Agriculture is vital to African economies. With the technological revolution, digitizing the sector has become a priority for many countries, offering opportunities for greater efficiency, sustainability, and inclusive growth.
On Tuesday, October 1, Morocco's Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, Mohammed Sadiki (photo, right), signed an agreement with David Li (photo, left), CEO of Huawei Morocco, to support the digital transformation of the agricultural sector. This initiative, finalized during the 15th edition of the El Jadida Horse Show, aims to introduce connected platforms, develop agricultural e-services on pilot sites, enhance farmers' skills, and promote youth entrepreneurship.
The partnership aligns with the "Green Generation 2020-2030" strategy launched by the government in February 2020. One of the key goals of this strategy is to connect two million farmers to public services by 2030, fostering a more modern and inclusive agriculture.
Huawei's support is expected to facilitate the digitalization of the sector through the introduction of technologies that will optimize the use of inputs, expand market access, improve transaction transparency, develop mobile banking, and strengthen food safety through better traceability.
According to the 2023 report by the NGO Agra Africa, titled Empowering Africa's Food Systems for the Future, digital technologies will be crucial in addressing three persistent challenges in African agriculture: inefficiency, exclusion, and unsustainability. Meanwhile, a study by Mordor Intelligence estimates that the global digital agriculture market will reach $20.01 billion in 2024 and could grow to $32.96 billion by 2029, with an annual growth rate of 10.5%.
Samira Njoya
Morocco aims to become one of Africa’s leading technological hubs. To achieve this, the country is ramping up projects to meet the goals outlined in its national strategy document by 2030.
On Tuesday, October 1, Moroccan authorities inaugurated a digital skills complex in Lahraouyine, in the province of Mediouna. The goal is to train young Moroccans in digital professions and strengthen the capacities of businesses in this field.
The center provides training in software development, programming languages, app and website development, data analysis, digital marketing, cybersecurity, performance analysis, and artificial intelligence.
This initiative comes just days after the unveiling of the national strategy "Digital Morocco 2030," which aims to create 240,000 direct jobs in the technology sector by 2030. It is an integral part of the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), which will contribute to achieving this goal. According to the International Telecommunication Union, Morocco ranks second in Africa in the 2024 Development Index with a score of 86.8 out of 100—well above the continental average of 50.3.
Ultimately, this complex could help create economic opportunities, reduce the digital divide, and bridge the gap between urban and rural areas.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Artificial intelligence is developing rapidly, both in Africa and across the rest of the world. In Ghana, a young entrepreneur is harnessing this technology to benefit the healthcare sector.
Darlington Akogo (photo) is a Ghanaian artificial intelligence (AI) expert and entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of minoHealth AI Labs, a tech startup that is using AI to revolutionize the healthcare sector in Africa.
Founded in 2017, minoHealth AI Labs is a pioneering company in the application of AI to healthcare. It helps medical institutions provide quality care at affordable costs by automating medical diagnostics, prognostics, and predictions using AI, data science, and biomedicine.
In the field of radiology, minoHealth AI Labs has developed AI systems capable of automatically diagnosing 14 thoracic conditions, including pneumonia, fibrosis, hernia, and pleural effusion. The system also aids in breast cancer detection through mammography.
The startup has also developed AI solutions to combat malaria, facilitate COVID-19 screening, and identify damage caused by tuberculosis. Moreover, it applies AI to other fields such as biotechnology, oncology, regenerative medicine, neuroscience, optometry, epidemiology, and dietetics.
Darlington Akogo is also the CEO of karaAgro AI, a company he founded in 2018 that offers precision agriculture solutions to help farmers increase yields and reduce crop stress. In 2019, he established the Runmila AI Institute, which he leads as Executive Director, to train Ghanaians and Africans in artificial intelligence.
Additionally, Akogo chairs TG-AI4Radiology, a think tank of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the World Health Organization (WHO). He also leads AI Economy, a group working to define a continental AI strategy within the African Union.
From 2019 to 2020, Darlington Akogo served as an AI and Industry 4.0 expert for the Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS). He later co-chaired the global strategic group on digital health and AI, created by the University of Oxford.
Melchior Koba
Egypt's data center market is seeing a surge in investment. On September 18, Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli unveiled a green data center project, which will be developed in partnership with international investors.
Tech companies Intro Technology and Oman Data Park have signed a memorandum of understanding to build a data center in Egypt's Suez Canal Economic Zone. Valued at $450 million, the facility is expected to provide cloud solutions, Internet of Things (IoT) services, and drive digital transformation in both Egypt and the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
“We look forward to working together to provide digital solutions through advanced data centers that meet the growing needs of companies worldwide to establish a presence in the region,” said Maqbool Al Wahaibi, CEO of Oman Data Park. The data center will offer over 80,000 square meters of operational space.
This partnership comes amid a surge in investments in Egypt's data center market. According to Arizton, the Egyptian data center market was valued at $182 million in 2023 and is projected to reach $513 million by 2029, representing a growth rate of 18.85% over this period.
“The Egypt data center market is on a notable upward trajectory, fueled by factors such as heightened digitalization, a surge in cloud service uptake, and the growing need for colocation services. A thriving IT landscape marks this industry, government efforts to bolster digital infrastructure, and Egypt's advantageous geographical position, making it an ideal hub for data center activities,” Arizton wrote in a market overview earlier this year.
Investments in data centers are expected to help address Egypt's data center capacity gap. Arizton forecasts that over 109 MW of capacity will be added across Egypt between 2024 and 2029. It’s worth noting that Africa as a whole requires 1,000 MW and 700 new facilities, according to Oxford Business Group’s “Data Centres in Africa Focus Report” published in April 2024.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
Start-ups, particularly those in technology, are key job creators. However, these startups are usually faced with financial hurdles. Providing essential capital to early-stage companies will help Africa tap into the innovation economy, fostering growth and resilience in the global tech landscape.
On October 1, a new $17.2 million (300 million rand) Seed Fund of Funds dedicated to technology start-ups was launched in South Africa. The fund, backed by the SA SME Fund, the Department of Science and Innovation, the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), and E Squared Investments, aims to address a shortfall in early-stage capital for local start-ups.
Patrick Krappie, TIA’s acting CEO, stressed the government’s role in fostering innovation ecosystems. “The Seed Fund of Funds will catalyze a wave of new start-ups by enabling them to transition from ideas to viable enterprises,” Krappie said, adding that the fund would help place South Africa’s venture capital industry on sustainable footing.
The initiative aims to fund at least 50 technology-driven companies, focusing on innovation and transformation. Experienced fund managers will oversee the investments, ensuring that these start-ups have the resources to scale both locally and globally.
Ketso Gordhan, CEO of the SA SME Fund, highlighted the importance of seed funding, calling it the "cornerstone of entrepreneurial success" and the "lifeblood of innovation." He emphasized South Africa's wealth of brilliant minds and how the fund will help ensure more of them have the opportunity to succeed.
The launch of the fund is particularly timely as the country continues to grapple with high unemployment rates. As of Q2 2024, 8.4 million people (33.5%) remained unemployed, according to Statistics South Africa. This persistent challenge underscores the importance of fostering job creation, particularly in high-growth sectors like technology.
Start-ups have the potential to generate significant employment opportunities, particularly in innovative fields such as fintech, healthtech, and eCommerce, which are key drivers in South Africa's digital economy. With the new fund targeting at least 50 technology-driven companies, it can help reduce the country’s high jobless rate by empowering start-ups that contribute to both economic growth and job creation.
Hikmatu Bilali
He is a dedicated entrepreneur driving digital innovation in Gabon. Over the years, he has partnered with the government to advance the country's technological development.
Thierry Dzime (photo) is a Gabonese expert in strategic communication and digital marketing. He is the founder and director of Olatano Market, a digital platform specializing in e-commerce.
Founded in 2021, Olatano Market aims to offer a new e-commerce experience in Gabon. The platform provides an online marketplace connecting thousands of people looking to buy or sell quality products across the country. It offers a wide range of services and tools to help entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses.
One of Olatano Market’s flagship services is Achat Flex, which allows individuals to pay online through various payment methods, such as cash-on-delivery, mobile money, and credit cards. It also offers the option to purchase a product and pay in installments.
"Our innovative platform is a complete break from the conventional offerings of existing players and addresses the growing demand from customers who want more choice, the ability to compare prices, and access to products and prices no matter where they are in Gabon," said the founder of Olatano Market in 2022.
Thierry Dzime also serves as an advisor to the Gabonese Prime Minister’s office and co-organizes Café Numérique in Libreville, where he oversees marketing and communication. Before founding Olatano Market, he launched Digital Impact Gabon in 2014, a digital agency, and Express Courrier Gabon in 2017, a transportation and express delivery company.
A graduate of Leibniz University in Hanover, Germany, Dzime earned a master’s degree in international management, marketing, and sales in 2011. His career began in 2012 at Petro Gabon, an oil and gas company, where he held the position of sales manager.
In 2019, he became the communications advisor to Gabon’s Minister of Tourism, Trade, and SMEs, and in 2020, to the Minister of Economy and Finance. From 2021 to 2022, he served as the digital advisor to the President of Gabon. During the same period, he also held the role of country director for Baloon Assurance in Gabon.
Melchior Koba
Enhancing digital transformation is essential for accelerating Africa’s digital economy, which is vital for driving innovation and entrepreneurship. With rapid growth already underway, the digital economy stands to benefit significantly from improved connectivity and the establishment of digital hubs, facilitating business expansion and attracting further investment.
Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Communications, and Digital Economy, Dr. Margaret Ndung'u, met with Italian officials led by Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy Adolfo Urso in Nairobi on September 30. The meeting discussed Kenya’s collaboration with Italy to boost its digital transformation efforts.
“Kenya is a strategic partner for the development of artificial intelligence in Africa. It is the country that has responded the most to the pilot accelerator program for African startups,” said Minister Urso.
Kenya aims to leverage Italy’s expertise in space and emerging technologies through a partnership focused on enhancing public service delivery, deploying innovative fibre-optic solutions, promoting information exchange, and advancing the production of digital devices and chips. Additionally, the collaboration will explore areas of cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), particularly under the Mattei Plan. This includes the “AI Hub for Sustainable Development” project, spearheaded by the Italian G7 Industry, Technology, and Digital Ministerial Chairmanship, in collaboration with the UNDP.
The partnership will support Kenya’s Digital Superhighway project, which aims to lay 100,000 km of fibre and establish digital hubs across 1,450 wards. Areas of focus include space tech, AI, and manufacturing digital devices to drive socio-economic development.
This move will support Kenya's digital advancement as it directly supports the country’s growing tech ecosystem. It aligns with Kenya’s World Bank-backed Digital Economy Acceleration Project, which is expected to modernize digital infrastructure and services, in line with the government’s goal of boosting innovation, job creation, and economic diversification.
Hikmatu Bilali
The Mauritanian government is currently developing a roadmap to reform the education system, with digital technology playing a central role. The goal is to modernize teaching methods and integrate technological tools into schools, among other initiatives.
Mauritanian students will soon have access to digital textbooks, thanks to a new initiative by the National Pedagogical Institute (IPN). The reform will begin with the upcoming school year on October 7. The textbooks will be available for download through the "Koutoubi" (My Books) app, providing students with easier access to modern educational resources. According to IPN director Cheikh Ould Sidi Abdallah, the Koutoubi app complements the traditional distribution of paper textbooks, offering students and parents the option to acquire digital copies.
The initiative is part of a new National Textbook Strategy currently under development, which emphasizes the importance of digital technology. Its announcement comes amid broader efforts to enhance digitalization in schools. The Mauritanian government recently signed an agreement with the FIFA Foundation to train 10,000 schoolchildren, aged 6 to 12, in coding, robotics, and digital literacy over the next three years.
The introduction of digital textbooks is also expected to lighten the heavy school bags that are a common concern among parents. However, the success of this reform depends on schools' ability to provide the necessary equipment, such as tablets and computers, to ensure students can access these digital resources. The lack of such tools could hinder the full implementation of this ambitious project.
Despite these challenges, the transition to digital learning reflects a clear commitment to preparing Mauritania's younger generations for future technological challenges while improving access to modern educational materials.
Samira Njoya
As Africa's digital economy expands, with industries like fintech, e-commerce, and agritech growing rapidly, cyberattacks pose a significant threat. A secure digital environment is essential for sustaining investor confidence, driving innovation, and enabling businesses to thrive.
SEACOM announced on October 1 a new partnership with US-based cybersecurity firm Arctic Wolf to enhance its cybersecurity services across Africa, addressing the growing threat landscape on the continent. With cyber-attacks increasingly targeting businesses of all sizes, this collaboration aims to provide SEACOM’s clients with advanced security operations solutions through Arctic Wolf’s cloud-native platform and expert security teams.
The partnership enables SEACOM clients to benefit from proactive and tailored protection against current and emerging threats. SEACOM emphasizes that Arctic Wolf’s platform will offer comprehensive visibility into customers' attack surfaces, allowing businesses to monitor their entire security environment from one central interface. This approach ensures rapid identification and response to malicious activities or vulnerabilities.
SEACOM’s portfolio will now include Arctic Wolf's suite of security solutions, such as Managed Detection and Response, Incident Response, and Cloud Security Posture Management.
Cybercrime is a growing threat in Africa, with ransomware attacks becoming more frequent. According to the ‘INTERPOL African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2024,’ in early 2023, 1 in 15 African organizations experienced weekly ransomware attempts, much higher than the global average of 1 in 31. It adds that Kaspersky recorded over 300 attempts in South Africa in just one week. The financial impact of cybercrime in Africa is immense, with INTERPOL’s 2021 report estimating it at over $4 billion, or 10% of the region’s GDP. Additionally, cyberattacks on African organizations increased by 23% in 2023, marking the highest rate globally.
The growing threat particularly affects businesses and organizations lacking the resources to effectively monitor and respond to security incidents. This move highlights the need for advanced security strategies to safeguard operations in an increasingly digital world.
Hikmatu Bilali
She is determined to transform access to technology for artisans in Africa. Through her startup, she aims to simplify life for entrepreneurs in the informal sector.
Bams Betga (photo) is a Cameroonian artist and entrepreneur, co-founder, and CEO of African Puzzle Works, a company that specializes in creating software for artisans. Founded in 2021 by Betga and Renée Clément, African Puzzle Works is committed to innovation aimed at supporting entrepreneurs in the informal economy.
The company developed African Puzzle, a personal assistant designed specifically for entrepreneurs and project leaders. This mobile application, which utilizes audio and photo-based features, allows users to easily manage orders, client information, appointments, product catalogs, and track finances—without requiring literacy skills. "With our voice and image-based features, we remove the barriers to adopting technology for entrepreneurs with limited literacy. Everyone knows how to send a voice note or take a photo," explained Betga in 2024.
A former athlete, Bams Betga is also a singer-songwriter with four albums to her name. As the international partner of the World Business Angels Investment Forum in Cameroon, she is dedicated to improving access to financing for businesses. Additionally, she serves as the national representative for Cameroon’s startup ecosystem in the G100: Mission Million, a group of 100 women leaders worldwide.
In 2022, African Puzzle Works won first prize at the Blue Ocean Awards, which recognizes entrepreneurial innovation. More recently, in April 2024, Betga was nominated for Best Africa Solutions at the second edition of the Africa Solutions Week (SAS), held in France in September and scheduled to take place in Morocco from October 17 to 19, 2024.
Melchior Koba
More...
The Comoros' digitalization project is expected to cost €22.53 million (approximately $25 million). The African Development Fund, the concessional lending arm of the African Development Bank (AfDB), has granted €4.02 million, while the Transition Support Facility has released €5.49 million.
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) approved a €9.51 million ($10.5 million) funding package for the Comoros on Monday, September 30. These funds will support the implementation of the Comoros Economic Digitalization Support Project.
“The objective of the project is to promote the emergence of a comprehensive and coherent range of digital services that can meet the needs of the population, with the ultimate goal of aligning the country with the information society,” the institution said in a statement.
This initiative comes as digital transformation accelerates across the continent. According to the Measuring Digital Development – ICT Development Index 2024 report, published in July 2024 by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Comoros ranks 25th in Africa with a score of 46.5 out of 100 on the ICT Development Index, below the African average of 50.3.
In terms of the E-Government Development Index (EGDI), the Comoros score significantly trails the African average of 0.4247, according to the E-Government Survey 2024: Accelerating Digital Transformation for Sustainable Development, published in September 2024 by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). The country ranks 45th, with a score of 0.2586 out of 1.
The implementation of this project is expected to help the archipelago develop digital infrastructure, create a favorable regulatory and legal framework, enhance digital education and training, and promote technological innovation and entrepreneurship.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
In The Gambia, the government is stepping up efforts to accelerate digital transformation. This affects all sectors of the economy, including education.
Last week, the Gambian government launched an initiative to provide laptops to the principals of all schools across the country. This effort, in partnership with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), UNICEF, and the World Bank Group, is expected to drive the digitalization of school administration.
“The initiative marks a significant step in our efforts to enhance quality education and empower school managers with the tools needed for efficient service delivery in the digital age,” said Pierre Gomez, Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology.
The Gambian government aims to digitize the national education system as part of its broader ambitions for digital transformation. According to Minister Gomez, the government is working to develop digitized information systems, enhance the digitalization of public services, and expand the use of electronic record management systems across all public administrations.
In September 2023, the government launched the Gambia Research and Education Network (GAMREN), in partnership with the World Bank, to provide high-speed internet connectivity to schools and research institutions nationwide. As early as July 2022, the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology had begun efforts to develop a national strategy for digitizing technical and vocational education and training, with support from UNESCO.
UNESCO believes technology can significantly enhance educational management. "It enables a wider range of data collection on schools and students, allowing for precise analysis of learning paths and influencing factors. This data can be used to personalize learning, identify marginalized children, and prevent disengagement and early dropout," the organization stated in its 2023 Global Education Monitoring Report.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
Passionate about solving global challenges, he develops technological solutions with a strong focus on underserved populations in developing countries.
Timothy Musoke (photo) is a Ugandan computer engineer and entrepreneur. He is the co-founder and CEO of Laboremus Uganda, a startup that promotes financial inclusion in Africa.
Founded in 2013, Laboremus Uganda provides infrastructure to financial institutions, helping banks and fintech companies accelerate financial inclusion in sub-Saharan Africa by improving access to credit for everyone. The company offers financial service providers data and tools to process loans more quickly and at a lower cost by digitizing the loan process either partially or fully.
"We started Laboremus to build complex and user-friendly software for Ugandans, in Uganda," says Timothy Musoke. "McKinsey ranks Africa amongst the fastest growing and most profitable banking markets globally. We are working on digitising this market to make credit accessible to everyone," he adds.
Musoke is also the co-founder and advisor at Emeta, a licensed microfinance institution founded in 2017, which is transforming access to financing for smallholder farmers in Africa. Emeta provides loans that enable farmers to invest in their farms and increase their incomes.
Timothy Musoke holds a bachelor's degree in software engineering from Franklin University in the United States. From 2016 to 2020, he served on the board of Fontes Foundation, a Norwegian NGO providing community development services to disadvantaged populations.
Melchior Koba
Africa's fragmented regulatory landscape often poses significant challenges for entrepreneurs, who face different requirements in each country. Leveraging digital tools to lower entry barriers and provide a structured pathway for market expansion can boost economic transformation in Africa.
The UK, in collaboration with PwC, has introduced a digital toolkit through the UK-Kenya Tech Hub to aid entrepreneurs in accessing the Kenyan, Nigerian, and South African markets. The toolkit, launched on September 26, aims to streamline market entry and enhance opportunities for startups across various sectors, including agriculture, education, financial services, health, and manufacturing.
Jordan Kyongo, Head of the East Africa Research and Innovation Hub at the British High Commission in Nairobi, highlighted the importance of this initiative. "This toolkit will be an instrument in growing Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by consolidating the requirements for market entry, ultimately easing the process for entrepreneurs," Kyongo stated.
The toolkit was developed to address the regulatory, certification, and tariff barriers that entrepreneurs often face when expanding into new markets. It includes practical tools, guides, and outputs designed to simplify the market entry process in the three targeted countries. Feedback from multiple validation sessions has helped refine the toolkit, making it a user-friendly resource for entrepreneurs navigating complex regulatory landscapes.
According to an article by AU Startups on ‘How African Tech Startups Can Navigate Regulatory Challenges,’ African startups face constant hurdles, including creating scalable solutions in unpredictable markets and securing funding in volatile economies. Additionally, complex and restrictive regulations in both their home markets and potential expansion areas further complicate operations, making compliance a crucial factor that can determine their success or failure. The toolkit aims to reduce the administrative burden by providing clear, consolidated information for market entry in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. It also serves as a foundation for expanding similar initiatives into other African markets.
This digital toolkit could be a game-changer for African entrepreneurs, offering a model for overcoming market access challenges and promoting sustainable business growth.
Hikmatu Bilali