Tech (1050)
- Guinea-Bissau launches national pharmaceutical traceability system with AVG
- Mandate requires full drug tracking; regulations effective March 2026
- Initiative targets counterfeits, strengthens healthcare and patient access
Guinea-Bissau last week enacted a national pharmaceutical traceability mandate, a regulatory system that requires the tracking and authentication of every medicine throughout the supply chain. Officially announced on Friday, Sept. 26, the initiative, undertaken in partnership with Italy's Antares Vision Group (AVG), aims to secure patient access to treatments and modernize the management of the pharmaceutical sector.
"Pharmaceutical safety and transparency are the foundation of a modern healthcare system. With the National Drug Catalogue at the center of ARFAME’s oversight role, Guinea-Bissau is creating a model that ensures compliance, protects patients and provides sustainable access to medicines," said Gianluca Mazzantini, CEO of Antares Vision Group.
The system relies on several key tools, including the National Catalogue of Medicines, a centralized platform for all health product data. Beginning in October 2025, this will be supplemented by the AVGroupHub, a digital interface accessible to manufacturers, importers, distributors, and dispensers. This system will mandate product registration, complying with regulations set to take effect in March 2026, ensuring complete traceability and strengthening the fight against illegal distribution channels.
This initiative addresses Guinea-Bissau’s significant challenges in pharmaceutical regulation, which include parallel distribution circuits, a lack of centralized control, and an absence of reliable data on drug availability. It is part of the country’s National Digital Health Strategy, launched in January 2025, which aims to modernize data management, improve coordination between health facilities, and enhance the supervision of pharmaceutical supply chains.
Ultimately, the program is expected to boost sector transparency, combat counterfeiting, secure access to essential treatments for the population, and lay the groundwork for modern, sustainable digital healthcare in Guinea-Bissau.
Samira Njoya
Equipping youth with AI and robotics training prepares them for the 230 million digital skills–based jobs expected in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030. It also ensures underserved groups, including girls, gain equal opportunities to participate in the digital economy and drive local innovation.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Google, and musician-turned-tech entrepreneur will.i.am have unveiled a new programme designed to give young people across Africa hands-on training in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics.
The initiative, launched during the Digital@UNGA Anchor Event at the UN General Assembly, held September 23, targets underserved communities, particularly in countries where the ITU-UNICEF Giga project is working to connect schools to the internet.
“This programme will unlock new opportunities for AI literacy among young people, empowering them to lead the digital transformation that is reshaping our societies,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “Our aim is to equip youth across Africa with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed in an AI-driven world.”
The effort tackles two major hurdles—connectivity and digital skills. While demand for AI expertise is soaring globally, ITU says 2.6 billion people remain offline, including 1.3 billion children. In Africa, six in ten young people are still without internet access, restricting their participation in the digital economy. For many students, this programme will mark their first opportunity to get online, learn coding, and experiment with robotics.
Through Giga-connected schools—UNICEF and ITU’s initiative to link every school to the Internet and give every young person access to information and opportunity—students aged 10 to 18 will be able to take AI courses offered under ITU’s AI Skills Coalition and the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge, part of its flagship AI for Good programme. The programme will also give special attention to girls and other groups underrepresented in STEM education.
Will.i.am, ITU’s AI Skills Coalition Goodwill Ambassador and founder of the i.am Angel Foundation, will help deliver robotics kits, localized curricula, and teacher training to schools. “In today’s tech-driven economy, it’s urgent to ensure young people in underserved regions gain STEM, robotics, and AI skills,” he said. “These skills are the key to helping them thrive and address the world’s toughest challenges.”
Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google, is contributing USD 1 million alongside technical expertise. “We must democratize access to AI to ensure its benefits reach everyone, everywhere,” said James Manyika, Google’s Senior Vice President of Research, Labs, Technology & Society.
The rollout will begin in Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, with activities including teacher training, distribution of robotics kits, localized course development, and national showcases. Over time, the programme is expected to expand across Africa and beyond, building on ITU’s Robotics for Good competitions in more than 60 countries and Giga’s partnerships in 45.
By 2030, up to 230 million jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa will require digital skills, according to the World Bank and IFC, underscoring the urgency of equipping the region’s youth with future-ready training. For many students, this will be the first opportunity to access the internet, code, and experiment with robotics.
By equipping millions of young Africans with future-ready skills, the initiative seeks to narrow the digital divide while fostering innovation ecosystems across the continent. Organizers say it could accelerate progress in fields ranging from education and entrepreneurship to healthcare and climate resilience.
Hikmatu Bilali
The Bill will make Ghana more attractive to investors, foster stronger collaboration between innovators and policymakers, and build an enabling environment where young entrepreneurs can grow and succeed.
The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations is inviting the public to take part in nationwide validation workshops on the country’s Draft Innovation and Start-Up Bill, it announced on September 25.
Developed in collaboration with private sector actors, the legislation seeks to create a legal and regulatory framework to support research, startups, and innovation enterprises. The bill is designed to promote entrepreneurship, strengthen Ghana’s innovation ecosystem, and position innovation as a key driver of economic growth and job creation.
Workshops will bring together government agencies, academia, research institutions, technology hubs, private sector players, and civil society. Members of the public are also encouraged to participate and share feedback.
The consultations come at a time when Ghana’s tech and start-up sector is gaining momentum. According to the global startup research platform StartupBlink, Ghana is home to 136 startups, representing 12% of all startups in West Africa—approximately one startup for every 100,000 people. The ecosystem grew 14% in the past year, ranking 81st globally in the 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Index, up seven spots from 2024. Ghana now holds the 3rd position in Western Africa, trailing Cape Verde and ahead of Senegal.
Over the past decade, Ghana has attracted more than US$535.5 million in startup investment, accounting for 4.67% of Western Africa’s total. Between 2023 and 2024, funding rose 7.85% even as deals dropped 40.91%, reflecting larger investments despite fewer transactions.
Ghana’s move mirrors trends across Africa, where countries are adopting laws to formalize and strengthen their startup ecosystems. Nigeria’s Startup Act 2022, for example, offers tax holidays, seed funding, and a certification system to ease regulatory processes and boost investment. In Kenya, for instance, a Startup Bill is under discussion that would require qualifying startups to allocate at least 15% of expenses to research and development while offering incentives such as tax breaks, grants, and incubation support. Such regional efforts signal a growing recognition of the role startups and innovation play in addressing youth unemployment, boosting competitiveness, and driving inclusive development.
By inviting broad input, Ghana aims to ensure its new law reflects the needs of innovators and entrepreneurs nationwide. Developing its own Startup Bill will position Ghana to attract investment, strengthen collaboration between innovators and policymakers, and create a supportive environment for young entrepreneurs to thrive.
Hikmatu Bilali
Morocco is positioning itself as a digital transformation leader, showing that countries in the Global South can set the pace in AI cooperation and sustainable development.
On September 26, on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA-80), the Kingdom of Morocco unveiled its new Digital for Sustainable Development (D4SD) Hub, a partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The Hub is designed to help countries in Africa and the Arab States harness digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence (AI), and innovation to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“The adoption of Artificial Intelligence has emerged as a decisive global issue, and Morocco is determined to play an active role by harnessing this technology in the service of inclusive and sustainable human development,” said HE Aziz Akhannouch, Head of Government of Morocco.
The D4SD Hub, backed by a US$38 million budget over three years, will serve as a collaborative platform to co-create, pilot, and scale inclusive digital solutions. It will apply AI tools to health, education, climate resilience, and governance while empowering women and youth as digital leaders. The initiative stems from a memorandum of understanding signed in July between Morocco and UNDP during the country’s National AI Conference, signaling early alignment on the country’s AI priorities.
“Digital transformation is a cornerstone of UNDP’s newly adopted 2026–2029 Strategic Plan—an essential accelerator of systemic change across all areas of development. We are committed to helping governments harness AI in ways that build trust, ensure transparency, and promote equity,” said Haoliang Xu, UNDP’s Acting Administrator. “Through the D4SD Hub, Morocco and UNDP are creating a platform for countries to co-design, test, and scale digital solutions that serve people and the planet.”
The launch brought together ministers, UN officials, private sector leaders, and civil society partners to deliberate on the creation of an AI and Data Science Alliance for Arab States and Africa, a platform to harmonize standards, boost talent development, and ensure the responsible use of AI.
Morocco’s new hub is part of a broader wave of digital initiatives across Africa. In Kenya, UNDP is helping establish a GreenTech Hub and AI Skills Centre at Konza Technopolis. Similarly, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Google, and innovator will.i.am recently unveiled an AI and robotics training programme for young people across the continent. Within Morocco itself, grassroots initiatives like AI4Morocco are nurturing local AI ecosystems through training and collaboration for startups.
The launch comes as Morocco deepens international partnerships to accelerate its AI strategy. Also on the sidelines of UNGA-80, the government held talks with U.S.-based OpenAI on research, innovation, and ecosystem development, following a recent cooperation deal with French startup Mistral AI. These partnerships align with Morocco’s “Digital Morocco 2030” strategy, which aims to make AI a pillar of national development by strengthening local skills, fostering startups, and ensuring ethical adoption.
The D4SD Hub aligns with the UN Secretary-General’s Roadmap for Digital Cooperation, UNDP’s Global Digital Strategy, and the digital agendas of both the African Union and Arab League.
Hikmatu Bilali
• Algeria launches “DZ Travellers” platform for citizens abroad
• Portal offers emergency info, risk guidance, and consular support
• Part of broader push to digitize public services and crisis response
Algeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially launched a new digital platform called "DZ Travellers" on Thursday, Sept. 25, to support Algerian citizens traveling abroad. The portal centralizes essential information, recommendations, and instructions for travelers in case of an emergency or crisis.
"This new service is part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen existing mechanisms and procedures adopted to ensure the protection and security of our citizens, as well as their support, in accordance with the instructions of the country's high authorities," the Ministry indicated.
The platform's creation aligns with the nation’s broader policy of modernizing consular services and digitizing support systems, as well as its National Digital Transformation Strategy, which prioritizes e-services and full administrative digitization.
According to the ministry, DZ Travellers will improve consular services’ responsiveness during emergencies, facilitate risk prevention, and optimize assistance for Algerians abroad. It is also expected to contribute to a more efficient digital management of critical situations and consular operations.
Samira Njoya
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Ethiopia and China signed an MoU to support the Digital Ethiopia 2025 strategy
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The deal covers fiber optics, 5G, satellite, AI, IoT, big data, and cloud services
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Ethiopia’s internet penetration stood at 21.3% in 2024, with sharp urban-rural gaps
Ethiopia’s Minister of Innovation and Technology, Belete Molla Getahun, and China’s Minister of Industry and Information Technology, Li Lecheng, signed on September 25 in Addis Ababa a memorandum of understanding to support the rollout of Ethiopia’s “Digital Ethiopia 2025” strategy and speed up the country’s digital transformation.
Today, I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Li Lecheng, Minister of Industry and Information Technology of China, as we co-chaired a high-level Ethiopia–China bilateral dialogue in Addis Ababa under the theme:
— Belete Molla Getahun (@BeleteMG) September 25, 2025
“Digital & Emerging Tech Industry Collaboration: Advancing Practical… pic.twitter.com/ry8TMApABg
“Our strategic partnership goes beyond diplomacy. It is grounded in shared vision and deep political trust—a key pillar of Ethiopia’s national development agenda and a bridge toward a more integrated and resilient future,” Belete Molla said on X.
The agreement is aimed at contributing to Ethiopia’s sustainable socio-economic development. It focuses on expanding telecommunications infrastructure, including fiber optics, 5G, and satellite communications; developing emerging technology sectors such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, and cloud services; and sharing expertise with China.
The MoU builds on the strategic partnership signed between Ethiopia and China in 2023, strengthening bilateral cooperation in digital technology. At the national level, Ethiopia’s digital economy remains constrained by low internet penetration (21.3% in 2024, according to DataReportal) and wide disparities between urban and rural areas. However, the sector is expanding, driven by mobile services, infrastructure development, and government reforms to improve digital capacity.
Effective implementation of the protocol could improve connectivity, foster local innovation, and build digital skills. It is also expected to create jobs in technology sectors, generating economic and social benefits that reach beyond Ethiopia’s borders.
• Ghana launched a 26-member national steering committee for e-commerce on Sept. 24.
• The body will align digital trade with national goals and global best practices.
• Ghana’s e-commerce market is projected to grow from $1.65 bln in 2025 to $2.64 bln by 2030.
Ghana’s Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry has launched a national steering committee on e-commerce. The 26-member body, unveiled on September 24, is tasked with driving coordination and providing strategic guidance to build a dynamic, inclusive, and competitive digital ecosystem.
Deputy Trade Minister Sampson Ahi said the committee will serve as an interministerial platform to harmonize e-commerce development with national objectives and international best practices. He stressed that with effective systems, online commerce could transform lives by opening international markets to rural artisans in Ghana.
The initiative follows the recent approval of Ghana’s first national e-commerce strategy, developed in partnership with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The government aims to leverage digital tools as a driver of growth and economic inclusion.
According to Statista, Ghana’s e-commerce market is expected to reach $1.65 billion in 2025 and $2.64 billion by 2030. Growth is fueled by a young population and rapid internet penetration, though challenges remain, including payment security, cross-border trade, consumer trust, and last-mile logistics.
The steering committee will play a key role in coordinating stakeholders, advancing innovative solutions to address these barriers, and strengthening Ghana’s position as one of West Africa’s most competitive e-commerce markets.
- The Gates Foundation pledged more than $10 million to support Senegal’s New Deal technologique, its national digital strategy launched in February 2025.
- The partnership will fund a universal digital ID, an AI hub for health and agriculture, and a Delivery Unit to oversee project transparency and efficiency.
- Senegal’s digital strategy requires $2 billion, of which $155 million still needs to be secured.
Senegal signed a $10 million-plus partnership with the Gates Foundation on September 24 to accelerate its national digital strategy, known as the New Deal technologique. The agreement was finalized on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York, the state broadcaster RTS reported.
Le Président a reçu en audience M. @BillGates, Président de la Gates Foundation.
— Présidence Sénégal (@PR_Senegal) September 24, 2025
Cette rencontre a permis de conclure un partenariat stratégique de plus de 10 millions de dollars pour accélérer le #NewDealTechnologique et faire du Sénégal un hub africain d’innovation numérique. pic.twitter.com/kBJk37Sigr
The program, launched in February 2025 by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, aims to transform public services, strengthen digital sovereignty, and establish Senegal as a regional technology hub by 2034.
The deal provides for the rollout of a universal digital identity system, the creation of an artificial intelligence hub focused on health and agriculture, and the establishment of a Delivery Unit to ensure project transparency and efficiency.
The partnership follows an initial meeting between Bill Gates and President Faye during the 79th UN General Assembly, when both sides agreed to expand cooperation in areas including AI-assisted agriculture, sanitation, and digital innovation across strategic sectors.
Senegal budgeted CFA1,105 billion (about $2 billion) for the New Deal technologique. Authorities have already identified CFA950 billion, leaving CFA155 billion still to be mobilized.
Officials expect the Gates Foundation’s contribution to accelerate the implementation of priority projects, expand inclusive digital services for citizens, and attract additional private investment into Senegal’s tech ecosystem.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum
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Kenya central bank launches cybersecurity center for banking sector
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BS-SOC to handle threat intel, forensics, incident response
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Move follows sharp rise in cyber fraud, $14.7M exposed in 2024
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) announced on Monday, September 22, 2025, the establishment of the Banking Sector Cybersecurity Operations Centre (BS-SOC) to strengthen the financial system's resilience against rapidly evolving cyber threats.
"The successful implementation of this initiative requires the full collaboration and cooperation of all stakeholders. This partnership is imperative to enhance the resilience of the banking sector against the significant and persistent challenges posed by sophisticated cyber threat actors," the Central Bank said in a statement.
The BS-SOC is integrated into the CBK’s Cyber Fusion Unit and will provide essential services, including threat intelligence, incident response, digital forensics, and cyber investigations.
All regulated financial institutions, encompassing commercial banks and payment service providers, must now report security incidents within prescribed timelines. They must also comply with existing directives and new 2024 requirements concurrently, pending the full harmonization of the regulatory framework.
The center aligns with the 2024 Critical Infrastructure and Cybercrime Regulation and the CBK’s 2024–2027 Strategic Plan. The move follows a sharp rise in cyberattacks targeting the country's financial ecosystem.
In its Financial Sector Stability Report published in August 2025, the Central Bank noted that reported bank fraud cases more than doubled in 2024, rising from 153 to 353. The value exposed reached 1.9 billion Kenyan shillings ($14.7 million), while actual losses nearly quadrupled, hitting 1.5 billion shillings.
By creating the dedicated operational center, the CBK aims to enhance the country’s ability to counter intrusions, limit financial losses, and restore public trust in the banking system. The BS-SOC is also expected to foster increased cooperation among banks, payment service providers, and regulatory authorities, contributing to the overall stability and security of Kenya's financial sector.
Samira Njoya
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Algeria’s UFC hosts National Digital Education Week, Sept 23–30
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University built 683 online courses, 68 platforms, trained 800 staff
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Agreement with Arabic Language Council grants access to 12,000 e-books
Algeria’s University of Continuing Education (UFC) launched its National Digital Education Week on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, an event running until September 30 to showcase its advancements in digital transformation. The university regards digitalization as a "strategic choice for the Algerian university," according to the state-run Algérie Presse Service (APS).
In his address, UFC Rector Yahia Djaafri stated that the university has already trained more than 800 instructors in information and communication technologies (ICT). This year, the UFC also finalized the design of 683 online courses, including 120 in English, and now operates 68 digital platforms for its students.
The first day of the event was also marked by the signing of a cooperation agreement with the High Council of the Arabic Language (HCLA). The pact will grant UFC students access to the HCLA’s digital library, which contains over 12,000 literary works.
Djaafri emphasized that investing in digitalization "strengthens quality and innovation, and opens up broad prospects for partnership with economic and technological institutions, positioning the university as a fundamental player in building a knowledge-based society."
The UFC's push aligns with a broader national project to digitize higher education. In January, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Kamel Baddari stated during a visit to the University of Oran 1 that the "digitalization of universities has become a reality and is beginning to yield results, realizing its general principle of simplification and efficiency," APS reported.
In April 2024, a report presented to the Council of Ministers highlighted notable progress in developing management methods for university institutions and modernizing student services. These developments are aimed at improving student living conditions and rationalizing public expenditure in the sector.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
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• Djibouti and Romania discuss cooperation on digital transformation and innovation.
• Talks highlight Romania’s expertise in e-government and strong IT talent pool.
• Partnership could strengthen Djibouti’s digital governance, skills and cybersecurity.
Djibouti’s Minister of Digital Transformation, Mariam Hamadou, met last week with Olivia Toderean, Romania’s new non-resident ambassador to Djibouti, to explore a potential partnership focused on digital development and innovation.
According to the ministry, discussions centered on Romania’s expertise in digital transformation, which could open the way to promising cooperation in supporting Djibouti’s digital growth. Romania ranks 72nd globally in the UN e-government development index, with a score of 0.7636. It also boasts a strong IT talent base, ranking sixth worldwide for certified information technology specialists per capita, ahead of the United States and Russia.
The initiative comes as Djibouti steps up efforts to structure its digital economy. Following the adoption of a digital code in May, the country is now preparing a national artificial intelligence strategy. While Djibouti has already built strong telecom infrastructure, advancing public sector digitalization and strengthening specialized skills remain key to fostering innovation and digital inclusion.
If finalized, the partnership could help Djibouti enhance cybersecurity, accelerate digital transformation of its administration, and develop a pool of local digital talent. For Romania, it offers an opportunity to extend its expertise in East Africa and deepen bilateral ties in technology and innovation.
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Government unveils e-mining cadastre to digitalize permits and authorizations.
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Mining share of GDP rose from less than 1% in 2014 to nearly 4% in 2025.
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Platform aims to cut delays, boost transparency and attract investors.
Côte d’Ivoire has officially launched the e-mining cadastre portal, a digital platform designed to modernize the management of mining permits and authorizations. The system was inaugurated on September 22 in Abidjan by Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé.
“The launch of the e-mining cadastre is a decisive step for the development of our mining sector, which has recorded strong growth over the past decade,” the prime minister said, stressing the government’s push for modern and transparent governance. Between 2012 and 2025, national gold output quadrupled, while manganese production increased tenfold, underscoring the sector’s momentum.
The new system covers the full cycle of mining titles, from applications and processing to delivery, monitoring and archiving. It is powered by Landfolio and hosted on a secure cloud infrastructure. More than 200 mining administration officials have been trained to operate it. Authorities say the tool will speed up procedures, align with international standards such as EITI, and help curb illegal mining.
The launch comes as the mining sector’s contribution to GDP has climbed from less than 1% before 2014 to nearly 4% today. The government aims to reach 6% by year-end, supported by promising deposits of gold, manganese, nickel and lithium, alongside reforms to attract investors.
Officials expect the portal to improve transparency, competitiveness and revenue collection, while ensuring more responsible resource management. Mines, Petroleum and Energy Minister Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly said the ambition is to make Côte d’Ivoire a benchmark in Africa for responsible management of extractive resources within the next decade.
The launch signals a wider digital shift: African governments and companies are no longer just consumers of foreign AI systems, but are beginning to shape the technology around local realities, identities, and needs.
On September 20, 2025, on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80), Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, officially launched the Nigerian Atlas for Languages & AI at Scale (N-ATLAS). The Atlas is an open-source facility designed to map the country’s rich linguistic diversity of country with artificial intelligence (AI) and power-inclusive chat solutions.
The first version of the project, N-ATLAS v1, is a multilingual and multimodal large language model that supports Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Nigerian-accented English. Built on Meta’s Llama-3 8B architecture and fine-tuned with over 400 million tokens of multilingual instruction data, it is Nigeria’s most ambitious step yet toward embedding African voices in AI development. “This is the first step in a broader journey to make Africa a contributor and leader in shaping AI’s future,” said Tijani.
The project is powered by Awarri Technologies in partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR). For Nigerians, the launch could transform how people interact with technology in their daily lives.
Language models like N-ATLAS make it possible to use apps, chatbots, and government services in local languages, not just English — helping millions who are more comfortable in Hausa, Igbo, or Yoruba. By making digital tools work in local tongues, the model breaks down barriers for communities left behind by the English-dominated internet.
With more than 500 native languages, Nigeria faces the risk of cultural erosion in the digital age. N-ATLAS helps preserve and digitize this linguistic heritage for future generations. Governments, schools, and businesses can deploy AI-powered platforms that communicate directly in people’s languages — from healthcare advice to education and customer support. This ensures more people can participate in the digital economy.
By investing in tools like N-ATLAS, Nigeria is positioning itself as a leader in African-led AI innovation. The model will enable researchers, entrepreneurs, and startups across the continent to develop culturally relevant AI solutions, while reducing their dependence on Western-trained systems that often fail to function effectively in African languages.
This movement is echoed across the continent, with similar initiatives gaining momentum. In South Africa, Lelapa AI’s InkubaLM supports languages such as Hausa, Swahili, Zulu, Yoruba, and Xhosa. Ethiopia’s Artificial Intelligence Institute is also advancing language technologies for Amharic, Afaan Oromo, Aff-Somali, and Tigrigna, integrating them into public services like the Smart Court system. These efforts reflect a continental awakening — one where African nations are reclaiming their linguistic space in the digital world and actively contributing to the global AI landscape.
Hikmatu Bilali
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Kagame appoints Yves Iradukunda as new ICT and Innovation Minister
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Iradukunda to drive Rwanda’s digital push, rural-urban tech equity
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Ex-permanent secretary brings tech, policy, and leadership experience
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has appointed Yves Iradukunda as the new Minister of State for Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT) and Innovation, a move that signals a continued focus on digital transformation.
Iradukunda was named to the post in a cabinet reshuffle on Thursday, Sept. 18, succeeding Paula Ingabire, who previously served as the full minister for the strategic portfolio.
Iradukunda’s appointment caps a career marked by a strong involvement in modernizing government and promoting digital entrepreneurship. As the former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, he oversaw strategic projects to strengthen the country's connectivity, develop digital skills, and foster local technology solutions.
Before entering public service, he distinguished himself in the development and philanthropic sectors. He served as the country director for Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropy in Rwanda and as the global operations director at MASS Design Group, an international social design and engineering organization.
Iradukunda holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics and computer science from Oklahoma Christian University and an MBA from the African Leadership University School of Business. He also holds a diploma in public service innovation from the Cambridge Judge Business School. This academic background, combined with his field experience, underpins his vision of inclusive digital technology serving development.
A long-time advocate for youth training and mentorship, he is also the co-founder and former leader of Emerging Leaders and Entrepreneurs of Rwanda, an organization that promotes leadership and entrepreneurship.
His appointment comes as Kigali seeks to accelerate its digital transition and solidify its status as a regional technology hub. The new minister will play a key role in speeding up ongoing projects to close the digital divide between urban and rural areas, stimulate local innovation and startup growth, and strengthen cybersecurity and digital sovereignty. His mandate also includes helping to develop the skills of young people to meet the growing demand for talent in the sector.
Following his appointment, Iradukunda said he was "fully committed to giving my all to shape a better future for Rwandans through transformative technologies."
Samira Njoya