Public Management (564)
- Ericsson opens new Zambia office to support national digital transformation goals
- Govt unveils “Digital Pact” with focus on innovation, local solutions, and inclusion
- ICT sector grew 17.4% in 2023; digital shift could add $1.26B by 2028
Swedish technology firm Ericsson opened its new office in Zambia last week, a move that authorities say reflects a strengthening partnership aimed at advancing the country’s digital transformation. The government also encouraged other technology companies to invest in the country.
“The opening of the Ericsson Zambia office marks a pivotal moment in the country’s technological advancement. It reflects a collective vision shared by government, industry, and international partners to build a secure, inclusive, and innovative digital future,” Zambia’s Ministry of Technology and Science said in a Facebook post on Friday, November 14. “With strong policy reforms, trusted partnerships, and continued investment in infrastructure and skills, Zambia is well-positioned to become a leading digital hub in the region.”
During the event, Minister of Technology and Science Felix Mutati introduced a “Digital Pact,” a cooperation framework involving Ericsson, the government and the Zambian public. The pact is built around four principles: agility and innovation, solutions tailored to Zambia’s needs, faster processing and smoother operations, and shared responsibility and opportunity.
Mutati also highlighted government efforts to create a supportive policy environment, including tax exemptions on digital infrastructure imports and regulatory reforms that have helped make information and communication technology the country’s fastest-growing sector, expanding by 17.4 percent in 2023.
Zambia’s national digital strategy aims to make the country an integrated, inclusive and digitally autonomous nation by 2030. Authorities say digital adoption can raise productivity, improve efficiency and deliver better services, which in turn can support growth and reduce poverty. Mutati noted that technology can also cut costs and improve efficiency in priority sectors such as mining.
The GSM Association (GSMA) estimates that continued digital transformation could generate additional value of 28.64 billion Zambian Kwacha, or about 1.26 billion dollars, across the agriculture, trade, manufacturing, transport and public service sectors by 2028. The first four sectors alone could add 5.16 billion Kwacha in tax revenue and create 378,422 jobs.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
- Côte d’Ivoire seeks Algeria’s expertise in postal, telecom, and ICT sectors
- Officials discussed investment ties; no concrete projects announced yet
- Côte d’Ivoire aims to grow digital sector to boost long-term economic output
Côte d’Ivoire wants to draw on Algeria’s experience in the postal, telecoms and ICT sectors, the Algerian government said. The announcement followed a November 13 meeting between Post and Telecommunications Minister Sid Ali Zerrouki and Ivorian Ambassador Alphonse Voho Sahi.
In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the Algerian ministry did not provide specific details on concrete bilateral cooperation projects or the exact areas in which Algeria would share its expertise. However, both parties discussed investment and partnership opportunities between Algerian and Ivorian companies.
The talks come as Côte d’Ivoire expands its digital sector to support economic growth. The World Bank says digital activities could add 6 to 7 percentage points to the country’s growth rate. The sector’s contribution, estimated at 5.5 billion dollars by 2025, could rise to 20 billion dollars by 2050 if investment and reforms continue.
Algeria ranks 116th on the UN’s 2024 E-Government Development Index with a score of 0.5956, above the African average but below the global average. It is also classified in Tier 3 of the International Telecommunication Union’s Global ICT Index. The country scored 86.1 out of 100 on the 2025 ICT Development Index, up from 80.9 in 2024, and placed sixth among 47 African countries, according to Ecofin Agency. In 2023, its 2G, 3G and 4G coverage reached 98.5%, 98.2% and 90.4%. Mobile penetration stood at 93% and internet penetration at 76.9%.
Côte d’Ivoire ranks 124th on the EGDI with a score of 0.5587 and is also listed in Tier 3 of the Global Cybersecurity Index. The ITU highlights the country’s strengths in legislation and institutional organisation but says technical capacity, training and cooperation need improvement. Côte d’Ivoire scored 69.5 on the 2025 ICT Development Index, up from 65.3 a year earlier. In 2023, 2G coverage reached 98.9%, 3G covered 98.3% and 4G reached 93.7%. Mobile penetration was 66.5% and internet penetration 40.7%.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
- UNDP-backed project boosts digital skills, enables virtual court operations
- Digitization cuts costs, expands access, supports remote testimony for survivors
Malawi’s judiciary launched a new Information and Communications Technology (ICT) policy and a dedicated ICT laboratory on Monday, November 3, in Blantyre.
The initiative, carried out in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aims to modernize judicial procedures, improve access to justice, and strengthen the rule of law.
The new policy sets out a framework for digital transformation focused on governance, security, capacity building, and institutional resilience. The accompanying ICT laboratory will serve as an innovation and training center for judges, magistrates, and judicial staff. It aims to strengthen their digital skills and allow them to test technology solutions suited to local needs.
This project builds on ongoing digitization efforts launched in 2024. With UNDP support, the judiciary has already established twenty pilot virtual court sites connecting courts, prisons, and police stations. The system has reduced administrative costs by roughly 375 million Malawian Kwacha (about $216,600) over fifteen months while improving access to justice. Notably, it allows survivors of sexual and gender-based violence to testify remotely.
The new ICT policy is expected to accelerate the digital transformation of Malawi’s judiciary, improving transparency and efficiency and strengthening public confidence in the justice system.
Malawi joins other African nations such as Rwanda, Kenya, and Ghana that are modernizing their justice systems by introducing online platforms, virtual hearings, and paperless procedures to reduce delays and expand access to justice.
Samira Njoya
-
Egypt, GIZ, and tech firms launch ServiceNow training initiative
-
Program targets youth digital upskilling for local, global job markets
-
Part of broader MCIT strategy to build national digital workforce
Egypt’s Information Technology Institute (ITI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) on Wednesday, Nov. 5. The agreement also involves several multinationals, including Capgemini, Deloitte Innovation Hub (DIH), and Vodafone Intelligent Solutions (VOIS).
The partnership aims to launch a national initiative to train young talent on the ServiceNow platform, enhancing their technical skills for both local and international job markets.
Described by Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) as the “first of its kind in Egypt,” the initiative offers internationally recognized training on ServiceNow, a digital transformation platform used by organizations to manage IT, HR, and operational services. The platform improves efficiency, streamlines workflows, and cuts costs by integrating systems into a unified digital environment.
Under the agreement, Capgemini, DIH, and VOIS will help select top graduates, provide technical and advisory support to align training with market needs, and recruit top performers. GIZ Egypt will provide international licenses and certified training materials, while ITI will design and implement specialized training programs based on the latest technology curricula.
Digital Workforce Strategy
Developing digital skills is a core pillar of Egypt’s national digital transformation strategy. The MCIT stresses that a “digital society cannot be built without the right level of expertise and sufficient human resources to carry out this mission.”
The ministry’s strategy focuses on four key areas: digital literacy, intermediate technology training, advanced programs to train a new generation of competitive technicians, and a professional master’s degree program offered annually through the Digital Egypt Builders Initiative (DEBI), implemented in partnership with global technology firms and international universities.
In related efforts, the MCIT signed an MoU with Microsoft in April to train and certify 100,000 people, including young professionals and IT staff from ministries and digital transformation units. A similar five-year agreement was concluded with IBM. In February, the ministry also signed an MoU with Cisco to improve the digital skills of about 250,000 trainees over the next five years.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
-
Nigeria launches upgraded NgREN to connect higher education institutions
-
New platform supports online learning, research, and digital services
-
Full national rollout planned by 2026 under digital education strategy
Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Education recently announced the rollout of an upgraded version of the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) and its integration with the Tertiary Education, Research, Applications and Services (TERAS) platform.
Officials said the initiative aims to boost digital connectivity, research collaboration, and innovation across the country’s higher education system.
Education Minister Alausa said the new NgREN will serve as a national high-speed education network, linking universities, research institutes, polytechnics, and colleges of education through a shared digital platform. The system will support online learning, cloud computing, plagiarism detection, digital libraries, research services, high-performance computing, and institutional analytics.
Digital Transformation Goals
The minister said the pilot phase will begin in 2025 in selected universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education across the country’s geopolitical zones. Nigeria plans to connect all higher education institutions by 2026.
This initiative is part of a broader digital transformation drive for Nigeria’s education sector. For instance, on October 30, Alausa unveiled a national program to distribute tablets in all public schools to make digital education universal by 2027. In September, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) signed an agreement with U.S. firm Digital Learning Network (DLN) to supply digital devices to nearly 47 million students and teachers nationwide.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
- Gabon, Morocco to launch joint AI and digital skills training programs
- Talks focus on innovation, distance learning, and expanding digital cooperation
- Morocco ranks 4th in Africa on UN e-Government Index; Gabon seeks to improve
Gabon and Morocco are moving to expand cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital transformation and digital skills training following talks between their ministers in Rabat. Gabon’s Minister of Digital Economy, Digital Transformation and Innovation Mark-Alexandre Doumba met his Moroccan counterpart, Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, on November 3 to outline future joint programs.
Doumba expressed Gabon’s interest in drawing on Morocco’s experience and forming a partnership centered on digital innovation and skills training. The two sides agreed to launch joint programs focused on AI and data analysis training, as well as on expanding distance learning through Moroccan digital platforms.
During the talks, El Fallah Seghrouchni highlighted Morocco’s national training initiatives such as “JobInTech,” along with programs designed to introduce children to digital technology and AI. She also invited Gabon to take part in the upcoming GITEX Africa exhibition in Morocco.
The partnership comes as Gabon works to make the digital sector a cornerstone of its economic development and reduce dependence on extractive industries. In 2025, Libreville expanded partnerships with countries including Turkey, Botswana, and Saudi Arabia to pursue this objective. Morocco, regarded as a continental leader in digital transformation, is seen as a key model.
The UNDP recently recognized Morocco’s leadership, highlighting its launch of the “Digital Morocco for Sustainable Development (D4SD Hub)” platform to promote inclusive digital transformation in Arab and African countries. Morocco ranks 90th globally and 4th in Africa on the 2024 UN e-Government Development Index (EGDI), with a score of 0.6841 out of 1, above both regional and global averages.
Gabon, for its part, ranks 121st globally with a score of 0.5741. It performs well in telecom infrastructure (0.8263) but lags in online services (0.3188) and human capital (0.5772).
Isaac K. Kassouwi
- Burkina Faso to transform post offices into digital service centers by 2030
- $9.7M plan targets rural access, with 20 “Zama Tchè” centers planned
- Move supports national strategy amid 83% offline population in 2023
Burkina Faso will equip post offices nationwide with digital assistance centers to help citizens access online public services. The plan aims to turn the national postal network into a driver of digital and financial inclusion.
The initiative was approved during the Cabinet meeting on Oct. 30, which endorsed a performance contract between the state and La Poste Burkina Faso. The plan calls for the gradual transformation of post offices into “citizens’ houses,” known as Zama Tchè. Under the 2026-2030 agreement, the state and La Poste will jointly fund the construction and outfitting of 20 such centers, at a total cost of 5.5 billion CFA francs (about $9.7 million).
The government said the move aligns with its broader effort to digitize administrative services and make them more accessible, transparent, and efficient. Expanding digital access to public services is one of Burkina Faso’s 12 national digital priorities under its 2030 strategy, which aims to ensure equal access to digital tools, including in rural areas.
Access to the services requires internet connectivity, digital devices, and basic skills, which remain out of reach for much of the population. In 2023, an estimated 83% of Burkinabe were not using the internet, according to the International Telecommunication Union. To bridge that gap, La Poste currently operates a network of 129 branches across the country, which will serve as the foundation for the new initiative.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
Madagascar has appointed a new minister to lead its ongoing national digital transformation strategy. The young expert is tasked with modernizing government administration and enhancing the country's overall connectivity.
Mahefa Andriamampiadana was appointed Madagascar’s Minister of Digital Development, Digital Transformation, Posts, and Telecommunications on Tuesday, Oct. 28. His appointment is part of the new 29-member “Re-foundation” government.
Andriamampiadana succeeds Tahina Razafindramalo, who held the post for several years and launched several key projects to modernize the country’s digital sector.
The new minister is relatively unknown to the public and has maintained a low national profile. Available information suggests he has solid experience in the private tech industry. He reportedly served as a senior IT strategy executive at Exo-S for three and a half years and previously held roles at Microsoft 365, Skyone Television and Radio Général, Compurweb, and Communication Network Corporation, covering operations management and executive leadership.
Andriamampiadana takes office as Madagascar seeks to strengthen its digital infrastructure and expand Internet access. Despite progress, connectivity remains costly and uneven: mobile Internet currently accounts for 15.5% of monthly GNI per capita, far above the 2% threshold recommended by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
The minister’s priorities include expanding the fiber-optic network, digitalizing public services, implementing a national digital identity system, and modernizing postal services. To meet these challenges, he will need to mobilize a dynamic ecosystem of private firms, telecom operators, startups, and international partners, collaboration on which Madagascar’s digital transformation depends.
Samira Njoya
-
Gabon boosts 2026 digital budget by 156% to 82B CFA francs
-
Funds target infrastructure, literacy, and e-governance expansion
-
Country scores low in cybersecurity despite digital policy gains
Gabon’s Ministry of Digital Economy, Digitalization, and Innovation has announced a budget of 82 billion CFA francs for 2026, representing a massive 156.2% increase from the 32 billion CFA francs allocated in 2025. Minister Mark-Alexandre Doumba presented the budget to the National Transition Assembly on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025.
The significant increase "reflects the government’s commitment to accelerating the country's digital transformation through the strengthening of the digital entrepreneurial ecosystem, the deployment of digital infrastructure, and the promotion of a genuine digital literacy across the country," the ministry said in a statement released on Tuesday, Oct. 21.
While the statement did not specify the projects planned for 2026, the government has launched several digital infrastructure initiatives in recent months. These include signing an agreement with an American technology company to construct a national data center. Private partners such as Cisco, Tech 41, Visa, Huawei, Moov Africa Gabon Telecom, and Afrastructure SAS have also been approached. Discussions have focused on expanding the national fiber optic network, strengthening universal service, telecom infrastructure sharing, 5G deployment, and connecting the country to a new submarine cable.
In digital transformation policy, the government recently issued an ordinance that mandates public administrations to digitize their services, interconnect their systems, and fully integrate the national private sector to establish digital sovereignty.
Gabon is currently ranked 121st out of 193 countries on the United Nations E-Government Development Index, scoring 0.5741 out of 1. This places it above the average for Central Africa (0.3354) and Africa (0.4247), but below the global average (0.6382). The country’s lowest score, 0.3188 out of 1, was recorded in the online services indicator, while its highest, 0.8263, was in the telecom infrastructure indicator.
This result aligns with the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) 2024 ICT Development Index, where Gabon scored 76.1 out of 100, ranking 11th out of 42 African nations.
However, Gabon faces challenges in cybersecurity. The ITU’s Global Cybersecurity Index 2024 placed the country in the fourth and second-to-last category (Tier 4), with an overall score of 39.86 out of 100. While the country achieved the maximum score of 20 in the legal measures pillar, significant progress is still required in the areas of technical, organizational, and cooperation measures.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
- 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
More...
- 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.
-
Nigeria to build $10B tech hub in Katsina State
-
Hub supports 3M tech talent plan, digital economy goals
-
$500M World Bank loan backs broadband expansion nationwide
The Nigerian federal government plans to build a $10 billion tech innovation hub in Katsina State, Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Minister Bosun Tijani said on Monday.
Tijani announced the project during a meeting with Katsina State Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda. According to local media, Katsina is one of ten states selected to host the new hubs, with construction expected to begin before the end of next year.
The minister also outlined other federal projects for the state, including plans to expand satellite internet in underserved areas and scale up the federal program to train three million young tech professionals nationwide. The Katsina hub will serve as a base of operations for these trained workers.
Governor Radda said the initiative complements the state’s own digital agenda, citing the adoption of a Right of Way policy, a State Digital Law, the creation of a Digital Economic Zone, and the establishment of an ICT directorate. He added that his administration plans to extend fiber connectivity to all Local Government Areas (LGAs).
The project aligns with Nigeria’s broader digital transformation strategy, which places ICT at the heart of national development. The government aims to raise the ICT sector’s share of GDP to 22% by 2027.
To support this effort, the World Bank on September 30 approved $500 million in financing for Nigeria under the BRIDGE Project, a $1.6 billion initiative also backed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).
The program seeks to narrow the broadband gap in underserved regions by deploying about 90,000 kilometers of fiber-optic network. The infrastructure will be climate-resilient, renewable-powered, and built around seven national rings, 37 metropolitan loops, 77 regional networks, and multiple edge data centers.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
-
Madagascar launched the first cohort of the Skills4Job program to equip young people with key digital skills.
-
The initiative, aligned with the 2023–2028 Digital Strategic Plan, started with 51 participants in Toamasina.
-
The government aims to train 40,000 people by 2028 as part of broader efforts to reduce youth unemployment.
The Malagasy government launched on Thursday, October 2, the first cohort of the “Skills4Job” program, designed to equip young people with essential digital skills and improve their readiness for the labor market. The program began with 51 participants in the port city of Toamasina and will gradually expand nationwide.
According to Stéphanie Delmotte, Minister of Digital Development, Posts, and Telecommunications, the free training provides participants with the tools needed to face the challenges of tomorrow’s digital economy.
This initiative aligns with the country’s Digital Strategic Plan (PSN) 2023–2028, which aims to make Madagascar a key player in Africa’s digital economy through advances in telecommunications, e-government, and digital inclusion. The World Bank estimates that about 230 million jobs in sub-Saharan Africa will require digital skills by 2030 as the continent continues its digital transformation.
In September, the Minister of Technical Education and Vocational Training, Marie Marcelline Rasoloarisoa, announced plans to train 40,000 people in digital skills by 2028. Earlier, in February 2024, Madagascar signed a partnership agreement with the United Arab Emirates to train one million young people in new technologies.
Youth employment remains a major concern in Madagascar. According to Afrobarometer, more than four in ten Malagasy aged 18 to 35 were unemployed and actively seeking work in 2024. The study identified lack of adequate training or preparation (30%), lack of experience (27%), and mismatch between school qualifications and market needs (16%) as key barriers to employment.
• Algérie Télécom opens Sétif Skills Center to youth innovators
• Facility offers free AI lab, ICT training, expert workshops
• Part of nationwide plan to boost youth skills, digital strategy
Algeria's state-owned telecommunications company, Algérie Télécom, signed a framework agreement on Saturday, September 27, with the Directorate of Youth and Sports for the Sétif region. The national operator has committed to making its "Skills Center" available to young people, students, innovators, and emerging project developers in the region, which has an official population of 2.1 million.
"This creative structure will provide collaborative spaces, training workshops supervised by national and international experts, and an artificial intelligence laboratory free of charge, giving young people the opportunity to acquire skills and materialize their innovative ideas," the historical operator said in a statement on its Facebook page.
The Sétif Skills Center, inaugurated last February, is the first in a series of similar centers the government plans to open across several provinces to provide young people with free training in advanced technologies. Other centers have already opened in Annaba and Oran. These hubs offer training in fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), cybersecurity, and other information and communication technology (ICT) specialties.
This announcement follows a meeting approximately two weeks ago between Minister of Post and Telecommunications Sid Ali Zerrouki and Youth Minister Mustapha Hidaoui on strengthening cooperation between their departments. The ministers stressed the authorities' commitment to placing youth at the core of the national digital strategy by developing programs to enhance young people's skills, stimulate their creativity, and encourage their innovation capacity. They also underscored the importance of implementing concrete projects that leverage the technological expertise of the telecommunications sector while building on initiatives driven by youth establishments.
Isaac K. Kassouwi