Public Management (547)
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.
The Kenyan government plans to place digital technology at the core of the country's socioeconomic development. To realize this ambition, investments in infrastructure, among other areas, will be essential.
Kenya’s ICT Authority (ICTA) has outlined a need for 304.37 billion Kenyan shillings ($2.35 billion) to implement its 2024-2027 strategic plan. Officially launched on Friday, September 13, the roadmap includes programs and initiatives aimed at advancing the country's digital transformation.
The plan calls for 235 billion shillings over five years to ensure universal, secure, and reliable internet access. Another 9.5 billion will be allocated to expanding access to digital products, while 32.5 billion will be invested in fostering sustainable digital culture. Additionally, 23.8 billion shillings are earmarked for creating an optimized and unified digital environment, and 3.7 billion will go toward strengthening organizational capacity and improving operational efficiency.
“This plan lays the groundwork for transformational projects such as nationwide digital literacy programs, the expansion of secure broadband infrastructure, and the implementation of e-government services that bring public services to the fingertips of every citizen,” said Margaret Ndung'u, Kenya’s Minister of Information, Communication, and Digital Economy.
These initiatives align with the broader Kenya Digital Master Plan, which envisions investments totaling 484.241 billion shillings from 2022 to 2032 to support the government's ambition of leveraging digital technology for socioeconomic development.
Kenya’s digital push has gained momentum with international partnerships. The country recently joined the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and secured $238 million from Korea Eximbank to invest in the smart city project, Konza Technopolis. In April 2023, the World Bank provided $390 million to accelerate Kenya's digital economy, and the country is seeking further support from nations like China, Indonesia, India, and Malaysia.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
To advance the digitization of its public services, the Congolese government has partnered with the World Bank and a specialized consulting firm.
A working meeting was held on Friday, September 13, to outline a roadmap for digitizing Congolese public services. The gathering brought together stakeholders from government ministries, supervisory administrations, and the consulting firm developing the digital platform, ADDINN.
According to Francis Seck Mangouani, national coordinator of the Digital Transformation Acceleration Project (PATN), the beta version of the portal interface is expected to be ready within four months. "This workshop focused on implementing the government's public services portal. We discussed how to prioritize certain services and reviewed the six priority sectors outlined in the 2022-2026 National Development Plan," said Guy Parfait Sosthène Itoumou, head of research and planning at the Agency for Digital Economy Development.
This initiative follows the World Bank's recent mission supporting the implementation of the PATN. The institution is financing the project with $100 million as part of the "Congo Digital 2025" strategy. One of its main objectives is to modernize the practices and services of public administration, with e-government and e-citizen initiatives emerging as key pillars of this strategic vision.
The creation of a national public services portal will facilitate access to administrative procedures, particularly for people in remote areas, allowing for real-time tracking of processes, which will improve transparency and trust in public services. For the administration, it will help reduce costs related to document management and in-person interactions with the public.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Congo is digitizing government administration. Authorities have confirmed a project to digitize documents from two ministries and their affiliated agencies.
Séraphin Ondélé, Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Interior, Decentralization, and Local Development, met with Jean Luc Magré, Africa Manager for FamilySearch, on September 11. The meeting focused on advancing the civil status archives digitization project.
The initiative aims to digitize civil status documents generated by town halls and other decentralized administrations, as well as culturally significant archives, involving both the Ministries of Interior and Culture.
“The project emphasizes the digitization of civil status archives in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior. These documents will assist researchers in their studies and help families trace their ancestry and understand their cultural heritage. Today's meeting provided clarity on the project's parameters and helped establish a collaborative framework for moving forward,” Magré stated.
This project is part of the National Digital Economy Development Strategy, dubbed “Congo Digital 2025.” Its objectives include leveraging digital technology to enhance business competitiveness, attract foreign direct investment, and diversify the economy. According to the United Nations E-Government Development Index, the country scored 0.3675 in 2022, ranking 161st out of 193 nations.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
The Togolese government is focusing on high-speed internet, e-government services, and data security. To make this happen, it's teaming up with experienced international partners.
On September 4, in Beijing, Togo’s authorities signed a memorandum of understanding with Chinese tech giant Huawei. The goal of this partnership is to strengthen the country's digital infrastructure.
This deal was signed during the 9th edition of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. Togo’s leaders met with several Chinese companies to secure strategic contracts, with a focus on advancing their digital transformation.
This move aligns with the "Togo Digital 2025" strategy, launched in June 2022, which is aimed at promoting social inclusion and economic growth through digital advancements. Key initiatives include building a digital innovation ecosystem, providing widespread access to high-speed internet and technology, and digitizing key sectors of the economy.
In addition to Huawei, Togo has partnered with other tech companies, such as French firms Atos and Idemia, to develop a national electronic identification system. Earlier this year, the country also turned to Kazakhstan’s National Information Technologies to support digital projects and improve the digitalization of government services.
To support digital transformation, the authorities have launched the "Congo Digital 2025" strategy. This plan includes various programs and projects backed by multiple technical and financial partners.
Congo’s Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Léon Juste Ibombo, on Wednesday, unveiled several initiatives during a ceremony where computer equipment was donated to Marien Ngouabi University.
“A few months ago, we initiated the connectivity of the two major universities in our country, Marien Ngouabi University and Denis Sassou Nguesso University. The work is currently underway, and completion is expected by the end of this year,” Ibombo stated.
In addition to the university connectivity project, he highlighted the training of 1,200 young people in digital skills, funded by a $1 million World Bank grant, and the installation of high-speed free Wi-Fi on the Marien Ngouabi University campus.
These initiatives are part of the Digital Transformation Acceleration Project (PATN), aligned with the national "Congo Digital 2025" strategy. Supported by $100 million from the World Bank, the project aims to provide high-speed internet access to public administrations, universities, secondary schools, and rural areas.
Improving connectivity for academic institutions will help modernize the country’s infrastructure, facilitate access to online services and e-learning, and enhance young people’s digital skills, ultimately strengthening Congo’s competitiveness in the ICT sector.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
The Kenyan government is seeking international partners to bolster its digital transformation efforts. In June, a partnership with Malaysia was established towards this goal.
Kenya and Belgium are exploring potential collaborations in the digital sector. Margaret Ndung’u (photo, right), Kenya’s Minister of Information, Communications, and Digital Economy, met with Peter Maddens (photo, left), Belgium’s ambassador to Kenya, on Wednesday to discuss potential areas of partnership.
While specific details were not disclosed, the ministry indicated that the talks covered last-mile connectivity and other digital initiatives. The discussions come as Kenya actively seeks international support for its digital transformation.
In June, Kenya engaged in talks with Malaysia on cybersecurity and semiconductor production. In January, the Indian government approved a memorandum of understanding with Kenya focusing on the digital space.
International collaboration is expected to play a crucial role in advancing Kenya’s digital economy acceleration program. Since taking office, President William Ruto has made clear his ambition to leverage digital technology for socio-economic development by 2027. His plans include significant investments in infrastructure, such as deploying 100,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable, setting up 25,000 Wi-Fi access points, and digitizing 5,000 administrative services.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
In September 2023, Burkina Faso's government introduced an online platform for obtaining criminal records. The service was initially launched in Ouagadougou and is expected to expand to all regions of the country.
Justice and Human Rights Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala announced on Friday the nationwide expansion of the country's online criminal record system. The initiative aims to streamline the process of obtaining this vital administrative document for citizens.
The e-criminal record service was initially launched in September 2023 in the Ouaga I and II high courts. Following a successful pilot phase, the government decided to extend the service to all regions of Burkina Faso.
“Online requests have reached around 105,000 since the platform's launch. This demonstrates significant interest, as the system reduces costs, makes justice more accessible, and curbs corruption in the judicial sector,” Minister Bayala explains.
The expansion of the e-criminal record service aligns with the government's National Strategy for the Modernization of Public Administration (SNMAP) 2021-2025. One of the key objectives of the SNMAP is to enhance the accessibility of public services through information and communication technologies.
According to the United Nations' E-Government Development Index, Burkina Faso ranked 166th out of 193 countries in 2022, with a score of 0.3476.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
On September 2, the Egyptian government called on Indonesian companies to invest in the country’s burgeoning tech sector, particularly in data centers and digitalization. This move is part of Egypt’s broader strategy to accelerate its digital transformation.
On September 6, the Egyptian Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) signed a memorandum of understanding with China's state-owned Tsinghua Unigroup. The collaboration aims to establish a $300 million fund to facilitate Chinese investments in Egypt’s tech sector.
Under the agreement, Tsinghua Unigroup and its subsidiaries will provide 60 to 70% of the fund’s capital. While the specific areas of investment were not disclosed, the agreement includes plans to build a data center, establish a research and development center for chip and system design, and develop an AI-based Arabic language model.
This initiative aligns with Egypt’s goal to attract foreign investment to boost its technology sector. In December 2023, Egypt signed an MoU with the United Arab Emirates to build data centers with a combined capacity of up to 1,000 megawatts. Additionally, Telecom Egypt secured a $600 million fiber optic investment from 4iG Group. During the 2nd Indonesia-Africa Forum on September 2, Egypt also invited Indonesian companies to invest in data centers and digitalization projects.
These investments are set to support Egypt's "Digital Egypt 2030" strategy, which aims to advance the country’s ICT sector and modernize its telecom infrastructure, positioning digital technology as a driver of socioeconomic development.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
Nigeria is projected to need nearly 28 million skilled workers with digital expertise by 2030, according to the World Bank. To address this growing demand across various sectors, the government has implemented multiple training initiatives.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has launched the first phase of its "Digital Literacy for All" (DL4ALL) program, targeting the Nigerian informal sector.
In a social media post on Saturday, the agency announced the partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to equip citizens from all 774 local government areas with basic digital skills.
The DL4ALL program aims to increase digital literacy rates to 70% by 2027. It aligns with NITDA's "Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2024-2027" (SRAP 2.0), which seeks to promote digital transformation and empower Nigerians through technology.
This initial phase will cover twelve states, including the Federal Capital Territory and the states of Kebbi, Jigawa, Yobe, Gombe, Kwara, Ekiti, Osun, Cross River, Bayelsa, Abia, and Ebonyi.
The launch comes at a time of growing demand for digital skills in Sub-Saharan Africa. According to a 2021 World Bank report, Nigeria's workforce will need approximately 28 million digitally skilled workers by 2030.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
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South African lawmakers have completed digital economy courses to gain a better understanding of technology. Now, local officials are set to receive similar training.
South Africa's Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi on Tuesday launched the Broadband and Digital Skills Program, aimed at equipping municipal leaders and councilors with skills to leverage digital innovations, improve service delivery and enhance public engagement.
According to Malatsi, public representatives, particularly councilors, are often overwhelmed by numerous service requests and critical decisions they must make daily. Acquiring digital skills enables them to work more efficiently and respond more swiftly to public inquiries, making them more accessible to citizens.
The initiative, implemented in partnership with the British Embassy and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), comes amid the rapid acceleration of digital transformation. It is part of the South African government's national strategy on digital and future skills. According to the strategy, acquiring digital skills is expected to create new jobs, significantly improve quality of life, education, and drive economic growth.
"In recognition of the fact that trends and advances in information and communications technology are ever evolving, we are committed to developing these competencies to realise our mission to digitally skill, upskill, and reskill the population," Malatsi said.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
The Mauritian government has rolled out several ambitious programs to boost the country's digital transformation. Early results are promising, with modern infrastructure and digital public services becoming a reality.
Mauritius launched its Mobil ID, a digital identity card, on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in its digital transition.
The event, presided over by Technology Minister Deepak Balgobin, also showcased the Mobile Wallet Application (MWA), the tool through which the digital ID can be obtained.
Balgobin said the Mobil ID is more than a technological innovation; it represents a decisive government commitment to modernizing the nation. "Mauritius stands out as the first African country to adopt a digital identity card that meets international ISO standards. This technological advancement positions our country at the forefront, reinforcing our role as a leader in this new digital era," he stated.
The Mobil ID is the result of a collaboration between Thales and Harel Mallac Technologies. It is a key component of the "Digital Mauritius 2030" strategy, which aims to make digitalization one of the main pillars of the Mauritian economy. This ambitious strategy includes significant investments in digital infrastructure, digital skills training, and transforming public administration into a fully digital model. Supporting this initiative, Mauritius Telecom (MT) expanded its 5G network nationwide as early as June.
According to DataReportal figures published at the beginning of 2024, Mauritius had approximately 982,500 Internet users out of a population of 1.3 million, reflecting the population's growing embrace of the digital age.
The Mobil ID stands out for its advanced features, allowing citizens to report a change of address or declare the loss of their physical identity card. It also facilitates the electronic signing of official documents. To ensure user security, the Mobil ID incorporates two verification systems and dual authentication, providing effective protection against identity theft.
Samira Njoya
E-commerce in Côte d'Ivoire has seen a surge in recent years, with a marked increase in online retail sites and sales volume.
Key players in Côte d'Ivoire's e-commerce sector gathered in Abidjan on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss the future of the industry. The market, valued at over XOF280 billion (€421.6 million) in 2023, is expected to see a compound annual growth rate of 11.3% through 2027, according to figures presented at the strategic workshop.
The workshop, initiated by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the consulting firm Marabu, focused on promoting a national strategic vision for e-commerce development. The goal is to cultivate a competitive, inclusive, and sustainable digital ecosystem.
"We aim to position Côte d'Ivoire as a regional hub in this rapidly expanding sector. We are here to collaborate, exchange ideas, and develop initiatives that will foster a competitive, inclusive, and sustainable digital ecosystem," stated Sylla Kalilou, Director General of External Trade, who represented Minister of Commerce and Industry Souleymane Diarrassouba.
Like many African nations, consumers in Côte d'Ivoire are increasingly attracted to online shopping, driven by both local and international e-commerce platforms like Jumia, Afrimarket, and Africashop, which provide a diverse array of products and services. However, despite this rapid growth, the Ivorian e-commerce market remains largely underdeveloped, with many startups facing challenges in establishing themselves.
Through this initiative, the government aims to facilitate dialogue among stakeholders in the sector to enhance e-commerce in Côte d'Ivoire. The initiative also seeks to communicate ongoing reforms, which include drafting and validating a new e-commerce law, implementing a national e-commerce strategy, creating a strategic action plan through 2028, and developing regulations for a public-private consultation framework.
Samira Njoya
Launched in June 2022 by Osita Oparaugo, the Nigerian edtech GetBundi provides access to educational content in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and digital skills.
On Thursday, August 29, the Nigerian edtech startup GetBundi announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE). The initiative, titled "Empowering Tomorrow’s Teachers," aims to equip both students and teachers with essential digital skills.
“This initiative is not just about filling gaps in numbers but also about enhancing the quality and attractiveness of the teaching profession by equipping our future teachers with 21st-century digital skills. In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, our teachers must be well-versed in digital tools and technologies that enhance learning outcomes,” said Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle, Executive Secretary of the NCCE.
The program comes at a time when digital transformation is accelerating across the continent. Nigerian authorities are increasingly launching initiatives to train the population in digital skills. In August 2023, the government partnered with American tech giant Google, which plans to invest $1.5 million to train 20,000 youths in digital literacy. Later, the American Business Council (ABC) and Microsoft also committed to similar efforts.
These initiatives align with the digital agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, unveiled in May 2023. Nigeria is a leading tech hub in Africa, with one of the most attractive startup ecosystems on the continent. Nigerian startups secured $469 million in 2023, representing 20.39% of the total funding raised by African startups, according to Partech Africa.
However, the country still faces significant challenges in the sector. According to the International Telecommunication Union, Nigeria ranks 26th in Africa with an ICT development index of 46.9 out of 100 in 2024, trailing far behind the top three—Libya (88.1), Morocco (86.8), and Seychelles (84.7).
Adoni Conrad Quenum