The government of Guinea Conakry has officially unveiled Telemo, a new e-procurement system designed to modernize and digitize the country’s procurement processes. The launch of this groundbreaking platform, held on November 14, 2025, coincided with the conclusion of the Transform Africa Summit 2025 in Conakry, marking the first time the summit was hosted in West Africa.
The development of Telemo began on September 14, 2023, when Guinea partnered with Rwanda to overhaul its outdated, fragmented paper-based procurement systems. The collaborative effort has now resulted in the creation of a fully digital platform aimed at enhancing transparency, strengthening accountability, and streamlining the management of public tenders across the country.
A New Era for Guinea
Rose Pola Pricemou, Guinea’s Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and the Digital Economy, highlighted that the country is entering a new era where technology, talent, and ideas hold the key to its prosperity. “Our wealth is no longer limited to what lies underground, but now lies in talent, ideas, and technology,” Pricemou stated. The launch of Telemo represents Guinea’s commitment to leveraging digital solutions to drive its economic development and governance reforms.
Pricemou emphasized that, in an era where nations are increasingly defined by their ability to harness technology, Guinea aims to position itself at the forefront of digital transformation in Africa.
Impact of Telemo on Guinea’s Procurement System
Jean-Freddy Makuza, Chief Financial Officer at Rwanda Cooperation Initiative (RCI), explained that Telemo will play a critical role in strengthening Guinea’s procurement ecosystem. “This transition will reduce administrative delays, enhance transparency, and improve the traceability of tender procedures,” Makuza said. The new system will also help build the capacity of institutions and procurement officials, enabling more efficient and accountable service delivery.
Makuza noted that Telemo is part of a larger continental initiative led by Rwanda to support digital governance reforms across Africa. Rwanda’s experience in deploying digital systems in several African countries has positioned it as a trusted partner in advancing the continent’s digital transformation goals.
Rwanda’s Role in Africa’s Digital Transformation
Rwanda’s collaboration with Guinea on the Telemo project underscores the increasing role of South-South cooperation in Africa, where countries share practical expertise and locally developed solutions. Rwanda has been actively involved in co-developing various digital solutions across the continent, including an Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) for Eswatini and other initiatives in Chad, Kenya, and Guinea.
Rwanda’s growing reputation as a leader in digital governance and technology has led to over 18 cooperation agreements and visits from more than 7,600 visitors from 70 countries who seek to learn from its successful experiences in governance and technology.
Strengthening Regional Ties and Digital Capacity
The partnership between Guinea and Rwanda on Telemo also reflects the strengthening ties between the two countries, fostering deeper collaboration on digital governance and capacity-building. “This collaboration shows how African-built digital systems can be transferred, customized, and scaled to meet another country’s needs,” Makuza added.
The deployment of Rwanda’s digital solutions has contributed significantly to national digital transformation strategies in countries across Africa, aligning with the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (2020-2030).
Conclusion
The launch of Telemo in Guinea represents a significant step towards modernizing the country’s procurement processes and improving governance. Through the partnership with Rwanda, Guinea is embracing digital solutions that will drive efficiency, transparency, and accountability in public tendering. The initiative is not only a landmark achievement for Guinea but also a testament to the power of South-South cooperation in driving Africa’s digital future.