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
In Africa, the healthcare landscape is plagued by a shortage of adequate infrastructure and qualified medical professionals. This severely hinders accessibility and the quality of healthcare services but, with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), players hope to alleviate those critical challenges.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector financing arm of the World Bank Group, recently announced a partnership agreement with Senegalese e-health startup Kera Health Platforms, to address the critical shortage of healthcare professionals and facilities in West Africa. This collaboration aims to leverage technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), to enhance healthcare accessibility and outcomes for millions of people across the region.
"As Africa stands on the cusp of a demographic boom, harnessing the power of technology in healthcare is not just an opportunity; it is an imperative.[...] Thanks to this collaboration with IFC, we are poised to accelerate the integration of AI, enhancing healthcare accessibility and outcomes across the continent," said Moustapha Cissé, founder and CEO of Kera Health Platforms.
Under the partnership agreement, IFC will provide financial support to Kera to further develop its AI-powered solutions for managing electronic health records (EHRs), lab results, pharmaceutical data, smart medical records, and health insurance products.
According to IFC officials, the initiative is part of the corporation’s investment strategy to address an insufficient number of healthcare professionals and facilities, as well as low health insurance coverage in Africa. "With its boundless potential, the African continent faces an acute healthcare challenge. It bears the weight of one of the lowest doctor-population ratios in the world, with about 1.5 medical professionals per 1,000 individuals. In Senegal, as of 2020, there was an average of less than one physician per 10,000 people," an IFC release explains.
In such a context, the technology developed through this partnership will significantly improve healthcare delivery at reduced costs by making crucial information readily accessible to patients, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders.
Samira Njoya
African tech ventures can apply for the Africa Tech Summit (ATS) Investment Showcase to be held in Nairobi on February 14th-15th, 2024. The showcase is a key element of the annual Africa Tech Summit, providing selected ventures with the chance to present innovative ideas to a diverse audience of local and international investors.
Ventures must be African-based, with an innovative, scalable product, and at least one African co-founder. Applications are open until December 19th, 2023.
Over the past few years, AI has been the focal point in global tech news. With its ever-expanding applications, there is a growing imperative to consider and address the security aspects associated with its widespread usage.
In a landmark move to bolster the safety of artificial intelligence (AI), 18 countries around the world have signed an agreement outlining a comprehensive framework for developing and deploying secure AI systems. The 20-page document, known as the Guidelines for Secure AI System Development, stipulates that companies involved in the development, deployment, or commercialization of AI must design their systems with inherent security measures to safeguard users and the public from potential harm.
"The release of the Guidelines for Secure AI System Development marks a key milestone in our collective commitment by governments across the world to ensure the development and deployment of artificial intelligence capabilities that are secure by design," said Jen Easterly, Director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
This groundbreaking agreement follows three weeks after the inaugural international summit on AI, held from November 1 to 2 at Bletchley Park, England. It demonstrates global leaders’ will to proactively address the challenges and opportunities presented by the rapid advancement of AI technologies.
Beyond the core principle of "secure design," the agreement encompasses a range of recommendations, including Enhanced system security to prevent cyberattacks and unauthorized intrusions, Robust data protection measures to safeguard sensitive information, and Rigorous oversight of software suppliers to ensure compliance with security standards.
The 18 signatory nations include the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Poland, Australia, Chile, Israel, Nigeria, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Norway, France, New Zealand, Canada, and Germany. Notably, China, a major player in AI development, was excluded from the agreement due to ongoing U.S. sanctions.
Samira Njoya
Through its pre-incubation, incubation, and acceleration programs, Innov'Lab provides resources and support to Comorian entrepreneurs, contributing to economic growth and job creation in the country.
Innov'Lab, a business incubator established by the Union of Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Handicrafts of Comoros (UCCIA), is dedicated to fostering and supporting innovative project leaders across various sectors, including the social and solidarity economy, digital, agrifood, tourism, and the environment.
Founded in February 2017, Innov'Lab assists project holders in their endeavors to secure funding, navigate legal formalities, develop effective communication strategies, and enhance their management and accounting skills.
The incubator offers a comprehensive range of support programs tailored to the specific needs of aspiring entrepreneurs. Its pre-incubation program provides project holders with 10 days of intensive coaching or four months of ongoing support, enabling them to refine their ideas and gain valuable insights into the entrepreneurial journey.
Innov'Lab's incubation program, spanning two years, offers startups personalized guidance and mentorship, empowering them to develop their business concepts and prepare for market entry. Established companies can also benefit from Innov'Lab's accelerated growth program, which facilitates fundraising, branch expansion, and internationalization strategies.
Participants in Innov'Lab's programs gain access to a robust network of partners, including financial institutions and social enterprises, as well as various financing instruments. They also benefit from Innov'Lab's expertise in social media marketing and access to its network of mentors.
Innov'Lab provides a dedicated coworking space, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among startups. The incubator also offers conference rooms equipped for meetings and professional events, creating a conducive environment for networking and business development.
Since its inception, it has successfully incubated over 60 companies, provided training and support to over 400 aspiring entrepreneurs, and organized more than 10 events. The incubator collaborates with a range of technical partners, such as Meck Moroni for credit facilitation, the SHINOON platform for crowdfunding campaigns, and ORTC for media coverage.
Melchior Koba
In a statement issued on Monday, November 27, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) reiterated its support for Ethiopia's digitization efforts. "We work in tandem with the government as the country has a national digital strategy. We work with them and then we address all of the specific requests that come to ITU and that is how we actually work in Ethiopia and the entire continent," explained Anne-Rachel Inné (pictured), ITU Regional Director for Africa.
Kenyan platform Twiga Foods, which connects farmers with vendors, recently secured undisclosed funding during a refinancing effort following a KES 40 million debt collection lawsuit.
Investors, including Creadev, Juven, TLcom Capital Partners, and DOB Equity, who participated in Twiga's 2021 $50 million Series C, provided the funding. In a deleted Medium article, CEO Peter Njonjo announced the completion of the restructuring, ensuring suppliers that overdue payments would be settled, reversing Twiga's initial dispute over the debt collection.
Climate change is one of the main issues currently facing the globe. In Rwanda, Ghislain Irakoze is actively engaged in contributing to the fight against that problem by spearheading the collection and recycling of electronic waste.
Ghislain Irakoze (photo) is a Rwandan entrepreneur, activist, and sustainability researcher. As the co-founder and CEO of Wastezon, a green technology company specializing in machine learning-based material tracking solutions, he is dedicated to fostering innovation in support of material circularity.
Ghislain Irakoze, born in Rwanda, has been passionate about waste management since he was a child. After he almost lost his friend in a landslide caused by waste, he decided to do something to help. In 2018, he founded Wastezon with Jacqueline Mukarukundo.
The company developed a namesake digital app that connects consumers, manufacturers, and recyclers to process electronic waste and other materials. Wastezon uses machine learning to identify materials, track them through the supply chain, and facilitate recycling. This helps to create value from waste and reduce environmental impact.
To date, over 500 tons of electronic waste have been exchanged on the app, which has helped to reduce carbon emissions by over 4,100 metric tons. Before launching Wastezon, Ghislain Irakoze and his team launched the “Recycle for the Environment” campaign supported by Samsung Engineering-Korea. They managed to transform over 20 tons of household plastics into useful products.
Ghislain Irakoze holds a bachelor’s degree in business and international commerce from The African Leadership University, which he earned in 2021. He began his professional career in 2018 as a manager of the Circular Economy Club in Kigali. In 2019, he became a researcher at the Youth Think Tank of the Mastercard Foundation. Two years later, in 2021, he joined Global Resilience Partnership as an innovation and scaling consultant. The following year, he became a World Wide Web Foundation Sustainable Access Fellow.
For his impact on climate and sustainability, Ghislain Irakoze has received recognition and awards. He was a finalist in the Innovate4Climate pitch competition organized by the World Bank in 2019 and reached the finals of the Young Champion of the Earth award from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 2020. He is also a finalist for the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Awards.
Melchior Koba
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Africa's digital economy is poised to reach a staggering $712 billion by 2050, accounting for 8.5% of the continent's GDP. This prospect justifies the implementation of digital transformation initiatives across Africa, including Côte d’Ivoire which is accelerating its process.
Côte d'Ivoire and the United States are joining forces to foster the growth of the digital economy in both countries. US Ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire Jessica Davis Ba (photo, left) met with Ivorian Minister of Digital Transition and Digitization Kalil Konaté (photo, right) on Thursday, November 23, to discuss this collaboration.
During their meeting, Ambassador Davis Ba reaffirmed the United States' commitment to supporting the Ivorian government in implementing various digital projects. "We are delighted to assist Côte d'Ivoire in building a digital infrastructure that can create jobs for young people and establish Côte d'Ivoire as a model of technological innovation in the minds of Americans," stated the ambassador.
Côte d'Ivoire aspires to become a technology hub, mirroring the aspirations of several African countries, where digital technology serves as a cross-cutting sector driving economic dynamism and job creation. To achieve this goal, the government is collaborating with countries that share similar ambitions for the sector.
The United States was a natural choice given its long-standing position as one of the top five most technologically advanced nations. According to recent trade data released by the US Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis, the digital economy's share of US GDP increased from 11% in 2005 to 19% in 2022, and digital services exports accounted for 2.5% of GDP last year.
Côte d'Ivoire hopes to gain from the United States' experience to boost its digital economy, which currently contributes around 3% of GDP. The collaboration also aims to provide support for the development of digital infrastructure and services, cybersecurity, and entrepreneurship, among other areas.
Samira Njoya
Tunisian retail tech startup Winshot has announced the successful completion of a funding round for an undisclosed amount. The investment was led by 216 Capital, a venture capital firm based in Tunis. The capital will fuel Winshot's expansion efforts, with a focus on enhancing its technology platform and refining the customer experience for its partnered brands and retail chains.
In recent years, cybersecurity has emerged as a critical concern for African nations. Collaborating with strategic partners, they are embarking on specific cybersecurity initiatives to achieve predetermined goals.
Kenyan authorities welcomed an American delegation led by Ambassador-at-Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy, Nathaniel C. Fick, to Nairobi on Monday, November 27, according to a press release issued by the US State Department. The visit marked the second U.S.-Kenyan Cyberspace and Digital Dialogue, which aims to bolster the partnership between the two countries in promoting a secure and stable cyberspace.
"U.S. and Kenyan officials discussed a range of topics, which included engagement on cyber and digital capacity building, implementation of the Framework for Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace, collaboration on combatting cybercrime, promotion of secure and trusted information and communication technology infrastructure, and the advancement of digital freedom," stated the release.
Cybersecurity has become a crucial concern for African nations as they embark on their digital transformation journeys. Kenya, particularly since the inauguration of President William Ruto, has placed digital technology at the heart of its development strategy, fostering partnerships with various entities in the technology sector to support efforts in this domain. In terms of cybersecurity, Kenya holds a strong position, with a national cybersecurity strategy slated for implementation in August 2022 and a national computer incident response team in place. However, Nairobi has yet to ratify the African Union's Malabo Convention on cybersecurity.
Beyond cybersecurity, the two delegations also discussed topics related to achieving Kenya's objectives in the digital economy sector. Notably, Kenya, under President William Ruto, boasts one of the continent's most mature technological ecosystems, alongside South Africa, Egypt, and Nigeria.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
In an effort to streamline the vehicle breakdown experience for car owners, a tech entrepreneur has ventured into the breakdown market, developing a digital solution alongside his team.
Spana is a digital solution developed by a Tanzanian startup. It transforms the automotive landscape in the country by connecting vehicle owners with reliable mechanics and spare parts vendors through a mobile app. Founded in 2023 by Julius Mbungo, Spana addresses the challenges of Tanzania's used car market, which is heavily reliant on the spare parts market, a significant portion of which is unfortunately counterfeit.
“This influx of fake parts results in frequent breakdowns, compelling car owners to incur maintenance costs that are four times higher than necessary,” says Julius Mbungo. Spana wants to change that.
The Spana app, available on both Android and iOS, provides a convenient platform for vehicle owners to access a network of verified garages, mechanics, and spare parts vendors. Users can easily locate nearby service providers, compare prices, and make informed decisions based on their specific needs and preferences.
With an initial focus on Dar es Salaam and Dodoma, Spana has already established a network of approximately 50 garages and 100 mechanics. The startup plans to expand into several African countries in the coming months, with tests already conducted in Namibia and Kenya. Since its launch, the Android version of the Spana app has been downloaded over fifty times.
Adoni Conrad Quenum