News (1093)
Since October 2022, Nigeria has embarked on the development of a regulatory framework designed to foster the growth of innovative startups. A series of initiatives have been rolled out to support young companies and stimulate the local tech scene.
On Monday, April 15, Nigeria’s Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, officially inaugurated the national startup portal. The initiative is designed to stimulate the growth of startups and nurture tech talent in Nigeria.
Bosun Tijani, speaking about this initiative, stated, “The platform will also facilitate a consultative forum where issues affecting startups can be discussed and properly defined for action by the government and other stakeholders.”
The digital platform, which can be accessed at startup.gov.ng, offers numerous benefits to local startups. These include registration and labeling, as well as access to valuable knowledge and information resources crucial for their growth and success. Registering on the platform also opens up opportunities for young companies to receive financial support and tax breaks, among other benefits.
The launch of this platform aligns with the objectives of the Nigeria Startup Act, which was enacted in October 2022. This act stipulates the creation of an annual fund of 10 billion naira (approximately $8.6 million) to finance labeled startups through seed funds, grants, or loans.
Official figures reveal that since its inception in November, the new platform has registered 12,948 companies, 912 venture capital investors, 1,735 angel investors, and 925 incubators, accelerators, and hubs.
Samira Njoya
Connecting households to the Internet is crucial for African development as it enhances access to information, education, and economic opportunities, fostering inclusive growth and bridging digital disparities.
South Africa plans to provide internet access to 1.5 million households in rural areas and townships, by the end of the year, by deploying Wi-Fi hotspots. Mondli Gungubele (pictured), the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, announced the initiative during a media briefing in Pretoria on April 4.
“We are dedicated to bridging the digital divide by providing Wi-Fi access to communities and ensuring universal access to the internet. This year, we have connected over 740,000 households to the internet, enabled by the installation of 4,250 Wi-Fi hotspots,” said Mondli Gungubele.
This initiative, part of a broader plan to connect 5.5 million households over the next three to four years, seeks to bridge the digital divide and ensure universal access to the internet. The focus is on rural and township areas across South Africa, with particular attention given to reducing the cost of data and providing affordable internet access.
Additionally, efforts are underway to equip rural schools with internet connectivity and digital skills training through the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) Cyber Labs.
According to Minges (2016) in the World Development Report 2016: Digital Dividends by the World Bank, an enhancement of 10 percentage points in fixed broadband usage could lead to a rise in GDP growth by 1.21% in advanced economies and 1.38% in emerging economies. However, to accomplish this goal, it is imperative to ensure universal access to the Internet so that all individuals can contribute to generating this wealth.
Hikmatu Bilali
The ongoing digital transformation across the continent has already revolutionized everyday practices and instigated profound societal changes. Notably, the education sector, which holds significant importance, is also experiencing substantial reforms.
On April 15, in Algiers, Kamel Baddari, the Algerian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, unveiled plans for a new digital platform. This platform, designed to guide recent high school graduates, will leverage artificial intelligence to help students choose their future educational paths based on their academic records.
Baddari explained, “Graduates from the June 2024 session will have access to a digital platform designed to identify the fields and specialties that best align with their abilities and grades. This will be achieved using artificial intelligence techniques and data analysis.”
The new platform is part of a broader series of digital reforms recently initiated by the Ministry of Higher Education. These reforms have led to significant savings for the ministry, approximately 72 billion DA (around $53.4 million) in university catering costs and 640 million DA in university transportation from October to last March. The digitization process has thus allowed the ministry to streamline expenses and enhance service quality.
The Algerian government’s investment in this new guidance platform aims to reduce dropout rates, reorientation needs, and student dissatisfaction. The artificial intelligence incorporated into the platform will aid young people in making informed decisions about their university courses. The ultimate goal is to transform student life through precise post-baccalaureate guidance and the selection of a professional, customized curriculum. This will enable students to contribute to wealth creation and job opportunities, thereby adding value to the national economy.
Samira Njoya
As an entrepreneur, he aims to ensure that sensitive products such as vaccines are transported under the right conditions, from the pharmacy to the patient.
Christian Cédric Toe (photo), an engineer and entrepreneur from Burkina Faso, is the founder of Laafi Concepts. His company provides an all-encompassing solution for tracking the critical conditions of sensitive items such as vaccines and other pharmaceuticals throughout their supply and distribution chain.
Established in 2020, the startup aims to enhance the availability of health products, including vaccines, and bolster food safety across the continent. Central to its services is the Laafi Monitor, a device that enables customers to track the temperature, humidity, and light exposure of their products in real-time. With its customizable alert features, this tool offers reassurance by alerting users to any critical changes.
In addition to this, the startup has created Laafi Mobile, an app designed to monitor and manage the transport and storage conditions of sensitive products, thereby providing a comprehensive solution to its clients.
Laafi Concepts has benefited greatly from the strategic support of Orange. Christian Cédric Toe acknowledges, “Orange has been instrumental in helping us identify new markets, providing mentorship, and granting us access to its network of experts. This support has been pivotal in the development and marketing of our product.”
Laafi Concepts has set ambitious development goals. The entrepreneur shared with We Are Tech Africa, “We aim to standardize all our processes, enhance the accessibility of our products, increase our institutional customer base to 100 by 2025, develop new features for our solution, and expand our presence in new markets in Sub-Saharan Africa.”
Toe was invited to the World Electronics Forum in Morocco, which ran from Monday, April 15, to Thursday, April 18. This event provided him with the opportunity to network and collaborate with other business leaders.
Toe is an alumnus of the Polytechnic University of Bobo-Dioulasso, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and maintenance in 2013. Prior to founding Laafi Concepts, he introduced Laafi Bag, a refrigerating bag that can keep vaccines at the correct temperature for 90 hours. This innovative product, developed by his company Genuine Concept (2015-2020), won him the innovation award at the Rebranding Africa Awards in 2016.
Melchior Koba
Digital technologies are significantly revolutionizing agriculture, impacting every stage of the value chain from production to marketing. Therefore, it's crucial to focus on improving funding to facilitate this transformation.
Orange, in partnership with the European Union and the German Cooperation (GIZ), recently announced the launch of "DigiGreen & Agri," an ambitious project aimed at enhancing the use of digital technology in the cocoa sector in Côte d'Ivoire.
This ambitious partnership benefits from joint funding of 7.6 million euros and will be implemented over three years, with the main objective of creating jobs for youth in digital agriculture or e-agriculture. The focus is particularly on young people from rural areas, women, girls, and individuals with disabilities, through the Orange Digital Center in Côte d'Ivoire.
Jérôme Hénique, CEO of Orange Africa and Middle East, explains: “The Orange Digital Centers serve as crucial catalysts for this transformation, providing a free and open innovation ecosystem accessible to all, with a special focus on youth, women, and vulnerable individuals. Collectively, we are rising to the challenge of constructing an inclusive digital future that respects the environment, paving the way for a more sustainable and prosperous economy.”
The DigiGreen & Agri project is part of the efforts and the desire of the European Union to strengthen smart, clean, and secure links in the digital sector, one of the pillars of the Global Gateway Strategy. This strategy aims to mobilize up to 300 billion euros to develop international cooperation in the fields of digital technology, energy, and transportation.
In Côte d'Ivoire, the implementation of the new project should contribute to the improvement of professional skills, the promotion of entrepreneurship, and the modernization and innovation of sustainable agriculture sectors, low-carbon transition, and corporate social responsibility. The project will also contribute to the evolution of the cocoa sector, which accounts for 22% of the GDP and employs 50% of the active workforce, but receives only 5% of bank financing.
Samira Njoya
The upgrade of forensic laboratories in Africa enhances law enforcement's ability to effectively investigate crimes, gather crucial evidence, and ensure justice and security across the continent.
