Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming an integral tool across diverse domains, including the military. Military forces are actively exploring and implementing AI solutions to enhance their capabilities and operational effectiveness in various areas.
The United States commits to supporting Nigeria's use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the fight against terrorism within its borders. The support was announced during a press conference held in Abuja, Nigeria, on December 7th by Paul Dean, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Office of Arms Control, Deterrence and Stability.
"We want to encourage the positive applications of artificial intelligence in the military. This initiative we launched with our partners just last month is centered around achieving just that: maximizing the tremendous value of artificial intelligence in military applications [While] at the same time, ensuring the international community has coalesced around a series of norms of responsible behavior to make sure that we are reducing the risk of unintended consequences or negative applications," said Paul Dean.
This US commitment comes at a critical juncture for the Nigerian military. Recent criticisms have arisen following a drone strike in Kaduna State that resulted in the deaths of approximately 100 civilians. While acknowledging the need for safeguards surrounding AI deployment in the military sector, the US views itself as a crucial ally for Nigeria in its counter-terrorism efforts. To this end, it is essential to support the use of AI, which could have prevented the obvious error in the Kaduna State tragedy. In the north of the country, Abuja has been facing several terrorist groups, particularly Boko Haram, for many years.
"...We are convinced that when states commit themselves to using this technology in a predictable, transparent, stable, and responsible way, the international community will be in the position of maximizing the advantages while reducing the risks of an irresponsible approach," the U.S. official added.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
In Africa, agriculture plays a critical role in driving economic development, social stability, and food security. Recognizing its importance, organizations like 3AgHub are actively supporting agricultural startups to bolster the sector's growth and impact.
Agripreneurs Africa Agribusiness Hub (3AgHub) is a virtual incubator and accelerator, designed to develop agripreneurs capable of revolutionizing the agribusiness landscape. Operating out of Ghana, it provides comprehensive and interactive startup support, training, mentoring, and industry best practices.
Established in 2021, this incubator takes a hands-on approach, coaching, engaging, inspiring, and equipping agripreneurs from the initial stages of ideation through the creation of dynamic agribusinesses with transformative potential. By leveraging these initiatives, 3AgHub actively contributes to the creation of sustainable employment opportunities, curbing migration, mitigating youth unemployment, boosting household incomes, promoting agripreneurship, and strengthening food and nutritional security.
The centerpiece of 3AgHub's offerings is its six-month incubation program, affording agripreneurs the chance to test and develop prototypes, ultimately laying the foundation for their startup ventures. Through this program, 3AgHub not only recommends innovative and sustainable solutions but also provides implementation support, streamlining access to essential resources. The goal is to assist young graduates in translating their ideas into viable businesses capable of generating employment and offering inventive solutions within the agri-food sector.
Its 3-month 3AgHub accelerator program aims to equip young agri-businesses to become resilient, competitive, and sustainable. During the program, the center shares its expertise, networks, and resources. It helps entrepreneurs develop a better go-to-market strategy, prepare for investment, and raise financial resources.
3AgHub's comprehensive suite of services encompasses investment in accelerators and incubators, business development, market facilitation, technical assistance, and advisory services, input facilitation and mechanization, value chain development, investment appraisal and facilitation, financial support for SMEs, as well as internship and volunteering opportunities.
Fostering collaboration and expanding its reach, 3AgHub has forged strategic partnerships with numerous organizations, both within Ghana and on the international stage. Noteworthy collaborators include the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, the National Board Small Scale Industries, Agripreneurs Africa, and the African Agribusiness Incubators Network.
Melchior Koba
Alex Sea is a prominent figure driving innovation and development in the digital finance sector across French-speaking Africa. His work with the Africa Fintech Forum catalyzes groundbreaking initiatives and advancements.
Alex Sea (photo) is a key player in the fintech ecosystem in French-speaking Africa. As founder and director of the Africa Fintech Forum (AFF), a non-profit organization, Alex fosters connections and collaboration across the continent's diverse financial innovation ecosystems.
Established in 2017, AFF is dedicated to fostering the growth of Africa's fintech industry. The organization serves as a valuable information hub, demystifying the intricacies of the market and enriching knowledge through initiatives like the Africa Fintech Chair and in-depth mapping of the French-speaking African fintech landscape.
"Africa Fintech is an international forum convening over 400 digital finance players from five continents for two days annually. We collaborate to build the foundation for thriving fintech ecosystems across Africa through a diverse range of initiatives. Additionally, the Africa Fintech Tour reaches over 10 African countries every year, unlocking the vast potential of digital finance. To this end, we actively establish and support vibrant fintech communities throughout French-speaking West and Central Africa," Alex Sea explained in 2020.
AFF actively collaborates with regulators, government agencies, financial centers, and technology parks to strengthen the ecosystem. In 2020, the organization launched Fintech Village, a continental hub dedicated to fostering synergy between African fintech ecosystems, financial centers, and technology hubs. This initiative aims to identify and support innovative, inclusive technologies.
The Next Fintech Forum is AFF's flagship annual event. The fifth edition, held in Côte d'Ivoire on November 16-17, 2023, focused on fintech and commerce in Africa.
Beyond AFF, Alex Sea's commitment to the African financial landscape extends far and wide. He holds a Master's degree in business and strategy management and co-founded AFRICAM ACADEMY, an innovation hub specializing in market finance. He also serves as Vice-Chairman of the Africa Fintech Network, a platform that unites leaders, organizations, and stakeholders in the African fintech space. Additionally, he is the Secretary General of the Côte d'Ivoire Fintech Association. He co-founded Africa Lab, an incubator and accelerator, and Finov Africa, a consulting and investment firm dedicated to the fintech ecosystem, where he has served as CEO since 2019. He is also the founder and CEO of IDIA AFRICA, a consultancy specializing in business intelligence, market penetration, and risk analysis.
In 2016, he established Africa Telecom & Technology Review, a platform to educate and inform audiences about Africa’s dynamic and rapidly evolving market. The following year, he founded Datacenter & Cloud Conference, which highlights market trends and opportunities for African players in the digitalization space.
Melchior Koba
Tourism is one of the key economic sectors for African countries. To this end, ECOWAS member countries have decided to digitize the sector.
On December 6, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announced the development of a digital platform for classifying tourist accommodation establishments. This decision follows a meeting held in Dakar from November 21-24, 2023, attended by delegations from member countries.
The platform aims to simplify the process for tourists seeking accommodation throughout the West African region. According to Dr. Anthony Luka Elumelu, ECOWAS Director in charge of the private sector, this innovative measure enhances the value of ECOWAS tourism facilities by serving as an information hub for international and regional tourists.
It forms a key part of the Ecotour 19-29 ten-year action plan, designed to accelerate the development of the tourism sector across the sub-region. The adoption of Regulation C.REG.2/07/23 by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in July 2023 and the subsequent creation of the Tourist Accommodation Standards Authority established standardized criteria for classifying accommodation establishments within the community, paving the way for the platform's implementation.
ECOWAS expects the platform to deliver significant benefits for public tourism administrations responsible for hotel classification. These include reduced costs and time associated with the classification process, eliminating the need for extensive travel to fulfill obligations, and providing real-time access to statistical data on both hotel supply across all member countries and tourist arrivals.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Despite the urgency of the situation, the adoption of a strong global response to slowing climate change and minimizing its impact on human life across the planet is still hampered by political differences. However, amidst this global gridlock, some manufacturers are taking matters into their own hands and approaching the climate issue from other angles.
Morocco’s Marrakech hosted, from December 7 to 8, the Huawei Northern Africa Digital Power Ecosystem Partner Summit 2023, held under the theme "Lightening up a green Africa and closing the energy gap."
Over two days, some 180 strategic partners, industry leaders, experts from government agencies, and renewable energy associations discussed current energy challenges and renewable energy trends in Africa.
In his opening address, Philippe Wang (photo), President Digital Power and Executive Vice President of Huawei Northern Africa (North, West and Central Africa), said: "A new era is dawning in the energy industry: that of digital energy, closely linked to the digital world."
“This age is no longer determined by resource dependence, but by technology. Today, we are seizing the opportunities by integrating WatT, HeaT, BatTery and BitT (4T technologies) to shape a greener and more promising future for Africa," he added.
According to Huawei, despite possessing 7,900 GW of solar potential and receiving eight hours of sunshine daily, Africa still faces stark energy disparities. "While almost 100% of the population in North Africa had access to electricity in 2023, this proportion was only 56% in West Africa," says the Chinese technology group, which also showcased its technological innovations designed to accelerate the continent's energy transition and efficiency during the summit.
To respond to the urgency of the African transition, exacerbated by global warming, electricity shortages, energy instability and rising fossil fuel prices, Africa plans to increase its renewable energy capacity by more than 5 times. During COP 28 in Dubai, more than 20 African countries supported the global call to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030.
In recent years, East Africa has emerged as an economic powerhouse in Africa. To get even better results, the region has turned its attention to digital development as a key driver for further acceleration.
On Tuesday, December 5, the World Bank announced the approval of $130 million in financing for a series of regional digital integration projects in East Africa. The funding aims to bring broadband connectivity to communities in Djibouti and Ethiopia, including border areas, refugees, and host communities.
"This project is not only a significant milestone for regional integration, but also a powerful catalyst for national inclusion. By fostering a single digital market in the Horn of Africa, this initiative extends its benefits to both Tadjourah and Obock regions in Djibouti, making a substantial contribution to the country’s digital inclusion strategy," said Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Djibouti’s Minister for the Economy and Finance, in charge of Industry.
The financing is part of a series of initiatives supported by the World Bank to promote the expansion of a digital market in the Horn of Africa. The first operation in the series covers Somalia, South Sudan, and Kenya. This brings the total number of countries covered to five.
In choosing Ethiopia and Djibouti, the World Bank aims to address one of the main challenges facing the two countries, namely the lack of well-developed basic fiber optic networks. The World Bank's support should enable network operators, including mobile network operators, satellite operators, and internet service providers, to promote a regional digital market conducive to growth.
Ultimately, the funding will advance the integration of digital markets in the East African region by improving affordable access to regional broadband connectivity, strengthening the environment and policy convergence for cross-border digital trade and data flows, and developing digital skills.
Last week, the World Bank also approved $266.5 million in financing for a digital transformation program in West Africa.
Samira Njoya
Driven by a commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation, the Egyptian government, through the Ministry of International Cooperation, established Falak Startups. This accelerator actively empowers ambitious technology-focused entrepreneurs, nurturing their growth and propelling the nation's tech ecosystem.
Falak Startups is an accelerator established in 2018 by the Egyptian Ministry of International Cooperation and its venture capital agency, Egypt Ventures. Currently led by Ahmed Hazem Dakroury, an experienced investment professional, it strives to identify and nurture talented entrepreneurs, fostering their growth within the Middle East and African entrepreneurial landscape.
Dedicated to supporting diverse ventures, Falak Startups provides two distinct tracks for startups: a general track for technology-focused ventures and a fintech track –supported by EFGEV– designed specifically for startups operating in the financial technology sector.
The tracks offer selected companies tailored support, including workshops, mentoring, training, market opportunities, and exclusive access to Falak Startups’ virtual platform, Virtual Stage. This platform facilitates connections between startups and potential investors, policymakers, private sector players, and institutional partners.
In addition to its accelerator programs, Falak Startups has initiated a venture capital investment program to fund startups with up to EGP 2 million (approximately $65,000) each. This program extends financial support to startups seeking additional funding from various sources.
Since its inception, Falak Startups has successfully accelerated numerous emerging ventures across diverse sectors, including energy, digital health, online education, e-commerce, and logistics. Notable companies that have benefited from Falak Startups' support include Presto, an automated on-demand delivery system; Mayday, a real-time roadside assistance provider for motorists; Rabbit, a clean transportation company offering electric scooters for rent by the minute; and the e-commerce platform WXYZ.
Melchior Koba
Recognizing the growing influence of social networks in fostering entrepreneurship, TikTok has launched a program specifically designed to empower entrepreneurs in sub-Saharan Africa.
Chinese tech giant TikTok, partnering with the non-profit Yunus Social Business (YSB), announced on Wednesday, December 6th, a $1.5 million investment in East African micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). This initiative, focused primarily on Kenya, aims to equip MSMEs with the resources, particularly digital skills, necessary for growth and success.
Through the TikTokEmpower program, TikTok will establish training and mentorship programs covering crucial topics such as brand building, sales and e-commerce strategies, and leveraging digital platforms for business success.
"This #TikTokEmpower partnership with YSB represents a transformative opportunity to empower entrepreneurs, address social challenges and stimulate sustainable economic growth in Kenya and East Africa. We've seen the profound impact and real opportunity that TikTok brings to small businesses around the world, and we're proud to encourage this entrepreneurial spirit and digital innovation in Africa," said Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda, Director of Government Relations and Public Policy for Sub-Saharan Africa for TikTok.
Before opening its Kenyan office, the Chinese giant invested in William Ruto's country with its TikTokEmpower program. In August, the social network had come close to being banned in the country before its CEO Shou Zi Chew announced the opening of physical offices to oversee its activities in East Africa after a virtual meeting with the authorities. With this investment, TikTok is increasing its involvement on the African continent where it is, according to a September report by GeoPoll, the second most-used social network after Facebook.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Nigerian fintech startup Bujeti has completed a $2 million financing round in a deal led by Californian accelerator Y Combinator, Techcrunch reported on Thursday, December 7. The funds will be used to, among other things, introduce credit lines for small and medium-sized businesses, initiate corporate cards, and enhance its expense management platform.
Tappi, a digital solution developed by a Kenyan eponymous startup, offers a comprehensive suite of marketing tools tailored for small and medium-sized business owners, facilitating the efficient management and promotion of their online stores. Founded in 2022 by Kenfield Griffith and Louis Majanja, the Nairobi-based startup recently announced, on December 6th, the successful completion of a $1.5 million funding round to enhance its brand, attract top talent, and expand its footprint in Kenya and Nigeria.
“We are grateful to be supported by great investors who share our vision and the mission to address the untapped potential within Africa’s informal SME markets, particularly in overlooked service industries such as food services, fashion, agriculture, and health and beauty. We are eager to empower SMEs across Africa by providing them with a trusted identity online to find customers,” said Kenfield Griffith, CEO and co-founder of Tappi, celebrating the funding round.
Accessible exclusively on Android devices, the Tappi app offers a seamless user experience for creating a business profile and entering company information. The app's built-in AI functionality even helps users craft tailored business descriptions, overcoming the challenge that many businesses face in writing effective ad copy.
“We have found that most of these businesses do not have the resources to craft their ad copies well, hence low-performing ads. [...] So the tool permits them to input details about their business and get ad copy,” explains Griffith.
With this data, Tappi automates the creation of a dedicated web platform for each company, ensuring their online presence and discoverability through search engines like Google, which boasts a dominant market share within the region. From their Tappi account, users can effortlessly create and manage advertising campaigns across various social media platforms; publish targeted ads to reach their ideal customers online, and gather valuable customer feedback and reviews to build a strong online reputation.
Since its launch, the Tappi mobile app has garnered over 1,000 downloads.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
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Leveraging his extensive legal and financial expertise honed at leading firms like KPMG and PwC, this entrepreneur is now building a platform that simplifies access to legislation, regulations, and court rulings across his target markets.
Walid Ghanemi (photo), an Algerian entrepreneur, is leading a revolutionary transformation in the African legal landscape through his startup, Legal Doctrine, where he serves as the founder and CEO. Ghanemi earned his bachelor's degree in business law in 2012 and a master's degree in accounting, control, and auditing in 2015 from the Algerian Higher School of Business (ESAA).
In 2018, he established Legal Doctrine, a legaltech startup that aggregates and publishes legislation, regulations, and court rulings from Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, and Cameroon. The platform, leveraging artificial intelligence, offers a comprehensive and accessible repository for legal professionals, including lawyers, students, and businesses, providing them with in-depth analysis of legislative and regulatory texts for current and relevant information.
As arguably the first legaltech in Algeria, Legal Doctrine boasts a user base exceeding 4,000 customers who utilize its legal search engine to enhance efficiency and save time in their research endeavors. The company's contributions to the field have earned it the title of "Best African Legaltech Startup" twice, first in 2018 in Zurich and again in 2019 in Tunis.
Beyond Legal Doctrine, Walid Ghanemi also founded Algiers Arbitration Day, an annual event that convenes international arbitration practitioners to delve into the latest developments, emerging trends, and critical issues in the arbitration landscape across Algeria, Africa, and the Middle East and North Africa region.
He is also the President and CEO of the Algiers Business Law Institute. He entered the professional world in 2007 at CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats, where he worked as a lawyer. Over the years, he transitioned to roles such as financier at Alstom Group in 2012 and tax specialist at KPMG Algeria in the subsequent year. From 2015 until the inception of Legal Doctrine, he served as an associate senior financial and tax auditor at PwC.
Melchior Koba
In 2022, Mauritius achieved a score of 1.02 points on the Startup Ecosystem Index, placing it among the highest-ranked African nations in this category, according to data released by StartupBlink. This performance can be attributed in part to the vital role played by the Mauritius Start-up Incubator.
Mauritius Start-up Incubator (MSI) is a support hub for burgeoning enterprises seeking growth and guidance in Mauritius. Established in 2016 by entrepreneur Nicolas Goldstein, MSI distinguishes itself by providing comprehensive support services, encompassing the entire journey from launch to the establishment of successful businesses.
At MSI, startups benefit from an optimal growth environment featuring modern facilities, access to a network of experts and mentors, tailored training sessions, workshops, and crucial financial and administrative support. The fully-equipped incubator offices, wired and furnished with 1 to 25 workstations, boast advanced internet technology.
Beyond physical infrastructure, MSI extends its support to consulting services for staff recruitment and aids in the establishment and accounting processes for companies in Mauritius. The incubator facilitates trademark registration, assists in securing occupation permits (OP) for expatriates, and guides businesses through various administrative procedures.
Moreover, MSI also advises companies interested in establishing themselves in Mauritius, offering insights on company incorporation, networking with offshore management entities, and navigating the complexities of obtaining work permits, occupancy permits, or other necessary authorizations for digital enterprises.
Its backers include financial institutions like Banque des Mascareignes, Barclays, Standard Bank, Bank One, MAU Bank, and Mauritius Commercial Bank, among others. They also include major corporations like Harel Mallac Group, Evaco Group, and CIEL Group.
Melchior Koba
In Africa, startups often need more funding to expand operations but most of them lack access to financial support. Justin Stanford aims to address this issue through his South Africa-based venture, 4Di Capital.
Justin Stanford (photo) is a South African self-taught engineer, entrepreneur, investor, and venture capitalist deeply committed to fostering innovation within the African technology ecosystem. As the Co-founder and General Partner of 4Di Capital, a venture capital firm headquartered in Cape Town and Atlanta, he is focused on supporting and financing high-potential technology startups.
Established in 2009, 4Di Capital, under Stanford's leadership focuses on providing crucial financial backing to African technology entrepreneurs. The firm concentrates its investments in key sectors such as digital health, online education, fintech, green technology, transport, and infrastructure. Noteworthy companies within 4Di Capital's portfolio include Aerobotics, LifeQ, Talk 360, Wasoko, and VALR.
Justin Stanford's journey into entrepreneurship began with a bold move when driven by a passion for technology, he left high school in 2000. In 2003, he co-founded ESET Southern Africa, a company dedicated to distributing ESET's high-end Internet security products in the Southern Africa region. He currently serves on the company's Board of Directors.
In 2009, he took a pivotal step in advancing South Africa's tech landscape by co-founding The Silicon Cape Initiative, a non-profit community movement. The initiative aims to foster the growth of technology startups in South Africa, with a particular focus on the Western Cape region.
"The potential we saw in the very nascent, siloed, and undeveloped local tech startup ecosystem eventually led to us founding the Silicon Cape Initiative in 2009 with my friend Vinny Lingham, to try and kickstart and catalyze things, and the creation of 4Di Capital as a Valley-style early-stage tech VC fund here in South Africa," the South African entrepreneur said, in 2015, on the reasons that prompted the creation of 4Di Capital.
Over the years, he has received numerous national and international accolades. In 2011, the Mail & Guardian ranked him among the top 200 young South Africans, and in 2013, Forbes listed him in the prestigious 30 Under 30 category of Africa's best young entrepreneurs. From 2014 to 2018, he consistently appeared on the Choiseul Institute's Choiseul 100 Africa: Economic Leaders for Tomorrow list. In 2017, he secured a spot on the inaugural list of the 100 most influential young South Africans.
Melchior Koba
Funding startups is essential for boosting innovation and entrepreneurship. Although securing funding can be tough for African startups, there's growing interest from investors who recognize the potential of supporting promising ventures.
Ex-Kaduna State governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai (pictured) plans to establish a $100 million venture capital fund for Nigerian startups. He revealed this in a December 4 tweet.
The venture capital fund, named Afri-Venture Capital Company, is set to launch in January 2024, initially focusing on Nigeria and later on other African countries.
During a discussion with BusinessDay newspapers at the Africa Investment Forum held in November, in Marrakech, El-Rufai revealed his commitment to invest $2 million personally to kickstart the initiative. He aims to persuade like-minded investors to join, stating, "They trust our judgment, and they will come with us."
According to El-Rufai, the fund will welcome innovative ideas from various sectors, with a specific goal of bridging the gap for young Nigerians who lack mentorship and financial backing.
"I encountered students with exceptional ideas during my tenure as governor, but many lacked mentors and support," said El-Rufai. The fund aims to provide not just financial support but also networking opportunities and resources for young entrepreneurs.
Deviating from the conventional focus on Lagos, the fund will be strategically located in Abuja to foster innovation across different regions of the country.
Founding directors and initial shareholders include Jimi Lawal, Hafiz Bayero, Eyo Ekpo, and Kabir Yabo, with El-Rufai as the part-time Chairman. The fund will operate with a three to four-year investment horizon, engaging new startups and established companies facing management challenges.
The announcement has generated excitement within the Nigerian entrepreneurial community, with hopes that this venture capital fund will provide a crucial boost to the next generation of innovators and startups.
Hikmatu Bilali