In Africa, financial inclusion has become a critical issue for many governments and financial regulators. Initiatives are being implemented to enhance access to financial services and make them available to a larger segment of the population.
Algeria's mobile payment interoperability project is now operational, the government announced on Monday, June 3. The initiative, facilitated by a new switch called "Switch mobile," allows customers of Algerian banks and Algeria Post to make instant interbank transfers and account-to-account payments using QR codes.
Speaking on the significance of these innovations, Finance Minister Laaziz Fayed stated that they "are the culmination of a work plan and a meticulous strategy launched by the public authorities as part of the implementation of the provisions of the monetary and banking law in its development aspect."
According to Laaziz Fayed, the launch of this service marks the second step in the process of modernizing and developing payment methods by providing a switch for payments and transfers that connects all bank applications and those of Algeria Post to mobile. It aligns with the National Electronic Payment Strategy, which aims to enhance financial inclusion in Algeria.
The government plans to further promote mobile payment services across the country through targeted campaigns. The launch is expected to significantly improve e-payment efficiency and security in Algeria.
According to official figures, the number of mobile transactions between January and March this year reached more than 13 million, with a value exceeding 9 billion Algerian dinars (66.9 million USD). The number of interbank cards and Algeria Post cards was estimated at over 17 million as of March 31, while the number of ATMs reached over 3,868, recording more than 45.9 million transactions for a total amount exceeding 859 billion Algerian dinars during the first quarter.
Samira Njoya
The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the development of this young startup, which was exploring the Togolese market to provide digital solutions for the event industry. Since then, it has steadily grown and has been involved in over 150 events since its launch.
Klumer, a digital solution developed by Eods Communication, allows users to purchase event tickets online from their computer or smartphone. The startup, based in Lomé, was founded in 2018 by Fiacre Dagbegnon.
"Klumer is an event platform with a complete ecosystem designed to provide optimal support to event organizers in achieving their audience targeting goals," says the startup.
The application is available on both iOS and Android and has already been downloaded over a thousand times, according to Play Store statistics. After downloading, users create an account to access Klumer's services. Besides the e-Ticket service, which functions as an online ticketing system allowing users to purchase tickets for various events directly through the Klumer platform, the startup also offers e-Voting, e-Collect, and e-Score services.
As the names suggest, e-Voting enables the organization of online votes with a single click; e-Collect helps conduct transparent fundraising and social donations; and e-Scoring facilitates the management of competitive events with a digital scoreboard.
"Klumer was developed following Facebook and Instagram’s style. Today, we have nothing to envy from what developers in Silicon Valley have achieved in social network development. The only difference is in their logistics, which we do not yet have," Fiacre Dagbegnon told local business media Togo First in February 2023.
The Togolese startup boasts over 810,000 users and has covered more than 150 events since its launch. It was selected, along with nine other Togolese startups, to participate in the second edition of the Gitex Africa technology fair in Marrakech, Morocco, from May 29 to 31.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
The Tunisian government views 5G technology as a means to accelerate the digital transformation of various economic sectors, including agriculture, education, and transportation. The executive has set the launch date for ultra-high-speed internet in the country for November 2024.
Tunisia and South Korea agreed to collaborate on the deployment of 5G technology, according to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Nizar Ben Neji, Tunisia's Minister of Communication Technologies, and his South Korean counterpart, Lee Jong Ho.
The signing took place on the sidelines of the Global ICT Leaders Forum in Seoul, held alongside the first Korea-Africa Summit on June 4-5.
This MoU aligns with Tunisia's recently unveiled 5G roadmap. The roadmap targets September 2024 for granting licenses and November 2024 for the commercial launch of 5G services. In addition, Tunisian telecom operators have already conducted preliminary tests of the next-generation mobile technology.
The 5G partnership aligns with Tunisia's "National Digital Transformation Strategy 2025," which prioritizes accelerating administrative digitization, securing cyberspace, ensuring digital sovereignty, and fostering trust for successful digitalization projects.
The implementation of 5G is expected to pave the way for the development of smart homes, smart cities, e-learning, e-government, 3D video, telemedicine, virtual and augmented reality, streaming services, artificial intelligence applications, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Isaac K. Kassouwi
A South Korean delegation met with President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi at the 2024 Korea-Africa summit in Seoul, Botswana’s presidency revealed June 5.
The delegation discussed establishing an ICT industry base and fostering digital government in Botswana, aiming to share South Korea's successful strategies and explore potential collaborations.
This meeting highlights efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance technological cooperation between South Korea and Botswana.
Agriculture is a vital sector for African economies. With the digital transformation amidst a technological revolution on the continent, digitizing the agricultural sector has become crucial for many countries across the continent.
The Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Digital Green, a U.S.-based non-profit focused on digitizing agriculture, to empower farmers through digital solutions.
The announcement, made by Digital Green on Facebook on June 2, outlines a five-year collaboration aimed at maximizing agricultural and socio-economic benefits for farmers, particularly women and youth, in the operational regions of both organizations.
The initiative will establish a knowledge-sharing platform built on FarmStack, an open-source data and content-sharing network. This platform will leverage APIs, URLs, and CKAN integrations for seamless information exchange.
"We're thrilled to announce that we have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency to maximize the agricultural and socio-economic benefits for farmers, women, and youth in the operational regions and Woredas of both organizations," Digital Green wrote on their Facebook page. "This five-year MOU aims to outline collaborative efforts in digital agriculture, youth job creation, women empowerment, market information systems, resource mobilization, and data sharing."
Ethiopia's digital transformation strategy includes digitizing the agricultural sector. The government partnered with local agritech firm Lersha to create digital profiles for over 1 million small-scale farmers, granting them access to various digital agriculture services.
"Together, we will implement initiatives to digitize farmer registries, enhance digital agricultural extension channels, and improve market access, ultimately benefiting farmers, women, and youth across Ethiopia," Digital Green added.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Entrepreneurs using data and technology to tackle social issues in Africa are invited to join the 'Think Like an Investor' program, which seeks innovative digital social innovations (DSIs) with significant impact in areas like e-health, digital inclusion, climate change, financial inclusion, connectivity, and governance.
The program, announced on the official Facebook page of the Delegation of the European Union to Namibia on June 5, offers investment readiness training, mentorship from professionals in Europe and Africa, and networking opportunities at industry events.
Eligible applicants must be from South Africa, Botswana, Tanzania, Zambia, Namibia, Kenya, or Senegal, and must be proficient in English. Applications are open till August 4.
Compliant with West African accounting standards, this online accounting solution is accessible in 17 African countries. It simplifies account management for small and medium-sized enterprises, independent entrepreneurs, and accounting firms.
Iwo is a fintech solution developed by a Beninese startup, enabling businesses to manage their accounting online from a computer or smartphone. The startup, based in Cotonou, was founded in 2020 by Razak Hachimou.
"Iwo enables the production of financial statements in compliance with standards in just one click and easy account management. Its team also offers expert support,” explains the startup. It adds : “Iwo prevents data loss in case of PC, tablet, or phone losses. You can access your data anytime, anywhere, thanks to the Internet."
Since the startup does not have a mobile app, users access its services through its website. To try Iwo for free, they need to click on the button "Try for Free" and create their accounts with personal details such as first name, last name, email address, and phone number, as well as professional information like the company name and physical address.
After completing this step, they can access the many features of Iwo for free for 14 days to evaluate the solution. "The flagship feature of Iwo is the cash register, which simplifies accounting for entrepreneurs or business managers who do not have accounting skills or the means to hire an accountant or accounting firm. The cash register facilitates bookkeeping without debit-credit maneuvers," the startup explains.
In addition to the cash register, Iwo offers functionalities like the chart of accounts, general ledger, financial statements, projects, and transactions. After the trial period, users need to choose one of the subscription plans to continue using its features. The said plans are priced at XOF3,000 (about $5) for the Envol plan, XOF3,500 for the Mature plan, and XOF5,000 for the Expertise plan monthly.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
In 2022, only 34% of the population in West and Central Africa had access to broadband connectivity, according to the World Bank. To improve this situation, regional initiatives are underway to increase connectivity rates in these regions.
The deployment of the Amilcar Cabral submarine telecommunications cable, aimed at connecting Cape Verde, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, is gradually taking shape. A delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), led by Mr. Sediko Douka, Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalization, met with Mr. Nouha Traoré, Secretary General of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and the Digital Economy of Guinea, on Monday, June 3, to discuss the development of this strategic project.
"The discussions focused on several key aspects of the project, including its regional significance and importance for ECOWAS integration, the technical milestones to be implemented, obtaining the necessary permits for cable deployment, and the financial aspects of the project," said the Guinean Ministry of Digital Economy in a press release.
The meeting occurred more than a year after the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the ECOWAS Commission for the project's development. Under this partnership, the six countries involved committed to participating in the evaluation of the project's technical, economic, financial, social, and environmental feasibility, as well as mobilizing the necessary resources for its implementation. The ECOWAS Commission will coordinate the project's execution by interacting with the beneficiary countries, donors, and other stakeholders.
Guinea and Gambia, through the West Africa Regional Digital Integration Program (WARDIP), have secured funding from the World Bank for the implementation of the crucial project estimated to cost over $90 million.
Once completed, the Amilcar Cabral submarine cable is expected to enhance international telecommunications capacity, improve access to digital services, and provide essential redundancy to ensure the resilience of high-speed Internet in the affected countries. The cable is also expected to improve the digital infrastructure necessary to attract foreign investment, create jobs, and support the development of the digital economy in the region.
After Asia and Europe, with expansions into the United Kingdom, Georgia, and Turkey, the Emirati startup OneClickDrive has decided to invest in a new continent. The company has chosen Morocco as the starting point for its African venture.
OneClickDrive, an Emirati car rental marketplace, is expanding its operations to Morocco, marking its first foray into the African market, a release dated June 3rd announces.
Based in Dubai, the startup is supporting its growth by investing in another continent after Europe and Asia. For its debut in the Moroccan market, it has launched services in eight cities: Agadir, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakech, Nador, Oujda, Rabat, and Tangier. Founded in 2015 by Mahesh Pagarani, OneClickDrive specializes in car rentals and leasing across a range of vehicles, from low-cost options to luxury cars.
In addition to its web platform, OneClickDrive offers a mobile app available on iOS and Android, which has already been downloaded more than 50,000 times according to Play Store data. After creating an account, users can access the start-up's fleet of over 5,000 vehicles.
OneClickDrive has partnered with more than 250 car rental providers in the cities where it operates to ensure its 100,000 monthly customers can find the right vehicle for their needs. It’s worth noting that African start-ups operating in the mobility segment raised $48 million in equity capital across 17 deals, according to data from the tech-focused investment fund Partech Africa.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Africa, rich in natural resources and biodiversity, faces numerous major environmental challenges. Orange and its employees are committed to helping reduce these threats through various initiatives.
On Wednesday, June 5, Orange Middle East and Africa unveiled the Engage for Change program in collaboration with its employees to reinforce their ongoing commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR). The program aims to positively impact society and the environment while enhancing team cohesion.
"This platform is a powerful tool for uniting our teams around shared values. Every initiative, every action taken by our employees demonstrates our collective ability to bring about significant change. We’re proud to see this commitment come to fruition and to witness the positive impact it generates," said Asma Ennaifer, Executive Director of CSR and Communication at Orange Middle East and Africa.
Through the interactive platform engageforchange.orange.com, employees are actively encouraged to participate in social and environmental initiatives that have a concrete and positive impact on our communities. These initiatives include local projects, partnerships, and eco-responsible actions. Encouraged actions encompass reducing carbon footprints, supporting local communities, promoting education and health, and engaging in sustainable projects.
Throughout the day on June 5, and across the region, several local initiatives were organized to demonstrate the tangible impact of the platform. In Mali, for example, a team of 200 Orange employee volunteers participated in the reforestation of an urban park dedicated to children by planting 1,000 trees, contributing to the fight against desertification and creating green spaces for the youth.
Additionally, other notable initiatives include awareness campaigns on the importance of recycling and electronic waste management, training workshops for young people on digital skills, and partnerships with local NGOs to support vulnerable populations. These collective efforts reflect Orange Middle East and Africa's commitment to playing an active and responsible role in sustainable development and the well-being of the communities it serves.
Samira Njoya
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The growth of e-commerce on the continent is driving an increase in demand for logistics services, including last-mile delivery. To fill this gap in his country, a tech entrepreneur a tailored solution.
