- BlackRhino VR develops virtual, augmented, and mixed reality content tailored to African narratives.
- Founder Brian Afande launched the Nairobi-based studio in 2015 to build a local immersive ecosystem.
- The company delivers 360° video, live immersive streaming, and interactive virtual environments.
Brian Afande operates as a Kenyan entrepreneur and leads BlackRhino VR, a company specializing in extended reality (XR), including virtual, augmented, and mixed reality technologies. He co-founded the company and directs its strategy as chief executive officer.
The company launched in 2015 and positions itself as a production studio focused on immersive content that reflects African realities. It aims to support the emergence of an innovative creative ecosystem by leveraging these technologies for socio-economic and cultural development.
BlackRhino VR produces 360-degree video content, and it integrates structured storytelling inspired by cinema and documentary formats. The company manages the full production process, from image stitching to sound design, to deliver ready-to-distribute content.
Moreover, the company offers live panoramic streaming solutions that allow viewers to select their viewing angle in real time, thereby creating a more immersive experience than traditional video formats. These solutions target events seeking to expand remote accessibility.
In addition, BlackRhino VR develops applications and interactive environments that immerse users in dedicated digital worlds. The company serves artists, brands, institutions, and corporations that seek to tell stories, present projects, or offer immersive virtual tours.
Brian Afande graduated from the University of Nairobi. He began his career in 2007 at BlackStar Entertainment as a public relations manager. He later became a portfolio manager in the retail sector at Kenya International Sports in 2011. Between 2015 and 2019, he worked as customer experience manager at Paradigm Experiential, a firm specializing in digital experiential marketing and advertising.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Impala Healthtech Research develops digital solutions to support clinical decisions and healthcare innovation.
- The company offers R&D, impact evaluation, and market strategy services for health technologies.
- Its flagship platform DIGAMS uses AI to guide antimicrobial treatment decisions in real time.
Chraish Miiro operates as a Ugandan pharmacist and healthtech innovator, and he co-founded and leads Impala Healthtech Research, a company focused on developing digital solutions for the healthcare sector.
The company launched in 2024 and positions itself as a strategic partner that supports decision-making in the design and commercialization of health solutions. It delivers services across three core areas: research and development, impact evaluation, and commercial strategy support.
The company conducts exploratory studies to identify urgent healthcare challenges, and it designs technology solutions tailored to those needs. It also carries out both ongoing and ad hoc research covering health system performance, access to care, service delivery, sector economics, and pharmaceutical issues.
Impala Healthtech Research also performs independent evaluations to measure the real-world effectiveness of health technologies developed internally or by partners. The company applies rigorous methodologies to ensure solutions meet performance standards and scale effectively under real conditions.
In addition, the company supports project developers in building market strategies. It conducts in-depth studies and analyses, and it uses collected data to design and test business models suited to high-potential innovations. It also identifies key levers required to maximize market adoption.
Its flagship solution, DIGAMS (Digital Antimicrobial Stewardship Platform), operates as a digital platform for antimicrobial management. It combines a marketplace for microbiology laboratories with a real-time, AI-powered decision-support tool that assists clinicians in prescribing antimicrobial treatments.
Chraish Miiro earned a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Makerere University in 2020. He began his professional career in 2016 as a public services payment evaluation officer at dfcu Bank. After completing pharmacy internships between 2019 and 2020, he joined Uganda’s National Drug Authority as an associate researcher. He later served as head of research at Mobiklinic from 2022 to 2025, where he supported technology solutions that improve healthcare access and delivery.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Equity Bank plans a financing scheme to enable smartphone purchases through installment payments.
- About 92% of the population did not own a smartphone in 2024, according to GSMA.
- Entry-level smartphones cost around $30, exceeding half of monthly income per capita.
Equity Bank proposed a smartphone financing program in the DRC, as it aims to enable subscribers to acquire devices at lower upfront cost through installment payments. The initiative seeks to accelerate smartphone adoption and expand access to digital services across the country.
The bank presented the project last week to Digital Economy Minister Augustin Kibassa Maliba during a ministerial roundtable in Washington focused on payment digitalization and domestic revenue mobilization. The proposal aligns with Equity Bank’s strategy to establish a strategic partnership with the ministry to support the country’s digital transformation.
Willy Mulamba, Chief Executive Officer of Equity BCDC, the Congolese subsidiary of Equity Group, said, “Imagine offering the Congolese people low-cost financed phones, with affordable internet access, enabling them to open bank accounts or access public services and government programs more easily,” without providing further details.
This initiative comes as affordability remains a key barrier to internet adoption in Africa. GSMA data shows that only 8% of the Congolese population owned a smartphone in 2024, while mobile internet penetration reached 13%.
