Public Management

Public Management (500)

Agriculture is vital to African economies. With the technological revolution, digitizing the sector has become a priority for many countries, offering opportunities for greater efficiency, sustainability, and inclusive growth.

On Tuesday, October 1, Morocco's Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, Mohammed Sadiki (photo, right), signed an agreement with David Li (photo, left), CEO of Huawei Morocco, to support the digital transformation of the agricultural sector. This initiative, finalized during the 15th edition of the El Jadida Horse Show, aims to introduce connected platforms, develop agricultural e-services on pilot sites, enhance farmers' skills, and promote youth entrepreneurship.

The partnership aligns with the "Green Generation 2020-2030" strategy launched by the government in February 2020. One of the key goals of this strategy is to connect two million farmers to public services by 2030, fostering a more modern and inclusive agriculture.

Huawei's support is expected to facilitate the digitalization of the sector through the introduction of technologies that will optimize the use of inputs, expand market access, improve transaction transparency, develop mobile banking, and strengthen food safety through better traceability.

According to the 2023 report by the NGO Agra Africa, titled Empowering Africa's Food Systems for the Future, digital technologies will be crucial in addressing three persistent challenges in African agriculture: inefficiency, exclusion, and unsustainability. Meanwhile, a study by Mordor Intelligence estimates that the global digital agriculture market will reach $20.01 billion in 2024 and could grow to $32.96 billion by 2029, with an annual growth rate of 10.5%.

Samira Njoya

Posted On jeudi, 03 octobre 2024 14:41 Written by

Morocco aims to become one of Africa’s leading technological hubs. To achieve this, the country is ramping up projects to meet the goals outlined in its national strategy document by 2030.

On Tuesday, October 1, Moroccan authorities inaugurated a digital skills complex in Lahraouyine, in the province of Mediouna. The goal is to train young Moroccans in digital professions and strengthen the capacities of businesses in this field. 

The center provides training in software development, programming languages, app and website development, data analysis, digital marketing, cybersecurity, performance analysis, and artificial intelligence.

This initiative comes just days after the unveiling of the national strategy "Digital Morocco 2030," which aims to create 240,000 direct jobs in the technology sector by 2030. It is an integral part of the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), which will contribute to achieving this goal. According to the International Telecommunication Union, Morocco ranks second in Africa in the 2024 Development Index with a score of 86.8 out of 100—well above the continental average of 50.3.

Ultimately, this complex could help create economic opportunities, reduce the digital divide, and bridge the gap between urban and rural areas.

Adoni Conrad Quenum

Posted On jeudi, 03 octobre 2024 14:36 Written by

In The Gambia, the government is stepping up efforts to accelerate digital transformation. This affects all sectors of the economy, including education.

Last week, the Gambian government launched an initiative to provide laptops to the principals of all schools across the country. This effort, in partnership with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), UNICEF, and the World Bank Group, is expected to drive the digitalization of school administration.

The initiative marks a significant step in our efforts to enhance quality education and empower school managers with the tools needed for efficient service delivery in the digital age,” said Pierre Gomez, Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology.

The Gambian government aims to digitize the national education system as part of its broader ambitions for digital transformation. According to Minister Gomez, the government is working to develop digitized information systems, enhance the digitalization of public services, and expand the use of electronic record management systems across all public administrations.

In September 2023, the government launched the Gambia Research and Education Network (GAMREN), in partnership with the World Bank, to provide high-speed internet connectivity to schools and research institutions nationwide. As early as July 2022, the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology had begun efforts to develop a national strategy for digitizing technical and vocational education and training, with support from UNESCO.

UNESCO believes technology can significantly enhance educational management. "It enables a wider range of data collection on schools and students, allowing for precise analysis of learning paths and influencing factors. This data can be used to personalize learning, identify marginalized children, and prevent disengagement and early dropout," the organization stated in its 2023 Global Education Monitoring Report.

Isaac K. Kassouwi

Posted On mercredi, 02 octobre 2024 10:24 Written by

The Senegalese government is positioning artificial intelligence (AI) as a key driver of economic growth across various sectors. On September 19, the Ministry of Digital Economy unveiled a plan to reform the educational system to meet the evolving challenges and opportunities presented by AI.

Senegal's Minister of Communications, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy, Alioune Sall, met with Meta's Vice President Nick Clegg on September 25 to discuss a potential partnership for an AI data center in Senegal. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly in Washington.

The AI data center would enable the processing of large volumes of data and the execution of advanced algorithms, thereby accelerating the development and deployment of AI applications in the country. The Senegalese government has already launched several initiatives, including the creation of a national AI strategy. In January, former President Macky Sall unveiled a roadmap outlining priority actions, with a budget of 7 billion CFA francs (about $11.9 million) allocated for the next two years.

Digital technology is a key pillar of Senegal’s socio-economic development, and the government views AI as a "catalyst for the Plan for an Emerging Senegal, youth employment, economic performance, public sector transformation, sovereignty, and the attractiveness of the country." A July 2024 study by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) estimates that AI could boost Africa's economy by $2.9 trillion by 2030, equivalent to an annual GDP increase of 3%.

However, while AI holds significant economic potential for Senegal, its adoption faces challenges, such as limited internet access. According to DataReportal, the country's internet penetration rate stood at 60% for its approximately 18 million inhabitants at the beginning of 2024. This presents a hurdle to fully harnessing AI’s transformative potential in Senegal.

Isaac K. Kassouwi

Posted On vendredi, 27 septembre 2024 11:43 Written by

Morocco aims to build an information society by significantly integrating ICT into all sectors of the economy by 2030. To realize this vision, a strategic roadmap has been developed, with clear objectives and concrete actions to be implemented.

On Wednesday, September 25, Morocco officially unveiled its national strategy, "Digital Morocco 2030," an ambitious roadmap aimed at transforming the kingdom into a regional and international digital hub by 2030. The strategy is built around two main pillars and key objectives to accelerate economic and social development through digital transformation, while enhancing the country's global competitiveness.

Digital Job Creation and Training

A major goal of this strategy is the large-scale creation of jobs in the digital sector. To support this initiative, the government has allocated an investment of 11 billion dirhams ($1.14 billion) between 2024 and 2026. Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch outlined Morocco’s aim to train 100,000 young people annually in digital professions, a significant increase from the 14,000 trained in 2022. The objective is to create 240,000 jobs in the digital sector by 2030, addressing the growing demand for skilled workers.

Digitization of Public Services Through AI

Another critical pillar of the strategy focuses on the digitization of public services. Morocco aims to improve its global ranking in the United Nations' e-Government Development Index, seeking to move from 90th to 50th place by 2030. The country has already taken concrete steps by digitizing 600 public services: 300 for citizens, 200 for businesses, and 100 for government agencies. Artificial intelligence (AI) will play a crucial role in optimizing these services. Planned AI-based solutions will automate administrative processes and analyze data to anticipate user needs and improve service quality.

Boosting the Digital Economy and Promoting Exports

The "Digital Morocco 2030" strategy also emphasizes developing the digital economy. One key objective is to increase digital export revenues, which are expected to rise from 17.9 billion dirhams in 2023 to 40 billion by 2030. To achieve this, Morocco plans to expand outsourcing services, establish 3,000 startups by 2030 (1,000 of them by 2026), and raise 7 billion dirhams in funding. The country also aims to foster the emergence of one or two unicorn companies, which would significantly enhance its attractiveness in technology and innovation.

Strengthening Digital Infrastructure: 5G and Fiber Optics

Developing digital infrastructure is another central aspect of the strategy. Morocco aims for 70% nationwide 5G coverage and plans to connect 5.6 million households to fiber optics. Additionally, improving internet access in 1,800 rural communities is a priority, ensuring an inclusive digital transition and bridging the digital divide between urban and rural areas. The government also intends to establish a sovereign cloud, a crucial infrastructure to enhance the country's technological independence and secure national data.

Strategic Partnerships and Offshoring Development

The rollout of "Digital Morocco 2030" began with the signing of several partnership agreements between the Ministry of Digital Transition, public institutions, and private sector stakeholders. Among these partnerships is a program contract for developing offshoring, a sector in which Morocco seeks to become a leader. Other partnerships focus on strengthening vocational training in digital professions and attracting more investments in information technology. In the coming years, Morocco aims to forge numerous strategic partnerships across various digital fields.

The "Digital Morocco 2030" strategy represents a major turning point for the country, as it strives to become a key digital hub in Africa and beyond. By combining efforts in training, infrastructure, strategic partnerships, and the growth of the digital economy, Morocco is well-positioned to achieve its ambitious goals.

Samira Njoya

Posted On jeudi, 26 septembre 2024 14:34 Written by

Senegal's government launched the third annual Digital Back-to-School event on Thursday, September 19. The theme for this year's event was 'The Future of Artificial Intelligence and Employment Challenges.

Senegal is undergoing a significant shift towards artificial intelligence (AI), according to the government, which is calling for a complete overhaul of the national education system to keep pace with the technological advancements.

Bitilokho Ndiaye, Director of Digital Economy Promotion and Partnerships, made the announcement on Thursday at the 3rd edition of the "Digital Back-to-School" event.

"Our country has already turned towards AI, but it's crucial to accelerate this transition," Ndiaye said. "Ensuring no one is left behind means revamping our education system."

AI has become a driving force in digital transformation worldwide. While Africa currently accounts for only 2.5% of the global AI market, according to the GSMA, emerging applications could boost the continent's economy by up to $2.9 trillion by 2030.

"We cannot afford to miss this revolution. AI offers immense opportunities to enhance productivity, innovate in public services, and address local challenges like providing universal access to quality healthcare," Ndiaye added. 

Adoni Conrad Quenum

Posted On vendredi, 20 septembre 2024 13:10 Written by

Digital transformation, a key focus of the United Nations for the past three decades, emphasizes the modernization of public services as a crucial driver of development. While Africa has historically trailed behind other regions in this area, the gap is rapidly closing.

Gabon, South Africa, Tunisia, Mauritius, and Ghana remain leaders in the implementation of e-government within their respective regions, according to the "E-Government Survey 2024: Accelerating Digital Transformation for Sustainable Development" report by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). These countries were already the leaders in the 2022 survey. 

