News (1573)
By adopting blockchain technology in May 2024 to modernize and optimize several of its state operations, Guinea-Bissau made a bold decision. This ambitious move aimed to enhance transparency, security, and efficiency in administrative and financial processes.
Guinea-Bissau is set to expand its blockchain-based salary management platform to cover all public sector employees. By November 2024, the solution could track the data of the country’s 26,600 civil servants and 8,100 retirees, according to Concha Verdugo Yepes, lead economist for Africa at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and head of the institution’s Blockchain Solution program. She shared this information in an interview published on Wednesday, October 2, by IMF Country Focus, the IMF's news platform.
“The platform offers a secure, transparent digital ledger for managing the public service’s wage bill data, enabling almost real-time monitoring of salary and pensions eligibility, budgeting, payment approvals, and salary and pensions disbursements. It significantly improves data integrity and supports the production of timely and accurate fiscal reports for use by policymakers and the public. It’s one of the first platforms in sub-Saharan Africa to use blockchain technology to improve government operations, particularly in managing salaries and pensions,” Verdugo Yepes explained.
When the project was first conceived in 2020, 84% of the state’s tax revenues were used to pay the salaries of Bissau-Guinean public servants—the highest ratio in the region, according to José Gijon, the IMF’s mission chief for Guinea-Bissau. He noted, “For every hundred dollars collected in taxes, eighty-four dollars were spent on salaries. This ratio has now declined to 50 percent—a huge improvement, but still high compared to the West Africa Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) regional fiscal convergence criteria of wages not exceeding 35 percent of tax revenues.”
The government of Guinea-Bissau adopted blockchain technology to combat various issues, including poor governance in state finances, embezzlement, and corruption. The system aims to eliminate ghost workers, payroll fraud, and other schemes that persisted due to poor traceability of public funds. The platform securely records, stores, and shares information in a way that prevents tampering. Every transaction is inviolable, and the system detects any discrepancies in salary data, flagging them for the relevant authorities.
For the IMF, the solution offers additional benefits by simplifying audit reporting and reconciliation processes. It also provides reliable, up-to-date, and high-quality data for artificial intelligence models.
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), governments must have credible public finance management frameworks to build trust with international donors and local and foreign investors. A crisis of confidence in government threatens the financial resources it needs for the country’s economic and social development.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
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.
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
Agriculture is vital to African economies. With the technological revolution, digitizing the sector has become a priority for many countries, offering opportunities for greater efficiency, sustainability, and inclusive growth.
On Tuesday, October 1, Morocco's Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, Mohammed Sadiki (photo, right), signed an agreement with David Li (photo, left), CEO of Huawei Morocco, to support the digital transformation of the agricultural sector. This initiative, finalized during the 15th edition of the El Jadida Horse Show, aims to introduce connected platforms, develop agricultural e-services on pilot sites, enhance farmers' skills, and promote youth entrepreneurship.
The partnership aligns with the "Green Generation 2020-2030" strategy launched by the government in February 2020. One of the key goals of this strategy is to connect two million farmers to public services by 2030, fostering a more modern and inclusive agriculture.
Huawei's support is expected to facilitate the digitalization of the sector through the introduction of technologies that will optimize the use of inputs, expand market access, improve transaction transparency, develop mobile banking, and strengthen food safety through better traceability.
According to the 2023 report by the NGO Agra Africa, titled Empowering Africa's Food Systems for the Future, digital technologies will be crucial in addressing three persistent challenges in African agriculture: inefficiency, exclusion, and unsustainability. Meanwhile, a study by Mordor Intelligence estimates that the global digital agriculture market will reach $20.01 billion in 2024 and could grow to $32.96 billion by 2029, with an annual growth rate of 10.5%.
Samira Njoya
Morocco aims to become one of Africa’s leading technological hubs. To achieve this, the country is ramping up projects to meet the goals outlined in its national strategy document by 2030.
On Tuesday, October 1, Moroccan authorities inaugurated a digital skills complex in Lahraouyine, in the province of Mediouna. The goal is to train young Moroccans in digital professions and strengthen the capacities of businesses in this field.
The center provides training in software development, programming languages, app and website development, data analysis, digital marketing, cybersecurity, performance analysis, and artificial intelligence.
This initiative comes just days after the unveiling of the national strategy "Digital Morocco 2030," which aims to create 240,000 direct jobs in the technology sector by 2030. It is an integral part of the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), which will contribute to achieving this goal. According to the International Telecommunication Union, Morocco ranks second in Africa in the 2024 Development Index with a score of 86.8 out of 100—well above the continental average of 50.3.
Ultimately, this complex could help create economic opportunities, reduce the digital divide, and bridge the gap between urban and rural areas.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Egypt's data center market is seeing a surge in investment. On September 18, Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli unveiled a green data center project, which will be developed in partnership with international investors.
Tech companies Intro Technology and Oman Data Park have signed a memorandum of understanding to build a data center in Egypt's Suez Canal Economic Zone. Valued at $450 million, the facility is expected to provide cloud solutions, Internet of Things (IoT) services, and drive digital transformation in both Egypt and the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
“We look forward to working together to provide digital solutions through advanced data centers that meet the growing needs of companies worldwide to establish a presence in the region,” said Maqbool Al Wahaibi, CEO of Oman Data Park. The data center will offer over 80,000 square meters of operational space.
This partnership comes amid a surge in investments in Egypt's data center market. According to Arizton, the Egyptian data center market was valued at $182 million in 2023 and is projected to reach $513 million by 2029, representing a growth rate of 18.85% over this period.
“The Egypt data center market is on a notable upward trajectory, fueled by factors such as heightened digitalization, a surge in cloud service uptake, and the growing need for colocation services. A thriving IT landscape marks this industry, government efforts to bolster digital infrastructure, and Egypt's advantageous geographical position, making it an ideal hub for data center activities,” Arizton wrote in a market overview earlier this year.
Investments in data centers are expected to help address Egypt's data center capacity gap. Arizton forecasts that over 109 MW of capacity will be added across Egypt between 2024 and 2029. It’s worth noting that Africa as a whole requires 1,000 MW and 700 new facilities, according to Oxford Business Group’s “Data Centres in Africa Focus Report” published in April 2024.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
Start-ups, particularly those in technology, are key job creators. However, these startups are usually faced with financial hurdles. Providing essential capital to early-stage companies will help Africa tap into the innovation economy, fostering growth and resilience in the global tech landscape.
On October 1, a new $17.2 million (300 million rand) Seed Fund of Funds dedicated to technology start-ups was launched in South Africa. The fund, backed by the SA SME Fund, the Department of Science and Innovation, the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), and E Squared Investments, aims to address a shortfall in early-stage capital for local start-ups.
Patrick Krappie, TIA’s acting CEO, stressed the government’s role in fostering innovation ecosystems. “The Seed Fund of Funds will catalyze a wave of new start-ups by enabling them to transition from ideas to viable enterprises,” Krappie said, adding that the fund would help place South Africa’s venture capital industry on sustainable footing.
The initiative aims to fund at least 50 technology-driven companies, focusing on innovation and transformation. Experienced fund managers will oversee the investments, ensuring that these start-ups have the resources to scale both locally and globally.
Ketso Gordhan, CEO of the SA SME Fund, highlighted the importance of seed funding, calling it the "cornerstone of entrepreneurial success" and the "lifeblood of innovation." He emphasized South Africa's wealth of brilliant minds and how the fund will help ensure more of them have the opportunity to succeed.
The launch of the fund is particularly timely as the country continues to grapple with high unemployment rates. As of Q2 2024, 8.4 million people (33.5%) remained unemployed, according to Statistics South Africa. This persistent challenge underscores the importance of fostering job creation, particularly in high-growth sectors like technology.
Start-ups have the potential to generate significant employment opportunities, particularly in innovative fields such as fintech, healthtech, and eCommerce, which are key drivers in South Africa's digital economy. With the new fund targeting at least 50 technology-driven companies, it can help reduce the country’s high jobless rate by empowering start-ups that contribute to both economic growth and job creation.
Hikmatu Bilali
The Mauritanian government is currently developing a roadmap to reform the education system, with digital technology playing a central role. The goal is to modernize teaching methods and integrate technological tools into schools, among other initiatives.
Mauritanian students will soon have access to digital textbooks, thanks to a new initiative by the National Pedagogical Institute (IPN). The reform will begin with the upcoming school year on October 7. The textbooks will be available for download through the "Koutoubi" (My Books) app, providing students with easier access to modern educational resources. According to IPN director Cheikh Ould Sidi Abdallah, the Koutoubi app complements the traditional distribution of paper textbooks, offering students and parents the option to acquire digital copies.
The initiative is part of a new National Textbook Strategy currently under development, which emphasizes the importance of digital technology. Its announcement comes amid broader efforts to enhance digitalization in schools. The Mauritanian government recently signed an agreement with the FIFA Foundation to train 10,000 schoolchildren, aged 6 to 12, in coding, robotics, and digital literacy over the next three years.
The introduction of digital textbooks is also expected to lighten the heavy school bags that are a common concern among parents. However, the success of this reform depends on schools' ability to provide the necessary equipment, such as tablets and computers, to ensure students can access these digital resources. The lack of such tools could hinder the full implementation of this ambitious project.
Despite these challenges, the transition to digital learning reflects a clear commitment to preparing Mauritania's younger generations for future technological challenges while improving access to modern educational materials.
Samira Njoya
As Africa's digital economy expands, with industries like fintech, e-commerce, and agritech growing rapidly, cyberattacks pose a significant threat. A secure digital environment is essential for sustaining investor confidence, driving innovation, and enabling businesses to thrive.
SEACOM announced on October 1 a new partnership with US-based cybersecurity firm Arctic Wolf to enhance its cybersecurity services across Africa, addressing the growing threat landscape on the continent. With cyber-attacks increasingly targeting businesses of all sizes, this collaboration aims to provide SEACOM’s clients with advanced security operations solutions through Arctic Wolf’s cloud-native platform and expert security teams.
The partnership enables SEACOM clients to benefit from proactive and tailored protection against current and emerging threats. SEACOM emphasizes that Arctic Wolf’s platform will offer comprehensive visibility into customers' attack surfaces, allowing businesses to monitor their entire security environment from one central interface. This approach ensures rapid identification and response to malicious activities or vulnerabilities.
SEACOM’s portfolio will now include Arctic Wolf's suite of security solutions, such as Managed Detection and Response, Incident Response, and Cloud Security Posture Management.
Cybercrime is a growing threat in Africa, with ransomware attacks becoming more frequent. According to the ‘INTERPOL African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2024,’ in early 2023, 1 in 15 African organizations experienced weekly ransomware attempts, much higher than the global average of 1 in 31. It adds that Kaspersky recorded over 300 attempts in South Africa in just one week. The financial impact of cybercrime in Africa is immense, with INTERPOL’s 2021 report estimating it at over $4 billion, or 10% of the region’s GDP. Additionally, cyberattacks on African organizations increased by 23% in 2023, marking the highest rate globally.
The growing threat particularly affects businesses and organizations lacking the resources to effectively monitor and respond to security incidents. This move highlights the need for advanced security strategies to safeguard operations in an increasingly digital world.
Hikmatu Bilali
She is determined to transform access to technology for artisans in Africa. Through her startup, she aims to simplify life for entrepreneurs in the informal sector.
Bams Betga (photo) is a Cameroonian artist and entrepreneur, co-founder, and CEO of African Puzzle Works, a company that specializes in creating software for artisans. Founded in 2021 by Betga and Renée Clément, African Puzzle Works is committed to innovation aimed at supporting entrepreneurs in the informal economy.
The company developed African Puzzle, a personal assistant designed specifically for entrepreneurs and project leaders. This mobile application, which utilizes audio and photo-based features, allows users to easily manage orders, client information, appointments, product catalogs, and track finances—without requiring literacy skills. "With our voice and image-based features, we remove the barriers to adopting technology for entrepreneurs with limited literacy. Everyone knows how to send a voice note or take a photo," explained Betga in 2024.
A former athlete, Bams Betga is also a singer-songwriter with four albums to her name. As the international partner of the World Business Angels Investment Forum in Cameroon, she is dedicated to improving access to financing for businesses. Additionally, she serves as the national representative for Cameroon’s startup ecosystem in the G100: Mission Million, a group of 100 women leaders worldwide.
In 2022, African Puzzle Works won first prize at the Blue Ocean Awards, which recognizes entrepreneurial innovation. More recently, in April 2024, Betga was nominated for Best Africa Solutions at the second edition of the Africa Solutions Week (SAS), held in France in September and scheduled to take place in Morocco from October 17 to 19, 2024.
Melchior Koba
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The Comoros' digitalization project is expected to cost €22.53 million (approximately $25 million). The African Development Fund, the concessional lending arm of the African Development Bank (AfDB), has granted €4.02 million, while the Transition Support Facility has released €5.49 million.
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) approved a €9.51 million ($10.5 million) funding package for the Comoros on Monday, September 30. These funds will support the implementation of the Comoros Economic Digitalization Support Project.
“The objective of the project is to promote the emergence of a comprehensive and coherent range of digital services that can meet the needs of the population, with the ultimate goal of aligning the country with the information society,” the institution said in a statement.
This initiative comes as digital transformation accelerates across the continent. According to the Measuring Digital Development – ICT Development Index 2024 report, published in July 2024 by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Comoros ranks 25th in Africa with a score of 46.5 out of 100 on the ICT Development Index, below the African average of 50.3.
In terms of the E-Government Development Index (EGDI), the Comoros score significantly trails the African average of 0.4247, according to the E-Government Survey 2024: Accelerating Digital Transformation for Sustainable Development, published in September 2024 by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). The country ranks 45th, with a score of 0.2586 out of 1.
The implementation of this project is expected to help the archipelago develop digital infrastructure, create a favorable regulatory and legal framework, enhance digital education and training, and promote technological innovation and entrepreneurship.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
In The Gambia, the government is stepping up efforts to accelerate digital transformation. This affects all sectors of the economy, including education.
Last week, the Gambian government launched an initiative to provide laptops to the principals of all schools across the country. This effort, in partnership with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), UNICEF, and the World Bank Group, is expected to drive the digitalization of school administration.
“The initiative marks a significant step in our efforts to enhance quality education and empower school managers with the tools needed for efficient service delivery in the digital age,” said Pierre Gomez, Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology.
The Gambian government aims to digitize the national education system as part of its broader ambitions for digital transformation. According to Minister Gomez, the government is working to develop digitized information systems, enhance the digitalization of public services, and expand the use of electronic record management systems across all public administrations.
In September 2023, the government launched the Gambia Research and Education Network (GAMREN), in partnership with the World Bank, to provide high-speed internet connectivity to schools and research institutions nationwide. As early as July 2022, the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology had begun efforts to develop a national strategy for digitizing technical and vocational education and training, with support from UNESCO.
UNESCO believes technology can significantly enhance educational management. "It enables a wider range of data collection on schools and students, allowing for precise analysis of learning paths and influencing factors. This data can be used to personalize learning, identify marginalized children, and prevent disengagement and early dropout," the organization stated in its 2023 Global Education Monitoring Report.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
Africa's fragmented regulatory landscape often poses significant challenges for entrepreneurs, who face different requirements in each country. Leveraging digital tools to lower entry barriers and provide a structured pathway for market expansion can boost economic transformation in Africa.
The UK, in collaboration with PwC, has introduced a digital toolkit through the UK-Kenya Tech Hub to aid entrepreneurs in accessing the Kenyan, Nigerian, and South African markets. The toolkit, launched on September 26, aims to streamline market entry and enhance opportunities for startups across various sectors, including agriculture, education, financial services, health, and manufacturing.
Jordan Kyongo, Head of the East Africa Research and Innovation Hub at the British High Commission in Nairobi, highlighted the importance of this initiative. "This toolkit will be an instrument in growing Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by consolidating the requirements for market entry, ultimately easing the process for entrepreneurs," Kyongo stated.
The toolkit was developed to address the regulatory, certification, and tariff barriers that entrepreneurs often face when expanding into new markets. It includes practical tools, guides, and outputs designed to simplify the market entry process in the three targeted countries. Feedback from multiple validation sessions has helped refine the toolkit, making it a user-friendly resource for entrepreneurs navigating complex regulatory landscapes.
According to an article by AU Startups on ‘How African Tech Startups Can Navigate Regulatory Challenges,’ African startups face constant hurdles, including creating scalable solutions in unpredictable markets and securing funding in volatile economies. Additionally, complex and restrictive regulations in both their home markets and potential expansion areas further complicate operations, making compliance a crucial factor that can determine their success or failure. The toolkit aims to reduce the administrative burden by providing clear, consolidated information for market entry in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. It also serves as a foundation for expanding similar initiatives into other African markets.
This digital toolkit could be a game-changer for African entrepreneurs, offering a model for overcoming market access challenges and promoting sustainable business growth.
Hikmatu Bilali
The acceleration of digital transformation in Africa has created a growing demand for cybersecurity professionals. According to the World Economic Forum, the global talent shortage in this field could reach 85 million workers by 2030.
Last week, Russian cybersecurity provider Kaspersky partnered with EPI Sup de Sousse, a private Tunisian university, to train a new generation of cybersecurity experts, foster innovation, and strengthen Tunisia's cybersecurity ecosystem.
This partnership comes at a time when Tunisia is facing a high number of cyber incidents. In 2023, TunCERT, the country's national computer emergency response team, recorded nearly 150,000 incidents affecting the national cyberspace. Of these, 46% were phishing attacks, while 17% involved malware.
According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Tunisia scored 82 out of 100 in the 2024 cybersecurity index, placing the country in Tier 3, indicating a "basic commitment to cybersecurity actions led by the government." However, this score marks a decline from 2020, when Tunisia scored 86.23, positioning it as one of the continent’s leading players.
For Kaspersky, this partnership could help identify future talent and contribute to the development of Tunisia's cybersecurity community. According to the World Economic Forum’s Cybersecurity Talent Framework, there is an urgent need for nearly 4 million professionals in 2024 to bridge the global talent gap, with a growing demand for expertise in cloud security, artificial intelligence, and machine learning within the cybersecurity sector.
Adoni Conrad Quenum