Fintech company OPay has extended the application deadline for its national student innovation competition to July 3, 2026, giving more young innovators the opportunity to participate. As part of the extension, OPay is partnering with the government's digital talent training initiative and Google to provide training and mentorship sessions for aspiring leaders in the digital economy. Interested students can apply here.
WhatsApp is rolling out a new security feature to help combat scams. Users will now see a warning screen before opening a message from an unknown number. The screen shows the country associated with the phone number and any groups they have in common with the sender, encouraging users to think twice before responding to suspicious contacts.
Standard Chartered has partnered with WomHub to launch the fourth cohort of its incubator program for South African women in tech. The four-month accelerator offers leadership training, mentorship, and networking opportunities. At the end of the program, the top five participants will each receive a $10,000 grant to help grow their businesses. Applications can be submitted online until Friday, June 26.
- Morocco plans to open a new YouCode campus in Errachidia to expand access to coding and digital skills training.
- The campus will train about 100 young people annually through a two-year intensive program in programming and digital technologies.
- The initiative supports Morocco’s Digital Morocco 2030 strategy, which aims to train 45,000 digital talents annually by 2030.
Moroccan authorities plan to open a new YouCode campus in Errachidia, located in the Drâa-Tafilalet region. The initiative aims to expand young people's access to digital skills and increase coding training opportunities in less centralized parts of the country. Authorities formalized the project through an agreement signed by several public institutions and civil society organizations during the inaugural edition of the “Rally IA Future Lab,” which took place from June 17 to June 19.
The partnership brings together the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, regional authorities in Drâa-Tafilalet and the LEET INITIATIVE association. The future campus will offer a two-year intensive training program in programming and digital technologies. The facility will enroll about 50 learners per cohort and train nearly 100 young people each year. The program will primarily target young people from the region, including school dropouts who demonstrate digital skills or strong potential in technology-related fields.
National Strategy to Develop Digital Talent
The initiative forms part of Morocco’s Digital Morocco 2030 strategy, particularly its pillar dedicated to digital talent development. The government aims to ensure that the labor market has access to skills that match the needs of a rapidly transforming economy.
Under this strategy, Morocco has set several targets for 2026 and 2030. The country plans to train 20,000 digital talents annually starting in 2026 and increase that figure to 45,000 annually by 2030. In parallel, authorities plan to retrain 26,000 people each year for digital professions beginning in 2026. The government plans to raise that figure to 50,000 people annually from 2030 onward.
To achieve these objectives, authorities are deploying bootcamps, adapting vocational training programs to labor market needs, supporting the creation of coding schools across the kingdom and developing certification systems for digital skills.
A Youth Employment Challenge
These initiatives come as digital transformation continues to reshape labor markets worldwide. According to the World Bank, about 230 million jobs across Sub-Saharan Africa will require digital skills by 2030.
Meanwhile, youth employment remains a structural challenge in Morocco. Data from the High Commission for Planning (HCP) show that Morocco’s national unemployment rate stood at 13% in 2025, compared with 13.3% a year earlier. However, national averages conceal significant disparities among younger age groups.
The unemployment rate for people aged 15 to 24 reached 37.2%, according to HCP data. The same source reported that 19.1% of university graduates remained unemployed, while underemployment affected 10.9% of that group.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
- Steve Fasseu founded Ginutech in January 2026 to help organizations accelerate digital transformation and modernization efforts.
- The company develops custom digital solutions, integrates centralized management systems and automates business processes.
- Fasseu combines entrepreneurial leadership with software engineering and technology training experience.
Steve Fasseu is a Cameroonian software engineer and technology trainer. He is the founder and chief executive officer of Ginutech, a company that supports organizations in their digital transformation and modernization efforts.
Founded in January 2026, Ginutech addresses operational inefficiencies within businesses. The company aims to optimize organizational structures, reduce time losses and improve decision-making processes. It focuses on simplifying day-to-day operations to help clients build scalable and sustainable organizations.
To achieve this objective, Ginutech deploys a broad range of customized technology solutions. The company designs websites, online platforms and applications tailored to specific business requirements.
These solutions strengthen companies’ digital presence and improve interactions with customers and end users. At the same time, the tools help organizations streamline operations and enhance service delivery.
Ginutech also provides centralized management software integration services. The company connects different departments within an organization through integrated systems that improve internal coordination and strengthen operational monitoring. As a result, executives gain access to reliable and centralized data that support strategic decision-making and long-term growth planning. In parallel, the company automates repetitive tasks and modernizes traditional work processes. Ginutech also provides services related to the management and security of corporate digital infrastructure.
Steve Fasseu built his career on a strong academic foundation. He earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics and computer science from the University of Douala in 2018. Alongside his entrepreneurial activities, he works as a trainer at LocalHost Academy, a technology certification center. He teaches full-stack web development to aspiring software professionals.
Before launching Ginutech, Fasseu gained practical industry experience in Cameroon’s technology sector. He began his professional career in 2019 at Karbura, a digital services company. He worked there as a software engineer for five years, remaining with the company until 2024.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Congo’s digital transformation could generate CFA870 billion ($1.5 billion) in economic value by 2030, according to GSMA.
- The shift could create more than 144,000 jobs and connect an additional 540,000 people to mobile internet.
- GSMA says coordinated fiscal, regulatory and demand-side reforms remain essential to unlock the sector’s full potential.
Digital technologies are set to reshape African economies over the coming years, with expected effects on productivity, employment and access to public services. Against this backdrop, the Republic of Congo’s digital transformation could generate about CFA870 billion ($1.5 billion) in additional economic value by 2030, create more than 144,000 jobs and connect roughly 540,000 additional people to mobile internet, according to a report that the GSM Association (GSMA) published on Monday, June 22.
The report, titled “Drive Digital Transformation of the Economy in the Republic of Congo,” highlights the central role of digital technologies in the country’s future growth. The report identifies mobile connectivity, digital financial services and the gradual digitization of productive sectors as key growth drivers.
“The Republic of Congo has built a strong foundation in mobile connectivity, but closing the usage gap now requires coordinated fiscal, regulatory and demand-side reforms,” GSMA said.
The organization added that a more investment-friendly environment remains necessary to unlock the full economic potential of digital technologies.
Digital Adoption Remains Limited Despite Strong Coverage
Congo has achieved relatively advanced network coverage, with about 86% of the population covered by 4G networks. However, actual usage remains low. Only 19% of the population uses mobile internet, while about 70% of people living within network coverage remain offline.
This imbalance highlights an adoption challenge rather than an infrastructure deficit. Congo scored 26 out of 100 in the GSMA Digital Nations and Society Index 2025. The country scored 33 out of 100 for its policy and regulatory environment, reflecting a framework that remains insufficiently supportive of digital growth.
GSMA estimates that digitalization could increase the number of mobile internet users to approximately 2.2 million by 2030, representing nearly 31% of Congo’s population.
At the same time, digital expansion could generate significant fiscal benefits. GSMA projects a net fiscal impact of about CFA93 billion in 2030 through improved tax collection efficiency and a broader economic base. The report estimates cumulative tax revenues of CFA174 billion over the period.
GSMA expects digital technologies to affect every major sector of Congo’s economy, including agriculture, industry, services, trade, transport, financial services and public administration. The expansion of mobile money and digital services should strengthen financial inclusion, particularly in areas where access to traditional banking services remains limited. Meanwhile, the digitization of value chains should improve productivity, reduce transaction costs and expand market access for businesses and consumers.
To realize this potential, the report calls for a series of structural reforms. The recommendations include strengthening the investment environment for digital infrastructure, improving regulatory and tax frameworks, and reducing the cost of smartphones and mobile data services. GSMA also stresses the importance of developing digital skills and strengthening trust in digital services through appropriate cybersecurity policies.
Samira Njoya
- Mohamed Lamar Diallo founded Labtani in 2025 to modernize healthcare management across Africa.
- Labtani’s AI-powered FormScribe tool automatically transcribes and structures medical records using voice recognition technology.
- Diallo brings more than a decade of experience in information technology, data management, finance, insurance and healthcare-related systems.
Mohamed Lamar Diallo is a Canada-based technology entrepreneur active in Africa’s digital health sector. He serves as founder and chief executive officer of Labtani, a platform that aims to modernize healthcare management. The company seeks to reduce administrative workloads for healthcare professionals, laboratories and medical institutions while improving patient journeys.
Founded in 2025, Labtani helps medical teams manage daily operations more efficiently. The platform handles appointment scheduling, organizes clinical records and tracks healthcare activities. By automating repetitive and time-consuming administrative tasks, the system allows healthcare professionals to devote more time to patient care.
At the center of the platform is FormScribe, an intelligent voice-recognition tool developed by the startup. The technology transcribes practitioners’ speech and automatically places information into the appropriate sections of medical records. The system also identifies missing data in real time and generates a completed document that healthcare professionals can review and validate.
Beyond documentation, Labtani addresses a broad range of operational needs within the healthcare sector. The platform includes teleconsultation services, digital prescription capabilities and direct communication tools for patients. It also supports team coordination, schedule management and laboratory logistics monitoring.
Strong Foundation in Technology and Data Management
Mohamed Lamar Diallo built his career on a combination of management expertise and systems engineering skills. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from the University of Montreal in 2012. He later completed a master’s degree in information technology at Télé-Université du Québec (TÉLUQ) in 2018.
This academic background enabled him to spend more than a decade working for major Canadian organizations. He began his professional career in 2014 as a business systems analyst at Groupe Dicom Transport. He then joined pet health and wellness products distributor Mondou in 2017 as an IT business analyst.
He subsequently moved into the finance and insurance sectors. In 2018, he became a business analyst at SSQ Insurance. He returned to a similar role in 2020 after joining insurer Beneva. Between 2021 and 2023, he worked as a security business analyst for financial cooperative group Desjardins.
Before dedicating himself fully to entrepreneurship, Diallo served as an information technology advisor at the University of Sherbrooke from March 2025 to March 2026.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Burundi and India opened discussions on cooperation in digital identity and electronic payments to support public-service modernization and financial inclusion.
- Burundi is studying elements of India Stack, the digital public infrastructure that underpins India's digital identity, instant payment, and public-service delivery systems.
- India has already signed digital infrastructure cooperation agreements with 23 countries, including several African nations.
Isidora Ntakiyiruta, assistant to Burundi’s Minister of Finance, Budget and Digital Economy, discussed the issue with Upender Singh Rawat, India’s ambassador to Burundi, during a meeting on Monday, June 22. The two sides examined mechanisms that could support the modernization of public services and expand financial inclusion through the sharing of India’s experience in digital transformation.
The discussions highlighted the potential adaptation of components of India Stack to Burundi’s local context. India developed the digital public infrastructure to provide digital identity, instant payments, secure data exchange, and online access to government services.
Over recent years, India Stack has emerged as an international benchmark for digital governance and financial inclusion. The platform has enabled India to scale digital services across a vast population while improving access to financial and public services. Burundi’s interest comes as governments increasingly view Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as a critical tool for improving public-sector efficiency, strengthening financial inclusion, and expanding access to essential services.
India has positioned itself as a leading global reference in this field through a digital ecosystem that serves approximately 1.3 billion people. India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which enables real-time transactions, has expanded beyond the country’s borders and now operates in several markets, including the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Qatar, and France.
New Delhi has leveraged its experience to increase international partnerships centered on digital infrastructure. According to the Indian government, 23 countries have already signed cooperation agreements covering digital identity, electronic payments, data exchange, and digital public-service delivery solutions. In Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Lesotho are among the countries participating in such partnerships.
The two sides also discussed the possibility of establishing technical contacts between relevant institutions to assess the conditions for future collaboration. Such cooperation would deepen an already active bilateral relationship that spans several sectors. India currently supports the Kabu 16 hydropower project, which both countries regard as one of the flagship symbols of their partnership.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Ugandan entrepreneur Allan Rwakatungu launched Tyms in 2025 to help businesses automate operations and improve productivity.
- The platform uses customized virtual assistants to handle queries, generate reports, retrieve information, and execute automated tasks.
- Tyms integrates with existing workplace tools, including email, WhatsApp, Slack, and Microsoft Teams, to ease adoption.
Ugandan technology entrepreneur Allan Rwakatungu has launched Tyms, a software platform that aims to simplify daily business management through artificial intelligence-powered virtual assistants. Rwakatungu founded and leads Tyms as chief executive officer. He designed the platform to help organizations reduce the time spent on repetitive tasks so that employees can focus on higher-value activities and improve overall productivity.
Tyms, which launched in 2025, serves a broad range of organizations, from small and medium-sized enterprises to large corporations. The platform centralizes and streamlines several critical business functions, including finance, sales, marketing, customer service, regulatory compliance, and operations.
The platform’s core innovation relies on customized virtual assistants that support employees and, in some cases, customers directly. These digital agents answer user requests, retrieve strategic information, generate reports, and execute automated workflows.
Tyms leverages internal company data to provide executives with real-time visibility into business performance and financial health. The platform’s financial module streamlines cash-flow monitoring, simplifies management accounting processes, and accelerates the preparation of periodic financial statements. As a result, organizations can improve decision-making while reducing administrative workloads.
Tyms integrates directly into existing workplace environments to facilitate adoption. Users can interact with the platform through familiar communication channels without changing their daily routines. The platform supports email, WhatsApp, Slack, and Microsoft Teams. Consequently, businesses can deploy the software within established workflows while minimizing operational disruption.
Before launching Tyms, Allan Rwakatungu co-founded Xente in 2013, a company that specialized in e-commerce and digital financial services. Rwakatungu graduated from Makerere University in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in economics and statistics.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
« Les entreprises ne sont pas seules face à ces défis. Pour réussir leur transformation digitale, elles ont besoin d’un partenaire, et ce partenaire est Orange Cloud & Cyber Solutions », a déclaré Pacôme Boidi, Manager Senior en charge de la coordination de la vente.
- Kenyan entrepreneur Edward Ndichu co-founded Wapi Pay in 2019 to simplify cross-border payments between Africa, Asia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
- The platform provides real-time visibility on exchange rates, transfer amounts, settlement methods, and transaction status.
- Wapi Pay offers digital wallet services for individuals and payment management tools for businesses, including mass payouts and large-scale transactions.
Kenyan finance entrepreneur Edward Ndichu serves as co-founder and chief executive officer of Wapi Pay, an international payments platform that facilitates money transfers between Africa, Asia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Ndichu launched the company with his brother, Paul Ndichu, in 2019. The startup seeks to address longstanding challenges surrounding transparency, speed, and efficiency in multi-currency transactions.
Wapi Pay enables individuals and businesses to send, receive, and manage cross-border transactions through a transparent payment infrastructure. Before users authorize a transaction, the platform displays the exact transfer amount, the applicable exchange rate, the destination currency, and the selected payout method in real time. As a result, users can evaluate transaction costs and settlement details before completing a transfer.
Wapi Pay also offers a digital wallet that allows users to store funds and execute transfers quickly. The service enables transfers to bank accounts, mobile wallets, and other Wapi Pay users. Moreover, the platform provides visibility throughout the payment journey, allowing users to track funds at every stage while enhancing transaction security.
In addition to retail services, Wapi Pay provides businesses with tools that centralize payment management. Companies can collect funds, execute mass payouts, and monitor transaction status through a single platform. The fintech aims to simplify commercial operations and strengthen relationships between businesses and international suppliers.
Furthermore, Wapi Pay offers a tailored service for large-scale financial operations. The premium solution enables large organizations to manage significant payment volumes while receiving dedicated support from the initial quotation request through final settlement.
Alongside his responsibilities at Wapi Pay, Edward Ndichu serves as an investment partner at Future Hub Africa, where he supports entrepreneurship and innovation across the continent. Ndichu earned a degree in management information systems and statistics from Murdoch University in Australia in 2006.
Before launching Wapi Pay, he built his career across banking, technology, and telecommunications. He served as Director of Financial Services at SBM Bank Kenya between 2014 and 2015. He later moved into the technology sector and became Managing Director of Opera Software in 2018. He subsequently assumed the same position at Kenyan fintech Opay in 2019, further strengthening his expertise in digital financial services.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) has launched its 2026 Pitch n Grow competition. This initiative aims to support women-led African startups in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and artificial intelligence. Applicants have until July 20, 2026, to apply, benefit from training opportunities, and compete for the chance to pitch their businesses to investors in Cape Town, South Africa.
Paystack has launched a support program for Nigerian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The initiative provides eligible merchants with significant discounts on accounting, logistics, and communication tools. It also offers personalized mentorship and financial grants to help entrepreneurs address day-to-day business challenges and accelerate their growth.
The Global AI Show, a leading international AI conference, will be held in Riyadh on June 29-30. The event will bring together technology leaders, investors, and researchers from around the world to discuss the latest advances in artificial intelligence and explore its growing use in sectors such as healthcare and finance.
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Pascal Bokari Dicko launched ZeroName in February 2026 to use artificial intelligence in job matching and professional coaching.
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The platform helps users optimize CVs and cover letters, identify suitable vacancies and prepare for interviews through a virtual recruiter.
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Dicko also co-founded AI agency Dicken AI and previously worked as an AI and automation specialist at Mstudio in Côte d’Ivoire.
Malian serial entrepreneur Pascal Bokari Dicko founded ZeroName, a digital platform that launched in February 2026. The platform uses artificial intelligence (AI) to reshape the job market and transform professional support services.
The startup’s platform enables users to identify job opportunities that closely match their profiles. In addition, the tool adapts and optimizes CVs and cover letters to meet recruiters’ specific requirements and improve candidates’ chances of success.
Beyond document optimization, ZeroName integrates an immersive interview simulation system. The platform uses a virtual recruiter that allows candidates to practice in real time and experience conditions that mirror actual recruitment processes.
As a result, applicants can refine their communication skills and strengthen their interview performance before meeting employers. The platform also provides ongoing professional support. It offers permanent career coaching and assistance that guides users through job searches and career development efforts.
Furthermore, users access the platform’s features through a paid credit system that activates the various services available on the platform.
Dicko also serves as co-founder and chief executive officer of Dicken AI, an agency established in 2023 that specializes in the development of artificial intelligence solutions. Previously, he worked as an artificial intelligence and automation specialist at Mstudio in 2025. Mstudio operates as a mobile startup studio focused on Francophone West Africa and is based in Côte d’Ivoire.
Melchior Koba