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UNICEF and Maarif Foundation signed an agreement to expand digital and STEM education for girls.
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The initiative will leverage the U-Report platform with over 3 million users to drive youth engagement.
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Girls’ school enrollment rose to 83% in 2024 from 33% in 2011, but STEM participation remains low.
UNICEF Côte d’Ivoire and the Maarif Foundation signed a memorandum of understanding on April 7 in Abidjan. The agreement aims to strengthen digital inclusion and improve access to education for girls, with a particular focus on scientific disciplines.
The two institutions concluded the partnership after one year of negotiations. They plan to reduce gender disparities in the Ivorian education system by directing more students toward STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields, where girls remain historically underrepresented. “This protocol is an opportunity to emphasize girls’ participation in fields that are not traditionally theirs,” said Jean‑François Basse.
Moreover, the agreement includes the use of the youth digital platform U-Report. The platform, which has more than 3 million users in the country, will serve as a channel to promote civic engagement among young people, including in rural areas.
The partners aim to transform adolescents into agents of change while developing practical training programs to improve employability among the most vulnerable groups.
This collaboration comes as Ivory Coast accelerates efforts to modernize its education sector. According to data from the Ministry of National Education and Literacy, the girls’ enrollment rate increased from 33% in 2011 to 83% in 2024.
However, the transition toward technical and scientific fields remains a major challenge. The Maarif Foundation, which manages a growing international network of schools, will contribute pedagogical expertise to complement the humanitarian programs led by UNICEF.
Finally, the agreement builds on commitments made during last year’s technology festival. It also includes support for major national events such as the Fête de la Science, with the aim of creating a sustainable link between international institutions and the local education ecosystem.
Samira Njoya
The Botswana Innovation Fund is launching a 12-month program to support 10 startups in climate and digital technologies. Selected companies will be supported in turning their ideas into viable products, testing their solutions, gaining customers, and preparing to attract investors. The program targets renewable energy, energy efficiency, water management, and data-driven technologies.
Vertiv, a company specializing in critical digital infrastructure, will host an online event on April 15 at 11:00 AM (GMT+2) focused on AI-ready data centers in Africa. The session will examine the power, cooling, and scalable infrastructure needed to support the rapid growth of AI and cloud computing. Industry experts will discuss key technical challenges and the solutions required to support future expansion.
The Africa Tech Summit is scheduled to take place on May 29, 2026, at the London Stock Exchange. The event will bring together African startups, diaspora investors and global funds. It will focus on funding and partnerships in London, a key hub for access to international capital.
As payment security becomes a strategic priority for banks, a South African entrepreneur is developing a technological solution that is already drawing international attention.
Schalk Nolte is a South African entrepreneur and co-founder and chief executive of Entersekt, a company that secures online and mobile financial transactions for banks and other financial services firms.
Founded in 2008, Entersekt works with banks, credit unions, card issuers and other financial institutions to reduce fraud, increase revenue, meet regulatory requirements and improve customer experience.
The company says it holds more than 120 technology patents covering innovations in digital security, payments and user experience. It has more than 210 clients across 70 countries, including over 850 card-issuing banks, 550,000 merchants and around 360 million users of its software.
Entersekt offers a single platform designed to meet the needs of financial institutions. Its core functions include protecting against scams, preventing account takeovers and securing access to digital banking services. The platform also supports more reliable online payments through solutions that comply with market standards and help reduce pressure on call centers.
Nolte graduated from Stellenbosch University with a bachelor’s degree in electronic engineering in 1999. From 2022 to 2024, he was a member of YPO, a global network of business leaders. He also served on the board of LaunchLab, Stellenbosch University’s incubator, from 2022 to 2023.
Melchior Koba
He is exploring a new approach to the rental market, aiming to make renting more seamless by rethinking how security deposits move between tenants and landlords.
Ndaedzo Madume is a South African entrepreneur and founder and chief executive of GraceNineteen, a company providing financial solutions for the residential rental market, with a focus on security deposit payments and management.
Founded in 2019, GraceNineteen develops investment and lending products for rental housing. Its model is built on two core components: financing tenant security deposits and growing those deposits through investment products for landlords and property managers.
In practice, the platform pays the deposit to the landlord or agency on behalf of the tenant. This allows tenants to secure housing without tying up significant upfront capital. The tenant then repays the startup in affordable installments over a defined period.
Interest rates vary depending on the tenant’s risk profile and whether the deposit is invested through GraceNineteen. The advertised annual rate ranges from 14% to 27%. The company also offers the option to combine the loan with an investment product, allowing clients to earn a return on the financed deposit.
Madume holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, completed in 2014. He also holds a master’s degree in corporate finance and valuations from the University of Cape Town, completed in 2022.
He began his career at Investec Asset Management, where he interned between 2011 and 2013, before joining Rand Merchant Bank in 2014 as a research intern. He remained there until 2021, including as a market risk analyst.
Melchior Koba
- Atos and ABA Technology sign deal to deploy Fusion AI across public and private sectors
- Partnership targets sovereign, secure AI systems in regulated environments
- Global AI investments could exceed $1.5 trillion, boosting demand for local control of data
ABA Technology, a Moroccan artificial intelligence company, and Atos announced that they signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday, April 7, on the sidelines of GITEX Africa 2026 in Marrakech. The agreement aims to accelerate the deployment of the Fusion AI platform among public and private stakeholders.
The companies designed the recently launched technology to structure AI usage in complex environments while ensuring data sovereignty.
“Fusion AI meets a central requirement today: deploy governed, secure and fully operational artificial intelligence in critical environments,” said Safia Faraj, Africa Director at Atos. She added that the partnership will help organizations “move from experimentation to production” by integrating systems that automate processes while complying with strict security and regulatory standards.
Atos will act as an integrator of the platform developed by ABA Technology for its clients, particularly in the public, industrial and scientific sectors. The partners will deploy AI solutions adapted to multiple use cases, including industrial optimization, scientific research and public policy management.
They aim to deliver architectures that unify data, systems and operations within highly regulated environments.
The agreement comes amid accelerating global investment in artificial intelligence. Africa also increases its focus on technological sovereignty as a strategic priority. Estimates from Google indicate that global AI investments could exceed $1.5 trillion in the coming years, pushing governments and companies to strengthen control over infrastructure and data.
The partnership follows the launch of Fusion AI by ABA Technology one week earlier. The company designed and operates the platform from Morocco. The solution relies on a unified architecture that connects IT systems, industrial infrastructure and connected devices.
The platform includes several sector-specific applications. It allows companies to optimize industrial production through digital twins. It enables governments to improve decision-making using territorial intelligence tools. It also helps researchers accelerate biomedical research.
Through this alliance, the two partners aim to structure an artificial intelligence offering aligned with African market realities. They combine technological expertise with large-scale integration capabilities.
ABA Technology seeks to expand adoption of its platform beyond Morocco. Atos strengthens its positioning in digital sovereignty projects across the continent.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
The pan-African neobank Zazu has partnered with Visa to offer entrepreneurs and small businesses in Morocco a 100% online business account. Customers can open an account, send and receive payments, issue multiple cards for their teams, and track expenses in real time from a single dashboard, eliminating the need for multiple tools, saving time and improving cash flow management.
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Morocco signs partnership with Huawei to support gaming ecosystem and talent development
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Gaming revenues reach $227.3 million in 2024 and could hit $297 million by 2027
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Authorities intensify efforts to structure a fragmented but fast-growing sector
Morocco accelerates the structuring of its gaming industry, which remains nascent but shows strong growth potential. On the sidelines of the GITEX Africa Morocco 2026 event in Marrakech, the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication and Huawei Morocco signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday, April 7, to support the development of digital and creative industries.
Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, and David Li, Chief Executive Officer of Huawei Morocco, signed the agreement. Both parties aim to consolidate a national ecosystem that remains fragmented but benefits from the rise of a new generation of developers and independent studios.
The partnership outlines several areas of intervention. It includes technical support for the Morocco Gaming Expo 2026, scheduled from May 20 to 24 in Rabat. Huawei will equip training and workshop spaces to improve learning conditions and allow developers to test their projects in a suitable environment.
The agreement also includes support for local talent. Huawei will back Moroccan teams participating in international initiatives led by the Chinese group. The ministry will also provide targeted support to five selected developers.
This approach aims to increase the visibility of Moroccan profiles and facilitate their integration into global value chains.
Morocco now positions gaming beyond entertainment. Stakeholders view the sector as a creative industry with strong potential to create jobs, attract investment, and develop advanced digital skills.
According to the “State of the African Video Game Industry 2026” report by SpielFabrique, published in January 2026, annual gaming revenues in Morocco reached $227.3 million in 2024. Projections indicate growth to $297 million by 2027.
Public authorities continue to expand initiatives to structure the gaming ecosystem. The government supports startup incubation programs and develops dedicated hubs such as Rabat Gaming City. It also promotes public-private partnerships to connect local talent with global markets.
The agreement with Huawei Morocco extends this broader strategy. It follows an earlier partnership focused on developing local e-sports. Authorities implemented that initiative in collaboration with Rabat Gaming City, the Royal Moroccan Federation of Electronic Games (FRMJE), and innovative training programs.
Samira Njoya
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Orange will train 6 million people in digital skills by 2030 through its Orange Digital Centers.
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The network includes 53 centers across Africa and the Middle East, with 1.4 million beneficiaries in 2025.
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Orange positions trust as a competitive advantage under its “Trust the Future” 2026–2030 strategy.
The digital sector has become a strategic arena where economic ambitions, social expectations, and sovereignty issues converge. Telecom operators now face a dual challenge as they connect users and prove their ability to support Africa’s long-term transformation.
Against this backdrop, Orange has placed trust at the center of its growth model. The company introduced its “Trust the Future” strategic plan for 2026–2030 during a press event held on April 7 and 8 in Morocco. The group assigned a central role to Orange Middle East and Africa in executing this strategy.
Orange defined trust through network quality, cybersecurity, innovation, and corporate responsibility. However, the company also builds trust in Africa through direct engagement with youth, entrepreneurs, and local ecosystems. In this context, the Orange Digital Centers (ODC) represent one of the most tangible pillars of the strategy.
Orange stated that trust has evolved from a communication tool into a competitive advantage in an increasingly complex digital environment. The company aims to build long-term relationships with African youth by providing technical support, improving employability, and strengthening credibility in the job market.
Orange committed to training 6 million people in digital skills by 2030, primarily through its Orange Digital Centers. The company delivers these programs free of charge to expand access and inclusion.
An Integrated Model
The Orange Digital Center ecosystem has expanded across Africa and the Middle East and now includes 53 centers operating in 16 African countries and Jordan. The network partners with 167 universities.
In 2025, the centers reached 1.4 million beneficiaries, including 42% women. The program also supported 450 startups, with 24 receiving funding from Orange Ventures. As a result, the ODC network has moved beyond experimentation and now operates as a structured regional ecosystem.
According to Alia Sahaly, the model derives its strength from integration. The Orange Digital Centers combine multiple components, including coding schools, FabLabs for prototyping, Orange Fab for startup acceleration, and Orange Ventures for financing. This end-to-end value chain links training to investment and reinforces the company’s trust-driven approach.
Employability and Reskilling
Employability remains a core pillar of the ODC model. The centers have delivered 42,000 certifications in partnership with global platforms such as Amazon Web Services, Coursera, and Google.
The program has accumulated more than 277,000 training hours and introduced 13 specialized tracks. It has also issued 500 Google professional certificates focused on web development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, UX/UI design, data, and cloud computing.
The “Master Repair” initiative illustrates the reskilling strategy. The program trains participants in mobile device repair, solar panel installation, and fiber network maintenance.
Rising Demand for Training
Entrepreneurship forms the second pillar of the ODC model. Orange has supported innovators for 16 years through initiatives such as the Orange Summer Challenge and the Orange Social Venture Prize in Africa and the Middle East. The company also accelerates startups commercially through Orange Fab.
In addition, Orange highlighted the role of Orange Ventures, a €50 million ($58 million) investment fund, in financing high-potential startups. Through these initiatives, Orange positions itself not only as a connectivity provider but also as a builder of Africa’s digital economy.
Performance metrics support this positioning. Orange reported that 69% of surveyed participants said their skills improved significantly, while 71% said the program contributed meaningfully to their personal and professional development. Three-quarters of respondents reported regular use of acquired skills.
Moreover, Orange stated that demand for training can reach up to 40 times available capacity in some countries, reflecting strong market appetite.
Ultimately, the Orange Digital Center embodies the broader objectives of the “Trust the Future” strategy. The initiative demonstrates that trust depends not only on network reliability or data protection but also on education, inclusion, local innovation, and entrepreneurial support.
In Africa and the Middle East, which Orange identifies as a key growth engine, the ODC network functions as a dual-purpose asset. It delivers social impact while strengthening credibility, talent pipelines, and long-term sustainable growth.
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The United States will launch Africa’s first regional drone training center in Morocco, starting with a pilot during African Lion 2026.
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Sixteen soldiers from partner countries will receive operational drone training in planning and system handling.
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The global military drone market could reach $30.9 billion by 2034, up from $18.2 billion in 2025.
Morocco will host the first U.S. regional drone training center in Africa, according to an announcement by General Christopher Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF). The project will begin with a pilot phase during the African Lion 2026 exercise, scheduled from April 20 to May 8 in the kingdom. The U.S. military and several African armed forces will jointly conduct the exercise.
USAREUR-AF will lead the program and will equip African militaries with operational drone capabilities. Sixteen soldiers from partner nations will participate in the initial training phase. The program will include two components: integrating drones into operational planning and handling various drone systems.
This initiative will strengthen military cooperation between Washington and its African partners. It comes as drones gain rapid prominence in global security operations. Armed forces are increasingly deploying drones for surveillance, intelligence gathering, and intervention missions. Moreover, drones often deliver greater cost-efficiency than conventional military equipment.
The expansion of drone usage is driving sustained market growth. Fortune Business Insights estimates that the global military drone market will reach $30.9 billion by 2034, compared with $18.2 billion in 2025 and $20.8 billion in 2026.
African countries are also increasing their interest in drone technologies to address border surveillance, trafficking, and infrastructure security challenges. However, adoption remains uneven across the continent. While lighter and more accessible models are spreading gradually, advanced systems with intelligence and strike capabilities remain costly for many countries.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
The Moroccan startup z.systems, which specializes in digitizing neighborhood grocery stores, has raised $1.65 million from the Azur Innovation Fund and existing investors. The company aims to build digital infrastructure for the traditional retail sector, which accounts for the vast majority of food spending in Morocco, and plans to connect 50,000 retailers to its platform by 2030, with support from the government.
- Tenaw Derseh founded Nexudy to connect startups, investors, and mentors across Africa.
- The platform uses intelligent recommendations to match projects with relevant stakeholders.
- Nexudy aims to support startups from idea stage through growth while improving ecosystem efficiency.
Tenaw Derseh is an Ethiopian electronics engineer and entrepreneur. He is the founder and chief executive officer of Nexudy, an online platform that provides users with resources, connections, and support to develop ideas and businesses.
He is leveraging technology to bridge the gap between ideas and viable companies. He aims to make Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem more open and interconnected.
Derseh launched Nexudy in 2025 to serve the entire entrepreneurial ecosystem. He targets startup founders, investors, experts, mentors, and professionals seeking opportunities.
The platform facilitates connections among these actors through an intelligent recommendation system. It identifies relevant stakeholders and projects at the right time.
Nexudy provides founders with a comprehensive environment that supports them at every stage. It guides users from initial idea development to business growth. The platform offers dedicated programs to define business models, improve pitch quality, structure internal governance, and strengthen market traction. It also allows investors to access startups that are ready to raise funds and already structured. It improves deal flow quality and reduces early-stage risk.
Mentors and experts can share their experience through targeted programs. They support founders on key topics such as strategy, growth, and international expansion.
In parallel, Tenaw Derseh co-founded Baacumen in 2024. The platform enables learners to build skills and expand career opportunities through a wide range of courses. Baacumen covers fields including information technology, coding, marketing, and creative skills.
Tenaw Derseh graduated from Haramaya University with a bachelor’s degree in economics in 2012. He earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronic engineering in 2019 from the University of Washington. He also obtained a master’s degree in data science in 2023 from Eastern University in the United States.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
In Casablanca, the Morocco Accelerator program has launched its second cohort, featuring 19 Moroccan startups, including diaspora founders, specializing in fintech, AI, healthcare, agritech and deeptech. Supported by the Ministry of Digital Transition, in partnership with Technopark and Plug and Play, the program provides mentorship, market access and connections with investors. It aims to help these startups scale beyond Morocco, in line with the Morocco Digital 2030 strategy.