Africa's pharmaceutical market faces supply chain issues and counterfeit drugs, but technology offers a solution. Leveraging digital tools can address these challenges, create economic opportunities, and strengthen healthcare infrastructure - making a lasting positive impact on public health and economic growth.
Prosper Africa, a Presidential-level national security initiative focused on strengthening strategic and economic ties between the U.S. and Africa, has launched a pilot project under its Africa Tech for Trade Alliance (AT4T). The initiative, announced on November 12, aims to digitize and improve transparency in Africa’s pharmaceutical supply chains. Launched in collaboration with USAID’s e-Trade Alliance, IBM Consulting, and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), it introduces the Pulse by NABP™ platform in South Africa.
British Robinson, Coordinator of Prosper Africa, highlighted the importance of partnerships in developing technology-driven solutions under the Digital Trade for Africa (DTA) initiative. “Through Prosper Africa’s Tech for Trade Alliance, we support partnerships that leverage technology to create products that yield both financial and social benefits for Africans and Americans alike,” he stated.
Designed to link U.S. and global pharmaceutical giants like Pfizer and Roche with African distributors and pharmacies, Pulse by NABP™ aims to foster transparency, improve communication, and establish a secure framework for medication distribution.
This initiative also includes AI-based training for African pharmacies and retailers through IBM’s watsonx.ai, empowering them with data-driven tools to optimize their sales strategies. The Pulse platform is set to address Africa’s complex pharmaceutical distribution challenges, paving the way for increased economic growth and access to healthcare across the continent.
Africa has one of the fastest-growing pharmaceutical markets in the world, valued at approximately $26.85 billion in 2023, according to the Africa Pharmaceutical Market Size, Industry Report, 2030 by research and consulting company Grand View Research. This market is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.4% from 2024 to 2030, fueled by an increasing demand for healthcare services as the population grows and ages.
However, the continent faces challenges, including fragmented supply chains, logistical barriers, and regulatory differences, which drive up costs and reduce product availability. The Pulse platform aims to address these challenges by increasing supply chain visibility, which could help African pharmacies minimize losses, maintain consistent stock, and forge profitable partnerships with international suppliers.
The initiative aligns with recommendations outlined in the African Development Bank Group's 2022 report, A New Frontier for African Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Industry. The report emphasizes that strengthening logistics integration is essential to developing Africa’s pharmaceutical industry, enabling efficient intra-African and international trade, particularly in pharmaceutical products.
Hikmatu Bilali
He leverages his real estate investment expertise to help South Africans boost their income, utilizing technology to achieve this goal.
Ezra Rasethe (photo) is the founder and CEO of investRand, a South Africa-based investment firm. Through his startup, he aims to help individuals build sustainable real estate wealth.
Founded in 2021, investRand offers a marketplace connecting real estate investors with income-generating properties, reliable service providers, and various financing options. The company's goal is to enable individuals to generate passive income through real estate investment.
"Our platform is revolutionizing the real estate and PropTech industries by making it possible, accessible, and profitable for every South African to invest in property. We are proud to offer exceptional investment opportunities within every budget and area of interest, empowering our clients to make informed decisions about property investing," the company explains on its website.
Rasethe is also the founder and CEO of Infinity Property Group, established in 2017, which includes companies specializing in proptech, affordable housing, and student housing. These firms help South Africans make informed choices in real estate investment through technology.
Rasethe holds a degree in real estate development and investment from the University of Cape Town, obtained in 2022. He also serves as president of the 4thDimension Toastmasters club, where he helps members enhance their communication and leadership skills through public speaking.
Melchior Koba
The volume of electronic and electrical waste is growing in Africa every year. Successfully giving this waste a second life could help ease current environmental pressures while creating wealth for young people.
On Wednesday, November 13, Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA) and German development agency GIZ announced the launch of the "Master Repair" project, backed by a joint €2.85 million investment. This initiative offers specialized training in electronic device repair, as well as in the installation and maintenance of solar panels and fiber optic networks. The program targets young men and women in Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, and Egypt, with a particular focus on individuals with disabilities.
The project is positioned as an inclusive approach to enhancing youth employability and promoting the creation of micro-enterprises in electronic repair and sustainable technology sectors.
Jérôme Hénique, CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, stated, “This partnership with GIZ illustrates our commitment to supporting young people, especially women and persons with disabilities, towards sustainable professional integration and a more inclusive economic future. Together, we invest in skills that not only create opportunities but also strengthen the foundations of a circular and resilient economy for tomorrow.”
Master Repair is part of the develoPPP program, commissioned by Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and supported by the "Decent Work for a Just Transition" special initiative. The project aligns with the mission of Orange Digital Center to promote digital inclusion and support digital skill development for employment, particularly among youth and women.
According to Market Research Network, the global market for electronic maintenance and repair was valued at $98.1 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $142.7 billion by 2030, growing at an average annual rate of 4.5% between 2024 and 2030. While specific data on Africa is unavailable, it’s evident that this market holds promise. With the World Bank reporting that a majority of Africans live on less than $5 a day, purchasing new devices often requires significant financial sacrifice, making repair a more affordable option than replacement.
Increasing the number of young people skilled in repair and maintenance is also expected to better meet the needs of households and businesses across the region.
Digital transformation is a top priority for the Djiboutian government, which aims to establish the country as a technology hub by 2035.
Djibouti wants to strengthen its cooperation with the European Union (EU) to accelerate its digital transformation. The goal was at the center of discussions between Mariam Hamadou Ali, Djibouti’s Minister Delegate for Digital Economy and Innovation, and Denisa-Elena Ionete, the EU ambassador to Djibouti.
This cooperation aligns with the EU’s Global Gateway investment strategy, which aims to drive both digital and green transitions while delivering reliable, sustainable connections for partner countries. Key projects under discussion include e-permits, e-cabinet systems, cybersecurity, and digital skills training.
According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Djibouti currently ranks 17th out of 47 African countries in ICT development, with a score of 61.6 out of 100—down from 16th place in 2023, when it scored 63.6. Additionally, the United Nations places Djibouti among the countries with a mid-range e-government development index (EGDI), scoring 0.2911 out of 1.
In cybersecurity, Djibouti ranks as a Tier 4 country by ITU standards, reflecting a basic government-driven commitment to cybersecurity. Legislative measures are cited as a strength, but the ITU notes that additional progress is needed in technical measures, organizational frameworks, capacity development, and cooperative actions.
The EU’s support is expected to boost the Djibouti Digital Foundation project, which is already backed by the World Bank. This project is aimed at transforming Djibouti into a tech hub by 2035 through the expansion of digital services and the establishment of a supportive environment for private-sector ICT investment.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
Digital transformation and artificial intelligence are key to modernizing nations and boosting their competitiveness. By investing in these areas, countries can upgrade infrastructure, improve public services, and strengthen their digital economies.
Tunisia plans to implement a digital transformation strategy and an artificial intelligence (AI) strategy, according to Communications Technology Minister Sofiene Hemissi. The announcement came on the sidelines of the 10th International Forum for Chief Information Officers (CIOs), held in Hammamet from Thursday, November 7 to Saturday, November 9. The initiatives aim to boost digital usage and leverage Tunisia’s AI potential.
Hemissi explained that the national digital transformation strategy will be built on several core pillars: digitizing administrative and public services, fostering the digital economy, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in digital fields, enhancing communication network infrastructure, and strengthening legislative and regulatory frameworks to secure cyberspace.
The AI strategy, set for launch in 2025, aims to integrate AI into key sectors, including health, education, environment, and transport, while advancing digitalization and promoting open data usage. It also emphasizes creating business incubators and support programs for promising tech projects at the local level.
The upcoming digital strategy will replace the 2022-2025 plan, which positioned Tunisia among Africa's digital leaders. According to the latest report from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), released in December 2023, Tunisia ranks 8th in Africa with a score of 77.2 out of 100 in ICT development. In e-government, Tunisia leads in North Africa and ranks third continent-wide, according to the United Nations’ E-Government Survey 2024: Accelerating Digital Transformation for Sustainable Development. The report gives Tunisia a score of 0.6935 out of 1, surpassing the African average of 0.4247.
Samira Njoya
African and Middle Eastern entrepreneurs with innovative projects are being celebrated for solutions that blend social impact with digital transformation. By showcasing these startups, the Orange Social Entrepreneur Prize highlights ingenuity aimed at addressing regional challenges.
The top international winners of the Orange Social Venture Prize in Africa and the Middle East (OSVP/POESAM) have been announced. Moroccan startup SAVEY, Tunisia’s WeFix, and Côte d'Ivoire's Cocoa Shield were officially presented to the public on Tuesday, November 12, during an international ceremony held in Casablanca, Morocco.
According to an Orange press release, these winners were selected from a pool of 1,600 applicants from 17 countries. The awarded projects in this 14th edition of OSVP cover diverse fields, including education, health, e-commerce, agriculture, and environmental protection.
The Grand Prize was awarded to Moroccan startup SAVEY, which offers a digital and logistical solution to reduce food waste by selling unsold or near-expiry food items. This solution earned them €25,000 in funding.
The second prize went to Tunisian startup WeFix, which provides a digital solution to support individuals and companies in the sustainable management of electronic and household appliances. This start-up received €15,000 in funding.
In third place was Ivorian startup Cocoa Shield, which uses AI and IoT to monitor and track cocoa crops, helping to combat crop diseases. This start-up was awarded €10,000.
The International Women’s Prize, celebrating a female-led startup with significant impact, was awarded to MyTindy (Morocco), an online platform connecting artisans with international customers to facilitate direct and independent sales. This platform received €20,000 in funding.
Finally, the "Coup de Cœur" prize went to Intella, an Egyptian start-up developing a multi-dialect Arabic speech-to-text transcription engine, one of the most accurate in the world, aimed at bridging the gap between AI advancements and the Arab-speaking world.
In addition to these awards, the national winners of POESAM 2024 from Orange’s 17 markets in the Middle East and Africa will receive support from Orange Digital Centers. This support will help them expand their businesses beyond national borders through a network active in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
Samira Njoya
After a few years in finance, he turned his attention to entrepreneurship. Leveraging technology, he developed innovative solutions in finance, logistics, and event management.
David Christian Mbang (photo) is a Cameroonian accountant by training and the founder and CEO of Adwa Sarl, a software development startup. Established in 2017, Adwa Sarl supports businesses in their digital transformation, offering IT audit and consulting services. The company designs custom technology solutions tailored to the needs of both businesses and individuals, guiding them through their digital projects.
One of its flagship products is AdwaPay, an online payment platform that enables businesses and e-commerce sites to manage financial transactions. AdwaPay supports payments through Orange Money, PayPal, Express Union, and various credit cards.
The startup also offers a range of other solutions, including Kwanza, a multichannel e-ticketing system, and Kiwoti, a web and mobile platform for ticket sales. Additionally, MyEvent, a platform dedicated to event promotion and ticket sales, is part of Adwa Sarl’s offerings. The company rounds out its service lineup with Mboa Taxi, a chauffeured vehicle reservation service providing air-conditioned cars for urban and intercity travel.
David Christian Mbang holds a master’s degree in finance and accounting, earned in 2012 from the University of Douala. Before founding Adwa Sarl, he served as Administrative and Financial Director at NG Conseil Sarl, a consulting firm operating in Congo and Cameroon, from 2016 to 2017.
Melchior Koba
Energy efficiency and smart resource management are top priorities for businesses. In Senegal, he leverages technology to meet these needs by delivering innovative solutions.
Bassirou Ba (photo) is a Senegalese tech entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Witniss IoT, a startup specializing in fleet and fuel management. Witniss IoT aims to transform business operations by harnessing the power of the Internet of Things (IoT). The company addresses the need for monitoring and optimizing mobile assets through two main solutions: iGeoTrack and Fuel-Route.
The startup’s flagship product, iGeoTrack, enables companies to track the real-time location of their vehicles and monitor fuel consumption. By installing submerged fuel sensors, this technology boosts energy efficiency and reduces operating costs.
Additionally, Witniss IoT offers predictive maintenance services, along with driver identification and management systems. The company is also expanding its focus to include smart home solutions, temperature management for cold storage, and promotes the recycling of electronic and tech equipment.
Bassirou Ba graduated from the Institut Supérieur de Management in Senegal, earning a master’s degree in international management in 2018. After completing his studies, he worked as a business engineer for Group I.C.R., an IT and industrial engineering company, from 2018 to 2022. He then served as the B2B sales manager at Huawei in Senegal from 2022 to 2023.
Melchior Koba
Mobile internet access in Africa is evolving rapidly, yet speed disparities persist. While some countries report strong connection speeds, others struggle to keep up due to infrastructure and technological challenges.
South Africa leads the African continent in terms of mobile download speeds, averaging 34.5 Mbps, according to a report published, on Monday, by mobile data analytics firm Opensignal. This speed is 50% faster than that of Zimbabwe, which ranks second, and four times faster than Angola, which is at the bottom of the list.
Titled The State of Mobile Network Experience in Africa, the report covers 27 African countries and attributes these disparities to differences in network infrastructure investments and spectrum management. In South Africa, sustained efforts to modernize infrastructure and the rapid adoption of 4G and 5G technologies have enabled faster, more reliable connectivity. Conversely, Angola remains reliant on older technologies like 2G, which limit speeds and hinder the use of modern applications—a challenge also affecting countries like Zimbabwe and Mali, where infrastructure still needs significant upgrades.
In terms of Consistent Quality (CQ), a measure of the stability needed for services like video calls, South Africa and Tunisia perform well, with CQ scores of 58.6% and 57.6%, respectively. However, in over half of the African countries analyzed, CQ scores fall below 30%, indicating unstable connectivity that limits user experience, especially in countries like Mali, Guinea, and Cameroon.
To address these gaps, Opensignal suggests governments should invest in infrastructure, ensure efficient spectrum allocation, create supportive regulatory frameworks, enhance digital skills, address device affordability, and promote wider adoption of 4G and 5G technologies.
According to the GSMA increased mobile internet use could add about $795 billion to Africa’s GDP between 2023 and 2030. This underscores the significant economic impact that enhanced connectivity could have across the continent.
Samira Njoya
Every year, many Africans move abroad in search of better opportunities. This Nigerian entrepreneur supports migrants like himself by enabling them to provide financial assistance to family members back home.
Emmanuel Ogbodo (photo) is a Nigerian computer scientist and entrepreneur based in the United Kingdom. He is the founder and CEO of OhentPay, a fintech startup specializing in international money transfers.
Founded in 2018, OhentPay is a UK-based money transfer platform serving individuals and businesses. It allows users to send and receive money easily and quickly, facilitating financial exchanges between friends, family and loved ones worldwide. The platform supports up to 40 currencies, offering competitive exchange rates.
OhentPay primarily targets the millions of Nigerians living abroad, making international transactions straightforward with fixed, transparent fees and no hidden charges. The company currently operates in over 190 countries, including Australia, Belgium, France, the United States, Canada, and Estonia.
Ogbodo graduated from the University of Greenwich in the UK with a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering in 2017. His career began in 2013 at Nigeria's National Information Technology Development Agency, where he worked as a programming instructor.
In 2015, he joined Facebook as a software engineer, then moved to Mobile Worker Plus, a software and technology company, in 2017, where he served as a software engineer and DevOps consultant. In 2018, he took on the role of full-stack developer at Gigaclear, a UK telecommunications company.
Melchior Koba
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Many African smallholders face challenges transporting their crops to urban markets. Tech entrepreneurs are increasingly stepping up to address this issue.
Kilimo Fresh is a digital solution developed by a Tanzanian startup that enables consumers to buy fresh produce online while making it easier for farmers to sell their products. Based in Dar es Salaam, the startup was founded in 2018 by Baraka Chijenga.
To use the platform, customers must access the e-commerce website through a web browser. They can browse a wide range of fresh products, including grains, fruits, milk, and various types of flour. While initial purchases can be made without an account, registration is required to complete transactions.
Kilimo Fresh serves as an intermediary between farmers and consumers. "[...]Through its efficient distribution model, the company sources fresh produce directly from smallholder farmers, adds value through cleaning, sorting, and packaging, then delivers it to its customers' locations," the startup explains.
Beyond individual consumers, Kilimo Fresh also supplies small retailers daily. The startup launched this solution to reach a broader customer base and help combat food waste. Kilimo Fresh “offers farmers stable prices (20% higher than those offered by middlemen), direct market access for their crops, and reduced food waste through the use of cold chain and cold storage facilities.”
In October, Kilimo Fresh was selected to participate in Angel Fair Africa, a major tech business showcase. Earlier in the year, the company received the Digital Innovation in Agriculture Award at the Tanzania Digital Awards.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Reliance on manual, paper-based records leads to unnecessary costs in today’s digital age. Digitization could save Africa millions, improve public resource allocation, reduce government operational costs, and cut retrieval times, boosting productivity and efficiency - especially in services requiring quick information access.
Information and records management company Metrofile Kenya has announced a partnership with the Kenya Association of Records Managers and Archivists (KARMA) to advance digital transformation in Kenya’s records management sector. This collaboration was launched at KARMA’s 8th annual conference, held from 4 to 8 November. It seeks to establish a secure, efficient, and digitally forward approach to managing records nationwide.
At the event, Metrofile Kenya Managing Director Jackline Mburu highlighted the importance of effective records management in building a digital economy. “With EverFiles, we’re ensuring data sovereignty and smooth access to vital information. This partnership will empower Kenyan businesses and government bodies to manage their digital assets with confidence,” she said.
Metrofile’s EverFiles platform, central to this partnership, offers innovative solutions aimed at streamlining record-keeping, enhancing productivity, and promoting data sovereignty. Together, Metrofile and KARMA are setting new standards for Kenya’s digital transformation journey in records management, reinforcing the country’s position as a leader in digitizing government services.
This collaboration will help Kenya address the financial and operational inefficiencies of outdated, paper-based systems. It aligns with Kenya Vision 2030 initiative, a national development blueprint aimed at transforming the country into an industrialized, middle-income economy by the year 2030. A major pillar of this vision is public sector reform, which includes the digitization of government services to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accessibility.
In July 2024, Mary Kerema, the Secretary for ICT, eGovernment, and the Digital Economy stated that the Kenyan government was aiming to digitize at least 80% of public services and make them accessible via the eCitizen platform. She pointed out that nearly 17,000 services had already been digitized and put online as part of the National Digitisation Plan (2022-2032).
Thanks to the accelerated digitization of public services, the President of the Republic, William Ruto, claimed in November 2023 that the State's monthly revenue had increased from around 1.5 billion shillings (11.7 million USD) in previous years to 9 billion shillings. This growth was due to many factors, including a reduction in the cost of managing paper documents.
Hikmatu Bilali
He is an award-winning entrepreneur with a proven track record in digital marketing and business. He has founded over five companies in various industries, including finance, mobility, and logistics.
Wilson Ganga (photo) is an Angolan serial entrepreneur and business leader. He is the founder and CEO of Paypay Africa, a fintech specializing in mobile payment solutions for e-commerce across Africa. His mission is to make financial services more inclusive and payments more convenient.
Launched in 2020, Paypay Africa offers a mobile app that enables users to send and receive money, pay electricity, water, and TV bills, buy airtime, and shop at various retailers. The startup also helps individuals and businesses save money by eliminating maintenance fees and providing discounts to its customers.
On its website, the company states its goal is to empower Angolans to make international transfers through Paypay and establish the app as the top payment solution in Angola.
In 2015, Ganga co-founded Tranzind Delivery, an online ordering and marketing company where he now serves on the advisory board. In 2016, he co-founded Tupuca, a delivery startup where he holds a board position. The following year, he launched G-Smart Solutions, a firm focused on digital business services.
Ganga also serves as CEO of G-Corporate, an investment company in Angola. In 2021, he co-founded Gafran International, a transport and logistics company, and in 2023, he launched Avança Na Vida, a microcredit startup. He is also on the board of the Angolan group Dinelia.
Ganga holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in management and operations from the University of Saint Francis in the United States, awarded in 2015. In 2018, he was named Entrepreneur of the Year at Deloitte's Sirius Awards.
Melchior Koba
A computer science graduate with a passion for artificial intelligence, he aims to make education more accessible in Africa. He has received numerous awards and honors for his achievements.
George Boateng (photo) is a Ghanaian computer scientist, engineer, educator, and social entrepreneur. He is the co-founder and CEO of Kwame AI, a tech startup focused on democratizing science and technology education in Africa.
Founded in 2022, Kwame AI (formerly SuaCode.ai) specializes in artificial intelligence. The company supports students, educators, researchers, and legal professionals in enhancing their performance and productivity. It offers EsqAI, an AI-powered legal assistant.
Accessible via a web app, EsqAI enables lawyers and law students in Commonwealth countries to conduct legal research. This assistant combines semantic search with generative AI to answer users’ questions instantly, leveraging its database and aggregated content.
Boateng is also a lecturer at ETH Zurich, a renowned Swiss university known for its expertise in science and technology. Before founding Kwame AI, he co-founded the Nsesa Foundation in 2014, a non-profit organization promoting innovation in Ghana, where he served as president until 2022. He graduated from Dartmouth College in the United States, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science in 2016. He also holds a master’s in computer engineering from Dartmouth’s Thayer School of Engineering (2017) and a PhD in machine learning from ETH Zurich (2022).
In 2015, he interned as a software engineer at Sapho, a U.S.-based software company, and in 2021, he joined Amazon as an applied scientist. During his internship with the Alexa Edge ML team, he worked on multimodal sarcasm detection for Alexa AI.
His career has garnered significant recognition. In 2021, he was named among MIT Technology Review’s 35 Innovators Under 35. In 2022, he was listed as one of IBM’s “New Creators,” and in 2023, he was featured on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list.
Melchior Koba