On September 2, the Egyptian government called on Indonesian companies to invest in the country’s burgeoning tech sector, particularly in data centers and digitalization. This move is part of Egypt’s broader strategy to accelerate its digital transformation.
On September 6, the Egyptian Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) signed a memorandum of understanding with China's state-owned Tsinghua Unigroup. The collaboration aims to establish a $300 million fund to facilitate Chinese investments in Egypt’s tech sector.
Under the agreement, Tsinghua Unigroup and its subsidiaries will provide 60 to 70% of the fund’s capital. While the specific areas of investment were not disclosed, the agreement includes plans to build a data center, establish a research and development center for chip and system design, and develop an AI-based Arabic language model.
This initiative aligns with Egypt’s goal to attract foreign investment to boost its technology sector. In December 2023, Egypt signed an MoU with the United Arab Emirates to build data centers with a combined capacity of up to 1,000 megawatts. Additionally, Telecom Egypt secured a $600 million fiber optic investment from 4iG Group. During the 2nd Indonesia-Africa Forum on September 2, Egypt also invited Indonesian companies to invest in data centers and digitalization projects.
These investments are set to support Egypt's "Digital Egypt 2030" strategy, which aims to advance the country’s ICT sector and modernize its telecom infrastructure, positioning digital technology as a driver of socioeconomic development.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
Tunisian startup Wattnow has closed a multi-million dollar funding round led by Lateral Frontiers and 216 Capital, with support from Outlierz Ventures, Satgana, Octerra Capital, and angel investors like Karim Beguir.
Wattnow provides AI-powered, IoT-based energy management systems to help businesses optimize energy use, cut costs, and reduce emissions.
The company plans to use the new funds to expand globally, enhance its technology, and further sustainability efforts.
Designed to foster knowledge-sharing and collaboration among entrepreneurs and professionals throughout Africa, it allows paid virtual sessions with various experts.
Entourage, a digital platform developed by a Beninese startup, allows entrepreneurs and professionals to book paid virtual sessions with experts across various sectors in Africa.
Launched in September 2024 by Raodath Aminou, the platform has already attracted more than 500 users. "In African environments, access to knowledge remains limited because the culture of sharing is still underdeveloped. It's essential to overcome these challenges to broaden the dissemination of knowledge and contribute to building a more prosperous Africa," said Raodath Aminou.
Unlike many modern solutions, Entourage doesn't have a mobile app. Users visit the web platform to explore expert profiles and book sessions. Experts are categorized into business development, career development, and sectoral insights.
During these virtual sessions, users can discuss a variety of topics with their chosen experts to find quick solutions to their challenges. Professionals can explore career options, seek guidance based on their qualifications, skills, aspirations, and experiences. Entrepreneurs, on the other hand, can receive valuable advice on growing their businesses or launching new projects. Entourage offers session lengths of 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes.
A key feature of the booking process is that users provide the expert with sample questions in advance, helping the expert better understand the client's expectations. After booking, both parties receive a confirmation email with all the relevant details, followed by a reminder email the day before the session. At the end of the coaching session, both the user and the expert rate each other.
Stanislas Zézé, CEO of Bloomfield Investment Corporation and one of Entourage's featured experts, emphasized the importance of mentorship: "Mentorship is essential to guide young entrepreneurs because those who have already started businesses better understand the challenges of the business world."
Adoni Conrad Quenum
He envisions a connected and sustainable future for Africa. By harnessing the power of the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence, he aims to bring energy and internet access to every Nigerian.
Osumune Michael, a materials and metallurgical engineer, is the founder and CEO of Moon Innovations, a startup providing smart and sustainable energy solutions for Africa.
Founded in 2016, Moon Innovations leverages solar technology, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing to offer an all-in-one system that delivers electricity, internet access, and security surveillance. The company's "Solar Smart Inverter" integrates cloud storage for surveillance feeds.
According to Osumune Michael, Moon Innovations focuses on designing and manufacturing an intelligent solar inverter system that combines wireless internet, security monitoring, and solar power. "The system can be controlled and monitored remotely via a mobile app," he explains.
Michael graduated from the Federal University of Technology Owerri in 2011 with a bachelor's degree in materials and metallurgical engineering. After his studies, he worked as a materials engineer at Dunis Global Services, a local company providing engineering, construction, and procurement services, from 2015 to 2016.
In 2022-2023, he participated in the Orange Corners innovation program, where he received training in entrepreneurship. Moon Innovations was also a finalist in the Africa IoT & AI Challenge 2024, a regional competition recognizing entrepreneurs with innovative ideas in IoT, AI, and related technologies.
Melchior Koba
Nigeria is projected to need nearly 28 million skilled workers with digital expertise by 2030, according to the World Bank. To address this growing demand across various sectors, the government has implemented multiple training initiatives.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has launched the first phase of its "Digital Literacy for All" (DL4ALL) program, targeting the Nigerian informal sector.
In a social media post on Saturday, the agency announced the partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to equip citizens from all 774 local government areas with basic digital skills.
The DL4ALL program aims to increase digital literacy rates to 70% by 2027. It aligns with NITDA's "Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2024-2027" (SRAP 2.0), which seeks to promote digital transformation and empower Nigerians through technology.
This initial phase will cover twelve states, including the Federal Capital Territory and the states of Kebbi, Jigawa, Yobe, Gombe, Kwara, Ekiti, Osun, Cross River, Bayelsa, Abia, and Ebonyi.
The launch comes at a time of growing demand for digital skills in Sub-Saharan Africa. According to a 2021 World Bank report, Nigeria's workforce will need approximately 28 million digitally skilled workers by 2030.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Social media is a daily staple, but it also poses complex ethical dilemmas. Balancing free speech with the fight against misinformation, hate speech, and harassment is a critical challenge.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has begun talks with a Chinese company to implement a social media surveillance system. The agreement was signed on Wednesday by Augustin Kibassa Maliba, the DRC’s Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy during the China-Africa Cooperation Forum.
While details are limited on the specifics of that agreement, the government likely aims to regulate online content in response to disinformation, hate speech, and other harmful activities. The DRC's current sociopolitical climate, including armed conflict and tensions with Rwanda, has created fertile ground for misinformation.
According to an analysis by the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA), this “information war” is having severe impacts on national cohersion.
According to DataReportal, the DRC had 6.45 million active social media users as of January 2024, a growth of 37.2% from the previous year. Of these users, 37.2% were women and 62.8% were men. Facebook was the dominant platform, followed by TikTok (4.44 million users), Facebook Messenger (1.15 million), Instagram (670,000), LinkedIn (620,000), and X (formerly Twitter, 253,000). This growing user base has raised the stakes for managing the flow of information online in the DRC.
In an era where data is a valuable resource, public trust in government and private sector data handling is essential. Building effective data protection frameworks enhances transparency and accountability, which are vital for increasing citizen engagement in digital services and governance.
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) recently welcomed a delegation from Somalia's Data Protection Authority on a study tour, NDPC announced on September 3. The delegation aims to explore Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem and learn from its innovative models.
National Commissioner and CEO of the NDPC Vincent Olatunji emphasized the growing importance of independent data protection authorities in the digital era. He also highlighted the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model adopted by the NDPC and outlined the commission's strategic roadmap for strengthening data privacy and protection in Nigeria.
The study tour covered a wide range of topics, including Nigeria's data protection laws, enforcement mechanisms, compliance frameworks, and efforts to raise public awareness of the importance of data security.
The Somali Ambassador underscored the need for knowledge exchange between the two nations. He noted Somalia's keen interest in learning from Nigeria’s experiences in data protection, particularly in legislation, enforcement, and compliance.
Somalia's digital ecosystem, while still in early development, is gradually advancing, with efforts like the Somalia Data Protection Act of 2023 which came into effect on March 23, 2023, with the signing of Law No. 005 of 2023 to fill critical regulatory gaps.
This initiative aligns with the country's growing focus on data governance and is a significant step in its digital transformation. It will play a key role in enhancing digital literacy, governance, and engagement in global digital markets.
Hikmatu Bilali
Africa has the youngest population in the world, with nearly 60% of its people under 25. Investing in educational technology and equipping young Africans with digital skills are essential for the future workforce. This guarantees that they will become prepared for jobs in the new economy.
Zambia has sought collaboration with Egypt and Malaysia to integrate digital technology into its education system nationwide, announced a press release dated September 4. This was during a Bilateral meeting with Egypt's Minister of Education, Mohamed Abdel Latif, on the sidelines of UNESCO's Digital Learning Week in Paris.
Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary, Noriana Muneku, emphasized Zambia's political commitment, saying: “It’s important to leverage partnerships with countries like Egypt, which have successfully navigated similar challenges. As Zambia prepares to pilot educational technology initiatives alongside five other countries under the Southern African Development Community, this collaboration is timely.”
In a separate meeting, Muneku also engaged Malaysia's Minister of Education, Fadhlina Sidek, outlining Zambia's interest in forming a meaningful partnership to further integrate technology into schools.
Recognizing the need for digital transformation in various strategic sectors, Zambia has launched the National Digital Transformation Strategy 2023–2027. In the education sector, several initiatives aim to enhance digital literacy and skills across all levels. The government has introduced an ICT curriculum in secondary schools to develop citizens' skills and capacity. Additionally, a center of excellence has been established at the Zambia University of Technology to support the growth of ICT professionals.
Many higher education institutions now offer ICT-related training, and the ICT Association of Zambia (ICTAZ) was created to regulate the conduct of ICT professionals. Digital equipment has also been introduced in some schools.
This development is seen as a crucial step toward modernizing Zambia's education system and enhancing digital literacy among students.
Hikmatu Bilali
He aims to make quality education accessible to all. Through his technology platform and school, he offers a wide range of courses covering various areas of the digital world.
Mohammed Mouzaoui, an Algerian computer scientist and entrepreneur, is the founder and CEO of KhadMoney, a startup that aims to revolutionize education by offering a seamless and engaging learning experience. Established in 2023, KhadMoney's mission is to promote education, expand students' networks, and support them in their professional projects. With a rapidly growing community of students and trainers, the startup offers a broad range of courses designed to enhance learners' personal and professional development.
KhadMoney’s journey began in 2022 as a summer school, where Mohammed and his team trained over 1,500 students in fields such as web development, artificial intelligence, and graphic design. The success of this initiative inspired the launch of KhadMoney as a full-fledged startup.
Today, KhadMoney operates both an in-person school in Bab Ezzouar, Algeria, and an online platform that offers courses via Google Meet. The startup provides training in areas like computer development, marketing, design, languages, business, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence.
Before founding KhadMoney, Mohammed co-founded Qualified Algerian Workers Services (QAWS) in 2017, a service company for individuals and businesses, where he served as director until 2023. In 2019, he also co-founded GDG Mostaganem, a Google Developer Group in Mostaganem, Algeria.
Mohammed holds an engineering degree in computer science from the National School of Computer Science in Algeria, earned in 2020. During his studies, he served as president of the university’s Club Vert, an environmental protection association. From 2020 to 2023, he worked as a business analyst for ERENAV, a maritime company based in Algeria.
Melchior Koba
Since 2018, Comoros has prioritized digital transformation to modernize its economy. This ambitious goal requires substantial investment to fuel technological innovation and boost competitiveness.
The Comorian government will receive financial support from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to bolster its digital economy. The financial support, negotiated during a virtual session between the AfDB and Comorian officials on September 2, will come through the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Transition Support Facility (TSF) for the Digital Economy Support Project (PADEC).
According to the National Digital Development Agency, discussions focused on the evaluation report for PADEC, the protocols for the ADF and TSF grants, and corresponding disbursement letters. "After review, both delegations approved the various instruments, pending a few minor adjustments. This key step now brings the project to its final stage before approval by the AfDB’s board of directors," the agency stated.
The initiative aligns with the Comorian government's "Comoros Emerging 2030" and "Digital Comoros 2028" strategies launched in 2018 to harness the potential of ICT for economic development. Despite its efforts, Comoros still lags behind in terms of ICT development. In a December 2023 report, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) ranked the country 25th in Africa with a score of 46.5, below the continental average of 47.4.
The AfDB’s financial support will enable several key initiatives under PADEC, including the digitalization of public services, enhancement of the legal and institutional framework for digital technologies, the creation of a data center and digital incubator, and the expansion of connectivity coverage across the Comorian archipelago.
Samira Njoya
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A computer scientist by traning, he leverages his skills to benefit both Moroccan businesses and citizens. He created a high-definition map of Morocco, allowing for virtual tours of all its cities.
Marouane Lamharzi Alaoui, a Moroccan computer scientist and tech entrepreneur, is the founder and CEO of Carte.ma, a platform offering street view services in Morocco. Established in 2014, Carte.ma provides high-definition panoramic images of Moroccan streets, catering to various professional needs. The startup operates a fleet of vehicles equipped with georeferenced cameras, enabling the efficient documentation of large areas at a low cost.
Between 2015 and 2016, Carte.ma mapped over 10,000 kilometers of public roads in 5 to 7 Moroccan cities. Today, the company has generated more than a million panoramas, covering 104,000 kilometers of roads at 5-meter intervals. This extensive coverage allows users to virtually tour cities across Morocco and discover points of interest.
Marouane holds a state engineering degree in computer science, earned in 2009 from the École Nationale Supérieure des Mines in Rabat. During his studies, he interned at Morocco’s Directorate of Hydraulic Developments in 2007 and the Ministry of Energy, Mines, Water, and Environment in 2008.
His professional career began at Dyar Al Mansour, a subsidiary of the Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion (CDG), where he worked as a development engineer from 2008 to 2009. He later joined Netik, a digital marketing and consulting agency, before becoming a support engineer and consultant in Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) at Percall Développement, a French IT engineering firm, where he worked until 2014.
Melchior Koba
Launched in 2017, the solution aims to facilitate economic exchanges between Niger and its neighboring countries.
MyNita is a fintech solution developed by Niger Transfert d’Argent (Nita). It enables users to perform money transfers, payments, and bank transactions. Founded in 2017, the company is headquartered in Niamey, Niger, and is led by CEO Mahatan Cheferou.
The platform features a mobile application available on both iOS and Android, with over 100,000 downloads on the Play Store. Users can create an account by providing their personal information, a crucial step since the app was certified compliant with the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) regulations in May.
"NITA has implemented a robust client identification system, which is a key requirement of the BCEAO for all financial institutions operating in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) zone. This system ensures not only security but also integrity and transparency in financial transactions," according to the company’s press release.
Once registered, users can access a variety of services, including bill payments, purchasing goods within Niger, and buying airtime from telecom operators. For money transfers, users can send funds to another MyNita user or to individuals without an account. Recipients without the app can withdraw funds from a Nita agency using the transaction reference number.
The app’s dashboard allows users to track all transactions, giving them full visibility of their digital wallet activities. Transfer fees vary by country and city, and the app provides access to a list of Nita agencies within the WAEMU region, where MyNita is operational.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
In the context of digital transformation, African countries have long prioritized high-speed connectivity. However, with the numerous challenges inherent to the digital economy, attention is now shifting towards new areas, including digital sovereignty.
Kenya’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Authority announced on Wednesday, 4 September, the signing of a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kenya Network Information Center (KeNIC). The MoU focuses on promoting national digital standards, enhancing the .ke domain name, and training ICT Authority staff on the Domain Name System (DNS) ecosystem and Domain Name System Security (DNSSEC).
Stanley Kamanguya, CEO of the ICT Authority, stated that “this MoU will help us address key issues as we progress in the era of digital transformation, particularly focusing on the training and reskilling of our staff, as well as enhancing digital governance.”
In Kenya, the government has been steadily advancing its digital transformation agenda for nearly two decades. While much of the focus has been on building infrastructure to enhance internet connectivity, efforts have also extended into other key areas. One such initiative is the promotion of the .ke domain, to increase its adoption to elevate Kenya's international visibility and establish a stronger digital identity on the global stage.
According to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) in its statistical report on the national telecoms and digital market, for the first quarter of 2024, 108,338 domain names were registered. Of these, 84.8% were held by businesses, accounting for 91,818 domain names, while government institutions used 752 domain names.
For KeNIC, effectively equipping ICT Authority staff on matters related to the national domain name is a step towards creating a secure local cyberspace that supports the activities of various digital users in the country.
Hikmatu Bilali
Digital transformation is rapidly reshaping Africa, affecting industries across the board. As the continent adopts innovative technologies to fuel its progress, preserving data has become a pressing concern.
Burkina Faso is gearing up to launch BurkinOS, a custom-built open-source operating system designed to meet the specific needs of its national public administration. In preparation for its rollout, the Ministry of Digital Transition, Posts, and Electronic Communications held a training session on Wednesday, September 4, for secretaries and office staff from various government departments.
"The participants received technical training on using and installing BurkinOS and the LibreOffice suite on their workstations. By opting for free and open-source solutions, Burkina Faso is strengthening its technological autonomy with more reliable, secure, and contemporary solutions," the General Directorate of Digital Transformation explained in a statement.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize public administration in Burkina Faso and increase the adoption of electronic services. The goal is to enhance administrative efficiency and responsiveness.
The BurkinOS system, which is expected to be deployed shortly, will offer several key benefits to public administration. In addition to providing complete control over administrative computers and ensuring data security, it will enable centralized management of updates and configurations, streamlining IT system administration. BurkinOS will also promote better interoperability with other national systems, improving the efficiency of information exchange and administrative processes.
Samira Njoya