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South Africa and the Netherlands signed a memorandum of understanding on March 3 to deepen digital cooperation.
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South Africa ranked 40th globally and 1st in Africa in the 2024 UN E-Government Development Index with a score of 0.8616.
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The Netherlands ranked 10th globally in the same index with a score of 0.9538 and achieved top-tier status in cybersecurity under the International Telecommunication Union index.
South Africa is exploring cooperation with the Netherlands across several digital fields to stimulate innovation and strengthen the protection of online spaces. Both parties signed a memorandum of understanding on March 3.
Officials formalized the initiative during a bilateral meeting between Mondli Gungubele, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, and a delegation from the Embassy of the Netherlands in South Africa. Participants discussed digital skills development, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and online child protection.
This rapprochement forms part of broader efforts by African countries to accelerate digital transformation. Governments are integrating digital technologies across all sectors of the economy to support socio-economic development.
South Africa remains one of Africa’s leaders in digital transformation, particularly in public administration. The country scored 0.8616 out of 1 in the 2024 E-Government Development Index published by the United Nations. The ranking placed South Africa first among 54 African countries and 40th out of 193 countries worldwide, above the global average of 0.6382.
In cybersecurity, the International Telecommunication Union placed South Africa in the second performance tier out of five. The country achieved the maximum score of 20 in two pillars covering technical, legal, and cooperation measures. However, the organization highlighted the need to strengthen capacity-building and organizational measures.
The Netherlands ranked 10th globally in the 2024 E-Government Development Index with a score of 0.9538 out of 1. In cybersecurity, the International Telecommunication Union classified the country in the top performance tier, which represents a model to follow. The Netherlands achieved the maximum score in four of the five ITU pillars—legal, technical, organizational, and cooperation—and scored 19.22 out of 20 in capacity development.
These indicators illustrate the Netherlands’ potential expertise in supporting South Africa’s digital ambitions. However, both parties have so far signed only a memorandum of understanding. The agreement formalizes their intent to cooperate but does not yet guarantee the implementation of funded projects with a defined timeline. Observers will need to monitor the next steps to assess the partnership’s concrete impact.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
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Morocco’s CNDP and Portugal’s CNPD signed a memorandum of understanding in Lisbon on Feb. 25 to formalize institutional cooperation.
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The agreement prioritizes artificial intelligence, deepfakes and digital violence amid rising cross-border data risks.
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Morocco’s internet penetration exceeded 92% at end-2025, while Portugal reported high generative AI adoption and advanced GDPR enforcement.
Morocco and Portugal have stepped up coordination to tackle emerging digital challenges. The national authorities responsible for personal data protection in both countries signed a memorandum of understanding in Lisbon on Wednesday, Feb. 25, to structure their institutional cooperation.
Paula Meira Lourenço, president of the Comissão Nacional de Proteção de Dados (CNPD), and Omar Seghrouchni, president of Morocco’s Commission nationale de contrôle de la protection des données à caractère personnel (CNDP), signed the agreement at the CNPD headquarters. The text established an operational framework to intensify technical expertise exchanges and information sharing.
AI and Digital Violence at the Core of Priorities
The cooperation will primarily target issues related to artificial intelligence, image manipulation technologies such as deepfakes and digital violence. These phenomena have raised growing concerns regarding privacy protection, legal certainty and regulation of digital practices. The memorandum also provides for training programs, educational projects and the exchange of best practices in oversight and enforcement of regulatory frameworks, as technology continues to evolve rapidly.
This initiative comes as both countries experience strong digital momentum. In Morocco, internet penetration exceeded 92% at the end of 2025, according to DataReportal, placing the country among the most connected markets in Africa. Meanwhile, Portugal has recorded high adoption rates of generative artificial intelligence, according to a recent study by Bain & Company. Portugal has also built advanced experience in enforcing the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Anchoring Cooperation in Regional Networks
The agreement provides for annual bilateral meetings to ensure structured follow-up. Each institution will also leverage its international networks. The CNPD will rely on the Ibero-American Data Protection Network (RIPD) and the Lusophone Data Protection Network (RLPD). Meanwhile, Morocco’s CNDP will activate the Network of African Data Protection Authorities (NADPA-RAPDP) and the Francophone Association of Data Protection Authorities (AFAPDP).
Samira Njoya
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President Félix Tshisekedi instructed the government to strengthen regulation of social media platforms during a Feb. 27 cabinet meeting in Kinshasa.
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Internet users in the Democratic Republic of Congo rose 64.1% to 34.7 million between 2021 and early 2026, while social media users climbed to 10.4 million, according to DataReportal.
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The government will promote enforcement of the country’s Digital Code and require biweekly progress reports from relevant ministers.
President Félix Tshisekedi has instructed the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to tighten oversight of social media platforms in order to curb abuses. He issued the directive during the 80th ordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers held on Friday, Feb. 27, in Kinshasa.
The president tasked the Minister of State for Justice and Keeper of the Seals, along with the Minister of the Digital Economy, with proposing and implementing measures in coordination with relevant services to promote responsible, ethical and rational use of social media. The measures could include, where appropriate,“proportionate and lawful restrictive measures, while respecting fundamental freedoms,” according to the statement read by Augustin Kibassa Maliba, Minister of the Digital Economy.
The directive comes amid rapid growth in social media adoption alongside expanding telecommunications services, particularly internet access. DataReportal data show that the number of internet users increased from 21.14 million in 2021 to 34.7 million in early 2026, representing a 64.1% rise and an estimated penetration rate of 30.5%. Over the same period, the number of social media users rose from 4 million to 10.4 million.
Congolese authorities argue that “Far from serving exclusively positive purposes, social media increasingly constitute vectors of misinformation, public disorder, hate speech, manipulation of opinion, and incitement to division among Congolese people, thereby undermining national cohesion, public order, and social stability.”
The decision also follows persistent security challenges in several provinces. Social media platforms have become key arenas for debate on security issues.
Promoting and Enforcing the Digital Code
The presidential communication emphasized the need to promote and enforce the Digital Code, which lawmakers adopted to regulate digital platform use in the DRC. The president stated that the legal instrument already provides mechanisms to prevent, regulate and punish online abuses. However, he said authorities and the public have not sufficiently understood or applied the provisions.
The government will not limit awareness efforts to citizens. The Minister of Communication and Media will work with public and private operators to conduct ongoing public awareness campaigns. Authorities will also target magistrates under the coordination of the High Council of the Judiciary to ensure coherent and deterrent application of the law.
Beyond regulatory measures, the executive branch will invest in education. The Ministries of National Education and Higher Education will gradually integrate training modules and awareness programs on responsible digital use into school curricula. Authorities will incorporate issues related to social media and artificial intelligence into youth education.
The president has required relevant ministers to submit a detailed report every two weeks outlining actions taken, results achieved and any difficulties encountered to ensure monitoring and evaluation. However, authorities have not yet disclosed the precise implementation measures.
This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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Senegal’s National Police held talks with Meta Platforms to strengthen operational cooperation on online security.
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Authorities plan technical training for specialized cybercrime units, including the division dedicated to cybercrime.
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The International Telecommunication Union ranked Senegal Tier 3 in its Global Cybersecurity Index 2024 with a score of 67.17/100.
Abdoul Wahabou Sall, deputy director general of Senegal’s National Police, met last week with a delegation from Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram. The meeting aimed to explore new avenues of cooperation on online security.
Discussions focused on protecting young people and minors on social media platforms and strengthening operational collaboration mechanisms between law enforcement and the U.S. company. “In this regard, Meta representatives reaffirmed their willingness to support the National Police through capacity-building initiatives,” the Senegalese Police said.
Authorities expect the partnership to translate into capacity-building initiatives for specialized units, particularly the cybercrime division. Meta will organize technical training sessions on its tools and dedicated law enforcement portal to improve the handling of judicial requests and the processing of flagged content.
This initiative forms part of a broader trend across Africa, where governments have expanded partnerships with digital players to address the rapid growth of online activity. Senegalese authorities have sought to adapt investigative methods to a digital environment that now lies at the core of criminal activity, as cyber fraud, online harassment and illicit content dissemination increase.
Public institutions have also faced attacks in recent months. Hackers breached the national tax platform in October. A cyberattack then targeted the Department of File Automation (DAF) in early February. The agency manages the issuance of national identity cards, passports and biometric data. The attack forced authorities to temporarily suspend the production of national identity cards.
Cooperation with digital platforms provides a critical lever to identify perpetrators and accelerate the processing of reports. This cooperation reflects a broader shift in the role of security forces, which must now operate in cyberspace as actively as they operate on the ground.
Does Senegal Have the Means to Respond?
In its “Global Cybersecurity Index 2024” report, the International Telecommunication Union assigned Senegal a score of 67.17 out of 100. The score placed the country in Tier 3, which groups countries “having scored at least 55/100 and demonstrating an initial commitment to cybersecurity. This category corresponds to countries that have taken action—assessment, adoption, or implementation of recognized measures—in a moderate number of areas or indicators.”
Since that assessment, Senegalese authorities have announced the New Deal Technologique, a $1.7 billion program designed to turn the country into a technology hub by 2034. During the program’s launch in February 2025, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye said: "We are committed to building a sovereign digital space by strengthening our cyber resilience, securing infrastructure, protecting our critical data, and gradually reducing our dependence on foreign solutions."
Adoni Conrad Quenum
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Clive Nabale founded Zoyk Pay Group in 2021 to unify online and on-the-ground business payments across Africa.
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The platform enables companies to accept in-store, web and agent-based payments while consolidating financial flows into a single interface.
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Nabale also leads Bettergames Limited Zambia and co-founded cross-border payments firm Payabrod.
Clive Nabale, a Zambian fintech entrepreneur, founded and leads Zoyk Pay Group, a technology company that aims to simplify everyday transactions for businesses across the continent, whether online or in physical environments.
Founded in 2021, Zoyk Pay Group offers an integrated platform that allows organizations to accept, manage and scale digital payments across multiple channels, including brick-and-mortar stores, agent networks and fully online services.
Zoyk Pay acts as a single entry point for diverse payment scenarios. The solution enables companies to collect payments in-store, on their websites or through proximity agents while maintaining a consolidated overview of their financial flows. The platform also facilitates the management of digital wallets for customers or partners, including top-ups, recurring payments and refunds.
Companies can leverage Zoyk Pay’s agent network to reach underserved areas where traditional banks maintain limited presence, without deploying their own infrastructure. The platform also integrates additional financial services such as fund distribution, bill payments and other routine transactions.
Alongside this venture, Nabale serves as chief executive officer of Bettergames Limited Zambia, an online lottery services company that he co-founded in 2017. He also acts as managing partner at Morgace Venture Fund and co-founded Payabrod in 2020 to focus on cross-border payment solutions.
Earlier in his career, Nabale founded Jobtoria in 2008, an online platform dedicated to career opportunities in East Africa. He then launched Quick Charge Media in Nairobi in 2012.
Nabale earned a degree in marketing and international business from Edith Cowan University in 2007. He also obtained a degree in business and economics the same year from York University in Canada.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM
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Catherine Njeri co-founded Acre Insights in 2023 to measure and verify agricultural and forest land across Africa.
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The company uses drones, satellites and data analytics to estimate biomass and carbon stocks for reforestation and regenerative agriculture projects.
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Acre Insights delivers interactive maps and detailed reports to support faster and more informed land-use decisions.
Catherine Njeri, a Kenyan entrepreneur specializing in data and digital products applied to agriculture and climate, co-founded and leads Acre Insights. The company supports agricultural and forestry actors across Africa by helping them better measure, monitor and valorize their land.
Founded in 2023, Acre Insights aims to contribute to an Africa where every hectare, whether farmland or forest, can be reliably measured, verified and valued. The company provides a clear and verifiable data foundation for reforestation, regenerative agriculture and carbon offset projects.
The firm relies on two main categories of tools: aerial and spatial observation, and advanced data analytics. It deploys drones and satellites to capture detailed imagery of agricultural and forest areas. It then applies proprietary algorithms to identify vegetation cover, measure tree height and extract other key indicators required to estimate biomass and on-site carbon stocks.
Acre Insights delivers results through interactive maps and detailed analytical reports. The company simplifies the complexity of natural systems to enable faster, better-informed and more sustainable decisions.
Njeri earned a bachelor’s degree in international business administration in 2015 from African Leadership University. She also obtained a diploma in business information technology the same year from Strathmore University.
She completed internships in marketing and business development at Cellulant and later worked in project management and data analysis at ALX. She joined African Leadership University in 2019 as a data analyst. She then returned to Cellulant in the same year, where she successively held roles as operational process coordinator, global commercial operations manager and key account manager.
In 2022, she became head of commercial operations, data and reporting at Ramani, a company specializing in the digitization of Africa’s supply chain. From 2024 to 2025, she served as head of research at Kenya Flying Labs, a center dedicated to robotics and technological innovation.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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Guinean start-up Fifoow launched its mobile marketplace in February 2026 under founder Oumar Sadjo Barry.
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The platform connects buyers, sellers and recruiters through a centralized mobile application available on iOS and Android.
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The initiative aims to formalize largely informal, social media-driven commercial exchanges in Guinea.
Fifoow operates as an e-commerce solution developed by a young Guinean start-up. The company positions the platform as a mobile marketplace dedicated to classified ads and local opportunities. Founder Oumar Sadjo Barry launched the start-up in February 2026.
The solution offers a mobile application available on iOS and Android. The application allows users to buy, sell or search for various goods and services through a single interface. The platform connects sellers, buyers and recruiters directly within a digital space tailored to the Guinean market.
The platform covers multiple categories of use. Users can post real estate listings, offer vehicles, search for jobs, sell electronic products or promote professional services. Each listing includes photos, a detailed description, the seller’s location and direct contact via phone or messaging, which reduces intermediaries in transactions.
Fifoow follows a mobile-first approach and integrates a search engine with filters that sort offers by price, category, product condition or geographic area. The application also provides store profiles for merchants, real-time notifications and verification mechanisms designed to strengthen trust among users.
Beyond a traditional classified ads site, the platform aims to digitize everyday exchanges in a market where online commerce remains nascent, particularly in Guinea. By consolidating job offers, products, services and economic opportunities within a single platform, Fifoow seeks to create a unified digital entry point for local transactions.
This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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Ghana has finalized and government-approved its National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy, with an official launch expected in the coming weeks by President John Dramani Mahama.
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The strategy rests on four pillars, including data protection and exploitation, digital infrastructure development, skills training through the “One Million Coders” program, and ethical governance.
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The United Nations warns that AI deployment carries risks, including data bias, ethical concerns and digital divides, particularly in lower-income countries.
Ghanaian authorities have finalized the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which the government recently approved. Authorities expect President John Dramani Mahama to officially launch the roadmap in the coming weeks.
Samuel Nartey George, Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, disclosed the information during his address at the National Data Protection Conference 2026 held on Thursday, February 26.
Ghana’s National AI Strategy rests on four key priorities. Authorities aim to harness and protect national data, including African genomic data, as a strategic asset. Authorities also plan to develop robust digital infrastructure and adequate computing power to support innovation and large-scale data processing. In addition, authorities intend to strengthen skills development through initiatives such as the “One Million Coders” program to build a qualified workforce in AI and cybersecurity. Finally, the strategy commits to transparent and ethical governance, supported by concrete use cases that aim to generate tangible value for all citizens.
The roadmap reflects the government’s ambition to position digital technologies as a central driver of national development. Authorities emphasize AI’s transformative potential across multiple sectors. During the launch of the Stakeholder Consultation Forum on the National AI Strategy in May 2025, Samuel Nartey George cited specific applications, including crop health forecasting in agriculture, faster diagnostics in healthcare, personalized learning in education, enhanced transport safety and strengthened surveillance for defense and border security.
The United Nations has endorsed this strategic direction. In its “E-Government Survey 2024,” the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs states that artificial intelligence can optimize public sector operations. The report explains that automation of administrative tasks can increase efficiency and eliminate delays and redundancies. The report also states that AI can detect anomalies, classify data and generate precise recommendations.
However, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs highlights several potential risks. The report identifies data bias as a concern because bias can misrepresent certain groups. The report also underscores ethical, security and social concerns. In addition, the report identifies the digital divide as a major challenge for AI implementation in the public sector, particularly in middle-income, low-income and least developed countries.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
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The Gabonese government approved a draft ordinance amending the Criminal Procedure Code to regulate the admissibility of digital evidence.
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Authorities now require digital evidence to prove reliability, authenticity and traceability through verification by authorized public entities.
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An international Cellebrite study shows that 60% of investigators consider digital evidence more decisive than DNA in some cases, while 74% say it improves case resolution rates.
The Gabonese government approved a draft ordinance on February 26, during a cabinet meeting. Justice Minister Augustin Emane presented the text, which amends the Criminal Procedure Code to regulate the admissibility of digital evidence before courts. The reform introduces formal requirements that aim to adapt the judicial system to the rise in digital-related offenses.
The reform establishes a technical framework for the use of electronic data in criminal proceedings. Authorities will admit digital evidence only if it demonstrates reliability, authenticity and traceability. Authorized public entities, including cybersecurity services and competent state bodies, will verify the data before courts accept it. Authorities aim to secure the judicial use of digital data and to limit manipulation and falsification risks.
Through this amendment, authorities seek to strengthen the reliability of investigations and to enhance the protection of litigants. The formal recognition of technical validation standards also aims to regulate prosecutions related to digital offenses, which have increased alongside the rapid expansion of digital usage in the country. Internet penetration now covers more than half of Gabon’s population, which increases the volume of digital interactions that may generate disputes.
The ordinance forms part of a broader regional movement to modernize African legal frameworks in response to digital transformation. Governments across the continent face a growing number of disputes related to electronic content, online transactions and information systems. At the international level, digital evidence continues to gain importance in criminal investigations. A study conducted by Israeli digital forensics specialist Cellebrite among more than 2,000 investigators, prosecutors and experts shows that 60% of respondents consider digital evidence more decisive than DNA in certain cases, while 74% state that its use improves investigation resolution rates.
According to Gabonese authorities, the ordinance will enter into force after publication in the Official Gazette, in line with legislative promulgation procedures. Authorities consider the reform a first step toward modernizing the judicial handling of digital offenses and strengthening legal certainty in criminal matters in line with the country’s technological evolution.
Samira Njoya
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President Évariste Ndayishimiye met Lyca Mobile’s founder Subaskaran Allirajah to lay the groundwork for a strategic digital partnership.
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Internet penetration in Burundi reached 11.1% at end-2025, or about 1.6 million users, according to DataReportal.
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Lyca Mobile secured a telecommunications license in October 2025 and has moved discussions into a technical deployment phase.
President Évariste Ndayishimiye received a delegation from British group Lyca Mobile on Friday, February 27. Subaskaran Allirajah, the group’s founder and chairman, led the delegation. The presidency said the meeting laid the foundations for a strategic partnership that aims to accelerate the country’s digital transformation and strengthen healthcare coverage.
SE @GeneralNeva, le Chef de l’Etat #Burundi-ais et Président en exercice de l’ @_AfricanUnion a reçu en audience Mr Subaskaran Allirajah,Président-Fondateur du Groupe Lyca Mobile et sa délégation. Les échanges ont porté sur la coopération entre l’opérateur LYCA et le Gouvernement pic.twitter.com/3ijRKDQ6oO
— Ntare Rushatsi House (@NtareHouse) February 27, 2026
In telecommunications, the envisaged cooperation seeks to expand universal access to internet and communication services across the country. Internet penetration in Burundi remains low despite recent growth. DataReportal data show that penetration reached about 11.1% at end-2025, which corresponds to nearly 1.6 million users.
Lyca Mobile also plans to support the digital integration of public administrations and services. The group aims to improve administrative efficiency and enhance the delivery of essential services. Authorities consider digital transformation a key growth driver in this context.
Beyond telecoms, the group plans to operate in the health sector through its Lyca Health division. The initiative aims to strengthen universal health coverage, introduce solutions such as telemedicine and support the modernization of selected medical infrastructure. Authorities have aligned this approach with Burundi’s National Vision 2040-2060, which identifies information and communication technologies as structural levers of economic and social transformation.
This initiative extends previous exchanges between Burundian authorities and the group. Lyca Mobile, which already operates in Uganda and Tunisia, obtained a license in October 2025 by presidential decree to establish and operate a telecommunications network in Burundi. Discussions have now entered a technical phase focused on deployment preparations. Authorities and the group aim to expand access to reliable connectivity, improve service quality and foster more affordable communication offers for the population.
Samira Njoya
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CcHUB is accepting applications for the fourth cohort of its EdTech startup fellowship in Nigeria. Twelve projects will receive $100,000 each in non-dilutive funding and 12 months of support. The program prioritizes solutions targeting marginalized learners, including those in rural communities, refugees, people with disabilities, and women and girls. Applications close on April 10.
Nigerian crypto startup Zap Africa has cut 44% of its workforce, reducing staff from 18 to 10 employees as part of a restructuring aimed at improving efficiency through automation. The layoffs mainly affected roles in design, operations, marketing and support, with many of those functions shifted to AI tools. Despite the downsizing, the company says it remains stable and continues to develop its products.
Truecaller has partnered with 365 Digital, appointing it as the exclusive reseller of its advertising inventory in South Africa and Kenya. Brands and agencies can now book targeted mobile campaigns on the Truecaller app through this local partner. The agreement expands Truecaller’s footprint in Africa and simplifies access to high-impact ad formats.
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Boubacar Roger Thiam founded Techbridge Capital in 2025 to bridge technology and private equity.
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The firm develops software solutions and AI tools, including Blabladoc, to enhance data-driven investment management.
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Thiam previously held roles at CACEIS, BlackRock and SWEN Capital Partners.
Boubacar Roger Thiam is a Senegalese expert in financial data and information systems applied to asset management. He founded Techbridge Capital, a consulting firm that helps financial institutions and technology companies fully leverage their IT tools to optimize investment management.
Founded in 2025, Techbridge Capital positions itself as a bridge between technology and private equity. The firm primarily targets investment funds and companies specializing in digital solutions. It seeks to connect technological innovation with financial performance by emphasizing data quality, responsive management oversight and the creation of measurable gains for clients.
The firm structures its activities around the design, deployment and operation of software solutions dedicated to investment professions. It conducts diagnostics, designs system architectures, organizes tool deployment, defines data governance rules, automates specific processes and supports teams in adopting new practices.
Beyond advisory services, Techbridge Capital also develops proprietary innovative solutions. One of its flagship products is Blabladoc, an artificial intelligence-based tool designed to convert documents into actionable information. The solution extracts data reliably, classifies content, performs advanced searches across large document volumes and conducts systematic quality controls.
Thiam graduated from Paris Dauphine University in 2013 with a master’s degree in computer science and finance. He also earned a financial engineering degree in the same year from CY Tech in France.
He began his professional career in 2011 as a data engineering intern at ALALOOP, a French company specializing in IT performance monitoring and reporting. He joined CACEIS, a banking group, the following year as a financial engineer.
Between 2013 and 2023, he worked as a senior consultant at BlackRock, an asset manager and technology provider. From 2016 to 2025, he worked at SWEN Capital Partners, where he successively served as financial data scientist, partner and Director of Financial Engineering and Information Systems.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum