Tech (1121)
- Government launches a 2025–2029 national child online protection strategy with a $1.8 million budget.
- UNICEF and GSMA created the Africa Taskforce on Child Online Protection in October 2025 to harmonize continental standards.
- Zambia joins Nigeria and Ghana, which already adopted national policies on child cybersecurity.
Zambia has introduced a national strategy to protect children online as digital adoption accelerates amo
ng the country’s youth. The government aims to ensure safer and more responsible Internet access for minors.
The government launched the National Child Online Protection Strategy (2025–2029) on Monday, November 24. The document sets a roadmap to strengthen digital safety for children nationwide and to build a safer online environment for young users.
The government allocated $1.8 million to this plan. The strategy focuses on several pillars, including strengthened national policy coordination, development of digital skills, awareness programs for children and parents, and a structured collaboration framework connecting public, private and civil society stakeholders.
This initiative comes as Internet penetration grows quickly across Africa, especially among younger populations. UNICEF reports that African children rank among the fastest-growing digital user groups worldwide, which increases their exposure to cyberbullying, misinformation, online exploitation and harmful content.
These risks prompted UNICEF and GSMA in October 2025 to launch the Africa Taskforce on Child Online Protection (COP). The platform aims to harmonize protection efforts, deepen cooperation among states and promote shared digital safety standards across the continent.
In Zambia, recent national data on children’s Internet use remains limited. Authorities, however, recognize a steady rise in youth connectivity, which makes preventive, educational and regulatory measures urgent.
With this strategy, Zambia joins other African countries that have already implemented structured national child online safety policies. Nigeria and Ghana in recent years adopted legal frameworks and government programs dedicated to child cybersecurity.
If fully implemented, Zambia’s strategy could reduce minors’ exposure to digital risks and strengthen trust among families and schools in the use of online tools. Its success, however, will also depend on the development of an adapted legislative framework to ensure a safe, inclusive and protective digital environment for children.
Samira Njoya
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Google.org will provide $1.5 million to fund a digital literacy and online-safety programme across four African countries.
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JA Africa aims to train 250,000 children, 6,000 teachers and 8,000 parents and caregivers by 2027.
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The programme will deploy Google’s “Be Internet Awesome” curriculum, including Interland, through schools and community networks.
Children in Africa gain access to digital technology at increasingly early ages as connectivity expands across the continent. This rapid exposure, however, brings major risks such as cyberbullying, harassment and exploitation, which compel governments and organisations to strengthen online-safety protections.
JA Africa, the regional arm of one of the world’s oldest youth-focused economic-education organisations, announced on 26 November the launch of a digital-literacy and online-safety programme in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. The initiative uses $1.5 million in funding from Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google, and targets the training of 250,000 children, 6,000 teachers and 8,000 parents and caregivers by 2027 to reinforce child safety in a fast-growing digital ecosystem.
“Digital connectivity now forms the backbone of modern life in Africa, and our children must be equipped not only to participate but also to stay protected,” JA Africa CEO Simi Nwogugu said. “With support from Google.org, we help young people turn access into opportunity by building a generation of smart, safe and respectful digital citizens.”
The programme relies on Google’s “Be Internet Awesome” curriculum, which teaches digital security, privacy protection, anti-cyberbullying practices and responsible online citizenship. The curriculum uses Interland, a game-based platform, to engage young learners. JA Africa will deploy the programme through school workshops, teacher-training sessions and community-based activities, including in underserved rural areas. The initiative aligns with existing national frameworks on child protection and ICT-in-education policies in Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya.
The launch comes as minors face rising digital-exposure risks across Africa. GSMA data shows that 18% of children aged 5 to 7 in sub-Saharan Africa already use mobile Internet. The International Telecommunication Union estimates that one child connects to the Internet every half-second worldwide, highlighting the accelerating pace of early digital access. Yet, in 2024, only 39 African countries had completed a national online-child-protection strategy, while 32% were still drafting one and 41% had taken no formal steps.
