WAWU Africa will award grants of 250,000 nairas (about $184) to 20 Nigerian entrepreneurs in June 2026.
To qualify, applicants must complete an entrepreneurship training program, operate a registered business and submit a solid business plan.
The initiative aims to support the growth of viable and sustainable businesses by prioritizing skills and preparedness over political or personal connections. Applications open on Saturday, May 30.
The SIA Startup Foundry accelerator program announced its latest cohort last week. Fifty-six early-stage startups from Nigeria, Ghana and Ethiopia will take part in an intensive month-long boot camp aimed at refining their business models. At the end of the program, ten finalists will be selected, with six receiving funding. The initiative seeks to help entrepreneurs turn tech ideas into viable businesses at a time when access to capital remains a major challenge.
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South Africa published a draft regulation to introduce a national digital identity system alongside physical identity cards.
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The system will operate through the “MyMzansi” mobile application and will use biometric authentication, NFC, Bluetooth and QR code verification.
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The government aims to strengthen security, reduce identity fraud and expand access to digital public services.
South Africa advanced its digital government strategy on Monday, May 4, as the Ministry of Home Affairs published a draft regulation paving the way for a national digital identity system that will operate alongside existing physical identity cards.
The government designed the initiative under its “Home Affairs @ home” strategy, which aims to allow citizens to access administrative services directly from their smartphones. The system will operate through a mobile application called “MyMzansi,” which will allow users to store and use secure digital versions of official documents.
Meanwhile, authorities stated that the digital identity will remain valid for five years and will require biometric facial verification for remote renewal. The government also plans to introduce authentication technologies including NFC, Bluetooth and QR codes to facilitate identity verification across public and private services.
However, the Ministry of Home Affairs clarified that the digital identity will remain optional and will not replace physical identity cards.
The government confirmed that both formats will coexist in a hybrid system designed to modernize public administration while maintaining inclusion for citizens with limited digital access.
A Tool to Fight Fraud and Financial Crime
At the same time, the government framed the reform as a broader security initiative beyond administrative digitization. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said the system would strengthen efforts to combat identity theft, financial fraud, corruption and illegal immigration. The project includes advanced security mechanisms such as biometric capture, liveness detection, data encryption and device-based identity binding to a specific mobile phone. In addition, authorities plan to strengthen data protection frameworks as global concerns over cybersecurity and privacy continue to rise.
Toward a Fully Digital Administration
The South African government aims to position the digital identity system as the foundation of a broader e-government infrastructure. Over time, authorities plan to integrate multiple services into the MyMzansi platform, including driving licences, academic certificates, social services and selected police and judicial procedures.
The reform comes as South Africa seeks to modernize public services that often face criticism for administrative delays and long queues at government offices. The draft regulation remains open for public consultation until June 6, 2026, before potential final adoption.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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Tunisian entrepreneur Oussama Dhahri founded CapsaFood in 2021 to connect consumers with local restaurants through a mobile application.
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The platform currently operates in Gafsa, where it is expanding its network of restaurants and delivery workers.
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CapsaFood provides a digital marketplace for users, restaurants and delivery workers, enabling ordering, revenue tracking and income generation through deliveries.
Oussama Dhahri, a Tunisian chemist and entrepreneur, developed CapsaFood as a digital food delivery platform that connects consumers with local restaurants and enables online ordering from smartphones, tablets and computers. The founders launched CapsaFood in 2021 alongside Amine Chortani and Hadil Fouli.
The platform operates exclusively in Gafsa, where the company continues to expand its network of partner restaurants and delivery drivers. Meanwhile, the platform allows users to download the mobile application, create an account and browse menus from participating restaurants. Users select meals, confirm orders and enter delivery addresses before receiving their food at home, at work or at any specified location. In most cases, customers complete payment upon delivery.
At the same time, CapsaFood extends its services beyond consumers by offering tools for restaurants and delivery workers. Restaurant partners manage operations through the application, track revenues and monitor transactions in real time. Delivery workers also join the platform to complete deliveries and generate income through order transportation.
Alongside his startup activities, Oussama Dhahri works as head of research and development projects at Les Laboratoires MédiS, a pharmaceutical manufacturer. He trained as a chemical engineer at the École centrale polytechnique privée de Tunis. Before launching his entrepreneurial career, he completed internships at the Groupe Chimique Tunisien and at Air Liquide, which operates in industrial gases, healthcare and engineering services.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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Orange Bank Africa appointed Ivorian executive Audrey Koffi Niamkey as chief executive officer to lead the bank’s next phase of growth in the WAEMU region.
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The digital bank has distributed more than CFA710 billion ($1.2 billion) in loans to over 3.3 million customers in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal since its launch in 2020.
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Audrey Koffi previously served as director of commercial development and strategy after joining the bank in 2020 as chief risk officer.
On Wednesday, May 6, Orange Bank Africa announced the appointment of Ivorian executive Audrey Koffi Niamkey as its new chief executive officer. She succeeds Jean-Louis Menann-Kouamé and will oversee the bank’s commercial strategy, strengthen operations in existing markets and lead expansion across the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU).
“I am honored to take the leadership of Orange Bank Africa today. Over the past years, under the leadership of Jean-Louis Menann-Kouamé, the company has built a solid and relevant model aligned with the realities of our markets. We will continue this momentum with a clear ambition: accelerate access to simple, accessible and tailored financial solutions while strengthening our innovation capacity across the region,” Audrey Koffi said.
Orange Bank Africa emerged in July 2020 from a partnership between Orange Group and banking group NSIA. The institution operates as a fully digital bank across the UEMOA region and has positioned itself as a major financial inclusion player in West Africa. Since launching operations in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, the bank has distributed more than CFA710 billion (about $1.2 billion) in loans to over 3.3 million customers.
Audrey Koffi brings extensive institutional knowledge to the role. She joined the company in 2020 as chief risk officer and most recently served as director of commercial development and strategy before her appointment as CEO.
She graduated from the University of Abidjan in 2005 with a master’s degree in economics and business management. She began her professional career in 2008 at Standard Chartered Bank as a financial analyst. At the same time, she also worked as an auditor for Deloitte.
In 2009, she became head of internal control at financial company SOCOFIN, now known as Alios Finance. From 2010 to 2020, she served as head of risk and compliance at BGFIBank Congo.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
Sentech Africa Tech Week 2026 will take place on May 12-13 in Cape Town, South Africa. The event will bring together business leaders, government officials and innovators to discuss the development of Africa’s digital economy. The agenda includes artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and infrastructure. It will also feature a startup competition and an awards ceremony honoring achievements in the technology sector. Organizers say the event aims to help translate policy and strategy into concrete action.
African agricultural startups can now apply for the THRIVE Global Impact Challenge, a program seeking technology-driven innovations to promote sustainable farming. The grand prize winner will receive up to $1 million in investment and an opportunity to present their project in Silicon Valley. Applications close on May 25.
Carnegie Mellon University Africa has launched applications for its 2026/2027 incubation program in Kigali, Rwanda. The 12-month program will provide selected startups with $50,000 in funding, technical mentorship, and access to global investor networks. Applicants must already have a working prototype. The application deadline is May 20. The initiative aims to help transform innovative ideas into scalable and profitable businesses.
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Burundi introduced a digital platform for civil registration management and the production of a new biometric national identity card.
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Authorities said the reform required legal amendments to replace manual civil registration procedures with digital processes.
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Burundi still faces infrastructure constraints, including limited electricity and internet access, with internet penetration standing at 11.1% at the end of 2025.
Burundi has continued the modernization of its public administration through a broad digitalization program focused on civil registration and citizen identification systems. On Tuesday, May 6, the Ministry of the Interior, Community Development and Public Security presented a digital platform dedicated to managing administrative documents and producing a new biometric national identity card.
According to Valentin Nahimana, Director General in charge of administrative programs at the ministry, authorities had prepared the reform for several years. However, implementation required adjustments to the existing legal framework, particularly provisions in the family code that still mandated manual registration of civil records. Nahimana said the government needed these legal changes to integrate new technologies into the administrative system.
The future biometric identity card will include several security features designed to reduce the risks of forgery and identity theft. Authorities said the card’s unique identification number will also serve as a reference for other official documents, including passports and various administrative services.
The initiative forms part of Burundi’s broader digital transformation strategy aimed at modernizing public services, strengthening data security and improving citizen identification systems. The project notably includes the digitization of civil registration records, which authorities have long managed manually, as well as the introduction of an identification system aligned with international standards.
On the technical side, authorities said they have nearly completed the required infrastructure and now await the adoption of a decree that will formally govern the system’s use. However, several challenges remain, including limited access to electricity and internet connectivity in some rural areas. According to the latest DataReportal figures, Burundi’s internet penetration rate reached 11.1% at the end of 2025, one of the lowest levels in sub-Saharan Africa.
Beyond the issuance of a national identity document, the project marks a new stage in Burundi’s digital transformation agenda. Authorities expect the initiative to strengthen administrative governance, facilitate access to public services and establish the foundations of a more modern and interconnected digital ecosystem.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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Burkina Faso presented 12 flagship digital projects to the African Development Bank (AfDB) during talks in Ouagadougou.
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The government seeks funding and technical support for digital infrastructure, public service modernization, and emerging technology skills.
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The discussions form part of Burkina Faso’s broader strategy to diversify digital partnerships with Russia, the UAE, Niger, and Mali.
Burkina Faso stepped up efforts to expand partnerships in the digital sector as the government seeks to accelerate its digital transformation agenda. Against a backdrop of growing regional and international initiatives, the African Development Bank (AfDB) reaffirmed its interest in supporting the country’s strategic projects.
Digital Transition, Posts and Electronic Communications Minister Aminata Zerbo/Sabane met an AfDB delegation in Ouagadougou on Wednesday, May 6, during a working session focused on Burkina Faso’s digital priorities. The meeting reflected the authorities’ strategy to strengthen strategic partnerships around digital development, which the government considers a key driver of economic and social growth.
During the discussions, the minister presented the 12 flagship projects under her ministry, alongside the main progress achieved and ongoing initiatives. The projects notably target the expansion of digital infrastructure, the modernization of public services, and the strengthening of skills in emerging technologies. She also reaffirmed the government’s ambition to position digital technologies as a central engine for transforming the economy and public administration.
The talks identified several potential areas of cooperation. Both parties will now deepen technical discussions to determine which projects could receive AfDB support.
The African Development Bank, which already supports several digital transformation initiatives across Africa, welcomed the consistency of Burkina Faso’s strategic direction. The institution also reiterated its readiness to back major sector projects, particularly those related to infrastructure and digital skills development.
The discussions form part of the implementation of Burkina Faso’s Country Strategy Paper “DSP-i 2022-2025,” which the parties extended through 2026 and which frames AfDB interventions in the country. The strategy gives digital transformation an increasingly prominent role as a cross-cutting driver of competitiveness, inclusion, and modernization.
The meeting also came as Burkina Faso diversified its digital partnerships. In recent days, the country launched discussions with Russia on technological cooperation. Burkina Faso has also expanded regional collaborations with Niger and Mali, while developing digital-sector ties with the United Arab Emirates.
At the multilateral level, Burkina Faso already benefits from World Bank support through several flagship programs, including the Digital Transformation Acceleration Project (PACTDIGITAL) and the West Africa Unique Identification for Regional Integration and Inclusion (WURI) initiative, which focuses on regional digital identification systems.
Samira Njoya
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Tunisia’s central bank launched the national “TUNPAY” label to unify and strengthen the country’s mobile payment ecosystem.
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Mobile transactions in Tunisia rose 81% in 2025 to 8.4 million operations worth 1.769 billion dinars ($616 million).
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Banks, payment institutions, and Tunisia’s postal service must integrate the TUNPAY visual identity into their digital and physical payment channels.
The Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) advanced its digital payments strategy through the launch of “TUNPAY,” a national label designed to unify and strengthen the country’s mobile payment ecosystem. In a note published on Monday, May 5, the institution said it developed the initiative in partnership with Société Monétique Tunisie (SMT).
The initiative aims to harmonize the identification of mobile payment services for the general public. Authorities want to make payment solutions more visible and easier for users to recognize.
Under the framework, banks, payment institutions, and Tunisia’s postal service, which operate electronic wallet services, must integrate the TUNPAY visual identity into their applications, digital interfaces, and physical acceptance points. Merchants, agencies, and agent networks using mobile payment services will also display the label.
Through the initiative, the central bank seeks to strengthen user confidence and accelerate the adoption of digital payments in a market that remains in a development phase. Authorities also want to improve service interoperability and simplify the user experience as financial technology offerings continue to diversify.
The move comes as mobile payments record sustained growth in Tunisia. According to BCT data, the number of mobile phone transactions increased by 81% in 2025 to 8.4 million operations. In value terms, the transactions reached 1.769 billion dinars ($616 million) during the year.
Despite the momentum, Tunisia’s market still trails several African countries where contactless payments and near-field communication (NFC) technologies are expanding rapidly. In Tunisia, many mobile transactions still rely on SMS-based validation systems.
Tunisian authorities nevertheless continue to roll out initiatives aimed at accelerating the digitization of financial services. The strategy reflects a broader trend across North Africa and the continent, where central banks seek to modernize payment infrastructure to promote financial inclusion and reduce cash usage.
With TUNPAY, Tunisia aims to lay the foundations for a payment environment that is more structured, more recognizable, and better aligned with the rapid expansion of digital financial services.
Samira Njoya
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Kenyan fintech entrepreneur Agosta Liko leads Pesapal, a payments platform that centralizes multiple payment methods for African businesses.
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Pesapal combines mobile money, bank card and contactless payments within a single system and payment terminal.
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The company also integrates payment services with hospitality and restaurant management software to streamline business operations.
Agosta Liko founded and leads Pesapal, a payment services platform that facilitates transactions for businesses and consumers.
Founded in 2009, Pesapal provides solutions that enable businesses to accept mobile money and bank card payments both online and through a unified payment terminal. The platform aims to simplify business operations by centralizing multiple payment methods within a single system while accelerating transaction processing.
Among its products, the startup developed a payment terminal that processes collections directly at points of sale. The device accepts both mobile payments and bank cards, including Visa and Mastercard, which gives customers greater flexibility during checkout. The solution also supports contactless payments through selected mobile devices, including Google Pay and connected watches.
In addition, the platform integrates with merchants’ existing cash register systems, allowing businesses to centralize sales and payment management within one tool. Pesapal also offers dedicated integrations for the hospitality and restaurant sectors through specialized software connections. These integrations allow businesses to combine payments, online reservations and operational monitoring through a single interface.
Before founding Pesapal, Agosta Liko launched Verviant in 2006, a U.S.-based IT consulting company. The company provides web design and development, programming, marketing, software development and technical support services.
Before becoming an entrepreneur, Agosta Liko worked as a web administrator at litigation-focused law firm Shook, Hardy & Bacon between 2002 and 2003. He later served as a database systems engineer at First Citizens Bank from 2003 to 2008.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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Luke Romyn launched Adebt Debt Recovery in January 2026 to help companies recover debts unpaid for more than 90 days.
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The South African startup uses a technology-driven four-step process and works with certified debt recovery specialists.
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Romyn previously held roles at crypto exchange Blockkoin and financial crime technology firm Flagright.
South African finance expert and technology entrepreneur Luke Romyn is betting on digital tools to tackle one of the most persistent challenges facing businesses: the recovery of long-overdue debts.
Romyn co-founded and now leads Adebt Debt Recovery, a company specializing in the collection of receivables that businesses often classify as unrecoverable.
Founded in January 2026, Adebt Debt Recovery focuses on difficult claims, particularly invoices that have remained unpaid for more than 90 days. The company aims to help businesses convert “forgotten” receivables into cash that can return to their balance sheets and improve liquidity.
Adebt structures its service around a four-step process designed to reduce administrative complexity and accelerate recovery timelines.
First, clients upload unpaid invoices and company information directly onto the Adebt platform without completing lengthy forms or navigating complex procedures.
The company then analyzes each claim to assess the level of recovery difficulty, particularly according to the age of the debt. Based on this assessment, Adebt determines a performance-based fee structure that only applies if the company successfully recovers the funds.
After validation, Adebt assigns the files to debt recovery professionals across South Africa drawn from its network of certified specialists. The experts use their experience to locate debtors, open negotiations, and agree repayment terms.
Once the process begins, the client company no longer manages follow-ups or negotiations. Debtors make repayments in installments, while Adebt automatically transfers recovered funds to the client as collections occur.
Romyn graduated from the University of Cape Town in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics.
After completing his studies, he worked as head of the trading desk at cryptocurrency exchange Blockkoin between 2022 and 2024. From August 2025 to January 2026, he also served as a risk analyst at Flagright, a company that develops financial crime prevention technologies for financial institutions.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
Nigerian fintech firm Fincra has received approval from the Bank of Ghana to operate in the country, allowing merchants to collect local payments and process transfers through mobile money and bank channels. The company said the move would help facilitate cross-border transactions between international businesses and African markets.