Moroccan startup Forcelog allows users, particularly e-commerce merchants and business professionals, to deliver orders or packages to their customers. The start-up, based in Casablanca, was founded in 2021 by Anas Bouziane.
Currently, there is no mobile app for its eponymous solution but, users can access its services through its website. To start the process, they need to sign up as a client by clicking on the button "Become a client" button and filling a form with with their name, company name, email address, the city where their company's headquarters are located, etc. After this step, they gain access to a workspace to manage their activities with Forcelog.
"Our services include free pickup from your store or storage facility without a minimum quantity, storage in our facilities until orders are triggered by your customers, product preparation and packaging if necessary, and finally the shipping and delivery of parcels to the customer's address," explains the startup.
Forcelog claims to deliver to 240 destinations within Morocco. The startup offers 24-hour delivery times for major cities like Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakech, and two-day delivery for smaller towns. Users can track the progress of deliveries in real-time from their workspace through the tracking system. Prices start at 18 Moroccan dirhams (about $1.81) per delivered order.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
The development of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) holds significant importance for African development on several fronts as it can serve as as a catalyst for financial inclusion, allowing unbanked populations to access formal financial services. This, in turn, can spur economic growth by empowering individuals and small businesses with access to credit and other financial tools.
The National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) intends to launch a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) to enhance financial inclusion and provide a secure alternative to cash, Deputy Governor Soraya Hakuziyaremye disclosed in a June 3 interview with The New Times Rwanda.
According to Hon. Hakuziyaremye, BNR worked with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of ICT and Innovation on a feasibility study to prepare for the launch of the CBDC. The digital currency is expected to promote innovation, improve cross-border payments, and support Rwanda's cashless policy.
The BNR plans to involve banks and consult the public to gather feedback and address concerns about financial system stability, data privacy, and system resilience. The public consultation, open until the end of June, will inform the next step in the CBDC development, which is the proof of concept.
According to the World Bank's Global Findex 2021, 71% of adults in developing economies now have a formal financial account, a significant increase from 42% a decade ago when the database was first published. Additionally, the proportion of adults making or receiving digital payments in these economies rose from 35% in 2014 to 57% in 2021. The significant increase in digital payment adoption in developing economies underscores the potential impact of Rwanda's planned digital currency. The introduction of a digital franc could leverage this momentum to further enhance financial inclusion and efficiency in payments, aligning with broader regional and global digital transformation goals.
Hikmatu Bilali
Nigeria’s Co-Creation Hub (CcHub) has launched “Let’s Build, Africa,” a program aimed at helping African startups expand across the continent. The initiative provides startups with strategic insights and resources to enter new markets.
Eligible startups must be registered in Africa, have an African founder, and be at the scale-up stage. Benefits include pitching to investors, travel and ecosystem tours, six months of post-tour support, and product showcases.
The application deadline is June 30, 2024, with program activities running from July 2024 to April 2025.
Africa is experiencing a rapid surge in mobile usage. This growth brings several mobile security challenges that threaten both users and businesses.
Gabon's Ministry of Digital Economy and New Information Technologies announced a key partnership with Turkish group iF Elektronik Ltd. on Monday, June 3rd. The agreement, reached after extensive negotiations, paves the way for the implementation of the Central Equipment Identity Register (EIR) technology in Gabon.
The project includes enhancing the security of mobile devices such as phones and establishing a competency center. It aims to increase government revenue through additional taxes, combat phone theft and cloning by reducing the illegal market, create 30 jobs for Gabonese engineers with skill transfer at the project's inception, and eliminate smuggling and counterfeiting of mobile equipment.
The EIR will be fully funded by iF Elektronik Ltd., with no cost to the Gabonese government. It is expected to generate $38 million annually, with $26 million in tax revenue and $12 million in service fees. This initiative aligns with the Gabonese government's goal of promoting the development of the digital economy and strengthening the security of electronic communications.
The project's implementation is scheduled to begin within three months of signing the memorandum of understanding. This strategic partnership will enable Gabon to enhance the security of electronic communications, protect users from fraud and theft, improve the quality of telecommunications services, and offer a better user experience while stimulating innovation and economic growth in the information and communication technology sector.
Samira Njoya