This brings an end to a period that saw commendable growth in the company’s West African operations.

In a personal statement shared on LinkedIn, the Regional Executive for West Africa confirmed he would be leaving the business, shedding light on what he described as a defining chapter in his career and the company’s development across the region.

“After 5+ incredible years, it’s time for me to sign off from Africa Data Centres (ADC).

What started as a bold experiment-stepping into a new market as a challenger-has evolved into a definitive chapter of growth, resilience, and success.

We didn’t just build data centres; we built the infrastructure for the future.

The journey was far from linear. It was defined by:

The Steep Curves: Navigating the complexities of a new market and turning challenges into competitive advantages.

The Milestones: Moving from our first rack to becoming a well-established, trusted partner in the colocation space.

The Culture: Building an organisation from the ground up that prioritises both operational excellence and a bit of fun along the way.

To my team and colleagues: You are the heartbeat of this success. Thank you for the late nights, the strategic breakthroughs, and the countless cups of coffee that fueled our progress. I am immensely proud of the “well-established” powerhouse we’ve become.

I’m walking away with great memories and a sharp focus on what’s next.

To my network: Stay tuned-I’m excited to share my next chapter with you soon.”

Dr Krish served most recently as Regional Executive for West Africa, a role he assumed in September 2022 after previously working as Chief Technology Officer at the company.

During his tenure, ADC expanded its regional and edge data centre footprint, becoming a key infrastructure provider that supports cloud adoption and local data hosting across several African markets.

Africa Data Centres, part of Cassava Technologies, operates one of the continent’s largest networks of carrier- and cloud-neutral data centre facilities. The company has been important in supporting digital transformation efforts, particularly as businesses shift workloads to the cloud and governments push for stronger data localisation.

Demand for data centres across Africa is increasing fast, driven by fintech growth, increasing internet usage and tough regulatory expectations around where data is stored.

In Nigeria especially, Dr Krish consistently argued that local data infrastructure is critical for digital sovereignty, improved security and long-term economic value.

Before joining ADC, he held senior leadership roles across Nigeria’s connectivity and data infrastructure sector, including positions at Medallion Communications Limited and Century Data Integrated Services Ltd. His career spans more than three decades across data centres, cloud services, connectivity and managed IT operations.

His exit comes at a time of strong competition in Africa’s digital infrastructure space, as global hyperscale cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft and Google strengthen their presence on the continent, increasing pressure on regional operators to scale quickly and maintain local relevance.

ADC has not yet announced a successor or provided details on leadership changes following his departure.

The new hub, located at 21 Ahmed Onibudo Street, brings more than 25 staff onshore. It will oversee customer support, drive product development targeting West African markets, and enhance collaboration with banks, payment service providers, and regulators.

Verto said the decision to open in Lagos follows growing demand from businesses seeking an on-the-ground partner rather than a fully remote platform.

Over the years, Verto “has supported over 5,000 Nigerian and African businesses” and “processes more than $25 billion USD in annual global transactions today across 200+ countries and 49 currencies.”

How Verto Wants to Transform Global Payments for Fintechs, Online Marketplaces

Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Ola Oyetayo, noted the scale of the business, saying, “We do about $3 billion a month in transaction volume, you know. So it’s a lot of volume, 49 currencies.”

Country Director for Verto Nigeria, Austin Okpagu, described the launch as a long-term commitment to the Nigerian market.

“As Africa’s largest and most innovative fintech hub, Nigeria offers a dynamic environment for digital trade, entrepreneurship, and financial innovation, making it the natural anchor for Verto’s West African operations. 

“This hub allows us to respond faster to client needs, craft solutions tailored to local markets, and work even more closely with regulators and financial partners across the region.”

Oyetayo traced Verto’s beginnings to his years in the United Kingdom, where he began informally matching Nigerians abroad who wanted to invest at home with those in Nigeria who needed to pay for goods and services overseas.

“That’s really how Verto started, on WhatsApp, people would come to me saying, ‘I need $10,000,’ and I’d find someone who needed naira. I matched both of them together,” he said.

That origin story revealed why physical presence is now important. For several years, Verto deliberately maintained a low profile in Nigeria, preferring to prove its model first while navigating changing financial regulations. 

