Following successful landings in Dakar and Accra last November and December, the telecommunications infrastructure embarked on its onward journey across the West African sub-region.
The 2Africa fiber optic submarine cable has landed in Lagos, Nigeria, according to a press release issued on Thursday, February 8 by Bayobab (formerly MTN GlobalConnect), one of the partners investing in the telecoms infrastructure alongside Orange, Meta, and China Mobile International.
2Africa will be the seventh submarine fiber optic system to connect Nigeria, which already draws part of its high-speed connectivity from Google's Equiano cables, SAT3, MainOne, Glo1, Africa Coast to Europe (ACE), and West Africa Cable System (WACS). This new asset represents the private sector's contribution to the project to improve broadband access initiated by the government in 2020. The aim is to cover 90% of the national territory by 2025.
The digital economy is expanding worldwide, but access to broadband connectivity remains a challenge in Africa, where it has the potential to unlock numerous development opportunities. Networks are still largely concentrated in urban areas, hindering the reduction of the digital divide, at the heart of the battle for inclusion that many organizations such as the International Telecommunication Union have been waging for the past 30 years.
In Nigeria, the importance of broadband is well established. The impact the service has had on the country's startup ecosystem over the past ten years is reflected in the dynamism of its tech entrepreneurs, whose solutions meet real, practical local needs. Today, Nigeria is one of the startup ecosystems that attracts the most foreign investment in Africa.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
In Africa, the fintech landscape is dominated by payment and money transfer startups. But there are a few outliers. One such company is Affacto, a platform that specializes in financing the cash flow of SMEs involved in import-export between Africa and Europe. Affacto was founded by Aïssata Naba Coulibaly, a Malian entrepreneur who spoke with We Are Tech Africa about this niche market and what makes her company unique.
We Are Tech: When we talk about the trade supply chain in Africa, who are we talking about exactly?
Aïssata Naba Coulibaly: The trade supply chain in Africa generally encompasses various sectors of activity such as production, processing, distribution, retail, etc. The specific links involved can vary depending on the sector.
However, in general, the supply chain includes key sectors from the manufacturing of products to their availability on the market for consumers. Each link within these sectors can therefore represent an actor in the African trade supply chain.
WAT: Which of those specific needs does Affacto address?
ANC: Affacto provides factoring services. Factoring is a financing solution that enables businesses to obtain quick cash advances by selling their unpaid invoices. This debt collection is managed by a factor, a specialized credit institution.
In addition to playing the important role of improving cash flow in a supply chain where costs can occur at different stages, factoring also helps to reduce financial risks. By assigning receivables to a factoring company, the company can reduce the risks associated with late payments or bad debts, thus providing some financial protection. Financial cycles are also accelerated. Factoring can help accelerate financial cycles by providing immediate liquidity, allowing businesses to pay their suppliers faster and maintain smooth operations in the supply chain. Optimization of supplier relationships is not to be forgotten.
By having liquidity more quickly, companies can negotiate more advantageous payment terms with their suppliers, thus strengthening relationships within the supply chain. It should be noted that factoring offers a certain financial flexibility by allowing companies to raise funds according to their needs, which can be crucial in a dynamic business environment. Overall, factoring plays a key role in providing financial solutions that contribute to the efficiency and stability of the supply chain.
WAT: The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) notes the emergence of digital platforms that facilitate access to finance for supply chain actors. In a context where traditional commercial banks are still at the heart of credit in Africa, what selling points do you put forward to meet such success?
ANC: We have, first and foremost, increased accessibility. Digital platforms can broaden access to finance by using innovative technologies, thus reaching a wider range of supply chain actors, including small and medium-sized enterprises that may face difficulties in obtaining credit from traditional banks. Our processes are simplified.
By leveraging technological solutions, digital platforms can simplify the application, evaluation, and disbursement processes for funds, thus accelerating the financing cycle. This can be particularly attractive for businesses seeking quick disbursements.
It is worth noting that digital platforms can use algorithms and advanced data analytics to assess credit risk more accurately, offering a more flexible and individualized approach compared to traditional bank credit models.
Digital platforms can also contribute to financial inclusion by targeting segments of the population that are generally underrepresented in the traditional financial system, thus promoting broader participation of supply chain actors.
In summary, digital platforms can differentiate themselves from traditional banks by leveraging technology to improve accessibility, simplify processes, use advanced data analytics, and promote financial inclusion, thereby contributing to meeting the diverse needs of supply chain actors in Africa.
WAT: Micro and small businesses (MSMEs) often lack the financial traceability banks require to qualify for credit. How do you ensure that your financial support to MSMEs will be recovered since they form a sizeable part of your clientele?
ANC: To address the challenges of financing micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), financial service providers, including those specializing in factoring, have developed a variety of mechanisms to mitigate the risks associated with their limited financial traceability.
One approach is cash flow analysis. Financial service providers can conduct in-depth analyses of MSME cash flows to assess their ability to repay financing. This approach can be less reliant on traditional credit history.
The use of alternative data is another solution. Factoring platforms can leverage alternative data sources, such as transaction data, payment history, or invoice information, to assess the creditworthiness of MSMEs, in addition to or as a substitute for traditional credit criteria.
More flexible assessment models that consider non-traditional indicators can also be adopted to adapt to the realities of MSMEs that may not have complete financial traceability.
Factoring companies can implement robust guarantee and collection mechanisms to minimize risks. This may include personal guarantees, receivables assignments, or other collateral forms.
By implementing these approaches, financial service providers can help mitigate the risks associated with MSME financing, thereby promoting financial inclusion and supporting small-scale supply chain actors.
WAT: The UNCTAD report "The Potential of Africa to Capture Technology-Intensive Global Supply Chains" indicates that Africa only contributed 1.9% to the $2.2 trillion global supply chain finance in 2022. What are the obstacles hindering the continent's progress?
ANC: The financing of trade supply chains in Africa is hampered by several factors, including the lack of adequate financial infrastructure, complex legal and regulatory frameworks, as well as challenges related to trust and transparency in commercial transactions. Additionally, issues related to financial market maturity and financial literacy also play a role in this context.
WAT: Given the challenges that hinder access to finance for trade supply chain actors in Africa, what innovative solutions can be implemented to address these challenges and transform the financing landscape?
ANC: It is essential to develop a collaborative vision at all levels to support supply chain financing at all stages. At Affacto, we have launched the Affacto Flow service, which allows us to finance suppliers, clients, freight forwarders, and logistics companies on the third-party holding side. We have decided to bring all stakeholders together in the same place to enable them to collaborate at all levels of the chain.
WAT: With the AfCFTA, a market of 1.4 billion people in Africa, what opportunities could unlock access to finance for trade supply chain actors?
ANC: The effectiveness of trade supply chain financing in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which brings together 54 African countries, can contribute to market expansion for businesses.
With the continental market, businesses will have access to more orders, which will support their production, distribution, and marketing activities. Logistics and transportation companies will be able to capitalize on financing to develop and improve their infrastructure across the continent, facilitating the efficient movement of goods.
SMEs make up a significant portion of the supply chain actors in Africa. The targeted financing they could benefit from would help strengthen their production capacity, market access, and compliance with international standards. The funds could even be used to develop and adopt technological solutions to improve their supply chain management, increase their visibility, and facilitate their transactions within the AfCFTA.
It is important to note that financing could also be used to set up training programs to strengthen the skills of supply chain actors, particularly in regulatory compliance and best business practices.
In summary, in the era of the AfCFTA, access to finance for SMEs can provide trade supply chain actors in Africa with the ability to catalyze their efficiency, competitiveness, and growth. This will promote further economic integration on the continent.
WAT: Currently, Affacto operates in Mali, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Togo. What are its short-term plans for expansion?
ANC: We aim to establish strategic partnerships with banks, debt funds, other fintech companies, and all other supply chain actors.
We are currently raising funds and plan to expand our services to other West African countries and explore the two Congos. We are in discussions with a country in the sub-region to set up an innovative mechanism that will allow SMEs that win public contracts to finance their principals through the financial market.
Interview by Muriel Edjo
Operating across a network of five incubators in Senegal and The Gambia, Teranga Tech Incub provides young entrepreneurs with equipped workspaces, programs, and events to help them innovate and succeed.
Teranga Tech Incub, a network of five incubators in Senegal and The Gambia, is backed by the French Embassy and aims to promote and support youth entrepreneurship, particularly in the digital sector.
The network offers two main services through its incubators in Dakar, Saint-Louis, Kaolack, Ziguinchor, and Banjul. The first is a six-month mentoring program supporting around 70 projects per year across two cohorts per incubator. This program helps entrepreneurs structure their projects.
Secondly, the network organizes events promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, including events hosted by other organizations lacking a presence in Senegal or Gambia.
Teranga Tech Incub also provides equipped and connected workspaces, collaborative areas, and expert networks to strengthen the ecosystem. They hold awareness sessions on entrepreneurship and organize events featuring experts in various sectors like blue economy, agritech, and audiovisual.
Examples of supported companies include online store platform Boutique Sénégal, Web3 specialist Kucibok, and maritime safety solutions provider O'Connect.
To achieve its mission, the network has partnered with organizations like Polaris Asso, Concree, Jokkolabs, and Simplon.
Melchior Koba
U.S. tech giant Microsoft announced plans to open a new data center campus in Centurion, South Africa, last week. The company said the facility represents "the next step in its commitment to enabling and accelerating the pace of digital transformation in South Africa, and Africa, in an inclusive, trusted, and responsible manner."
The bespoke solution was designed by a Beninese entrepreneur in a bid to enhance access to fresh produce.
In 2020, Beninese startup DigitAll Farmer introduced Aliments Bénin, an e-commerce platform that aims to enhance fresh product accessibility. The platform bridges the gap between consumers and producers, fostering a vibrant marketplace for agricultural goods.
Founded by Novalie Houngbédji, Aliments Bénin operates as a web-based platform, eliminating the need for a dedicated mobile application. Users access the platform via their browsers, where they register by providing their email address and creating a secure password. At this juncture, users make a pivotal choice, choosing the “seller” status for those marketing their products or the “customer” status for those seeking to make purchases.
Aliments Bénin boasts an extensive array of offerings, ranging from locally-produced beverages to butchered meats, grocery staples, fresh fruits, vegetables, cereals, tubers, and seafood. By connecting producers directly with consumers, the platform has catalyzed awareness and amplified sales for nearly a hundred agricultural entrepreneurs. Households, restaurants, and pastry shops alike have embraced the convenience of ordering quality agri-food products at equitable prices.
“We were able to help nearly 100 producers increase the awareness of their products and increase their sales by more than 7,000,000 FCFA [11,500 USD] in 2021. Several households, restaurants, bakeries, and others were able to order and have quality agri-food products delivered to them at fair prices,” Novalie said in 2022.
To ensure swift fulfillment, Aliments Bénin also operates a delivery service. Once orders are placed, the platform takes charge, dispatching goods to customers across multiple communes within the country. The solution has earned DigitAll Farmer several recognitions, including the Encouragement Award (XOF5 million) at the 2021 Tremplin Startup UEMOA competition. Additionally, in November 2022, the platform secured third place in the inaugural Moov Africa Startup Challenge, earning an XOF1 million check and in-kind prize worth XOF540,000.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
In a career spanning several years, he has worked at major corporations including Ericsson, Oracle, and Microsoft in the United States. In 2021, he established his startup, setting up an automated distribution network that seamlessly integrates banking services, mobile money solutions, and fintech offerings.
Mika Diol (photo), a seasoned systems engineer from Senegal, boasts an impressive array of technical certifications from industry giants such as Microsoft and Dell. As the co-founder and CEO of Outsource Monetic Group, a US-based fintech startup with a strong foothold in Africa, Diol is at the forefront of transforming financial services accessibility across French-speaking West and Central Africa.
Founded by Mika Diol and Ibrahima Diedhiou, Outsource Monetic Group has set its sights on revolutionizing financial inclusion. Their mission? To empower communities by bridging the gap between traditional banking services and the dynamic digital landscape. With a keen focus on French-speaking regions, the startup aims to democratize access to financial tools.
At the heart of their innovation lies KaliSpot, a cutting-edge multi-vendor ATM solution. These smart devices seamlessly integrate banking services, mobile money platforms, and fintech offerings. Operating via a robust 3G connection, KaliSpot devices adapt to users’ needs, recognizing their service providers and tailoring the experience accordingly. Gone are the days of interminable queues outside brick-and-mortar banks; KaliSpot promises efficiency and convenience.
In 2023, Mika Diol shared his vision for the future. “Fintechs will soon realize that the lack of physical infrastructure poses a significant hurdle in conquering these young and promising markets,” he asserted. By leveraging technology, Outsource Monetic Group aims to empower individuals, businesses, and entrepreneurs across the region.
Before launching Outsource Monetic Group, Diol’s career trajectory was marked by notable milestones. In 2006, he assumed the role of Country Manager at the Ivorian digital services company N-SOCITECH. Subsequently, he joined Ericsson in the USA as a Project Manager in 2007. His tenure at Microsoft saw him lead service sales, while Oracle appointed him Territory Sales Manager in 2014. A year earlier, he joined the Senegalese IT firm Servitech Group as Sales and Marketing Director.
Melchior Koba
Bridging the gap between industry and academia, the incubator has emerged as a catalyst for research, hands-on learning, and entrepreneurial ventures.
The AUC Innovation Hub (AUC iHub), an initiative of the American University in Cairo (AUC), serves as a bridge between industry and academia to foster innovation. It facilitates industrial collaborations, interdisciplinary research, and hands-on learning, creating an environment conducive to the emergence of new ideas and technologies.
The iHub provides industrial partners with privileged access to the innovative perspectives of AUC faculty members and talented students, allowing the industry to shape and leverage university research for the development and validation of products and services. This collaboration opens up new avenues for innovation.
Through internships and in-class projects, AUC's creative and enterprising students engage with industry pioneers, addressing real-world business challenges. Additionally, the hub facilitates collaborations between academia and industry to transform research outcomes into marketable innovations and new technologies, meeting the evolving needs and desires of global consumers.
AUC alumni seeking to establish their businesses are given priority access as iHub members, connecting them with an international network of companies, start-ups, experienced AUC faculty, and a pool of student talent, providing a fertile ground for growth and innovation.
The iHub also organizes collaborative event series such as Innovation in Action, with an upcoming conference featuring a leading figure in fintech. Furthermore, it has launched initiatives like the Design Thinking Challenge and the Innovation Sprint in partnership with various organizations, fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
The AUC Innovation Hub's efforts align with the Reuters style, providing a clear and objective overview of its activities and initiatives.
Melchior Koba
Following global trends, Congo has initiated the digitization of driving licenses, aiming to address longstanding issues plaguing its road sector. This effort seeks to improve efficiency, transparency, and security within the system, ultimately contributing to safer roads and better transport management.
Congo is launching new, highly secure biometric driving licenses as part of a broader digital transformation push, officials announced Thursday.
Presented by Land Transport Director General Mopaya Atali (photo, left) on February 8th, the license aims to standardize identification and combat security issues plaguing the sector.
Initially planned for 2023, the initiative also tackles inadequate driver training and aims to decrease road accidents. It aligns with the government's Digital Transformation Acceleration Program (PATN) and follows the June deployment of a biometric vehicle license plate system.
These reforms address long-standing challenges in the road transport sector, including insecure data management and a lack of reliable electronic archiving. The new licenses aim to enhance security, simplify administrative processes, improve road safety, and integrate with other digital services.
Samira Njoya
African countries are accelerating their digital transformation efforts, improving services, and adopting new technologies to drive efficiency across various sectors. Governments are modernizing infrastructure, rolling out broadband internet, and investing in innovative solutions to address challenges in healthcare, education, agriculture, and finance.
Tanzania is exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline public service delivery and combat inefficiency, officials announced at the annual e-government meeting (Arusha, February 6-8).
"Physical delivery of services in public institutions and government agencies continues to be a challenge due to the prevalent lackadaisical attitude among many workers. This often results in delays and substandard executions of tasks.[...] We also want to totally eradicate queues and delays as people scramble to be served at public institutions and organizations, something that has been raising many complaints from people across the country," said George Simbachawene, Minister of State for Public Service Management and Good Governance, citing prevalent disinterest among some public servants as a key challenge.
AI adoption in Africa is gaining momentum, driven by its potential to improve online services across various sectors. Several countries are actively pursuing this technology, backed by international support.
Last November, the UK and partners pledged £80 million to boost AI development in Africa, while UNESCO earlier supported Morocco's digital transformation efforts including AI.
However, concerns exist about Africa becoming a testing ground for unproven AI solutions. Seydina Moussa Ndiaye, a UN AI advisor, urges African countries to implement "real control" over the technology to avoid exploitation.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
In 2018, three young Togolese entrepreneurs launched a bespoke mobile application aiming to provide citizens with nationwide digital health records. This initiative aims to enhance access and improve healthcare delivery across the country.
KondjiGbalē is a healthtech solution developed by a Togolese startup that enables users to connect with healthcare professionals via its web and mobile platforms. The Lomé-based startup was founded in 2018 by three young Togolese, with Yvon Koudam as the CEO.
This application is like “a comprehensive digital health record, functioning similarly to a health passport. Additionally, it empowers patients to actively manage their medical history. For healthcare professionals, it facilitates diagnosis and streamlines the overall treatment process. Notably, the platform offers diverse access channels, including a website, mobile app, call center with local language support, and a USSD menu catering to areas with limited internet connectivity,” says Koudam.
The mobile application is only available on Android. After downloading, users must register by providing their details. Once registered, users can access a range of healthtech services, including a shared medical file, teleconsultation with doctors, online medication ordering and delivery, medication alerts, and the ability to locate nearby on-call pharmacies, streamlining healthcare access and management. These features enable users to proactively manage their health and efficiently obtain professional medical assistance and medication from home.
KondjiGbalē has received several awards since its launch. In 2019, it took first prize at the Fenes' Pitch Your Startup Idea and the Togo Innovation Challenge. According to Play Store data, the mobile app has been downloaded more than a thousand times.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
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A Moroccan entrepreneur specializing in technology, he brings a unique perspective on the movement of people through his company Seiki. By providing accurate data and in-depth analysis, he offers valuable insights for decision-making across various sectors.
Jaafar Elalamy (photo) is a Moroccan serial entrepreneur who specializes in technology. He is the co-founder and CEO of Seiki, a company that specializes in mobility intelligence. Seiki was founded in France in 2022 and is a subsidiary of LaTour Media Group (LMG), a communications company with operations in France, Belgium, Italy, and the UK.
Through Seiki, a mobility intelligence company based in France, Elalamy addresses the challenge of accurately predicting movement: "Knowing who moves, where, when, and why is crucial for many industries, but remains difficult to assess," he noted in 2023.
The platform analyzes mobility data to inform strategic decisions for retailers, transport agencies, businesses, and others. Its services range from optimizing network expansion to designing smart cities by forecasting population movement. It also reports congestion rates and establishes mobility profiles.
Before his venture with Seiki, Elalamy joined the LTMG Group in 2019 as a member of the Executive Committee. He held multiple roles within the group, including CTO, CMO, and CIO of Adriver, the group’s media agency.
Prior to joining the group, he co-founded three companies: PeersUp, a technology solution that helps human resources managers simplify access to information for their teams; Street4Fit, a company that organizes sports sessions for major groups and start-ups; and Bonapart, a company that connects homeowners with tenants.
His academic credentials include a master’s degree in computer science and data science from Compiègne University of Technology (2016) and a master’s degree in entrepreneurial studies from HEC Paris (2017). His professional career kicked off in 2012 at Hermès as an engineering intern. He later joined Référence One, a marketing and communications consultancy, as an assistant to the director in Morocco in 2014. His experience also includes a stint as a trainee software engineer at Siemens (2015) and a role as an innovation manager and data science trainee at Amadeus IT Group.
In 2020, Forbes France named Elalamy one of the 30 personalities under 30 who made an impact in entrepreneurship/innovation. In 2023, he was named by the magazine Ceux qui font l'Afrique as one of the under-30 individuals leaving an international impact in Africa.
Melchior Koba
Nestled in the heart of Pretoria, South Africa, Botlhale Village is carving a niche as a leading center for innovation and progress in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector.
Botlhale Village, an initiative of Belgium Campus, serves as a knowledge creation and sharing hub focused on advancing information and communication technologies in South Africa. It operates as an incubator where research students collaborate with startups, leading to the emergence of new projects and the creation of startups, thereby enhancing the knowledge and systems developed within the center.
The village offers various services, including customized software development and an internship program that provides specialized assistance to South African companies. Its incubator provides support, mentoring, and resources to startups, offering office space, access to funding opportunities, assistance with business planning, and networking events.
Furthermore, students at Botlhale Village organize conferences to showcase their academic achievements and innovative projects, attracting a diverse audience. These events serve as a platform for idea exchange, fostering collaborations, and exploring growth and partnership opportunities.
In addition to the Belgium Campus, Botlhale Village is supported by several other institutions and companies, including Ericsson, Altron Healthtech, Vodacom, and Cape Town Creative Academy. The research conducted at this innovation and incubation hub aims to serve citizens' needs in terms of learning and teaching.
Melchior Koba
Since his appointment as Vice-President, Mahamudu Bawumia has helped position Ghana on the international technological and digital scene. He aspires to even greater achievements in this field, should he become President of the Republic.
Ghanaian Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia (photo), nominated as presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), unveiled an ambitious digital program on Wednesday. Bawumia, seeking to leverage his tech-focused image, outlined a vision for a "digital Ghana" that applies technology across key economic sectors.
The program's core includes training one million digital talents over five years, with a focus on software skills. This aims to meet the growing domestic and global demand for tech professionals. Additionally, education reforms prioritize STEM fields, robotics, AI, and vocational training to prepare for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Bawumia also pledged to abolish the 1.5% electronic transaction tax, dubbed the "E-levy," to promote a cashless economy and encourage digital payments. Infrastructure development is another key component, aiming to reduce internet costs and bridge the digital divide. The program targets a 100% internet penetration rate, compared to the current 72%.
The presidential candidate’s vision encompasses digitizing all sectors, from agriculture and healthcare to education, manufacturing, and finance. This aims to create jobs for young people and position Ghana as a regional digital hub.
Samira Njoya
African nations are making strides in the space industry, with growing investments and collaborations. The initiatives aim to boost the continent’s capabilities and expertise.
Egyptian satellite operator Nilesat and Qatari firm Es'hailSat said on Wednesday they signed a memorandum of understanding to offer various services across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Under the agreement, the companies aim to provide video streaming, connectivity, telecommunications, and digital technologies utilizing their combined satellite fleets.
"This partnership represents a significant development for the region's satellite industry," said Nilesat CEO Sameh Katta. "By combining expertise and resources, we are well-positioned to meet evolving customer needs and contribute to economic growth."
The deal comes amid increasing interest in space activities across Africa. A 2023 report by Space in Africa, a Nigerian consultancy, found African nations allocated $425 million to space programs in 2023, with Egypt leading the continent.
Last week, Egypt's space agency launched its experimental NExSat-1 satellite and plans further launches in 2024, aiming to become a regional leader in the space industry.
Adoni Conrad Quenum