Tech (907)
Artificial intelligence is steadily becoming a transformative tool for African public services. Although local solutions are emerging in health, education, and agriculture, their widespread adoption hinges on significant structural investments and a clear ethical framework.
Africa is increasingly adopting artificial intelligence to modernize its public services, particularly in strategic sectors like health, agriculture, and education. According to "Governing in the Age of AI – Unlocking a New Era of Transformation in Africa," a report published in April 2025 by the Tony Blair Institute, AI can boost state productivity, enhance transparency, and improve access to essential services at a lower cost. Africa currently accounts for only 1% of global AI investment but could significantly benefit from a targeted approach based on concrete use cases tailored to local realities.
Health: Low-Cost Diagnostics and Smart Logistics
AI applications are expanding across Africa's health sector. In Nigeria, the startup Ubenwa developed an algorithm that analyzes newborn cries to detect early signs of asphyxia. This helps reduce neonatal mortality in rural areas. In Nairobi, Neural Labs is testing NeuralSight, an AI-based medical imaging analysis platform capable of diagnosing over 20 respiratory and breast diseases at a lower cost.
Agriculture: Boosting Productivity for Smallholder Farmers
African agritech companies are rapidly adopting AI to transform farming practices. South Africa's Aerobotics uses drones and satellite imagery to detect diseases and pests before they spread, contributing to higher yields. In Ghana, Farmerline launched Darli, a chatbot accessible via WhatsApp in 27 African languages, providing tailored agricultural advice. Launched in March 2024, the service already reaches 110,000 farmers. These innovations improve access to agricultural expertise, help reduce input use, and strengthen climate resilience.
Education: Personalized Support to Address Teacher Shortages
With UNESCO estimating a teacher shortfall of 15 million across the continent, AI is seen as a valuable support tool. SkillBridge in Ethiopia and M-Shule in Kenya offer intelligent assistants that guide students via SMS or apps, achieving an 87% accuracy rate in preparatory exercises. Nigeria's Afrilearn, for its part, employs a "learn-and-earn" model to give students free access to enriched and interactive educational content.
National Strategies Still Unevenly Distributed
To date, about 11 African countries have adopted a national AI strategy. These include Rwanda, South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Tunisia, and Benin. According to the 2023 AI Readiness Index from the University of Oxford, Sub-Saharan Africa scores an average of 30.2 out of 100, significantly lagging behind East Asia's 52.6. Key obstacles identified include a lack of digital infrastructure, poor-quality data, and weak institutional capacities.
At the continental level, the African Union adopted the African Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in 2024. This strategy promotes responsible, inclusive, and ethical AI and includes developing data governance standards, shared regional infrastructure, and fostering local innovation.
African AI: Between Local Promise and Systemic Challenges
Africa now has high-impact, tangible AI use cases in health, agriculture, education, and public management. The startups involved demonstrate the continent's capacity for local innovation. However, without structural investment in infrastructure, talent development, and ethical governance, these initiatives risk remaining marginal.
To address this, the Tony Blair Institute report proposes creating an AI Financing Compact for Africa. This compact aims to pool investments in data centers, digital identities, and certified training programs. The private sector, driven by startups and tech hubs, is playing a crucial role in deploying solutions adapted to African contexts.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
As artificial intelligence advances across Africa, cybersecurity vulnerabilities are growing, leaving citizens, institutions, and infrastructure exposed to increasingly sophisticated attacks. Authorities are struggling to contain the rapid rise of online crime in this environment.
Cybercrime is rapidly expanding across Africa, now accounting for up to 30% of reported crimes in some regions, particularly West and East Africa. This is according to Interpol's latest cyberthreat assessment report on the continent, published on Monday, June 23. The annual assessment highlights a surge in digital attacks among African member states, with threats becoming increasingly sophisticated. Online scams, especially phishing, ransomware, business email compromise (BEC), and digital sextortion, are among the primary cyberthreats identified.
📢 New INTERPOL report warns of a sharp rise in cybercrime in Africa.
— INTERPOL_Cyber (@INTERPOL_Cyber) June 23, 2025
🔗 https://t.co/F98W3lS9gm#Cybercrime #INTERPOL
Diverse and Targeted Digital Threats
The report indicates that some attacks have targeted critical infrastructure, including the Kenya Urban Roads Authority and Nigeria's National Bureau of Statistics. In West Africa, criminal organizations such as the transnational Black Axe syndicate are implicated in BEC fraud operations amounting to millions of dollars.
Figures across the continent underscore the problem. In 2024, South Africa and Egypt recorded the highest numbers of ransomware detections, with 17,849 and 12,281 cases respectively. Nigeria, with 3,459 cases, and Kenya, with 3,030 cases, followed closely, confirming the vulnerability of the continent's most digitized economies. Interpol also warns of a significant increase in digital sextortion cases, reported in 60% of African member countries. In many of these incidents, the compromising images used are often generated or manipulated with artificial intelligence.
Limited Response Capacity Amid Surge in Cyberattacks
Despite the rise in cyberattacks, investigation and response capabilities remain limited. Nine out of ten African countries believe a significant improvement in law enforcement and prosecution capabilities is necessary. Systems for incident reporting, digital evidence management, and cyberthreat databases are still uncommon. Only 30% of countries report having a notification system, 29% a digital evidence processing system, and 19% a cyberthreat database.
Legal and institutional challenges exacerbate the issue. Three-quarters of surveyed countries acknowledge that their current legal frameworks are inadequate. Furthermore, 95% cite a lack of training, resources, or specialized tools to effectively combat cybercrime.
Additionally, regional and international cooperation remains insufficient. For 86% of African countries, slow formal mechanisms, the absence of operational networks, and restricted access to data hosted abroad hinder investigations. Eighty-nine percent also believe it is necessary to strengthen their collaboration with the private sector.
Interpol, however, noted some progress. Several African states have aligned their legislation with international standards, invested in specialized units, and participated in major operations like Serengeti and Red Card, which led to over 1,000 arrests. The organization calls for stronger cooperation between governments and the private sector, as well as the integration of emerging technologies to better anticipate and counter threats. This report is part of the AFJOC (African Joint Operation against Cybercrime) initiative, supported by the United Kingdom, which aims to boost African states’ cybersecurity capacities.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
These engagements mark a significant step in Egypt’s efforts to position itself as a regional leader in digital services, deepen international cooperation, and create new job opportunities for its youth in the global tech economy.
Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Dr. Amr Talaat, met with top Italian industry leaders and business representatives in Rome to deepen cooperation in the ICT sector and promote Egypt as a global offshoring hub, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology announced June 19. The meetings were part of a broader push to attract foreign investment and expand bilateral partnerships in digital transformation and innovation.
Dr. Talaat met with Enrico Bagnasco, CEO of Sparkle and President of Confindustria Assafrica & Mediterraneo, alongside Egypt’s Ambassador to Italy, Bassam Rady. Discussions focused on fostering partnerships between Egyptian and Italian ICT companies, with a spotlight on expanding cooperation in digital capacity building through linkages between Sparkle Academies and Egypt’s WE Applied Technology Schools.
The Minister also reviewed the achievements of the ongoing partnership between Telecom Egypt and Sparkle, particularly in enhancing international digital infrastructure. He outlined Egypt’s Digital Egypt Strategy for the Offshoring Industry, emphasizing the country’s strategic advantages, including a skilled multilingual workforce, advanced infrastructure, and competitive incentive packages for investors.
In a separate meeting, Dr. Talaat met with Alfonso Siano, Head of International Relations at Intesa Sanpaolo, Italy’s leading banking group. Discussions centered on expanding the bank’s operations in Egypt and exploring collaborations in FinTech innovation. The Minister highlighted Egypt’s fast-growing offshoring sector, particularly in banking and financial services, and its ability to support global operations with digitally skilled youth and cutting-edge digital infrastructure.
Further discussions were held with Gianfranco Previtera, President of AlmavivA, one of Italy’s largest tech companies, and Amr Sayed, Business Development Manager for MENA. AlmavivA shared plans to scale its Egypt office and grow its workforce to meet rising demand for offshoring services, leveraging Egypt’s talent pool and cost-effective business environment.
This push to deepen Egypt–Italy digital cooperation directly supports Egypt’s broader ambitions to become a global hub for IT offshoring, digital services, and innovation-driven investment. Egypt’s Digital Egypt Strategy for the Offshoring Industry, launched by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), aims to attract $9 billion in digital exports annually by 2026.
Hikmatu Bilali
Key highlights:
- The DRC will roll out SISAG, a real-time digital monitoring platform for government projects, in Q3 2025.
- The system will centralize data, track delays, and connect ministries for improved coordination and transparency.
- Inspired by African peers like Rwanda and Benin, the platform is a core part of the country’s 2024–2028 Government Action Program.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) plans to launch a new digital platform called SISAG in the third quarter of 2025 to improve monitoring and transparency of government projects.
SISAG, an Information System for Monitoring Government Actions, will centralize data on priority projects and update progress in real time. The system will feature dashboards for live tracking, automatic alerts for delays, and data sharing across ministries.
The platform will connect with key institutions including the National Institute of Statistics, the National Secretariat for Capacity Building, and the Agency for Digital Development to ensure reliable data flow.
A dedicated technical unit, USAG, will coordinate ministries, compile data, and provide objective analysis to support decision-making and accountability.
A Core Part of the 2024–2028 Government Action Program
SISAG fits into the Government Action Program (PAG) for 2024–2028, recently adopted by Congo’s leaders. The PAG demands clear indicators, measurable goals, and results-driven public action.
SISAG aligns political goals with technology. It tracks commitments closely and enables ongoing evaluation. The system will speed up public investments, enhance coordination between ministries, and increase transparency in managing resources.
Learning from Africa’s Best Practices
DRC models SISAG on successful tools used in other African countries. Rwanda uses Imihigo, a performance system based on annual contracts. Benin relies on MPAT to assess ministry performance. These tools have proven they can boost accountability and energize government action.
Once fully up and running, DRC plans to expand SISAG to provincial governments. This will allow detailed monitoring of local projects. Eventually, DRC may open parts of SISAG’s data to the public to build citizen trust. But this will require firm political backing, careful rollout, and strong buy-in from all stakeholders.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum
Highlights:
• Ivory Coast adopts digital nationality certificate system to streamline services and cut red tape.
• New ‘recognitive attestation’ allows Ivorians to get simplified e-certificates without repeating administrative procedures.
• Part of a broader digital transformation drive, the reform aims to boost trust, reduce fraud, and modernize public service delivery.
Ivory Coast has approved a decree to digitize nationality certificates, a move aimed at modernizing public services and making them more accessible. The reform was greenlit by the Council of Ministers on June 18 and stems from a joint proposal by the Ministries of Justice and Digital Transition.
Government spokesperson Amadou Coulibaly said the initiative will simplify how certificates of nationality are issued. It also introduces a “recognitive nationality attestation,” allowing Ivorians who already hold a valid certificate to obtain a digital version without repeating the original procedure.
The new attestation mirrors France’s recognitive nationality model and is expected to reduce administrative delays and costs. Courts will now forward copies of all issued certificates to a central authority that manages digital records and facilitates reissuance.
The documents will be available through the government’s e-justice platform (e-justice.ci), which already offers services like criminal record requests and identity certificates. All digital nationality documents will carry a visible electronic seal (CEV), ensuring instant verification of authenticity by users or officials.
The reform aligns with Ivory Coast’s national digital strategy, which prioritizes administrative efficiency and citizen inclusion. While the country ranks 124th out of 193 in the UN’s e-governance development index, progress is being made through platforms like e-Justice.
Authorities hope the new system will help combat document fraud and promote confidence in digital governance. Challenges remain, including infrastructure reliability, staff training, and cross-platform compatibility.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum
According to the U.S. think tank Brookings, 230 million jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa will require digital skills by 2030. The continent has the potential to become a talent hub—but this will demand substantial investment in training and skills development.
Algeria's Minister of Vocational Training and Education, Yacine El Mahdi Oualid (photo), announced on Tuesday, June 17, the gradual rollout of 40 new digital specialties starting next academic year. The announcement came during a national meeting focused on new professions in the field of information technology.
These new programs will be implemented across various institutes and centers of excellence nationwide. The goal is to modernize vocational training and better align it with the real needs of the Algerian economy, especially in high-growth technology sectors. This reform also aims to improve the employability of graduates by equipping them with in-demand skills.
This initiative is part of a broader national digital transformation strategy. The recently adopted National Digital Transformation Strategy (SNTN) aims to train 500,000 ICT specialists while reducing the brain drain of skilled professionals abroad by 40%. This proactive policy is designed to support the diversification of an economy still heavily reliant on hydrocarbons by building a robust local pool of digital talent.
On the sidelines of the event, several cooperation agreements were signed. A notable partnership was established between the Ministry and the National Insurance Company (SAA) to develop ongoing training and apprenticeship mechanisms. Additionally, two agreements were signed with Mobilis and online training provider Beeform Academy, strengthening collaboration among the public sector, businesses, and private training providers.
Through this reform, authorities aim to improve youth employment, strengthen the national digital ecosystem, and cultivate a talent base to support Algeria’s technological ambitions. Ultimately, these efforts could position Algeria as a regional hub for digital skills, while meeting the domestic demand for qualified ICT jobs.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Burundian authorities are stepping up efforts to develop ICT and accelerate digital transformation. This momentum now extends to all sectors, including land administration, which is firmly committed to digitizing its services.
Burundian company Mediabox announced on Tuesday, June 17, the launch of an Electronic Document and Records Management System (EDRMS) for the Directorate of Land Titles and National Cadastre (DTFCN). Funded by the World Bank, this digital system aims to enhance the internal management of land operations. It will facilitate document access, secure archiving, action traceability, and administrative transparency.
Unlike a public portal, the EDRMS is an exclusive tool for land administration agents. It allows for swift and structured file consultation while ensuring full traceability of all operations carried out by relevant services. The primary goal is to streamline internal processes, shorten processing times, and secure information related to land ownership.
The Mediabox-developed solution integrates with two other DTFCN platforms: the Building Permit System (BPS), which manages building permit applications and the issuance of initial land titles, and the Property Management System (PMS), which handles updates to existing titles, including transfers, corrections, and mortgages. Together, these tools create a comprehensive digital ecosystem, ensuring continuity and reliability throughout land operations, from initial request to post-issuance management.
This initiative addresses persistent challenges in Burundi’s land sector, such as bureaucratic delays, a lack of centralized archives, legal insecurity of land titles, and slow document issuance. The project aims to resolve these issues by equipping public officials with tools for more efficient and transparent work.
The initiative is part of the Digital Foundations Project (PAFEN), a World Bank-funded program with a $92 million allocation. PAFEN seeks to expand broadband access in rural areas, build digital skills, and promote the digitization of public services. Burundi ranked 183rd out of 193 countries in the United Nations’ 2024 E-Government Development Index (EGDI), underscoring the significant challenges ahead.
The project's success will hinge on strengthening internal digital infrastructure, training staff on new technological tools, fostering a digital culture within the administration, and ensuring the security of sensitive land-related data. Ongoing system maintenance and scalability will also be crucial to meet the growing demands of land administration in the long term.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Blockchain can offer new economic opportunities for young people. However, unequal access to digital skills remains a barrier for many youth, especially girls.
Bitget, a global cryptocurrency exchange, announced on Monday, June 16, a partnership with UNICEF Luxembourg. The initiative aims to train 300,000 young people in digital skills, including blockchain technology, by 2025. The program will target eight countries, including two in Africa: Morocco and South Africa.
Blockchain, a decentralized and secure digital ledger technology, enables transparent and tamper-proof data storage and transfer. While it underpins cryptocurrencies, its applications extend broadly to education, healthcare, and data management.
This three-year program will be a collaboration between Bitget Academy, the exchange's educational arm, and UNICEF’s Office of Innovation. Together, they will develop UNICEF's first interactive blockchain learning module. This module will combine online and in-person training, incorporating video games to enhance learning for both young people and educators.
The initiative specifically emphasizes empowering girls, as well as their parents and teachers, to reduce gender inequality in access to technology. It seeks to strengthen education in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM), with the goal of reaching 1.1 million girls by 2027 through the UNICEF-led Game Changers coalition.
This project is part of the larger Game Changers coalition, which strives to close the gender gap in digital education. UNICEF reports that disparities in digital access cost young women in low- and middle-income countries up to $15 billion annually in lost economic opportunities.
By focusing on Morocco and South Africa, two nations committed to the digital transformation of their education systems, the initiative could significantly boost youth skills, particularly among girls. This effort aims to foster a new generation of digital professionals in Africa's rapidly expanding tech sector.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Morocco is emerging as a strategic destination for tech investments, thanks to its geographic position, growing digital infrastructure, and strong commitment to renewable energy. The country is increasingly attracting global digital players.
South Korean tech company Naver announced on Friday, June 13, its plans to establish a next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) data center in Morocco. This initiative is a collaborative effort with Nvidia, Nexus Core Systems, and investor Lloyds Capital. The facility, powered by renewable energy, is designed to achieve a 500-megawatt (MW) capacity to address the increasing demand for sovereign AI services across the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region.
Chae Sun-joo, CEO of Naver’s strategic business unit, stated, "This collaboration will be an important turning point for Naver's cloud and AI technologies to expand beyond Japan, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East to the European market."
The initial phase of construction is set to commence in the fourth quarter with the installation of a 40 MW supercomputer. This supercomputer will be equipped with Nvidia’s latest Blackwell (GB200) GPUs. The site is projected to expand to 500 MW, with its green power supply secured through an agreement with energy provider TAQA.
Naver's decision to select Morocco for this venture is based on several strategic advantages. These include its close proximity to Europe, merely 15 km across the Strait of Gibraltar, an extensive fiber-optic submarine cable network, and a competitive energy environment. Morocco aims to generate 52% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and is home to significant green energy projects, such as the Noor solar complex in Ouarzazate, which boasts an installed capacity of 580 MW.
This initiative aligns with Morocco’s broader ambition to establish itself as a prominent digital hub in North Africa. In recent years, the country has attracted substantial investment in data centers and cloud infrastructure, including a separate 386 MW mega data center project located in Tetouan.
Beyond its technological implications, the upcoming data center is anticipated to create skilled jobs, facilitate knowledge transfer, enhance the local digital ecosystem, and bolster national digital sovereignty. It could also draw further international investments in cloud computing, AI, and telecommunications, thereby solidifying Morocco’s position as a strategic nexus in Africa’s digital economy.
Samira Njoya
Digital technology is emerging as a key driver of development, with public-private partnerships multiplying to bridge the digital divide, foster local innovation, and improve access to essential services across Africa.
On Thursday, June 12, on the sidelines of VivaTech 2025, telecommunications group Orange and the French Development Agency (AFD) formalized a three-year framework agreement aimed at strengthening their cooperation in the digital sector, particularly across Africa and the Middle East. This agreement establishes Orange as a key partner in advancing digital transformation across 17 countries in the MEA region.
"This strategic partnership with AFD Group marks an important milestone in our collaboration," said Christel Heydemann, CEO of Orange. "I am pleased to continue this momentum of international cooperation for a more inclusive and sustainable digital future."
The agreement's core objective is to broaden access to essential digital services and promote high-impact, sustainable digital solutions. It covers several critical areas, including the deployment of strategic infrastructure such as backbones and submarine cables, enhancing access to e-services in education, health, and agriculture, youth training, fostering digital entrepreneurship, and mitigating the sector’s environmental footprint. Furthermore, the partnership will address emerging topics like data ethics and the application of artificial intelligence for development.
This collaboration comes as demand for digital services surges across the African continent, driven by a digitally native youth demographic. However, significant disparities in access persist. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), only 38% of Africans had internet access in 2024, considerably lower than the global average of 68%. The rural-urban divide is even more pronounced, with 57% coverage in urban areas compared to just 23% in rural regions, highlighting the substantial digital gap.
By combining their efforts, Orange and AFD aim to bolster the digital sovereignty of partner countries and contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through localized, inclusive, and responsible initiatives. The new cooperation framework will also reinforce existing projects, such as the 16 Orange Digital Centers across Africa and training programs supported by the Orange Foundations in Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Madagascar, and Tunisia, while simultaneously launching new initiatives in rural and vulnerable communities.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
More...
Digital transformation is a strategic lever for modernizing Mali’s public administration. By rethinking its public services, the government aims to boost state performance and improve citizens’ access to essential services.
Mali is preparing to deploy two new digital platforms aimed at modernizing its public administration: civil registry management software and an integrated human resources management system. Both solutions were presented on Tuesday, June 10, to the steering committee for the digitalization of the administration, as part of the digital transformation process initiated by the country's highest authorities.
The civil registry management software, developed by the National Agency for the Security of Civil Status Documents in collaboration with the Civil Status Data Processing Center, is designed to facilitate the registration, verification, and authentication of birth, marriage, and death certificates. Accessible on both computers and mobile devices, the tool will enable citizens to consult their documents remotely, streamlining often lengthy and complex administrative procedures.
The integrated human resources management system aims to centralize data on public sector employees from state services and local authorities. Its goal is to strengthen workforce control, enhance transparency in career management, and improve human resources planning.
These two platforms are part of a broader initiative led by the President of the Transition, General Assimi Goïta, to make the administration more efficient and accessible. They complement a series of tools already launched or currently being tested, including the integrated management system for foreign trade operations, the refinancing mechanism for decentralized financial systems called "N’GNA SÔRÔ!", and the certificate management platform for tanker truck calibration designed for the Malian Metrology Agency.
Through this progressive digital transformation, Mali seeks not only to simplify interactions between the administration and citizens but also to strengthen governance, combat document fraud, and better steer its public policies. According to the 2024 edition of the United Nations E-Government Development Index, the country now ranks 141st out of 193, demonstrating significant progress compared to previous years. These initiatives reflect a strong political will to catch up and reposition Mali among Africa's most digitally connected administrations.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Through technological innovation, Egypt aims to enhance its appeal, improve the traveler experience, and support its economic ambitions by 2030.
Egypt is scheduled to launch the pilot phase of its new digital visa-on-arrival system in mid-June at Cairo International Airport. This initiative marks a significant step in the country's strategy to leverage digital technologies, modernize immigration procedures, and enhance its appeal as a tourist destination.
The system, designed to streamline the arrival process for international travelers, will utilize self-service kiosks installed in airport terminals and a dedicated mobile application. Visitors will be able to obtain an emergency visa within minutes through a fully digital process, incorporating QR codes and electronic payments. The new service aims to reduce queues, eliminate paperwork, and expedite border processing.
This initiative is part of Egypt’s National Sustainable Tourism Strategy 2030, which targets attracting 30 million tourists annually by 2028. As the country’s primary point of entry, Cairo Airport will serve as the testing ground for the program. Its success will determine if it expands to other hubs such as Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada, and Luxor.
Beyond improving the traveler experience, the program seeks to position Egypt alongside other destinations that have embraced digital transformation to boost their tourism sectors. The government also anticipates the new system will attract more foreign currency and strengthen a sector that contributes approximately 12% to the national GDP.
Initially, the system will cater to travelers from countries already eligible for Egypt’s e-visa program, particularly those in Europe, North America, and the Middle East.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Powered by a spirit of innovation, a new wave of African startups is setting its sights on international growth. In France, the southern region is emerging as a strategic hub and gateway, offering these companies a favorable environment in which to scale and gain global exposure.
Orange Africa and Middle East (OMEA) announced a partnership with risingSUD, the regional development agency for France's Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA) region, on Wednesday, June 11. The agreement, signed on the sidelines of the Viva Technology trade show in Paris, aims to support the establishment of African startups in France.
Jérôme Hénique, CEO of Orange Africa and Middle East, stated that the partnership with risingSUD is a crucial step in OMEA's ambition to promote African innovation globally. He added that the initiative extends the support Orange already provides to startups through its Orange Digital Centers. By facilitating their establishment and acceleration in France, especially in the southern region, Orange empowers young African companies to accelerate their growth.
The three-year partnership seeks to strengthen collaboration between the innovation ecosystems of Africa, the Middle East, and southern France. Startups within the Orange Digital Centers (ODC) network will receive tailored support to expand their operations in France. This support includes assistance with project development, access to funding, and networking opportunities with local economic partners.
The PACA region, which already hosts over 500,000 businesses, aims to solidify its position as a natural link between Europe and Africa. In 2024, risingSUD has already helped 14 African companies establish themselves in southern France. One such company is Guépard, a Tunisian startup incubated by the ODC in Tunis, which now has a presence in Marseille.
This partnership aligns with OMEA's ongoing efforts to champion African digital entrepreneurship. Operating in 17 countries across Africa and the Middle East, the ODC network provides free access to various services, including digital training, incubation, acceleration, and funding for innovative projects.
Ultimately, this collaboration is expected to strengthen economic and technological ties across the Mediterranean while simultaneously enhancing the global competitiveness of African innovation ecosystems.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
The launch of the 2025 STI Policy marks a bold step toward transforming Zambia into a knowledge-driven economy, where innovation is central to development, competitiveness, and national resilience.
The Ministry of Technology and Science announced on June 5 that it has officially launched Zambia’s 2025 Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy—an ambitious national strategy aimed at harnessing the power of innovation to position Zambia as a competitive player in the global economy. The policy outlines a transformative roadmap that aligns science, technology, and innovation with the country’s inclusive and sustainable development goals.
Speaking at the launch event, the Minister of Technology and Science, Hon. Felix Chipota Mutati, MP, emphasized that the policy reflects the government's commitment to using innovation as a tool for real economic transformation. “When President Hakainde Hichilema says we need to export one billion dollars’ worth of beef, it means we must improve cattle genetics, accelerate disease eradication, and apply science to scale up our productivity,” Mutati said. “Similarly, producing 10 billion tons of maize means translating research into practical agricultural outputs that put food on the table.”
Hon. Mutati highlighted that the policy comes at a time when global economies are being reshaped by cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, robotics, green energy, biotechnology, and space science.
The 2025 STI Policy rests on several strategic pillars. In the area of Research and Development (R&D), over K3 billion will be invested to strengthen Zambia’s national R&D ecosystem. This includes establishing national research priorities, upgrading scientific infrastructure, and creating a centralized database of ongoing research initiatives. Priority institutions will be empowered to carry out applied research aligned with Zambia’s economic and social goals.
For Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies, the government has allocated K8 million to develop regulatory frameworks, ethical standards, educational programs, and awareness campaigns. These efforts aim to position Zambia as a regional hub for AI innovation.
The policy also introduces a robust framework for technology commercialization, which includes the creation of five new technology transfer offices, innovation hubs, and science parks. A national startup database and commercialization guidelines will support the growth and scaling of technology-driven enterprises across the country.
In terms of human capital development, the policy targets the training of at least 500 postgraduate students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields through scholarships, exchange programs, and mentorship. It also seeks to strengthen engagement with the Zambian diaspora and expand knowledge systems rooted in local traditions.
A major component of the policy is the preservation and development of indigenous knowledge systems. Legal frameworks and dedicated R&D centers will be established to protect and advance local innovations. The government also plans to increase Zambia’s Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) from the current 0.28% to 0.50% of GDP by 2029.
Zambia’s economy has long relied on commodity exports, particularly copper, which makes up around 70% of export earnings. The STI Policy provides a pathway to economic diversification, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and healthcare, by supporting applied research, digital transformation, and technology commercialization.
Hikmatu Bilali