TECH STARS (936)
A technology and finance entrepreneur, he has founded and led two companies. His solutions and works have earned him numerous awards and recognitions.
Muriuki Collins is a Kenyan IT specialist and tech entrepreneur, renowned for his expertise and contributions to Africa's finance sector. He is the co-founder and CEO of Terra, a company offering innovative digital wallet services.
Founded in 2012 by Muriuki Collins and Martin Nyaga, Terra enables African businesses to achieve their financial goals through a platform that centralizes and simplifies access to various financial services. By integrating features such as payments, loans, and identity verification (KYC), Terra provides a comprehensive solution for managing and deploying digital wallets across the continent.
Today, Terra operates in over 25 countries and manages more than 5 million mobile wallets. Among its key clients are the Kenya Tea Development Agency, which serves at least 650,000 farmers, and Food for Education, a mobile platform supporting one million schoolchildren.
Beyond Terra, Muriuki Collins founded SwypePay in 2017, where he also serves as CEO. This startup focuses on automating business operations for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Africa, helping them grow and develop more efficiently.
Muriuki holds a bachelor's degree in Computer Systems Technology from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, which he earned in 2013. He began his professional career in 2011 as a systems engineer at Novel Technologies EA Ltd. From 2014 to 2019, he served as a fintech consultant for the Kenya Tea Development Agency.
In 2023, Muriuki Collins was named one of the Top 40 Under 40 by Business Daily, recognizing influential and progressive figures in Kenyan business. He was also recognized by The Founder Africa as one of the continent's most promising entrepreneurs.
Melchior Koba
A screenwriter, director, and writer, he became an entrepreneur to support rural farmers. By leveraging technology, he helps them sell their products to a wider audience.
Abdulai Barrie, a Sierra Leonean entrepreneur, is the founder and CEO of Salone Agro Market, a technology platform focused on agriculture. The platform’s primary goal is to empower farmers while improving their market access across Sierra Leone.
Founded in 2019 and registered under the startup SALGRO Ltd., Salone Agro Market connects buyers and sellers of agricultural products. It provides small and large farmers alike with a marketplace to sell their produce, while also facilitating access for commercial businesses and large enterprises seeking to purchase these products.
In addition to connecting buyers and sellers, Salone Agro Market supports small farmers by providing access to inputs, processing equipment, transportation solutions, and information systems. The platform is accessible offline via USSD codes, ensuring maximum inclusivity. It also offers real-time information on market prices, weather forecasts, and facilitates direct transactions between sellers and buyers.
Alongside his work at Salone Agro Market, Abdulai Barrie is the editor of the Commonwealth Youth Council newsletter, an organization focused on youth development within the Commonwealth. He also serves as a project manager at Sierrapreneurs, an initiative promoting youth entrepreneurship in Sierra Leone. Since 2018, he has been the co-founder and creative director of Creative Media Network SL, a multimedia production company.
Abdulai Barrie holds a certificate in entrepreneurship, financial management, and reporting for innovators, awarded in 2021 by the Institute of Public Administration and Management at the University of Sierra Leone. A former screenwriter and director, he also worked as a writer for Hidden Voices Africa, a platform publishing human interest stories, from 2023 to 2024.
In recognition of his commitment to innovation and social development, Abdulai Barrie secured third place in the 2024 Orange Social Venture Prize in Africa and the Middle East (POESAM) in Sierra Leone. He will represent his country in the continental phase of the competition.
Melchior Koba
As a tech entrepreneur, he develops digital solutions to help businesses enhance their performance. He has already co-founded several companies.
Mamadou Ndiaye (photo) is a Senegalese IT specialist and entrepreneur. He is the co-founder and CEO of Appsaya, a startup offering digital solutions designed to optimize community and event management across Africa.
Founded in Malaysia in 2015, Appsaya provides event organizers with a platform featuring real-time data management and analytics tools. The platform also supports the creation of dynamic communities and enhances networking opportunities through artificial intelligence, helping small and medium-sized enterprises access new markets.
“Our solution efficiently manages professional communities, encourages connections, boosts engagement, and fosters collaboration. Additionally, our platform offers various monetization opportunities,” the company states.
On October 10, Appsaya earned third place at the Orange Social Venture Prize Africa and Middle East (POESAM), receiving a reward of 3 million CFA francs (approximately 5,000 USD).
Beyond his role at Appsaya, Mamadou Ndiaye serves as a strategic advisor at MY Evolution, an IoT connectivity provider. In 2013, he co-founded iReservos, an appointment management platform for service businesses in France, serving as its CEO until 2016.
In 2020, he co-founded La French Tech Malaysia, a French-Malaysian tech community based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The following year, he launched Wasabih, a Malaysian startup that connects professionals and businesses within various sectors of the halal economy.
Mamadou Ndiaye holds a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from ESIGELEC, an engineering school in France. His professional journey began in 2005 at DXC Technology as a computer engineer. In 2010, he worked as an international project manager for L’Oréal, the French beauty company.
In 2012, he became a project director at Shine Mobile Gibraltar, a UK-based telecommunications company. In 2014, he joined update software AG, a French IT firm, as a consultant. From 2020 to 2022, he worked as a senior project manager at JCDecaux, a French advertising company.
Melchior Koba
She promotes healthy and environmentally friendly farming practices, using technology to help farmers make informed decisions.
Afoussata Thiam (photo) is a Senegalese information and communication technology (ICT) and sustainable agriculture expert. She is the founder and CEO of AGROMET SERVICE, a tech startup dedicated to optimizing agricultural practices.
Founded in 2021, AGROMET SERVICE aims to address the social and environmental challenges faced by farmers, particularly those related to climate change. The company specializes in designing smart, connected weather stations that provide farmers with real-time meteorological data and alerts about climatic conditions.
“Unlike other methods that are not accessible to everyone, this eco-friendly solution is equipped with reliable and durable weather sensors, paired with a simple and user-friendly application. Our product is accessible, affordable, and profitable,” the startup explains.
On October 10, Afoussata Thiam secured second place for AGROMET SERVICE at the Orange Social Venture Prize Africa and Middle East (POESAM) in Senegal, earning a reward of 4 million CFA francs (approximately 6,600 USD).
Afoussata Thiam graduated from the University of Sine Saloum El-Hadj Ibrahima Niass in 2022 with a degree in AgroTIC, or ICT applied to agriculture.
Melchior Koba
Fully aware of the importance of building an inclusive digital economy for the deaf community in Tunisia, she leverages technology to connect deaf individuals to employment opportunities.
Sonia Kherigi Nasfi (photo) is a Tunisian computer scientist and tech entrepreneur. She is the founder and CEO of Deaf Square, an online platform that serves as a career accelerator for deaf individuals by connecting deaf talents with employers.
Deaf Square is dedicated to empowering the deaf community. It offers tools for learning sign language, a personalized job-matching service, and training for employers to promote inclusive work environments. Using artificial intelligence, the startup works to enhance the social and economic inclusion of the hearing impaired. It provides an AI-empowered virtual trainer that offers adaptive learning in multiple languages, ensuring personalized support for each user.
“At Deaf Square, we offer courses exclusively in sign language. Our team consists of deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing individuals. All our developments are based on user experience. Often, companies are legally required to hire people with disabilities but don’t know where to find these talents. Our job is to connect deaf talents with employers,” explains Sonia Kherigi Nasfi.
Since 1998, Sonia has also held the position of director at the Central Bank of Tunisia. In 2019, she became a coach in NLP (neuro-linguistic programming). She is also the focal point for the association Positiver in Tunis, supporting regional initiatives, particularly by mentoring youth and women in project development.
A graduate of the Higher Institute of Management in Tunis, where she earned a master’s degree in IT management, Sonia made headlines in July 2024 when she won the regional prize at the 11th edition of the Northern Africa Startup Awards, part of the Global Startup Awards Africa. She is also the 2024 winner of the Tunisian stage of the Orange Social Entrepreneur Prize in Africa and the Middle East (POESAM).
Melchior Koba
He is an entrepreneur passionate about sustainability and innovation in Morocco. Through his startup, Savey, he has established himself as a key player in promoting sustainable and responsible food practices.
Ouahi Zakaria (photo) is a Moroccan entrepreneur, co-founder, and CEO of Savey, a digital and logistics solution combating food waste.
Savey is a Moroccan initiative aimed at reducing industrial food waste by offering a distribution channel for unsold, overstocked, or nearly expired products. It connects manufacturers, producers, and distributors with restaurants, cafes, hotels, pastry shops, and bakeries, among others, while also providing free delivery services.
“Our mission is to move towards zero food waste by creating a multidimensional impact on the ecosystem and positively influencing our consumption habits to optimize the use of still-edible food,” states the company’s website.
Committed to protecting the planet, the startup also engages in charitable actions. Every day, it distributes hundreds of meals, collected from its partners, to homeless individuals. It also supplies zoos and associations with food donations.
In September 2024, Ouahi Zakaria won first place in the national stage of the Orange Social Entrepreneur Prize in Africa and the Middle East (POESAM).
Melchior Koba
He aims to bridge the gap between academic training and the needs of the professional world. He supports young IT students while providing businesses with digital solutions.
Roussel Célestin Andriamitasoa is a Malagasy IT specialist and tech entrepreneur. He is the co-founder and CEO of Kante Company, a digital agency and platform dedicated to the professional integration of IT students.
Founded in 2022, Kante Company specializes in web and mobile application development, IT education, design, data science, and artificial intelligence (AI) engineering. The company provides young graduates with their first professional experience, enhancing their skills and helping them integrate into the job market, thus bridging the gap between academic training and employment in the tech sector.
“After their training with us, we collaborate with several digital services companies (ESNs) and both local and international firms to place these students in companies once they graduate. With over two years of experience gained through our platform, they are able to start successful careers,” explains the company, which won first place in the Orange Social Venture Prize Africa & Middle East (POESAM) 2024 for Madagascar.
Roussel Célestin Andriamitasoa graduated from IT University, an online learning provider, with a bachelor’s degree in computer science in 2023. Between 2021 and 2022, he worked as a client advisor at Intelcia, a business consulting firm. From 2023 to 2024, he was a developer at Lifetime Travel, a Malagasy company.
Melchior Koba
She is an expert in artificial intelligence, energy management systems, as well as smart grids and meters. She leverages technology to revolutionize how Cameroonians use electricity.
Agnès Virginie Tjahe (photo) is a Cameroonian tech entrepreneur and the founder of EMKit, a project aimed at addressing various issues related to electricity consumption, including overbilling, underbilling, excessive use, and energy fraud.
Launched in 2019, EMKit offers a system that allows users to monitor and manage their electricity supply and consumption remotely via SMS and the Internet. The kit collects consumption data every hour, which can be used to develop big data solutions for the energy sector. The project also aims to integrate artificial intelligence to enhance decision-making in the field.
EMKit optimizes energy use in Africa by helping reduce high electricity bills for households and combating fraud and underbilling on the power grid. The solution promotes energy efficiency, supports the development of smart grids, and drives the growth of big data in the energy sector.
The startup has already developed three different prototypes and installed ten kits in households in the western region of Cameroon. In August 2024, Agnès Virginie Tjahe won the women’s prize and first place on the Orange Social Venture Prize Africa & Middle East (POESAM) national stage in Cameroon.
In addition to her entrepreneurial work, Agnès Virginie Tjahe is a lecturer in the Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering at the Fotso Victor University Institute of Technology, part of the University of Dschang in Cameroon.
She holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering obtained in 2014 from the National Advanced School of Agro-Industrial Sciences (ENSAI) at the University of Ngaoundéré, and a PhD in energy mechanics from the University of Dschang, earned in 2019.
Melchior Koba
He aims to help farmers improve crop management and yields. For his agriculture-focused technological solution, he was awarded by the telecom operator Orange in the DRC.
Lucien Disu (photo) is a DRC-born entrepreneur. He is the co-founder of Best Bilanga Optimal (BBOPT), an innovative tech solution powered by artificial intelligence (AI) aimed at optimizing agriculture in Africa.
BBOPT's mission is to improve crop quality and agricultural yields. The device, designed as a connected object, analyzes soil quality, recommends suitable crops, detects plant diseases using AI, and provides personalized advice through a web and mobile application.
With BBOPT, farmers can monitor their fields remotely and communicate with other growers through a discussion space integrated into the app. The device is equipped with sensors that collect soil data, an automatic irrigation system, and a mechanism that emits sound waves to repel rodents and pests. It is also rechargeable, making it a practical and sustainable tool.
“The goal of my project is to ensure food self-sufficiency with an artificial agronomist that analyzes soil fertility, provides personalized advice through our web and mobile app, and predicts crop yields,” said the entrepreneur, who won second place in the national phase of the Orange Social Venture Prize for Africa and the Middle East (POESAM) in the DRC in September 2024.
Lucien Disu holds a degree in Network and IT Maintenance Techniques, obtained in 2017 from the Chaminade Higher Institute of Computer Science in the DRC. Between 2021 and 2022, he served as Marketing Director at Mastagate, a group of companies specializing in digital technologies.
Melchior Koba
She aims to bridge the educational and digital divide in disadvantaged communities. Her innovation in the field of education has earned her an award from the French telecom group Orange.
Monica Jackson (photo) is a physics student at the University of Sierra Leone and the co-founder and CEO of Educube, an innovative educational technology company. Established in 2024, Educube transforms shipping containers into self-sustaining digital learning centers powered by solar energy, specifically targeting underserved communities. The company provides accessible, high-quality educational resources, internet connectivity, and digital literacy programs.
“Our primary focus is on students from rural communities where many children have never encountered a computer. In villages lacking a digital center, how can we ensure they have access? How can we guarantee that every school in these areas has a digital center within the next three years? The good news is here: Educube,” Jackson explains.
Educube empowers learners of all ages—whether they are students or farmers—by equipping them with the skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Beyond digital literacy, the company advocates for climate-resilient agricultural practices, supporting sustainable development and food security while helping communities adapt and thrive.
In recognition of her work with Educube, Monica Jackson received the Orange Social Venture Prize 2024 in Sierra Leone, where she was honored as Tech Queen for her innovative solutions.
Melchior Koba
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He is a passionate entrepreneur and business leader who applies his technological skills to support small and medium-sized enterprises in Liberia. He also runs an e-commerce company.
Christopher Fallah is a Liberian computer scientist and entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of Annita Store, an e-commerce platform that connects small businesses and vendors with customers. Launched in 2021, Annita Store facilitates access to essential services while offering a diverse shopping experience, enabling vendors to tap into international markets.
The platform provides various tools and resources to help sellers optimize their sales and grow their businesses. It is designed to help vendors promote their products and connect with their target audiences. For customers, Annita Store offers a wide range of products across different categories, including electronics, fashion, health and wellness, and beauty. The platform also features promotions and special offers, partnering with trusted suppliers to ensure the quality of the products.
"We take pride in presenting a diverse range of high-quality products alongside outstanding customer service, aiming to guarantee a satisfying shopping experience for every customer and consistently deliver the best possible support," reads a statement on the startup’s website.
In addition to his work at Annita Store, Christopher Fallah manages social media and content for Rhona Beauty, a U.S.-based beauty company. He holds a bachelor's degree in computer science, information science, and support services from BlueCrest University College in Ghana, where he graduated in 2021.
From 2022 to 2023, he served as the sales manager at Prestige Motor Corporation, the exclusive Ford dealership in Liberia. In 2024, he won first place in the Orange Social Venture Prize for Africa and the Middle East (POESAM) for Liberia.
Melchior Koba
He leverages the latest technologies to help Ivorian cocoa producers maximize their production. His innovative solution has won several awards.
Amadou Aziz Kamagate (photo) is an Ivorian developer specializing in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. He is better known as one of the co-founders of CocoaShield, a tech solution aimed at combating swollen shoot, a virus that affects cocoa plantations.
CocoaShield, an agritech startup launched in 2023 by Kamagate, Florian-Kevin Konan Saraka, and Topka Grace-Kelly, leverages AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) to detect and limit the spread of swollen shoot. Through drones and mobile AI-equipped devices, the disease is visually identified, while smart stations monitor plantation conditions in real time.
This approach allows for targeted treatment of infected trees and paves the way for the long-term eradication of the virus. In September 2024, CocoaShield won the Orange Social Entrepreneur Prize for Africa and the Middle East in Côte d'Ivoire.
In addition to his role at CocoaShield, Kamagate is a senior software engineer at Stanbic Bank in Côte d'Ivoire. He earned a bachelor's degree in computer programming in 2019 from Pigier Côte d'Ivoire, followed by a master's in big data for augmented and human reality from the École Supérieure des Technologies Industrielles Avancées (ESTIA) in 2023. That same year, he also obtained a master's in AI and big data from the École Supérieure Africaine des TIC (ESATIC).
Between 2020 and 2021, Kamagate worked as a software engineering intern at Allianz Côte d'Ivoire, an insurance company. In 2022, he served as a software engineering consultant for Moov Africa Côte d'Ivoire. In 2023, he won first place at the Orange Summer Challenge Côte d'Ivoire.
Melchior Koba
The Senegalese government aims to modernize its economy by integrating information and communication technologies (ICT) across all sectors. To achieve this goal, the administration is developing a clear roadmap outlining the key steps needed to accelerate the country's digital transformation.
Senegal is preparing to adopt a new digital transformation strategy, SN 2034, dubbed the "New Deal Technologique." This strategy, built around four major pillars, was presented on Wednesday, October 9, during a workshop in Dakar to sectoral ministries and public organizations.
The first pillar focuses on establishing the necessary infrastructure to ensure technological sovereignty. This includes the creation of a sovereign cloud, developed in partnership with Google, to meet the growing needs of Senegalese and African administrations and businesses. The second pillar aims to provide affordable Internet access for all citizens, including those in remote and border areas. Discussions are underway with submarine cable and satellite connectivity providers such as Starlink and Google.
The third pillar centers on developing digital skills, with a focus on emerging technological fields such as artificial intelligence. U.S. companies Meta and Nvidia have been approached to support this goal. Finally, the fourth pillar, building on the previous one, seeks to foster a favorable environment for innovation and tech entrepreneurship. A memorandum of understanding has already been signed with U.S. firm Google to provide AI solutions and Google tools to accelerate the growth of Senegalese startups and SMEs.
The SN 2034 strategy, currently under development, will replace the SN 2025 strategy, which was implemented in 2016. It is part of the broader national transformation agenda, "Senegal 2050." Welcomed by tech companies during President Bassirou Diomaye Faye's recent visit to New York, these firms have committed to supporting the government in its implementation. This new strategy represents a major turning point for Senegal's digital future.
Samira Njoya
She recognizes the difficulties logistics professionals encounter in obtaining loans to fund their operations. To tackle this issue, she's harnessing technology to streamline online loan applications, making the process more accessible and efficient.
Gugulethu Siso, a Zimbabwean marketing expert and entrepreneur, is the founder and CEO of Thumeza, a fintech platform that provides data-driven financing solutions to logistics players across Africa.
Thumeza, established in 2018, initially offered last-mile delivery services for e-commerce sites, small businesses, and retailers in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. By 2019, it had evolved into a freight platform coordinating a network of small carriers. In 2021, Thumeza shifted its focus to financing logistics operators. The platform now provides loans to small carriers through an online loan management system, offering factoring services and early invoice settlements. It handles the entire lending process for its distribution partners, such as FMCG companies and logistics aggregators, allowing them to concentrate on their core activities.
Siso is also one of the Shouthern African representatives on the Afrikan Youth Business Council, a continental organization uniting private sector entities and institutions led by young people in Africa. In 2015, she co-founded Ninety Nine Investments, serving as CEO until 2017, a company offering retailers comprehensive cart management solutions.
A graduate of the University of Namibia with a Bachelor’s in Strategic Marketing (2015), Siso also participated as a coach in the 2022 Future Females entrepreneurship training program. She is an alumna of the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Program (2018) and a provincial winner of Youth Connekt (2019). In 2020, she was selected for the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs, took part in the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa cohort, and was recognized as one of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Zimbabwe’s Ten Outstanding Young Persons.
Melchior Koba