• Tunisia Customs integrated an artificial intelligence module into its national customs selectivity system to improve fraud detection and cargo screening.
• The system uses machine learning algorithms to analyze customs data and identify high-risk transactions automatically.
• Tunisian authorities recorded nearly 4,000 customs cases in the first quarter of 2026, involving seized goods worth more than 51 million Tunisian dinars ($17.6 million).

Tunisia Customs has continued its digital transformation by integrating an artificial intelligence-based module into the country’s national customs selectivity system, as authorities seek to modernize border controls and improve trade processing efficiency.

The Directorate General of Customs announced the measure in a statement published on Saturday, May 16, following a meeting of the central customs risk management commission held in Tunis.

The new system relies on machine learning algorithms capable of processing large volumes of customs data to identify transactions that present elevated fraud risks automatically.

In practice, the platform analyzes several variables, including the nature of goods, their origin, declared value, import histories and the profiles of economic operators.

Through those predictive models, customs authorities aim to improve the accuracy of suspicious cargo targeting, reduce systematic manual inspections and accelerate the processing of compliant shipments.

The initiative comes as Tunisian authorities pursue a broader modernization of the customs chain to support foreign trade and improve administrative efficiency.

The Directorate General of Customs is also developing “Sinda 2,” a next-generation digital platform designed to connect the various government agencies involved in customs operations. Authorities expect the first phase of the project to enter service by the end of 2026.

At the same time, Tunisia has expanded international partnerships to accelerate customs digitalization efforts. In April, Tunisia Customs launched, in cooperation with South Korea, an integrated electronic system project aimed at further digitizing customs procedures and strengthening transparency in administrative exchanges with economic operators.

The modernization effort also reflects growing economic and security concerns. According to data released by Tunisia Customs, authorities registered nearly 4,000 customs-related cases during the first quarter of 2026. The value of seized goods exceeded 51 million Tunisian dinars ($17.6 million).

Authorities seized foreign currencies, gold, cartridges, clothing and smuggled goods during those operations. Through the integration of artificial intelligence, Tunisian authorities aim to improve customs risk management, reduce processing times and strengthen the country’s logistics competitiveness.

The initiative also reflects a broader trend across customs administrations, where automated analytics technologies increasingly serve as strategic tools to secure trade flows while facilitating legitimate commerce.

Samira Njoya

• Between 4,000 and 5,000 parcels transit Mauritius each day, a volume driven by online purchases and international e-commerce platforms.

• Junior Finance Minister Dhaneshwar Damry and MRA Director General Rohit Ramnawaz met with a Korean Customs Service delegation on Friday, May 15, to discuss risk management systems and advanced parcel-processing technologies.

• The Mauritius Revenue Authority is rolling out advanced scanning systems to detect drugs, weapons and prohibited goods, alongside automated risk management tools.

Mauritius is moving to tighten control over its postal flows through digital tools, as the country grapples with a sharp rise in e-commerce parcels and a growing wave of illicit trafficking.

The issue dominated a meeting held Friday, May 15, between junior Finance Minister Dhaneshwar Damry, Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) Director General Rohit Ramnawaz, and a delegation from the Korean Customs Service.

The discussions focused on strengthening risk management systems and integrating advanced technologies into the processing of incoming parcels. Mauritian authorities want to sharpen detection capabilities for drugs, weapons and fraudulent goods through scanning equipment and automated analysis. "The government's vision is to digitalize government services in order to improve their efficiency and effectiveness, while managing the growing risks linked to drug trafficking and illicit products," Damry said after the meeting.

This cooperation comes against the backdrop of fast-rising e-commerce activity on the island. According to customs authorities, between 4,000 and 5,000 parcels transit Mauritius each day, a volume pushed higher by online purchases and international e-commerce platforms. That growth complicates the work of control services, which now face increasingly sophisticated fraud methods — particularly the under-valuation of goods and the concealment of prohibited products inside postal shipments.

The initiative builds on years of government investment in modernizing customs and tax services. The Mauritius Revenue Authority has launched several projects covering the automation of clearance procedures, digital risk management and tighter control of incoming parcels. The agency is also working on advanced scanning systems designed to detect drugs, weapons and other prohibited goods more effectively. Beyond domestic efforts, the authorities are relying on international cooperation to modernize control infrastructure, speed up the processing of goods and secure trade flows.

Samira Njoya

• Algeria launched the “77.7” digital empowerment program targeting citizens from ages 7 to 77.
• The initiative combines in-person and remote training through seven regional Skills Centers with an annual target of up to 30,000 learners.
• The program forms part of the broader “Digital Algeria 2030” strategy aimed at developing ICT skills and reducing youth unemployment.

The Algerian government announced last week the launch of a digital empowerment program called “77.7.” The initiative aims to train Algerian citizens across all age groups and provide digital skills needed to meet modern technological demands and support the country’s digital transformation agenda.

Sid Ali Zerrouki announced  the initiative on Saturday, May 17, during the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.

The government is implementing the program in partnership with Algérie Télécom and Mobilis, while authorities plan to integrate additional partners in later phases

Authorities describe the “77.7” initiative as the country’s most comprehensive national digital-skills program.

The initiative targets seven distinct age groups through seven customized educational tracks.

The tracks range from “Technology Explorers” for children aged 7 to 10 to programs such as “Technology Layers,” “Innovators” and “Professional Technology” designed for youth and students.

The initiative also includes “Technology for Growth,” “Digital Empowerment” and “Technology Seniors” programs aimed at adults and elderly citizens up to age 77.

The training content follows a modular and progressive structure adapted to each age category, ranging from introductory digital literacy to advanced technology mastery.

Cybersecurity forms a mandatory component across all programs. The curriculum notably covers phishing prevention, online fraud awareness, disinformation risks and personal data protection.

Operationally, the initiative relies on a hybrid model combining in-person and remote learning. Seven Skills Centers located in the wilayas of Algiers, Oran, Annaba, Sétif, Chlef, Saïda and Adrar will support implementation. Each center can host around 1,000 learners annually. During the first year, the ministry expects to train between 25,000 and 30,000 citizens.

National Skills Development Strategy

The initiative forms part of broader efforts by Algerian authorities to strengthen digital skills development nationwide. The government said it wants to invest in human capital as an “essential foundation” for adapting to rapid technological changes.

Authorities have launched several related initiatives in recent months. In April 2026, Algiers launched a 12-week national artificial intelligence training program.

In May 2025, the government introduced the “Chabab Tech” program to train young people in cloud computing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things.

Earlier that year, authorities had already begun deploying Skills Centers across the country.

These initiatives fall under the “Digital Algeria 2030” strategy, which identifies skills development as one of its five main pillars. The roadmap aims to train up to 500,000 ICT specialists and significantly reduce the emigration of qualified talent.

Authorities are also presenting the initiatives as a structural response to persistent unemployment, particularly among young people. According to the 2024 “Activity, Employment and Unemployment” survey by the National Statistics Office (ONS), Algeria’s overall unemployment rate reached 9.7%.

Meanwhile, the World Bank estimated youth unemployment at 29.4% in 2024, compared with 29.9% a year earlier.

Beyond employment prospects, the digital training initiatives also aim to accelerate adoption of digital services, strengthen digital inclusion and improve user protection in an increasingly connected environment.

This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi

 Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum

• Guinea unveiled nine strategic projects aimed at digitizing public services and modernizing administrative governance.

• The initiatives fall under the broader Simandou 2040 roadmap, which now includes digital, governance and infrastructure reforms.

• Authorities expect the reforms to improve transparency, streamline administrative procedures and strengthen the business environment.

Guinea is accelerating the modernization of its public administration. The Ministry of Public Administration Modernization and Civil Service presented nine strategic projects on Friday, May 15, in Conakry. The initiatives aim to strengthen the digitization of public services, improve administrative management and modernize state governance tools.

The projects notably focus on digitizing public services through the One-stop shop for public services (GUSP), modernizing human resources management systems and deploying digital equipment across government institutions.

In addition, the program includes a detailed mapping of the public administration system, an inventory of IT systems currently used for personnel management and expanded digital-skills training for civil servants.

Authorities also plan to rehabilitate and modernize the Gouv-Lab, restructure public administrative institutions and rationalize state intervention in order to improve administrative coordination.

Moreover, the government intends to strengthen digital tools, including the FUGAS platform dedicated to public-sector human resources management.

According to the ministry in charge of the civil service, the projects should reduce administrative bottlenecks, strengthen transparency and improve access to public services for citizens and businesses.

The initiative forms part of the Simandou 2040 program, which authorities describe as Guinea’s new economic and institutional roadmap for the next 15 years.

Although the program initially centered on the massive Simandou mining project, it now includes reforms linked to digitalization, public governance and infrastructure development.

Through the initiative, authorities aim to build a more efficient and results-oriented administration as several African countries accelerate the digital transformation of public services.

The new projects come as Guinea has already launched several e-government initiatives in recent years. The country now operates a national public services portal that provides online access to administrative procedures including passport applications, visa requests, civil registry documents and biometric permits.

The government has also launched digital platforms such as eTax for online tax filing and payment services. At the same time, the National Agency for State Digitalization (ANDE), established in 2022, is overseeing several projects related to interconnection between government administrations, development of public digital solutions and deployment of the Conakry metropolitan fiber-optic network.

Beyond administrative modernization, the reforms also carry broader economic objectives. Guinea aims to improve the business climate, strengthen the efficiency of public action and facilitate interactions between government agencies, citizens and companies.

Authorities also believe that digitalizing procedures could reduce administrative delays, improve operational traceability and strengthen transparency in public management.

This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum