• Angola has launched the ANGEO-1 Earth observation satellite project with an estimated cost of $259 million.

• Airbus Defence and Space is developing the satellite in partnership with Angolan authorities.

• The satellite will deliver more than 1,000 high-resolution images per day to support economic planning, resource management and security.

The government of Angola has officially launched the construction and deployment of its first Earth observation satellite, ANGEO-1.

Authorities initiated the project on Monday, March 16, with an estimated cost of €225 million ($259 million). Airbus Defence and Space is developing the satellite under a partnership agreement.

Officials launched the works at Airbus Defence and Space facilities in Toulouse. Mário Augusto da Silva Oliveira said the satellite will strengthen Angola’s sovereign access to critical data.

The satellite will provide more than 1,000 high-resolution images per day, according to a statement from the GGPEN, which participated in the delegation.

“This capacity will be essential to support economic development, sustainable management of natural resources and national security, strengthening the country’s ability to design public policies and make strategic decisions based on concrete data,” the statement said.

The project forms part of Angola’s broader National Space Program. Authorities aim to transform Angola from a user of space services into a producer and operator of space technologies. They also aim to secure technological independence in the sector.

In addition to telecommunications, the program includes an Earth observation component focused on environmental monitoring, precision agriculture, natural resource management and disaster prevention.

João Lourenço announced the creation of the Angolan Space Agency in October 2025 to support these ambitions.

The government also outlined plans in its “ICT White Paper 2023–2027” to establish a space studies center, train national experts and develop infrastructure in communications, navigation and meteorology.

Angola has already expanded its presence in the space sector. The country operates AngoSat-2, which supports telecommunications coverage across the national territory. Authorities now aim to complement this capability with Earth observation infrastructure to broaden the country’s space-based services.

This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum

• Senegalese entrepreneur Lamine Dabo founded Agro‑AI in 2025 to optimize irrigation through artificial intelligence.
• The platform analyzes weather data, soil conditions, crop needs and irrigation network data to generate irrigation recommendations.
• The system aims to reduce water consumption by 20% to 35% while improving crop protection and farm management.

Senegalese entrepreneur Lamine Dabo focuses on the intersection between deep technology and agriculture. He develops digital tools designed to improve the management of irrigation systems in agricultural fields.

Lamine Dabo serves as founder and chief executive officer of Agro‑AI, a deeptech company created in 2025. The company supports agricultural producers who seek to reduce water consumption while protecting crop yields.

The platform currently operates in a pilot phase. The system provides digital recommendations that indicate the optimal time and ideal quantity of water for each irrigation block or parcel.

Importantly, the tool does not replace existing irrigation infrastructure. Instead, the system connects with sensors and irrigation systems already installed on farms. The platform then converts raw agricultural data into practical recommendations for farmers.

The company generates irrigation recommendations by combining several types of information. The system analyzes meteorological data and evapotranspiration indicators, which measure water loss caused by climate conditions. The platform also evaluates soil characteristics, including moisture levels and water retention capacity.

At the same time, the system incorporates crop types and their specific water requirements. In addition, the platform processes operational data from irrigation networks, including flow rates, pressure levels and applied water volumes.

This approach allows the platform to provide a precise, block-by-block view of crop water conditions.

Agro-AI’s system aims to deliver more consistent, predictable and transparent irrigation management across farms. The solution allows different stakeholders—including farmers, irrigation managers and landowners—to monitor water usage more accurately. The company estimates that its technology could reduce water consumption by 20% to 35% for users.

Lamine Dabo graduated from Sorbonne University, where he obtained a master’s degree in the history of international relations in 2024. He also earned a master’s degree in international relations and affairs from Paris-Panthéon-Assas University in 2024. He later obtained a master’s degree in international business analysis in 2025 from Hult International Business School. He completed a publishing internship in 2023 at Présence Africaine Éditions in France.

In 2024, he worked as an artificial intelligence research analyst at LASPAD‑UGB in Senegal. He later joined Harvard University in the United States, where he worked until 2025 as a strategy and evaluation consultant.

This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum

• Catherine Njeri co-founded Acre Insights in 2023 to measure and verify agricultural and forest land across Africa.

• The company uses drones, satellites and data analytics to estimate biomass and carbon stocks for reforestation and regenerative agriculture projects.

• Acre Insights delivers interactive maps and detailed reports to support faster and more informed land-use decisions.

Catherine Njeri, a Kenyan entrepreneur specializing in data and digital products applied to agriculture and climate, co-founded and leads Acre Insights. The company supports agricultural and forestry actors across Africa by helping them better measure, monitor and valorize their land.

Founded in 2023, Acre Insights aims to contribute to an Africa where every hectare, whether farmland or forest, can be reliably measured, verified and valued. The company provides a clear and verifiable data foundation for reforestation, regenerative agriculture and carbon offset projects.

The firm relies on two main categories of tools: aerial and spatial observation, and advanced data analytics. It deploys drones and satellites to capture detailed imagery of agricultural and forest areas. It then applies proprietary algorithms to identify vegetation cover, measure tree height and extract other key indicators required to estimate biomass and on-site carbon stocks.

Acre Insights delivers results through interactive maps and detailed analytical reports. The company simplifies the complexity of natural systems to enable faster, better-informed and more sustainable decisions.

Njeri earned a bachelor’s degree in international business administration in 2015 from African Leadership University. She also obtained a diploma in business information technology the same year from Strathmore University.

She completed internships in marketing and business development at Cellulant and later worked in project management and data analysis at ALX. She joined African Leadership University in 2019 as a data analyst. She then returned to Cellulant in the same year, where she successively held roles as operational process coordinator, global commercial operations manager and key account manager.

In 2022, she became head of commercial operations, data and reporting at Ramani, a company specializing in the digitization of Africa’s supply chain. From 2024 to 2025, she served as head of research at Kenya Flying Labs, a center dedicated to robotics and technological innovation.

This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum

• mLouma digitizes price discovery, market access, and services across Senegal’s agricultural value chain.

• Co-founder and CTO Birahim Babou targets information asymmetry between producers and markets.

• The platform integrates pricing data, weather services, e-learning, and online marketplaces to improve decision-making.

Birahim Babou is a Senegalese computer engineer and technology entrepreneur. He co-founded and serves as chief technology officer of mLouma, where he supports agricultural stakeholders in production, marketing, and purchasing.

Founded in 2012, mLouma operates as a digital platform designed for Senegalese and African agricultural realities. The company aims to become a reference in digital agriculture by connecting producers, buyers, suppliers, institutions, and young entrepreneurs through simple and accessible tools.

The platform delivers up-to-date information on prices, availability, and product locations. Users leverage this data to guide buying and selling decisions. An intuitive dashboard aggregates multiple services, including agricultural weather updates, access to training content, market monitoring, and online shop management.

In parallel, mLouma developed several complementary solutions. Louma Mbay operates as an online marketplace where agricultural actors list and sell products. Louma du savoir provides an e-learning platform dedicated to agricultural training. Météo Mbay delivers climate information tailored to producers.

Alongside mLouma, Birahim Babou co-founded in 2020 and leads digital learning at Solutions Numériques pour l’Afrique, a Morocco-based software firm that applies technology to education. He also serves as IT project manager at Écoles au Sénégal, an initiative that uses digital tools to reduce inequality in access to quality education.

Birahim Babou holds a master’s degree in software engineering and network administration obtained in 2018 from the École supérieure de technologie et de management du Sénégal. He also graduated from the Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, where he defended a PhD in mathematics and computer science in 2020.

He began his professional career in 2014 as a senior IT technician at the Université virtuelle du Sénégal. The institution promoted him in 2017 to head of the applications and digital services division within the IT and information systems directorate.

Between 2019 and 2020, he served as head of digital learning at Accent Education, the edtech subsidiary of Moroccan computer hardware brand Accent.

This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum

• Trevor Murimba founded MyBitSecure to enhance farm efficiency and cybersecurity across Africa.
• MyBitSecure provides digital tools for data protection, crop monitoring, and operational management.
• The company bridges agriculture and technology to improve productivity, reduce risk, and strengthen decision-making.

Trevor Murimba, a Cape Town-based cybersecurity expert, founded MyBitSecure to help African farms improve efficiency and security through accessible digital tools. His solutions connect farms, protect sensitive data, and optimize crop monitoring and daily operations.

Founded in 2023, MyBitSecure supports farmers and agribusinesses with tools that boost productivity, secure sensitive information, and simplify decision-making. The company positions itself as a bridge between agriculture and technology, seeking to build more organized, profitable, and resilient farms.

The tools address practical needs: monitoring fields, managing connected equipment, safeguarding data, and training users to integrate technology into agricultural production. Each solution aims to make farm operations more precise, predictable, and less vulnerable to human error, internal incidents, or cyberattacks.

MyBitSecure enables farmers to track activities on their land, anticipate problems, and manage resources efficiently. Users gain centralized visibility, better protection of strategic information, and reliable data to guide investment, harvest planning, and operational adjustments.

In addition to entrepreneurship, Murimba serves as a cybersecurity specialist at KingMakers, a company that develops platforms connecting fans to their favorite sports. He holds a network engineering degree from the Ansted School of Technology at the University of Zimbabwe.

Murimba began his professional career in 2002 at Prean Computers in Zimbabwe as an IT technician. He later held cybersecurity roles at companies including Engen, a South African energy firm, and Old Mutual Ltd, a pan-African financial services provider.

This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM

• Laitify, founded in 2024, deploys sensors, a unified dashboard and QR-code traceability to optimize dairy production from farm to distribution.

• The system uses real-time data on animal health, milk volume and geolocation to help farmers manage their herds and forecast supply.

• Laitify integrates AI analytics to generate recommendations on herd management, productivity gains and commercial planning.

Togo positions digital technology as a driver of efficiency in the dairy sector as producers seek tools that structure the journey of milk from breeding to distribution. Medede Bidassa proposes a digital method that documents each step and helps farmers manage their operations more effectively.

Medede Bidassa works as a tech entrepreneur in Togo with the goal of placing digital tools at the service of dairy producers. She co-founded Laitify and serves as its CEO. The company designs technological solutions that improve farm management and strengthen control over dairy production.

Laitify, founded in 2024, deploys a platform that transforms dairy practices from breeding to distribution. The system uses sensors that track in real time the health of cattle, the volume of milk produced and the animals’ geolocation.

The platform consolidates all data on a central dashboard. It displays key indicators for each farm, including production statistics, sales performance and operational metrics.

Laitify also integrates a QR-code traceability system. The tool records each batch of milk into a single database, which facilitates stock control, supply planning and access to production history.

This digital organization enables producers to anticipate their needs, secure the production chain and reduce inefficiencies.

The platform embeds an AI engine that analyzes collected data and generates recommendations. These insights support decisions related to herd management, productivity improvements and commercial planning.

In parallel, Bidassa co-founded Amazing Girls on Tech in 2024, a training program for young women interested in technology careers. She leads its technical training division. She also manages the online community of Tech Communities Day, an initiative dedicated to technology dynamics and collaborative innovation.

Bidassa holds a certification in computing and Internet technologies from the FORCE-N program in Senegal. She currently works as a freelance web developer and serves as team lead for the Google Developers Group in Lomé.

This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

• LimaBot allows Tanzanian farmers to diagnose crop diseases in real time through mobile apps, WhatsApp, SMS and USSD.

• The platform recommends treatments and provides weather forecasts and preventive management strategies.

• The solution aims to cut yield losses, reduce excessive pesticide use and strengthen farmers’ resilience.

LimaBot AI is emerging as a key player in Tanzania’s agricultural innovation by bringing artificial intelligence directly to smallholder farms. The Tanzanian start-up built a digital platform that farmers can access via mobile application, WhatsApp, SMS or USSD to diagnose crop diseases in real time. The company, based in Arusha, launched in 2024 under founder Godfrey Kilimwomeshi.

The platform does more than provide general advice. It analyses data, photos and symptom descriptions submitted by farmers, recommends biological or chemical treatments, and supplies weather forecasts and preventive management strategies. Because it functions in low-connectivity areas, farmers can interact with LimaBot through simple channels such as SMS and USSD.

Crop-disease losses continue to undermine family farming across Africa, particularly in Tanzania. By enabling early detection and offering tailored recommendations, LimaBot helps limit yield pressure, reduce excessive pesticide use and support more sustainable practices.

The solution creates dual benefits for farmers. It secures harvests while helping producers build autonomy through progressive training in plant-health best practices. This capacity building can improve resilience to climate shocks and volatile input prices.

By democratising access to quality diagnostics, the start-up strengthens the emergence of a sustainable agri-tech ecosystem. LimaBot positions AI as a tool that boosts productivity, supports food security and improves the economic well-being of farmers.

This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

• Badger Analytics, founded in March 2025, uses satellite and drone imagery to create color-coded crop health maps.

• The platform helps farmers identify high- and low-performance areas to guide precise interventions.

• Khanya Nyawo also heads Premier Agric, a consultancy promoting productivity and sustainable farming practices.

South African tech entrepreneur Khanya Nyawo is leveraging visual data analytics to make crop management simpler and more efficient. As the founder of Badger Analytics, he has developed a digital platform that helps farmers monitor and understand crop health through imagery-based data.

Founded in March 2025, Badger Analytics automatically collects data from satellite and drone images. The system cleans and processes this data to generate color-coded crop health maps, enabling farmers to quickly spot areas performing well and those needing intervention.

The results are displayed on an interactive dashboard designed for on-field use. Farmers can view the condition of their plots at a glance and convert complex datasets into practical, daily insights—without requiring technical expertise.

The platform targets commercial and smallholder farms that want to track crop health across seasons and optimize interventions based on measurable indicators. It caters to both producers seeking a comprehensive overview and managers aiming for data-driven decision-making.

Alongside Badger Analytics, Nyawo serves as managing director of Premier Agric, an agribusiness consultancy offering support in crop management, product development, training, and agricultural insurance. The firm focuses on boosting productivity, reducing costs, and promoting sustainable practices across Africa’s farming ecosystem.

Before this, Nyawo led Khathom Agriculture between 2016 and 2020, a company dedicated to agricultural advisory services and farmer empowerment in Southern Africa.

A graduate of Cedara College of Agriculture in South Africa (class of 2013), Nyawo has built his career around integrating technology and agronomy to empower African farmers through innovation and accessibility.

This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

• AgriLogiq, founded in 2020, develops predictive automation systems for greenhouse and tunnel farming.

• The company integrates climate, irrigation, and fertilization controls driven by real-time data analytics.

• Joel van der Schyff combines engineering and technology to enhance resource efficiency and crop yields.

South African entrepreneur Joel van der Schyff is transforming how producers manage greenhouse crops by placing data at the core of agricultural operations. As co-founder, CEO, and head of growth at AgriLogiq, he merges engineering expertise with technological innovation to optimize controlled-environment farming.

Founded in 2020, AgriLogiq designs predictive automation systems for greenhouses and tunnels. These systems help farmers boost yields while optimizing water, energy, and input use.

AgriLogiq’s integrated solutions combine climate, irrigation, and fertilization controls, all powered by data analysis to adjust growing conditions in real time. The company connects farmers to their operations via a comprehensive digital platform that links sensors, hardware, and automation software.

By collecting, processing, and interpreting data, AgriLogiq enables growers to improve precision and efficiency in every stage of protected cultivation.

Before founding AgriLogiq, van der Schyff co-founded Machman in 2011, a firm that provided manufacturing improvement solutions for the agro-processing sector. He served as sales and finance director until 2017.

He later joined LLB Innovative Foods in 2019 as operations director, and became project and third-party distribution manager in 2020. Between 2021 and 2024, he was also a shareholder at TS Tec, a provider of IT security and support services.

Van der Schyff earned a mechanical and electrical engineering diploma from Northlink College in 2011 and an MBA in operations management from the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business in 2018.

Through AgriLogiq, he aims to make data-driven agriculture accessible to a wider range of producers in Africa, helping them balance productivity, sustainability, and profitability in a changing climate.

This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

• ChipChip connects farmers directly with urban consumers through group-buying technology.

• The company pays “group leaders” to organize collective orders and deliveries.

• Amir Redwan previously founded Tikus Delivery, a bicycle-based food-delivery service in Addis Ababa.

Ethiopian software engineer and entrepreneur Amir Redwan is using technology to connect rural farmers to urban consumers. He co-founded ChipChip to allow buyers to pool orders and cut distribution costs.

Founded in 2023 by Redwan and European entrepreneur Mateo Klemmayer, ChipChip operates a group-purchasing platform that links customers with agricultural producers outside traditional supply chains. The company aims to provide competitive prices while supporting farmer incomes.

ChipChip groups customers into buying clusters to reduce acquisition costs. Farmers benefit from direct access to the market. The company pays “group leaders” to form and manage purchasing groups and oversee coordination and delivery.

Before ChipChip, Redwan co-founded Tikus Delivery in 2020 and serves as its CEO. The service offers mobile food ordering and home delivery in Addis Ababa using electric and non-electric bicycles.

Redwan graduated in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in software engineering from Addis Ababa Science and Technology University. He completed an internship at Kifiya Financial Technology before becoming a software engineer in 2019. He worked for Modern Cyber Intel Consultancy and Med Innovation in Ethiopia’s technology sector.

This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum