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Plan includes artisan ID card, national registry
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Sector employs 22%, contributes 7% to GDP
Morocco will invest 36 million dirhams ($3.9 million) to fast-track the digital transformation of its handicrafts sector, under agreements signed on Wednesday between the State Secretariat for Handicrafts, the Chambers of Handicrafts and their Federation, and the Digital Development Agency. Two additional agreements covering international promotion and institutional support were signed at the same ceremony.
The digitalization agreement provides for the rollout of a professional artisan ID card and the launch of a National Artisan Registry. It also includes the digitalization of services offered by the Chambers and their affiliated bodies. Authorities say the system will streamline administrative processes, improve efficiency, and establish core digital infrastructure for the sector.
The initiative is part of the national development program for handicrafts. The sector is a key contributor to Morocco’s economy, supporting employment, exports, and regional development.
Official figures show the sector employs 22% of the national workforce and contributes 7% to GDP. Exports have grown by 7.6%, while handicraft sales account for 10% of tourism-related foreign exchange earnings. The digital upgrade is expected to boost productivity, formalize activities, and expand access to domestic and international markets.
International promotion and institutional support
The two additional agreements focus on promoting Moroccan craftsmanship abroad, in partnership with SMAP EVENTS, and on a 2026 sector development plan. That plan targets professional structuring, training, and technical support for artisans.
Together, these measures aim to strengthen the sector’s competitiveness and improve market access for artisans, while fostering a more structured and productive ecosystem alongside the digital reforms led by the Digital Development Agency.
Samira Njoya
From March 16 to 20, 2026, the Technology Innovation Agency and the SA Innovation Summit will host the inaugural SA Innovation Week. This landmark event will bring together researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, corporate leaders, and policymakers to drive South African innovation. Activities will take place across several provinces, culminating in a three-day festival at the NASREC Expo Centre in Johannesburg, designed to accelerate funding, strategic partnerships, and the commercialization of new technologies.
M-KOPA said it has disbursed more than 231 billion naira ($170.5 million) in credit to over one million customers in Nigeria since 2019. Most of the loans finance smartphone purchases, followed by cash advances. The company requires no collateral and charges no hidden fees, relying instead on daily micropayments to expand access to digital services and credit for low-income households.
Digital lender Fido Ghana has secured $5.5 million in debt financing to scale its AI-powered lending platform. Using a proprietary credit scoring system based on mobile usage data, the company provides instant loans to small businesses and individuals underserved by traditional banks. The funds will support product expansion and growth across Africa.
In a continent where financial inclusion remains closely tied to physical distribution networks, Moroccan startup WafR is betting on a hybrid model that combines fintech, retail technology and the informal economy.
WafR, a Moroccan startup, has built a digital platform that turns local corner shops known as hanouts into access points for financial and digital services.
Founded in Casablanca in 2021 by Ismail Bargach and Reda Sellak, the company said in February it had raised $4 million to expand its technology and scale operations.
Its solution includes a mobile app available on iOS and Android, with more than 100,000 downloads on the Play Store, according to platform data. Through its website and app, small retailers can offer services such as mobile top-ups, bill payments and other digital transactions without requiring customers to visit a traditional bank branch.
The model builds on the trust neighborhood merchants have long established within their communities. In a country where cash remains dominant and access to financial services is uneven, these shops are emerging as a key last-mile channel for digital finance.
WafR says it has nearly 20,000 active merchants on its platform, making it one of Morocco’s largest digitized retail networks. The startup now plans to expand into peer-to-peer transfers and domestic remittances, strengthening its role as a community-based fintech platform.
Beyond financial services, WafR also enables consumer goods brands to run targeted promotions and analyze purchasing patterns using data generated by traditional retail outlets.
The strategy reflects a broader shift in African fintech. Rather than displacing existing networks, some startups are opting to digitize informal retail structures to accelerate the uptake of digital services.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Drawing on marine research technology, she aims to decode the biological signals of fish, a simple yet decisive idea for an industry striving for sustainable efficiency.
Sarah Carroll is a South African scientist and entrepreneur. She is the co-founder and chief executive of MariHealth Solutions, a deep-tech company specialising in aquaculture health and nutrition. Her aim is to improve how fish farms and feed manufacturers monitor operations and enhance performance.
Founded in 2021, MariHealth Solutions seeks to deepen understanding of fish physiology under different environmental, pathogenic and dietary conditions. The company acts as a decision-support partner, converting complex biological data into practical recommendations for aquaculture professionals.
Its technologies monitor fish health and welfare, analyse disease mechanisms and evaluate vaccine efficacy. They also measure the real-world impact of novel ingredients, new feed formulations, and varying farming practices and environmental conditions on animal physiology.
Carroll holds a bachelor’s degree in zoology from Rhodes University (2013). She earned a master’s degree in marine biotechnology in 2016 and a PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology in 2020, both from the University of Cape Town. She worked there as an associate researcher from 2020 to 2022.
