Tech (883)
In today's digital age, access to technology is crucial for development. Initiatives that empower people with digital skills and tools are essential for creating a more inclusive and prosperous future.
On Sunday, November 10, Guinea’s Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah inaugurated the country’s first laptop assembly unit in Mamou, located within the Higher Institute of Technology (IST). This project, launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education, Chinese company Green View, and local partner Guinea Technologie Innovation (GTI), marks a significant step toward positioning Guinea as a technological leader in West Africa.
"Guinea needs to be a player in technology. We must not only consume phones and laptops but also manufacture them. We have resources, a vision, and the responsibility to train the talent to bring this vision to life," said Prime Minister Bah.
The initiative is part of the “Simandou 2040” vision led by the transitional president, Mamadi Doumbouya, which aims to modernize and diversify Guinea’s economy. As part of this strategy, the government intends to transform Mamou into a regional tech hub, called “Mamou Valley,” where academic institutions and businesses will collaborate to drive innovation. Additional initiatives are underway, including the construction of regional universities, the establishment of a Science and Innovation City, and the redesign of technology training programs.
With 4.87 million internet users as of January 2024, according to DataReportal, and an internet penetration rate estimated by the government at 52% in May, Guinea has potential for further digital inclusion. However, the high cost of computers and smartphones remains a barrier. This laptop assembly project is expected to help lower these costs, making technology more accessible, while also boosting the digital job market and supporting national economic transformation.
Samira Njoya
With rapidly evolving communication and delivery methods, modernizing postal services in Africa has become a necessity. Postal services must adapt to meet the changing needs of society, integrating digital solutions to stay relevant and effective in a fast-paced environment.
Burkina Faso introduced, on Tuesday, November 5th, new digita solutions aimed at enhancing postal and financial services. Presented by Minister of Digital Transition, Posts, and Electronic Communications, Aminata Zerbo/Sabane (photo), they include Poste Money, a mobile app that enables users to send and receive money, make merchant payments, and manage accounts. Poste Money includes a semi-offline feature to support areas with limited connectivity.
The government also presented Cashless PDI, an application designed to ensure the secure and transparent distribution of aid funds directly to internally displaced persons (IDPs).
To improve core postal services, La Poste has introduced DBOX (Delivery Box), an automated mail distribution system that addresses the rising demand for fast, secure postal services. Additionally, self-service deposit machines will be installed, allowing customers to deposit funds independently.
Future projects include the launch of a Postal Electronic Messaging Box (BMEP) for professional and personal digital exchanges, and Poste Mobile, which aims to extend financial services to rural and remote areas.
These initiatives align with Burkina Faso’s national digitalization plan and the Universal Postal Union (UPU) guidelines, as the country seeks to modernize its postal services. The UPU’s 2023 Integrated Index for Postal Development (2IPD) currently rates Burkina Faso’s postal development at only two out of ten, underscoring the need for urgent modernization.
Samira Njoya
Digital technologies can revolutionize African agriculture. The adoption of innovative technologies can boost productivity and enhance the competitiveness of farmers across the continent.
Access to technology, combined with tools such as big data, GPS, and drones, could increase crop yields in Africa by 10.5% to 20% over the next five years, the GSM Association (GSMA) projects. In its May 2024 report, Driving Digital Transformation of African Economies, the organization also predicts that expanding ICT usage in African agriculture could lead to a 23% increase in profits over the same period. GSMA emphasizes the need for African governments to make smart digital investments, as these could drive growth across several strategic economic sectors.
Agriculture remains a critical engine for growth and employment in Africa. Recent advancements are already delivering more efficient services to farmers. “For example, Aerobotics in South Africa provides data analytics and machine learning to process aerial imagery from drones and satellites, providing realtime insights on crop performance, pests, plant health, irrigation levels,” the report details.
Even simpler digital tools can enhance agricultural supply chain efficiency through better access to information and training. “SMS messages to smallholder sugarcane farmers about when to perform specific agricultural tasks was found to increase yields by 11.5%,” GSMA notes.
Additionally, technology is enhancing market access for farmers through new models of aggregation, logistics, and supply chain management. In Ethiopia, for instance, the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange now differentiates coffee quality more effectively, and its traceability technology allows small farmers to connect directly with global buyers.
Agriculture is essential to Africa’s economic growth and food security, and international organizations, including the United Nations, are calling for its digital transformation to improve product quality and yields. This interest has spurred continuous investment in agritech startups over the past five years, despite the 2023 funding crunch. According to Briter Bridges’ State of AgTech Investment in Africa 2024 report, the agricultural sector accounted for 13% of total funding and 5% of all fundraising deals in 2020. While this dropped to 6% of both funding and deal volume in 2023, Oxford Business Group’s Agriculture in Africa 2023, in partnership with OCP Group, forecasts a promising annual growth rate of 44% in African agritech from 2023 to 2028.
For African farmers to fully benefit from digital transformation, however, expanding network coverage, increasing access to mobile devices, and making internet access affordable are crucial. Addressing these issues could integrate more farmers into the digital economy. According to GSMA’s The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2024 report, boosting mobile internet use could add $795 billion to Africa’s GDP between 2023 and 2030.
Samira Njoya
Digital cooperation is crucial for driving technological advancement and economic growth. It allows countries to work together to address digital challenges and spur innovation.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and Digital Affairs, Augustin Kibassa Maliba, is currently on an official visit to Warsaw, Poland, to strengthen digital cooperation between the two countries. This visit, which began on Thursday, November 7, seeks to finalize agreements on key projects aimed at advancing the DRC’s digital development.
According to a statement from the DRC’s ICT Ministry, the agreements will promote cooperation across key digital segments, including infrastructure modernization through the development of high-speed networks and data centers to improve connectivity. Cybersecurity is also a focal area, with initiatives designed to enhance defenses against cyberattacks.
Another priority is supporting e-government by digitizing public services to improve their efficiency and accessibility for citizens. Additionally, the agreements include plans to establish ICT training centers, aimed at developing young talent in the digital sector and stimulating innovation, especially by supporting tech startups.
This initiative is part of the “Horizon 2025” National Digital Plan, launched to drive the DRC’s digital transformation goals. It follows a recent meeting between Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and Polish President Andrzej Duda on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September. The two leaders announced plans for future partnerships in digital transformation and defense.
As part of this collaboration, Poland will contribute its expertise, particularly in connectivity infrastructure. With an ultra-high-capacity network covering 81.1% of households, Poland is a leader in fiber optic technology—a model the DRC aims to emulate to reach its own connectivity targets by 2050. Leveraging Polish expertise, the DRC aims to achieve over 50% fiber optic coverage and connect more than 90% of its population to the mobile network by 2050, facilitating comprehensive digital transformation and inclusive economic growth.
Samira Njoya
Digital technologies offer an innovative approach to preserving cultural heritage and traditions. Across Africa, countries are harnessing these tools to increase the visibility of their heritage and drive economic growth.
The integration of digital technologies in the preservation and promotion of intangible heritage presents significant opportunities for Senegal, according to Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. During the opening ceremony of the 15th Dakar Biennale of Contemporary African Art on Thursday, November 7, he urged cultural stakeholders to utilize digital tools to enrich and disseminate the country’s cultural heritage globally.
"Digital technologies have transformed the cultural value chain, making the cultural economy increasingly digital. Digitalization offers an opportunity to enhance our rich intangible heritage. The national cultural sector must seize and harness the considerable potential offered by digitalization," President Faye stated.
This call to action aligns with the mission of the Biennale—a prominent event that, beyond its artistic focus, aims to place culture at the center of contemporary issues. It also reflects the recommendations from UNESCO's 2018 report, Re-thinking Cultural Policies: Placing Creativity at the Heart of Development, which underscores the transformation of the cultural value chain and highlights the central role of digital technology in the evolving cultural economy.
The implications of this vision for Senegal are substantial. By fully embracing digital technologies, the country could not only preserve and promote its intangible cultural heritage but also enhance its creative economy, generating new job opportunities for youth and women. Digital transformation will facilitate better management of cultural data, archiving, and access to works, paving the way for a redefined role for Senegal on the global cultural stage.
Samira Njoya
As more Africans connect online, concerns about the inadequate protection of personal information are fueling a growing focus on data privacy and regulatory control in digital communications. This shift reflects broader global efforts to strengthen data protection in online spaces.
Zimbabwe’s Minister of ICT, Postal, and Courier Services, Tatenda Mavetera, announced new regulations mandating that all WhatsApp group administrators register and obtain a license from the Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ). The announcement was made at the POTRAZ breakfast meeting on Wednesday, November 6.
This licensing, which starts at a minimum fee of $50, will apply to various groups, including businesses, community organizations, and churches. Non-compliance could result in penalties, and POTRAZ advises groups to seek guidance on fulfilling the new obligations.
Minister Mavetera emphasized the new requirements as essential for enhancing data privacy and security, impacting any group that collects personal information. "Even churches who collect personal data ought to have such a license and appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO)," she explained, underlining the government’s intent to strengthen data security for all citizens.
Zimbabwe enacted the Data Protection Act in 2021 to safeguard personal data and regulate its handling across all digital platforms. With WhatsApp groups commonly used for communication, government entities argue that requiring licenses for group admins and Data Protection Officers aligns with the Act’s mandate to protect personal information from potential misuse.
The Postal & Telecommunications Sector Abridged Performance Report for Q2 2024 reveals that mobile internet and data traffic in Zimbabwe increased by 12.5%, climbing from 58.44 petabytes in Q1 2024 to 65.75 petabytes in Q2. This rise likely reflects consumers' growing reliance on mobile data for internet access, with social media being a major contributor to this consumption.
Alongside the license, group admins must appoint a certified DPO, a role mandated by Zimbabwe’s Data Protection Act. The Act defines personal data as any information that can identify a person, and the government asserts that group admins, having access to members' phone numbers, need to protect such data accordingly.
Hikmatu Bilali
Africa’s digital landscape is poised for continued expansion, with a focus on improving digital access across both urban and rural regions. Maintaining favorable regulations and addressing infrastructure constraints will be essential to sustaining this momentum.
Starlink has paused new subscriptions in Nairobi and five nearby counties due to overwhelming demand that has stretched the network's capacity. On November 4, CEO Elon Musk addressed the issue, stating that Starlink is actively working to expand internet capacity in densely populated urban areas.
Starlink is working to increase Internet capacity in dense urban areas in Africa as fast as possible.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 4, 2024
Please note that there is still significant capacity outside of city centers. https://t.co/Vlk4sNDAjX
The communications Authority of Kenya reveals in its Fourth Quarter Sector Statistics Report For The Financial Year 2023/2024 that Satellite subscriptions recorded a significant growth, from 405 in June 2023 to 8,324 in June 2024, an annual growth rate of 1,955.3%. This growth is attributed to the licensing and subsequent launch of Starlink Internet Services Kenya earlier in the financial year, laying the foundation for digital services to reach even remote regions.
Starlink provides high-speed, low-latency broadband using Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, offering speeds of up to 200 Mbps. Initially, Starlink offered a 100 Mbps plan at KES 6,500 ($50), while leading telco Safaricom provided the same speed in its Diamond plan at KES 12,499 ($97). However, in response to competition, Safaricom upgraded its Diamond package in September 2024, maintaining the same price but increasing the speed to 500 Mbps.
Since its launch in Kenya in July 2023, Starlink has risen to capture 0.5% of the market share with 8,063 subscribers, according to the Communications Authority. This growth was fueled by discounted kits and affordable monthly plans. To attract budget-conscious customers, Starlink introduced a KES 1,950 ($15) monthly rental plan for its hardware in August this year, which otherwise costs KES 45,000 ($349) to purchase.
This situation serves as a valuable case for broader discussions on internet infrastructure in Africa, where underserved regions often struggle with high costs and inconsistent service from traditional ISPs. Starlink's entry into the market has been a disruptive force, offering an alternative with competitive pricing and reaching areas previously underserved by terrestrial networks.
Hikmatu Bilali
Since the beginning of the year, investment vehicles have been forming across the continent to fund the startup ecosystem. Several companies have joined forces to launch a new initiative in this direction.
Mara Group, a conglomerate founded by British entrepreneur Ashish Thakkar, has announced the creation of a $250 million investment vehicle to support African startups. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 2024 Future Investment Initiative, held last week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Mara Group has partnered with Startupbootcamp, a technology accelerator, and India-based investment firm Blend Financial Services to execute this project. The new fund will target growth-stage startups and pre-IPO financing, with a focus on South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Côte d'Ivoire, and Egypt.
Besides Côte d'Ivoire, the other four target countries represent Africa’s most attractive startup ecosystems in terms of funding. According to Partech Africa data, startups in the "Big Four"—South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt—drew nearly 79% of the continent’s total venture capital funding in 2023, amounting to $1.79 billion. In 2022, these countries captured 72% of funding, totaling $3.5 billion. Startups in Côte d'Ivoire raised $33 million in 2022 and $21 million in 2023, making it the only Francophone country included in the initiative.
This move comes amid a tightening of capital in Africa’s tech ecosystem since 2023, a year marked by a sharp decline in startup fundraising. According to Africa: The Big Deal, African startups have raised $1.7 billion so far this year, a 32% drop from the same period in 2023.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Egypt’s startup ecosystem is set for growth, driven by rising investor interest, government-led digital transformation, and a growing talent pool. By tackling funding and regulatory challenges, Egypt is on course to become a major tech hub in Africa and the MENA region, boosting economic diversification and digital innovation.
The Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Amr Talaat, attended the launch of "Invest IT," an innovative program to enhance investment readiness for tech startups. The program was organized on November 4, in a collaborative effort between the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (TIEC), part of the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), and Flat6Labs, a leading venture capital firm in the MENA region.
Minister Talaat reaffirmed the government’s dedication to creating a conducive environment for startups and entrepreneurs. He outlined several ongoing initiatives focused on skill development, attracting international incubators, facilitating investor access, and establishing Creativa Innovation Hubs across Egypt to nurture innovative talent.
In addition, Talaat emphasized efforts to streamline startup registration processes, enhance post-establishment support, and invest in digital infrastructure to enable startups to thrive.
Ahmed Elzaher, CEO of ITIDA, expressed excitement over partnering with Flat6Labs, highlighting the agency's commitment to supporting startups from ideation to scaling internationally.
Egypt's startup ecosystem is a top performer in the MENA region, ranking third in attracting venture funding. In 2023, Egyptian startups secured $503 million in funding, a decline from the $810 million raised in 2022, according to Lucidity Insights.
The drop in funding for Egypt's startup ecosystem in 2023 highlights potential challenges in sustaining investment momentum amid shifting economic conditions. While Egypt remains a leading startup hub in the MENA region, the decline may indicate heightened caution from investors due to global economic uncertainties, regional competition, or evolving funding priorities. This shift emphasizes the need for robust support mechanisms, like government-backed programs and strategic partnerships, to help startups weather funding fluctuations.
Invest IT is designed to support ICT-enabled startups at the seed and pre-series A stages across Egypt’s governorates. The program aims to equip startups with the skills and resources needed to secure investment deals, providing a structured path to help them navigate the complexities of funding and growth.
The program will run over six to eight weeks, supporting 12 startups as they develop investment strategies and refine their pitches to investors. Upon completion, participants will have opportunities to connect with potential investors, with ongoing support from the program team.
With this support, Invest IT is poised to accelerate the growth of Egyptian tech startups by fostering a robust ecosystem that prepares them for sustainable growth and successful investment outcomes.
Hikmatu Bilali
As cities continue to grow at a rapid pace, smart mobility solutions are emerging as crucial tools to improve traffic safety and efficiency. These interconnected systems optimize road networks and help address the challenges posed by urbanization.
Dakar’s roadways are set to receive a smart, connected transportation system developed by Huawei, as part of a partnership between Senegal and China. The innovative system was presented on Wednesday, November 6, by the Chinese tech firm to members of the Senegalese government.
“This nationwide project, with a significant digital component, exemplifies the need for coordinated digital initiatives by the State of Senegal. This collaborative approach is part of a broader effort to foster unified digital governance,” said Alioune Sall, Senegal’s Minister of Communication, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy.
The project will equip Dakar with smart technologies aimed at optimizing traffic flow and enhancing road safety. Key elements include a video surveillance system to detect and penalize traffic violations; variable message signs (VMS) to provide real-time information to drivers; and an advanced urban control center to monitor traffic. Additionally, checkpoints will be installed to identify speeding and other risky behaviors, contributing to safer and smoother traffic management in the capital.
This initiative aligns with Senegal’s vision for secure infrastructure and the development of smart, safe cities, as outlined in the "Senegal 2050" National Transformation Agenda.
Dakar, with a population of over 4 million, according to the 2023 national census, faces growing transport challenges, including congestion, pollution, and road safety concerns. A study by the Executive Council of Urban Transport in Dakar (CETUD), shared by its Director General Thierno Birahim Aw, highlights that these issues lead to economic losses of nearly 900 billion CFA francs ($1.4 billion) annually, around 6% of Senegal’s GDP.
Once deployed, the new smart transport system is expected to significantly improve traffic safety and management. Real-time video monitoring will detect traffic violations, increase penalty revenues, and promote better discipline among road users. In case of incidents, the high-tech control center will enable swift intervention and better coordination with emergency services, bolstering response times and overall traffic efficiency.
Samira Njoya
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As global trade rapidly shifts towards digital ecosystems, international collaborations in this area are becoming essential to drive innovation and broaden digital inclusion.
South Africa and India are set to deepen their collaboration in the digital sector. On Tuesday, November 5, a strategic meeting was held between India’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Shri Prabhat Kumar (photo, left), and South African Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solomon Solly Malatsi (photo, right), to enhance bilateral partnerships in digital technology and connectivity. Key focus areas included IT, digital payment platforms, and cybersecurity. “It’s essential to equip officials with digital skills so that South Africa can thrive alongside global tech leaders,” stated Malatsi.
This meeting builds on a memorandum of understanding between the two countries, emphasizing strategic goals such as expanding broadband connectivity and strengthening cybersecurity. A review of the progress in this partnership is scheduled for early 2025, ahead of the G20 summit in South Africa, to realign priorities and tailor strategies to future needs.
India, with its robust experience in digital development, offers valuable expertise. In digital payments, for instance, its Unified Payments Interface (UPI), launched in 2016, recorded over 100 billion transactions in 2023 alone. In cybersecurity, India has made strides, recently establishing a 5,000-member cyber commando unit to protect critical infrastructure and respond to cyber incidents.
For India, this collaboration opens up significant opportunities to expand its technological and economic influence in Africa. The partnership also positions India as a key tech ally in global digital development, meeting Africa’s growing demand for digital services and connectivity at a crucial moment in the continent's digital transformation.
Samira Njoya
African nations are undergoing a profound digital transformation, with increasing numbers of people coming online, and economies and societies becoming more tech-dependent. This rapid digital growth is expanding opportunities for cybercriminals, making cybercrime one of the continent's most rapidly escalating threats.
The Nigeria Police Force apprehended on November 2, 2024, 130 suspects over alleged involvement in cybercrimes and activities that threaten national security. The suspects include 113 foreign nationals-predominantly Chinese and Malaysian - as well as 17 Nigerian collaborators.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed that police are conducting “thorough investigations and scientific analysis” of evidence gathered from the suspects. “The suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of our investigations,” he stated, pledging to provide further updates on the case’s progress.
This crackdown is crucial as cybercrime continues to escalate in Nigeria and across Africa, posing severe economic threats. The INTERPOL African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2024 highlights that the continent lost over $4 billion annually to cybercrime in 2021. By 2023, Africa experienced a 23% year-on-year increase in average weekly cyberattacks per organization—the highest rate globally.
Furthermore, the Cybersecurity Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN) revealed in its National Cyberthreat Forecast 2024 that in 2023, Nigeria faced a sharp rise in ransomware attacks, marking it as the year's top cyber threat. This surge was fueled by ransomware-as-a-service, allowing even low-skilled individuals to launch complex attacks. Active groups like ALPHV, 0XXX Virus, DJVU, and the Cobalt Strike toolkit highlighted the attacks' diversity. Both public and private sectors suffered, incurring losses in the billions of Naira due to operational disruptions and costly recovery.
The operation was executed by the Nigeria Police Zone 7 Command in Abuja. Under the supervision of AIG Benneth Igweh and the National Cybercrimes Centre led by CP Ifeanyi Henry Uche, officers targeted a building in the Next Cash and Carry area of Jahi, Abuja, where suspects reportedly used computers and advanced equipment for cybercriminal activities.
This operation underscores the Nigeria Police Force's ongoing commitment to tackling cybercrime and enhancing national security amidst rising digital threats across the region.
Hikmatu Bilali
In response to rising traffic violations, several countries are turning to technology to enhance road safety. Video-based ticketing is emerging as a promising tool to improve compliance with traffic laws and deter risky driving behaviors.
Seychelles Vice President Ahmed Afif announced last week, the upcoming piloting of a digital road monitoring system based on video ticketing to enhance road safety in the country.
Speaking at a cabinet press briefing on October 31st, he explained: The system “will provide the government with a lot of information, as we have seen nowadays people are driving without a valid license in addition to other illegal activities happening on the roads.”
The said system will utilize public surveillance cameras to enforce traffic laws remotely. When a violation is detected, an image of the vehicle is captured, identifying its make and reading its license plate number. A traffic officer can then issue an electronic ticket remotely, which is sent to the driver via message. Targeted infractions include speeding, using a phone while driving, and not wearing a seatbelt.
The eight-week pilot project will be launched in the Roche Caïman district on Mahé Island. During this phase, authorities will assess and fine-tune the technology to fit local needs. The trial results will be critical, guiding future infrastructure planning and traffic law enforcement. If successful, the system may be permanently implemented in partnership with Australian technology firm Acusensus.
This initiative is part of the government’s strategy to combat dangerous driving behaviors. If adopted, it will target key causes of road insecurity, particularly in urban areas, and promote lasting changes in driver behavior. The system would also streamline and accelerate the processing of violations, reducing the burden on law enforcement and increasing the efficiency of traffic law enforcement.
Samira Njoya
As part of its digital economy development plan, Nigeria is placing a strong emphasis on securing strategic partnerships. Each state in the country is ramping up efforts to deliver high-quality digital services to its citizens.
On Wednesday, October 30, Benue State Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia (photo, center) announced a strategic partnership with Chinese tech group Huawei to accelerate digital transformation across the region. This agreement aims to modernize Benue's infrastructure, boost its economy, and improve the quality of life for its residents.
“This partnership with Huawei will revolutionize our state's infrastructure, enhance security, improve education [and] healthcare, and create countless job opportunities for our people. We must be intentional about the development of our state, for ourselves [and] future generations,” the governor explained on X (formerly Twitter).
The initiative is part of a broader effort to establish Benue State as a digital hub in Nigeria. It follows a recent agreement with EVNT Technologies, a Saudi-based IT company, to transform Benue’s technological landscape.
The Huawei partnership is expected to bolster local digital initiatives, particularly the Benue Tech Skills program, which aims to create over 50,000 jobs by training young people in essential digital skills. The program includes training in coding, advanced data analysis, UI/UX design, digital marketing, and e-commerce—all critical skills for the global digital economy.
These efforts align with the goals set by Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy under its strategic plan, “Accelerating our Collective Prosperity through Technical Efficiency.” This plan seeks to raise the digital sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP to 22% by 2027, positioning the country as a leader in digital economy and tech innovation in Africa.
Samira Njoya