Microsoft, Google.org, the Gates Foundation and the Masakhane Research Foundation have launched a call for proposals, open until Monday, June 15, aimed at advancing artificial intelligence in Africa.
Known as LINGUA Africa, the programme will fund local universities and companies to develop AI tools and datasets in African languages. The initiative aims to make AI more accessible across key sectors such as healthcare, education and agriculture.
Global tech conference Web Summit will hold its first African edition in Cape Verde this December, marking a milestone for the island nation’s growing digital ambitions. Organizers said the country was chosen for its investments in the digital sector and its strategic geographic position. The event is expected to bring together African entrepreneurs, investors and global tech players to strengthen innovation across the continent.
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Togolese startup DoctaMob launched a health “super-app” that centralizes medical appointments, teleassistance, ambulance requests and pharmacy services.
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The platform seeks to address structural healthcare access challenges in Togo through digitalization and mobile-based services.
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DoctaMob plans to expand beyond Togo as West African healthtech adoption accelerates.
Togo-based startup DoctaMob has launched a digital health platform in Lomé that aims to simplify access to healthcare services through web and mobile applications.
The company positions the platform as a healthcare “super-app” inspired by international models such as Doctolib, while adapting the model to local market realities.
Available on Android and iOS, DoctaMob allows users to book medical appointments online, locate healthcare facilities, identify on-duty pharmacies, request ambulances and arrange home-based care services. The platform also integrates teleassistance features and remote medical advice services.
DoctaMob has centered its business model on digitizing the patient care journey. The startup aims to reduce several structural constraints in Togo’s healthcare system, including long waiting times for healthcare professionals, fragmented access to medical information and patient mobility limitations.
In parallel, DoctaMob seeks to strengthen trust in its healthcare ecosystem. According to the company’s promoters, healthcare professionals listed on the platform must provide supporting credentials and undergo verification procedures before the platform validates their profiles.
The platform references doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other practitioners through a control system designed to limit fake profiles and uncertified medical services.
DoctaMob operates within a broader expansion of healthtech solutions across West Africa, alongside platforms such as Rivia, ASKcare and Kénèya Koura.
As smartphone penetration, mobile money adoption and digital usage continue to rise, several African startups have accelerated efforts to improve healthcare access through platforms that combine teleconsultation, medical geolocation services and digital healthcare management.
Beyond Togo, DoctaMob has outlined regional growth ambitions. The startup’s founders plan to gradually expand the application into other African markets facing similar healthcare access and medical service coordination challenges.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
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Between 4,000 and 5,000 parcels transit Mauritius each day, a volume driven by online purchases and international e-commerce platforms.
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Junior Finance Minister Dhaneshwar Damry and MRA Director General Rohit Ramnawaz met with a Korean Customs Service delegation on Friday, May 15, to discuss risk management systems and advanced parcel-processing technologies.
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The Mauritius Revenue Authority is rolling out advanced scanning systems to detect drugs, weapons and prohibited goods, alongside automated risk management tools.
Mauritius is moving to tighten control over its postal flows through digital tools, as the country grapples with a sharp rise in e-commerce parcels and a growing wave of illicit trafficking.
The issue dominated a meeting held Friday, May 15, between junior Finance Minister Dhaneshwar Damry, Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) Director General Rohit Ramnawaz, and a delegation from the Korean Customs Service.
The discussions focused on strengthening risk management systems and integrating advanced technologies into the processing of incoming parcels. Mauritian authorities want to sharpen detection capabilities for drugs, weapons and fraudulent goods through scanning equipment and automated analysis. "The government's vision is to digitalize government services in order to improve their efficiency and effectiveness, while managing the growing risks linked to drug trafficking and illicit products," Damry said after the meeting.
This cooperation comes against the backdrop of fast-rising e-commerce activity on the island. According to customs authorities, between 4,000 and 5,000 parcels transit Mauritius each day, a volume pushed higher by online purchases and international e-commerce platforms. That growth complicates the work of control services, which now face increasingly sophisticated fraud methods — particularly the under-valuation of goods and the concealment of prohibited products inside postal shipments.
The initiative builds on years of government investment in modernizing customs and tax services. The Mauritius Revenue Authority has launched several projects covering the automation of clearance procedures, digital risk management and tighter control of incoming parcels. The agency is also working on advanced scanning systems designed to detect drugs, weapons and other prohibited goods more effectively. Beyond domestic efforts, the authorities are relying on international cooperation to modernize control infrastructure, speed up the processing of goods and secure trade flows.
Samira Njoya
Investor 216 Capital announced last week that it has backed EYST, a Tunisian insurance technology company. Through EYST’s platform, policyholders instantly receive a virtual debit card preloaded with their reimbursement funds. Instead of paying out of pocket for medical or repair costs and waiting to be reimbursed, customers can access the money immediately. The innovation reduces wait times and paperwork while helping insurers strengthen fraud prevention.
Africa Global Logistics is partnering with the REasy platform to launch a shared container shipping service between China and Cameroon. The solution allows small businesses to combine shipments in a single container to reduce shipping costs. The platform includes digital payments, package tracking and customs clearance services, simplifying imports for local merchants.
Women entrepreneurs in Africa can apply until June 16 for the Cartier Women’s Initiative, an international competition that supports women-led businesses with social or environmental impact. Selected candidates will receive leadership and business management coaching, while winners will receive up to $100,000 in funding.
- Algeria launched the “77.7” digital empowerment program targeting citizens from ages 7 to 77.
- The initiative combines in-person and remote training through seven regional Skills Centers with an annual target of up to 30,000 learners.
- The program forms part of the broader “Digital Algeria 2030” strategy aimed at developing ICT skills and reducing youth unemployment.
The Algerian government announced last week the launch of a digital empowerment program called “77.7.” The initiative aims to train Algerian citizens across all age groups and provide digital skills needed to meet modern technological demands and support the country’s digital transformation agenda.
Sid Ali Zerrouki announced the initiative on Saturday, May 17, during the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.
The government is implementing the program in partnership with Algérie Télécom and Mobilis, while authorities plan to integrate additional partners in later phases
Authorities describe the “77.7” initiative as the country’s most comprehensive national digital-skills program.
The initiative targets seven distinct age groups through seven customized educational tracks.
The tracks range from “Technology Explorers” for children aged 7 to 10 to programs such as “Technology Layers,” “Innovators” and “Professional Technology” designed for youth and students.
The initiative also includes “Technology for Growth,” “Digital Empowerment” and “Technology Seniors” programs aimed at adults and elderly citizens up to age 77.
The training content follows a modular and progressive structure adapted to each age category, ranging from introductory digital literacy to advanced technology mastery.
Cybersecurity forms a mandatory component across all programs. The curriculum notably covers phishing prevention, online fraud awareness, disinformation risks and personal data protection.
Operationally, the initiative relies on a hybrid model combining in-person and remote learning. Seven Skills Centers located in the wilayas of Algiers, Oran, Annaba, Sétif, Chlef, Saïda and Adrar will support implementation. Each center can host around 1,000 learners annually. During the first year, the ministry expects to train between 25,000 and 30,000 citizens.
National Skills Development Strategy
The initiative forms part of broader efforts by Algerian authorities to strengthen digital skills development nationwide. The government said it wants to invest in human capital as an “essential foundation” for adapting to rapid technological changes.
Authorities have launched several related initiatives in recent months. In April 2026, Algiers launched a 12-week national artificial intelligence training program.
In May 2025, the government introduced the “Chabab Tech” program to train young people in cloud computing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things.
Earlier that year, authorities had already begun deploying Skills Centers across the country.
These initiatives fall under the “Digital Algeria 2030” strategy, which identifies skills development as one of its five main pillars. The roadmap aims to train up to 500,000 ICT specialists and significantly reduce the emigration of qualified talent.
Authorities are also presenting the initiatives as a structural response to persistent unemployment, particularly among young people. According to the 2024 “Activity, Employment and Unemployment” survey by the National Statistics Office (ONS), Algeria’s overall unemployment rate reached 9.7%.
Meanwhile, the World Bank estimated youth unemployment at 29.4% in 2024, compared with 29.9% a year earlier.
Beyond employment prospects, the digital training initiatives also aim to accelerate adoption of digital services, strengthen digital inclusion and improve user protection in an increasingly connected environment.
This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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Guinea unveiled nine strategic projects aimed at digitizing public services and modernizing administrative governance.
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The initiatives fall under the broader Simandou 2040 roadmap, which now includes digital, governance and infrastructure reforms.
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Authorities expect the reforms to improve transparency, streamline administrative procedures and strengthen the business environment.
Guinea is accelerating the modernization of its public administration. The Ministry of Public Administration Modernization and Civil Service presented nine strategic projects on Friday, May 15, in Conakry. The initiatives aim to strengthen the digitization of public services, improve administrative management and modernize state governance tools.
The projects notably focus on digitizing public services through the One-stop shop for public services (GUSP), modernizing human resources management systems and deploying digital equipment across government institutions.
In addition, the program includes a detailed mapping of the public administration system, an inventory of IT systems currently used for personnel management and expanded digital-skills training for civil servants.
Authorities also plan to rehabilitate and modernize the Gouv-Lab, restructure public administrative institutions and rationalize state intervention in order to improve administrative coordination.
Moreover, the government intends to strengthen digital tools, including the FUGAS platform dedicated to public-sector human resources management.
According to the ministry in charge of the civil service, the projects should reduce administrative bottlenecks, strengthen transparency and improve access to public services for citizens and businesses.
The initiative forms part of the Simandou 2040 program, which authorities describe as Guinea’s new economic and institutional roadmap for the next 15 years.
Although the program initially centered on the massive Simandou mining project, it now includes reforms linked to digitalization, public governance and infrastructure development.
Through the initiative, authorities aim to build a more efficient and results-oriented administration as several African countries accelerate the digital transformation of public services.
The new projects come as Guinea has already launched several e-government initiatives in recent years. The country now operates a national public services portal that provides online access to administrative procedures including passport applications, visa requests, civil registry documents and biometric permits.
The government has also launched digital platforms such as eTax for online tax filing and payment services. At the same time, the National Agency for State Digitalization (ANDE), established in 2022, is overseeing several projects related to interconnection between government administrations, development of public digital solutions and deployment of the Conakry metropolitan fiber-optic network.
Beyond administrative modernization, the reforms also carry broader economic objectives. Guinea aims to improve the business climate, strengthen the efficiency of public action and facilitate interactions between government agencies, citizens and companies.
Authorities also believe that digitalizing procedures could reduce administrative delays, improve operational traceability and strengthen transparency in public management.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Rivia Clinics combines connected medical clinics, teleconsultation and centralized patient management through its proprietary RiviaOS platform.
- The Ghanaian healthtech startup launched in January 2024 in Accra under founder Isidore Kpotufe.
- The company uses a subscription-based corporate model to simplify employee access to healthcare services.
Rivia Clinics is a healthtech solution developed by a Ghanaian startup. The company aims to simplify access to healthcare by combining connected clinics, teleconsultation services and digitized patient management systems.
Based in Accra, the startup launched operations in January 2024 under the leadership of founder Isidore Kpotufe.
“We are a network of smart clinics offering a ‘WOW’ patient experience for in-person and virtual care. WOW means a (W) warm and welcoming environment, (O) open communication and (W) world-class medical care. We use technology to provide personalized care, create convenience and expand access,” the startup said.
The company operates a network of clinics that serve as entry points into a unified healthcare ecosystem. Each patient within the network benefits from centralized monitoring through the company’s proprietary software platform, RiviaOS, which consolidates medical records, prescriptions and consultation histories.
One of the platform’s main objectives is to reduce fragmentation in healthcare pathways, a recurring issue across many African healthcare systems where medical data often remains scattered between institutions. By centralizing patient information, Rivia aims to improve continuity of care and facilitate coordination between healthcare practitioners.
The company has also strengthened its digital offering through teleconsultation services accessible via several channels, including messaging applications and video calls.
This functionality aims to reduce congestion at physical healthcare facilities while providing faster access to medical consultations, particularly for patients requiring initial diagnoses or routine follow-up care.
Rivia’s business model relies on contracts with companies that provide employees with subscription-based access to healthcare services. The system seeks to simplify healthcare access for workers while reducing administrative constraints often associated with traditional health insurance systems.
Beyond healthcare delivery, the startup is also seeking to develop a broader healthtech infrastructure.
The acquisition of software solutions and integration of hospital management systems are strengthening the company’s positioning as both a technology provider and a medical services operator.
At a time when African healthcare systems continue to face capacity, coordination and digitalization challenges, companies such as Rivia are illustrating the emergence of hybrid models that place technology at the center of healthcare transformation.
This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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- Morocco signed a partnership with CDG and CDG Incept to deploy a digital road transport platform under the “Digital Morocco 2030” strategy.
