- Egypt’s telecom regulator has awarded a new data center license to Hassan Allam Digital Infrastructure and Data Center Solutions for a project backed by an initial investment of $400 million.
- The license marks the tenth data center authorization issued in Egypt over the past two years, underscoring rapid growth in the sector.
- Egypt aims to strengthen its position as a regional data and cloud services hub while supporting artificial intelligence adoption and digital transformation.
Egypt continues to strengthen its digital infrastructure. The National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) granted a license on Monday, May 15, to Hassan Allam Digital Infrastructure and Data Center Solutions to build and operate a data center in the country. The company is developing the project in partnership with technology firm A15 and plans to invest an initial $400 million during the first phase.
According to the project developers, the investment represents the first stage of a broader expansion program that will continue in the coming years. The facility will comply with international standards and provide data hosting services, cloud computing capabilities and infrastructure designed for artificial intelligence applications. The center will serve government agencies, financial institutions and both local and international businesses.
The announcement comes as Egypt accelerates investment in digital infrastructure. According to the NTRA, the authorization represents the tenth data center license issued during the past two years, highlighting the sector’s rapid expansion.
Egyptian authorities increasingly view data centers as a critical component of digital transformation and national technological sovereignty. As a result, policymakers have intensified efforts to encourage investment in the sector.
At the same time, the government is preparing a national strategy focused on data centers and cloud computing. Egypt plans to leverage its strategic geographic location at the crossroads of Africa, Europe and Asia, alongside its telecommunications infrastructure, to attract additional investment in digital services.
The government aims to strengthen Egypt’s role as a regional platform for data exchange and digital services by expanding infrastructure capacity and enhancing connectivity.
The project also aligns with Egypt’s broader artificial intelligence ambitions. Egypt’s second national AI strategy targets a 7.7% contribution from digital technologies and artificial intelligence to gross domestic product by 2030.
Authorities also estimate that AI could generate up to $42.7 billion in economic value over the coming years through adoption across sectors including public services, finance, healthcare and manufacturing.
Beyond the Egyptian market, the new infrastructure aims to address growing regional demand for data hosting and cloud services. R
apid advances in artificial intelligence, e-commerce and corporate digital transformation continue to increase demand for data storage and computing capacity across Africa and neighboring regions.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Djogol Zone launched in 2024 and connects sellers, buyers and delivery agents through a single digital ecosystem.
- The platform has recorded more than 10,000 downloads on Google Play Store and aims to become Niger’s leading e-commerce marketplace.
- The startup addresses key barriers to online commerce, including fragmented retail supply, limited digital visibility and delivery management challenges.
Djogol Zone is an e-commerce platform developed by a Nigerien startup. The company designed the platform to connect sellers, buyers and delivery agents within a single digital ecosystem. The startup operates from Niamey and founder Ibrahim Moussa Almoustapha launched the business in 2024.
The solution operates as an online marketplace that brings together certified local stores. The application is available on both iOS and Android platforms and allows users to browse product catalogs, place orders and receive deliveries without traveling to physical stores. The application has already surpassed 10,000 downloads on Google Play Store. The company aims to establish itself as Niger’s leading e-commerce platform.
Addressing Structural Challenges
Djogol Zone addresses several obstacles that continue to slow the development of e-commerce in Niger. Key challenges include fragmented retail offerings, limited digital visibility for merchants, and difficulties related to order management and delivery logistics.
By bringing multiple retailers together on a single platform, the startup seeks to simplify the shopping experience while creating new commercial opportunities for local merchants.
The company also focuses on trust, a critical factor for the growth of online commerce across Africa. Djogol Zone geolocates and verifies stores before integrating them into its marketplace. The company uses this approach to strengthen consumer confidence and reduce risks associated with digital transactions.
Beyond online retail, Djogol Zone reflects the emergence of a new generation of African startups that develop solutions tailored to local market realities.
As digital transformation gradually advances in Niger, the initiative could help further structure the country’s e-commerce market and accelerate the adoption of digital services among both businesses and consumers.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
- Kenyan entrepreneur Cherotich Rutto founded agritech startup Tawi in 2023 to connect farmers directly with institutional buyers and reduce reliance on intermediaries.
- The platform serves hotels, restaurants, schools, hospitals and food retailers through a transparent online procurement system.
- Tawi combines digital commerce, logistics support and farmer advisory services to improve incomes, boost productivity and reduce post-harvest losses.
Kenyan entrepreneur Cherotich Rutto, a data science specialist, is transforming agricultural supply chains across East Africa. She founded Tawi in 2023 and currently serves as the company's chief executive officer. The startup specializes in the marketing and distribution of fresh agricultural products.
Tawi reduces the role of intermediaries by connecting local farmers directly with institutional buyers. Its client base includes hotels, restaurants, schools, hospitals, catering companies and food retailers. Through the platform, Rutto aims to make agricultural trade more efficient, transparent and equitable for all participants.
For institutional buyers, Tawi offers an online ordering system that simplifies inventory management. The platform displays prices transparently and provides rapid delivery services across several regions of Kenya.
The system allows food service operators to save time while securing reliable sources of supply. As a result, buyers gain greater visibility over procurement costs and product availability. For farmers, the digital platform creates a consistent commercial outlet and improves earning opportunities. Beyond matching buyers and sellers, Tawi provides technical guidance and digital tools that help producers optimize agricultural output. The company uses this comprehensive support model to increase productivity sustainably and significantly reduce post-harvest waste.
Before launching her agritech venture, Cherotich Rutto built a strong academic background. She earned a bachelor's degree in economics, commerce and English from University of Delhi in 2005. She later obtained a Master of Business Administration from United States International University-Africa in 2014. She also completed a diploma in data science at London School of Economics and Political Science in 2020.
Rutto began her professional career in 2001 at the Kenyan subsidiary of Barclays. In 2006, she joined Standard Chartered Bank, where she served as a sales representative and later as a product manager. She expanded her pan-African experience in 2015 when she moved to Ghana to lead commercial operations and sales at financial services company afb.
One year later, she returned to Standard Chartered Bank in Kenya. She continued to serve as a product manager until 2020, building expertise in financial services, commercial operations and business development before transitioning into entrepreneurship.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J. A de Berry Quenum
- Kidus Yared founded Hasab AI in 2024 to provide integrated artificial intelligence tools for text, voice and communication processing.
- The platform offers transcription, translation, conversational AI and text-to-speech services for both individuals and enterprises.
- Yared draws on experience in software engineering and fintech to build enterprise-grade communication solutions in Ethiopia.
Ethiopian entrepreneur Kidus Yared, a software engineer and technology founder, created Hasab AI, a platform designed to simplify how users process speech and written communication. He serves as chief executive officer of the company, which he launched in 2024.
Hasab AI targets both individuals and corporate clients. The platform provides a unified interface that integrates a full suite of tools for speech processing, writing assistance and digital communication management.
Hasab AI converts audio recordings into written text. The system processes interviews, meetings, conferences and podcasts and produces structured written documents ready for use. To further reduce language barriers, the platform integrates translation services and an AI-powered conversational assistant. In addition, Hasab AI offers text-to-speech functionality that converts written content into natural-sounding voice output.
Yared graduated in computer science from the Addis Ababa University Institute of Technology, where he built his foundational expertise in software engineering. He began his career in 2020 as an intern at Adika Taxi Services, where he gained initial experience in applied software development.
In 2021, he joined Chapa, where he worked as a software engineer and later managed engineering and technical operations. He strengthened his expertise in financial technology systems and digital infrastructure during this period. Between 2024 and 2025, Yared expanded his experience internationally as a software development consultant for the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), which focuses on improving livelihoods through livestock innovation.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J. A de Berry Quenum
Nigeria will host the Africa Technology Expo on June 26-27, 2026, in Lagos. This major event will bring together companies, startups, developers, and media representatives from across Africa and around the world. The program will feature cutting-edge digital innovations, live demonstrations of business solutions, and networking opportunities designed to foster strategic partnerships and accelerate the growth of Africa's digital ecosystem.
Investment firm Anterra Capital has raised $100 million and is targeting a final close of $200 million to back agricultural and food technology companies. Amid mounting climate challenges and a global slowdown in investment, the firm is focusing on practical, scalable solutions. In particular, it is leveraging artificial intelligence to modernize agricultural supply chains and accelerate biotech research, supporting an industry that employs more than one billion people worldwide.
The XPRIZE Foundation and Google have launched the global “Build with Gemini” competition. With a $2 million prize pool, the hackathon invites developers, creators, and researchers to build practical applications using Google’s Gemini AI. Projects should address real-world challenges in areas such as healthcare, education, and climate change. Applications are open until Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
- Limo operates an online marketplace and delivery service that connects merchants, restaurants, pharmacies and consumers across Djibouti.
- The platform supports locally used payment methods, including cash on delivery and selected mobile payment solutions.
- Limo uses artificial intelligence to enhance customer experience and deliver personalized recommendations.
Limo operates as an e-commerce solution developed by a Djiboutian startup. Through its online marketplace and delivery service, the company seeks to connect merchants, restaurants and consumers within a single digital ecosystem tailored to the realities of the Djiboutian market.
The platform is available through a mobile application and a web interface. Users can order products from local stores, restaurants, pharmacies and service providers, while the company provides home delivery services. In addition, the platform integrates payment methods commonly used in Djibouti, including cash on delivery and selected mobile payment solutions.
Limo aims to address several challenges facing Djibouti’s digital commerce sector. The company targets the limited organization of online retail activity, the restricted online visibility of small merchants and the logistical constraints associated with urban deliveries.
Moreover, the startup is deploying artificial intelligence to improve customer experience and generate personalized product recommendations, according to information published on its LinkedIn page.
The development of platforms such as Limo comes as several African markets experience the emergence of locally developed digital commerce solutions. These companies are adapting the marketplace model to the specific characteristics of African economies, particularly in areas such as payments, logistics and consumer trust.
Against this backdrop, local operators are increasingly focusing on solutions that address market-specific challenges while expanding access to digital commerce.
Beyond providing delivery services, Limo aims to contribute to the gradual structuring of Djibouti’s digital commerce sector. The company seeks to increase visibility for local merchants while simplifying access to online shopping for consumers.
Over the longer term, the platform could help accelerate e-commerce adoption in Djibouti as digital usage continues to expand across the country.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
- The Congolese government adopted a national digital education policy to coordinate technology integration across all levels of education.
- Internet penetration reached 30.5% at the end of 2025, leaving nearly 70% of the population offline.
- The policy aims to guide investments, strengthen digital skills and improve governance across the education sector.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is seeking to strengthen the digital transformation of its education system through a newly adopted national policy that will serve as a common framework for future technology initiatives. On June 12, the Council of Ministers adopted the National Information and Communication Policy for Education and Training (PNICEF), a framework designed to harmonize the integration of digital technologies across all education cycles.
National Education Minister Raïssa Malu spearheaded the policy, which will serve as the reference framework for future digital initiatives in the sector. The policy covers primary and secondary education, vocational training, higher education, scientific research and literacy programs. Moreover, the framework seeks to promote interoperable and secure digital tools that align with national education priorities.
The government expects the policy to establish common standards and improve coordination across the education ecosystem as it expands the use of digital technologies.
The policy follows several digital transformation projects that Congolese authorities have deployed in recent years. Authorities have digitized administrative management processes in schools, strengthened education information systems and modernized mechanisms for collecting and managing education data. However, the absence of a comprehensive coordination framework has limited the coherence and complementarity of these initiatives.
Consequently, policymakers view PNICEF as a mechanism to align existing projects under a single strategic vision. The policy arrives as the country continues to face significant digital infrastructure constraints. According to DataReportal, the Democratic Republic of Congo counted 34.7 million internet users at the end of 2025, representing an internet penetration rate of 30.5%.
As a result, nearly 70% of the population remained offline. This digital divide continues to affect the education sector. Many schools still face challenges related to internet connectivity, electricity access and the availability of computer equipment.
Through PNICEF, the government aims to establish a single roadmap to guide investment decisions, strengthen digital competencies among students and teachers, and improve governance across the education sector. In addition, authorities expect the framework to create conditions for a more inclusive education system that is better aligned with the needs of the digital economy.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has opened applications for its 2026 Innovation Prize. The program supports high-impact Nigerian startups in healthcare, climate technology, and agriculture. Winners will share a total prize pool of $275,000, along with intensive mentorship and access to significant investment opportunities. Founders have until July 8, 2026, to submit their applications.
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U.S. startup accelerator Y Combinator has opened applications for its Fall 2026 cohort in San Francisco. The program is seeking early-stage tech startups from around the world, including Africa, that are focused on AI or fintech. Selected startups will receive funding, expert mentorship, and access to a powerful network of investors. Founders have until July 27, 2026, to apply.
Private equity firm Holocene has closed its inaugural climate-tech fund focused on Southern Africa. In just 18 months, the fund has backed ten local startups, creating more than 500 jobs. Its portfolio includes circular-fashion ventures and e-mobility companies developing electric motorcycles and battery-swapping stations. In addition to funding, the startups receive hands-on operational support to help them scale.
- Mouhamadou Sall founded NIMA Codes in 2019 to simplify address identification and sharing in areas lacking formal addressing systems.
- The platform allows users to create a digital address by photographing a location and linking it to geographic coordinates and a phone number.
- NIMA Codes has expanded into e-commerce and financial services through NIMA Shop and NIMA Pay.
Mouhamadou Sall is a Senegalese engineer and entrepreneur. He serves as founder and chief executive officer of NIMA Codes, a platform that simplifies address identification and sharing, particularly in regions that lack official addressing systems.
Founded in 2019, NIMA Codes offers a user-friendly solution designed for areas that remain poorly represented in conventional urban mapping systems.
To register a location, whether a residence or an office, a user simply takes a photograph of the site. The application then associates the image with the geographic coordinates required to make the location identifiable, searchable, and easy to share. The startup has built its strategy around simplicity. Instead of relying on lengthy directions, users can directly link their address to their phone number.
In addition, NIMA Codes integrates a messaging feature that facilitates interactions between users and nearby businesses and service providers. Over time, the company has expanded its platform into a broader ecosystem of digital services. The platform now includes NIMA Shop, which allows merchants to create online stores free of charge. The company has also launched NIMA Pay, a service that enables users to send, receive, and manage financial transactions.
Alongside his entrepreneurial activities, Mouhamadou Sall applies his expertise at Clearly AI. At the U.S.-based technology company, he works as an engineer responsible for automating design reviews, threat models, and security assessments. His professional profile rests on an international academic background.
Sall began his studies at the University of Sahel in Senegal, where he earned a degree in physics. He later completed a computer engineering degree at Polytechnique Montréal in Canada.
Before launching NIMA Codes, Sall built his experience at several North American technology companies. He worked as an engineer at Canadian speech-recognition specialist Nuance Communications between 2017 and 2018. He subsequently joined U.S.-based hospitality technology company Sonder, where he worked from 2019 to 2025.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Etepe Anahlui co-founded Karaba, an AI-powered recruitment platform focused on African labor markets.
- Karaba uses a WhatsApp-based conversational agent to onboard candidates and match them with employers.
- The startup operates in more than 20 African countries and draws on a database of over 50,000 candidates.
Etepe Anahlui is a Togolese digital transformation specialist and technology entrepreneur. He serves as co-founder and chief executive officer of Karaba, a conversational artificial intelligence infrastructure designed specifically for Africa’s employment market.
Karaba combines artificial intelligence with a curated pool of local talent to modernize traditional hiring practices. The platform centers its strategy on accessibility. A conversational AI agent guides candidates through WhatsApp, helping them create professional profiles, describe their skills, and specify their availability. The system simplifies access to employment opportunities for professionals living in Africa as well as members of the African diaspora.
On the employer side, companies submit or upload job descriptions directly to the platform. Karaba’s algorithm then analyzes thousands of verified candidate profiles and identifies the most qualified applicants. Recruiters manage the hiring process and collaborate with internal teams through a centralized dashboard.
Leveraging a database of more than 50,000 candidates, the startup has already expanded its reach across the continent. Karaba currently provides services in more than 20 African countries, including Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Kenya.
Alongside his work at Karaba, Etepe Anahlui applies his expertise at Quarantes, a Togolese strategic intelligence consulting firm. He serves as managing partner, senior functional architect, and AI product manager, roles that strengthen his cross-disciplinary perspective on technology and digital innovation.
This professional trajectory rests on a strong academic foundation. Anahlui earned a bachelor's degree in science and technology from the University of Lomé in 2022. He subsequently obtained a bachelor's degree in digital transformation from the Higher School of Commerce and Digital Economy in 2024. In 2025, he completed a professional certification in data intelligence at the Institut Mines-Télécom Business School in France.
Anahlui began his professional career in 2024 as ICT supervisor for WURI, the Togolese government's biometric identification program. More recently, he served as information technology project portfolio manager at MAONO, an independent consulting firm specializing in strategy and technology solutions development, between November 2025 and February 2026.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum