Brief (360)
On Sunday, September 10, Algerian hydrocarbons company Sonatrach announced the launch of "SPEAKUP", a national platform to report and deal with internal corruption.
According to the company's press release, "SPEAKUP" enables employees, partners, customers, and other stakeholders to securely report serious illegal or illicit acts that violate enforceable laws and regulations, as well as violations of Sonatrach's anti-corruption policy and code of conduct.
Last Wednesday, Nigerian digital free-zone builder Itana announced it secured $2 million in a pre-seed round led by global venture capitalists LocalGlobe, Amplo, Pronomos Capital, and Future Africa.
The proceeds will support Itana’s efforts to improve the business environment, encourage foreign direct investment, and boost employment in Nigeria.
The National Employers Council of Mali (Conseil national du patronat du Mali-CNPM) will organize the first edition of Salon international du développement accéléré du numérique (SIDAN) in Bamako next November 28-30.
The event, under the theme "Digital Sovereignty and Technological Progress: Vision and Strategies," aims to enable stakeholders in the tech industry to discuss digital issues and the contribution of the digital to the development of Mali.
Last September 5, Le Cercle Africain de Cybersécurité (CAC), a regional association aimed at enhancing cybersecurity in Africa, was launched in response to the new cyber threats facing the continent.
The CAC brings together cybersecurity/cyberdefense professionals, government representatives, cybersecurity business leaders, lawyers, and academics. It aims to encourage digital security initiatives, develop a cybersecurity culture and raise awareness on the threats that could impede countries’ economic growth.
From November 15 to 17, 2023, Dakar, the capital of Senegal, will host the first edition of "This is Africa Digital," an event dedicated to the digitalization of Africa.
According to the organizers, the event will bring together key industry players to explore the opportunities offered by digitization in Africa.
Cameroon's Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Minette Libom Li Likeng, recently announced the Cameroon Digital Week.
The event, to be held in Yaoundé from October 16 to 20, aims to highlight the country’s digital ambitions for its private and public sectors.
Guinea intends to digitize its public administration, Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Economy, Ousmane Gaoual Diallo (photo, left), recently announced on social media.
According to the official, the government will invest $10 million to create a database and implement a Digital Territorial Development Plan, with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
In Tunisia, legal actions will be taken against those who publish fake news on the Internet, the Ministries of Justice, the Interior, and Information Technology announced in a joint press release issued last August 23. The aim is to combat social media crimes and to dissuade the authors of fake news. "Anyone who contributes to or participates in the publication of a website or page subject to judicial control, in any way whatsoever, inside or outside Tunisian territory, is exposed," reads the press release.
Last Wednesday, the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) and the Government of Lesotho launched a GIS (Geospatial Information System) platform to improve evidence-based decision-making on national concerns and overall governance.
The $1.1 million initiative was undertaken as part of efforts to strengthen government capacity on a wide range of issues, including territorial planning, early warning, food and nutrition security monitoring, vulnerability assessment, and analysis.
On Monday, June 5, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Commission announced a digital health partnership to establish a global digital certification system. The system aims to enhance international health security.
According to a joint statement from the two parties, this global system will help facilitate mobility and protect citizens around the world against current and future health threats, including pandemics.
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The 2nd edition of the African Startups and Digital Economy Summit (SASEN) will be held from June 8 to 9 in Abidjan, on the theme of "The digital economy, a tool to drive job creation for the African youth.”
Over 500 start-ups and decision-makers, institutions, investors, development partners, and delegations from 8 countries, including Benin, Senegal, and France, are expected at the summit.
Zydii, a Kenyan platform that offers digital training in technical and soft skills useful for the development of businesses and their employees, has raised pre-seed funding for an undisclosed amount.
The company, which was co-founded in 2017 by computer scientist Joyce Mbaya, plans to use the funds to support its growth in Kenya and finance expansion in Nigeria and South Africa.
Techstars recently opened applications for its ARM Labs Lagos Techstars Accelerator program. The program is aimed at start-up founders who want to grow their businesses. Successful applicants will receive up to $120,000 in funding, plus access to a global network of investors, hands-on mentoring, and several other benefits. Applications are due by August 9 at https://apply.techstars.com/?source=nav.
British beverage company Diageo Plc recently announced the launch of its new Africa Digital Hub in Nairobi, Kenya.
The hub will serve Diageo's key markets in Africa, including Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Ghana, and accelerate the company's digital transformation plans on the continent. It will be headed by Waithera Kabiru, former Head of Media Futures at EABL (East African Breweries Limited), a Kenya-based holding company that also manufactures beverages.