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Algeria launched a National Digital University Library providing access to 110,990 digitized academic resources, including 90,794 doctoral theses and 15,546 patents.
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The government targets 500,000 digital documents by 2027 to accelerate the digital transformation of higher education.
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The initiative aims to enhance research, innovation, and academic accessibility, though challenges such as limited infrastructure and cybersecurity risks remain.
Algeria has launched a National Digital University Library as part of its strategy to modernize higher education and strengthen research through digital innovation. The initiative, led by Higher Education and Scientific Research Minister Kamel Baddari, was unveiled on October 20 in Algiers.
Developed by the Office of University Publications (OPU), the platform gives students, teachers, and researchers access to 110,990 digital academic resources. The collection includes 4,154 OPU publications, 90,794 doctoral theses, 380 Arabic-language works provided by the High Council for the Arabic Language (HCLA), 124 historical books on Algeria’s national movement and the 1954 Revolution, and 15,546 national and international patents integrated in partnership with the National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI).
From November 2025, Algerian residents abroad will be able to purchase OPU publications online via the platform.
The digital library forms a core part of the ministry’s strategy to digitalize the higher education system and foster an inclusive, connected academic ecosystem.
Minister Baddari said the project “marks a key step in aligning Algeria’s universities with global digital standards and improving access to scientific knowledge.”
Through this initiative, the government seeks to facilitate administrative efficiency, data access, and knowledge sharing across Algeria’s universities, while improving research output and collaboration between institutions.
The ministry aims to expand the collection to 500,000 electronic documents by 2027, signaling a long-term commitment to digital transformation in academia.
The project involves multiple institutional partnerships to enrich the library’s content and ensure interoperability between research centers. Key partners include the HCLA, the Center for Research on Scientific and Technical Information, the National Center for Studies on the National Movement, and the INAPI.
These collaborations are expected to broaden Algeria’s academic and scientific databases, making them accessible through a unified digital interface.
Despite its ambition, the digital transition faces several obstacles. Some universities and regions still lack sufficient technological infrastructure, and students without adequate digital devices may struggle to benefit from the new platform.
Experts have also warned of cybersecurity risks, including data loss, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and technical system failures.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum
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The program targets 200,000 Moroccan children for training in digital and AI skills.
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It is part of the “Digital Morocco 2030” strategy to make the country an inclusive and competitive digital hub.
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The initiative is backed by multiple ministries and the AI Movement Center under UNESCO supervision.
Morocco has launched a national program to train 200,000 children in digital and artificial intelligence (AI) skills, reinforcing its “Digital Morocco 2030” strategy to boost digital inclusion and prepare citizens for the economy of the future.
The government unveiled the initiative on Monday, aiming to equip younger generations with future-oriented skills, promote technology culture, and narrow the digital divide.
The project stems from a partnership signed in March between the Ministries of Digital Transition, Youth, Economy, and Finance, and the International Center for Artificial Intelligence – AI Movement, affiliated with Mohammed VI Polytechnic University and operating under UNESCO supervision.
The first phase was simultaneously launched across 12 cities, mobilizing 65 trainers from participating youth centers. The program will gradually expand nationwide after this pilot phase.
The initiative forms part of Digital Morocco 2030, the kingdom’s long-term strategy to position itself as an inclusive and competitive digital hub. The plan calls for training 100,000 youth annually in digital professions, up from 14,000 in 2022, and includes the creation of specialized schools and support for innovation in emerging technologies.
By introducing 200,000 children to coding, robotics, and AI basics, Morocco aims to cultivate a new generation of digitally empowered citizens capable of driving the country’s digital transformation.
Officials say the program could also strengthen Morocco’s technological sovereignty and consolidate its leadership in innovation on the African continent.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum
- Ghana, Cisco discuss partnership for digital skills training
- “One Million Coders” targets certified youth in tech fields
- Plan includes digital centers, global tech firm collaborations
The Ghanaian government is exploring a collaboration with U.S. technology giant Cisco Systems for its "One Million Coders" program, an initiative aimed at equipping the nation's youth with digital skills. A Cisco delegation presented a partnership proposal to Samuel Nartey George, the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovation, during a meeting last week.
While specific details of the proposed partnership were not disclosed, Cisco operates its own global training platform, the Cisco Networking Academy (NetAcad), established in 1997. NetAcad offers free or subsidized courses, both online and in-person, covering areas such as computer networking, cybersecurity, programming, Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud computing. The academy works with governments, universities, and organizations to provide globally recognized certifications, including the CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate).
During the meeting, Minister George reiterated that the "One Million Coders" program aims to train internationally certified professionals in high-demand fields such as AI, cybersecurity, forensic data science, and cloud computing. He also announced plans to establish digital centers in all 276 constituencies across the country, each equipped with approximately 50 computers, to ensure young people in rural areas have access to necessary equipment and internet connectivity for their training.
George stated that the government is actively seeking partnerships with major technology firms, including Google, Huawei, Microsoft, and AWS. The government had previously engaged with TikTok in June and, in September, initiated a collaboration with Code Racoon, a company backed by German partners, to train 350,000 young individuals. Discussions are also underway with local tech firm TECHAiDE to integrate its "Asanka" wireless device, an offline Local Learning Management System (LMS), into the training program.
Launched in April, the "One Million Coders" program is part of the government’s comprehensive plan to build a digitally competent workforce capable of supporting Ghana's transition to an innovation-driven economy. The GSM Association (GSMA) estimates that continued digital transformation across the agriculture, industry, trade, and transport sectors could create an additional 340,000 jobs by 2027, generating a total added value of 34.9 billion cedis ($3.24 billion).
The partnership is not yet finalized. Minister George invited Cisco to submit a formal proposal and a letter of intent to officially establish the collaboration, though no specific timeline was provided.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
- Elly Savatia honored in Dakar for Terp 360, an AI-powered sign language app.
- His company Signvrse develops inclusive tech for the deaf community.
- Award includes £50,000 ($67,000) from the UK’s Royal Academy of Engineering.
Kenyan inventor and social entrepreneur Elly Savatia has won the Africa 2025 Engineering Innovation Prize awarded by the Royal Academy of Engineering in the United Kingdom. The announcement was made on October 16 in Dakar. He received the award for Terp 360, an artificial intelligence–based application that translates speech into sign language, along with a £50,000 ($67,000) grant.
Terp 360 provides real-time sign language interpretation, enabling seamless communication between deaf and hearing individuals in both physical and digital environments. The solution uses 3D avatars and motion-capture technology to deliver fluid, accessible interaction.
The innovation is the flagship product of Signvrse, a company co-founded and led by Savatia. Established in 2023, the startup leverages AI and inclusive design to remove communication barriers faced by the deaf community. It integrates real-time sign language into digital platforms to improve access to education, healthcare, and public services.
Beyond entrepreneurship, Savatia is the founder and president of Innovate 4 SDGs, a nonprofit that mobilizes youth around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He is also a One Young World ambassador and a member of the Youthtopia Circle, a network promoting youth leadership and civic engagement.
Before creating Signvrse, Savatia co-founded Veezaviz in 2021, a startup focused on assistive communication technologies for the deaf and hearing communities, where he served as CEO until 2022.
He previously worked as a project manager at School for a Village, an organization supporting access to science and technology education in underprivileged schools. In 2023, he joined Swift Lab Ltd, a medical logistics company using drones to deliver supplies to remote areas.
Savatia’s work has earned multiple honors, including the Artificial Intelligence for Africa Challenge (2022) by UK Tech Hub, the Kenya Drone Business Competition Challenge (2023) by the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, and the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Innovation for Sustainable Development Award.
- Data scientist and entrepreneur Sokhar Samb founded WeInnove to promote tech learning.
- The Dakar-based lab trains youth in coding, robotics, and artificial intelligence.
- Initiative also supports digital inclusion through computer recycling programs.
Sokhar Samb (pictured), a Senegalese data scientist, researcher, and entrepreneur, is the founder and CEO of WeInnove, an innovation lab dedicated to education and technology.
Established in Dakar in 2024, WeInnove aims to introduce children and young people to programming, robotics, and artificial intelligence while addressing Africa’s specific needs and future challenges. The lab offers interactive programs that encourage curiosity through workshops, coding challenges, scientific exploration, and engineering projects, helping participants develop technical, analytical, and teamwork skills.
WeInnove also provides tailored corporate training in artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, and programming. In addition, the lab runs a nationwide initiative to recycle and refurbish computers, managed by students, to reduce electronic waste and promote digital inclusion in Senegalese schools.
Alongside her entrepreneurial role, Sokhar Samb teaches and conducts research in artificial intelligence at the Dakar American University of Science and Technology (DAUST). In 2018, she founded Women Promoting Science to the Younger Generation (WPSYG), an association that encourages youth—especially girls—to explore science and mathematics and pursue careers in STEM fields.
A graduate of Université Gaston Berger with a master’s degree in probability and statistics, she also holds a master’s in big data and cybersecurity from AIMS Senegal (African Institute for Mathematical Sciences).
Samb began her professional career in 2019 as a data collection and analysis manager at Global Research and Advocacy Group (GRAG), an organization specializing in operational research and strategic communication. In 2020, she joined Obertys, a consulting firm in banking and technology, as head of data science and machine learning, and later worked as a data scientist at Theolex, a French legal tech start-up, from 2021 to 2022.
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Burkina Faso launches Faso Andubè to boost tech innovation
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Platform connects local talent to incubators, promotes “Made in Burkina”
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Goal: reduce imports, build industrial base, foster tech sovereignty
Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré on Friday, Oct. 17, announced the launch of Faso Andubè, a new digital platform designed to highlight Burkinabè talent in science and technology. The initiative aims to connect inventors and innovators in the country and abroad, and support the local production of “Made in Burkina” machinery.
“We will launch a digital platform that will enable anyone with scientific or technical skills to register. They will then be directed to an incubator currently under construction to help Burkina Faso manufacture its own machines,” Traoré said.
The platform is envisioned as a hub for national innovation and expertise. It allows Burkinabè citizens to register and promote their skills through an organized system that offers project monitoring, networking opportunities, and participation in industrial and technological programs.
The initiative supports Traoré’s broader goal of promoting local expertise and mobilizing talent to strengthen national sovereignty. It comes as the country works to expand its industrial base and reduce dependence on imports. According to World Bank data, industry accounted for 29.6% of GDP in 2024, while manufacturing represented just 9.9%.
Faso Andubè aims to serve as a catalyst for Burkina Faso’s tech innovation ecosystem by providing a digital space for collaboration and visibility. It seeks to identify and support scientific and technical talent and spur the creation of locally designed prototypes, agricultural tools, and industrial equipment.
Officials say the project is meant to lay the groundwork for an innovation-driven economy that boosts technological sovereignty, creates jobs, and strengthens the skills of young engineers and technicians.
Samira Njoya
- Twenty high-speed Internet sites launched under a $100 million digital project.
- The program aims to connect 76 rural sites nationwide by the end of 2025.
- Limited electricity access remains a major challenge in remote areas.
Congo’s Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and the Digital Economy, Léon Juste Ibombo, announced on Monday, October 13, the activation of 20 high-speed Internet access points in rural areas. The initiative, unveiled during a visit by a World Bank delegation for the Africa region in Brazzaville, aims to democratize Internet access nationwide and reduce the digital divide.
“As of today, 76 connectivity sites have been built and equipped across the country. Of these, 20 are already connected to high-speed Internet, allowing residents in remote areas to go online in real time,” said the minister.
The rollout is part of the Digital Transformation Acceleration Project (PATN) and the broader Digital Strategy 2030. Co-financed by the World Bank and the European Union for $100 million, the PATN represents one of the largest investments ever made in Congo’s digital sector. The government has also contributed an additional $3 million to upgrade infrastructure, prioritizing 4G technology to ensure stable and efficient connections.
The government’s goal is to connect all 76 sites to 4G by the end of the year, creating new economic and social opportunities for rural communities in e-commerce, e-learning, and e-government.
Beyond infrastructure, the initiative seeks to narrow the digital gap between urban and rural areas and strengthen the state’s capacity to deliver efficient online public services. However, persistent challenges remain, especially limited access to electricity. According to the World Bank, 67% of the urban population has electricity, compared with only 12.4% in rural areas.
- Dzair Services will serve as a one-stop portal for all government e-services.
- The project is part of Algeria’s 2025–2030 National Digital Transformation Strategy.
- It aims to modernize administration, improve data exchange, and boost efficiency.
Algeria is finalizing the rollout of Dzair Services, a national platform designed to centralize all public digital services. The announcement was made on Wednesday, October 16, 2025, by Meriem Benmouloud, High Commissioner for Digitalization, during the opening of the E-commerce and Online Services Fair (Ecsel Expo) in Algiers. The initiative marks a major milestone in the government’s long-term digital transformation policy.
Designed as a single access point, Dzair Services brings together all existing public digital services in one place. Its goal is to simplify procedures, ensure operational traceability, and reduce institutional overlaps. The government aims to modernize public administration while bringing services closer to citizens and businesses. The platform is expected to become the central interface of Algeria’s online administration.
The project aligns with the National Digital Transformation Strategy 2025–2030, unveiled in May 2025. Structured around seven key pillars, the plan seeks to develop digital infrastructure, strengthen cybersecurity, and consolidate technological sovereignty. It also aims to make digital technology a driver of economic growth through education, innovation, and skilled job creation.
Several major initiatives are already underway. The government has connected 46 ministries and public agencies to fiber optics and launched the national data center in El Mohammedia, with a second facility under construction in Blida. Authorities are also preparing to establish a sovereign cloud to host public data and eventually provide hosting solutions for local companies.
Technically, Dzair Services will rely on an interoperability system that allows public administrations to automatically exchange verified data. This architecture is expected to reduce data duplication, automate cross-checking, and speed up case processing. Nationwide, this interconnection will help produce reliable indicators, facilitate public planning, and lay the groundwork for the future integration of artificial intelligence into state management.
- Aïda Tagmouti founded Invirtus, an AI-driven HR tech start-up launched in 2025.
- The platform automates recruitment, training, and integration for digital jobs.
- Her second venture, JobBee, connects global tech firms with remote developers.
Moroccan entrepreneur Aïda Tagmouti, a specialist in human resources technology and artificial intelligence, is the founder and CEO of Invirtus, a digital start-up dedicated to HR innovation.
Founded in January 2025, Invirtus offers a recruitment platform that helps companies identify and assess candidates while automating the selection, training, and onboarding of digital talent. The platform also serves international firms seeking to diversify their teams with expertise from across Africa.
Invirtus combines artificial intelligence, inclusion, and ethical responsibility in its solutions, particularly by enabling skills-based recruitment and video interview analysis that limits bias.
Aïda Tagmouti is also cofounder and CEO of JobBee, an HR start-up launched in 2022. JobBee helps technology companies recruit vetted international developers and allows developers to secure full-time remote jobs to advance their careers.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics for social sciences from the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (2009) and a master’s in institutional economics research from the École des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS, 2013).
Her career began in 2010 at Crédit Agricole CIB as an asset-liability manager. In 2012, she joined Awalee Consulting as a liquidity risk manager, and in 2013, she moved to Dexia as a financial advisor before serving as a strategic planner from 2017 to 2020.
In 2023, Aïda Tagmouti was named a Women In Africa Young Leader and awarded the title of “Innovative Woman in the Arab States” by the UNDP and 4YFN. That same year, JobBee was recognized by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) as one of the most promising women-led start-ups in the Middle East and North Africa region.
- Egyptian entrepreneur Sameh Saleh founded MNZL in 2022 to allow citizens to use property, vehicles, and land as collateral for easier access to capital.
- MNZL’s model, inspired by the “home equity” concept, lets users secure loans while retaining ownership of their assets.
- Saleh previously founded and sold Hawaya, a Muslim dating app acquired by Match Group.
Serial entrepreneur and investor Sameh Saleh is reshaping how Egyptians leverage their physical assets to access financing. Through his latest venture, MNZL, Saleh aims to unlock new paths for individual funding by transforming owned assets into tools for liquidity.
Founded in 2022, MNZL specializes in asset-backed financing. The Cairo-based startup operates a digital platform that enables property, vehicle, and landowners to convert asset value into financial leverage.
The company’s digital portfolio system allows users to manage collateralized loans via a mobile application available on Android and iOS. Customers can apply for credit, pledge assets, and receive funds through a single, integrated interface.
MNZL’s model draws inspiration from the “home equity” concept, tailored to Egypt’s regulatory environment. The approach enables individuals to secure flexible, lower-interest loans while retaining ownership of their assets.
Before MNZL, Saleh built a successful track record in the tech ecosystem. He founded Tripdizer in 2016, a travel platform that helped Egyptians plan low-budget trips. A year later, he launched Hawaya (formerly Harmonica), a faith-based dating app designed for Muslims seeking culturally respectful relationships.
Saleh led Hawaya until 2022, when it was acquired by Match Group, the U.S. company behind Tinder and Meetic.
Saleh holds a bachelor’s degree in reservoir engineering from Petronas University of Technology (2011) and a master’s in petroleum engineering from Heriot-Watt University (2015), both in Malaysia.
Between 2011 and 2018, he worked as a senior reservoir engineer at Petronas, Malaysia’s national oil and gas company, before transitioning full-time into entrepreneurship.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum
More...
• Congo finalizing Digital Strategy 2030 for tech-driven growth
• Plan targets 4G/5G rollout, e-services, and digital skills training
• Strategy follows progress under 2025 plan, despite key shortfalls
The Republic of Congo is finalizing the implementation of its Digital Strategy 2030, a roadmap designed to accelerate the nation's digital transformation. Léon Juste Ibombo, Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and the Digital Economy, announced on Monday, October 13, that the document, completed with World Bank financial support, is currently under review by the government's general secretariat before being submitted to the Head of State for final approval by decree.
The plan sets major objectives for the coming decade, including the digitalization of public services, extension of connectivity, training of youth for digital careers, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and strengthening digital sovereignty. The 2030 roadmap expands on the ambitions of the outgoing Congo Digital 2025 strategy by placing widespread access to digital services at the core of development policy.
The Congo Digital 2025 strategy achieved measurable progress, with the number of internet users rising from about 1.53 million in 2020 to 2.46 million in early 2025, representing an estimated 38.4% penetration rate, according to DataReportal. The country also initiated 5G deployment, made significant progress on constructing a national data center, and digitized several public services, establishing an operational base for the 2030 plan.
However, structural obstacles continue to slow the impact of these gains. The Congo lags in e-governance, ranking 166th globally in the United Nations’ E-Government Development Index (EGDI), a drop from 161st in 2022. The country scored 0.3391 out of 1 on the index, which assesses the digitization of public services, telecommunications infrastructure, and human capital. Furthermore, with a score of 49.6 out of 100 on the ICT Development Index, the Congo remains below the African average of 56, signaling partial development in infrastructure and digital usage.
The Digital Strategy 2030 aims to correct these shortcomings by converting ambitions into concrete priorities. It plans to accelerate national 4G and 5G coverage, extend the fiber optic network, and ramp up the digitalization of essential public and administrative services. The document also emphasizes training youth and civil servants in digital skills to create a local talent pool capable of sustaining the country’s transformation.
Samira Njoya
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South African entrepreneur leads The Invigilator, an e-learning integrity platform
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AI-powered app detects irregularities during online assessments
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Also cofounder of Nova Messenger for large-scale group communication
Nicholas Riemer, a South African entrepreneur and chartered accountant, is the cofounder and CEO of The Invigilator, an education technology company that helps institutions ensure the integrity of online exams.
Founded in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, The Invigilator developed a digital solution to safeguard remote assessments as schools and universities increasingly adopted online learning. The application monitors exams without requiring specialized equipment or high-speed Internet access.
The platform uses artificial intelligence to detect suspicious behavior through a student’s smartphone. Its algorithms analyze movements, background sounds, and interactions to alert examiners to any irregularities. It also features a linguistic analysis tool designed to identify assignments or essays generated by AI systems.
Riemer is also the cofounder and CEO of Nova Messenger, launched in 2023, which enables instant messaging among large groups of learners, employees, or members without phone numbers or limits on group size or file sharing.
Since 2019, he has served as head of investment education at FNB Wealth and Investments, a South African asset management firm. A graduate in accounting from the University of Johannesburg, Riemer began his career in 2012 at Hollard Insurance, working on mergers and acquisitions operations.
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Finance Ministry requires on-site consumption venues to use e-invoicing
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Rollout begins in November 2025 and extends to 2028 by business type
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Reform aims to curb tax evasion and modernize fiscal management
Tunisia’s Ministry of Finance has issued a regulation, published in the Official Journal on Tuesday, October 14, requiring certain food service and on-site consumption businesses to record all transactions through electronic invoicing. The measure seeks to digitize customer services and create a tax system based on actual revenues, in line with equity principles.
The rule applies to restaurants, cafés, tea rooms, and similar establishments offering meals or drinks for on-site consumption. It is based on Article 59 of the Income Tax Code governing individual and corporate tax obligations.
Implementation will be phased in: from November 1, 2025, for corporate entities operating in tourist venues, cafés, and tea rooms of the second and third categories; from July 1, 2026, for other corporate on-site consumption businesses; from July 1, 2027, for self-employed individuals under the real regime with monthly declarations; and from July 1, 2028, for other individuals in the same sector.
The reform aligns with Tunisia’s national digital transformation and tax modernization strategy, as tax evasion is estimated to cost about 3 billion dinars ($1 billion) annually. It follows a June directive urging companies not yet registered in the national e-invoicing system to comply.
Authorities expect the reform to enhance tax transparency, reduce underreporting, align state revenues with actual business activity, and modernize management tools for restaurant and café operators. It is also intended to promote fairer competition within the sector.
In a context where commerce remains largely offline, the Congolese developer is leveraging technology to improve access to products and services.
Ezbora Lubamba is a Congolese software developer and technology entrepreneur, serving as the Founder and CEO of Losako.shop, an e-commerce platform launched in 2018.
Losako.shop aims to streamline online commercial transactions, offering Congolese consumers new, authentic, and guaranteed products. The platform is distinguished by a user-friendly interface and payment methods tailored to the local context.
The company specializes in selling technology equipment, including smartphones, tablets, computers, and accessories. Users can receive their orders at home or work. Payment options include M-Pesa, Airtel Money, Orange Money, Visa or MasterCard, PayPal, or cash on delivery.
Lubamba also holds a position as an intern at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a U.S. defense and security-focused think tank. Additionally, he works as the head of web development at CMCT TCG, a Congolese communication and marketing agency.
He graduated from the Higher Institute of Computer Science, Programming, and Analysis (ISIPA) in the DRC with a Master's degree in Computer Development and holds a Google certification in digital marketing.
In 2016, Lubamba joined the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa as a web developer and digital marketing specialist. In 2017, he worked as a junior consultant for the World Bank. From 2017 to 2018, he served as a digital project manager for UN Women, the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women.
Melchior Koba