News (1356)
Securing people's identity through digital technologies is a current concern in Africa, where millions of people remain legally "non-existent". This is a key issue for economic and social development.
The Belgian group SEMLEX, which specializes in the production of secure identification documents using biometric solutions, has started building its headquarters and ultra-modern factory in the Nokwane Special Economic Zone. The works were launched by King Mswati III on Wednesday 17 April 2024. The initial amount released for this investment is estimated at 810 million emelangini ($42.2 million).
[PHOTOS]: His Majesty King Mswati III cuts the sod at the construction site for Semlex Group's state-of-the-art Africa head offices & plant at Nokwane Special Economic Zone. pic.twitter.com/EgNxaKrGUR
— Eswatini Government (@EswatiniGovern1) April 17, 2024
“The creation of a local factory for the production of secure identity documents offers hope for the African region in terms of locating highly specialised services, which will enable Eswatini to develop its skills and reduce production costs for all secure identity documents. The advanced technology and rigorous security features built into these documents will ensure the integrity of our national identification systems, strengthen border control measures, and enhance the safety and protection of our citizens and residents,” said the King.
According to the African Centre for Statistics (ACS) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), reliable digital identity can contribute to economic growth in Africa. At the 12th StatsTalk-Africa webinar held on 20 February 2024 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, under the theme "Building inclusive national identity systems - Interconnecting digital and legal identity", Mactar Seck, head of technology and innovation at UNECA, said that "each country could unlock economic value equivalent to between 3% and 13% of GDP in 2030 through the implementation of digital identification programmes."
Stressing the important role of identification in social and economic inclusion, civic participation, etc., William Muhwava, head of demographic and social statistics at the ACS, deplored the fact that almost 542 million people in Africa do not have an identity card. Of these, some 95 million children under the age of five have never had their births registered, and 120 million children have no birth certificate.
The King also stated that in addition to securing documents and personal identity, the SEMLEX production plant "will have a transformative impact on our economy. It will create employment opportunities for our people, promote skills development, and contribute to the transfer of knowledge and technology.”
Satellite Internet adoption is vital for Africa's economic growth, especially amid recent fiber optic cable disruptions. It offers a resilient alternative, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity and sustaining essential digital services, fostering economic development.
Smart Africa has made a strong case for adopting satellite technology to address internet connectivity challenges in African countries. This was revealed during the opening meeting of the 13th Smart Africa Council of African Regulators in Lilongwe, on April 17.
Director General of Smart Africa Lucina Kone emphasized the importance of collective efforts in adopting satellite technologies to overcome the challenges posed by internet connectivity issues in Africa, where the distribution of cables has been inadequate.
"Most African countries are surrounded by internet cables but it has been a challenge to make these cables move across the continent. We, as Africans, should strive to making sure that they move so that internet connectivity challenges can be addressed,” Kone said at the meeting.
Thokozani Chimbe, Director of Legal Services at the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), highlighted the significance of projects like One Africa Network (OAN) in enhancing digitization and addressing data roaming and charges.
In his “African Wireless Communications Yearbook 2022,” Paul Hamilton of Hamilton research reveals that as of June 2021, 57.1% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa (669 million) was within a 25km range of an operational fibre optic network node, compared to 55.9% (620 million) in 2020, 41.8% (371 million) in 2013, and 40% (345 million) in 2012.
Despite these advancements, the communication infrastructure in interior African regions remains inadequate, limiting access to more populations. This gap can be effectively addressed by satellite technology to boost connectivity which is now more crucial for development given the role of the digital in economic growth.
Hikmatu Bilali
The Algerian government adopted a pharmaceutical and industrial policy aimed at making this sector a strategic pillar of the economy, capable of generating wealth. To achieve its ambitions in that sector, it implemented several initiatives.
Algeria’s Health Minister, Abdelhak Saihi, announced on Monday, April 22, the country’s plans to launch a digital platform dedicated to managing community pharmacies nationwide in the coming months. The announcement was made during the opening ceremony of the 17th national symposium of the Algerian National Union of Community Pharmacists (SNAPO).
According to Saihi, the platform “will establish a new, modern, efficient, and transparent mode of managing all aspects related to community pharmacies, thus contributing to the prevention of self-medication and the control of the traceability of psychotropic drugs, while anticipating shortages and stockouts of pharmaceutical products.”
The development of this platform is being supervised by a committee that includes the General Directorate of Pharmacy and Equipment of the Ministry of Health, the Order of Pharmacists, and SNAPO. This initiative is part of the Health Sector Digitization Strategy, which aims to digitize all its aspects, including pharmacy management.
The platform will act as a dashboard for managing pharmacy activities across the country, facilitating the digital management of drug availability, duty rosters, and the traceability of psychotropics and antibiotics. It will also help anticipate shortages and stockouts of pharmaceutical products, thereby ensuring better access to medications for the population. The platform will also enable authorities to identify pharmacists who are practicing unlawfully.
According to the latest figures from SNAPO, there are currently 12,500 community pharmacies distributed across the country, equating to one pharmacy per 3,000 inhabitants.
Samira Njoya
In 2023, there was a noticeable downturn in fundraising for African startups compared to the previous year. However, to counter this trend and foster recovery, various supportive initiatives for these businesses are currently being implemented.
Egypt venture capital firm Beltone Holding, announced a partnership agreement between its subsidiary, Beltone Venture Capital (BVC), and CI Venture Capital, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-based investment management company Citadel International Holdings, on Wednesday, April 17.
The collaboration aims to manage a $30 million fund dedicated to investing in promising startups in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. “The Fund will typically invest in pre-seed and seed funding rounds and will continue to support the best-performing portfolio companies in follow-up rounds; in addition to potentially investing in attractive opportunities at different funding stages,” said Ali Mokhtar, CEO of Beltone Venture Capital.
The launch of the fund aligns with the shared ambitions of the two companies to support the expansion of startups and stimulate innovation in the MENA region, with a focus on high-margin sectors and exponential growth driven by technology.
The fund is expected to bolster support for young businesses in the region. In recent months, the fund has started investing in leading startups such as Bosta, Trella, Qlub, and Ariika. According to data from the specialized platform Africa the Big Deal, startups in the MENA region raised $254 million in March, bringing the total for the first quarter to $429 million.
Samira Njoya
Collaborations to enhance digital adoption and growth are crucial for Africa's economic advancement, modernizing infrastructure, fostering innovation, and promoting secure data exchange, among others. These partnerships facilitate seamless digital interactions, unlocking economic potential, and contributing to inclusive growth and prosperity in Africa.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) have unveiled a strategic partnership to address challenges in identity management, payment systems, and data exchange. This collaboration, in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, was announced on April 17 by NITDA on X (formerly Twitter).
“Today, we have agreed to set up a technical working crew to look at how we can harmonize and implement national public key infrastructure, how we can work together to build the Nigerian DPI stack, how we can work together on the data exchange platform and to strengthen our enterprise Architecture across MDAs to give a 360 view of all government investments in IT,” said NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi.
This partnership focuses on integrating Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to enhance data security and enable seamless digital exchanges in Nigeria, fostering innovation and economic growth across sectors within the country's digital landscape.
The collaboration between the two agencies is contributing to efforts to digitize public administration. The UN E-Government Survey 2022 revealed that Nigeria ranked 140 out of 193 countries, with an E-Government Development Index (EGDI) of 0.4525, indicating its readiness to utilize information and communication technologies for public services.
While Nigeria's EGDI falls below the global average of 0.5824, it marks a slight improvement from its 2020 ranking of 141. The E-Government Development Index (EGDI) gauges a nation’s preparedness and ability to utilize information and communication technologies for the provision of public services.
The initiative marks a significant step forward in Nigeria’s digital journey, signifying a transformative era for the nation’s digital economy and societal progress. It is expected to bring about a paradigm shift in the way digital interactions are conducted in Nigeria, paving the way for a more secure and efficient digital future.
Hikmatu Bilali
For many African countries, digitizing administration is the key to unlocking good governance, efficiency, and a more prosperous future.
Guinea’s progress in digitizing its public administration has been sluggish, a situation lamented by Prime Minister Bah Oury during a workshop on Saturday, April 20. The workshop, attended by several government officials, focused on streamlining the digitization of public services and enhancing communication between the administration’s digital platforms.
Oury attributed Guinea’s lag in part to a lack of cognizance of the swift advancements in the field. He pointed to underutilized past investments, such as a $10 million optical fiber project along the Guinean coast, as an example.
According to the latest United Nations report, "E-Government Survey 2022: The Future of Digital Government," Guinea ranks 162nd out of 193 countries worldwide in terms of e-government administration. The country, with an index of 0.2955, falls into the group of nations with an average e-government development index. Guinea is still below the global average index of 0.6102. In 2020, the country ranked 158th, marking a regression of four places.
In response to these deficiencies, The Prime Minister called for the removal of all obstacles hindering efficient computer systems in public administration, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's office.
On the technical front, the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy is already making strides towards the swift modernization of public administration. The Republic of Guinea’s digitalization strategy, spearheaded by the national digitization agency, ANDE, is currently in the drafting stage. By 2026, it aims to digitally transform the Guinean administration, ensuring the sustainable development of digital technology that yields social and economic benefits for citizens and both the private and public sectors.
Samira Njoya
Over the past two decades, Niger and China have built strong bilateral relations across various sectors. This collaboration has recently gained momentum in the digital domain.
The People’s Republic of China is ready to partner with Niger in the digital sector, indicated Jiang Feng, China’s ambassador to Niger, during a meeting with Brigadier General Abdouramane Tiani, the president of Niger’s National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), on April 18.
Jiang Feng was joined by Zhou Jian, the Director General of China’s Emergency Cyber Response Team for Industrial Control Systems and a special representative of the Chinese Minister of Industry and Information Technology. The Chinese diplomat highlighted China’s position as the largest developing country with a highly advanced digital economy and its intent to closely collaborate with Niger, a fraternal nation, to foster its growth in the digital domain.
“China, as the largest developing country with a highly developed digital economy, intends to conduct very close cooperation with Niger, a brotherly country, to develop it in the digital field in order to promote the already excellent bilateral cooperation to a new level for the benefit of our two nations,” he said.
The meeting between the two politicians was held on the sidelines of the first edition of Semaine du numérique (Senum24) organized by Niger under the theme “le numérique et la souveraineté ( Digital and Sovereignty)”. The event aims to discuss mechanisms, solutions, and initiatives to address challenges related to digital transformation in the country.
During the meeting, Jiang Feng expressed his satisfaction with this theme, which he considers a demonstration of the CNSP's will and determination to give paramount importance to this sector in the socio-economic development of the country.
Samira Njoya
Africa remains the region of the world where health challenges are most critical. Thus, e-health represents an opportunity for the development of the sector, particularly due to the high mobile phone penetration rate on the continent and its widespread use.
On Thursday, April 18, the International Committee of Digital Health Experts in Africa (CEISNA) announced a partnership with the Higher Institute of Medical Techniques of Lubumbashi (ISTM) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This agreement aims to promote digital health in Africa.
"This agreement marks a decisive step in the promotion of digital health in Africa, by uniting the efforts of CEISNA and the Higher Institute of Medical Techniques to improve healthcare access through cutting-edge technologies," CEISNA stated in a press release.
As part of this partnership, CEISNA will bring its international expertise in digital health to enhance the capabilities of the Higher Institute of Medical Techniques in the areas of training, research, and implementation of innovative health solutions.
This collaboration is part of CEISNA's efforts to promote e-health education in African universities. Earlier in April, the committee also announced a partnership with the Higher Institute of Public Health in Bamako aimed at improving health systems in Mali through digital technology.
These partnerships come at a time when African governments are increasingly looking to leverage innovative technologies in the healthcare sector. It is becoming urgent for Africa to massively develop systems incorporating artificial intelligence techniques to significantly improve care and provide effective responses to some difficult and rare diseases. According to a report by Fortune Business Insights, the global digital health market is expected to reach $559.52 billion by 2027.
Samira Njoya
In 2024, a series of internet disruptions across Africa were linked to cuts of undersea fiber optic cables. As a countermeasure, Seacom, a Pan-African submarine cable provider, has launched internet services through low earth orbit (LEO) satellites in South Africa.
Seacom, a Pan-African submarine cable provider, recently unveiled its satellite internet services in South Africa. These services leverage low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, as announced in a press release on Monday, April 15.
For the launch, Seacom joined forces with Eutelsat Oneweb, a renowned British satellite internet provider. The partnership is designed to deliver superior internet connectivity, especially to businesses, in response to the growing need for high-speed connectivity throughout Africa.
The launch of Seacom’s satellite internet service is timely, given the recurrent disruptions in undersea cables that have been affecting connectivity in several parts of the continent. In February of last year, Seacom faced disruptions in its cable network in the Red Sea, which hindered internet connectivity between Africa and Europe, impacting countries like Egypt and Kenya. In March, technical glitches on the West African coast affected the WACS, MainOne, ACE, and SAT3 cables, leaving people in roughly ten countries without internet access.
In light of these incidents, satellite internet has emerged as a favored solution. Seacom has chosen to adopt LEO technology, which involves satellites orbiting the Earth at distances of approximately 2,000 kilometers or less. This technology promises lower latency for quicker communications and improved coverage for remote areas.
Alpheus Mangale, President and CEO of the Seacom Group, stated, “The end goal is to make the LEO service an essential value offering for organizations of all shapes and sizes. Connectivity is on track to become a wholesale service made up of different technologies that work together to meet clients’ needs and deliver the uptime and performance that’s expected from market leaders.”
Adoni Conrad Quenum
The government aims to transform Cameroon into an emerging country by 2035. To accelerate the achievement of that goal, the executive is focused on developing information and communication technologies.
On Tuesday, April 16, in Yaoundé, the construction of the Digital Transformation Center of the Ministry of External Relations (CTDM-MINREX) was officially initiated by the Cameroonian Minister of External Relations, Lejeune Mbella Mbella. This center, slated to be fully operational within a year, is designed to digitize and secure consular data.
The CTDM will be housed in a four-story, eco-friendly building, outfitted with cutting-edge technologies. It will encompass an ICT laboratory, a management unit for the procurement, storage, and distribution of consular materials, a training room, a round-the-clock call center, and a data storage unit, among other facilities.
The establishment of this center is a key component of a wider modernization initiative undertaken by the Ministry of External Relations. This initiative encompasses the roll-out of a digital platform for managing consular services, the equipping and operationalizing of diplomatic and consular posts, and the enhancement of consular officers’ skills.
In executing these projects, Cameroon is backed by Impact Palmarès R&D SAS, an Ivorian firm specializing in biometric solutions. Headquartered in Abidjan, this company was a technical ally to Cameroon in the successful deployment of e-visas a year prior. As per MINREX, from April 30, 2023, to March 30, 2024, Cameroon welcomed 158,000 visitors.
Once operational, the CTDM-MINREX is expected to improve the quality of Cameroon’s consular services to meet international standards. The center will also streamline consular procedures and speed up the process, enabling applicants to receive their electronic visas within 24 to 48 hours.
Samira Njoya
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Since its inception in 2022, the AfricaTech Awards have awarded a dozen startups for the tangible impact of their activities on society. For its third edition, the event organizers continue to pursue the same goal.
Viva Technology, or VivaTech, an annual exhibition dedicated to technological innovation, announced on Wednesday, April 17, the 45 African startups selected for the finals of the third edition of the AfricaTech Awards. This Pan-African initiative aims to identify and support impactful innovative startups across the continent. The event will take place on May 24 in Paris, alongside VivaTech.
The 45 finalists were chosen from 310 applications following an evaluation conducted by VivaTech and its knowledge partner, Deloitte. These startups hail from 37 African countries, with Kenya, Nigeria, and Egypt having the highest participation since 2022. The finalists are divided into three categories: e-commerce & FinTech (15), Climate Tech (15), and Health Tech (15).
Following a second evaluation by a panel of experts consisting of C-Level partners, investors, and CEOs of incubators, the top three startups from each category will have the opportunity to participate in the 2024 edition of Viva Technology, which will be held from May 22 to 25 in Paris.
According to VivaTech's press release, among the 45 selected startups, 42% are founded or co-founded by women, and nearly 90% have at least one woman on their board of directors. They were selected for the concrete impact of their activities on society or the environment, the creation of remarkable innovation, the scalability of their business in the African market, and the formation of a diverse and experienced team.
"In this new shortlist for the AfricaTech Awards, Africa demonstrates all the richness and dynamism of its startup ecosystem and positions itself as the continent to watch for tech and digital innovation. Viva Technology is delighted to make this African reality known to the whole world and to connect it to the stakeholders who will enable it to reach its full potential. This has been one of VivaTech's commitments since its inception, and this year it will once again be one of the key themes of our event," stated François Bitouzet, Managing Director of Viva Technology.
Samira Njoya
Since October 2022, Nigeria has embarked on the development of a regulatory framework designed to foster the growth of innovative startups. A series of initiatives have been rolled out to support young companies and stimulate the local tech scene.
On Monday, April 15, Nigeria’s Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, officially inaugurated the national startup portal. The initiative is designed to stimulate the growth of startups and nurture tech talent in Nigeria.
Bosun Tijani, speaking about this initiative, stated, “The platform will also facilitate a consultative forum where issues affecting startups can be discussed and properly defined for action by the government and other stakeholders.”
The digital platform, which can be accessed at startup.gov.ng, offers numerous benefits to local startups. These include registration and labeling, as well as access to valuable knowledge and information resources crucial for their growth and success. Registering on the platform also opens up opportunities for young companies to receive financial support and tax breaks, among other benefits.
The launch of this platform aligns with the objectives of the Nigeria Startup Act, which was enacted in October 2022. This act stipulates the creation of an annual fund of 10 billion naira (approximately $8.6 million) to finance labeled startups through seed funds, grants, or loans.
Official figures reveal that since its inception in November, the new platform has registered 12,948 companies, 912 venture capital investors, 1,735 angel investors, and 925 incubators, accelerators, and hubs.
Samira Njoya
Connecting households to the Internet is crucial for African development as it enhances access to information, education, and economic opportunities, fostering inclusive growth and bridging digital disparities.
South Africa plans to provide internet access to 1.5 million households in rural areas and townships, by the end of the year, by deploying Wi-Fi hotspots. Mondli Gungubele (pictured), the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, announced the initiative during a media briefing in Pretoria on April 4.
“We are dedicated to bridging the digital divide by providing Wi-Fi access to communities and ensuring universal access to the internet. This year, we have connected over 740,000 households to the internet, enabled by the installation of 4,250 Wi-Fi hotspots,” said Mondli Gungubele.
This initiative, part of a broader plan to connect 5.5 million households over the next three to four years, seeks to bridge the digital divide and ensure universal access to the internet. The focus is on rural and township areas across South Africa, with particular attention given to reducing the cost of data and providing affordable internet access.
Additionally, efforts are underway to equip rural schools with internet connectivity and digital skills training through the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) Cyber Labs.
According to Minges (2016) in the World Development Report 2016: Digital Dividends by the World Bank, an enhancement of 10 percentage points in fixed broadband usage could lead to a rise in GDP growth by 1.21% in advanced economies and 1.38% in emerging economies. However, to accomplish this goal, it is imperative to ensure universal access to the Internet so that all individuals can contribute to generating this wealth.
Hikmatu Bilali
The ongoing digital transformation across the continent has already revolutionized everyday practices and instigated profound societal changes. Notably, the education sector, which holds significant importance, is also experiencing substantial reforms.
On April 15, in Algiers, Kamel Baddari, the Algerian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, unveiled plans for a new digital platform. This platform, designed to guide recent high school graduates, will leverage artificial intelligence to help students choose their future educational paths based on their academic records.
Baddari explained, “Graduates from the June 2024 session will have access to a digital platform designed to identify the fields and specialties that best align with their abilities and grades. This will be achieved using artificial intelligence techniques and data analysis.”
The new platform is part of a broader series of digital reforms recently initiated by the Ministry of Higher Education. These reforms have led to significant savings for the ministry, approximately 72 billion DA (around $53.4 million) in university catering costs and 640 million DA in university transportation from October to last March. The digitization process has thus allowed the ministry to streamline expenses and enhance service quality.
The Algerian government’s investment in this new guidance platform aims to reduce dropout rates, reorientation needs, and student dissatisfaction. The artificial intelligence incorporated into the platform will aid young people in making informed decisions about their university courses. The ultimate goal is to transform student life through precise post-baccalaureate guidance and the selection of a professional, customized curriculum. This will enable students to contribute to wealth creation and job opportunities, thereby adding value to the national economy.
Samira Njoya