The project could ultimately support the creation of common continental standards for online child protection through planned collaboration with education, ICT and communications ministries. JA Africa and Google intend to amplify the programme with awareness campaigns, digital-content production and key events, including Safer Internet Day 2026, to broaden public reach.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum
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Benin set a 2026 digital budget of CFA27.2 billion ($48 million), down 6.32% from 2025 due to a 12.22% drop in external financing.
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The government will still fund major initiatives, in cluding AI integration in public services, nationwide high-speed coverage, and the launch of a national digital-skills school.
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The GSMA estimates that Benin’s digital economy could add CFA1,200 billion to GDP by 2028 and create over 300,000 jobs.
Benin reduced its 2026 digital budget despite expanding ambitions for nationwide digital transformation. The government attributes the decline mainly to a 12.22% drop in external financing, even as it seeks to widen access to digital services and strengthen inclusion across the country.
Digital and Digitalisation Minister Aurélie Adam Soulé Zoumarou presented on 25 November a planned allocation of CFA27.2 billion (US$48 million) to the National Assembly’s budget commission. The figure marks a 6.32% decrease from the CFA29.034 billion approved for 2025.
The 2026 proposal includes CFA9.7 billion in operating expenses and CFA17.4 billion in capital spending.
The budget distributes resources across three main programmes. Piloting and Support receives CFA2.1 billion to improve ministry performance and provide backing to the digital, digitisation and media sectors. The Digital Programme, allocated CFA12.3 billion, aims to promote nationwide digital transformation.The Media Programme, with CFA12.6 billion, targets audiovisual modernisation, improved access to quality information, upgrades to public media and continued deployment of digital terrestrial television (DTT).
The ministry highlights several strategic priorities, including the progressive integration of artificial intelligence into public administration and priority sectors. It also positions digital-divide reduction as a central goal through extended high-speed connectivity initiatives.
Authorities expect additional investments to improve access to digital equipment and strengthen the population’s digital skills.
The project outlines the development of an École des métiers du numérique, which will train specialised talent such as developers, network administrators, cybersecurity experts and data analysts. The facility aims to support a competitive, skilled digital workforce.
The 2026 programmes complement several projects already launched, including Phase 2 of the nationwide high- and ultra-high-speed broadband rollout, the SMART GOUV initiative to digitalise public administration, and the digital transformation of local governments.
The GSMA reports that Benin’s digital economy—supported by mobile connectivity and digital services—could generate CFA1,200 billion in additional GDP by 2028, create over 300,000 jobs and raise CFA150 billion in extra fiscal revenue.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum
- Officials discuss collaboration on digital government, AI, and cybersecurity.
- Azerbaijan showcases its MyGov super-app and national digital strategy.
- Senegal’s New Deal aims to invest $1.7 billion to modernize public services.
Senegal and Azerbaijan are considering stronger cooperation in the digital sector. On November 25, on the sidelines of the World Telecommunication Development Conference, Senegal’s minister of Communication, Telecommunications and Digital, Alioune Sall, met with Farid Osmanov, president of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IDDA), to explore potential areas of technological partnership.
Rencontre entre le MCTN et l’IAAD d’Azerbaïdjan : vers une coopération numérique renforcée
— Ministère Communication - Télécoms et Numérique (@mctngouvsn) November 25, 2025
En marge de la CMDT-25, le Ministre de la Communication, des Télécommunications et du Numérique Alioune SALL a rencontré M. Farid Osmanov, pic.twitter.com/KsUaSSX50U
During the discussions, Osmanov presented several solutions developed by the agency, including the MyGov super-app, used by more than 2 million citizens, as well as Azerbaijan’s strategy integrating AI, cybersecurity, and digital identity. He also highlighted Digital Bridge, a system that connects public platforms with private companies, including banks.
Minister Alioune Sall reaffirmed Senegal’s priorities in digital transformation, including modernizing state services, developing new digital offerings, and improving infrastructure. Both parties agreed to move toward a formal partnership framework focused on digital government, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.
The meeting comes as both Dakar and Baku accelerate their digital agendas. Senegal’s New Deal, launched in February 2025, plans about $1.7 billion in investments to modernize the administration and support the digital economy. In Azerbaijan, the IDDA leads the national digital development strategy and is expanding public digital solutions.
A structured partnership would offer benefits to both countries. Senegal could draw on Azerbaijan’s experience in administrative digitalization, digital identity, and other areas, given Azerbaijan’s advanced status in e-government, with a United Nations index score of 0.7607 out of 1. For its part, Azerbaijan could strengthen its presence in West Africa and promote its digital solutions in a growing market.
Samira Njoya
- Ivorian officials meet a Russian delegation to discuss digital cooperation.
- Talks focus on technopoles, AI integration, and public-service digitalization.
- A visit to VITIB aims to deepen potential collaboration on innovation projects.
As part of its digital transformation strategy, the Ivorian government aims to modernize public services and build a strong innovation ecosystem. Collaboration with experienced partners is seen as essential to accelerate these ambitions.
Raymond Assoua, chief of staff to the minister of Digital Transition and Digitalization, met on Monday, November 24, in Abidjan with a delegation from the Skolkovo Foundation led by Russia’s ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, Alexey Saltykov. The meeting is part of a cooperation program designed to strengthen exchanges between Côte d’Ivoire and Russia in digital technology, innovation, and ecosystem development.
Discussions covered several strategic areas, including the development of technopoles, the integration of artificial intelligence in both public and private sectors, and the acceleration of administrative digitalization. The Russian delegation also presented Skolkovo’s expertise in building innovation ecosystems, a model that could support Côte d’Ivoire’s ambitions for tech-driven urban development.
During the meeting, concrete collaboration opportunities were identified between the Skolkovo Foundation and VITIB, the Ivorian technology park in Grand-Bassam. The director general of VITIB outlined existing infrastructure and ongoing projects, opening the door to future initiatives in start-up incubation, applied research, and sovereign digital solutions.
The visit comes one day after Côte d’Ivoire’s National Assembly approved a CFA83.27 billion (about $146 million) budget for 2026 to support the country’s digital transformation. The funding targets modernization of the postal sector, implementation of universal electronic communications service, and development of the digital economy.
The Skolkovo Foundation is one of Russia’s main innovation hubs, specializing in supporting tech start-ups, developing technopoles, and conducting AI-related research through its partnership with the Skoltech Institute. Its expertise could help Côte d’Ivoire with talent development and the rollout of pilot projects in innovation and digital services.
No formal agreement has been announced yet. However, the delegation will visit VITIB on November 25 to continue technical discussions and explore partnership opportunities.
Samira Njoya
- Government plans lower Internet costs and expanded rural fiber coverage.
- A new national data center, Digital Delta, will open on November 25.
- Reforms support a wider digital strategy as Botswana ranks 6th in Africa for ICT.
One year after his appointment as Botswana’s minister of Communications and Innovation, David Tshere presented on Thursday, November 20, the main priorities of his roadmap. He emphasized the government’s ambition to make digital transformation a driver of growth, inclusion, and competitiveness.
Among the key announcements, the minister revealed a significant reduction in Internet and mobile data costs to make digital access more affordable for citizens and businesses. He also introduced a plan to extend fiber-optic infrastructure to rural and underserved areas to improve national connectivity and promote digital inclusion.
Minister Tshere confirmed the imminent commissioning of the Digital Delta data center, with its official opening set for Tuesday, November 25, in Gaborone. This state-of-the-art facility aims to strengthen national digital capacity, host critical cloud services, and support government and private-sector applications in areas such as education, health, and public administration.
The roadmap forms part of a broader national strategy that includes the expanding 1Gov government platform and the adoption of modern digital legislation covering cybersecurity, data protection, and technological innovation. Botswana also plans to commercialize data from the BOTSAT-1 satellite to support agriculture, environmental management, and smart infrastructure.
