Tech (1125)
Niger is launching a major overhaul of its identification system to boost security and improve administrative efficiency. The government will use biometric technology to modernize ID documents and better serve citizens.
On June 27, in Niamey, Niger’s Minister of State for the Interior, General Mohamed Toumba, signed two memorandums of understanding with Wissal Samtali, director of the Libyan firm Al Itissan Al-Jadeed, which specializes in biometric and digital identity solutions. These agreements set up a public-private partnership to revamp Niger’s identity documents.
Signature ce Vendredi 27 juin 2025 à Niamey, de deux mémorandums d'entente entre le Ministre d'État, Ministre de l'Intérieur de la Sécurité Publique et de l'Administration du Territoire, le Général de Division Mohamed Toumba et la Directrice de la société Al Itissan Al-Jadeed… pic.twitter.com/MYAo9k7ib1
— النيجر بالعربية Niger Fr (@NigerAR) June 27, 2025
The first memorandum covers the design, financing, construction, and maintenance of a system to issue electronic biometric passports. These e-passports will be made of polycarbonate and contain secure chips to fight fraud and improve the credibility of Nigerien travel documents internationally.
The second memorandum launches the creation of a new electronic national identity card (e-ID). The card will meet international security standards and enable secure online identification. Officials expect it to speed up administrative processes and lay a foundation for efficient digital governance.
These efforts go beyond simple document upgrades. Niger aims to build a digital ecosystem where secure identification supports services such as online authentication, e-government platforms, banking, social protection programs, and border control.
However, authorities must overcome challenges to make the new e-ID a true tool for development and inclusion. They must ensure fair access across the country, build a reliable and connected identification system, enforce legal protections, and secure citizens’ data—a crucial asset in today’s digital economy.
This partnership marks a key step in Niger’s modernization strategy and highlights the growing importance of intra-African cooperation. Wissal Samtali said the deal sends a strong signal that could encourage more cross-border projects in identification technology across Africa.
Samira Njoya
Through these efforts, TikTok is not just promoting digital safety but also actively contributing to mental health awareness and support across Africa, setting a new standard for global social platforms.
As Africa experiences a boom in digital connectivity and online activity, TikTok held its first-ever African Summit on Digital Wellbeing and Mental Health, bringing together mental health experts, NGOs, content creators, and institutional representatives.
Held in Johannesburg, South Africa, the event, announced June 27, 2025, is part of the platform’s push to promote healthier and more responsible use of social networks while addressing mental health challenges faced by young Africans in today’s increasingly connected world.
With over 150 million (189.3M per Intelpoint data) monthly active users in Africa, TikTok has firmly established itself as a major player on the continent’s digital scene. Recognizing its influence on behavior, especially among teenagers and young adults, the company is stepping up its efforts to raise awareness around mental health issues and create safer online spaces.
The summit aimed to raise awareness about the effects of excessive social media use on mental health, promote healthy and responsible use of TikTok among young people, and create a safer, more supportive digital environment for African youth. Discussions covered topics such as screen time management and digital dependency, cyberbullying and online social pressures, the impact of algorithms on self-image, and ways to promote educational, positive, and culturally relevant content.
Key stakeholders involved included mental health professionals from the World Health Organization’s Fides Network. NGOs such as the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI), and Kenya’s Mental360 also took part, along with influential African content creators, including psychologists and doctors serving as new Mental Health Ambassadors.
During the summit, TikTok announced several major commitments. These included strengthening moderation, safety, and parental control tools on the platform, expanding the #MentalHealthMatters campaign across Africa (which has already inspired over 6.5 million posts globally), and launching a new Mental Health Education Fund to support local initiatives. Selected NGOs will receive funding and training to create culturally relevant mental health content and reach wider audiences.
In addition, TikTok is expanding in-app mental health helpline resources across Africa, connecting users directly to local support organizations in countries such as South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Zambia, Namibia, Mauritius, and Malawi. Through these efforts, TikTok aims to empower young Africans to use social media more mindfully while building stronger, safer, and more supportive digital communities across the continent.
As more young people come online in Africa, they face increased exposure to misinformation, cyberbullying, and mental health challenges. The Digital Well-Being Summit and TikTok’s expanded mental health initiatives come at a critical time for Africa’s fast-growing digital ecosystem.
These efforts not only protect vulnerable users but also empower young people to engage online more confidently, supporting broader goals for digital inclusion, youth development, and community resilience across Africa. By taking a leadership role in mental health and online safety, TikTok demonstrates social responsibility and positions itself as a platform that genuinely cares about user well-being.
Hikmatu Bilali
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Côte d’Ivoire appeals for 100 billion FCFA fund ($178M) to support tech startups, calls for private investment.
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Aims to bridge seed funding gap and boost digital transformation.
The Ivorian government is betting on a new strategy to drive the creation and expansion of technology businesses. Ibrahim Kalil Konaté, the Minister of Digital Transition, has formally appealed to private investors to help establish a 100 billion CFA franc fund, approximately $178 million, aimed at supporting the country’s young startups and tech projects.
“Let’s have faith in our youth. They are creators. I call on the private sector to support Côte d’Ivoire’s digital startups. Together, we will build this powerful financial vehicle to accelerate our country’s digital transformation,” Konaté declared during a public address. In an interview with panafrican media Jeune Afrique, he added that the fund seeks to improve access to financing for entrepreneurs often hampered by a lack of seed capital.
The initiative comes amid strong digital momentum in the country. Ivory Coast now hosts nearly 300 active startups and some 10,000 aspiring entrepreneurs in fields such as fintech, edtech, agritech, and healthtech. To structure this ecosystem, authorities adopted a Startup Act in November 2023, which introduced a “Digital Startup” label, fiscal and customs incentives, and a national labeling committee.
Despite these efforts, private funding remains scarce. While some young entrepreneurs already benefit from Startup Boost Capital, a fund launched in 2023 to improve access to financing, many startups remain underfunded and struggle to secure the resources needed to scale.
With this new fund, the government hopes to attract private and institutional capital to complement existing public support and foster the growth of high-potential startups with strong socio-economic impact. The target, as outlined in the Côte d’Ivoire Numérique 2030 strategy, is clear: make digital technology contribute 10% of GDP by 2028.
This article was written in French by Samira Njoya,
Edited in English by Mouka Mezonlin
• Oligui Nguema pushes Gabon’s digital agenda at US-Africa summit in Luanda.
• Eyes Botswana’s model, plans data center with U.S. firm Cybastion.
Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema is intensifying diplomatic and economic engagements at the 17th U.S.-Africa Business Summit, which began Monday, June 23, in Luanda, Angola. His objective is to strengthen bilateral partnerships and inject new momentum into Gabon’s digital strategy.
The head of state notably met with his Botswanan counterpart, Duma Boko. Botswana is frequently cited as a model for its advancements in public administration digitalization and public finance management. Impressed by this approach, President Nguema is considering drawing inspiration from Botswana to reform Gabon’s administrative system. He also met with Thierry Wandji, CEO of U.S.-based cybersecurity firm Cybastion. Cybastion has proposed designing a national data center and training 1,000 young Gabonese in digital careers. This initiative directly aligns with Gabon's national ambition to establish itself as a technology hub in Central Africa.
These initiatives unfold amid a broader economic transformation. To reduce its reliance on extractive resources, Gabon is focusing on diversification, placing digital technology at the core of its strategy. The sector currently contributes approximately 5% to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, authorities aim to increase that share to 10-12% by the end of 2025 under the "Gabon Digital" program. This program, backed by 44 billion CFA francs (approximately $72.4 million) from the World Bank, includes infrastructure development, improved internet access, and the modernization of public services.
By leveraging both African and international partnerships, Gabon is working to accelerate its digital transition, strengthen its technological sovereignty, and create new employment opportunities for its youth. The real challenge now lies in the effective implementation of these commitments and their tangible impact on the daily lives of citizens.
This article was written in French by Samira Njoya,
Edited in English by Mouka Mezonlin
Algeria is stepping up efforts to promote university-based entrepreneurship as a solution to high youth unemployment. By expanding a network of incubators across universities, the country aims to fuel innovation and diversify its economy through start-ups and technology.
Ahmed Mir, President of the National Commission for Innovation and University Incubators, reaffirmed on June 24 in Algiers, the government’s goal of reaching 20,000 start-ups by 2029. The target reflects the ambition of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to make entrepreneurship a driving force for economic growth.
Speaking during a parliamentary event focused on the role of university incubators, Mir said 124 incubators are currently active within Algeria’s higher education and research institutions. This network has already engaged 60,000 students whose final-year projects focus on launching start-ups, micro-enterprises, or patent applications. So far, these initiatives have resulted in 1,600 micro-enterprises, 130 start-ups, 1,175 certified “innovative” projects, and 2,800 patents filed with the relevant authorities.
This momentum follows three years of intensive work by the Ministry of Higher Education to instill an entrepreneurial culture within universities. Each year, Algeria produces around 250,000 graduates, including more than 110,000 in technical, scientific, and digital fields. These graduates are seen as a strategic resource to strengthen the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The growing start-up scene carries important social implications. With youth unemployment remaining high, the development of start-ups and micro-enterprises offers a vital pathway to job creation and social stability.
However, despite the promising progress, significant challenges remain. These include improving access to financing, enhancing digital infrastructure, and providing better regulatory support for entrepreneurs.
Samira Njoya
One after another, major tech players like Oracle, Naver, Nokia, and Cisco are setting up operations in Morocco. In just a few years, the kingdom has positioned itself as a key digital hub in Africa, driven by a clear political vision, an appealing level of stability, and rapidly expanding infrastructure.
Last week, U.S. tech company Oracle announced the opening of a research and development (R&D) center in Casablanca, which will create 1,000 highly skilled jobs. This center will focus on cloud solutions, artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity. The American giant is not alone in its investment. Just days earlier, South Korea’s Naver, a leading Asian digital technology firm, also revealed plans to build a next-generation AI data center.
These announcements reflect a broader trend: Morocco is establishing itself as a key platform for multinational corporations looking to expand their presence in Africa. Nokia launched an innovation center in Salé at the end of 2024. Cisco, Jumia, Atos, Huawei, and IBM have all strengthened their operations in the kingdom, drawn by a favorable and mature environment for digital activity.
A Clear Strategy for Attractiveness
Morocco is leveraging its strategic geographic location at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. However, the quality of its digital infrastructure is primarily what attracts investors. The country hosts more than 20 data centers, one of the densest networks on the continent. It has committed to building two public cloud regions with Oracle, a first in North Africa. This momentum is part of an ambitious policy of digital sovereignty and data localization.
The kingdom’s connectivity is another major asset. According to the Digital 2025 Morocco report by DataReportal, the country had 35.3 million internet users at the beginning of 2025, representing 92.2% of the total population. Morocco is also connected to more than a dozen high speed submarine cables, including 2Africa, which is one of the world’s largest digital infrastructure projects.
A Favorable Investment Environment
Tax policy is one of the tools used to attract businesses. Morocco’s Finance Law includes tax exemptions or reductions for companies located in industrial or technology acceleration zones such as Casanearshore, Technopolis, or Tanger Med.
The country also relies on an increasingly skilled workforce. Around 10,000 IT engineers are trained annually, thanks to partnerships between universities and companies like Huawei and IBM, which offer certification and incubation programs.
Finally, the national strategy "Morocco Digital 2030" sets clear ambitions: to create 150,000 digital related jobs, digitize most public services, and position the country as a regional tech platform. The strengthening of the regulatory framework, including cybersecurity, e-government, and data protection, is helping build a climate of trust for investors.
This dynamic could make the kingdom a key player in Africa’s digital sovereignty and a driver of technological innovation across the continent. According to the latest ranking by financial website Insider Monkey, Morocco is the most technologically advanced country in Africa. With a total score of 208, it ranks first among 15 countries.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Africa's technological lag creates significant threats to its security, economy, and development. The continent's heavy reliance on foreign innovation also exposes it to the drawbacks of imported technologies. This is largely due to insufficient investment in regulation, research, innovation, and skills training.
Since 2020, Africa has been keeping a close watch on the rapid rise of artificial intelligence innovations. First came AI models generating realistic text, followed by tools that produce striking images. Now, video generation has entered the spotlight. During the Google I/O 2025 event, held May 20-21 in California, Google introduced Veo 3, its latest AI-powered tool capable of creating high-definition videos with natural, lifelike audio. This marks a significant improvement from its predecessor, Veo 2.
“We're entering a new era of creation with combined audio and video generation," said Josh Woodward, Vice President at Google Labs and Gemini, during the unveiling of Veo 3. He emphasized how this tool can generate “ultra-realistic” videos.
With Veo 3, Google joins the fierce competition among AI video creators. Other players include Synthesia, known for producing videos with highly realistic avatars; HeyGen, which offers multilingual dubbing with personalized avatars; Runway, offering advanced creative tools; and Kling AI, specializing in high-quality video generation.
These platforms have already captured the interest of African content creators, filmmakers, and media professionals. But beyond their creative potential, they reveal the alarming sophistication of deepfake technology, hyper-realistic fake videos that continue to improve in quality. Africa is no longer shielded from this threat, as deepfakes are now being deployed for various, often harmful, purposes.
In a world where voices, gestures, and faces can be digitally manipulated with shocking precision, the question is no longer whether African societies will be impacted by this digital revolution, but whether they are prepared to handle it.
Deepfakes: A New Era of Illusion
Deepfakes, a blend of the terms deep learning and fake, refer to videos, images, or audio content altered or entirely created by artificial intelligence to appear authentic. Thanks to breakthroughs in generative AI, anyone can now be made to say or do virtually anything on screen, with staggering realism.
While these technologies present exciting opportunities for film, education, and gaming, they also serve as powerful disinformation tools, especially dangerous in regions with fragile institutions and unequal levels of digital literacy.
Raphael Nkolwoudou Afane, a legal expert and digital law specialist, has raised concerns about the destabilizing effects deepfakes could have on Africa. The continent, with its unique mix of vulnerabilities, is fertile ground for the spread and influence of manipulated content.
“Deepfakes exploit our natural tendency to believe what we see and hear,” Afane explains. “For centuries, visuals equated to proof of authenticity. But today, technology can fabricate incredibly convincing realities. The human brain, untrained to tell the difference between digital trickery and genuine content, is an easy target for these sophisticated illusions.”
He warns that deepfakes could disrupt critical sectors. “Imagine this example in the financial sector. A fake video showing a CEO making controversial statements could tank stock prices or trigger a banking panic. In Africa, where markets are often more sensitive to rumors, the consequences would be devastating.”
Given the fragile trust in public institutions and the dominant role of social media in spreading news, deepfakes pose a direct threat to democratic stability. Targeted misinformation that exploits existing divisions could destabilize entire nations.
Ultimately, deepfakes risk triggering a deep crisis of confidence in political leaders, public figures, and institutions across Africa.
African Societies at Greater Risk
In Africa, platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Messenger, and Instagram have become major sources of news and information. These channels help content spread rapidly, often far beyond its place of origin, amplifying both verified news and unverified claims.
During Donald Trump's presidency, content moderation on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook weakened, as free speech was prioritized over strict verification policies. This contributed to the loosening of controls on misleading content.
With many African countries lacking clear regulations for social media, while still aiming to protect free speech, the risk of deepfakes multiplying is high. Some nations have started taking steps. In 2022, Uganda updated its Computer Misuse Act, originally passed in 2011. The revised law penalizes the distribution of false information, including deepfakes, and also bans unauthorized access to data and sharing sensitive information about children.
According to the Digital Report 2025, the global number of social media users reached 5.31 billion in February. Africa accounts for 561 million of those users, based on Statista data.
Here is the breakdown of Africa's most-used platforms in 2025:
- Facebook: 294.1 million users
- Messenger: 104.5 million users
- TikTok: 189.3 million users
- Instagram: 91.1 million users
- X (formerly Twitter): 27.8 million users
It is important to note that users may be active on multiple platforms.
Limited Tools and Incomplete Laws
In July 2024, the African Union (AU) adopted its first Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy, covering 2025 to 2030. The initiative aims to harness AI to drive Africa's development and prosperity.
Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid, AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, explains that the strategy “aligns with the AU's goals for inclusive development and reflects core values such as ethics, inclusion, diversity, human rights, dignity, well-being, peace, and prosperity.” A key priority is ensuring AI systems are designed and adapted for Africa's unique context.
The strategy promotes an inclusive, Africa-focused, development-oriented approach built on five pillars. Fully leveraging AI's benefits -Building AI expertise and capabilities -Minimizing risks associated with AI -Boosting investment in AI -Strengthening regional and international cooperation.
It offers a shared vision and outlines critical actions to help Africa unlock AI's potential while addressing the social, ethical, security, and legal challenges it presents.
However, despite this continental roadmap intended to guide and inspire African countries to address AI's growing challenges, progress remains uneven. Each nation moves at its own pace, balancing AI advancement with local development priorities.
The continent's readiness to manage AI risks, particularly misuse like deepfakes, remains inadequate.
Between 2018 and 2023, only six countries, Algeria, Benin, Egypt, Mauritius, Rwanda, and Senegal, developed national AI strategies. Others, including South Africa, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, and Tunisia, have made notable strides in shaping policies and creating AI-focused institutions.
Still, the International Monetary Fund's AI Preparedness Index (AIPI) shows that nearly 80% of African nations lack sufficient regulatory frameworks, human skills, and innovation capacity to manage AI effectively.
Investments Must Match the Risks
On the technology front, local initiatives to develop deepfake detection tools or enhance institutional cybersecurity remain rare. Public awareness campaigns around manipulated content are also limited.
The African Union, recognizing these gaps, offers several recommendations in its AI strategy. Beyond adopting ethical guidelines for AI and related technologies, the AU emphasizes the urgent need to boost research and development, foster innovation, and build human expertise.
Such measures could help Africa develop deepfake detection tools and leverage AI to grow critical sectors across its economies.
The economic stakes are high. McKinsey estimates that generative AI could boost global productivity by 40% and add between $2.2 trillion and $4.4 trillion annually to the world economy. Even capturing just 5% of that potential could add $110 billion to $220 billion each year to Africa's GDP.
Smart use of AI could also accelerate industrialization, job creation, and improvements in public services, healthcare, education, and climate crisis management. In disaster-prone areas, AI can help better predict and respond to droughts, cyclones, and wildfires, saving lives and cutting costs.
Africa's AI ecosystem already shows promise. The AU counts over 2,400 organizations working on AI innovation, with 41% of them being startups in fields like healthcare, agriculture, education, law, and insurance. The security sector could also greatly benefit from AI advancements.
Faced with the rise of deepfakes, Africa cannot afford to remain passive. The fight for digital truth is deeply tied to issues of sovereignty, democratic stability, and public trust. It is not about rejecting AI progress, but ensuring its responsible use, and putting safeguards in place to prevent its abuse.
Muriel Edjo
• PM Sonko in China to boost Senegal's tech sector.
• Key talks on 5G, AI, fiber, and start-up support.
• Deals eyed for Dakar 2026 and digital sovereignty.
Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko (photo, left) began an official visit to China on Sunday, June 22. He was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Alioune Sall, Minister of Communication, Telecommunications, and Digital Affairs. The mission aims to strengthen technological partnerships with Beijing and accelerate Senegal’s digital transformation.
In Hangzhou, a key Chinese innovation hub, the Senegalese delegation met with major companies. These included Alibaba Group, BrainCo, a brain-machine interface specialist, and CHINT, a leader in smart energy solutions. Discussions focused on critical areas. These included the development of essential digital infrastructure, such as fiber optics, 5G, and artificial intelligence. Talks also covered mechanisms for skills transfer and support for Senegal’s startup ecosystem. This support would come through targeted investments, technical training, and academic cooperation.
The visit follows a series of strengthened bilateral ties in recent years. In 2023, Dakar and Beijing launched joint projects to digitize Senegal’s road transport system. As part of its national "Technological New Deal" strategy, the Senegalese government aims to make digital innovation a cornerstone of its technological sovereignty and inclusive growth. For its part, China continues to expand its presence in West Africa through structural partnerships in key sectors.
If this mission leads to new agreements, it could pave the way for major strategic partnerships. This is particularly relevant ahead of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, for which Alibaba Cloud is being considered as a potential technology partner. Beyond that event, this cooperation could play a decisive role in building a strong Senegalese digital ecosystem. Such an ecosystem would be capable of generating skilled jobs and reinforcing the country’s technological autonomy in the face of 21st-century challenges.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Artificial intelligence is steadily becoming a transformative tool for African public services. Although local solutions are emerging in health, education, and agriculture, their widespread adoption hinges on significant structural investments and a clear ethical framework.
Africa is increasingly adopting artificial intelligence to modernize its public services, particularly in strategic sectors like health, agriculture, and education. According to "Governing in the Age of AI – Unlocking a New Era of Transformation in Africa," a report published in April 2025 by the Tony Blair Institute, AI can boost state productivity, enhance transparency, and improve access to essential services at a lower cost. Africa currently accounts for only 1% of global AI investment but could significantly benefit from a targeted approach based on concrete use cases tailored to local realities.
Health: Low-Cost Diagnostics and Smart Logistics
AI applications are expanding across Africa's health sector. In Nigeria, the startup Ubenwa developed an algorithm that analyzes newborn cries to detect early signs of asphyxia. This helps reduce neonatal mortality in rural areas. In Nairobi, Neural Labs is testing NeuralSight, an AI-based medical imaging analysis platform capable of diagnosing over 20 respiratory and breast diseases at a lower cost.
Agriculture: Boosting Productivity for Smallholder Farmers
African agritech companies are rapidly adopting AI to transform farming practices. South Africa's Aerobotics uses drones and satellite imagery to detect diseases and pests before they spread, contributing to higher yields. In Ghana, Farmerline launched Darli, a chatbot accessible via WhatsApp in 27 African languages, providing tailored agricultural advice. Launched in March 2024, the service already reaches 110,000 farmers. These innovations improve access to agricultural expertise, help reduce input use, and strengthen climate resilience.
Education: Personalized Support to Address Teacher Shortages
With UNESCO estimating a teacher shortfall of 15 million across the continent, AI is seen as a valuable support tool. SkillBridge in Ethiopia and M-Shule in Kenya offer intelligent assistants that guide students via SMS or apps, achieving an 87% accuracy rate in preparatory exercises. Nigeria's Afrilearn, for its part, employs a "learn-and-earn" model to give students free access to enriched and interactive educational content.
National Strategies Still Unevenly Distributed
To date, about 11 African countries have adopted a national AI strategy. These include Rwanda, South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Tunisia, and Benin. According to the 2023 AI Readiness Index from the University of Oxford, Sub-Saharan Africa scores an average of 30.2 out of 100, significantly lagging behind East Asia's 52.6. Key obstacles identified include a lack of digital infrastructure, poor-quality data, and weak institutional capacities.
At the continental level, the African Union adopted the African Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in 2024. This strategy promotes responsible, inclusive, and ethical AI and includes developing data governance standards, shared regional infrastructure, and fostering local innovation.
African AI: Between Local Promise and Systemic Challenges
Africa now has high-impact, tangible AI use cases in health, agriculture, education, and public management. The startups involved demonstrate the continent's capacity for local innovation. However, without structural investment in infrastructure, talent development, and ethical governance, these initiatives risk remaining marginal.
To address this, the Tony Blair Institute report proposes creating an AI Financing Compact for Africa. This compact aims to pool investments in data centers, digital identities, and certified training programs. The private sector, driven by startups and tech hubs, is playing a crucial role in deploying solutions adapted to African contexts.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
As artificial intelligence advances across Africa, cybersecurity vulnerabilities are growing, leaving citizens, institutions, and infrastructure exposed to increasingly sophisticated attacks. Authorities are struggling to contain the rapid rise of online crime in this environment.
Cybercrime is rapidly expanding across Africa, now accounting for up to 30% of reported crimes in some regions, particularly West and East Africa. This is according to Interpol's latest cyberthreat assessment report on the continent, published on Monday, June 23. The annual assessment highlights a surge in digital attacks among African member states, with threats becoming increasingly sophisticated. Online scams, especially phishing, ransomware, business email compromise (BEC), and digital sextortion, are among the primary cyberthreats identified.
📢 New INTERPOL report warns of a sharp rise in cybercrime in Africa.
— INTERPOL_Cyber (@INTERPOL_Cyber) June 23, 2025
🔗 https://t.co/F98W3lS9gm#Cybercrime #INTERPOL
Diverse and Targeted Digital Threats
The report indicates that some attacks have targeted critical infrastructure, including the Kenya Urban Roads Authority and Nigeria's National Bureau of Statistics. In West Africa, criminal organizations such as the transnational Black Axe syndicate are implicated in BEC fraud operations amounting to millions of dollars.
Figures across the continent underscore the problem. In 2024, South Africa and Egypt recorded the highest numbers of ransomware detections, with 17,849 and 12,281 cases respectively. Nigeria, with 3,459 cases, and Kenya, with 3,030 cases, followed closely, confirming the vulnerability of the continent's most digitized economies. Interpol also warns of a significant increase in digital sextortion cases, reported in 60% of African member countries. In many of these incidents, the compromising images used are often generated or manipulated with artificial intelligence.
Limited Response Capacity Amid Surge in Cyberattacks
Despite the rise in cyberattacks, investigation and response capabilities remain limited. Nine out of ten African countries believe a significant improvement in law enforcement and prosecution capabilities is necessary. Systems for incident reporting, digital evidence management, and cyberthreat databases are still uncommon. Only 30% of countries report having a notification system, 29% a digital evidence processing system, and 19% a cyberthreat database.
Legal and institutional challenges exacerbate the issue. Three-quarters of surveyed countries acknowledge that their current legal frameworks are inadequate. Furthermore, 95% cite a lack of training, resources, or specialized tools to effectively combat cybercrime.
Additionally, regional and international cooperation remains insufficient. For 86% of African countries, slow formal mechanisms, the absence of operational networks, and restricted access to data hosted abroad hinder investigations. Eighty-nine percent also believe it is necessary to strengthen their collaboration with the private sector.
Interpol, however, noted some progress. Several African states have aligned their legislation with international standards, invested in specialized units, and participated in major operations like Serengeti and Red Card, which led to over 1,000 arrests. The organization calls for stronger cooperation between governments and the private sector, as well as the integration of emerging technologies to better anticipate and counter threats. This report is part of the AFJOC (African Joint Operation against Cybercrime) initiative, supported by the United Kingdom, which aims to boost African states’ cybersecurity capacities.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
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These engagements mark a significant step in Egypt’s efforts to position itself as a regional leader in digital services, deepen international cooperation, and create new job opportunities for its youth in the global tech economy.
Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Dr. Amr Talaat, met with top Italian industry leaders and business representatives in Rome to deepen cooperation in the ICT sector and promote Egypt as a global offshoring hub, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology announced June 19. The meetings were part of a broader push to attract foreign investment and expand bilateral partnerships in digital transformation and innovation.
Dr. Talaat met with Enrico Bagnasco, CEO of Sparkle and President of Confindustria Assafrica & Mediterraneo, alongside Egypt’s Ambassador to Italy, Bassam Rady. Discussions focused on fostering partnerships between Egyptian and Italian ICT companies, with a spotlight on expanding cooperation in digital capacity building through linkages between Sparkle Academies and Egypt’s WE Applied Technology Schools.
The Minister also reviewed the achievements of the ongoing partnership between Telecom Egypt and Sparkle, particularly in enhancing international digital infrastructure. He outlined Egypt’s Digital Egypt Strategy for the Offshoring Industry, emphasizing the country’s strategic advantages, including a skilled multilingual workforce, advanced infrastructure, and competitive incentive packages for investors.
In a separate meeting, Dr. Talaat met with Alfonso Siano, Head of International Relations at Intesa Sanpaolo, Italy’s leading banking group. Discussions centered on expanding the bank’s operations in Egypt and exploring collaborations in FinTech innovation. The Minister highlighted Egypt’s fast-growing offshoring sector, particularly in banking and financial services, and its ability to support global operations with digitally skilled youth and cutting-edge digital infrastructure.
Further discussions were held with Gianfranco Previtera, President of AlmavivA, one of Italy’s largest tech companies, and Amr Sayed, Business Development Manager for MENA. AlmavivA shared plans to scale its Egypt office and grow its workforce to meet rising demand for offshoring services, leveraging Egypt’s talent pool and cost-effective business environment.
This push to deepen Egypt–Italy digital cooperation directly supports Egypt’s broader ambitions to become a global hub for IT offshoring, digital services, and innovation-driven investment. Egypt’s Digital Egypt Strategy for the Offshoring Industry, launched by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), aims to attract $9 billion in digital exports annually by 2026.
Hikmatu Bilali
Key highlights:
- The DRC will roll out SISAG, a real-time digital monitoring platform for government projects, in Q3 2025.
- The system will centralize data, track delays, and connect ministries for improved coordination and transparency.
- Inspired by African peers like Rwanda and Benin, the platform is a core part of the country’s 2024–2028 Government Action Program.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) plans to launch a new digital platform called SISAG in the third quarter of 2025 to improve monitoring and transparency of government projects.
SISAG, an Information System for Monitoring Government Actions, will centralize data on priority projects and update progress in real time. The system will feature dashboards for live tracking, automatic alerts for delays, and data sharing across ministries.
The platform will connect with key institutions including the National Institute of Statistics, the National Secretariat for Capacity Building, and the Agency for Digital Development to ensure reliable data flow.
A dedicated technical unit, USAG, will coordinate ministries, compile data, and provide objective analysis to support decision-making and accountability.
A Core Part of the 2024–2028 Government Action Program
SISAG fits into the Government Action Program (PAG) for 2024–2028, recently adopted by Congo’s leaders. The PAG demands clear indicators, measurable goals, and results-driven public action.
SISAG aligns political goals with technology. It tracks commitments closely and enables ongoing evaluation. The system will speed up public investments, enhance coordination between ministries, and increase transparency in managing resources.
Learning from Africa’s Best Practices
DRC models SISAG on successful tools used in other African countries. Rwanda uses Imihigo, a performance system based on annual contracts. Benin relies on MPAT to assess ministry performance. These tools have proven they can boost accountability and energize government action.
Once fully up and running, DRC plans to expand SISAG to provincial governments. This will allow detailed monitoring of local projects. Eventually, DRC may open parts of SISAG’s data to the public to build citizen trust. But this will require firm political backing, careful rollout, and strong buy-in from all stakeholders.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum
Highlights:
• Ivory Coast adopts digital nationality certificate system to streamline services and cut red tape.
• New ‘recognitive attestation’ allows Ivorians to get simplified e-certificates without repeating administrative procedures.
• Part of a broader digital transformation drive, the reform aims to boost trust, reduce fraud, and modernize public service delivery.
Ivory Coast has approved a decree to digitize nationality certificates, a move aimed at modernizing public services and making them more accessible. The reform was greenlit by the Council of Ministers on June 18 and stems from a joint proposal by the Ministries of Justice and Digital Transition.
Government spokesperson Amadou Coulibaly said the initiative will simplify how certificates of nationality are issued. It also introduces a “recognitive nationality attestation,” allowing Ivorians who already hold a valid certificate to obtain a digital version without repeating the original procedure.
The new attestation mirrors France’s recognitive nationality model and is expected to reduce administrative delays and costs. Courts will now forward copies of all issued certificates to a central authority that manages digital records and facilitates reissuance.
The documents will be available through the government’s e-justice platform (e-justice.ci), which already offers services like criminal record requests and identity certificates. All digital nationality documents will carry a visible electronic seal (CEV), ensuring instant verification of authenticity by users or officials.
The reform aligns with Ivory Coast’s national digital strategy, which prioritizes administrative efficiency and citizen inclusion. While the country ranks 124th out of 193 in the UN’s e-governance development index, progress is being made through platforms like e-Justice.
Authorities hope the new system will help combat document fraud and promote confidence in digital governance. Challenges remain, including infrastructure reliability, staff training, and cross-platform compatibility.
This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya
Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum
According to the U.S. think tank Brookings, 230 million jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa will require digital skills by 2030. The continent has the potential to become a talent hub—but this will demand substantial investment in training and skills development.
Algeria's Minister of Vocational Training and Education, Yacine El Mahdi Oualid (photo), announced on Tuesday, June 17, the gradual rollout of 40 new digital specialties starting next academic year. The announcement came during a national meeting focused on new professions in the field of information technology.
These new programs will be implemented across various institutes and centers of excellence nationwide. The goal is to modernize vocational training and better align it with the real needs of the Algerian economy, especially in high-growth technology sectors. This reform also aims to improve the employability of graduates by equipping them with in-demand skills.
This initiative is part of a broader national digital transformation strategy. The recently adopted National Digital Transformation Strategy (SNTN) aims to train 500,000 ICT specialists while reducing the brain drain of skilled professionals abroad by 40%. This proactive policy is designed to support the diversification of an economy still heavily reliant on hydrocarbons by building a robust local pool of digital talent.
On the sidelines of the event, several cooperation agreements were signed. A notable partnership was established between the Ministry and the National Insurance Company (SAA) to develop ongoing training and apprenticeship mechanisms. Additionally, two agreements were signed with Mobilis and online training provider Beeform Academy, strengthening collaboration among the public sector, businesses, and private training providers.
Through this reform, authorities aim to improve youth employment, strengthen the national digital ecosystem, and cultivate a talent base to support Algeria’s technological ambitions. Ultimately, these efforts could position Algeria as a regional hub for digital skills, while meeting the domestic demand for qualified ICT jobs.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji