- Twenty high-speed Internet sites launched under a $100 million digital project.
- The program aims to connect 76 rural sites nationwide by the end of 2025.
- Limited electricity access remains a major challenge in remote areas.
Congo’s Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and the Digital Economy, Léon Juste Ibombo, announced on Monday, October 13, the activation of 20 high-speed Internet access points in rural areas. The initiative, unveiled during a visit by a World Bank delegation for the Africa region in Brazzaville, aims to democratize Internet access nationwide and reduce the digital divide.
“As of today, 76 connectivity sites have been built and equipped across the country. Of these, 20 are already connected to high-speed Internet, allowing residents in remote areas to go online in real time,” said the minister.
The rollout is part of the Digital Transformation Acceleration Project (PATN) and the broader Digital Strategy 2030. Co-financed by the World Bank and the European Union for $100 million, the PATN represents one of the largest investments ever made in Congo’s digital sector. The government has also contributed an additional $3 million to upgrade infrastructure, prioritizing 4G technology to ensure stable and efficient connections.
The government’s goal is to connect all 76 sites to 4G by the end of the year, creating new economic and social opportunities for rural communities in e-commerce, e-learning, and e-government.
Beyond infrastructure, the initiative seeks to narrow the digital gap between urban and rural areas and strengthen the state’s capacity to deliver efficient online public services. However, persistent challenges remain, especially limited access to electricity. According to the World Bank, 67% of the urban population has electricity, compared with only 12.4% in rural areas.
- Dzair Services will serve as a one-stop portal for all government e-services.
- The project is part of Algeria’s 2025–2030 National Digital Transformation Strategy.
- It aims to modernize administration, improve data exchange, and boost efficiency.
Algeria is finalizing the rollout of Dzair Services, a national platform designed to centralize all public digital services. The announcement was made on Wednesday, October 16, 2025, by Meriem Benmouloud, High Commissioner for Digitalization, during the opening of the E-commerce and Online Services Fair (Ecsel Expo) in Algiers. The initiative marks a major milestone in the government’s long-term digital transformation policy.
Designed as a single access point, Dzair Services brings together all existing public digital services in one place. Its goal is to simplify procedures, ensure operational traceability, and reduce institutional overlaps. The government aims to modernize public administration while bringing services closer to citizens and businesses. The platform is expected to become the central interface of Algeria’s online administration.
The project aligns with the National Digital Transformation Strategy 2025–2030, unveiled in May 2025. Structured around seven key pillars, the plan seeks to develop digital infrastructure, strengthen cybersecurity, and consolidate technological sovereignty. It also aims to make digital technology a driver of economic growth through education, innovation, and skilled job creation.
Several major initiatives are already underway. The government has connected 46 ministries and public agencies to fiber optics and launched the national data center in El Mohammedia, with a second facility under construction in Blida. Authorities are also preparing to establish a sovereign cloud to host public data and eventually provide hosting solutions for local companies.
Technically, Dzair Services will rely on an interoperability system that allows public administrations to automatically exchange verified data. This architecture is expected to reduce data duplication, automate cross-checking, and speed up case processing. Nationwide, this interconnection will help produce reliable indicators, facilitate public planning, and lay the groundwork for the future integration of artificial intelligence into state management.
- Aïda Tagmouti founded Invirtus, an AI-driven HR tech start-up launched in 2025.
- The platform automates recruitment, training, and integration for digital jobs.
- Her second venture, JobBee, connects global tech firms with remote developers.
Moroccan entrepreneur Aïda Tagmouti, a specialist in human resources technology and artificial intelligence, is the founder and CEO of Invirtus, a digital start-up dedicated to HR innovation.
Founded in January 2025, Invirtus offers a recruitment platform that helps companies identify and assess candidates while automating the selection, training, and onboarding of digital talent. The platform also serves international firms seeking to diversify their teams with expertise from across Africa.
Invirtus combines artificial intelligence, inclusion, and ethical responsibility in its solutions, particularly by enabling skills-based recruitment and video interview analysis that limits bias.
Aïda Tagmouti is also cofounder and CEO of JobBee, an HR start-up launched in 2022. JobBee helps technology companies recruit vetted international developers and allows developers to secure full-time remote jobs to advance their careers.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics for social sciences from the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (2009) and a master’s in institutional economics research from the École des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS, 2013).
Her career began in 2010 at Crédit Agricole CIB as an asset-liability manager. In 2012, she joined Awalee Consulting as a liquidity risk manager, and in 2013, she moved to Dexia as a financial advisor before serving as a strategic planner from 2017 to 2020.
In 2023, Aïda Tagmouti was named a Women In Africa Young Leader and awarded the title of “Innovative Woman in the Arab States” by the UNDP and 4YFN. That same year, JobBee was recognized by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) as one of the most promising women-led start-ups in the Middle East and North Africa region.
- Egyptian entrepreneur Sameh Saleh founded MNZL in 2022 to allow citizens to use property, vehicles, and land as collateral for easier access to capital.
- MNZL’s model, inspired by the “home equity” concept, lets users secure loans while retaining ownership of their assets.
- Saleh previously founded and sold Hawaya, a Muslim dating app acquired by Match Group.
Serial entrepreneur and investor Sameh Saleh is reshaping how Egyptians leverage their physical assets to access financing. Through his latest venture, MNZL, Saleh aims to unlock new paths for individual funding by transforming owned assets into tools for liquidity.
Founded in 2022, MNZL specializes in asset-backed financing. The Cairo-based startup operates a digital platform that enables property, vehicle, and landowners to convert asset value into financial leverage.
The company’s digital portfolio system allows users to manage collateralized loans via a mobile application available on Android and iOS. Customers can apply for credit, pledge assets, and receive funds through a single, integrated interface.
MNZL’s model draws inspiration from the “home equity” concept, tailored to Egypt’s regulatory environment. The approach enables individuals to secure flexible, lower-interest loans while retaining ownership of their assets.
Before MNZL, Saleh built a successful track record in the tech ecosystem. He founded Tripdizer in 2016, a travel platform that helped Egyptians plan low-budget trips. A year later, he launched Hawaya (formerly Harmonica), a faith-based dating app designed for Muslims seeking culturally respectful relationships.
Saleh led Hawaya until 2022, when it was acquired by Match Group, the U.S. company behind Tinder and Meetic.
Saleh holds a bachelor’s degree in reservoir engineering from Petronas University of Technology (2011) and a master’s in petroleum engineering from Heriot-Watt University (2015), both in Malaysia.
Between 2011 and 2018, he worked as a senior reservoir engineer at Petronas, Malaysia’s national oil and gas company, before transitioning full-time into entrepreneurship.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum
• Congo finalizing Digital Strategy 2030 for tech-driven growth
• Plan targets 4G/5G rollout, e-services, and digital skills training
• Strategy follows progress under 2025 plan, despite key shortfalls
The Republic of Congo is finalizing the implementation of its Digital Strategy 2030, a roadmap designed to accelerate the nation's digital transformation. Léon Juste Ibombo, Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and the Digital Economy, announced on Monday, October 13, that the document, completed with World Bank financial support, is currently under review by the government's general secretariat before being submitted to the Head of State for final approval by decree.
The plan sets major objectives for the coming decade, including the digitalization of public services, extension of connectivity, training of youth for digital careers, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and strengthening digital sovereignty. The 2030 roadmap expands on the ambitions of the outgoing Congo Digital 2025 strategy by placing widespread access to digital services at the core of development policy.
The Congo Digital 2025 strategy achieved measurable progress, with the number of internet users rising from about 1.53 million in 2020 to 2.46 million in early 2025, representing an estimated 38.4% penetration rate, according to DataReportal. The country also initiated 5G deployment, made significant progress on constructing a national data center, and digitized several public services, establishing an operational base for the 2030 plan.
However, structural obstacles continue to slow the impact of these gains. The Congo lags in e-governance, ranking 166th globally in the United Nations’ E-Government Development Index (EGDI), a drop from 161st in 2022. The country scored 0.3391 out of 1 on the index, which assesses the digitization of public services, telecommunications infrastructure, and human capital. Furthermore, with a score of 49.6 out of 100 on the ICT Development Index, the Congo remains below the African average of 56, signaling partial development in infrastructure and digital usage.
The Digital Strategy 2030 aims to correct these shortcomings by converting ambitions into concrete priorities. It plans to accelerate national 4G and 5G coverage, extend the fiber optic network, and ramp up the digitalization of essential public and administrative services. The document also emphasizes training youth and civil servants in digital skills to create a local talent pool capable of sustaining the country’s transformation.
