His mission is to transform how Africans learn practical skills. He aims to equip them with the knowledge they desire in their chosen fields.
Dahou Meziane (photo), an Algerian computer scientist and entrepreneur, is the founder and CEO of BrainerX, a startup launched in 2023. His mission is to empower Africans with the tools to broaden their knowledge and excel in their areas of interest. BrainerX, through its mobile app, provides a wide array of hands-on courses. These include cybersecurity, programming, data science, e-commerce, graphic design, UI/UX, robotics, and artificial intelligence. The company also offers training in digital marketing and entrepreneurship.
BrainerX goes beyond merely offering courses by organizing events such as hackathons, workshops, and networking sessions. These initiatives aim to foster collaboration among entrepreneurs and professionals. Furthermore, competitions are organized to allow community members to excel, compete with their peers, and be rewarded for their achievements.
In addition to his involvement with BrainerX, Dahou Meziane is also the founder and general manager of Oktobit, an online store specializing in the sale of laptops and computer accessories. Oktobit offers a range of products suited to different customer profiles, whether they are students, programmers, graphic designers, or gamers.
A graduate of the National Higher School of Computer Science (ESI) in Algeria, where he obtained a master's degree in computer science in 2022, Dahou Meziane began his professional career in 2013 as a mobile application developer at Cible Vision training center. In September 2020, he joined the Algerian Insurance Company (SAA) as a mobile developer intern, before working as an Android engineer at SoBiapi in 2022.
Melchior Koba
These initiatives address barriers to tech education and careers while emphasizing the pivotal role of AI skills in driving innovation and prosperity. It lays the foundation for a thriving tech hub and contributes to economic growth and technological advancement.
The Kaduna State Government, in partnership with Google and Data Science Nigeria, launched on April 30, the AI for Beginners Learning Video Series. The program, presented in Hausa, aims to make AI education more inclusive in Northern Nigeria, making technology more culturally relevant and accessible to women in the region.
Governor of the state, Uba Sani, highlighted the government's commitment to digital transformation and economic growth. He emphasized the importance of equipping women with AI skills to drive innovation and prosperity. “AI is not just the future; it’s the present. By equipping our people, especially our women, with AI skills, we’re paving the way for a more prosperous and innovative Northern Nigeria and laying the foundation for Kaduna to become a thriving tech hub,” he said.
Northern Nigeria encounters several challenges that hinder tech education and career opportunities, such as socio-cultural complexities, and language barriers among others. Unicef's 2022 report on Education Opportunities for Out-of-School Children (OOSC) reveals that one in three children in Nigeria are not attending school, with 66% of them located in the Northeast and Northwest regions, and over 50% being girls. This highlights the need for education and skills development, particularly in the tech sector, for women in Northern Nigeria as these skills and literacy are crucial for digital development.
Through engaging culturally relevant imagery and animations, the series seeks to make digital concepts relatable, encouraging women's participation in the tech sector. The Series is available on platforms like YouTube and in Kaduna State schools
The initiative marks a significant step forward in empowering Northern Nigerian women with essential digital skills, fostering economic growth and technological innovation in the region.
Hikmatu Bilali
As a software engineer, he is committed to developing technological solutions that simplify the daily lives of Africans. His startup, Chowdeck, is supported by several major investors.
Femi Aluko (photo), a Nigerian tech entrepreneur, co-founded and now leads Chowdeck, a company that bridges the gap between Nigerian vendors and consumers. Established in 2021 by Aluko, Olumide Ojo, and Lanre Yusuf, Chowdeck specializes in providing logistical services to both sellers and consumers. The company stands out for its ability to facilitate seamless meal deliveries for food vendors, offering consumers an intuitive platform to order meals from their preferred restaurants.
On April 30, 2024, the startup raised $2.5 million in seed funding from a group of investors that included YCombinator, Goodwater Capital, FounderX Ventures, HoaQ Fund, Levare Ventures, True Culture Funds, and Haleakala Ventures. “We are pleased with the success we have achieved to date and excited to have raised these funds that will enable us to replicate that success in more parts of Nigeria, and add value to our customers, vendors and riders in as many ways as we can,” Aluko commented.
Aluko, who graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University in 2015 with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, began his professional journey in 2013 at Softblue Nigeria Ltd as a software engineer. Concurrently, he interned in the field support and projects department of Toptech Engineering.
In 2015, he joined the real estate tech startup Hutbay as a software engineer. The following year, he moved to Shopping Internet Services, where he served as a team leader. From 2017 to 2022, he brought his experience and skills to the fintech company Paystack, holding various positions such as software engineer, engineering director, technical manager, and lead engineer.
Melchior Koba
The Agency for Information Systems and Digital (ASIN) announced on Tuesday, April 30, it is hosting an Artificial Intelligence hackathon from May 13th to 16th, 2024. Participants can join virtually or attend in person at the Palais des Congrès in Cotonou.
Digital technologies are driving the rapid transformation of Africa's economy. Recognizing this, African leaders are ramping up efforts to establish high-quality digital services and expand access to high-speed internet.
African Information and Communications Technology (ICT) ministers have set a target to boost the continent’s internet access by 20% within the next five years. This resolution was reached at the Connected Africa 2024 summit, which took place in Nairobi from April 21 to 25. The summit concluded with a declaration aimed at fostering a digitally connected and empowered Africa, setting several ambitious goals for the continent’s digital transformation.
Kenya’s Minister of Information, Communication, and Digital Economy, Eliud Owalo, underscored the significance of collaboration in propelling Africa’s digital transformation during the summit’s closing ceremony. According to the official, by harmonizing digital policies across the continent, the continent can expedite its aspiration to become a leading global trade power under the African Continental Free Trade Area. He also disclosed a plan to equip one million young Africans with digital skills by 2027 ,through capacity building, to advance the collective vision of a digitally empowered Africa by 2030.
The 14 African ICT ministers who attended the Connected Africa 2024 summit will follow a comprehensive digital empowerment roadmap. This roadmap includes agreements, commitments, and political resolutions, such as initiatives to integrate digital skills into educational curricula, develop broadband infrastructure, facilitate digital trade via the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and encourage research and innovation in artificial intelligence.
The fourth edition of the Connected Africa summit is in line with Africa’s Digital Strategy 2063 and the African Union’s Vision 2030. The aim is to synchronize the efforts of African nations to hasten digital transformation and bridge the digital divide across the continent.
Samira Njoya
On April 16, the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) fund, Muuni, launched the Smart Africa Youth Chapter to support digital startups.
This initiative aims to narrow the digital gap and boost economic growth by equipping young entrepreneurs with essential digital skills.
The Smart Africa Youth Chapter aims to cultivate young leaders capable of driving innovation and job creation through mentorship and training.
A professional accountant, he decided to venture into e-commerce. With his SNAPnSAVE solution, he revolutionizes the way consumers perceive their purchases.
South African entrepreneur Mark Bradshaw (photo), founder and CEO of SNAPnSAVE, has developed a platform that offers consumers cash back on their purchases. SNAPnSAVE, launched in 2015, is a cashback app that rewards users with money back each time they shop. Bradshaw explained in 2017 that their receipt technology allows shoppers to earn cash back wherever they shop by simply taking a photo of their receipt. The technology is enabled without any point-of-sale integration, allowing the product to scale into markets without barriers.
In addition to his role at SNAPnSAVE, Bradshaw serves on the advisory board of Therefour SA & UK, a consultancy that provides small and medium-sized businesses with access to strategic and operational expertise in areas such as finance, marketing, and IT, tailored to each company’s specific needs.
Prior to founding SNAPnSAVE, Bradshaw co-founded Kaboose in 2012, a startup that provides a mobile shopping tool for consumer goods at supermarkets. The platform enables customers to save on in-store purchases through exclusive coupons, find products that best suit their needs, and locate the best prices in nearby stores.
Bradshaw is a graduate of Stellenbosch University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business management in 2000. He also holds a chartered accountant diploma, obtained in 2004 from the SA Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Bradshaw began his professional career in 2002 at the accounting firm BDO Spencer Steward, where he worked as an auditor. In 2005, he joined Rebserve Cleaning Services as the financial and operations director. He later served as the commercial director at skincare company Union Swiss from 2008 to 2011.
Melchior Koba
Chowdeck, a Nigerian startup operating in meal delivery, announced on Tuesday, April 30, the successful completion of a $2.5 million funding round. Speaking on the matter, Femi Aluko, co-founder of the startup, explained the funds will enable the startup to replicate its success in more parts of Nigeria and add value to customers, vendors and riders in “as many ways” as it can.
In an effort to contribute to the sustainable development of their country, three tech entrepreneurs have established a solution for financing collaborative projects through e-commerce.
DealKhir, a Moroccan startup, has introduced an innovative online commerce platform that allows users to purchase service products in support of sustainable association projects. The Casablanca-based startup, established in 2021 by Layla Medkouri, Hamza Bakkach, and Rim Machhour, is transforming the landscape of fundraising and patronage.
The platform operates by setting up a specific fund for each project. Users can directly access these projects on the website and make a purchase to support the ones they choose. The process is straightforward: select a project, purchase one or more products associated with it, and upon validation of the purchase, 70% of the amount is directly allocated to the project’s fund.
Layla Medkouri explains, “When you make a purchase of 100 dirhams (approximately $9.92), 70 dirhams are donated to the selected association projects. These projects are supported through these deals and indirectly by our partner companies who agree to lower their prices to increase attractiveness.” She further adds, “For instance, in the case of school transportation, each product purchased by a user contributes 70 dirhams to the dedicated fund. Once the target amount is achieved, all contributors, including consumers and partner companies, are notified.”
Initially, DealKhir concentrated on service products such as leisure, entertainment, travel, and fitness centers. However, it has evolved into a comprehensive online commerce platform where users can find a variety of items related to the projects being funded. Notably, it offers local cooperatives a free platform to market their products. Users can also contribute to a project without necessarily making a purchase.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
After earning a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Korhogo in 2014 and a certificate in entrepreneurship from the Founder Institute in 2016, the Ivorian native embarked on a venture into the world of digital entrepreneurship. He chose to focus on educational technologies.
Etudesk LMS, an edtech platform developed by an Ivorian startup, offers users the ability to create online courses via its web interface. The startup, established in 2016 by Lamine Barro and headquartered in Abidjan, is carving out a niche for itself in the digital education sector.
The platform, which does not offer a mobile app, requires users to use a browser to create an account and access a page where courses are available. Users have the option of asynchronous training, which is individual instruction without participant interaction, or a cohort-based approach that allows group interaction. The training can be exclusively online or a blend of face-to-face and remote education, known as blended learning.
Once users have made these choices, they can upload documents and videos to the page and create various training modules. They can then share links to their courses through various channels, including social media.
Etudesk incorporates several features to streamline the management of online courses. The edtech platform enables the assessment of learners’ skills through practical activities and quizzes with an optional automatic grading feature, scheduling of videoconference sessions directly via the platform, and continuous interaction with the class through group discussion forums.
Etudesk offers a range of pricing plans, including a free plan. Other plans are priced at $69, $169, and $299 per month, respectively. Discounts are available to users who opt for annual plans. With the exception of the free plan, which remains unchanged, the edtech charges for 10 months out of the year for users who choose the annual plan.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
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Robust ID systems can curb cybercrime and boost Africa's economic development by enhancing security and trust in digital transactions. Accurate identification enables targeted resource allocation, fostering financial inclusion and driving economic growth.
The Central Bank of Uganda, BoU, recently mandated a government-issued ID presentation for digital transactions exceeding one million Ugandan shillings ($260). The move, announced on April 19, aims to combat digital payment fraud in line with regulatory requirements.
The institution revealed in a tweet that it has “observed a rise in the usage of mobile money platforms for online fraud and scams. Mobile money systems have occasionally been the target of cybercrime carried out by agents working with criminals.”
Valid national IDs or passports are now necessary for transactions surpassing one million Ugandan shillings.
KPMG, in its Africa Cyber Security Outlook 2022 Survey, reveals that East Africa has the highest proportion of cyber-attacks in Africa, with 31% reported incidents. Also, despite 39 out of 54 African countries having cyber security legislation, Africa's adoption of such policies stands at 72%, the lowest globally.
Strengthening cybersecurity measures is crucial to enhance digital resilience and protect financial systems and individuals from future threats.
Hikmatu Bilali
Trained as an architect and passionate about technology, he has amassed solid expertise in the digital field. He now leads three technology companies, including Room.et, which focuses on real estate management.
Natnael Mekonnen Tsehay is an Ethiopian tech entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Room.et, an online room-booking service for hotels, apartments, and guest houses. His aim is to change the way people book stays in Africa.
Founded in 2021, Room.et is an online hotel aggregator offering a virtual marketplace for available hotel rooms. With a dedicated website and mobile app, the platform allows users to discover and book hotel rooms based on criteria such as price, room type, and desired amenities, while offering various payment solutions.
A serial entrepreneur, Natnael Mekonnen Tsehay also founded WAKANDA Technologies in 2018, a company specializing in IT consulting, outsourcing services, and information technologies, helping businesses achieve their goals with modern digital solutions.
In 2019, he launched Ethiopian Business Daily, where he serves as the General Manager. The media outlet provides daily business news in Ethiopia, covering startups, business activities, trade regulations, and technology.
Natnael Mekonnen Tsehay holds a Bachelor's degree in Architecture obtained in 2019 from the Ethiopian Institute of Architecture, Building Construction and City Development (EIABC). He also holds a certificate in Real Estate Management from Addis Ababa University.
Melchior Koba
Food delivery platform Glovo will cease operations in Ghana on May 10, 2024, despite a previous €3.5 million ($3.7 million) investment for expansion, citing profitability issues.
Following this, Glovo will focus on other African markets, including Morocco, Uganda, Kenya, Côte d'Ivoire, and Nigeria.
Despite Co-founder Sacha Michaud's positive outlook on Ghana's market in 2021, challenges such as high taxes and inflation have led to this decision. Yet, the online food delivery market in Ghana is projected to generate US$224.60 million in revenue in 2024.
Morocco becomes the fourth African country to join UNESCO Digital Skills Initiative, Following Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, and Nigeria
On Tuesday, April 23, Moroccan authorities, in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Chinese tech giant Huawei, initiated a program aimed at enhancing the digital skills of educators, particularly those teaching literacy. The objective is to boost the digital competencies of 10,000 literacy educators by 2025. The launch was announced last week through press releases from both UNESCO and Huawei.
“Literacy is the foundation of lifelong learning and a driver for sustainable and participatory development. In light of the digital transformation, it is essential that literacy instruction leverages the full potential of technology. We are proud to support the Kingdom of Morocco as a member of the UNESCO Global Alliance for Literacy in improving the digital skills of 10,000 literacy teachers by 2025,” stated Isabell Kempf, Director of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL).
This program is a component of the national strategy for the digitization of education, which is part of the Morocco Digital 2030 strategy. The strategy aims to position the kingdom as a regional leader in digital education. In November 2023, the Moroccan government collaborated with American company Oracle to foster digital skills in higher education, thereby providing professors and students with access to training, learning resources, and specialized software.
In essence, the implementation of this initiative will enhance the quality of education in Morocco, better equip students for the digital era, and bridge the digital divide in the kingdom.
Adoni Conrad Quenum