Results from earlier initiatives highlight the country’s progress. According to the 2025 edition of the International Telecommunication Union’s “Measuring Digital Development – ICT Development Index,” Botswana ranks sixth in Africa with a score of 82.1 out of 100, reflecting advances in ICT use and the development of a strong digital ecosystem. DataReportal estimates that 2.09 million people were using the Internet in Botswana at the end of 2025, representing an 81.4 % penetration rate.
Samira Njoya
- Government launches a free digital platform for all Official Journal editions.
- The portal offers authenticated laws, decrees, and regulations since 1959.
- The project supports wider digital reforms under the World Bank–funded WARDIP.
The Mauritanian government inaugurated on Monday, November 24, a new digital portal dedicated to the Official Journal, now freely accessible to the public. The initiative aims to modernize access to legal texts, strengthen transparency in public information, and simplify consultation of laws in force, gathering more than 30,000 authenticated legislative and regulatory documents.
The portal centralizes all editions of the Official Journal since 1959, along with a selection of laws, decrees, international conventions, and other regulatory texts. Available in Arabic and French, it features an advanced search engine that allows legal professionals, investors, researchers, public administrations, and citizens to access authenticated and updated versions quickly.
The Official Journal is the primary legal source confirming the existence, entry into force, and authenticity of state-issued texts. Its digitization responds to the growing need to modernize procedures, reduce publication delays, and ensure easier access to legal information in a context of rapid digital transformation.
The project is part of the West Africa Regional Digital Integration Program (WARDIP – Mauritania), financed by the World Bank, which supports the country’s administrative modernization. It also includes a training program for staff at the General Secretariat of the Government, covering digital archiving, legal database management, and code updates to ensure the platform’s reliability and long-term sustainability.
Beyond the digitization of the Official Journal, WARDIP also plans the creation of a public-service interoperability framework, the development of a government cloud, improvements in broadband access, and support for innovation and start-ups. These actions aim to create an environment conducive to digital public services and economic development.
The launch of the Official Journal portal is expected to improve access to law for citizens and courts, strengthen public-sector transparency, secure the regulatory environment for investors, and consolidate the rule of law. With more than 30,000 authenticated texts covering over six decades, the platform marks a major step in modernizing Mauritania’s legal system and aligning the country with international best practices in digital governance.
Samira Njoya
- Senegal rolls out the Startup Ecosystem program under the 2020 Startup Act.
- More than 500 startups are expected to be labeled, with 150,000 jobs targeted by 2034.
- The initiative offers training, tax incentives, financing access, and a digital one-stop shop.
The Senegalese government launched the “Startup Ecosystem” program on November 20, implementing Law No. 2020-01, known as the Startup Act, adopted in January 2020. The initiative aims to support Senegalese startups, promote innovation, ease access to financing, and strengthen public support.
The program includes a “Startup Ecosystem” label and an online one-stop shop to simplify the labeling process and access to services. More than 500 startups are expected to receive the label, with a target of creating 150,000 direct jobs by 2034. The initiative also connects investors, incubators, technical partners, and young innovative companies, supported by monitoring tools to measure impact.
The launch is part of the Technological New Deal and Senegal Vision 2050, which place innovation and digital development at the center of the country’s strategy. Labeled startups benefit from concrete support measures, including training and capacity-building programs, preferential customs regimes for importing equipment, specific tax incentives, priority access to public procurement, and tailored financing opportunities.
With this launch, Senegal now has an operational and measurable framework focused on impact. The Startup Ecosystem program is expected to stimulate local innovation, attract talent and foreign capital, and strengthen the country’s competitiveness in Africa. According to StartupBlink, an international organization that ranks global startup ecosystems, Senegal counts 48 leading startups as of November 2025, ranking 92nd worldwide and among the leaders in West Africa.
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Somalia made the Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN) mandatory for all imports and exports as of late September.
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The system ends the exclusive revenue control long held by Somaliland, Puntland and Jubbaland over their ports.
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Non-compliant importers face penalties including fines, asset seizure, licence suspension or criminal prosecution.
Somalia has adopted the mandatory use of the Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN) as the government seeks to curb fraud and tighten control over port revenues. More than twenty African countries already use similar systems to strengthen trade governance.
The government has enforced the requirement following a directive from the Ministry of Ports and Maritime Transport. The measure, which took effect in late September, applies to all imports and exports passing through Somali ports. Authorities introduced the ECTN in February 2023, but the system had seen uneven implementation across port facilities.
The ministry now requires importers to obtain an ECTN through the official platform, ctnsomalia.com, before any loading or unloading operation. Importers must include the ECTN number on the bill of lading. Customs officers will reject any shipment without a valid certificate.
The authorities warn that violators face fines, asset seizure, licence suspension or criminal prosecution under Somali law. Officials argue that the rules will enhance transparency, reinforce maritime security and reduce commercial fraud.
The system also recentralises port revenue management. It ends a long-standing arrangement under which Somaliland, Puntland and Jubbaland collected port revenues without direct oversight from the federal government.
Although Somalia introduced the ECTN in 2023, enforcement remained partial until now. The nationwide mandate aligns the country with a broader continental trend, as more than 24 African states already require electronic cargo certificates to reduce fiscal losses and strengthen customs control.
By making the ECTN compulsory, the government aims to unify port governance, close traceability gaps and regain control over fragmented commercial circuits. The measure carries strategic weight because Somali ports handle nearly 95% of the goods consumed in the country and represent one of the state’s main non-tax revenue sources.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum
- Morocco to build 500MW renewable-powered data center in Dakhla
- Jazari Institute launched to advance AI, energy innovation and skills training
- Projects aim to boost tech jobs, digital sovereignty, and regional connectivity
Morocco plans to build a large renewable-powered data center and create a dedicated artificial intelligence (AI) institute in Dakhla, positioning the city as a strategic hub in the country’s digital and energy transition.
The government signed two partnership agreements on Friday, November 15, with Digital Transition Minister Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, Energy Transition Minister Leila Benali and officials from the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region.
The first agreement covers the construction of “Igoudar Dakhla,” a next-generation data center that will provide hosting, storage and data-processing services for domestic and international clients. The facility is planned to have a capacity of 500 megawatts (MW) and will operate entirely on power generated by a dedicated solar and wind farm under the Digital for Sustainable Development (D4SD) program. The center is expected to use advanced cloud infrastructure and natural cooling systems to reduce energy consumption.
The second agreement establishes the Jazari Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Energy Transition, which will focus on training, research and innovation in AI, the Internet of Things (IoT) and their applications in the energy sector. The institute will offer research and testing platforms, support startups and involve students and researchers in applied projects on renewables, desalination, green hydrogen and smart grids.
Both initiatives form part of the development strategy for the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region. The aim is to strengthen Morocco’s digital connectivity, position the country as a regional tech hub and support preparations for the 2030 World Cup. The projects also reflect Morocco’s plan to place innovation and skills development at the center of its digital and energy transition.
The project comes at a time when Morocco’s data center industry is expanding rapidly. According to Statista, the market is expected to generate 766.81 million dollars in 2025 and grow at an annual rate of 6.35 percent through 2030, reaching about 1.04 billion dollars. ResearchAndMarkets estimates that Morocco will account for 35 percent of the new data-center power capacity planned across Africa.
These investments are expected to boost Morocco’s digital sovereignty, create skilled technology jobs and support the development of a regional value chain built around cloud computing, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
Samira Njoya
More...
- Senegal bans use of private apps for civil records, citing data risks
- 400 of 600 centers now use national system linked to central database
- Move supports digital transformation and rising cybersecurity threat response
Senegal’s Minister of Urban Planning, Local Government and Spatial Planning, Balla Moussa Fofana, urged municipalities on Tuesday, November 18, to immediately stop using private software or uncertified applications to manage civil records.
Speaking at the launch of National Civil Registration Week in Kothiary, in the Tambacounda region, the Minister said unauthorized tools pose “a major threat to citizens’ data.” He warned officials not to share sensitive information on unsecured platforms such as Gmail, WhatsApp or Hotmail, noting that these practices expose public records to intrusion, manipulation or deletion, which could lead to identity disputes or fraud.
Modernization and Cybersecurity
The warning comes as the National Civil Status Agency (ANEC) continues to roll out a large modernization program. So far, 400 of Senegal’s 600 civil registration centers have been equipped with the national management system, which is linked to a central database containing more than 20 million records.
ANEC is also introducing several new digital tools, including an online services platform for citizens and a module that allows health facilities, village chiefs and neighborhood representatives to report births and deaths.
The digital overhaul of civil registration forms part of Senegal’s “New Deal Technologique,” the national digital transformation strategy aimed at putting 90 percent of public services online by 2034. The plan focuses on strengthening digital sovereignty, modernizing administrative services and improving public access to online procedures.
By requiring municipalities to use state-approved systems, the government aims to protect civil registration data from criminal misuse as cyber threats rise sharply. In 2024, more than 10 million cyberattacks were detected and blocked in Senegal, according to Kaspersky.
The cybersecurity firm reported a major increase in password theft, which jumped from about 36,000 cases in 2023 to roughly 72,000 in 2024. Attacks exploiting software vulnerabilities nearly doubled, reaching more than 293,000 cases, and over 600,000 intrusion attempts via the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) were recorded.
Samira Njoya
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Plan includes national health data system, online services, and AI tools
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Aims to ease system strain, but rural gaps and training remain key hurdles
Amid rising demographic pressure and growing strains on its healthcare system, Egypt is accelerating its digital transformation with a new national roadmap for the health sector. The country aims to leverage digital technologies to modernize management, expand access, and improve service efficiency.
Egypt officially unveiled its National Digital Health Strategy 2025-2029 on Saturday, November 15. Presented by Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar during the 3rd World Congress on Population, Health and Development (PHDC’25), the roadmap sets the foundation for a fully digitized health system by 2029.
A core element of the strategy is the creation of an integrated digital ecosystem intended to modernize health services through the systematic use of information technology. Key measures include consolidating national health data, building secure and interoperable digital platforms and expanding access to online services to improve the speed and reliability of patient monitoring.
The initiative falls under the broader “Digital Egypt 2030” transformation strategy, which places health among its priority areas. Implementation is supported by favorable conditions: the ICT sector is one of the fastest-growing in the Egyptian economy, and internet penetration exceeds 80%, according to DataReportal. Still, persistent disparities between urban and rural areas could slow the rollout of e-health solutions.
Several previous initiatives show that Egypt has already begun laying the groundwork for this transition. Millions of electronic medical records have been created under the universal health insurance program, while new platforms for telemedicine, hospital automation, and AI-assisted medical analysis continue to emerge.
For the government, the objective is twofold: to improve the efficiency of an overburdened healthcare system where bureaucratic bottlenecks and barriers to care remain widespread, and to strengthen national resilience against health crises, a priority underscored by the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed the limits of traditional systems.
Implementing the strategy will require overcoming several challenges. Training health professionals to use new digital tools remains essential, as does strengthening cybersecurity to protect sensitive data. Expanding connectivity in underserved regions will also be critical to ensuring equitable access to digital health services.
Samira Njoya
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Morocco launches Gamification Lab to support gaming start-ups and innovation
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Initiative targets public-sector adoption in education, health, and tourism
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Part of broader push to grow creative economy, now with 40 gaming start-ups
Morocco’s Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication has partnered with the state-owned Caisse de dépôt et de gestion (CDG) and its investment arm, CDG Invest, to launch the “Gamification Lab” program. The agreement, signed in Rabat on Thursday, November 13, aims to boost local development and strengthen Morocco’s position in the fast-growing video game market.
The Gamification Lab will create a national platform to promote and facilitate the adoption of gamification solutions developed by Moroccan start-ups. These tools will be made available to public- and private-sector organizations active in education, health, culture, employment, and tourism.
Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid said the initiative is part of a broader effort to support small cultural businesses, particularly those involved in video gaming. He noted the sector’s rapid expansion, pointing out that Morocco now counts around 40 gaming start-ups, compared with just two or three in 2021.
