new requirements may introduce additional costs, potentially affecting the pricing of their antennas in the market.
Hikmatu Bilali
A serial entrepreneur, he leverages technology and innovation to develop high-impact solutions that drive African growth.
Andrew Mutua (photo) is a Kenyan computer scientist and tech entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of PesaKit, a fintech and e-commerce startup.
Founded in 2019, PesaKit focuses on providing financial services and digital commerce solutions for underserved communities in Africa. The company helps mobile money agents and local merchants grow and thrive by offering tools tailored to their needs.
Using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, PesaKit has implemented innovative infrastructure to facilitate the distribution of financial, retail, and e-commerce services. By combining AI with human expertise, the startup ensures greater precision and consistency in its services, thereby improving the financial health of vulnerable populations across the African continent.
PesaKit operates in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Ghana, supporting over 50,000 mobile money agents and merchants, who in turn have enabled more than 18 million unique customers to access these services within their communities.
Before PesaKit, Andrew Mutua founded Logic IT in 2012 and served as its CEO until 2018. Logic IT is a tech design company that helps organizations create innovative products and services that people love, desire, and depend on. Its work ranges from designing mobile apps and web services to developing enterprise solutions.
Andrew Mutua holds a diploma in web design and development, 2D animation, and interactive technologies from Nairobits Digital Design School, obtained in 2009. He also earned a bachelor's degree in microprocessor technology and instrumentation from the University of Nairobi in 2013. In 2018, he attended the "Rethinking Financial Inclusion" program at Harvard Kennedy School, further strengthening his expertise in inclusive finance.
His professional career began in 2009 as a frontend and UX developer at Wunderman, a digital agency. Between 2011 and 2012, he worked as a digital media manager at BusinessIT Afrika Limited, a Kenyan IT company.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
A trained computer scientist with experience at prestigious American companies, including Google, he's now an entrepreneur revolutionizing Africa's logistics sector through digital transformation.
Togolese-born Jean-Claude Homawoo (photo) is the co-founder and CEO of Lori Systems, a Kenya-based startup, which aims to transform Africa's logistics sector.
Founded in 2017, Lori Systems provides cross-border transportation services across the African continent. Through its digital platform, it connects cargo owners with reliable transporters to ensure fast and efficient delivery.
Lori Systems manages a network of over 20,000 trucks. From its offices in Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda, the company coordinates the transportation of goods across 12 African countries. By leveraging its technology and data, it optimizes pricing and route planning to maximize efficiency. To date, the startup has facilitated the transportation of goods valued at $10 billion.
Jean-Claude Homawoo holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from Drexel University in the United States and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
His professional career began in 2004 in the U.S. at Gerson Lehrman Group, where he served as head of the technology, media, and telecoms division for Asia. In 2010, he became the director of the global community of high-impact entrepreneurs at Endeavor. Two years later, in 2012, he was appointed vice president of product strategy at IROKO Partners, an African entertainment technology company.
In 2013, Jean-Claude Homawoo joined COOLS, an American advertising company, as chief operating officer. Between 2014 and 2018, he worked at Google as a product manager.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
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After being absent from the global Startup Ranking in 2020, Algeria has now surged into the top 20 countries with the highest concentration of young tech entrepreneurs. In Africa, the nation ranks second, trailing only Nigeria.
The Algerian government is continuing to bolster digital innovation with new fiscal incentives introduced for 2025, building on a series of measures implemented over the past five years. These include exemptions from transfer duties on property acquisitions for startups and incubators to stimulate industrial activity, as well as a two-year extension of income tax (IRG) and corporate tax exemptions for incubators, contingent on the renewal of their official designation.
The government has also introduced exemptions from registration fees for the incorporation of companies led by holders of the "innovative projects" label. To encourage research and development (R&D), the 2025 Finance Act introduces tax deductions for expenses related to in-house R&D and open innovation programs contracted with startups or incubators.
"This deduction, applicable to the determination of taxable profit, is limited to 30% of the accounting profit, with a maximum cap of 200,000,000 Dinars (€1.4 million). If expenses cover both research and development and open innovation, the deduction cannot exceed this cap," the 2025 Finance Act stipulates.
Since 2020, Algeria has positioned digital innovation as a cornerstone of its economic development strategy. Recognizing its potential to drive job creation and wealth generation, the government established a dedicated ministerial position for the knowledge economy and startups. Subsequently, the national program "Algeria Disrupt" introduced a regulatory framework fostering innovation, including provisions for certifying innovative digital enterprises.
In 2021, the Algerian Startup Fund was launched as a public financing mechanism combining investment and venture capital for high-growth innovation projects. Two years later, in 2023, the Algerian Innovation Fund was created as a collaboration between the public accelerator Algeria-Venture and the international Small Enterprise Assistance Funds (SEAF).
During a meeting between the Government and local government officials on meeting on January 19, 2023, then-Minister Yacine El Mahdi Oualid highlighted Algeria's progress, reporting over 5,000 startups registered with the ministry, including 1,100 certified as “startups” or “innovative projects.” He also noted the expansion of incubators, which grew from 14 in 2020 to 60 by 2023, covering the entire national territory.
By Muriel EDJO,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Africa has been making significant strides towards digital transformation, with growing adoption of mobile internet, fintech innovations, and e-commerce platforms. Internet shutdowns hinder the everyday functioning of these sectors and create a sense of instability, discouraging investments and limiting opportunities for startups and entrepreneurs.
In 2024, Sub-Saharan Africa faced significant economic losses from deliberate internet shutdowns, totaling $1.56 billion, or 20% of the global economic impact, according to Top10VPN data. These disruptions impacted 111.2 million users -17% of the global total- across 32,938 hours of downtime, severely affecting the region's digital economy.
Sub-Saharan Africa’s internet disruptions were mainly driven by conflict and political unrest. Sudan was the hardest hit, losing $1.12 billion (71.8% of the region's total loss), as internet services were shut down to control protests and suppress information. This affected 23.4 million people over 12,707 hours. Ethiopia followed with a loss of $211.2 million, while Kenya experienced a $75 million loss. Although Ethiopia incurred a higher financial loss, the Kenyan outage affected 22.7 million people over 511 hours, compared to 3.3 million in Ethiopia over 4,680 hours.
In contrast to the frequent but less economically damaging shutdowns for exams, which are common in the region, conflicts and information control were the top reasons for internet restrictions. The ongoing Sudanese conflict, along with unrest in countries like Ethiopia resulted in some of the longest and most costly shutdowns in Africa. These shutdowns caused long-term disruptions in business, access to essential services, and social media platforms, which are increasingly vital for communication and economic activity.
Social media platforms like Twitter (X) and TikTok were often blocked, reflecting governments’ efforts to control information flow during political instability. For instance, Twitter’s extended shutdown in countries like Nigeria and Sudan led to significant disruptions for citizens and businesses that use the platform for networking, marketing, and information-sharing.
Internet shutdowns in Africa have significant economic and innovation costs, especially for startups in fintech and e-commerce. As mobile technology and internet access grow, these disruptions threaten the region's digital economy. Shutdowns disrupt communication, business activities, and essential services, deepening the digital divide and hindering economic growth.
In conclusion, the economic impact of internet shutdowns in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2024 highlights the urgent need for resilient digital infrastructure, better governance, and greater advocacy for digital rights. These challenges serve as a reminder of the central role the internet plays in Africa's development and the risks posed by internet shutdowns to economic and social progress.
Hikmatu Bilali
InnovateAI Lagos 2025, the second edition of AI in Nigeria’s flagship conference, will occur on February 21, 2025, at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos.
Under the theme “AI and the Future of Work,” the conference will examine AI’s impact on reshaping skills, recruitment, and workforce roles, focusing on innovation in key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and finance.
Speakers will include leaders from global tech firms, Nigerian banks, agritech innovators, and AI researchers addressing topics such as workforce reskilling and ethical AI development.
Visa has launched the Visa Accelerator Program, a three-month initiative to support African startups in transforming the financial landscape. The program targets seed to Series A startups with market-ready solutions addressing key challenges in FinTech.
Startups must have a minimum viable product (MVP), proven market traction, and operations in Africa or plans to expand on the continent.
Participants will gain access to Visa’s technology, mentorship, and global network to scale their innovations. Applications close on March 15, 2025.