The Zambia Chamber of Mines has urged the government to incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) and modern technology into the Technical Education, Vocational, and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) curriculum.
At an August 25 meeting with Technology Minister Felix Mutati, Zambia Chamber of Mines Vice President Charles Sakanya emphasized the need to equip artisans with AI skills essential for exploration and mineral mapping.
Minister Mutati confirmed that the TEVET Act is being revised to focus on competency-based training and called on the mining sector to contribute to this update.
Konga, a leading Nigerian online marketplace, has announced a strategic partnership with Starlink to provide satellite internet services to underserved areas across the country. This collaboration is aimed at bridging the digital divide by delivering reliable, high-speed internet connectivity to regions with limited or no terrestrial internet coverage.
As the only authorized shop-in-shop for Starlink in Nigeria, Konga is enthusiastic about the potential impact of this partnership. Through their partnership, Konga and Starlink are playing a pivotal role in ensuring that all Nigerians can benefit from the transformative power of the internet.
With over a decade of experience in technology, product development, and strategy, he is passionate about artificial intelligence. He has created a conversational AI platform tailored for businesses and content creators.
Timothy K. Afrane Wuo-Asare (photo) is a Ghanaian computer scientist and the co-founder and CEO of Copianto AI, a startup focused on artificial intelligence that provides tools for content creation. Founded in 2022 by Afrane Wuo-Asare, along with Daniella Darlington, Alex Boateng, and Alfred Sosu, Copianto AI is part of the MEST Africa portfolio. The company offers an adaptable conversational AI platform designed for various users, including writers, marketers, entrepreneurs, and agencies, to simplify content creation and optimization.
The conversational AI platform developed by Copianto enables businesses to create personalized AI agents that can be integrated across their platforms. These agents assist customers by providing answers, solving problems, and facilitating actions. Additionally, the startup has introduced a voice AI agent that enhances communication dynamics within companies, offering instant and practical assistance during voice calls.
Afrane Wuo-Asare graduated from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science in 2017. His professional journey began in 2013 with an internship in development at Kudobuzz, a company that creates tools for online merchants.
From 2015 to 2016, he served as a community manager for Startup Weekend in Accra, a 54-hour event focused on forming teams to build viable businesses over a weekend. In 2018, he became an IT project manager at Ghana's Regional Maritime University. He later joined Molaprise, a consulting firm and technology solutions provider, as a systems engineer, while also working as a product manager at Survey54, a company offering business intelligence services.
Melchior Koba
The solution aims to simplify administrative procedures for the Congolese population.
Mokanda is a digital solution developed by the Congolese company Afrique Digital, to streamline civil status procedures for residents of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Launched in April 2024, the platform aims to make accessing essential documents easier for Congolese citizens.
Currently, Mokanda is a web-based platform with no mobile app. Users can create an account by visiting the website and providing the necessary information. Once registered, they can access various civil status services, including birth certificates, certificates of good conduct, residence certificates, and family composition certificates.
It also allows users to track the progress of their applications remotely and make payments using bank cards or mobile money. After completing the application process, users can collect their documents from the local municipal office or opt for home delivery. A fee is charged for home delivery.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
The global telecom sector is currently exploring various initiatives aimed at ensuring the profitability of investments while protecting the environment. However, achieving this balance requires several prerequisites, including recycling plants.
French telecom group Orange recently announced that it collected 479,853 units of mobile phone waste in 2023 across the Middle East and Africa, representing 24% of the devices sold in the region. This initiative is part of the company’s broader strategy to promote a circular economy tailored to the specific needs of each market.
By 2025, Orange aims to increase the use of refurbished equipment in its networks and data centers, supported by its OSCAR program. This program encourages the reuse of devices to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable electronic waste management. The company expects this approach to positively impact its equipment expenses.
Since 2010, it has partnered with Emmaüs International and Ateliers du Bocage to establish mobile waste collection workshops in Africa. In 2023, these workshops in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, and Côte d'Ivoire recovered the equivalent of 264,000 mobile devices for recycling.
Last year, the company expanded its recycling efforts in Egypt by partnering with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to open a state-of-the-art facility for refurbishing electronic devices. This project supports Orange’s goal of reducing its environmental impact, promotes local job creation, and develops specialized skills.
Additionally, the facility will help promote digital inclusion by offering refurbished phones at more affordable prices to low-income populations. According to a market analysis by Custom Market Insights, the market for refurbished and used mobile phones in the Middle East and Africa was valued at $5.33 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach nearly $12.39 billion by 2030, driven by growing demand for mobile internet.
Muriel EDJO
Ghanaian fintech startup PayBox has launched a mobile application that leverages blockchain technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce transaction fees and simplify cross-border payments.
The application, Buddy, offers streamlined financial solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across more than 23 African countries.
By functioning as both a mobile and decentralized app, Buddy offers a user-friendly interface, empowering users to manage their personal and business finances with ease.
MEST Africa is inviting emerging tech entrepreneurs to participate in the MEST Africa Challenge (MAC) 2024. As Africa’s premier pitch competition, MAC 2024 will focus on agri-tech startups in West Africa.
The winning startup will receive investment capital, coaching, and access to a global network of resources. Applications open on August 26, 2024, and close on October 4, 2024, with virtual semifinals scheduled for October 29-30, 2024.
Eligible startups must have a minimum monthly revenue of $5,000, raised less than $1 million in funding, and have been operating for three years or less. All participants will pitch in English.
A software engineer, he leverages technology to support the agricultural sector in Ethiopia. His work includes assisting beekeepers by providing them with the essential information they need to make informed decisions.
Abiye Tadeos (photo) is an Ethiopian entrepreneur and embedded systems engineer, known for his innovative work in the agricultural sector. He is the founder and CEO of Anabi Agritech Solutions, a company dedicated to integrating IoT (Internet of Things) solutions for beekeeping in Africa and globally.
Founded in 2020, Anabi Agritech Solutions is a tech-driven agricultural company specializing in apiculture. The company utilizes sensors installed inside beehives to collect and analyze data, making decision-making easier for beekeepers. The collected data includes temperature, humidity, weight, and sounds, all of which are transmitted directly to the beekeepers' mobile devices.
"Our sensor units send hive information to any mobile device creating a transparent monitoring system between small beekeepers and their contractors, simultaneously alerting and notifying hive operators to guarantee zero loss in production," the startup’s founder explained in 2021.
Anabi Agritech Solutions also connects monofloral honey beekeepers to the global market through its online platform, helping them expand their customer base and boost sales.
Abiye Tadeos holds a bachelor's degree in computer engineering, which he earned in 2017 from the Addis Ababa Science and Technology University. After his studies, he interned at iCog Labs, a company specializing in artificial intelligence, before becoming a junior software developer there in 2018. He left the company in 2019 to focus on developing his startup.
Melchior Koba
Designed to help business leaders expand into African countries, it facilitates the obtention of various licenses, tax management, and recruitment.
Sidebrief is a digital solution developed by a Nigerian startup that enables users to establish businesses online in 16 countries across Africa. The Lagos-based startup was founded in 2021 by Eunice Olopade (photo, center), Usman Sotunde, and Abdulwaheed Yusuf (photo, left).
“There was no single platform where you could get information about access into the African market. If you wanted to get into the African market today and you had the intention to enter five countries, you’ll have to interface with multiple lawyers, multiple advisors, multiple regulatory bodies to be able to set up across these different markets,” explained Eunice Olopade.
Sidebrief does not have a mobile app; instead, users access the platform through its website. After creating an account and entering their personal information, they can begin using the startup's services. With just a few clicks, users select the country where their business will be based, fill out the necessary forms, upload the required documents, and pay the associated fees.
The fees vary by country. For example, it costs $800 with a 7-day processing time to establish a business in Rwanda, while in Ghana, the fees are $5,000 for a 14-day processing period. In addition to business registration, Sidebrief assists with obtaining licenses, recruiting employees, managing taxes, and protecting assets.
Since its launch, the startup claims to register over a thousand businesses each month. In January 2023, it was selected to participate in the inaugural cohort of the ARM Labs Lagos Techstars Accelerator.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
A serial entrepreneur with a passion for solving complex societal problems, he developed a comprehensive technological solution for property management, benefiting both landlords and tenants.
Tweheyo Brian (photo) is a Ugandan entrepreneur and a graduate of Makerere University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in surveying in 2011. He is the founder and CEO of RentBeta, a tech startup specializing in property management.
Founded in 2022, RentBeta provides an all-in-one technological solution for landlords and tenants, offering straightforward online rent payment options that benefit both parties. The company’s technology aims to reduce costs, enhance property efficiency, simplify the tenant experience, and increase lease renewal rates.
RentBeta enables landlords to automate labor-intensive tasks such as tenant search, rent receipt issuance, lease management, and tenant screening. Additionally, the platform incorporates smart locks for non-compliant tenants and practical communication tools.
For tenants, RentBeta improves the rental experience by allowing them to pay rent in small daily installments and offering low-interest rent advances without collateral. The platform also facilitates utility bill payments, grocery orders, neighbor communication, and more, all from a single app.
Before founding RentBeta, Tweheyo Brian established MobileAdz, an IT company, in 2014, where he served as CEO until 2016. In 2015, he launched Chikumi, a penny auction site in Uganda, and Tik Builders, a Ugandan construction company. He co-founded Adfonz, a customer engagement and business intelligence platform, in 2016.
In 2021, Tweheyo Brian was appointed product manager at CryptoSavannah, a tech company specializing in blockchain. That same year, he became project manager at Binusu and was later promoted to CEO in 2022. Binusu is a financial ecosystem that offers fiat-to-crypto exchange services, payments, and cross-border transactions at competitive rates.
Melchior Koba
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She has a wealth of experience working for various financial institutions in Nigeria. Now an entrepreneur, she's dedicated to assisting Africans in navigating the complexities of migration projects.
Nigerian entrepreneur Temitope Hundeyin Tunde-Alli (photo) is the founder of Blumefy, a startup offering a digital platform to assist African migrants.
Launched in 2023, Blumefy provides personalized advice, financial solutions, and a community space to ease the migration process. Using artificial intelligence, the platform analyzes user data to analyze user data and create customized migration plans. It recommends the most suitable destination country and visa route for each user. To prepare users for their journey, Blumefy also provides a detailed checklist and an action plan for every step of the migration process.
The startup also provides access to over 300,000 scholarship programs and job opportunities. It partners with financial institutions to deliver reliable payment solutions, including a virtual dollar card for simplified transactions.
Temitope holds a bachelor's degree in Information and Communication Technology, obtained in 2011 from Covenant University in Nigeria. She furthered her education at the University of Warwick in the UK, where she earned a master's degree in E-Business Management in 2014.
Her professional career began in 2010 at Sterling Bank in Nigeria, where she worked in the e-commerce and transaction services support department. In 2012, she joined UBA Group (United Bank for Africa), working in customer service and technical support for Mobile Money.
From 2014 to 2019, she worked at Jumia Nigeria, where she held roles including Vendor Account Manager and Head of Training at Jumia University. She also served as the CEO of Whistle, a tech platform dedicated to safer roads and healthier communities in Nigeria.
Melchior Koba
According to a report by consulting firm McKinsey & Company, the e-commerce market in Africa is rapidly expanding and is expected to reach $180 billion by 2024. This outlook is drawing increasing interest from international companies.
Chinese e-commerce firm AliExpress has made its debut in Ethiopia, partnering with local firm MKTY IT Services Plc. The partnership culminated in the opening of the continent’s first AliExpress showroom on Thursday, August 22.
The showroom, located in Addis Ababa, is designed to offer Ethiopian consumers a more interactive shopping experience, allowing Visitors to explore a wide range of products from around the world.
According to Yeshurun Alemayehu (photo), Ethiopia’s State Minister for Innovation and Technology, AliExpress’s entry into the Ethiopian market presents a significant opportunity for local businesses to engage in global trade.
The move aligns with Ethiopia’s efforts to attract foreign investment and boost its economy. Online commerce has been gaining traction in the country, with the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration issuing approximately 45 e-commerce licenses by December 2023. However, the sector is still dominated by small, often fragile startups.
In that context, AliExpress’s presence is expected to create jobs, stimulate innovation among local startups, and provide a platform for Ethiopian products to reach international markets.
Samira Njoya
In a continent where access to formal banking services remains limited for many, providing citizens with unique digital identities can facilitate easier access to banking services and improve the efficiency of financial transactions, contributing to economic stability and growth.
Somalia has launched a digital identification system to advance digitalization and financial inclusion. To formalize this initiative, the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and the Somali Banking Association signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), on August 25, at an event in Mogadishu. The event gathered several government officials.
“We have signed a Collaborative Partnership with 13 Somali banks, creating a vital link between Identity Certificates and banking services,” NIRA Director General Abdiweli Timacade revealed in a post on his X account.
The initiative, Developed by the Central Bank of Somalia in partnership with the World Bank, provides citizens with unique identification numbers to facilitate easier access to financial services.
The system is particularly significant for Somalia, where many people have historically been excluded from formal banking. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) highlights in its 2020 ‘Somalia Financial Sector Technical Report’ that only about 15 percent of Somalia's population has a bank account, and fewer than 5 percent of these account holders actively use their accounts. This low active usage rate underscores the urgent need for Somalia's new digital identification system. The initiative aims to enhance access to financial services and promote greater participation, potentially increasing the number of active users and improving overall financial inclusion in the country.
It is expected to enhance the security and efficiency of financial transactions, reduce fraud and money laundering risks, and stimulate economic growth by broadening access to financial services.
Hikmatu Bilali
Fake diplomas are becoming increasingly prevalent in Africa. To address this issue, governments are turning to digital solutions that offer effective and long-lasting solutions.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) plans to launch a digital system to combat fake diplomas and certificates, education officials said on Thursday. National Education Minister Raissa Malu and Higher Education Minister Mukuna Marie Therese announced the initiative after a joint meeting. The system, called "Optsolution," will verify state diplomas and certificates in real time.
"Graduates applying to university will only need a 14-digit code. The Higher Education Ministry's system will then access the National Education database for applicant information," said Rodrigue Iyembo, a National Education Ministry expert.
DRC's system aims to cut verification times from 4-5 months to instant checks. Future plans include extending the platform to private sector diplomas.
The platform is part of DRC's National Digital Plan, aiming to digitize key sectors by 2025, with education as a priority.
This move comes as African countries struggle with a rise in fake diplomas. Ethiopia, after finding nearly 1,000 counterfeit certificates among 18,000 reviewed in 2023, contracted Swiss firm SICPA to certify diplomas using blockchain and QR codes.
Samira Njoya