Tech (1090)
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Morocco’s UM6P has launched a Global Hub in New York and Cambridge to link Africa with global innovation networks.
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The hub will support joint research, student exchanges, start-up funding, and cross-border entrepreneurship.
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The move is part of UM6P’s international expansion, with campuses already in Canada and France.
Morocco’s Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) announced on Monday, September 8, the official launch of its Global Hub in the United States, with offices in New York and Cambridge. The hub is designed to connect African talent with leading international ecosystems in research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
“The goal of this new hub is to directly address Morocco’s and Africa’s urgent challenges by combining rigorous scientific research with practical, scalable solutions, helping the Kingdom build pathways toward technological sovereignty,” said UM6P president Said Hicham El Habti.
The U.S. Global Hub is structured as a two-way platform. It will promote joint research projects, student exchanges, and cross-border entrepreneurial collaborations. The center also provides African start-ups with privileged access to venture capital and North American tech networks, while helping adapt U.S.-developed innovations to African realities. In addition, immersion programs will expose African leaders to international innovation practices.
This move is part of UM6P’s broader global expansion strategy, which already includes new campuses in Canada and France. It also reflects Morocco’s ambition to position itself as Africa’s anchor point for research and scientific investment.
Since its creation in 2017, UM6P has enrolled nearly 7,300 students from 40 nationalities, including 1,000 doctoral candidates. Its entrepreneurial ecosystem has supported more than 1,000 project holders and forged over 200 international partnerships with institutions such as MIT, Stanford, Columbia Business School, and Arizona State University. The U.S. hub strengthens this mission by engaging the African diaspora as a strategic resource to co-develop innovative projects across both continents.
Beyond academic cooperation, UM6P’s American hub aims to tackle three key weaknesses in Africa’s innovation ecosystem: limited global visibility in research, underutilization of the diaspora as a strategic lever, and difficulties in translating international technological advances into solutions tailored to local realities. The challenge now lies in turning this ambition into tangible, inclusive results that bring real value to African societies.
Samira Njoya
- Kenya pledges support for digital creators via Meta, Google deals
- Part of "Digital Super Highway" to expand tech infrastructure
- Africa’s creator economy valued at $5.1B, rising to $30B by 2032
The Kenyan Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy announced a new commitment on Monday, September 8, to support digital content creators. The initiative aims to help creators monetize their work through strategic partnerships with digital platforms like Meta and Google while expanding access to training and support programs for young talent.
The Ministry of Information, Communications and The Digital Economy is committed to supporting creators to monetize their content in a concerted effort to grow the Digital Economy. pic.twitter.com/aOKK4FNA5C
— Ministry of Info, Comms & The Digital Economy KE (@MoICTKenya) September 8, 2025
According to John Tanui, Principal Secretary for Digital Economy and ICT, the government is taking concrete actions to accelerate digital transformation. These include extending the fiber optic network, establishing digital hubs, installing public Wi-Fi hotspots, and implementing supportive policies. The goal is to create a secure and reliable environment that fosters business growth for content creators.
This decision is part of the "Digital Super Highway," a key pillar of the national digital strategy. The program intends to modernize the country's technological infrastructure and stimulate related sectors, such as content creation, which is seen as a key driver of economic diversification. The content creator economy in Africa is estimated at $5.1 billion in 2025 and could reach nearly $30 billion by 2032, according to the firm Coherent Market Insights.
By investing in its digital creators, Nairobi hopes to boost its digital economy and generate new income opportunities for its youth. However, this ambition must contend with persistent challenges, including account hacking, a tax burden deemed too heavy, demonetization, and a dependence on major foreign platforms.
Samira Njoya
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Nigeria, Cape Verde launch African Digital Corridor initiative
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Program trains 500 students in coding, AI, and innovation
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Business mission set to deepen tech, trade cooperation in 2025
Nigeria and Cape Verde have launched the African Digital Corridor (ADC), an initiative designed to strengthen their digital, trade, and innovation ties. The project, unveiled last week in Abuja, is a strategic step toward defining cooperation priorities in artificial intelligence, youth empowerment, and bilateral development.
"This initiative demonstrates that innovation diplomacy can produce tangible results," said Christiana Onoja, co-founder and CEO of SheCode.ai, the organization behind the project. "When governments, innovators, and the private sector collaborate, concrete programs and partnerships become a reality."
As part of the initiative, the "Code the Future – Cabo Verde Rising" program will train over 500 high school students on three islands in coding, AI, and digital innovation. The program also plans to provide STEM tools in Portuguese, offer educational training for teachers, and will conclude with a national showcase highlighting student projects.
Beyond education, the ADC is founded on developing human capital and modernizing infrastructure. For Nigeria, the continent’s largest economy, the digital sector already accounts for about 18% of GDP and is a key driver of economic diversification. Cape Verde sees the initiative as a way to boost its competitiveness and regional integration. With an internet penetration rate estimated at 73.5% at the beginning of 2025, the archipelago plans to leverage its agile digital economy strategy and infrastructure like the TechPark CV, a special technology zone.
Bilateral cooperation will be further solidified by a Nigeria-Cape Verde Business and Innovation mission scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025 in Praia. The mission aims to connect 20 to 25 Nigerian companies with Cape Verdean partners in key sectors, including digital technology, renewable energy, and tourism.
The corridor is expected to ultimately enhance digital inclusion, foster the growth of local startups, support innovation in strategic sectors, and build lasting bridges between education, technology, and the economy. However, its success will depend on both countries’ ability to sustain investment, ensure connectivity, and adapt their infrastructure to local needs.
Samira Njoya
• Gabon enacts digital law to modernize public services, boost transparency.
• Framework stresses inclusion, data security, local private sector role.
• Gov’t targets higher UN e-gov ranking, job creation and investment inflows.
Gabon has introduced a legal framework to accelerate the digital transformation of its public administration, part of efforts to boost competitiveness and modernize services.
The ordinance, signed by transitional President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema and published in the country’s official gazette on Sept. 7, sets out guiding principles for e-government reforms. The measures aim to improve efficiency and transparency, curb corruption through process traceability, and foster economic growth via digital innovation.
The framework emphasizes universal access to technology, interoperability of systems, data security and privacy, and digital inclusion to narrow the digital divide. It also calls for greater participation from local private-sector players, including a preference clause for domestic firms in public tenders related to digitalization.
Gabon currently ranks 174th out of 193 countries in the United Nations’ e-government development index (EGDI), with a score of 0.5741. Authorities say the reforms are designed to close that gap and position the country among Africa’s leaders in digital governance.
The initiative is expected to stimulate the local tech ecosystem, create jobs and attract investment in a sector considered vital to diversifying Gabon’s economy beyond oil.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum
• Mauritius launches $13M nationwide E-Health digital records project.
• "One patient, one file" system to unify medical data.
• UNDP partners; rollout underway with pilot hospital training.
Mauritius has launched a nationwide "E-Health" project to digitize medical records and modernize its public healthcare system. The large-scale initiative aims to improve the efficiency and quality of patient care through digital transformation.
Dubbed "E-Health," the project is built on the principle of "one patient, one file," which will provide every citizen with a single electronic medical record accessible across all hospitals and health centers. The rollout is already underway, with hospital staff receiving training at several pilot facilities. Authorities say the system will be highly secure and accessible only to authorized professionals, which is expected to reduce lost paper records and streamline patient care pathways.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is partnering on the initiative, which is estimated to cost 600 million Mauritian rupees, or nearly $13 million.The data will be housed in the government's national data center, protected by international security protocols and continuous monitoring. The system will also allow patients to access their records via an online portal and a mobile application, paving the way for more interactive and connected healthcare.
This project is part of a broader push to digitize public services in Mauritius. For several years, the government has pursued numerous e-government initiatives in areas ranging from civil registration to tax administration and business formalities. E-health is now a strategic pillar aimed at bolstering the quality and efficiency of services provided to citizens.
While the project faces challenges related to digital inclusion, particularly for the elderly or those less familiar with digital tools, it is expected to profoundly transform the relationship between patients and doctors. Simplified access to medical data, reduced administrative procedures, and optimized hospital management are all seen as key to building a more modern, transparent, and responsive healthcare system.
Samira Njoya
Without structured cooperation, cybercrime investigations remain fragmented, leaving gaps for attackers to exploit. This makes partnerships like the NITDA-Kaspersky MoU vital for strengthening Nigeria’s cyber defence capacity.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) announced on September 3 that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with global cybersecurity company Kaspersky to strengthen Nigeria’s cybersecurity ecosystem.
The agreement was formalised at GITEX Nigeria 2025 in Lagos, with NITDA’s Director General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi and Chris Norton, General Manager for Africa at Kaspersky, representing both parties.
Under the partnership, Kaspersky will support capacity-building programmes to develop local cyber talent, collaborate on public awareness campaigns such as NITDA’s Cybersecurity Alphabet initiative, and engage in joint research and analysis to boost nationwide cyber defence literacy.
The MoU also opens the door for intelligence sharing on threats and attacks targeting Nigerian citizens, government institutions, and digital infrastructure. In addition, Kaspersky will provide strategic advisory services to guide NITDA in developing frameworks and standards for securing the country’s critical information infrastructure, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s national security priorities.
Cybersecurity threats are on the rise in Nigeria, where digital adoption is accelerating. According to INTERPOL’s 2025 Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report, cybercrime accounts for more than 30% of all reported crime in Western and Eastern Africa. Notable incidents have included hacks of Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), while ransomware attacks alone surged to 3,459 cases in 2024. The report also revealed that cybercrime investigations increasingly depend on private sector collaboration, yet 89% of African countries said such cooperation needed “significant” or “some” improvement due to unclear engagement channels, low institutional readiness, and other barriers.
This challenge is highlighted by findings from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), which estimates that weak cybersecurity preparedness costs African states an average of 10% of GDP—about $4 billion annually—due to cybercrime.
Recognizing this urgency, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has stressed the importance of public-private partnerships in building stronger cyber resilience. By working with telecom operators, internet service providers, and technology companies, the NCC is promoting information sharing, capacity building, and joint initiatives to counter rising cyber threats.
These findings underscore the significance of the NITDA-Kaspersky MoU. With cyber threats rising in scale and sophistication, the partnership represents a critical step toward building a resilient, collaborative, and globally competitive cybersecurity ecosystem in Nigeria and across Africa.
Hikmatu Bilali
• Guinea launches .gn domain under national control
• Move ends decades of foreign management by PSGNet
• Part of “Simandou 2040” plan to boost digital economy
Guinea has formally launched its national top-level domain, .gn, ending decades of management from abroad and marking a step toward digital sovereignty.
The extension, first introduced in 1994 and until recently administered by UK-based PSGNet, will now be managed locally by the National Agency for State Digitalization (ANDE), the government said Sept. 4. Sub-domains such as .com.gn for businesses, .gov.gn for government, and .edu.gn for schools will provide greater visibility and credibility for national institutions online.
Officials said the move aligns with Guinea’s long-term “Simandou 2040” strategy, which aims to leverage the country’s vast mineral wealth for sustainable growth while placing digital infrastructure at the center of economic diversification. The government expects the localized domain management to strengthen cybersecurity, encourage e-commerce and digital services, and reinforce the country’s identity in the global internet space.
Samira Njoya
• Somalia launches national e-visa platform to simplify travel.
• System integrates security checks, boosts fiscal transparency.
• The move aligns with EAC integration and digital reforms.
Somalia has rolled out a national electronic visa platform as part of its broader digital transformation drive, the government said.
The portal, launched on Sept. 1 and accessible via evisa.gov.so, allows travelers to apply online without visiting embassies. Developed with support from the International Organization for Migration, the system integrates security checks and centralized monitoring to better control entry amid ongoing security concerns linked to Al-Shabaab.
Officials said visa fees will now be collected directly into state accounts, strengthening fiscal transparency and supporting public finances. The government also hopes the e-visa will improve investor confidence, support the country’s nascent tourism industry, and facilitate regional integration as Somalia prepares to finalize its accession to the East African Community.
The launch follows other recent digital initiatives, including a national QR code standard for mobile payments and the introduction of wearable NFC-enabled devices for contactless transactions.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum
The research initiative represents a strategic launchpad toward a digital future that empowers citizens and transforms sectors across the economy.
Nigeria will launch 75 new research projects on October 1, 2025, as part of a broader push to deepen its digital ecosystem, foster innovation, and establish the country as a leading tech hub in Africa.
Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, announced the plan at GITEX Nigeria 2025 being held from September 1-4. The initiative, coordinated by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), targets researchers, startups, corporates, and the Nigerian diaspora.
“On October 1, there will be a research scheme that will support another 75 research projects. Such investments will reinforce Nigeria’s position in the global digital economy,” Tijani said. He added that startups and corporates should leverage government support to contribute to national and global innovation.
Tijani emphasized that robust digital infrastructure is now a vital national priority. He called for a shift in strategy beyond catching up with others to fostering resilient systems that sustain long-term innovation.
The October 1 research rollout continues a legacy of impactful initiatives from NITDA. In 2022, NITDA launched a blockchain scholarship program in partnership with Domineum Blockchain Solutions, training 30,000 Nigerians in blockchain technologies and offering top participants incubation opportunities in London.
At the 2024 Digital Nigeria Innovation Challenge, NITDA awarded ₦16 million in prizes. Top winner InfraMappers developed an AI-powered mapping solution to optimize healthcare facility distribution nationwide.
NITDA’s Research & Development Department, established in 2022, actively promotes emerging technologies — including AI, blockchain, and IoT — through collaboration, funding, and commercialization strategies. These successes underscore NITDA’s capacity for maximizing impact through research investments.
By investing in targeted research — especially in AI, fintech, e-health, and agri-tech — Nigeria can accelerate homegrown innovation that addresses real-world needs and boosts global competitiveness.
Supporting researchers, startups, and diaspora talent positions Nigeria to build a more inclusive and resilient digital ecosystem. The October research initiative represents a strategic launchpad toward a digital future that empowers citizens and transforms sectors across the economy.
Hikmatu Bilali
By establishing a direct payment framework with TikTok, GCB could eliminate inefficiencies, ensure creators keep more of their earnings, and unlock new opportunities in the fast-growing digital economy
Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB) has proposed a new payment framework aimed at ensuring Ghanaian TikTok creators receive their earnings seamlessly and securely. The initiative was tabled during a courtesy call on September 2 by a GCB delegation, led by Chief of Staff Abraham Ferguson, to the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP).
The bank positioned itself as a potential official payment gateway for TikTok payouts in Ghana, citing its extensive infrastructure and readiness to support the creative economy. According to Ferguson, GCB’s connectivity with global payment networks such as MasterCard and Visa, alongside its ability to process payouts through MoMo wallets and direct bank accounts, makes it well-placed to manage cash-outs and gift revenues for creators. He noted, “The bank's primary aim is to find a way for Ghanaians to get paid for their content and manage cash-outs for gifts received.”
Hon. Samuel Nartey George strongly endorsed the proposal during the meeting, which also included TikTok’s West Africa representative, Ms. Tokumbo Ibrahim. He argued that routing creator payments through GCB Bank would eliminate reliance on costly third-party intermediaries, allowing Ghanaian talent to retain more of their earnings.
For TikTok, Ms. Ibrahim committed to reviewing the feasibility of the partnership. Should the proposal move forward, GCB Bank said it is prepared to immediately begin technical and regulatory processes to establish a direct connection with TikTok. This would include setting up integration teams and formalising a framework with relevant financial authorities.
The move comes at a time when TikTok is experiencing rapid growth in Africa, becoming a major platform for young creators to build audiences and monetize content. In Ghana, TikTok has not only reshaped entertainment but also created new opportunities in advertising, influencer marketing, and e-commerce. However, one of the biggest challenges remains ensuring creators can access their earnings in a transparent, cost-effective way.
TikTok’s growing influence in West Africa makes the proposed GCB Bank partnership particularly significant. The region now accounts for 41.5 million active TikTok users — 2.6% of the global total, according to Datareportal— making it the second-largest TikTok market in Africa after Northern Africa (5.7%). This underscores the platform’s massive role in shaping digital culture and entrepreneurship across the subregion.
For Ghanaian creators, a localized payment framework could unlock a share of this fast-expanding market, ensuring they are not disadvantaged compared to peers in Nigeria, Kenya, or South Africa who already benefit from more established payout systems. If implemented, the GCB-TikTok collaboration could strengthen Ghana’s position as a hub in the regional digital economy, enabling creators to monetize effectively and tap into the IFC-forecasted $712 billion contribution Africa’s digital economy could add to GDP by 2050.
Hikmatu Bilali
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• Japan to train 30,000 AI experts in Africa by 2028
• Program includes AI courses in universities, $5.5B in development loans
• Strategy targets job creation, green energy, and rivals China’s influence
Japan plans to train 30,000 artificial intelligence (AI) experts in Africa over the next three years to accelerate the continent’s economic digitization and create jobs, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced Wednesday, August 20, 2025.
"Japan's goal is to support the training of 30,000 AI experts over the next three years to promote digitization and create jobs," Ishiba said in a speech opening the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-9), held in Yokohama, 40 kilometers south of Tokyo. The conference runs through Friday, August 22.
Ishiba also stated that Japan would share its digital expertise to "co-create solutions" for challenges facing Africa.
According to government sources cited by Japan’s Kyodo News agency, Tokyo intends to launch courses on AI and data science at African higher education institutions. This effort will be in cooperation with Yutaka Matsuo, a professor at the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Engineering and a leading Japanese AI expert.
These courses will be offered at dozens of universities in several countries, including Kenya and Uganda, and will focus primarily on integrating AI into the manufacturing, agriculture, and logistics sectors, the sources said.
In addition to developing AI talent, Ishiba revealed that Japan will train 300,000 people in other fields, including 35,000 in healthcare and medicine, over the next three years. The Japanese prime minister also proposed the creation of an "economic zone" linking the Indian Ocean to Africa, which would "contribute to Africa's integration and industrial development." He pledged to promote free trade and private investment on the continent.
Japan's strategy aims to differentiate itself from China
Ishiba also announced that Japan will provide loans of up to $5.5 billion to several African countries in coordination with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to promote sustainable development and address debt issues. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and private financial institutions also plan to provide $1.5 billion in impact investments to help African nations reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet sustainable development goals.
Unlike previous TICAD conferences, which have been held every three years since 1993, the Japanese government did not announce the total amount of funds it plans to inject into African economies over the next three years.
By focusing on investments in human capital, green energy, and improving living conditions, Japan is seeking to distinguish its approach from that of its powerful rival, China. In recent years, China has increased its influence on the continent by providing massive funding, often in the form of loans for infrastructure projects that have contributed to excessive debt in several countries.
According to Ecofin Agency, leaders from about 50 African countries are attending TICAD-9, including Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Kenyan President William Ruto.
• Nigeria, DLN launch national “Free Laptops” program for students
• Plan targets 47M beneficiaries, with devices, training, and 50 Mbps access
• Project aims to bridge digital divide, modernize public education
Nigeria’s Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and U.S. company Digital Learning Network (DLN) signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday in Abuja to launch a national “Free Laptops” program. The initiative aims to provide digital devices to nearly 47 million students and teachers across the country.
“This initiative is more than technology, it is a promise to every Nigerian child: a promise of access, equity, and opportunity,” said Aisha Garba, UBEC’s executive secretary. “By bridging the digital divide, we are unlocking unlimited potential and positioning Nigeria as a leader in educational innovation in Africa.”
The agreement also includes provisions for teacher training, the creation of regional hubs for assembling and distributing the laptops and tablets, and the deployment of a hybrid internet infrastructure. This network will combine 5G, local telecommunication providers, and SpaceX’s Starlink satellite constellation. The goal is to guarantee a minimum speed of 50 Mbps for schools, including those in the most remote rural areas.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to modernize Nigeria’s public education system, where fewer than half of all public primary schools currently have digital equipment. The government aims to equip 95% of Nigerians with digital skills by 2030, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.
Touted as Africa’s largest digital education project, the program could boost digital inclusion in a country still grappling with a significant digital divide. It could also promote technological self-reliance by developing local infrastructure and serve as a catalyst for educational and economic transformation.
However, its success hinges on the ability to overcome several challenges, including unequal access to high-speed internet, securing sustainable funding, and providing adequate teacher training to ensure effective adoption of the digital tools.
Samira Njoya
- Senegal launches digital plan to revive La Poste.
- Postal bank, e-commerce, fintech upgrades key pillars.
- Africa’s e-commerce seen doubling to $113B by 2029.
Senegal is pushing a sweeping digital transformation of its state-owned postal company in a bid to restore its relevance and position it at the center of the country’s e-commerce and financial inclusion drive.
The government unveiled the plan on Sept. 1 under the leadership of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, highlighting technology as the core lever to modernize postal, financial, and logistics services while expanding access to digital tools for citizens.
The strategy includes rolling out a national certified e-mail service to provide secure official addresses, overhauling Postefinances to improve banking access and transaction reliability, and establishing a postal bank—open to private capital by 2029—to expand digital financial services.
La Poste also plans to partner with small businesses and startups to strengthen delivery services and facilitate cross-border e-commerce, tapping into Africa’s fast-growing online trade. Cooperation with SENUM SA, the state’s digital implementation agency, is expected to accelerate the adoption of new technologies.
The initiative comes as private couriers and fintech players expand rapidly in a region where postal services have lagged technologically. Africa’s e-commerce market is projected to double to $113 billion by 2029 from $55 billion today, according to TechCabal Insights, driven by mobile commerce, super apps, and the African Continental Free Trade Area’s new e-commerce protocol.
Senegal’s plan aims not only to boost trade flows and restore public trust in the postal system, but also to generate skilled jobs and support broader economic growth. Its success will hinge on execution, stakeholder buy-in, and the ability to adapt to Africa’s evolving digital landscape.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum
- Alexander Hizikias co-founded eQub, a fintech digitizing Ethiopia’s traditional equb savings circles.
- The mobile app secures transactions, integrates mobile money, and offers access to extra financial services.
- Hizikias, an Addis Ababa University economics graduate, previously launched ventures in textiles and coffee.
Alexander Hizikias, an Ethiopian economist and entrepreneur, is co-founder and chief executive of eQub, a fintech launched in 2020 that brings the country’s traditional savings groups into the digital era. Known as “equb” in Amharic, these rotating savings circles are a long-established form of community finance in Ethiopia.
The eQub mobile app allows users to organize savings groups, secure their transactions, and reduce the risks linked to cash handling. It helps participants manage their finances more effectively and extends access to services for people outside the formal banking system.
The app integrates mobile money payments, automates contributions, and provides transparent tracking of group activities, strengthening trust among members. It also includes a points-based system that unlocks additional financial services such as credit or payment facilities.
According to the company, the eQub app is the first platform that helps people draw on their future savings. It allows users to set up and manage their personal groups in just a few clicks, while making it easier to interact with fellow eQubers.
Hizikias graduated in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in economics from Addis Ababa University. Before launching eQub, he created Alexander Hizikias Couture, a textile design and manufacturing company active from 2016 to 2019. In the same year, he co-founded The Goat Cafe, a coffee business.