Digital technologies are quite useful, and many of their advantages emerged during the Covid-19 crisis. Seduced by them, many African governments decided to make the digital sector a pillar of their development strategy.

The Ugandan Ministry of ICT and National Orientation launched a new plan for digital transformation on August 17. The plan revolves around seven (7) key axes: digital infrastructure and connectivity; digital services; cybersecurity, data protection and privacy; digital skills; innovation and entrepreneurship; systematic experimentation and preservation of the national environment.

"The Digital Transformation Plan represents a bold vision of our nation's future, one that is not driven by technology alone, but in which technology serves as a catalyst for sustainable development, economic growth and improved living conditions for all Ugandans," said the ICT Minister, Chris Baryomunsi.

The five-year strategy (2023-2027) was drawn with the help of several partners, including the UN Development Program (UNDP). It is set to foster an administrative, economic, and social environment that will benefit both Ugandans and foreign investors.

According to a government survey on ICT conducted nationwide, only 5% of government ministries, departments, and agencies had internal IT interoperability frameworks in 2022. Furthermore, only 61% of local governments had access to the Internet, while only 5.6% of their staff regularly used a computer for business purposes.

Around one in two businesses (55%) had Internet access in the year reviewed, and only one in three had a professional website; 94% of the population still had no Internet access at home. 74% of the population had a cell phone, 49% of the population had a Mobile Money account, versus 10% with a personal bank account. The broadband Internet penetration rate was 55%. Currently, the contribution of ICT to gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated at 9%.

Uganda’s new Digital Transformation Plan falls under its 2040 Digital Uganda Vision launched in 2013. 

Muriel Edjo

As a new legal battle looms for the leader of the Patriotic Senegalese for Work, Ethics and Fraternity Party (Pastef), the government, fearing an outbreak like last June, has once again taken several security measures. These aim to limit the public mobilization in support of the politician.

The Ministry of Communication, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy has decided to again suspend mobile internet in the country. The Ministry explained that the measure is "due to the spreading of hateful and subversive messages relayed on social media in a context of disturbance to public order." It added that the suspension is "temporary during certain time slots." The suspension started on July 31, 2023.

Back on July 28, Ousmane Sonko, the head of the Pastef party, was arrested at his home in the evening on charges of "violent theft."

According to the Prosecutor of the Republic, the opposition politician "violently stole the mobile phone of a female gendarme whose vehicle had broken down near his home and immediately called on the people, through a subversive message disseminated on social networks, to stand ready."

Sonko, however, claimed he snatched the phone of one of the general intelligence officers who was posted outside his home since his trial in May 2023. According to him, the officer was filming him. The politician said he took the phone after asking the officer to unlock it and delete the pictures. 

In Dakar, where Ousmane Sonko began a hunger strike on Sunday, July 30, violent protests have again erupted in some districts of the capital. The government fears these demonstrations will be more violent than those of June, which followed the Pastef leader's conviction on June 1 for "corruption of youth."

At a press briefing on July 29, the Prosecutor of the Republic at the high court of Dakar, Abdou Karim Diop, revealed that Ousmane Sonko's arrest for theft only triggered action that was already imminent. He asserted that the opposition politician will be prosecuted on six other charges: calling for insurrection; undermining state security; criminal association; conspiracy against state authority; acts and maneuvers to compromise public security and create serious political disturbances, and criminal association linked to a terrorist enterprise.

Muriel Edjo

On its path to digital sovereignty, Senegal’s government wants to address the country's priorities relative to sustainable development, innovation, and value creation.

Senegal will soon have a National Data Strategy. Earlier this week, Moussa Bocar Thiam, the minister of telecom and digital economy, unveiled progress made in the strategy’s development, ahead of its implementation. 

"We all know that data is essential in today's digital economy. It is important that Senegal, as one of the pioneering countries in this field, establishes a strategy for data governance and data valorization, to see how this data can be processed in the country, and how its use should be regulated," said Thiam. 

Back on March 23rd, 2023, the same official kicked off works to draw the National Data Strategy. The project is supported by Germany, the European Union (EU), and Smart Africa. It meets a need to provide users with a document governing the security and integrity of data during their use. The goal is to make data a driver of socio-economic growth, inclusivity, innovation, and international openness in Senegal by 2028. 

The upcoming strategy is based on fundamental principles such as privacy protection, transparency, and fairness. It also takes into account the regulatory framework, data collection infrastructures (like data centers), and data preservation and exploitation. 

According to Moussa Thiam, implementing the strategy will foster responsible data use, better privacy protection, and promote innovation - all things which should, ultimately, contribute to a flourishing digital future for Senegal.

Samira Njoya

Seven years ago, Cape Verde started building a technological center with research and high-level training centers, but also cutting-edge industries. The country expects the project to be completed next year.

Cape Verde just received a second loan, of €14 million, from the African Development Bank (AfDB) for its TechPark project. The Bank and the country recently signed the related agreement in Praia, Cape Verde's capital. The AfDB disclosed the signing on July 26. 

Carlos Monteiro, who heads TechPark's board of directors, said the money will be used to equip the park's two data centers and other areas. Parts will also be used to get furniture, set up renewable energy parks, develop green spaces, and train people who will work at the park.

"The next generation of African talent doesn't need to look for opportunities abroad; Cape Verde has the necessary infrastructure and a favorable political system to nourish their dreams and ambitions in their own country," said Abdu Mukhtar, the AfDB's director for industrial and trade development.

The AfDB's financing falls under its support strategy for major digital projects in Africa. The facility is the second loan provided for building the TechPark site. The project benefited from a first loan of €31.59 million. The funds support Cape Verde's ambitions to become a digital hub, with a dynamic economy. 

The new loan will speed up the park's construction. At full capacity, the park, which should be operational in 2024, will create 1,014 new jobs directly linked to its activities. Another 1,217 indirect jobs will also be created. It is expected to generate an average of €7.5 million per year in its first five years of operation.

Samira Njoya