Peter N. Kironji builds bridges between small businesses and social media influencers to boost online sales. He focuses on turning ideas into real opportunities through digital commerce.
Kironji, a Kenyan tech entrepreneur and engineer, co-founded and leads Twiva, a social commerce platform that uses influencer marketing. Twiva links small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and micro-businesses with micro-influencers and content creators who promote and resell products on social networks.
Launched in 2020, Twiva lets anyone become a reseller or influencer. Users create an account, pick products, and share them on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and other platforms. Influencers earn commissions between 5% and 10% per sale, generating income while expanding businesses’ reach.
For businesses, Twiva offers a centralized interface. It manages online stores, tracks influencer campaigns, and automates sales and payments. The platform consolidates product management, marketing, transactions, and reporting to make digital commerce easier for local companies.
Kironji earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and computer science from the University of Toronto in 2017. He completed a master’s in data science, technology, and innovation at the University of Edinburgh in 2021.
Before Twiva, Kironji worked as an IT assistant at the University of Toronto starting in 2016. In 2018, he joined IAMConcepts, a Canadian cybersecurity firm, as an information systems security specialist. Between 2020 and 2021, he worked as a cybersecurity engineer at KeyData Associates.
Melchior Koba
Yannick De Gonzague aims to make financial services accessible to every business in Africa. His mission is clear: help companies manage payments simply, securely, and efficiently, no matter their size or sector.
De Gonzague, a key player in Côte d’Ivoire’s tech and finance ecosystem, founded Vision Digital Finance in 2024. The platform acts as a payment aggregator, enabling companies to send, receive, and control financial flows across more than 12 African countries.
Vision Digital Finance offers a wide range of services tailored to business needs. The platform supports multi-channel collection through mobile money, bank cards, transfers, and QR codes. It also provides international transfers, personalized virtual IBANs, real-time dashboards, and automation APIs to simplify accounting and transaction workflows.
The system handles over ten payment methods and supports more than six currencies, ensuring wide regional compatibility.
De Gonzague earned an engineering degree in network and systems administration in 2008 from ESTEM in Morocco. He started his career a year earlier, in 2007, at CodCom, a Moroccan IT firm, where he worked as customer service manager.
In 2009, he joined Access Bank Côte d’Ivoire as account manager for large enterprises. Three years later, he moved to UBA Bank as profit center manager.
By 2016, he transitioned into the tech-finance space, taking the role of marketing and partnership manager at NSIA Technologies, the tech arm of the NSIA banking group.
He then worked for leading fintech firms like Flutterwave, Wave Mobile Money, and Clapay, where he held senior roles including operations and partnerships manager, commercial development director, and operations director in Côte d’Ivoire.
Melchior Koba
Without a reliable addressing system, authorities struggle to plan infrastructure, deliver utilities, or respond promptly in emergencies.
The Lagos State Government has launched the Lagos Identity Project, a digital house-numbering and identification system aimed at transforming property mapping, urban planning, service delivery, and emergency response across the state.
According to local media, the project was unveiled on Tuesday, June 24, in Alausa by Dr. Olajide Babajide, Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Enterprise Geographic Information System (e-GIS). It marks a major step in Lagos’ smart city journey. It introduces QR-coded digital address plates with local government-specific color codes, enabling instant access to verified property data via mobile devices.
“This project is about providing Lagosians with the world-class services they truly deserve,” Babajide said. “From tax evasion to untraceable addresses and delayed emergency responses, this system offers a comprehensive solution to long-standing urban challenges.”
The Lagos Identity Project is currently being piloted in Eti-Osa Local Government Area and is expected to scale across all 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas (LGs and LCDAs) following successful implementation. The project is executed through the Ibile youth program, promoting community engagement and ensuring the accuracy of data collection.
Developed in partnership with geospatial technology firm Interspatial, the system is backed by two years of aerial mapping and field validation. In addition to enhancing address traceability, the platform is designed to curb rental fraud, improve postal services, and support utility companies with reliable geolocation data.
Babajide emphasized that the initiative aligns with international benchmarks for civic identification and data protection and is part of a broader digital governance vision. The Lagos State Government has fully funded the project, a commitment Babajide says demonstrates the administration’s intent to modernize governance and deliver smarter, more efficient public services.
The Lagos Identity Project is a major step toward modernizing urban governance in one of Africa’s fastest-growing cities. Lagos has struggled with informal housing, poor address traceability, and unstructured development—contributing to delayed emergency response, inefficient tax collection, delivery challenges, and real estate fraud.
By deploying QR-coded digital address plates linked to a centralized system, the project enhances property identification, tax compliance, urban planning, and safety. It also supports Lagos’ broader smart city strategy, setting a precedent for scalable, tech-enabled governance in other Nigerian states and across Africa.
Hikmatu Bilali
The Malawi Digital Foundations Project lays the groundwork for inclusive economic growth, improved public service delivery, and digital equity in one of the world’s least-connected countries.
The Malawi Digital Foundations Project, carried out between 2017 and 2024 with support from the World Bank, has expanded access to high-speed, affordable internet across the country. According to a World Bank results brief published on June 23 titled Digitalizing Malawi to Improve Access to Education, Public Services, and Income Opportunities, the project benefited 8.5 million citizens—including many young people—as well as government institutions, businesses, and universities.
The project was launched to increase access to affordable, high-quality internet services for government, businesses, and citizens. It also aims to improve the government’s capacity to deliver digital public services.
According to the brief, the initiative has brought nearly 7 million new users online and improved speeds and affordability for 3 million existing users. Key infrastructure achievements include a new national data center, the Bomalathu data exchange platform, and expanded connectivity to over 600 government sites, including post offices, schools, and hospitals. The wholesale price of bandwidth dropped from $460/Mbit/s to below $10/Mbit/s, enabling more equitable access to digital services.
Additionally, 83,000 students across 81 higher institutions gained reliable internet through Malawi’s research and education network (MAREN), and 19,000 youths, including 10,000 women, received training in digital literacy and entrepreneurship at new tech hubs. Over 600 government sites were also connected, ensuring improved service delivery.
Building on these successes, a second phase of the project, known as the Digital Malawi Acceleration Project, was launched in November 2024. It aims to connect 2,000 schools, expand digital ID coverage, and support low-income households in acquiring affordable digital devices.
Supported by a $72.4 million World Bank IDA loan and technical grants, the project complements efforts by the IFC, UNDP, and Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) to expand competition, regulation, and data governance.
The project’s impact is reflected in national connectivity metrics. The number of internet users per 100 people rose from 17.6 in 2016 to 38.3 by mid-2022, far surpassing the initial target of 24.0, according to project data. This growth underscores how strategic investment in digital infrastructure can accelerate digital inclusion across underserved communities.
Hikmatu Bilali
• Burundi deepens collaboration with Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Benin on tax digitalization
• OBR targets simplified tax processes, better data management, and online platforms
• National rollout of electronic billing and integrated tax systems underway
Burundi’s tax authority (OBR) is accelerating its digital modernization efforts by learning from other African countries. Late last week, the OBR hosted two days of discussions with Sierra Leone’s National Revenue Authority (NRA), known for successfully implementing a digital tax collection system.
This initiative follows a similar exchange organized about a week earlier with Liberia’s Revenue Authority (LRA). Over two days, LRA experts shared their experience with Burundi’s e-KORI project, which focuses on the digitalization of internal tax collection. OBR praised Liberia’s success in building an effective digital tax system following years of civil conflict. The OBR also confirmed ongoing cooperation with Benin on similar reforms.
Burundi’s digital tax strategy aims to simplify processes for taxpayers, automate revenue management and collection, and improve data reliability. One of the most notable milestones so far has been the launch of an online filing and payment platform in 2023. The OBR website also provides services such as anonymous reporting of corruption, document verification, and access to regulatory information.
The government is now working on implementing an integrated digital system for managing internal taxes and non-tax revenues. A tender for this project was launched on May 5. At the same time, the OBR is stepping up efforts to promote the use of electronic billing machines among taxpayers.
The OBR’s digital transformation plan aligns with international standards. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) emphasizes that digitalizing tax administrations reduces the cost and complexity of paying taxes. “When the process is tedious, it creates significant time and financial costs for taxpayers. At the macro level, this can lead to major productivity and resource losses,” says the OECD.
However, the OBR recognizes that technology alone is not enough. The authority highlights the need for a clear and consistent tax framework, stronger public awareness of tax compliance, and improved monitoring of how taxpayers use digital tools such as billing machines and online platforms.
Beyond digital systems, access to technology remains a critical challenge. For example, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), nearly 90% of Namibians did not use the Internet in 2023, and around 80% of the population lacked mobile phones.
The OBR believes improving access to digital infrastructure will be key to ensuring that taxpayers across Burundi can fully benefit from its digital tax services.
He blends traditional practices with innovative approaches in Uganda. He designs initiatives centered on livestock farming, deploying systems that boost income growth and transform the methods used by the country’s herders.
Nicholas Katongole (photo), a Ugandan entrepreneur, is committed to modernizing livestock farming in Africa. As CEO of NOA’S HERD, a startup he founded in 2022, Katongole is developing digital tools to make livestock a sustainable source of income for small-scale African producers.
NOA’S HERD offers farmers a digital platform that collects, analyzes, and certifies methane emissions data from livestock. The company uses connected sensors installed on farms to track emissions in real time, enabling precise and transparent monitoring. This data then generates verified carbon credits that can be traded on international markets.
The platform also automates contract management, farmer payments, and certification of sustainable practices. It provides a comprehensive solution that remains accessible even to farmers unfamiliar with digital tools.
"Our mission is to use cutting-edge technology and specialized natural feed supplements to help African farmers lower methane emissions, boost productivity, earn carbon credits and create a more sustainable livestock sector that supports global climate goals," the startup explained.
In 2024, NOA’S HERD partnered with Australian firm Sea Forest, known for its seaweed-based supplements. The agreement enables the distribution of SeaFeed, a feed additive that can reduce ruminant methane emissions by up to 90%. The first phase targets 30,000 cattle across 15 farms in Uganda and Kenya.
Katongole also serves as Business Development Lead at Quality Chemicals Ltd, a provider of scientific solutions in human and animal health, public health, and crop protection.
Before launching NOA’S HERD, he co-founded Home Duuka in 2012, one of Uganda’s first e-commerce platforms. From 2017 to 2024, he was director at Vero Food Industries Ltd, a company specializing in the production and distribution of quality food and beverages.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
• PM Sonko in China to boost Senegal's tech sector.
• Key talks on 5G, AI, fiber, and start-up support.
• Deals eyed for Dakar 2026 and digital sovereignty.
Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko (photo, left) began an official visit to China on Sunday, June 22. He was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Alioune Sall, Minister of Communication, Telecommunications, and Digital Affairs. The mission aims to strengthen technological partnerships with Beijing and accelerate Senegal’s digital transformation.
In Hangzhou, a key Chinese innovation hub, the Senegalese delegation met with major companies. These included Alibaba Group, BrainCo, a brain-machine interface specialist, and CHINT, a leader in smart energy solutions. Discussions focused on critical areas. These included the development of essential digital infrastructure, such as fiber optics, 5G, and artificial intelligence. Talks also covered mechanisms for skills transfer and support for Senegal’s startup ecosystem. This support would come through targeted investments, technical training, and academic cooperation.
The visit follows a series of strengthened bilateral ties in recent years. In 2023, Dakar and Beijing launched joint projects to digitize Senegal’s road transport system. As part of its national "Technological New Deal" strategy, the Senegalese government aims to make digital innovation a cornerstone of its technological sovereignty and inclusive growth. For its part, China continues to expand its presence in West Africa through structural partnerships in key sectors.
If this mission leads to new agreements, it could pave the way for major strategic partnerships. This is particularly relevant ahead of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, for which Alibaba Cloud is being considered as a potential technology partner. Beyond that event, this cooperation could play a decisive role in building a strong Senegalese digital ecosystem. Such an ecosystem would be capable of generating skilled jobs and reinforcing the country’s technological autonomy in the face of 21st-century challenges.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
The digital system will improve service delivery through more streamlined processes, increase transparency and accountability in record-keeping, and accelerate the shift from paper-based systems to modern digital infrastructure.
The e-Government Division of SMART Zambia Institute announced on June 20 that it is currently demonstrating its new SMART Office Management System at the Ministry of Health Headquarters. This marks a significant step in the government’s broader strategy to digitize public services and reduce reliance on paper-based operations.
Mr. Goodson Kamanga, Assistant Director for Administration at the Ministry of Health, expressed strong support for the system. He described it as a game-changer for the registry department, which manages vast amounts of data and documentation.
Developed by the Electronic Government Division (SMART Zambia Institute), the SMART Office Management System aims to enable fully functional electronic registries across all levels of government, beginning with the Ministry of Health. The system is designed to streamline document handling and record management from provincial to district levels, creating a centralized digital environment for efficient service delivery.
Mr. Gilcent Mwanakwampwe, Service Support Officer at SMART Zambia Institute, explained that Luapula Province has been selected as the pilot location due to its existing Government Wide Area Network (GWAN) infrastructure in most institutions. The demonstration highlights the solution’s scalability, with plans to expand its rollout to the Public Service Management Division (PSMD), the Ministries of Finance and Education, the National Archives, and several government commissions.
The SMART Office Solution is a key component of Zambia’s digital transformation agenda. It is expected to significantly reduce operational costs, with the government estimating savings of approximately K400 million annually in stationery expenses. Beyond cost savings, the system also addresses long-standing issues such as missing files, misclassification of records, and limited access to critical data.
The move aligns with the World Bank’s recommended priority actions for Zambia’s digital transformation, particularly the call to strengthen the institutional capacity of the government to protect consumers, safeguard data, and secure critical digital infrastructure.
By digitizing public services through initiatives like the SMART Office Management System Zambia is laying the groundwork for a more secure, efficient, and citizen-centric digital ecosystem. These efforts not only aim to improve service delivery and reduce costs, but also support the broader goals of building trust in e-government platforms, enhancing transparency, and ensuring long-term resilience in the face of emerging digital risks.
Hikmatu Bilali
This startup aims to simplify money transfers between Nigeria and the rest of the African continent. Its founder has raised initial funds for this goal with support from friends and family.
Hizo, a Nigerian fintech startup, has developed a solution to enable quick money transfers across several African countries using a mobile wallet. Founded in 2024 by Victor Chiedu and based in Asaba, the company raised $100,000 in seed funding in June 2025 to scale its technology and accelerate growth.
"Cross-border transactions within Africa are typically routed through foreign currencies like the U.S. dollar, which drives up cost and complexity," Chiedu said. "We're building a platform by Africans, for Africans, a system that supports local currencies across borders without foreign intermediaries."
The Hizo solution is available via a mobile app on iOS and Android, where it has already seen over a thousand downloads, according to Play Store statistics. Users can set up accounts by providing basic information and completing Know Your Customer (KYC) checks. Once registered, they can send and receive money from friends, family, or clients through their digital wallet.
Nigerian users can fund their Hizo wallets using local bank cards or through Flutterwave. They can then transfer money to bank accounts or mobile wallets in countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, and South Africa. The process is designed to be simple, secure, and fast, with active customer support available to assist with any issues.
Hizo is positioning itself in the intra-African remittance market, targeting individuals, merchants, and regional diasporas seeking to send money without relying on traditional channels, which are often slow and costly. Currently in its pilot phase, the fintech expects significant growth in the coming months.
By Adoni Conrad Quenum,
Editing by Feriol Bewa
Artificial intelligence is steadily becoming a transformative tool for African public services. Although local solutions are emerging in health, education, and agriculture, their widespread adoption hinges on significant structural investments and a clear ethical framework.
Africa is increasingly adopting artificial intelligence to modernize its public services, particularly in strategic sectors like health, agriculture, and education. According to "Governing in the Age of AI – Unlocking a New Era of Transformation in Africa," a report published in April 2025 by the Tony Blair Institute, AI can boost state productivity, enhance transparency, and improve access to essential services at a lower cost. Africa currently accounts for only 1% of global AI investment but could significantly benefit from a targeted approach based on concrete use cases tailored to local realities.
Health: Low-Cost Diagnostics and Smart Logistics
AI applications are expanding across Africa's health sector. In Nigeria, the startup Ubenwa developed an algorithm that analyzes newborn cries to detect early signs of asphyxia. This helps reduce neonatal mortality in rural areas. In Nairobi, Neural Labs is testing NeuralSight, an AI-based medical imaging analysis platform capable of diagnosing over 20 respiratory and breast diseases at a lower cost.
Agriculture: Boosting Productivity for Smallholder Farmers
African agritech companies are rapidly adopting AI to transform farming practices. South Africa's Aerobotics uses drones and satellite imagery to detect diseases and pests before they spread, contributing to higher yields. In Ghana, Farmerline launched Darli, a chatbot accessible via WhatsApp in 27 African languages, providing tailored agricultural advice. Launched in March 2024, the service already reaches 110,000 farmers. These innovations improve access to agricultural expertise, help reduce input use, and strengthen climate resilience.
Education: Personalized Support to Address Teacher Shortages
With UNESCO estimating a teacher shortfall of 15 million across the continent, AI is seen as a valuable support tool. SkillBridge in Ethiopia and M-Shule in Kenya offer intelligent assistants that guide students via SMS or apps, achieving an 87% accuracy rate in preparatory exercises. Nigeria's Afrilearn, for its part, employs a "learn-and-earn" model to give students free access to enriched and interactive educational content.
National Strategies Still Unevenly Distributed
To date, about 11 African countries have adopted a national AI strategy. These include Rwanda, South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Tunisia, and Benin. According to the 2023 AI Readiness Index from the University of Oxford, Sub-Saharan Africa scores an average of 30.2 out of 100, significantly lagging behind East Asia's 52.6. Key obstacles identified include a lack of digital infrastructure, poor-quality data, and weak institutional capacities.
At the continental level, the African Union adopted the African Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in 2024. This strategy promotes responsible, inclusive, and ethical AI and includes developing data governance standards, shared regional infrastructure, and fostering local innovation.
African AI: Between Local Promise and Systemic Challenges
Africa now has high-impact, tangible AI use cases in health, agriculture, education, and public management. The startups involved demonstrate the continent's capacity for local innovation. However, without structural investment in infrastructure, talent development, and ethical governance, these initiatives risk remaining marginal.
To address this, the Tony Blair Institute report proposes creating an AI Financing Compact for Africa. This compact aims to pool investments in data centers, digital identities, and certified training programs. The private sector, driven by startups and tech hubs, is playing a crucial role in deploying solutions adapted to African contexts.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
More...
As artificial intelligence advances across Africa, cybersecurity vulnerabilities are growing, leaving citizens, institutions, and infrastructure exposed to increasingly sophisticated attacks. Authorities are struggling to contain the rapid rise of online crime in this environment.
Cybercrime is rapidly expanding across Africa, now accounting for up to 30% of reported crimes in some regions, particularly West and East Africa. This is according to Interpol's latest cyberthreat assessment report on the continent, published on Monday, June 23. The annual assessment highlights a surge in digital attacks among African member states, with threats becoming increasingly sophisticated. Online scams, especially phishing, ransomware, business email compromise (BEC), and digital sextortion, are among the primary cyberthreats identified.
📢 New INTERPOL report warns of a sharp rise in cybercrime in Africa.
— INTERPOL_Cyber (@INTERPOL_Cyber) June 23, 2025
🔗 https://t.co/F98W3lS9gm#Cybercrime #INTERPOL
Diverse and Targeted Digital Threats
The report indicates that some attacks have targeted critical infrastructure, including the Kenya Urban Roads Authority and Nigeria's National Bureau of Statistics. In West Africa, criminal organizations such as the transnational Black Axe syndicate are implicated in BEC fraud operations amounting to millions of dollars.
Figures across the continent underscore the problem. In 2024, South Africa and Egypt recorded the highest numbers of ransomware detections, with 17,849 and 12,281 cases respectively. Nigeria, with 3,459 cases, and Kenya, with 3,030 cases, followed closely, confirming the vulnerability of the continent's most digitized economies. Interpol also warns of a significant increase in digital sextortion cases, reported in 60% of African member countries. In many of these incidents, the compromising images used are often generated or manipulated with artificial intelligence.
Limited Response Capacity Amid Surge in Cyberattacks
Despite the rise in cyberattacks, investigation and response capabilities remain limited. Nine out of ten African countries believe a significant improvement in law enforcement and prosecution capabilities is necessary. Systems for incident reporting, digital evidence management, and cyberthreat databases are still uncommon. Only 30% of countries report having a notification system, 29% a digital evidence processing system, and 19% a cyberthreat database.
Legal and institutional challenges exacerbate the issue. Three-quarters of surveyed countries acknowledge that their current legal frameworks are inadequate. Furthermore, 95% cite a lack of training, resources, or specialized tools to effectively combat cybercrime.
Additionally, regional and international cooperation remains insufficient. For 86% of African countries, slow formal mechanisms, the absence of operational networks, and restricted access to data hosted abroad hinder investigations. Eighty-nine percent also believe it is necessary to strengthen their collaboration with the private sector.
Interpol, however, noted some progress. Several African states have aligned their legislation with international standards, invested in specialized units, and participated in major operations like Serengeti and Red Card, which led to over 1,000 arrests. The organization calls for stronger cooperation between governments and the private sector, as well as the integration of emerging technologies to better anticipate and counter threats. This report is part of the AFJOC (African Joint Operation against Cybercrime) initiative, supported by the United Kingdom, which aims to boost African states’ cybersecurity capacities.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Payments technology company Flutterwave has partnered with Chpter, an AI-powered conversational commerce platform, to simplify how businesses sell and get paid through social media. The partnership, announced June 19, empowers businesses to seamlessly engage customers, automate sales conversations, and process local and international payments within popular platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook.
Chpter’s platform integrates checkout, customer insights, campaign automation, and AI-driven customer support via virtual agents “Jess” and “Bran”. These AI personas act as 24/7 sales and customer service representatives, delivering data-informed product recommendations and managing inquiries even when business owners are offline.
With payments powered by Flutterwave, businesses can now receive money in real-time via cards, mobile money, bank transfers, and other digital methods, both locally and internationally.
Nigerian HR-tech startup PaidHR has raised $1.8 million in seed funding to deepen its mission of simplifying payroll and workforce management for African businesses. The round, announced June 23, was led by Accion Venture Lab, with participation from returning investors Zrosk, Chui Ventures, and Zedcrest Capital.
The new capital follows a $500,000 pre-seed round in 2022. It will be used to accelerate product development, grow the team, scale across Africa, and expand offerings in compliance automation, HR analytics, and employee financial wellness.
As African businesses increasingly digitalize operations amid economic uncertainty, PaidHR positions itself at the center of a rising need for intuitive, scalable, and inclusive workforce solutions.
The Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), in partnership with 500 Global, has opened applications for Batch 6 of the Egypt Seed Bootcamp, scheduled to run from September 27 to October 1, 2025.
The five-day immersive program is tailored for Egypt-based pre-seed and seed-stage startups, offering founders the tools and mentorship needed to gain clarity, accelerate growth, and develop actionable strategies.
Participants will benefit from one-on-one guidance from global experts and deep dives into critical startup areas, including growth hacking, branding, storytelling, fundraising, team building, and talent development. The deadline for applications is July 13.