Tech (1174)
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Microsoft and Education Plus launched Empower+, a free digital platform offering AI and digital skills training across 21 African countries.
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The program targets adolescent girls and young womento reduce gender gaps in technology education.
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Sub-Saharan Africa could require 230 million digital jobs by 2030, according to the World Bank.
Microsoft and the Education Plus initiative, supported by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), launched a new digital platform designed to strengthen artificial intelligence and digital skills among young people in Africa.
The partners announced on March 10 the rollout of Empower+, an online platform that provides free access to digital training programs. The initiative primarily targets adolescent girls and young women in 21 African countries and aims to reduce inequalities in access to technological education.
The platform, also accessible via mobile devices, offers modules covering basic digital literacy, emerging artificial intelligence skills, and the use of technology in the workplace. In addition, the modules combine digital training with awareness and prevention content related to HIV, a major public health issue affecting young women in sub-Saharan Africa.
Tiara Pathon, Director of Artificial Intelligence Skills at Microsoft Elevate, said the initiative aims to equip learners with the capabilities required in a digital economy. “Access to education and skills is one of the most powerful drivers of opportunity. With Empower+, we want to enable learners to gain the knowledge to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world,” she said.
This launch comes as demand for skilled digital professionals continues to rise across the region. According to the World Bank, nearly 230 million jobs in sub-Saharan Africa will require digital skills by 2030.
However, gender disparities remain significant. UNESCO reports that women and girls are 25% less likely than men to use digital tools for basic purposes, four times less likely to know how to program, and thirteen times less likely to file patents in information and communication technologies (ICT).
Against this backdrop, expanding access to digital skills training represents a key lever to reduce inequality and support economic inclusion. Online training initiatives could help create more professional opportunities for young women in a technology sector that remains largely male-dominated.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Platform links universities with industry for research and innovation
- Initiative supports Morocco Digital 2030 strategy and AI-driven growth
Three Moroccan government ministries signed an agreement Tuesday in Fez to establish the JAZARI Industry X.0 Institute, a new platform aimed at accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in the country’s industrial sector.
The agreement was signed by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, and the Ministry of Economy and Finance. It brings together several universities to support research, innovation and technology transfer to Moroccan industry.
The partnership includes Euromed University of Fez, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Moulay Ismail University and Al Akhawayn University. The institute will focus on Industry 4.0 technologies, including the Internet of Things, advanced robotics and industrial data analytics, with the aim of linking scientific research more closely to the needs of businesses.
From academia to industry
Authorities say the institute will work to turn academic research into practical technological solutions for industry. Priority areas include improving productivity, predictive maintenance, manufacturing quality and the development of applications for sectors such as smart agriculture and healthcare.
The initiative also seeks to support the creation of technology startups and to train specialists in industrial data and cybersecurity.
The project is part of a broader national push to develop an artificial intelligence ecosystem. Moroccan authorities have recently launched a network of institutes under the “Jazari” label to establish regional centers of excellence dedicated to innovation and the industrial use of digital technologies.
The initiative aligns with the goals of the Morocco Digital 2030 strategy, which places artificial intelligence at the core of the country’s economic modernization.
Authorities estimate that the structured rollout of AI could generate around 100 billion dirhams ($11 billion) in additional GDP. Official projections also point to the creation of 50,000 jobs and the training of 200,000 skilled graduates, strengthening Morocco’s technological and industrial competitiveness.
Samira Njoya
- Orange Guinea relaunched the 2026 edition of the “Hello Women” program to encourage women to pursue careers in technology and digital sectors.
- The initiative offers training, mentorship, technical site visits and a women-focused hackathon through the Orange Digital Center.
- The program addresses a persistent gender gap in tech as women represent about 30% of researchers in Africa and less than 15% in engineering and technology in some regions.
Orange’s Guinean subsidiary announced the launch of the 2026 edition of its “Hello Women” program, an initiative that aims to encourage young girls and women to pursue careers in science, technology and digital industries.
Orange presented the program on Monday, March 9 and said it aims to strengthen Guinean women’s access to digital skills while supporting their entry into a sector that men still largely dominate.
The program includes several activities designed to introduce participants to technology careers and practical skills. Organizers will run awareness sessions on technology professions, facilitate meetings with female professionals in the sector and organize visits to the company’s technical sites.
Participants will also attend short training courses at the Orange Digital Center. The courses will cover topics such as software development, cloud computing, cybersecurity and data analysis.
The initiative will also host a women-focused hackathon to stimulate innovation and encourage participants to develop technological solutions that address local challenges.
Orange Guinea said the program will support women at multiple stages of their professional journey. Ousmane Boly Traoré, chief executive officer of Orange Guinea, said the initiative aims to guide women whether they want to discover digital professions, shift into technical careers or gain their first professional experience.
The company said it wants to expand women’s participation in scientific and technological sectors where female representation remains limited.
The initiative comes at a time when women still play a limited role in the digital sector across Africa. According to UNESCO, women account for about 30% of scientific researchers in Africa, but their presence in information technology fields remains significantly lower.
In parts of West and Central Africa, women represent less than 15% of researchers in engineering and technology, a gap that limits their participation in the digital economy. Technology companies and telecom operators have launched multiple initiatives to reduce this imbalance. Within the Orange Group, women represent about 25.4% of employees in technical and digital professions.
Orange said it hopes that training and support initiatives such as “Hello Women” will expand the pool of female talent and promote greater diversity in technology careers.
Beyond equality goals, policymakers and companies increasingly view female participation in science and technology as a driver of economic development. Africa’s digital transformation continues to create growing demand for skills in fields such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and data analytics.
The World Bank estimates that sub-Saharan Africa could generate up to 230 million digital-related jobs by 2030 as digital services expand rapidly across the region. This outlook increases the urgency to train more talent, including women, to meet the continent’s growing demand for digital skills.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Gebeya and InterNetX signed a strategic partnership to allow African entrepreneurs to register and manage web domains using local payment methods.
- The partnership integrates InterNetX’s AutoDNS platform into Gebeya’s ecosystem, including Jitume AI and Dala AI.
- The initiative aims to remove barriers linked to international payments and strengthen digital inclusion for African SMEs.
Pan-African digital platform Gebeya and European domain registrar InterNetX, a subsidiary of IONOS Group, signed a strategic partnership to simplify access to domain registration services across Africa.
The companies announced the agreement on March 9. The partnership will allow African entrepreneurs, freelancers and small businesses to register and manage web domains directly through the Gebeya platform while using local payment methods.
This initiative aims to address persistent technical and financial barriers that limit access to online business tools across the continent.
Gebeya’s leadership says the partnership responds to a growing need for accessible digital infrastructure. “Possessing a web domain has become essential for any company or professional seeking to grow in the African digital market,” said Amadou Daffe, Chief Executive Officer of Gebeya.
“This partnership with InterNetX simplifies this crucial step and removes obstacles related to international credit cards and currency restrictions,” he added.
Many African entrepreneurs face difficulties when they attempt to purchase domain services because international payment systems often restrict transactions or require foreign currency cards.
The partnership will integrate InterNetX’s AutoDNS platform into Gebeya’s digital ecosystem. This integration will connect the technology with Gebeya’s solutions, including Jitume AI, its digital talent marketplace, and Dala AI, its digital services studio.
Users will be able to purchase domains, configure SSL certificates and launch websites within minutes through the platform.
The system will support payments in local currencies, which allows entrepreneurs to bypass common constraints associated with cross-border transactions.
The initiative comes at a time when Africa’s digital economy continues to expand rapidly. Data from We Are Social and Meltwater show that Africa counted about 670 million internet users at the beginning of 2025. Start-ups and small businesses across the continent increasingly seek to strengthen their online presence in order to reach customers and scale their operations.
The partnership aims to deliver broader benefits beyond domain acquisition. Simplified access to domain management tools and SSL security certificates will help businesses secure their websites and expand digital commerce. The initiative also supports digital sovereignty and online entrepreneurship in Africa by reducing technical and financial barriers.
By enabling easier access to essential digital infrastructure, the collaboration seeks to accelerate SME growth and deepen digital inclusion across the continent.
Samira Njoya
- Egypt launched Wa3i.net, a digital awareness platform under the national Digital Citizenship and Online Protection initiative.
- Authorities aim to strengthen cybersecurity awareness among nearly 98 million internet users, representing about 72.2% of the population.
- Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky reported that 27.4% of Egyptian internet users faced online threats in 2024, while phishing and social engineering attacks rose 44% across the Middle East, Turkey and Africa region.
Egypt has chosen to strengthen public awareness of digital safety practices in order to reduce user vulnerability to cyber risks.
The Egyptian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology announced on Friday, March 6, the launch of a national initiative called “Digital Citizenship and Online Protection.” The program places the Wa3i.net platform at its core.
Authorities designed the platform to raise awareness of digital best practices and reduce citizens’ exposure to cyber threats.
The Wa3i.net platform operates as a knowledge hub dedicated to digital security. The platform provides Arabic-language educational content, practical guides and training resources. The platform targets several audiences, including children, teenagers, parents and teachers. Authorities aim to promote best practices in personal data protection, safe internet browsing and responsible technology use. The program follows the principle that awareness represents the first line of defense against cyberattacks.
Authorities believe that stronger digital literacy will reduce citizens’ vulnerability to threats such as phishing attacks, cyberbullying, online fraud and the spread of misinformation. Consequently, the government intends to build a stronger cybersecurity culture across society.
The initiative comes as internet usage expands rapidly in Egypt. Data from DataReportal shows that Egypt had nearly 98 million internet users, representing an internet penetration rate of 72.2% of the population.
However, the growth of digital services, social media platforms and online payment systems has also increased exposure to cybercrime. These risks affect individuals, businesses and public institutions alike.
Industry data confirms the scale of the challenge. Cybersecurity company Kaspersky reported that 27.4% of internet users in Egypt encountered online threats in 2024, including malicious websites or malware distributed through the web.
The company also reported that phishing and social engineering attacks increased by 44% across the Middle East, Turkey and Africa region, highlighting the increasing sophistication of cybercriminal methods.
The Egyptian government plans to address these challenges through a collaborative approach. The program includes partnerships with public institutions, international organizations and private sector companies.
Authorities expect these partnerships to facilitate knowledge sharing, promote best practices and strengthen national cybersecurity capabilities.
Samira Njoya
- The AfCFTA Secretariat, Quest Ghana Limited, and the Seychelles government signed a memorandum of understanding to develop the archipelago as a digital trade hub.
- The initiative aims to integrate Seychellois companies, particularly MSMEs, into Africa’s digital value chains and cross-border e-commerce ecosystem.
- The Seychelles benefits from strong digital readiness, with internet penetration at 87.4%, while its e-commerce market could reach $46.41 million by 2027, according to Statista.
The African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat formalized a memorandum of understanding on March 5 with Quest Ghana Limited and the Government of Seychelles.
The partners designed the agreement to transform the Indian Ocean archipelago into a competitive hub for digital trade and cross-border commerce across Africa. The initiative focuses on integrating Seychellois businesses into Africa’s digital value chains.
Stakeholders said the project aims to enable local operators to participate more actively in dematerialized trade flows. The program will rely on trade facilitation mechanisms established under the African Continental Free Trade Area. Consequently, authorities expect the initiative to expand the role of Seychelles-based companies in the continent’s growing digital marketplace. The partnership plans to introduce a technical framework that will secure cross-border digital transactions.
The agreement emphasizes system interoperability, which partners consider essential for simplifying payments and commercial exchanges between companies operating under different jurisdictions. This technical alignment aims to reduce friction in cross-border digital trade and accelerate regional integration.
Today, the #AfCFTA Secretariat, Quest Ghana Limited and the government of the Republic of Seychelles signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance Seychelles’ digital economy, and digital trade under the AfCFTA.
— AfCFTA Secretariat Official (@AfCFTA) March 5, 2026
The collaboration aims to position Seychelles as a… pic.twitter.com/M4xsA9bnZZ
The initiative places particular emphasis on micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. Partners aim to improve MSMEs’ access to digital infrastructure in order to remove barriers that limit participation in intra-African trade. They expect stronger digital access to allow local companies to join Africa’s expanding digital commerce ecosystem.
The Seychelles supports this diversification strategy with a relatively advanced digital environment. Data from DataReportal shows that internet penetration in the country reached 87.4% of the population in early 2025.
At the same time, e-commerce continues to expand. Estimates from Statista indicate that the Seychelles’ online retail market could grow at an average annual rate of 14.35% between 2023 and 2027, reaching $46.41 million by 2027.
At the continental level, the project aligns with the AfCFTA’s ambition to build a single market of 1.3 billion consumers. Policymakers view e-commerce and digital services as key drivers for achieving a combined African GDP of $3.4 trillion. Officials expect digital trade to reduce transaction costs and accelerate the circulation of goods and services across African markets.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Orange Business Senegal signed a partnership with Port Autonome de Dakar to transform the port into a Smart Port.
- The agreement includes connectivity upgrades, payment digitalization and critical system security improvements to ensure operational continuity.
- The port generated about 95% of Senegal’s customs revenues, and it ranked first in sub-Saharan Africa in the 2024 Container Port Performance Index.
Orange Business Senegal announced on Thursday, March 5, that it signed a partnership agreement with the Port Autonome de Dakar.
The partners designed the agreement to modernize the port and transform it into a “Smart Port.”
Orange Business Sénégal au cœur de la transformation du Port Autonome de Dakar
— Orange Business Sénégal (@obs_senegal) March 5, 2026
Le Port Autonome de Dakar est bien plus qu’une infrastructure logistique.
C’est un pilier stratégique de l’économie sénégalaise traitant l’essentiel des flux commerciaux du pays.
Ce jeudi 5 mars,… pic.twitter.com/ceBUBpoCLT
Orange said the agreement covers infrastructure modernization through world-class connectivity, improvements in operational performance, digitalization of payment processes, and enhanced security of critical systems to ensure business continuity.
Waly Diouf Bodian, Director General of the Port Authority, said the partnership aims to reshape the port’s value chains around robust digital infrastructure.
“It is no longer just about digitizing what already exists, but about restructuring our value chains around robust and resilient digital infrastructure,” Bodian said during the signing ceremony, according to remarks reported by Seneweb.
The agreement forms part of broader digital transformation efforts underway at the port authority.
The port will launch a pilot phase for the electronic exchange of delivery orders on Jan. 2, 2026, using the electronic single-window port platform, which has operated since February 2024.
Earlier, in October 2024, the port signed a memorandum of understanding with Huawei Technologies to support digitalization of port services.
The agreement includes the implementation of technology solutions designed to improve the management of truck flows and container handling at the port.
Authorities view technological innovation as a key driver of competitiveness for the Port of Dakar at both regional and international levels.
The infrastructure generates nearly 95% of national customs revenues, representing approximately 25% of Senegal’s state budget.
The introduction of the single-window system contributed to performance improvements in 2024, according to the Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) published by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence.
The port ranked first in sub-Saharan Africa in the 2024 index. Its score improved from –82 in 2023 to +23 in 2024, marking one of the strongest global performance gains during the period.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
- President Abdelmadjid Tebboune validated Algeria’s 2025-2029 national cybersecurity strategy
- Kaspersky recorded more than 70 million cyberattacks targeting Algeria in 2024.
- The International Telecommunication Union ranks Algeria in Tier 3 in its 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index.
The Information Systems Security Agency of the Ministry of National Defence unveiled Algeria’s 2025-2029 National Strategy for Information Systems Security on March 3. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune approved the document, which aims to structure the state’s response to rising cyber threats and strengthen the country’s digital resilience.
The plan is based on several priorities. Authorities plan to strengthen technical capabilities, improve inter-agency coordination and reinforce prevention and cyber-incident response. The strategy also places particular emphasis on improving cybersecurity awareness among public institutions and citizens.
According to the Ministry of National Defence, the strategy pursues three main objectives: protecting critical infrastructure, securing sensitive state data and ensuring the continuity of public services amid rapid digital transformation. More broadly, it aims to safeguard Algeria’s digital sovereignty and strengthen trust in the national digital ecosystem.
The initiative comes amid sustained cybercrime activity. Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky reported that Algeria faced more than 70 million cyberattacks in 2024. Over the same period, systems blocked more than 13 million phishing attempts and nearly 750,000 malicious email attachments, highlighting the scale of the threat.
Institutionally, Algeria remains at the “establishing” stage, or Tier 3, in cybersecurity according to the 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index published by the International Telecommunication Union. The ranking reflects structured government engagement that remains in a consolidation phase.
Beyond security concerns, authorities view stronger cyber capabilities as an economic priority. Globally, cybercrime generates annual losses estimated in the trillions of dollars. In this context, the 2025–2029 strategy aims to secure the expansion of Algeria’s digital economy and protect digital investments.
Samira Njoya
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Generative AI enables the creation of synthetic sexual abuse images and deepfakes targeting minors.
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Around 40% of Africans aged 15–24 currently have internet access, increasing both opportunity and exposure to risk.
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African regulatory frameworks remain fragmented and largely unprepared to address AI-generated harms.
As submarine cables multiply and 4G and 5G networks expand across the continent, an entire generation integrates into the digital world. Governments and businesses leverage this connectivity to drive economic, educational and social development. However, millions of minors face new, more sophisticated and harder-to-detect threats.
According to joint estimates from the International Telecommunication Union and the African Union, about 40% of Africans aged 15 to 24 currently access the internet. This steadily rising figure creates a dual imperative: authorities must accelerate digital inclusion while strengthening child protection mechanisms.
Generative AI, a New Frontier for Online Abuse
Generative AI is transforming the nature of online harm targeting children. Cyberbullying no longer relies solely on insults or the circulation of authentic images. Individuals now use widely accessible applications to fabricate intimate images, clone voices or manipulate videos from a single photograph.
In 2023, the Internet Watch Foundation reported for the first time the circulation of entirely AI-generated child sexual abuse images online. The organization warned that these technologies significantly lower technical barriers and complicate perpetrator identification. INTERPOL also acknowledged that increasingly sophisticated deepfakes hinder investigations and make it harder to distinguish authentic material from manipulated images. Criminals also use these tools to conduct “sextortion,” in which individuals blackmail teenagers and their families using fabricated content.
Child rights organizations report that predators also use AI to analyze online behavior, emotional states and personal interests in order to refine manipulation strategies.
Legal Frameworks Remain Inadequate
Regulatory responses remain uneven across the continent. The Malabo Convention, adopted by the African Union, establishes a foundation for cybersecurity and personal data protection. However, policymakers drafted the convention before the emergence of generative AI, and the text does not explicitly address synthetic content targeting minors.
Several African countries have enacted data protection laws that regulate the collection and processing of personal information. However, most frameworks do not include specific provisions regarding platform liability in cases involving deepfakes of children.
In South Africa, the Protection of Personal Information Act imposes strict obligations regarding data processing, including data relating to minors. Nevertheless, lawmakers designed the framework primarily to protect privacy rather than to proactively prevent AI-generated harmful content.
In Cameroon, authorities adopted a charter on online child protection in 2023 that establishes shared responsibility among telecom operators, regulators and families. However, the law protects only children under 18, while the legal age of majority in Cameroon stands at 21, which leaves a segment of minors without full legal coverage.
Toward More Structured AI Governance
Policymakers are advancing discussions at both continental and global levels. The African Union is developing a strategy to regulate AI development and use, with a focus on ethics, data governance and digital sovereignty. Policymakers are increasingly recognizing child protection as a cross-cutting issue, particularly in a continent with the world’s youngest population.
At the global level, UNICEF advocates a “Safety by Design” approach that integrates child protection into the design phase of digital products. The organization argues that stakeholders must anticipate risks rather than intervene only after harmful content spreads. UNICEF also warns that children face heightened exposure to online threats in environments where regulation, local-language moderation and reporting mechanisms remain underdeveloped.
Samira Njoya
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Morocco’s CNDP and Portugal’s CNPD signed a memorandum of understanding in Lisbon on Feb. 25 to formalize institutional cooperation.
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The agreement prioritizes artificial intelligence, deepfakes and digital violence amid rising cross-border data risks.
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Morocco’s internet penetration exceeded 92% at end-2025, while Portugal reported high generative AI adoption and advanced GDPR enforcement.
Morocco and Portugal have stepped up coordination to tackle emerging digital challenges. The national authorities responsible for personal data protection in both countries signed a memorandum of understanding in Lisbon on Wednesday, Feb. 25, to structure their institutional cooperation.
Paula Meira Lourenço, president of the Comissão Nacional de Proteção de Dados (CNPD), and Omar Seghrouchni, president of Morocco’s Commission nationale de contrôle de la protection des données à caractère personnel (CNDP), signed the agreement at the CNPD headquarters. The text established an operational framework to intensify technical expertise exchanges and information sharing.
AI and Digital Violence at the Core of Priorities
The cooperation will primarily target issues related to artificial intelligence, image manipulation technologies such as deepfakes and digital violence. These phenomena have raised growing concerns regarding privacy protection, legal certainty and regulation of digital practices. The memorandum also provides for training programs, educational projects and the exchange of best practices in oversight and enforcement of regulatory frameworks, as technology continues to evolve rapidly.
This initiative comes as both countries experience strong digital momentum. In Morocco, internet penetration exceeded 92% at the end of 2025, according to DataReportal, placing the country among the most connected markets in Africa. Meanwhile, Portugal has recorded high adoption rates of generative artificial intelligence, according to a recent study by Bain & Company. Portugal has also built advanced experience in enforcing the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Anchoring Cooperation in Regional Networks
The agreement provides for annual bilateral meetings to ensure structured follow-up. Each institution will also leverage its international networks. The CNPD will rely on the Ibero-American Data Protection Network (RIPD) and the Lusophone Data Protection Network (RLPD). Meanwhile, Morocco’s CNDP will activate the Network of African Data Protection Authorities (NADPA-RAPDP) and the Francophone Association of Data Protection Authorities (AFAPDP).
Samira Njoya
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The Gabonese government approved a draft ordinance amending the Criminal Procedure Code to regulate the admissibility of digital evidence.
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Authorities now require digital evidence to prove reliability, authenticity and traceability through verification by authorized public entities.
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An international Cellebrite study shows that 60% of investigators consider digital evidence more decisive than DNA in some cases, while 74% say it improves case resolution rates.
The Gabonese government approved a draft ordinance on February 26, during a cabinet meeting. Justice Minister Augustin Emane presented the text, which amends the Criminal Procedure Code to regulate the admissibility of digital evidence before courts. The reform introduces formal requirements that aim to adapt the judicial system to the rise in digital-related offenses.
The reform establishes a technical framework for the use of electronic data in criminal proceedings. Authorities will admit digital evidence only if it demonstrates reliability, authenticity and traceability. Authorized public entities, including cybersecurity services and competent state bodies, will verify the data before courts accept it. Authorities aim to secure the judicial use of digital data and to limit manipulation and falsification risks.
Through this amendment, authorities seek to strengthen the reliability of investigations and to enhance the protection of litigants. The formal recognition of technical validation standards also aims to regulate prosecutions related to digital offenses, which have increased alongside the rapid expansion of digital usage in the country. Internet penetration now covers more than half of Gabon’s population, which increases the volume of digital interactions that may generate disputes.
The ordinance forms part of a broader regional movement to modernize African legal frameworks in response to digital transformation. Governments across the continent face a growing number of disputes related to electronic content, online transactions and information systems. At the international level, digital evidence continues to gain importance in criminal investigations. A study conducted by Israeli digital forensics specialist Cellebrite among more than 2,000 investigators, prosecutors and experts shows that 60% of respondents consider digital evidence more decisive than DNA in certain cases, while 74% state that its use improves investigation resolution rates.
According to Gabonese authorities, the ordinance will enter into force after publication in the Official Gazette, in line with legislative promulgation procedures. Authorities consider the reform a first step toward modernizing the judicial handling of digital offenses and strengthening legal certainty in criminal matters in line with the country’s technological evolution.
Samira Njoya
Medical robotics is reshaping healthcare in Africa, creating new opportunities to improve care quality and streamline costs. But the continent faces significant hurdles, from workforce training to financing, if these technologies are to deliver tangible benefits for patients.
Medical robotics, covering robot-assisted surgery, diagnostics and hospital logistics, is emerging as a lever for healthcare modernization in parts of Africa.
According to Data Bridge Market Research, the medical robotics market in the Middle East and Africa is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 13.5% between 2022 and 2029. The market is projected to expand from $451.26 million in 2021 to $1.14 billion by 2029.
Despite this growth, adoption across Africa remains limited compared with other regions and is largely confined to higher-income countries or those with advanced hospital infrastructure.
Flagship initiatives across the continent
South Africa is among the most advanced markets. Several public hospitals have performed more than 600 robot-assisted procedures, mainly in urology and gynecology. Hospitals report shorter recovery times and fewer post-operative complications.
In Nigeria, authorities recently approved a robotic surgery platform, enabling such procedures in a public hospital for the first time.
In Luanda, Angola, medical teams have conducted telesurgery trials using robotic systems. These tests suggest robotic surgery could be deployed even in settings with limited network capacity.
Morocco has also positioned itself as a regional pioneer. A radical prostatectomy was performed remotely between Casablanca and Shanghai, demonstrating the feasibility of long-distance telesurgery. Additional procedures between Moroccan cities point to growing domestic expertise and institutional interest in robotic surgery.
Beyond surgery, robotics is being deployed in Kenya and other countries for hospital logistics and assistance tasks. This improves operational efficiency and allows nursing staff to focus on clinical care.
Barriers to wider adoption
Cost remains the primary constraint. Robotic systems often cost several million dollars, limiting access for public hospitals. A platform such as the da Vinci 5 typically ranges between $1.5 million and $2.5 million, excluding maintenance and consumables.
Training is another major hurdle. Robot-assisted procedures require specialized surgical and technical skills, as well as ongoing certification.
Institutions such as Ircad Africa in Rwanda are addressing this gap by training African surgeons in minimally invasive and robotic techniques. At the same time, the rise of startups and innovation hubs focused on artificial intelligence, robotics and e-health could support longer-term ecosystem development.
Medical robotics also presents regulatory and ethical challenges, including liability in case of system failure, data protection standards and the role of automation in patient care.
Growth trajectory despite constraints
Globally, the surgical robotics market is expected to exceed $22.89 billion by 2030, according to Spherical Insights. Emerging economies investing in healthcare digitization could capture part of this expansion.
For African countries, scaling medical robotics will depend on coordinated public policy, targeted investment, workforce training and international partnerships. If these conditions are met, robotics could become a practical tool for strengthening healthcare systems and improving the quality of care.
Samira Njoya
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Plan includes artisan ID card, national registry
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Sector employs 22%, contributes 7% to GDP
Morocco will invest 36 million dirhams ($3.9 million) to fast-track the digital transformation of its handicrafts sector, under agreements signed on Wednesday between the State Secretariat for Handicrafts, the Chambers of Handicrafts and their Federation, and the Digital Development Agency. Two additional agreements covering international promotion and institutional support were signed at the same ceremony.
The digitalization agreement provides for the rollout of a professional artisan ID card and the launch of a National Artisan Registry. It also includes the digitalization of services offered by the Chambers and their affiliated bodies. Authorities say the system will streamline administrative processes, improve efficiency, and establish core digital infrastructure for the sector.
The initiative is part of the national development program for handicrafts. The sector is a key contributor to Morocco’s economy, supporting employment, exports, and regional development.
Official figures show the sector employs 22% of the national workforce and contributes 7% to GDP. Exports have grown by 7.6%, while handicraft sales account for 10% of tourism-related foreign exchange earnings. The digital upgrade is expected to boost productivity, formalize activities, and expand access to domestic and international markets.
International promotion and institutional support
The two additional agreements focus on promoting Moroccan craftsmanship abroad, in partnership with SMAP EVENTS, and on a 2026 sector development plan. That plan targets professional structuring, training, and technical support for artisans.
Together, these measures aim to strengthen the sector’s competitiveness and improve market access for artisans, while fostering a more structured and productive ecosystem alongside the digital reforms led by the Digital Development Agency.
Samira Njoya
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Tunisia CDC launches MAIR for greentech scale-up
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Program targets commercialization-stage startups, SMEs
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Tunisia startups raised $6.6 million in 2025
Tunisia’s Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC) on Tuesday announced the launch of the first cohort of the MAIR program, Market Access for Impact and Resilience. The financing mechanism targets greentech startups and small and medium-sized enterprises in the commercialization phase.
The program aims to support industrial scale-up, facilitate initial market entry, and strengthen revenues for selected companies.
MAIR prioritizes sectors linked to the green transition, including renewable energy, sustainable mobility, eco-construction, waste management, sustainable agriculture, water technologies, energy efficiency and biodiversity. By providing financing at a stage when funding needs increase for industrialization and commercialization, MAIR seeks to bridge the gap between seed funding and full commercial rollout.
MAIR is deployed under the GreenTECH initiative led by Smart Capital and integrated into the Greenov'i project. The project is funded by the European Union through the Tunisie Verte et Durable program and implemented by Expertise France in collaboration with the International Center for Environmental Technologies of Tunis, the Ministry of Environment, and the Ministry of Economy and Planning.
Financing architecture
The mechanism forms part of a broader financing framework that also includes VAIR, Venture Acceleration for Impact and Resilience, which supports startups in the ideation phase as they develop proofs of concept. The overall program plans to fund 32 early-stage startups and support 10 startups and SMEs in accessing markets, with a target of roughly 300 direct jobs in green transition sectors.
The launch comes amid limited funding for Tunisia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. According to Wamda’s annual report, Tunisian startups raised $6.6 million across 13 deals in 2025, below levels recorded in several other Middle East and North Africa markets. In that context, public instruments dedicated to impact-driven innovation are positioned as key support mechanisms for early-growth companies.
By targeting industrial segments linked to the green transition and focusing on companies at a later stage of development, MAIR aims to strengthen the ability of Tunisian startups to turn innovations into marketable products and secure a sustainable position in their markets.
Samira Njoya