Tech (1016)
• CAF to unveil “Yalla” app on September 25 for tickets, Fan ID, lodging, and visas.
• App to centralize services, with real-time updates and security information.
• Move aligns with Morocco’s tech upgrades ahead of AFCON 2025 and World Cup 2030.
The Confederation of AfriAfCON Football (CAF) will launch the “Yalla” mobile app on September 25 ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, in Morocco. The tool is designed to enhance the fan experience and centralize access to key services for the tournament.
According to CAF, the app will integrate ticketing, accommodation, and match schedules. Each ticket holder will need to register to obtain a Fan ID through the platform, ensuring smooth entry into stadiums and fan zones. The app will also allow visitors to complete and track their e-Visa applications online. In addition, it will provide real-time updates, personalized content, security information, and local guidance to support foreign spectators.
The launch of Yalla is part of a broader strategy to use new technologies for the successful organization of the AFCON. Earlier this year, Morocco unveiled its “Décollage 2025” plan to modernize airports and improve the traveler experience through the SMART AIRPORT system, which monitors infrastructure in real time, optimizes passenger flows, and collects data. The planned rollout of 5G in November will make AFCON 2025 the first large-scale test of this technology in Morocco.
These initiatives aim not only to ensure the smooth running of the tournament but also to prepare for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal. They are also expected to improve travel experiences and strengthen nationwide data management and coordination.
The congestion highlights the limitations of satellite broadband when demand surges in densely populated urban areas. It’s a reminder that no single technology—no matter how advanced—can meet the continent’s connectivity needs alone.
Starlink has paused new residential internet kit sales in parts of Lagos and Abuja, citing congestion on its network as demand outpaces capacity in Nigeria’s busiest urban centers. New customers in these zones can only join via a waitlist with a deposit until more capacity is unlocked.
On September 16, users in Abuja attempting to order a Starlink kit encountered the following notice: “Starlink service is currently at capacity in your area. However, the good news is you can still place a deposit now to reserve your spot on the waitlist and receive a notification as soon as service becomes available again. Please note that we cannot provide an estimated timeframe for service availability, but our teams are working as quickly as possible to add more capacity to the constellation so we can continue to expand coverage for more customers around the world.”
This pause mirrors a previous suspension in late 2024, when Starlink froze nationwide orders for nearly eight months due to limited bandwidth and pending regulatory approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Sales only resumed in June 2025 after infrastructure upgrades and clearance. A similar scenario played out in Kenya in November 2024, when Starlink halted new subscriptions in Nairobi and five surrounding counties after overwhelming demand stretched the network’s capacity.
The oversubscription underscores Nigeria’s urgent demand for reliable, high-quality internet services, even at rising price points. For consumers, the stakes are immediate: affordability and access. Residential service now costs ₦57,000 ($38) monthly, up from ₦38,000 ($25) initially. Yet demand remains strong, reflecting a growing appetite for connectivity that meets international standards. Starlink counted 59,509 active users in Q1 2025, according to the National Communications Commission (NCC) data—about 20.6% of Nigeria’s 289,369 ISP subscribers.
For policymakers, the lesson is broader: Africa’s digital future cannot rely on a single technology. With the continent’s digital economy projected by the World Bank to reach $180 billion by 2025, affordable and reliable connectivity is essential. That requires a resilient ecosystem combining satellites for remote communities, mobile broadband expansion, and fiber backbones in urban centers. Without investment in complementary infrastructure and strong policy frameworks, Africa risks bottlenecks that could slow digital trade, financial inclusion, and e-governance ambitions.
The developments in Nigeria, Starlink’s largest African market, are now a test case for how satellite internet operators will adapt to the continent’s fast-growing but price-sensitive demand.
Hikmatu Bilali
Faced with a shortage of doctors and the isolation of African villages, telemedicine is opening a new path. Using digital technology, local startups are developing solutions to bring medical care closer to rural populations that have long been left behind.
In sub-Saharan Africa, about 57% of the population—nearly 700 million people—lives in rural areas. In some countries like Burundi, this proportion exceeds 85%. These isolated regions often face a shortage of health infrastructure, a lack of qualified professionals, and limited access to specialized care. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the region is expected to have a shortage of 6.1 million healthcare workers by 2030, a 45% increase from 2013. This scarcity leads to preventable deaths, delayed diagnoses, and increased pressure on urban hospitals.
Startups Innovate to Bridge the Gap
Telemedicine, which includes remote consultations, monitoring, and expert support, uses technology to provide care from a distance. It helps overcome geographical and logistical barriers, offering a practical solution for communities far from health centers.
Several African startups are emerging in this field. In Kenya, Ilara Health provides affordable diagnostic tools to rural clinics, enabling doctors to perform high-quality examinations without extensive infrastructure. A similar approach is being developed in Cameroon by Waspito, which connects patients and practitioners via a mobile app, offering video consultations, medication delivery, and access to lab tests.
In remote villages in Chad, Telemedan is installing solar-powered telemedicine kiosks, ensuring consultations are accessible even where infrastructure is lacking. In Ghana, Diagnosify uses artificial intelligence for the early detection of skin diseases, directing patients to dermatologists and extending access to specialized care in the most isolated areas.
Governments are also beginning to incorporate e-health into their public policies, often with support from partners like the World Bank and the WHO. The digitization of medical records, official teleconsultation platforms, and online training for health workers are supplementing local initiatives to strengthen healthcare systems sustainably.
Challenges of Telemedicine in Rural Africa
Telemedicine in Africa's "medical deserts" faces several obstacles. Connectivity remains a significant issue in many areas. In 2024, only 23% of people in rural Africa used the internet, compared to 57% in urban areas, according to the International Telecommunication Union. In addition to this digital divide, challenges include a lack of training for healthcare professionals and patients, the persistence of traditional beliefs that hinder technology adoption, and the absence of strong frameworks to protect medical data.
Despite these difficulties, the potential is enormous. Telemedicine offers an opportunity to redesign healthcare, relieving pressure on urban hospitals and bringing medical services closer to remote areas. It could help reduce health inequalities by guaranteeing every patient, regardless of their location, access to quality medical care. Investing in these e-health startups is a crucial lever. These young companies, with their local focus, are designing solutions tailored to on-the-ground realities: apps for basic phones, solar-powered kiosks, and platforms in local languages. By filling the gaps left by traditional structures, they are shortening the distance between practitioners and patients and providing a vital lifeline for the most isolated populations.
Samira Njoya
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Morocco's CNSS launches $4.4M tender for cybersecurity upgrade
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Move follows major data breaches impacting millions of users
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Project aims to modernize systems, ensure legal data protection
Morocco's National Social Security Fund (CNSS) has launched an international tender worth 40 million dirhams ($4.4 million) to strengthen its cybersecurity following a series of cyberattacks that compromised sensitive data. The initiative aims to modernize the institution's digital systems and secure the personal information of millions of employees and affiliated companies.
The tender is divided into two parts. The first, valued at 6 million dirhams, is for accelerating the institution's overall digital transformation. The second, estimated between 19.99 and 39.98 million dirhams, is for acquiring specialized expertise, implementing advanced technical solutions, and deploying security systems that comply with Law 09-08 on personal data protection.
The tender's specifications impose strict guarantees, including the destruction of files after contracts are executed, a ban on unauthorized data use, and the adoption of agile methodologies to ensure the effectiveness of the security measures.
This initiative comes amid the growing vulnerability of Moroccan digital infrastructure to cyber threats. A massive attack on April 8 by the group Jabaroot compromised the data of nearly 500,000 companies and two million employees. A second intrusion reported in September highlights the persistent system vulnerabilities and the lack of a robust, proactive security architecture, despite the CNSS's strategic importance to the country's social safety net.
The project is designed to significantly boost the CNSS's digital resilience and restore public trust. By securing its systems, the institution can ensure more reliable data processing and the continuity of essential services such as mandatory health insurance, which covers low-income households and non-working individuals. This effort will also supplement the government's ongoing legal and regulatory actions to protect public and private infrastructure from rising cyber threats.
Samira Njoya
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Côte d'Ivoire secures $95M UAE funding for digital projects
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Funds target AI, cloud, and civil service modernization
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Deal boosts Abidjan-Abu Dhabi tech and governance ties
Côte d'Ivoire's Minister of Public Service and Administrative Modernization, Anne Désirée Ouloto-Lamizana, has secured a $95 million funding commitment from the United Arab Emirates. A letter of intent is scheduled to be signed by mid-October, with the funds expected to be released by the end of the year, the Ivorian Press Agency reported on Sunday, September 14.
The funding, which will be managed by a joint steering committee, is earmarked for several key projects. These include the construction of a modular data center and a sovereign cloud, the creation of a center of excellence for artificial intelligence and innovation, and the enhancement of the Integrated Management System for Civil Servants and State Agents (SIGFAE) through the integration of AI-powered features. The objective is to accelerate the digitalization of government services while improving human resource management and public service quality.
This initiative is part of the Ivorian government's broader effort to strengthen governance and position the country as a major technological player in West Africa. It also highlights the growing cooperation between Abidjan and Abu Dhabi in strategic sectors like digital innovation, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.
If the project materializes, it could reinforce Côte d'Ivoire's role as a hub for administrative technology and innovation in the region. It is also expected to foster talent development and professional integration for young people, including in the UAE. However, the project's success will depend on the rigorous implementation of the announced reforms and the country's ability to secure and sustain these infrastructures in the face of ongoing digital sovereignty and cybersecurity challenges.
Samira Njoya
• Algiers airport to deploy AI systems from December 2025
• Upgrades include facial recognition, smart gates, contactless travel
• Plan aims to make airport a major African and global hub
Algerian authorities plan to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into services at Algiers International Airport starting this December. The modernization effort aims to elevate the airport's service quality to meet international standards.
Mokhtar Mediouni, CEO of the Algiers Airport Services and Infrastructure Management Company (SGSIA), announced the initiative on Sunday, September 14, at a press conference reported by the Algeria Press Service (APS). The upgrades will include facial recognition, body scanners, contactless travel, and smart gates. Mediouni said these technologies will optimize the use of airport spaces like halls, parking lots, and boarding areas while simplifying passenger entry and exit procedures.
This digitalization effort is part of a broader strategy to transform Algiers International Airport into a "regional hub". The goal is to leverage Algeria's strategic location near Europe, positioning the airport as a major transit point for global passenger and cargo traffic. The ambition is also to elevate the airport to a leading African hub, serving as a gateway for travelers from the continent to Asia, the Americas, and Europe while offering modern services.
Algiers International Airport is the country's main airport. Authorities projected it would handle around 10 million passengers in 2024, following 7.3 million in 2023 and 6.5 million in 2022. The airport is also central to the African and global expansion strategy of the national airline, Air Algérie.
In April 2025, the state-owned airline announced the launch of new direct routes to six destinations in Africa and Asia starting this winter. The new routes include Guangzhou (China), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), N'Djamena (Chad), Zanzibar (Tanzania), Libreville (Gabon), and Addis Ababa (Ethiopia). By the end of 2024, Air Algérie was already serving 25 African destinations with a passenger flow of 179,000 people.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
• Chad plans integrated digital platform for licenses, permits, and vehicle papers.
• Project seeks to cut costs, improve traceability, and reduce delays for users.
• Country ranks 189th out of 193 on UN’s 2024 E-Government Development Index.
Chad is preparing to modernize its transport-related administrative services through an integrated digital system. The initiative was discussed on September 9 during a meeting chaired by Transport Minister Fatima Goukouni Weddeye, focused on digitizing financial services within her department.
The project aims to centralize all services offered by the ministry into a single platform. These include the issuance of vehicle registration cards, driver’s licenses, technical inspection certificates, transport licenses and permits, and the mandatory consignment note (LVO). The goal is to make services more accessible, ensure traceability, and reduce both processing times and costs for users and businesses.
This plan aligns with a broader national push to modernize public administration and digitize government services. Chad has already taken steps such as partially digitizing administrative procedures and creating online platforms to track official documents.
However, the country still lags in digital governance. According to the United Nations, Chad scored 0.1785 out of 1 on the 2024 E-Government Development Index, ranking 189th out of 193 countries. This underlines the urgent need to accelerate digital transformation to make public services more effective, reliable, and accessible.
The rollout of an integrated digital system could address key challenges. It would simplify administrative processes, cut costs, reduce fraud and document loss, and strengthen efficiency in the transport sector. In the long term, it is expected to boost competitiveness, improve access to services for citizens, and reinforce transparency in public operations.
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Algeria to sign digital cooperation deal focused on youth
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Plan includes digital hubs, innovation programs, and training
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Part of 2030 strategy for inclusion and digital transformation
Algeria's Ministry of Post and Telecommunications and Ministry of Youth will soon sign a framework agreement to strengthen cooperation, officials announced following a meeting on Wednesday, September 10. The accord aims to place youth at the heart of the country's national digital strategy.
The new agreement is expected to lead to the creation of dedicated digital spaces for young people, provide better support for the digital transition, and increase their participation in the country's modernization efforts. It is designed to stimulate innovation, encourage entrepreneurship, and reinforce the role of youth as key players in national digital development.
The announcement was made after a meeting between Minister of Post and Telecommunications Sid Ali Zerrouki and Minister of Youth Mustapha Hidaoui. Their discussions focused on developing programs to enhance youth skills, creativity, and innovation. The two ministers stressed the importance of concrete projects that combine the digital and technological expertise of the telecommunications sector with the initiatives of youth centers.
This collaboration is part of Algeria’s 2030 National Digital Transformation Strategy, which prioritizes human capital and digital inclusion. The government has already launched several initiatives, including incubators and training programs, to support young entrepreneurs and develop startups. Authorities now aim to extend this momentum to youth facilities, transforming them into hubs for inclusion and innovation.
Samira Njoya
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Officials meet in Tunis to explore cooperation in digital technology and postal sector
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Talks focus on training, technical expertise, and start-up collaboration
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Tunisia ranks 9th in Africa on ICT index, while Palestine seeks to bridge digital gap
Tunisia and Palestine have reaffirmed their interest in strengthening cooperation in information and communication technologies (ICT) and in the postal sector. The commitment was made during a meeting on September 9 in Tunis between Sofiene Hemissi, Tunisia’s Minister of Communication Technologies, and Houda Wahidi, Palestine’s Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Digital Economy, in the presence of Palestinian Ambassador Rami Qaddoumi.
Talks centered on deepening bilateral ties through training, knowledge sharing, and technical expertise. Both sides also expressed interest in fostering collaboration between Tunisian and Palestinian start-ups to drive innovation and enhance the competitiveness of their digital ecosystems.
The initiative aligns with both countries’ vision of consolidating their digital sectors as a way to diversify their economies. Tunisia is already well positioned, ranking 9th in Africa with an ICT Development Index score of 79.6 out of 100, according to the International Telecommunication Union’s July 2025 report. Palestine, constrained by structural challenges, scored 69.1, signaling room for convergence.
A partnership could deliver multiple benefits. For Palestine, it could expand digital access in schools, government services, and rural areas, helping reduce the digital divide. For Tunisia, the cooperation would create opportunities to export its technological know-how, open markets in the Middle East, and strengthen its start-up ecosystem by exposing it to new and demanding environments.
The talks remain at a preliminary stage. While general directions have been outlined, specific terms have not yet been agreed, and no formal deal has been signed so far.
• South Korea launches $15M project to modernize Egypt’s education
• Five-year plan covers 54 schools, boosts ICT, teacher skills
• Initiative aligns with AU Agenda 2063 digital education goals
South Korea announced on Monday a $15 million project to modernize education in Egypt. The announcement was made during a meeting in Cairo between the Korean Ambassador to Egypt, Kim Yonghyon, and Egypt's Minister of Education and Technical Education, Mohamed Abdel-Latif.
The five-year project, officially set to begin in 2027, will cover 54 public middle schools across all 27 of Egypt's governorates. It will involve implementing educational programs that integrate information and communication technologies (ICT), strengthening teachers' digital skills, upgrading infrastructure like computer labs and internet connectivity, and modernizing administrative and evaluation systems. Preparatory studies will be conducted throughout 2026 to define technical and educational needs.
This partnership extends 30 years of diplomatic relations between Egypt and South Korea. In addition to education, the two countries already cooperate in industry, energy, and infrastructure.
Beyond bilateral cooperation, the initiative aligns with a continental trend. The African Union has made digital education a priority of its Agenda 2063, which aims to equip African youth with the skills needed for the global knowledge economy. Given its demographic size and geopolitical role, Egypt could become a key regional hub for this effort. South Korea, a global leader in digital education and the integration of ICT in teaching, already shares its expertise with several countries through KOICA cooperation programs and EdTech partnerships.
As artificial intelligence and digital technologies transform the job market and lifestyles, a country's ability to train its youth in digital skills is becoming a key factor in its competitiveness. By partnering with South Korea, Egypt hopes to provide its younger generations with modern educational tools and prepare the country for better integration into the global knowledge economy.
Samira Njoya
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Morocco’s UM6P has launched a Global Hub in New York and Cambridge to link Africa with global innovation networks.
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The hub will support joint research, student exchanges, start-up funding, and cross-border entrepreneurship.
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The move is part of UM6P’s international expansion, with campuses already in Canada and France.
Morocco’s Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) announced on Monday, September 8, the official launch of its Global Hub in the United States, with offices in New York and Cambridge. The hub is designed to connect African talent with leading international ecosystems in research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
“The goal of this new hub is to directly address Morocco’s and Africa’s urgent challenges by combining rigorous scientific research with practical, scalable solutions, helping the Kingdom build pathways toward technological sovereignty,” said UM6P president Said Hicham El Habti.
The U.S. Global Hub is structured as a two-way platform. It will promote joint research projects, student exchanges, and cross-border entrepreneurial collaborations. The center also provides African start-ups with privileged access to venture capital and North American tech networks, while helping adapt U.S.-developed innovations to African realities. In addition, immersion programs will expose African leaders to international innovation practices.
This move is part of UM6P’s broader global expansion strategy, which already includes new campuses in Canada and France. It also reflects Morocco’s ambition to position itself as Africa’s anchor point for research and scientific investment.
Since its creation in 2017, UM6P has enrolled nearly 7,300 students from 40 nationalities, including 1,000 doctoral candidates. Its entrepreneurial ecosystem has supported more than 1,000 project holders and forged over 200 international partnerships with institutions such as MIT, Stanford, Columbia Business School, and Arizona State University. The U.S. hub strengthens this mission by engaging the African diaspora as a strategic resource to co-develop innovative projects across both continents.
Beyond academic cooperation, UM6P’s American hub aims to tackle three key weaknesses in Africa’s innovation ecosystem: limited global visibility in research, underutilization of the diaspora as a strategic lever, and difficulties in translating international technological advances into solutions tailored to local realities. The challenge now lies in turning this ambition into tangible, inclusive results that bring real value to African societies.
Samira Njoya
- Kenya pledges support for digital creators via Meta, Google deals
- Part of "Digital Super Highway" to expand tech infrastructure
- Africa’s creator economy valued at $5.1B, rising to $30B by 2032
The Kenyan Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy announced a new commitment on Monday, September 8, to support digital content creators. The initiative aims to help creators monetize their work through strategic partnerships with digital platforms like Meta and Google while expanding access to training and support programs for young talent.
The Ministry of Information, Communications and The Digital Economy is committed to supporting creators to monetize their content in a concerted effort to grow the Digital Economy. pic.twitter.com/aOKK4FNA5C
— Ministry of Info, Comms & The Digital Economy KE (@MoICTKenya) September 8, 2025
According to John Tanui, Principal Secretary for Digital Economy and ICT, the government is taking concrete actions to accelerate digital transformation. These include extending the fiber optic network, establishing digital hubs, installing public Wi-Fi hotspots, and implementing supportive policies. The goal is to create a secure and reliable environment that fosters business growth for content creators.
This decision is part of the "Digital Super Highway," a key pillar of the national digital strategy. The program intends to modernize the country's technological infrastructure and stimulate related sectors, such as content creation, which is seen as a key driver of economic diversification. The content creator economy in Africa is estimated at $5.1 billion in 2025 and could reach nearly $30 billion by 2032, according to the firm Coherent Market Insights.
By investing in its digital creators, Nairobi hopes to boost its digital economy and generate new income opportunities for its youth. However, this ambition must contend with persistent challenges, including account hacking, a tax burden deemed too heavy, demonetization, and a dependence on major foreign platforms.
Samira Njoya
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Nigeria, Cape Verde launch African Digital Corridor initiative
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Program trains 500 students in coding, AI, and innovation
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Business mission set to deepen tech, trade cooperation in 2025
Nigeria and Cape Verde have launched the African Digital Corridor (ADC), an initiative designed to strengthen their digital, trade, and innovation ties. The project, unveiled last week in Abuja, is a strategic step toward defining cooperation priorities in artificial intelligence, youth empowerment, and bilateral development.
"This initiative demonstrates that innovation diplomacy can produce tangible results," said Christiana Onoja, co-founder and CEO of SheCode.ai, the organization behind the project. "When governments, innovators, and the private sector collaborate, concrete programs and partnerships become a reality."
As part of the initiative, the "Code the Future – Cabo Verde Rising" program will train over 500 high school students on three islands in coding, AI, and digital innovation. The program also plans to provide STEM tools in Portuguese, offer educational training for teachers, and will conclude with a national showcase highlighting student projects.
Beyond education, the ADC is founded on developing human capital and modernizing infrastructure. For Nigeria, the continent’s largest economy, the digital sector already accounts for about 18% of GDP and is a key driver of economic diversification. Cape Verde sees the initiative as a way to boost its competitiveness and regional integration. With an internet penetration rate estimated at 73.5% at the beginning of 2025, the archipelago plans to leverage its agile digital economy strategy and infrastructure like the TechPark CV, a special technology zone.
Bilateral cooperation will be further solidified by a Nigeria-Cape Verde Business and Innovation mission scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025 in Praia. The mission aims to connect 20 to 25 Nigerian companies with Cape Verdean partners in key sectors, including digital technology, renewable energy, and tourism.
The corridor is expected to ultimately enhance digital inclusion, foster the growth of local startups, support innovation in strategic sectors, and build lasting bridges between education, technology, and the economy. However, its success will depend on both countries’ ability to sustain investment, ensure connectivity, and adapt their infrastructure to local needs.
Samira Njoya
• Gabon enacts digital law to modernize public services, boost transparency.
• Framework stresses inclusion, data security, local private sector role.
• Gov’t targets higher UN e-gov ranking, job creation and investment inflows.
Gabon has introduced a legal framework to accelerate the digital transformation of its public administration, part of efforts to boost competitiveness and modernize services.
The ordinance, signed by transitional President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema and published in the country’s official gazette on Sept. 7, sets out guiding principles for e-government reforms. The measures aim to improve efficiency and transparency, curb corruption through process traceability, and foster economic growth via digital innovation.
The framework emphasizes universal access to technology, interoperability of systems, data security and privacy, and digital inclusion to narrow the digital divide. It also calls for greater participation from local private-sector players, including a preference clause for domestic firms in public tenders related to digitalization.
Gabon currently ranks 174th out of 193 countries in the United Nations’ e-government development index (EGDI), with a score of 0.5741. Authorities say the reforms are designed to close that gap and position the country among Africa’s leaders in digital governance.
The initiative is expected to stimulate the local tech ecosystem, create jobs and attract investment in a sector considered vital to diversifying Gabon’s economy beyond oil.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum