i-kiotahub is a key player in the Democratic Republic of Congo's entrepreneurial ecosystem. It provides critical support to high-growth businesses, offering a comprehensive suite of services, including technical assistance, managerial guidance, and access to a collaborative co-working space.
i-kiotahub, a Congolese business incubator linked to the Scientific Research and Expertise Center (CRES), is providing support to companies with high growth potential, aiming to create job opportunities for young people.
Launched in 2022, i-kiotahub offers technical and managerial services to businesses in both low-tech (agriculture, mining, manufacturing) and high-tech (agritech, edtech, fintech) sectors. The incubator helps companies improve market performance and secure financing.
"Our goal is to create job opportunities for young people and contribute to the entrepreneurial ecosystem," said Rekha Kasienene, promoter of the incubator and a civil affairs specialist with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
i-kiotahub also provides a co-working space equipped with high-speed internet, offices, a meeting room, a library, and a brainstorming area. This space fosters collaboration and networking among entrepreneurs.
The incubator helps companies streamline operations, modernize management, and prepare for investment and expansion. It also aims to unlock access to capital for Congolese companies with innovative and sustainable projects.
Overall, i-kiotahub promotes an open-minded approach to entrepreneurship, peace, and investment in the DRC.
Melchior Koba
Financial technology (fintech) startups are experiencing rapid growth across Africa, driving financial inclusion by offering individuals and businesses easier access to a wider range of financial services. These innovative companies leverage technology to provide services like mobile money transfers, digital payments, and online lending, often reaching segments of the population traditionally excluded from traditional financial institutions.
Benin-based fintech FeexPay, launched in May 2023, announced its expansion into Togo, Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Senegal on Tuesday. The platform, developed by JH Trading, aims to simplify financial transactions for businesses and merchants by enabling payments via mobile money and bank cards.
"We launched FeexPay to significantly contribute to financial inclusion in Africa," said founder Jean Hugues Houinsou in an interview with We Are Tech Africa. "This expansion into four new countries marks a significant step forward, but we remain committed to doing more for the benefit of the African population."
Unlike many fintech solutions, FeexPay operates solely through its website, avoiding the need for a mobile app. Users create accounts by providing personal details and company information, followed by document verification. Once validated, businesses can receive payments via various methods, including Visa, Mastercard, and mobile money.
The platform features functionalities such as FeexLink, which generates payment links to be shared with customers via various channels; FeexCorporate, which enables mass payments to be made to employees, customers, or suppliers; and FeexMarket, which provides access to a single payment link for all of a store's products.
Africa's broadband demand has exploded since 2019, presenting a goldmine for service providers and attracting a wave of financial investment in network expansion.
IHS Nigeria, a major owner and operator of telecom infrastructure, announced on Wednesday the completion of a 10,000-kilometer fiber optic cable network spanning all 36 Nigerian states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The project, executed by IHS subsidiary Global Independent Connect Limited (GICL), aims to address connectivity gaps and support the government's National Broadband Plan, which targets 90% penetration by 2025.
"Limited fiber optic networks hinder service improvement and emerging technologies," said GICL Vice President Kazeem Oladepo. "Our open-access approach provides robust, scalable fiber for multiple operators."
Beyond the fiber network, GICL also brought mobile coverage to over 580 previously unconnected rural communities. Oladepo credited collaboration with stakeholders for the "significant volume" of fiber laid in under three years.
This investment aligns with IHS's strategic focus on high-growth markets like Nigeria. The company sees strong revenue potential, bolstered by the government's commitment to broadband development.
"Supporting wider coverage makes IHS's services indispensable for public and private sectors," Oladepo added, highlighting competition from Pan African Towers, INT Towers, and ATC Nigeria.
Through its incubation program, Standard Chartered Women in Technology promotes the inclusion of African women in entrepreneurship and technological innovation.
Standard Chartered Women in Technology Incubator, based in Kenya, supports women-led startups tackling challenges across the continent. The program champions diversity in technology and entrepreneurship, fostering opportunities for female founders.
Run in collaboration with Strathmore University's iBiz Africa center, the initiative offers comprehensive incubation encompassing immersive learning, mentorship, coaching, seed funding, and business-to-business partnerships. It targets high-potential startups focused on solving critical African issues.
The incubator selects female entrepreneurs developing tech startups or leveraging emerging technologies like IoT, AI, robotics, AR/VR, 3D/4D printing, big data, blockchain, and biometrics. Eligible companies must operate between three months and two years.
The program provides top-performing participants with nine months of post-incubation support for market launch and scaling. Launched in 2018, it has hosted six cohorts and incubated several successful tech companies. Examples include legal tech firm InstructKE, educational technology startup Know Learning Ltd, and Rhea Soil Health Management, aiding small-scale farmers with soil analysis and agricultural services.
Melchior Koba
African nations are witnessing a renewed interest in the space industry, with several countries ramping up investments and initiatives. Among these, Egypt stands out as a regional leader, actively pursuing ambitious space programs.
The Egyptian Space Agency (EgSA) successfully launched its experimental NExSat-1 satellite on Saturday, February 3, using China's Jielong-3 launch vehicle. This move aims to position EgSA as a pioneer in microsatellite technology within Egypt and Africa, contributing to the nation's sustainable development and potentially opening economic opportunities through domestic satellite production.
EgSA confirmed successful signal reception from NExSat-1 through a test on its website. The satellite, designed for remote sensing and scientific research, was assembled and tested at EgSA's Satellite Assembly, Integration and Test Center (AITC) in collaboration with the Egyptian National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Science (NARSS) and Berlin Space Technologies (BST).
This launch follows the December 2023 deployment of MisrSat-2, an Earth observation satellite, further solidifying EgSA's leading role in African space science and technology. The agency seeks to build on this momentum in 2024.
"We are planning to launch two more satellites, AfdevSat (African development satellite) and SPNEX (Space Plasma Nanosatellite Experiment), primarily for climate change monitoring," said EgSA Director General Sherif Sedky in December 2023. "Additionally, we aim to expand collaboration with other African countries, particularly for commercializing MisrSat-2 images and applications."
According to the 2022 edition of Space In Africa's annual report, African nations allocated $523.2 million to space programs in 2021 and $534.9 million in 2022, highlighting a growing interest in the sector.
Mobile phones are the primary conduit for internet access in Africa, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). This realization prompts several countries to implement strategies for promoting affordable, high-quality handsets.
The East Africa Device Assembly Kenya (EADAK) manufactured 194,000 smartphones in its initial quarter of operation, from October to December 2023, according to an announcement by Kenya’s Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Eliud Owalo (photo).
The local assembly plant, located in Athi River, Machakos County, is part of the government’s initiative to offer high-quality devices at affordable prices. Owalo announced during the 2nd African preparatory meeting for the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) 2024 in Nairobi on February 5.
He stressed that the domestically assembled phones would bolster the country’s digital inclusion efforts, with the government aiming to produce 3 million smartphones annually. The EADAK factory, a collaboration between the state and several private firms, including Chinese company Shenzhen TeleOne Technology, Safaricom, and Jamii, has created 310 direct jobs for Kenyans.
As of September 2023, 32.63 million of the 64.67 million mobile phones connected to the national telecoms network were smartphones – a penetration rate of 50.5%, according to the latest data from the Kenya Communications Authority. Digital technology is a key component of Kenya’s Vision 2030 economic and social development program.
For the past decade, national authorities have been striving towards this goal through the digitization of public services, the transition to digital payment methods, and the promotion of fintech solutions. The government views increasing access to smartphones as a means to ensure citizens’ access to these digital services and their participation in the 4.0 economy.
The EADAK factory primarily produces smartphones compatible with fourth-generation technology. Owalo disclosed that designs for fifth-generation smartphones are currently underway. Kenya has had an active 5G mobile network since the end of 2022.
An Ethiopian refugee in Uganda, he offers his skills to fellow refugees, providing IT and English language training to aid their integration.
Binyam Meles (photo), an Ethiopian entrepreneur and refugee in Uganda, is dedicated to using his IT skills to support his fellow refugees. A graduate of Addis Ababa University with a Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Meles founded Aspire Digital Hub in 2022, a center that leverages information technology to empower young people, refugees, and host communities in Uganda.
Aspire Digital Hub provides English and IT courses to help refugees overcome language and technical barriers, to eliminate illiteracy, idleness, and lack of opportunity. The hub also conducts workshops on personal development and mental health to assist refugees in recovering from trauma, addressing negative mindsets, and realizing their full potential.
Meles' professional journey began in 2018 as a web designer and developer for Need Nutritional Products and Services in Ethiopia. He then gained experience as a trainee software engineer at EthERNet and Ethiopian Airlines from 2018 to 2019. In 2020, he joined the German Agency for International Development Cooperation (GIZ) as a mentor for entrepreneurship and web development. Subsequently, in 2021, he worked as a web designer and developer for LeHem Nutrition Counseling. Upon arriving in Uganda in 2022, he took on the role of a digital literacy consultant for FLIP Africa, an organization that connects young people to short-term job opportunities.
As a member of The Amahoro Coalition, an African initiative that unites various players across the region, Meles continues to make significant contributions to the empowerment and development of refugees and young people in Uganda.
Melchior Koba
Senegalese authorities have restricted mobile internet access, echoing a move made in 2023 during demonstrations in support of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko.
Senegalese authorities suspended mobile internet access nationwide from Sunday evening, citing concerns about "hateful and subversive messages" circulating online ahead of planned protests against the postponement of the presidential election.
The Ministry of Communication, Telecommunications and Digital Economy announced the temporary suspension in a statement late Sunday, saying it aimed to "prevent public order disturbances." The move follows Saturday's announcement by the outgoing president of a delay in the election, sparking calls for demonstrations.
This is not the first time internet access has been restricted in Senegal during politically sensitive periods. In 2023, mobile data was cut for nearly five days following the arrest of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko. Critics have condemned both instances as violations of freedom of expression. The suspension has resulted in a significant financial loss for the Senegalese economy, according to the specialist British platform Top10VPN which put the loss at XOF34.9 billion (nearly $58 million).
The restriction has also impacted various players in the informal sector, including VTC drivers, online vendors, and delivery drivers, for whom mobile Internet is integral to their activities. As of September 2023, the country had 18,595,000 mobile Internet subscribers, per data from telecom regulator ARTP.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
The tech expert provides ICT expertise to various companies. She holds board positions at multiple African firms and has garnered several awards and recognitions.
Ghanaian entrepreneur Ethel Cofie (photo), founder of Edel Technology Consulting, specializes in IT consulting across West Africa and Europe. She offers advice on technological growth in emerging markets. A graduate of Valley View University in Ghana (2005) with a Bachelor's in Computer Science, Cofie holds an MSc in Distribution Systems from the University of Brighton (2007) and an Executive Diploma in Leadership, Business, and Entrepreneurship from the Yale School of Management (2014).
Her firm, Edel Technology Consulting, offers software development, consulting, and training services. The company has completed projects in Ghana, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and Gambia, with an experienced team. Cofie is also the founder of Women in Tech Africa, a group of women in technology across 30 African countries. She serves as the Chairperson of the ICT Sector Skills Council of the Commission for TVET Ghana, the country's skills regulator and promoter.
Cofie sits on the board of several companies, including Old Mutual Ghana, Worldreader, and Partech Technologies. She is a strategic advisor to the CEO of fintech KudiGo and a trustee of STAR Ghana Foundation. She has also received several awards and accolades, including being shortlisted for the United Nations GEM Tech award in 2014, being named as Africa's most influential businesswoman in the ICT sector by CEO Global in 2016, and being recognized as part of the Technology Excellence Award at the Glitz Africa Ghana Women of the Year Awards in 2020.
Melchior Koba
UNICEF StartUp Lab, an initiative supporting impactful technology-driven startups in Ghana, opened applications for its fourth cohort last week, the organization announced. The six-month program offers selected startups one-on-one mentorship, access to a network of UN partners, funding for prototyping, and various other support mechanisms.
Startups focusing on education, health, child protection, and other areas aligned with UNICEF's mandate are encouraged to apply. Applications close on February 29th.
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U.S. satellite internet company Starlink's application for an operating license in Botswana has been rejected due to incomplete information. "There were issues regarding missing requirements with the application, which were identified and pointed out. [...] They are yet to respond to the issues," a source from the Botswana Communications Authority told Techcabal. Botswana is the third country in southern Africa to oppose the deployment of Elon Musk's company, after Zimbabwe and South Africa.
As a start-up incubator, Createam, through its incubation and pre-incubation programs, welcomes and supports entrepreneurs and companies in the fields of ICT, renewable energies, the environment, and agribusiness.
Founded in 2017, Createam is a Malian business incubator that supports and strengthens the performance of startups in various sectors, including information and communication technologies (ICT), renewable energies, the environment, and agribusiness.
Led by Managing Director Souleymane Drave, Createam offers accommodation, consulting, and networking services to help young companies navigate their early stages. It positions itself as a hub for identifying and accelerating promising Malian business talent.
Createam provides a range of programs and services tailored to different stages of a startup's journey. They include pre-incubation, a four-month program that helps project leaders validate their ideas, gather customer feedback, and refine their business models to ensure market fit. There is also an Incubation program that incubates existing companies already generating sales but facing growth challenges for up to three years. During that program, participants receive personalized support, including guidance on accounting, tax management, fundraising, networking, and partnership development. Createam also offers a shared workspace for entrepreneurs to collaborate and network.
Createam has supported several Malian startups, including e-commerce platform Sani-fere.com, online bus ticket booking platform Nextbus, web agency Cat Digital, and Suruku, a website offering discount vouchers to consumers.
The incubator’s mission is backed by several partners, including Orange Mali, Allianz Mali Assurances, Agence française de développement (AFD), Total Mali, Institut des hautes études en management (IHEM), Entreprendre Mali, Mercy Corps, and Diop Fall Associés.
Melchior Koba
Cryptocurrency adoption is growing across Africa, driven by factors such as financial inclusion and diverse uses. However, regulatory ambiguities and security concerns cloud the optimism surrounding the technology.
U.S. financial technology company Visa announced a partnership with Web3 infrastructure provider Transak to offer cryptocurrency withdrawals in fiat currencies to Transak users in 30 African countries, according to a January 30th post on Transak's X account.
The service will utilize Visa Direct, a real-time money transfer solution, allowing users to convert over 40 cryptocurrencies into local fiat for spending at millions of Visa-accepting merchants.
"By enabling real-time card withdrawals through Visa Direct, Transak is delivering a faster, simpler, and more connected experience for its users — making it easier to convert crypto balances into fiat, which can be spent at the more than 130M merchant locations where Visa is accepted," said Yanilsa Gonzalez-Ore, head of Visa Direct and global ecosystem readiness for North America at Visa, in a statement.
Africa has emerged as a global leader in cryptocurrency adoption, with transactions in sub-Saharan Africa reaching $117.1 billion between July 2022 and June 2023, according to Chainalysis data. Nigeria leads the continent with $56.7 billion in transactions during the same period and ranks second globally in the Chainalysis Cryptocurrency Adoption Index.
"We believe this partnership is an inflection point for Web3 as a whole. Now, millions across the globe have a straightforward way to cash out their digital asset holdings to their local currency in real-time and intuitively," said Sami Start, co-founder of Transak.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
In partnership with local and international players, Factory 619 offers a dynamic ecosystem and tailor-made programs to support entrepreneurs in Tunisia.
Factory 619, a global innovation and technology center based in Tunis, has been fostering entrepreneurship and technological advancement since its inception in 2017. The center’s mission is to establish and co-develop enterprises specializing in e-health, gaming, blockchain, and digital transformation.
Led by founders Mehdi Nakouri and Hédi Michau, it offers a broad spectrum of activities and programs, such as hackathons, challenges, networking events, and workshops. The center operates through four divisions: The Studio, The Foundry, The Forge, and The Garage.
The Studio, the center’s inaugural division, champions technological innovation by validating business concepts and transforming them into scalable tech start-ups. To date, The Studio has successfully launched seven startups, including 4Labs, a Software as a Service (SaaS) sales support solution for the pharmaceutical sector.
The Foundry division serves as a launchpad for entrepreneurs to establish startups and grow businesses. It aids CEOs by overseeing the product development process and bolstering commercial endeavors. Additionally, it provides strategic support to the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for the company’s growth and market entry.
The Forge division provides entrepreneurs with bespoke services in technology, product creation, and innovation programs. The Garage division, on the other hand, cultivates a conducive entrepreneurial environment and fortifies start-ups through pre-incubation and pre-acceleration programs and events.
Factory 619 has forged several strategic partnerships to provide its entrepreneurs with optimal conditions for success. Partners include Tunisian radio station Express FM, the Mediterranean Development Initiative, Nextera, and the Athens Lifelong Learning Institute.
Melchior Koba