Tech (1126)
- Gabon signed a memorandum of understanding with Presight, a subsidiary of UAE-based G42, to support digital government reforms.
- The partnership focuses on artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and big data for public administration.
- Presight already works with African governments and trades on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange.
Gabon’s Ministry of Digital Economy signed a memorandum of understanding with Presight on Friday, February 6, on the sidelines of high-level discussions held in Abu Dhabi. Presight operates as a subsidiary of UAE-based technology group G42. The agreement aims to support the digital transformation of public administration and several strategic state services.
À Abu Dhabi, le Gabon a signé trois Mémorandums d’Entente stratégiques dans les secteurs minier, numérique et logistique.
— Présidence de la République Gabonaise (@PresidenceGA) February 6, 2026
Ces accords s’inscrivent dans la vision du Président de la République, S. E. @oliguinguema, visant à accélérer la transformation économique et renforcer… pic.twitter.com/hkZcUEH6bP
Authorities said the cooperation will focus on deploying artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and big data solutions. The partnership seeks to improve public data management, optimize administrative services, and strengthen decision-support capabilities. Governments typically use such solutions to modernize state information systems, automate selected processes, and improve service delivery to citizens and businesses.
This partnership comes as digital transformation ranks among Gabon’s top policy priorities. DataReportal said Gabon recorded about 1.8 million internet users in 2025, representing nearly 71.9% of the population, while mobile connections exceeded 3.27 million. However, public service digitalization and nationwide data governance remain key challenges for improving administrative efficiency and supporting economic diversification.
Presight operates across multiple markets and has already formed partnerships with governments and institutions in Africa, including in Gambia and Côte d’Ivoire, on projects related to artificial intelligence, security, and public data management. The company trades on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and positions itself as a major exporter of AI solutions developed in the United Arab Emirates.
With this memorandum, Libreville and Presight have laid the groundwork for cooperation expected to take shape in the coming months. Future operational agreements will define project scope, implementation modalities, and associated investments, as Gabon seeks to build a more coherent digital strategy aligned with its public sector modernization priorities.
Samira Njoya
-
Rwanda signed an expansion agreement with Zipline to build a national autonomous drone delivery network.
-
The deal includes Africa’s first urban drone delivery system and a new long-range distribution hub.
-
Zipline plans to establish its first international AI and robotics testing center in Rwanda.
Rwanda signed a strategic expansion agreement with Zipline on Thursday, February 6, to become the first country globally to operate a national autonomous drone delivery network, including Africa’s first urban drone delivery system. The agreement forms part of a $150 million grant awarded to Zipline by the U.S. Department of State, with Rwanda acting as the first beneficiary.
“The Rwanda-Zipline partnership has worked for years to deploy technology in service of our people. We have seen the extraordinary impact of drone delivery by saving time, saving money and saving lives. Through this partnership, we will now expand urban delivery and extend these benefits to even more communities,” said Paula Ingabire, Rwanda’s Minister of ICT and Innovation.
Rwanda will become the first African country to deploy Zipline’s urban delivery system, Platform 2. The technology enables fast, quiet and highly precise deliveries in dense urban environments such as Kigali, which accounts for nearly 40% of national healthcare demand. Zipline already operates the platform in the United States, where it delivers tens of thousands of retail and grocery items directly to homes and public locations.
The agreement also includes reinforcement of the existing delivery network through the opening of a third long-range distribution center in Karongi district, complementing the Muhanga and Kayonza hubs. This infrastructure will extend delivery coverage beyond the Nyungwe forest toward districts bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo, thereby improving territorial equity in access to essential medical products.
Beyond logistics, Zipline plans to establish its first international testing center dedicated to artificial intelligence and robotics in Rwanda. The research and development facility will test new safety systems, next-generation logistics software and aircraft performance under varied climate conditions. The center will also support local talent development and create highly skilled jobs in advanced technologies.
The new agreement builds on a long-term partnership between Rwanda and Zipline. The U.S. company has operated in Rwanda since 2016 and has renewed its partnership several times, including a $61 million contract signed in December 2022. That contract targets expanded delivery sites in rural and urban areas, with plans to triple volumes and reach nearly 2 million deliveries by 2029, covering more than 200 million kilometers flown by autonomous drones.