In its report “Accelerating Smartphone Adoption in Africa,” published in December 2025, GSMA said the median price of an entry-level smartphone stands at about $30, which exceeds half of the monthly income per capita in the DRC. For households in the bottom 20% to 40% income bracket, the cost exceeds total monthly income, making upfront purchases nearly impossible without financing solutions.
Mobile operators and ecosystem players have already introduced financing options in the DRC. KaiOS Technologies, in partnership with Mobihive Lab, offers a 4G smartphone financing solution targeting new users and those upgrading from 2G. Telecom operators Vodacom, Airtel, and Africell also provide bundled offers that include installment payments, along with airtime credit and/or initial data packages.
However, despite the availability of such offers, most consumers still rely on upfront payments to purchase smartphones. GSMA attributes this trend to limited awareness of financing solutions and concerns about default risks, which could lead to device repossession and loss of prior payments.
This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Gabon requires all social media users to provide verified personal identification, ending online anonymity.
- Authorities impose stricter liability rules on users, group administrators, and platforms.
- The law introduces fines of up to CFA50 million ($89,415) and prison terms for serious violations.
Gabon strengthened its digital regulatory framework, as authorities adopted stricter rules governing social media and online platforms.
Gabon enacted Ordinance No. 0011/PR/2026 dated February 26, 2026, and authorities published the text on April 8. The ordinance includes 55 articles across 11 chapters, and it fundamentally redefines the rules governing social media and digital platform usage in the country.
End of anonymity and enhanced user traceability
The ordinance requires all users to disclose their identity, as it mandates individuals to provide their name, address, and Personal Identification Number (NIP) to access digital platforms. Service providers must verify the identity of users residing in Gabon, thereby establishing a reinforced system for tracking online activity.
The law also tightens user accountability, as it makes individuals fully responsible for the content they publish. It introduces “joint liability” for the mass dissemination or sharing of content deemed illegal. Social media group administrators must moderate content and report abuses within their communities.
Regulation of artificial intelligence and protection of vulnerable users
The ordinance establishes rules governing artificial intelligence, as it requires transparency for content generated by automated systems. It bans deepfakes when they undermine human dignity or enable manipulation, and it classifies identity theft via AI tools as an aggravating circumstance.
The law sets the digital age of consent at 16, as it requires parental authorization for younger users to access social media platforms. Platforms must implement age verification systems and filter sensitive content, including violent or pornographic material.
Authorities also introduced an expedited regulatory procedure, as courts can order content removal or account suspension within 24 hours. The law mandates a right of reply within 48 hours in cases of public allegations.
The ordinance strengthens enforcement measures, as it imposes fines of up to CFA50 million ($89,415) on non-compliant operators and introduces prison sentences for severe cybersecurity or illegal content violations. However, authorities grant digital players a 12-month transition period to comply with the new requirements.
Reform amid broader tightening of digital regulation
This legal overhaul forms part of broader reforms targeting digital governance and regulation of online public space. Authorities have suspended access to social media platforms for nearly two months, following restrictive measures imposed by the High Authority of Communication.
In this context of increased digital control, the ordinance aims to formalize and structure the legal framework. However, it raises several challenges.
Its implementation requires significant technical resources from platforms and operators, particularly for identity verification and automated moderation systems. It also raises concerns about personal data protection and privacy, as authorities mandate centralized digital identity systems.
Another challenge concerns the ability of digital stakeholders to comply within the required timeframe, especially as several global platforms operate under standards that may prove difficult to adapt to country-specific regulations.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- SellArts operates as an online marketplace connecting African artists with collectors and buyers.
- Founder Philippe-Emmanuel Yacé launched the Abidjan-based startup in 2023.
- The platform targets individuals, companies, artists, and galleries to expand access and visibility.
SellArts operates as an e-commerce platform developed by an Ivorian startup and functions as a digital gallery that enables artists to showcase and sell their work directly online.
The platform offers paintings, sculptures, photographs, and craft objects, while it applies editorial curation to highlight creators and their artistic universes. The startup operates from Abidjan, and Philippe-Emmanuel Yacé launched the company in 2023.
The startup said, “Our platform makes discovering, collecting and purchasing artworks accessible to enthusiasts and art lovers. It also provides Ivorian artists with a space to promote and sell their creations. Furthermore, art dealers can discover new talent and strengthen their visibility.”
SellArts targets multiple user segments, as individuals seek to acquire artworks, companies look to rent or purchase art for their spaces, and artists and galleries aim to expand their visibility.
Moreover, the platform goes beyond transactions and emphasizes editorial selection and user experience. It offers thematic collections, featured artists, and personalized recommendations to guide buyers through a market that many perceive as complex.
The platform aims, on the one hand, to broaden access to African art by increasing its visibility to a wider, including international, audience. On the other hand, it seeks to provide artists with an alternative distribution channel in a sector historically dominated by physical galleries and closed networks.
SellArts aligns with the rise of specialized digital art platforms that reshape distribution and monetization channels. In Africa, where the market remains relatively understructured, such initiatives could help professionalize the ecosystem and increase creators’ revenues.
Ultimately, the platform aims to establish itself as a leading hub for African art by combining technology, editorial curation, and direct market access.
This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
Venture capital firm Propeller is launching Kernel Camp, an eight-week program to be held in May 2026 in Silicon Valley, bringing together five deep-tech startups from Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan and Egypt. Founders will gain access to mentorship, workshops, and sessions with leading engineers, investors and operators. The program aims to help them establish a lasting foothold in the global AI ecosystem and accelerate their growth.
From April 22 to April 24, Google Cloud Next will take place in Las Vegas, bringing together developers, IT leaders and business decision-makers. The event will focus on recent developments in cloud computing, data and artificial intelligence. The program includes keynote sessions, technical workshops and product demonstrations covering security, analytics and application development.
From April 28 to 30, the Women in Tech Global Summit will bring together executives, founders, investors, and public officials at the Cape Town Convention Center to promote women in technology. The agenda includes keynote talks, workshops, and networking sessions focused on innovation, leadership, and STEAM skills, with delegations from more than 60 countries.
- AI Diagnostics developed a digital stethoscope and AI-based tool to detect tuberculosis without heavy imaging equipment.
- The Cape Town-based start-up raised 85 million rand ($5.2 million) to expand across Africa and Asia.
- The solution targets frontline healthcare workers to improve early detection in low-infrastructure settings.
South African start-up AI Diagnostics has introduced an artificial intelligence-based screening solution for tuberculosis, as early detection remains a major challenge in regions with limited medical infrastructure and specialist access. The company developed the e-health solution around a digital stethoscope combined with an AI algorithm. The system analyzes lung sounds to identify patterns associated with tuberculosis, while avoiding reliance on heavy equipment such as radiography.
AI Diagnostics, which is based in Cape Town, launched operations in 2020. Chief Executive Officer Braden van Breda leads the company. The tool captures respiratory sounds through a digital stethoscope and processes the data in real time using an AI model trained on thousands of recordings. The system then flags potential tuberculosis indicators and directs patients toward further testing when necessary.
The company stated: “Our objective is to expand nurses’ diagnostic capabilities, reduce analysis time and improve accuracy, while transferring final diagnosis and treatment to primary healthcare facilities.”
The company added: “Our wireless digital stethoscope, our AI model for tuberculosis detection and our intuitive data capture application combine to form a complete tuberculosis screening solution.”
The company designed the device for frontline healthcare workers. It enables broader screening coverage in areas with limited medical infrastructure. The portable system operates offline and significantly reduces diagnostic costs.
AI Diagnostics secured backing from investors and recently raised 85 million rand (approximately $5.2 million). The company will use the funding to accelerate deployment across Africa and Asia.
The company plans to expand its technology to cover additional pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases over time.
- Algeria launched its first national start-up cluster focused on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity on April 18 in Algiers.
- Authorities aim to expand the country’s start-up base to 20,000 by 2029 under a broader knowledge-economy strategy.
- The cluster integrates universities, research centers and businesses to accelerate innovation and commercialization.
Algeria launched its first national start-up cluster dedicated to artificial intelligence and cybersecurity on April 18 in Algiers, as the government intensifies efforts to build a technology-driven economy by 2028.
The government hosted the launch at the Sidi Abdellah science and technology hub. Authorities positioned the initiative as a new step in structuring the national innovation ecosystem. Officials aim to strengthen the competitiveness of technology start-ups and increase their contribution to the domestic economy.
The cluster brings together start-ups, universities, research centers and private-sector players within a single framework. It supports collaboration on joint projects and promotes the emergence of innovative solutions in strategic sectors, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and smart digital services.
The program accepts start-ups from both academic institutions and the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem. Authorities designed this approach to stimulate synergies and accelerate the conversion of innovative projects into commercially viable applications.
The ministries of Higher Education, Knowledge Economy and Telecommunications jointly support the initiative. The cluster forms part of a broader government strategy to scale up the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has set a target of reaching 20,000 start-ups in Algeria by 2029. Authorities plan to rely on universities as a primary source of innovation and skilled talent to meet this goal.
Authorities reported in June that Algeria had registered 1,600 micro-enterprises, 130 start-ups and 1,175 projects labeled as “innovative.” They also recorded more than 2,800 patents filed with relevant institutions.
Algeria is leveraging structures such as clusters to accelerate its transition toward a knowledge-based economy. The government views technological innovation as a key growth driver.
Globally, clusters act as catalysts for competitiveness. They stimulate technological development, enhance regional attractiveness and support the emergence of high-potential companies.
Samira Njoya
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LifeBank uses data and logistics to deliver blood, oxygen, and medical supplies directly to hospitals.
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Founder Temie Giwa-Tubosun launched the startup in 2015 to streamline fragmented medical supply chains.
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The platform acts as a one-stop shop, centralizing procurement and reducing delivery delays.
Nigerian-American entrepreneur Temie Giwa-Tubosun has developed a technology-driven solution to address persistent gaps in access to critical medical resources, as healthcare systems face ongoing supply chain constraints.
She has targeted a major challenge affecting many health systems. Consequently, her solution aims to improve rapid access to life-saving resources.
LifeBank, which she founded in 2015, uses data and technology to locate and deliver essential medical products. The company enables hospitals to access vital resources, including blood, oxygen, consumables, and certain medical equipment, through direct on-site delivery.
LifeBank positions itself as a one-stop platform for healthcare providers. It allows hospitals to centralize orders without relying on multiple intermediaries. As a result, the company simplifies procurement processes and improves operational efficiency.
The company relies on a streamlined operating model. Hospitals place orders through the platform, while LifeBank identifies the most suitable suppliers and manages the entire logistics chain through to delivery. The company sources products from a network of carefully selected partners, which ensures quality standards, timely delivery, and optimal storage conditions.
Giwa-Tubosun earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 2007 from Minnesota State University. She later obtained a master’s degree in public administration in 2010 from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, where she specialized in international management, health systems, and health financing.
She began her career as a health analyst at Fairview Health Services in the United States. In 2011, she joined the Millennium Villages Project in Uganda as a health systems quality improvement coordinator. The program aimed to help rural African communities exit extreme poverty.
Between 2013 and 2014, she served as director of operations at the Lagos State Office of Facility Management and Maintenance, where she oversaw operational management functions.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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OrgaAfrica offers a centralized digital system to manage orders, payments, and queues in small businesses.
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Founder Bassim-swé Hugues Bamassi launched the company in 2024 to streamline retail and restaurant operations.
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The entrepreneur combines roles across fintech and tech firms, including Semoa Group and Finkira.
Togolese entrepreneur Bassim-swé Hugues Bamassi has developed a digital platform aimed at improving operational efficiency in restaurants and neighborhood retail stores, as he targets persistent service bottlenecks in the sector.
He has focused his efforts on reducing daily friction points in small businesses. Consequently, his solution redesigns service organization and customer flow management.
Bamamassi founded OrgaAfrica in 2024 and leads the company as chief executive officer. The company develops digital services tailored to restaurants and proximity retail businesses.
OrgaAfrica has built a centralized system that optimizes business operations. The platform enables operators to manage orders, payments, and queues more efficiently. It also helps professionals organize workflows, streamline service delivery, and reduce customer waiting times.
Moreover, the company aims to simplify interactions between businesses and customers. It seeks to make purchasing and ordering processes more intuitive while improving the overall in-store experience. By integrating multiple digital tools into a single platform, OrgaAfrica delivers a unified solution designed to meet the operational needs of the sector.
In parallel with his entrepreneurial activities, Bamassi works as a business analyst at Semoa Group, a firm specializing in financial technology.
He graduated with a degree in physics from the University of Kara in 2023. In the same year, he became chief executive officer of DouGou, a real estate platform.
In 2025, he joined Finkira, where he successively held the roles of head of business development and head of operations. In addition, he collaborated with HOTSHI FR, a social network that connects professionals and experts engaged in the development of Africa and its diasporas, where he worked as an application developer.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
Kredete, a participant in the Visa Africa accelerator, is launching a credit card backed by U.S. dollar-denominated stablecoins for Africans and the African diaspora. Accepted in 50 countries by 150 million merchants, it enables international spending without high foreign-exchange fees or currency volatility. The initiative is now expanding to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Tulupay is launching a preview of its pan-African financial operating system, a platform that connects banks, mobile money services, and blockchain networks. Built to streamline cross-border payments and reduce costs, it aims to make intra-African transactions more efficient. With integrated digital identity and compliance features, Tulupay is positioning itself as a secure, unified financial infrastructure for the continent.