Despite progress, nearly half of Nigeria's population remains offline, underscoring the country's persistent digital divide. This gap is largely attributed to the lack of internet infrastructure in rural areas. The government is aiming to bridge this divide by launching new initiatives, but challenges remain.
Nigeria's Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy Minister, Bosun Tijani, announced on Monday the launch of the "Project 774 LG Connectivity" to address limited Internet and digital access by connecting all 774 local government secretariats in the country to the Internet.
The initiative aims to foster inclusive development and access to digital public infrastructure in government offices across Nigeria, including remote areas that may have been previously underserved or unserved. Co-financed by Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) and Galaxy Backbone, it is placed under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.
The project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's "Renewed Hope" program and the Ministry's strategic plan. It will provide local governments with reliable and affordable Internet access, promoting efficient public services and transparency. As the foundation of governance at the local level, local government secretariats will play a more crucial role in shaping the country's socio-economic landscape.
The initiative will also contribute to digital inclusion in the country, creating at least 300 direct jobs as the project is rolled out nationwide, and potentially more indirect jobs through increased digital access.
Samira Njoya
As Africa's internet connectivity surges, data hosting emerges as a critical battleground. While major tech companies invest heavily in the continent's infrastructure, concerns around digital sovereignty rise, prompting some nations to seek greater control over their data landscape.
Moroccan cloud provider Atlas Cloud Services and Indian IT giant HCLSoftware signed a partnership on Thursday, aiming to support businesses' digital transformation and strengthen the country's digital sovereignty, Morocco's MAP news agency reported.
The collaboration focuses on delivering high-performance cloud services tailored to local needs. A key initiative is establishing a localized messaging platform, ensuring data security and control for sensitive information. This platform offers flexible capacity and performance, catering specifically to business requirements.
Furthermore, the partnership encompasses secure instant messaging solutions for internal and external communication, facilitating collaboration and boosting employee productivity. A video conferencing tool is also included, enabling seamless communication and remote working. Additionally, a dedicated data storage and sharing space allows businesses to store and access data securely from any location and device.
Beyond commercial initiatives, the partnership extends to deploying a university research system and promoting scientific research and training, fostering innovation and talent development.
This collaborative effort aligns with Morocco's goal of bolstering its digital sovereignty. The country boasts dedicated infrastructure, including the African Supercomputing Center at UM6P, which opened in March 2021, one of Africa's most powerful computing facilities. In July 2023, Morocco implemented a ban on storing sensitive data outside the country.
Samira Njoya
A serial entrepreneur, he offers technological and social solutions to transform communities, businesses, and individuals. He also invests in young entrepreneurs with high-potential business ideas.
Senam Beheton (photo) is a Beninese entrepreneur and investor. The co-founder and CEO of TEKXL, a startup studio offering incubation, acceleration, and venture capital, he is passionate about transforming ideas into scalable ventures. Founded in 2014, TEKXL provides budding entrepreneurs with comprehensive support, from technology and training to workspace and funding, to launch competitive businesses.
Driven by a strong educational background (degrees in political science, international development, and educational technology), Beheton has been a serial entrepreneur for over 20 years, founding and investing in more than 35 companies and organizations, mostly in the tech sector.
"Investing in and supporting early-stage entrepreneurs in French-speaking West Africa is essential to fuel our region's development," he emphasizes.
Beheton's impact extends beyond TEKXL. In 2009, he established EtriLabs, an innovation ecosystem fostering collaboration on solutions for national and international challenges. He also co-founded Kudizy, a cloud-based financial management tool empowering African SMEs with access to financial data.
Actively involved in the broader entrepreneurial landscape, Beheton serves as a board member of Afric'innov, an association supporting entrepreneurship structures in French-speaking Africa. He is also co-founder and managing partner of Noru Capital, a venture capital firm investing in West African tech companies.
Furthermore, he champions inclusivity through Intrepid Entrepreneurs, an initiative supporting women and young innovators in Africa.
Melchior Koba
With a six-month venture-building program and tailored incubation and acceleration initiatives, Betacube supports start-ups at every stage of their growth, fostering innovation, job creation, and economic growth in Africa and beyond.
Founded in 2019, Tunisian venture builder Betacube is fueling Africa's entrepreneurial spirit, empowering young minds to turn ideas into thriving businesses. Led by CEO Amel Saidane (photo, center), the pan-African firm fosters a collaborative environment where "creativity flourishes and possibilities are limitless," Saidane says.
Betacube's mission extends beyond borders. It connects young entrepreneurs to global networks, promoting opportunity, job creation, and growth across the continent. Collaboration lies at the heart of their approach, bringing founders and investors together to drive innovation.
Their offerings cater to various stages of a startup's journey. The six-month venture-building program provides comprehensive support, preparing entrepreneurs for investment and accepting up to eight startups per cohort. Additionally, customized incubation and acceleration programs offer webinars and personal coaching sessions.
Operating in Ethiopia, Senegal, and Tanzania, Betacube has supported 200 startups, including Bako Motors, a leading electric vehicle manufacturer. Their reach extends beyond Africa, with an export to Saudi Arabia in September 2023. To date, it has facilitated over 500 company presentations and raised $2.085 million in funding.
Melchior Koba
The Egyptian government's recent surge in investments in the digital sector reflects its recognition of technology's potential to drive economic growth and exports. This increased focus on digitalization aims to bolster Egypt's capabilities in outsourcing, a key pillar in the country's aspirations to become a regional technology hub.
Egypt's Information Technology Industry Development Authority (ITIDA) and UAE-based Mashreq Global Network inked a cooperation agreement today at the World Government Summit, aiming to create 300 digital banking jobs for Egyptian professionals over three years.
This partnership goes beyond job creation, enabling Mashreq to expand its Egyptian operations in data analysis, business intelligence, and internal auditing. These services will be exported from Egypt to Mashreq Bank clients in the UAE, bolstering Egypt's digital export ambitions.
According to Egypt’s Minister of Telecommunications and Information Technology, Amr Talaat, the agreement reflects the attractiveness of Egypt's ICT sector, which has become a target for international companies seeking expansion.
The deal aligns with Egypt's 2022-2026 Digital Strategy for the Development of the Outsourcing Industry, which aims to double digital exports and create 34,000 export-oriented jobs by 2025.
Egypt's investments in the digital services export sector yielded $6.2 billion in 2023, a 26.5% increase from the previous year. The country eyes reaching nearly $9 billion by 2026.
Samira Njoya
The World Bank seeks young leaders aged 18-35 to participate in its 11th annual Youth Summit, themed "Powering Progress: Youth Leading the Digital Transformation."
Scheduled for May 30-31 in Washington D.C., the summit will gather thousands of individuals worldwide to raise awareness of development challenges and engage them in developing innovative solutions using digital technologies. Interested young people can submit their applications by March 1 through the following link: https://youthsummit24.wufoo.com/forms/zr587641ladlrn/
Boasting over 20 years of experience in IT and telecommunications projects, he will support African institutions and governments in the successful implementation of their digital and development projects.
Wilgon Berthold Tsibo, an entrepreneur and IT specialist from the Republic of Congo, has been appointed Deputy Managing Director of Tactis in Africa. Although he assumed the position in December 2023, his appointment was officially announced on February 15, 2024. Tactis is a French consulting firm that specializes in telecommunications, digital planning, engineering, and the digital transformation of territories. With subsidiaries in Casablanca and Kigali, it offers its expertise to public and private actors –as an assistant or business expert– in sectors like telecoms infrastructures, the development of smart territories, private networks, information systems, and the transformation of organizations operating in the telecoms sector.
As Deputy Managing Director - Africa, Wilgon Berthold Tsibo's mission is to assist African governments and institutions in the successful implementation of their digital development projects. His approach is characterized by a strategic economic vision and multi-partner collaboration aimed at promoting inclusive, quality services for states, citizens, and businesses.
Tsibo is also the founder and CEO of Berthold Consulting Management and Support (BCMS), a consulting firm specializing in key areas such as ICT products and services, project and organization management, ICT and project management training, site construction and management (Telecom and FTTx), and general trade. He holds master's degrees in computer science applied to business management obtained in 2010 from the International University of Tunis, project and organization management obtained in 2013 from the Institut Supérieur d'Informatique et de Management de Bamako, and business administration obtained in 2020 from Edinburgh Business School in Scotland. He is also a doctoral student in operations management and supervision at the Catholic University of San Antonio de Murcia.
He began his career in the telecoms sector with Ericsson, where he held the position of Operations Director, managing MTN's rollouts in Congo between 2004 and 2009. He then joined the Azur Group as Project Director with Siteg Telecom from 2010 to 2012, and then as Technical and Operations Director for Azur Congo. In 2012, he was promoted to Technical and Operations Director of Groupe Azur, with responsibility for 4 countries (Congo, Gabon, Central African Republic, and France), where he remained until 2017. Between 2021 and 2023, he was a Senior Manager at Smart Africa, leading the strategy, operationalization, and expansion of digital infrastructure projects in 39 member states.
Melchior Koba
Burkina Faso's Ministry of Digital Transition, Posts and Electronic Communications (MDTPEC) has made significant progress in its efforts to dematerialize priority public services, according to an evaluation workshop held recently in Koudougou.
By January 31, 2024, the average completion rate for dematerializing 43 key procedures stood at 83.97%, the ministry said. The workshop also focused on drawing up a roadmap for further digitization in 2024.
Like many sub-Saharan nations, Lesotho grapples with digital education challenges. However, the government aims to leverage assistance from more advanced countries to significantly improve the situation in the coming years.
Lesotho's Education Minister Ntoi Rapapa signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to boost digital education, aiming to establish "digital schools" in the African nation.
This collaboration concluded at the World Government Summit in Dubai, reflects the commitment of both countries to equip communities for the digital age. Under the agreement, the UAE's "Digital School" program, launched in 2020 by Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, will be extended to Lesotho.
This program promotes continuous innovation in education through game-based modules and AI-driven adaptive learning. The initiative is crucial for Lesotho, where only 5% of primary schools currently possess digital education equipment, according to government data.
Rapapa also highlighted efforts to digitize other sectors in Lesotho, including government administration. Currently, only three of the 18 ministries utilize e-governance practices. The plan aims to digitize all ministries within the next 2-5 years.
Samira Njoya
Bridging the gap between academic research and commercial application, the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) stands as a key driver of South Africa's technological transformation. By nurturing and propelling bold ideas to market, the agency plays a vital role in the country's innovation ecosystem.
South Africa's Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), a public entity, aims to bridge the innovation gap between research and development by universities, science councils, public entities, and the private sector. Headed by Acting CEO Patrick Krappie, TIA's mission is to stimulate economic growth and strengthen industrial competitiveness through the practical application of cutting-edge knowledge and technologies.
TIA offers a diverse range of services and programs, including support for research and development, assistance in commercializing innovations, and the Technology Station program, which fosters collaboration between industry and academia. The Technology Station program provides a variety of services, such as testing and analysis, prototyping, consulting, technology audit, feasibility study, process and product improvement, applied development, engineering and design, and research and development. Additionally, TIA supports the commercialization of innovations by offering funding opportunities and advice to entrepreneurs, helping them turn their ideas into tangible commercial successes.
TIA's vision is to be a world-class innovation agency that supports and enables technological innovation to achieve socio-economic benefits for South Africa through leveraging strategic partnerships. The agency's mission is to enhance South Africa's global competitiveness and deliver socio-economic value through technological innovation across sectors of the economy using appropriately structured financial and non-financial interventions, development and maintenance of human capacity for innovation, and building a culture of innovation.
Melchior Koba
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Togo's push towards digitalization has gained momentum following the creation of Agence Togo Digital, a government agency overseeing digital projects. To accelerate progress, the country is actively seeking partnerships.
Togo and Kazakhstan have expanded their bilateral collaboration in information and communication technologies (ICT) through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed at the Digital Almaty Forum.
Signed by Togo's Digital Economy Minister Cina Lawson and Kazakhstan's Digital Development Minister Bagdat Mussin, the MoU focuses on supporting the "Togo Digital 2025" strategy, particularly digitizing administration and citizen services.
This cooperation aligns with a broader rapprochement between the two countries, following President Faure Gnassingbé's visit to Astana in November 2023 and the upcoming prospecting mission by a Kazakh delegation to Togo this week.
Under the MoU, Kazakhstan will assist Togo in implementing its digital agenda, drawing on its own e-governance experience. Kazakhstan launched its eGov.kz portal in 2006, offering over 200 automated services, and ranks 28th globally in the UN's e-Government Development Index (EGDI).
Similarly, Togo launched its national public services portal in 2022, including services like passport applications and building permits. This partnership aims to accelerate digitization in Togo, leveraging Kazakhstan's expertise.
Samira Njoya
By combining cutting-edge technology and philanthropy, the entrepreneur is revolutionizing not only the insurance industry but also the way surplus funds are used to support important causes.
Sumarie Greybe (photo), a South African insurance actuary, co-founded Naked Insurance in 2016 with partners Alex Thomson and Ernest North. The company, which leverages artificial intelligence, aims to revolutionize the insurance sector by offering a fully digital process, from underwriting to claims, to customers. Quotes can be obtained in 90 seconds, and customers can underwrite instantly without speaking to an agent.
Naked Insurance's liability insurance starts at ZAR 50 (approximately $2.50), which is several times cheaper than plans offered by other insurers, according to Greybe. The company is structured to redistribute surplus funds, resulting from claims payments below annual forecasts, to causes selected by customers, encompassing a wide range of initiatives, from early childhood development programs to efforts to improve animal welfare.
Greybe, who graduated from the University of Pretoria with a Bachelor's degree in Actuarial Science in 1994, built a career as one of South Africa's leading short-term insurance actuaries. She served as actuarial advisor to many of South Africa's large insurers before co-founding Naked Insurance. In 2011, Greybe's firm, Quindiem Consulting, was acquired by EY, where she became a partner and head of EY Africa's Actuarial Services Short Term Insurance Practice.
Naked Insurance's customer-centric focus and commitment to sustainability are key to its success. The company's approach to philanthropy aligns with its mission to improve the community and the environment. By returning excess funds to causes chosen by customers, Naked Insurance aims to foster a sense of shared purpose and responsibility.
Melchior Koba
African Leadership Experience (ALX) is now accepting applications for its 2024 cohort, targeting young Africans aged 18-34 interested in tech skills. The program offers online courses in in-demand fields like AI Essentials, software engineering, data analytics, CRM, and AWS Cloud Computing.
ALX, which has trained over 100,000 students since 2021, aims to reach 750,000 by year-end. It partners with organizations like Mastercard Foundation to offer tuition-free access to programs typically costing between $7,500 and $39,750 in Africa, and $14,500 to $79,500 in Europe and North America. Applications are open until February 27.
Hikmatu Bilali
Technology entrepreneurs are developing artificial intelligence (AI)- powered tools designed to help businesses manage and reduce their legal spending, offering a potential alternative to traditional law firms.
Founded in 2020 and backed by $2.6 million in funding, Hence Technologies, a Rwanda-UK startup, offers a web-based platform to assist businesses in finding suitable legal counsel.
Currently lacking a mobile app, Hence connects users with lawyers through its website. After booking an initial consultation, users have the opportunity to discuss their specific needs and ask questions about the platform.
The company aims to differentiate itself by using data and algorithms to match businesses with the most appropriate lawyers based on the nature of their legal issues, their location, and cost considerations. This differs from "marketplace solutions" that prioritize facilitating transactions, according to co-founder Steve Heitkamp.
We "built a product that is helping people find the right lawyers; a starting place for their needs," Heitkamp stated in 2022.
With operations spanning three continents and headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda, Hence plans to leverage local tech talent to expand its services and target larger companies globally.
Adoni Conrad Quenum