Tech

DRC’s ed-tech startup, Itot Africa launches new platform

Published

1 year ago

September 10, 2023

DRC-based ed-tech startup, Itot Africa, has developed a platform that will provide customised digital content, coding, programming, training and e-learning for businesses, SMEs and entrepreneurs in Africa and the United States.

The startup’s co-founder, Samy Mwamba, who disclosed this at the launch of the new product in Lumumbashi where the outfit’s office is located, said the new platform would “cater to three primary categories of individuals of those seeking knowledge to fill a personal gap or follow technological trends, those aiming to meet recruitment requirements or find employment, and professionals looking to reinforce their skills.”

He said the initiative came on the back of a recent fund acquisition of $59,000 from the Catalytic Africa initiative, a supporting investment made into the startup by DRC Impact Angels.

“Our comprehensive services extend beyond training to include recruitment and software development, supporting businesses in their digital transformation journey,” Mwamba said.

“We engage our alumni to provide apt solutions based on specific corporate demands. Additionally, companies seeking human resources turn to us for recruitment and placement services, benefiting from our robust database of skilled professionals.

“At the inception of Itot Africa, our team had identified a critical gap in the Democratic Republic of Congo – a profound lack of digital culture, skills, and opportunities, in a nation where 70 per cent of the population are unemployed, including 65 per cent of the young population.

“This divide extended to disparities in knowledge, employment, and open dialogue between various stakeholders in the IT field.

“Our unique response to this challenge led to the creation of Itot Africa, with the core mission of bridging this gap. As pioneers in this space, we faced minimal competition within the country. While our innovative approach inspired several similar initiatives, the overall competition in the nation remains unremarkable,” he stated.

He added that in five years, Itot Africa had already trained more than 7,000 individuals, of whom over 60 per cent were women, and executed over 300 projects. It has also created more than 100 jobs within the DRC, and has established its presence in the four principal cities of Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Goma and Kolwezi, according to him.

Founded in 2017, Itot Africa, with its flagship product, Okademy, is an online learning, on-demand training and career tracking platform with its network of affiliated and trained students.

It also supports the digitisation process of its clients by creating technology solutions.

Related Topics:Democratic Republic of Congo Digital Platform Featured Itot Africa

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Tech

Ghana partners with The Gambia to provide free roaming services

Published

2 days ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana and The Gambia are in the process of launching free roaming services that will enhance a West African connectivity.

The plan which is a joint initiative of the Ghana Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation and The Gambian National Communications Authority (NCA) will see mobile users in both countries avoiding extra charges for calls, texts, and data, which in turn, is expected to boost trade, tourism, and economic integration across borders.

The collaboration, according to a joint statement by the two bodies, aligns with the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) broader push for seamless regional communication.

“Ghana and The Gambia are forging new paths in West Africa’s digital landscape, implementing a free-roaming initiative,” the statement said.

“This move strengthens regional connectivity while highlighting the role of technological collaboration in fostering economic integration. The initiative enables mobile users travelling between the two nations to make calls, send messages, and use data services without additional roaming fees.”

It further noted that by reducing these costs, the program aligns with the ECOWAS Free Roaming Initiative, which seeks to eliminate barriers to communication across member states.

“It is a boost for trade and travel as the free roaming plan is expected to spur economic activities by streamlining cross-border communication.

“Businesses and individuals travelling between Ghana and The Gambia can now stay connected without worrying about exorbitant charges, facilitating smoother transactions and personal interactions. The initiative is also expected to attract more tourists by ensuring seamless digital access for visitors.

“This collaboration marks another milestone in Ghana’s commitment to expanding digital connectivity, following Ghana’s successful implementation of similar agreements with Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Benin, with talks of possible roaming partnerships with Liberia.

“By focusing on digital integration, Ghana and The Gambia demonstrate the power of technology to bridge gaps between countries. This step also serves as a model for other West African nations to join the free-roaming framework, contributing to the larger goal of a connected and economically integrated region,” it added.

Tech

Tanzania to host 6th Ocean Innovation Africa summit in February

Published

3 days ago

November 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, has been selected to host the sixth edition of the Ocean Innovation Africa (OIA) summit from February 24-28, 2025, as a flagship event within Regenerative Ocean Week.

The Ocean Innovation Africa is set to be Africa’s most significant platform for Ocean Innovation conservation, and sustainable development in the blue economy. OIA2025 will be co-organised with leading partners, including IUCN, GIZ, OceanHub Africa, Catalyze and the Ocean-Climate Platform.

With the theme, “Science-to-Solution”, the Regenerative Ocean Week will present a line-up of sessions designed to bridge the gap between scientific research, business innovation, policy, and community engagement.

According to the organizers of the event, it will bring together African ocean innovators, investors, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders to explore practical solutions that can be applied across the continent.

“These include the OIA Pitch Competition, which is a platform for Africa-based startups and entrepreneurs to showcase breakthrough ideas in ocean-impact solutions, allowing them to connect with investors and industry leaders and emphasizing Africa’s role in driving sustainable ocean initiatives,” the organizers said in a statement.