- Burundi approves a 2025–2030 national AI strategy to support governance and growth.
- Authorities structure the roadmap around six pillars including governance, infrastructure, and human capital.
- Government plans pilot projects in health and agriculture to demonstrate economic impact.
Burundi has stepped up efforts to position itself in emerging technologies by adopting a national artificial intelligence strategy for 2025–2030, authorities said following validation of the plan on Wednesday, April 22 in Bujumbura.
The Ministry of Finance, Budget and Digital Economy, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), designed the roadmap to make artificial intelligence an operational tool for governance, economic growth, and public service modernization. Authorities aim to structure the local ecosystem and capture economic gains linked to data exploitation as AI adoption accelerates globally.
A Strategy Structured Around Six Priorities
Authorities anchored the strategy on six core pillars, starting with governance. The government plans to create steering bodies, draft an ethical charter, and adapt the regulatory framework to oversee AI development. In parallel, authorities will promote ethics, inclusion, and sustainability by introducing algorithm oversight mechanisms, integrating local languages, and supporting responsible AI practices.
On the technical front, the government will strengthen digital infrastructure and data management capacity. Authorities plan to modernize data centers, establish sector-specific hubs, and develop sovereign cloud solutions while expanding telecom networks.
The government has also prioritized human capital development. Authorities aim to align university training with AI-related jobs, train more than 1,000 public officials, and foster talent through programs targeting youth and women.
In addition, the strategy emphasizes innovation and entrepreneurship. Authorities will introduce dedicated financing mechanisms, set up incubators in several cities, and provide incentives to support the emergence of AI-focused startups.
Finally, the government will prioritize practical applications. Authorities plan to deploy around 15 pilot projects in key sectors such as healthcare and agriculture. These projects will include diagnostic support tools, telemedicine solutions, climate alert systems, and advisory services for farmers, with the goal of quickly demonstrating productivity gains and improved public services.
A Position Still Under Development
However, Burundi still faces structural constraints in digital infrastructure and data utilization. As in several African economies, challenges include limited data availability, weak system interoperability, and evolving regulatory frameworks.
Nevertheless, authorities designed the strategy to address these gaps by aligning investments, skills, and use cases within a coherent vision. The plan also fits within the country’s Vision 2040–2060 framework, which identifies digital technology as a key driver of economic transformation.
Once implemented, the strategy could position Burundi alongside African countries that have already structured their AI approaches, including Rwanda, Senegal, Morocco, and Benin. However, authorities must now translate this ambition into concrete deployments capable of delivering measurable economic gains amid growing competition around data and advanced technologies.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
Qubators, a Christian network of technology experts and innovators, is launching AI Foundry — a free, intensive program designed to help students and young professionals move beyond using artificial intelligence tools to building applications. Guided by mentors, participants design, develop, and launch real-world products through a structured “learn, build, earn” path, ending with a project showcase to connect them with growth and funding opportunities.
Google has selected 15 African startups for the 10th cohort of its accelerator program focused on artificial intelligence and advanced technologies. The companies will benefit from mentoring, hands-on workshops and technical support without taking equity from April through June 2026.
From June 9 to 12, the SIT Africa Forum will bring together more than 70 cybersecurity vendors and 350 IT decision-makers from across Francophone Africa in Marrakech. The four-day event will feature conferences, workshops and business meetings focused on cyber risks, data protection, cloud computing, digital identity and the use of artificial intelligence to strengthen organizational security.
- Terra Industries started building a major drone factory in Accra.
- The plant targets annual production of 50,000 drones by 2028.
- The project follows a $34 million funding round to scale industrial capacity.
Terra Industries announced on Sunday, April 19, that it launched construction of “Pax-2,” its second autonomous systems manufacturing plant. The company is building the facility in Accra, Ghana. The site will cover more than 3,150 square meters (34,000 square feet). Once operational in June 2026, it will become the largest drone production facility in Africa, surpassing the flagship “Pax-1” site in Abuja, Nigeria.
The company is making this investment after raising $34 million to expand industrial capacity and strengthen engineering teams in Nigeria and allied countries. The Ghanaian site will focus on high-volume production of strategic aerial systems. These include the Archer surveillance and strike drone, the Iroko tactical unit, and the Kama high-speed interceptor, which can reach speeds of 300 km/h to counter hostile drones.
Beyond the industrial investment, this initiative reflects broader shifts in security dynamics across the continent. Armed groups in several regions, particularly in the Sahel, are increasingly using drones, sometimes adapted from civilian technologies. This trend is transforming operational methods and increasing demand for integrated solutions combining surveillance, electronic warfare, and interception capabilities.
At the same time, the global market is expanding. According to Fortune Business Insights, the global military drone market could reach $30.9 billion by 2034, up from $18.2 billion in 2025 and $20.8 billion in 2026. The growth is driven by expanding use cases in security environments.
The company selected Ghana based on the availability of technical skills and the country’s ambition to position itself as a regional industrial hub. The project should create around 120 direct jobs, mainly in engineering, and operate continuously to meet demand. By 2028, the plant aims to achieve an annual production capacity of 50,000 units.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Fapshi offers an integrated platform to collect, manage, and track business payments.
- The startup uses a transaction-based pricing model with no installation fees and a test environment.
- Founder Joachim Ukaegbu combines fintech entrepreneurship with software engineering experience in health tech.
Joachim Ukaegbu is a Cameroonian software engineer and entrepreneur. He co-founded and leads Fapshi as chief executive officer. The platform helps businesses collect payments and manage finances in a simple and structured way.
Founded in 2022, Fapshi provides a suite of tools that allows companies to collect payments, manage funds daily, send money to multiple accounts, and track all operations through a single interface. The platform offers a testing environment before live deployment and does not charge installation fees. It applies fees only to successful transactions.
Moreover, Fapshi enables users to receive different types of payments through easily shareable links with clients or communities. Once distributed, these links centralize payments within the interface, which facilitates collections for contributions, donations, sales, registrations, and other financial flows.
In addition, companies can integrate the solution into a website or an existing application. The platform emphasizes practical and efficient financial management. Beyond collections, Fapshi allows users to send funds and organize withdrawals with ease.
Alongside his entrepreneurial activities, Joachim Ukaegbu works as a software engineer at OpenMRS, an open-source medical record system designed for low-resource environments.
He graduated from the University of Buea in 2022 with a master’s degree in software engineering. Between 2018 and 2022, he worked as a software engineer and web developer at several organizations, including LibreHealth, which develops technology solutions for the healthcare sector.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Zambia plans to connect 2,500 more schools to the internet by end-2026.
- Only 5,487 schools currently have internet access for teaching, out of 13,987 nationwide.
- The initiative relies on public-private partnerships and digital learning platforms backed by UNESCO, UNICEF, and Microsoft.
The government of Zambia plans to connect 2,500 additional schools to the internet by the end of 2026. It frames the initiative as part of a wider strategy to digitalize the education system.
In this context, telecommunications companies and financial institutions in Zambia committed last week to support the Ministry of Education in expanding school connectivity. They made this commitment during a stakeholder meeting focused on school internet access.
Noriana Muneku, Permanent Secretary for Administration at the Ministry of Education, stated that the collaboration transformed learning conditions in the country. She said that classrooms once limited in resources now introduce students to digital tools, while teachers expand their teaching methods and students access knowledge beyond their immediate environment.
The initiative aligns with Zambia’s broader strategy to use technology as a driver of socio-economic development across sectors. The government implements the education component in partnership with private sector actors and international organizations.
The Ministry of Education stated that schools can use a wide range of ICT tools to communicate, create, store, and manage information more efficiently. It added that information and communication technologies provide learners with access to digital textbooks, e-books, and specialized educational software available anytime and anywhere.
The ministry further stated in its “Education Statistics Bulletin 2025” that ICT integration enables students to learn at their own pace and schedule. It said this flexibility allows learners to balance studies with personal or professional commitments, unlike traditional teaching methods.
In parallel, the government launched the “Digital Learning Passport” platform in collaboration with UNESCO, UNICEF, and Microsoft. The platform offers interactive lessons, audio and video content, and digitized curriculum-aligned resources. In 2024, more than 300,000 students used the platform to study subjects including English, mathematics, science, and social studies.
According to Ministry of Education data, 8,239 schools out of 13,987 had internet access for administrative purposes by end-2025. However, only 5,487 schools had connectivity for teaching and learning, while 3,276 schools had what authorities classified as reliable connections.
The initiative faces several challenges. These include the scale of connectivity rollout, network reliability, availability of ICT equipment, and the digital skills of teachers and students. Electricity access also remains a major constraint, as 5,812 schools lacked power supply in 2025.
This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Lambdaa develops digital tools including websites, mobile apps, and enterprise solutions.
- Founder Oben Desmond Ashu also works at UK-based Social Finance.
- The company built Pulse Medical Wears, an e-commerce platform for medical professionals in Africa.
Oben Desmond Ashu uses software engineering to help businesses transition to digital operations. He leads Lambdaa, a technology firm that designs solutions to support organizational efficiency, expand service access, and drive growth.
Lambdaa provides a broad range of digital services tailored to business needs. The company builds websites that help clients establish a strong online presence. It also develops mobile applications that allow businesses to deliver services directly to users’ smartphones.
Moreover, Lambdaa focuses on user experience by improving interface design and usability. The company also deploys integrated digital systems that optimize internal operations and enhance overall performance.
The company’s portfolio includes Pulse Medical Wears, an e-commerce platform dedicated to healthcare professionals in Africa. The platform enables medical staff to easily access essential professional clothing.
In parallel, Oben Desmond Ashu works as a software engineer at Social Finance, a British firm that designs, funds, and scales solutions to social challenges.
He also founded the Hustler Engineering Community, a network that provides students and professionals with a platform for exchange and learning.
Oben Desmond Ashu graduated from the University of Buea in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering. He started his career in 2018 as a software engineer at Quesers, an educational application.
In 2023, he joined OPUVIA, where he worked as lead software engineer in areas including social innovation, educational technology, talent development, and professional management.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- BlackRhino VR develops virtual, augmented, and mixed reality content tailored to African narratives.
- Founder Brian Afande launched the Nairobi-based studio in 2015 to build a local immersive ecosystem.
- The company delivers 360° video, live immersive streaming, and interactive virtual environments.
Brian Afande operates as a Kenyan entrepreneur and leads BlackRhino VR, a company specializing in extended reality (XR), including virtual, augmented, and mixed reality technologies. He co-founded the company and directs its strategy as chief executive officer.
The company launched in 2015 and positions itself as a production studio focused on immersive content that reflects African realities. It aims to support the emergence of an innovative creative ecosystem by leveraging these technologies for socio-economic and cultural development.
BlackRhino VR produces 360-degree video content, and it integrates structured storytelling inspired by cinema and documentary formats. The company manages the full production process, from image stitching to sound design, to deliver ready-to-distribute content.
Moreover, the company offers live panoramic streaming solutions that allow viewers to select their viewing angle in real time, thereby creating a more immersive experience than traditional video formats. These solutions target events seeking to expand remote accessibility.
In addition, BlackRhino VR develops applications and interactive environments that immerse users in dedicated digital worlds. The company serves artists, brands, institutions, and corporations that seek to tell stories, present projects, or offer immersive virtual tours.
Brian Afande graduated from the University of Nairobi. He began his career in 2007 at BlackStar Entertainment as a public relations manager. He later became a portfolio manager in the retail sector at Kenya International Sports in 2011. Between 2015 and 2019, he worked as customer experience manager at Paradigm Experiential, a firm specializing in digital experiential marketing and advertising.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Impala Healthtech Research develops digital solutions to support clinical decisions and healthcare innovation.
- The company offers R&D, impact evaluation, and market strategy services for health technologies.
- Its flagship platform DIGAMS uses AI to guide antimicrobial treatment decisions in real time.
Chraish Miiro operates as a Ugandan pharmacist and healthtech innovator, and he co-founded and leads Impala Healthtech Research, a company focused on developing digital solutions for the healthcare sector.
The company launched in 2024 and positions itself as a strategic partner that supports decision-making in the design and commercialization of health solutions. It delivers services across three core areas: research and development, impact evaluation, and commercial strategy support.
The company conducts exploratory studies to identify urgent healthcare challenges, and it designs technology solutions tailored to those needs. It also carries out both ongoing and ad hoc research covering health system performance, access to care, service delivery, sector economics, and pharmaceutical issues.
Impala Healthtech Research also performs independent evaluations to measure the real-world effectiveness of health technologies developed internally or by partners. The company applies rigorous methodologies to ensure solutions meet performance standards and scale effectively under real conditions.
In addition, the company supports project developers in building market strategies. It conducts in-depth studies and analyses, and it uses collected data to design and test business models suited to high-potential innovations. It also identifies key levers required to maximize market adoption.
Its flagship solution, DIGAMS (Digital Antimicrobial Stewardship Platform), operates as a digital platform for antimicrobial management. It combines a marketplace for microbiology laboratories with a real-time, AI-powered decision-support tool that assists clinicians in prescribing antimicrobial treatments.
Chraish Miiro earned a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Makerere University in 2020. He began his professional career in 2016 as a public services payment evaluation officer at dfcu Bank. After completing pharmacy internships between 2019 and 2020, he joined Uganda’s National Drug Authority as an associate researcher. He later served as head of research at Mobiklinic from 2022 to 2025, where he supported technology solutions that improve healthcare access and delivery.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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- Equity Bank plans a financing scheme to enable smartphone purchases through installment payments.
- About 92% of the population did not own a smartphone in 2024, according to GSMA.
- Entry-level smartphones cost around $30, exceeding half of monthly income per capita.
Equity Bank proposed a smartphone financing program in the DRC, as it aims to enable subscribers to acquire devices at lower upfront cost through installment payments. The initiative seeks to accelerate smartphone adoption and expand access to digital services across the country.
The bank presented the project last week to Digital Economy Minister Augustin Kibassa Maliba during a ministerial roundtable in Washington focused on payment digitalization and domestic revenue mobilization. The proposal aligns with Equity Bank’s strategy to establish a strategic partnership with the ministry to support the country’s digital transformation.
Willy Mulamba, Chief Executive Officer of Equity BCDC, the Congolese subsidiary of Equity Group, said, “Imagine offering the Congolese people low-cost financed phones, with affordable internet access, enabling them to open bank accounts or access public services and government programs more easily,” without providing further details.
This initiative comes as affordability remains a key barrier to internet adoption in Africa. GSMA data shows that only 8% of the Congolese population owned a smartphone in 2024, while mobile internet penetration reached 13%.
In its report “Accelerating Smartphone Adoption in Africa,” published in December 2025, GSMA said the median price of an entry-level smartphone stands at about $30, which exceeds half of the monthly income per capita in the DRC. For households in the bottom 20% to 40% income bracket, the cost exceeds total monthly income, making upfront purchases nearly impossible without financing solutions.
Mobile operators and ecosystem players have already introduced financing options in the DRC. KaiOS Technologies, in partnership with Mobihive Lab, offers a 4G smartphone financing solution targeting new users and those upgrading from 2G. Telecom operators Vodacom, Airtel, and Africell also provide bundled offers that include installment payments, along with airtime credit and/or initial data packages.
However, despite the availability of such offers, most consumers still rely on upfront payments to purchase smartphones. GSMA attributes this trend to limited awareness of financing solutions and concerns about default risks, which could lead to device repossession and loss of prior payments.
This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Gabon requires all social media users to provide verified personal identification, ending online anonymity.
- Authorities impose stricter liability rules on users, group administrators, and platforms.
- The law introduces fines of up to CFA50 million ($89,415) and prison terms for serious violations.
Gabon strengthened its digital regulatory framework, as authorities adopted stricter rules governing social media and online platforms.
Gabon enacted Ordinance No. 0011/PR/2026 dated February 26, 2026, and authorities published the text on April 8. The ordinance includes 55 articles across 11 chapters, and it fundamentally redefines the rules governing social media and digital platform usage in the country.
End of anonymity and enhanced user traceability
The ordinance requires all users to disclose their identity, as it mandates individuals to provide their name, address, and Personal Identification Number (NIP) to access digital platforms. Service providers must verify the identity of users residing in Gabon, thereby establishing a reinforced system for tracking online activity.
The law also tightens user accountability, as it makes individuals fully responsible for the content they publish. It introduces “joint liability” for the mass dissemination or sharing of content deemed illegal. Social media group administrators must moderate content and report abuses within their communities.
Regulation of artificial intelligence and protection of vulnerable users
The ordinance establishes rules governing artificial intelligence, as it requires transparency for content generated by automated systems. It bans deepfakes when they undermine human dignity or enable manipulation, and it classifies identity theft via AI tools as an aggravating circumstance.
The law sets the digital age of consent at 16, as it requires parental authorization for younger users to access social media platforms. Platforms must implement age verification systems and filter sensitive content, including violent or pornographic material.
Authorities also introduced an expedited regulatory procedure, as courts can order content removal or account suspension within 24 hours. The law mandates a right of reply within 48 hours in cases of public allegations.
The ordinance strengthens enforcement measures, as it imposes fines of up to CFA50 million ($89,415) on non-compliant operators and introduces prison sentences for severe cybersecurity or illegal content violations. However, authorities grant digital players a 12-month transition period to comply with the new requirements.
Reform amid broader tightening of digital regulation
This legal overhaul forms part of broader reforms targeting digital governance and regulation of online public space. Authorities have suspended access to social media platforms for nearly two months, following restrictive measures imposed by the High Authority of Communication.
In this context of increased digital control, the ordinance aims to formalize and structure the legal framework. However, it raises several challenges.
Its implementation requires significant technical resources from platforms and operators, particularly for identity verification and automated moderation systems. It also raises concerns about personal data protection and privacy, as authorities mandate centralized digital identity systems.
Another challenge concerns the ability of digital stakeholders to comply within the required timeframe, especially as several global platforms operate under standards that may prove difficult to adapt to country-specific regulations.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- SellArts operates as an online marketplace connecting African artists with collectors and buyers.
- Founder Philippe-Emmanuel Yacé launched the Abidjan-based startup in 2023.
- The platform targets individuals, companies, artists, and galleries to expand access and visibility.
SellArts operates as an e-commerce platform developed by an Ivorian startup and functions as a digital gallery that enables artists to showcase and sell their work directly online.
The platform offers paintings, sculptures, photographs, and craft objects, while it applies editorial curation to highlight creators and their artistic universes. The startup operates from Abidjan, and Philippe-Emmanuel Yacé launched the company in 2023.
The startup said, “Our platform makes discovering, collecting and purchasing artworks accessible to enthusiasts and art lovers. It also provides Ivorian artists with a space to promote and sell their creations. Furthermore, art dealers can discover new talent and strengthen their visibility.”
SellArts targets multiple user segments, as individuals seek to acquire artworks, companies look to rent or purchase art for their spaces, and artists and galleries aim to expand their visibility.
Moreover, the platform goes beyond transactions and emphasizes editorial selection and user experience. It offers thematic collections, featured artists, and personalized recommendations to guide buyers through a market that many perceive as complex.
The platform aims, on the one hand, to broaden access to African art by increasing its visibility to a wider, including international, audience. On the other hand, it seeks to provide artists with an alternative distribution channel in a sector historically dominated by physical galleries and closed networks.
SellArts aligns with the rise of specialized digital art platforms that reshape distribution and monetization channels. In Africa, where the market remains relatively understructured, such initiatives could help professionalize the ecosystem and increase creators’ revenues.
Ultimately, the platform aims to establish itself as a leading hub for African art by combining technology, editorial curation, and direct market access.
This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
Venture capital firm Propeller is launching Kernel Camp, an eight-week program to be held in May 2026 in Silicon Valley, bringing together five deep-tech startups from Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan and Egypt. Founders will gain access to mentorship, workshops, and sessions with leading engineers, investors and operators. The program aims to help them establish a lasting foothold in the global AI ecosystem and accelerate their growth.