- The platform will include a digital chronotachograph system capable of tracking vehicle speed, driving times and geolocation data in real time.
- Moroccan authorities aim to improve road safety, modernize logistics management and digitize administrative services for transport operators.
Road transport handles the majority of freight exchanges in Morocco, and authorities are accelerating the sector’s digital transformation to modernize logistics management and improve road safety.
Sector data show that road transport accounts for more than 75% of freight flows in Morocco and remains a key pillar of the country’s logistics industry. At the same time, rising trade volumes and growing traffic are pushing Moroccan authorities to digitize the sector in order to modernize administrative services, strengthen transport monitoring and improve road safety.
Against this backdrop, the Ministry of Transport and Logistics signed a partnership agreement on Thursday, May 15, in Rabat with Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion (CDG) and its subsidiary CDG Incept. The agreement aims to support the implementation of the road transport digital roadmap under the national “Digital Morocco 2030” strategy.
The partnership includes the development of an integrated digital platform dedicated to road transport operations. The system will incorporate a digital chronotachograph capable of tracking several categories of vehicle data in real time, including speed, distance traveled, driving time and the geolocation of trucks and buses.
According to Transport and Logistics Minister Abdessamad Kayouh, the solution will allow drivers and transport companies to monitor operations more accurately through digital tools while simplifying access to administrative services.
In addition, users will be able to complete certain procedures remotely through a centralized platform instead of traveling to ministry offices.
Moroccan authorities also intend to use the new digital tools to strengthen road safety enforcement. Morocco still records several thousand road accidents every year.
According to the National Road Safety Agency (NARSA), the country registered more than 143,000 traffic accidents involving injuries in 2024, resulting in more than 4,000 deaths.
Authorities expect digital monitoring of driving times and vehicle movements to help reduce violations linked to driver fatigue, speeding and breaches of traffic regulations.
The digital transformation also aligns with Morocco’s broader logistics modernization strategy. According to the Ministry of Transport, the sector contributes about 5% of national GDP and plays a strategic role in the kingdom’s trade exchanges with Europe and Africa.
Moreover, the expansion of port infrastructure, particularly around the Tanger Med complex, has increased demand for digital solutions capable of improving cargo traceability and logistics-chain efficiency.
For CDG, the project represents an initial phase in the ministry’s broader administrative digitalization process. The implementation work is expected to last about six months.
Ultimately, Moroccan authorities aim to build a digital ecosystem capable of improving road transport governance, streamlining operations and bringing public services closer to businesses and citizens.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Kofi Sika Latzoo founded Gamecampcities in 2012 to promote African gaming, esports and digital experiences globally.
- The company helped African studios access the international gaming industry through events such as the Game Developers Conference in California.
- Latzoo expanded into financial education and cultural digitization through Gamecampcities Financial and Musel.
Kofi Sika Latzoo is a Togolese cultural entrepreneur and a pioneer in creative industries, gaming and digital art. He operates mainly from Senegal, where he founded and currently serves as creative director of Gamecampcities, an African agency specializing in video games, esports and digital experiences.
Founded in 2012, Gamecampcities provides services across several segments of the gaming and creative economy. The company offers graphic design, visual identity creation and brand communication services. In addition, it supports companies and organizations that promote gaming-related projects through digital marketing, public relations and gamification, a method that uses gaming mechanics to make activities more interactive and engaging.
Gamecampcities also operates in the esports sector. The agency develops educational initiatives around competitive gaming, supports esports teams and provides legal advisory services to industry stakeholders. Moreover, it organizes physical and digital events, livestream broadcasts and audiovisual productions.
Since its launch, Gamecampcities has led several landmark initiatives across Africa. In 2013, the agency introduced African gaming studios to the international market during the Game Developers Conference in California. During the same year, it organized Senegal’s first-ever tournament for the video game League of Legends.
Beyond gaming, Latzoo expanded his activities into financial education and cultural digitization. He currently serves as a visiting researcher at the University of Texas at Dallas.
He also co-founded and leads the creative direction of Gamecampcities Financial, which has provided financial education services to African gamers since 2023.
In parallel, he co-founded and serves as creative director of Musel, a consulting firm launched in Germany in 2019. The company specializes in the digitization of galleries, libraries, archives and museums.
Latzoo also works as a senior international gamification consultant for German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). In addition, he earned a professional diploma in digital marketing, sponsorship and sports communication from Barça Innovation Hub in 2015.
He started his professional career in 2003 as a junior graphic designer at Moustique Web Design Video, a Senegalese graphic design studio.
From 2011 to 2019, he headed the Senegal section of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA). Between 2018 and 2023, he also lectured on design and esports at KEDGE Business School in France.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Laetitia Sêssi Agassa founded Kankode in 2025 to expand access to digital skills training across West Africa.
- The platform provides tailored learning tracks for students, entrepreneurs and people seeking career transitions into technology.
- Agassa combines experience in diplomacy, software development and digital mentoring to support regional digital transformation.
Laetitia Sêssi Agassa is a Beninese entrepreneur and web developer. She founded and currently leads Kankode, an e-learning platform designed to democratize access to digital skills across West Africa.
Founded in 2025, Kankode targets several user profiles. The platform allows students to acquire digital skills relevant to their studies and future careers. It also provides artisans and merchants with tools to improve business management and commercial development.
In addition, the platform helps professionals seeking career changes discover new digital professions through progressive learning programs.
Kankode structures its services around three main training tracks.
The first track introduces users to basic digital skills, including internet use and essential digital tools. The second track helps entrepreneurs and merchants use digital tools to sell products, communicate with customers and manage operations more efficiently.
Meanwhile, the third track focuses on digital professions and provides advanced training designed to develop skills that technology companies increasingly demand.
Kankode relies on a simplified and practical learning model. The courses use short videos, interactive exercises and quizzes to improve understanding and accessibility.
The platform also designs its content for beginners who may have little or no prior exposure to digital tools. At the same time, Kankode encourages users to learn at their own pace.
Beyond Kankode, Agassa participates in several initiatives linked to technology and digital entrepreneurship.
She is a member of the eTrade for Women community. She also co-founded and currently serves as project manager at BSM Groupe, a communication and digital marketing company.
In addition, she acts as an ambassador for isahit, a France-based ethical AI data-labeling platform.
Agassa graduated from the École nationale d’administration et de magistrature (ENAM) in Abomey-Calavi, Benin, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in diplomacy and international relations in 2017.
She started her professional career in 2016 as a freelance writer. In 2017, she began working as a freelance English-French translator.
Later, in 2020, she joined Botamp, a technology company, as a web developer.
In 2023, she became a mentor for software developers at ADPList, an international community focused on democratizing mentorship access.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- ScanEvent centralizes the management and monitoring of trade fairs, conferences and professional events through a digital platform launched in 2025.
- The platform enables organizers and exhibitors to automate registration, track interactions and analyze event performance data.
- Founder El Bechir Mohamed Ahmed previously co-founded industrial startup CMPE Groupe before entering the event technology sector.
After working in the industrial sector, El Bechir Mohamed Ahmed has turned his attention to modernizing business events in Algeria. By connecting organizers and exhibitors through a single digital interface, he aims to transform data collection and event monitoring into strategic performance tools.
As co-founder and chief executive officer of ScanEvent, Mohamed Ahmed has positioned the company to modernize the management of professional gatherings. The startup launched its digital platform in 2025 to centralize the organization and monitoring of trade fairs, exhibitions and conferences while replacing manual processes with a more integrated system.
ScanEvent targets all participants across the event value chain, including organizers, businesses, exhibitors and visitors. The platform seeks to convert often complex events into interactive and measurable experiences through several integrated features.
The company places particular emphasis on registration management. Organizers can register participants before or during events and generate digital badges linked to identification codes that allow rapid visitor verification. The platform also centralizes information related to participants, exhibitors and event activities through a single dashboard.
ScanEvent also provides tools for exhibitors and participating companies. Users can collect business contacts, track interactions during trade fairs and access performance data designed to measure the impact of their participation.
In addition, the platform integrates communication features. Organizers can send messages, notifications and updates directly to participants and exhibitors to maintain engagement before, during and after events.
Before entering the event technology sector, El Bechir Mohamed Ahmed built his first business experience in industry by co-founding CMPE Groupe in 2020. The startup specializes in industrial production.
Mohamed Ahmed graduated from the Houari Boumediene University of Science and Technology with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering in 2019. He also earned a master’s degree in entrepreneurship, technology and innovation in 2023 from FUTURIS Institute.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum