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Establishing data centers enhances Africa’s digital infrastructure. This benefits industries that rely on secure, localized data storage and supports the continent's broader digital economy transformation.

Huawei Technologies has announced its plan to establish a data center in Nigeria to address local data storage needs. This announcement was made by David Olaiya, Huawei Nigeria's Head of Cloud Fintech Business Development, during Nigeria Fintech Week in Lagos, which is taking place from October 8 to 10.

Olaiya revealed that the facility, set to launch on October 31, will enhance data sovereignty and reduce latency for Nigerian businesses. “Huawei’s data centre will allow businesses to keep their data resident in Nigeria; a significant advantage for fintech companies that require stringent adherence to data protection laws,” he said.

The center, ‘Cloud Site,’ will provide dedicated local support and connect to Huawei’s global cloud infrastructure. It will serve as an extension of its existing cloud infrastructure in Johannesburg, South Africa, and will be linked to its data center in Dublin, Ireland.

Establishing the data center signifies an important step forward for the country's digital landscape, offering numerous benefits that align with Nigeria's broader digital transformation goals. This infrastructure is set to support local industries by providing secure, localized data storage, which is crucial for compliance with Nigeria's data protection laws. Additionally, it will help to reduce latency and improve the reliability of digital services - a key factor in enabling industries like fintech, which demand stringent data protection and high-speed connectivity.

Hikmatu Bilali

Posted On jeudi, 10 octobre 2024 12:18 Written by

Africa's digital growth faces challenges, including infrastructure disparities, low internet access in rural areas, and limited digital skills among the workforce. Empowering youth through digital education initiatives can help bridge the digital divide and position Africa as a leader in global digital innovation.

Ethiopia and Tanzania hosted hundreds of young innovators gathered for the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) National Competitions on October 4.

Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), said "We are thrilled to see Ethiopia’s young innovators competing at such a high level. This competition not only showcases creativity but also demonstrates Africa's potential to lead in technological solutions to our continent’s most pressing challenges."

Held at the United Nations Conference Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the event featured 100 Ethiopian finalists including 30 female competitors representing 14 STEM centers nationwide. The participants showcased their skills in robotics, artificial intelligence, and sustainability.

In Tanzania, the national competition, hosted at the University of Dar es Salaam, saw 39 students from 12 groups demonstrate innovative solutions to environmental and safety challenges. This year’s World Robot Olympiad theme, "Earth Allies," encouraged young innovators to develop environmentally friendly solutions, underscoring the urgent need for creative approaches to sustainability.

Ethiopia’s Kotebe STEM Center won first place with its ADAPTA-Multipurpose Robot, while Tanzania’s Azania Secondary School took top honors with an Automatic Fire-Fighting Robot. These winners will advance to the global WRO finals in Turkey later this year from November 28 to 30 2024.

For Pren-Tsilya Boa-Guehe, Head of Google Government Affairs and Public Policy, this “partnership with ECA and others aims to provide young African learners with opportunities to explore their curiosities, learn digital skills, and ultimately, be prepared to embrace the 4th Industrial Revolution.”

Supported by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Google, and STEMPower, the event is part of a larger initiative aiming to equip 9,000 African students and 200 teachers with digital skills in AI and robotics across 14 countries on the continent. This aligns with Africa's goal to bridge the digital divide and capitalize on an estimated $712 billion digital economy by 2050.

The World Bank highlights that expanding digital access can help address unemployment and inequality by creating opportunities for entrepreneurship, education, and financial inclusion. With a significant percentage of Africa's population under 25, the continent’s youth are a driving force behind this digital shift.

Hikmatu Bilali

Posted On mercredi, 09 octobre 2024 13:14 Written by

Companies in Africa, including banks and other financial institutions, host their data outside the country due to limited local infrastructure. This reliance on foreign data hosting exposes sensitive information to security risks and limits the government’s ability to protect and control its digital data. A local data center is important to manage data internally, enhancing data sovereignty and security.

South Sudan’s Telecommunications Undersecretary Lado Wani Kenyi announced the country’s plans to construct its first Resilient Data Center. This was during the Pan African E-Government Summit in Lusaka, held from October 2 – 4, the Ministry of Information, Communication Technology, and Postal Services announced on October 3.

Kenyi revealed that the project is aimed at improving the country’s data management capabilities while highlighting that funding from the World Bank has been secured, paving the way for the project’s implementation. The data center will provide South Sudan with full control over its digital information, including data from companies operating within the country. It will also support the government’s digital strategy and enhance data resilience.

The Data Center Market in Africa - Industry Outlook and Forecast 2020-2025 report anticipates that African data center revenue will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 12% from 2019 to 2025. South Sudan’s investment in a new data center positions the country to benefit from this robust market growth, leveraging enhanced data infrastructure to support its digital and economic development goals.

Hikmatu Bilali

Posted On mercredi, 09 octobre 2024 09:10 Written by

This investment included, Equator’s inaugural fund has now reached  $54 million. The company has already invested in six climate technology startups across the continent.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) announced on Thursday, October 3, an investment of $5 million in Equator Fund Africa I, a venture capital fund supporting climate technology startups operating in sub-Saharan Africa. The goal is to help the African continent benefit from the sustainable solutions these startups are developing to combat climate change.

Climate tech is an exciting area of innovation and impact in Africa, where businesses are helping economies grow while reducing emissions and resource use. IFC’s investment in Equator Africa reflects our commitment to supporting those businesses to deliver solutions, from renewable energy to electric vehicles,” said Farid Fezoua, IFC’s Global Director for Disruptive Technologies and Funds.

This investment comes at a time when the continent urgently needs funding to address the impacts of climate change. African start-ups in the climate tech sector are increasingly attracting financing. According to Africa: The Big Deal, these companies raised $340 million in 2019, $344 million in 2020, $613 million in 2021, $959 million in 2022, and $1.1 billion in 2023. In 2024, between January and May alone, climate tech start-ups attracted $325 million, representing 45% of the total funds raised by African start-ups during this period.

Climate change remains a significant challenge for the continent. According to Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), “Africa will need $277 billion annually to address climate change, yet it currently only receives $30 billion per year.

Adoni Conrad Quenum

Posted On mardi, 08 octobre 2024 15:10 Written by

Smartphone adoption remains relatively low in Uganda. According to the latest official statistics, the country has 16.7 million smartphones for 38.5 million active mobile subscribers.

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has launched an initiative in partnership with the Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises (FSME) to equip owners of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with smartphones. The initiative aims to reach 2,720 beneficiaries by the end of the year, with a target of distributing 60,000 devices over three years.

The government covers 50% of the cost of each phone, while the FSME covers the remaining balance. The sh50,000 contribution by recipients is to ensure a sense of ownership.  We don’t want them to sell off the phones,” explained John Walugembe, Executive Director of FSME.

This initiative comes at a time when Ugandan MSMEs are struggling to access smartphones and lack digital skills, despite the fact that, according to Mr. Walugembe, “digital technology has the potential to transform businesses.” Smartphone adoption remains low across the general population. According to the latest UCC data, Uganda has 16.7 million smartphones for 38.5 million active mobile subscribers.

The program is expected to boost the productivity of MSMEs in Uganda. For example, Aisha Nalule, a hairdresser benefiting from the initiative, believes her smartphone will help her promote her services on platforms like Facebook, X, and TikTok.

t Uganda has 1.1 million MSMEs, according to data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). These businesses account for 80% of the country’s GDP and 90% of its private sector, according to the same source.

Isaac K. Kassouwi

Posted On mardi, 08 octobre 2024 12:40 Written by

E-commerce is flourishing in Africa, driven by its youthful, tech-savvy population and ongoing efforts to integrate economies across the continent.

In 2017, only 13% of Africans shopped online. However, according to a July 2024 report by cross-border payments company Nikulipe, this figure could soar to 40% by the end of 2025. This growth positions e-commerce as a key driver for strengthening intra-African trade.

Nikulipe's report, "Payments and E-commerce in Africa 2024," forecasts the African online commerce market to increase by $15 billion by 2028, representing a nearly 49% growth over four years. Data from Statista supports this trend, predicting an average annual growth rate of 11.7% between 2024 and 2028. This implies that the market size could double compared to 2023, when revenues stood at $16.1 billion.

Driving this expansion is a young, digitally connected population. With a median age of 19.7 years and over 1.4 billion people, Africa has significant demographic potential. Furthermore, internet usage has increased dramatically over the past decade, rising from 16% in 2013 to 37% in 2023, according to the International Telecommunication Union.

Despite this potential, intra-African e-commerce faces several challenges. According to a Trade Organization (WTO) report, inadequate infrastructure complicates cross-border trade. Additionally, the lack of harmonized e-commerce regulations between African countries adds to the complexity of cross-border transactions.

Toward Continental Trade Integration

Several initiatives are underway to facilitate intra-African trade. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has introduced a digital trade protocol aimed at harmonizing regulations and simplifying online exchanges between African countries. Regional projects, such as the COMESA Digital Free Trade Area, also encourage e-commerce and digital integration among member states.

More African e-commerce players are expanding their reach across the continent. Jumia, a pan-African online retail company, operates in 11 countries and attracts 5.7 million active consumers worldwide. Anka Africa, based in Côte d'Ivoire, hosts over 20,000 online stores across 46 African countries, drawing more than one million visitors per month.

These platforms facilitate trade between African countries by providing a digital showcase for local producers and simplifying cross-border logistics.

Melchior Koba

Posted On mardi, 08 octobre 2024 12:31 Written by

As digital technology becomes essential in public service, many civil servants lack the necessary skills. This limits the government's ability to deliver efficient, tech-driven services. Addressing this skills gap will enhance productivity and service quality in sectors.

Kenya is set to launch a Centre of Excellence to train public servants in digital skills. Announced by the Ministry of Information, Communications & The Digital Economy on October 3, the center is hosted at the Kenya School of Government (KSG). It is part of a joint initiative with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The Centre will offer training in technology adoption and digital infrastructure to improve service delivery and promote job creation, officials said. Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary, Margaret Ndung’u, met with UNDP and KSG officials to discuss the Centre’s governance and operational framework.

The project will incorporate a multi-sectoral approach for curriculum development and is expected to provide training to both local and international public sector professionals.

In an increasingly digital world, developing skills -particularly digital skills- is vital for economic growth and reducing unemployment, especially in emerging economies. In Kenya, this effort aligns with Vision 2030, which seeks to make the country industrialized and middle-income by 2030. The digitization of the civil service is an essential component of this vision. It aims to enhance the speed and efficiency of government services for users.

Hikmatu Bilali

Posted On mardi, 08 octobre 2024 10:55 Written by

The ongoing digital transformation in Africa is impacting all sectors, including public administration, which plays a central role in the daily lives of citizens. By integrating modern technologies, the goal is to enhance efficiency and reduce bureaucracy, making government services more accessible and streamlined.

Liberian Minister of Commerce and Industry, Amin Modad (photo), recently announced the imminent launch of new online services as part of a broader strategy to modernize administrative services.

During a statement on Thursday, October 3, at the Ministry of Information, Modad outlined several services set to be digitized, including the Liberian Business Registry, the issuance of online import and export permits, and the introduction of a new business registration certificate with anti-fraud security features. He highlighted that the business registration process, which previously took one to two weeks, has already been shortened to three to five days, with the aim of further reducing this timeframe through a digital platform designed to eliminate corruption and simplify procedures.

This initiative is part of a modernization strategy to tackle bureaucratic bottlenecks and corruption, long-standing issues that have hindered the business environment in Liberia. Minister Modad has also secured funding to fully digitize the ministry's services, marking a critical step in the country's digital transformation.

The launch of these new services is expected to bolster the government's efforts to digitize public administration, though Liberia continues to lag in this area. The country currently ranks 182nd in the UN's 2024 e-government report, down from 177th in 2022, reflecting a decline in modernization efforts.

The digitization strategy led by the Ministry of Commerce is set to improve administrative efficiency, increase revenue from business registrations and permits, reduce processing times, enhance transparency, and improve Liberia’s international competitiveness.

Samira Njoya

Posted On lundi, 07 octobre 2024 12:47 Written by

The issue of fake diplomas poses a significant challenge for Cameroon, as it does for many other countries. It undermines the integrity of the educational system and damages the credibility of institutions, as well as the local workforce.

On October 1, 2024, the Cameroonian government introduced a new digital platform aimed at verifying the authenticity of diplomas issued by universities, public administrations, and private institutions. The initiative was unveiled at the École Normale Supérieure (ENS) of the University of Yaoundé 1, during a ceremony co-chaired by the Minister of Higher Education (Minesup), Jacques Fame Ndongo, and the Minister of Public Service and Administrative Reform (Minfopra), Joseph Le. 

The digital platform is described as an "essential tool" designed to streamline the often lengthy recruitment process within the public sector, which has been slowed by cumbersome diploma certification procedures. “This platform is not only a modern tool for verifying the authenticity of diplomas but also a guarantee of trust for citizens, employers, and especially public institutions,” said Joseph Le.

As per a joint circular from May 8, 2024, Minesup will provide Minfopra with a secure software interface, allowing access to diploma data. In return, Minfopra will be able to submit verification requests digitally, speeding up the process. A secure response confirming the authenticity of the diploma will then be sent back to Minfopra through the platform. According to Minister Le, the platform is “a crucial step” in the government's commitment to enhancing transparency and efficiency in public administration. The initiative is part of a broader modernization effort to improve the management of civil servant integration processes.

The platform aims to address the growing issue of fake diplomas in both the public and private sectors. For example, in June 2024, Defense Minister Joseph Beti Assomo announced the discovery of 1,312 fake diplomas during the recruitment process for young gendarmes and soldiers for the 2024 fiscal year. Similarly, in 2022, nearly 1,000 gendarmerie students were dismissed due to falsified credentials. This new platform is expected to help decrease such incidents by streamlining document verification.

The platform's launch follows an agreement signed between Minesup and Minfopra on April 6, 2023. It will be implemented in collaboration with the ministries that issue the most diplomas, including Minesup, the Ministry of Secondary Education (Minesec), the Ministry of Basic Education (Minedub), and the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training (Minefop). Through this initiative, Minfopra aims to verify diploma authenticity more effectively and significantly reduce the processing times for recruitment and certification.

P.N.N.

 

 

Posted On vendredi, 04 octobre 2024 14:56 Written by

For several months, Burundi has been grappling with an unprecedented fuel crisis. To address this situation, authorities are turning to digital solutions to optimize resource management at gas stations.

As part of efforts to improve fuel management, the Burundi Petroleum Company (Sopebu) recently announced the launch of a digital registration process for vehicles and machinery purchasing fuel at gas stations. This program, which began on September 30 and will run until October 7, aims to facilitate the registration of vehicle owners at designated registration sites in Bujumbura.

According to Sopebu, a mobile app called "Igitoro Pass V 1.0" has also been developed, allowing users to register remotely. The digital solution covers a wide range of vehicles, including buses, minibuses, trucks, dump trucks, administrative and diplomatic vehicles, tractors, private cars, tuk-tuks, motorcycles, and even generators.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy to modernize the sector, particularly critical amid a severe fuel shortage and frequent power outages that are impacting all aspects of daily life in Burundi. By digitizing the fuel sector, Sopebu aims to better regulate the amounts of fuel allocated to each type of vehicle. For example, a weekly quota of 80 liters of fuel is planned for small cars, with 40 liters per visit, while larger vehicles will be allocated 120 liters, or 60 liters per visit.

The digitization effort is also expected to improve stock management traceability, combat fraud more effectively, and optimize the fuel-related database management. By leveraging modern technologies, Sopebu aims to increase transparency and operational efficiency while ensuring fair fuel distribution for all users.

Samira Njoya

Posted On vendredi, 04 octobre 2024 13:05 Written by
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