This new agreement follows recent efforts to organize and develop the gaming ecosystem. Last May, two agreements were signed to strengthen professional training in gaming-related careers. One introduced dedicated university programs in video game development, while the other created three vocational pathways: e-sport caster, e-sport streamer, and video game laboratory technician.
The announcement comes at a time when Africa’s gaming market is experiencing strong momentum. According to a report released in February by the African publisher Carry1st and research firm Newzoo, the sector generated 1.8 billion dollars in 2024, up 12.4 percent from 2023. By comparison, the global market grew by only 2.1 percent.
Through this partnership, Moroccan authorities aim to support content creation, strengthen the broader start-up ecosystem, and develop skilled employment. Their goal is to position Morocco as one of Africa’s emerging hubs in the creative and digital economy.
Samira Njoya
- Smart Africa signed multiple digital cooperation deals at TAS 2025 in Conakry
- Visa, Ascend, and others to support payments, data exchange, and youth programs
- Agreements aim to build digital skills, inclusion, and a Digital Single Market by 2030
Smart Africa signed a series of cooperation agreements on Thursday at the Transform Africa Summit (TAS) 2025 in Conakry. The deals include several memoranda of understanding and a contract with public and private partners aimed at advancing the continent’s digital transformation. The agreements focus on youth, digital skills, financial inclusion, data exchange, internet domain management and women’s leadership, with the longer-term goal of building African digital sovereignty and a Digital Single Market by 2030.
Digital payments and data exchange
Smart Africa signed an MoU with Visa to promote digital services and electronic payments as a driver of economic development. The agreement, signed by Smart Africa CEO Lacina Koné and Mina Abdo, Visa’s Head of Partnerships for Sub-Saharan Africa, covers the digitisation of public services, expansion of payment infrastructure, financial inclusion, support for e-commerce, and measures to facilitate trade and entrepreneurship across member countries. The parties say the aim is to strengthen Africa’s digital economy and support plans for a Digital Single Market by making electronic transactions easier within and between states.
Smart Africa also signed a contract with Ascend Digital Solutions to pilot the Smart Africa Data Exchange (SADX) platform. The system is intended to provide a secure, interoperable data exchange framework based on open standards. It is designed to support cross-border digital services, digital identity verification and data sharing between states. A pilot will be rolled out in Benin, Ghana and Rwanda under the Smart Africa Trust Alliance (SATA) initiative, as a first step toward wider deployment of cross-border digital services.
Youth, skills and internet governance
An MoU between Smart Africa and YouthConnekt Africa aims to support youth-led digital transformation. The two organisations plan to use existing Smart Africa Youth Chapters and YouthConnekt Country Chapters to connect young innovators, promote mentoring and entrepreneurship and highlight African digital solutions. They also intend to run joint programmes during major events, including TAS and the YouthConnekt Africa Summit, to give more visibility to youth initiatives.
To address digital skills gaps, Smart Africa signed an MoU with the government of Gambia on the deployment of the Smart Africa Digital Academy (SADA) in the country. The partnership will organise and coordinate digital training programmes for public decision-makers, young people, women and civil servants, in line with Gambia’s digital transformation priorities. The goal is to put in place long-term mechanisms for continuous training supported by national infrastructure.
Smart Africa also signed an MoU with the Africa Top Level Domains Organisation (AFTLD) to strengthen management of critical internet resources. The agreement covers capacity building on country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) management, work on policy alignment and measures to reinforce cybersecurity related to domain name systems. It also seeks to present a more unified African position in global internet governance forums.
In addition, an MoU with Women Political Leaders is intended to place gender considerations at the centre of digital policy. The partnership aims to promote a gender-sensitive digital transition, support women’s leadership in the digital sector, back women’s digital entrepreneurship and increase women’s influence in digital policy and governance.
Smart Africa says the deals signed at TAS 2025 are meant to deepen cooperation between governments, the private sector and international organisations around the alliance’s digital agenda. The next step will be turning the commitments into concrete projects in member states.
Muriel EDJO