TECH STARS (878)
He aims to boost intra-African trade by connecting truck owners and traders across the continent through technology. By leveraging digital platforms, he streamlines logistics and transportation, enabling businesses to move goods more efficiently across borders.
Robert Okello (photo), a Kenyan entrepreneur, is the co-founder and CEO of Rudi Trip, a company addressing the high costs and environmental impact of freight transportation in Africa. Founded in 2022, Rudi Trip connects shippers, truck owners, and drivers through a digital platform, aiming to reduce cross-border transportation costs and boost intra-African trade.
By minimizing empty trips, cutting carbon emissions, and optimizing the time spent finding cargo, Rudi Trip streamlines the logistics process. The platform matches loads with reliable trucks, offers fast payments to truck owners, and ensures transparency in the industry. The company specializes in domestic and cross-border transportation across various sectors, including grains, cement, tiles, steel, and consumer goods. Users can track the real-time location of trucks transporting their goods via the Rudi Trip app.
Prior to founding Rudi Trip, Okello gained experience in the technology and business development sectors. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics and chemistry from the University of Nairobi. After graduating, he worked at I Can Fly, a university guidance platform, as a business development manager. He subsequently joined Gorilla Africa BPO, a provider of tech solutions and marketing services, where he served as head of partnership development across Africa.
In 2019, Okello joined Razzo Africa, an IT services and consulting firm, as head of business development and African partnerships. He later worked as head of growth for the Middle East and Africa region at Pieme, a blockchain platform.
Melchior Koba
He is an environmentalist and social entrepreneur, dedicated to addressing issues related to solid waste. He promotes the circular economy and incorporates technology to optimize his efforts.
Allen Kimambo (photo), a Tanzanian engineer and entrepreneur, is at the helm of Zaidi Recyclers, a social enterprise dedicated to driving the transition to a circular economy. Founded in 2014, the company offers comprehensive recycling solutions, industrial waste management, and sustainability initiatives for businesses.
Zaidi Recyclers provides clients with a range of services, including safety, quality, and environmental management systems. The company also assists businesses in obtaining ISO certifications and other industry compliance standards. Through a user-friendly mobile app, clients can report available waste streams for collection.
The company handles various types of waste, including electronic and electrical equipment, car batteries, paper, cardboard, glass bottles, and plastics. To date, Zaidi Recyclers has collected over 2,200 containers and recycled 700 tons of waste.
Beyond his role as CEO of Zaidi Recyclers, Kimambo is actively involved in the Tanzanian startup ecosystem. He is a founding member of the Tanzania Startup Association and serves as a solid waste consultant for Tetra Tech. Additionally, he is an associate consultant with Adam Smith International and a project manager for the TakaNiAjira Foundation in Uganda. Kimambo also chairs the Tanzania Recyclers Association.
Kimambo holds a bachelor's degree in chemistry and processing from the University of Dar es Salaam. In 2021, he furthered his expertise by earning a diploma in sustainable development through the Swedish Institute Management Programme.
Melchior Koba
An IT specialist by training, he uses his skills to serve his country, Senegal. He is behind various technological solutions in sectors such as finance and mobility.
Mouhamet Mbow (photo), a Senegalese IT specialist and entrepreneur, is the founder and CEO of InTech Group, a tech company that focuses on web and mobile development as well as software deployment. Launched in March 2016, InTech has grown into a dynamic startup offering diverse technological solutions in sectors like finance and mobility.
InTech’s journey began with the creation of Samataxi, a real-time, geolocated taxi-hailing app. In 2019, the company rebranded to InTech following the launch of InTech API, an aggregation, distribution, and management solution for payments, which has since become the company’s core service.
In July 2019, InTech launched Yonema, a platform that allows users across Africa to recharge mobile money accounts using a bank card. Two months later, it introduced Pointech, a geolocated time-tracking solution for businesses to better manage employee attendance.
In 2020, InTech continued expanding with the launch of PayTech, a solution offering businesses a simple, streamlined payment experience for their clients, and InTech SMS, a gateway for sending personalized SMS messages from apps or software.
Most recently, in January 2022, InTech launched PayTick, a platform that enables users to create, sell, and manage event tickets online.
Before founding InTech Group, Mbow launched ReveiL Ton Style in 2012, an online fashion store, and co-founded the news site DakarFlashNews in 2014. In 2016, he created Wmakit, a startup focused on web and mobile application development.
Mouhamet Mbow holds a degree in computer science from Paris-Est Créteil University, obtained in 2013. Between 2014 and 2015, he worked as a web developer and designer at Sen ID's, an innovation hub in various development fields.
In 2021, he was named Senegal's Best Entrepreneur of the Year at the second edition of the Meet Up Septafrique, organized by the digital media group Septafrique Groupe.
Melchior Koba
He envisions a connected and sustainable future for Africa. By harnessing the power of the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence, he aims to bring energy and internet access to every Nigerian.
Osumune Michael, a materials and metallurgical engineer, is the founder and CEO of Moon Innovations, a startup providing smart and sustainable energy solutions for Africa.
Founded in 2016, Moon Innovations leverages solar technology, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing to offer an all-in-one system that delivers electricity, internet access, and security surveillance. The company's "Solar Smart Inverter" integrates cloud storage for surveillance feeds.
According to Osumune Michael, Moon Innovations focuses on designing and manufacturing an intelligent solar inverter system that combines wireless internet, security monitoring, and solar power. "The system can be controlled and monitored remotely via a mobile app," he explains.
Michael graduated from the Federal University of Technology Owerri in 2011 with a bachelor's degree in materials and metallurgical engineering. After his studies, he worked as a materials engineer at Dunis Global Services, a local company providing engineering, construction, and procurement services, from 2015 to 2016.
In 2022-2023, he participated in the Orange Corners innovation program, where he received training in entrepreneurship. Moon Innovations was also a finalist in the Africa IoT & AI Challenge 2024, a regional competition recognizing entrepreneurs with innovative ideas in IoT, AI, and related technologies.
Melchior Koba
He aims to make quality education accessible to all. Through his technology platform and school, he offers a wide range of courses covering various areas of the digital world.
Mohammed Mouzaoui, an Algerian computer scientist and entrepreneur, is the founder and CEO of KhadMoney, a startup that aims to revolutionize education by offering a seamless and engaging learning experience. Established in 2023, KhadMoney's mission is to promote education, expand students' networks, and support them in their professional projects. With a rapidly growing community of students and trainers, the startup offers a broad range of courses designed to enhance learners' personal and professional development.
KhadMoney’s journey began in 2022 as a summer school, where Mohammed and his team trained over 1,500 students in fields such as web development, artificial intelligence, and graphic design. The success of this initiative inspired the launch of KhadMoney as a full-fledged startup.
Today, KhadMoney operates both an in-person school in Bab Ezzouar, Algeria, and an online platform that offers courses via Google Meet. The startup provides training in areas like computer development, marketing, design, languages, business, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence.
Before founding KhadMoney, Mohammed co-founded Qualified Algerian Workers Services (QAWS) in 2017, a service company for individuals and businesses, where he served as director until 2023. In 2019, he also co-founded GDG Mostaganem, a Google Developer Group in Mostaganem, Algeria.
Mohammed holds an engineering degree in computer science from the National School of Computer Science in Algeria, earned in 2020. During his studies, he served as president of the university’s Club Vert, an environmental protection association. From 2020 to 2023, he worked as a business analyst for ERENAV, a maritime company based in Algeria.
Melchior Koba
Since 2018, Comoros has prioritized digital transformation to modernize its economy. This ambitious goal requires substantial investment to fuel technological innovation and boost competitiveness.
The Comorian government will receive financial support from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to bolster its digital economy. The financial support, negotiated during a virtual session between the AfDB and Comorian officials on September 2, will come through the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Transition Support Facility (TSF) for the Digital Economy Support Project (PADEC).
According to the National Digital Development Agency, discussions focused on the evaluation report for PADEC, the protocols for the ADF and TSF grants, and corresponding disbursement letters. "After review, both delegations approved the various instruments, pending a few minor adjustments. This key step now brings the project to its final stage before approval by the AfDB’s board of directors," the agency stated.
The initiative aligns with the Comorian government's "Comoros Emerging 2030" and "Digital Comoros 2028" strategies launched in 2018 to harness the potential of ICT for economic development. Despite its efforts, Comoros still lags behind in terms of ICT development. In a December 2023 report, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) ranked the country 25th in Africa with a score of 46.5, below the continental average of 47.4.
The AfDB’s financial support will enable several key initiatives under PADEC, including the digitalization of public services, enhancement of the legal and institutional framework for digital technologies, the creation of a data center and digital incubator, and the expansion of connectivity coverage across the Comorian archipelago.
Samira Njoya
A computer scientist by traning, he leverages his skills to benefit both Moroccan businesses and citizens. He created a high-definition map of Morocco, allowing for virtual tours of all its cities.
Marouane Lamharzi Alaoui, a Moroccan computer scientist and tech entrepreneur, is the founder and CEO of Carte.ma, a platform offering street view services in Morocco. Established in 2014, Carte.ma provides high-definition panoramic images of Moroccan streets, catering to various professional needs. The startup operates a fleet of vehicles equipped with georeferenced cameras, enabling the efficient documentation of large areas at a low cost.
Between 2015 and 2016, Carte.ma mapped over 10,000 kilometers of public roads in 5 to 7 Moroccan cities. Today, the company has generated more than a million panoramas, covering 104,000 kilometers of roads at 5-meter intervals. This extensive coverage allows users to virtually tour cities across Morocco and discover points of interest.
Marouane holds a state engineering degree in computer science, earned in 2009 from the École Nationale Supérieure des Mines in Rabat. During his studies, he interned at Morocco’s Directorate of Hydraulic Developments in 2007 and the Ministry of Energy, Mines, Water, and Environment in 2008.
His professional career began at Dyar Al Mansour, a subsidiary of the Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion (CDG), where he worked as a development engineer from 2008 to 2009. He later joined Netik, a digital marketing and consulting agency, before becoming a support engineer and consultant in Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) at Percall Développement, a French IT engineering firm, where he worked until 2014.
Melchior Koba
He aims to help businesses optimize their operations and grow their activities. To achieve this, he offers a platform that connects them with qualified talent capable of handling their key tasks.
Wisani Hlangwane is a South African investment graduate and entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of Funti3R, a startup established in 2022 to offer innovative workforce management solutions.
Funti3R connects companies in sectors such as IT, information and communication technologies, healthcare, and financial services with qualified talent. These professionals are responsible for performing essential tasks to drive the growth of these businesses.
From project management to data entry, Funti3R simplifies the creation and management of tasks, promoting seamless, real-time collaboration among teams. The platform also allows users to track progress, monitor key performance indicators, and gain valuable insights into business processes.
Funti3R features advanced functionalities, including AI-powered smart task recommendations and predictive resource allocation that enhances efficiency by matching the right tasks with the right people.
Alongside his role at Funti3R, Wisani Hlangwane is a certified market maker for Fonbnk, a global marketplace that converts prepaid mobile airtime into cryptocurrency. In 2015, he co-founded IMB Magazine, a social media publication aimed at inspiring people. In 2017, he founded Sikizela Developments, a construction company, and in 2020, he co-founded MyHammiTown, an e-commerce startup.
Wisani Hlangwane holds a bachelor’s degree in investment from Milpark Business School, South Africa, obtained in 2021. In 2022, he joined Mpowa, a blockchain platform, as a Web3 strategist, where he is working currently.
Melchior Koba
As a former business intelligence consultant, he recognized the pivotal role data plays in driving corporate success. Now an entrepreneur, he leverages technology to gather and make this valuable information accessible to businesses.
Joseph Rutakangwa (photo), a Tanzanian entrepreneur, is the co-founder and CEO of Rwazi, an AI-powered business intelligence platform.
Founded in 2018, Rwazi provides international brands with free access to detailed consumer data. The platform offers insights into who buys what, at what price, from where, when, and why. Rwazi's goal is to help companies increase revenue and expand their operations.
The startup leverages a network of over 20,000 data collectors located in urban and rural areas across more than 40 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and South America.
Rwazi offers a mobile and web application that allows consumers worldwide to share their consumption habits. In return, they receive personalized product recommendations based on their budget and preferences, powered by an AI engine.
According to Rutakangwa, live streaming of consumer data enables clients to identify trends in real-time and respond quickly, allowing them to generate revenue and grow in the dynamic and ever-changing landscape of consumer demands.
Rutakangwa holds two bachelor's degrees in business management from The African Leadership University in Mauritius and Glasgow Caledonian University in the UK. He also earned a graduate diploma in international business from Lehigh University.
Prior to founding Rwazi, Rutakangwa worked as an independent business intelligence consultant from 2013 to 2018. He also held positions in the marketing and business development departments at Pernod Ricard, a global wine and spirits group.
Melchior Koba
As a serial entrepreneur, he specializes in providing technology solutions for the commerce sector. He developed a platform that empowers merchants and restaurants to deliver their products throughout the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Eric Bemba (photo) is a Congolese serial entrepreneur and the founder of Wiikko, an online platform for buying and selling goods.
Founded in 2019, Wiikko connects consumers with their favorite restaurants and stores. The startup aims to become a trusted partner for fast and reliable deliveries while offering customers an optimal experience. Its mobile app features a wide range of businesses, allowing users to discover new products and take advantage of promotional offers. Wiikko also collaborates with numerous delivery drivers to facilitate deliveries for its partners.
In addition to his work with Wiikko, Eric Bemba is the General Manager of Yango Congo, a mobility company operating in both the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Congo. He is also the co-founder of Splitti, a fintech platform launched in 2020 that allows users to create groups and easily collect funds for various events such as birthdays, weddings, farewell parties, or projects.
Eric Bemba graduated from the University of Alabama in the United States, where he earned a bachelor's degree in commerce and business administration in 2009. He worked as a senior consultant for the tax and legal firm EY from 2013 to 2016. He then joined the financial network Compagnie Financière du Congo (CFC) as an independent consultant. In 2017, he was appointed Development Manager at SESOMO Services, a human resources service provider in the DRC. From 2019 to 2020, he served as CEO of Rawgeneration, a startup accelerator in the DRC.
Melchior Koba
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With a strong foundation in accounting, he discovered his interest in technology and pursued formal training in computer science. He leveraged his combined expertise to revolutionize healthcare, creating a cutting-edge telemedicine platform.
Cameroonian tech entrepreneur Jean Lobe Lobe (photo) is the founder and CEO of Waspito, a telehealth platform launched in 2020. Through that platform, he connects Africans with doctors and laboratories.
Patients can access instant video consultations with specialists via their smartphones. Additionally, the platform provides a database of pharmacies and medical laboratories, streamlining the purchase of medications and scheduling of blood tests following an online consultation. Medications can be delivered directly to patients' homes. Waspito also features a health discussion forum, moderated by doctors, where users can ask questions anonymously and receive real-time answers.
In 2020, Waspito won the Orange Ventures MEA Seed Challenge and was named Best HealthTech Startup in Africa at the Africatech Awards, part of Viva Technology 2023.
The idea for Waspito came to Lobe after his father passed away from a heart attack in a town without a cardiologist. "I lost my father a few years ago when he had a heart attack in a town without a cardiologist. He died while being transported to the nearest city with a cardiologist," the startup founder recalled in August 2024.
Lobe also serves on the board of directors for Unity Co-operative Society (UNICS), a microfinance institution in Cameroon. Before founding Waspito, he established Heptic Holdings in 2016, where he served as CEO until 2020. This company supports the creation and development of startups.
A self-taught computer enthusiast, Lobe holds an accounting degree from Oxford Brookes University in England. His professional career began in 2010 at Union Bank of Cameroon, where he was responsible for banking operations. In 2011, he worked as a financial auditor for Audit and Accounting Corporation (AUDICO) in Cameroon.
In 2012, he joined the airline CAMAIR-CO as a general accountant. Later, he was hired by British American Tobacco where he worked from 2012 to 2016. During his tenure, he held HR management positions in Nigeria, West Africa.
Melchior Koba
A financial expert with a focus on economic policy, he aims to expand financial access in Africa. His vision is for Service Cops to become a leader in technological innovation across Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.
Ugandan entrepreneur Joseph Kiiza (photo) is the co-founder and executive chairman of Service Cops, a fintech startup focused on business process outsourcing (BPO).
Founded in 2012, Service Cops aims to optimize business processes, increase revenue, and reduce costs for its clients. The company seeks to become a global leader in fintech and BPO. It developed several fintech solutions, including SchoolPay, a universal digital platform that simplifies school fee payments and school management. This solution allows parents and guardians to easily pay fees, while school administrators can efficiently manage their tasks. Another solution is Vantage, a credit account management platform.
The company also designed other technological solutions, such as School Suite software, which facilitates the management of educational institutions. This software enables teachers, administrators, and students to digitize daily educational processes.
In 2023, Service Cops formed a strategic partnership with Awash Bank, a private Ethiopian bank, in the framework of its expansion. Under that partnership, it initially offers digital loans to Awash Bank’s clients before gradually extending the service to non-bank users.
“Our long-term growth plan is to have a significant presence in all emerging economies in Africa and Asia, targeting key economic blocs such as the East African Community (EAC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN),” Kiiza stated.
In addition to his role at Service Cops, Joseph Kiiza is the CEO of Edge Micro Insurance, an insurance company in Uganda. He also serves on the board of Nepserv Consults, a Ugandan financial institution.
The entrepreneur holds two master's degrees from Makerere University in Uganda, one in finance and another in economic policy and planning, both obtained in May 2024.
Melchior Koba
He wants to revolutionize global health, entrepreneurship, and leadership. His career in healthcare has garnered numerous prestigious awards.
Kenyan entrepreneur Stephen Ogweno is the co-founder and CEO of Lifesten Health, a digital health startup based in Rwanda. Lifesten Health enables users to set specific health goals, track their vital signs, and receive rewards for their progress.
Founded by Ogweno and Peace Ndoli, Lifesten Health focuses on medical technologies and aims to educate and raise awareness about lifestyle-related diseases while promoting healthier living habits through technological advancements. Their digital health platform offers web and mobile solutions to help users better manage their nutrition, well-being, health, and mindfulness. By leveraging artificial intelligence and behavioral learning, the platform helps users understand their health status and receive expert advice to improve it, with a special emphasis on mental well-being.
Ogweno is also the founder and CEO of the Stowelink Foundation, an organization established in 2015 that develops innovative community health projects focused on people, prioritizing non-communicable diseases, health technologies, research, and advocacy. Additionally, he serves as the director of the World Obesity Foundation, an organization dedicated to combating obesity, and is a member of the Board of Governors for NCD Child, a multi-stakeholder coalition advocating for the rights and needs of children, adolescents, and young people affected by non-communicable diseases.
Ogweno holds a bachelor's degree in population health from Kenyatta University in Kenya, obtained in 2019, and a master's degree in public health from the University of Manchester in England, earned in 2023. His commitment to digital health innovation and public health has been recognized multiple times. In 2020, he was named one of Africa's 100 most influential young leaders, and in 2021, he was honored as one of Kenya's Youth of the Year as part of the Top 35 Under 35 National Awards. In 2022, he was awarded the Kenyan Quality Health Care Award for Health Innovation of the Year.
Melchior Koba
As an IT project manager and application developer, he has implemented various technological solutions across different sectors in Côte d'Ivoire. One of his most well-known products is a telemedicine application.
Anicet Amani (photo) is an Ivorian computer scientist and entrepreneur, and the founder and CEO of Skan Technologies, which specializes in software development and technological innovation.
Founded in 2011, Skan Technologies has developed several technological solutions across Africa. Its flagship product, SkanMed, is a telemedicine application that allows users to find a doctor and receive consultations remotely via video calls. After the consultation, the doctor can prescribe medication and/or recommend tests. SkanMed also enables users to order home healthcare services.
Another notable product from the startup is SkanTicket, an electronic ticketing application. This free solution allows users to create custom events, offer tickets or invitations online, promote their events, and manage access control on the day of the event.
Skan Technologies has also initiated other projects, such as SkanPhoto and SkanNpay. SkanPhoto is a photo sales application that, using facial recognition, allows anyone photographed at an event to automatically find their pictures. SkanNpay is a mobile payment app that facilitates payments via QR code.
Amani holds a master's degree in electronics, electrotechnics, automation, and computer science, obtained in 2009 from Félix Houphouët-Boigny University in Côte d'Ivoire. He began his career in 2010 at SA TIERI (Engineering, Studies, and Industrial Realizations) as an automation engineer, where he developed simulator systems. In 2012, he joined the software company VEONE Technologies as a Java project manager. From 2013 to 2019, he served as a solutions integration engineer at MTN in Côte d'Ivoire.
Melchior Koba