Tech (695)
The ongoing digital revolution has encouraged a growing number of young Africans to venture into the path of entrepreneurship and innovation, giving the continent a glimmer of hope. However, their endeavors are sometimes slowed by the lack of financing.
The Baobab Network, a startup accelerator providing technical and financial support to entrepreneurs in Africa, announced on Thursday, October 5 its intention to invest in a thousand African technology companies over the next decade.
"We have the platform to dramatically scale the number of investments we review and execute across Africa. Our goal is to empower 1000 start-ups, catalyzing innovation and driving economic growth across the continent," said Baobab co-founder Toby Hanington.
Around 60% of Africa's population is under the age of 25, making the continent the world's youngest. This translates into a large youth population, and highlights the immense potential for youth-led innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth.
Like The Baobab Network, multinationals like Microsoft believe in the potential of this enterprising youth and are investing accordingly. In 2022, the American computer software company announced its plan to support the growth of around 10,000 African startups over the next five years.
According to its executives, Microsoft intends to become "one of the cornerstones of the continent's digital economy and provide relevant solutions to Africa's societal challenges". For the company, this means working towards an explosion of local innovations that will contribute positively, not only to Africa's digital economy, but also to global society.
Since its launch in 2019, Baobab has invested in 45 startups in 15 African countries. Thanks to the establishment of its new co-investment vehicle, future cohorts will benefit from an investment of $100,000 each, up from $50,000 previously. The new cohort includes Brandrive, PocketFood, and Bunce (Nigeria), as well as Kawu (Uganda) and Alal (Senegal).
Samira Njoya
Moussa Bagnon, one of the members of the Ivorian team that won the Sony Talent League last March recently agreed to talk to We Are Tech Africa. During this interview, he discusses the competition, his ambitions for the animation and special effects sectors as well as the Afro VFX training program that enabled him to enter the industry.
We Are Tech: Hi Mr. Bagnon, can you tell us a bit about your background?
Moussa Bagnon: I have a degree in electronics and a passion for the digital, photography and video. I was part of the first cohort of the Afro VFX training course organized by Orange Côte d'Ivoire in 2022. The aim of the course was to introduce young people to special effects and animation.
WAT: Before this training, were you already familiar with special effects and animation?
MB: No, I had no prior knowledge. I did start out in related fields with computer graphics and video editing. I had some idea of the tools that could be used to create 3D and animation, but I had no skills in these areas.
WAT: How did you join the first cohort of the Afro VFX training program?
MB : I heard about the training at the Orange Digital Center Côte d'Ivoire, a center dedicated to coaching and developing digital skills. I took part in Orange Summer Challenge 2021, a summer internship that enables young people to carry out a project to solve a social problem. After that, I kept up a good relationship with the members of the Orange Digital Center Côte d'Ivoire, which I visited regularly. Then I heard about Afro VFX and applied.
WAT: How did the apprenticeship go when you were selected?
MB: The apprenticeship began with MASTERCLASSES on special effects. Following a selection process, the most motivated and able, whether amateurs or beginners, were selected to follow the certification course. The first sessions focused on Maya software for 3D modeling and animation. Next, we learned about simulation using software such as Houdini. The sessions took place online every Saturday with different trainers over several weeks.
WAT: Did the training meet your expectations? In particular, in terms of the animation skills you were looking for?
MB : When I entered the Afro VFX program, what I really wanted was to be able to animate and create special effects like professionals. I can't say that I have become a professional after the course but I did learn a lot about the basics of the trade. We were given technical skills, but first, we had to learn about the industry's ecosystem with the world of studios and how animators collaborate. I believe three months of training can not make me a professional who can start applying for animation jobs. It is just an initiation. Also, I was looking to upgrade myself to international animation and special effects standards. So, this level can’t be reached within just three months. Nevertheless, I have learned a lot and I’m still learning. We are already seeing animation projects by very talented people in Côte d’Ivoire, but I’m really aiming for international standards. So, I still want to improve my skills.
WAT : With the skills you acquired during the 3-month training, you and other students from the Afro VFX cohort won the Sony Talent League (a worldwide digital competition) in March with your animated documentary "Djossi Heroes". How did you get to take part in such a high-profile competition when you were still not confident your skills would match international standards?
MB : We heard about the competition through Dedy Bilamba, one of the co-founders of the Afro VFX program, who shared the competition link with us. We heard about it a few weeks before the first deadline, but the criteria were really up to the international standards I was aiming for, for example. It was an opportunity for us to gauge our current level. We set off to discover the competition and put our new skills into practice. We didn't really think we'd win the competition. First, we had to submit a pitch, and out of the 600 projects submitted, five, including ours, were selected and then we had to work for 10 weeks with our mentors to present the final version.
WAT: Can you tell us about the project that made you win the competition?
MB : It's called Djossi Heroes, a 15-minute documentary series that puts the spotlight on petty traders. The first episode, for example, is about a water vendor and her business. For us, these people are everyday heroes. Our job was to use animation to bring the heroine's ambitions and dreams to life so that they would shine in the documentary. We collaborated with two other students from the Afro VFX cohort and a cartoonist, under the supervision of our instructors who helped us structure the project.
WAT: What do you think attracted the judges to Djossi Heroes?
MB : The 5 finalists submitted great projects, but I think what made the difference with our project is the social impact and awareness-raising on immigration and other important subjects that we dealt with in the episodes. I think the jury was more attracted by the impact of our project.
WAT: What do you plan to do next?
MB: For now, the plan is to improve Djossi Heroes. The next step will be to find investors to finish and distribute it on a large scale. At the same time, I will continue to train myself to reach the skill level I desire. I want to contribute to the improvement of animation and special effects in Côte d'Ivoire, and Africa.
WAT: Are you planning to take part in the next Afro VFX cohort?
MB : Of course. The first cohort was more of an initiation than anything else. The second cohort provides for real specialization, and there I'll have the opportunity to choose a very specific area of special effects. It's a much broader sector than you might think. There are people who do texturing, some specialize in animation, others in composition. I will have the chance to perfect my simulation skills.
WAT: You've greatly stressed on international standards. Do you think that Africa is still far from reaching those standards?
MB: We're gradually getting there. With what we're seeing in certain countries like Nigeria and Côte d'Ivoire, there are quite a few studios doing good work. We're not up to international standards, but we're not far off.
WAT: Do you think there's a real demand for animation specialists in Africa right now?
MB : I think there's a real need because the continent is producing more and more content, especially animated films. There are more and more African projects of this kind, but the people behind these initiatives are often obliged to outsource the animation part and entrust it to professionals outside Africa, in order to get quality animation. That's why training is so important. In Africa, we have great stories, but we need to train animators and special effects specialists to perfect the narration.
WAT: What message would you like to pass on to young people like yourself who want to get into animation and special effects?
MB: I want to encourage them because we're seeing more and more African animated films on well-known platforms like Netflix, so we can say that the sector is growing. Africa is very closely watched by the outside world in this field, so I'd ask them not to hesitate. It's a sector that feeds its people and has a future. I'd also like to appeal to African authorities for more support in the field because it can create a lot of jobs for Ivorians and Africans in general.
WAT: I think your appeal will be heard. Thank you for your time.
MB: Thank you too.
Interview by Servan Ahougnon
Last week, Starlink signed an agreement with Paratus for the distribution of its services through Paratus. It is now teaming up with Jumia to further its expansion in Africa.
On Monday, October 2, e-commerce platform Jumia announced a partnership with American satellite Internet provider Starlink to expand its services in Africa. The aim is to market Starlink kits and terminals in the eleven countries where Jumia operates, starting with Nigeria and Kenya.
"We have seen Starlink do these types of deals in Southeast Asia and South America, and now Africa will also have the opportunity to access fast-speed internet services. The plan is to start selling through our sites and agents in Nigeria this month, and then Kenya," explained Hisham El Gabry, Jumia's Chief Commercial Officer.
Starlink, which is already present in Nigeria, Rwanda, Mozambique, Kenya, and Malawi, is multiplying partnerships to facilitate access to its Internet access kits and terminals. Jumia, with its 8.4 million active consumers and one billion visits by 2022, may prove to be a partner of choice, especially as it will also make it possible to reach regions where official addresses and city mapping are limited, unworkable, and/or economically unviable for traditional providers such as mobile operators.
"We had to establish our own business models and transportation network, even mapping to a certain extent when we started building an African e-commerce business," added Hisham El Gabry.
This year, Starlink was planning to roll out its satellite internet services in 23 African countries. However, as of the start of the fourth quarter, it is present in only five countries. The delay is due, among other things, to the time-consuming procedures in obtaining operating licenses in several countries.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
To accelerate the implementation of “Digital Egypt 2030”, its digital transformation strategy, Egypt bets on international cooperation. In its bids, it is supported by several strategic partners.
On Saturday, September 28, Microsoft Egypt and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation to advance sustainable development and promote digital innovation in Egypt.
Under the agreement, UNDP and Microsoft will work together to promote digital skills and skills enhancement for future jobs and employability, with a focus on empowering women and girls, among other things.
"We are thrilled to enter this strategic partnership with Microsoft Egypt. This collaboration signifies our joint commitment to harnessing the power of digital innovation and technology for sustainable development in Egypt. By combining our expertise and resources, we aim to empower Egyptian youth, and promote gender equality," said Alessandro Fracassetti (photo, center), UNDP Resident Representative in Egypt.
According to the UNDP press release, the agreement also highlights progress in agro-technology and the transformation of the food system. In this sense, the agreement will enable the implementation of agritech solutions that address food security challenges and promote sustainable agriculture in Egypt. Both parties will also share expertise and best practices to support the digital transformation of the public sector, improving service delivery and governance processes. The partnership also aims to advance digital transformation programs in the public sector, including the integration of AI.
The MoU adds to the international cooperation actions undertaken by the government to successfully implement “Digital Egypt 2030,” its digital transformation strategy. According to Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, the Ministry's development cooperation portfolio included 34 projects in the fields of innovation, digitization, and entrepreneurship. They are valued at one billion dollars, representing 4% of the overall portfolio.
The healthtech startup is taking that difficult decision four years after its creation with some $45 million in funding attracted and numerous strategic partnerships.
For several days now, startup 54gene's website has been inaccessible. According to sources close to the company quoted by Nigerian media outlet Techcabal, the company is winding down operations. The process, initiated in July 2023, was prompted by financial challenges and internal conflicts.
In early 2023, Abasi Ene-Obong, the figurehead of healthtech specializing in genomic research, tendered his resignation following accusations of financial malfeasance. Ron Chiarello, who was appointed in March 2023 to replace him, left three months later. Last July, he said the company “could not continue to operate financially.”
Founded in 2019 by Abasi Ene-Obong, Damilola Oni, Gatumi Aliyu, and Ogochukwu Francis Osifo, 54gene had a grand ambition: to bridge the genomics research gap in Africa with the aim of discovering new healthcare solutions for the continent's populations and those of African descent. Strategic collaborations have been initiated to this end.
In May 2022, 54gene signed a memorandum of understanding with the Académie Nationale des sciences et techniques du Sénégal (ANSTS), the human genetics department of the Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odonto-stomatology at Dakar's Cheikh Anta Diop University. The aim of the collaboration was to gain a better understanding of hereditary diseases and improve medical monitoring of the Senegalese population.
SEN-GENOME, a study of the genetic heritage of populations, was scheduled to start in July 2022. It was to trace the history of Senegalese populations and identify genetic risk factors for diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, certain infectious diseases, and rare genetic diseases. Initial results were expected in December 2023.
This research will probably be concluded by the Senegalese party unless Abasi Ene-Obong, the former CEO of 54gene who had materialized this cooperation, takes it over. On September 15, on social media, he announced the launch of his new company Syndicate Bio. This company is also focused on genomic research and precision medicine.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
With digital transformation accelerating worldwide, interest in cloud services is intensifying. Other continents have made considerable progress in that field while Africa barely accounts for 1% of the data centers installed globally.
Chinese tech giant Huawei will invest $200 million to create Africa's first public cloud center, offering over 200 cloud services. Terry HE, President of Huawei Northern Africa (North, West, and Central Africa), made the announcement at the opening of the 8th edition of "Huawei Connect", held from September 20 to 22 in Shanghai, China.
