Nigeria has one of the most mature technology ecosystems in Africa. To further bolster the attractiveness of this ecosystem, the Nigerian government is forging strategic partnerships with key players in the industry.
On Wednesday, November 29, the African Development Bank (AfDB) announced the approval of an $80 million loan for the Ekiti Knowledge Zone (EKZ) incubation program. The funds will be used to build a 20-hectare green technology park and service infrastructure such as roads, electricity, water supply and wastewater treatment facilities. The Ekiti State Government will finance the project to the tune of $14.8 million, with a total project cost of $94.8 million.
"The Ekiti Knowledge Zone Project design responds to the requirements of technology firms and prospective investors as indicated during the preparation phase, lessons learned from similar Bank-financed projects such as the Cabo Verde and Senegal technology parks, and drew insights from good practices of similar initiatives in the continent and globally," said Lamin Barrow, AfDB’s Director General of Nigeria Country Department.
The EKZ incubation program aims to provide an enabling environment for research and development, information and communication technologies, incubation, and acceleration of technology startups, as well as pre-seed and seed financing. The goal is to transform EKZ into a major technology hub that could create some 26,000 jobs and generate net economic benefits worth $14 million a year.
In April 2023, the federal government granted EKZ "free zone" status, which will enable private investors to benefit from various advantages such as the free repatriation of capital, profits, and dividends by foreign investors; free land during the construction phase; tax exemptions; import and export duty waivers; and expatriate quotas for companies operating locally.
"This funding will play a crucial role in realizing our vision for EKZ [...] EKZ is not just about buildings; it’s about building communities, generating thousands of jobs, including opportunities for women and youth, while fuelling the State’s progress," said Akintunde Oyebode, Ekiti State Commissioner for Finance.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Driven by an unwavering commitment to harnessing the transformative power of technology for the country's progress, the Moroccan government is actively fostering robust collaborations with key players in the technology sector. These strategic partnerships are expected to yield promising spin-offs in the years to come.
Morocco and Huawei recently announced a partnership to collaborate on a range of digital transformation projects. The partnership was formalized through the signing of three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) during the 2nd Digitech Ecosystem Summit held in Essaouira, Morocco.
They focus on the digitization of services, ICT training and skills development, and digital inclusion.
"The launch of the second edition of the 'Digitech Ecosystem Summit' forum, born of the convergence of the visions of all our partners, emphasizes the importance of strengthening digital skills and consolidating, in fine, the public-private partnership, considered to be a real lever for boosting the national digital economy," said David Li, Managing Director of Huawei Morocco.
The first agreement, a tripartite collaboration, involves Huawei, the Ministry in charge of Relations with Parliament and the Ministry of Digital Transition. It focuses on strengthening ICT skills, for the benefit of the Ministry's civil servants, its partners, and selected civil society associations.
The second agreement initiated between Huawei and the Essaouira Mogador Association for Essaouira Province aims to stimulate innovation, foster digital skills at the community level, and promote economic growth in the region.
The third partnership, signed with the Foundation for Research, Development, and Innovation in Science and Engineering (FRDISI), will train and certify students and teachers at the SUPTECH Santé school in Essaouira and Mohammedia in technological fields, to take advantage of Huawei's Digitech Talent program.
According to a Huawei press release, the signing of these agreements is in line with the tech giant's vision to be a catalyst for training, development, and digital innovation in Morocco. It comes at a time when Morocco is stepping up its digital projects to become a benchmark technology hub in Africa by 2025.
Samira Njoya
He believes data can revolutionize businesses and societies. So, with his team, he develops tailored data solutions helping companies make more sense of their data.
Walid Kaâbachi (photo) is a Tunisian computer scientist and technology entrepreneur, currently serving as the Managing Director of Biware, a consulting and integration company specializing in data management and analytics solutions.
He founded Biware, in 2011, with his partner Amine Boussarsar. The company focuses on providing tailored solutions for customer insight, risk management, fraud and compliance, demand forecasting, and model analysis to companies across various sectors, including finance, telecoms, retail, energy, and utilities. It has two flagship solutions. The first, Credit Squares, targets credit institutions, leveraging statistical methods, data analysis, and advanced artificial intelligence to enhance operational and commercial efficiency. This solution facilitates informed decision-making and effective customer lifecycle management.
The second solution is Synapse-HR, designed to help companies connect, engage, and develop their staff. Customizable based on each customer's specific needs, it provides detailed reports and dashboards for data visualization. Additionally, it can seamlessly integrate with various third-party analytical tools depending on the company's requirements.
Walid Kaâbachi's academic background includes a master's degree in theoretical and mathematical physics obtained in 1994 from the Nabeul Preparatory Engineering Institute. He also holds a diploma in computer engineering from the Tunisian School of Computer Science in 1998 and a master's degree in business administration from South Mediterranean University in 2019.
His professional journey commenced in 1998 at Informatique Développement et Etudes (IDEE), a software provider for the banking industry. From 2005 to 2009, he served as a business intelligence manager at Business & Decision SA, an international data and digital consulting and engineering group.
In 2012, Walid Kaâbachi and his partner Amine Boussarsar were featured in the special November edition of Entreprise Magazine, which recognizes the 100 managers who have significantly contributed to the business landscape in Tunisia.
Melchior Koba
MPost, a Kenyan startup that revolutionizes postal services by converting phone numbers into virtual addresses, announced on Wednesday, November 29, its decision to relocate its headquarters to Kigali, Rwanda. The company will establish its base within the coworking space of the Norrsken Foundation, a prominent investment fund operating across the African continent.
“Our relocation to Kigali, Rwanda marks a significant step in our journey towards a broader international footprint. We are enthusiastic about the opportunities this move brings, as it sets the stage for MPost to deliver innovative postal solutions to a wider audience,” the startup wrote on its LinkedIn page.
Digital transformation offers a huge potential, notably for African countries. To capitalize on those opportunities, countries need to enhance connectivity. This is why like most African countries, South Africa is focused on developing broadband internet.
South African authorities introduced a Broadband Access Fund on Tuesday, November 28, specifically designed to support small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) providing internet services in KwaZulu-Natal province. The fund aims to bridge the digital divide by providing partial subsidies to these SMBs, enabling them to connect 50,000 households and establish 3,000 community Wi-Fi access points.
The initiative has already benefited sixteen internet service providers, who will be tasked with extending broadband connectivity to underserved areas and reducing access costs. These efforts are expected to improve broadband penetration, increase employment opportunities, and stimulate economic growth in the region.
"Through the Broadband Access Fund, the government has reduced the cost of data considerably with packages from as little as R5 [~$0.26] per day Wi-Fi connectivity. We are enabling our people to have access to the Internet in an affordable, secure and safe way. We intend to connect more than a million households over the next six months,” commented Mondli Gungubele, South Africa's Minister of Communications.
The establishment of the Broadband Access Fund aligns with the President's job stimulus program, providing partial subsidies to internet service providers. This initiative forms part of the second phase of the SA Connect project, launched on Saturday, November 4, which aims to guarantee all South Africans access to affordable broadband connectivity.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
South African logistics startup GoMetro announced on Wednesday, November 29, the successful completion of an $11.4 million Series A funding round. According to Justin Coetzee (photo), GoMetro founder and CEO, the funding will be used to accelerate the company's growth and expansion plans, with a focus on developing its engineering teams, distribution, and partner management teams as well as enhancing the management of electric buses and trucks.
FSAT Labs provides a comprehensive suite of services, including incubation, open innovation, training, and startup acceleration, to nurture and empower entrepreneurs. Since its inception, it has fostered the continental and international success of numerous companies.
French South African Tech Labs (FSAT Labs) is a digital startup incubator and accelerator based in Century City, Cape Town, South Africa. Established in 2016 by Methys, a digital innovation and consulting firm, and the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda), it is committed to propelling early-stage digital startups across Africa.
Led by economic development and SME startup support expert Ndileka Zantsi, FSAT Labs provides a comprehensive ecosystem of support services for startups. The services include 400 square meters of dedicated space for startups to collaborate, innovate, and grow; equipping entrepreneurs with the digital skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the ever-evolving tech landscape; mentoring and coaching startups with personalized guidance and support throughout their journey; and tailored software development and research services to meet the specific needs of both enterprises and technology startups.
FSAT Labs offers two flagship programs to empower startups at every stage of their growth. Its six-month incubation program helps startups transform their ideas into businesses and get their first clients by providing workspace, mentoring, access to a network of experts and partners, and convertible loan financing. The program is divided into three phases. The first phase is the pre-incubation stage, a 4-week period during which the entrepreneur’s idea is validated. The second phase is the 6-month incubation period during which intensive support and guidance are provided. The last phase is the launch stage where startups are equipped to enter the market with confidence.
FSAT Labs also offers a 24-month acceleration program that propels startups to pre-seed or seed funding by offering comprehensive support, from mentoring to resources, throughout their growth journey.
Recognizing the importance of women's participation in the entrepreneurial world, FSAT Labs has established the Khwezi Lodestar Program, an initiative that aims to digitally develop 20 startups founded by women in each cohort. The program provides grants for software licenses and digital platforms, technical support, and mentoring led by accomplished businesswomen.
FSAT Labs has supported several startups, including Gamer's Territory, a technology hub to promote gaming in Africa; Lawyered Up, an African legaltech startup committed to accessibility, social impact, and gender equality within the legal industry; and HourlyRate, an AI-powered freelancing platform.
It is also supported by several organizations and institutions. These include Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), AfricArena, Old Mutual, French Tech Entrepreneurs Cape Town, Enrich in Africa, Silicone Cape Initiative and La French Tech.
Melchior Koba
Young Africans often dream of pursuing their higher education at international universities. But, they sometimes need more information, which makes them waste time and resources. In Madagascar, Tsanta Rakotoarimanga has developed a platform that connects students with mentors who provide guidance and support throughout their educational journey to address that issue.
Tsanta Rakotoarimanga (photo) is the founder and CEO of Mapwess, an online platform that helps students access quality higher education. He holds a bachelor's degree (2019) in finance from Université des Mascareignes in Mauritius and a master's degree in international strategy and management (2023) from Paris-Saclay University.
Driven by his own experiences navigating the complexities of studying abroad, Rakotoarimanga founded Mapwess in 2020 to empower African students to pursue their dreams of higher education at prestigious international universities. The platform connects students with experienced mentors who provide personalized guidance and support throughout their educational journey, from orientation and enrollment to settling into their new environment. With the platform, Rakotoarimanga aims to help 10,000 students realize their dream of studying abroad.
"The idea for Mapwess stemmed from our own challenges in preparing for our studies abroad," Rakotoarimanga explained. "We realized that many students face similar struggles, and we wanted to create a solution that would make the process more accessible and less daunting."
Prior to launching Mapwess, Rakotoarimanga established Dream Studio Agency, a student placement agency that successfully helped numerous young Africans secure placements at renowned institutions. He attributes his entrepreneurial success to the support he received from startup incubators like Orange Fab Madagascar and Zafy Tody, which provided him with valuable resources and mentorship in a context where entrepreneurship was not an easy task in Madagascar and financial institutions and private investors were not confident enough to back him.
Rakotoarimanga's dedication to empowering African students has earned him recognition and accolades, including the third prize in the national stage of the Orange Social Venture Prize in Africa and the Middle East (POESAM) in 2020. In 2021, he was selected as one of Africa's best young entrepreneurs for the Anzisha Prize. This year, he got the opportunity to represent Madagascar in the YALI (Young African Leaders Initiative) program for the Southern African region.
Melchior Koba
Dedicated to fostering the development of African nations, the African Development Bank (AfDB) is expanding its network of partnerships to empower Africa to fully harness the potential of emerging technologies.
On Monday, November 27, the African Development Bank (AfDB) announced a strategic partnership with the US Commercial Service, a global network of trade experts dedicated to promoting foreign direct investment in the United States. This collaboration, unveiled during the Africa Tech Festival in Cape Town, South Africa, aims to foster a series of dialogues on how US digital innovation can contribute to achieving development goals in Africa.
"We are at a turning point in Africa's technological advancement. By bridging insights from the U.S. private sector with Africa's vibrant markets, we aim to drive innovation and economic growth. This partnership is a testament to that mission," said Ashley Ndir, senior U.S. Commercial Liaison to the African Development Bank.
Under the terms of this partnership, the two parties will explore avenues for African governments to collaborate with US technology companies to advance their economies. Additionally, they will examine how US businesses can capitalize on emerging opportunities in Africa's emerging markets.
Discussions will focus on key themes such as embracing emerging technologies, enhancing internet access, developing digital skills, and establishing a regulatory environment conducive to innovation.
This initiative aligns with the AfDB's digital development strategy, which is designed to support African countries in achieving their digitization goals. As part of this strategy, the AfDB invested $2 billion in digital infrastructure, including “regional and national broadband development, creating favorable policy environments for private sector investments, scaling digital skills, and nurturing innovative enterprises.”
Samira Njoya
LemFi, a Nigerian fintech company specializing in money transfers, recently announced the suspension of its operations in Ghana. The decision follows a recent announcement by the Bank of Ghana which identified several entities operating in the country without the required licenses
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A fervent advocate for technological advancement, he has been instrumental in organizing numerous hackathons and innovation competitions across diverse technology domains. He has also founded a tech platform aimed at revolutionizing tourism in Africa.
Prince Youlou (photo) is a Congolese web developer and IT consultant. He graduated in Project Management (2010) and Computer Science (2011) from the IT Business Campus, further enhancing his skills with a certificate in information technology from Huawei University (in 2018).
In 2020, alongside Orion Massamba Wambert, Prince co-founded Niochi, where he serves as the CEO. Meaning "bee" in the local Lari language, Niochi is on a mission to make tourists feel at home when visiting African countries. For that purpose, the startup introduced a mobile app that empowers users to access detailed information on locations, public ratings, and satisfaction indexes for hotels, restaurants, and bars, helping them find the perfect spot.
Prince Youlou's motivation for Niochi stemmed from personal experiences: "Over the years, we've tried many tools and none of them helped us find the best spots in Congo and some of the African countries we've stayed in. That's how we decided to create Niochi, to give people access to detailed information on entertainment venues, accommodation, personal care, and wellness services across the continent," he explained in 2020.
Beyond Niochi, Prince has been actively involved in the tech community. Since 2015, he has been the president of Fongwama, an African community of free software developers. In 2019, he took on the role of leading research and development projects for UNDP Acceleration Labs.
His diverse experience includes serving as the project manager for SanteHack, a healthcare innovation hackathon for Equatorial Congo Airlines in 2016. He has also organized impactful hackathons such as Hack4Food –an initiative by the World Food Program (WFP)- in 2017 and Médiathon –an innovation competition in the information production and dissemination sector organized by the OIF– in 2018.
Melchior Koba
Digify Africa, a leading South African provider of digital skills training, has launched its Digify Pro program in Nairobi, Kenya. This initiative is undertaken in collaboration with Meta, the American technology giant that owns the Facebook social network. The program aims to foster digital literacy and equip young Kenyans with the skills they need to thrive in the digital era.
In the Republic of Congo, Yekolab aims to train the next generation of technological leaders in Africa. It incubates young entrepreneurs and introduces children to new technologies.
Established in February 2015 by ICT expert Max Bonbhel, Yekolab is a center of excellence and training in new technologies and emerging trades in the Republic of Congo. The center's primary mission is to transform the creative ideas of young Congolese individuals into viable and bankable businesses.
Yekolab offers comprehensive incubation and training programs, covering web development, mobile development, enterprise application development, embedded technology, and even programming for children. The center's Y-Incubateur program specifically supports young entrepreneurs, providing them with essential technical resources to thrive in an increasingly competitive market.
Beyond its incubation initiatives, Yekolab houses Y-Lab, a research center fostering technological innovation among Congolese creators. The center is also actively developing Yekolab for Kids, a training program designed for children aged 7 to 17. This program equips children with programming skills and the ability to build robots or automated machines. The 2022 edition of Yekolab for Kids graduated 73 children.
With centers in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire, Yekolab receives crucial technical and financial support from key partners, including the national telecoms regulator ARPCE, Airtel Congo, and JCertif a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting innovation through ICT.
African countries are actively forging strategic partnerships to remain abreast of the swiftly evolving global technological landscape. In the same vein, Morocco recently inked a memorandum of understanding with a U.S. Tech giant.
On Monday, November 27, Morocco's Ministries of Higher Education and Digital Transition signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with American technology giant Oracle, marking a significant step towards enhancing digital skills development in the kingdom's higher education landscape.
The MoU aims to empower professors and students with access to comprehensive training programs, learning resources, and software developed by Oracle. This collaboration aligns with the Kingdom of Morocco's ambitious digital transformation goals, as outlined in its digital transformation strategy, Maroc Digital.
"This memorandum of understanding forms part of the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform's vision to increase the number of skills and talents trained in digitalization professions. [...] This will enable us to support our country's digital transformation as a leading producer of digital solutions at regional and continental levels, while also meeting the needs of national and international investors," reads a joint release from both ministries.
Under the terms of the MoU, Oracle will provide Moroccan institutions with access to its Oracle Academy, a global education program that has been empowering students for over two decades. Through this partnership, Moroccan students will gain hands-on experience with Oracle's technology stack, preparing them for successful careers in the digital sector.
The MoU aligns with Morocco's commitment to Maroc Digital, which calls for the annual training of 45,000 digital talents and the conversion of 50,000 young people to digital professions. This initiative aims to position Morocco as a global hub for innovation and digital excellence.
On completion of the training courses, Moroccan students will be able to obtain Oracle professional certifications in various technological fields, enhancing their career prospects and making them highly sought-after professionals.
Adoni Conrad Quenum