His journey proves that mastering new technical skills can transform a professional's position within an organization. He also demonstrates how strategic data utilization impacts corporate decisions and creates new leadership opportunities.
Thierno Hamidou Sow is a programmer analyst at E-CASH Guinea, a company specializing in digital development. A graduate with a bachelor's degree in software engineering obtained in 2024 from the Kofi Annan University of Guinea, he designs and maintains digital tools for his company and regularly uses datasets in his projects.
While browsing Facebook, he discovered an advertisement from the Orange Digital Center for a data analysis training program offered in partnership with the Coursera platform. This program, resulting from a collaboration announced in April 2024, caught his attention. He enrolled, began the courses on July 1, 2025, and obtained his certification on September 1.
"Before the training, I used data in my projects, but I didn't have a clear idea of how to use it optimally. The training allowed me to understand how to transform raw data into usable information, so that businesses can make fact-based decisions. I acquired the concrete skills I was looking for," he explained in an interview with We Are Tech Africa.
Upon completing the course, he said he gained a practical understanding of the processes for converting raw data into relevant information for business teams. "The certification allowed me to go beyond simple IT development. I now analyze the data generated by applications to propose fact-based solutions, better respond to market needs, and bring more value to the company," he added.
After obtaining the certification, he presented it to his management and explained the value of data analysis for the company's activities. Convinced of the usefulness of these skills, management entrusted him with his first project involving marketing data to help guide management decisions.
The results obtained were considered significant by the company, which sees this as a way to improve its analysis of the market and its performance. In recognition of this work, Thierno Hamidou Sow, then a developer, was promoted to programmer analyst, a role that combines software development and data analysis to meet operational needs.
For the future, he plans to "continue deepening my skills in data science and artificial intelligence, to better combine development and data analysis."
Melchior Koba
He concentrates on digital tools that automate complexity and enhance AI technology access. He develops an approach optimized for local and international adoption, ultimately seeking to scale the practical applications of artificial intelligence.
Okechukwu Nwaozor, a young Nigerian entrepreneur born in 2007 who is a self-taught programmer, is emerging as a new face of artificial intelligence in Africa. He is the founder and chief executive of OkeyMeta, a technology company specializing in generative AI and language models.
Founded in 2022, OkeyMeta is a platform designed for African and international use. It offers models capable of processing text, analyzing images, generating code, and automating tasks. These functions are accessible via APIs that can be integrated into any internet-connected application.
The platform's main model, OkeyAI, is a multimodal language model described as capable of analyzing multiple data types and adapting to queries in real time. It operates in the background, with users interacting through chat interfaces or APIs that send their requests to the model and return a response within milliseconds.
OkeyMeta enables the creation of virtual assistants, customer service chatbots, writing tools, document analysis systems, and image or code generation modules without users having to train their own model. The platform targets developers, startups, and businesses looking to integrate automated functions into their services, such as email response, decision support, or content personalization.
The platform also offers a fine-tuning function, which allows for the creation of a customized version of the model using an organization's data or for a specific use case. The user can define the model's name, version, tone, and domain of expertise, then provide content examples to guide its adaptation.
In April 2025, Okechukwu Nwaozor held a position as a software engineer at OIC Hub, an IT company and training center in Nigeria that also organizes workshops, events, and conferences related to programming and digital technologies.
Melchior Koba
He is redefining the current landscape by creating a clear structure for accessing African languages. This effort opens up a structured educational space that profoundly changes how these languages are studied.
Frank Akinwande Williams is a Nigerian entrepreneur working in edtech and digital culture in Lagos. He is the co-founder and chief executive of Lingawa, an online platform dedicated to learning African languages.
Founded in 2022 by Frank Akinwande Williams, Yvonne Williams, and Uche Azinge, Lingawa offers courses adapted to the pace and availability of each user through flexible schedules and the support of specialized tutors. The platform focuses on individualized progression, allowing everyone to advance at their own speed.
Learners are matched with a native tutor, selected according to their goals, level, and learning style. The tutors take the time to explain concepts, verify understanding, and encourage repetition, a method particularly useful for beginners or those wishing to reconnect with their heritage language. Lingawa currently offers Yoruba and Igbo courses.
The platform also integrates cultural content into the learning path. Films, songs, games, and interactive media are used to create a learning environment rooted in familiar contexts. The objective is to facilitate the acquisition of linguistic reflexes over the course of the sessions.
Lingawa also provides users with a mobile application that allows for revision between lessons using flashcards, games, and progress tracking tools. This complementary support helps maintain a regular pace and reinforces learning. The platform also offers virtual immersion sessions, designed to practice listening and speaking in near-real-life situations.
Frank Akinwande Williams holds a bachelor's degree in medicine, obtained in 2008 from the University of Birmingham in England. He is also a graduate of the University of York, where he obtained a bachelor's degree in economics and finance in 2012. He also holds a master's degree in financial administration, obtained in 2018 from Harvard Business School in the United States.
He began his professional career in 2012 as an investment banking services analyst at Morgan Stanley in the United Kingdom. In 2014, he joined Helios Investment Partners in London as an associate for portfolio operations and investments. In 2018, he joined Actis, a British investor, as a partner, before becoming a director in 2020, a position he held until 2022.
Melchior Koba
He explores new methods in development and cybersecurity. His work shows the transformative effect of training and proficiency on professional practices.
Ibrahim Hamadoun Macinanké is a Malian full-stack developer and IT support and maintenance technician. He holds a bachelor's degree in management IT obtained in 2023 from the University School of Technology and Management in Mali.
Between 2019 and 2020, he also completed a one-year program in science and technology, mathematics, physics, and web and mobile development at Tianjin University of Science and Technology in China.
Currently a web developer and administrator for the Chamilo e-learning platform, he seeks out every opportunity to strengthen his technical skills. He aims to deepen his mastery of modern back-end development and clarify the uses of artificial intelligence in professional environments.
With this goal, the former cybercafe manager joined the Orange Digital Center (ODC), a digital skills training and innovation support center run by telecoms operator Orange. There, he is enrolled in a training program called "Meta Back-End Developer," which he completed with a certification in July 2025. He discovered the program earlier this year through his technology monitoring. It results from a partnership signed in April 2024 between ODC and Coursera, the international online learning platform.
Through this initiative, he also obtained several supplementary certifications in June 2025, including "AI for Everyone," "Prompt Engineering Generative AI for Marketing & Advertising," and "Computer Networks and Network Security."
These courses "allowed me to better understand the best practices of professional development, database management, and the fundamental principles of AI," he told the editorial team of We Are Tech Africa.
Macinanké said he was able to "immediately apply my new knowledge in my personal projects. I improved the structure of my applications, strengthened back-end code security, and refined my working method." He also revealed he is currently working on "a technological component and a 'made in Mali' application that will be among the most beneficial solutions for my fellow citizens."
He believes the entirety of this training has had a direct effect on his technical level and his skills, including those he had already consolidated previously, and that it will guide his future projects.
Despite the certifications obtained, Ibrahim Hamadoun Macinanké plans to continue his online training, contribute to collaborative projects, and get involved in developer and cybersecurity communities.
"My goal is to become a back-end focused full-stack developer specialized in cybersecurity, capable of creating high-performance and secure applications for the service of education and technological innovation," he said.
Melchior Koba
Tunisia launched on November 19 a National Charter aimed at strengthening families’ capacity to ensure a safe digital environment for children. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Family, Women, Children and Seniors and the Ministry of Communication Technologies, is supported by telecom operators, Internet service providers, public media, and other sector actors.
In her remarks, Family Minister Asma Jabri stressed that the family is “the first line of defense for the child.” Families must therefore receive the tools needed to interact safely and effectively with digital technologies through awareness, training, and guidance. This support will enable parents to follow technological developments and provide positive, responsible supervision of their children’s online activities.
The initiative comes as children are increasingly connected to the Internet for both entertainment and learning. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) estimates that a child somewhere in the world goes online for the first time every half-second. In Tunisia, Communication Technologies Minister Sofiene Hemissi recently reported that minors aged 12 to 16 spend an average of eight hours per day online.
In October, during a conference organized by the Ministry of Interior alongside the Ministries of Defense and Communication Technologies, Mr. Hemissi highlighted the rise in cyberthreats targeting minors, intensified by the use of artificial intelligence. He noted that risks no longer concern only exposure to immoral content but now include the spread of false historical, religious, and cultural information.
In this context, the government had already launched in 2024 a National Action Plan for preventing and responding to online violence against children, in partnership with UNICEF. “While access to this technology provides numerous educational and social benefits to children, it also has the potential to expose them to risk and cause harm. Furthermore, it is possible for both risks and harms to traverse the digital and physical environments, whereby online risks can become offline harms and vice versa.,” the UN agency stated at the time.
Meanwhile, the GSMA, in partnership with UNICEF, launched in late October 2025 a working group dedicated to online child protection. This multi-stakeholder platform aims to guide, coordinate, and strengthen efforts across Africa while building national and regional capacities to ensure children’s safety online. The group includes major telecom operators on the continent, including Orange, which operates in Tunisia.
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Ayokai launched Kokamba in 2024 as an ERP solution built by Congolese engineers and aligned with African accounting standards, including SYSCOHADA and OHADA.
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Kokamba operates offline, enabling SMEs in low-connectivity zones to manage finance, HR, billing, and operations from a unified dashboard.
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The platform centralizes financial data and strengthens regulatory compliance, which could boost the efficiency and growth of Congolese SMEs.
Ayokai drives a local digital-transformation push with Kokamba, an ERP solution designed by Congolese engineers for African businesses. The Franco-Congolese startup launched the system in 2024 under the leadership of Mardochée Bikoukou.
Kokamba targets companies, associations, NGOs and public institutions. It functions as an integrated management platform and respects several African norms, including SYSCOHADA. Ayokai positions Kokamba as a fintech tool that supports organizations that need coherent financial and operational structures.
The platform allows managers to control operations from a single dashboard. Kokamba groups accounting, billing, HR management, financial reporting, service management and payroll. It also integrates modules that track employees, support HR planning and generate financial statements that follow regional requirements.
The system maintains usability in low-connectivity environments. Kokamba runs offline and syncs online when networks become available. This capability suits Congolese SMEs and field-based structures that operate in areas with limited internet access.
Kokamba also stands out through its compliance with OHADA standards. The platform secures accounting and fiscal conformity for local firms. By centralizing financial data, Kokamba gives managers a clearer view of cash positions and key indicators, which helps them make informed decisions without depending solely on external accountants.
The platform may strengthen the operational efficiency of small and medium-sized enterprises. Kokamba supports business structuring and could stimulate SME growth in an increasingly demanding economic environment.
This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum
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Somalia made the Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN) mandatory for all imports and exports as of late September.
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The system ends the exclusive revenue control long held by Somaliland, Puntland and Jubbaland over their ports.
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Non-compliant importers face penalties including fines, asset seizure, licence suspension or criminal prosecution.
Somalia has adopted the mandatory use of the Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN) as the government seeks to curb fraud and tighten control over port revenues. More than twenty African countries already use similar systems to strengthen trade governance.
The government has enforced the requirement following a directive from the Ministry of Ports and Maritime Transport. The measure, which took effect in late September, applies to all imports and exports passing through Somali ports. Authorities introduced the ECTN in February 2023, but the system had seen uneven implementation across port facilities.
The ministry now requires importers to obtain an ECTN through the official platform, ctnsomalia.com, before any loading or unloading operation. Importers must include the ECTN number on the bill of lading. Customs officers will reject any shipment without a valid certificate.
The authorities warn that violators face fines, asset seizure, licence suspension or criminal prosecution under Somali law. Officials argue that the rules will enhance transparency, reinforce maritime security and reduce commercial fraud.
The system also recentralises port revenue management. It ends a long-standing arrangement under which Somaliland, Puntland and Jubbaland collected port revenues without direct oversight from the federal government.
Although Somalia introduced the ECTN in 2023, enforcement remained partial until now. The nationwide mandate aligns the country with a broader continental trend, as more than 24 African states already require electronic cargo certificates to reduce fiscal losses and strengthen customs control.
By making the ECTN compulsory, the government aims to unify port governance, close traceability gaps and regain control over fragmented commercial circuits. The measure carries strategic weight because Somali ports handle nearly 95% of the goods consumed in the country and represent one of the state’s main non-tax revenue sources.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum
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LimaBot allows Tanzanian farmers to diagnose crop diseases in real time through mobile apps, WhatsApp, SMS and USSD.
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The platform recommends treatments and provides weather forecasts and preventive management strategies.
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The solution aims to cut yield losses, reduce excessive pesticide use and strengthen farmers’ resilience.
LimaBot AI is emerging as a key player in Tanzania’s agricultural innovation by bringing artificial intelligence directly to smallholder farms. The Tanzanian start-up built a digital platform that farmers can access via mobile application, WhatsApp, SMS or USSD to diagnose crop diseases in real time. The company, based in Arusha, launched in 2024 under founder Godfrey Kilimwomeshi.
The platform does more than provide general advice. It analyses data, photos and symptom descriptions submitted by farmers, recommends biological or chemical treatments, and supplies weather forecasts and preventive management strategies. Because it functions in low-connectivity areas, farmers can interact with LimaBot through simple channels such as SMS and USSD.
Crop-disease losses continue to undermine family farming across Africa, particularly in Tanzania. By enabling early detection and offering tailored recommendations, LimaBot helps limit yield pressure, reduce excessive pesticide use and support more sustainable practices.
The solution creates dual benefits for farmers. It secures harvests while helping producers build autonomy through progressive training in plant-health best practices. This capacity building can improve resilience to climate shocks and volatile input prices.
By democratising access to quality diagnostics, the start-up strengthens the emergence of a sustainable agri-tech ecosystem. LimaBot positions AI as a tool that boosts productivity, supports food security and improves the economic well-being of farmers.
This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum
African startups under five years old can now apply to the Harvard New Venture Competition, which will award up to $55,000 in prizes at the Africa Business Conference in Boston on March 27-28, 2026. The top 30 applicants will also receive mentorship from MBA student consultants. Applications are open now.
Itel announced on Tuesday, November 18, a partnership with Tech Sphere Academy to provide smartphones to young people who cannot afford them. The devices will help students access virtual classes and hands-on training. The partnership also supports digital education efforts and complements the TS Academy scholarship program, which already assists more than 3,000 young people across Africa.
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Orange Digital Center partnered with Coursera in April 2024 to offer free digital training to young Africans.
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Mamadou Alpha Baldé secured his first job immediately after earning his cybersecurity certification in August 2025.
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He plans to become a tech entrepreneur and develop his own systems.
Orange Digital Center announced a partnership with Coursera in April 2024 to provide free digital training to young Africans. This initiative aims to accelerate access to high-value technology skills. Mamadou Alpha Baldé, a Guinean student, belongs to the first cohort that secured employment as soon as they completed their certification.
Baldé currently works as a technical sales engineering assistant at the IT firm Hestia SARL in Conakry. He develops software and supports commercial engineering operations. He attributes this position to the strategic diversification of his skills.
He initially trained in mobile and web development at Gamal Abdel Nasser University of Conakry. However, he says his cybersecurity certification, completed in August 2025, opened the door to a more stimulating professional environment due to the scale of the projects involved.
Before earning the certification, Baldé had no professional experience. Seeking to learn and improve his financial prospects, he joined Orange Digital Center while waiting for his bachelor’s degree ceremony scheduled for December 2025. He enrolled in the six-month "Google Cybersecurity Track", created under the April 2024 cooperation agreement between Orange Digital Center and Coursera. He discovered the opportunity on ODC’s Facebook page.
“My learning experience was very enriching. The content was well structured and easy to follow, the Coursera platform was intuitive and pleasant to use. I also appreciated the support and exchanges with the community, which helped me better understand key concepts and deepen my knowledge in cybersecurity,” he told We Are Tech.
During the program, Baldé discovered cloud security and web security, competencies he now applies in all his professional and personal projects. “I personally handle the security of all my servers using the tools studied during the program. If someone enters my system, I receive alerts by email and SMS. That is what I learned in the training.”
Although a partner company introduced him to Hestia SARL, he insists his academic background, certification and completed projects secured the job. “When I came in, I introduced myself, showed my certificates and my projects. They hired me the same day, right after the presentation.”
Baldé says the cybersecurity field fascinates him and motivates him to continue learning. He also expresses a clear long-term ambition: “to become an entrepreneur and create my own systems.”
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum
- Morocco to build 500MW renewable-powered data center in Dakhla
- Jazari Institute launched to advance AI, energy innovation and skills training
- Projects aim to boost tech jobs, digital sovereignty, and regional connectivity
Morocco plans to build a large renewable-powered data center and create a dedicated artificial intelligence (AI) institute in Dakhla, positioning the city as a strategic hub in the country’s digital and energy transition.
The government signed two partnership agreements on Friday, November 15, with Digital Transition Minister Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, Energy Transition Minister Leila Benali and officials from the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region.
The first agreement covers the construction of “Igoudar Dakhla,” a next-generation data center that will provide hosting, storage and data-processing services for domestic and international clients. The facility is planned to have a capacity of 500 megawatts (MW) and will operate entirely on power generated by a dedicated solar and wind farm under the Digital for Sustainable Development (D4SD) program. The center is expected to use advanced cloud infrastructure and natural cooling systems to reduce energy consumption.
The second agreement establishes the Jazari Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Energy Transition, which will focus on training, research and innovation in AI, the Internet of Things (IoT) and their applications in the energy sector. The institute will offer research and testing platforms, support startups and involve students and researchers in applied projects on renewables, desalination, green hydrogen and smart grids.
Both initiatives form part of the development strategy for the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region. The aim is to strengthen Morocco’s digital connectivity, position the country as a regional tech hub and support preparations for the 2030 World Cup. The projects also reflect Morocco’s plan to place innovation and skills development at the center of its digital and energy transition.
The project comes at a time when Morocco’s data center industry is expanding rapidly. According to Statista, the market is expected to generate 766.81 million dollars in 2025 and grow at an annual rate of 6.35 percent through 2030, reaching about 1.04 billion dollars. ResearchAndMarkets estimates that Morocco will account for 35 percent of the new data-center power capacity planned across Africa.
These investments are expected to boost Morocco’s digital sovereignty, create skilled technology jobs and support the development of a regional value chain built around cloud computing, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
Samira Njoya
- Senegal bans use of private apps for civil records, citing data risks
- 400 of 600 centers now use national system linked to central database
- Move supports digital transformation and rising cybersecurity threat response
Senegal’s Minister of Urban Planning, Local Government and Spatial Planning, Balla Moussa Fofana, urged municipalities on Tuesday, November 18, to immediately stop using private software or uncertified applications to manage civil records.
Speaking at the launch of National Civil Registration Week in Kothiary, in the Tambacounda region, the Minister said unauthorized tools pose “a major threat to citizens’ data.” He warned officials not to share sensitive information on unsecured platforms such as Gmail, WhatsApp or Hotmail, noting that these practices expose public records to intrusion, manipulation or deletion, which could lead to identity disputes or fraud.
Modernization and Cybersecurity
The warning comes as the National Civil Status Agency (ANEC) continues to roll out a large modernization program. So far, 400 of Senegal’s 600 civil registration centers have been equipped with the national management system, which is linked to a central database containing more than 20 million records.
ANEC is also introducing several new digital tools, including an online services platform for citizens and a module that allows health facilities, village chiefs and neighborhood representatives to report births and deaths.
The digital overhaul of civil registration forms part of Senegal’s “New Deal Technologique,” the national digital transformation strategy aimed at putting 90 percent of public services online by 2034. The plan focuses on strengthening digital sovereignty, modernizing administrative services and improving public access to online procedures.
By requiring municipalities to use state-approved systems, the government aims to protect civil registration data from criminal misuse as cyber threats rise sharply. In 2024, more than 10 million cyberattacks were detected and blocked in Senegal, according to Kaspersky.
The cybersecurity firm reported a major increase in password theft, which jumped from about 36,000 cases in 2023 to roughly 72,000 in 2024. Attacks exploiting software vulnerabilities nearly doubled, reaching more than 293,000 cases, and over 600,000 intrusion attempts via the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) were recorded.
Samira Njoya
Facing a nascent digital ecosystem, he developed a platform designed to connect supply and demand. The solution streamlines the product ordering and delivery process, mirroring international models while adapting them specifically to local Congolese practices.
Yves Kalonda, an entrepreneur specializing in e-commerce solutions tailored for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is the Founder and CEO of Yoteh, a digital platform designed to facilitate online purchasing in the country.
Launched in February 2025, Yoteh (Swahili for "everything") is accessible via a website and a mobile application available on the App Store. The platform offers multiple product categories, including fashion items for men and women, as well as electronic equipment.
In an interview with We Are Tech Africa, Kalonda explained that every item listed undergoes meticulous quality control before validation. The company maintains a warehouse in China, from which products are shipped to Kinshasa in seven to ten days using partner freight forwarders. Shipping costs are borne by the customers.
Despite operating without a marketing budget, Yoteh currently registers 100 new users monthly, with a conversion rate of 15% to 20%.
Kalonda credited his participation in the Orange Fab acceleration program in the DRC with helping him structure the business. The experience, he said, "opened my eyes to concepts not yet mastered: preparing a pitch deck and what it should or should not contain. Basically, Orange Fab allowed us to learn the foundations of a startup and how to structure it."
Looking ahead, the startup plans to expand its delivery services to Côte d'Ivoire, Congo, Gabon, and Angola by 2028. For now, however, Kalonda emphasized a national focus. "For the moment, we remain concentrated on the DRC. We want to impact our own country first," he said. He added that the company plans to establish its own transport agency within a year to minimize package shipping costs.
Before Yoteh, Kalonda launched Akili-Shop in 2019, a brand specializing in the sale of eyewear. He continues to serve as General Manager of Akili-Shop, whose name is inspired by the Swahili word for "intelligence" or "wisdom."
Kalonda holds a degree in Database Administration from the Higher Institute of Computer Science, Programming and Analysis in the DRC (2016). Between 2017 and 2019, he worked as a sales administrator at Orange DRC.
Melchior Koba