Africa has been making significant strides towards digital transformation, with growing adoption of mobile internet, fintech innovations, and e-commerce platforms. Internet shutdowns hinder the everyday functioning of these sectors and create a sense of instability, discouraging investments and limiting opportunities for startups and entrepreneurs.
In 2024, Sub-Saharan Africa faced significant economic losses from deliberate internet shutdowns, totaling $1.56 billion, or 20% of the global economic impact, according to Top10VPN data. These disruptions impacted 111.2 million users -17% of the global total- across 32,938 hours of downtime, severely affecting the region's digital economy.
Sub-Saharan Africa’s internet disruptions were mainly driven by conflict and political unrest. Sudan was the hardest hit, losing $1.12 billion (71.8% of the region's total loss), as internet services were shut down to control protests and suppress information. This affected 23.4 million people over 12,707 hours. Ethiopia followed with a loss of $211.2 million, while Kenya experienced a $75 million loss. Although Ethiopia incurred a higher financial loss, the Kenyan outage affected 22.7 million people over 511 hours, compared to 3.3 million in Ethiopia over 4,680 hours.
In contrast to the frequent but less economically damaging shutdowns for exams, which are common in the region, conflicts and information control were the top reasons for internet restrictions. The ongoing Sudanese conflict, along with unrest in countries like Ethiopia resulted in some of the longest and most costly shutdowns in Africa. These shutdowns caused long-term disruptions in business, access to essential services, and social media platforms, which are increasingly vital for communication and economic activity.
Social media platforms like Twitter (X) and TikTok were often blocked, reflecting governments’ efforts to control information flow during political instability. For instance, Twitter’s extended shutdown in countries like Nigeria and Sudan led to significant disruptions for citizens and businesses that use the platform for networking, marketing, and information-sharing.
Internet shutdowns in Africa have significant economic and innovation costs, especially for startups in fintech and e-commerce. As mobile technology and internet access grow, these disruptions threaten the region's digital economy. Shutdowns disrupt communication, business activities, and essential services, deepening the digital divide and hindering economic growth.
In conclusion, the economic impact of internet shutdowns in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2024 highlights the urgent need for resilient digital infrastructure, better governance, and greater advocacy for digital rights. These challenges serve as a reminder of the central role the internet plays in Africa's development and the risks posed by internet shutdowns to economic and social progress.
Hikmatu Bilali
InnovateAI Lagos 2025, the second edition of AI in Nigeria’s flagship conference, will occur on February 21, 2025, at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos.
Under the theme “AI and the Future of Work,” the conference will examine AI’s impact on reshaping skills, recruitment, and workforce roles, focusing on innovation in key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and finance.
Speakers will include leaders from global tech firms, Nigerian banks, agritech innovators, and AI researchers addressing topics such as workforce reskilling and ethical AI development.
Visa has launched the Visa Accelerator Program, a three-month initiative to support African startups in transforming the financial landscape. The program targets seed to Series A startups with market-ready solutions addressing key challenges in FinTech.
Startups must have a minimum viable product (MVP), proven market traction, and operations in Africa or plans to expand on the continent.
Participants will gain access to Visa’s technology, mentorship, and global network to scale their innovations. Applications close on March 15, 2025.
Launched by two tech entrepreneurs, the financing solution aims to support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises in Egypt. It recently received backing from the Egyptian Financial Regulatory Authority.
Oliv is an Egyptian digital platform that offers factoring services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It allows businesses to instantly convert invoices into cash. Based in Cairo, the startup was founded in 2024 by Ziad Mokhtar and Hatem M. Sabry.
“Our goal is to help thousands of small businesses secure short-term financing to maintain smooth operations and support growth. We rely on technology to extract and analyze data and make financing decisions in just a few minutes.”
For the time being, Oliv can be accessed only accessed through its website, where users create accounts. Based on registration information, the fintech assigns a credit limit to the business.
To be eligible for financing, businesses must provide B2B services and have an electronic invoice history exceeding one year. Eligible invoices can then be selected for factoring, with discount rates reviewed and a digital contract signed with Oliv. Funds are deposited into the business's bank account within 48 hours.
The platform offers up to 4 million Egyptian pounds (approximately USD 79,000) and payment terms are 30, 45, or 60 days on a renewable basis.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
He is a technology entrepreneur specializing in educational technology solutions. He has received numerous awards and recognition for his innovative work.
Cecil Senna Nutakor (photo) is a Ghanaian entrepreneur leveraging technology to improve lives. He is the founder and CEO of eCampus, an edtech startup focused on making education more accessible, flexible, and affordable.
Founded in 2015, eCampus offers a digital learning platform tailored for a wide range of users—from primary school students to professionals seeking vocational training or higher education. The platform provides tools to evaluate, analyze, and predict users’ readiness for exams, employment, or compliance processes.
For students, eCampus facilitates goal-setting, preliminary testing, progress tracking, and self-paced learning. Teachers can share knowledge, mentor learners across Africa, and earn additional income while inspiring and educating. Businesses also benefit, using eCampus to train employees, monitor performance, and identify strengths to enhance growth and productivity.
Before launching eCampus, Nutakor founded Equinox Intercom Ltd in 2006, a Ghanaian application services provider where he serves as CEO. He began his career as a systems administrator at Regent University College of Science & Technology in 2005. He later worked as an IT consultant for the Ghana Ports Authority (2006), a project manager at Ghana Commercial Bank (2010), and held the same role at luxury real estate firm Devtraco Plus Ltd (2013–2015). In 2019, he collaborated with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) as an edtech consultant.
Nutakor holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Regent University College of Science & Technology (2007). He earned a master’s degree in international business and sustainable development from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan, Italy (2014). Additionally, he completed a program in exponential technologies at Silicon Valley’s Singularity University in California.
He won the Startup of the Year in Education award at the Ghana Startup Awards in both 2016 and 2021, as well as the overall Startup of the Year award in 2021.
By Melchior Koba
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Mauritanian authorities are pressing ahead with a national digital transformation strategy aimed at making technology a key driver of the country's socio-economic development.
Mauritania launched its electronic visa (e-visa) system last week. According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, from January 5 on, all travelers needing a visa should obtain it online before boarding flights to the country.
Applications must be submitted through the website of the National Agency for Population Register and Secure Titles (ANRPTS). The e-visa requirement applies to all nationalities except those with reciprocal visa waiver agreements with Mauritania, which include 18 countries, 10 of them African: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Mali, Senegal, Gambia, Niger, Côte d’Ivoire, and Chad. In some cases, such as with Morocco, the exemption is limited to diplomatic and service passports.
The e-visa system aligns with the government's "National Digital Transformation Agenda 2022-2025" and is expected to simplify foreign entry, potentially boosting tourism. This supports the government's 2018-2030 National Tourism Strategy.
Mauritania's tourism sector GDP generated 1.8 billion ouguiyas ($45.05 million) in 2021 and is projected to reach 2.2 billion ouguiyas by 2025, according to an IMF report. The IMF noted the sector has "significant potential" but requires development of a tourism offering tailored to both domestic and international visitors, along with strengthened territorial security.
By Isaac K. Kassouwi,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Egypt is set to host the Data Science and AI Conference (DSC) MENA 2025 from April 10 to 12, 2025, in Cairo, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) announced on January 2, 2025.
The event will gather over 1,500 participants and 90 speakers to discuss 25 topics shaping the future of AI and data science in the region. Sessions will focus on AI advancements, societal impacts, governance frameworks, and industry applications.
The conference begins with two days of online training and tutorials, concluding with an in-person event on April 12 at Egypt University of Informatics (EUI) in Knowledge City.
Smuggled phones often bypass safety standards and lack warranty coverage, leaving consumers vulnerable to defective products. By introducing mechanisms to curb smuggling, African governments can close loopholes, improve oversight, and protect consumers.
Egypt’s Finance Ministry and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology have jointly launched a new electronic mechanism featuring a mobile application named "Telephony" (My Phone) to tackle mobile phone smuggling and promote the localization of mobile phone manufacturing. The new system, announced on December 31, aims to ensure fair competition in the Egyptian mobile phone market, which has recently attracted several international companies to manufacture various models locally.
According to a joint statement issued by the ministries, the mechanism will allow citizens returning from abroad to bring one mobile phone for personal use exempt from fees, provided it is registered through the "Telephony" application. This exemption will be valid for three months.
The application enables users to register imported mobile phones online, inquire about and pay any applicable fees electronically. It also aims to safeguard consumers from counterfeit and smuggled devices while streamlining customs procedures.
Customs duties and taxes on imported mobile phones will remain unchanged under the new system, which takes effect on January 1, 2025. Taxes and duties on imported mobile phones have been levied at 38.5 percent. However, the statement clarified that the regulations will not be applied retroactively, ensuring that phones activated before the implementation date will not be affected.
Egypt has been facing significant issues with phone smuggling. It is estimated that around 80% of mobile phones entering Egypt in 2023 and 2024 were smuggled, according to Mohamed Shamroukh, CEO of the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA). This has created unfair competition for local phone manufacturers, as smuggled phones often avoid customs duties and taxes.
The introduction of the "Telephony" app reflects Egypt's broader digital transformation agenda, which aims to integrate technology into public services. By leveraging electronic registration and payment systems, the government reduces bureaucracy, streamlines processes, and enhances transparency. This aligns with Egypt's Vision 2030, which emphasizes innovation and digitalization as key pillars for development.
Hikmatu Bilali
The HealthTech Hub Africa (HTHA) is now accepting applications for its 2025 cohort, seeking African ventures with innovative solutions to improve public health systems.
Applicants will be evaluated on the impact, product reliability, team expertise, market alignment, and scalability of their solutions within public health systems.
The hub offers mentorship, funding, and platforms to scale innovations to advance digital transformation and equitable healthcare access. Applications close on January 17, 2025.
Digital transformation is a top priority for the Beninese government. To succeed, the nation is seeking the expertise of skilled professionals to drive this change and create a modern, efficient, and inclusive government.
As part of its strategy to become a regional leader in digital innovation, Benin, with the support of the European Union, seeks an expert to strengthen the development environment for digital public services. This recruitment aligns with the government's broader goal of modernizing its administration and accelerating digital transformation to benefit citizens.
"The Beninnovation project strengthens cooperation between the public administration and local private companies in the field of digital transformation, particularly in digitizing public services," states the official announcement. "To date, the main achievements in the digitizing of public services in Benin have been driven by the Agency for Information and Digital Systems (ASIN), with support from the Estonian Academy of e-Governance and advisory services provided by Cybernetica, an Estonian ICT company."
This initiative is part of a broader effort led by ASIN and financially supported by the European Union. It aims to industrialize electronic services and deliver high-performance digital solutions through a modern Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) architecture. Key responsibilities of the expert will include designing an innovative development environment, integrating solutions to enhance interoperability and system security, and building the capacities of both public and private stakeholders. These tasks are expected to be completed over 470 days.
Through this initiative, the government seeks to address gaps in technical expertise while increasing the involvement of local businesses in digital transformation efforts. This approach is poised to strengthen Benin's position as a leader in digital innovation in West Africa.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
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Infrastructure limitations hinder technological progress in Africa. Addressing these challenges is critical for the continent to realize its potential as a leader in the global digital economy.
Nigerian telecommunications innovator UnoTelos announced a partnership with India-based Niral Networks, a pioneer in Private 5G and Edge AI computing solutions. This collaboration, announced on December 20, aims to address the continent's connectivity challenges and accelerate digital transformation across various industries.
“This partnership is strategically designed to address the continent's most critical connectivity challenges, enabling industries from mining to oil & gas to leapfrog technological barriers and compete on a global scale," said Abhijit Chaudhary, Founder & CEO, Niral Networks.
The partnership is expected to deliver significant economic benefits by enabling smarter operations across industries through solutions like smart factory technologies, IoT-enabled systems, and enhanced remote operations. It combines UnoTelos' deep understanding of the African market with Niral Networks' advanced NiralOS 5G Core and Edge AI technology, creating secure, low-latency, and scalable connectivity solutions tailored to Africa’s unique needs.
This collaboration positions UnoTelos as a leader in Africa’s telecommunications sector by introducing advanced connectivity technologies, including secure and reliable private network infrastructure, low-latency communication capabilities, scalable edge computing solutions, and tailored applications designed to meet the demands of various industries.
The partnership aims to redefine Africa’s digital future by delivering transformative connectivity solutions that will unlock opportunities for growth, innovation, and global competitiveness across the region. It aligns with global efforts to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation, as seen in initiatives like the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy (2020-2030), which aims to create a digitally inclusive society through the improvement of digital infrastructure among others.
Hikmatu Bilali
In recent years, Senegal has entered a new phase, prioritizing digital technology as a cornerstone of its development strategy. The government aims to cultivate technological innovation and modernize public services to strengthen the country's competitiveness within the region.
Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko presented his general policy statement (GPS) to the National Assembly on Friday, December 27. This document outlines an ambitious program of economic reforms designed to transform the country over the next five years, with digital technology at the core of Senegal's modernization efforts.
Key initiatives include digitizing major state registries and launching a pilot phase of the "Paperless" project, aimed at simplifying administrative procedures and improving the quality of public services.
The government has also expressed its commitment to building an ecosystem that brings together researchers, startups, and industrial players. This ecosystem will encourage investment in artificial intelligence, software development, cybersecurity, high-value-added outsourcing services, and big data management. The goal is to provide tailored solutions for businesses while positioning Senegal as a technological hub in West Africa.
Education system modernization is another priority, with plans to integrate emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, into school curricula. This initiative is intended to prepare Senegalese youth for the digital economy, reflecting a broader strategy to enhance human capital—a critical driver of technological and economic development.
The health sector will also benefit from this digital transformation. Projects include the comprehensive digitization of health records and scaling up electronic patient files, which aim to improve access to care, optimize hospital management, and boost the efficiency of the national healthcare system.
These reforms align with the Senegal 2050 framework, which envisions shared prosperity and inclusive modernization. Further details on this vision will be provided with the launch of the "New Technological Deal," set for January 2025. This strategy will outline how digital tools can serve as a cornerstone of Senegal's economic and social recovery.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
In Africa, cash remains the primary method of transaction, with transaction fees acting as a barrier to the adoption of digital payments. Removing these fees is a crucial step toward enhancing financial inclusion and accelerating the shift to a cash-lite economy.
The Bank of Tanzania has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting digital payments across the country by ensuring that all transactions conducted with debit, credit, or prepaid cards at merchant Point of Sale (POS) terminals remain completely free for consumers. This was announced in a release dated December 23 signed by the Governor Emmanuel M. Tutuba.
The Bank of Tanzania urges the public to report any unauthorized charges encountered during POS transactions to their respective banks or through the Bank’s Consumer Complaints Desk. “The Bank hereby reminds the public that merchants are strictly prohibited from imposing any additional fees or surcharges on card transactions,” the release states.
Digital payments are increasingly recognized as a secure, cost-effective, and convenient alternative to cash transactions. Their adoption supports Tanzania’s transition toward a cash-lite economy, delivering benefits such as enhanced security, transparency, and ease of use for both consumers and businesses.
The Bank of Tanzania’s decision to eliminate fees for card transactions at POS terminals addresses the financial barriers introduced by the 2021 mobile money levy. According to the GSMA's 2021 Tanzania Mobile Money Levy Impact Analysis report, the levy significantly increased transaction costs, prompting a sharp decline in mobile money usage. Peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions dropped 38%, from 30 million in June to 18 million in September 2021, while cash-out transactions decreased by 25%, from 33 million to 25 million. This shift highlighted consumers' sensitivity to financial costs, which hindered the adoption of digital payments. The return to cash not only stalled progress in financial inclusion but also reintroduced inefficiencies into the economy.
As Tanzania continues its push toward financial inclusion and digital transformation, the Bank’s efforts to eliminate barriers to digital payment adoption are poised to contribute to a more secure and efficient economy. This initiative highlights the central bank’s dedication to fostering trust in digital payment platforms and ensuring compliance with its regulations.
Hikmatu Bilali
Algerian authorities are intensifying their push to accelerate the country's digital transformation. After a year of significant progress on numerous projects, a clear vision for the future is emerging.
Algeria commits to accelerating its digital transition with the launch of more than 500 projects between 2025 and 2026, with 75% of them focused on the modernization of public services. The plan was announced on Tuesday by Meriem Benmouloud, High Commissioner for Digitalization, during a meeting between the government and provincial governors.
"Algeria is undergoing a clear transition toward digitalization, requiring collective efforts to achieve the desired digital transformation and position Algeria at the forefront of global rankings," said Benmouloud. She explained that these projects represent a major step forward in making public services more accessible and transparent.
The initiatives align with the “Digital Algeria 2030” strategy, which is currently under development. This strategy revolves around five key pillars: infrastructure, training, digital governance, digital economy, and digital society. One of its flagship measure is the creation of an Interactive National Portal for Digital Services and an interoperability platform. These tools aim to centralize administrative procedures, reduce unnecessary travel, and improve access to information, particularly for those in remote areas.
Despite this momentum, additional efforts are needed to strengthen e-governance. Algeria ranks 116th out of 193 countries in the 2024 United Nations E-Government Development Index (EGDI), with a score of 0.5956. While this marks a modest improvement from its 2022 score of 0.5611, the new projects are designed to enhance Algeria’s competitiveness and establish it as a regional leader in digital transformation.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji