• Morocco signed a $22 million deal with China’s Jungnong to boost precision farming

• The project targets drought-hit semi-arid regions with smart irrigation and soil tech

• A new training center will prepare local workers for high-tech agriculture jobs

Morocco is turning to agricultural technology as a tool to reinforce its food security in the face of climate challenges. Last week, the Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture signed a $22 million investment agreement with Jungnong, the Hong Kong-based subsidiary of China Agricultural Development Group.

The project aims to deploy precision farming technologies in Morocco’s semi-arid regions, which are especially vulnerable to drought and water management challenges.

The plan includes digital platforms for soil nutrition management, remote monitoring systems, and real-time optimization tools for crop irrigation and fertilization. According to simulations provided by Jungnong, these technologies could boost agricultural yields by more than 20% per hectare. However, experts stress that these projections must be validated through field trials and independent assessments.

Beyond technology deployment, the partnership will also establish a training center focused on smart farming. The goal is to train several hundred Moroccan workers in new agricultural technologies. This is particularly relevant in a sector where 70% of farms are family-run, according to Morocco’s Economic, Social, and Environmental Council.

The initiative is part of Morocco’s “Generation Green 2020–2030” strategy, which emphasizes digitalization and skills development as key drivers for transforming the rural economy. Agriculture Minister Ahmed El Bouari described the project as “an integrated development model combining technology with social impact.”

If successful, Morocco’s approach could serve as a model for other countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region that face similar challenges with productivity, water scarcity, and climate resilience. However, the project’s success will depend on Jungnong’s ability to adapt its solutions to local conditions, ensure effective skills transfer, and deliver measurable results in yields and food security.

Benin is ramping up its digital transformation through strategic partnerships to strengthen cybersecurity, drive innovation, and train future talent.

On the sidelines of the fifth Cyber Africa Forum (CAF) in Cotonou last week,  the Agency for Information Systems and Digital (ASIN) — the government’s operational arm in the digital sector — signed three key agreements.

“CAF 2025 was the perfect setting to sign these three partnerships,” said Marc-André Loko, Director General of ASIN. “Benin, like other African countries, is truly engaging in a dynamic to become a producer of technology. We no longer want to be mere consumers of technology.”

ASIN signed the first two agreements with Senegal’s Orbus Digital Services (ODS) and Benin’s Quality Corporate. These deals aim to build digital trust by strengthening cybersecurity, improving data governance, and ensuring regulatory compliance. This effort is crucial as West Africa faces a surge in cyberattacks targeting governments, companies, and citizens.

ASIN signed the third agreement with the Institute for Inclusive Digital Africa (IIDiA), backed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This partnership will set up a digital innovation lab to spur innovation, train local talent, and modernize public services. The goal is to advance digital inclusion and develop new skills.

These agreements support Benin’s digital strategy, which aims to make technology a driver of inclusive growth. According to GSMA, digitalizing Benin’s economy could add up to CFA1,200 billion (around $2.2 billion) to the GDP by 2028, create over 300,000 jobs, and boost tax revenues.

With these new partnerships, Benin is laying the foundation for a stronger, more innovative, and more inclusive digital ecosystem. The deals reinforce Benin’s ambition to lead in technological innovation in West Africa, focusing on digital trust, inclusion, and local talent to build lasting digital sovereignty.

This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
 Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

The use of social media has become an integral part of daily life in Africa, especially among young people. As the continent's digital adoption accelerates, the stakes for mental health grow higher. Without coordinated efforts from governments, tech companies, civil society, and communities, the promise of social media could be overshadowed by long-term psychological and societal harm.

Social media has revolutionized how people communicate, learn, and connect, creating vast opportunities for education, social mobilization, and economic growth. Yet, beneath these benefits lies a growing concern: their impact on mental health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines mental health as a person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how individuals handle stress, learn, work effectively, recognize their potential, and actively participate in their communities.

A study by Ji Yuan of the Psychological Counseling Center at Xinghai Conservatory of Music in China, titled Is there a relationship between social media user intensity and mental well-being? An exploratory study, published in April 2025, found a strong link between heavy social media use and increased mental health issues, including higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression.  

In Africa, where social media use is rapidly expanding, these challenges are becoming increasingly visible and urgent. From cyberbullying and digital addiction to social pressure and misinformation, the continent must grapple with complex threats to the psychological well-being of its population, particularly young people.

Social networks: a double-edged sword

Opportunities

On the one hand, social networks have transformed Africa’s information landscape. They provide millions of young people with unprecedented access to educational resources, health information, and knowledge about their rights. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp were widely used to spread vital health guidelines across countries such as South Africa and Kenya.

These platforms also act as powerful tools for self-expression and solidarity, empowering social movements like #EndSARS in Nigeria (a youth-led social movement that began online in 2020, demanding the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and #FeesMustFall in South Africa (a powerful student-led protest movement that began in October 2015 in South Africa), and enabling marginalized voices to be heard. Additionally, they serve as critical enablers for professional and entrepreneurial development through digital marketing, networking, and new business models. Countless young entrepreneurs in Ghana and Nigeria have leveraged Instagram and TikTok for digital marketing and to reach new customers.

Risks to mental health

On the other hand, the risks are substantial. Continuous exposure to idealized and carefully curated portrayals of others' lives often drives unhealthy social comparisons, fueling feelings of frustration, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Cyberbullying is also on the rise among African youth, sometimes with devastating consequences, including depression and even suicide. According to UNICEF, more than one-third of young people in 30 countries report being victims of online bullying, with platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter cited as the most common spaces for this abuse. In sub-Saharan Africa, 34% of respondents reported experiencing online bullying.

Excessive use of social networks is also linked to addiction, social isolation, sleep disturbances, and chronic stress. Meanwhile, the rapid spread of misinformation and radical content fuels collective anxiety and distrust, further undermining mental well-being.

Moreover, exposure to violent or pornographic content, sexualized livestreams, and online child exploitation remains a serious and largely under-addressed concern. In March this year, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) launched an urgent investigation following a BBC report alleging that minors in Kenya were involved in sexualized livestreams on TikTok, with the platform reportedly profiting from digital gifts sent by viewers.

Online child exploitation is a growing concern in Africa. A 2024 report by ChildFund International and the African Child Policy Forum revealed a significant increase in online child sexual exploitation and abuse across the continent, with over 60% of unidentified victims being young children, including infants and toddlers, and 65% being girls.

Challenges specific to Africa

Africa faces unique obstacles in addressing these issues. There is a lack of harmonized legislation: most African countries do not have specific laws to effectively moderate online content, protect data, or combat cybercrime.

As of now, only 36 out of 55 African countries have enacted data protection laws, according to Data Protection Africa. Examples include South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), enforced since 2021; Kenya’s Data Protection Act of 2019; and Nigeria’s Data Protection Act of 2023. Many other countries (such as Chad, Malawi, Sierra Leone, and the DRC) have no comprehensive data protection laws or rely on outdated frameworks.

In addition, laws aimed at regulating social media often face criticism for stifling free speech rather than genuinely protecting users. Nigeria’s Social Media Bill (Protection from Internet Falsehood and Manipulation Bill, 2019), Uganda’s Computer Misuse Act (amended 2022), and Ethiopia’s Hate Speech and Disinformation Prevention and Suppression Proclamation (2020) have all been criticized for vague terms and potential misuse.

Governments often find themselves caught between censorship and inaction. Some states resort to internet shutdowns during political crises — as seen recently in Senegal (2023 and 2024), Ethiopia’s Amhara region (2023–2024), Sudan, the DRC, and Chad — disrupting civic life and further complicating mental health support. Meanwhile, others leave social media largely unregulated, exposing users to unchecked harassment, hate speech, and disinformation.

Furthermore, there is a heavy dependence on global tech giants. Major platforms, such as Facebook, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter), often fail to enforce their moderation policies adequately in Africa, citing resource constraints or a lack of regional focus. As a result, reports of harmful content frequently go unaddressed, and algorithms can amplify divisive or damaging material. Al Jazeera reported that in 2022, a lawsuit claimed Facebook’s failure to effectively moderate content fueled violence during the conflict in Ethiopia, underscoring the serious real-world impact of unregulated online content.

A call for balanced action

Rising concern over these issues has fueled important conversations around digital well-being and responsible social media use. There is growing pressure on tech companies to introduce features that encourage healthier online habits, such as screen time management tools and content warnings. Reflecting this trend, TikTok recently organized its first-ever African Summit on Digital Wellbeing and Mental Health to promote healthier and more responsible use of social networks while addressing mental health challenges faced by young Africans in today’s increasingly connected world.

As Africa’s digital footprint grows, so does the need for a thoughtful, locally driven approach to mental health and online safety. Strengthening legal frameworks, improving digital literacy, and demanding greater accountability from global tech companies are crucial steps forward. Without these efforts, the promise of social media risks being overshadowed by its dangers, turning what could be a powerful force for connection and empowerment into a source of widespread psychological harm.

Hikmatu Bilali

Niger is launching a major overhaul of its identification system to boost security and improve administrative efficiency. The government will use biometric technology to modernize ID documents and better serve citizens.

On June 27, in Niamey, Niger’s Minister of State for the Interior, General Mohamed Toumba, signed two memorandums of understanding with Wissal Samtali, director of the Libyan firm Al Itissan Al-Jadeed, which specializes in biometric and digital identity solutions. These agreements set up a public-private partnership to revamp Niger’s identity documents.

Signature ce Vendredi 27 juin 2025 à Niamey, de deux mémorandums d'entente entre le Ministre d'État, Ministre de l'Intérieur de la Sécurité Publique et de l'Administration du Territoire, le Général de Division Mohamed Toumba et la Directrice de la société Al Itissan Al-Jadeed… pic.twitter.com/MYAo9k7ib1

— النيجر بالعربية Niger Fr (@NigerAR) June 27, 2025

The first memorandum covers the design, financing, construction, and maintenance of a system to issue electronic biometric passports. These e-passports will be made of polycarbonate and contain secure chips to fight fraud and improve the credibility of Nigerien travel documents internationally.

The second memorandum launches the creation of a new electronic national identity card (e-ID). The card will meet international security standards and enable secure online identification. Officials expect it to speed up administrative processes and lay a foundation for efficient digital governance.

These efforts go beyond simple document upgrades. Niger aims to build a digital ecosystem where secure identification supports services such as online authentication, e-government platforms, banking, social protection programs, and border control.

However, authorities must overcome challenges to make the new e-ID a true tool for development and inclusion. They must ensure fair access across the country, build a reliable and connected identification system, enforce legal protections, and secure citizens’ data—a crucial asset in today’s digital economy.

This partnership marks a key step in Niger’s modernization strategy and highlights the growing importance of intra-African cooperation. Wissal Samtali said the deal sends a strong signal that could encourage more cross-border projects in identification technology across Africa.

Samira Njoya