Ronny Kitio, a Cameroonian computer scientist, is using tech to shake up the African music industry. He created Colorfol, a digital platform that serves as a home for music, videos, and podcasts from Francophone Africa.

Kitio, who graduated in fundamental computer science from the University of Yaoundé 1, founded Colorfol in 2019. He launched it to respond to the specific needs of artists and fans in the region. The platform allows users to discover, stream, and legally buy African music, while giving independent artists visibility and fair income.

“Our goal is to create a user-friendly platform that responds to the specific needs of our markets in Francophone Africa,” Kitio said in 2024. “We want to encourage fans to buy music directly from the artists, thus offering instant monetization for them. We are committed to ensuring fair compensation by allocating 70% of revenues to the artists.”

Colorfol doesn’t stop at music. The platform also features video content, podcasts, and digital ticketing for concerts, showcases, and other cultural events. This positions Colorfol as a full-service hub for both fans and professionals in the African music ecosystem.

Before launching Colorfol, Kitio founded ColorTechnology in 2017, a tech company where he worked as CEO, analyst, and developer. He started his career in 2011 at EMEKA Distribution in Cameroon as a maintenance technician. In 2014, he joined Camtel as a network technician, then moved to Orca Cameroon in 2015 as IT manager.

Kitio’s innovation has earned international recognition. In 2019, he won a spot in the AYADALAB program organized by the French and Goethe Institutes. That same year, he was a finalist in the African Application Launchpad competition. In 2020, he won Best Francophone African Startup from the International Organisation of La Francophonie. In 2021, the French Institute awarded him the IFC Innovation Label.

This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Lara Dendy Young discovered the tourism industry while working at a lodge in South Africa, where she witnessed how travel could both support local communities and protect the natural environment.

A South African entrepreneur with a focus on ecotourism and technology, Dendy Young co-founded Conservio, an innovative online booking platform dedicated to nature-based travel experiences.

Launched in 2020, Conservio makes it easier for travelers to access natural destinations while contributing to environmental preservation. Partner accommodations commit a portion of their revenue to support local conservation initiatives, employment creation, and circular economy efforts.

The platform actively promotes responsible tourism practices among its partners and ensures that each booking delivers tangible benefits to nearby communities. Conservio currently lists more than 500 accommodations—including lodges, cabins, farms, floating houses, and glamping sites—spread across South Africa, Mozambique, and Namibia.

“By selecting sustainable and stylish accommodations, from intimate cabins and farm stays to luxury lodges in nature reserves, Conservio offers travelers access to getaways beyond city limits, where every booking directly supports nature conservation,” explains Lara Dendy Young.

In January 2025, Conservio raised $1 million in a funding round led by E4E Africa, with participation from Volve Capital, Living Hope Ventures, and several angel investors.

Lara Dendy Young holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Hartwick College (2015, United States) and a master’s in the same field from the African Leadership University (2021).

She began her career in 2012 as operations manager at Deluxe Coffeeworks. In 2015, she joined Classic Portfolio, a network of independent lodges and camps in Africa’s wild regions, as an international sales executive. In 2019, she was promoted to head of sustainability, a position she held until founding Conservio in 2020.

This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum