As Africa continues its rapid digital transformation, cybercrime has emerged as one of its most pressing challenges. With increasing internet penetration and the rise of mobile financial services, the digital economy has become a critical growth driver. However, this progress has been accompanied by a surge in cyber threats.
Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 105 individuals, including four Chinese nationals, for alleged involvement in an internet fraud scheme targeting hotels in Europe and other regions. The anti-corruption agency disclosed this on Friday, January 10.
“We are working with other law enforcement agencies across the world to dig deeper into the global dimensions involved in this crime,” the EFCC said in a tweet.
The suspects were apprehended on Thursday, January 9 during a raid on an apartment in Abuja, Nigeria's capital. According to the EFCC, the group is accused of running a "hotel review job scam" designed to defraud unsuspecting victims.
The operation follows a string of high-profile crackdowns on cybercrime in Nigeria. Just last month, nearly 800 people, including 148 Chinese and 40 Filipino nationals, were arrested during a raid on a suspected fraud hub. The scheme involved luring victims with fake romance offers before coercing them into fraudulent cryptocurrency investments.
This development aligns with the recent recognition of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre as Africa's Best Cybercrime Unit for 2024 by Interpol’s Cybercrime Directorate, highlighting Nigeria’s outstanding achievements in combating cybercrime.
Hikmatu Bilali
Drawing on his experience and diverse skills, this entrepreneur develops innovative solutions to revolutionize the agricultural sector through technology.
Hazem Salaheldin Eltawab (photo) is an Egyptian tech entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of ReNile, a technology company focused on developing environmental and agricultural solutions.
Founded in 2017, ReNile specializes in integrated smart agriculture solutions, leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT) and water quality management. The company offers monitoring systems that analyze real-time data from agricultural operations, enabling farmers to optimize production while minimizing resource consumption.
ReNile’s solutions address a wide range of agricultural needs, from farm monitoring to emergency alerts. They also include best-practice recommendations accessible via an online platform. Using a cloud-based system, farmers can access their data anytime and anywhere, allowing them to efficiently manage aquaculture operations, hydroponic crops, or greenhouse activities.
Hazem holds a bachelor’s degree in Energy and Bioprocess Engineering, earned in 2018 from Zewail University in Egypt.
From 2018 to 2022, he served as a teaching assistant at the Zewail City of Science and Technology. Between 2019 and 2020, he worked as a business and management consultant with Nexel Partners, a Kuwait-based consulting firm. From 2023 to 2024, Hazem was a process management consultant specializing in artificial intelligence for Tahaluf Al Emarat Technical Solutions, a UAE-based company focused on cybersecurity and IT.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
As organizations increasingly adopt cloud services and rely on sensitive data for decision-making, the demand for robust data protection measures has surged, particularly in Africa, which is experiencing rapid digital adoption and expanding its regulatory framework.
Spirion LLC, a U.S.-based data discovery, classification, and remediation company, announced on January 8 the opening of its first data center in South Africa. This marks the company’s third international expansion in just five months, following new facilities in Frankfurt, Germany (September 2024) and Sydney, Australia (October 2024).
“We’re thrilled to open our third global data center in just a few months. Protecting what matters most —sensitive data— requires accurate data discovery and classification,” said Spirion CEO Kevin Coppins.
The Cape Town data center is designed to support Spirion customers migrating to its Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform, enabling businesses to achieve automated and effective data security while adhering to South Africa's Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and other data sovereignty regulations.
Spirion’s advanced solution allows organizations to uncover hidden data, classify it, and remediate risks to ensure compliance. The new facility will cater to growing local market demand while equipping South African companies with robust tools to secure sensitive information.
The launch aligns with Spirion’s recent enhancements to its Sensitive Data Platform (SDP), enabling businesses to manage massive data volumes with greater precision and scalability. The company’s advanced scanner node architecture now allows data analysis at petabyte-scale, offering unmatched visibility and control over critical data assets.
The move comes as South Africa’s data center colocation market experiences rapid growth. According to Research and Markets, South Africa's data center colocation market, valued at $330 million in 2023, is projected to grow to $780 million by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.42%. The projected growth of South Africa's data center colocation market signifies the increasing demand for digital infrastructure in the region, driven by rising data usage, cloud adoption, and the need for secure data storage. It highlights a strong trajectory of investment and expansion, reflecting the country's growing role as a digital hub in Africa.
Hikmatu Bilali
Zimbabwe, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), is establishing digital hubs in Bikita and Mhondoro-Ngezi districts under the Fostering Digital Villages Through Innovative Advisory and Profitable Market Services in Africa (FDiVi) project.
The hubs will serve over 5,000 residents, offering affordable internet access, digital skills training, and tools to improve efficiency across the agricultural value chain.
The initiative will empower smallholder farmers, agro-dealers, processors, and extension officers, particularly women and youth, to participate in the digital economy. It is expected to close the digital divide, enhance rural livelihoods, and foster a more inclusive agricultural sector in Zimbabwe.
The Gambian government aims to accelerate the country’s digital transformation. In May 2024, the executive already established a partnership with the Emirati technology company Presight.
The Gambian Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy has partnered with the Kalp Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing blockchain-based digital public infrastructure (DPI). This collaboration will lead to the creation of a decentralized platform called “Gambia One,” designed to secure data exchanges, streamline government operations, and digitize critical services.
“Together, we will harness the power of blockchain-enabled DPI to deliver innovative, citizen-centric solutions that align with global standards of trust, transparency, and accountability,” said Lamin Jabbi, Gambian Minister of Communications and Digital Economy. The partnership also includes capacity-building initiatives for government leaders and training programs focused on blockchain ecosystems and related technologies for young Gambians.
This initiative aligns with the Gambian government’s ambition to “leverage technology, digital solutions, and services to ensure digital inclusion by connecting the unconnected and under-connected, create jobs, and develop the economy.” It builds on earlier efforts, including a partnership established with the Emirati tech company Presight in May 2024. Additionally, in 2023, Gambia joined the Smart Africa Alliance, which promotes the use of ICT to accelerate economic and social development across Africa.
Currently, Gambia ranks 164th out of 193 countries in the 2024 E-Government Development Index measured by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA). The country scored 0.2552 out of 1, significantly below the averages for West Africa (0.3957), Africa (0.4247), and the global average (0.6382).
The timeline for launching the Gambia One platform remains unknown, as do the precise details of the agreement between the parties involved. However, the success of the initiative will depend on the population’s access to the internet and compatible devices. According to DataReportal, Gambia had 1.5 million internet users at the start of 2024, representing an internet penetration rate of 54.2%.
By Isaac K. Kassouwi,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Driven by a passion for entrepreneurship, she's on a mission to revolutionize childcare services in Tunisia. Her dedication and hard work have garnered numerous awards and accolades.
Nivine Moussa (photo) is a Tunisian marketing expert and entrepreneur. As the founder and CEO of Bambinosit, she aims to revolutionize childcare services in Tunisia.
Bambinosit is a digital platform that connects parents with qualified babysitters and social and school support workers. Through this platform, parents can easily find profiles that align with their expectations, both in terms of skills and personal values.
Beyond assisting parents, Bambinosit also provides young students and unemployed individuals with income opportunities. The platform offers practical tools such as availability calendars, geolocation services, and detailed nanny profiles that highlight their skills and experience. Parents can even arrange interviews and babysitting trials directly through the platform.
A graduate of the Higher Institute of Business Studies in Carthage, Tunisia, Nivine Moussa earned a bachelor's degree in marketing in 2019 and a research degree in marketing in 2021. She began her professional journey in 2018 as a telemarketing operator at MFR Consulting, a health insurance firm. After an internship in 2019 at Medianet, an agency specializing in e-business and digital strategy, she worked as a French teacher.
In 2021, Moussa received the award for Best Student Entrepreneur in Tunisia. The following year, she was named Tunisia’s Best Entrepreneur. In 2024, she was recognized as a laureate of the Lab’Innova Italian program by the Italian Trade Agency.
Melchior Koba
Network International (Network), an enabler of digital commerce in the Middle East and Africa, has partnered with Money Fellows, the top money circles app, to introduce its first payment solution in Egypt. The partnership was announced on January 8.
Network will provide its ‘Digital Payments as a Service’ platform, offering secure payment functionality, advanced fraud prevention, and managed back-office services. The integration aims to enhance the app’s user experience and versatility.
With its regional expertise, Network will support Money Fellows' expansion across the Middle East and Africa, helping modernize money circles and expand financial access.
Podcasts have exploded in popularity worldwide in recent years. Two tech entrepreneurs are launching a platform that offers audio content specifically tailored for African audiences.
Genti Media is a Nigerian platform dedicated to promoting African stories. It offers tales, dramas, and educational materials narrated in African languages by African voices. Founded in 2021 by Ojiugo Uche and Ekemezie Uche, the Lagos-based startup aims to preserve and elevate the continent’s rich storytelling traditions.
The mobile application, available on iOS and Android, has already been downloaded over 10,000 times on the Play Store. Users can create an account using their email, Google, or Facebook credentials to access Genti Media's catalog. The platform boasts over 15,000 hours of African audio stories, educational content, radio plays, and sermons, all available in more than 20 African languages.
An "Explore Now" button allows users to try the platform without creating an account. However, account creation becomes mandatory for continued listening. Genti Media offers a tiered access model, with some titles available for free and others requiring users to watch ads or purchase a coin bundle to unlock.
“Several titles are free on the app. Also, trailers and one or two episodes of paid content are free so you can check a title out. Once you have confirmed you like the content and want to listen to more, you can unlock content either by watching ads (no payment necessary) or unlock by buying a coin bundle. You have multiple options,” explains the startup.
Genti Media compensates its creators, a policy that has attracted numerous Nigerian storytellers, particularly those speaking the country’s major languages, such as Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Cybercrime has a broader ripple effect, increasing business costs and deterring foreign investment. Strengthening technical and organizational capacity will be crucial to maintaining investor confidence and accelerating economic diversification.
The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has achieved remarkable milestones in 2024, including the recovery of ₦8,821,001,881.80, 115,237.91 USDT, and $84,000, a press release dated January 7 revealed. These funds, reclaimed from cybercriminal activities, have been returned to victims, reflecting the unit's commitment to justice and protecting citizens from digital fraud.
ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, reiterated the NPF's commitment to staying ahead of cybercriminals and enhancing Nigeria's cybersecurity framework to ensure a safer digital environment for all.
In the past year, the NPF-NCCC arrested over 751 cybercrime suspects and confiscated 685 devices used in illegal activities, including 467 mobile phones, 137 laptops, 46 routers, and four Starlink devices. Additional recoveries include 16 houses, 39 plots of land, 14 land documents, and 26 vehicles, the release revealed.
For its exceptional performance, the unit was named Africa's Best Cybercrime Unit for 2024 by INTERPOL's Cybercrime Directorate, outperforming units from 54 African nations. This prestigious accolade underscores the NPF-NCCC's dedication to combating cyber threats and enhancing digital security.
The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in safeguarding the digital space and urges citizens to practice cyber vigilance. Sharing sensitive information cautiously and fostering a culture of online responsibility are critical steps to reducing cyber threats.
Nigeria has been ranked as a Tier 3 "Establishing" country (score: 55–85) in the 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The GCI assesses countries on five pillars: legal measures, technical capabilities, organizational capacity, capacity building, and cooperation. The country scored 19.52 out of 20 in legal measures, reflecting the strength of its Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act of 2015, which supports prosecuting cybercriminals and securing digital transactions.
However, the Tier 3 ranking highlights gaps in technical capabilities, organizational capacity, and cooperation, revealing vulnerabilities in cybersecurity infrastructure. Limited resources for detecting and responding to threats leave critical sectors, such as banking and telecommunications, exposed to sophisticated attacks like ransomware. Broader enforcement and improved infrastructure are needed to strengthen the country’s defenses.
The recognition of the NPF-NCCC as Africa's Best Cybercrime Unit by INTERPOL is a testament to Nigeria’s capacity to tackle complex digital crimes. Historically, the country has faced criticism over weak law enforcement against cybercrime. This achievement marks a turning point, reinforcing global confidence in Nigeria’s commitment to cybersecurity.
Hikmatu Bilali
A trained accountant and industrial engineer, he is passionate about artificial intelligence (AI) and leverages this technology to help businesses streamline their operations.
Stephen de Goede (photo) is a South African entrepreneur with a background in technology. In 2023, he co-founded Qudu in 2023, a startup dedicated to democratizing access to generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) technologies across Africa. The company aims to provide businesses with significant competitive advantages through innovative and tailored solutions.
Qudu specializes in consulting and deploying GenAI technologies, helping businesses automate operational tasks so their teams can focus on more strategic initiatives. Its offerings include intelligent chatbots and custom AI solutions designed to meet the unique needs of each organization.
The company also provides customized training programs for teams, focusing on the practical application of AI. These programs are designed to equip employees with the skills needed to integrate AI into their daily workflows. With a methodical and incremental approach, Qudu supports its clients in implementing tailored AI solutions that address complex business challenges while maximizing efficiency.
Stephen de Goede graduated from Stellenbosch University, earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 2013 and another in industrial engineering in 2015. In 2020, he worked as an auditor at the American accounting firm Berdon LLP. He later joined Root, a software development company, where he served as a solutions engineer until 2023.
Melchior Koba
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The streaming market is dominated by American giants like Netflix, HBO, and Amazon Prime Video. In Senegal, Modou Lolly Sarr wants to create a solution of similar scale.
Wawaw is a digital platform offering streaming access to African cinematic content. Founded in Dakar in 2024 by Modou Lolly Sarr, the startup received a grant of XOF 7 million (approximately $11,000 USD) from Senegal's General Delegation for Women and Youth Entrepreneurship to support its growth.
“Becoming the leading streaming platform for African films, showcasing the best of African cinema, and enabling African filmmakers to share their stories with the world” is the startup's ambitious goal.
While Wawaw has yet to launch a mobile application, users can access its catalog of films by creating an account directly on the web platform. The library currently features a mix of Hollywood blockbusters and Senegalese and African productions. In 2024, the company actively pursued partnerships with African producers to better promote their work.
Beyond streaming, Wawaw aims to expand into film project booking and management and the modernization of production processes. To support this, the company plans to train 500 young cinema enthusiasts in collaboration with the Yennenga Center, teaching them the basics of production and how to use modern tools.
The startup also plans to invest in new equipment and eventually produce its own films, following in the footsteps of major platforms like Netflix, Crunchyroll, and AppleTV. For 2025, Wawaw intends to roll out an Android mobile app and enhance its web platform to improve user experience.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
He aims to help businesses boost their performance by providing customized WhatsApp solutions that enhance customer engagement.
Jonathan Elcock (photo) is a South African tech entrepreneur and the CEO/Cco-founder of rather.chat, a startup specializing in developing AI-powered chatbots.
Founded in 2017, rather.chat creates chatbots designed to help businesses of all sizes and sectors market their products, close sales, and interact with customers via WhatsApp. These chatbots can conduct conversations with potential clients while gathering essential information for the brands they represent.
The company aims to revolutionize how businesses communicate with their customers by strengthening relationships and expanding reach. To date, the rather.chat platform has facilitated interactions with over 15 million South Africans through its chatbots.
“Scaling sales and service is tough. I’ve lived through the headaches of trying to meet customer expectations using call centers, SMS and email automations. I eventually reached the conclusion ‘there had to be a better way’, that’s why I started rather.chat,” explains Jonathan.
The tech entrepreneur graduated from the University of Cape Town in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science. His career began in 2010 at Zestlife, a financial services provider, where he worked in product development. In 2013, he moved to the company’s call center operations department. From 2014 to 2017, he served as Head of Sales and Commerce at MiWayLife, a South African insurance company.
Melchior Koba
In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, African countries are modernizing their education systems. Integrating digital technologies is crucial for addressing current educational challenges and creating a more inclusive and accessible learning environment.
Gabon’s Council of Ministers on Sunday approved a draft ordinance aimed at digitizing the country’s education system.
The ordinance seeks to integrate digital technologies and educational platforms into teaching and learning methods, according to a government statement.
"The draft ordinance aims to strengthen the legal and regulatory framework governing the transformation of teaching and learning methods through the integration of digital technologies and educational platforms," the statement said. "This reform is all the more urgent as the COVID-19 health crisis highlighted the need to develop alternatives to in-person teaching."
This decision aligns with the government's ongoing efforts to modernize the education system. In December, the government launched an inter-ministerial partnership to connect schools to the internet.
The anticipated outcomes of the digitization initiative include greater resilience in the education system during crises, reduced inequalities between urban and rural areas, and the modernization of teaching practices. The reform is also expected to help train a skilled workforce to support the country's economic transformation.
Samira Njoya
The Congolese government is banking on international cooperation to accelerate its digital transformation. In November 2024, a memorandum of understanding was already signed with Poland to develop digital infrastructure.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Qatar are exploring ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector, among others. The issue was discussed during a meeting between Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi (photo, left) and Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (photo, right), on Sunday, January 5, during an official visit to the Middle Eastern nation.
This rapprochement comes as the Congolese government intensifies its efforts under its vision of making "Congolese digital technology a lever for integration, good governance, economic growth, and social progress." In 2024, the country ranked 41st out of 47 African nations in ICT development, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), with a score of 31 out of 100. Furthermore, official sources report that internet penetration in the DRC is at 30%, compared to about 50% for mobile telephony.
The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) ranked the DRC 175th out of 193 countries globally in e-government development in 2024, with a score of 0.2715 out of 1. This places the country below the regional averages for Central Africa (0.3354), Africa (0.4247), and the global average (0.6382).
Regarding cybersecurity, the ITU places the DRC in Tier 3, a category for countries that "demonstrate a basic commitment to cybersecurity through government-led actions, including assessment, establishment, or implementation of some generally accepted cybersecurity measures." The country faces significant challenges in areas such as technical measures, capacity building, and cooperation.
In contrast, Qatar boasts an ICT development score of 97.8 out of 100 and an e-government development score of 0.8244. The ITU also considers Qatar a global model in cybersecurity.
Strengthening collaboration with Qatar could provide the Congolese government with the support needed to develop its ICT sector and accelerate its digital transformation ambitions. However, the specific details of this partnership, including areas of intervention and implementation timelines, have yet to be defined. Moreover, no formal agreement has been signed or officially announced between the two parties at this time.
By Isaac K. Kassouwi
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji