Tech (437)
Start-up funding declined in 2023, yet the foodtech sector remains attractive due to innovation potential. In that context, a global competition has been launched to boost startups active in the sector.
Swiss flavor and taste specialist Givaudan and the FoodHack foodtech community announced on March 19 that applications for the foodtech world cup are open until April 11.
The competition aims to leverage local networks to highlight 60 foodtech founders from North America, Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East on a global stage to boost their growth.
“We hope to discover groundbreaking solutions created by exceptional and entrepreneurial founders that have a tangible impact on a healthier and more sustainable future for all,” said Alexandre Bastos, Head of Open Innovation and Venture Capital at Givaudan, about the partnership with FoodHack and HackSummit.
After their pitch presentations, two solutions from each region will be selected to participate in the competition’s final in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Africa's rapid technological growth underscores the need to educate young people about online risks and promote safe internet use. Organizations are working to provide safe access to digital opportunities for African youth.
The Women, Gender, and Youth Directorate (WGYD) of the African Union Commission and TikTok, the popular short video sharing app, have recently entered into a partnership. The collaboration aims to promote digital safety on the internet through the “SaferTogether” campaign, targeting teenagers, teachers, and parents.
As part of this initiative, educational videos on online safety, along with content creator recommendations, will be published on TikTok. Additionally, TikTok and the African Union Commission will distribute digital safety toolkits to assist teachers and tutors in addressing key digital safety issues. These resources will be available on a dedicated microsite on TikTok, serving as an interactive guide for safer online practices.
This campaign is a component of the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa and its “1 Million Next Level” initiative. The goal is to enhance young people’s access to digital platforms and promote their safe use to mitigate internet-related risks.
The partnership is expected to equip young people with the necessary tools and confidence for safe internet surfing, fostering a more inclusive and safer online community for young Africans. Nonkululeko Ngwenya, Head of the African Union’s WGYD, stated, “While access to internet can help children and young people stay connected, improve their digital literacy, and diversify their livelihoods, it is crucial that they are provided with a safe environment to reap the benefits of digital platforms.”
Samira Njoya
Gabon's transitional government has revitalized the country's information and communication technology (ICT) sector. The move includes relaunching stalled projects, signaling a new dynamic in the sector.
Gabon is set to revive the construction of a cybercity on Mandji Island, aimed at becoming a hub for the country’s digital economy. On March 13, a delegation led by Bonjean Frédérik Mbanza, Minister for the Digital Economy, and an investor from Korean holding company M.K. International Inc., visited the site.
The project, first announced in 2012 by the previous government, plans to consolidate eight technology parks into one location. These include Gabon Internet City (GIC), Gabon Hosting Zone (GHZ), Gabon Outsourcing Zone (GOZ), Gabon Media City (GMC), Gabon Studio City (GSC), and Gabon Tech Zone (GTZ).
The GIC is expected to be an attractive platform for global ICT firms, fostering the growth of e-commerce and teleservices. Companies such as Google, Microsoft, Cisco Systems, IBM, HP, Dell, Siemens, Sony Ericsson, Telemedicine.com, RAFT, and Resintel are expected to establish their presence there.
The revival of the cybercity aligns with the transitional government’s objectives of economic development through digital and technological innovation, providing a conducive environment for start-ups.
In January, the government secured a $68.5 million loan agreement with the World Bank for various digital initiatives. These include the provision of online public services, the introduction of a unified identity system for all citizens, and the construction of a data center.
Samira Njoya
Scattered patient data hampers public health efforts across Africa. To address the situation, many countries are turning to digitization to improve care coordination, reduce medical errors, and bolster healthcare systems.
Senegal’s Minister of Health and Social Action, Marie Khémesse Ngom Ndiaye (photo), officially launched a new digital platform for single patient record at the Abass Ndao Hospital in Dakar on Thursday, March 14. The platform aims to eliminate paper use in hospitals and enhance coordination between doctors and health facilities.
“This project promises significant benefits, such as the centralisation of medical data, the security of personal information, the reduction of waiting times, the facilitation of appointments via SMS, and the improvement of health statistics,” the ministry said in a press release.
The pilot phase of the project has been initiated in six hospitals across the country, including Abass NDAO, Hôpital Idrissa POUYE in Grand Yoff, and hospitals in Matam, Kaolack, Kaffrine and Cheikh Ahmadoul Khadim in Touba with plans to extend it nationwide later.
The initiative is part of Senegal’s National Health System Digitisation Programme (PDSS), supported by the World Bank to the tune of XOF30 billion ($49.8 million). The program also aims to equip, connect, and interconnect the country’s hospitals.
Once fully operational, the initiative will align Senegal with international standards in medical information management. With the digitization of information, doctors will have access to a patient’s medical history, test results, medical prescriptions, allergies, vaccinations, previous consultations, and hospitalizations, along with any other relevant medical information.
Samira Njoya
With AI increasingly being used for data analysis in digital services offered to citizens, there is an urgent need for collaboration to optimize administrative processes. In that regard, a growing number of institutions are partnering to make the jump.
Senegal Numérique SA (Senum SA), the state agency responsible for managing Senegal’s digital infrastructure, announced on Wednesday, March 13, a partnership with Galsen AI, a community of data science and IoT enthusiasts in Senegal. The collaboration aims to host Galsen AI’s AI platforms on Senum SA’s infrastructure, launch dedicated programs, and co-develop innovative AI-based services.
“Senegal and Africa should not be left behind in this technological revolution and should contribute to the AI revolution. This agreement will generate innovative projects and useful solutions for Senegal,” said Cheikh Bakhoum, Director of Senum SA.
The initiative is a part of GalsenIALab, a division of the community committed to innovative AI projects. It coincides with Senegal Numérique SA’s establishment of InnovLab, a laboratory for technology surveillance and innovation research.
Under the three-year partnership, the two entities will explore use cases related to artificial intelligence, aiming to apply them in contexts that will add value for Sénégal Numérique. Among other initiatives, the organisation is contemplating the creation of a sentiment analysis system to collect information on the quality of its public services by analysing data from social networks.
According to a press release from Sénégal Numérique SA, “in the long term, the partnership will help accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence in Senegal, contributing to the country’s digital transformation and technological sovereignty.”
Samira Njoya
Congo seeks assistance from experienced partners to bolster its ongoing digital transformation efforts, seeking improved outcomes for the initiative. The country is focused on making strides in its push for digitalization.
Agence de développement de l'économie numérique (ADEN), a public entity tasked with promoting innovation and digital transformation in the Republic of Congo, signed a partnership agreement with a subsidiary of the English company Regalli SA on Wednesday. The primary objective of this agreement is to establish a digital platform to enhance government communications.
Under this collaboration, the English company will provide funding and expertise to support the implementation of the platform, which will incorporate a local database. This platform will empower citizens to access online public and private services conveniently.
“We're optimistic that Regalli will empower users to access essential government services online. E-commerce is a particular area of focus, as the upcoming launch of the AfCFTA [African Continental Free Trade Area] means our artisans need international visibility for their products,” commented Héliodore Francis Alex Gouloubi (photo, right), Managing Director of ADEN.
This new agreement aligns with the Congo Digital Transformation Project initiated by the government in January 2023. The project aims to establish a unified online portal for citizen services, implement various information systems to enhance service management, expand 3G mobile broadband access to an additional 404,000 individuals, provide digital skills training to 3,000 people, and enable 75,000 individuals daily to utilize digital services.
The launch of this platform is expected to foster economic diversification in the digital sector and stimulate job creation in Congo. It is expected to make Congolese companies and services more visible on an international scale.
Samira Njoya
Identity theft is rising everywhere. In that context, biometric technology has become a top priority for African countries, which are gradually updating their identity documents.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has pledged its support to Burkina Faso in the implementation of its basic electronic unique identifier, a system that has been in progress since 2018. The pledge was confirmed by an IOM delegation, led by Damien Thuriaux, Head of Immigration and Borders Governance, during a meeting with Aminata Zerbo/Sabane, the Minister for Digital Transition, Posts, and Electronic Communications, on Tuesday.
“We had a productive discussion with the Minister in charge of Digital Transition about the various opportunities we have, particularly in terms of digitization of identity management. We also discussed the various projects that Burkina Faso has launched and how we could contribute to their implementation,” Thuriaux stated at the end of the audience.
As part of this future collaboration, Burkina Faso will identify areas where it can leverage IOM expertise. These areas could include the drafting of national identity cards and passports, ensuring these documents meet international standards.
The IOM delegation’s visit comes shortly after the validation of the draft law on basic electronic identification in Burkina Faso. The system aims to uniquely identify a person by combining minimal biographical data and biometric data, providing assurance of a person’s unique identity without undermining the legal attributes and values of other supporting documents such as the national identity card or passport.
The e-ID system in Burkina Faso will be implemented as part of the World Bank-funded West Africa Unique Identification for Regional Integration and Inclusion (WURI) project. The project, which also covers Benin, Senegal, Niger, and Côte d’Ivoire, aims to increase the number of people with a unique proof of identity recognized by the government, thereby facilitating access to basic social services.
Samira Njoya
The Democratic Republic of Congo is modernizing administrative procedures as part of ongoing digital transformation. Through those initiatives, the country seeks to boost economic growth and public well-being with increased efficiency and transparency.
Fonds de Garantie de l’Entrepreneuriat au Congo (FOGEC), the DRC government-backed fund aimed at boosting SMEs’ access to finance, announced on Wednesday, March 6, a partnership with Dutch fintech firm MoneyPhone to digitize the loan guarantee application process for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The collaboration aims to implement a digital solution that will expedite the application process for FOGEC’s financial services, replacing the traditional in-person application method. The project is valued at approximately $2 million.
This initiative aligns with the National Digital Plan 2025 and the National Entrepreneurship Development Program, which aim to raise capital for businesses, facilitate credit access, enhance the business environment, digitize administrative procedures, increase the number of businesses, and reduce unemployment.
The new platform is expected to professionalize FOGEC’s services, thereby fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth in the DRC.
Hélène Gakuru Bukara (photo, right), Managing Director of FOGEC, stated, “This is about the youth. We want to tell them that they no longer have to face any obstacles. With this application, all they need is a phone and a connection to present their business plans and get direct access to finance. No more exclusion, long live cohesion and transparency.”
Samira Njoya
In Africa, the Chinese tech company is venturing into emerging niches whose potential is becoming apparent with the digital revolution.
Chinese tech giant Huawei is set to establish its new public cloud zone in Africa, located in Egypt. It will be the second on the continent, after the one in South Africa. The project, which has been in the works since last year, is expected to be completed by the end of next year. It was announced by Jeremy Lin, Vice President of Huawei’s Northern Africa region, which spans twenty-eight countries, at a press conference in Barcelona on Tuesday, February 27.
Adnane Ben Halima, Huawei Northern Africa’s Vice President in charge of public relations for the Mediterranean region, elaborated on the decision to choose Egypt as the host for this new cloud zone. Factors include the size of the Egyptian market, which is already a lucrative opportunity for Huawei, and the rapid growth of cloud services in the country, spurred by the government’s digital transformation vision. Egypt’s strategic location, serving as a hub for several terrestrial and submarine broadband connectivity infrastructures, and its geographical position allowing access to West, Central, and East Africa, were also considered.
Ben Halima further explained Huawei’s role as a cloud provider, stating, “We provide infrastructure for customers who want to buy solutions. But we are also public cloud providers. That means we have the same offering as Amazon, Microsoft Azure, etc. We have clouds in China, Ireland, Eastern Europe, and so on. We choose countries in which we have infrastructure that is connected to the region that is going to access it, so that usage is sustainable.”
According to a report by The Insights Partners, a market research and consulting firm, the global cloud computing market, valued at $405.3 billion in 2022, is projected to reach $1,465.8 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.9%. This growth is expected to be driven by the increasing demand for advanced digital solutions and the adoption of technologies such as AI, 5G, IoT, and edge computing. While the Asia-Pacific, North America, and Europe regions are currently the main contributors to this growth, Africa is also on a rising trajectory, thanks to its growing adoption of digital technologies and increased government support.
The new cloud zone in Egypt will be an addition to Huawei’s existing 85 zones across 30 regions, enabling the company to cater to the increasing demand for affordable cloud offerings in African markets.
Muriel Edjo
Angola wants to fast-track the development of its digital sector. Estonia, a country with a proven track record in the sector, is the ideal partner.
Digital Nation, an Estonian consultancy specializing in digital transformation, and the Angolan Institute for Administrative Modernization (IMA) have entered into a memorandum of cooperation. The agreement was signed on Friday, March 8, during a visit to Angola by Estonian President Alar Karis.
The partnership aims to bolster digital governance and administrative modernization cooperation, building on a previous agreement signed on April 14, 2023. The earlier agreement was between Adão de Almeida, Head of the Civil Household of the President of the Republic of Angola, and Kristjan Järvan, the Estonian Minister of Enterprise and Information Technology.
The collaboration will involve a series of initiatives leveraging the digital expertise of both parties. Additional areas of mutual interest for digital development will be identified as the partnership progresses.
This initiative is expected to fast-track the achievement of the Angolan government’s goal of becoming a digital leader in Africa, drawing on Estonia’s experience in digitizing public administration and reducing bureaucracy. The agreement also allows Estonian companies to expand into the Angolan and broader African markets.
Samira Njoya
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Africa's digital economy is expected to reach a value of $712 billion by 2050, representing 8.5% of the continent's GDP. This projected growth has spurred digital transformation initiatives across several African nations.
The Guinean Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and the Digital Economy inked two significant agreements with U.S. firms Cisco and Cybastion on March 8 at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington D.C.
The agreements, signed during an official U.S. visit by a ministry delegation, aim to aid Guinea in executing its national digitization and cybersecurity policies and strategies.
The first agreement with Cisco Systems, Inc. addresses the pressing need to bolster skills within the public administration to modernize public services and secure information systems. It includes provisions for training and qualifying citizens in IT and cybersecurity through Cisco’s Networking Academy program. This initiative originated from a process begun in September 2023, with a visit by Youssouf Mohamed Aribot, Managing Director of the Agence Nationale de digitalisation de l’Etat (ANDE), to Cisco’s San Francisco headquarters to solidify a partnership between the American company and the Guinean government.
The second agreement with Cybastion seeks to provide expertise and aid in identifying and mobilizing the necessary financing to implement several state digitization and cybersecurity projects.
These agreements mark a significant advancement for Guinea in reaching its digitization and cybersecurity goals. They follow closely on the heels of a $60 million grant from the World Bank for various digital projects as part of the West African Regional Digital Integration Program (DTfA/WARDIP).
Samira Njoya
While misinformation is not a new phenomenon, its scope has been amplified by new technologies. It now disseminates more rapidly, impacts a larger audience, and has a heightened effect.
In its Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2024, the World Economic Forum (WEF) believes that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will mark a turning point in the cybercrime landscape. Indeed, beyond attacks on computer systems, information manipulation will be one of the major challenges of the connected world.
Although attacks on critical infrastructures still represent a major security risk, they can be controlled. However, the social and political upheavals that can result from the profound manipulation of information by new technologies are likely to undermine the economic stability of various sectors, countries, and regions of the world over the long term.
Anxiety, fear, identitarian withdrawal, the crisis of public confidence, etc. are all situations that deepfakes can create, maintain, and accentuate across the planet, turning them into weapons against governments and between countries. Through this new approach, it is the hearts and minds of the people who make up political, economic, and social systems that are hacked. In a September 2023 memo, the US Department of Defense described deepfakes as a threat to national security.
Talent Shortfall
Against a global backdrop of cybersecurity skills shortages - 4.7 million people were working in cybersecurity internationally in 2022, but the global deficit stands at 3.4 million according to the non-profit organization International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2) - the rapid emergence of AI and its impact on reality is putting further pressure on the need for cyber defense professionals.
In 2023, Gartner, the US information and communications technology research and advisory firm, predicted that the number of cyber and social engineering attacks against people will increase by 2025 due to this critical shortage of talent. It asserted that humans will increasingly be seen as the most vulnerable point of exploitation.
While AI is reinventing and intensifying cybercriminal threats, it is also opening up new opportunities for millions of young people on every continent. In Africa in particular, where the start-up ecosystem is currently dominated by the provision of services in finance, commerce, healthcare, education, energy, etc., a new generation of cyber talents capable of identifying and authenticating the real thing could emerge.
States can contribute to their emergence by thinking now about various strategies that prepare them for this new technology and its opportunities, but also for the threats. In its AI Readiness Index 2023, information and communications technology consultancy Oxford Insights reports that only three African countries have already adopted an AI strategy. These are Rwanda, Senegal and Benin. Ethiopia and Nigeria are already working on it.
Muriel Edjo
Competition is intensifying in Africa's data center market. Local and international companies invest in infrastructure to meet the growing demand for cloud services.
EcoCloud, a leading Kenyan data center solutions provider, and G42, an Emirati technology group specializing in artificial intelligence, signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday, March 6, in Nairobi. The agreement aims to tap into Kenya’s vast untapped geothermal potential by establishing the country’s first geothermal-powered data center.
“This geothermal-powered data center is a milestone towards realizing Kenya's potential as a global digital hub and fulfilling our mission of making intelligence accessible to everyone, everywhere,” said Peng Xiao, CEO of G42 Group.
The new data center will commence with an initial computing load of 100 MW, which will be ramped up over the years to 1 gigawatt. It will be suitable for use in telecommunications and other sectors. Its implementation is part of the country’s digital strategy to position Kenya as a leading technology hub in the East African sub-region and the continent at large.
The MoU between the two entities will herald a new era of cloud computing and AI services. The initiative promises to unlock unprecedented economic opportunities, drive innovation, and advance the digital economy, positioning Kenya as the center of technological innovation in Africa and a competitive player on the global stage.
In response to environmental demands, the facility will also reduce Kenya’s reliance on fossil fuels, cut carbon emissions, and contribute to environmental conservation. “By harnessing the power of geothermal energy, we are not only meeting the region's data needs but also setting a new standard for eco-friendly infrastructure. This partnership underscores our dedication to a greener, more sustainable future for Africa and beyond,” said Amos Siwoi, CEO of EcoCloud.
Samira Njoya
Like several other African countries, Burkina Faso embarked on the digitization of its public services a few years ago. However, the country grapples with resource constraints that hinder its ability to fully realize its digital transformation ambitions.
The Supreme Council of the Arab-African Economy (CSEAA) has pledged to support Burkina Faso in developing various sectors, including digital transition and the digital economy. A delegation from the CSEAA, led by its President Hani Hassani Abuzaid, met with the Minister of Digital Transition, Posts and Electronic Communications, Aminata Zerbo/Sabane, on Monday, March 4 to discuss this collaboration.
“The meeting focused on the digital transformation of society and the economy, and we discussed several topics related to the digital transition in Burkina Faso. The Supreme Council of the Arab-African Economy has committed to providing its expertise and ecosystem to support the digital transition in Burkina Faso, and we have already made a commitment to start next week,” said Hani Hassani Abuzaid.
As part of this cooperation, the organization will support the Burkinabè authorities in developing digital infrastructure, the national backbone, and the overall strategy for covering the communications access network. It will also encourage the construction of data centers and the promotion of digital payment platforms.
This collaboration is part of the Burkinabè government's desire to make digital technology a driver of social and economic transformation to accelerate the country's development. The Supreme Council of the Arab-African Economy (CSEAA), with its expertise, will support Burkina Faso in this process. With more than 1,800 member companies, the CSEAA is a pan-Arab organization made up of experienced private companies that partner for economic development and are interested in promoting investment projects.
Samira Njoya