News (1353)
Plagued by high youth unemployment, Kenya is turning to innovative technology solutions to equip its young workforce and bridge the skills gap. The challenge remains daunting, however, reflecting the complexities of the Kenyan labor market.
Kenya launched the National Skills Inventory (NSI) on Monday, January 29, in a government-led initiative to combat youth unemployment and connect young people with relevant jobs, both locally and internationally.
Backed by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, the NSI aims to create a comprehensive digital database of skills available across the country. This data will be used to match unemployed young people with job opportunities that align with their qualifications and market needs.
"The digital skills database will support the government's skills migration agenda that is geared to ensure that surplus labor is henceforth exported to enhance the inflow of diaspora remittances," said Shadrack Mwadime, Labour and Skills Development Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.
The NSI launch follows the formation of an Inter-Ministerial Committee dedicated to its development and ongoing management. This committee aims to establish a comprehensive framework for capturing and utilizing individual skill sets, contributing to the national target of reducing unemployment, which the International Labour Organization put at 4.9% in 2022.
Bilateral agreements signed with several European and Middle Eastern countries over recent years pave the way for smoother job placement and migration for skilled Kenyans. The ambitious goal is to export at least one million workers annually over the next five years.
By providing youth with a platform to showcase their skills and access international opportunities, the NSI is a significant step towards tackling Kenya's unemployment challenge. The initiative's potential to boost remittances and stimulate the national economy further strengthens its importance.
Samira Njoya
Across Africa, a rapid digital transformation is fueling the continent's economic emergence. Massive investments in technological infrastructure are laying the groundwork for innovation, job creation, and enhanced connectivity, offering a powerful catalyst for growth.
Swedish telecoms giant Ericsson is teaming up with the Malagasy government to accelerate the country's digital transformation, following a recent working visit by its regional leadership.
Strategic meetings with key partners, customers, and industry leaders explored leveraging Ericsson's technologies to expand mobile broadband, bridge the digital divide, and empower individuals, businesses, and communities.
"The engagements focused on Madagascar’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) landscape and delved into areas of collaboration to leverage Ericsson’s innovation to expand mobile broadband access, drive digital inclusion, and create unlimited opportunities for individuals, empower businesses, and transform communities," an Ericsson release points out.
This initiative is part of Ericsson's #AfricaInMotion vision, aiming to contribute to sustainable development and digitization across the African continent. Ericsson's commitment to Madagascar includes recent collaborations like the 2Africa submarine cable project alongside Vodafone. The company is also intensifying investments in telecom infrastructure across its African markets.
The recent working visit thus reaffirms Ericsson's commitment to supporting Madagascar's digital transformation ambitions, contributing to a more connected and prosperous future for the island nation. According to the company's Mobility Report published in November 2023, mobile subscriptions in sub-Saharan Africa are forecast to grow by 3% annually. The number of subscriptions is expected to rise from 940 million in 2023 to 1.1 billion in 2029, with 5G leading this rapid expansion.
Samira Njoya
Ghana's public utilities are joining a wave of digital transformation sweeping across Africa, aiming to improve efficiency, transparency, and service delivery in vital sectors like water, electricity, and sanitation. The move reflects a broader trend across the continent, where countries are increasingly leveraging technology to modernize infrastructure, boost economic growth, and improve citizens' lives.
Ghana’s state-owned Electricity Company (ECG) announced on Saturday, January 27, the digitization of several of its services. Customers will need to use the company’s mobile app to access services such as requesting a new contract, a sub-meter, or an additional load, to enhance service quality.
The company issued a press release stating, “This paperless system will require prospective customers applying for service to use the ECG Mobile App and follow the prompts therein, including uploading all required documents for the processing of service requests.” It further advised customers to provide accurate information when applying for the service, noting that all responses regarding their applications would be communicated via the contact telephone numbers provided.
Digital transformation is accelerating in Ghana, as in many other African countries, with an increasing number of public bodies digitizing their services to simplify daily life for citizens. According to the “E-Government Survey 2022 The Future of Digital Government” report by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), Ghana, under the leadership of Nana Akufo-Addo, is one of sixteen African champions in e-government, outperforming other West African countries like Cape Verde and Côte d’Ivoire.
DataReportal data indicates that Ghana had 23.05 million internet users at the start of 2023, representing an internet penetration rate of 68.2%.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Africa's digital economy is projected to surge to $712 billion by 2050, representing a hefty 8.5% of the continent's gross domestic product. This robust growth is fueling digital transformation strategies across African nations, with Côte d'Ivoire emerging as a frontrunner in spearheading the digital shift.
Côte d’Ivoire plans to activate 5,207 kilometers of fiber optic cable in the coming months, part of a total 7,000 km to be deployed nationwide by 2025, according to Ibrahim Kalil Konaté, Minister of Digital Transition and Digitization. The announcement was made during a New Year’s greeting ceremony at his ministry on January 26.
The project, initiated in 2012, aims to provide high-speed internet access, crucial for the broad adoption of dematerialized services, and to bridge the digital divide by creating new socio-economic opportunities. The government has partnered with Axians to construct 1,920 km of the fiber optic cable, in collaboration with the National Agency for Universal Telecommunication Services, a public agency under the Ministry of Telecommunications. Sagemcom and Bouygues Energies & Services are also key contributors to the project.
In addition to the fiber optic rollout, the country plans to implement other digital initiatives this year, including the enforcement of a new startup law passed in 2023 and an increase in 4G coverage from 63% to 90%.
These actions form part of the national digital development strategy through 2025, adopted by the Council of Ministers on December 22, 2021. Minister Konaté is optimistic about the potential impact of digital transformation on the Ivorian economy, predicting it could boost the gross domestic product (GDP) by 6 to 7 points and mobilize between XOF2,000 billion ($3.3 billion) and XOF3,500 billion.
Samira Njoya
In a bid to bolster the nation's digital economy, Tanzanian officials have opted to forge strategic alliances.
Minister of Information and Communication Technologies Nape Nnauye (pictured center) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NMB Bank executives this weekend in Dar es Salaam. "This agreement aligns with our Ten-Year Digital Economy Strategy (2024-2034)," Nnauye emphasized, highlighting the government's commitment to fostering local tech advancement.
The partnership positions NMB Bank as a key player in Tanzania's digital drive. The collaboration will see the bank co-design crucial digital systems alongside public authorities. Examples include the "Jamii Namba" citizen identification platform and the electronic "Know Your Customer" (eKYC) protocol for streamlined online service delivery.
NMB Bank CEO Ruth Zaipuna (pictured left) welcomed the partnership, stating, "Strengthening the digital economy benefits both NMB Bank and the broader financial sector by enabling improved delivery of financial services across the country."
This move aligns with President Samia Suluhu's vision of a thriving digital economy as a vital engine for Tanzania's development. The country's growing online presence is undeniable, with DataReportal data citing 21 million internet users and 4.90 million social media users as of 2023, translating to a 31.6% internet penetration rate.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Bosun Tijani's tenure as the Digital Minister has seen a surge in programs aligned with national strategy. This new program is dedicated to enhancing the skills of civil servants.
Nigeria's Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani (photo, right), announced the launch of DevsInGovernment on Friday, January 26, via social media platform X. The initiative aims to enhance the digital skills of civil servants and improve public service delivery.
"To build a digitally empowered Civil Service for Nigeria, we recently launched DevsInGovernment," Tijani wrote. "This community of technologists and tech enthusiasts in public service will collaborate to drive efficiency in the delivery of public services. They will also champion our Digital Public Infrastructure initiative aimed at transforming public services."
This move aligns with Nigeria's national digital transformation strategy. However, despite government investments, the country lacks a strong e-government presence, ranking outside the top 16 performers in Africa, according to the UN DESA's 2022 "E-Government Survey."
“When we empower these people, when we create the community as a platform for Serendipity a lot will happen. They can collaborate, they can share their pains; they can access resources together and we can also focus on supporting them with continuous personal development as well just to ensure that even as we aspire to deeply use technology, we have the workforce to also back them as well," Tijani explained.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Fueled by tech ambitions, Nigeria rolls out initiatives with private partners to revitalize its economy and boost citizen empowerment.
Tech4Dev, a social enterprise promoting digital inclusivity in Africa, has launched "DigitalForAllChallenge 2.0," aiming to train two million Nigerians in basic and intermediate digital skills. Backed by the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Nigeria's National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the initiative targets youth, young adults, and civil servants across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
"The Digital for All Challenge is a free digital skill-building competition and program to increase digital literacy in Nigeria and ignite interest in obtaining digital skills and certifications using online platforms," stated NITDA.
The challenge unfolds in two stages: training followed by a competitive track. Participants need to pass a post-training assessment to enter the competition, consisting of national, regional, and a grand final stage. Over 150 million naira ($166,657) in cash prizes, laptops, tablets, and other rewards await winners.
DigitalForAllChallenge aligns with the Nigerian government's push for digital literacy, aiming to achieve a 70% rate by 2027 and cultivate three million tech talents. As Kashifu Abdullahi, NITDA Director General, highlighted, this initiative seeks to address both domestic and global talent needs, contributing to the global value chain.
Starting February 5, the program offers three tracks: young learners (8-15), young adults (16-45), and civil servants. This comprehensive approach aims to equip diverse cohorts with essential digital skills, empowering them to participate in the nation's digital future.
Samira Njoya
In 2023, funding for African startups fell by 40% compared to 2022 with all African technology ecosystems being affected, especially Nigeria.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (photo, left) pledged a strong partnership with Nigeria's burgeoning tech sector during a Tuesday meeting with President Bola Tinubu, expressing American firms' eagerness to invest and collaborate.
Nigeria "is a place of extraordinary innovation and dynamism," Blinken said at the State House in Abuja. "I've seen that each and every time, and I expect to see more of that in Lagos tomorrow."
Blinken's remarks underscore the growing interest from U.S. tech giants and venture capitalists in Nigeria's vibrant startup ecosystem, one of the most promising on the continent. According to CB Insights, Nigerian startups raised $224 million in 2023 alone, following a $531 million haul in 2022 and exceeding $1 billion in 2021.
"American entrepreneurs and companies are eager to partner with and invest in Nigeria's economy, particularly in the tech sector," Blinken emphasized. "Our venture capital companies are working to finance them. We want to work in partnership to help drive Nigeria's technological revolution."
He further highlighted the potential for mutual benefit, stating: "One of the things we've learned from these partnerships is that it benefits us as much as any place or any company that we're investing in."
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Nigeria is pushing ahead with plans to eliminate paper from its civil service by 2030, but the ambitious digitalization drive faces a major hurdle: a lack of necessary skills among government employees.
The Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, a Nigerian organization championing public sector transformation, has partnered with Microsoft to bolster the digital skills of civil servants across the country.
Formalized on January 19 through the Wootlab Foundation, the collaboration supports Nigeria's ambitious goal of a tech-savvy public sector ready for the digital age.
"This partnership signifies our joint commitment to crafting impactful training programs that bridge the digital divide and drive positive transformations," said the Wootlab Foundation. "Together, we are embarking on an extensive training initiative that will redefine skill development and ensure a workforce well-equipped for the digital future."
This recent collaboration is part of a strategic initiative by OHCSF to ready the public sector workforce for the digital era. The initiative follows the implementation of an enterprise content management solution (ECMS), supported by the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, aimed at empowering all work processes. The partnership aligns with the federal government’s goal to train all civil servants in the country in digital skills.
Under this cooperation, the Wootlab Foundation will facilitate the provision of on-demand digital skills for government employees, enabling them to contribute to the digitization of vital public services and stimulate ongoing innovation within the civil service.
It’s noteworthy that Nigeria, through this initiative and others, aims to rank its civil service among the world’s top 20 by 2025 and achieve complete digitization by 2030.
Samira Njoya
As the rapid digital transformation exposes users to cyber threats across Africa, authorities are taking steps to secure the cyberspace, recognizing the crucial role of cybersecurity in fostering sustainable development.
Benin’s parliament on Tuesday approved a law for the ratification of the Malabo Convention on cybersecurity and personal data protection. This move empowers the Beninese government to effectively tackle cybercrime.
The Malabo Convention, aimed at bolstering and harmonizing the ICT legislation of African nations and Regional Economic Communities, became crucial in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which spurred digital transformation across the continent. The convention, which respects fundamental freedoms and human rights, came into effect last October after ratification by Mauritania.
With this ratification, Benin joins 15 other African states that have ratified the convention since its adoption in 2014 in Equatorial Guinea. It will therefore enable the enforcement of that convention as per its Article 36, which requires ratification by at least 15 countries before that implementation. The countries that ratified it before Benin include Angola, Togo, Senegal, Rwanda, Namibia, Niger, Mauritius, Mozambique, Ghana, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cape Verde, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, and Mauritania.
Benin’s parliamentarians also ratified the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, providing an international framework for practitioners in the States Parties to collaborate and establish relations for cooperation in specific cases, especially emergencies, beyond the specific provisions of the Convention.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
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In recent years, the Egyptian government has made significant investments in the digital sector. This substantial commitment testifies to the crucial importance of outsourcing in stimulating Egypt's digital exports and fostering its economic growth.
Egypt’s digital services export sector saw a significant increase in revenues in 2023, reaching $6.2 billion, a 26.5% rise from the previous year’s $4.9 billion, according to the country’s Minister of Telecommunications and Information Technology, Amr Talaat.
Speaking to the Egyptian Senate on Monday, Talaat attributed the growth to recent foreign investments, including agreements with 74 international and local firms to hire 60,000 outsourcing experts since November 2022. The government’s efforts to boost the number of self-employed workers in the outsourcing industry to 550,000 also contributed to the positive figures.
The investments are part of the Digital Strategy for the Outsourcing Industry 2022-2026, a government initiative launched in February 2022. The strategy targets four key areas: IT services, business process services, knowledge services, and engineering and R&D.
The initiative aims to triple digital export revenues to nearly $9 billion by 2026 and create over 34,000 jobs by 2025, aligning with the sector’s impressive performance. The sector recorded digital exports of $4.9 billion in fiscal year 2021/2022, a significant increase from the $3.6 billion in fiscal year 2018/2019.
Samira Njoya
Across Africa, concerns over slowing economic growth and over-reliance on commodities are driving a renewed focus on diversification. Governments are recognizing the urgency of implementing supportive policies, training programs, and financing initiatives to catalyze innovation and unlock new avenues for growth.
Chad Innovation Hub (CIH), a youth entrepreneurship incubator, and the National Agency for Investments and Exports (ANIE) have formalized a partnership aimed at fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development in Chad.
The strategic alliance, announced on Tuesday, January 23, seeks to enhance Chad's entrepreneurial ecosystem by promoting open innovation and stimulating projects in digital technology, the circular economy, corporate social responsibility, and green business models. The partnership will also focus on empowering women and young people, particularly in rural areas, ANIE said in a statement.
The memorandum of understanding between ANIE and CIH includes provisions for the effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the establishment of a close collaborative relationship to mutually promote the private sector and diversify the economy.
The collaboration aligns with the government's policy to support entrepreneurship in Chad, which recently led to the creation of an FCFA30 billion ($49.6 million) fund. The fund is designed to provide credit guarantees for entrepreneurs and finance key projects in sectors such as agriculture, livestock, and new technologies.
The agreement signals the start of a promising alliance that positions Chad on the international innovation stage. CIH, an award-winning organization, strengthens the belief that innovation and entrepreneurship are key drivers for a prosperous and sustainable future for Chad.
Samira Njoya
Faced with cumbersome identification procedures and fragmented data, Madagascar is embarking on digital identification. The initiative is aimed at streamlining services, bolstering transparency, and optimizing data management.
Madagascar's Ministry of Digital Development, Digital Transformation, Posts and Telecommunications (MNDPT) announced on Friday, January 19, the imminent launch of a digital national identity card project for citizens aged 15 and above. Minister Tahina Razafindramalo (photo, left) told journalists at a press conference that production is set to begin as early as June in several regions.
"This marks a significant step for Madagascar as it embarks on modernizing its identity management system, similar to recent efforts in countries like Tunisia and Greece," remarked Razafindramalo.
The project, financed to the tune of $140 million by the World Bank, encompasses biometric enrolment, data collection, digital infrastructure development, and card production. It aligns with the Malagasy government's Digital Strategic Plan 2023-2028, seeking to streamline administration and centralize data for efficient population registration and census.
UNICEF estimates that roughly 2.5 million children under 18 and 1 million adults currently lack official identification in Madagascar, often due to bureaucratic hurdles or administrative deficiencies. These challenges leave them "administratively invisible," hindering access to essential services and rights.
The implementation of the digital national identity card project is set to revolutionize the way citizens interact with the government and access essential services. The project will provide each target citizen with a unique identifier and biometric ID card, preventing duplicate identity.
Samira Njoya
Orange Botswana's CEO reveals the major achievements of the telecoms company, which is celebrating 25 years of presence on the local market. It also talks about its next major ambitions in a context of digital economy.
We Are Tech : You have been running Orange Botswana for more than two years. How do you view the local telecoms market in terms of digital appetite ?
Néné Maïga : The local telecommunications industry in Botswana is an ever-evolving market-it certainly keeps you on your feet as a leader! A great reason for this is its growth has been prioritized by the Government and all its key players including Orange Botswana. We have worked very well with our Ministry of Communications, Knowledge, and Technology, to ensure that our sector is sustainable.
WAT: How Orange has positioned itself in this context ?
NM: Orange Botswana prides itself in being the “first-to-market leader” in our industry. It was just 5 years ago, in 2018, that we introduced 4G technology, following a similar pattern with the introductions of 3G and 2G. In 2022, we introduced 5G technology, positioning Botswana as a prominent player in the mobile communications sector. This ushered in 5G-enabled partnerships that brought forth innovations in e-health, connected vehicles and cities, real-time gaming, and smart homes. Notably, the collaboration with MRI Botswana, a medical service provider, resulted in the creation of a connected ambulance, enabling doctors to guide paramedics through life-saving procedures in route to hospitals — a feat attributed to the capabilities of 5G technology.
New innovations in digital education, e-health, m-agriculture will consolidate the positioning of Orange Botswana as a multi-service operator. And this positioning will bring a lot of opportunities for local start-ups because our plan is to create an ecosystem which enables them to develop solutions addressing Botswana’s needs.
WAT: Beyond broadband connectivity, what are the other areas where Orange has had a strong impact in Botswana. How does this materialize concretely?
NM: For us, our work with start-ups as well as our digital school programs demonstrates how our strategic partnerships can accelerate the realization of efficiency in implementing the economic diversification drive and closing the gender and digital gap.
Our annual Orange Social Venture Prize Competition provides us with a platform to partner with start-ups that aim to bring innovative solutions that leverage on information and communications technologies (ICT) and future growth sectors in the country. Over the past years, we have supported and partnered with innovators that won the competition such as creators of the Mohiri Job Alert, Brastone of Mpotsa & mAgric and Connexus of Atlega Mobile Education. Recently, the 2023 winners of the initiative, Aga Sure Mobile App took home prize money to jumpstart a micro-insurance platform that will provide access to financial services for unserved and underserved economic communities.
Through our CSR arm, Orange Foundation, we have to date launched the Orange Digital Schools Program across 76 primary schools and upskilled hundreds of women with digital entrepreneurial skills across 8 Women’s Digital Centers. I’d also highlight, our state of the art, digital technology hub, the Orange Digital Center (ODC) launched in November 2022 in Gaborone. The ODC plays a pivotal role in delivering vital ICT training, upskilling, and supporting the creation of innovative digital solutions to enhance employability amongst the youth. In July of this year, 150 students graduated in scratch coding, digital embroidery, and 3D printing from this center.
WAT: Orange Botswana is celebrating its 25th anniversary. What does this milestone mean for the company ?
NM: Twenty-five years ago, Orange Botswana embarked on a mission to connect people, to bridge distances, and to transform lives through the power of communication. It is a powerful thing to realize that our clients and customers trust us with something as sacred as their ability to communicate with those that matter most to them. Whether it is personal or business, voice, or data, they trust us to make this most basic need to feel closer to their family, friends and business partners a daily reality. I am proud to say that Orange Botswana has been a key player in the last 25 years bringing people closer to cutting-edge innovations and digital inclusion. We owe our success to our amazing customers-their unwavering loyalty will certainly propel us into the next 25 years.
WAT: How is Orange planning for Botswana in the coming years ?
NM: Looking ahead, the future is bright for Orange Botswana. There is much to be done further and our passion, purpose and ambition will guide us. We stand at the cusp of a new era, where technology continues to reshape the way, we live and work. As a company, we are committed to staying at the forefront of these advancements, ensuring that we not only meet but exceed the expectations of our customers and clients. We look forward to digitizing the customer experience through platforms such as the Max it App, contributing to the growth of the country’s ICT infrastructure through our Tier III certified Data Center, and witness Orange Money make strides in the mobile money sector.
WAT: You recently won the «Female Innovator of the Year» prize at the Africa Tech Festival at November 2023 in Cape Town, why is this prize special for you ?
NM: I am deeply honored to have been recognized as the 2023 Female Innovator of the Year at the Africa Tech Festival. I believe this reward is a recognition of my contribution to the telecommunications, technology and media sectors in various countries including Cameroon, Mali, Morocco and, of course, Botswana. This is also a testament to the incredible work being done at Orange Botswana, and I share this award with our dedicated team who continue to drive innovation and excellence in our country and industry.
WAT: What meaning do you think this award has for women who demonstrate extraordinary leadership in the ICT sector ?
NM: This award has great meaning for African women in the continent’s tech industry because it validates our contribution to an industry, we have deep respect and passion for. As ICT leaders on the continent, we also understand the difference access to the innovations and technologies we offer has for Africans. I like to cite mobile and internet penetration as well as the rise of mobile money as prime examples of how valuable these ICT solutions can be to our customers’ everyday lives. In Botswana, a street vendor or small business owner now has a safe, convenient, and easily accessible tool to receive, send and save their money with Orange Money-which was not available to them 20 years ago.
So, as African leaders our success has even more meaning when it allows us to give back to our communities, country, and continent in some way.