5G, the latest generation of cellular networks, is steadily making its way across Africa, promising faster speeds and lower latency compared to previous generations. Tunisia is poised to become the next country to offer 5G services to its citizens and businesses.
The Tunisian Ministry of Communication Technologies announced on Sunday, June 30, the launch of a call for tenders for the allocation of 5G operating licenses. Telecom operators interested in providing commercial fifth-generation technology in Tunisia must submit their applications to the ministry between July 3 and September 2.
The call for tenders follows the approval of the 5G launch roadmap by the government on June 13. According to this roadmap, each Tunisian telecom operator will be entitled to 5 MHz duplex in the 700 MHz band and 100 MHz (TDD) in the 3.5 GHz band. Three blocks of 20 MHz will be available upon request by the operators. Additional 5G frequency bands will be announced in later deployment phases. The license will be valid for 15 years, with its cost yet to be disclosed.
According to the ministry, the deployment of 5G is part of "the Tunisian state's strategy for the digital development of the national territory, aiming to develop digital infrastructure and generalize very high-speed coverage throughout the national territory." The government also aims to accelerate the digitization of the administration, secure the national cyberspace, ensure digital sovereignty, and establish a climate of digital trust essential for the realization of digitization projects.
5G is expected to facilitate new applications of mobile technology. In a public consultation on ultra-high-speed broadband conducted by the National Telecommunications Authority (INT) in 2021, the Internet service provider Conect Tunisia indicated that the performance of 5G technology could support the development of the following use cases: IoT (Industry 4.0, Agriculture 3.0, Smart Homes, Smart Cities), video streaming in automotive vehicles, data exchanges during major sporting and cultural events, self-guided vehicles, and online gaming.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
Cybersecurity has become a significant concern for African countries in recent years. As African nations actively participate in the global technological revolution, they have also become increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats. The ongoing digital transformation across the continent has exposed the weaknesses and vulnerabilities present in Africa's cyberspace.
On Monday, July 1, Russian multinational information security company Kaspersky offered four recommendations to protect against online fraudsters in West Africa (commonly known as "brouteurs"). The recommendations include generating complex passwords, being wary of suspicious SMS messages, looking for the padlock symbol on websites, and downloading applications from reliable sources.
These recommendations follow a study conducted by the Russian cybersecurity firm in January 2024, surveying 200 people on mobile phone usage in West Africa. The study highlights the growing threats posed by "brouteurs," whose activities severely undermine digital trust and security in the region. Their scams range from social media impersonation, fake loans and scholarships, online purchases, and counterfeiting, to contests and competitions, as well as health and beauty scams, webcam schemes, and remote access frauds.
"With increasing Internet access in West Africa, online security is becoming a concern for local populations. In Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal, 46% of the population connects to the Internet daily, approximately 9.6 million users. [...] 50.5% of Ivorians and Senegalese use their mobile phones daily for professional and personal needs. Social networks are used by 87.7% of users, followed by video calls (68.1%) and geolocation applications (60.8%)," noted Kaspersky.
According to Kaspersky, increased connectivity exposes users to various cybercrime risks, including romance scams that exploit social media and communication platforms. These scams caused over $1.3 billion in global losses between 2017 and 2022, with an average loss of $4,400 per victim, according to Interpol.
In Africa, cybersecurity issues are still rarely addressed at the national level due to a lack of skills or infrastructure. According to the 2020 edition of the "Global Cybersecurity Index" report published by the International Telecommunication Union, the cybersecurity indices of Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal were 67.82 (11th place) and 35.85 (18th place) respectively. Several countries in the region, such as Mali (10.14), Niger (11.36), and Guinea (20.53), are more vulnerable.
However, authorities in various countries are increasingly taking measures to secure their cyberspace. They are implementing national cybersecurity strategies, establishing national computer incident response teams, and joining conventions such as the Malabo Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection and the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
He is an expert in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Leveraging his knowledge and skills in these cutting-edge technologies, he assists farmers in optimizing their operations and boosting their profitability.
Adamou Nchange Kouotou, a Cameroonian computer scientist and entrepreneur, is the founder and CEO of Agrix Tech, a tech startup he established in 2018 that automates the process of analyzing technical and financial risks for small-scale farmers.
Agrix Tech provides farmers with comprehensive solutions, including financing, agricultural inputs, advice, insurance, and market access. The company optimizes and monitors farms for high yields using machine learning and satellite data, thereby facilitating better credit decisions for financial institutions. In 2019, the company received the President's Special Award in the digital sector.
"At Agrix Tech, we develop artificial intelligence that instantly equips small, on-the-job trained farmers with skills to prevent, detect, and treat crop diseases. Thus, small farmers, who make up 80% of farmers in Africa, can increase their farm yields and consequently their income," explained Adamou Nchange Kouotou in 2019.
Before founding Agrix Tech, Adamou Nchange Kouotou co-founded the IT company Nabla in 2011. He graduated from the University of Yaoundé 1 with a master's degree in physics in 2006 and a master's degree in telecommunication engineering in 2008. He also holds an MBA obtained in 2019 from the European School of Management and Technology (ESMT) in Berlin, Germany.
His professional career began in 2009 at ZTE Corporation as an after-sales engineer. In 2010, he joined Huawei Cameroon as a field maintenance manager. In 2013, he became a Service Level Agreement (SLA) manager at IHS Towers, a communications infrastructure developer. From 2019 to 2023, he served as the regional head of governance and compliance at Allianz Africa, a non-banking financial services company.
Melchior Koba
He leverages digital technology to enhance business efficiency. Through his company, Itwe Solutions, he has already supported numerous projects with dozens of clients satisfied.
Namureba Abel, a Ugandan accountant and technology entrepreneur, is the founder and CEO of Itwe Solutions, an IT company that helps businesses grow through digital technology. Founded in 2022, Itwe Solutions specializes in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, the Internet of Things, and blockchain to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and security of its clients. The company provides advice and guidance on digital transformation and innovation.
Itwe Solutions assists businesses in adopting digital technologies and improving their operational efficiency. It utilizes data analytics tools to provide valuable insights, enabling companies to make better decisions and improve their performance. The startup has already completed several projects and helped around fifty clients.
Namureba Abel graduated from Uganda Christian University in 2018 with a bachelor's degree in accounting and finance. He began his professional career in 2017 as an intern at the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA). In 2019, he became a junior associate at Standard Chartered Bank Uganda, while also volunteering for the cryptocurrency exchange platform Binance. Later that year, he joined the fintech startup Yellow Card App, where he worked as a country director until February 2024. In 2020, he also took on the role of customer support and compliance officer at URA.
Melchior Koba
He aims to revolutionize the job market in his country and across Africa. By facilitating the connection between service providers and clients, he significantly simplifies the hiring process.
Julius David Wambogo is a trained journalist, communication expert, and entrepreneur from Tanzania. He is the founder of Mchongoo, a company offering various job opportunities for Africans.
Founded in 2021, Mchongoo connects service providers with job seekers in Tanzania. It offers several services and tools to support its users. For instance, it provides a lead generation tool that directly connects service providers with potential clients, simplifying the hiring process.
Mchongoo also offers a booking and scheduling system. This system allows users to make appointments, receive confirmations and automated reminders, and modify bookings. The platform's geolocation services help users find nearby providers, ensuring quick access to services, especially in emergencies.
For service requests, Mchongoo utilizes multiple communication channels. Users can contact providers via SMS, phone calls, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook.
Julius David Wambogo also serves as the head of communication for the Enabling Africa Trade Forum (EATF), an African trade development organization. Additionally, he is the national operations director of Zanite Digital, an agency specializing in social media management and digital marketing.
The entrepreneur holds a higher national diploma in journalism from the School of Journalism in Dar es Salaam. He also studied graphic design at the University of Dar es Salaam.
Before becoming an entrepreneur, he worked as a brand manager and radio presenter at Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) from 2016 to 2019. From 2019 to 2021, he served as the head of public relations for Future Team Tanzania.
Melchior Koba
Senegal's Digital Strategic Development Plan hinges on the digitalization of its government administration. However, despite significant investments in this initiative, the anticipated results have not yet materialized.
Senegal is lagging behind in its objectives for the digitization of public services, with only 130 out of 900 procedures completed, a rate of 13.4%, according to Isidore Diouf, the CEO of public digitization agency Sénégal Numérique (SENUM SA). The official presented the figure on June 28, during a discussion on digital technology at a business conference.
Senegal began digitizing its public administrative services in 2017. In 2022, SENUM signed an agreement with 19 municipalities in Dakar to digitize civil status documents. By July 2023, XOF8 billion (13 million USD) had been invested to implement the 2023-2027 Digital Master Plan for Justice, aimed at creating a more accessible digital judicial service. The health sector has also received significant attention.
Continuing this trend, in November, the Senegalese Ministry of Communication, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy, in partnership with the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ), unveiled GovStack, a new platform designed to handle over 800 administrative procedures.
While the reasons for this low digitization rate have not been clearly stated despite substantial investments, it is clear that many challenges remain. These include drafting regulatory texts to establish a governance framework for digitization and implementing an e-government strategy to accelerate the process. Support from all stakeholders and collective commitment are essential for successful digitization.
It should also be noted that in Senegal, some priority services are already online, including those in urban planning, tourism, justice, education, labor and social security, public service, interior, sports, consular civil status, and the environment
Samira Njoya
Commitment to digital skills training in sub-Saharan Africa is set to significantly impact the region’s digital economy. By providing young Africans with essential skills, a new generation of African talent is empowered to thrive in the global digital landscape.
Chinese ICT giant Huawei has committed to training 150,000 young people in sub-Saharan Africa over the next three years through its LEAP (Leadership, Employability, Advancement, and Possibility) program. The announcement was made by Gao Xiang, president of Huawei sub-Saharan Africa, at the Huawei LEAP Summit 2024 held June 28 in Shanghai.
“The LEAP Framework targets pivotal areas including digital leadership, employability enhancement, skill advancement, and future opportunities across Sub-Saharan Africa,” Xiang stated.
Through the LEAP initiative, launched in April 2022, Huawei aims to equip students in the region with essential digital skills. Initially targeting 100,000 trainees by 2025, Huawei surpassed this goal by June 2024, training over 120,000 individuals. The company now plans to train an additional 150,000 young people over the next three years.
The LEAP Summit, focusing on ICT talent and sustainable growth, included participation from African government officials and ambassadors. Notable key African figures, including Dr. Beatrice Muganda Inyangala (Kenya's Ministry of Education), advocated for enhanced collaboration and training at universities to transform them into Huawei training hubs while Sophia Nantongo (Undersecretary of Uganda's Ministry of ICT) urged Huawei to set up manufacturing plants in Uganda to lower gadget costs and improve ICT access.
According to the e-Conomy Africa 2020 report by the IFC and Google, Africa’s digital economy is forecasted to reach $180 billion by 2025 and $712 billion by 2050. This highlights significant potential for growth and innovation, contingent on addressing the digital skills gap. Investing in digital education is essential to unlock this potential and position Africa as a global hub for technological advancement.
Hikmatu Bilali
Many regions across Africa face significant barriers to healthcare access due to the low penetration of health insurance, particularly among the informally employed. However, leveraging advanced satellite technology can help overcome these obstacles and enhance healthcare equity across the continent.
Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) has partnered with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to launch the e-NHIA project, aiming to revolutionize healthcare access across Nigeria, NIGCOMSAT announced on June 27. Leveraging satellite technology, the initiative seeks to improve transparency, accessibility, and efficiency in delivering health insurance services nationwide.
We had a productive business meeting... - NIGCOMSAT Limited | Facebook
"This partnership with NHIA highlights our commitment to leveraging technology for positive impact," said a spokesperson from NIGCOMSAT.
This collaboration underscores a commitment to innovation and equitable healthcare provision, promising to enhance access to essential health services for millions of Nigerians.
A 2021 report by Dataphyte, a Nigerian media research and data analytics organization, reveals that 97% of Nigeria's population lacks health insurance coverage, with only 3% covered through employee health plans. This significant gap in health insurance coverage highlights the urgent need for innovative solutions to increase access. According to Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) data, as of March 2024, Nigeria has a teledensity of 101.16%. However, this figure does not reflect the number of internet users, as many people use multiple SIM cards. Despite this, the high teledensity offers significant potential for leveraging digital platforms, such as NIGCOMSAT, to promote and manage health insurance services.
By utilizing technology, it is possible to facilitate the enrollment process, handle premium payments, and provide access to vital health information. This approach can make it easier for the uninsured population to participate in health insurance schemes, ultimately improving healthcare access and financial protection for millions of Nigerians.
Hikmatu Bilali
On Monday, July 1, Senegalese Minister of Public Service and Public Service Reform (MFPRSP), Olivier Boucal, and the rector of Cheikh Hamidou Kane Digital University (UN-CHK), Moussa Lo, signed a partnership agreement. Under this partnership, UN-CHK will provide its digital expertise to the MFPRSP for transforming the public sector and digitizing public services. The partnership also includes training and capacity building for public service employees in the digital domain, among other initiatives.
On Wednesday, June 26, the West African Monetary Institute (WAMI) launched the Unique Banking Identifier and Digital Interoperability Project in Guinea, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. Financially supported by the African Development Bank, the project aims to develop the financial system of the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ), promote economic growth, reduce poverty, and enhance financial inclusion for successful economic and financial integration in West Africa.
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On Thursday, June 27, Kalil Konate, the Ivorian Minister of Digital Transition and Digitalization, and Téte António, the Angolan Minister of Foreign Affairs, signed a cooperation agreement during Angolan President João Lourenço's visit to Côte d'Ivoire. The agreement aims to pool efforts to enhance the use of technological tools and improve public service delivery in both countries.
On Wednesday, May 29, the UK-based venture capital firm Leo Lion opened applications for its Future of Capitalism 2024-2025 contest. This global competition offers up to $1 million in investment to startups developing technologies aimed at improving business operations. Applications close on September 30, 2024. Eight finalists will be invited to London for Pitch Day, which will take place in February 2025.
On Tuesday, June 25, Beninese Minister of Digital and Digitalization, Aurélie Adam Soulé Zoumarou, inaugurated the Technical Committee for Startup Labeling. Composed of seven members appointed for a renewable two-year term, the committee will be responsible for receiving and reviewing applications from micro, small, and medium enterprises. It will periodically publish the list of labeled startups, notify applicants of the decisions resulting from the application review, and issue decisions on the revocation of granted labels.
In June 2024, Ecobank opened applications for the seventh edition of its Fintech Challenge. This competition invites both mature and startup fintech companies to collaborate with the bank for a chance to win a grand prize of $50,000. Finalists will have the opportunity to integrate their solutions into Ecobank’s network, which spans 35 African countries. Applications close on July 7, 2024.