TECH STARS (663)
With a degree in finance, he now devotes himself to his two passions: agriculture and technology. He champions responsible farming that respects the environment and leverages technology to achieve his goals.
Josias Wendinda Kere (photo), a Burkinabe financial market analyst and entrepreneur, has merged his passions for agriculture and technology through his startup, Agri Minga, established in 2018. As the CEO, Kere is at the forefront of revolutionizing African agriculture with hydroponic and aeroponic soil-less farming techniques, as well as smart greenhouse cultivation.
His company, Agri Minga, develops both environmentally friendly and socially impactful agriculture in Burkina Faso. By eschewing chemicals and genetically modified organisms, it grows a variety of plants, including fruits, vegetables, and herbs, in a controlled environment. The company also markets soil-less farming kits and incorporates task-tracking technology to optimize growth conditions.
From April 15 to 18, 2024, Agri Minga will participate in the World Electronics Forum in Morocco, providing Kere an opportunity to share his insights and collaborate with other industry stakeholders.
Kere has received support from various African development programs. A former participant in the AGreenLab program, supported by organizations such as Impact Hub and La Fabrique, he also accessed an acceleration program from the Orange group. This support enabled him to "finalize the design of a tool for controlling and monitoring agricultural parameters in greenhouses or open fields," he told We Are Tech Africa.
When asked about his development goals, Josias Wendinda Kere stated, "Our objective is to expand our service range by introducing innovative new offerings such as an artificial intelligence-managed control and monitoring module. We also aim to recruit the necessary skills to provide superior service and establish strategic partnerships with research institutions in the agricultural sector."
Josias Wendinda Kere holds a professional degree in banking, finance, and microfinance, earned in 2008 from the African Institute of Management. In 2010, he earned a master's in management and finance, specializing in financial markets, from the Ecole Supérieure de Gestion et Finance (ESG) in Paris. Additionally, he has developed computer skills since middle school.
After completing his studies, he worked for several years in the banking and finance sector. Among other positions, he served as a trader analyst at Holding Bourse and Investment from 2011 to 2013. From 2012 to 2023, he taught courses in trading and technical analysis, securities negotiation on capital markets, and computer programming. In 2016 and 2017, he was the consultant responsible for managing foreign exchange risk at SONABHY, Burkina Faso’s national hydrocarbons corporation.
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He develops AI-powered solutions that transform the African protein industry.
Egyptian pharmacist and entrepreneur Omar Zaghloul (photo), co-founder and CEO of AIProtein, is spearheading the production of vegan and eco-friendly protein powders through an artificial intelligence (AI) - powered process.
AIProtein, a biotech startup established in 2023, is at the forefront of producing eco-friendly, vegan, and gluten-free protein powders. The company leverages a hybrid AI/Internet of Things (IoT) production platform, using local organic nutrients for sustainable aquaculture and scalable protein purification technology.
The startup aims to tackle the environmental, social, and economic challenges associated with traditional protein production, while also striving to meet the nutritional needs of the world’s expanding population.
Zaghloul earned his bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences from the German University of Cairo in 2017. He furthered his education at Zewail City of Science and Technology, graduating in 2021 with a degree in Biomedical Sciences, Drug Design, and Development.
His professional journey began in 2017 as a marketing manager at Pharco Pharmaceuticals, where he also served as a quality assurance trainee and an R&D stability trainee. In 2019, he took on the role of community partner at workspace provider Regus.
Simultaneously, Zaghloul became the head of intellectual property and technology transfer at Zewail City of Science and Technology. In 2020, he coordinated the innovation and entrepreneurship programs at the innovation center.
After serving as a program development manager and management consultant at CEO ENTREPRENEUR for a year and a half, Zaghloul returned to Zewail City of Science and Technology in 2022 as an innovation management consultant.
In recognition of his commitment and excellence in entrepreneurship and innovation, Zaghloul was named Middle East CEO of the Year in 2023.
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He is a determined entrepreneur who stands out for his commitment to finding innovative solutions to financial challenges in Africa, particularly for immigrants and their families.
Egyptian entrepreneur Adham Azzam (photo), co-founder and CEO of Balad, has established a multi-currency, multi-channel cross-border payment infrastructure for Africa. Balad, founded in 2022 by Azzam, Sally Asaad, and Mohamed Assem, provides a comprehensive digital platform to facilitate financial transactions between immigrants and their families back home. The startup’s services include money transfers, mobile banking applications, and prepaid debit cards, offering low fees and instant fund delivery via Balad cards.
Before this venture, Azzam co-founded Lnddo in 2019, serving as COO until 2022. Lnddo is a forward-thinking company that leverages technology and data analytics to provide innovative credit solutions to businesses in the region, including the UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.
Azzam, a civil engineering graduate from the Institut National des Sciences Appliquées in Toulouse, France, furthered his academic credentials with an Executive MBA from INSEAD in 2012. He began his professional career in 1999 with Bouygues Construction as a site engineer.
In 2006, he joined VINCI Concessions, a transport infrastructure firm, as a project manager of the Compagnie Financière et Industrielle des Autoroutes (Cofiroute), a subsidiary of the company. He later joined the International Finance Corporation (IFC) as a Senior Investment Officer in 2016. In 2018, he assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer at EgySolar, a company specializing in solar energy development, before fully committing to entrepreneurship in 2019.
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With a solid background in finance and accounting, she decided to focus on e-commerce to meet the needs of Gabonese people for online shopping and fast delivery.
Gabonese auditor and entrepreneur Malika Gadault Deacken (photo), founder of FastBox, has created a platform that connects customers and merchants offering a wide array of products. Established in 2020, FastBox provides an online sales application, FastBox App, which markets a range of items from beauty products to clothing, home accessories, and food.
To enhance customer experience, FastBox has developed an integrated delivery service, FastBox Livraison, allowing customers to receive their purchases at home. This service aims to alleviate the need for physical shopping trips, offering increased convenience to Gabonese consumers.
Beyond her entrepreneurial success, Deacken serves as the Managing Director of Bet241, a Gabonese sports betting company, a position she has held since January 2023. She joined the company in 2017 as the administrative and financial director.
Additionally, Deacken leads the finance committee of Gabon’s TECH 241, a union of technology companies, and mentors with the Women In Africa organization.
Deacken graduated from the Catholic University of Lille in 2009 with a degree in economics and finance. She later earned a master’s degree in auditing, accounting, and management control from ESG Finance in Paris in 2012, and a strategy certification from HEC Paris in 2023.
Before her entrepreneurial journey, Deacken gained valuable experience with major companies such as BforBank, Orange France, and Deloitte. Her tenure at Deloitte from 2013 to 2017, where she held various positions including auditor, senior assistant, and project manager, allowed her to hone her auditing and management skills.
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A computer scientist by training, he leverages his expertise to benefit South Africans by offering solutions aimed at making education more accessible and effective for every student, whatever their background.
South African computer scientist and entrepreneur Dacod Magagula (photo), a University of Cape Town graduate, co-founded FoondaMate in 2020 with Tao Boyle, after honing his expertise at various companies. FoondaMate, where Magagula serves as CEO, aims to provide accessible, high-quality educational resources to South African students.
The company uses artificial intelligence to develop chatbots for messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. The goal is to equip students, especially those without internet access or who have difficulty finding pertinent information, with the necessary tools for academic success.
Magagula’s inspiration for FoondaMate stemmed from his educational struggles. Raised in a resource-scarce rural township in Mpumalanga, South Africa, he fully understands the challenges many students face. “I went to a school in a rural township school in Mpumalanga, South Africa, that didn’t have resources. I did not have electricity at home until I was 7,” he recounted.
FoondaMate, which initially offered downloads of old exam papers, now boasts over a million users who use the service via WhatsApp or Messenger for homework assistance and exam preparation.
Before his entrepreneurial venture, Magagula gained significant web development experience. In 2016, he interned at Lumico, a digital marketing agency, as a web application developer. From 2017 to 2021, he held successive positions as a full stack developer at Monetise E-commerce, an e-commerce agency, and as a full stack engineer at ninety9cents, a South African advertising agency.
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With a degree in finance and accounting, he combines his knowledge with technology to provide digital banking services to his customers, contributing to financial inclusion in Africa.
Tanzanian entrepreneur Victor Joseph (photo) is the CEO of Tembo, a startup that offers digital banking services across Africa. Established in 2020, Tembo enables customers to manage their finances, make secure investments, and save, integrating and launching financial products.
Tembo, positioned as a business partner, provides essential technology tools to integrate and launch programmable payment collection, card, wallet, and bank account services across Africa. Its business partners include major players such as fintechs, e-commerce companies, digital banks, mobile money operators, and digital lenders. Licensed by the Central Bank of Tanzania and with other regulatory approvals, the startup aims to expand its influence across East and West Africa.
Its CEO, Joseph, is a graduate of the University of Dar es Salaam with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Accounting. He also holds a master’s degree in business strategy and entrepreneurship from Cardiff University, Wales, obtained in 2019.
Prior to founding Tembo, Joseph had already left his mark on the Tanzanian entrepreneurial ecosystem with his previous initiatives. In 2011, he launched Beeble Technologies, a web design and digital marketing agency. In 2015, he founded Tango TV, an on-demand internet streaming media platform. From 2011 to 2018, Joseph successfully led the Universities Entrepreneurship Challenge, an initiative to support and encourage entrepreneurship among African students.
Joseph’s achievements have been recognized, with accolades such as Tango TV’s inclusion among the top 30 emerging technology startups in Africa by Demo Africa in 2015.
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He is passionate about using digital tools to improve various aspects of life, focusing on the field of health. Thanks to his startup, he has won several prizes and awards.
Hamidou Ouologuem (photo), co-founder and CEO of Kénèya Koura, a startup providing digital health services, is committed to enhancing patient care. Established in 2021 by Ouologuem, Fatoumata Diarra, and Oumar Dioni, Kénèya Koura delivers innovative digital solutions to improve healthcare accessibility. The startup’s services include online appointment scheduling, telemedicine consultations, and digital patient record management. It also promotes collaboration between local and international doctors, allowing patients to download their prescriptions online.
In addition to simplifying the patient experience, Kénèya Koura assists doctors in enhancing their organization, visibility, and patient retention. With operations in France, the startup also serves foreign patients.
Ouologuem, a native of Mali, holds a master’s degree in strategic marketing and communication from the École supérieure de commerce du Mali, earned in 2015, and a master’s degree in digital innovation from the Université de télécom in Saint-Etienne, obtained in 2018.
Owing to his dedication and expertise, Ouologuem was accepted into the Orange Digital Center in 2022, where he received financial support, training, and privileged access to Orange services.
With approximately a decade of experience, Ouologuem interned in Orange Mali’s marketing department in 2013. He served as the communications head at Pixel Communication in 2016 and was employed as a web designer by IT company CPG Consulting in 2018. The following year, he joined BCA Expertise, an automotive appraisal firm, as a communications officer.
His achievements have been celebrated with several awards. With Kénèya Koura, he won the Construire le Mali program in 2021. He was also honored as the best e-health startup at the Mali Digital Awards in 2022 and 2023.
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With a decade of fintech experience, she has held numerous roles of responsibility. Her accomplishments have been recognized with awards and shared with fellow female entrepreneurs from Africa, Europe, and Canada.
Aïssatou Ami Touré (photo), the 35-year-old Managing Director of Yassir Sénégal, has been named the winner of the Margaret Awards 2024 in the African Intrapreneur category. The award was presented at a ceremony in Paris, France, on March 11, organized by Digital Women’s Day (JFD), which champions women’s creativity, innovation, and audacity in the digital sector.
Touré, who has been at the helm of the startup since May 2022, is developing a digital wallet within the company, which operates a super-application for booking taxis and delivering mail and parcels. The wallet, currently at the Proof of Concept stage, is designed to help users manage their budget and control their spending. The long-term goal is to extend the solution to other partners, particularly in the retail sector.
With this financial solution, Touré aims to improve consumer satisfaction regarding access to transport and food products and encourage widespread adoption of the digital platform in Senegal. Her work reflects her commitment to technological innovation and financial inclusion in Africa.
Touré, who has over a decade of experience in fintech, holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a major in finance from Suffolk University in Boston, and a master’s degree in science with a major in finance from NEOMA Business School. She began her career at Orabank Senegal in 2011.
She joined Tigo Cash, Tigo Senegal’s mobile financial services department, as a product manager in May 2013. In February 2014, she was promoted to Customer Operations Supervisor, and Director of Operations in June 2015. During her tenure at Tigo Cash, she developed professional procedures that were crucial in obtaining licenses to issue electronic money.
In December 2016, Touré joined Ecobank Senegal as Head of Mobile Banking, and was promoted to Head of Remittances and Mobile Banking in February 2018, a position she held until May 2022. Her dedication to financial inclusion has led her to advise and support start-ups looking to enter the field of digital finance, contributing to a more dynamic and accessible financial ecosystem.
As a recipient of the Margaret Prize, Touré will benefit from various JFD programs designed to support the growth and international influence of startups and entrepreneurial initiatives led by women from Europe, Africa, and Canada.
Trained as a computer scientist, she aims to optimize the monitoring of children by their parents and schools. Supported by the Orange Group, she continues to develop her business across Africa.
Sayouri Soukaina (photo), a computer scientist by training and the founder of Schoolify, leads its Moroccan division with a mission to enhance school monitoring for schools, students, and parents.
Established in 2021, Schoolify provides a suite of management solutions for schools, encompassing school monitoring, administrative management, geolocation, and real-time tracking of school transportation. The platform empowers school administrations to manage all school services online, maintain comprehensive student records, and facilitate constant communication with parents.
Schoolify offers students an online educational space that integrates all school-related activities, including lessons, exercises, schedules, canteen services, grades, and periodic reviews. The application also provides a comprehensive overview of all school activities, including report cards and textbooks.
In 2017, Soukaina also co-founded Sotinor, a communications agency where she serves as CEO. Sotinor assists entrepreneurs in conducting precise business diagnostics, enhancing profitability, and making informed strategic decisions.
Soukaina, a Moroccan national, earned a degree in computer engineering in 2014 from the Agadir Polytechnic in Morocco and a master’s degree in computer science in 2015 from the University of Lorraine in France. In 2019, she joined the StartOn program by Orange and received two years of support. She launched Schoolify at the end of this program.
“Thanks to the support from Orange’s StartOn, I was able to market my product ,‘Schoolify’, in [...] four countries in Africa. As for the support program, I’m in the process of gaining solid knowledge and expertise, thanks to our coaches. Not to mention the fact that I’ve built a robust customer portfolio,” Soukaina explains.
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He aims to help maintain a healthy environment and make life easier for Moroccan travelers. An entrepreneur specializing in mobility, he has received several awards for the impact of his solution.
Hicham Zouaoui (photo), a Moroccan entrepreneur and computer scientist, is the co-founder and CEO of Pip Pip Yalah, a startup aimed at simplifying and reducing the cost of travel for Moroccans through a long-distance carpooling platform.
Established in 2018 by Zouaoui and Otman Harrak, Pip Pip Yalah connects drivers embarking on long journeys with passengers via its namesake app, to cut travel expenses and CO2 emissions.
The concept of Pip Pip Yalah originated in 2013 as a Facebook page where drivers used to post their offers and interested passengers responded by commenting or sending private messages. “The social network allowed us to test the market fit of the concept freely and organically,” Zouaoui stated.
Boosted by Orange Fab, the startup has amassed a community of over 400,000 members and has facilitated more than 1,000 journeys across Morocco.
Zouaoui, a graduate of Moulay Ismail Meknes University, earned a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering in 2011 and a master’s degree in quality, health, and safety management from Ibn Tofail University in 2015.
He started his professional career in 2014 at Webhelp, a data company, serving as the continuous improvement manager. In 2017, he joined CloudControl, a software company, as a global key account manager. In 2021, he became a partner at Ideancy, a creative agency specializing in digital communications consultancy and web marketing in Morocco and France.
Zouaoui has been recognized with several awards for his impactful contributions. In 2020, his Pip Pip Yalah solution was honored as the best application of the year at the Maroc Web Award. That same year, he secured the second prize at the Orange Social Venture Prize POESAM in Morocco.
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He is committed to fostering a new generation of young tech innovators and entrepreneurs. He has helped hundreds of young software developers get jobs with major companies.
South African entrepreneur Mvelo Hlophe (photo), founder and CEO of Zaio, spearheads initiatives to transform South Africans into leaders and innovators through training programs. Through his company, Zaio, he focuses on equipping individuals and businesses with computer programming skills.
Established in 2017, Zaio is an online platform aimed at providing Africans with digital skills training and assisting budding software developers in securing their first jobs.
“We are training the next generation of tech leaders on the continent. Our approach is so novel and when people start realizing just how great it is, there will be a shift in our EdTech platforms, the value they bring, and how suited they are to individual users. Ours is to create a foundation, not only by increasing the pool of quality talent on the continent but also to create a standard when it comes to EdTech products our people will interact with,” Hlophe stated in 2022.
By 2023, the startup had already registered over 10,000 users. Its platform has facilitated 200 users in obtaining developer positions with organizations such as Sanlam, the World Bank, and Standard Bank. Zaio aims to broaden its operations across the continent, targeting regions like Kenya, Nigeria, and Egypt.
Hlophe, a graduate of the University of Cape Town with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Accounting (2017) and a Bachelor’s degree in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (2020), is an impact entrepreneur with Further, a company that supports entrepreneurs. He has been a fellow of the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation since 2021.
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After his studies, he worked as a software engineer in several companies. As an entrepreneur, he is digitizing the commerce and delivery sector in South Africa.
South African software engineer and entrepreneur, Donald Vutlharhi Valoyi (photo), is the founder and CEO of Zulzi, a platform that provides on-demand delivery of groceries, fresh produce, and essentials.
Zulzi, established in 2013, evolved from Zulzi.com, an e-commerce platform initially targeting students with immediate delivery of books and electronic devices. This service laid the groundwork for the creation of the on-demand delivery platform.
Zulzi enables customers to purchase a wide range of items, from groceries and alcohol to pharmaceuticals and food. Customers can compile their shopping lists and have their orders delivered automatically. The platform fosters a community where colleagues and neighbors can share delivery costs and order quality products from each other.
According to Valoyi’s LinkedIn page, “Zulzi is a grocery delivery marketplace that gives members direct access to thousands of grocery items through a mobile app. The app allows customers to build their grocery lists and purchase items without ever visiting a store. Trained Shoppers then handpick and deliver the items, transforming the grocery shopping experience.”
Valoyi graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science. That same year, he embarked on his career as a software engineer at Mavoni Technologies, a firm specializing in information technology, consulting, and business process outsourcing.
In 2010, Valoyi joined EOH, a technology company offering IT services, software, and industrial technologies, as a Java developer. In 2011, he advanced to the position of technical team leader at First National Bank South Africa.
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BBIncubator is striving to position entrepreneurship as the cornerstone of development in Cameroon. The organization conducts various events and provides development programs for entrepreneurs.
Boris Bison Youth Empowerment Incubator (BBIncubator), a Cameroon-based incubator established in 2020, is committed to fostering an environment that enables emerging entrepreneurs to achieve their aspirations.
The incubator’s vision is to empower young Cameroonians aged between 18 and 35 to combat poverty and job scarcity by establishing successful businesses, according to its website.
Under the leadership of founder and CEO Boris N. Ngala, BBIncubator offers workspace, guidance, mentorship, and coaching to the innovative startups it identifies. The incubator’s objective is to empower businesses to generate consistent profits for the development of the Cameroonian community.
In 2023, BBIncubator launched its inaugural Tech Pitch competition, “Finance your Startup,” for young Cameroonian entrepreneurs. The competition allows entrepreneurs to present their technological ideas to a panel of judges, with the winner receiving startup financing of XAF1 million (approximately USD 1,600).
BBIncubator also initiates an incubation program every three months to mentor, train, and advise young entrepreneurs. The program offers insights into company operations and trains entrepreneurs in the use of the Internet and modern payment gateways.
Incubatees have access to BBIncubator’s computing equipment, cloud services, and broadband internet connection, as well as a laboratory for IoT (Internet of Things) and ICT (Information and Communication Technology) prototyping. The incubator also organizes networking events and conferences and provides entrepreneurs with access to seed capital.
Through its programs and activities, BBIncubator aims to assist new businesses in overcoming their daily challenges.
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An experienced business leader, he is passionate about developing solutions that improve the quality of life of Africans. As an entrepreneur, he specializes in renewable energy.
Thony Ngumbu (photo), a Congolese entrepreneur and co-founder and CEO of Mwinda Technologies, is committed to designing clean energy solutions and financing options. His startup aims to address the lack of reliable energy and financial inclusion in sub-Saharan Africa.
Established in 2018, Mwinda Technologies is a U.S.-based cleantech and fintech company that launched operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2019. The company offers a variety of renewable energy solutions, including the installation of solar panels for residential, commercial, and industrial customers. It designs battery storage systems to provide electricity in the event of grid failure and maintains solar and battery backup systems.
In collaboration with its partners, Mwinda Technologies offers short-term supplier credit for the hybrid solar systems it manufactures or battery backup systems. It also enables customers to purchase their solar systems by paying in installments, with the option to repay their debt using mobile money from their mobile phone.
Before Mwinda Technologies, Ngumbu founded Genesis Ventures in 2014, where he served as managing partner until 2018. Genesis Ventures is a strategy and business development consultancy dedicated to creating high-growth, high-impact businesses on the African continent, operating in sectors including agriculture, energy, mining, transport, and infrastructure.
Ngumbu, a U.S. Army veteran, holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics from the University of Houston and a master’s degree in business administration from Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business. He also studied computer science at Wartburg College.
His professional career began in 2002 at Verizon Wireless, a cellular phone provider, where he served as a senior technical analyst. From 2013 to 2016, he was the senior director of programs, operations, and resource development at IEDA Relief, a non-governmental organization that assists vulnerable people worldwide.
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