However, customers increasingly wanted local access, a physical office where they could resolve issues, speed up onboarding, and interact with a responsible team, especially amid Nigeria’s volatile FX cycles.

Local partners also backed the decision, as the CEO from Paga described the working relationship as creative and solution-driven:

“We’ve been able to call on you guys and say, here’s what we’re thinking about. Can we think about it together? And they’ve been very creative about how to resolve.”

A technology customer added that Verto’s pricing structure and reliability had simplified operations:

“Within a month, at least, making transactions and payments to suppliers all around the world… I like the fact that I don’t have to haggle. The price is the price. Could it be better? Can always be better, right? But it makes it so much easier for my team to validate their pricing, knowing that there’s one place they get the pricing and they plug it in, and it makes our workflow a lot more.”

At the launch of the new Verto Lagos office, the company outlined three operational priorities for its Lagos team: stronger customer relationships, tailored product development (including the rollout of Verto Atlas), and enhanced naira liquidity through deeper partnerships with local banks and payment processors.

The CEO stressed that the office represents a sustained investment, not a publicity move. He also emphasised the importance of trust and compliance, noting that the company values reliability over short-term pricing gains.

The event, featuring live product demos, customer testimonials, and open discussions about collaboration, brought together long-time customers, banking partners, regulators, and fintech stakeholders.

Verto said the Lagos team will focus on improving onboarding times, expanding collection and payout solutions, and optimising account services in the coming months.

The new office is a focus from a purely digital, global fintech model to a hybrid approach, platform scale supported by local expertise. In Nigeria, where trust and physical presence are essential to business relationships, that transition could prove decisive.

The new Verto Lagos office is located at 21 Ahmed Onibudo Street, Victoria Island. The company operates globally with offices in London, Cape Town, Nairobi, Pune, Dubai, New York, and Malta, and supports over 49 currencies across multiple African and international markets.

The forum focused on building the infrastructure, trust and interoperability needed to support Africa’s fast-growing digital economy, projected to reach USD 1.5 trillion by 2030, and create new opportunities for consumers and small businesses.

Hosted by Mark Elliott, division president, Africa, Mastercard, the event brought together senior representatives from banks, fintech companies, telcos, regulators and technology partners.

Speakers and panelists discussed how to expand low-cost acceptance, improve interoperability and enhance security at scale to create a more inclusive and resilient economy.

With internet penetration in Africa projected to grow at 20 percent annually, participants agreed that seamless, secure and connected payment systems are essential to sustaining growth and unlocking new opportunities for trade and entrepreneurship.

During the event, Mastercard showcased two breakthrough innovations shaping the future of digital commerce.

The first-ever Agent Pay transaction in EEMEA was executed live, marking a major step toward autonomous, secure and accessible payment experiences.

In addition, Mastercard launched the Merchant Cloud, a unified platform that brings together payments, AI and security to help merchants grow their businesses confidently in an omnichannel environment. Both innovations underscore Mastercard’s commitment to building intelligent, inclusive and resilient payment ecosystems that power Africa’s digital transformation.

Mark Elliott, division president, Africa, Mastercard, said,

“Africa Edge is a reflection of Mastercard’s long-term commitment to this continent. It is about collaboration and supporting partners across the ecosystem to deliver secure, seamless and accessible digital experiences that help people and businesses grow. Africa’s digital economy is scaling fast, and Mastercard is proud to be a trusted technology partner helping power that growth.”

Throughout the day, discussions highlighted the growing importance of payment immediacy and liquidity, with panelists noting how same-day settlement helps small businesses absorb shocks, reduce borrowing needs and reinvest faster.

South Africa’s real-time clearing system was cited as a model as Mastercard advances instant-payment capabilities across multiple African markets.

Ling Hai, president of APEMEA, Mastercard, further highlighted faster payments as critical to helping small businesses manage cash flow and grow.

He emphasized that Africa’s digital future depends on simple, safe and accessible payment solutions that work across markets and devices, calling for closer collaboration between the public and private sectors to ensure innovation benefits everyone.

Futurist John Sanei, the event’s keynote speaker, explored how human adaptability and emotional intelligence will define leadership success in an era of AI-driven change.

