The most successful African-French businesswoman,Selena Souah, at the La Tribune Europe-Africa Forum

A specialist in telecommunications and digital technology, Selena Souah is one of those young leaders who want Africans to find solutions themselves... and she sets an example!

Selena Souah, born in Gabon, arrived in France at the age of 10 and joined the Légion d'honneur boarding school in Saint-Denis. Her family has always lived in Gabon.

"Since I used to go back there during school holidays, it allowed me to maintain these two cultures: French and Gabonese. I attended a business school in France and graduated with a Master's degree in Corporate Finance from ISC Paris (Class of 2012). What is important to me is to maintain these Europe-Africa ties. Today, I am an entrepreneur in telecommunications and digital technology", said Selena to AfricaPresse.Paris.

AfricaPresse.Paris (APP): Why did you choose the telecommunications sector?

Selena SOUAH: I chose telecommunications to invest in Africa simply because today 78% of the African population is still not connected to the Internet, whether mobile or fixed. Yet, for me, the Internet means knowledge, vision, and power. Not having access to the Internet seems absurd to me. Launching into Telecoms at the age of 29 was a real challenge because it is a rather unique sector. My competitors are all in their sixties and made their fortunes before entering this sector. I did the opposite.

Many telecommunications operators in Africa are not Africans, so today I have a great advantage over them. I'll give you an example because it's my firm belief: we cannot expect a Breton to be concerned about issues in Ouagadougou or even Libreville. That was my point at the GSMA Telecoms Summit in Kigali because, at some point, Africans also need to focus on finding solutions for our own continent.

APP: What is this company you created and quickly developed with some success in Rwanda?

Selena SOUAH: It's the company "Revolution’Air" – named so with this wordplay – that I created at the age of 29 in Rwanda. In Kigali, Revolution’Air is an Internet service provider aiming to positively impact the economies of African countries through the strengthening of the computer network.

The company aims to be among the first operators to consolidate Internet/phone/IP television offers in Africa, putting the pan-African vision at the heart of its development strategy.

Africa – I come back to it – is the second most populous continent, with the youngest population and yet it is the least connected continent. The Internet revolution has brought unprecedented economic and social opportunities worldwide. That's why – with a partner – we naturally decided to create a Pan-African Internet Network that should enable the inhabitants of this continent to benefit from the Internet and the development potential it brings.

APP: But it's the rural areas that interest you the most...

Selena SOUAH: In Kigali, my company has just obtained a government license for fifteen years in 2022 to connect the populations. But what interests me more are the populations in rural areas because, today, in some African countries, it's the capitals that are the most equipped. But if we want to develop education, health, or other key sectors, it also requires digital means.

I'll give you a concrete example: when a teacher is assigned to teach in a rural area, he/she will not want to move there with his/her family because it will not be truly developed, whereas having Internet would allow for the development of online courses, even if only one person could thus make education accessible.

APP: As an influential woman, aren't you part of other circles that justify your presence here?

Selena SOUAH: That's absolutely right. I am a member of the Board of Directors of the ASPEN Institute France, which is a think tank born in Aspen, Colorado, in the United States. Today, we are present in fourteen countries worldwide and form a real network of influence.

The French branch of the ASPEN Institute organizes every two years in France a Europe-Africa meeting with a number of African leaders. We all meet in Annecy (Savoie) at the Bio Mérieux Foundation to find suitable solutions to strengthen the Europe-Africa relationship.

Coming from our two continents, about fifty of us gather for three days to review and work on the most important subjects, whether it's governance, health, education, etc. There are politicians, representatives from the private sector as well as public administrations for a real "brainstorming" session, and the resulting report is proposed to institutions. I am also a member of Women inTech, whose next summit – after the one in Paris – will be held in Brazil.

APP: As you travel a lot, did you come up with another innovation? What is it about?

Selena SOUAH: As a young entrepreneur, I have always traveled extensively in Europe and Africa, of course, but also in Asia and the Middle East. In business travel, time is a luxury. We waste precious time at the airport or in hotels. With Regcard, I therefore sought to eliminate some of these constraints by creating a unique and virtual registration card to simplify arrival and departure, avoiding formalities at hotel receptions.

With my new application, which will be effective in June, everyone will have the possibility, thanks to a unique QR code filled in beforehand, to give access to selected people to all or part of their profile/preferences, and this in complete security.

APP: In the panel devoted to "creative leadership," in which you participated in this Europe-Africa Forum in Marseille, you highlighted the importance of digital technology...

Selena SOUAH: For me, digital technology is the challenge of the century in Africa in particular. Why? Apart from the United States and China, the rest of the world has no digital sovereignty. And indeed, the extraterritoriality of American law in this area exposes us all to American jurisdiction.

So, if Europe wants to remain Africa's top partner, it is obliged to ride this digital wave. It's a common challenge. We must therefore develop this digital sovereignty, protect our data, and create algorithms. Because Africa currently represents less than 1% of data centers worldwide!

APP: In the business world, why does economic Francophonie have so little place?

Selena SOUAH: French is my mother tongue. I am proud to speak French and to represent this economic Francophonie which is just waiting to prosper. But when we talk about Tech in Africa, two-thirds of the funds raised are distributed among Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, and Nigeria, four English-speaking countries.

In Africa, and even in Rwanda, many people speak French and many businesses can be negotiated and conducted in French. But, to raise funds, it must be acknowledged that English remains very important and truly the language of business.

APP: One last word, to conclude this interview, about the Europe-Africa Forum. Is it now an unmissable event?

Selena SOUAH: Since the inception of this Forum organized by La Tribune and La Tribune Afrique, I have never missed an edition, and I have always been a panelist. For me, since the first edition in 2022, it's even a duty to attend. Why a duty? I believe that being Franco-Gabonese, I have this dual culture, and my voice matters, my perception of things matters. The goal is to evolve these relations between Europe and Africa, and here, I also learn a lot from other panelists and speakers.

So, it's an unmissable event, and for me, a duty to participate.