Samira Njoya
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South African entrepreneur leads The Invigilator, an e-learning integrity platform
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AI-powered app detects irregularities during online assessments
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Also cofounder of Nova Messenger for large-scale group communication
Nicholas Riemer, a South African entrepreneur and chartered accountant, is the cofounder and CEO of The Invigilator, an education technology company that helps institutions ensure the integrity of online exams.
Founded in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, The Invigilator developed a digital solution to safeguard remote assessments as schools and universities increasingly adopted online learning. The application monitors exams without requiring specialized equipment or high-speed Internet access.
The platform uses artificial intelligence to detect suspicious behavior through a student’s smartphone. Its algorithms analyze movements, background sounds, and interactions to alert examiners to any irregularities. It also features a linguistic analysis tool designed to identify assignments or essays generated by AI systems.
Riemer is also the cofounder and CEO of Nova Messenger, launched in 2023, which enables instant messaging among large groups of learners, employees, or members without phone numbers or limits on group size or file sharing.
Since 2019, he has served as head of investment education at FNB Wealth and Investments, a South African asset management firm. A graduate in accounting from the University of Johannesburg, Riemer began his career in 2012 at Hollard Insurance, working on mergers and acquisitions operations.
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Finance Ministry requires on-site consumption venues to use e-invoicing
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Rollout begins in November 2025 and extends to 2028 by business type
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Reform aims to curb tax evasion and modernize fiscal management
Tunisia’s Ministry of Finance has issued a regulation, published in the Official Journal on Tuesday, October 14, requiring certain food service and on-site consumption businesses to record all transactions through electronic invoicing. The measure seeks to digitize customer services and create a tax system based on actual revenues, in line with equity principles.
The rule applies to restaurants, cafés, tea rooms, and similar establishments offering meals or drinks for on-site consumption. It is based on Article 59 of the Income Tax Code governing individual and corporate tax obligations.
Implementation will be phased in: from November 1, 2025, for corporate entities operating in tourist venues, cafés, and tea rooms of the second and third categories; from July 1, 2026, for other corporate on-site consumption businesses; from July 1, 2027, for self-employed individuals under the real regime with monthly declarations; and from July 1, 2028, for other individuals in the same sector.
The reform aligns with Tunisia’s national digital transformation and tax modernization strategy, as tax evasion is estimated to cost about 3 billion dinars ($1 billion) annually. It follows a June directive urging companies not yet registered in the national e-invoicing system to comply.
Authorities expect the reform to enhance tax transparency, reduce underreporting, align state revenues with actual business activity, and modernize management tools for restaurant and café operators. It is also intended to promote fairer competition within the sector.
In a context where commerce remains largely offline, the Congolese developer is leveraging technology to improve access to products and services.
Ezbora Lubamba is a Congolese software developer and technology entrepreneur, serving as the Founder and CEO of Losako.shop, an e-commerce platform launched in 2018.
Losako.shop aims to streamline online commercial transactions, offering Congolese consumers new, authentic, and guaranteed products. The platform is distinguished by a user-friendly interface and payment methods tailored to the local context.
The company specializes in selling technology equipment, including smartphones, tablets, computers, and accessories. Users can receive their orders at home or work. Payment options include M-Pesa, Airtel Money, Orange Money, Visa or MasterCard, PayPal, or cash on delivery.
Lubamba also holds a position as an intern at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a U.S. defense and security-focused think tank. Additionally, he works as the head of web development at CMCT TCG, a Congolese communication and marketing agency.
He graduated from the Higher Institute of Computer Science, Programming, and Analysis (ISIPA) in the DRC with a Master's degree in Computer Development and holds a Google certification in digital marketing.
In 2016, Lubamba joined the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa as a web developer and digital marketing specialist. In 2017, he worked as a junior consultant for the World Bank. From 2017 to 2018, he served as a digital project manager for UN Women, the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women.
Melchior Koba
He addresses a growing demand for efficiency in economic exchanges between Africa and the rest of the world. It is developing concrete solutions to modernize these operations.
Cameroonian technology entrepreneur Brice Mba is the co-founder and co-CEO of REasy, a financial technology startup operating in France and Africa. The company announced on Thursday, October 9, 2025, that it has closed a preliminary funding round of $1.8 million.
Founded in 2023, REasy develops solutions to simplify and secure cross-border payments, making it easier for African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to access international markets. The company seeks to overcome obstacles related to the complexity, cost, and risk of international transactions. It combines cross-border payments, certified logistics, and regulatory compliance to meet the needs of importing SMEs. In collaboration with the Bank of Central African States (BEAC), REasy established a dedicated foreign exchange mechanism for transactions under $10,000, a segment traditionally underserved by conventional banks.
Before co-founding REasy, Brice Mba helped launch several young companies. In 2018, he co-founded Join a School, an agency that promotes international higher education and supports sub-Saharan African students seeking to study in North Africa, Asia, or Europe. In 2020, he co-founded Africom-IT, a digital communication and marketing agency.
Two years later, he co-founded Nyota, a recruitment solution designed to identify high-potential talent for middle-management positions in Africa. The platform includes a CV database, a job listing site, and specialized media.
Brice Mba graduated from the University of Mostaganem in Algeria with a Master's in Civil Engineering in 2021. Between 2022 and 2023, he completed an internship as a trainee Chief of Staff at COBASA, an investment and implementation consulting firm with offices in Paris and Johannesburg.
Melchior Koba
A decade ago, Microsoft launched its new operating system to succeed Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1. By 2020, the software was already installed on over one billion devices worldwide, including desktop and laptop computers, Xbox One consoles, and HoloLens headsets.
Technical support for Windows 10 officially ended on Tuesday, October 14, marking the end of free software updates, technical assistance, and automatic security patches through Windows Update. Microsoft is now urging users to migrate to Windows 11, which it promotes as faster, simpler, and more secure.
Users already on Windows 11 are unaffected. But those still on Windows 10 face increased cybersecurity risks. The National Agency for Information Systems (ANSI) of Niger issued a warning on October 12, advising public institutions, businesses, and individuals to upgrade immediately.
To install Windows 11, Microsoft requires a 64-bit processor with at least two cores running at 1 GHz, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, and a graphics card compatible with DirectX 12 and WDDM 2.0. The company offers a free verification tool, PC Health Check, to determine system compatibility.
Users can download the tool from Microsoft’s website, install it, and run the test to see if their computer can handle Windows 11. If the device doesn’t meet requirements, the tool identifies which component falls short.
For unsupported devices, Microsoft provides a paid program called Extended Security Updates (ESU), which offers critical security patches until 2028 for licensed systems. ANSI warns, however, that remaining on Windows 10 without ESU exposes users to significant security vulnerabilities.
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- Somalia drafts 2025-2030 strategy to boost digital economy
- Plan builds on ICT gains like e-visas, QR payments, Starlink
- Aims to expand services, attract investment, create tech jobs
Somalia’s Federal Government is finalizing its Digital Transformation Strategy 2025-2030, aimed at consolidating past progress and accelerating the country’s integration into the regional digital economy. A two-day national consultation began on October 12 to gather stakeholder input before adoption.
According to Mohamed Adam Moalim Ali, Minister of Communications and Technology, the new framework will coordinate all national digital initiatives to ensure coherence and maximize the benefits of technological change.
“Our goal is to align digital projects, improve public services, and drive economic growth while preparing Somalia to play a regional role in the digital economy,” the minister said.
The strategy builds on the National ICT Policy and Strategy 2019-2024, which focused on expanding connectivity, developing digital skills, and supporting local content creation. That policy led to key achievements, including the launch of an e-visa platform, a universal QR code payment system, and improved internet access.
According to DataReportal, Somalia had 10.7 million internet users at the start of 2025, representing an internet penetration rate of 55.2%. The introduction of Starlink in August 2025 is expected to further enhance national connectivity.
Despite progress, digitalization remains limited. The UN E-Government Development Index ranks Somalia 191st worldwide with a score of 0.1468 out of 1, well below the African average of 0.4247. The ITU ICT Development Index also places the country among Africa’s least developed digital economies, at 33.7 out of 100 (July 2025 report).
The upcoming Digital Transformation Strategy 2025-2030 seeks to expand digital infrastructure, improve online public services, and promote innovation. It also aims to foster digital inclusion in education, health, agriculture, and finance, strengthen regulation, attract investment, and create jobs in the digital sector.
Samira Njoya
He builds digital tools to modernize financial management in local institutions. His solutions enable cooperatives and schools to automate their operations and monitor cash flow in real time.
Vincent Tumwijukye (photo) is a Ugandan technology entrepreneur active in the financial sector, serving as co-founder and chief executive officer of FutureLink Technologies (FLT).
Founded in 2005, FutureLink Technologies is a FinTech firm licensed as a payment system operator by the Bank of Uganda, the country’s central bank. The company develops digital solutions aimed at strengthening the financial resilience of low and middle-income populations across Africa through an accessible community-based digital financial platform.
FLT created SavingsPlus, a platform designed for financial cooperatives and microfinance institutions. It integrates a comprehensive suite of functionalities including savings, member share capital, loans, accounting, fixed asset management, expenses, SMS banking, receivables, investments, debts, and revenue. The solution also generates reports for both internal and external financial management.
The company also developed SchoolPlus, a financial management system for educational institutions. This tool streamlines the payment of school fees, tracks outstanding balances, and generates real time financial reports from a centralized platform.
In addition to his corporate role, Tumwijukye sits on the board of FITSPA Uganda, the association of the country’s financial service providers. He also chairs the Bank of Uganda’s national financial inclusion strategy working group.
Tumwijukye graduated from Makerere University in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science. His company received the Platinum Award for Product Innovation of the Year in 2022, presented by the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the SME Finance Forum.
Melchior Koba
• Senegal launches e-procurement platform to boost transparency
• The platform, APPEL, to digitize full tender process by January 2026
• Reform aligns with national plan to digitize 90% of services
Senegal’s Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (ARCOP) on Tuesday launched the pilot phase of its new electronic public procurement platform, APPEL (Achats Publics en Procédures Électroniques), as part of a broader effort to enhance transparency and strengthen governance.
The initiative aims to digitize the entire public procurement process, improving transparency, ensuring transaction traceability, and speeding up the handling of procurement procedures.
“We’ve been working on this reform for a year. Every week, we hold a technical meeting dedicated to the platform,” said Moustapha Djitté, Director General of ARCOP. “We want reliable indicators on tender processing times, savings achieved, business participation rates, and satisfaction levels among procurement stakeholders.”
The platform covers every stage of the procurement process, from publishing tender notices to awarding contracts. Designed to be modular, secure, and aligned with international standards, it draws inspiration from successful systems in Morocco, Rwanda, and Mauritius. ARCOP also plans to link it with other public databases, including those of the Treasury, tax authorities, and the commercial register, to reinforce transparency, traceability, and sound governance.
The project forms part of Senegal’s national digital strategy, known as the New Deal Technologique, which aims to digitize 90% of public services by 2034. Public procurement, representing between 15% and 20% of national GDP, is a major component of public spending and demands modern management to strengthen investor confidence in Senegal.
Full implementation of the APPEL platform is scheduled for January 2026. The reform is expected to make public procurement more transparent, predictable, and efficient. It should help reduce processing times, curb fraud, increase competition among companies, and generate substantial savings for the state, while reinforcing investor trust and promoting good governance in the public sector.
Samira Njoya
• Tanzanian entrepreneur created Safari Wallet to simplify travel payments
• Platform offers flexible installment options for safaris and holiday trips
• Also founded Place Listed and MyJobPass, and leads tourism tech initiatives
Eid John, also known as Iddy John, is a Tanzanian computer scientist and tech entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of Safari Wallet, a financial technology platform dedicated to the travel industry.
Founded in 2014, Safari Wallet enables users to book trips and tourist activities while offering installment payment options. The platform provides an integrated booking process and flexible payment plans, including split and post-travel payments, designed for clients whose immediate cash flow may not align with the high costs of safaris or beach stays.
The company aims to help local and diaspora travelers spread the cost of travel through structured payment plans that lower entry barriers without compromising service reliability or partner quality.
Operating at the intersection of travel technology and responsible financing, Safari Wallet broadens access to organized travel experiences while assessing customer solvency through digital tools and direct relationships with tour operators.
Beyond Safari Wallet, Eid John founded Place Listed in 2016, a platform connecting customers and businesses in the hospitality industry and helping them enhance their digital visibility. In 2019, he co-founded MyJobPass, where he serves as Chief Technology Officer, providing university students and graduates with skill-building and professional experience opportunities.
He is also Marketing Director of Kwe2Africa, a tourism marketing company, and organizes the annual Wiki Loves Africa photography contest in Tanzania. In addition, he leads activities of the Google Developers Group in Dar es Salaam and serves as Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship Director of the Pan-African Tourism Council in Tanzania.