South Africa continues to lead both in Southern Africa and across the continent, boasting a very high development index. Mauritius remains the frontrunner in East Africa, while Tunisia retains its top spot in North Africa, climbing one position in the continental rankings to third, after being fourth in 2022. Ghana, the leader in West Africa, ranks seventh continentally, while Gabon leads in Central Africa, though it has dropped to fifteenth overall, down from eleventh in 2022.

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These five nations stand out due to their e-government development index (EGDI) scores, which exceed the African average of 0.4247 (on a scale of 1.0000). Their strengths lie in telecommunications infrastructure, human capital development, and online services, approaching the global average of 0.6382.

As regional leaders in e-governance, these countries set an example for others across Africa. Their advancements highlight the importance of investing in digital infrastructure, human capital, and enhancing online services. If this momentum spreads across the continent, it could significantly accelerate Africa's digital transformation, foster economic growth, and support sustainable development.

Samira Njoya

Posted On jeudi, 19 septembre 2024 11:15 Written by

As digital transformation rapidly takes hold in Africa, digital skills have become indispensable. To facilitate this shift, numerous organizations, businesses, and institutions are launching initiatives and programs aimed at bolstering digital literacy.

Chinese tech firm Huawei launched, last Monday, a two-week training program for teachers at the National Institute of Post, Information Technology, and Communication (INPTIC). The program aims to equip educators with essential digital skills and prepare them to obtain certification upon completion.

"By the end of this training, these teachers will be equipped with the necessary skills to pass on to their students," said Lee Nesta Veronne Komault, head of human resources at Huawei Gabon.

The initiative is part of Huawei's ICT Academy program, a school-business cooperation project designed to provide students with access to the latest technologies and ICT knowledge. 

According to the "Skills for Employability and Productivity in Africa (SEPA) Action Plan, 2022–2025," published by the African Development Bank, Africa is expected to create 230 million digital jobs by 2030.

In addition to INPTIC, the training program will be conducted in other institutions across Gabon. Huawei aims to accelerate scientific and technological innovation on the continent by investing in knowledge development and talent cultivation. "By strengthening cooperation between schools and businesses, Huawei aims to align academic programs with industry sectors, course content with professional qualifications, teaching structures with production processes, and talent development with employment," the company explained.

Adoni Conrad Quenum

Posted On jeudi, 19 septembre 2024 08:17 Written by

The Tunisian government's national policy prioritizes the digitization of services. In 2022, the administration had already digitized the birth certificate process.

Tunisia is seeking a company to build an electronic visa platform. Last week, the Ministry of Communication Technologies launched an international tender for the project, with submissions open until October 15.

The e-visa platform is expected to be developed within 12 months. To fund the project, the Tunisian government will use part of a loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB), granted under the "Tunisia Digital 2020" national strategic support project (PNS TD2020).

This initiative aligns with the goals of the "Tunisia Digital 2025" strategic plan, which emphasizes the digitization of public services. Other planned projects include the establishment of a national address directory, the implementation of e-justice, the creation of a private cloud for the Ministry of the Interior, infrastructure for e-government, the development of an internal HR management system for public administration, and a platform for monitoring cyber threats.

With the e-visa platform, the Tunisian government hopes to streamline the visa application process and reduce processing times. It also expects this initiative will boost economic cooperation and open new tourism markets.

According to official statistics, Tunisia welcomed 9.37 million tourists in 2023, a 45.5% increase from 2022. In its Spring 2024 "Economic Outlook Bulletin," the World Bank reported that tourism revenues rose by 28.1% in 2023, reaching 6.9 billion Tunisian dinars ($2.27 billion). This accounted for 4.4% of GDP, up from 3.8% in 2022.

Isaac K. Kassouwi

Posted On mardi, 17 septembre 2024 08:50 Written by

Last June, Gabonese authorities approved a €56.2 million loan for invesments in digital infrastructure. Since then, the government has launched various projects and forged strategic partnerships to accelerate the country's digital transformation.

On Friday, September 13, in Libreville, Gabon's Minister of Digital Economy and New Information Technologies, Bonjean Rodrigue Mbanza, welcomed representatives from Swiss Authentis, a Swiss tech firm. The meeting aimed to explore the company's offerings to facilitate the digitization of Gabon's public services. 

"I have asked my team to carefully review the various solutions proposed to assess their suitability for our needs. Gabon remains fully open to all innovative technological proposals and is committed to its strategy of becoming a tech hub in Central Africa," the minister stated.

This initiative follows the Council of Ministers' recent approval of a bill allowing Gabon to secure a €56.2 million loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), part of the World Bank Group. The loan is part of the "Digital Gabon" project, which seeks to modernize public administration through digital transformation.

Moreover, Gabon is considered a leader in Central Africa when it comes to information and communication technologies. According to the International Telecommunication Union, the country achieved an ICT development index score of 74.7 out of 100 in 2024, ranking 10th on the continent. Libya (88.1), Morocco (86.8), and Seychelles (84.7) top the list.

 

Posted On mardi, 17 septembre 2024 08:15 Written by
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