Brief (381)
Tunisian authorities announced on Monday, March 25, the official adoption of online birth certificates for administrative procedures related to the Ministry of the Interior’s services. This provision extends to Tunisians living abroad, who can now use these online birth certificates for applications or renewals of national identity cards and passports.
On March 20, the Egyptian Space Agency (ESA) and the Chinese Space Administration (CASC) signed a protocol agreement in Cairo for the operation of the EgyptSat-2 satellite. The agreement includes provisions for CASC's support in the peaceful utilization of space and the promotion of sustainable development in Egypt.
On March 21 in Porto-Novo, Louis Vlavonou, the President of Benin's National Assembly, met with Ouanilo Medegan Fagla, the Director General of the Centre national d'investigations numériques (CNIN). Fagla noted the dynamic nature of the National Assembly and the urgent need for digitization. In response to the clear intent of the President of the National Assembly, Fagla expressed CNIN's readiness to support the digital transformation underway at the national assembly, while upholding the principles of digital security integral to this transformation.
Togo's capital, Lomé, is set to host Artificial Intelligence Week (AIW) from June 4 to June 8, an event that aims to unite tech enthusiasts, innovators, and thought leaders. The conference themed "L’IA au Togo et en Afrique : état des lieux, opportunités et enjeux sociétaux (AI in Togo and Africa: Current Status, Opportunities, and Societal Challenges)," seeks to foster sharing, learning, and shaping the future of AI.
Côte d'Ivoire's Telecommunications/ICT Regulatory Authority (Artci) has issued a warning to US-based Starlink, prohibiting the satellite internet provider from operating in the country without due approval, according to a release issued on Tuesday. This follows last week's internet disruptions in several West and Central African nations, caused by damage to the WACS, MainOne, ACE, and SAT3 submarine cables.
Nigerian neobank Brass has raised an undisclosed amount of funding to support its operations, Techcabal reported on Tuesday. The startup recently faced disruptions following a partner withdrawal but has now processed pending transactions. Brass plans to use the new funding to accelerate growth within the Nigerian market.
Nigerian financial technology startup Kuda has secured operating licenses in Tanzania and Canada, tech news platform Techcabal reported on Monday. These licenses will allow Kuda to offer money transfer and multi-currency wallet services to users in these new markets.
Zone, a Nigerian fintech company specializing in blockchain-based payment processing, announced the completion of an $8.5 million funding round on Monday.
"With the support of our new investors, we will enhance our technology, launch new use-cases and expand our network coverage. We will also complete preparations to conduct a comprehensive pilot program to test our cross-border capabilities in 2025. This will further solidify our position as a pioneer in decentralized payment infrastructure for Africa," the startup said.
Egyptian healthtech firm 30Med, which seeks to connect pharmaceutical companies and doctors by simplifying the introduction of new drugs through iterative videos, announced last week that it has successfully closed an undisclosed funding round.
The company plans to use the funds to enhance its platform and expand its presence in the medical community.
Last week, Pan-African organization AfricTivistes which focuses on promoting democratic values, human rights and good governance through civic technology launched its Cybersecurity Open Classroom, a free three-month e-learning program designed to boost participants' cybersecurity skills. The program currently has 441 learners enrolled.
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Estonian e-mobility startup Bolt has launched operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to local media reports. This marks Bolt's 16th African market expansion. To forester its growth, the company will waive driver commission fees, a strategy used in previous launches including Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Egypt earlier this year.
Moroccan e-commerce startup ORA Technologies secured $1.5 million in a seed funding round led by local entrepreneurs, the company announced on Wednesday. ORA Technologies plans to use the funds to further develop its technology, launch a digital wallet, and accelerate growth.
Tunisia officially joined the Council of Europe’s Convention on Cybercrime on Friday, March 8, becoming the 70th state to do so. The convention, adopted in Budapest, is aimed at bolstering international efforts to combat cybercrime.
The Tunisian Ministry of Communication Technologies stated in a press release that the country’s accession to the convention is intended to ensure effective coordination in the fight against cybercrime. It also aims to provide adequate protection for the rights of individuals and victims of such crimes.
The Africa Digital Transformation Forum (FITD AFRICA 2024) is set to take place in Lomé, Togo’s capital, on May 21 and 22. The event is designed to foster digital growth across the continent. This year’s forum will center on pivotal sectors including energytech, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cybersecurity, virtual reality, and e-health, showcasing the broad scope of digital transformation.