Tech (1254)
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Senegal plans to train hundreds of engineers and thousands of youths in cloud computing for Dakar 2026.
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The government partnered with Alibaba to build a sovereign cloud infrastructure for the event.
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The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to develop local digital skills and data sovereignty.
Senegal is partnering with Alibaba Group to train engineers and thousands of young people in cloud computing, as the country prepares to host the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics.
The government plans to train around 100 engineers and several thousand young people in cloud-related skills to support the digital infrastructure required for the Games. Alioune Sall, minister of Communication, Telecommunications and Digital Economy, announced the initiative, according to the Agence sénégalaise de presse.
The project relies on a partnership with Alibaba Group, which will support the deployment of a sovereign cloud infrastructure designed to host critical data for the event.
Authorities are building the cloud platform to meet high standards of availability and scalability. The infrastructure will handle sensitive data linked to the Games and support applications for accreditation, administration and visitor management.
Moreover, the platform will serve as a training base to develop local expertise capable of operating and maintaining the systems over time.
“The training will start very soon. It has not started yet because we have just completed the deployment of physical infrastructure in the data centers. We received the equipment, we installed it, and Senegalese and Chinese engineers working at Alibaba tested it to verify mirroring and redundancy,”Alioune Sall said.
Senegal will host the Youth Olympics in Dakar from October 31 to November 13, 2026, marking the first time the event takes place in Africa.
In addition to sports infrastructure, the event requires robust digital systems to manage data, accreditations and administrative services. Authorities are finalizing several digital applications, including tools to facilitate entry procedures and manage visitor flows.
The initiative aligns with the “New Deal technologique,” Senegal’s digital roadmap launched in 2025 to position the country as a regional technology hub.
The strategy prioritizes data sovereignty, digital skills development and the creation of a competitive digital economy. It targets the training of 100,000 digital graduates, including 90% certified experts, and aims to host 100% of sensitive data within the country.
Beyond the Youth Olympics, authorities aim to leverage these investments to build a sustainable digital ecosystem. The training of engineers and technicians will reduce reliance on foreign expertise and strengthen local capacity.
As a result, Senegal seeks to establish a domestically controlled digital infrastructure capable of supporting new services and attracting technology investment.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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Senegal inaugurated its first UniPod innovation hub at Diamniadio in partnership with UNDP.
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The initiative aims to transform universities into engines of startups, innovation and job creation.
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The government targets 500 tech startups and 150,000 direct jobs under its long-term strategy.
Senegal has launched its first University Innovation and Technology Hub (UniPod) in Diamniadio, marking a shift toward positioning higher education institutions as key drivers of innovation and economic growth.
Authorities inaugurated the UniPod on April 27 in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme. Daouda Ngom, minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, and Alioune Sall, minister of Communication, Telecommunications and Digital Economy, formalized the initiative.
Avec l’inauguration de l’UniPod à l’Université Amadou Mahtar Mbow et le lancement de « Sénégal Digital Factory : de l’idée au produit », ce lundi 27 avril 2026, le Sénégal accélère sa transformation numérique avec une ambition claire : passer de l’idée à l’impact.
— SALL Alioune (@SALLAlioune20) April 27, 2026
Dans un… pic.twitter.com/PfLTDVLlW7
The hub operates within Université Amadou Mahtar Mbow and serves as a co-creation space that brings together students, researchers, startups and private sector actors. The facility includes prototyping and experimentation infrastructure designed to support digital solutions in sectors such as health, agriculture and education. Moreover, the Diamniadio site will host a pan-African EdTech hub, strengthening its role in the regional innovation ecosystem.
The launch forms part of the “Sénégal Digital Factory” program, which aims to build a nationwide network of innovation hubs. Authorities plan to replicate similar structures in Ziguinchor and Saint-Louis to expand access to technological infrastructure and reduce regional disparities. This rollout reflects a broader effort to decentralize innovation capacity and support balanced territorial development.
Beyond infrastructure, the government aims to reposition universities as central actors in economic production. Authorities want higher education institutions to generate solutions for public administrations and private companies. In addition, the strategy seeks to transform universities into incubators for entrepreneurs and technology startups, thereby strengthening the link between education, innovation and employment.
This initiative aligns with the “Sénégal 2050” strategy and the “New Deal technologique,” which identify innovation as a key driver of growth and technological sovereignty. The government targets the creation of more than 500 certified technology startups and approximately 150,000 direct jobs in the coming years, underscoring the scale of its digital transformation ambitions.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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Oracle plans to launch cloud services in Kenya in the coming months.
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Kenya targets cloud adoption as a strategic priority under its 2024 Cloud Policy.
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Cloud adoption in Kenya stands at 26%, with projected economic impact rising sharply by 2033.
In this context, Oracle Corporation plans to introduce cloud services in Kenya that will allow governments, businesses and individuals to access applications and store data online through remote servers, without relying on local infrastructure.
A delegation from Oracle Corporation, led by Annick Sakho, head of government affairs for Africa, met last week with William Kabogo Gitau, Kenya’s minister of Information, Communication and Digital Economy.
The meeting forms part of broader cooperation efforts by Kenyan authorities to support ongoing digital transformation. As a result, Oracle expects to make its cloud services commercially available in the coming months.
The planned cloud infrastructure will provide end-to-end integrated capabilities to support efficient and reliable operations. It will also stimulate innovation and enable a transition beyond “software-as-a-service (SaaS)” toward more comprehensive digital solutions.
At the same time, Kenya is positioning cloud computing as a strategic priority. The government aims to use cloud adoption to drive innovation, improve service delivery and optimize resource management across public institutions and organizations. According to the “Kenya Cloud Policy” adopted in 2024, cloud computing reduces infrastructure and maintenance costs while improving efficiency and service responsiveness.
Moreover, the policy emphasizes the role of cloud technologies in accelerating innovation, strengthening data security, improving system scalability and enhancing inter-institutional collaboration. It also highlights cloud computing as a tool for international openness by facilitating cross-border data flows.
A report by Telecom Advisory Services LLC, published in September 2023, shows that cloud adoption among organizations in Kenya stands at 26%, compared with 49% in Eastern Europe and North America.
The report estimates that cloud adoption contributed 12.9 billion Kenyan shillings (about $100 million), or 0.08% of GDP, to the Kenyan economy in 2021. It projects that this contribution could reach 1,400 billion shillings by 2033, equivalent to 0.56% of GDP.
These growth prospects create opportunities for Oracle Corporation as it expands its cloud operations in Africa. The company currently operates 51 cloud regions across 26 countries, with a limited presence on the continent concentrated in South Africa.
However, Oracle plans to extend its footprint by launching new cloud regions in Morocco and Kenya, reinforcing its long-term strategy in emerging markets.
This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Burundi introduced BurundiPay, enabling real-time 24/7 payments across banks and mobile wallets.
- The platform ensures full interoperability between financial institutions and payment providers.
- The World Bank-backed system positions Burundi among 22 African countries with instant payment infrastructure.
Banque de la République du Burundi launched the national instant payment system “BurundiPay” on April 23 in Bujumbura, aiming to modernize financial transactions, expand financial inclusion and reduce cash reliance.
The bank designed BurundiPay to streamline transactions and strengthen financial inclusion. The system enables users to transfer money and make payments in real time, 24 hours a day and seven days a week, from both bank accounts and mobile wallets.
BurundiPay introduces full interoperability across the financial ecosystem. The platform connects commercial banks, microfinance institutions and payment service providers within a single network, allowing seamless transactions across previously siloed systems.
As a result, the system eliminates constraints such as the need to withdraw cash before transferring funds between different institutions. This shift simplifies user experience and improves transaction efficiency across the market. The platform relies on international standards, including ISO 20022, ensuring high security levels and compatibility with global financial systems.
Moreover, BurundiPay integrates with existing national infrastructure, including real-time gross settlement systems and automated clearing houses. This integration strengthens the overall payment architecture and enhances system reliability.
BurundiPay emphasizes accessibility to support mass adoption. The platform operates on both smartphones and basic mobile phones via USSD codes, addressing limited internet penetration, which official data places at around 30%. This inclusive approach aims to extend financial services to underserved populations, particularly in rural areas where banking access remains low.
World Bank supported the project through the Digital Economy Foundations Support Project (PAFEN). This backing places Burundi among 22 African countries that have deployed instant payment infrastructure.
Consequently, the initiative aligns with broader continental trends, where financial digitalization acts as a key driver of economic transformation. The success of BurundiPay will depend on adoption by market participants and end users. Its rollout could accelerate financial integration, support digital commerce growth and improve transparency of financial flows.
Therefore, the system could play a central role in advancing Burundi’s economic modernization and growth ambitions.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Algeria has launched a national artificial intelligence training program to develop local skills and support start-ups.
- Authorities aim to train up to 500,000 ICT specialists under a broader digital transformation strategy.
- The program combines intensive training with practical projects and incubation support.
Algeria has stepped up efforts to build skills in emerging technologies as artificial intelligence expands across industries. Nacima Arhab and Noureddine Ouadah launched the national artificial intelligence training program on April 26 at the El Rahmania National Specialized Vocational Training Institute in Algiers.
Authorities said the initiative aims to position local skills as a central driver of adaptation to technological change and development of the knowledge economy. The program seeks to train, within short timeframes, professionals who can integrate into the digital environment and design solutions tailored to business and domestic market needs.
Intensive, Practice-Oriented Training
Moreover, the program relies on a practice-based learning model. The training cycle lasts 12 weeks, including eight weeks of intensive coursework and four weeks dedicated to real-world projects. Authorities launched a train-the-trainers program on January 15, 2026 to ensure instructional quality.
This approach aims to align training with market realities and accelerate workforce readiness. Participants work on real use cases, often in collaboration with start-ups, while using the latest artificial intelligence tools and models.
National Strategy to Accelerate Digital Skills
Furthermore, the initiative forms part of a forthcoming national digital transformation strategy that authorities plan to roll out in the near term. The strategy targets the training of up to 500,000 ICT specialists and aims to significantly reduce brain drain among qualified talent.
In this context, Algeria seeks to strengthen its technological sovereignty and capture a larger share of value generated by artificial intelligence. Authorities target AI contributions of up to nearly 7% of GDP by 2027. To support this ambition, they are deploying multiple levers, including dedicated financing mechanisms, the development of centers of excellence and broader access to digital technologies.
Beyond training, the program fits into a broader strategy to structure an innovation ecosystem. In this regard, authorities have inaugurated a business incubator within the institute to support project holders and foster the creation of technology start-ups.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Botswana Tech Fund launched a £50 million ($67.5 million) investment vehicle on April 21, 2026, targeting technology start-ups across Southern Africa.
- The fund, backed by Pula Investments and Stephen Lansdown’s family office, will invest from pre-seed to scale-up stages, including secondary market transactions.
- The initiative aims to strengthen a structurally underfunded Southern African venture capital ecosystem amid broader market normalization in Africa.
The Botswana Tech Fund has launched a £50 million (approximately $67.5 million) investment vehicle to support technology start-ups across Southern Africa, as the region seeks to close a persistent funding gap in venture capital.
The fund, based in Gaborone, announced its launch on Tuesday, April 21. Pula Investments, the family office of Stephen Lansdown, cofounder of UK financial services group Hargreaves Lansdown, backed the vehicle.
The Botswana Tech Fund structured its investment strategy to cover multiple stages of company development. It targeted early-stage start-ups at pre-seed level as well as more advanced scale-ups. It planned to deploy capital through seed investments and growth-stage equity stakes, while it also included secondary market transactions to improve liquidity for investors and founders.
The initiative came as Southern Africa continued to develop its venture capital ecosystem, which remained constrained by structural funding shortages, particularly in application technologies and digital infrastructure. The region still relied heavily on foreign capital despite the gradual emergence of local investment initiatives.
The fund positioned Botswana as a strategic entry point for technology investment, citing an internet penetration rate of approximately 80% and a relatively stable governance environment. It also highlighted the broader Southern African Development Community (SADC) market, which represented a population of more than 370 million people.
Market data from Partech Africa and Briter Bridges showed that African start-ups raised between $3 billion and $4 billion in 2025, down from a peak above $6 billion in 2022. The data indicated a normalization of venture capital flows, characterized by stricter investor selection and concentration of funding in more mature markets such as Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt.
The Botswana Tech Fund stated that it aimed to reposition Southern Africa within the African venture capital landscape by structuring more tailored financing solutions and improving access to capital for founders.
Samira Njoya
- Burkina Faso received a delegation of Italian investors on April 22, 2026, to explore opportunities in digital health, drones, agriculture, and energy.
- Authorities prioritized public-private partnerships that ensure technology transfer, local training, and digital sovereignty.
- The government targeted universal digital coverage by 2030, with a focus on eliminating rural connectivity gaps through solar-powered infrastructure.
Burkina Faso has opened discussions with foreign investors as it accelerates its digital transformation agenda and seeks to attract capital into strategic technology sectors, including artificial intelligence, healthcare, and drone applications.
The Ministry of Digital Transition hosted an Italian investor delegation on Wednesday, April 22, led by Burkina Faso’s ambassador to Italy, Cyrille Ganou/Badolo, and received by Secretary General Borlli Michel Some. The meeting marked a step in the country’s strategy to connect public administration systems and eliminate remaining “white zones” in digital coverage.
The delegation presented several technology proposals tailored to local needs. It proposed drone-based solutions to improve healthcare delivery and vaccination campaigns in rural areas. It also introduced digital medical data management systems designed to strengthen health infrastructure. Investors from technology, agriculture, and energy sectors participated and expressed interest in public-private partnerships.
Burkina Faso’s authorities emphasized that they structured cooperation around digital sovereignty principles. They stated that they prioritized partnerships that included training programs, co-development frameworks, and local ownership of technologies. The government aimed to build domestic capacity to manage digital infrastructure and sensitive data.
The discussions also addressed energy constraints linked to digital expansion. The government set a target to eliminate all connectivity gaps by 2030 and promoted the use of solar energy solutions to power telecommunications infrastructure in rural regions. Authorities encouraged investors to propose sustainable technologies capable of supporting long-term network expansion.
The meeting took place as Burkina Faso accelerated multiple digital initiatives, including digital identity systems and the adoption of emerging technologies to improve public service efficiency.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Posta Uganda launches PostCom, a national e-commerce marketplace integrating logistics and digital transactions.
- The platform leverages the postal network to expand access, especially for SMEs and rural users.
- Uganda positions e-commerce as a growth driver within a market projected to exceed $110 billion in Africa by 2029.
Uganda’s State Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Godfrey Baluku Kabbyanga, officially launched the PostCom e-commerce platform on April 21 in Kampala. Public postal operator Posta Uganda developed the platform to expand its role beyond traditional logistics services into a fully integrated online commerce ecosystem.
PostCom operates as a national marketplace that allows individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises to buy and sell products online. The platform relies on Posta Uganda’s physical network to manage logistics and ensure nationwide delivery.
At the same time, the platform provides a secure digital interface that facilitates transactions and connects local sellers to a broader customer base, including international markets.
E-commerce continues to expand rapidly across Africa, and initiatives like PostCom target a fast-growing market. Analysts estimate that Africa’s e-commerce sector will reach about $55 billion in 2024 and could exceed $110 billion by 2029, driven by mobile money adoption, urbanization, and broader internet access.
Ugandan authorities are betting on digital transformation to stimulate economic growth. They expect digital services and online commerce to contribute several billion dollars to the economy by 2030.
PostCom differentiates itself from international private platforms through its public-sector foundation and integrated logistics model. Unlike traditional marketplaces, the platform combines e-commerce capabilities with existing postal infrastructure.
This model reduces delivery costs and expands access to e-commerce in rural areas. It also supports local SMEs by providing a structured national distribution channel in a market where logistics remain a major constraint.
Ugandan authorities aim to position PostCom as a central pillar of the national digital economy. The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to enhance economic inclusion, modernize trade, and strengthen Uganda’s role in East Africa’s digital commerce landscape.
The platform also gives sellers access to international markets. It enables them to reach customers in nearly 192 countries through the global postal network.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Orange Egypt and Circle K sign a deal to digitize more than 200 stores.
- The partnership deploys connectivity solutions and SD-WAN technology to optimize operations and network performance.
- The agreement reflects Egypt’s fast-growing retail market and broader push toward digital transformation.
Orange Egypt and Circle K announced on April 22 that they signed a partnership agreement to modernize the retailer’s distribution network, which spans more than 200 points of sale across the country. The agreement positions Orange as Circle K’s digital transformation partner in Egypt’s increasingly digitized retail environment.
Orange Egypt will provide a suite of connectivity and digital infrastructure solutions under the agreement. The company will deliver high-speed internet access and secure interconnection between all retail locations.
The companies aim to ensure operational continuity while improving performance and streamlining the management of commercial activities across the network.
The project also includes the deployment of Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) technology. This advanced networking solution enables centralized and flexible orchestration of data flows across multiple sites.
The system will strengthen security, improve service stability, and increase operational efficiency for Circle K.
Circle K operates in Egypt through a network of convenience stores and service stations. The brand ranks among the leading players in proximity retail and belongs to an international group active in more than 20 countries.
The company relies on strong distribution capabilities and serves a large daily customer base through its extensive network. It focuses on everyday consumer goods and fast services while pursuing continuous expansion in urban and peri-urban markets.
The partnership carries strategic importance for both companies in one of the Middle East’s largest retail markets. Egypt’s retail sector continues to grow, supported by its large population and evolving consumption patterns.
The agreement reflects a broader shift toward digitizing distribution networks, where connectivity and information systems act as key drivers of performance and expansion.
For Mohamed Shebl, Chief Business Officer of Orange Egypt, the collaboration demonstrates the operator’s ability to meet international standards. “Through this partnership, we continue to leverage cutting-edge innovations to enhance competitiveness and optimize operational efficiency, in line with our vision of leading the digital transformation of the business sector toward more advanced and sustainable models, while supporting the objectives of Egypt’s digital strategy and ‘Egypt Vision 2030,’” he said.
Samira Njoya
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- Senegal launched a national digital library for students as part of a $206 million education digitization plan for 2025–2029.
- The platform offers validated educational content across all levels and supports both in-class and remote learning.
- Unequal internet access, especially in rural areas, remains a major constraint to adoption.
Senegal decided in January 2025 to invest $206 million to finance its digital education strategy for 2025–2029. As a result, authorities have started to implement concrete initiatives.
The government announced on Monday, April 20 the launch of a national digital library dedicated to students. The platform aims to facilitate access to educational resources and ensure continuity of learning amid recurring disruptions to the school calendar.
The digital library is accessible online via smartphones, tablets and computers. The platform provides content across multiple education levels, from preschool to secondary education.
Teachers validated the resources, which include lessons, interactive exercises and revision tools. Two solutions structure the offering: Senkala focuses on assessments and exercises, while Promet delivers educational content and supports autonomous learning.
The initiative aims to guarantee pedagogical continuity by enabling students to continue learning outside the classroom. In parallel, the program supports a broader strategy to modernize education by integrating digital technologies into teaching methods.
The platform also aims to reduce educational inequalities, particularly between urban and rural areas. Therefore, authorities position the initiative as both an access tool and a structural reform lever.
However, access to home internet remains highly unequal across Senegal, according to a survey published in July 2025 by the National Agency of Statistics and Demography (ANSD). Only 43.8% of households in Dakar have internet access, while the rate falls to 16.3% in other urban areas and drops below 3% in rural areas.
DataReportal estimates higher levels of mobile internet access. By the end of 2025, Senegal had 11.5 million internet users, representing a penetration rate of 60.6%. Nevertheless, these disparities could limit the full impact of the digital library.
This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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- Burundi approves a 2025–2030 national AI strategy to support governance and growth.
- Authorities structure the roadmap around six pillars including governance, infrastructure, and human capital.
- Government plans pilot projects in health and agriculture to demonstrate economic impact.
Burundi has stepped up efforts to position itself in emerging technologies by adopting a national artificial intelligence strategy for 2025–2030, authorities said following validation of the plan on Wednesday, April 22 in Bujumbura.
The Ministry of Finance, Budget and Digital Economy, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), designed the roadmap to make artificial intelligence an operational tool for governance, economic growth, and public service modernization. Authorities aim to structure the local ecosystem and capture economic gains linked to data exploitation as AI adoption accelerates globally.
A Strategy Structured Around Six Priorities
Authorities anchored the strategy on six core pillars, starting with governance. The government plans to create steering bodies, draft an ethical charter, and adapt the regulatory framework to oversee AI development. In parallel, authorities will promote ethics, inclusion, and sustainability by introducing algorithm oversight mechanisms, integrating local languages, and supporting responsible AI practices.
On the technical front, the government will strengthen digital infrastructure and data management capacity. Authorities plan to modernize data centers, establish sector-specific hubs, and develop sovereign cloud solutions while expanding telecom networks.
The government has also prioritized human capital development. Authorities aim to align university training with AI-related jobs, train more than 1,000 public officials, and foster talent through programs targeting youth and women.
In addition, the strategy emphasizes innovation and entrepreneurship. Authorities will introduce dedicated financing mechanisms, set up incubators in several cities, and provide incentives to support the emergence of AI-focused startups.
Finally, the government will prioritize practical applications. Authorities plan to deploy around 15 pilot projects in key sectors such as healthcare and agriculture. These projects will include diagnostic support tools, telemedicine solutions, climate alert systems, and advisory services for farmers, with the goal of quickly demonstrating productivity gains and improved public services.
A Position Still Under Development
However, Burundi still faces structural constraints in digital infrastructure and data utilization. As in several African economies, challenges include limited data availability, weak system interoperability, and evolving regulatory frameworks.
Nevertheless, authorities designed the strategy to address these gaps by aligning investments, skills, and use cases within a coherent vision. The plan also fits within the country’s Vision 2040–2060 framework, which identifies digital technology as a key driver of economic transformation.
Once implemented, the strategy could position Burundi alongside African countries that have already structured their AI approaches, including Rwanda, Senegal, Morocco, and Benin. However, authorities must now translate this ambition into concrete deployments capable of delivering measurable economic gains amid growing competition around data and advanced technologies.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Terra Industries started building a major drone factory in Accra.
- The plant targets annual production of 50,000 drones by 2028.
- The project follows a $34 million funding round to scale industrial capacity.
Terra Industries announced on Sunday, April 19, that it launched construction of “Pax-2,” its second autonomous systems manufacturing plant. The company is building the facility in Accra, Ghana. The site will cover more than 3,150 square meters (34,000 square feet). Once operational in June 2026, it will become the largest drone production facility in Africa, surpassing the flagship “Pax-1” site in Abuja, Nigeria.
The company is making this investment after raising $34 million to expand industrial capacity and strengthen engineering teams in Nigeria and allied countries. The Ghanaian site will focus on high-volume production of strategic aerial systems. These include the Archer surveillance and strike drone, the Iroko tactical unit, and the Kama high-speed interceptor, which can reach speeds of 300 km/h to counter hostile drones.
Beyond the industrial investment, this initiative reflects broader shifts in security dynamics across the continent. Armed groups in several regions, particularly in the Sahel, are increasingly using drones, sometimes adapted from civilian technologies. This trend is transforming operational methods and increasing demand for integrated solutions combining surveillance, electronic warfare, and interception capabilities.
At the same time, the global market is expanding. According to Fortune Business Insights, the global military drone market could reach $30.9 billion by 2034, up from $18.2 billion in 2025 and $20.8 billion in 2026. The growth is driven by expanding use cases in security environments.
The company selected Ghana based on the availability of technical skills and the country’s ambition to position itself as a regional industrial hub. The project should create around 120 direct jobs, mainly in engineering, and operate continuously to meet demand. By 2028, the plant aims to achieve an annual production capacity of 50,000 units.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
- Algeria launched its first national start-up cluster focused on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity on April 18 in Algiers.
- Authorities aim to expand the country’s start-up base to 20,000 by 2029 under a broader knowledge-economy strategy.
- The cluster integrates universities, research centers and businesses to accelerate innovation and commercialization.
Algeria launched its first national start-up cluster dedicated to artificial intelligence and cybersecurity on April 18 in Algiers, as the government intensifies efforts to build a technology-driven economy by 2028.
The government hosted the launch at the Sidi Abdellah science and technology hub. Authorities positioned the initiative as a new step in structuring the national innovation ecosystem. Officials aim to strengthen the competitiveness of technology start-ups and increase their contribution to the domestic economy.
The cluster brings together start-ups, universities, research centers and private-sector players within a single framework. It supports collaboration on joint projects and promotes the emergence of innovative solutions in strategic sectors, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and smart digital services.
The program accepts start-ups from both academic institutions and the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem. Authorities designed this approach to stimulate synergies and accelerate the conversion of innovative projects into commercially viable applications.
The ministries of Higher Education, Knowledge Economy and Telecommunications jointly support the initiative. The cluster forms part of a broader government strategy to scale up the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has set a target of reaching 20,000 start-ups in Algeria by 2029. Authorities plan to rely on universities as a primary source of innovation and skilled talent to meet this goal.
Authorities reported in June that Algeria had registered 1,600 micro-enterprises, 130 start-ups and 1,175 projects labeled as “innovative.” They also recorded more than 2,800 patents filed with relevant institutions.
Algeria is leveraging structures such as clusters to accelerate its transition toward a knowledge-based economy. The government views technological innovation as a key growth driver.
Globally, clusters act as catalysts for competitiveness. They stimulate technological development, enhance regional attractiveness and support the emergence of high-potential companies.
Samira Njoya
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The University of Botswana launched its first local virtual reality (VR) program in partnership with MDiHub.
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The solution enables remote, immersive access to UniPod laboratories without physical presence.
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The global VR market could reach $69.6 billion by 2028, highlighting strong growth potential.
The University of Botswana, through UniPod in collaboration with the Mafikeng Digital Innovation Hub (MDiHub), officially launched its first local virtual reality (VR) program on Thursday, April 16. The institution designed this immersive technology to allow users to visit and interact virtually with the center’s laboratories without physical presence. The program introduces a new approach to learning and access to research infrastructure.
According to UniPod Director Richie Moalosi, virtual reality represents one of the key technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, as it enables computers to simulate real-world environments. He emphasized the project’s novelty and described it as a first local VR experience accessible remotely. He added that the solution allows users to explore infrastructure without the need for physical travel.
The solution digitally replicates UniPod’s facilities, including its laboratories, and allows users to navigate them virtually. It creates opportunities across several sectors. In education, it facilitates interactive learning. In tourism and mining, it supports immersive simulations.
Moreover, the technology could support the emergence of new economic models. It enables opportunities in digital content creation and experience-based services, which could drive additional revenue streams.
The University of Botswana developed the project through collaboration with the Mafikeng Digital Innovation Hub, whose expertise structured the solution’s development. At the same time, global virtual and augmented reality markets generate billions of dollars annually and continue to expand rapidly.
A report by Grand View Research published in March 2022 estimates that the virtual reality market could reach $69.6 billion by 2028, up from $15.81 billion in 2020, representing a compound annual growth rate of 18%.
In this environment, Botswana aims to position itself in emerging technologies to strengthen local capabilities, support innovation, and improve youth employability. The country sees virtual reality as a lever to diversify its economy and accelerate its transition toward higher value-added sectors.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum