Digital Africa, a renowned organization dedicated to fostering technological advancement and innovation across the African continent, is thrilled to announce its latest investments in African startups. Following its recent investment in Ivorian startup Fatala Digital House, Digital Africa is continuing its mission of empowering emerging businesses and driving technological solutions for Africa’s real economy and its people.
The four startups that Digital Africa has recently invested in are:
- Afriwell (Congo) — AfriWell Health aims to revolutionize healthcare in Africa by leveraging modern technology to connect patients with healthcare professionals in a quick and efficient manner. The platform ensures access to healthcare for patients in remote locations, overcoming the scarcity of both generalists and specialists. Whether through convenient video appointments or in-person consultations, AfriWell Health strives to transform the healthcare journey for everyone in Africa.
- Waanda Marketplace (Morocco, Retail tech) — WAANDA is a digital wholesale marketplace that enables local retailers to directly source products from African producers and artisans. With a commitment to eliminating intermediaries and resellers, WAANDA ensures that all products are sourced directly from small and medium-sized producers and artisans in Africa. By offering unique, handmade products not available elsewhere, WAANDA empowers both producers and retailers while creating a positive impact on their families and the region. The platform provides excellent conditions for local retailers, including free delivery, low minimum order values, and an innovative online shop.
- Neolean (Senegal, Edtech) — NEOLEAN is a visionary Edtech company in Senegal that has developed innovative solutions to address training and employability challenges in emerging countries. With its platforms, Certyup and Findyup, Neolean bridges the gap between learning and working, supporting individuals in their professional development and success. Their solutions provide valuable resources and guidance from the learning phase to actual employment, enabling users to acquire the necessary skills and thrive in their careers.
- Iley’Com (Tunisia, Retail tech) — ILEY’COM is a socially conscious and solidarity-driven marketplace that connects buyers and sellers worldwide. Their platform focuses on promoting eco-responsible handmade products from the social and solidarity economy, with a vision to create economic opportunities for all. Millions of people from around the world come together on ILEY’COM’s marketplaces to make, sell, and purchase unique products. The platform offers comprehensive services and training for creative entrepreneurs, helping them start, manage, and grow their positive impact projects within the social marketplace. With a strong commitment to fairness and sustainability, ILEY’COM aims to reinvent e-commerce and strengthen communities through the power of business.
Digital Africa, established five years ago with the impetus of President Emmanuel Macron during Vivatech, has emerged as a formidable force in supporting and financing early-stage digital entrepreneurs throughout Africa. With a renewed vision and a budget exceeding 30 million euros for the next three years, Digital Africa, now a subsidiary of Proparco, is poised to become the leading catalyst for opportunities, funding, and visibility within the African startup ecosystem.
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The organization’s FUZE investment facility has played a pivotal role in empowering promising entrepreneurs by providing streamlined access to funding for early-stage startups in Francophone Africa. Through a network of 60 venture builders, Digital Africa identifies and supports startups, resulting in 14 final approvals out of 800 applications received. Collaboration and co-investment with partners on the ground have been prioritized, fostering a stronger ecosystem. Notably, the success of Neolean, a Senegalese Edtech company funded by Fuzé, has attracted additional funding from the General Delegation for Rapid Entrepreneurship of Women and Youth (DER/FJ) in Senegal.
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With its renewed vision, substantial budget, and the support of Proparco, Digital Africa is well-positioned to lead the way in driving opportunities, funding, and visibility for startups that are spearheading technological solutions for Africa’s real economy and its people.
Charles Rapulu Udoh
Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer, who has several years of experience working in Africa’s burgeoning tech startup industry. He has closed multi-million dollar deals bordering on venture capital, private equity, intellectual property (trademark, patent or design, etc.), mergers and acquisitions, in countries such as in the Delaware, New York, UK, Singapore, British Virgin Islands, South Africa, Nigeria etc. He’s also a corporate governance and cross-border data privacy and tax expert.
As an award-winning writer and researcher, he is passionate about telling the African startup story, and is one of the continent’s pioneers in this regard