"Every technological evolution is the result of perseverance, exploration, and investment," said Terry HE (photo), before adding that "to expedite intelligent transformation in Northern Africa, Huawei will intensify its investments in technologies, ecosystems, and talent."
The $200 million investment announced is part of the $430 million the company plans to invest in Africa over the next five years. Under that investment plan, Huawei will make a further $200 million available to support 200 local software partners and strengthen 1,300 distribution partners. The remaining $30 million will be injected to train 10,000 local developers and 100,000 digital professionals, creating a skilled workforce to drive smart transformation in the region.
This initiative is part of Huawei's new strategy to assist Africa toward a "smart, connected future". In addition to improving deployment capacity, reducing costs, and securing data storage, Huawei's public cloud will also provide services capable of supporting extensive, efficient, and high-quality digital coverage, while reducing carbon emissions.
It should be remembered that Africa's share of the cloud market is still relatively marginal compared with the global market, which reached $445 billion in 2021. According to the report "Global Cloud Computing Market (2021 to 2028)", that market will triple to $1,200 billion by 2028. To improve its share in the market, Africa needs significant investments.
Samira Njoya
The AI conversational agent has been revolutionizing the technology sector since its launch. But, OpenAI, the company that owns the technology, is still improving that groundbreaking tool.
Californian AI firm OpenAI announced on Wednesday, September 27 that its flagship product ChatGPT, an AI-powered conversational agent, can now browse the Internet and provide real-time information. This functionality is available thanks to Browse with Bing, the result of its collaboration with Microsoft.
"ChatGPT can now browse the internet to provide you with current and authoritative information, complete with direct links to sources. It is no longer limited to data before September 2021. Since the original launch of browsing in May, we received useful feedback.[...] Browsing is available to Plus and Enterprise users today, and we’ll expand to all users soon. To enable, choose Browse with Bing in the selector under GPT-4," explains OpenAI on social media..
Thanks to a number of strategic partnerships, OpenAI is strengthening its market position with this development. While announcing several features for ChatGPT, OpenAI also announced on Monday, September 25 that its conversational agent can see, hear, and speak.
"We’re rolling out voice and images in ChatGPT to Plus and Enterprise users over the next two weeks. Voice is coming on iOS and Android (opt-in in your settings) and images will be available on all platforms," OpenAi wrote on its website.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
With digital transformation accelerating across Africa, it is now crucial to build the continent’s digital skills. In Kenya, private and public stakeholders are multiplying partnerships for that purpose.
Last week, MaMa Doing Good, a Kenyan NGO headed by First Lady Rachel Ruto, announced a memorandum of understanding with Huawei to provide digital literacy training to some 14,000 women groups in the country.
The partnership between the two institutions encompasses several key areas, including bridging the digital divide, improving digital skills, advocating for digital literacy, and communicating and documenting the program and its impact.
“We are thrilled to join forces with MaMa Doing Good to empower women with the digital skills they need to thrive in today’s world. Through this collaboration, we aim to bridge the digital divide and create a brighter future for women in Kenya,” said Steven Zhang, Deputy CEO at Huawei Kenya.
For MaMa Doing Good, the new partnership “symbolizes a shared commitment to building an equitable society where every individual, especially women, can lead lives that are not just happy and fulfilled, but profoundly transformed. It resonates deeply with Kenya’s Vision 2030, underlining the paramount importance of digital literacy and economic empowerment” on Kenya’s roadmap to progress.
According to John Chumo (photo, center), CEO of MaMa Doing Good, investing in women's economic empowerment will pave the way for gender equality, poverty eradication, and inclusive economic growth. Digital equipment and skills will be a catalyst for change that will profoundly improve their lives, he believes.
Samira Njoya
After enabling Nigerian startups to raise capital on the exchange, the NGX is going a step further with the federal government’s approval.
Nigerian authorities want local start-ups to be listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), the country's main stock exchange. This was stated by Bosun Tijani, Nigeria's Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, at a technology event entitled "Invest in Africa's Future - Let's talk about exits" held last week in New York, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
The aim is to stimulate the listing of startups on the NGX Technology Board index. "We want to prioritize the ability of our technology companies to export products and we are targeting Africa first and then eventually start selling to the rest of the world," Minister Tijani explained.
This decision is in line with the country’s plan to diversify its economy, therefore reducing its high dependence on oil revenues by capitalizing on its very buoyant and dynamic tech sector. According to Partech Africa, Nigerian startups captured $1.2 billion of the $6.5 billion raised in Africa in 2022. In 2021, they captured $1.8 billion of the $6 billion, against $307 million of the $1.43 billion in 2020 and $747 million of the $2 billion in 2019.
Apart from being the country whose startups attract the most funding in Africa, Nigeria also hosts four of the eight unicorns on the continent. Those unicorns are namely Chipper Cash, Flutterwave, Interswitch, and Opay. Flutterwave co-founder Olugbenga Agboola, who took part in the event in New York, explained that his company would bank on the project and capitalize on the opportunities offered to evolve and bring more value to its customers and investors.
"We will continue to do a lot of work that makes us able to attract local capital and the day tech start-ups come to the exchange, we are confident that there would be a very good audience of investors that would want to own a bit of their shares. This is what we at NGX are doing by removing all barriers for that to happen," says Temi Popoola, Chief Executive Officer of NGX.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
To fulfill its digital transformation ambitions, the Chadian government is multiplying initiatives with key partners.
The Secretary General of the Ministry of Telecommunications and Digital Economy of Chad, Mahamat Saleh Ibrahim, and the Vice President and General Manager of Huawei CEMAC zone, Léo Lingyu Kong, signed a memorandum of understanding on Saturday, September 23 in Shanghai, on the sidelines of Huawei Connect 2023.
Under the terms of the agreement, Huawei is committed to becoming a key partner of the Chadian government and supporting it in its mission to build a favorable ecosystem for the emergence of digital talents in Chad.
"In the era of the digital economy, digital talent is key, and Huawei is committed to transferring and sharing ICT knowledge and skills, continuously improving digital competencies, and supporting the development of local digital economies and emerging industries," the ministry said in a note posted on social networks.
This initiative is part of the National ICT Modernization Project, financed by a concessional loan granted by the Chinese government to the Chadian government. In its first phase, which is still underway, the government benefited from the support of Huawei and other partners such as telecom operators Moov and Airtel.
Launched in 2020, the project is divided into several components, namely the construction of a national data center, the building of a 1,200 km fiber optic network crossing the country from south to east, a 50 km fiber optic loop around the city of N'Djamena, the modernization of the Sotel Tchad group's network through the construction of 200 2G/3G/4G sites, and the extension of subscriber capacity from 300,000 to 1,000,000.
All these initiatives underway in the country were reviewed in Shanghai by the Chadian delegation and Huawei vice-president Richard Jin. The second phase of the project was also discussed.
Samira Njoya
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True to its mission, which is to assist African countries “in their efforts to achieve economic development and social progress,” the AfDB is signing strategic partnerships to enable every member country to capitalize on the opportunities offered by the ongoing tech revolution.
On Thursday, September 21, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and American technology giant Google announced the signing of a letter of intent during the Global Africa Business Initiative at the UN General Assembly in New York. The aim is to harness emerging technologies, expand and improve technology infrastructures, and develop talent and skills to accelerate digital transformation on the continent.
"Our journey from a 2% telephony penetration in 1998 to today's era of 4G, 5G, and AI signifies immense progress. With 70% of sub-Saharan Africans under 30, our focus is on catalyzing businesses to create jobs and offer innovative solutions," says AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina (photo, center).
African countries are accelerating digital transformation with various programs and projects. They are multiplying partnerships to this end, and all sectors of activity are being positively impacted. The establishment of ecosystems and regulations to encourage the proliferation and emergence of startups is also at the heart of many governments' actions, fostering collaboration with global technology giants such as Google, Huawei, and Microsoft.
In collaboration with the AfDB, which has already injected more than $1.9 billion into various digital-related projects on the continent, the Mountain View firm will offer, among other things, “technical assistance to bolster entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises in digitizing their businesses, securing financing, mastering digital marketing, and advancing private sector development.”
Adoni Conrad Quenum
For the first cohort, Investing in Innovation selected 31 startups. This time, it has selected 29 startups operating in healthcare technologies, particularly in healthcare supply chains.
Last Tuesday, the pan-African initiative Investing in Innovation (i3) announced the second cohort of its i3 program. The cohort comprises 29 startups from ten African countries. The startups will take part in the annual market access event in Nairobi from November 14 to 15, 2023.
"Selected startups receive introductions to leading potential customers in industry, donor agencies and governments, a $50,000 grant, and tailored investment readiness support from leading accelerators Villgro Africa, IMPACT Lab, Startupbootcamp Afritech, and CcHUB," we learn.
For the startups selected for this second cohort, 38% are headed by women, and 17% are active in French-speaking Africa, a region that is "less attractive" to foreign investors. Against a backdrop of slowing startup fundraising in Africa, these various programs show that the African technology sector is still attractive.
According to Kieran Daly, Director of Global Health Agencies and Funds at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the program, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and sponsored by the likes of Cencora and Microsoft, complements state and international initiatives to improve health outcomes and strengthen local health systems. “Programs like i3 help us understand, support, and engage with technology-driven solutions emerging across Africa, hand-in-hand with our partners,” he added.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Tourism is a key economic sector in Namibia. At a time when the government is struggling to showcase the country’s attractions, digital solutions could contribute to the effective implementation of ongoing projects.
LEFA Transportation Services, a Namibian e-mobility solution that connects drivers and passengers via its digital platform, announced on Monday, September 18 a partnership with Google Maps, the global online mapping service developed by Google.
The partnership aims to showcase Namibia's vast expanses on Google Street View, a virtual navigation service that complements Google Maps and Google Earth by enabling 360° panorama views.
"By making the nation’s natural wonders, historic sites, and urban landscapes accessible with the click of a button, potential tourists can be enticed to experience the beauty of Namibia first-hand," said Melkies Ausiku, founder and general manager of LEFA Transportation Services.
As part of this ambitious 17,000 km project, Google Maps will carry out a major update on Namibia. Eventually, locals and visitors alike will discover greater precision in the names of the streets and newly mapped roads.
According to Melkies Ausiku, the project will provide an authentic and comprehensive digital representation of Namibia. The digital representation will thus serve as an innovative marketing tool, opening up opportunities for businesses to attract a global customer base. Local businesses, from charming accommodations to restaurants, cultural sites, and tour operators, will benefit from unrivaled visibility.
Samira Njoya
After convincing ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, to open a regional office in Kenya, President William Ruto wants to convince other global tech giants to do the same.
On Friday, September 15, William Ruto (photo, left) met with the heads of several American multinational technology companies in San Francisco. The aim is to convince these firms to invest in Africa, particularly in his country, Kenya.
"Kenya is your gateway to the Silicon Savannah [Kenya's technology ecosystem created as a local version of the U.S. Silicon Valley], to the East African Community, the most integrated regional market of 500 million, and a Pan-African market of 1.4 billion. If you build it in Kenya, it works for Africa, and if you set it up in Kenya, your African footprint is guaranteed," the Kenyan president said.
Kenya, Egypt, South Africa, and Nigeria are the countries attracting the most investment in Africa's technology sector. On a continental scale, Kenya is a mature ecosystem, and the executive is doing what's necessary to attract more capital and investors. In August 2023, after a virtual meeting with President Ruto, Chinese giant Bytedance’s executives decided to open offices in the country.
“Kenya is a full package investment destination; economically stable, entrepreneurial, secure, innovative with a favorable tax environment, skilled labor force, technological expertise, green energy credentials and a gateway for six undersea fiber-optic cables providing reliable data connectivity,” the president told investors in Silicon Valley.
Several executives and/or representatives of the technology firms present at the meeting were won over by the President's speech. Apple Chairman and CEO Tim Cook is reportedly considering the creation of a developer academy and also plans to exploit the potential of the country's green data centers. Google wants to invest several million dollars to strengthen its digital training and innovation initiatives on the continent. As for Visa, the fintech company has already chosen Kenya as the location for its global digital innovation studio.
Adoni Conrad Quenum