Amr Gamal started his career in telecommunications, then expanded into industry and finance. He later focused on creating digital tools that meet companies’ operational needs.

Gamal, an Egyptian tech entrepreneur, co-founded and leads Octane, a start-up specializing in digital management of payments and expenses for vehicle fleets.

Octane, founded in 2022, developed a digital platform to manage fleet costs such as fuel, maintenance, spare parts, petty cash, and tolls. The platform uses a closed digital wallet that centralizes all mobility payments in a secure, traceable system.

The platform includes advanced technologies like NFC smart cards, which ensure payments happen only at service stations, reducing fraud risk. The system requires a pump photo for every transaction, sends instant alerts if payments don’t match actual consumption, and collects mileage data manually for accurate tracking.

Octane connects clients to more than 2,400 service stations. It also provides real-time analytics, automated controls, and detailed reports to optimize costs, prevent fraud, and improve fleet efficiency. Recently, Octane raised $5.2 million to expand in the Middle East and North Africa, upgrade its AI tools, and add features like support for electric vehicles.

Before founding Octane, Gamal co-founded TEDxCairo in 2010 to bring together changemakers and spark local and international innovation.

Gamal graduated from Ain Shams University in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in electronics and communications. That same year, he began his career at Orange Egypt, where he worked as transmission quality engineer, radio quality and benchmarking engineer, radio frequency optimization team leader, and geomarketing team leader.

In 2015, he joined Procter & Gamble as operations and initiative availability manager for the Near East. In 2018, he became a marketing team leader at Vodafone. In 2022, he served as operations director at FlapKap, a financial company in Abu Dhabi.

This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Posted On vendredi, 27 juin 2025 17:25 Written by

Mohamed Khalil Ben Chebil develops digital tools to help employees communicate better with their employers. He focuses on improving work organization and the flow of information inside Tunisian companies.

Ben Chebil, a Tunisian entrepreneur, co-founded and leads Tym, a start-up that builds digital solutions for human resources management.

Tym, launched in 2023, created a platform that aims to modernize HR practices in Tunisia. The platform lets employers collect team feedback and analyze employee expectations and needs. This system helps companies listen more effectively to their staff and adjust internal policies based on real employee concerns.

Tym’s solution integrates employees into decisions about their work environment. It makes it easier for staff to share their thoughts on working conditions and personal challenges.

Ben Chebil graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Information and Communication Technology Management from the Higher Institute of Technological Studies in Communications of Tunis in 2022. He earned a master’s degree in Computer Science at the Higher Institute of Computer Science of Tunisia in 2024.

He started his career in 2020 at the Central Bank of Tunisia, working in banking. In 2021, he interned at 1wayDEV, a company offering customer experience outsourcing services. In 2022, he joined Makers Factory, an incubator for content creators, as a support officer.

This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Posted On vendredi, 27 juin 2025 15:50 Written by

• Mobile services in DR Congo face heavy taxes, driving up costs for users
• Total tax burden includes VAT, excise duties, and sector-specific levies
• GSMA urges tax reforms to improve digital inclusion and mobile access

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) applies one of the heaviest tax burdens on mobile services in Africa, pushing up the cost of voice, data, and mobile money for users. According to the Mobile Sector Taxation: Comparative Fiscal Burden in DRC report published in June 2025 by the GSMA, this tax pressure is limiting digital access, slowing financial inclusion, and hindering the country’s digital transformation.

The report lists several sector-specific taxes. Revenues from mobile services are subject to a 16% value-added tax (VAT) and a 10% excise duty. Additional levies include a 2% contribution to the universal service fund, charged on turnover, and a 3.6% RAM fee intended to support internet access in universities.

While the dedicated mobile money tax was removed, these transactions remain subject to VAT and excise duties, keeping costs high for users.

The cumulative tax burden increases the final price for consumers, especially for low-income groups. Rural communities, youth, and women are among the most affected, even though mobile services play a vital role in providing access to information, education, and financial services. The GSMA warns that the current tax structure limits the spread of digital tools among vulnerable groups.

Data from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) supports this concern. In 2024, the average cost of mobile services in the DRC was 16.4% of gross national income per capita, far above the ITU’s affordability benchmark of 2%. The GSMA attributes much of this gap to the high tax burden on operators and consumers.

To improve the situation, the GSMA is calling for a review of the tax system applied to mobile services. The association recommends lowering the excise duty to 3%, reducing the number of sector-specific taxes, and simplifying tax collection to promote investment and compliance among operators.

The GSMA also proposes exempting small mobile money transactions to boost usage among low-income households.

In 2018, the organization stated that tax reform in the sector could significantly expand mobile service penetration, particularly among low-income populations. According to the GSMA’s Advancing Digital Transformation in African Economies report, reducing or eliminating certain taxes could lower mobile internet prices by 13% year-on-year by 2028.

Posted On vendredi, 27 juin 2025 08:55 Written by

 

• Oligui Nguema pushes Gabon’s digital agenda at US-Africa summit in Luanda.
• Eyes Botswana’s model, plans data center with U.S. firm Cybastion.

Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema is intensifying diplomatic and economic engagements at the 17th U.S.-Africa Business Summit, which began Monday, June 23, in Luanda, Angola. His objective is to strengthen bilateral partnerships and inject new momentum into Gabon’s digital strategy.

The head of state notably met with his Botswanan counterpart, Duma Boko. Botswana is frequently cited as a model for its advancements in public administration digitalization and public finance management. Impressed by this approach, President Nguema is considering drawing inspiration from Botswana to reform Gabon’s administrative system. He also met with Thierry Wandji, CEO of U.S.-based cybersecurity firm Cybastion. Cybastion has proposed designing a national data center and training 1,000 young Gabonese in digital careers. This initiative directly aligns with Gabon's national ambition to establish itself as a technology hub in Central Africa.

These initiatives unfold amid a broader economic transformation. To reduce its reliance on extractive resources, Gabon is focusing on diversification, placing digital technology at the core of its strategy. The sector currently contributes approximately 5% to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, authorities aim to increase that share to 10-12% by the end of 2025 under the "Gabon Digital" program. This program, backed by 44 billion CFA francs (approximately $72.4 million) from the World Bank, includes infrastructure development, improved internet access, and the modernization of public services.

By leveraging both African and international partnerships, Gabon is working to accelerate its digital transition, strengthen its technological sovereignty, and create new employment opportunities for its youth. The real challenge now lies in the effective implementation of these commitments and their tangible impact on the daily lives of citizens.

This article was written in French by Samira Njoya,

Edited in English by Mouka Mezonlin 

Posted On vendredi, 27 juin 2025 06:51 Written by

• Guinea hosts first national EA FC 25 tournament June 27–28.
• Goal: grow e-sports, tap Africa’s $1.8B gaming market.
• Costly, limited internet remains key obstacle.

The first national "FIFA Champions Guinea 2025" tournament will take place on June 27 and 28 at Chapiteau By Issa in Conakry. This event, dedicated to the EA Sports FC 25 video game, will gather 32 players from across the country. Organizers aim to promote access to e-sports and support the growth of digital technology in Guinea through this competition.

Guinea is increasingly interested in gaming, viewing it as a path to employment and a way to showcase digital talent. The organizers hope to structure the video game ecosystem, create a database of top players, train them, support them in building digital careers, and connect Guinean youth to a rapidly expanding global market.

According to a report from African video game publisher Carry1st and market research firm Newzoo, Africa's video game market reached $1.8 billion in 2024. This marks a 12.4% increase over the previous year, while global growth was a more moderate 2.1% during the same period. These figures underscore the sector's potential in Africa, presenting significant opportunities for young people, especially in Guinea.

However, Guinea faces several challenges to fully capitalize on this opportunity. Professional gaming relies on high-speed fixed internet for performance, stability, and its capacity to handle large data volumes, all crucial for a smooth and competitive experience. Yet, fixed internet access remains limited and costly in Guinea.

Data from the International Telecommunication Union indicates that in 2024, the cost of fixed internet represented nearly 7.29% of the monthly gross national income per capita. This figure is well above the internationally recommended 2% affordability threshold, which hinders broadband adoption and limits the use of advanced digital services.

To address these constraints, Guinean authorities quadrupled the capacity of the national fiber-optic backbone in December 2024, increasing it from 50 to 200 gigabytes. However, this technical improvement must be followed by a substantial drop in costs and an expansion of coverage nationwide to allow Guinean youth to fully seize opportunities in gaming and digital technology.

This article was initially written in French by Melchior Koba

Edited in English by Mouka Mezonlin

Posted On vendredi, 27 juin 2025 06:12 Written by

Portia Keleketu is building digital tools to modernize transport in South Africa. She leads Shesha, a ride-hailing app that connects drivers and passengers through a secure, cashless platform.

Keleketu, a South African entrepreneur, launched Shesha in 2024 to offer a local alternative to global ride-sharing giants. As founder and CEO, she designed the app to fit the needs of South African users. “We created Shesha for our market—something safe, easy, and reliable,” she said.

Shesha uses an integrated e-wallet to eliminate cash payments and reduce risk for drivers and passengers. The platform enforces strict safety protocols, including OTP code verification and facial recognition for all users.

The app allows passengers to input the number of travelers and luggage details before booking. It also features an emergency trip option, available to regular users.

Before Shesha, Keleketu founded NetMzansi in 2018 and ran it until January 2025. The company aimed to digitize and improve the minibus taxi industry. 

Keleketu began her career in 2008 as a helpdesk technician at Bytes Technologies. She became a project manager there in 2010. In 2014, she joined Anglo Platinum as an information systems analyst. Between 2016 and 2018, she worked as an events manager at 1000 Amazing Events.

She holds a postgraduate degree in project management from Cranefield College, earned in 2014.

This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Posted On vendredi, 27 juin 2025 04:23 Written by

Egypt and Thailand have strengthened ties in the digital economy with the Egypt–Thailand ICT Networking Event, organized by ITIDA in collaboration with Thailand and the Royal Thai Embassy in Cairo.

The event brought together officials and tech leaders from both countries to explore collaboration in ICT. The forum featured B2B matchmaking sessions, enabling direct connections between Egyptian and Thai tech companies and fostering potential investment, outsourcing, and innovation opportunities.

The event supports Egypt’s digital transformation goals and Thailand’s drive to globalize its software industry.

Posted On jeudi, 26 juin 2025 13:27 Written by

EdgeNext, an edge computing and cloud infrastructure provider, has announced a partnership with iXAfrica Data Centres, East Africa’s AI-ready, hyperscale data center provider, to bolster the region’s fast-growing digital economy.

The collaboration merges EdgeNext’s global edge platform with iXAfrica’s carrier-neutral infrastructure at the Nairobi One (NBOX1) campus. The result: a powerful ecosystem capable of delivering ultra-low-latency, high-performance, and compliance-ready solutions to enterprise clients in the finance, media, telecom, gaming, and cloud-native sectors.

The partnership is expected to streamline operations for regional and international businesses while enhancing data compliance, security, and real-time performance.

Posted On jeudi, 26 juin 2025 13:23 Written by

Algeria is stepping up efforts to promote university-based entrepreneurship as a solution to high youth unemployment. By expanding a network of incubators across universities, the country aims to fuel innovation and diversify its economy through start-ups and technology.

Ahmed Mir, President of the National Commission for Innovation and University Incubators, reaffirmed on June 24 in Algiers, the government’s goal of reaching 20,000 start-ups by 2029. The target reflects the ambition of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to make entrepreneurship a driving force for economic growth.

Speaking during a parliamentary event focused on the role of university incubators, Mir said 124 incubators are currently active within Algeria’s higher education and research institutions. This network has already engaged 60,000 students whose final-year projects focus on launching start-ups, micro-enterprises, or patent applications. So far, these initiatives have resulted in 1,600 micro-enterprises, 130 start-ups, 1,175 certified “innovative” projects, and 2,800 patents filed with the relevant authorities.

This momentum follows three years of intensive work by the Ministry of Higher Education to instill an entrepreneurial culture within universities. Each year, Algeria produces around 250,000 graduates, including more than 110,000 in technical, scientific, and digital fields. These graduates are seen as a strategic resource to strengthen the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The growing start-up scene carries important social implications. With youth unemployment remaining high, the development of start-ups and micro-enterprises offers a vital pathway to job creation and social stability.

However, despite the promising progress, significant challenges remain. These include improving access to financing, enhancing digital infrastructure, and providing better regulatory support for entrepreneurs.

Samira Njoya

Posted On jeudi, 26 juin 2025 08:37 Written by

One after another, major tech players like Oracle, Naver, Nokia, and Cisco are setting up operations in Morocco. In just a few years, the kingdom has positioned itself as a key digital hub in Africa, driven by a clear political vision, an appealing level of stability, and rapidly expanding infrastructure. 

Last week, U.S. tech company Oracle announced the opening of a research and development (R&D) center in Casablanca, which will create 1,000 highly skilled jobs. This center will focus on cloud solutions, artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity. The American giant is not alone in its investment. Just days earlier, South Korea’s Naver, a leading Asian digital technology firm, also revealed plans to build a next-generation AI data center.

These announcements reflect a broader trend: Morocco is establishing itself as a key platform for multinational corporations looking to expand their presence in Africa. Nokia launched an innovation center in Salé at the end of 2024. Cisco, Jumia, Atos, Huawei, and IBM have all strengthened their operations in the kingdom, drawn by a favorable and mature environment for digital activity.

A Clear Strategy for Attractiveness

Morocco is leveraging its strategic geographic location at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. However, the quality of its digital infrastructure is primarily what attracts investors. The country hosts more than 20 data centers, one of the densest networks on the continent. It has committed to building two public cloud regions with Oracle, a first in North Africa. This momentum is part of an ambitious policy of digital sovereignty and data localization.

The kingdom’s connectivity is another major asset. According to the Digital 2025 Morocco report by DataReportal, the country had 35.3 million internet users at the beginning of 2025, representing 92.2% of the total population. Morocco is also connected to more than a dozen high speed submarine cables, including 2Africa, which is one of the world’s largest digital infrastructure projects.

A Favorable Investment Environment

Tax policy is one of the tools used to attract businesses. Morocco’s Finance Law includes tax exemptions or reductions for companies located in industrial or technology acceleration zones such as Casanearshore, Technopolis, or Tanger Med.

The country also relies on an increasingly skilled workforce. Around 10,000 IT engineers are trained annually, thanks to partnerships between universities and companies like Huawei and IBM, which offer certification and incubation programs.

Finally, the national strategy "Morocco Digital 2030" sets clear ambitions: to create 150,000 digital related jobs, digitize most public services, and position the country as a regional tech platform. The strengthening of the regulatory framework, including cybersecurity, e-government, and data protection, is helping build a climate of trust for investors.

This dynamic could make the kingdom a key player in Africa’s digital sovereignty and a driver of technological innovation across the continent. According to the latest ranking by financial website Insider Monkey, Morocco is the most technologically advanced country in Africa. With a total score of 208, it ranks first among 15 countries.

By Samira Njoya,

Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji

Posted On jeudi, 26 juin 2025 06:51 Written by
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