By focusing on collaboration and technology, he offers an alternative path for supporting African entrepreneurs. His initiative is helping to structure new networks of opportunities across the continent.
Karim Sy, a Senegalese entrepreneur and business angel, is the founder and chief catalyst of Jokkolabs, an independent, non-profit organization that operates as a global open-innovation network and virtual cluster for social transformation.
Founded in 2010, Jokkolabs supports entrepreneurs by providing resources, mentorship, and a collaborative environment to help them grow. The organization runs a network of hubs across Africa and France, including locations in Dakar, Banjul, Ouagadougou, Bamako, Douala, Ziguinchor, Abidjan, and Nanterre.
Through its physical spaces and digital platform, Jokkolabs connects entrepreneurs, creators, and innovators. It offers coworking spaces, workshops, hackathons, and collaborative events, and also manages working groups. Its online learning platform, Jokkolabs Academy, provides digital training programs. The network targets startups, entrepreneurs, freelancers, and actors in the digital, creative, and innovation sectors.
Alongside his work at Jokkolabs, Sy serves as a special adviser to the Chamber of Commerce and Investment for Africa, Russia, and Eurasia (CCI Africa Russia & Eurasia). In 2020, he co-founded Black Elephant, a think tank and collaborative ecosystem launched during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Sy holds a college diploma in pure and applied sciences from the Petit Séminaire de Québec in Canada (1990) and a degree in computer science from Polytechnique Montréal (1994).
In 2010, he joined the executive committee of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Two years later, he became a board member of the Free and Open Source Software Foundation for Africa (FOSSFA), where he also serves as the liaison officer for Senegal.
Between 2010 and 2019, Sy held various roles at Maarch, a software publishing company, including board member, president, and general administrator. From 2018 to 2021, he sat on the board of Digital Africa, an initiative launched by French President Emmanuel Macron to support African entrepreneurship. Between 2021 and 2023, he also served on the board of Westlink Africa, a company specializing in the engineering, supply, and financing of large-scale telecommunications projects across the continent.
Melchior Koba
Through his technological vision, he is completely rethinking how businesses adopt digital solutions. His approach leverages innovation to drive performance and sustainable growth.
Jean-Paul Yetor, a Togolese software engineer and entrepreneur, is the founder and CEO of VR-AI, a company specializing in custom software development and digital transformation support for businesses.
Founded in 2024, VR-AI positions itself as a technology partner for companies of all sizes, offering web and mobile development, business software tools, digital strategy consulting, and application maintenance. Its services are grouped into three packages: “Lancement,” designed for startups and early-stage projects; “Croissance,” aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to strengthen their digital presence; and “Entreprise,” which targets large organizations with complex needs and includes tailored software development, strategic consulting, scalable architecture design, and dedicated technical support.
Alongside VR-AI, Yetor is involved in developing DressLike, an app that helps users build sustainable, personalized wardrobes. Before founding VR-AI, he co-founded EODS Communication in 2014, an agency focused on cultural and technological projects, and later Ndupé, a startup developing digital tools for the food industry.
In 2018, he co-founded Klumer, an event management platform designed to help organizers plan and promote their events, where he served as chief technology officer until August 2025.
Yetor holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science from the University of Lomé.
Melchior Koba
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Fondigne is positioning itself as a digital bridge connecting project developers, investors, and mentors. In 2025, the startup successfully participated in both Vivatech in France and the Osiane trade show in the Republic of the Congo.
Fondigne, a digital platform created by a Congolese startup of the same name, aims to bridge one of the weakest links in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s entrepreneurial ecosystem: access to capital and business guidance. Launched in March 2025 by founder Rama Djuma, the platform seeks to turn innovation into real investment opportunities.
Fondigne connects startups and entrepreneurs seeking funding with investors looking for high-potential ventures, while also offering mentorship from seasoned professionals and former entrepreneurs. Its “Devenir mentor (Become a Mentor)” section invites experienced profiles to support young businesses and contribute to national economic growth.
The platform operates as a marketplace, matching demand from entrepreneurs with supply from investors and mentors. This model helps address the country’s lack of structured networks that connect funding sources with emerging enterprises. In an environment where business incubators and venture capital channels remain limited, Fondigne could play a key role in formalizing fundraising processes, fostering trust, and encouraging investment in local ventures.
Its long-term success will depend on whether it can attract a critical mass of users, secure substantial investment flows, and deliver measurable returns for financiers.
Central Africa’s startup ecosystem remains the least funded on the continent. According to data from Partech Africa, startups in the Democratic Republic of Congo raised only $2 million in 2024 and $1 million in 2023, underscoring the steep challenge Fondigne aims to confront.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
- UNDP, Algeria sign deal to support digitalization of public services
- Two-year project targets training, policy reform, and tech ecosystem growth
- Initiative backs Algeria’s push for digital sovereignty and full connectivity
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has pledged to support Algeria’s High Commission for Digitalization (HCN) in advancing the country’s digital transformation. The UN agency announced on October 28 that it had signed a two-year declaration of intent with the HCN for a technical assistance project aimed at modernizing public administration, strengthening the digital economy, and improving nationwide connectivity.
Under the agreement, the UNDP will provide technical and human expertise to design training programs, build local skills, and promote the adoption of international standards. The agency will also assist in shaping digital policies, implementing strategic innovations, and fostering inclusive partnerships among entrepreneurs, academics, policymakers, and the private sector to help build a resilient and sustainable digital ecosystem.
The initiative aligns with Algeria’s national digital transformation strategy, which prioritizes training, connectivity, and startup development. As of 2025, the country had more than 54 million mobile connections, equivalent to 116 percent of the population, and an internet penetration rate of 76.9 percent, according to DataReportal. Algeria aims to achieve universal digital coverage. The HCN’s efforts also respond to President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s repeated calls to accelerate digitalization across all sectors and strengthen the country’s technological sovereignty.
If the cooperation leads to a full operational agreement, it could help modernize the public administration, improve interoperability of government data, and support startups while ensuring reliable and secure digital services for citizens and businesses. In the long run, the partnership could speed up the growth of an inclusive digital economy, expand access to online public services nationwide, and reinforce Algeria’s technological independence.
Samira Njoya
- Burkina Faso to transform post offices into digital service centers by 2030
- $9.7M plan targets rural access, with 20 “Zama Tchè” centers planned
- Move supports national strategy amid 83% offline population in 2023
Burkina Faso will equip post offices nationwide with digital assistance centers to help citizens access online public services. The plan aims to turn the national postal network into a driver of digital and financial inclusion.
The initiative was approved during the Cabinet meeting on Oct. 30, which endorsed a performance contract between the state and La Poste Burkina Faso. The plan calls for the gradual transformation of post offices into “citizens’ houses,” known as Zama Tchè. Under the 2026-2030 agreement, the state and La Poste will jointly fund the construction and outfitting of 20 such centers, at a total cost of 5.5 billion CFA francs (about $9.7 million).
The government said the move aligns with its broader effort to digitize administrative services and make them more accessible, transparent, and efficient. Expanding digital access to public services is one of Burkina Faso’s 12 national digital priorities under its 2030 strategy, which aims to ensure equal access to digital tools, including in rural areas.
Access to the services requires internet connectivity, digital devices, and basic skills, which remain out of reach for much of the population. In 2023, an estimated 83% of Burkinabe were not using the internet, according to the International Telecommunication Union. To bridge that gap, La Poste currently operates a network of 129 branches across the country, which will serve as the foundation for the new initiative.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
- Q3 revenue rose to CFA875.7 billion ($1.6 billion), up 9.9% year-on-year
- EBITDAaL increased 7.8% to CFA305.3 billion
- Growth driven by mobile data, fiber, and expansion in Liberia and Burkina Faso
Orange Côte d’Ivoire Group reported revenue of CFA875.7 billion, about $1.6 billion, in the third quarter of 2025, marking a 9.9% increase compared with the same period in 2024, according to the company’s consolidated financial results released in October 2025.
“The company’s revenue performance is mainly supported by mobile data and fiber, driven by subscriber base expansion and increased digital usage,” the report stated.
The document also noted that Orange Liberia “continues its positive momentum, boosted by improved network quality and effective floor price implementation,” while Orange Burkina Faso’s growth was supported by sustained mobile service expansion, the rise of mobile money, and ongoing fiber network development.
Beyond revenue, other key indicators also improved. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization after lease costs (EBITDAaL) grew 7.8% to CFA305.3 billion in Q3 2025. Net profit reached CFA118.8 billion, compared with CFA118.6 billion a year earlier.
In an African context where small businesses are struggling to adapt to the digital economy, this Moroccan entrepreneur has designed a solution to simplify their daily management. His innovation aims to provide merchants with the necessary tools to remain competitive.
Moncef Chlouchi, a Moroccan engineer and entrepreneur, is the founder and CEO of Inyad, a startup helping small merchants and self-employed workers in the Maghreb and the Middle East embrace digital transformation.
Founded in 2018, Inyad offers a unified digital platform for professionals in retail, hospitality, and services, enabling users to manage sales, payments, and operations from a single interface. The platform targets “those who keep the economy running every day,” the company says.
Its tools include invoicing and quotation management, payment processing, payroll tracking, and inventory control. Restaurant owners can use the system to handle orders, payments, and staff schedules, while retailers can digitize daily operations such as timekeeping and real-time stock monitoring.
Inyad also provides a digital credit ledger that allows small businesses to record customer debts, track repayments, and simplify collection. The company has developed a mobile point-of-sale terminal designed for flexible use. To date, Inyad has raised $14 million in funding.
Chlouchi holds a master’s degree in applied mathematics from École Polytechnique in France (2012) and a master’s in mining engineering from Mines Paris -PSL (2013). He began his career in 2013 as a supply and commercial strategy analyst at Total Oil Asia Pacific Marketing & Services in Singapore before joining McKinsey & Company as a project manager from 2014 to 2017.
Melchior Koba
Combining technological expertise with a strategic vision, he is exploring new ways to use artificial intelligence to address the real needs of businesses.
Omar Maher, an Egyptian artificial intelligence expert, entrepreneur, and technology executive, is the co-founder and CEO of Monta AI, a company focused on developing advanced enterprise AI solutions.
Founded in 2024, Monta AI builds tools designed to enhance business performance using large language models (LLMs) and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) systems to drive measurable growth for its clients.
The startup’s flagship product is an AI assistant capable of processing sensitive enterprise data in multilingual environments, including Arabic, while complying with strict local regulations. Monta AI also develops voice-based systems for digital assistants and contact centers, designed to understand complex contexts and interactions.
Another core offering is its Custom Agentic Solutions, intelligent agents that can reason, plan, and act autonomously to achieve defined business goals. These agents integrate with internal corporate systems to automate complex workflows and deliver quantifiable outcomes. The company also provides AI consulting services, guiding organizations from assessment and strategy through deployment and optimization.
Before launching Monta AI, Maher co-founded Trustious in 2012, a platform that helped consumers make purchasing decisions by aggregating reliable product reviews. In 2014, he founded Homna.com, an Egyptian online furniture marketplace.
Maher holds a bachelor’s degree in business informatics from the German University in Cairo (2009). He joined ITWORX in 2015, where he served as product director and later as head of global market development for advanced analytics and big data.
From 2016 to 2022, Maher worked at Esri, a global leader in geographic information systems, where he held successive roles including business development manager, head of AI and machine learning practice, and director of AI. Between 2022 and 2023, he served as director of product marketing at Parallel Domain, a company specializing in synthetic data generation for AI systems.
Melchior Koba
In June 2025, the startup raised $4 million to accelerate the development of its infrastructure and prepare for its international expansion.
Caantin, a Zambian fintech launched in 2025 by entrepreneur Njavwa Mutambo, is using artificial intelligence to automate debt collection through voice, SMS, and WhatsApp agents. The platform handles the entire recovery process, improving repayment rates by 18 to 22 percent while reducing collection costs by up to 60 percent, according to the company.
“Think of it as replacing human collection agents with AI that works 24/7, improves recovery rates, and reduces costs,” Mutambo told Disrupt Africa. “Traditional dialers are manual and expensive. Human agents are inconsistent and don’t scale.”
The system is built on an AI infrastructure capable of managing more than one million calls per day, effectively replacing conventional call centers staffed by human agents. The bots can communicate in multiple African languages, send reminders, propose payment plans, and integrate directly with payment systems.
By automating the process, Caantin aims not only to optimize debt recovery but also to improve the debtor experience through more personalized and respectful communication.
“We are expanding to the UK and South Africa in Q1 of next year, and also exploring strategic partnerships with larger fintechs,” Mutambo said.
As financial services across Africa become increasingly digital, Caantin’s model highlights how AI-driven automation could transform how lenders and financial institutions manage debt recovery on the continent.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
In Nigeria, Zest, the fintech arm of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC launched in 2023, provides a “multi-rail” platform that integrates bank cards, transfers, USSD, QR codes, and mobile wallets, offering businesses a single dashboard to monitor cash flows.
Zest, a fintech solution developed by Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, is providing a "multi-rail" platform that aggregates various payment methods, including bank cards, transfers, USSD, QR codes, and mobile wallets, while offering businesses a single dashboard to track all cash flows. The Lagos-based startup was launched in 2023 by CEO Stanley Jacob.
"Today, businesses must not only accept payments, they must also offer an experience that is fast, fluid, and scalable," Jacob said.
Zest deploys customized solutions for businesses of all sizes. In the energy sector, for instance, a client operating over 100 gas stations can monitor transactions in real time, link them to inventory, and integrate a loyalty program. Within the port industry, the platform makes payment collection traceable and aligns it with high-volume logistics operations.
"For Africa’s SMEs and corporates, orchestrated payments are no longer a nice-to-have, they are survival infrastructure," said Ifeoluwa Adekunle-Yusuf, Vice President of Product and Engineering at Zest.
For individual consumers and small merchants, the company offers a free "storefront" that can be integrated into its platform, enabling seamless management of product catalogs, online sales, and payments without needing to rely on a specific bank.
In summary, Zest aims to enhance the accessibility, speed, and transparency of payments in Nigeria for both businesses and individuals, supporting the digital transformation of the rapidly expanding market.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
More...
Anna Insam is reimagining how people track their health by putting digital technology at the center of the medical journey. Her project reflects a commitment to giving users greater control over their wellness.
Anna Insam is a South Africa-based technology entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Kleo Health, a startup launched in 2024 that develops digital tools for managing personal health.
Kleo Health’s companion app brings together all medical tracking information in one place, allowing users to organize visits, notes, tasks, and health reminders. It acts as a personal assistant, simplifying daily health management, whether for general wellbeing, chronic conditions, fertility, or pregnancy.
The app helps users keep track of tests and appointments, while offering tailored recommendations, personalized support, and a customized health plan based on the user’s age and health profile.
Before founding Kleo Health, Insam built a career spanning both media and technology. A graduate of the University of Cape Town, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in print journalism, media, and writing in 2015, she began her career in 2014 as Deputy Editor of the university’s Varsity Newspaper.
In 2017, she joined Inale Health, an American biotechnology company, as Social Media Manager. Between 2022 and 2024, she worked at The Delta, an organization dedicated to entrepreneurship, where she successively held roles including Senior Solutions Strategist, Head of Sales, Head of Partnerships and Business Development, and later Commercial Director and Account Lead.
Insam is also a founding member of OPUS, a community of entrepreneurs and innovators dedicated to creating value through new ventures.
Melchior Koba
- Draft law would require major platforms to open local offices and store data
- Firms must remove illegal content within 24 hours or face sanctions
- Plan aims to protect youth, uphold social values, and ensure digital sovereignty
Algeria’s government, through the National People’s Assembly (APN), is reviewing a draft law to impose strict regulation on major digital platforms. Introduced by lawmaker Bouhali Abdelbasset, the proposal targets services such as TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, placing them under direct legal supervision within Algeria.
The bill requires large platforms — those with more than one million users or above a certain revenue threshold — to establish a local office, appoint a legal representative, and store user data within the country or in certified centers. They would also be required to remove illegal content within 24 hours of notification and submit biannual compliance reports.
The initiative focuses on three main goals: preserving religious and social values, protecting children and adolescents from harmful content, and strengthening Algeria’s digital sovereignty. It also calls for the creation of a National Authority for Digital Space Regulation, attached to the Presidency, empowered to impose fines, block services, or initiate legal proceedings for violations.
The proposal comes as Algeria’s online presence expands rapidly. As of early 2025, the country counted 36.2 million internet users, representing a penetration rate of 76.9%. This surge has fueled the growth of social networks and influencers, along with rising concerns over extremist or socially inappropriate content.
If adopted, the law would significantly reshape Algeria’s digital landscape by holding major international platforms accountable, enhancing data protection and traceability, and promoting the emergence of locally adapted digital solutions.
- Burkina Faso launches national AI campaign to boost awareness
- Officials stress digital sovereignty, ethical and secure AI use
- AI integration seen as key to public service, development goals
Burkina Faso launched a national campaign on artificial intelligence (AI) with an inaugural conference in Ouagadougou on Tuesday, Oct. 28. The campaign aims to inform and train the public while raising awareness about the challenges and opportunities of AI, especially its potential to drive national development.
Speakers highlighted digital sovereignty as a key concern, stressing that the country must develop and control its own technologies to reduce dependence on foreign systems. They also emphasized the need for responsible AI integration in public administration, backed by strong ethical, legal, and security safeguards. Participants called for tighter institutional coordination to avoid fragmented initiatives and urged efforts to improve digital literacy among citizens and civil servants.
“Sovereignty is no longer just about defending our physical borders. It is also about guaranteeing our capacity to decide, innovate, and protect ourselves in the digital space , our ability to control our technological destiny,” said Aminata Zerbo/Sabane, Minister of Digital Transition, Posts, and Electronic Communications.
The minister said Burkina Faso aims to integrate AI across all sectors, adapting its use to local needs, drawing on national expertise, and harnessing innovation for socio-economic growth and the public good. Expanding AI adoption is among the government’s top digital transformation priorities.
The United Nations recognizes AI as a tool that can enhance public services by improving efficiency and productivity, but it also warns of potential risks. In its E-Government Survey 2024, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) said AI can improve public-sector performance by automating administrative tasks and reducing delays and redundancies. It added that AI can be applied to tasks such as defect detection, data classification, and generating recommendations.
However, UNDESA cautioned that the risks of AI are as significant as its benefits, urging careful attention to ethical, security, and social implications. It cited data bias as a major concern: “AI algorithms rely heavily on accumulated datasets to produce results, and any bias in that data can lead to misrepresentation or exclusion of certain groups, a serious issue when governments use AI to shape public policies meant for everyone, including marginalized communities.”
Isaac K. Kassouwi
Madagascar has appointed a new minister to lead its ongoing national digital transformation strategy. The young expert is tasked with modernizing government administration and enhancing the country's overall connectivity.
Mahefa Andriamampiadana was appointed Madagascar’s Minister of Digital Development, Digital Transformation, Posts, and Telecommunications on Tuesday, Oct. 28. His appointment is part of the new 29-member “Re-foundation” government.
Andriamampiadana succeeds Tahina Razafindramalo, who held the post for several years and launched several key projects to modernize the country’s digital sector.
The new minister is relatively unknown to the public and has maintained a low national profile. Available information suggests he has solid experience in the private tech industry. He reportedly served as a senior IT strategy executive at Exo-S for three and a half years and previously held roles at Microsoft 365, Skyone Television and Radio Général, Compurweb, and Communication Network Corporation, covering operations management and executive leadership.
Andriamampiadana takes office as Madagascar seeks to strengthen its digital infrastructure and expand Internet access. Despite progress, connectivity remains costly and uneven: mobile Internet currently accounts for 15.5% of monthly GNI per capita, far above the 2% threshold recommended by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
The minister’s priorities include expanding the fiber-optic network, digitalizing public services, implementing a national digital identity system, and modernizing postal services. To meet these challenges, he will need to mobilize a dynamic ecosystem of private firms, telecom operators, startups, and international partners, collaboration on which Madagascar’s digital transformation depends.
Samira Njoya