Melchior Koba
He offers a seamless alternative to traditional financial channels. His solution reflects the ambition of a more open and more efficient market.
Victor Alade is a Nigerian technology entrepreneur. He is the chief executive of Raenest, a fintech company he co-founded in 2022 with Richard Oyome and Sodruldeen Mustapha.
Raenest allows users to open foreign currency accounts in U.S. dollars, British pounds or euros to receive international payments. Those funds can then be used for online purchases, travel expenses, money transfers or savings in the selected currency. The platform also offers virtual and physical cards for online payments and subscriptions.
The startup primarily targets freelancers, content creators, travelers, online shoppers, students and social commerce sellers. It also offers rewards programs to encourage regular use of its services.
Raenest Business
Raenest is developing a business-focused product called Raenest Business. More than 600 companies already use the platform to manage international payments and receive funds in more than 13 countries. Businesses can open an account, collect payments from foreign clients and pay employees or contractors across multiple markets.
The platform supports withdrawals to bank accounts or mobile money wallets in more than 70 countries. It also integrates with major third-party services including PayPal, Payoneer, Wise, Mastercard and Revolut.
Alade holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronic engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria, awarded in 2014. After graduating, he worked as a software engineer at several technology companies, including Procrea8 Technology Solutions, Jumia Group and Andela.
Melchior Koba
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Tunisia CDC launches MAIR for greentech scale-up
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Program targets commercialization-stage startups, SMEs
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Tunisia startups raised $6.6 million in 2025
Tunisia’s Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC) on Tuesday announced the launch of the first cohort of the MAIR program, Market Access for Impact and Resilience. The financing mechanism targets greentech startups and small and medium-sized enterprises in the commercialization phase.
The program aims to support industrial scale-up, facilitate initial market entry, and strengthen revenues for selected companies.
MAIR prioritizes sectors linked to the green transition, including renewable energy, sustainable mobility, eco-construction, waste management, sustainable agriculture, water technologies, energy efficiency and biodiversity. By providing financing at a stage when funding needs increase for industrialization and commercialization, MAIR seeks to bridge the gap between seed funding and full commercial rollout.
MAIR is deployed under the GreenTECH initiative led by Smart Capital and integrated into the Greenov'i project. The project is funded by the European Union through the Tunisie Verte et Durable program and implemented by Expertise France in collaboration with the International Center for Environmental Technologies of Tunis, the Ministry of Environment, and the Ministry of Economy and Planning.
Financing architecture
The mechanism forms part of a broader financing framework that also includes VAIR, Venture Acceleration for Impact and Resilience, which supports startups in the ideation phase as they develop proofs of concept. The overall program plans to fund 32 early-stage startups and support 10 startups and SMEs in accessing markets, with a target of roughly 300 direct jobs in green transition sectors.
The launch comes amid limited funding for Tunisia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. According to Wamda’s annual report, Tunisian startups raised $6.6 million across 13 deals in 2025, below levels recorded in several other Middle East and North Africa markets. In that context, public instruments dedicated to impact-driven innovation are positioned as key support mechanisms for early-growth companies.
By targeting industrial segments linked to the green transition and focusing on companies at a later stage of development, MAIR aims to strengthen the ability of Tunisian startups to turn innovations into marketable products and secure a sustainable position in their markets.
Samira Njoya
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Orange Maroc launches Yo Max 5G plans
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Introduces Livebox 7 router with Wi-Fi 7
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Morocco counts 57.1 million mobile connections
Orange Maroc unveiled two new consumer offerings on Tuesday in Casablanca: customizable Yo Max 5G mobile plans and the Livebox 7, a next-generation router which the company described as a global first. Both products are built on the carrier's recently launched 5G network.
The Yo Max 5G plans allow subscribers to tailor their mobile plan by selecting services suited to their needs, including video and music streaming, gaming and e-learning. Available in six tiers priced between 99 and 649 dirhams (approximately $11 to $71), the plans offer up to 160 gigabytes of data or unlimited data. Subscribers can manage their plan via the Maxit app.
The Livebox 7 is the first consumer router to feature Wi-Fi 7 and introduces the prplOS operating system, which allows applications to be installed directly on the device. These include a built-in VPN and parental controls. The router is equipped with 10 smart antennas designed to deliver stable speeds throughout the home. Orange Maroc said the platform also gives local developers the opportunity to build applications tailored to the Moroccan market, expanding what it calls the Nova Box ecosystem.
Orange Maroc said the products support Morocco's digital transformation and respond to rising demand for connected services, including the proliferation of screens in households, e-learning, streaming and gaming. According to DataReportal, Morocco had nearly 57.1 million mobile connections at the end of 2025, equivalent to roughly 148% of the population, and more than 35 million internet users, with a penetration rate exceeding 92%. DataReportal attributed the mobile figure to widespread use of multiple SIM cards per household and per individual.
Samira Njoya
The Mastercard Foundation has opened applications for the FAST Fund, an initiative for alumni of the YALI Network, African Leadership Academy, the Anzisha Prize and the Scholars Program. The fund aims to help alumni launch or scale their ventures through financial support and targeted assistance.
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After graduating its 10th cohort, Founder Institute Abuja is now accepting applications for its 11th cohort. The program targets pre-seed and early-stage tech founders. Selected entrepreneurs will take part in a structured multi-week program that includes expert mentorship, hands-on workshops, and fundraising support. Applications close on May 3, 2026.
Bildup AI is launching its latest AI training cohort and opening new learning hubs in Enugu, Abuja, and Lagos. These centers complement our online programs by offering hands-on, guided learning for both students and professionals. Our mission is simple: democratize AI across industries and future-proof Nigeria’s workforce for the age of automation.
- Algeria launched four new digital platforms, bringing total integrated university digital services to 73.
- The platforms target academic management, entrepreneurship, student welfare, and service modernization.
- The initiative aligns with Algeria’s national digital transformation strategy through 2030.
Kamel Baddari, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, officially launched the platforms on February 24, in Algiers. The launch increased the total number of digital services integrated into the sector’s information system to 73.
During the ceremony, Kamel Baddari stated that universities, data centers, and research laboratories across the country jointly drove the expansion of the digital ecosystem.
He emphasized that the platforms “illustrate the high level of digitalization achieved by the sector in its teaching, research, governance, and services to the university community.”
The four new platforms cover strategic and social priorities.
The Digital Registry of University Programs aims to improve the management of university economic programs and enhance the conversion of scientific research results into projects with high economic and social added value.
The University Network of Incubators and Entrepreneurship Development Centers (AUNEI) seeks to consolidate the innovation ecosystem and support students and researchers in launching start-ups.
An online psychological consultation platform promotes mental health within universities. In addition, an integrated meal reservation platform within the student mobile application modernizes campus catering services.
The launch builds on a broader digitalization process within the higher education sector. Authorities have already deployed electronic diploma management systems, scientific research monitoring portals, and dematerialized administrative management modules in recent years.
These services aim to reduce bureaucratic delays, improve governance efficiency, and strengthen collaboration between universities and socio-economic partners.
The initiative aligns with Algeria’s national digital transformation strategy through 2030.
Two cross-cutting pillars support this strategy. First, authorities are establishing an adapted legal and regulatory framework, including a draft law on digitalization currently under development. Second, authorities are strengthening cybersecurity measures to protect data and information systems against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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Kenya detected 12.5 billion cyber incidents in 2025, up 247% year-on-year.
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Kenya explores cybersecurity cooperation with Safetech Innovations under an existing bilateral framework with Romania.
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Kenya launched the Kenya Cyber Resilience project worth 454 million Kenyan shillings ($3.5 million).
The Kenyan government explores cybersecurity cooperation with Safetech Innovations, a Bucharest-based cybersecurity firm.
William Kabogo Gitau, Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, received a delegation from the company. Gentiana Serbu accompanied the delegation.
Kenya welcomes structured cooperation that strengthens our national cybersecurity posture and safeguards our digital transformation gains.
— H.E William Kabogo Gitau, E.G.H (@honkabogo) February 24, 2026
This morning at the Ministry Headquarters, I hosted a courtesy call from the delegation of Safetech Innovations, and Romanian Ambassador to… pic.twitter.com/7UhO2liwTs
On Tuesday, February 24, the minister published a statement on X. He wrote: “Our discussion focused on cybersecurity as a critical priority for Kenya, especially as we accelerate digitization across government. We discussed the protection of critical infrastructure, strengthening institutional capacity, and the need to build strong and sustainable cyber resilience frameworks.”
He added that discussions also covered research and development collaboration. He emphasized partnerships with Kenyan higher education institutions to promote knowledge transfer and experience sharing.
Kabogo stated that the engagement forms part of bilateral cooperation between Kenya and Romania under an existing memorandum of understanding. The framework promotes collaboration in key sectors such as ICT and innovation.
The talks followed the launch of the Kenya Cyber Resilience (KCR) project approximately one month earlier. Kenya implements the project in partnership with the European Union. The initiative aims to strengthen the security, resilience, and reliability of Kenya’s expanding digital ecosystem. Authorities estimate the total cost at approximately 454 million Kenyan shillings ($3.5 million).
Kenya has also strengthened cybersecurity cooperation with the United States, the United Nations, and Huawei.
In addition to regional and international partnerships, Kenya strengthens its domestic cybersecurity framework. Authorities are advancing plans to establish a National Cybersecurity Agency (NCSA) to complement existing institutions.
Kenya enforces a Data Protection Act, the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, and a National Cybersecurity Strategy covering 2022–2027.
In its 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index, the International Telecommunication Union ranked Kenya 21st globally and third in Africa.
The country achieved maximum scores in cooperation, capacity development, and organizational measures. However, the ITU indicated that Kenya must further strengthen its regulatory framework and technical measures.
Isaac K. Kassouwi