News (1356)
Orange continues to expand its Orange Digital Center network across the continent. Following launches in Dakar, Senegal; Bamako, Mali; Conakry, Guinea; and Freetown, Sierra Leone, Bissau, the capital of Guinea-Bissau, is now set to inaugurate this ecosystem dedicated to developing digital skills.
Orange, a leading telecom operator in Africa, has inaugurated the Orange Digital Center in Guinea-Bissau on June 28, 2024. The center, located in the capital Bissau, aims to train young people in digital skills, enhance their employability, and encourage innovative entrepreneurship.
The Orange Digital Center in Guinea-Bissau is part of a network of 26 similar centers across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. It includes a coding school, a solidarity FabLab, a startup accelerator "Orange Fab," and is supported by Orange Ventures Africa, the group's investment fund dedicated to promising startups.
"This space is more than just a technological center; it is a promise of transformation and growth for the digital future of Guinea-Bissau and Africa. By providing free access to cutting-edge resources, we hope to inspire a new generation of creators and leaders, and contribute to an inclusive digital economy," said Brelotte Ba, Deputy CEO of Orange Africa and the Middle East.
The establishment of the Orange Digital Center in Guinea-Bissau aligns with the French telecom operator's strategy to position itself as a leader in digital transformation on the African continent. According to a World Bank report published in September 2022, the Bissau-Guinean government is committed to strengthening the country's digital skills, despite lacking the capacity to invest in the necessary resources. The absence of a national information and communication technology policy and strategy makes achieving several sustainable development goals by 2030 uncertain. Programs like Orange's help mitigate the issue while awaiting public authority actions.
Access to digital skills can improve access to basic public goods and services (e-government, telehealth, etc.), local financial services (online banking, digital payments, etc.), and promote better use of public information and digital platforms. It can also support an inclusive digital economy and contribute to the continuity of education by providing better access to distance or technology-assisted learning. As of early 2024, the internet penetration rate in Guinea-Bissau was 31.6%, according to DataReportal.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Music holds a prominent place in Cameroon's cultural sector. Recognizing this significance, Orange has introduced initiatives to support industry stakeholders.
Orange Cameroon has relaunched its Orange Music Legends program in partnership with Cameroonian music legends. The telecommunications company announced this on Wednesday, June 26, during a press conference. This initiative aims to support and promote new musical talents across various genres.
This year, five iconic duos will be formed, each consisting of a legendary artist and a leading artist of the new generation. Together, they will revisit great hits that have resonated with multiple generations of music lovers. The event will take place on Wednesday, July 3, at the Yaoundé Multipurpose Sports Complex (Paposy).
Entrance tickets are free and can be downloaded via the Max it app, which provides access to Orange's services. The app is available on the Play Store and App Store. To download the super app Max it, click on "Marketplace," then "Event & Ticket." Select your ticket type: a free classic ticket or a VIP ticket (5,000 CFA Francs, or €7.61) for closer access to the stage. Complete your purchase and download your ticket.
Season 2 of the program promises to be even more spectacular with 24 episodes over 13 weeks, compared to 12 episodes previously. Additionally, games and quizzes will offer prizes totaling 5 million CFA Francs. The winning duo will receive 10 million CFA Francs. All votes will be cast via the Max it super app.
This initiative not only celebrates Cameroon's rich musical heritage but also supports the new generation of artists by providing them with a platform to gain recognition and collaborate with iconic figures in Cameroonian music. Alongside promoting local culture and talent, Orange Cameroon continues to innovate by offering practical digital solutions for its customers, thus reinforcing its commitment to digital transformation and support for the country's creative industries.
Samira Njoya
Across Africa, the job market is increasingly requiring individuals with strong digital knowledge and capabilities. As a result, it has become imperative to provide training to a large number of people in this critical field.
Samsung Electronics Maghreb Arab (SEMAG), the Moroccan subsidiary of the Korean technology giant Samsung, announced on Wednesday, June 26, the signing of a partnership with the Ministry of National Education, Preschool, and Sports. This initiative aims to expand their collaboration on the "Samsung Innovation Campus" (SIC) program, which promotes digital education in Morocco.
As part of this new collaboration, the SIC program will be extended to all secondary school computer science teachers for training and certification in Python programming. Additionally, the first national programming competition will be launched to encourage excellence and innovation in Python among Moroccan students.
According to the government, this partnership aligns with the objectives of the 2022-2026 Information and Communication Technology roadmap, which aims to equip teachers and students with essential skills to thrive in the digital age. For Samsung, the initiative is part of its global corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy, which seeks to provide young people with the opportunity to learn crucial technologies and gain skills to improve their career prospects.
Since the program's launch in 2019, over 10,000 students have acquired coding skills thanks to 211 teachers across nine centers equipped with more than 500 computers and televisions. A total of 562 teachers have been trained and certified in Python programming.
This partnership brings Morocco closer to achieving the goals of the African Union's Digital Education Strategy, which advocates for the promotion of digital skills among teachers and students. The strategy also aims for at least 20% of students and 50% of teachers on the African continent to have access to digital devices by 2027, with a target of one-third of students and all teachers by 2030.
Samira Njoya
The initiative aims to facilitate investments from members of the Cameroonian diaspora in their hometown and encourage economic contributions from Cameroonians living abroad, fostering development and growth in Douala
The Urban Community of Douala (CUD), the Douala's municipal government, unveiled its digital platform, icud-diaspora, on Wednesday, June 26, following the establishment of a framework for exchanges with the diaspora in December 2022. This initiative aims to encourage Cameroonians living abroad to invest in the country's economic capital.
"We took the time to analyze key insights, such as the unanimously expressed demand from our diaspora to establish digital bridges to better harness opportunities in Cameroon. Through this platform, we want to offer skills, networks, and relationships that will enable our diaspora to invest in Douala and help us meet the city's social demands," explained Douala's mayor, Roger Mbassa Ndine.
The icud-diaspora platform allows Cameroonian migrants to declare their projects for Douala with just a few clicks and propose their expertise. In return, the city government promises to offer public-private partnerships (PPP), a dedicated remote contact person, project assistance, online services, a network of approved providers, and land availability.
According to a diaspora consultation conducted by the CUD between June and August 2023, 72% of the 445 respondents are willing to invest if conditions are met, 49% desire a dedicated intermediary to facilitate their projects, and 81% prioritize the quality and reliability of information. The consultation identified main barriers to diaspora engagement, including economic, social, and political conditions, bureaucracy, lack of incentives, and a deficit of trust and knowledge about opportunities.
Currently, the CUD offers a dozen opportunities to the diaspora in infrastructure and urban planning, such as developing residential or commercial real estate projects, constructing and operating supermarkets, among others. Roger Mbassa Ndine emphasized, "It's about co-constructing Douala's development with Cameroonians abroad who are a strength for our country."
Remittances from the diaspora are significant for the national economy. According to the World Bank, remittances from Cameroonian migrants to their home country amounted to $365 million in 2022, an increase of about 5% compared to $350 million in 2021. Douala aims to leverage these funds to drive its development.
Frédéric Nonos
In July 2022, Togo set a goal to digitize 75% of its administrative procedures by 2025.
Togo and Kazakhstan are strengthening their cooperation in the digitalization of public services. Togo's government agency, Togo Digital Agency (ATD), has formed a strategic partnership with Kazakhstan's National Information Technologies (NITEC). According to Togo First, this partnership will enable ATD to leverage NITEC's resources and expertise for its digital projects.
"This partnership will allow ATD to benefit from NITEC's expertise on various subjects to accelerate the digitalization of public services and administrations," stated the Togolese agency.
This initiative is part of the efforts to strengthen diplomatic relations between the two countries, particularly following President Faure Gnassingbé's visit to Kazakhstan. NITEC, ranked 28th on the E-Government Development Index and 8th on the UN's Online Services Index, is expected to bring its expertise to Togo, helping the country deploy advanced technologies to improve its public services.
It is worth noting that Togo aims to digitalize 75% of its public services by 2030.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government is working to improve the country's telecommunications infrastructure and expand access to telecom services nationwide. In March 2023, a 620 km fiber optic cable connecting Kinshasa and Muanda was inaugurated
The SOCOF SA, Congolese Fiber Optic Company, has signed a partnership agreement with the Agency for Coordination and Monitoring of Collaboration Agreements (APCSC) to deploy fiber optics along roads throughout the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The one-year collaboration, which is renewable, is part of the Congolese government's efforts to use digital technology as a driver for integration, good governance, economic growth, and social progress.
According to Freddy-David Lukaso, the special advisor to the president on posts, telecommunications, and ICT, the government has convinced various entities responsible for transport infrastructure to include fiber optic "information highways" in their projects. SOCOF has been tasked with managing the deployment of these data infrastructures by APCSC.
In March 2023, a 620 km fiber optic route between Kinshasa and Muanda was inaugurated to strengthen the national ICT infrastructure. The government is also working to operationalize a universal service fund to connect every Congolese citizen "wherever they are" within the national territory.
The project aims to improve the population's access to telecommunications services and digital services more broadly. As of the third quarter of 2023, the DRC had 28.9 million mobile internet subscribers, with a penetration rate of 30.4%. The number of mobile phone subscribers stood at 56.1 million.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
The Smart Africa Alliance was founded in 2013 by seven African heads of state. Today, the organization includes forty member countries, more than fifty private sector members, and is expanding its strategic partnerships.
KaiOS Technologies, a Chinese tech company, has joined the Smart Africa Alliance, a political initiative aimed at promoting digital development in Africa. The partnership aims to accelerate digital innovation and foster sustainable development across the African continent, as announced in a press release published on Wednesday, June 26.
The collaboration ensures that previously unconnected citizens gain access to essential digital services such as messaging, news, entertainment, and education through affordable and reliable KaiOS-powered smart feature phones with internet access. Additionally, the partnership empowers businesses by distributing affordable merchant payment terminals leveraging KaiOS smart feature phone technologies, enabling underserved merchants to accept digital payments and manage their businesses efficiently.
This initiative is part of the Smart Africa project, whose primary goal is to create a single digital market in Africa by 2030. Supported by 40 African countries and several major international organizations, the alliance is multiplying partnerships to achieve this objective. In October 2023, it partnered with Orange Middle East and Africa to promote entrepreneurship and sustainable jobs for young people in Africa in the digital sector. Earlier in 2023, the pan-African organization teamed up with Amazon Web Services to equip young Africans with digital skills.
Internet usage in Africa has increased from 16% in 2013 to 37% in 2023, while the global average is 67%, according to data from the International Telecommunication Union. Regarding digital payments, mobile money leads the continent, generating $44.9 billion in transaction volume, valued at $836.5 billion. This amount represents 66.39% of the $1.26 trillion exchanged via mobile money services worldwide in 2022, according to the "State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money 2023" by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA).
Adoni Conrad Quenum
In Africa, low birth registration rates prevent many people from accessing essential rights such as education, healthcare, and social protection. New technologies can play a crucial role in overcoming this challenge.
Senegal has already digitized and indexed over 19 million civil status records, announced Moussa Bala Fofana, the Minister of Urbanism, Local Government, and Land Management, on Tuesday, June 25, during the 5th meeting of the national steering committee for the project.
According to the minister, this initiative aims to ensure that every Senegalese citizen has an identification document enabling them to exercise their civil, political, and social rights, while also providing the state with the capability to plan and direct public policies more effectively.
The initiative is part of the "Nekkal" program launched in 2021, which aims to interconnect civil status centers and systematically digitize registers. The 42-month program is funded by the European Union to the tune of 18 billion CFA francs (27.4 million euros).
Once completed, the program is expected to address, among other issues, the problems of birth traceability and ensure data reliability. According to UNICEF figures, in 2019, one in five children (20%) in Senegal was not registered at civil status, thereby being deprived of their fundamental right to an identity. In rural areas, three out of five children (77%) are not officially recognized. For those who are registered, issues such as multiple identification numbers and loss of identifications due to file deterioration are common.
The second phase of the program, currently under consideration, will establish a service platform for all users, allowing citizens, whether in Senegal or abroad, to request civil status documents without needing to travel.
Samira Njoya
Across Africa, new digital technologies have enabled countries to move past outdated tools and progress toward modern innovations. This digital transformation has now reached all sectors, including identification systems, which have become fully digitized.
Gabonese citizens can now obtain the new Electronic National Identity Card, President of the Transition, Brigadier General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, announced on Monday, June 24th.
The government touts the new ID card as "highly secure," featuring an electronic chip storing each citizen's digital identity and a unique 14-digit Personal Identification Number (NIP). This NIP certificate, issued upon capturing biometric data, serves as the key document for applying for the card.
This initiative fulfills the government's pledge to provide a secure and multifunctional national ID card to all Gabonese citizens. It comes after a near decade-long gap in card renewals, following the 2015 termination of a contract with a Belgian service provider.
Gabon joins a growing trend of African nations adopting biometric data collection through the national id card. According to a 2020 report by the American research firm Global Industry Analysts, the biometrics market in Africa and the Middle East is expected to experience a 21% annual growth rate, with the global industry projected to reach $82 billion by 2027.
Beyond secure identification, the electronic national identity card will empower citizens to access digitized administrative services while safeguarding their personal data. This card marks a significant milestone for Gabonese governance, with guaranteed nationwide coverage reflecting the government's commitment to modernization, efficiency, and transparency.
Samira Njoya
Digital transformation is enabling multinational companies to operate without a physical presence in the countries where they do business. This poses a significant fiscal challenge for African economies. As a result, it is urgent to regulate the activities of these digitally-enabled multinational firms.
The Senegalese Directorate General of Taxes and Domains (DGID) recently announced the introduction of a digital services tax, effective from July 1st. This measure aims to tax the revenues of foreign digital companies and platforms operating in the country, in accordance with Article 355 bis of the General Tax Code (CGI).
The tax will apply specifically to online marketplaces facilitating transactions between suppliers and customers, platforms for downloading and streaming music, movies, and online games, as well as data storage and processing services via cloud and database management services. It will also cover online learning and teaching platforms, and content hosting services such as websites, images, and text. Digital giants like Google, Apple, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft are particularly targeted by this tax.
The taxable base will be determined based on the actual revenue of non-resident suppliers or foreign digital platform operators, evaluated according to the consideration received or to be received. The VAT rate in Senegal is 18%, with a specific reduction to 10% for the hospitality and restaurant sectors, which have struggled since the Covid-19 pandemic.
This regulation, introduced by the new government, is expected to have a positive impact on the Senegalese economy by generating additional tax revenue for the state and contributing to a fairer business environment. It will also allow the country to better regulate the activities of foreign digital companies on its territory and ensure they contribute fairly to the Senegalese economy
Samira Njoya
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African nations are actively driving digital development to unlock its full potential. Close collaboration is key to maximizing these efforts.
Egypt and Burkina Faso are committed to bolstering their cooperation in the digital sector. The commitment was the focus of discussions between the Egyptian Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Shérif Abdel Kader Abdel Latif Nada, and the Burkinabe Minister of Digital Transition, Posts, and Electronic Communications, Aminata Zerbo/Sabane, on Friday, June 21.
"I came to discuss with the minister the opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the field of digitalization between our two countries. We want to further strengthen this cooperation. Egypt intends to share its expertise in digitalization with Burkina Faso," stated the Egyptian diplomat following the meeting.
This initiative is part of the Egyptian government's efforts to implement its digital transformation strategy, known as "Digital Egypt 2030." Cairo aims to develop its ICT sector and modernize its national telecom infrastructure, making digitalization the driving force behind the country's socio-economic development.
In this context, Egypt is seeking partnerships with countries like Burkina Faso, which is also actively working to develop its digital sector. Burkina Faso is striving to modernize its public services through various projects aimed at improving administrative efficiency and providing better services to its citizens.
The cooperation between the two countries could enable Burkina Faso to benefit from Egyptian expertise in implementing large-scale digital projects. It could also pave the way for technological partnerships, knowledge exchanges, and joint investments in digital infrastructure, creating new economic opportunities for both nations.
Samira Njoya
At the forefront of the financial sector's digital transformation, the Bank of Mauritius has launched initiatives for years to make financial services more accessible and improve citizens' everyday lives.
The Bank of Mauritius, the central bank of the Republic of Mauritius, plans to open a fintech innovation center on September 4. The plan was unveiled by Harvesh Seegolam, Governor of the Bank of Mauritius, during the "Digital Finance in Africa" workshop organized on Thursday, June 20 by the Regional Centre of Excellence and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The goal is to facilitate brainstorming sessions, hackathons, and regional collaborations to address digital issues in Mauritius.
This decision comes at a time when fintech is increasingly dominating the financial sector in Africa. Traditional financial institutions, led by central banks, want to be included in this technological revolution affecting all sectors on the continent. The establishment of such a center by the Bank of Mauritius will promote innovation and the implementation of cutting-edge technologies in the country's banking sector.
According to the "Africa Tech Venture Capital" report published in January 2024 by Partech Africa, African fintech fundraising dropped by 56% to $852 million in 2023. Despite this significant decline, fintech remains the most capital-attractive segment on the continent due to its appeal. This attractiveness is partly due to the low banking penetration rate and the exclusion of the informal sector, which fosters the development of crypto assets on the continent.
The Bank of Mauritius confirmed through Harvesh Seegolam the commencement of the pilot phase of its digital currency implementation in January, following its launch in December 2023 with a commercial bank.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Gabon's transitional government is injecting fresh momentum into the country's development by prioritizing digital transformation. This modernization drive seeks the backing of key financial institutions, including the World Bank.
Gabon aims to make significant progress in digital projects this year. On Thursday, June 20, the Council of Ministers adopted a draft law authorizing the Gabonese state to borrow €56.2 million from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), a World Bank entity. This initiative is intended to fund the project titled "Gabon Digital."
According to the final communiqué from the Council of Ministers, this funding will catalyze the adoption of digitized public services and increase the number of citizens with a unique identifier. This identifier is crucial for facilitating inclusive access to various public services, thereby contributing to administrative efficiency and improving the quality of life for Gabonese citizens.
"Gabon Digital" will receive a total of $68.5 million in funding from the World Bank. It comprises several major components, including creating an environment conducive to rapid digital transformation, modernizing legal identity systems, and digitizing public administration and essential services.
This initiative is part of the transitional government's strategy to make the digital economy a strategic lever for economic and social growth. To this end, several priority projects have been reactivated, including the construction of a national data center, the development of a Cybercity on Mandji Island, and the digitization of key sectors of the country.
The support from the World Bank is expected to help the country realize these ambitious projects. The planned investments are likely to foster innovation, stimulate the creation of skilled jobs, and enhance the country's competitiveness on the international stage. According to a recently published report by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), titled "Measuring Digital Development: The ICT Development Index 2023," Gabon ranks as the most developed country in ICT in the Central Africa sub-region and holds the 10th place in Africa with a score of 72.9 out of 100 points.
Samira Njoya
After investing in several startups across the continent, the venture capital fund Breega has decided to set up a fund specifically dedicated to Africa.
Paris-based venture capital fund Breega has announced the closing of a $75 million fund dedicated to Africa, named "Africa Seed I." The fund aims to invest between $100,000 and $2 million in early-stage startups across the continent, targeting at least 40 investments.
“Reflecting on my experience, I struggled to find African investors who had built businesses without raising money. That’s why our goal is to be the investors we wished we had while building our businesses. Many entrepreneurs value having a sparring partner who has been there and done that before," Melvyn Lubega (photo, right), one of the leaders of Breega Africa, told TechCrunch.
The closing comes at a time when African startups are raising less capital. According to Partech Africa, African startups raised $2.3 billion in equity in 2023, a 54% decline compared to 2022. This downward trend continued into 2024, as highlighted by Africa: The Big Deal, a database tracking investments over $100,000 in African startups. It reported that African startups raised $466 million in the first quarter of this year.
Africa Seed I will focus on four major African markets: Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, and Kenya, as well as Francophone African markets including Morocco, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, and the DRC. Breega has previously supported several African startups, including Numida, Hohm Energy, Socium, Klasha, Kwara, Coachbit, and Sava.
Adoni Conrad Quenum