Digital transformation has disrupted every sector, including the labor market. By 2030, more than 230 million jobs in sub-Saharan Africa will require digital skills.
The Togolese government has unveiled a plan to train 15,000 students from public universities in computer programming and artificial intelligence (AI) this year. This initiative is part of a broader program launched earlier this month in partnership with U.S.-based startup Kira Learning, which aims to eventually train 50,000 students annually. The program's ultimate goal is to boost youth employability.
In addition to teaching Python programming and AI fundamentals, the curriculum includes practical training in English. The course is entirely free and accessible online, combining interactive lessons, instructional videos, and hands-on exercises. It is supported by an AI-powered virtual tutor capable of delivering personalized guidance to learners.
“This training opens the door to real job opportunities, even for students outside of scientific disciplines. In just three months, a humanities or literature student could qualify for roles such as IT support technician, digital project assistant, junior webmaster, content moderator, or data annotator for AI,” the Ministry of Digital Economy and Digital Transformation explained in a statement.
The initiative comes amid a continent-wide shift driven by digital transformation. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) estimates that by 2030, over 230 million jobs in sub-Saharan Africa will require digital competencies.
In Togo, public universities in Lomé and Kara enroll around 100,000 students. The country also has a notably young population: according to the World Bank, 60% of its 8 million citizens are under the age of 25. While the official unemployment rate stands at just 1.7%, widespread underemployment continues to undermine household financial stability. The World Bank notes that visible underemployment—jobs with fewer than 35 hours per week—affects 60% of the workforce.
Despite its promise, the program has limitations. By targeting only public university students, it excludes thousands from private institutions. Moreover, while the program is free, access can still be hindered by practical barriers such as internet costs and a lack of essential devices like computers, tablets, or smartphones.
Nonetheless, the initiative represents a significant step toward equipping Togo’s youth with the digital skills increasingly demanded by today's job market.
By Isaac K. Kassouwi,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
He designs digital solutions to optimize the organization of retail outlets. His work focuses on deploying practical tools to oversee and structure in-store operations.
Tunisian entrepreneur Walid Mzoughi is the co-founder and CEO of Winshot, a startup launched in 2019 that specializes in digitizing operational management for retail chains. Through Winshot, Mzoughi has developed a platform designed to centralize and monitor retail network activities in real time, covering everything from internal communication and quality control to team management and field data reporting.
Based in Tunis, Winshot targets store chains, franchises, and distribution networks looking to streamline internal processes and enhance coordination between headquarters and field teams.
The platform enables users to supervise task execution, report incidents, share documents, and maintain continuous communication through a single interface accessible via mobile or desktop. This solution aims to ensure performance, compliance, and responsiveness, particularly in a context where tracking local operations presents a significant challenge.
Walid Mzoughi earned a master’s degree in accounting sciences from the Institut des Hautes Études Commerciales of Carthage in 2007. He also holds an SA 8000 social auditor certification and an IFME corporate social responsibility credential, underscoring his expertise in social compliance and corporate responsibility.
Before founding Winshot, Mzoughi worked in both the public and private sectors, with a career focused on operational management and digital transformation. He began in 2004 at Tunisia’s National Social Security Fund, where he held various roles related to managing social procedures and digitizing declarations and payments.
He later joined Hayat Kimya, a consumer goods company, serving as supply chain and logistics manager starting in 2012, and then as retail merchandising manager from 2014 to 2017.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
He is interested in the mechanisms that shape Egypt's economy, particularly focusing on sectors like insurance, where processes are often lengthy, expensive, or hard to access.
Egyptian entrepreneur Shady El Tohfa, co-founder and CEO of Amenli, aims to make insurance more accessible in Egypt through tech-driven solutions.
Founded in 2020, Amenli operates as a fully online insurance platform licensed by Egypt’s Financial Regulatory Authority. It offers various insurance products—including health, car, home, and business coverage—all accessible via a digital interface. While traditional insurance procedures can take weeks, the platform claims users can obtain a quote and sign up for coverage in just 60 seconds.
The company prioritizes a streamlined interface, rapid processes, and optimized claims management for individuals, families, and small to medium-sized enterprises. Amenli's mission is "to protect individuals and businesses from unexpected costs and incidents by offering a wide range of insurance policies issued by top local and global insurance providers," the company states.
Before launching Amenli, El Tohfa co-founded the AUC Business Association in 2013, a student organization at the American University in Cairo, where he served as president until 2014.
He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the American University in Cairo in 2015. His professional journey began in 2011 with internships at major companies like HSBC and Nestlé, before he transitioned into the startup ecosystem.
In 2015, he joined Paymob, an Egyptian fintech company operating across North Africa and the Middle East. At Paymob, he successively held the roles of business development director and chief commercial officer.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Digital transformation is a strategic lever for modernizing Mali’s public administration. By rethinking its public services, the government aims to boost state performance and improve citizens’ access to essential services.
Mali is preparing to deploy two new digital platforms aimed at modernizing its public administration: civil registry management software and an integrated human resources management system. Both solutions were presented on Tuesday, June 10, to the steering committee for the digitalization of the administration, as part of the digital transformation process initiated by the country's highest authorities.
The civil registry management software, developed by the National Agency for the Security of Civil Status Documents in collaboration with the Civil Status Data Processing Center, is designed to facilitate the registration, verification, and authentication of birth, marriage, and death certificates. Accessible on both computers and mobile devices, the tool will enable citizens to consult their documents remotely, streamlining often lengthy and complex administrative procedures.
The integrated human resources management system aims to centralize data on public sector employees from state services and local authorities. Its goal is to strengthen workforce control, enhance transparency in career management, and improve human resources planning.
These two platforms are part of a broader initiative led by the President of the Transition, General Assimi Goïta, to make the administration more efficient and accessible. They complement a series of tools already launched or currently being tested, including the integrated management system for foreign trade operations, the refinancing mechanism for decentralized financial systems called "N’GNA SÔRÔ!", and the certificate management platform for tanker truck calibration designed for the Malian Metrology Agency.
Through this progressive digital transformation, Mali seeks not only to simplify interactions between the administration and citizens but also to strengthen governance, combat document fraud, and better steer its public policies. According to the 2024 edition of the United Nations E-Government Development Index, the country now ranks 141st out of 193, demonstrating significant progress compared to previous years. These initiatives reflect a strong political will to catch up and reposition Mali among Africa's most digitally connected administrations.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Headed by Mayowa Akande and Bolaji Wahab, Vazzel aims to transform the fashion industry in Nigeria.
Vazzel is an online marketplace developed by a young Nigerian startup that allows fashion designers and vendors to launch their storefronts and showcase their collections. Customers on the platform can browse a wide selection of fashion products including textiles, bags, shoes, and accessories. Based in Lagos, the startup was founded in 2024 by Mayowa Akande and Bolaji Wahab.
“The market lacked a unified, tech-forward platform tailored for fashion vendors, especially in emerging markets, that also solves the prevalent issue of sizing in online fashion retail. [...] Vazzel differentiates itself through its AI sizing tool, local vendor focus, and simplified onboarding. This closes the gap between e-commerce infrastructure and body-personalized shopping experiences,” said Mayowa Akande in an interview with Disrupt Africa.
Although the platform does not yet have a mobile app, it offers a suite of “AI-inclusive” tools to streamline online store management, inventory tracking, customer engagement, and visibility on social media. The goal is to enable any stylist, designer, or fashion brand—even without technical expertise—to quickly bring their products online and reach a broader audience, both locally and internationally.
By integrating sales management, payments, and customer data, Vazzel functions as a one-stop shop for professionals in the fashion industry. The startup aims to expand into other African markets, with the ambition of nurturing a new generation of creators who can compete on a global stage. Its core mission is to connect African fashion with digital innovation while fostering local entrepreneurship.
By Adoni Conrad Quenum,
Editing by Feriol Bewa
VERA, a secure B2B communications platform, has partnered with cheqd, a payment infrastructure, to deliver verifiable digital identity and encrypted messaging for businesses across South Africa and beyond, it announced June 10.
The partnership kicks off with a beta launch of VERA’s platform on June 1st, 2025, tailored specifically for South African enterprises. A full minimum viable product (MVP) rollout is expected by the end of August.
This collaboration aims to build a verifiable identity ecosystem that empowers companies to communicate and transact with confidence—an increasingly critical need as cyber fraud and impersonation threats grow.
Through technological innovation, Egypt aims to enhance its appeal, improve the traveler experience, and support its economic ambitions by 2030.
Egypt is scheduled to launch the pilot phase of its new digital visa-on-arrival system in mid-June at Cairo International Airport. This initiative marks a significant step in the country's strategy to leverage digital technologies, modernize immigration procedures, and enhance its appeal as a tourist destination.
The system, designed to streamline the arrival process for international travelers, will utilize self-service kiosks installed in airport terminals and a dedicated mobile application. Visitors will be able to obtain an emergency visa within minutes through a fully digital process, incorporating QR codes and electronic payments. The new service aims to reduce queues, eliminate paperwork, and expedite border processing.
This initiative is part of Egypt’s National Sustainable Tourism Strategy 2030, which targets attracting 30 million tourists annually by 2028. As the country’s primary point of entry, Cairo Airport will serve as the testing ground for the program. Its success will determine if it expands to other hubs such as Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada, and Luxor.
Beyond improving the traveler experience, the program seeks to position Egypt alongside other destinations that have embraced digital transformation to boost their tourism sectors. The government also anticipates the new system will attract more foreign currency and strengthen a sector that contributes approximately 12% to the national GDP.
Initially, the system will cater to travelers from countries already eligible for Egypt’s e-visa program, particularly those in Europe, North America, and the Middle East.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
In Africa, technology offers promising alternatives to the shortage of healthcare professionals. With the rise of healthtech, e-health solutions are proliferating across the continent.
Kera Health is a digital health solution developed by a Senegalese startup. It offers an AI-powered platform designed to connect stakeholders across the healthcare system in Senegal. Backed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) since 2023, Kera Health was founded in 2022 by Moustapha Cissé, Papa Sow, and Hosam Mattar. In June 2025, the healthtech announced a successful $10 million funding round to strengthen its digital infrastructure, expand its services to more cities across Senegal, and prepare for regional rollout.
“We are thrilled about this partnership with IFC, whose commitment to digitizing healthcare in Africa aligns perfectly with ours. As Africa stands on the brink of a demographic explosion, leveraging technology in healthcare is not just an opportunity, it’s a necessity,” said Moustapha Cissé in 2023, at the time of the startup’s collaboration announcement with IFC.
Through its platform, Kera Health aims to improve care coordination, address the shortage of healthcare professionals, and enhance the safety and efficiency of the medical system. It centralizes health data—medical records, lab results, prescriptions, insurance coverage, and more—within a secure interface accessible to authorized professionals. This leads to fewer errors, improved continuity of care, and faster, more accurate diagnoses.
The solution harnesses AI algorithms to detect trends, automate certain types of monitoring, and support medical decision-making. It also adheres to the highest standards of data security. The startup's broader ambition is to make connected healthcare a reality for everyone, from downtown Dakar to the country’s most remote areas, before scaling to other countries in the region.
By Adoni Conrad Quenum,
Editing by Feriol Bewa
Drawing on his background as an investment banker in the financial sector, he shifted his focus to transforming the agricultural industry. His career path demonstrates a clear resolve to address economic challenges with practical solutions.
A finance expert and tech entrepreneur, South African Eugene Roodt (photo) has emerged as one of the key figures in the transformation of African agriculture. As co-founder of the startup Nile, he is betting on technology to bridge the gap between farmers and both regional and international markets, while improving their access to financing and agricultural inputs.
In 2020, alongside Louis de Kock and Rick Kleynhans, Roodt launched Nile.ag with the aim of removing the structural barriers that hinder agricultural trade across the continent. The platform operates as a digital marketplace, allowing farmers to sell their fresh produce directly to professional buyers. It integrates digital tools for managing logistics, traceability, quality control, and payments.
With a processing capacity of 2,500 tons of fresh produce per day, Nile now serves clients in 38 countries. It offers an alternative to traditional supply chains by cutting out middlemen, speeding up payments, and increasing transparency around pricing and product quality. The platform also includes a marketplace for agricultural inputs, helping farmers invest, grow, and gain independence.
On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, Nile announced a $11.3 million fundraising round to scale its impact and promote wider adoption of digital commerce among African farmers.
Eugene Roodt holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Stellenbosch University, earned in 2013. Before venturing into entrepreneurship, he worked as an investment banker at J.P. Morgan between 2017 and 2020.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
With her background, she has become a supportive mentor, dedicated to developing young talent and building an inclusive tech ecosystem.
Andréa Zafitody Li-Sai Chimento (photo) is a computer engineer who graduated from the National Institute of Applied Sciences in Lyon (INSA) in 1990. In 2019, she founded Zafy Tody, a tech startup incubator that stands out for its fully volunteer-based model.
Zafy Tody supports early-stage Malagasy startups without taking equity or ownership stakes, offering tailored guidance instead. Each year, the incubator selects between five and ten startups to join a six-month program known as the Seed Program. This initiative includes seed funding, access to workspace, hands-on workshops, and one-on-one mentorship.
The incubator has also built a training platform tailored to the needs of entrepreneurs and businesses undergoing digital transformation. Its modules cover UX/UI design, technological innovation, and entrepreneurship, with the aim of strengthening local capacity and fostering digital solutions adapted to Madagascar’s specific context.
Alongside her work at Zafy Tody, Zafitody Li-Sai Chimento plays a strategic advisory role within the African tech ecosystem. She serves as a senior advisor to the CEO of Axian Group—a leading digital player in Madagascar and across Africa—and sits on the advisory board of Novulis Consulting, a firm specializing in digital transformation.
She began as a solutions architect at IBM Global Services France, then joined Microsoft in 1997. Starting as a business services consultant in France, she moved on to managerial roles in Italy and later across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. She oversaw enterprise services, led the Microsoft 4Afrika Academy in the region, and served as managing director in the Gulf.
In 2013, she joined Oracle in the Middle East as head of consulting services. In 2019, she moved to Amazon Web Services, where she has worked, among other roles, as head of enterprise business acceleration for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
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Powered by a spirit of innovation, a new wave of African startups is setting its sights on international growth. In France, the southern region is emerging as a strategic hub and gateway, offering these companies a favorable environment in which to scale and gain global exposure.
Orange Africa and Middle East (OMEA) announced a partnership with risingSUD, the regional development agency for France's Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA) region, on Wednesday, June 11. The agreement, signed on the sidelines of the Viva Technology trade show in Paris, aims to support the establishment of African startups in France.
Jérôme Hénique, CEO of Orange Africa and Middle East, stated that the partnership with risingSUD is a crucial step in OMEA's ambition to promote African innovation globally. He added that the initiative extends the support Orange already provides to startups through its Orange Digital Centers. By facilitating their establishment and acceleration in France, especially in the southern region, Orange empowers young African companies to accelerate their growth.
The three-year partnership seeks to strengthen collaboration between the innovation ecosystems of Africa, the Middle East, and southern France. Startups within the Orange Digital Centers (ODC) network will receive tailored support to expand their operations in France. This support includes assistance with project development, access to funding, and networking opportunities with local economic partners.
The PACA region, which already hosts over 500,000 businesses, aims to solidify its position as a natural link between Europe and Africa. In 2024, risingSUD has already helped 14 African companies establish themselves in southern France. One such company is Guépard, a Tunisian startup incubated by the ODC in Tunis, which now has a presence in Marseille.
This partnership aligns with OMEA's ongoing efforts to champion African digital entrepreneurship. Operating in 17 countries across Africa and the Middle East, the ODC network provides free access to various services, including digital training, incubation, acceleration, and funding for innovative projects.
Ultimately, this collaboration is expected to strengthen economic and technological ties across the Mediterranean while simultaneously enhancing the global competitiveness of African innovation ecosystems.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
The launch of the 2025 STI Policy marks a bold step toward transforming Zambia into a knowledge-driven economy, where innovation is central to development, competitiveness, and national resilience.
The Ministry of Technology and Science announced on June 5 that it has officially launched Zambia’s 2025 Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy—an ambitious national strategy aimed at harnessing the power of innovation to position Zambia as a competitive player in the global economy. The policy outlines a transformative roadmap that aligns science, technology, and innovation with the country’s inclusive and sustainable development goals.
Speaking at the launch event, the Minister of Technology and Science, Hon. Felix Chipota Mutati, MP, emphasized that the policy reflects the government's commitment to using innovation as a tool for real economic transformation. “When President Hakainde Hichilema says we need to export one billion dollars’ worth of beef, it means we must improve cattle genetics, accelerate disease eradication, and apply science to scale up our productivity,” Mutati said. “Similarly, producing 10 billion tons of maize means translating research into practical agricultural outputs that put food on the table.”
Hon. Mutati highlighted that the policy comes at a time when global economies are being reshaped by cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, robotics, green energy, biotechnology, and space science.
The 2025 STI Policy rests on several strategic pillars. In the area of Research and Development (R&D), over K3 billion will be invested to strengthen Zambia’s national R&D ecosystem. This includes establishing national research priorities, upgrading scientific infrastructure, and creating a centralized database of ongoing research initiatives. Priority institutions will be empowered to carry out applied research aligned with Zambia’s economic and social goals.
For Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, the government has allocated K8 million to develop regulatory frameworks, ethical standards, educational programs, and awareness campaigns. These efforts aim to position Zambia as a regional hub for AI innovation.
The policy also introduces a robust framework for technology commercialization, which includes the creation of five new technology transfer offices, innovation hubs, and science parks. A national startup database and commercialization guidelines will support the growth and scaling of technology-driven enterprises across the country.
In terms of human capital development, the policy targets the training of at least 500 postgraduate students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields through scholarships, exchange programs, and mentorship. It also seeks to strengthen engagement with the Zambian diaspora and expand knowledge systems rooted in local traditions.
A major component of the policy is the preservation and development of indigenous knowledge systems. Legal frameworks and dedicated R&D centers will be established to protect and advance local innovations. The government also plans to increase Zambia’s Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) from the current 0.28% to 0.50% of GDP by 2029.
Zambia’s economy has long relied on commodity exports, particularly copper, which makes up around 70% of export earnings. The STI Policy provides a pathway to economic diversification, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and healthcare, by supporting applied research, digital transformation, and technology commercialization.
Hikmatu Bilali
Meta has launched the Llama Impact Accelerator, a new program supporting startups across Sub-Saharan Africa to build open-source AI solutions that address local challenges in agriculture, healthcare, education, public services, financial inclusion, and security.
The six-week accelerator will run in Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal, and South Africa, offering equity-free funding, technical training, mentorship, and business support. The program is being implemented in collaboration with national innovation agencies and local ecosystem partners.
Each accelerator will culminate in a Demo Day, where teams present their Llama-powered solutions to a panel of local and international experts. Top teams will receive six months of extended support focused on product development, community building, and market expansion.
The Djiboutian government aims to position the country as a regional hub for AI innovation in the coming years. As part of this effort, a call for applications has been launched to recruit a national expert tasked with drafting the future national artificial intelligence strategy.
Djibouti's Ministry of Digital Economy and Innovation (MDENI), in partnership with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA), announced on Sunday, June 8, the opening of applications for a National Artificial Intelligence Expert. This recruitment is a key step in developing the country's national AI strategy.
The chosen expert will be crucial in shaping the strategy by providing technical and analytical expertise. Their responsibilities include assessing Djibouti's current AI capabilities, identifying priority sectors for AI applications, holding consultations with local stakeholders, and crafting recommendations that align with international best practices.
This initiative highlights the government's goal to equip the country with a clear and structured AI strategy. The aim is to guide the development and ethical, inclusive, and secure use of AI across vital sectors. The upcoming national strategy must also address challenges related to education, research, data governance, and innovation.
The position is open to qualified Djiboutian specialists in artificial intelligence, digital policy, technological innovation, or information technology. Applications close on Monday, June 23.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji