DailySun
Dakar – Cynoia (https://Cynoia.com), the team collaboration platform created in Africa, has earned the title of Best SaaS Startup at the prestigious AfricArena Grand Summit 2024 held in Cape Town.
Now in its seventh year, the summit stands as Africa’s foremost tech ecosystem accelerator event, showcasing over 100 startups from 31 distinct African countries.
Manar Labidi, the Chief Financial Officer of Cynoia, accepted the award at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, where Cynoia was among 45 startups vying for recognition on what AfricArena’s founder Christophe Viarnaud describes as the “stage of Africa’s future.”
This recognition at one of Africa’s pivotal technology events solidifies Cynoia’s position as a leading innovator in the African SaaS sector.
In 2024, Cynoia has undergone substantial transformations, enabling teams to improve their collaboration while reducing software costs by as much as 80%.
With new leadership, gaining international accolades, and broadening its presence across the continent, the team is poised to revolutionize how African teams function with the upcoming launch of its AI engine, Hannibal.
In a significant internal promotion, Nermine Slimane (https://apo-opa.co/4iBCFRE) has progressed from Team Lead to Chief Technology Officer, applying her extensive understanding of Cynoia’s architecture to support the executive team.
This promotion has allowed co-founder Ayoub Rabeh (https://apo-opa.co/4gDmNwa) to focus on his role as Chief Product Officer, thereby reinforcing the company’s commitment to product development.
Felipe Millan (https://apo-opa.co/3P45PeB) has come on board as Chief Marketing Officer, rounding out a leadership team that underscores Cynoia’s dedication to diversity, with women making up 47% of the workforce.
“We’re building something exceptional here,” states Nassreddine Riahi (https://apo-opa.co/3OULb0H), CEO of Cynoia.
“Our team has never been stronger, and we’re expanding our reach to a wider array of businesses across Africa than we ever anticipated when we first started.”
“We’re not merely creating another collaboration tool – we’re designing the workspace that African teams genuinely require.”
In November, Cynoia launched Version 2.0, which includes enhanced project management, chat, video calls, and file sharing within a single, bandwidth-efficient platform that accommodates all budgets.
The company is expanding its footprint beyond Tunisia, having established a legal presence in Senegal and growing its user base in the Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, and Rwanda.
“Being closer to our users allows us to better understand their actual needs,” remarks Ayoub Rabeh, CPO.
“Each market has its distinct characteristics, and we’re adapting our platform accordingly, particularly in areas with limited internet connectivity.”
As we look toward 2025, Cynoia is preparing to unveil Hannibal, its AI engine specifically designed for African teams.
“Hannibal will empower businesses across the continent with advanced AI functionalities, regardless of their size or location,” highlights Nermine Slimane, CTO.
“Our emphasis is on practical AI applications that fit the authentic working styles of African teams.”
The company has also launched Cynoia Impact (https://apo-opa.co/4iBCIwO), partnering with key players in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, including startups, accelerators, venture capital (VC) funds, educational institutions, and non-profits.
This initiative aims to accelerate the digital transformation of organizations that are making a positive impact in their communities.
