Francophone Africa, with its strong economic potential, is emerging as a key attraction for companies seeking new opportunities. Despite its dynamic and rapidly evolving environment, the region remains largely untapped by international startups.
Startbutton, a pan-African fintech company that enables businesses to expand internationally without physical offices, announced on Friday its expansion into seven new Francophone African countries: Benin, Togo, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Conakry, and Cameroon. This move brings the startup's operations to 15 African markets.
Commenting on the expansion, Startbutton co-founder Malick Bolakale stated: “Francophone Africa maintains strong trade ties with Europe, particularly France, creating unique payment flows and business expansion opportunities. The region is less saturated than Anglophone Africa but holds significant economic potential.” This strategic analysis underpins the company’s decision to target the high-growth potential of the Francophone market.
Startbutton’s expansion aligns with its broader goal of becoming a key infrastructure provider for businesses operating across Africa. With over 300 million people, Francophone Africa represents a strategic destination for companies looking to scale. Currently, Startbutton processes over $5 million per month, generating revenue through transaction fees ranging from 0.5% to 1%. With this expansion, the company expects an additional $2 million in transaction volume from Francophone markets.
Despite ongoing challenges related to cross-border payments and regulatory compliance, Startbutton aims to establish itself as a central player in Africa’s evolving commerce landscape by offering local currency payment solutions while ensuring adherence to local regulations.
This expansion is a major asset for payment companies seeking to enter Francophone Africa without the need for physical offices, reducing operational costs while ensuring regulatory compliance. Startbutton already serves over 100 businesses across 20 countries, primarily in aviation, gaming, and e-commerce, facilitating cross-border growth with tailored payment solutions.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Beninese authorities have made digital technology a key pillar of the country's socioeconomic development. The government has recently begun searching for an expert to strengthen the development environment for digital public services.
The Beninese government aims to leverage Starlink’s space technology to improve Internet access in poorly covered areas and strengthen digital inclusion. This issue was one of three areas of cooperation discussed on Wednesday, February 5, during a meeting between Romuald Wadagni (photo, center), Minister of State for Economy and Finance, and representatives of U.S. company SpaceX, which operates the Starlink satellite Internet service.
Discussions also focused on developing innovative digital solutions for e-education and e-health—key drivers of social transformation—as well as enhancing connectivity for more effective border surveillance. “Digital inclusion is a key tool for addressing tomorrow’s challenges. This partnership illustrates our commitment to modernizing the country and reducing the digital divide for more inclusive and sustainable development,” said Wadagni.
This initiative aligns with the government’s vision of making “Benin the digital hub of West Africa” and using digital transformation as a key lever to accelerate economic growth. However, telecom adoption, particularly Internet use, remains limited.
According to the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Post Office (ARCEP), Benin had 8.5 million unique mobile subscribers, with a penetration rate of 67%. ARCEP estimates that by the end of 2023, the country had 7.0 million unique Internet users, representing 55.4% of the total population. The GSMA, the global association of mobile operators, reported that 3.8 million Beninese regularly accessed the Internet via mobile phones in 2023, accounting for 28% of the population.
Bridging this digital divide offers numerous benefits for the population. “The adoption of digital technologies opens new avenues for development, whether by increasing the added value of existing agricultural resources, facilitating access to global value chains, improving education and healthcare, reducing transaction costs, or enhancing the efficiency, transparency, and governance of government services for citizens and businesses,” the GSMA stated in its report “Driving Digital Transformation of the Economy in Benin: Opportunities, Policy Reforms, and the Role of Mobile”.
While Starlink launched commercial operations in Benin at the end of 2023, discussions with the government are still preliminary. No agreement has been signed or announced, and it is unclear how residents in underserved areas would specifically benefit from any potential partnership.
By Isaac K. Kassouwi,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Blockchain industry solutions provider StarkWare has launched a $4 million fund to accelerate blockchain adoption and support African startups. The fund, announced on February 4, is led by investor Kheireddine Kamal. It targets pre-seed and seed-stage startups deploying solutions on Starknet, StarkWare’s ZK rollup for Ethereum scaling.
Startups can apply for grants up to $150,000, with advanced teams eligible for investments up to $500,000. The fund will prioritize entrepreneurs in West, East, and South Africa, regions facing high fees, inefficient financial systems, and digital exclusion.
With this fund, StarkWare is paving the way for Africa’s blockchain-driven future by empowering startups and fostering financial inclusion.
Nigeria is set to develop a National Space Strategy to strengthen its position in the space sector, the Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy announced on February 6.
He met with Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science & Technology, to agree on the need for a clearly defined space policy. A committee with representatives from key government agencies will be established to shape the strategy.
Additionally, both ministries discussed the National Artificial Intelligence Trust, recently approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). The initiative aims to drive AI innovation and governance in Nigeria, with Minister Nnaji playing a key role in its implementation.
African fintech continues its strong growth, attracting over $1 billion in investment in 2024. Investors are drawn to the sector's potential, fueled by the continent's large underbanked population.
Khazna is an Egyptian financial application designed to provide accessible and inclusive services to a broad population. Founded in 2019 by Ahmed Wagueeh, Fatma El Shenawy, Omar Salah, and Omar Saleh, it primarily targets unbanked or underbanked individuals in Egypt, enabling them to manage their finances simply and efficiently.
The app is available on iOS and Android, with over 500,000 downloads according to the Google Play Store. Users can create an account to access salary advances, pay bills directly from their smartphones, and more.
The fintech has also introduced a “Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL) option, allowing users to make purchases from various partner merchants and pay in installments with no additional fees. This feature aims to facilitate access to essential goods and services without immediate financial strain.
On Thursday, February 6, the company announced it had successfully raised $16 million in a funding round to support its growth in the local market and expand into Saudi Arabia. This follows the $38 million it secured in 2022.
"Closing this funding round is a pivotal achievement for Khazna’s team. This not only propels our core business but also empowers us to accelerate our mission of advancing financial inclusion across the MENA region. Our entry into Saudi Arabia marks the beginning of a new chapter, and we are committed to delivering an unparalleled digital user experience across the region," said Omar Saleh.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Editing by Feriol Bewa
Education systems worldwide face significant challenges, including limited access, geographic disparities, and disruptions caused by social unrest or security crises. To address these issues and ensure inclusive education, innovative solutions like remote learning are crucial.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed a historic decree regulating distance learning for primary, secondary, and technical education, the Ministry of National Education and New Citizenship announced on Wednesday. This initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize the Congolese education system, making it more inclusive and accessible to all, in line with President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo’s vision.
"Through a multimodal model combining digital platforms, radio, television, and offline materials, this decree ensures that all students, including those in low-connectivity areas, can continue their education. This is a decisive step toward educational equity and reducing territorial inequalities,” the ministry said in a statement.
The decision comes at a time when the eastern part of the country is facing significant security challenges, including armed conflicts that hinder access to education for many children. According to UNICEF, approximately seven million children did not return to school for the 2023-2024 academic year due to factors such as poverty, lack of infrastructure, child labor, and, in some regions, ongoing instability.
Distance learning is thus emerging as a strategic solution to ensure education continues despite these obstacles. Moreover, this approach will help prepare Congolese youth for the challenges of the 21st century by fostering essential skills such as autonomous learning and digital literacy. UNESCO highlights that distance learning strategies strengthen the resilience of the education sector, offering opportunities to bridge the gap between rural and urban populations.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
African agriculture still faces numerous challenges that prevent the continent from achieving food self-sufficiency. Just as mechanization was key to the Industrial Revolution, digital technology in today's Fourth Industrial Revolution offers significant potential to transform the sector. Ethiopia is embracing this potential with an ambitious new strategy.
The Ethiopian government officially launched, on Tuesday, its Digital Agriculture Roadmap (DAR), a national plan to accelerate the digitalization of the agricultural sector, the Ministry of Agriculture said. Developed by the ministry in collaboration with the Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI), the roadmap will be implemented from 2025 to 2032.
The government aims to enhance agricultural productivity through inclusive, accessible, and sustainable digital solutions, Agriculture Minister Girma Amente said. The strategy is designed to facilitate access to agricultural extension services via smartphones, improve input availability, strengthen financial services such as loans and agricultural insurance, and enhance coordination across the entire value chain, from production to commercialization, he said.
The DAR rollout will occur in two phases. The first, from 2025 to 2029, will focus on establishing basic digital infrastructure and developing priority services for agriculture. The second, from 2030 to 2032, aims to expand and diversify the digital ecosystem across the sector.
Authorities acknowledge that Ethiopia’s agricultural digitalization faces significant challenges, particularly limited connectivity and a lack of digital skills, which could slow technology adoption.
According to the report Driving Digital Transformation of the Economy in Ethiopia: Opportunities, Policy Reforms and the Role of Mobile, published by the GSMA in October 2024, 76% of Ethiopians still do not use mobile internet.
GSMA also estimates that smartphone penetration, a key tool in the DAR, stands at just 36% in Ethiopia. Additionally, the association rates the population’s proficiency in basic digital skills at 41 out of 100.
By Stéphanas Assocle,
Editing by Wilfried ASSOGBA
Morocco's e-government journey began in 2013 with the Maroc Numérique Plan and advanced in 2020 with the Maroc Digitale Strategy. By 2030, the government aims to accelerate this progress, creating a more efficient administration.
Morocco plans to launch its digital public services portal, e-services, on February 14, 2025, according to local media reports. Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, the Minister Delegate in charge of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, made the announcement on Tuesday before the Public Finance Control Committee at the House of Representatives, the reports said.
The online portal already centralizes around 600 public services, including more than 300 for citizens, about 200 for businesses, and nearly 100 for public administrations. The goal is to improve access to administrative services by streamlining procedures and reducing processing times.
The initiative is part of the Digital Morocco 2030 strategy, unveiled in September 2024. According to the United Nations, Morocco currently scores 0.5618 out of 1 on the Online Service Index, part of the E-Government Development Index (EGDI). The country ranks 100th globally and 11th in Africa, with ambitions to break into the global Top 50 by 2030.
The portal's launch is expected to facilitate interactions between citizens and the administration, improve access to essential services, and contribute to better digital governance. The Digital Morocco 2030 strategy document states that processing times for requests should be reduced by 50%, the reports added.
By Adoni Conrad Quenum,
Editing by Feriol Bewa
Google and the IFC project that Africa's digital economy will make up 5.2% of the continent's GDP by 2025. While this potential attracts some tech companies, others are strategically pulling back.
IBM is ending operations in Nigeria, Ghana, and other key African markets, transferring its regional functions to MIBB, a subsidiary of Midis Group, a multinational IT and telecommunications conglomerate, effective April 1, the company said. The transfer will also affect 34 other African countries where IBM has a presence.
"IBM are partnering with MIBB to launch an alternative operating model, and are still committed to doing business in Africa, this new operating model shows a strong commitment by IBM to a continued focus in Africa. IBM will continue to invest and innovate in Africa, including through the ongoing development of the industry’s most cutting-edge AI and hybrid cloud technology to ensure the success of our clients," IBM said in a statement.
IBM, present in Nigeria for over 50 years, has provided infrastructure and consulting services to critical industries such as banking, telecommunications, oil, gas, and government. The company cited growing competition from companies like Dell and Huawei, combined with global financial challenges, as factors in the repositioning.
In 2024, IBM's consulting business revenue declined 2% to $5.18 billion, while infrastructure sales dropped 8%, the company reported. Overall revenue increased 1% to $17.55 billion, driven by a 10% rise in software sales to $7.92 billion. Its exit comes as cloud adoption expands rapidly across Africa. A Telecom Advisory Services study commissioned by AWS projects cloud usage in Nigeria to triple over the next decade, potentially contributing $30.2 trillion to the country's economy by 2033.
MIBB will take over operations, support, and local client relations while marketing IBM’s products and services, including software, hardware, cloud, and consulting, the company said.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Reliable internet connectivity is crucial for economic growth, education, healthcare, and innovation, particularly in remote areas with scarce terrestrial networks. By connecting underserved people to the internet, Africa can accelerate digital transformation, ensuring that more communities can participate in the global digital economy.
Satellite communications provider Eutelsat has successfully met its Partner2Connect Digital Coalition pledge - backed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) - two years ahead of schedule. This milestone, announced on February 5, marks the connection of 1 million underserved people in Sub-Saharan Africa to high-speed satellite internet, reinforcing Eutelsat’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and supporting the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Eutelsat Group CEO Eva Berneke emphasized the milestone's significance, stating: “This achievement highlights our commitment to digital inclusion and underscores how we leverage cutting-edge satellite network solutions to meet the challenging demands for low-cost, high-availability, and trusted services in Africa.”
The achievement was made possible through Eutelsat’s Konnect Wi-Fi hotspots, powered by the EUTELSAT KONNECT satellite, which has delivered affordable, high-speed internet to remote areas where traditional networks remain inaccessible. Offering speeds between 5 Mbps and 100 Mbps, the service has enabled access to education, e-commerce, healthcare, and business opportunities.
Eutelsat’s initiative aligns with global efforts to expand digital access, particularly in Africa, where only 37% of the population is online according to ITU Facts and Figures 2023. By leveraging satellite technology, the company is bridging connectivity gaps, unlocking new economic and social opportunities, and empowering communities in the digital era.
As Eutelsat continues expanding its reach, this achievement sets a strong precedent for the role of satellite internet in accelerating Africa’s digital transformation.
Hikmatu Bilali
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While the global digital economy continues to grow, broadband connectivity remains a major challenge in Africa, despite its vast potential to drive development and economic opportunities.
The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy has launched the National Broadband Alliance for Nigeria (NBAN) to accelerate broadband development and bridge connectivity gaps nationwide. The initiative was unveiled on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, in Lagos, bringing together key industry stakeholders to discuss expanding broadband access, strengthening multi-sector collaboration, and driving digital inclusion.
Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in an address on behalf of Minister ‘Bosun Tijani noted that despite efforts to achieve 70% broadband penetration by 2025, existing infrastructure remains underutilized. “Many of the networks remain underutilised. In numerous parts of the country, the capacity of existing fibre infrastructure far exceeds the demand,” he said.
The NBAN aims to address these challenges by expanding access, promoting awareness, and increasing investments in broadband infrastructure. The government has set ambitious targets in its National Broadband Plan 2020-2025, including 25 Mbps minimum data speed in urban areas and 10 Mbps in rural areas, 80% population coverage by 2027, and 300–500% increase in broadband investments by 2027.
The initiative is expected to unlock economic opportunities, drive innovation, and enhance Nigeria’s digital economy, ensuring broader access to high-speed internet for millions. According to the World Bank Digital Progress and Trends Report 2023, access to high-speed internet can increase an individual's likelihood of employment by up to 13.2% and boost total employment per firm by up to 22%.
Hikmatu Bilali
Blockchain, an innovative and decentralized technology, opens up vast opportunities for Africa, particularly in securing transactions and improving transparency. Exploring this technology is of strategic importance for the continent's development.
Guinea's Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and the Digital Economy, Rose Pola Pricemou (photo), met on Monday with a delegation from cryptocurrency firm Tether Limited to discuss potential collaboration on driving innovation and technological development in the country, the ministry said.
Discussions focused on developing innovative technology solutions, promoting blockchain training, and implementing awareness programs through digital hubs. The initiative aims to foster an innovation-friendly environment and strengthen synergies among digital sector stakeholders.
The potential partnership comes as Guinea undergoes rapid digital transformation, including the imminent launch of the Cité des Sciences et de l’Innovation de Guinée (CSIG). Under construction since July, the CSIG aims to become a West African hub of excellence for innovation. The collaboration with Tether is intended to enhance blockchain understanding and promote the technology among entrepreneurs, startups, and local institutions.
A recent report by Fortune Business Insights estimated the global blockchain market at $17.57 billion in 2023, projecting it to reach $825.93 billion by 2032, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 52.8%.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Global cooperation in space is booming, with countries sharing technology, data, and know-how. The Republic of Congo, with Kazakhstan's help, is working to boost its tech skills and better manage its resources.
The Republic of Congo and Kazakhstan signed an investment agreement on Tuesday to develop a high-resolution Earth observation satellite system, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry said.
The signing ceremony, held at the ministry, was attended by representatives from JSC NC Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary, the Kazakh space agency, and a Congolese delegation.
"In addition to the satellite platform, Kazakhstan offers a comprehensive solution, including training and knowledge transfer. Kazakhstan is strengthening its position as a center for technological development, and international partners trust our solutions. This is already the second successful export, confirming the high level of the domestic space industry," said Zhaslan Madiyev, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Digital Development, Innovations, and Aerospace Industry.
The agreement follows a joint roadmap signed on August 2, 2024, outlining strategic priorities for the collaboration and aligns with Congo’s strategy to diversify its technological partnerships and use space technology to address challenges including national security, natural resource management, agricultural monitoring, environmental protection and urban planning.
The Republic of Congo joins an international network of Earth observation satellites alongside countries like Mongolia. Once in orbit, the satellite will significantly improve forest monitoring, natural disaster management, agricultural activity tracking and urban infrastructure planning, the ministry said. The resulting data exchange and scientific cooperation will drive technological innovation, strengthening Congo’s digital sovereignty in a rapidly expanding strategic sector.
According to Mordor Intelligence, the global remote sensing satellite market was valued at $43.36 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $76.88 billion by 2029, growing at an annual rate of 12.14% over the forecast period.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Djiboutian authorities are stepping up initiatives to transform the country into a digital hub by 2035. This includes exploring support from other countries and international organizations.
Djibouti is ramping up efforts to implement its digital transformation roadmap, with the goal of becoming a technology hub by 2035. As part of this strategy, Mariam Hamadou Ali, Minister of Digital Economy and Innovation, met with representatives from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) during a workshop on Monday, February 3.
In recent months, Djibouti has already engaged with several countries and international organizations, including the European Union, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), India, and Qatar. Talks with Qatar have particularly focused on developing and strengthening cybersecurity partnerships.
The government's ambitions include expanding digital services, promoting ICT adoption, and creating a favorable investment climate for the private tech sector. However, Djibouti still faces challenges in its digital development.
According to the ITU, Djibouti currently ranks 17th in Africa out of 47 countries for ICT development, with a score of 61.6 out of 100. This marks a slight decline from 2023, when the country ranked 16th with a score of 63.6. Additionally, the United Nations e-Government Development Index (EGDI) places Djibouti in the "intermediate development" category, with a score of 0.2911 out of 1. On cybersecurity, the ITU classifies Djibouti in Tier 4 out of 5, grouping it with nations that demonstrate only basic government-driven cybersecurity initiatives.
International cooperation presents an opportunity for Djibouti to leverage the expertise of more advanced nations in digital transformation. However, most discussions remain at a preliminary stage, and it remains to be seen whether they will result in concrete agreements.
By Isaac K. Kassouwi,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji