In addition to quality services, companies usually need good customer interaction to acquire new clients and retain existing ones. This realization prompted tech entrepreneur Japheth Dibo to develop customer support solutions for SMEs.
Japheth Dibo (photo), CEO of Dial Afrika, is a Kenyan entrepreneur with a passion for information technology. He founded Dial Afrika, in 2021, with his partner Benard Gavana to provide a unified communications solution that enables African SMEs to stay in touch with clients and get insights into customer behaviors.
Through his company, the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) graduate offers SMEs the possibility of receiving and responding to client comments, calls, and opinions right from a single platform that integrates various channels.
"It does not matter which platform a customer gives their feedback or query from. Once the company responds through the software, from the other end, the customer may think they are receiving the feedback from the platform they used to send their queries,” the tech entrepreneur explained in 2022.
Dial Afrika also uses artificial intelligence to collect and analyze data on customers to help companies make more informed decisions.
The company, endorsed by over 150 customers in five countries, aims to help SMEs build customer loyalty, increase sales and optimize customer service. On October 5, 2023, it was selected, along with 10 other start-ups, to participate in the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa: AI First program.
Before embarking on that exciting journey, Japheth Dibo worked for GoldBet, a Kenyan sports betting company between 2016 and 2017. There, he successively held the positions of customer technical support representative and IT team leader. He then joined the property management company Carnation Properties Ltd., where he worked as a system administrator until 2018.
Melchior Koba
The Chinese video-sharing platform TikTok is enjoying great success on the African continent. While some countries have no problem with it, Senegal considers the application to be a threat to national stability.
TikTok will remain suspended until further notice in Senegal, Minister of Communication Moussa Bocar Thiam (photo) said at a press conference last October 5. According to the government official, the government is in talks with the social network’s executives to lift that suspension.
"It's an unfortunate situation because our objective is [to guarantee] the free use of this platform [...] For the moment, the restriction is maintained pending the conclusion of a comprehensive written agreement," he said.
Three conditions were set out for the lifting of the suspension. Firstly, the Minister insisted on the need for TikTok to put in place a mechanism guaranteeing the deletion of fake accounts and accounts with subversive content. He also called for a local representation in Senegal.
Finally, the government called for regulation of the application's algorithm in Senegal, to control content that could run counter to Senegalese values and negatively influence young people. According to the Minister, it's a question of knowing what content is being offered to Senegalese.
The ban on TikTok was imposed in August following the arrest of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko. At the time, Senegalese authorities said it was "the preferred network used by malicious individuals to spread hateful and subversive messages threatening the country's stability."
Despite being banned in the country, it is still widely used by the Senegalese youths who use means like VPNs to bypass censorship.
Samira Njoya
Over the past decade, the Kenyan government has invested heavily to make the country a technological hub in East Africa. It wants to reach even greater heights with the support of various partners.
On Thursday, October 5 in Nairobi, the European Union (EU) Commission launched a €430 million digital package aimed at extending connectivity in Kenyan schools, creating a green digital innovation center, and supporting the government in its digital transition.
The package, unveiled during the official visit of the European Union's Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, underlines the EU's commitment to Kenya's technological transformation.
"Expanding digital connectivity, upskilling jobs, and driving digital governance and services is at the heart of what our investment strategy is about: Creating sustainable connections and local added value while cutting unsustainable dependencies," said Jutta Urpilainen.
The launch of this digital package in Kenya is part of Europe's Global Gateway strategy, an initiative of the European Commission to advance the dual digital and green transition and provide reliable, sustainable connections to partner countries.
In Kenya, the initiative will reduce the digital divide by providing Internet access to around 1,300 schools in remote areas. A grant of 9.8 million euros will fund the development of infrastructure and digital educational skills and services in schools in 47 counties. These will benefit over 219,000 children as part of the GIGA program, a global initiative set up by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
The package will also enable the creation of a green digital innovation cluster supported by the EU and Germany, as well as e-government initiatives in partnership with Estonia and Germany, and participation in Govstack, an innovative community project formed as part of a multilateral partnership between Germany, Estonia, ITU, and Digital Impact Alliance.
According to William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, the aim of the partnership with the European Union is to create a link that will contribute to sustainable development, the empowerment of the most disadvantaged, and the promotion of good governance and the rule of law in the country.
Samira Njoya
Africa has historically been the continent with one of the lowest banking penetration rates. Those rates have been growing over the past few years but, with the introduction of digital alternatives, the rise is poised to be faster.
PiggyVest is a fintech solution developed by a Lagos-based startup founded in 2016. It enables individuals and businesses to save towards goals like launching a business, buying a car, or furthering education. It was founded by five passionate entrepreneurs, who succeeded in raising around $1.2 million in funding to accelerate its growth.
"When we started, there were 22 banks in Nigeria. So there was quite a lot of option and yet, young people were storing their savings in wooden boxes under their beds. This showed us that people might have access to financial services but they weren’t developed to serve their needs," explained Odunayo Eweniyi, co-founder and chief operations officer of PiggyVest
To access the various services offered by the solution, users need to download its mobile app –Android or iOS version– and register for an account. Among other things, PiggyVest offers several ways to save, such as goal-oriented savings, savings in foreign currencies such as the dollar (flex dollar), or fixed savings, which involves blocking funds for a set period without having access to them until maturity. Its savings plans remunerate users with 5 to 15% interest.
"With PiggyVest, users can save as much as they want as frequently or infrequently as they want, be it every day, every week, or every month. [...] We offer quarterly free withdrawal days when users can take money out if they need to without any cost. Should a user want to withdraw their money early or outside of these days, they will be charged a fee to discourage them from doing so," indicated Odunayo Eweniyi. PiggyVest claims over 4 million users. In 2021, its users saved over $480 million.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
He automates SMBs’ customer interactions using AI-enabled chatbots. His innovations in science and technology have earned him several awards.
Ghanaian Ronald Tagoe is the founder and CEO of Chatbots Africa, a Kenya-based startup that helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) automate customer interactions and sales channels using social chatbots.
His remarkable academic career started at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) where he graduated, in 2013, with a Bachelor’s in computer science. In 2021, he obtained a Master's in Management Information Systems from the University of Leicester.
Barely a year before that Master’s he had already founded Chatbots Africa to enable African SMEs to boost their revenues and improve customer engagements using artificial intelligence and chatbots. Through that company, he provides SMEs with AI-enabled conversational bots, which interact with clients on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook.
"Our solution enables clients to hold real-time conversations with customers, build brand credibility, and boost engagement in a way that drives sales and enhances business efficiency," Ronald Tagoe told news outlet TechCabal in 2021.
Nowadays, Chatbots Africa’s products are used in more than five countries with over one million active users monthly. On October 5, 2023, it was selected as one of 11 African startups to join the Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First program.
Before launching Chatbots Africa, Ronald had co-founded (in 2012) mNotify, a telecom company that offers voice and SMS services to organizations. Between 2013 and 2014, he worked, as hub manager, for technology innovation center Tech Hub. He also served as GTBank's Head of Enterprise Solutions between 2014 and 2017.
Ronald Tagoe has been recognized for his dedication and commitment to science and technology. Notably, he won the Transformed Africa Youth Innovation Award in 2014. He was an Afric'Up 2019 finalist, won the Tech Cabal Future of Commerce Partnership Pitch in 2021, and was named Technology Entrepreneur of the Year 2021 by the Ghana Startup Network. He was named the best science and technology personality of the year at the inaugural Forty Under 40 Africa Awards in 2022.
Melchior Koba
The center offers cutting-edge entrepreneurship and digital skills training programs to develop a talent pool capable of taking advantage of the global digital economy.
Adei Technology Hub is a development and innovation center located in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. It was founded in 2017 by Odomitchi Anikpo, its executive director and a former Google and Salesforce employee.
The innovation center offers technical and entrepreneurial training, as well as startup coaching programs. It has a coworking space, an events room, and private offices with access to international expertise and cutting-edge technologies.
Its stated mission is to train, support, and connect key players in the regional and international tech ecosystem, therefore promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa and showcasing local talent, ideas, and solutions.
To entrepreneurs, Adei Technology Hub offers Adei Elevate - Launch Boost Grow, a program that reinforces the fundamentals of entrepreneurship through e-learning, peer-to-peer interaction, and mentoring. Supported by FINCA Ventures, Creative Valley, Seedstars, and Impact Hub, the program offers a series of workshops tailored to each entrepreneur’s stage of development.
The hub also has the Adei Elevate & Fellowship program to support revenue-generating startups aiming for investment within two years. To professionals, Adei Technology Hub offers the Tech Talent Accelerator Program, a six-month theoretical and practical training program that equips them with the skills they need to excel in the technology sector.
Adei Technology Hub also organizes events such as Meet & Greet, which brings together students from its programs, members of the Adei Fondation Côte d'Ivoire, and other guests. All these offers contribute to the development of the technology sector in Africa.
Melchior Koba
In recent years, on-demand transport applications have become genuine competitors to traditional cabs. In response, some cab associations have decided to enter this segment too.
Yo!Taxi is a mobile application developed by a South African startup launched by twelve meter cab associations to compete against giants like Uber and Bolt. It enables users to order cabs for their various journeys around town.
Through its Android and iOS apps, users can register for accounts, using their phone numbers and email addresses. To order a cab, they need to enter their destination and press the "Get my Yo!Taxi" button to send the request to drivers in the area. After this step, they have to click on "Pick me up from here" to choose a driver if several are proposed, then confirm the fare based on the app's estimate.
The driver's details can be accessed by clicking on his or her profile. It is worth noting that the startup collects and verifies the information of each of its drivers before their maiden trips. It also has security mechanisms like cameras, an emergency button, and a vehicle tracker to ensure the safety of cab occupants.
In addition to on-demand transportation, the South African company also offers delivery services. Whether it's food from a local restaurant or a parcel, drivers are available to carry out the errands. Since its launch, the Android version of the application has been downloaded more than 10,000 times.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
He combines creativity and technology to improve the quality of life of amputees. Thanks to his prostheses, he has been quoted by magazines on numerous occasions and has received awards from international institutions.
Tunisian engineer Mohamed Dhaouafi (photo) is the CEO of Cure Bionics, a company developing affordable bionic prostheses. He earned a bachelor's degree in electronic and electrical engineering from the national engineering school in Sousse in 2017. In 2020, he got a master’s in non-profit management from the Tunis Business School.
While studying engineering, he discovered that one of his teammates had a cousin with no upper limbs and couldn't afford a prosthesis. This inspired him to create Cure Bionics in 2018. Designed with biodegradable materials, Cure Bionics' 3D-printed bionic arms are adjustable and feature a solar-powered battery.
A member of Tunisian Talents United, a group committed to transforming bright young Tunisians into great leaders, since July 2022 he has also been CEO of Ecobees, an agritech startup developing IoT (Internet of Things) solutions with a beehive laboratory in Tunisia.
He is also the co-founder of Agaruw, an eco-friendly fashion brand, as well as an online marketplace for ecological and sustainable fashion alternatives. In 2017, he also co-founded the incubator Zeta Hub, of which he was co-director until 2018.
Mohamed Dhaouafi has received several awards for his innovative work. He was part of the Obama Foundation's Africa Leader 2019 program. He was also named one of the top young innovators under 35 by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's prestigious Technology Review. He is also one of Forbes' Middle East 30 Under 30 winners for 2020 and Time magazine's Next Generation Leaders.
Melchior Koba
Tatweer Research is a key player in the Libyan technology landscape. Through its innovative programs and commitment, the organization aims to increase the impact of technology on economic development in Libya.
Tatweer Research is a national economic development agency that aims to transform the Libyan economy into one based on knowledge, innovation, and the export of cutting-edge technologies. It was founded in 2010 by Khaled Elmufti, a computer scientist with degrees from Imperial College London and City.
The agency operates through three main activities: research, development, and professional excellence. It works on solving global problems in the fields of environment, climate, energy, business transactions, medical technology, and education.
Through its Tatweer Entrepreneurship Campus (TEC), Tatweer Research has set up innovation initiatives and skills development programs like the Graduate Program to educate, train, and empower Libyan youth and leaders. It has also created a 1,200-hectare free economic zone and Tech City in Libya.
The agency encourages Libya's brightest young people, incubating the ideas of ambitious local entrepreneurs while attracting international talent and investment. Through its Coding for Children (C4C) program, it introduces primary school children to coding, strengthening their capacity for innovation and creative thinking.
In partnership with the European Union and UNDP, Tatweer Research aims to promote entrepreneurship and encourage job creation outside the public sector. The organization is contributing to the transformation of the Libyan economy from one based on natural resources to one focused on innovation and entrepreneurship.
Melchior Koba
The ongoing digital revolution has encouraged a growing number of young Africans to venture into the path of entrepreneurship and innovation, giving the continent a glimmer of hope. However, their endeavors are sometimes slowed by the lack of financing.
The Baobab Network, a startup accelerator providing technical and financial support to entrepreneurs in Africa, announced on Thursday, October 5 its intention to invest in a thousand African technology companies over the next decade.
"We have the platform to dramatically scale the number of investments we review and execute across Africa. Our goal is to empower 1000 start-ups, catalyzing innovation and driving economic growth across the continent," said Baobab co-founder Toby Hanington.
Around 60% of Africa's population is under the age of 25, making the continent the world's youngest. This translates into a large youth population, and highlights the immense potential for youth-led innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth.
Like The Baobab Network, multinationals like Microsoft believe in the potential of this enterprising youth and are investing accordingly. In 2022, the American computer software company announced its plan to support the growth of around 10,000 African startups over the next five years.
According to its executives, Microsoft intends to become "one of the cornerstones of the continent's digital economy and provide relevant solutions to Africa's societal challenges". For the company, this means working towards an explosion of local innovations that will contribute positively, not only to Africa's digital economy, but also to global society.
Since its launch in 2019, Baobab has invested in 45 startups in 15 African countries. Thanks to the establishment of its new co-investment vehicle, future cohorts will benefit from an investment of $100,000 each, up from $50,000 previously. The new cohort includes Brandrive, PocketFood, and Bunce (Nigeria), as well as Kawu (Uganda) and Alal (Senegal).
Samira Njoya
More...
Moussa Bagnon, one of the members of the Ivorian team that won the Sony Talent League last March recently agreed to talk to We Are Tech Africa. During this interview, he discusses the competition, his ambitions for the animation and special effects sectors as well as the Afro VFX training program that enabled him to enter the industry.
We Are Tech: Hi Mr. Bagnon, can you tell us a bit about your background?
Moussa Bagnon: I have a degree in electronics and a passion for the digital, photography and video. I was part of the first cohort of the Afro VFX training course organized by Orange Côte d'Ivoire in 2022. The aim of the course was to introduce young people to special effects and animation.
WAT: Before this training, were you already familiar with special effects and animation?
MB: No, I had no prior knowledge. I did start out in related fields with computer graphics and video editing. I had some idea of the tools that could be used to create 3D and animation, but I had no skills in these areas.
WAT: How did you join the first cohort of the Afro VFX training program?
MB : I heard about the training at the Orange Digital Center Côte d'Ivoire, a center dedicated to coaching and developing digital skills. I took part in Orange Summer Challenge 2021, a summer internship that enables young people to carry out a project to solve a social problem. After that, I kept up a good relationship with the members of the Orange Digital Center Côte d'Ivoire, which I visited regularly. Then I heard about Afro VFX and applied.
WAT: How did the apprenticeship go when you were selected?
MB: The apprenticeship began with MASTERCLASSES on special effects. Following a selection process, the most motivated and able, whether amateurs or beginners, were selected to follow the certification course. The first sessions focused on Maya software for 3D modeling and animation. Next, we learned about simulation using software such as Houdini. The sessions took place online every Saturday with different trainers over several weeks.
WAT: Did the training meet your expectations? In particular, in terms of the animation skills you were looking for?
MB : When I entered the Afro VFX program, what I really wanted was to be able to animate and create special effects like professionals. I can't say that I have become a professional after the course but I did learn a lot about the basics of the trade. We were given technical skills, but first, we had to learn about the industry's ecosystem with the world of studios and how animators collaborate. I believe three months of training can not make me a professional who can start applying for animation jobs. It is just an initiation. Also, I was looking to upgrade myself to international animation and special effects standards. So, this level can’t be reached within just three months. Nevertheless, I have learned a lot and I’m still learning. We are already seeing animation projects by very talented people in Côte d’Ivoire, but I’m really aiming for international standards. So, I still want to improve my skills.
WAT : With the skills you acquired during the 3-month training, you and other students from the Afro VFX cohort won the Sony Talent League (a worldwide digital competition) in March with your animated documentary "Djossi Heroes". How did you get to take part in such a high-profile competition when you were still not confident your skills would match international standards?
MB : We heard about the competition through Dedy Bilamba, one of the co-founders of the Afro VFX program, who shared the competition link with us. We heard about it a few weeks before the first deadline, but the criteria were really up to the international standards I was aiming for, for example. It was an opportunity for us to gauge our current level. We set off to discover the competition and put our new skills into practice. We didn't really think we'd win the competition. First, we had to submit a pitch, and out of the 600 projects submitted, five, including ours, were selected and then we had to work for 10 weeks with our mentors to present the final version.
WAT: Can you tell us about the project that made you win the competition?
MB : It's called Djossi Heroes, a 15-minute documentary series that puts the spotlight on petty traders. The first episode, for example, is about a water vendor and her business. For us, these people are everyday heroes. Our job was to use animation to bring the heroine's ambitions and dreams to life so that they would shine in the documentary. We collaborated with two other students from the Afro VFX cohort and a cartoonist, under the supervision of our instructors who helped us structure the project.
WAT: What do you think attracted the judges to Djossi Heroes?
MB : The 5 finalists submitted great projects, but I think what made the difference with our project is the social impact and awareness-raising on immigration and other important subjects that we dealt with in the episodes. I think the jury was more attracted by the impact of our project.
WAT: What do you plan to do next?
MB: For now, the plan is to improve Djossi Heroes. The next step will be to find investors to finish and distribute it on a large scale. At the same time, I will continue to train myself to reach the skill level I desire. I want to contribute to the improvement of animation and special effects in Côte d'Ivoire, and Africa.
WAT: Are you planning to take part in the next Afro VFX cohort?
MB : Of course. The first cohort was more of an initiation than anything else. The second cohort provides for real specialization, and there I'll have the opportunity to choose a very specific area of special effects. It's a much broader sector than you might think. There are people who do texturing, some specialize in animation, others in composition. I will have the chance to perfect my simulation skills.
WAT: You've greatly stressed on international standards. Do you think that Africa is still far from reaching those standards?
MB: We're gradually getting there. With what we're seeing in certain countries like Nigeria and Côte d'Ivoire, there are quite a few studios doing good work. We're not up to international standards, but we're not far off.
WAT: Do you think there's a real demand for animation specialists in Africa right now?
MB : I think there's a real need because the continent is producing more and more content, especially animated films. There are more and more African projects of this kind, but the people behind these initiatives are often obliged to outsource the animation part and entrust it to professionals outside Africa, in order to get quality animation. That's why training is so important. In Africa, we have great stories, but we need to train animators and special effects specialists to perfect the narration.
WAT: What message would you like to pass on to young people like yourself who want to get into animation and special effects?
MB: I want to encourage them because we're seeing more and more African animated films on well-known platforms like Netflix, so we can say that the sector is growing. Africa is very closely watched by the outside world in this field, so I'd ask them not to hesitate. It's a sector that feeds its people and has a future. I'd also like to appeal to African authorities for more support in the field because it can create a lot of jobs for Ivorians and Africans in general.
WAT: I think your appeal will be heard. Thank you for your time.
MB: Thank you too.
Interview by Servan Ahougnon
Incumbent operator Telecom Egypt is gradually moving towards its goal of becoming the leading connectivity services provider in the region. As part of its strategy, the company is teaming up with like-minded international partners.
Egyptian telecom operator Telecom Egypt and 4iG, a Hungarian IT service management company, signed a memorandum of understanding in Cairo on Wednesday, October 4, to link Egypt and Albania via a high-capacity fiber optic submarine cable.
The cable to be built will be a new traffic entry to Europe via Albania and will add a new multiple route to Egyptian-European traffic. "With an open access model and multiple branching units, the system is set up to be a new European cable entry point with a different transit passage compared to the already existing Mediterranean routes to the main internet Point of Presence (PoP) such as the ones in Frankfurt in addition to numerous potential Points of Presence in Eastern Europe," said 4iG in a press release.
For Budapest-based 4iG, the new agreement represents a gateway to “enter as a new player in the market for intercontinental data transmission infrastructure between Europe and Asia, and Europe and East Africa.” Meanwhile, Telecom Egypt indicates that the initiative is part of its strategy to diversify transit options in the Mediterranean basin by means of multiple, high-capacity submarine cables linking Egypt and Europe.
According to Amr Talaat, Egypt's Minister of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), the country is already connected to 14 international submarine cables, and work is underway to establish five new cables. In addition, Telecom Egypt is the partner of choice for the deployment of submarine cables for over 160 companies worldwide.
Ultimately, the new submarine cable will, among other things, facilitate connectivity in the countries concerned and create new opportunities for cooperation with partners in many countries.
Samira Njoya
On Monday, October 2, Tanzanian authorities inaugurated the Center for Competence in Digital Education (C-CoDE), the fruit of collaboration between Morocco's Mohamed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) and Switzerland's Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL).
The center, hosted by the Nelson Mandela African Science and Technology Institution (NM-AIST), was built thanks to an endowment of over $100,000 from the United States. Among other things, the center will support the digital transformation of training and education practices in Tanzania and the East African Community (EAC).
The solution was launched by two tech entrepreneurs, with the aim of giving people access to decent labor.
Saweblia is a digital platform developed by a Moroccan startup. It connects users with craftsmen such as electricians, plumbers, handymen, and painters. The Casablanca-based startup behind the solution was founded, in 2015, by Reda Lakhlifi and Mohammed Ait Addi. It aims to revolutionize the breakdown service market by combating dishonest service providers.
The startup is yet to launch a mobile application for its solution. So, users can access its services only through its web platform or its Whatsapp account. Whether it's repairing a door handle, an electrical fault, a water leak, or even a jammed lock, Saweblia has the manpower to deal with almost every problem.
"All our craftsmen have a legal status and their identity and criminal record are checked by our teams. Our craftsmen follow a multi-step process to ensure their expertise and know-how. They pass several levels of validation before arriving at your premises. Once they've been validated, we train them in our internal quality charter and monitor their progress to ensure continuous quality of service," explains the startup.
Currently, its services are accessible to users in Casablanca and Marrakech. There is no need to create an account to request the services. When needed, a user only has to click on the “I need a service” button on the web platform, choose his/her city, and select the type of service needed. For multiple services, users need to submit personalized requests. To do this, they need to describe their specific situations and add pictures to allow the customer relations managers to take over from there.
"We may need to arrange a visit with one of our works coordinators for complex requests. Once the requirement is clear, we send you a quote within 20 minutes to 48 hours (depending on the nature of the work to be carried out). As soon as you confirm the estimate, we schedule an intervention according to your availability," explains the platform.
Saweblia offers customers a range of payment options once the work has been completed. These include online payment by credit card on the website, cheque, bank transfer, or cash. In addition, if the cost of the order exceeds 1,000 Moroccan dirhams (around $97), the startup requires a deposit.
Adoni Conrad Quenum