Tech (950)
Although they remain focused on only a few countries, Africa continues to attract investors from around the world. This is mostly thanks to the good impetus of the youth-driven tech industry in sectors such as agriculture and education.
The LA-based VC firm Black Ostrich Ventures announced the launch of a $20-million seed capital dedicated to African businesses that operate in areas such as clean technologies, supply chains, agritech and edtech.
This vehicle, backed by New York investors and wealthy Los Angeles individuals, targets start-ups in Tanzania, Zambia, Morocco and Uganda. Ajani Windsor-Areago, the General Partner of Black Ostrich Ventures, explained that “If you look at the capital inflows into VC in Africa, the Big Four countries—Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, and Kenya—attract all the capital. But most exits do not happen in these markets". Selected startups will receive between $50,000 and $200,000 to develop their business, with the possibility of a follow-up investment of up to $1 million if the startup reaches Series A.
Focusing outside the big four is the way for Black Ostrich Ventures and its partners to help markets that generally receive little of the tech investment inflows in Africa. Let’s note that a report issued last July 11th by the research firm Magnitt revealed that Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, and Kenya captured 94.5% of total financing raised by African tech startups in the first half of 2023.
Samira Njoya
The Dubai-based company said the investment will help bolster payment systems infrastructure and financial inclusion and contribute to the digital transformation undertaken by the Egyptian government.
Network International, a major player in digital commerce in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region announced on Monday, August 28 an investment of EGP 1 billion ($32.3 million) to support Egypt's economic growth through innovative payment solutions.
According to the company's press release, a"significant portion" of the capital will be spent to buy, deploy, and maintain around 100,000 point-of-sale (POS) machines in several regions of Egypt. The rest will be devoted to the implementation and smooth operation of Network One, the company's state-of-the-art payments technology platform.
"This investment underscores our ongoing commitment to providing innovative payment solutions to Egyptian businesses. Our presence in the Egyptian economy spans more than two decades, during which we have served numerous banks and financial institutions," said Nandan Mer, CEO of Network International.
Network International's new investment in Egypt aligns with its government’s efforts to implement the country's national digital transformation strategy called "Digital Egypt 2030". The latter aims to "realize the digital economy through ICT, to ensure prosperity, freedom, and social equity for all".
Network International's presence in Egypt will significantly contribute to financial inclusion and GDP growth. The player strives to modernize financial technology to facilitate the transition from cash to digital payments.
Samira Njoya
The digital revolution emerges as a potent catalyst for development and progress worldwide. Nevertheless, it also unveils vulnerabilities that may present obstacles to advancement.
Last week, the cybercriminal group Snatch claimed a cyberattack on the South African Department of Defence (DoD). The group was said to have acquired 1.6 terabytes of sensitive data including military contracts, internal call signs, and personal data including President Cyril Ramaphosa's contact number.
The declaration was qualified as "fake news" by South African National Defence Force (SANDF) spokesperson Brigadier General Andries Mahapa, on Friday 25 August. It has however raised concerns about national security and the country's digital infrastructure.
While the presidency hasn't commented on the matter, some cybersecurity experts have stressed again the need to strengthen cybersecurity protocols to protect the digital transformation of the country. This breach highlights the growing threat of cyberattacks on critical government institutions, emphasizing the importance of robust cybersecurity practices.
In its "Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2022" report, the World Economic Forum (WEF) estimates that Ransomware attacks will be the main threat to the digital systems of organizations and administrations.
The report also points out that "Ransomware attacks saw a significant increase in the first six months of 2021, with global attack volume increasing by 151%. The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned that there are now 100 different strains of ransomware in circulation globally. It is unlikely that this issue will diminish in pace or severity any time soon."
Hikmatu Bilali
In recent years, Egypt has made major strides in its digital transformation. To further achieve these goals, the government is searching for partners with shared digital ambitions.
Egypt's Minister of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), Amr Talaat (photo, right), recently met his counterparts, Abdullah Al-Swaha from Saudi Arabia and Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw (photo, left) from India, to explore ways of strengthening their cooperation in the field of Information and Communication Technology.
The meetings were held on the sidelines of the G20 Ministerial Meeting on the Digital Economy, which took place on Saturday, August 19 in Bangalore, India.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), discussions between Abdullah Al-Swaha and Amr Talaat focused on strategic projects to promote youth, women, and entrepreneurship. Emphasis was placed on the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation in critical areas such as communications infrastructure and subsea cables.
The meeting with India's Minister of Railways, Communications, Electronics, and Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, focused on ways to implement the digital MoU they signed in January. They also discussed means of cooperation in the electronics industry, digital capacity building through partnerships between training institutions affiliated with the two ministries, and possible collaboration in digital infrastructure to support digital transformation.
Also in India, Amr Talaat held talks with Omar Al-Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Telework Applications. The two ministers agreed to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the fields of artificial intelligence and data governance.
The meetings, initiated several months ago by the Egyptian ICT Minister, are part of Egypt's Vision 2030 and its digital transformation strategy, which aim to strengthen economic and social development in all sectors and make the country a digital pole of excellence in Africa.
Samira Njoya
Kenya’s ambition is to become a digital hub in sub-Saharan Africa. To achieve that ambition, the government and its partners are implementing innovative projects to expand the country’s digital economy.
AI tech solutions provider Webb Fontaine recently partnered with state agency Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade) to introduce the Digital Logistics Market Place (DLMP) in Kenya. This platform aims to reshape logistics practices, increase trade volumes, accelerate e-commerce growth, and stimulate the development of Kenya's vast trading market.
"The DLMP is an online marketplace of trade.[...] It offers B2B services to traders with seamless search, find, and send capabilities, fostering growth, reliability, and empowerment," said Webb Fontaine CEO Alioune Ciss.
The introduction of DLMP in Kenya comes as the East African country aims to position itself as a digital hub in sub-Saharan Africa. It is part of KenTrade's strategy to digitize business activities in the country, to increase the contribution of digital trade to the country's economy.
The DLMP brings together shipping lines, trucking companies, freight forwarders, importers, exporters, warehousing companies, and insurance providers in an integrated digital marketplace. This platform gives traders the opportunity to present their services online and compete for bids, fostering a competitive environment that stimulates efficiency and cost savings.
Through this partnership and the establishment of the DLMP, the two entities hope to capitalize on Kenya's strategic location, solid infrastructure, and diversified economy. The aim is to make the DLMP the cornerstone for the continued development of Kenya's booming commercial market.
Samira Njoya
Africa must match its youth education to the needs of the future digital world. According to the World Bank, this shift is crucial and it will help integrate millions of people into the workforce. In several countries, there is a push toward the development of more web, digital, and computer science-focused curricula.
Ynov Campus, a Moroccan computer engineering school, has partnered with Cisco, the US tech giant. Under the agreement they both recently signed, Cisco will help bolster digital skills in Morocco.
The partnership, according to Ynov Campus’s CEO, Amine Zniber (photo, left), will offer the school’s students many opportunities.
"As one of the world's leading information and communication technology companies, Cisco plays a crucial role in digital and technological transformation on a global scale. Thanks to this partnership, Ynov Campus students will now have access to world-class training resources, internationally recognized certifications, and internship and job opportunities within Cisco's global network," Zniber told a local media outlet.
The signing reinforces the partners’ commitment to education, innovation, and youth employability in Morocco. Besides benefits for students, the deal will also provide opportunities for joint research and development as well as collaborations on innovative technological projects.
The goal is to provide young people with the necessary skills to succeed in a constantly evolving digital economy and contribute to Africa’s development. According to the World Bank, the continent will account for a third of the world's young population by 2050.
Samira Njoya
Spurred by Covid and digital transformation, the postal sector has morphed in a very short period, especially looking at e-commerce’s rapid growth. To ride this tide, African countries decided to update their post systems.
China will support the digital transformation of Mauritius’ post company, Mauritius Post. A group of Chinese experts was in the African country earlier this week, July 24th, in this framework.
China, according to the Mauritian Minister of ICT and Innovation, Darsanand Balgobin, will provide in-depth training to post office staff, equipping them with the knowledge and skills they will need to implement, locally, everything they will be taught.
The Asian giant will also provide its technical expertise for the digitization of key postal activities to improve the postal services offered to the population.
The collaboration aligns with Mauritius Post’s new vision, which involves introducing digital technology into its main activities and revitalizing itself through the e-post project.
To this end, the Mauritian government has sought the expertise of several countries to help improve local postal services. The government, among others, wants parcel delivery to be faster and make postal services more efficient, by introducing digital claim services, parcel tracking, and online payments.
Many African countries, like Mauritius, are taking steps to digitize their postal services to boost postal activity, and e-commerce, and attract big sales companies. Examples of such countries include Senegal, Congo, South Africa, and Djibouti.
Samira Njoya
In 1994, Eastern and Southern African countries formed a common market, offering numerous facilities to national actors. However, various non-tariff barriers, financial barriers particularly, threaten the commercial inclusion sought.
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) will launch a digital payment platform by June 2024, COMESA Business Council (CBC) CEO Teddy Soobramanien (photo) announced at a press conference in Lusaka (Zambia) last Monday.
The platform aims to facilitate online transactions and boost trade relations between countries in the region. "The project will be launched in eight countries before being rolled out to all 21 member states by June next year [...] Financial inclusion ecosystems are key to sustainable development and economic progress, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which drive innovation, job creation, and poverty reduction," said Teddy Soobramanien.
"By harnessing the power of digital technology, we can unlock the unprecedented opportunities for them, empowering them to realize their full potential and contribute to the region’s prosperity," he added.
The implementation of the digital payment platform is part of a COMESA project aimed at improving the digital financial inclusion of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the region. The project focuses on improving financial regulation and reducing cross-border transaction costs for MSMEs in the concerned markets.
Once deployed, the platform will not only stimulate economic growth and financially empower the most vulnerable social categories but, it will also promote partnerships between businesses in the region.
Samira Njoya
Dakar’s Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD) switched to online learning in mid-June. To strengthen its offering, the university is signing partnerships and multiplying efforts to meet the needs of thousands of students.
Dakar’s Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD) and the National Telecommunications Company of Senegal (SONATEL) signed a partnership agreement last Friday, July 14. The move is to launch the "Pass UCAD" program, whose goal is to allow UCAD’s students and teachers to access the university’s dedicated online learning platform for free.
SONATEL’s Managing Director, Sékou Dramé (picture on the right), announced the establishment of a platform that allows students to continue classes online. "From next week, it will be implemented. This platform will allow students to identify themselves and access this specific 'Pass UCAD' issued for students, which will allow them to connect to the online teaching platform set up by the university for free until October 31," he said.
A month ago, the Senegalese government decided to adopt online education in the country's public universities amidst violent protests that broke out after opposition leader Ousmane Sonko was convicted. Many universities’ facilities were destroyed during the protests; these include six UCAD faculties.
The new partnership with SONATEL will support education and promote internet access for UCAD students. It will also allow students to benefit from educational resources and online research, as well as strengthen their digital skills, and prepare them for the digital future.
Samira Njoya
Earlier this year, the Republic of Congo launched a project to speed up its digital transformation. In support of the move, the country’s partners have launched the "Mangwele" application designed to enhance the health information system.
On Wednesday, July 5, Congolese and Japanese authorities launched the "Mangwele" application, an SMS-based vaccination reminder system, at the Tenrikyo Integrated Health Center in Makélékélé.
The new system aims, among other things, to remind parents, particularly mothers, of their children's vaccination appointments according to the schedule of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI).
Lancement ce matin au CSI de Tenrikyo de MANGWELE. Grâce à ce projet financé par @JapanGov, votre bébé est enregistré dès la naissance et vous recevez un 📩 de rappel 3 jours avant chaque rdv de💉 #UNICEFTHXJAPAN @MofaJapan_en @ODA_mofa_japan @UNICEFinJapan pic.twitter.com/l7OFaArnn8
— UNICEF Congo Brazza (@UNICEFcongoBZV) July 5, 2023
"Through this project, health personnel will be able to follow the status of birth registrations and track each child's vaccinations by recording this information in a national database. This system will allow for individualized monitoring and ensure that all children receive all the necessary vaccines, even if they move regions," explained Satoko Morito, the First Secretary of the Japanese Embassy in Congo, representing the ambassador.
Mangwele’s launch is part of the UNICEF’s Digital Health System Support Project which fights infectious diseases in Africa. Japan spent $3.3 million on the launch.
The Democratic Republic of Congo and Benin are the two other beneficiary countries of Japan's financing for the implementation of the digital introduction project for the fight against infectious diseases in Africa.
In the long run, the project will help improve vaccination rates across the continent but also make it easier to analyze and use real-time data, thus enabling better estimation of actual vaccination rates, including routine and COVID-19 vaccination.
Samira Njoya
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Kenya has introduced its digital sex offender registry as part of ongoing digitization efforts across all sectors, including the justice system. By doing so, the government aims to significantly reduce sexual assaults on women and children and facilitate the identification of perpetrators.
On Monday 26, Martha Koome, the Chief Justice of Kenya, unveiled the country's first digital sex offender registry at the Kibera Law Courts. The registry comprises a comprehensive database containing crucial information about convicted sex offenders.
11. The Register, established under the Sexual Offences Act, serves as a crucial database, holding the records of all convicted offenders. By automating this Register, we will ensure easy access to information on convicted sex offenders, facilitating expedited justice. pic.twitter.com/OW7FArbZvC
— Hon. Justice Martha K. Koome, EGH (@CJMarthaKoome) June 26, 2023
During this ceremony, she stated: "The implementation of the automated registry is a vital tool for protecting the public from sex offenders. By providing accessible information, we empower individuals to take necessary precautions and create an environment that discourages such offenses."
In recent years, Kenya faced an upsurge in sexual offenses. This created so many challenges to the safety and well-being of its citizens. The digital registry will bolster government efforts against this menace.
Before this action, the government took some measures to fight sexual offenses in Kenya. In 2008 for example, Legal Notice No. 133, supplementing the Sexual Offenses Act, mandated the director of the Criminal Investigations Department to establish a DNA database of dangerous sex offenders.
This digital tool will be useful for key stakeholders in Kenya's justice system in tracking and monitoring sex offenders after their release from prison. It will also help the public to access information about sex offenders residing in their neighborhoods. Thus, they can take precautionary measures to protect themselves and their children.
Through this, Kenya joins other countries that have implemented sex offender registries. In 2007, South Africa established a similar registry. Unfortunately, it is kept confidential and not open to the public.
Samira Njoya
Over the past few years, Tanzania has taken steps to orbit its satellite. But, in recent months, it is stepping up initiatives to speed up the process.
Tanzania has set up a special government team to study the country’s needs in preparation for the construction of a national satellite. Its Deputy Minister of Information, Communication, and Technology Kundo Mathew said as much on Monday, June 19 at the opening of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) 2023 Annual Conference, which runs until today, Friday, June 23 in Arusha.
“...We are taking time to identify our needs for the proposed National Satellite. We are mulling the intended use for the Tanzanian Satellite, will it be just for patrolling our skies, or safeguarding our resources from the air; maybe also monitoring the country’s borders digitally?” said Minister Kundo Mathew.
“There are areas dotted with big hills and mountains where it becomes impossible for the fiber optic cables to be laid through, these are where the satellite will take over to spread digital waves,” he added.
Tanzania's announcement comes at a time when African governments are showing increasing interest in space programs and stepping up investment in the sector. According to the 2022 edition of Space In Africa's annual report on the African space industry, the value of the industry is expected to reach $22.64 billion in 2026, up from $19.49 billion in 2021. The same report indicates that African nations allocated a total of $534.9 million to space programs in 2022, compared with $523.2 million in 2021.
The satellite that the Tanzanian government plans to launch will complement the 758 communication towers erected throughout the country and the 600 others to be installed soon.
It could thus be used to improve coverage of telecoms and broadband Internet services, particularly in rural or remote areas that are hardly accessible to mobile operators. These efforts will help reduce the digital divide and improve access to education and health services. According to the latest statistics from the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), the country has 61.9 million cell phone subscribers and 33.1 million Internet users.
Samira Njoya
The transaction will allow GoCampus to realize its founder’s unfulfilled business goals.
Indian tech entrepreneur Vickram Sybri recently acquired the Nigerian university networking platform GoCampus for $71,000.
The platform, which connects college students, managed to connect over 370,000 users in three countries in the space of four months, becoming a thriving platform for student interaction.
In the weeks leading to the sale, the platform experienced a shutdown and other problems that prevented it from evolving. Those obstacles forced young Nigerian entrepreneur Muili Seun (photo), founder of Go Campus, to sell his platform.
“It was a tough decision to part ways with GoCampus, but I wanted to ensure its continued success and growth. The platform faced challenges due to infrastructure limitations, resulting in occasional downtime during peak periods. By selling the platform to an established tech guru, I am confident it will receive the necessary support and resources to overcome these obstacles,” he said.
GoCampus has rapidly gained in popularity. The platform has revolutionized the way students interact, enabling them to connect to exchange and share ideas on assignments and other university-related topics.
With this acquisition, Indian entrepreneur Vickram Sybri will be able to continue the work started by Muili Seun. Well-known in the Indian and international technology spheres, his company specializes in digital marketing and building a strong and influential online presence for individuals and companies.
Samira Njoya
Like many other African countries, Somalia has decided to take advantage of technology to solve some of the problems it faces. The country has just adopted a national QR coding technology to improve financial inclusion and the local e-commerce segment by extension.
Somali citizens will soon be able to pay for goods and services in stores and supermarkets by scanning a quick response (QR) code using their mobile devices. On Tuesday, June 20, the Central Bank of Somalia (CBS) launched the standardized national QR code called "SOMQR". It aims to stimulate digital payments, which are offered by the various payment service providers in the country.
“SOMQR Code Standard will revolutionize the payment landscape in Somalia as a low-cost, scalable, secure, and interoperable solution towards a cashless society. [...] we are proud of achieving yet another major milestone in the digitalization process of the payment systems," said CBS governor Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (photo).
The launch of SOMQR is the latest in a series of reforms undertaken by CBS in recent years. It follows the launch, in August 2021, of the National Payment System (NPS), an interbank payment, clearing, and settlement system linking the Central Bank and the 13 licensed commercial banks.
Also as part of its drive to modernize services, last March the CBS began enforcing the use of the International Bank Account Number (IBAN) to connect the country's financial institutions to the rest of the international banking services and facilitate the validation of their transactions.
The SOMQR is the latest addition to all these initiatives. As a fast, scalable, and secure low-cost payment platform, its effective implementation will revolutionize the payments landscape in Somalia. The standardized QR code will enable merchants to receive payments instantly, anytime, anywhere.
Samira Njoya