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
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
Ghanaian fintech Fido has raised $20 million in Series B funding from BlueOrchard and Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank FMO, with an additional $10 million in debt financing from Stanbic Bank Ghana and Growth Investment Partners.
The funds will support Fido's expansion across Africa, focusing on providing small business loans, savings, and personalized insurance solutions.
Fido offers credit access to individuals and MSMEs in Ghana and Uganda, leveraging AI-driven technology to deliver its services.
He aims to help businesses optimize their operations and grow their activities. To achieve this, he offers a platform that connects them with qualified talent capable of handling their key tasks.
Wisani Hlangwane is a South African investment graduate and entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of Funti3R, a startup established in 2022 to offer innovative workforce management solutions.
Funti3R connects companies in sectors such as IT, information and communication technologies, healthcare, and financial services with qualified talent. These professionals are responsible for performing essential tasks to drive the growth of these businesses.
From project management to data entry, Funti3R simplifies the creation and management of tasks, promoting seamless, real-time collaboration among teams. The platform also allows users to track progress, monitor key performance indicators, and gain valuable insights into business processes.
Funti3R features advanced functionalities, including AI-powered smart task recommendations and predictive resource allocation that enhances efficiency by matching the right tasks with the right people.
Alongside his role at Funti3R, Wisani Hlangwane is a certified market maker for Fonbnk, a global marketplace that converts prepaid mobile airtime into cryptocurrency. In 2015, he co-founded IMB Magazine, a social media publication aimed at inspiring people. In 2017, he founded Sikizela Developments, a construction company, and in 2020, he co-founded MyHammiTown, an e-commerce startup.
Wisani Hlangwane holds a bachelor’s degree in investment from Milpark Business School, South Africa, obtained in 2021. In 2022, he joined Mpowa, a blockchain platform, as a Web3 strategist, where he is working currently.
Melchior Koba
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Telemedicine is well-suited for non-urgent medical conditions. It helps avoid long waiting lines and is increasingly becoming a preferred alternative across the continent, especially with the growth of the technological ecosystem.
Medikea is a digital health solution developed by a Tanzanian startup to provide users with access to online consultations through its mobile platform. Founded in 2020 by Desire Ruhinda, Elvis Silayo, and John Manko, the startup is based in Dar es Salaam.
"All of Medikea Doctors are licensed and registered with the Medical Council of Tanganyika (MCT), the organisation responsible for overseeing medical doctors in Tanzania. They have experience in treating a wide range of conditions and can assist with almost anything your regular doctor could handle in a clinic or hospital," the startup explains.
The Medikea app, available on iOS and Android, has been downloaded over 500 times according to Play Store data. Users create an account to access the healthtech services. For online consultations, users schedule an appointment through the platform. The consultation takes place via video call, where users describe their symptoms to the doctors, much like in a traditional consultation.
If the doctor has enough information to make a diagnosis, they prescribe the appropriate treatment. If not, the patient is referred to a clinic for further examination. In addition to online consultations, Medikea offers medication delivery and at-home lab tests. However, these two services are currently only available in the city of Dar es Salaam.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
As a former business intelligence consultant, he recognized the pivotal role data plays in driving corporate success. Now an entrepreneur, he leverages technology to gather and make this valuable information accessible to businesses.
Joseph Rutakangwa (photo), a Tanzanian entrepreneur, is the co-founder and CEO of Rwazi, an AI-powered business intelligence platform.
Founded in 2018, Rwazi provides international brands with free access to detailed consumer data. The platform offers insights into who buys what, at what price, from where, when, and why. Rwazi's goal is to help companies increase revenue and expand their operations.
The startup leverages a network of over 20,000 data collectors located in urban and rural areas across more than 40 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and South America.
Rwazi offers a mobile and web application that allows consumers worldwide to share their consumption habits. In return, they receive personalized product recommendations based on their budget and preferences, powered by an AI engine.
According to Rutakangwa, live streaming of consumer data enables clients to identify trends in real-time and respond quickly, allowing them to generate revenue and grow in the dynamic and ever-changing landscape of consumer demands.
Rutakangwa holds two bachelor's degrees in business management from The African Leadership University in Mauritius and Glasgow Caledonian University in the UK. He also earned a graduate diploma in international business from Lehigh University.
Prior to founding Rwazi, Rutakangwa worked as an independent business intelligence consultant from 2013 to 2018. He also held positions in the marketing and business development departments at Pernod Ricard, a global wine and spirits group.
Melchior Koba
African countries are increasingly modernizing their digital systems, adopting various technologies to enhance efficiency and transparency. However, the critical issue of digital security is often overlooked.
Ethiopia recently launched a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) system to enhance the security of online transactions. The initiative, inaugurated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (photo) on Saturday, August 31, aims to bolster the country's digital transformation efforts.
"Securing virtual data complements the task of protecting national sovereignty. Today, we officially launched Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) with the Information Network Security Administration. This will facilitate reliable and secure digital data exchange," Prime Minister Abiy stated on X.
The PKI system is part of Ethiopia's broader cybersecurity strategy. Other initiatives include a training program for five million coders and the national digital identification program.
The PKI will be particularly beneficial for Ethiopian public organizations that provide electronic services, such as issuing driver's licenses, passports, and health insurance. It will also contribute to the growth of e-commerce in the country.
A PKI is a cryptographic solution used to secure electronic information transfer. It issues digital certificates that enable encryption and digital signatures, ensuring confidentiality, authentication, integrity, and non-repudiation during online transactions.
Samira Njoya
The Burkinabe government is firmly committed to modernizing the country through the introduction of new technologies. This initiative is being realized by the adoption of new services aimed at benefiting citizens.
Burkina Faso has officially launched a new electronic passport issuance system, marking a significant milestone in the modernization of its identification infrastructure. The Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana, inaugurated this "next-generation" tool on Tuesday, September 3, in Ouagadougou.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Security, these new electronic passports—whether ordinary, service, diplomatic, or for refugees—are made of polycarbonate and equipped with an electronic chip that offers enhanced storage capacity. "They reflect the Burkinabe government's commitment to strengthening national identity and providing citizens with documents that meet the highest international standards," the statement noted.
Developed by Chinese company Emptech, the passports are part of the latest generation recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). They incorporate cutting-edge security features and are available within 24 hours at a cost of XOF50,000 FCFA (approximately €76), provided all required documents are submitted.
The introduction of this new system is part of a broader strategy to modernize identification systems in Burkina Faso. It coincides with the implementation of a law on the Unique Electronic Identifier of Persons, which aims to uniquely identify each individual through biometric and biographical data.
The new system is expected to enhance security, reduce the risks of fraud and identity theft, and enable real-time tracking of the passport production and issuance process. Additionally, it is designed to be interoperable with other national systems, facilitating secure and efficient data exchange, with flexible enrollment options available both online and offline.
Samira Njoya