A spotlight session with Smile ID addressed the rising threat of synthetic identities and deepfakes, highlighting how Mastercard and Smile ID are combining AI-driven liveness checks and verification to strengthen digital onboarding and reduce fraud across African markets.

Folasade Femi-Lawal, country manager, West Africa, Mastercard, said:

“West Africa is home to one of the world’s fastest-growing fintech sectors. Nigeria alone accounted for 28 percent of all African fintech companies in 2024, attracting nearly USD 400 million in investment. By combining global technology with local insight, we are helping banks, fintechs and innovators build open, trusted and scalable infrastructure. Our collaborations with governments, banks and fintech companies in the region are making digital payments simpler and safer for millions, proving that inclusion and innovation can move forward together.”

The event culminated in a celebratory awards ceremony and gala dinner, recognizing outstanding contributions from Mastercard’s partners and customers across Africa who are advancing innovation and inclusion in the digital economy.

This was revealed in a new report by the African Private Capital Association (AVCA), developed in partnership with the Chamber of Corporate Trustees of Ghana and British International Investment (BII) under the Ghana Investment Support Programme (GHISP).

The report discloses a steep increase in pension funds’ appetite for alternative investments. More than half of Ghanaian pension providers now hold exposure to private capital, and 65% say they intend to raise allocations to private equity within the next five years.

By the end of 2024, total pension assets under management in Ghana reached GHS 86.4 billion ($6.2 billion), yet only 4.4% of the 25% limit set by regulators is being channelled into alternatives such as private equity and venture capital. 

This figure lags far behind Nigeria’s 34% utilisation of a 5% cap and South Africa’s 8% allocation under its 15% ceiling.

Despite this underutilisation, the report says that Ghana’s pension funds are gradually shifting from conservative savings strategies to more productive, growth-oriented investments. 

Many are targeting healthcare (55%), agribusiness (45%), and technology (40%), while by asset class, 38% favour property and infrastructure, 24% prefer private equity, and 19% are exploring venture capital.

However, AVCA’s findings also expose major obstacles preventing deeper engagement with private markets. Pension providers identified currency volatility, complex fund licensing processes, limited investable pipelines, and weak institutional capacity as key challenges. 

Nearly nine in ten pension funds (89%) interacted with fewer than three fund managers in the past year, underlining the limited depth of Ghana’s investment ecosystem.

The government’s May 2025 directive, which encourages pension funds and insurers to allocate at least 5% of assets to private equity and venture capital by 2026, has provided much-needed policy backing. This move is expected to mobilise domestic capital and drive growth across productive sectors.

To speed up progress, AVCA’s report outlines four key strategies:

• Enhancing data transparency and engagement between funds and managers
• Building institutional capacity through targeted training and pooled investment structures
• Deploying blended finance and co-investment tools to mitigate risk
• Advancing regulatory reforms to recognise Limited Partnerships and streamline fund licensing.

Commenting on the report, Abi Mustapha-Maduakor, chief executive officer of AVCA, stated:

“Ghana’s pension funds are at an inflexion point. The data highlights both the scale of investable domestic capital and the practical barriers that continue to hold it back. Unlocking this potential will require a combination of regulatory clarity, institutional capacity-building, and deeper collaboration between fund managers and local investors. 

“This mirrors a broader shift across Africa, where governments are enacting policies to channel domestic savings into productive investments at home and across borders. With these foundations in place, Ghana’s pension system can become a catalyst for long-term, sustainable growth.”

AVCA projects that Ghana could become a leader in pension-led private capital mobilisation in West Africa within five years if this momentum is sustained. The report forms part of AVCA’s Knowledge Exchange Initiative (KEI), a year-long capacity-building initiative launched in partnership with BII to enhance local institutional participation in private markets.

If Ghana’s pension reforms and fund managers align effectively, the country could bring in billions of local investment, turning its pension base into a new engine for national development.

The sole authorised Cat dealer representative in Nigeria, has launched its Digital Service Centre in Lagos, a remote support hub built to keep equipment running with greater efficiency and less downtime, across Nigeria and West Africa. 

From the control room, Mantrac engineers can detect faults, run diagnostics, and resolve technical issues long before a breakdown occurs. This will ultimately improve customer service, speed up repairs, and reduce on-site intervention. 

The initiative aligns with Mantrac’s goal of enhancing after-sales service through technology and human expertise.

“By combining Caterpillar’s world-class technology with local expertise, we’re ensuring customers get immediate, intelligent support — no matter where they are,” said Emad Adeeb, managing director of Mantrac Nigeria. “This is about empowering productivity and building stronger partnerships.”

The centre currently supports over 200 customer sites, cutting response time to as little as 20 to 50 minutes, depending on the issue. For Mantrac Nigeria, that’s beyond fixing machines faster, it’s about building trust in markets where equipment downtime can mean massive losses.

The centre functions as a command hub for remote diagnostics, performance tracking, and technical support for customers across mining, oil and gas, construction, and agriculture.

According to Nigel Lewis, chief operating officer of Mantrac Group, the development is a turning point for the company’s operations in Africa.

“It is an example of how we are harnessing digital solutions to improve customer outcomes, enhance operational safety, and create a sustainable service model that will shape the future of our industry,” he said.

Interestingly, Mantrac Nigeria’s MD, Adeeb stressed that the operation remains fully human-driven, despite the global rush toward artificial intelligence.

“We use well-advanced technology,” he clarified. “No AI, it’s all human intelligence and experience.”

“Caterpillar is proud to support Mantrac on this innovative initiative,” added Stephane Latini, director of Distribution, Eastern Africa at Caterpillar Inc. “Digital service solutions are transforming how we support our customers globally, and this new centre ensures that Nigerian and West African businesses can maximise equipment performance, productivity, and uptime with the latest Caterpillar technology.”

The Digital Service Centre ensures longevity of Caterpillar equipment and provides live remote troubleshooting through video consultations, enabling real-time support and issue resolution. 

The service centre integrates Cat Product Link and VisionLink, systems that allow customers to track equipment health, analyse usage, and plan maintenance before breakdowns occur. It also supports remote software calibrations and condition-based maintenance, helping extend asset life and lower operational costs.

Mantrac has long been recognised for investing in technical education, a focus that continues to underpin its service excellence. Inside the company’s technical facility lies a machine lab complete with a hydraulic simulator and workshop space where trainees learn how to disassemble, assemble, and analyse Caterpillar components.

“We train both our engineers and our customers’ engineers,” one of Mantrac’s engineers said during a tour of the facility. “We increase their skills to make sure they do a better service and get good quality, good life from their equipment.”

Through Caterpillar University, engineers and customers can access hands-on and online training, from basic equipment awareness to advanced troubleshooting. 

The platform is open globally under the initiative Technician for the World, providing free courses and certification opportunities that improve employability and strengthen local technical capacity.

Despite the heavy emphasis on digitalisation, Mantrac believes people remain the foundation of reliable service. The company recruits fresh engineering graduates and trains them for 3 to 6 months, building a skilled workforce to replace the 20% manpower lost annually to migration and other factors.

“There are lots of smart engineers in Nigeria,” Adeeb admitted. “But every year we lose about 20% of manpower. This is how we fill the gap, by training, retraining, and empowering.”

For customers, the new Digital Service Centre means faster problem-solving, less equipment downtime, and direct access to expert advice, all without the need to wait for a field visit. And for Mantrac, it shows a drive for technology to complement experience, but never replacing it.

Located in the heart of Ikeja, the service is toll-free for one year and old units can be upgraded to leverage the new technology.

This collaboration brings together Panasonic’s world-class portfolio of professional audiovisual solutions with Proxynet’s extensive expertise in deploying tailored IT and enterprise services across diverse industries.

The partnership is set to provide integrated, high-performance AV solutions that meet the evolving needs of the Broadcast, Media, Religious, Education, and Corporate sectors in the region.

Through this alliance, Panasonic’s advanced product range, including PTZ cameras, professional camcorders, projectors, and enterprise imaging systems, will be made more accessible to businesses and institutions seeking to enhance communication, production quality, and content delivery.

Proxynet’s deep industry presence, technical know-how, and customer-focused approach will ensure seamless integration of these technologies into client workflows, backed by premium after-sales support.

The partnership was highlighted during a recent high-level meeting in Dubai, where both companies outlined plans to drive market engagement through exclusive product demonstrations, technical training sessions, and targeted industry events. These initiatives will enable organizations across West Africa to experience Panasonic’s innovative solutions firsthand and discover new opportunities for growth and creativity.

With this collaboration, Panasonic and Proxynet are positioned to transform the AV and broadcast landscape in West Africa, delivering cutting-edge tools that empower businesses, religious institutions, broadcasters, and corporate entities to achieve new standards of productivity and excellence.

This initiative aims to enhance connectivity across southern Nigeria over the next two years, with a particular focus on Port Harcourt and Lagos.

The company is expanding its reach in Nigeria, following its $320 million acquisition of MainOne in 2022. This acquisition allowed Equinix to enter the West African market, and now, the $140 million investment is aimed at decentralising the country’s digital infrastructure, which has been long dominated by Lagos. 

By setting up its first data centre in Port Harcourt and scaling its third Lagos facility, Equinix seeks to alleviate the over-concentration of data infrastructure in the commercial hub.

“This move is not just about expansion; it’s about equity in access to digital infrastructure,” said Wole Abu, managing director of Equinix West Africa. “We’re creating redundancy and expanding bandwidth capacity, which will have a ripple effect on the region’s digital economy.”

The new Port Harcourt data centre, PR1, will also serve as the first landing station for Meta’s 2Africa submarine cable in Nigeria. This cable, which is one of the most advanced global systems, will increase the region’s bandwidth capacity significantly. 

Equinix’s focus is to reduce Lagos’ monopoly on digital infrastructure, and this investment seeks to create new growth corridors for Nigeria’s digital economy.

While Nigeria’s digital sector has made great strides in the past two decades, there’s still much work ahead. Mobile subscriptions have surged from zero to over 140 million since the 2001 GSM licence auction, and data infrastructure has blossomed with the introduction of fibre-optic networks and tower companies. 

However, much of this infrastructure is still based in Lagos, leaving regions like Port Harcourt and others in southern Nigeria underconnected.

The arrival of major international companies such as Equinix has started to shift the balance, but the country’s broadband penetration, according to the National Broadband Plan, still lags behind. While the plan targets 70% broadband penetration by 2025, Nigeria is currently sitting at 45%, meaning there’s a long way to go to achieve full coverage.

“Equinix’s investment is a step in the right direction,” says Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former finance minister of Nigeria. “By investing in new data centres and connectivity, the company is supporting Nigeria’s push for more inclusive and reliable digital infrastructure that can support the economy’s growth.”

But the challenges don’t stop at the coastline. While Nigeria’s major cities benefit from the latest subsea cables like the 2Africa and Google’s Equiano, the inland regions still face a lack of middle-mile infrastructure. This vital fibre-optic network links the cable landing stations to the rest of the country, and without it, Nigeria risks facing a fragmented digital ecosystem.

The government, however, is not sitting idle. The Federal Ministry of Communications has launched the Broadband Alliance, an initiative to expand fibre networks across Nigeria. A key aim is to ensure that internet services reach all regions, even the underserved areas far from the coastal landing points.

Equinix’s expansion is not just about addressing infrastructure gaps but about building resilience in Nigeria’s digital economy. In response to potential threats such as cable damage from underwater rockslides, Equinix has implemented a strategy to route traffic across multiple cables in an active/active setup, ensuring that disruptions will go unnoticed by customers.

“Our goal is to ensure resilience,” Wole Abu explained. “By improving infrastructure redundancy, we aim to prevent any future disruption from impacting the experience of our customers.”

This expansion into Port Harcourt also spells out a comprehensive strategy of decentralising internet access across Nigeria. In taking these steps, Equinix is taking up a big part in the country’s movement to diversify its digital economy and close the digital divide that has plagued the nation for years.

This initiative will go beyond contributing to Nigeria’s digital capacity to also enable economic opportunities in regions that have long been sidelined in the country’s tech-driven future. With Equinix’s new facilities and greater international connectivity, the hope is that other private sector players will follow suit, accelerating Nigeria’s digital transformation.

This he said will help them to transform their ideas from conceptualisation to impact.

He made the remark during his keynote address at NITDA Co-Create West Africa Tech Expo, an event put together by GAGE Award in partnership with the Agency to showcase innovative businesses locally and across the globe with physical presence in Nigeria, which had its theme as “Evolve”.

Inuwa reiterated NITDA’s commitment to nurture an innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem as enshrined in its Strategic Road-map and Action Plan 2.0 which was also highlighted at the NITDA Co-Create West Africa.

He said, “We need to help our start-ups to have access to capital for that will enhance their ideas and provide platform for them to network and learn from the ecosystem.

While acknowledging that the Nigerian Start-up Act Implementation is one of the several initiatives under the pillar, the NITDA boss urged the participants to forge a strategic partnership and collaborate to develop the ecosystem.

He said,

“This event is one of them. This is a private-public partnership. We co-created the conference, and the conference itself is to promote co-creation. We do a lot of these activities. We believe no one should live in isolation, so we need to work as an ecosystem to create value together.”

Inuwa, while using the occasion to share the new NITDA’s Strategic Road-map and Action Plan 2024-2027 which is in sync with one of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s defined priority areas of “Accelerating Diversification through Industrialisation and Digitisation” to the participants who were majorly IT stakeholders and tech enthusiasts maintained that for the ecosystem to succeed, stakeholders must join hands with government to build a strong institution which could only be achieved by transforming government’s services into solutions.

He said,

“I want to invite you to embrace the spirit of cooperation and collaboration. If you and government can work together, we can do better things; because there are things you can do, government cannot do and there are things government can do, you cannot do, but together, we can do greater things.”

The new NITDA’s Strategic Road-map and Action Plan which is billed to be unveiled in the first quarter of 2024 provides for eight pillars which are; Foster Digital Literacy and Cultivate Talents, Robust Technology Research Ecosystem, Strengthen Policy Implementation and Legal Framework, and Promote Inclusive Access to Digital Infrastructure and Services.

Others include Strengthen Cybersecurity and Enhance Digital Trust, Nurture an Innovative and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, Forge Strategic Partnerships and Collaboration and Cultivate a Vibrant Work Culture and an Agile Workforce in NITDA.

Meanwhile, Dr. Aminu Maida, the executive vice chairman, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), who was represented at the NITDA Co-Create event by Mr. Rueben Mouka, the director, Public Affairs at the Commission, advised that Nigeria should approach the tech global market with a clear understanding of its strength, challenges and realistic potentials adding that although Nigeria possesses  three comparative advantage of vibrant and youthful population, strategic location and the gateway to African market, the nation must be ready to also confront the challenges that threaten to impede its progress.

While identifying infrastructure deficits, unreliable power supply and poor internet connectivity as some of the barriers that affect investor and innovators alike admonished that Nigeria should focus on “fostering an enabling environment that nurtures innovation, promotes entrepreneurship and addresses the underlying infrastructure and infrastructure challenges.”

He said, “the nation must leverage unique strengths  such as a deep understanding of local markets to develop solutions that address the needs and preferences of not just African consumers but the world at large.”

Earlier in his welcome remarks, Mr. Johnson Aroh, the convener, GAGE Award, described that the NITDA Co-Create West Africa is more than just a showcase of the latest technological concepts that exist in the ecosystem but a platform that fosters creativity, drives digital transformation and builds the ecosystem where ideas flourish.

He stated that the conference would offers a rare privilege of experiencing first-hand cutting edge solutions and groundbreaking projects that embody the spirit of technological excellence and ingenuity.

He said,

“Let us embrace the diversity of perspectives and expertise that enrich our collective understanding of technology transformative power.  Together, we can chart the course toward the future of technology as a force for driving positive change and empowering individuals and communities across Africa”.

While commending NITDA the leadership of NITDA  for its vision in co-creating the event, Mr. Aina said the Agency’s unwavering commitment to promoting technological innovation and digital inclusion have been instrumental to the level the nation has attained today.

In this role, Stanislaus will spearhead the entire operations of Aleph across the West Africa region, with a focus on solidifying Aleph’s position as the region’s premier sales partner for digital platforms, cultivating strategic partnerships, and driving the growth of the West African digital economy.

“We are thrilled that Stanislaus is taking charge in this important role” said Stephen Newton, managing director, Sub Saharan Africa for Aleph “His proven track record in digital marketing, technology, and sales leadership makes him the ideal candidate to spearhead our expansion in West Africa. We are confident that his expertise with Aleph and passion will unlock new opportunities for our clients and partners, contributing significantly to the region’s digital transformation.”

Stanislaus boasts nearly two decades of experience spearheading successful initiatives across industries.

He has a comprehensive understanding of the African digital landscape, having previously served as Regional Meta Director SSA for Aleph and instrumentalizing the rollout of Meta’s Authorized Sales Partnership program in Nigeria and Ghana.

Throughout his career, Stanislaus Martins has consistently demonstrated his ability to drive growth, nurture talent, and forge strong relationships – all pivotal to achieving Aleph’s ambitious goals in West Africa.

“I am excited to be appointed by Aleph Group to lead the team at this pivotal juncture in the West African digital revolution,” said Stanislaus Martins. “The potential for innovation and impact is immense, and I am committed to leading a talented team in delivering transformative solutions for our clients and stakeholders. I am confident that through strong partnerships and a shared vision, we can unlock the full potential of this dynamic market.”

Investing in Innovation Africa (i3), a pan-African initiative for start-ups building the future of healthcare supply chains, has announced its second cohort of 29 companies.

Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and sponsored by Cencora (formerly AmerisourceBergen), Merck Sharpe & Dohme (MSD), Microsoft, and Chemonics, i3 is dedicated to facilitating the commercialization of promising early- and growth-stage companies.

Selected startups receive introductions to leading potential customers in industry, donor agencies and governments, a $50,000 grant, and tailored investment readiness support from leading accelerators Villgro Africa, IMPACT Lab, Startupbootcamp Afritech, and CcHUB.

The 29 start-ups chosen operate in 21 different African countries, delivering digitally-enabled healthcare supply chain solutions. Innovators are building online pharmacies and telemedicine firms, as well as inventory management services for pharmacies, clinics and hospitals, supply chain data analytics, product protection, product visibility and more.

Thirty-eight (38%) of the companies selected are women-led and 17% are conducting operations in Francophone Africa.

The selected companies are, in alphabetical order: Afia Group Limited, Aimcare Health, Bena Care, BioCertica, Chari Pharma, CheckUps Medical, Chefaa, Dawa Mkononi, Drugstore Nigeria, Famasi Limited, Field Intelligence, Inc, GICMED, Grinta, Healthtracka, Kapsule, Medical Diagnostech, Medpharma Alliance International Limited, Octosoft Technologies Limited, Pharmarun, Pharmaserv Health Project Nigeria Limited, Reductiona, SASA Health Limited, Tech Care For All Eastern Africa, Technovera – Pelebox Smart Lockers, Tibu Health, UltraTeb, Waspito, WellaHealth, and Welo.

Innovators selected will benefit from the i3’s annual Access to Markets event in Nairobi, which will be held between 14-15 of November.

The event facilitates dynamic partnership dialogues between industry stakeholders, governments, donors, and large multilateral agencies. Connections are made to drive the commercialization and scale of the start-ups through mutually beneficial contracts, pilot projects, and investments.

The first cohort of 31 companies supported by i3 last year forged 24 contracts, pilots, and strategic partnerships to date.

Kieran Daly, Director, Global Health Agencies and Funds at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, commented: “As countries and global health institutions work to expand access to priority products, we face an urgent need to leverage solutions across the public and private sectors to improve health outcomes and strengthen local health systems. Programs like i3 help us understand, support and engage with technology-driven solutions emerging across Africa, hand-in-hand with our partners.”

Yusuf Rasool, Director, Global Market Access, Sustainable Access Solutions at MSD, noted, “We are excited to have a second cohort of 29 innovative changemakers in African healthcare enter the program. Investing in these companies are a means of delivering lifesaving solutions and empowering communities through the access of critical medicines across the continent.”

Jason Dinger, Senior Vice President of Global Products and Solutions at Cencora

“The range of startups selected for the second cohort reflects the breadth of talent and creativity in the

African entrepreneurial landscape, and we look forward to witnessing the transformative impact of their solutions in the years to come.”

Investing in Innovation Africa (i3) is coordinated by Salient Advisory and SCIDaR and is operationalized by leading technology hubs across the continent: CCHub for West Africa, Startupbootcamp AfriTech for Southern Africa, IMPACT Lab for North and French-speaking Africa, and Villgro Africa for East Africa.