• The Gates Foundation pledged more than $10 million to support Senegal’s New Deal technologique, its national digital strategy launched in February 2025.
• The partnership will fund a universal digital ID, an AI hub for health and agriculture, and a Delivery Unit to oversee project transparency and efficiency.
• Senegal’s digital strategy requires $2 billion, of which $155 million still needs to be secured.

Senegal signed a $10 million-plus partnership with the Gates Foundation on September 24 to accelerate its national digital strategy, known as the New Deal technologique. The agreement was finalized on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York, the state broadcaster RTS reported.

Le Président a reçu en audience M. @BillGates, Président de la Gates Foundation.

Cette rencontre a permis de conclure un partenariat stratégique de plus de 10 millions de dollars pour accélérer le #NewDealTechnologique et faire du Sénégal un hub africain d’innovation numérique. pic.twitter.com/kBJk37Sigr

— Présidence Sénégal (@PR_Senegal) September 24, 2025

The program, launched in February 2025 by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, aims to transform public services, strengthen digital sovereignty, and establish Senegal as a regional technology hub by 2034.

The deal provides for the rollout of a universal digital identity system, the creation of an artificial intelligence hub focused on health and agriculture, and the establishment of a Delivery Unit to ensure project transparency and efficiency.

The partnership follows an initial meeting between Bill Gates and President Faye during the 79th UN General Assembly, when both sides agreed to expand cooperation in areas including AI-assisted agriculture, sanitation, and digital innovation across strategic sectors.

Senegal budgeted CFA1,105 billion (about $2 billion) for the New Deal technologique. Authorities have already identified CFA950 billion, leaving CFA155 billion still to be mobilized.

Officials expect the Gates Foundation’s contribution to accelerate the implementation of priority projects, expand inclusive digital services for citizens, and attract additional private investment into Senegal’s tech ecosystem.

This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

• Deloitte launched its CyberAcademy in Casablanca on September 19, 2025, to train cybersecurity professionals across Africa.

• The academy offers over 60 certified training programs, integrating AI and aligning with international certifications.

• The initiative supports the Deloitte Morocco Cyber Center's goal of expanding its expert team to over 450 by 2025 and leverages Morocco's Tier 1 global cybersecurity ranking.

Africa faces a significant challenge with the scarcity of specialized cybersecurity skills amid escalating cyber threats. Training represents a critical priority for building a resilient and secure digital ecosystem across the continent.

Deloitte, a global audit, consulting, and technology services firm, inaugurated its CyberAcademy in Casablanca on September 19. The academy operates under the umbrella of the Deloitte Morocco Cyber Center. This specialized cybersecurity training center targets professionals, students, recent graduates, and individuals undergoing professional retraining. Companies currently struggle to recruit qualified talent in the sector.

The CyberAcademy offers more than 60 certified training courses. These programs cover technical, organizational, regulatory, and strategic aspects of cybersecurity. Some modules already incorporate artificial intelligence, and customizable programs adapt to specific business needs. The academy leverages recognized academic partnerships and international certifications (ISC², ISACA, PECB, etc.) to ensure the quality of its curriculum.

This launch aligns with the ongoing momentum of the Deloitte Morocco Cyber Center, which first opened in February 2023. The center currently employs approximately 100 Moroccan and African engineers, with women constituting about 50% of the workforce. It aims to reach over 450 experts by 2025. Furthermore, Morocco has advanced in global cybersecurity rankings. The Global Cybersecurity Index 2024, published by the ITU, assigned Morocco a score of 97.5 out of 100, placing it among the international reference countries (Tier 1).

Deloitte intends to address a proven skills deficit with this academy. Many companies and institutions find it challenging to recruit advanced cybersecurity profiles. This difficulty stems from the proliferation of cyberattacks, digital fraud threats, and heightened regulatory requirements. The country's accelerated digital transformation also drives this need, evidenced by high internet penetration, widespread use of online services, and increasing digitization of public services.

This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

• Togolese expert Radia Ouro-Gbele leads Paris-based OG IT Consulting with operations in Africa.
• Her firm trained 500+ young Africans in cybersecurity for global companies.
• She aims to make Africa a global cybersecurity hub within 15 years.

Radia Ouro-Gbele, a Togolese cybersecurity specialist, has built her career working with global companies in energy, nuclear and industrial sectors, designing identity and access management (IAM & PAM) systems and leading large-scale cybersecurity projects.

She is the founder and president of OG IT Consulting, a Paris-based cybersecurity advisory and integration firm launched in 2021 with operations across Africa. The firm provides audits, identity and privileged access management services, as well as executive training. It also runs awareness and skills-building programs, training more than 500 young Africans who have since joined international firms.

Ouro-Gbele told We Are Tech Africa that the venture stemmed from a desire to protect the continent’s digital assets after hearing the struggles of an African executive. Her mission, she said, is to “protect Africa, by Africans and for Africans” through local structures and workforce development.

She has set a long-term target of making Africa a global hub for cybersecurity expertise within 10 to 15 years, envisioning a “cyber Silicon Valley” capable of securing organizations in North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Ouro-Gbele holds a telecommunications diploma from the École supérieure multinationale des télécommunications (ESMT) in Dakar, and a master’s degree in information systems security from the Université de technologie de Troyes in France. Her career began at Togocom in 2013, followed by a stint at ASECNA in Senegal. She later joined Accenture France as a cybersecurity consultant and worked as a cybersecurity project manager at Thales from 2021 to 2023.

This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

• Senegal launches 'New Deal Technologique' to digitize public services, including parliamentary operations.
• Lawmakers receive training in AI, cybersecurity; electronic voting system adopted for real-time suffrage.
• Despite progress, African parliaments lag in digital maturity, highlighting need for continued investment.

Senegal is accelerating its national digital transformation strategy, dubbed the "New Deal Technologique," launched in February. This initiative aims to enhance the efficiency of public services through widespread digitization, with a particular focus on the legislative branch.

In a collaborative effort, the Senegalese government, the National Assembly, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) recently concluded a five-day digital training workshop for members of parliament. This program is part of broader actions designed to fast-track the digital evolution of the parliamentary institution.

The strategic workshop focused on equipping lawmakers with essential skills in digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), personal data protection, and cybersecurity. The objective is to empower them to guide the nation towards digital sovereignty by crafting public policies and legislation that address contemporary challenges, aligning with the "New Deal Technologique" framework.

Significant strides have already been made. In December 2024, the National Assembly implemented an electronic voting system, featuring a platform capable of recording votes in real-time. El Malick Ndiaye, President of the National Assembly, has prioritized the digitization of parliamentary services. The modernization plan also includes the development of an interactive institutional website for b

oth deputies and citizens, alongside the launch of a parliamentary television channel. A dedicated project team has been established to oversee this transformation.

Further demonstrating this commitment, President Ndiaye met with a delegation including executives from the technology company Airudi in May to explore potential collaborations in AI, digital transformation, and professional training. These efforts unfold within a context of profound technological shifts in parliaments globally, driven by demands for greater efficiency, transparency, and citizen participation, as highlighted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in its 2024 World e-Parliament Report.

"Traditional siloed systems are giving way to more integrated and intelligent cloud-based solutions. AI, machine learning, and natural language processing are revolutionizing everything from document management to cybersecurity. These technologies enable parliaments to automate routine tasks, better analyze data, and offer more responsive services to parliamentarians, staff, and citizens," the IPU report, published in October 2024, states.

However, the digital transformation process within the Senegalese Parliament remains in its nascent stages. According to the IPU, the most digitally advanced African parliaments include South Africa, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Morocco, and Mauritius, followed by Tunisia and Malawi. The report indicates that Sub-Saharan Africa remains largely underrepresented among top-performing parliaments, with 50% of its institutions ranked among the 30 least advanced in terms of digital maturity.

This disparity is primarily attributed to a lack of modernization initiatives, insufficient investment in digital systems, and the absence of ambitious digital transformation programs.

This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Benin is ramping up its digital transformation through strategic partnerships to strengthen cybersecurity, drive innovation, and train future talent.

On the sidelines of the fifth Cyber Africa Forum (CAF) in Cotonou last week,  the Agency for Information Systems and Digital (ASIN) — the government’s operational arm in the digital sector — signed three key agreements.

“CAF 2025 was the perfect setting to sign these three partnerships,” said Marc-André Loko, Director General of ASIN. “Benin, like other African countries, is truly engaging in a dynamic to become a producer of technology. We no longer want to be mere consumers of technology.”

ASIN signed the first two agreements with Senegal’s Orbus Digital Services (ODS) and Benin’s Quality Corporate. These deals aim to build digital trust by strengthening cybersecurity, improving data governance, and ensuring regulatory compliance. This effort is crucial as West Africa faces a surge in cyberattacks targeting governments, companies, and citizens.

ASIN signed the third agreement with the Institute for Inclusive Digital Africa (IIDiA), backed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This partnership will set up a digital innovation lab to spur innovation, train local talent, and modernize public services. The goal is to advance digital inclusion and develop new skills.

These agreements support Benin’s digital strategy, which aims to make technology a driver of inclusive growth. According to GSMA, digitalizing Benin’s economy could add up to CFA1,200 billion (around $2.2 billion) to the GDP by 2028, create over 300,000 jobs, and boost tax revenues.

With these new partnerships, Benin is laying the foundation for a stronger, more innovative, and more inclusive digital ecosystem. The deals reinforce Benin’s ambition to lead in technological innovation in West Africa, focusing on digital trust, inclusion, and local talent to build lasting digital sovereignty.

This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
 Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

The digital economy should represent 8.5% of Africa's GDP–or $712 billion–by 2050. This is a promising sector and that is why many African countries have been launching digital transformation projects in recent years. 

The Ivorian government allied with US cybersecurity firm Cybastion last Tuesday, July 18. Under the partnership, Cybastion will help reinforce Côte d’Ivoire’s IT facilities and anticipate cyber threats. The company will also help boost locals’ IT skills and train highly qualified professionals who will contribute to the African nation’s digitization in the long term.  

The partnership agreements were inked by the ministers of ICT, Transport, and Trade of Côte d’Ivoire, and Cybastion.  

Besides these agreements, the minister of ICT, Amadou Coulibaly, also signed with his counterpart from Public Service, Anne Désirée Ouloto, a partnership agreement on the same day with the National Company for the Publication of Administrative Documents and Identification (SNEDAI) and SAH Analytics International group. This agreement is aimed at digitizing and modernizing administrative procedures, especially by setting up a biometric identification system that will cover the country's public administrations.

According to Anne Désirée Ouloto, this partnership will reduce the absenteeism of state workers, and monitor attendance at work. And this should, according to her, bolster transparency and equity in the public sector. 

The various partnerships are part of Côte d’Ivoire’s 2021-2025 National Strategy for the Development of the Digital Sector. This is a strategy that features several digitization projects, which align with President Ouattara’s vision to modernize and reinforce Ivorian public services.

Samira Njoya

As Africa experiences a rapid digital transformation, countries on the continent grapple with digital security issues, and governments double down on efforts to protect various platforms that may be subject to cybercriminal attacks.

South Africa's Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DOJCD) has been fined 5 million rands ($268,000) by the Information Regulator (IR), according to the South African government's official press agency.

The fine was levied following the DOJCD's non-compliance with the Personal Information Protection Act (POPIA) and a previous antivirus software license renewal order issued by the regulator.

"The enforcement notice required [the department] to provide proof within 31 days of receipt of the notice that the Trend antivirus license, the SIEM [Security Information and Event Management] license, and the intrusion detection system license had been renewed," said the regulatory body.

The notice sent to the department specified that if it failed to comply with this requirement by June 9, 2023, it could face a fine of up to 10 million rand.

As the Department of Justice failed to comply, "[...] the regulatory body concluded that it did not comply with the enforcement notice served on it under POPIA. As a result, the regulatory authority fined the department an administrative penalty of 5 million rand for non-compliance with the enforcement notice," added the regulator.

In September 2021, the ministry suffered a major ransomware attack. Documents containing personal information were compromised and many files were lost. This attack disrupted courts’ operations and all electronic services provided by the ministry for several months.

Since then, the country's authorities have undertaken to secure the ministry's digital infrastructure.

Samira Njoya

Africa's digital revolution allures investors and cybercriminals alike, presenting both prospects and risks. In response, numerous countries are ramping up security measures to bolster trust in their information and communication systems.

South Africa and France have signed a cooperation protocol agreement to combat cybercrime and enhance anti-corruption efforts. The agreement, signed by South African Justice Minister Ronald Lamola and French Minister for Europe and foreign affairs Catherine Colonna on Monday, June 19, aims to bolster South Africa's Special Investigating Unit (SIU) by establishing an anti-corruption academy in Tshwane. This academy will benefit the SIU, as well as other law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and beyond.

The collaboration focuses on enhancing the SIU's cyber-forensic investigations, financial crime expertise, and analytical skills. Ronald Lamola highlighted that this training initiative will bring the country's forensic cyber capabilities up to global standards, essential for addressing transnational cyber threats effectively. "This kind of cooperation will be of great value and help to enhance our skills to deal with cybercrime in the country," said Lamola.

Lamola also emphasized the vital role of this collaboration in fortifying South Africa's cybercrime-fighting prowess and revitalizing investor confidence. With cybercrime incidents on the rise, it is crucial to ensure a secure digital environment. During a hybrid information session hosted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on April 4, 2023, Billy Petzer, research group leader, highlighted that cybercrime causes a significant loss of R2.2 billion to the South African economy annually, emphasizing its substantial impact.

Catherine Colonna, the French Minister, also expressed optimism about the partnership's benefits for South African citizens and the broader SADC region. The SIU has already gained expertise through exchanges with French professionals, with 22 trainers now capable of instructing other investigators.

She also stressed the importance of further collaboration and knowledge sharing in the field of cyber investigations. The agreement represents a significant stride in strengthening cyber forensic capabilities and anti-corruption measures, to protect citizens and foster a secure digital environment in South Africa and the SADC region.

“Since the very early stages of our cooperation, members of the SIU have been to France and have had opportunities…to see and experience the French expertise in the field of mostly cyber investigations. I call for those exchanges to grow,” she said. 

Hikmatu Bilali

About 13 million cyber attacks targeting bank accounts and customer data in the Egyptian banking sector were thwarted by Kaspersky in the first quarter of 2023, according to Amin Hasbiny, the head of the global research and analysis team for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa at Kaspersky.

Speaking on the sidelines of Kaspersky's eighth annual cybersecurity forum in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Amin Hasbiny noted that the attacks were 186% up from the figures recorded in the same quarter last year.  

The solution is the result of one of its founder’s experience. The latter was assaulted when he was a student. After his painful experience, he decided to give others the means to quickly inform relevant authorities when they encounter such situations.  

Usalama is a digital solution developed by a Kenyan startup. It allows users to alert relevant authorities when they are threatened, assaulted or burgled.  The idea for the solution started from an unfortunate experience one of the founders had while still a student.

“One evening while going home I was suddenly surrounded by four men at gunpoint. I sadly realized that there was no way I could call for help. One of them punched me in the gut and as I was writhing in pain they ransacked me. The ordeal lasted for five minutes but afterwards I saw a problem,”   explains Edwin Inganji, one of the founders of Usalama. 

The solution has an Android app, through which users can register and select people to be contacted in case of emergency. The app uses GPS to pinpoint users’ exact location, which is transmitted to relevant people along with the time of danger facing the user. Four danger scenarios are predefined on the app and the user, in case of danger, can select one of them.

“Our focus as of now is on four types of emergencies: medical emergencies, security emergencies, roadside rescue and gender-based violence. In each of these areas we seek emergency service providers that offer services in the respective sector and sign them up for our platform,” Edwin indicates. 

Usalama sends a message with the location of the victim, the location of the rescuers, the three police stations closest to the victim, and the respective paths to the victim. When the contacts to be reached also have the application on their smartphone, they receive distress calls or notification prompting them to open the app and check the emergency.  

The app has already been downloaded more than 5,000 times. Its founders plan to launch it in other countries as more countries are faced with insecurity on the continent. 

In 2017, Usalama was a winner of the Innovating Justice BoostCamp of The Hague Institute for Innovation in Law (HiiL). It was awarded €20,000 in funding. In 2019, it was also selected for the Westerwelle Young Founders¸ program, which offers access to six months of mentoring and access to the program’s network.  

Adoni Conrad Quenum