- South African accountant Bernice Houy founded Fintura in 2023 to centralize and automate accounting firm operations.
- The platform integrates task management, compliance tracking, client data and an AI assistant to cut administrative workload.
- Houy previously led Xena Accounting and now mentors startups while expanding Fintura’s footprint.
Bernice Houy is a seasoned South African accountant and a technology entrepreneur. She founded and now leads Fintura, an online platform designed to simplify the daily work of accountants, particularly those operating in South Africa.
Founded in 2023, Fintura helps accounting firms reduce the heavy administrative burden that often diverts professionals from their core advisory role. Instead of forcing firms to juggle multiple tools to manage daily tasks, deadlines, compliance requirements and client communication, the platform consolidates all functions into a single digital workspace.
Fintura offers a suite of features tailored to the operational needs of accounting professionals. The platform automates repetitive tasks such as deadline tracking and key data collection. It also centralizes client information, improves monitoring of legal and administrative obligations and brings documents, reminders and internal communications together within one application.
In addition, the platform integrates an intelligent virtual assistant named Hank. The assistant answers questions, sends deadline reminders, retrieves documents and suggests templates. Through these functions, Hank helps accountants save time and reduce the risk of oversight.
Before launching Fintura, Houy founded Xena Accounting in 2018. She led the accounting, business and tax advisory firm as chief executive until 2025. She now serves as a mentor at the Founder Institute, a global startup accelerator.
Houy holds a bachelor’s degree in financial accounting obtained in 2017 from the University of South Africa. She completed her academic training in 2023 with a postgraduate diploma in accounting from the Milpark School of Financial Services, a South African business school.
Houy began her professional career in 2014 as an account manager at Fenns Incorporated, an accounting firm. From 2020 to 2024, she served on the finance committee of Justice Desk Africa, a human rights organization. At the same time, she worked as chief financial officer at Solutions For Africa, an organization that develops capacity-building solutions for businesses, individuals and institutions across Africa and beyond.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM
- South African entrepreneur Nicolas van Zyl founded Naritive in 2021 to redesign digital advertising around social media behaviors.
- Naritive develops interactive formats such as Ad Stories and Ad Social to increase attention, engagement and message recall.
- Van Zyl combines a legal background with senior roles in media agencies and esports governance.
Nicolas van Zyl is a trained lawyer and a South African entrepreneur. He founded and now leads Naritive, an international company specializing in digital advertising.
Founded in 2021 under the name NXD, Naritive supports brands in designing advertising experiences that are more engaging, interactive and visible online. The company moves away from traditional advertising formats, which users often ignore, and instead develops creations inspired by social media usage. These formats aim to capture attention, drive interaction and strengthen message recall.
Naritive develops several advertising formats. The first, Ad Stories, mirrors the structure and visual language of popular social media stories and delivers them as interactive and immersive advertisements. Another format, Ad Social, converts content already published on social media into advertisements distributed across the wider web while preserving original interaction mechanisms.
In addition, the company offers The Naritive Platform, an advertising platform that centralizes the creation, management and deployment of these formats. The platform provides tools that convert visual or social content into interactive ads, integrate features such as polls, clickable areas or animations, and distribute campaigns across multiple digital environments.
Alongside his work at Naritive, Nicolas van Zyl serves as partner and non-executive director at Mettlestate, a leading esports and gaming company in South Africa.
He graduated from the University of Cape Town, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in English, history and philosophy in 2012, a bachelor’s degree in law in 2015 and a master’s degree in human rights law in 2017.
In 2017, he joined Mercurial Media, an advertising company, as an intern and later became digital campaign manager. In 2018, he joined Nettrade Programmatic, a media solutions agency, where he successively held roles as head of advertising operations and head of performance. In 2020, he continued his career at OMD Worldwide South Africa as head of digital accounts.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM
Aya Data, a Ghanaian startup focused on data annotation and AI services, has raised $900,000 in seed funding to expand its AyaGrow and AyaSpeech products and hire new staff. Founded in 2021, the company trains workers for technical data jobs while developing tools for agricultural monitoring and speech recognition systems designed for African languages.
Enakl, a Moroccan startup founded in 2022, has raised $2.3 million in seed funding to speed up the deployment of its shared mobility services. Its technology helps corporate clients and public agencies build and manage flexible transport networks in real time. The company said the funds will support sales expansion, the launch of a new software product and pilot new shared-fleet models.
WhatsApp is testing a linked secondary account feature on Android that would let parents create child-friendly profiles with limited functionality. Messages could be restricted to approved contacts, while some parts of the app would remain inaccessible, though end-to-end encryption would still apply. The feature is still in development and has no announced release date, but it aims to bring parental controls directly into the platform.
- Kenya plans to launch a digital platform to automate external debt payments, improving transparency and reducing processing delays.
- External debt totals roughly $42 billion, nearly half of the country’s public debt.
- The platform integrates key systems, including Meridian debt management and the Central Bank exchange-rate system.
Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo disclosed the initiative on January 27, following a project briefing attended by officials from the Budget Office, Auditor General, and World Bank representatives.
The system is scheduled to go live on Monday, February 2, 2026, with a one-month parallel run to ensure a secure transition.
The platform will integrate several core components: the Meridian debt management system, the Central Bank of Kenya’s exchange-rate system, and the Treasury’s payment request and approval processes.
This architecture will automate the entire payment chain—from instruction generation to approval and execution—replacing manual workflows with secure digital processes.
Chris Kiptoo said the platform “should reduce delays and errors while improving oversight of the country’s financial obligations.”
Kenya’s external debt stood at about 5.5 trillion shillings ($42 billion) at the end of 2025, nearly half of its total public debt, which exceeds 11 trillion shillings.
Fitch Ratings highlighted growing financing needs and stressed the importance of efficiently managing external borrowing in 2026.
The digital platform aims to accelerate transaction processing, enhance transparency, and improve public fund traceability. It should also facilitate coordination among government agencies and strengthen financial oversight.
The Treasury acknowledges potential cybersecurity risks in moving to a fully digital system.
Officials must safeguard against intrusions, fraud, and technical failures. Protecting sensitive data and ensuring system resilience will be critical to guarantee reliable and uninterrupted debt service.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM
Moroccan proptech Yakeey just closed a record $15 million Series A round to scale its operations across Africa. Founded in 2023 by Karim Beqqali, the platform secured backing from the IFC and Beltone Venture Capital, among others. Yakeey is set to redefine the real estate market by leveraging data and AI to streamline transactions and provide cutting-edge financing options.
Egyptian fintech leader Valu has secured a 3-billion-Egyptian-pound ($63.6 million) short-term financing agreement with the National Bank of Egypt. A pioneer in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) payment space, Valu also offers investment and payroll management solutions. This funding is set to fuel the company’s expansion following its recent launch in Jordan.
Nigerian fintech leader Paga has teamed up with PayPal to launch a new direct-link service. Starting Tuesday, January 27, users in Nigeria can receive global payments straight to their digital wallets. These funds are instantly available in Naira for bill payments, shopping, or bank transfers.
- Cameroonian entrepreneur Franklin Kamga co-founded and leads Notch Pay, an online payment platform launched in 2019.
- Notch Pay centralizes multiple payment methods to help African businesses collect payments online.
- The platform targets enterprises of all sizes with tools for payment links, invoicing, and transaction management.
Franklin Kamga is a Cameroonian software developer and technology entrepreneur. He co-founded and serves as chief executive officer of Notch Pay, an online payment platform built to simplify financial transactions in Africa.
Founded in 2019 by Franklin Kamga and B. Zile Tankeu, Notch Pay provides an intuitive and secure solution. The platform centralizes multiple payment methods in a single interface. As a result, businesses can receive money online without operational complexity.
The platform enables merchants to collect payments from sales conducted through websites or mobile applications.
Users generate payment links and share them via email, SMS, or instant messaging services. This functionality allows customers to complete purchases quickly without complex systems.
Notch Pay also offers an invoicing feature. Businesses can send invoices and track related payments through the platform.
Through a connected professional account, users access a comprehensive dashboard. The interface displays transaction history, payment tracking, and customer management tools. The platform also provides operational tools to support business monitoring and decision-making.
Notch Pay adapts its services to different user profiles. Entrepreneurs, small businesses, associations, and large organizations can access solutions tailored to their needs.
Franklin Kamga earned a software engineering degree in 2015 from the African Institute of Computer Science in Cameroon.
He began his professional career in 2016 as a web developer at Dark Code, a creative agency. In 2020, he joined LGL Transport as a full-stack developer.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM
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Zimbabwe and Australia discussed bilateral cooperation on artificial intelligence and ICT development.
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President Emmerson Mnangagwa plans to launch Zimbabwe’s national AI strategy in March 2026.
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Australia offered technical support as Zimbabwe expands digital investment and connectivity.
Zimbabwe continues its digital transformation drive. Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera met Australia’s ambassador to Zimbabwe, Minoli Perera, on Monday, January 26, 2026. The meeting focused on exploring bilateral cooperation opportunities in information and communication technologies.
The discussions centered on Zimbabwe’s forthcoming national artificial intelligence strategy. President Emmerson Mnangagwa plans to launch the strategy in March 2026. The roadmap aims to define national priorities for digital innovation, public service modernization, and technological skills development.
Official data showed rising momentum in Zimbabwe’s digital sector. ICT investments increased by 14.5%, alongside improvements in connectivity. Mobile penetration reached 103%, while internet penetration rose to 83%. These figures reflected broader access to digital services across the population.
Australia signaled readiness to support Harare through technical assistance and expertise sharing. Canberra operates an advanced national AI framework. In December 2025, the Australian government unveiled a National AI Plan to accelerate adoption across the economy.
McKinsey estimated that artificial intelligence and automation could generate between $170 billion and $600 billion in additional GDP for Australia by 2030.
The proposed cooperation could cover training, skills transfer, AI governance, and support for local start-ups. Harare aims to structure a job-creating digital ecosystem. The objective carries demographic urgency, as more than 60% of Zimbabwe’s population stands under the age of 25.
Through closer ties with Canberra, Zimbabwe seeks to strengthen its regional technological position. By prioritizing artificial intelligence and international partnerships, the country aims to use digital development as a strategic lever for economic diversification and sustainable growth.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM
- Egypt’s parliament plans legislation to restrict children’s access to social media platforms.
- President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi publicly urged age limits on minors’ social media use.
- Egypt joins a global regulatory trend as Africa lags in child online protection frameworks.
Egypt’s parliament announced on Sunday, January 25, its intention to draft legislation regulating children’s use of social media. The House of Representatives released the information in an official statement. The statement said the draft law aims to limit the negative effects of digital exposure on minors, including psychological and behavioral risks associated with early use of social platforms.
Lawmakers said they plan to hold consultations with the government and specialized institutions. The process aims to design an appropriate legal framework. The framework seeks to establish mechanisms to control children’s access to social media. The framework also seeks to regulate the practices of digital platforms operating in Egypt.
The initiative follows direct political momentum. President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi called on the government and parliament one day earlier to examine restrictions on children’s social media use. The president said authorities should consider limits until children reach an age at which they can “manage properly” these digital tools.
Through this move, Egyptian authorities align with a growing global debate over child protection in digital spaces.
Several countries have already adopted concrete measures to regulate minors’ access to social platforms. In France, the National Assembly recently approved at first reading a bill banning social media for children under 15.
Australia adopted a landmark law in December 2025 banning access to social media for children under 16. The law requires platforms to delete non-compliant accounts. The law also imposes heavy fines for violations.
Online child protection remains uneven across Africa. The International Telecommunication Union said that only 39 African countries had adopted a national child online protection strategy in 2024.
At the same time, 32% of African states remained in the drafting phase. Meanwhile, 41% of countries had taken no action. The situation contrasts with rapid digital growth. The ITU said one child worldwide connects to the internet for the first time every half-second.
For Egypt, adoption of such legislation could strengthen protections against digital risks. These risks include cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and social pressure linked to intensive screen use.
However, the legislative process remains complex. Member of parliament Amira El-Adly recently highlighted the lack of reliable official data on children’s internet use in Egypt. She also cited the absence of verified data on psychological and behavioral impacts. This data gap could complicate the creation of a framework that is effective, balanced, and enforceable.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM
- Benin issued 10.5 million digital civil status and identity documents in 2025.
- Online and remote channels handled 75% of all identification procedures.
- Digital identity services reached 4 million citizens through ANIP operations.
In 2025, the National Agency for the Identification of Persons served 4 million citizens and issued 10.5 million civil status and identity documents in Benin. The agency released the data on Monday, January 26, 2026.
Online and remote channels accounted for 75% of all recorded procedures. The figure highlighted the growing role of digital tools in access to identification services.
The digital transformation relied on multiple access channels. Citizens submitted 37% of requests through eservices.anip.bj. Users submitted 30% of requests through the ANIP BJ mobile application. Users submitted 8% of requests through the USSD service. Physical service counters handled the remaining 25% of requests.
The agency strengthened operational security across platforms. GSM operators processed 3.8 million authentication requests. The system performed 25 million electronic identity checks, or eKYC verifications. These measures supported data reliability and system integrity.
The program forms part of a broader digital transformation agenda launched in 2018. Benin gradually introduced digital public services to modernize administration, improve transparency, and strengthen proximity with citizens.
Digital civil status and identity documents represent a central pillar of this strategy. The system plays a critical role in facilitating access to social and economic services.
ANIP supports the national objective of universal digital public services. Benin deployed several government platforms covering tax declarations, health procedures, and administrative formalities.
These platforms promote service interoperability and data centralization. Authorities aim to improve governance, process traceability, and citizen satisfaction while supporting economic efficiency.
For 2026, ANIP plans to continue registration and document issuance. The agency places particular emphasis on rural areas that remain underserved.
Citizens will access a broad range of services online. These services include birth certificates, residence certificates, certificates of custom and single status, personal identification certificates, and the biometric national identity card.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM
- Togolese entrepreneur Alphonse Gogoli co-founded Deezpro, an online professional training platform launched in 2023.
- Deezpro offers online courses, mentorship, and certification preparation across digital, technical, and management fields.
- The initiative targets skills development and career advancement amid rapid technological change.
Alphonse Gogoli is a Togolese engineer and technology entrepreneur. He co-founded and leads Deezpro, an online training platform focused on professional skills development and career progression.
Founded in 2023, Deezpro targets learners seeking new knowledge as well as professionals aiming to strengthen existing skills. The platform offers a broad catalog of online training programs.
Courses cover office software such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The catalog also includes 3D modeling, web development, data management, artificial intelligence, marketing, management, quality systems, and preparation for professional certifications.
Each training program presents detailed information. The platform specifies course content, duration, and, in most cases, pricing.
Deezpro differentiates its offering through personalized support via mentorship. Learners interact with advisors or tutors, ask questions, and receive tailored academic guidance.
The platform also emphasizes preparation for recognized certifications. International partnerships enable official validation of acquired skills.
Alongside his entrepreneurial activities, Alphonse Gogoli serves as an associate lecturer at the University of Lomé. He also works as a science communicator at Cosmos Materia, a media agency specializing in science and materials engineering.
Gogoli graduated from the University of Lorraine in France. He earned a master’s degree in materials mechanics, structures, and processes in 2018. In the same year, he obtained an engineering degree in mechanical and production engineering from the National School of Engineers of Metz.
In 2022, he completed a doctorate in materials mechanics at the University of Caen Normandy.
Gogoli began his professional career in 2016 as an assistant engineer at Bürkert Fluid Control Systems, a manufacturer of measurement and control systems for liquids and gases.
In 2017, he joined IKEA France as head of technical services and logistics project management. In 2018, he worked as a research and development engineer at the Laboratory for the Study of Microstructures and Mechanics of Materials.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM