Solutions (422)
At a time when bank account penetration rate is really low in Sub-Saharan Africa, a Guinean fintech wants to develop simple solutions that are accessible to every citizen and offer alternatives to traditional financial services.
Ymo is a fintech solution developed by a Guinean startup. It allows Africans and members of the diaspora to send and receive money in several countries in Africa and Europe.
Thanks to its mobile app accessible on iOS and Android, users can perform all their money transfer operations. They simply have to create their accounts and add beneficiaries to facilitate transfers. For every transfer, senders have to fill in recipients’ first and last names as well as their phone numbers.
"Ymo is a response to the expectations of our Guinean compatriots who live abroad or reside in the country, in Guinea. It is worth noting that the African diaspora is the continent’s leading donor. Yet, as of 2022, it is still difficult for that diaspora to send money to relatives. Ymo was created to address that issue,” said Ymo founder, Abdoulaye Barry, in 2022.
In addition to money transfers, Ymo allows users to easily pay for groceries or bills. The fintech has more than 5,000 relay points and more than 500,000 users in more than 30 countries in Africa and Europe. According to PlayStore data, the Android version of its mobile app has been downloaded more than 50,000 times. Currently, it operates in Guinea but, it plans to reach the whole continent and foster financial inclusion for over 1 billion people. For that purpose, it recently raised €3 million.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Finding a property to buy or rent in large African cities is hard. In Nigeria, a tech entrepreneur wants to address some of the challenges faced by those who embark on that endeavor with his digital solution.
BuyLetLive is a digital solution developed by a Nigerian startup. It allows users, looking for apartments or houses, to find the property they are looking for by browsing classified ads listed on its platform.
According to Ola Daramola, the solution’s founder, BuyLetLive was launched to restore trust in the real estate market that has become complex and opaque.
“[...] We are well aware of the daunting process it takes to find a home. We experience severe opaqueness in the market and a lack of trust. Our solution at Buyletlive is very simple. We aim to ensure our users engage with verified agents and our agents get increased quality leads directly,” he said at a stakeholder engagement forum in 2022.
For the time being, the solution has no mobile applications. Users can browse the listed properties, create their accounts and carry out various actions only through its web platform.
Buyers and renters can use its search functions to customize their search based on various indicators including location, property types, price range, and the number of bedrooms. Agents can use the platform to find properties for their clients or list those available for rent or buying. The solution also allows developers to list their properties.
In 2022, the proptech startup was selected as the "Best Online Real Estate Portal Of The Year” at the Africa Housing Awards.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
In Africa, local startups are facing strong competition from unicorns and other major companies. Nevertheless, despite their limited resources, they offer interesting solutions to the population.
Ahoko is a digital platform developed by an Ivorian startup. It allows individuals to rent cars, ranging from luxury vehicles to functional vehicles. It simply connects car owners looking to generate additional income with users looking for safe and reliable cars to rent at competitive prices.
To access its services, a user needs to set up an account on its web platform. But, without the account, he/she can still browse the available cars.
The platform boasts an interesting fleet. Whether it's for a wedding, an in-country working trip, or a visit, users can find the cars that suit them best. Using the search bar, they can search for the cars that match their budget and needs.
To rent a car without a driver on Ahoko, one needs to be over 25 years old at the beginning of the rental period, have an over-2-years-old driving license, or provide sufficient solvency guarantees of solvency/guarantor who will bear the costs in case of accidents.
In 2021, the start-up was one of the six Orange Fab winners. It thus benefited from technical and financial support from the Ivorian subsidiary of the Orange group. Currently, the startup operates in Abidjan and San Pedro but, it plans to expand to the rest of the country and eventually launch a sub-regional expansion.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Moving goods to and from Europe has always been a challenging task for African merchants. A tech entrepreneur with ties to both sides of the Mediterranean decided to launch a solution to solve the problem.
Cloudfret is a digital solution developed by a Moroccan startup. It allows African merchants to quickly contact carriers to send or receive their goods from Europe.
The solution claims to be “the first digital platform that links the two shores of the Mediterranean by connecting shippers to an extensive and reliable network of carriers from Europe and Africa.”
Through its mobile (iOS and Android) app, users can set up their accounts and create freight orders in just a few clicks. They can also book trucks and track their goods in real time. In its bid to make life easier for both merchants and transporters, the solution sets up an environment where merchants can trust the transporters they are booking and are also ensured of getting the best rates. It also boosts transporters’ income by optimizing “empty truck returns” and ensuring them fast payments. Indeed, the solution uses an algorithm to identify empty carriers on their way back, therefore ensuring good deals for merchants while allowing carriers to monetize the empty returns.
In addition to road transport, it also offers sea transport on demand. To facilitate the process, it requires transport documents to be digitized.
According to PlayStore data, its Android app has been downloaded less than 100 times, which hints that the app is not yet quite popular. Nevertheless, in May 2022, the startup raised $1 million to support its growth in Africa and Europe. Also, in 2021, it was among the 16 finalists of the VC4A's Venture Showcase.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
In Africa, the e-commerce sector is booming. Such solutions are multiplying by the day to offer increasingly interesting services and solutions to populations.
Copia is a business-to-customer (B2C) platform developed by a Kenyan start-up. It allows retail merchants and individuals to stock up on food, beauty, electronics, etc.
“Copia is designed specifically to serve this high growth but underserved consumer base who want access to high-quality products at the best prices,” explained Tracey Turner, one of the founders of the startup behind the solution.
Users can make purchases via the Android-only mobile app or on the web platform. They can create accounts on the platforms but, it is not a requirement to make purchases. “[…] You can shop without an account. You just provide us with your email and phone number at the time of ordering. You do need an account to view your Order History. This is to protect your privacy,” the platform states.
Copia also allows customers to have various products delivered to their families in remote areas. The platform serves several small towns and thanks to this service, residents in remote areas are not obliged to travel to big cities to get certain products. It created a USSD code that allows people with no access to the internet to order products on the platform. For the time being, it accepts only M-Pesa payments. It delivers the orders to relay points for free, allowing users to collect them. Nevertheless, it plans to launch home deliveries, which will be paid services.
Currently, the platform claims a network of over 40,000 digital agents, nearly 2 million customers, and over 13 million orders. According to Play Store statistics, its mobile app has already been downloaded over 100,000 times. The startup behind the platform was founded in 2013, in Kenya. In 2021, it launched in Uganda with plans to expand to other African countries. Since its creation, it has raised $100 million to accelerate its growth.
Adoni Conrad Quenumv
In Africa, under banking is a key issue. It greatly affects merchants, but tech entrepreneurs are gradually stepping in to solve it.
Rouzo is a fintech solution developed by Nigerian startup Owafara Fintech Services. It allows small businesses access to loans provided by individuals and other businesses. The solution is in line with Owafara Fintech Services’ goal of empowering more than 1 million small businesses in Africa with the funding and support that will allow them to grow, become self-sufficient, and add value to the economy.
“Rouzo is a portfolio managed platform that allows smart individual and corporate investors to invest in portfolios that are used to provide financing for small businesses.[…]By investing on Rouzo, investors generate a healthy return and contribute to economic development by empowering small businesses to grow and expand,” the platform explains.
Via its web platform, users can create their accounts to access the services offered by Rouzo. Individuals can invest funds in Rouzo, which will lend them at attractive rates to micro and small businesses that meet the necessary requirements. The interest generated by these loans will be shared between the fintech and the individuals who deposited their money.
Thanks to Owafara's expertise, Rouzo can easily get businesses that want to work with it evaluated. The fintech company has a special preference for women-owned businesses because it was itself founded by a woman. " As a female-founded Company, we also understand how women relate with finance and we are especially committed to helping women who are majorly underserved get access to loans and business support to grow," Rouzo explains.
" Eighty percent of our current loan book is to unbanked women micro-entrepreneurs," said Owafara Fintech Services’ founder in 2022. Rouzo claims more than 150,000 completed transactions and nearly 5 billion naira (about $10.9 million) lent. In 2021, it was one of 16 companies selected in the first cohort of the ShEquity Business Accelerator (SHEBA). In 2022, the institution helped the startup raise funds for its goals. The amount of the deal was, however, not disclosed.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Despite being a fast-growing sector in Africa, real estate faces inherent challenges. To address some of these challenges, tech entrepreneurs are beginning to step in with interesting solutions.
Sakneen is a proptech solution developed by an Egyptian startup. It allows users to buy, sell or rent a home.
Through its web platform, a user can create an account to view available properties on a map, along with accurate valuations that reduce the stress of long negotiations.
The valuations are “based on a unique pricing algorithm that […] brings information & transparency to the real estate industry in Egypt. We collect over 30 unique data points per home to ensure that our benchmarks are a relevant starting point for conversations between sellers and buyers,” the web platform explains.
The solution provides both buyers and sellers with all the information they need to complete real estate transactions. It allows buyers or renters to easily find properties that meet their search criteria and budget.
According to Omar Khashaba, Principal at Egyptian venture capital fund Algebra Ventures, " Sakneen brings unique efficiencies to the real estate market, which despite heavy VC funding, hasn’t seen enough disruption. Trying to find a home online today is often a frustrating experience, plagued by inaccurate listings and overzealous brokers. [It] can meaningfully differentiate itself by re-inventing the search experience and managing the supply side in novel ways." In 2020, the Egyptian proptech behind the solution participated in the Y Combinator acceleration program. From its inception in 2019 to date, it has raised about $1.3 million to accelerate its growth.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
The solution was launched by Jean-Fabrice Gnohi, the owner of a tourism company in France. Besides allowing users to rent cars, it also allows car owners to earn money by renting out their cars.
Monbolide is a digital solution developed by an Ivorian startup. It allows users to easily rent luxury cars.
Through its mobile applications -available for Android and iOS devices, users can create the accounts they need to access the cars available for rental. Besides the account, there is no requirement or step to take to be able to rent cars with Monbolide.
The solution lists cars for every budget. For instance, the 2016 Mercedes costs CFAF150,000 (about $244) daily, while a Range Rover Sport can be rented at CFAF250,000 per day, and a 2011 Peugeot at CFAF30,000 per day.
Users can also book the specific brands they need. In this case, they need to provide information like the location, and the rental start and end dates.
The solution also allows individuals to rent out their cars. They just need to follow the required process. Thanks to one of Monbolide’s partners, they can install a tracker in their cars to know their positions at any time. Currently, Monbolide only operates in Côte d'Ivoire but it plans to expand to other West African countries.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Since 2020, the number of edtech startups operating in Africa has been growing steadily. Their adoption is also rising due notably to the alternatives they offer, allowing learners to learn at their own pace and make better use of their time.
Mara Academy is a digital platform developed by a Beninese start-up. It allows users to access online training in various fields, including digital marketing and social media management.
The edtech startup behind the app is based in Cotonou. It was founded in 2021 to offer every African a unique learning experience. Its digital solution has no mobile app for the time being. To submit applications for one of the training courses it offers, users have to visit its web platform and fill out a dedicated form. Once an application is accepted, the applicant has to take an entrance test. After the test, there is a third step, which consists of an interview with the startup’s team and the signing of enrollment documents.
To be accepted for its courses, applicants need to meet certain conditions. They must be 18 to 30 years old, live in Benin, Togo, Niger, or Côte d’Ivoire, be unemployed, be available for training and employment, and have at least two years of higher education.
Mara Academy wants to give quality education to every African. It also wants to serve as a bridge to the labor force. This is why it set up the Youth Employment Accelerator YEA program. This program allows users to get trained and pay when they get employed. "No loans, no hidden fees. We get paid when you get paid. After you get your job you will pay us 30% of your salary over 12-24 months," its platform reads.
Through partner companies, it helps learners land a decent job after a 52-week training. In addition, throughout the training, learners spend time in companies where they each have mentors who follow their progress.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
After his studies in the UK, Libyan-born Ammar Hmid returned to his home country to set up a food delivery startup. A few years later, despite the challenges it is facing, the startup is proving to be a useful tool for populations in Tripoli.
Presto Eat is a digital solution developed by an eponymous Lybian start-up, based in Tripoli. It allows its users to have food and groceries delivered.
Through its mobile app -available for Android and iOS devices, its users can create their accounts to access the listed restaurants, place orders and get them delivered anywhere in Tripoli and its surroundings.
Presto Eat claims more than 250,000 orders delivered since its launch. The startup behind it employs more than 500 Libyans. It also has 13 stores and departure points in Tripoli and over 380 partner businesses that use its services. Thanks to its departure points, it ensures fast deliveries and allows users to monitor the state of the deliveries in real-time.
According to PlayStore’s data, the Android version of its application has been downloaded over 100,000 times. Despite this success, Presto Eat is struggling to attract investors. The reasons cited include the political instability, in the country since 2011, and the lack of a proper technological ecosystem in the country. Nevertheless, the startup wants to extend its services to other cities in the country, namely Benghazi and Misrata.
For the time being, this expansion plan is just hopeful wishes for Presto Eat founder Ammar Hmid who points at investors’ seeming disinterest in the Libyan tech ecosystem. “We want to be the app for everything for Libyans. […] But […] Despite the growth, VCs and other investors aren’t keen on investing in the business. The ones that replied wanted me to do risk analysis on the Libyan market for them. But that’s not my job, my job as a founder is to grow my business. [Also], Libyans don’t have a strong startup mindset because there are other profitable sectors to work and invest in, like importation and FMCG, or even civil service,” he told TechCabal earlier this month.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
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The startup behind the solution was founded in Senegal in 2015. Since then, it has expanded its reach to six countries, providing more than 1,000 businesses with various tools to optimize their performance.
Paydunya is a fintech solution developed by a Senegalese startup. It allows individuals and businesses to easily and securely collect payments online from a variety of payment methods, including e-wallets and bank cards.
"Paydunya offers businesses and financial institutions a suite of multi-channel digital solutions that facilitate the issuance and receipt of payments on websites or mobile applications, as well as the collection and disbursement of bulk payments," according to its website.
Once users register through its website or mobile app - available for Android and iOS devices - they can access the financial services it offers. For example, they can send and receive funds via mobile money or bank cards such as Visa and MasterCard.
Depending on the country, it charges between 1.5% and 2.5% commission for monthly flows below CFAF 10 million and between 1.4% and 2.4% for monthly flows above CFAF 10 million.
It currently claims more than 50,000 transactions processed daily, over 1,000 corporate clients, and a presence in six countries. According to PlayStore data, the Android version of its mobile application has been downloaded over 100,000 times.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Most people unknowingly believe that only wealthy individuals and large corporations have access to legal counsel. To change this perception and help as many people as possible, tech entrepreneurs decided to launch a digital solution.
Miabéloya is a digital solution developed by a Togolese start-up. It facilitates access to legal services and professionals for individuals and businesses.
On its web platform, users can submit their cases to legal professionals. They can either fill out an online form detailing the case, or they can choose to have an instant discussion with the professionals on Whatsapp.
The startup supports businesses in their fight to protect their rights. It also assists in the development of real estate acquisition strategies. In short, it specializes in commercial law, corporate law, real estate law, labor law, and tax law. For legal situations in these sectors, it can be a strong ally in finding viable solutions.
At Miabéloya, the first consultation is always free of charge and the lawyers act quickly to resolve the cases as soon as possible. After the first free consultation, users can choose from several packages, including a basic package that costs CFAF10,000 (about $16) and a premium package that costs CFAF50,000. To set up a business, the legaltech charges CFAF 80,000 for a limited liability company and CFAF 200,000 for a simplified joint stock company or a limited liability company.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
The solution was initially active in the ride-sharing sector but, in March 2020, it shifted to the logistics sector. Despite the demise of its founder months later, it is faring well in the newly chosen activity.
Gokada is a digital solution developed by a Nigerian eponymous startup. It allows access to food and parcel delivery services. The startup behind the app was founded, in 2017, as a ride-sharing service. Since its launch, it has raised about $12.4 million to support its growth and, in March 2020, it fully shifted to the logistics sector.
The digital solution it launched then is accessible through a mobile app (available for Android and iOS devices). Using that app, users can create Gokada accounts to access various services. It is a handy solution for both individuals and businesses.
With its real-time tracking feature, it allows users to track the delivery status and position at any time. It also allows users to schedule pick-up services as timely as possible. Its delivery fares are also cheap, with fares being calculated based on the distance and time spent, not on the size or weight of the packages.
The startup claims more than 1,200 delivery drivers and over 1 million deliveries in less than a year. On Playstore, its Android app has been downloaded more than 100,000 times. So, it is a popular solution in Nigeria, although it is currently active in just some selected states. In September 2021, it entered Oyo State (Ibadan) but, in the coming months, it plans to launch in more states.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Online education platforms are becoming popular by the day since the coronavirus pandemic. Besides attention and adoption, these platforms are also attracting a growing volume of investments.
Almentor is an e-learning platform developed by an Egyptian startup. It lets users get trained with various educational videos.
For Ihab Fikry, co-founder and CEO of Almentor, the solution hosts "an abundance of courses and talks that are capable of nurturing Arab youth, enhancing their experiences, and serving their career paths by providing them with what they deserve to advance their careers on all fronts."
To access the courses, users need to create an account, either via the solution's Android app or web platform, subscribe (the monthly subscription fee is $7.5), then choose a course or lecture. The user can choose courses in several categories including arts and design, photography and filmmaking, human resources, management, lifestyle, theater, sports, business, corporate communication, digital media, sales and marketing, and technology. All the courses and talks are in Arabic and most of the users and lecturers are Arab speakers.
In addition to the video content, the solution has a document library where users can expand their knowledge. According to PlayStore data, the mobile app has already been downloaded more than 50,000 times but, the startup behind the solution wants to reach more people. Since its launch, it has raised some $14.5 million to support its growth in the Middle East and North Africa.
Adoni Conrad Quenum