• Hazem Afify founded Sumet in 2021 to modernize FMCG supply chains for African retailers.
• Sumet targets local and informal markets that traditional distribution networks serve inefficiently.
• The platform enables rapid deliveries, sometimes within 24 hours in major urban areas.

Hazem Afify is an Egyptian-born entrepreneur based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. He founded and currently leads Sumet as chief executive officer. The technology company redesigns fast-moving consumer goods supply chains for neighborhood retail stores.

Sumet launched operations in 2021. The company positions itself as a dedicated platform for fast-moving consumer goods. The platform aims to facilitate market entry and brand growth across Africa. The company focuses on local and often informal markets, where traditional distribution networks struggle to serve small retailers efficiently.

The platform allows merchants to order a wide range of branded products with a few clicks. The system provides fast delivery, sometimes within 24 hours in selected urban areas. This model reduces travel time, lowers logistics costs, and limits stock-out risks.

For brands and distributors, Sumet provides detailed visibility into product performance at individual retail outlets. The platform enables order tracking and merchandise flow monitoring. These features allow manufacturers to optimize delivery planning, adjust field presence, and better understand retailers’ operational needs.

Alongside Sumet, Hazem Afify co-founded and leads Global Business as chief executive officer. The export, import, and distribution company operates from Turkey. The company launched in 2015. It focuses primarily on fast-moving consumer goods and cosmetics. The company maintains branches in Tanzania, including Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.

Hazem Afify graduated from Cairo University in Egypt. He earned a bachelor’s degree in electronic and communications engineering in 2007. He began his professional career in 2008 at Mentor Graphics. The electronic design automation company employed him as a technical marketing engineer and later as an integrated circuit design consultant until 2015.

This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

• Vuba Vuba launched in 2020 to fill the gap left by Jumia Food’s exit from Rwanda in 2019.
• The app connects users to restaurants, supermarkets, and local merchants with deliveries in under an hour.
• The platform has surpassed 100,000 downloads on Android and relies on motorcycle-based local logistics.

Vuba Vuba is a mobile application developed by a Rwandan startup. Albert Munyabugingo launched the platform in 2020. The application connects users to a wide range of restaurants, supermarkets, and merchants. The service offers fast deliveries, often in less than one hour.

The application operates on iOS and Android platforms. Google Play Store data show more than 100,000 downloads. The company relies on a strong local logistics network. The platform uses motorcycle couriers to distribute orders efficiently.

Beyond delivery services, Vuba Vuba creates economic opportunities for local stakeholders. The platform allows food outlets and small retailers to digitize sales channels. The solution helps merchants expand customer reach and increase order volumes without heavy investment in proprietary digital infrastructure.

The application integrates a tracking system that alerts customers when couriers collect orders. The system allows users to follow deliveries in real time and receive notifications when couriers approach. “Our team works diligently to ensure fast processing and delivery of orders. The estimated delivery time depends on your location. In general, you can expect your order to arrive within 45 minutes,” the startup said.

As e-commerce and digital services continue to expand across East Africa, Vuba Vuba demonstrates how locally adapted solutions can drive digital inclusion. The model supports entrepreneurship and responds to rising demand for efficient delivery services.

This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

• Bricoram, founded in 2023, connects Algerian consumers with professionals across more than 100 service categories.

• The platform operates free-of-charge for clients and prioritizes rapid matching based on geography and declared skills.

• Founder Younes Chaoui, an AI specialist, previously worked for Kostango, IDEX and Deloitte.

Younes Chaoui, an Algerian computer scientist specialized in artificial intelligence, founded Bricoram after he observed consumers’ persistent difficulty finding reliable service providers. He created the platform to align with daily usage habits and deliver a simple digital access point for household services.

Chaoui launched Bricoram in 2023 to connect households seeking services with qualified professionals. The platform lists more than 100 categories, initially focusing on everyday needs such as plumbing while progressively opening to additional trades.

Bricoram operates free for clients. It allows users to post requests, receive offers from professionals, and select the preferred proposal. After a client submits a request, Bricoram automatically notifies nearby providers. Professionals then send offers, which clients receive via email, SMS and app notification. Users can compare profiles, speak with providers by phone, WhatsApp or internal chat, and post a review after completion.

The platform positions itself as a visibility and business-development tool for professionals. Providers open an account and complete a detailed profile describing their activity, services, portfolio and a photo. Bricoram then channels incoming requests according to the professional’s declared services and geographic coverage.

Chaoui holds a master’s degree in artificial intelligence from the University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediène in Algeria (2015). He also earned a master’s degree in decision computer science from Blaise Pascal University in France in 2016.

He began his career in 2016 as technical director at Kostango, a French digital operations-management platform. In 2023, he joined IDEX as a Django consultant before moving to Deloitte, where he worked as an Angular consultant until 2024.

This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

• Cookeza, a Togolese foodtech startup founded in 2024, sells ready-to-cook meal kits made from 100% local ingredients.
• The platform partners directly with local farmers to ensure freshness and support the national agri-food value chain.
• The company plans to expand across West Africa and diversify distribution through subscriptions and supermarkets.

Cookeza, a Lomé-based startup, aims to redefine convenience cooking in Togo by offering online ready-to-cook food kits featuring locally sourced ingredients. The company targets busy urban consumers who want quick meals without losing touch with traditional African flavors.

Founded in 2024 by Duphanie Amadou, Cookeza operates an e-commerce platform that sells boxes containing washed, chopped, and seasoned ingredients for authentic African dishes. Customers receive recipe cards and can order delivery to their homes or pick-up points.

“Cookeza was born from a simple observation: modern African families lack time to cook but don’t want to sacrifice quality or forget their culinary roots,” the company states on its website. “We work directly with local producers to ensure freshness and quality while supporting the local economy.”

The platform integrates e-commerce and urban logistics to shorten cooking time. Through its website, users can browse meal kits—such as traditional Togolese recipes—and order online. Each pack includes all necessary ingredients sourced from nearby farmers, ensuring both freshness and traceability.

Cookeza’s model benefits not only consumers but also Togo’s agricultural value chain. By prioritizing local sourcing, the company strengthens ties between food producers and urban markets, offering farmers a steady outlet for their produce.

Although Cookeza has not yet launched a mobile app, customers can order directly via web browsers. The company also offers subscription packages for restaurants, corporate canteens, and households, including a monthly plan priced at CFA40,000 (about $70.70).

With around 20 available recipes, Cookeza plans to expand its offerings and distribution channels. Future goals include partnerships with supermarkets and regional expansion into West Africa.

The startup faces challenges typical of the sector: maintaining quality at scale, optimizing delivery logistics, and competing with fast-food chains and ready-made meal providers. However, its focus on authentic African cuisine and local supply chains could help it secure a strong niche in the growing African foodtech market.

This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum

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

Moroccan entrepreneur Mohammed El-Beltagy has built his career around applying artificial intelligence to business performance. He founded and leads Optomatica, a deep-tech consulting firm specializing in AI, machine learning and advanced optimization.

Optomatica focuses on accelerating the transition from ideas to final products by developing tailored AI systems that improve decision-making and data management. The company positions itself as “AI-First” and adapts its technologies to operational contexts across industries.

Founded in 2003, Optomatica operates in fintech, sports technologies, digital health, conversational intelligence, logistics, and process optimization. The firm aims to create practical AI applications and unlock new technical opportunities for clients and their markets.

Alongside Optomatica, El-Beltagy has pursued multiple ventures. In 2014, he co-founded Racefox, a digital coach for running and cross-country skiing. Four years later, he launched ConsultingPad, a platform linking consultants with enterprises, and joined AIM Technologies, an AI-focused firm, as a board member.

In 2021, he helped establish Optofolio, a wealth management platform; Jilatee, a circular fashion company; and DFin Holding, a fintech venture.

Since 2022, El-Beltagy has served as co-founder and chief technology officer of Flend, a financing platform that uses data and technology to support small and medium-sized enterprises. That same year, he founded Racemate, a sports technology company, where he chairs the board and serves as CTO.

El-Beltagy graduated in biomedical engineering from the American University in Cairo in 1994. He earned a master’s degree in mechatronics from Lancaster University in 1996 and a PhD in mechanical engineering from the University of Southampton in 2000.

His professional record includes senior positions in technology firms. From 2007 to 2017, he worked at Hive Streaming, a live video distribution company, as chief scientist and later as innovation director. Between 2013 and 2017, he served as innovation director at Novelari, an innovation accelerator. More recently, from 2020 to 2021, he was CTO at Elves, an Egypt-based travel app.

This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

• Paga Group launched Doroki, an all-in-one business suite helping Nigerian SMEs manage sales, payments, and customer relations.
• The Android-only app works offline, synchronizing data when Internet connectivity resumes, and has over 1,000 downloads on Play Store.
• Doroki targets small firms that still operate manually, aiming to boost efficiency, traceability, and competitiveness

Paga Group Ltd, a Nigerian fintech founded in 2009 by Tayo Oviosu, developed Doroki as a digital solution to help businesses modernize operations. The company said the platform acts as an all-in-one suite for shops, restaurants, salons, grocery stores, and other SMEs to manage daily activities.

Doroki provides stock management, invoicing, and payment processing through cards, USSD, QR codes, bank transfers, and Paga’s system. The app also supports customer relationship monitoring, promotions, real-time sales reporting, and cloud backups to prevent data loss.

The platform enables multi-branch management, staff role administration, and bulk data uploads via Excel or CSV for large catalogs. Paga said the app operates offline and synchronizes once Internet access returns, addressing connectivity gaps in Nigeria.

Doroki is currently available only on Android and has been downloaded more than 1,000 times on the Play Store. Paga said the mobile-first approach reflects the dominance of Android in Nigeria’s market.

Paga noted that many small businesses still operate without digital tools, often lacking visibility over sales, stock, and costs. Doroki seeks to centralize these functions, reduce errors, and improve customer service responsiveness.

The company said Doroki could improve efficiency and competitiveness of Nigerian micro and small businesses, particularly those looking to expand or enter more structured markets.

This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

South African entrepreneur Matt Putman has emerged as one of the key players shaping electronic payments on the continent. As co-founder and chief executive of fintech firm iKhokha, he has focused on helping small merchants and businesses adopt digital tools.

Founded in 2012 with Ramsay Daly and Clive Putman, iKhokha offers affordable electronic payment solutions through mobile point-of-sale devices certified by major card networks. Merchants can accept payments via cards, e-wallets, and QR codes.

The company integrates services such as cash register management, reporting, invoicing, e-commerce and microfinancing into a single mobile application. It has also developed a cash advance product to improve access to credit for small enterprises often excluded from traditional banking.

In August 2025, Nedbank acquired iKhokha for about $94 million. Despite the acquisition, the company continues to operate with independent management, allowing it to preserve its entrepreneurial approach while leveraging the bank’s resources.

Putman graduated with a bachelor’s degree in media and communications from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2006. He began his career in 2003 in the UK at TMP Worldwide, an agency specialized in digital and social transformation of employer branding. Between 2006 and 2009, he worked as marketing director at Mainline Property Brokers, a real estate company.

This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

South African entrepreneur Serisha Barrat is reshaping Africa’s legal landscape through technology. As cofounder and chief executive of Lawyered Up, she combines law, business, and artificial intelligence to help companies streamline legal operations.

Founded in 2020, Lawyered Up focuses on digitalizing legal services across the continent. The platform uses AI to automate and simplify legal management for small and medium-sized firms as well as large corporations.

Lawyered Up offers an end-to-end solution for contract lifecycle management. It integrates digital workflows to accelerate processes, reduce costs, and ensure regulatory compliance. The system also supports businesses in meeting African business law requirements and advancing environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals.

Beyond Lawyered Up, Barrat co-founded OPUS in 2023, a collective of entrepreneurs and creators designed to foster idea-sharing and collaboration. She previously launched eCrow Media in 2018, a social media marketing agency where she served as digital marketing director until 2020.

Barrat graduated with a law degree from the University of Witwatersrand in 2015. She began her career at Nedbank in 2013 as promotions assistant, then joined Standard Bank Group in 2015, serving as legal advisor, compliance manager, and corporate lawyer.

In 2018, she moved to Old Mutual Wealth as a legal and compliance analyst. Between 2020 and 2022, she led marketing at Here Marketing and simultaneously worked as marketing director at StartX, a start-up accelerator. From 2023 to April 2025, she was CEO of Boardroom App, a professional networking application.

In 2023, Women in Tech and EQL Her named Barrat among the 50 most influential women in technology. In 2024, the Mail & Guardian ranked her in its annual list of the 200 most promising young South Africans.

This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

• Cameroonian startup Quicky Africa launched "Quicky Services," a mobile application connecting clients with service providers across multiple sectors.
• The app, available on iOS and Android, has over 500 downloads and emphasizes vetted professionals and transparent pricing.
• The platform faces challenges including logistical reliability, quality control, and coverage in less dense areas.

As on-demand mobile services gain traction, Cameroonian startup Quicky Africa has introduced a suite of applications. Its success will depend on its ability to retain both end-users and service providers.

Quicky Services, a mobile application developed by Quicky Africa, aims to link service providers and clients across various sectors. The offering encompasses transport, maintenance, repair, wellness, and lifestyle services. Ossoe Pierre Harisson and Liliane Mitambo launched the Yaoundé-based startup in 2025.

Its solution includes a mobile application accessible on both iOS and Android platforms, where it has garnered over 500 downloads, according to Play Store data. Users create accounts by providing personal information; upon account validation, they access diverse service providers in the aforementioned fields.

The startup claims to prioritize reliability by selecting professionals whose profiles undergo background verification, which enhances user trust. Service prices are presented unequivocally at the time of booking and, importantly, during payment. Regarding payment methods, the application integrates mobile money from telecom networks, but cash payments are also permitted.

The user experience incorporates geolocation, proximity-based provider selection, and features for comparing offers. The iOS version specifically mentions the distance between the requested address and each provider. However, the solution still faces challenges including logistical reliability, quality control, and coverage in less dense areas.

This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum