Nigerian startups focused on sustainability and innovation are invited to apply for the Sterling Bank Green Innovation Challenge.
The initiative offers NGN2 million (US$1,200) grants for cleantech and social enterprise ventures and a NGN20 million (US$12.2 million) facility for agriculture businesses.
Applications are open until October 20. Applicants must have operated for at least two years, offer locally developed solutions, and have a scale-up plan.
Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important as more of Africa’s economy, businesses, and public services go digital. Establishing cybersecurity infrastructure is a crucial step for several reasons, particularly given the context where data protection and digital security are critical for economic stability and growth.
The Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with cybersecurity firm Cisco, has announced plans to establish a state-of-the-art cybersecurity and broadband laboratory. This initiative aims to strengthen Nigeria's digital infrastructure and enhance its cybersecurity capabilities.
The announcement was made by Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, after an inspection of the proposed facility on October 16. He noted that the collaboration with Cisco follows months of discussions, including talks "most recently on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79) in New York, where they reaffirmed their commitment to supporting our digital transformation initiatives."
Cybercrime in Nigeria is on the rise, with data breaches increasing by 64% in Q1 2023 compared to the previous quarter, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) highlights this concerning trend. This makes the initiative even more crucial for economic stability.
The lab will play a significant role in improving the country's cybersecurity capabilities, which is essential as more Nigerian businesses and individuals adopt digital platforms. Strengthening cybersecurity will not only help to protect sensitive data but also boost public confidence in Nigeria’s digital economy, enabling its continued growth.
Hikmatu Bilali
He is an entrepreneur passionate about sustainability and innovation in Morocco. Through his startup, Savey, he has established himself as a key player in promoting sustainable and responsible food practices.
Ouahi Zakaria (photo) is a Moroccan entrepreneur, co-founder, and CEO of Savey, a digital and logistics solution combating food waste.
Savey is a Moroccan initiative aimed at reducing industrial food waste by offering a distribution channel for unsold, overstocked, or nearly expired products. It connects manufacturers, producers, and distributors with restaurants, cafes, hotels, pastry shops, and bakeries, among others, while also providing free delivery services.
“Our mission is to move towards zero food waste by creating a multidimensional impact on the ecosystem and positively influencing our consumption habits to optimize the use of still-edible food,” states the company’s website.
Committed to protecting the planet, the startup also engages in charitable actions. Every day, it distributes hundreds of meals, collected from its partners, to homeless individuals. It also supplies zoos and associations with food donations.
In September 2024, Ouahi Zakaria won first place in the national stage of the Orange Social Entrepreneur Prize in Africa and the Middle East (POESAM).
Melchior Koba
The Djiboutian government has outlined a clear vision: to drive the country toward digital emergence by 2035. A cornerstone of this transformation is the expansion of high-speed internet infrastructure, which the government sees as a vital catalyst for achieving this ambitious goal.
On Wednesday, October 16, Djibouti took a significant step toward digital transformation with the launch of its national broadband development strategy. The official presentation was held during a workshop organized by the Ministry of Communication, in charge of Posts and Telecommunications. This ambitious plan aims to accelerate the expansion of fiber-optic coverage and democratize access to high-speed internet, both fixed and mobile, across the entire country.
According to the Minister of Communication, responsible for Posts and Telecommunications, Radwan Abdillahi Bahdon (photo), the new strategy advocates for lower tariffs and doubling internet speeds without increasing costs. It also focuses on regulatory frameworks, promoting computer literacy, and developing infrastructure, among other priorities.
The initiative is part of the “Djibouti Digital Foundation” project. Supported by the World Bank, this project aims to transform Djibouti into a tech hub by 2035 by promoting digital services and creating a favorable environment for private sector investments in ICT.
Early results of this strategy include the deployment of 250 km of fiber-optic cable in the northern part of the country and the connection of over 100 administrative buildings to high-speed networks. These efforts have helped bridge the digital divide between regions and modernize public services.
With this new strategy, Djibouti aims to address its internet challenges. The country is currently connected to nine submarine fiber-optic cables. Despite these multiple connections, the World Bank has raised concerns about the high cost and poor quality of internet service. In its 2023 diagnostic report on Djibouti's digital economy, the international institution highlighted that the price of high-speed internet in Djibouti is among the highest in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
The informal sector is highly developed in many countries across the continent. This solution was developed to support players active in that sector.
Waribei is a fintech solution developed by an Ivorian startup. It enables small merchants to procure stock directly from wholesalers and gives the latter access to bank credit. The startup, based in Abidjan, was founded in 2023 by Ladislas Pham and Frédéric Fameni.
Earlier this month, it announced the successful completion of a funding round, raising 750,000 euros (approximately $813,500) from Mstudio and Saviu Ventures. The funds will be used to expand its operations and support its growth.
“We spend time in the markets, understanding the daily challenges [businesses] face, to design solutions that truly meet their needs. At Waribei, we want to ensure that merchants can grow their businesses without worrying about maintaining stock levels or struggling to secure loans,” said Ladislas Pham.
The solution includes an Android app that allows users to create an account, check partner suppliers and benefit from the advantages offered. Each user is granted an advance amount to purchase stock. With a pre-generated QR code (waricode), the user can make purchases from a supplier partnered with Waribei.
The fintech acts as a link between banks, suppliers, and small merchants, with plans to expand into other francophone African countries.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
With an increasing number of young, tech-savvy consumers and rising internet penetration across the continent, Jumia’s strengthened presence could drive significant growth and innovation, ultimately contributing to the development of Africa’s broader eCommerce ecosystem.
On October 16, Jumia Technologies AG, the African eCommerce giant, announced plans to cease its operations in South Africa and Tunisia by the end of 2024. This strategic move aims to optimize resource allocation, allowing the company to concentrate on core markets with higher growth potential, such as Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, and Morocco. The decision follows a thorough review of Jumia’s operations led by CEO Francis Dufay.
Explaining the move, Dufay said, “After a thorough analysis, we made the difficult decision to close down our operations in South Africa and Tunisia. The macroeconomic conditions in both markets, coupled with stiff competition, have limited growth potential.” In 2023, Jumia's South African arm, operating under the brand Zando, and its Tunisian operations contributed only 3.5% and 2.7% of total orders, respectively, underscoring their minimal impact on the company’s overall performance.
This closure aligns with Jumia's broader effort to streamline operations and enhance profitability amid challenging market conditions and competitive pressures. As the company refocuses on its core markets, it aims to leverage its marketplace, logistics network, and JumiaPay platform to drive sustainable growth in Africa’s most promising regions. This pivot reflects Jumia's commitment to adapting its strategy to navigate complex market dynamics and return to profitability.
According to the Africa E-Commerce Market Size, Share, Trends 2024-2032 report by the IMARC Group, the market is projected to reach $939.8 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.4% from 2024 to 2032. This rapid expansion highlights the increasing role that online shopping will play in Africa's future, fueled by rising internet access, growing mobile penetration, and a youthful, tech-savvy population.
Hikmatu Bilali
Partnerships with advanced technology nations can accelerate Africa’s digital transformation by bringing in expertise, infrastructure, and cutting-edge technology. This helps build local capacity, allowing African nations to become more self-reliant and competitive globally in fields like tech manufacturing and innovation.
Kenya signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on October 15 with the Korea Electronic Association (KEA) to establish a $1.4 million tech manufacturing support center at Konza Technopolis. This initiative aims to accelerate local tech production and further establish Kenya as a technology hub in Africa. The center will support product launches, workforce training, and local production of high-tech products from leading Korean companies.
John Paul Okwiri, CEO of Konza Technopolis, emphasized the center’s potential to advance the region’s tech landscape, citing it as a “testament to our take off as we expect substantial investment by korea companies in the electronics and IT ecosystem.”
The center’s construction, expected to take two to three years, will be managed by KEA, which represents over 370 major Korean tech firms, including Samsung and LG Electronics. The project will unfold in four stages: initial planning, electronics manufacturing training, equipment installation, and operational expansion with enterprise support.
In its ECONOMIC SURVEY 2024, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics revealed that the Information and Communication sector contributed 9.3% to GDP in 2023. To diversify the economy, the government aims to see this sector take on greater economic value. It has been undertaking policy reforms and major infrastructure projects to this end for several years to attract investors. This Tech Manufacturing Hub is one of the manifestations of this ambition.
The center is set to support the annual launch of 30 tech products, reducing average production time to six months. It also aims to train approximately 100 individuals while supporting over 100 local businesses. This collaboration reflects Kenya’s strategy to harness technology for economic growth, create jobs, and enhance its role in Africa’s digital economy.
Hikmatu Bilali
He aims to bridge the gap between academic training and the needs of the professional world. He supports young IT students while providing businesses with digital solutions.
Roussel Célestin Andriamitasoa is a Malagasy IT specialist and tech entrepreneur. He is the co-founder and CEO of Kante Company, a digital agency and platform dedicated to the professional integration of IT students.
Founded in 2022, Kante Company specializes in web and mobile application development, IT education, design, data science, and artificial intelligence (AI) engineering. The company provides young graduates with their first professional experience, enhancing their skills and helping them integrate into the job market, thus bridging the gap between academic training and employment in the tech sector.
“After their training with us, we collaborate with several digital services companies (ESNs) and both local and international firms to place these students in companies once they graduate. With over two years of experience gained through our platform, they are able to start successful careers,” explains the company, which won first place in the Orange Social Venture Prize Africa & Middle East (POESAM) 2024 for Madagascar.
Roussel Célestin Andriamitasoa graduated from IT University, an online learning provider, with a bachelor’s degree in computer science in 2023. Between 2021 and 2022, he worked as a client advisor at Intelcia, a business consulting firm. From 2023 to 2024, he was a developer at Lifetime Travel, a Malagasy company.
Melchior Koba
She is an expert in artificial intelligence, energy management systems, as well as smart grids and meters. She leverages technology to revolutionize how Cameroonians use electricity.
Agnès Virginie Tjahe (photo) is a Cameroonian tech entrepreneur and the founder of EMKit, a project aimed at addressing various issues related to electricity consumption, including overbilling, underbilling, excessive use, and energy fraud.
Launched in 2019, EMKit offers a system that allows users to monitor and manage their electricity supply and consumption remotely via SMS and the Internet. The kit collects consumption data every hour, which can be used to develop big data solutions for the energy sector. The project also aims to integrate artificial intelligence to enhance decision-making in the field.
EMKit optimizes energy use in Africa by helping reduce high electricity bills for households and combating fraud and underbilling on the power grid. The solution promotes energy efficiency, supports the development of smart grids, and drives the growth of big data in the energy sector.
The startup has already developed three different prototypes and installed ten kits in households in the western region of Cameroon. In August 2024, Agnès Virginie Tjahe won the women’s prize and first place on the Orange Social Venture Prize Africa & Middle East (POESAM) national stage in Cameroon.
In addition to her entrepreneurial work, Agnès Virginie Tjahe is a lecturer in the Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering at the Fotso Victor University Institute of Technology, part of the University of Dschang in Cameroon.
She holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering obtained in 2014 from the National Advanced School of Agro-Industrial Sciences (ENSAI) at the University of Ngaoundéré, and a PhD in energy mechanics from the University of Dschang, earned in 2019.
Melchior Koba
As the world becomes increasingly digital, it's essential for the judicial system to effectively manage cases involving digital evidence. In Africa, initiatives are underway to adapt to these new realities.
The Seychelles judicial system announced on Tuesday, October 15, a two-day training session at the Palais de Justice in Port Island. Conducted in partnership with the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) and the U.S. Secret Service, the initiative aimed to strengthen the skills of Seychellois judges and legal professionals in handling and authenticating digital evidence.
According to a statement from the judicial system, the training emphasized the need to understand how digital information flows, the importance of protecting people's privacy online, and the difficulties of using digital evidence in court cases, especially when the crimes happen across different countries. Topics covered included the evolution of laws in response to digital advancements, the balance between privacy protection and security requirements, and the authentication of digital evidence. Judges were trained to distinguish between legitimate evidence and potentially falsified information, using examples from social media platforms like Facebook and manipulated images.
This initiative comes amid a global trend where the use of digital data is becoming increasingly vital for the administration of justice. The digital era and the emergence of new technologies, such as AI, demand that judicial systems modernize. A survey by Cellebrite, an Israeli cybersecurity firm, revealed that 60% of over 2,000 investigators, prosecutors, managers, and digital forensics experts surveyed believe digital evidence is more critical than DNA. Additionally, 74% of respondents stated that digital data increases the success rate in resolving cases, underscoring the crucial need for specialized training in this area.
As a result, judges in the Seychelles are now better equipped to tackle challenges associated with managing digital evidence. This initiative not only enhances the judiciary's ability to address current challenges but also reinforces its commitment to transparency, security, and fairness in the age of digital transformation.
Samira Njoya
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The Congolese government has made digital technology a cornerstone of its socioeconomic development. To achieve its goals, the administration must ensure the security of the national cyberspace.
On Tuesday, October 15, the Congolese Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy launched a cybersecurity training seminar for judicial and law enforcement bodies. The initiative, supported by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African Center for Artificial Intelligence Research (CARIA), will run until October 17.
“This training will enable our security and judiciary institutions to develop essential skills for combating cybercrime, including identifying cyberattacks, collecting digital evidence, analyzing data, tracking cybercriminals, and issuing sanctions,” stated Juste Désiré Mondelé, the Deputy Minister to the Minister of the Interior in charge of Decentralization and Local Development.
This initiative reflects the Congolese government’s commitment to anticipating threats amid the rise of cybercrime across Africa. According to the African Cybersecurity Market, the number of cyberattacks on the continent increased by 23% in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. Strengthening the capabilities of judicial and law enforcement bodies is therefore “essential for improving operational competencies in this constantly evolving field.”
The 2024 edition of the Global Cybersecurity Index by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) places Congo in the category of countries that have done the minimum in terms of cybersecurity, with a score of 27.61 out of 100. The country’s relative strengths lie in regulatory measures (14.12/20) and cooperation (8.87/20). However, it needs to make significant improvements, particularly in technical and organizational measures and capacity development. For the latter, the country scored 0 out of 20.
This training aims to ensure a safer cyberspace as the Congolese government positions digital technology as a cornerstone of its socio-economic development in the years to come.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
Investors' continued interest in Nigeria's tech sectors suggests strong underlying fundamentals and growth potential. A thriving startup ecosystem can provide much-needed employment and stimulate economic growth.
The United Arab Emirates is keen to collaborate with Nigeria to support the growth of its rapidly expanding tech startup ecosystem. Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, made this commitment at GITEX Global, the world’s largest startup and investor event, currently taking place in Dubai from October 14-18.
Belhoul highlighted the importance of partnerships in boosting Nigeria’s digital economy, stating, “We are very much open to collaborations in terms of technology development.” He also acknowledged Nigeria's emerging status in Africa's tech landscape, with a dynamic startup scene that has drawn significant investment, particularly in areas like fintech, healthtech, and agritech.
This partnership will foster an innovation-friendly environment, offer funding opportunities, and encourage knowledge exchange between tech professionals from the UAE and Nigeria.
Nigeria is well-positioned to seize these opportunities, as it has consistently attracted significant investor interest in key sectors. According to PwC's 2023 report, “Growing the Nigerian Technology Ecosystem through the Capital Market,” Nigeria received half of the total funding that went to Africa's "Big Four" tech markets between 2015 and 2022, a period in which these four markets accounted for 73% of all funding in Africa. This underscores Nigeria's potential as a leading tech hub on the continent and highlights the critical role of strategic investments in driving sustainable economic growth.
Hikmatu Bilali
To achieve universal health coverage for its population, Ghanaian authorities are relying on various technological solutions. They have opted for a public-private partnership to reach their goal.
Ghanaian authorities are set to launch, today Octyober 16, the electronic health management system, known as E-Health, which will create digital patient records accessible across all hospitals in the country.
The implementation of this system is a public-private partnership between Ghana’s Ministry of Health and Lightwave e-Health Solutions, a U.S.-based company specializing in e-health.
“Going forward, medical records and the history of patients can be gathered under a single database, which can be accessed by any networked hospital when the patient visits. This digitization effort has increased efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity in service delivery in our health facilities,” stated Ghana’s Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia (photo).
This launch comes just months after the introduction of drone delivery solutions for medical supplies and online medicine purchasing from pharmacies. It aligns with the 2023-2027 Digital Health Policy and Strategy document, which aims to provide all communities in Ghana with timely, quality, and comprehensive healthcare through the use of information and communication technologies.
According to the Ministry of Health, the new system is expected to generate annual savings of between €50,000 ($54,000) and €300,000. It should also improve patient wait times by 35% to 40% in health centers and district hospitals, while regional and university hospitals could see a more than 40% reduction in wait times.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
He aims to help farmers improve crop management and yields. For his agriculture-focused technological solution, he was awarded by the telecom operator Orange in the DRC.
Lucien Disu (photo) is a DRC-born entrepreneur. He is the co-founder of Best Bilanga Optimal (BBOPT), an innovative tech solution powered by artificial intelligence (AI) aimed at optimizing agriculture in Africa.
BBOPT's mission is to improve crop quality and agricultural yields. The device, designed as a connected object, analyzes soil quality, recommends suitable crops, detects plant diseases using AI, and provides personalized advice through a web and mobile application.
With BBOPT, farmers can monitor their fields remotely and communicate with other growers through a discussion space integrated into the app. The device is equipped with sensors that collect soil data, an automatic irrigation system, and a mechanism that emits sound waves to repel rodents and pests. It is also rechargeable, making it a practical and sustainable tool.
“The goal of my project is to ensure food self-sufficiency with an artificial agronomist that analyzes soil fertility, provides personalized advice through our web and mobile app, and predicts crop yields,” said the entrepreneur, who won second place in the national phase of the Orange Social Venture Prize for Africa and the Middle East (POESAM) in the DRC in September 2024.
Lucien Disu holds a degree in Network and IT Maintenance Techniques, obtained in 2017 from the Chaminade Higher Institute of Computer Science in the DRC. Between 2021 and 2022, he served as Marketing Director at Mastagate, a group of companies specializing in digital technologies.
Melchior Koba