Solutions (431)
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
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
African countries have great tourism potential, which is not optimally exploited. To boost the sector in Kenya, some entrepreneurs launched a digital solution that helps tourists plan their stays.
Tripitaca is a digital solution launched by a Kenyan eponymous startup to allow users (tourists notably) to find accommodations closer to tourist attractions.
The souliton has no mobile application. So, users can access its services only through its web platform. Via the platform, tourists can create accounts and search for accommodation by providing information like the tourist attraction they are going to visit, the number of people, and the stay duration in the search bar. They can pay in multiple installments if they want, get assistance in case of emergency, get discounted offers, and extend their stay duration if their tours take longer than expected.
Property and hotel owners can also create accounts on Tirpitaca, thus offering services tailored to guests' specific needs and charging them accordingly.
Tripitaca also provides financial assistance to homeowners who need it. This gives these homeowners access to loans to get their businesses on track. In February 2023, the startup was selected along with four others to participate in Baobab Network's accelerator program. In addition to a support program, the startups will each receive $50,000 and meet potential investors during a demo day.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
More...
In the African informal sector, which is a key component of most Sub-Saharan African economies (according to the IMF), traders face numerous challenges daily. In Kenya, some tech entrepreneurs have set up a solution to address the challenges for cosmetics traders.
Vutia is a virtual marketplace developed by a Kenyan startup. It allows cosmetics stores to source beauty and skincare products by democratizing access to quality cosmetics and beauty products in Africa through its distribution platform. "Positioned between the brand and the business customer, we are focused on the distribution of multiple categories of cosmetic and beauty products to informal traders, beauty salons, SPAs, and beauty shops. We source our products directly from manufacturers at the top of the value chain and deliver to vendors at competitive prices," the platform explains.
Via its website or by sending SMS and Whatsapp messages, users can order cosmetics in bulk. Before they can order the products via the website, they need to create an account.
Products purchased on the marketplace are delivered for free (for Vutia clients) the following day. The platform also offers users the possibility to become cosmetics sellers or Vutia agents. As sellers or agents, they can earn money by promoting and delivering beauty and personal care products in their communities or neighborhoods.
In February 2023, the platform was selected along with four other startups by the Baobab Network's 2023 acceleration program. The selection entitles it to $50,000 support and the opportunity to be presented to potential investors during demo days.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
In Africa, traditional financial institutions are usually unable to meet the needs of part of the population. This creates a great funding gap that tech entrepreneurs are trying to bridge with innovative solutions.
FairMoney is a fintech solution developed by a Nigerian startup, which aims to "build the leading mobile bank for emerging markets." It allows its users access to instant collateral-free loans.
"Banks stayed apart from this untapped market because of the lack of digital tech expertise to serve people with limited revenues in remote areas. […] We leverage digital technologies to offer financial services to people, even for very small transactions and loans, in remote areas. [...] We hit a US$93 million disbursement volume in 2020, despite COVID-19 which impacted lending businesses," said Laurin Hainy, CEO of FairMoney.
Through its Android app, users can create a FairMoney account by filling the required form. They specifically need the telephone number linked to their Bank Verification Numbers.
Once they create the account, they can link a bank account or card to that account and start receiving loans. The startup requires no documentation but, it is worth mentioning that thanks to the BVN, it can identify its users. In its FAQs, the startup explains that it "collects and processes securely data from your phone (SMS, device details, location, phonebook) to make a lending decision. This data is necessary for us to approve your loan in real-time without asking you for cumbersome paperwork." Since the launch of its instant loan solution, the startup has attracted thousands of users. Playstore stats show the Android app has been downloaded more than 10 million times.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
On January 5, 2023, Algerian team SevenG won the second prize in the finals of the global competition organized by Huawei. It won the prize thanks to its AI tool that automates farming. At a time when food insecurity is hanging over millions of people all over the world, the seven students who launched the tool believe that it is an efficient and less restrictive solution to make farming more profitable. In an interview with We Are Tech, they present their ambitious project.
What inspired you to launch FarmAI?
We were inspired by the food insecurity affecting Algeria and several countries in the world. We decided to develop an IT system, combined with other tools, which would help create a smart farm, monitor crops, identify pests, build a smart irrigation system, and monitor weather changes. The main idea is to quickly detect and efficiently respond to diseases affecting farms.
How does your solution work?
The early wheat rust disease detection system combines artificial intelligence and drones to monitor wheat fields. The drone flies around the field every 4 days, capturing images of the plants with its camera. This data is then transferred to a deep neural network that performs image classification and analysis to identify possible infections. If a set of data points at a high infection probability, the system will alert the farmer through a mobile app and backend system, allowing the farmer to take the necessary actions to preserve crops and avoid financial losses.
We already have audiences with the Ministries of Economy and Agriculture. They will help us either partner with local drone manufacturers or purchase our drones. In both cases, the great support offered by the President of the Republic to agritech and startups is a real opportunity.
Why did you choose artificial intelligence to power your solution?
We didn't choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) because it's a trendy technology or something like that, but our problem requires a lot of effort, time, and money. So, as we all know, AI improves the speed, accuracy, and efficiency of human actions. Those are the reasons we chose AI for our FarmAI project. At this stage, we are using AI in two key functions which are computer vision and the automation of drones that monitor farms, process images and classify them.
Given the potential of artificial intelligence, why limit the solution to the identification of wheat rust only?
At the beginning of the Tech4good competition, our idea was to develop a system that would help reduce losses in farms and ensure food security in our country. But, as we were time-limited and our project was focused on a specific feature, which is the detection of rust disease, even before the competition, our mentors advised us to pursue this feature. Nevertheless, we plan to add other features, including pest detection and the detection of other diseases. We plan to deploy our solution in more farms.
Our focus on wheat rust stems from the position of wheat in the Algerian economy. Algerians consume more than 100 kilograms of wheat yearly. The country produces and exports the commodity, which is a great source of income for households and the whole country. Our solution helps address food and economic issues not only in Algeria but also in the whole world.
What are SevenG's plans for FarmAi after Tech4Good?
The next step is to test our solution. We have already spoken with farmers and most of them are interested. The solution has been developed in such a way that it is easy to use even for non -tech-savvy individuals. Since most farmers are already using smartphones, they only have to check the reports since everything that has to do with drone calibration, launch, and data analysis is automated.
Once we are done with the testing phase, we will offer free trials to farmers to convince them of the usefulness of our solution. Then, we will seek investors to quickly develop our business and get more clients.
The African e-commerce sector is growing rapidly. Like the fintech startup, it has attracted a growing number of investments, allowing entrepreneurs to develop local solutions.
Homzmart is an online shopping platform developed by an Egyptian startup to allow users to purchase home goods such as furniture.
On its mobile (Android and iOS) and web platforms, the solution lists the various items including furniture and kitchen appliances, and their "interesting prices." Its AI algorithm also showcases items that can interest visitors who need to create an account to buy the products they want.
Homzmart has established itself in its home country, increasing its sales 30-fold between 2020 and 2021. "We have seized the opportunity to digitize shopping for furniture and home goods. The market opportunity in the region is huge, and our business model is perfectly set up for it. Homzmart provides an easy one-stop-shop platform to transform the experience for furniture sellers and consumers," said Mahmoud Ibrahim, Homzmart co-founder, and CEO, in 2021.
Its Android app has been downloaded more than 500,000 times. It plans to grow its national presence and expand in the Middle East after its launch in Saudi Arabia. It has raised more than US$40 million to fulfill that ambition.
Adoni Conrad Quenum