French cosmetics group L'Oréal has launched a call for applications for its innovation program targeting startups in Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. Startups working in artificial intelligence or sustainability can apply until July 3, 2026. Selected firms will test their technology with international brands, receive mentorship and scale their solutions across 35 markets.
On Wednesday, May 13, JuiceMe announced the acquisition of Ajiraworks as part of its expansion in Africa. Ajiraworks founder Catherine Ochako will join JuiceMe’s leadership team to lead the initiative. The deal will allow international companies to hire, pay and manage local employees across Africa while complying with local regulations. By integrating Ajiraworks’ systems, JuiceMe aims to position itself as a partner for companies seeking to quickly expand on the continent.
Fintech company Happy Pay announced on Wednesday, May 13, a partnership with Ozow to offer buy-now-pay-later services to South African merchants. Under the agreement, shoppers will be able to pay for purchases in monthly installments, with no upfront payment or interest charges. The solution integrates into e-commerce platforms, helping retailers attract new customers while giving consumers access to a flexible and secure payment option at no extra cost.
-
Debt financing accounted for $305 million of the $600 million raised by African startups in the first quarter of 2026.
-
Startups increasingly turned to non-dilutive financing as higher interest rates and investor caution slowed equity funding.
-
Early-stage companies faced mounting pressure as the number of small fundraising rounds sharply declined.
Debt financing became the leading source of funding for African startups for the first time during the first quarter of 2026, marking a structural shift in the continent’s technology investment landscape.
Debt represented $305 million of the $600 million raised by African startups during the quarter, compared with just $50 million during the same period in 2025, according to data from Africa: The Big Deal.
The shift extended a trend that has accelerated over recent years. According to Partech’s 2025 annual report, published in January 2026, debt financing in Africa’s startup ecosystem increased from $1.01 billion at the end of 2024 to $1.64 billion at the end of 2025, representing year-on-year growth of 63%.
The number of debt transactions followed the same trajectory. Transactions increased by 40% to a record 108 deals across the continent in 2025.
Debt accounted for 41% of total capital invested in African startups in 2025, compared with 31% in 2024 and 17% in 2019.
“We observed that debt financing represented the most significant structural change of 2025. Although debt financing remained marginal a few years ago, it has become a central pillar of African technology funding,” Partech said in its report.
The investment firm said the increase reflected a lasting transformation rather than a cyclical recovery. A growing number of African startups now generate sufficient cash flow, operational scale and governance standards to access structured and non-dilutive financing instruments.
In April 2026, Togolese mobility startup Gozem secured $24.5 million in debt financing from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to expand its vehicle fleet.
At the same time, Kenyan agritech startup Victory Farms obtained $15 million in financing through AgDevCo.
“The figures appear positive at first glance, but the sharp decline in equity financing and the scarcity of small funding rounds reflect a tougher environment for seed-stage startups,” said Max Cuvellier Giacomelli, co-founder of Africa: The Big Deal.
Geographic distribution data also revealed major disparities across African markets.
Kenya led the continent in debt financing during 2025 with $498 million raised through debt instruments, representing 48% of all capital deployed in the country.
Egypt followed with $246 million in debt financing, up 73% year on year, while Nigeria secured $160 million, up 132%. Senegal attracted $139 million, while South Africa raised $72 million, down 45%.
However, the rapid growth of debt financing coincided with a sharp contraction in overall deal activity.
The total number of startup funding transactions fell by 34% between the first quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, declining from 140 to 92 deals.
Small funding rounds ranging between $100,000 and $500,000 dropped from 73 transactions to 32 over the same period.
As a result, many early-stage startups that lack the scale or revenue growth required to access debt financing increasingly found themselves excluded from parts of the funding market.
This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- ST Digital operates digital transformation, cloud, and cybersecurity services across several African countries.
- The company has already supported more than 500 clients and operates three certified datacenters in Africa.
- Founder Anthony Same aims to strengthen local cloud infrastructure and keep African data hosted on the continent.
Anthony Same is the founder and chief executive officer of ST Digital, a pan-African company specialized in supporting organizations through digital transformation. The company operates in several African countries, including Cameroon, Gabon, Republic of the Congo, and Côte d’Ivoire, and aims to become a major provider of digital and cloud services across the continent.
Founded in 2017, ST Digital provides a broad range of services to private companies and public institutions. The company offers digital transformation consulting, infrastructure and application hosting, cybersecurity, enterprise software solutions, collaborative work tools, and workforce training. The company aims to help organizations modernize operations, improve productivity, and secure data systems.
ST Digital particularly highlights its African cloud offering. The company develops services hosted in datacenters located in Africa in order to provide local and secure solutions adapted to the continent’s realities. The strategy aims to give African companies access to modern digital services while keeping data hosted on the continent.
The company also supports clients in managing and optimizing information technology infrastructure. ST Digital provides hosting, data backup, cybersecurity, and business continuity services. The company helps organizations protect systems, networks, and data against digital risks. ST Digital has already supported more than 500 clients and currently operates three certified datacenters.
Anthony Same graduated from KEDGE Business School in France, where he earned a master’s degree in finance in 2003. He also holds a postgraduate diploma in information technology management obtained in 2005 from ESSEC Business School.
His professional trajectory reflects deep expertise in the global digital ecosystem. After beginning his career at Toshiba in 2001, Same strengthened his consulting expertise at IBM before joining Microsoft in 2006 as a partner account manager. Between 2011 and 2015, he joined SAP, where he successively served as channel manager and head of Central Africa operations. He later leveraged that experience to launch the ST Digital venture.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
Lire aussi:
- Liberia launched a cybersecurity and digital forensics laboratory to strengthen national cyber defense capabilities.
- The infrastructure includes real-time threat monitoring systems, digital forensic tools, and incident response capabilities.
- Interpol estimates cybercrime losses in Africa exceeded $3 billion between 2019 and 2025.
Liberia has launched a cybersecurity and digital forensics laboratory aimed at reinforcing the country’s ability to respond to growing cyber threats.
A delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) conducted an inspection visit to the facility on Tuesday, May 12. The regional organization evaluated the laboratory’s compliance and performance levels as part of its monitoring framework for cybersecurity initiatives across member states under its regional cybersecurity strategy.
Advanced Infrastructure Dedicated to Cybersecurity
According to Liberia’s Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, the laboratory includes next-generation digital forensic tools, real-time threat monitoring systems, advanced incident response capabilities, and specialized training equipment.
“This world-class laboratory significantly strengthens the country’s capacity to investigate cybercrime, recover digital evidence, analyze threats, and defend against emerging cyber risks,” the ministry said in a statement published on Facebook.
A previous ministry statement issued in 2024 during the project launch said the laboratory would operate through two main divisions: a Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) and a digital forensics unit.
The CERT division will respond to digital threats, including cyberattacks and hacking attempts, while also overseeing system monitoring, risk mitigation, and cybersecurity training. Meanwhile, the digital forensics unit will support investigations by enabling law enforcement agencies to collect and analyze digital evidence in cases such as financial fraud and drug trafficking.
A Project Supported by ECOWAS Since 2019
The initiative dates back to 2019, when ECOWAS committed to providing Liberia with approximately $400 million worth of digital forensic equipment, subject to the availability of a suitable site. However, delays linked to securing $100,000 for renovation works slowed implementation for several years. The project nevertheless accelerated in 2024 under the leadership of President Joseph Boakai.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts by Liberian authorities to secure national cyberspace amid rising digital threats. In its “Cybercrime Africa Cyberthreat Assessment 2025,” Interpol said the expansion of digital services, social media, e-commerce, and mobile banking had fueled the growth of cybercrime in Africa. The report said cybercrime accounted for more than 30% of reported offenses in West and East Africa in 2024, while cumulative financial losses across the continent between 2019 and 2025 exceeded $3 billion.
Against that backdrop, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has called on governments to strengthen cybersecurity systems in order to fully benefit from digital opportunities. The ITU currently ranks Liberia at the second-lowest tier of its 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index. The organization acknowledged progress in regulatory frameworks and cooperation while continuing to identify weaknesses in technical capacity, organizational structures, and skills development.
This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Gilbert Mbeh launched PushNcare in 2024 to provide AI-powered nutrition analysis tailored to African diets.
- The platform analyzes more than 60,000 African dishes and ingredients to generate personalized health recommendations.
- PushNcare uses image and text recognition technology to assess meals and support nutrition management across multiple health objectives.
Gilbert Mbeh, a Cameroonian technology entrepreneur, is the founder and chief technology officer of PushNcare, a digital platform dedicated to nutrition and wellness that launched in 2024.
PushNcare differentiates itself by combining healthcare technology with African culinary traditions. The platform provides users with nutritional analysis tools specifically adapted to local dietary habits. By connecting patients with nutritionists, the company seeks to make health advice more accessible and more closely aligned with African cultural realities.
The technological core of PushNcare relies on a database containing more than 60,000 analyzed African dishes and ingredients. The platform catalogs staples such as jollof rice and fufu to help users understand calorie intake, sugar and sodium levels, and glycemic impact. Mbeh said the platform aims to deliver personalized nutrition management based on everyday meals.
To simplify the user experience, PushNcare integrates an intelligent analysis system capable of processing either a photo or a text description of a meal. The platform then generates a detailed nutritional assessment and provides targeted recommendations based on various objectives, including weight loss, glycemic control, digestive health, energy optimization, sports nutrition, pregnancy, cardiovascular health, and low-sugar or low-sodium diets.
Beyond his work in digital health, Mbeh also serves as program coordinator for the Digital Transformation Initiative for Municipalities in Africa (DTIMA). The annual event brings together mayors, investors, and policymakers to accelerate the digital transformation of African cities.
Mbeh’s entrepreneurial career gained momentum in 2019 with the creation of AbegYa, an information technology consulting and services company. However, he began his professional career in 2008 at Ecolog International as a network technician. Between 2010 and 2019, he also served as chairman of the board of EDUCAF, an organization focused on supporting education in Africa.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Orange plans to train more than 3 million young people in digital skills across Africa and the Middle East by 2030.
- The telecom operator will open 50 new Orange Digital Centers, increasing its network to 100 facilities in the region.
- Orange aims to support more than 500 start-ups by 2030 while expanding job placement and self-employment programs.
Amid rising demand for qualified workers across Africa, digital skills continue to play an increasingly central role in labor market integration. Against that backdrop, Orange announced new commitments on Tuesday to strengthen youth employability across the continent during the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi.
The telecom operator said it will intensify investments in training, entrepreneurship, and professional integration as part of its broader socio-economic transformation strategy focused on Africa’s growing youth population.
Orange said it aims to train more than 3 million young people by 2030 in digital professions including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and entrepreneurship. The group will provide the programs free of charge and deliver certified training through an expanded network of dedicated infrastructure.
To support that target, Orange plans to open 50 additional Orange Digital Centers, raising the total number of facilities to 100 across Africa and the Middle East. The initiative will also rely on partnerships with more than 167 universities as well as international learning platforms such as Coursera. Orange said the strategy seeks to improve access to digital skills while aligning training programs more closely with labor market needs.
Beyond training, the company also plans to accelerate youth employment and entrepreneurship initiatives. Orange said it will support more than 500 start-ups by 2030, building on a program that has already backed more than 400 young businesses across the continent. The company said it wants to convert acquired skills into concrete economic opportunities in sectors including fintech, healthcare, agriculture, and e-commerce.
Orange also highlighted its “Master Repair” initiative, which it developed in partnership with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). The program operates in Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, and Egypt. The project trains young people in technical professions linked to electronic equipment repair as well as the installation and maintenance of energy and connectivity solutions.
At the midpoint of the program, 285 young people had already acquired operational skills. Orange said women represented 26% of beneficiaries, while nearly one-third of participants were people living with disabilities. The project has now entered a phase focused on professional integration, with reinforced support for salaried employment and self-employment opportunities.
By combining skills training, entrepreneurial support, and job placement initiatives, Orange aims to address one of Africa’s most pressing challenges: job creation for a rapidly growing young population. The company said the strategy forms part of a broader effort to position digital technology as a driver of economic and social inclusion across the continent.
Samira Njoya
Nigerian classifieds platform Jiji has acquired Bikroy, Bangladesh’s leading listings site, marking its first expansion outside Africa. The deal expands Jiji’s international presence and introduces its technology to the online marketplace in the South Asian country of 170 million people, while retaining the trusted Bikroy brand.
Guinean fintech Cauridor has raised $2 million to improve cross-border money transfers in Africa. Its technology connects global operators such as Western Union with local banks and mobile money networks. The company aims to reduce transfer costs and speed up remittances to West and Central Africa, increasing the share of funds received by millions of households.
More...
The Accelerate Africa program is accepting applications for its fifth cohort until July 25, 2026. Over 12 weeks, 10 selected founders will receive hands-on mentorship to refine their product and go-to-market strategy. The program is fully free and does not take equity. The most promising ventures may then qualify for up to $500,000 in funding to support their expansion across Africa.
- Chad has required all visa applications to go through the official evisa.td platform since May 11, 2026.
- Authorities will invalidate all visas issued outside the digital platform starting May 21, 2026.
- Chad has joined a broader African trend toward fully digital visa systems alongside Rwanda, Kenya and Ghana.
Chad has shifted all visa applications to an online-only system as authorities accelerate the digitalization of immigration and consular procedures.
The sub-directorate of E-Visa at the Ministry of Public Security and Immigration announced the measure in a statement published on Friday, May 8, 2026. Authorities said all visa applications for Chad must now go through the official platform, eVisa Tchad, effective Monday, May 11.
The government launched the eVisa Chad platform in December 2024. However, the platform has now become the sole application channel for all visa categories except diplomatic and courtesy visas, which Chadian diplomatic missions will continue to manage.
Authorities said the reform implements Decree No. 2299/PR/PM/MSPI/2025 and a 2026 joint ministerial order governing the entry and residence conditions of foreign nationals in Chad.
The government said the new framework will centralize and secure visa processing while simplifying administrative procedures for travelers and immigration authorities.
Meanwhile, authorities confirmed that a transition period remains in place. Previously issued visas will remain valid until their expiration dates.
However, authorities said they will invalidate any visa issued outside the eVisa platform starting May 21, 2026. Consequently, travelers holding visas issued through other channels will no longer gain entry into Chad. Authorities also abolished manual entry authorizations permanently.
With this reform, Chad has joined a broader movement across Africa toward fully digital visa systems.
Several African countries, including Rwanda, Kenya and Ghana, have already adopted fully digital systems to manage entry applications and immigration procedures.
The reform reflects growing efforts among African governments to modernize border management systems, strengthen administrative oversight and streamline travel procedures through digital platforms.
Samira Njoya
- Mozambican financial services provider Letshego has launched a debit card in partnership with Mastercard.
- The card enables secure local and international transactions through Mastercard’s global payment network.
- The initiative aims to support digital transformation and financial inclusion in Mozambique’s cash-dominated economy.
Mozambican financial services provider Letshego has launched a debit card in partnership with Mastercard in Mozambique. The companies said the initiative aims to support the country’s digital transformation and strengthen financial inclusion.
In a statement published on Monday, May 11, Mastercard said the debit card operates on its global payments network. The card allows customers to conduct secure transactions both domestically and internationally wherever Mastercard services are accepted.
Moreover, the card supports everyday payments and enables broader participation in the formal financial system. The initiative comes amid accelerating digital transformation and growing demand for digital payment solutions in Mozambique.
Consumers increasingly use international e-commerce platforms such as Alibaba and Jumia, while others subscribe to streaming services including Netflix and Spotify. However, many unbanked consumers still face difficulties accessing online payment services and digital financial tools.
“By giving more people the tools they need to participate in the digital economy, we help strengthen financial resilience and enable communities to thrive in an increasingly connected world,” said Gabriel Swanepoel, division president for Africa at Mastercard. The initiative also targets small and medium-sized enterprises, which remain a central pillar of Mozambique’s economy.
Reliable digital payment tools can help SMEs expand online sales, secure transactions with customers and suppliers, and access new markets, including international markets. Furthermore, digital payment systems can help formalize economic activity and improve the traceability of financial flows in an economy where cash still dominates a large share of transactions. However, service availability alone may not guarantee widespread adoption of digital financial services.
Several factors continue to influence adoption rates, including user trust, digital literacy levels, access to smartphones and internet connectivity, and service costs. In addition, entrenched consumer payment habits and the persistent use of cash across many segments of the economy could slow adoption.
This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Gabon’s civil aviation authority signed a partnership agreement with the national digital infrastructure agency to strengthen cybersecurity in the aviation sector.
- The agreement targets the modernization of aviation IT systems, protection of sensitive data and continuity of operations.
- Gabon aligned the initiative with its broader digital transformation strategy and International Civil Aviation Organization standards.
Gabon has moved to strengthen the protection of digital systems in its civil aviation sector as governments and operators face rising cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure.
The National Civil Aviation Agency, known as ANAC, announced on Thursday, May 7, that it signed a partnership agreement with the National Agency for Digital Infrastructure and Frequencies, or ANINF. The initiative aims to secure critical infrastructure and modernize information systems across the aviation sector.
Under the agreement, ANINF will support ANAC in upgrading its digital systems. The partnership seeks to strengthen the security of IT infrastructure, improve the management of sensitive data and optimize communication and administrative tools used in civil aviation operations.
Moreover, the agreement includes measures to strengthen service continuity systems and improve resilience against digital incidents. The two institutions are also working to enhance interoperability between information systems in order to facilitate secure and structured data exchanges between government agencies.
Part of a Broader Digital Transformation Strategy
The initiative forms part of Gabon’s broader national digital transformation strategy, which prioritizes digital sovereignty and administrative modernization.
In addition, the partnership aligns with standards promoted by the International Civil Aviation Organization, which encourages member states to strengthen cybersecurity protections for aviation infrastructure.
The agreement comes amid a global rise in cyberattacks targeting civil aviation systems and critical infrastructure. Governments and operators increasingly face challenges linked to the convergence of IT systems and operational technology environments.
As a result, authorities now treat digital system protection, sensitive data security and operational continuity as central strategic priorities.
Toward a More Resilient and Connected Administration
Beyond the aviation sector, the partnership reflects Gabon’s broader objective of building a more secure and interconnected public administration.
By restructuring digital systems around stronger cybersecurity standards, Gabon aims to improve the reliability of public digital services and strengthen the protection of strategic national data.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum