The name of the startup means "quickly" in Lingala, a widely spoken language in Congo. Its goal is to redefine delivery standards in Africa.
Noki Noki is a digital solution developed by a Congolese startup that allows users to have their parcels delivered via its mobile application. The startup, based in Brazzaville, was founded in 2021 by Jonathan Yanghat. On Thursday, June 13, it raised $3 million to expand its distribution network, enhance its service offerings, and strengthen its presence in new markets.
"I founded Noki Noki in 2021, driven by a deep belief in the power of African innovation, particularly in Congo-Brazzaville. We started the venture with a few motorbikes and a clear ambition: to revolutionize delivery and e-commerce on the continent. This funding round brings us closer to our goal of becoming a reference in local delivery in Africa," said Jonathan Yanghat.
The solution features a mobile application available on iOS and Android, with over a thousand downloads. After downloading, users create an account with their personal information, giving them access to the startup's various services.
Among these services, Noki Noki has deployed Noki Food for ordering food from local restaurants; Noki Noki Enterprises to meet the logistical needs of businesses, ensuring the safe transportation of parcels and goods from point A to point B; and Noki Noki Shopping for performing various errands, such as delivering pre-ordered items, dry-cleaned clothes, and more.
The startup operates in six countries and eight cities, including Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire in Congo, Dakar in Senegal, Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire, and Libreville in Gabon. With average delivery times of 10-15 minutes in city centers and 20-30 minutes outside city centers, Noki Noki offers a viable alternative for e-commerce platforms typically facing delivery challenges.
The Congolese startup boasts over 10,000 users, more than 5,000 satisfied clients, and over 200 business partners. In 2022, it won the best startup award at the International Tech and Innovation Fair of Central Africa (Osiane) and joined the TotalEnergies incubator in Pointe-Noire in 2024, following the Startupper Challenge.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
He gained extensive experience in digital marketing by working for several companies in Canada. As an entrepreneur over the past few years, he has simplified the process of exchanging second-hand clothing between buyers and sellers.
Salim Ammara (photo is an Algerian tech entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of Dirideal, an e-commerce platform specializing in second-hand clothing. Launched in 2022, Dirideal makes buying and selling clothes from home easy.
The platform created a true circular community with a paperless door-to-door delivery service and an integrated digital wallet. Acting as an intermediary between sellers and buyers, a courier picks up packages from sellers and delivers them to buyers across Algeria. It already boasts 150,000 active users nationwide, offers 17,000 items, and registers 700 new members daily.
In addition to his role at Dirideal, Salim Ammara is also a part-time marketing director for startup companies. His expertise includes analyzing buying behaviors, developing brand images, and optimizing sales promotions to improve profitability and market position.
He holds a marketing degree from the University of Sherbrooke, Quebec, where he earned a bachelor's degree in marketing in 2014. His professional career began in 2013 at Ludis Media in Sherbrooke as a digital marketing strategist. In 2015, he joined SherWeb, a Quebec-based cloud distributor, as a marketing strategist.
In 2018, Salim joined Datavalet Technologies, a Canadian software company, as digital marketing director. The following year, he became a marketing automation consultant at Incloud Business Solutions. Concurrently, he taught digital marketing at the Montreal College of Information Technology. From 2020 to 2021, he served as marketing manager at Bopper, a company helping artists obtain licenses.
With his rich and diverse background, Salim Ammara continues to make significant contributions to technological innovation and the development of e-commerce in Algeria.
Melchior Koba
The Ivorian government is continuing the implementation of its digital development strategy for 2025. The digitization of all public services stands as a fundamental pillar of this policy.
Côte d'Ivoire's digital transformation took a leap forward on Tuesday with the launch of four digital platforms designed to streamline operations across key government ministries.
The new platforms, DOB-connect, the Hospital Information System (SIH), E-Tribcom, and Trésor-PAY-Trésor-Money, aim to enhance service delivery and transparency in education, healthcare, justice, and finance.
DOB-connect, geared towards the Ministry of National Education and Literacy, provides a digital tool for tracking student performance and tackling academic failure. The Ministry of Health received the SIH, which will improve patient care by connecting over 160 healthcare facilities.
The E-Tribcom platform streamlines judicial operations, commercial registry management, and secure transactions for the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights. Finally, the Ministry of Finance and Budget received Trésor-PAY-Trésor-Money, facilitating state expenditure management and electronic revenue collection.
The launch aligns with the Governance Improvement Project for the Delivery of Basic Services to Citizens (PAGDS), an initiative within the National Digital Development Strategy 2021-2025. This World Bank-supported strategy encompasses 32 reforms and a substantial investment of 2,000 billion CFA francs (around $3.3 billion).
The Ivorian government anticipates this digital transformation to boost GDP by 6-7 percentage points and generate between 2,000 and 3,500 billion CFA francs. The World Bank further highlights the potential of the digital economy, estimating it could contribute over $5.5 billion to Côte d'Ivoire by 2025 and exceed $20 billion by 2050, contingent on continued investments in key digital infrastructure.
Samira Njoya
In Africa, access to electricity remains a major challenge, significantly hindering economic and social development. The initiatives by Orange and its partners are contributing to addressing this challenge in a sustainable manner.
Orange Smart Energies, a specialized digital platform by the telecom operator Orange, is now open to all energy producers in Africa. This pay-as-you-go solution, combined with Orange Money, allows them to manage the prepaid electricity provided to populations through their solar kits and smart meters. This initiative will significantly enhance energy inclusion in Africa.
"Using digital technology to improve the energy inclusion of African people has been our ambition since day one. By opening up our Orange Smart Energies platform to all energy producers, we are taking a major step forward in our commitment to universal access to energy in Africa and the Middle East," said Jérôme Hénique, CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA).
In its "Electricity 2024: Analysis and Forecast to 2026" report, the International Energy Agency (IEA) indicated that 600 million people, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa, lacked access to electricity in 2023, accounting for over 40% of Africa's population. Off-grid gasoline or diesel generators have become a common solution for accessing electricity on the continent due to their low initial costs compared to grid connection. However, their operating costs have significantly increased, particularly since 2021, following the surge in oil prices.
On the other hand, since 2015, the adoption of modular decentralized home solar systems (SHS) has steadily increased, according to the IEA. "Countries like Ghana and Kenya have multiplied their SHS capacity more than twentyfold between 2015 and 2019. SHS providers have enabled the implementation of the system through financial incentives such as a pay-as-you-go business model," notes the International Energy Agency.
Given this context, the Orange Smart Energies platform — operational in 12 African countries with over 300,000 households benefiting from its services daily — positions itself as a valuable asset for the French telecom operator in the fight against energy poverty in Africa. In addition to facilitating access to energy for remote populations, it also addresses the profitability challenges of energy producers by reducing the risk of non-payment.
Orange wants to connect one million households to solar energy by 2026. Furthermore, the company covers a dual advantage. The connection between Orange Smart Energies and Orange Money allows it to further monetize its mobile finance service, while also promoting internet usage, a strong revenue segment for Orange, through increased access to electricity.
A finance expert, she leverages technology to create solutions tailored to the financial needs of SMEs and rural populations. Her commitment to combating financial exclusion has earned her numerous awards and distinctions.
Ethel Mupambwa (photo) is the founder and CEO of fintech startup MoneyMart Finance. Born in Zimbabwe, she is driven by the ambition to ensure financial inclusion for all her fellow citizens through her startup.
Founded in 2014, MoneyMart Finance is dedicated to fostering universal positive transformation by providing access to digital financial services. The company offers loans tailored to the activities of informal businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It also provides micro-insurance solutions for individuals, including funeral financing plans.
MoneyMart Finance tackles various forms of exclusion that contribute to poverty, including energy exclusion. The company is also a distributor of off-grid solar systems, serving families and small businesses needing reliable, sustainable, and clean energy.
Since its inception, MoneyMart Finance has served over 6,000 microenterprises and disbursed more than $5 million in loans. Additionally, it has financed over 1,300 solar systems. Reflecting a development policy focused on empowering women and youth, 70% of its clients are women and 50% are young people.
Ethel Mupambwa serves on the board of directors of the Zimbabwe Association of Microfinance Institutions (ZAMFI). She is also a founding trustee of the Digital Finance Practitioners Association of Zimbabwe (DFPAZ). She holds a bachelor's degree in finance from the National University of Science and Technology of Zimbabwe, earned in 2008. Her professional career began in 2006 as an intern at EY. From 2009 to 2011, she was the financial director of Rockshade Car Rentals and Tours, a luxury car and coach rental service provider.
In 2020, she won the WIA54 (Women in Africa) award in the fintech category and was named among Africa’s Business Heroes. The following year, she was recognized as Businesswoman of the Year by the Zimbabwe National Business & Leadership Awards. The same year, she received an honorary doctorate in human letters from the Women’s Institute of Philanthropy (WIP) and another in business leadership and entrepreneurship from the International Women’s University (IWU).
Melchior Koba
By creating a hub that attracts regional entrepreneurs, governments can drive technological innovation across Africa, fostering a collaborative ecosystem that benefits the entire region.The project will create numerous jobs and opportunities for skills development in technology, business process outsourcing, and related fields, contributing to workforce empowerment and economic stability.
Sierra Leone is dedicating $150 million to a cutting-edge Tech City hub in Tikonko, Bo District, to transform the nation into a digital innovation powerhouse. Announced at the Orange-sponsored Sierra Leone Innovates Tech Summit (11-13 June 2024), the hub will offer facilities to incubate and accelerate programs, supporting the transition of start-ups from ideation to commercialization.
Speaking on the matter, President Bio said: “The City will foster the development of new technologies, products, and services that will serve as catalysts for sustainable development, promote economic diversification and reduce the country’s over reliance on the traditional sectors.”
The Tech City, set in a 130-acre economic zone, marks a significant step in Sierra Leone’s digital transformation efforts. Technology Minister Salima Bah, who spearheads the project, envisions the hub as a catalyst for the country’s technological advancement.
Key telecom operators Africell and Orange Sierra Leone are supporting the project, with Africell planning to establish an on-site data center, as confirmed by a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed during the summit. The Ministry of Communication, Technology, and Innovation announced today, via their Facebook page, the signing of an MoU with Orange. This agreement paves the way for the construction of the "Orange Village" community project within the Tech and Innovation City.
The Tech City is designed to generate jobs, with new opportunities in business process outsourcing and device assembly. This multifaceted strategy aims to boost Sierra Leone’s tech capabilities and solidify its role in West Africa’s innovation landscape.
The investment comes at a crucial time as African nations increasingly leverage digital solutions to spur economic and social progress. Sierra Leone’s bold move could set a precedent, demonstrating that smaller nations can significantly impact the digital stage.
The government has been actively seeking ways to drive economic development through the combined forces of entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology. Initiatives include the Sierra Leone Medium Term National Development Plan (2019-2023), the National Digital and Innovation Strategy, and the establishment of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) development agencies, among others.
A study by the African Development Bank (AfDB) highlights that nations with diversified economies are more resilient to global economic shocks. Sierra Leone’s investment in Tech City supports this diversification, enhancing economic resilience and creating a sustainable growth model.
Hikmatu Bilali
Burundian Minister of Communication, Information Technologies, and Media, Léocadie Ndacayisaba, formally launched the operations of the Société de Télédiffusion Numérique du Burundi (STNB) in collaboration with China on Saturday, June 15. The institution will oversee the future national digital terrestrial television platform.
The transition to digital television, according to the Minister of Communication, aims to promote development across all sectors in the country.
Driven by a personal tragedy, a tech entrepreneur founded Eight Medical to revolutionize emergency healthcare. After losing two close family members because they didn't get to the hospital fast enough, he decided to take action and improve the system.
Eight Medical is a Nigerian e-health startup that enables users to access emergency healthcare through its web and mobile platforms. Founded in 2021 by Ibukun Tunde-Oni, the startup is based in Lekki.
The solution includes a mobile application available on both iOS and Android. After downloading the app, users can sign up and access all the services offered by the startup through a subscription. This subscription ensures rapid care in case of emergencies; otherwise, users will have to pay for the service when utilizing the healthtech.
In medical emergencies such as illness, traffic accidents, or other incidents, Eight Medical positions itself as the "911 for Africa." Users can either call their service or press the emergency button in the mobile app. Once the request is sent, they respond within 25 minutes or less to transport the patient to the hospital.
To achieve this, the healthtech has a fleet of ambulances, vehicles, and motorcycles to navigate the traffic congestion in Nigeria's major cities. Besides emergency responses, the startup offers first aid services at events, non-emergency ambulance transportation, and aeromedical evacuation.
Since its launch, Eight Medical has handled over 12,705 calls, with an average response time of ten minutes. Earlier this month, it was selected as a finalist in the Pitch2Win competition, along with 14 other Nigerian startups, with a prize of $10,000.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Guinean Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy, Rose Pola Pricemou, met with the Spanish Ambassador to Guinea, Angel Antonio Carrascal Gutierrez, on Wednesday, June 19. The meeting aimed to explore new opportunities for collaboration between the two countries in the areas of postal services, telecommunications, and the digital economy
He wants make healthcare affordable for everyone in The Gambia. To achieve this goal, he offers a comprehensive range of services, including telemedicine, pharmaceutical sales, and healthcare facility management.
Ismail D. Badjie (photo) is a trained pharmacist and Gambian entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of Innovarx Global Health (IGH), a company that combines technology and healthcare to provide innovative services to both businesses (B2B) and consumers (B2C).
Founded in 2014, Innovarx Global Health is a healthtech startup that aims to bridge the gap between modern healthcare solutions and their economic accessibility at the local level. This allows all Gambians, and eventually, other West African countries, to benefit from quality healthcare at affordable prices.
"Innovarx Global Health (IGH) was born out of the founder’s vision for a Gambia where access to quality healthcare was not a privilege but a right for all. A Gambia where people continuously invest in their health through regular screening and increased awareness for it is our most valuable form of wealth," the startup explains on its website.
IGH offers a wide selection of services, including medication and therapy management for diseases, on-site testing for non-communicable diseases, telemedicine, medical tourism, physiotherapy, and online pharmaceutical sales. Additionally, it provides consultancy for improving healthcare system processes.
Ismail D. Badjie holds a bachelor's in chemistry from Tennessee State University, obtained in 2008. He also graduated from Purdue University in the United States, earning a Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2013. Following his doctorate, he worked at Walgreens, a pharmacy, health, and beauty company. Between 2013 and 2019, he held various positions, including staff pharmacist and pharmacy manager.
Melchior Koba
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With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) across the globe, African nations have a critical opportunity. They can harness AI's potential to fuel economic growth, but must also consider strategies to mitigate potential risks.
African ICT and Communication ministers have unanimously approved a Continental Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy and an African Digital Pact. Both documents aim to accelerate the continent's digital transformation by harnessing the potential of new digital technologies. They were approved during the second extraordinary session of the African Union's Specialized Technical Committee on Communication and ICT, held from Tuesday, June 11, to Thursday, June 13.
According to the African Union's communiqué, the Continental AI Strategy "provides guidance to African countries to harness artificial intelligence to meet Africa's development aspirations and the well-being of its people, while promoting ethical use, minimising potential risks, and leveraging opportunities."
The strategy also identifies key priorities and actions to ensure that African countries fully benefit from AI's capabilities. These include enhancing infrastructure, talent development, data institutions, innovation, and partnerships, while ensuring adequate safeguards and protection against threats.
The African Digital Pact outlines the continent's digital future and leverages the transformative potential of digital technologies to promote sustainable development, economic growth, and societal well-being across Africa. According to Amani Abou-zeid, the African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, the pact represents the continent's strategic commitment to using digital transformation as a catalyst for inclusive progress and sustainable development in Africa.
Both documents align with the African Union's Digital Transformation Strategy (2020-2030) and Agenda 2063. Developed through consultations with a wide range of stakeholders, they represent Africa's contribution to the Global Digital Compact and the upcoming United Nations Summit on the Future in September. Before that, they will be submitted to the African Union Executive Council in July for review and adoption.
With over 23 years of professional experience, she develops innovative strategies and solutions to help service providers overcome their financial challenges.
Elly Roimen Mathenge (photo) is a trained computer scientist and Kenyan entrepreneur. She is the co-founder and CEO of m-tip, a startup on a mission "to transform the financial landscape for service providers, ensuring they have the tools and resources to thrive in an ever-changing world."
Founded in 2021, m-tip aims to empower service providers by revolutionizing their revenue management. The startup offers accessible financial solutions that ensure financial stability, access to micro-financing, and insurance, paving the way for a better future.
Through its dashboard, users can access their transaction flows in real-time. Additionally, m-tip allows for tipping and cash withdrawals directly on M-Pesa, the mobile money service by Safaricom in Kenya. The m-tip services are accessible on any mobile device via the USSD application by dialing *682#.
Elly Roimen Mathenge also mentors at GERMAN X, an organization helping German businesses and startups to scale globally within dynamic innovation ecosystems. She freelances as a corporate master of ceremonies and serves on the board of Presta, a Kenyan fintech company.
The entrepreneur completed her higher education and began her professional career in the United States. She graduated from Metro State University with a bachelor's in business administration. She also holds a master's in information technology administration and management from Capella University. Her professional career began in 2002 at Fairview Health Services, where she was a business analyst.
In 2005, she joined Allina Hospitals & Clinics, where she successively held positions as a senior IT help desk analyst and business analyst. In 2009, she became the program and IT operations manager at the energy company Xcel Energy. In Kenya, she worked for several major companies, including Oracle, where she was responsible for strategic development from 2018 to 2022.
Melchior Koba
Government support for startups nurtures talent and creativity, enhancing skills in technology and entrepreneurship. These initiatives align with African development goals by addressing unemployment, poverty, and economic diversification.
The Lagos State government has allocated N1 billion ($654,000) as a seed fund for startups through the Lagos State Science, Research, and Innovation Council (LASRIC), Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced on June 14.
“We are committed to increasing these success metrics with the provision of LASRIC seed fund to the tune of N1,000,000,000 – in the first tranche of funding to the council,” Sanwo-Olu said.
a SEED Fund of N1Billion was provided for this cause. This is another marquee achievement for our dear State and indeed a greater Lagos that is ever evolving. Congratulations LASRIC. 2/2 pic.twitter.com/fq8KwMNaPL
— LASRICLAGOS (@Lasriclagos) June 15, 2024
The funding was revealed during the inauguration of the newly reconstituted LASRIC members, who include experts from industry, academia, and the public sector.
For Sanwo-Olu, Lagos is a burgeoning hub for early-stage and unicorn startups, noting that the city’s startup ecosystem has outpaced many other African cities in success metrics and foreign direct investment. He also emphasized LASRIC’s achievement in securing the government’s first patent through a team from the University of Lagos, which developed the Ambu Bag Ventilator.
According to the Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2023, Lagos ranks high among African cities, attracting significant investment and producing innovative solutions. The seed fund aims to support Lagos' thriving startup ecosystem and maintain its status as a leading innovation hub in Africa.
Hikmatu Bilali
In Guinea, a large portion of its population lacks access to formal banking. To spur economic development, initiatives that improve financial inclusion are crucial.
On Tuesday, June 18, Guinea's Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy, Rose Pola Pricemou (photo, center), met with a delegation from the Canadian company EZO, led by co-founder Charles-André Bergeron. The visit aimed to propose a financial solution tailored to the Guinean market, addressing the growing need for the digitalization of financial services in the country.
According to the Ministry of Digital Economy, discussions focused on the potential implementation of the EZO financial application in Guinea, the digitization of financial services, and the development of financial inclusion. Ms. Pricemou emphasized the importance of such initiatives in improving access to financial services for both rural and urban populations.
EZO's visit to Guinea is part of its international expansion strategy. The company plans to establish itself in Tunisia in the coming months and offers an automated and autonomous solution covering all financial activities. Its system comprises three main components: customer inclusion (swap system), payment, and savings. The application also allows users to receive money directly on their phones, with payment options available regardless of the currency origin.
Moreover, EZO integrates portfolio management and microcredit features, which could transform Guinea's financial landscape by offering comprehensive banking services via a digital platform.
In Guinea, the EZO delegation also met with officials from the Central Bank and other major banks to discuss solutions for providing all citizens with access to essential financial resources for their development.
Samira Njoya