Mozambique has unveiled a digital forensic laboratory to bolster the country’s ability to gather crucial evidence for criminal investigations and legal proceedings. This initiative, supported by China, was announced last Thursday April 11 at an inauguration ceremony.
“The new laboratory will enhance Mozambique's capacity to produce evidence crucial for criminal investigations and legal proceedings,” said Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda.
The upgraded laboratory, part of the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC)’s modernization efforts, equips law enforcement with specialized tools to combat technologically facilitated crimes, reinforcing Mozambique's evidence-gathering capacity and enhancing public security.
In a timely development, Mozambique establishes a laboratory to address a range of crimes, with human trafficking being a major concern, as highlighted in the Africa Organized Crime Index Report 2023.
The new laboratory will help in addressing various complex crimes, while contributing to bilateral cooperation and peace promotion between Mozambique and China.
Hikmatu Bilali
Digital transformation is at the core of the Burkinabe government's development programs. Ouagadougou is seeking the World Bank's assistance to meet the objectives of its digital strategy in the coming years.
Burkina Faso is seeking parliamentary approval for a $150 million loan from the International Development Association (IDA) to fund the Digital Transformation Acceleration Project (PACTDIGITAL). The cabinet, meeting on Thursday, April 11 in Ouagadougou, authorized this bill's submission to the Transitional Legislative Assembly for ratification.
PACTDIGITAL aims to enhance access to infrastructure, public services, and digital skills in Burkina Faso. It follows the recently concluded West African Regional Communications Infrastructure Project (PRICAO-BF) and the e-Burkina project. It will build on their achievements to develop a foundation for further digital initiatives.
The funding provided by the IDA, a World Bank institution, will be used to expand broadband access in underserved and poorly served areas, improve the availability and accessibility of digital public services, and enhance the digital skills of project beneficiaries (new digital public services in targeted sectors such as education, health, employment, etc.).
The primary beneficiaries include women, youth, people with disabilities, displaced persons, host communities, public employees (civil servants, teachers, and trainers), private businesses, formal and informal training institutes, local incubators, and associations.
The decisions made during the cabinet meeting underscore the transitional government's commitment to steering Burkina Faso toward sustainable and inclusive development.
Samira Njoya
As space technologies become increasingly vital for sustainable development in Africa, more countries are strengthening their space programs to leverage the benefits of space technologies in their national goals.
TRL Space Rwanda, a branch of a Czech-based space company, in collaboration with the Rwanda Space Agency (RSA) announces plans to invest in strengthening local capabilities for nanosatellite technology development, focusing on constellations orbiting near the equator. The TRL's ambition was announced during Czech President Petr Pavel’s visit to Rwanda for the 30th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi on April 6.
The investment and satellite mission have already begun, with the first phase dedicated to the agriculture sector in Rwanda. “Our intention is not just to deliver these technologies to Rwanda. We bring added value to the region. Our goal is to introduce new space technologies that increase the economic and living standards of the entire region,” TRL Space CEO, Petr Kapoun, revealed.
According to Space in Africa's annual report on African space activities, Space exploration is closely tied to the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union's Agenda 2063. As African nations increase their engagement in space activities, they prioritize applications like Earth observation and initiatives for digital accessibility, crucial for sustainable progress.
The initiative aims to introduce new space technologies to increase the economic and living standards of the region. TRL Space Rwanda seeks to collaborate with the government, universities, and research organizations to explore space depths and leverage satellite data for various sectors such as agriculture, mining, and disaster management, aligning with Rwanda's ambition to create a vibrant space ecosystem for socio-economic development.
Hikmatu Bilali
The Mauritian government has unveiled a series of ambitious measures aimed at fast-tracking the country's digital integration and development. The initiative seeks to boost socio-economic growth by focusing on key sectors such as education.
In Mauritius, secondary schools will the Google Classroom learning platform starting the next second term, the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, Science, and Technology recently announced. The move is part of an effort to enhance the online teaching experience and practices within the nation's schools.
"Google Classroom will be rolled out from the second term of the 2024 academic year. A comprehensive briefing session will be held for headmasters, and clear protocols and guidelines will be established. Training sessions will also be arranged for educators to optimize the use of Google Classroom," the ministry stated.
This initiative is a key component of the national "Digital Mauritius 2030" strategy, which aims to digitize the country's key sectors, including education. The strategy also includes providing internet connectivity in primary and secondary schools, introducing children to computers, and specifically coding, from an early age. To support this, the government launched a tablet distribution project in 2014.
For the implementation of Google Classroom, Google accounts will be created for both students and their parents. Teachers will be able to create engaging learning experiences that they can customize, manage, and assess. The entirely free application will also help manage classroom assignments, organize homework, enhance collaboration, and improve communication.
Samira Njoya
Financial inclusion has become a key priority for governments and financial regulators across Africa, with a particular emphasis on central banks. Initiatives are being implemented to improve access to financial services for a greater number of people.
Algeria's mobile payment interoperability project is nearing completion and should be activated this year, according to Assia Benchabla Queiroz, administrator of the payment systems group GIE Monetique. She recently spoke to Algérie Presse Service, Algeria’s state-owned news agency, about the project’s goal to ease transactions between users of various mobile money operators and enhance access to financial services.
“We are well advanced in the deployment of mobile payment (m-payment). The GIE monétique has specified its operating scheme, and each bank is expected to acquire its solution,” Queiroz stated.
To achieve that goal, mobile payment stakeholders will need to collaborate closely to establish common standards and protocols. They will also need to connect to a switch crucial for the smooth management of mobile payment flow across a platform. This initiative will allow users to conduct transactions even between customers of different banks, thereby promoting the widespread adoption of mobile payments for purchases and account-to-account transfers.
The project is part of the government's action plan to modernize the banking and financial system and increase its attractiveness and efficiency to enhance its contribution to economic recovery. Its implementation is expected to enable seamless communication among various payment service providers, paving the way for transparent transactions across different platforms, irrespective of the service provider used.
This progress will ease the use of mobile payment, particularly for making purchases using QR codes and conducting account-to-account transfers.
Samira Njoya
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The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of institutions and businesses adopting new technologies to improve their efficiency and competitiveness. However, many challenges remain, and not all countries are progressing at the same pace.
Despite an 8.21% growth, sub-Saharan Africa continues to be one of the regions with the lowest business digitalization rates worldwide. As of December 2022, only 27.65% of businesses had adopted digital solutions to enhance their efficiency, a slight increase from 19.44% in August 2020. In stark contrast, East Asia witnessed the most significant growth, with its digitalization rate soaring from 13% in 2020 to 54% in 2022, marking a 41% increase.
The World Bank, in its report “Global Digitalization in 10 Charts” published on March 5, attributed the slow adoption of digital solutions in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to the low usage of computers and the internet. The report further highlighted the lack of skills, poor adherence to stringent cybersecurity and data protection regulations, and inadequate awareness of digitalization challenges among businesses as contributing factors.
The World Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) disclosed that less than 7% of micro-businesses in sub-Saharan Africa use digital technologies, such as smartphones and computers, for their operations, while 71% believe they are unnecessary.
A study conducted in seven African countries and published in April 2023 revealed that of these 71%, approximately 35% claimed they lacked the knowledge to use these technologies. This underscores a digital skills gap that needs to be addressed or the need for digital entrepreneurs to develop technologies that align with existing skill levels. The remaining 35% cited cost as a barrier to technology adoption.
As African countries progressively step into the fourth industrial revolution, businesses must integrate digital solutions into their core strategies. Digital skills have become vital to nurture and maintain business activities in a rapidly evolving competitive landscape. This vision aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which emphasizes that accelerating digital transformation must infiltrate all economic sectors to sustainably bolster the growth of African countries.
Samira Njoya
Like many African countries, Burkina Faso is accelerating its digital transformation, affecting various sectors of activity. In the education sector, the country has decided to join forces with several universities, including Russia's Synergy University.
On Monday, April 8, Burkina Faso’s Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, Adjima Thiombiano, welcomed a delegation from Moscow’s Synergy University, led by Denis Bondgreuskiy. The Russian university aims to share its expertise in digital sciences with Burkina Faso.
“Synergy is a university that has built its education on the digital science system, and we would like to share this experience with Burkina Faso in terms of new technologies and science,” Bondgreuskiy said. The officials discussed many topics, including the educational systems of both countries and the significance of digital sciences in education.
The visit is part of a memorandum of understanding signed between Burkina Faso and Russia in various sectors, including higher education, last June. In December 2023, Synergy University President Vadim Lobov met with Burkina Faso’s Prime Minister, Apollinaire Joachimson Kyélèm de Tambèla, to discuss potential collaboration between the Russian university and Burkina Faso.
According to the “Measuring Digital Development: The ICT Development Index 2023” report published by the International Telecommunication Union in December 2023, Burkina Faso scored 28.5 out of 100 on the information and communication technology development index, ranking 40th in Africa. This score surpasses Madagascar’s 26.4 but falls short of DR Congo’s 29.1 in a ranking led by Morocco with 85.1.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
In a bid to enhance tax services management, tax authorities have invested in a new digital solution. It will replace the existing E-tax portal.
On Monday 8 April in Libreville, Gabon's tax authority inaugurated the "Digitax Gabon," a platform designed to simplify the collection of corporate tax revenues. The initiative mainly aims to optimize tax management and improve relations between taxpayers and the tax authorities. The launch ceremony was attended by Minister of Economy Mays Mouissi, Minister of Public Accounts Charles M'Ba, and Minister of Communication Laurence Ndong.
"This initiative, supported by the General Directorate of Taxes (DGI), aims to revolutionize tax management in Gabon by digitalizing administrative procedures. Digitax Gabon represents a major shift in the modernization of Gabon's tax administration. This innovative platform will enable the integrated management of all tax processes, including the management of the tax base, tax collection, tax auditing, the handling of disputes, and the remote payment of taxes," explained the tax authorities.
The new platform is in line with the public administration modernization drive initiated by Gabonese authorities in 2021, with the rollout of a plan to transform the economy. The country has since undertaken several initiatives to remain at the forefront of the technological revolution underway on the continent. Last January, Gabon secured a $68.5 million loan from the World Bank to accelerate its digital transformation through the "Digital Gabon" project.
For the September 2023- February 2024 period, the Ministry of the Economy’s tax collection target was XAF419.5 billion (around ‘686.3 million) but the actual collection stood at XAF560 billion.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Algeria is stepping up initiatives to implement its "paperless" strategy to achieve a successful transition to paperless administration by 2029.
The Algerian education sector will undergo a series of digital reforms starting from the 2024-2025 school year, Education Minister Abdelhakim Belabed announced on Monday, April 8, during a working visit to Mostaganem.
“The next school year will mark an unprecedented new digital era, following the complete digitization of all pedagogical, educational, administrative, and organizational operations in the education sector,” Belabed said.
The announced reforms include distance enrolment, particularly for the first year of primary school, set to launch on May 2, as well as guidance mechanisms and other programs to be announced shortly. The aim is to eliminate the need for parents to travel to school.
These reforms align with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s instructions to speed up the digitization process in key sectors, including education. In a national address in late December 2023, Tebboune spoke of completing the first phase of the digitization project by mid-2024.
The education sector, which is receiving special attention, will see ongoing digitization in areas such as re-registration, reorientation, and the use of school documents, which will be exclusively available on the Ministry’s digital platform. Additionally, 1,200 new schools will be equipped with electronic tablets.
Samira Njoya