According to company data, the partnership has contributed to a 51% reduction in maternal mortality in covered areas. The real-time integration of delivery data into national health and emergency systems has also strengthened epidemiological surveillance and crisis response capacity.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM
-
Onafriq and PAPSS launched a pilot for local-currency payments from Nigeria to Ghana.
-
The partnership bypasses the dollar to reduce costs and speed up cross-border trade.
-
The initiative supports AfCFTA implementation and intra-African commerce growth.
On February 2, Onafriq Nigeria Payments, a fintech licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria, announced a partnership with the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System. The partnership pilots a service that allows users to send money from a wallet or bank account in Nigeria to a beneficiary in Ghana. The initiative aims to facilitate payments between the two countries in local currencies without using the dollar in order to support intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
PAPSS, which AfCFTA authorities adopted as a reference platform for implementation, operates as a shared infrastructure that routes and settles payments between African banks, fintechs and mobile money operators. The platform offers an alternative to traditional correspondent banking networks, which often impose higher costs and longer settlement times for cross-border payments. By relying on this platform, Onafriq converts connected mobile wallets and bank accounts into access points to a pan-African real-time payment network.
Today, a small or medium-sized enterprise that imports from Ghana to Nigeria or exports in the opposite direction typically uses international banking channels. These channels impose multiple layers of fees, processing delays that stretch over several days, and near-systematic conversion through the dollar or the euro. These constraints weigh more heavily on small firms, which face limited capacity to absorb foreign exchange costs and payment delays.
The Onafriq–PAPSS pilot offers near-instant local-currency payments between Nigeria and Ghana through familiar wallet and banking application interfaces. Mxolisi Msutwana, managing director for Anglophone West Africa at Onafriq, said: “This is how we open bidirectional trade corridors, reduce costs for businesses and empower African enterprises to trade confidently in their own currency. The vision is continental, but it starts with concrete actions like this.”
Ositadimma Ugwu, chief information officer at PAPSS, added: “With this move, we challenge this mindset by enabling Nigerians to send money to their neighbors as easily as they send a text message.”
A Key Component of AfCFTA Implementation
According to Afreximbank’s Africa Trade Report 2025, intra-African trade reached $220.3 billion in 2024, representing a 12.4% increase from 2023. The figure remains below the estimated potential of $296.3 billion. The report states that AfCFTA can help close this gap if countries also strengthen financial infrastructure. In this context, solutions such as PAPSS, combined with private mass-payment networks, represent practical tools to convert trade agreements into real transactions and support AfCFTA implementation.
“The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System reduces dependence on foreign currencies and improves the efficiency of intra-African trade, while national digital payment ecosystems expand rapidly and generate billions of dollars in annual revenues,” Afreximbank said in the report.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM
-
Ivory Coast plans to regulate and organize digital content monetization by 2026.
-
The government opened talks with regulators and industry partners to define revenue-sharing mechanisms.
-
Streaming growth highlights rising economic stakes but exposes persistent income gaps for artists.
The Ivorian government announced its intention to make digital content monetization effective by 2026 in response to demands from cultural, music and media stakeholders. Culture and Francophonie Minister Françoise Remarck opened discussions on February 2, with the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA) and several sector partners to define mechanisms to valorize locally produced digital content.
The initiative seeks to establish a regulatory and operational framework to capture and redistribute a significant share of revenues generated from online listening, music streaming, video and audiovisual content. The executive branch aims to structure an ecosystem in which local and international digital platforms compensate artists and creators under clear rules while authorities strengthen copyright regulation and distribution contracts.
The issue carries growing economic weight. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry said in its Global Music Report 2025 that sub-Saharan Africa recorded a 22.6% increase in recorded music revenues in 2024, reaching a record $110 million, or nearly five times the global growth rate of 4.8% over the same period.
In Ivory Coast, music streaming platforms such as Boomplay, Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer continue to expand their user bases. Compensation models vary across platforms and markets. By way of indication, one million streams on Spotify can generate about CFA1.2 million, or roughly $2,155, for rights holders, highlighting both the economic potential of streaming and persistent revenue disparities.
Despite expanding digital audiences, monetization remains limited for many artists in Francophone Africa. Contract structures and regulatory frameworks continue to allow a significant share of value creation to escape local creators.
The Ivorian initiative also aligns with a broader push to develop the national digital economy. The country benefits from relatively solid mobile infrastructure. Fourth-generation network coverage reached 76.88% in the first quarter of 2025, improving access to digital services and content distribution platforms.
By structuring digital content monetization, Abidjan aims to integrate the creative economy more fully into the formal sector, strengthen revenues for local artists and producers, and position digital culture as a driver of economic growth and employment as streaming and digital content markets continue to expand across Africa.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM
-
Kenya launched a private outsourcing coalition targeting 100,000 digital jobs by 2026.
-
Four major operators founded the alliance with government backing.
-
The government linked outsourcing growth to youth employment and training programs.
Kenya targets business process outsourcing to create digital jobs and attract investors as it seeks to position itself as a regional hub for corporate services.
The country faces persistent youth underemployment. In response, policymakers now promote outsourced digital services as a growth engine for employment and foreign investment.
Four major business services operators launched this week the Outsourcing Alliance of Kenya (OAK) in an unprecedented private-sector initiative.
The coalition aims to structure and accelerate the development of Global Business Services, including business process outsourcing and outsourced IT services. The Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy announced the launch on its X account on Thursday, February 5, marking a new phase for a sector expected to play a central role in job creation.
The Outsourcing Alliance of Kenya officially launched on February 3, 2026, according to a statement published by the ministry.
𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚'𝐬 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
The Outsourcing Alliance of Kenya (OAK) was officially launched on February 3, 2026, signaling… pic.twitter.com/NjaNNt3g7M
— Ministry of Info, Comms & The Digital Economy KE (@MoICTKenya) February 5, 2026
Government representatives attended the event. Kenyan Wall Street reported that the alliance brings together CCI Kenya, CloudFactory Kenya, Teleperformance Kenya and Sama Kenya. The coalition plans to expand to more than 20 members by the second quarter of 2026 and aims to help create 100,000 jobs across the value chain.
John Tanui, Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy, said in a speech read at the event that Global Business Services expansion provides inclusive opportunities for young people.
He said the government supports the sector through targeted policies, adapted regulatory frameworks and measures that facilitate access to international markets. He added that the state relies on training programs such as Ajira Digital and Jitume, which aim to equip Kenyan youth with skills demanded by the global outsourcing market, according to the Ministry of the Digital Economy.
This initiative comes as Kenya records an unemployment rate of about 5.2% in 2025, with youth facing particularly difficult labor market conditions.
At the same time, internet penetration reaches 48% in 2025. The rate remains below advanced-market levels, but steady growth strengthens the foundation for digital services and outsourcing development.
This article was initially published in French by Félicien Houindo Lokossou
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM
-
Mourana Soumah takes charge of Guinea’s Ministry of Communication, Digital Economy, and Innovation, merging information, telecom, and digital portfolios.
-
He brings extensive finance experience, having modernized state treasury operations and represented Guinea at the IMF, World Bank, and AfDB.
-
Key priorities include expanding connectivity to over 600 unserved areas, strengthening cybersecurity, and promoting digital innovation in public services and education.
Guinea appointed Mourana Soumah as Minister of Communication, Digital Economy, and Innovation on February 2, President Mamadi Doumbouya’s office announced. The new ministry merges the former Ministry of Information and Communication, previously led by Fana Soumah, with the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy, formerly overseen by Rose Pola Pricemou.
Soumah holds a degree in economics from Université Gamal Abdel Nasser de Conakry, a master’s in economic policy management from CERDI-Université d’Auvergne, France, and a diploma from the ENA Paris-Strasbourg in public finance. He also completed specialized training at the IMF, French Ministry of Finance (Bercy), BCEAO, and institutions in Canada and Morocco.
He served as Minister of Economy and Finance from March 2024, implementing reforms to modernize state financial management, strengthen public treasury operations, and enhance budget credibility. He represented Guinea at the IMF, World Bank, and African Development Bank, and chaired strategic national committees including the Simandou Strategic Committee and the C2D Steering Committee.
Prior to government service, Soumah led the General Directorate of the Treasury and Public Accounting (2021–2024) and the Central Accounting Agency of Treasury Deposits. He contributed to reforms such as the implementation of the Single Treasury Account (CUT), the Integrated State Accounting System (SCIE), and the national payments system.
In his new role, Soumah will focus on modernizing public communication, accelerating digital transformation across government, strengthening national digital sovereignty, and promoting innovation as a driver of economic growth, transparency, and inclusion. Officials plan to expand connectivity to more than 600 unserved areas, develop digital services in education and public administration, and reinforce cybersecurity and local data hosting.
Guinea had 14.2 million mobile connections in 2025, covering roughly 95% of the population, while Internet penetration reached 26.5%, or about four million users, according to DataReportal. Mobile Internet subscriptions have surged nearly 97.4% in recent years, reflecting rapid adoption of digital services and emphasizing the urgency of the government’s digital agenda.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM
-
Burkina Faso connected 370 localities to telecom networks in 2025, expanding Internet and phone access.
-
The government achieved 91% of its 2025 digital objectives, including 272 online public service platforms.
-
Authorities plan to enroll 7 million citizens in a unique electronic ID system and cover 750 additional localities in 2026.
Burkina Faso reported significant progress in implementing its 2025 digital development objectives. The Ministry of Digital Transition, Posts, and Electronic Communications achieved a 91% completion rate, the government said during a review session chaired by Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo on February 3.
The ministry described 2025 as a “pivotal year” for digital transition. It connected 370 new localities to telecom networks, giving residents their first access to phone and Internet services, and reducing the digital divide.
Authorities also accelerated public administration modernization. They developed or deployed 272 online service platforms, with 146 already operational, facilitating citizen and business access to government services. In addition, the government and La Poste signed an agreement to build 20 “Zama Tchéy” citizen centers, targeting vulnerable populations to improve digital inclusion.
For 2026, the ministry plans to build on these gains. It will implement a unique electronic identification system, aiming to enroll seven million people by year-end. Officials also plan to extend telecom coverage to 750 additional localities, establish a dedicated government network, and develop national messaging and collaboration tools.
The ministry inaugurated a digital infrastructure supervision center in January 2026 to strengthen cybersecurity and manage critical systems. It allocated 61 billion CFA francs (about $109.7 million) to implement these initiatives.
Despite progress, Burkina Faso faces structural challenges. Internet penetration remains low at 22.4%, with 5.42 million users at the end of 2025, according to DataReportal. Mobile connections totaled 29.3 million, or 121% of the population, indicating room to expand digital services.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM
-
GoCab raised $45 million in equity and debt to expand electric and inclusive mobility solutions in Africa.
-
The funding round combined $15 million in equity and $30 million in debt led by E3 Capital and Janngo Capital.
-
GoCab reported more than $17 million in annual recurring revenue across five African markets after 18 months of operations.
In a statement released on Tuesday, February 3, mobility and vehicle financing fintech GoCab announced the closing of a $45 million funding round. The transaction included $15 million in equity and $30 million in debt and aimed to accelerate the rollout of electric and inclusive mobility solutions across multiple African markets.
E3 Capital and Janngo Capital led the funding round alongside KawiSafi Ventures and Cur8 Capital. The company said it would use the funds to strengthen operations in existing markets, enter new high-growth cities and increase the share of electric vehicles in its fleet. GoCab also plans to deploy artificial intelligence-based tools for credit scoring, fleet optimization and risk management.
“In Africa, millions of people remain excluded from both mobility and financing. This funding round allows us to scale while expanding access to ethical financing and accelerating the transition to electric mobility,” said Azamat Sultan, co-founder and executive chairman of GoCab.
Azamat Sultan and Hendrick Ketchemen founded GoCab in 2024 after careers in investment banking focused on structured finance and emerging markets. The company set out to address limited access to financing and vehicle ownership for platform economy workers. GoCab offers a model that allows drivers and delivery workers to generate stable income while gradually acquiring ownership of their vehicles.
After 18 months of operations, GoCab operates in five African markets and reports more than $17 million in annual recurring revenue. The company employs more than 120 people representing 18 nationalities. GoCab supports several thousand drivers and aims to help structure more sustainable urban mobility systems.
As Africa’s platform workforce continues to grow while remaining largely excluded from traditional financial systems, GoCab aims to position itself as a key player in sustainable mobility. Over the medium term, the company targets the deployment of 10,000 operational vehicles and $100 million in annual recurring revenue by combining ethical financing, technology and energy transition.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM
- DR Congo’s Fogec launches Bokeli, a digital platform to streamline business plan development and financing applications for SMEs and startups.
- The platform standardizes information for financial institutions and reduces administrative barriers to credit approval.
- Over five years, Fogec has supported nearly 300 projects, totaling $3.2 million, while Congolese startups raised $2 million in 2024, highlighting the financing gap.
The Entrepreneurship Guarantee Fund in Congo (Fogec) launched a digital platform, Bokeli, on February 3 in Kinshasa to help entrepreneurs structure business plans and submit financing applications electronically. The platform is part of DR Congo’s broader effort to strengthen SME and startup access to credit.
Entrepreneurs can access Bokeli at https://bokeli.fogec.cd/ to create business plans, prepare financial documentation, and transmit their applications to relevant institutions. The system aims to standardize the data required by banks and guarantee mechanisms, while reducing administrative hurdles that slow financing approvals.
Fogec said the initiative addresses a key challenge in the Congolese entrepreneurial ecosystem: many project owners struggle to produce technically sound applications that meet banks’ requirements. “Our mission is to facilitate access to financing for SMEs, startups, and artisans by providing guarantees to viable projects,” the institution said.
The launch comes amid a growing entrepreneurial environment, driven by a young population increasingly engaged in economic activities. Despite this dynamism, access to structured financing remains limited. According to Partech Africa, Congolese startups raised $2 million in 2024, up from $1 million in 2023, still modest relative to market potential.
Fogec said it has supported nearly 300 projects totaling $3.2 million over five years. By offering a digital tool for business planning and application submission, the institution seeks to improve project bankability and facilitate interactions between entrepreneurs, guarantee structures, and financial institutions, boosting national productive capacity.
Samira Njoya
- Cabo Verde launched a €400,000 digital skills program to train up to 3,000 young people for remote and freelance work.
- The program targets youth at home and in the diaspora and aligns training with global market demand.
- Youth unemployment stands at 27.8%, while internet penetration reached 73.5% in 2023.
The Cabo Verde government launched the “Skodji Digital” program last week to train up to 3,000 young people in digital skills. The initiative carries a cost of 400,000 euros, or about $477,000. The government designed the program to help young people participate in the global gig economy, access remote work opportunities, and develop digital microenterprises.
In its first phase, the program will directly support 1,050 participants, including young people living in Cabo Verde and members of the diaspora. The government has opened applications and will keep them open until February 25 through a dedicated online platform. Training programs will last between two and six months, depending on the specialization.
“Skodji Digital provides structured training in digital skills aligned with global market demand, supported access to international digital employment and freelance platforms, activation of careers in emerging digital sectors, and dedicated pathways for digital entrepreneurship and the creation of micro-entrepreneurial initiatives,” the government said in a statement.
The initiative fits into Cabo Verde’s broader digital strategy, which focuses on expanding digital services, attracting international companies, hosting remote workers, and investing in local skills. The country has strengthened cooperation with Portugal to position itself as a pool of digital talent for Portuguese companies. Both sides aim to align training programs with labor market needs and create an environment conducive to testing technological solutions.
The government also views the program as a tool to address unemployment. Cabo Verde has a population of about 600,000 people, mostly young, according to the African Development Bank. The bank reports an overall unemployment rate of 14.5%. Youth unemployment reaches 27.8%, including 33.4% among women and 22.9% among men.
However, the expansion of the gig economy and remote work depends on reliable internet access. According to the International Telecommunication Union, Cabo Verde recorded an internet penetration rate of 73.5% in 2023.
This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM
More...
- Mauritius launched mytGPT Education, a generative AI learning assistant developed by Mauritius Telecom and the Ministry of Education.
- The country ranked first in sub-Saharan Africa on the 2024 Government AI Readiness Index.
- The government began a pilot program in eight public schools covering primary and secondary grades.
Mauritius has integrated generative artificial intelligence into its education system through the launch of mytGPT Education, a teaching assistant developed by Mauritius Telecom and the Ministry of Education. The authorities officially launched the tool on Monday, January 26. The government aims to modernize learning and teaching practices nationwide.
“The implementation of mytGPT Education in schools fully aligns with our strategy, which aims to make artificial intelligence a tool for national progress that is accessible to everyone. Through this project, every child in Mauritius will have access to an AI teaching assistant capable of supporting learning,” said Veemal Gungadin, chief executive officer of Mauritius Telecom.
MytGPT Education relies on generative AI technologies designed to deliver personalized academic support to students. The platform provides explanations tailored to each learner’s level, interactive exercises, and secure content available in English, French, and phonetic Creole. For teachers, the tool automates the creation of quizzes and teaching materials and integrates student performance analytics to guide instructional strategies more precisely.
The government has deployed the project initially as a pilot program for students in Grades 4, 7, 8, and 9. The pilot covers eight schools, including four primary schools and four state secondary schools across the country. The platform already integrates more than 50 teaching resources aligned with the National Curriculum Framework. In parallel, training sessions held between December 2025 and January 2026 introduced teachers to artificial intelligence fundamentals, platform usage, and best practices in prompt engineering.
Through this experiment, Mauritius aligns with a global trend that explores the use of generative AI in education, a segment that remains nascent in African countries. The project opens the way for more personalized learning and optimized teaching resources. However, nationwide scaling will depend on several factors, including the platform’s technological robustness, its integration with existing education systems, data governance for student information, and the education system’s capacity to support teachers in adopting these digital tools over the long term.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM
- Morocco signed three agreements to strengthen training, territorial attractiveness, and high value-added digital offshoring projects.
- The offshoring sector employed about 148,500 people and generated 26.2 billion dirhams in export revenue by the end of 2024.
- Authorities aim to double sector performance by 2030, targeting 270,000 jobs and nearly 40 billion dirhams in exports.
Morocco signed three agreements on Tuesday, January 27, in Rabat to reinforce its digital offshoring ecosystem. Authorities concluded the agreements on the sidelines of a meeting focused on renewing the country’s national offshoring offer. The partnerships aim to support skills training, improve territorial attractiveness, and encourage the establishment of high value-added projects.
The agreements focus in particular on the rollout of a training incentive designed to align workforce skills with the needs of digital companies. They also provide for the development of Tech Valleys Offshoring through the creation of specialized economic hubs. These hubs will integrate technological infrastructure, shared services, and dedicated spaces to host both domestic and international investment.
The signing of these agreements comes as the global offshoring market undergoes rapid transformation driven by service digitalization, cloud computing, data expansion, and artificial intelligence. In this new environment, traditional destinations now compete with emerging hubs, especially across Africa.
Morocco seeks to consolidate its position by promoting a more structured offering that focuses increasingly on digital professions and high value-added services. Authorities see this repositioning as essential to maintaining competitiveness in a shifting global landscape.
Offshoring now ranks among the main contributors to Morocco’s service exports. By the end of 2024, the sector employed nearly 148,500 people and generated more than 26.2 billion dirhams ($2.8 billion) in export revenue.
At the same time, activities are gradually evolving. Traditional call centers are losing ground, while IT services, engineering, and specialized digital functions continue to expand. Moroccan authorities aim to double the sector’s performance by 2030, targeting 270,000 jobs and nearly 40 billion dirhams in exports.
Through these partnerships, the government aims to enhance the competitiveness of the “Made in Morocco” digital services offer on the global market. Authorities expect skills development, the structuring of specialized territorial hubs, and increased investor visibility to serve as the main growth levers.
Over time, these agreements could help attract new technology projects, support qualified employment, and strengthen Morocco’s position as a regional digital services platform serving both European and African markets.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM
-
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the acquisition of two new telecom satellites to replace Nigeria’s aging NigComSat-1R.
-
The government aims to support digital transformation, broadband expansion, and Nigeria’s $1 trillion economy target.
-
Authorities estimate the satellite replacement project at about $500 million and have opened it to multiple investors and suppliers.
Nigerian authorities are advancing plans to acquire two new telecommunications satellites to strengthen national digital infrastructure. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the initiative, Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Minister Bosun Tijani said, according to local media reports.
Tijani made the announcement on Wednesday, January 28, in Abuja during a press conference held on the occasion of World Data Privacy Day, which the Nigeria Data Protection Commission organized.
The two new satellites will replace NigComSat-1R, the only communications satellite Nigeria has operated since December 2011. Authorities launched NigComSat-1R to replace NigComSat-1, which China supported and launched on May 13, 2007, but lost shortly after deployment. Engineers designed NigComSat-1R for a 15-year lifespan, which placed its expected end of service in 2026. However, the government announced in September 2025 that it extended operations until 2028.
According to the minister, the satellite acquisition fully aligns with Nigeria’s digital transformation ambitions. He said the government is simultaneously deploying 90,000 kilometers of fiber-optic infrastructure, a project that has reached 60% completion. Digital technology plays a central role in President Tinubu’s strategy to build a $1 trillion economy. Satellites can expand access to information and communication technologies in a country where GSMA estimated that 120 million people lacked mobile internet access at the end of 2023, out of a population of 223.8 million.
As early as 2016, the Nigerian government expressed its intention to acquire two new telecom satellites and estimated the project cost at about $500 million. At the time, the executive branch said it was negotiating a loan with the Export-Import Bank of China, following the financing model used for the first satellite.
However, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited Chief Executive Officer Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen said in a September 2025 interview with TechCabal that this financing structure no longer represents the sole option. She said the process is now open and that several suppliers and investors have submitted bids.
Beyond financing considerations, Egerton-Idehen emphasized that Nigeria also seeks to preserve its orbital slots, which represent the positions allocated to each country for satellite deployment. NigComSat-1R currently occupies one of the three orbital slots assigned to Nigeria by the International Telecommunication Union.
This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi
Adapted in English by Ange J.A BERRY QUENUM
- Cybastion and Gabon’s ANINF launched a free national digital and cybersecurity training program for 1,000 young Gabonese.
- The program offers three training levels, from basic digital literacy to certified specializations in networks and cybersecurity.
- The initiative builds on a 2025 Gabon–U.S. partnership to support digital infrastructure and youth employability.
U.S. technology company Cybastion and Gabon’s National Agency for Digital Infrastructures and Frequencies (ANINF) officially launched the free program on Tuesday, Jan. 27. The initiative targets young Gabonese seeking skills in digital technologies and cybersecurity.
Presenting the Africa DigiEmpower program, Antonia Akouré-Davain, managing director of Cybastion Gabon, said the country must develop local talent to sustain its digital transformation drive. She said the program aims to support the modernization of Gabon’s digital infrastructure while equipping young people and women with market-ready skills to improve their employability in both the public and private sectors.
The training framework includes three levels, ranging from entry-level courses to advanced technical specializations. The first level, open to participants without prior qualifications, focuses on basic computer skills and the use of digital tools. Advanced levels offer certification tracks in networking, cybersecurity and digital technologies to meet rising demand in the sector.
The program extends a partnership signed in 2025 between Cybastion and the Gabonese state to accelerate digital infrastructure development and provide the workforce with globally competitive digital skills. ANINF, a key project partner, will host the training through the ANINF Academy at its headquarters in the ANINF Tower and will support participants throughout the program. The agency said it may recruit top-performing trainees for national digital transformation projects.
Beyond Gabon, the initiative reflects a broader continental challenge. The World Bank estimates that more than 230 million jobs in sub-Saharan Africa will require digital skills by 2030, in a region where nearly 60% of the population is under 25. By investing in training, Gabon aims to strengthen its human capital, boost youth employment, support the digital economy and position itself within Africa’s growing role in the global digital economy.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM