News (1352)
The digitization of the healthcare sector is now essential to facilitate patient care and increase efficiency. With the significant resources required for this transformation, African countries are increasingly seeking strategic partnerships to support their digitalization efforts.
American bilateral aid agency The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) announced, last Monday, its commitment to assisting Lesotho in establishing a national digital health system. This initiative, commencing in early 2024, aims to significantly improve the nation's ability to track and manage the health of its citizens, particularly those affected by HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.
"MCC will be making major investments in primary health care equipment and digital health infrastructure, beginning in early 2024. We are also planning for a health data and innovation incubator to create public demand for quality health data. [...] MCC is planning to work with the Ministry of Health to design and implement a fully operational digital health system, across all disease areas, building from the foundation established by PEPFAR– President’s Emergency Fund for AIDs Relief," explains the MCC in a blog post.
The digitization of Lesotho's national health system is a direct outcome of the effective digitization of data from the PEPFAR project. Launched in 2003 and reauthorized in 2018, this initiative received financial backing from both the United States and the Global Fund to End AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. Originally designed to cater uniquely to pregnant women with HIV, PEPFAR has significantly enhanced clinical monitoring capabilities, facilitating real-time updates of crucial data.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
VTC drivers face a growing threat of violence, including attempted kidnappings, sexual and gender-based violence, assaults, and even murders. This escalating situation has forced mobility startup leaders to take decisive action in an attempt to curb these increasingly recurrent acts.
Estonian mobility startup Bolt has introduced a new feature in South Africa designed to enhance driver safety and trust on its platform. Effective immediately, Bolt customers will be required to upload a clear image of themselves or a selfie clearly showing their face, along with a copy of their ID for verification.
"At Bolt, we know from our 150M+ customers and network of 3.5 million fleet, driver, and courier partners that feeling safe is a critical part of a high-quality ride-hailing experience. That’s why safety is our top priority, and rider verification is the newest feature we’re testing dedicated to upgrading driver safety," explains Takura Malaba, Bolt Regional Director in East and Southern Africa.
Bolt's new passenger verification feature reflects its ongoing investment in safety and its commitment to address driver concerns. This initiative follows numerous nationwide protests by drivers, urging government intervention in the face of increasing criminal incidents, including the tragic October murder of a driver in Westernburg.
The driver verification feature joins a suite of existing safety features on the Bolt app. This includes the emergency service, which allows drivers to share their details and location with the Automobile Association's contact center. Upon receiving a report, the app immediately deploys private security and emergency services.
Samira Njoya
Following the closure of its Ugandan subsidiary in April 2023, Copia Global is now doubling down on its presence in Kenya. This strategic shift is marked by the announcement of a partnership with an American financial services giant.
Kenyan e-commerce platform Copia Global announced, on Tuesday, December 12, a 5-year partnership with American financial services giant Visa. This collaboration aims to facilitate commercial transactions on the platform and provide customers with access to a wider range of financial services.
This partnership empowers Copia's Kenyan customers to seamlessly buy and pay directly on the platform, save money through their e-wallet, access convenient borrowing options, and utilize deferred payment services. Additionally, members of the Kenyan diaspora can easily top up their loved ones' Copia e-wallets in just a few clicks via Visa.
"Copia’s network of customers, agents, and delivery sub-contractors will benefit from Visa’s capabilities on contactless payments, remittances, and loyalty solutions," said Eva Ngigi-Sarwari (photo, left), Visa Kenya Country Manager.
Founded in 2013 by Crispin Murira, Tracey Turner, and Jonathan Lewis, Copia Global has already secured over $100 million in funding to fuel its expansion. As of March 2023, the Kenyan e-commerce platform boasted a network of over 40,000 digital agents and nearly 2 million customers. Despite closing its Ugandan operations in April 2023, Copia Global continues to demonstrate consistent growth and solidify its position within the Kenyan market. This strategic partnership with Visa marks a significant step in this ongoing process, potentially paving the way for future investments in the world of financial technologies.
"The partnership and rapid digitization of customers creates a huge opportunity for Copia and Visa to bank the unbanked with previously inaccessible financial services, solving financial inclusion for the mass market in Africa," said Evelyn Wangari, Director of Financial Services at Copia Global.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
In a strategic move to accelerate its digital transformation, the Zambian government has embarked on an ambitious project to provide nationwide access to broadband internet. This initiative aims to empower citizens and unlock significant job creation opportunities through increased participation in the digital economy.
The Zambian government will phase out 2G technology entirely and shift focus towards 4th and 5th generation (4G and 5G) networks, Minister of Technology and Science, Felix Mutati, announced during the inaugural ICT, Post and Courier Awards on December 9th.
“We are eliminating 2G because we want all towers to be internet enabled. Every tower from now on will only be 4G and upwards internet enabled. We must use ICT as an enabler to deliver change to the people of Zambia,” he said.
Indeed, over the past two years, Zambia has stepped up initiatives aimed at creating a favorable environment for improving connectivity in the country. In June, an operating license was granted to Starlink, a subsidiary of the US company SpaceX, to provide satellite Internet services throughout the country, including areas previously considered inaccessible.
Telecom operators such as Airtel and MTN have also launched the commercialization of 5G in the country. Initially, the service was concentrated in specific areas, such as densely populated residential areas, shopping malls, hospitals, city centers, and central business districts.
All these initiatives have improved Internet access in the country. According to the Minister, Internet penetration has risen to 58% this year, compared with around 53% last year. The Post Office's business grew by 70% this year.
By focusing on 4G and 5G, Zambia aims to ensure greater digital access for the population, create jobs, and attract and retain investment in the ICT sector over the next few years.
Samira Njoya
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming an integral tool across diverse domains, including the military. Military forces are actively exploring and implementing AI solutions to enhance their capabilities and operational effectiveness in various areas.
The United States commits to supporting Nigeria's use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the fight against terrorism within its borders. The support was announced during a press conference held in Abuja, Nigeria, on December 7th by Paul Dean, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Office of Arms Control, Deterrence and Stability.
"We want to encourage the positive applications of artificial intelligence in the military. This initiative we launched with our partners just last month is centered around achieving just that: maximizing the tremendous value of artificial intelligence in military applications [While] at the same time, ensuring the international community has coalesced around a series of norms of responsible behavior to make sure that we are reducing the risk of unintended consequences or negative applications," said Paul Dean.
This US commitment comes at a critical juncture for the Nigerian military. Recent criticisms have arisen following a drone strike in Kaduna State that resulted in the deaths of approximately 100 civilians. While acknowledging the need for safeguards surrounding AI deployment in the military sector, the US views itself as a crucial ally for Nigeria in its counter-terrorism efforts. To this end, it is essential to support the use of AI, which could have prevented the obvious error in the Kaduna State tragedy. In the north of the country, Abuja has been facing several terrorist groups, particularly Boko Haram, for many years.
"...We are convinced that when states commit themselves to using this technology in a predictable, transparent, stable, and responsible way, the international community will be in the position of maximizing the advantages while reducing the risks of an irresponsible approach," the U.S. official added.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Tourism is one of the key economic sectors for African countries. To this end, ECOWAS member countries have decided to digitize the sector.
On December 6, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announced the development of a digital platform for classifying tourist accommodation establishments. This decision follows a meeting held in Dakar from November 21-24, 2023, attended by delegations from member countries.
The platform aims to simplify the process for tourists seeking accommodation throughout the West African region. According to Dr. Anthony Luka Elumelu, ECOWAS Director in charge of the private sector, this innovative measure enhances the value of ECOWAS tourism facilities by serving as an information hub for international and regional tourists.
It forms a key part of the Ecotour 19-29 ten-year action plan, designed to accelerate the development of the tourism sector across the sub-region. The adoption of Regulation C.REG.2/07/23 by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in July 2023 and the subsequent creation of the Tourist Accommodation Standards Authority established standardized criteria for classifying accommodation establishments within the community, paving the way for the platform's implementation.
ECOWAS expects the platform to deliver significant benefits for public tourism administrations responsible for hotel classification. These include reduced costs and time associated with the classification process, eliminating the need for extensive travel to fulfill obligations, and providing real-time access to statistical data on both hotel supply across all member countries and tourist arrivals.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Despite the urgency of the situation, the adoption of a strong global response to slowing climate change and minimizing its impact on human life across the planet is still hampered by political differences. However, amidst this global gridlock, some manufacturers are taking matters into their own hands and approaching the climate issue from other angles.
Morocco’s Marrakech hosted, from December 7 to 8, the Huawei Northern Africa Digital Power Ecosystem Partner Summit 2023, held under the theme "Lightening up a green Africa and closing the energy gap."
Over two days, some 180 strategic partners, industry leaders, experts from government agencies, and renewable energy associations discussed current energy challenges and renewable energy trends in Africa.
In his opening address, Philippe Wang (photo), President Digital Power and Executive Vice President of Huawei Northern Africa (North, West and Central Africa), said: "A new era is dawning in the energy industry: that of digital energy, closely linked to the digital world."
“This age is no longer determined by resource dependence, but by technology. Today, we are seizing the opportunities by integrating WatT, HeaT, BatTery and BitT (4T technologies) to shape a greener and more promising future for Africa," he added.
According to Huawei, despite possessing 7,900 GW of solar potential and receiving eight hours of sunshine daily, Africa still faces stark energy disparities. "While almost 100% of the population in North Africa had access to electricity in 2023, this proportion was only 56% in West Africa," says the Chinese technology group, which also showcased its technological innovations designed to accelerate the continent's energy transition and efficiency during the summit.
To respond to the urgency of the African transition, exacerbated by global warming, electricity shortages, energy instability and rising fossil fuel prices, Africa plans to increase its renewable energy capacity by more than 5 times. During COP 28 in Dubai, more than 20 African countries supported the global call to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030.
In recent years, East Africa has emerged as an economic powerhouse in Africa. To get even better results, the region has turned its attention to digital development as a key driver for further acceleration.
On Tuesday, December 5, the World Bank announced the approval of $130 million in financing for a series of regional digital integration projects in East Africa. The funding aims to bring broadband connectivity to communities in Djibouti and Ethiopia, including border areas, refugees, and host communities.
"This project is not only a significant milestone for regional integration, but also a powerful catalyst for national inclusion. By fostering a single digital market in the Horn of Africa, this initiative extends its benefits to both Tadjourah and Obock regions in Djibouti, making a substantial contribution to the country’s digital inclusion strategy," said Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Djibouti’s Minister for the Economy and Finance, in charge of Industry.
The financing is part of a series of initiatives supported by the World Bank to promote the expansion of a digital market in the Horn of Africa. The first operation in the series covers Somalia, South Sudan, and Kenya. This brings the total number of countries covered to five.
In choosing Ethiopia and Djibouti, the World Bank aims to address one of the main challenges facing the two countries, namely the lack of well-developed basic fiber optic networks. The World Bank's support should enable network operators, including mobile network operators, satellite operators, and internet service providers, to promote a regional digital market conducive to growth.
Ultimately, the funding will advance the integration of digital markets in the East African region by improving affordable access to regional broadband connectivity, strengthening the environment and policy convergence for cross-border digital trade and data flows, and developing digital skills.
Last week, the World Bank also approved $266.5 million in financing for a digital transformation program in West Africa.
Samira Njoya
Recognizing the growing influence of social networks in fostering entrepreneurship, TikTok has launched a program specifically designed to empower entrepreneurs in sub-Saharan Africa.
Chinese tech giant TikTok, partnering with the non-profit Yunus Social Business (YSB), announced on Wednesday, December 6th, a $1.5 million investment in East African micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). This initiative, focused primarily on Kenya, aims to equip MSMEs with the resources, particularly digital skills, necessary for growth and success.
Through the TikTokEmpower program, TikTok will establish training and mentorship programs covering crucial topics such as brand building, sales and e-commerce strategies, and leveraging digital platforms for business success.
"This #TikTokEmpower partnership with YSB represents a transformative opportunity to empower entrepreneurs, address social challenges and stimulate sustainable economic growth in Kenya and East Africa. We've seen the profound impact and real opportunity that TikTok brings to small businesses around the world, and we're proud to encourage this entrepreneurial spirit and digital innovation in Africa," said Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda, Director of Government Relations and Public Policy for Sub-Saharan Africa for TikTok.
Before opening its Kenyan office, the Chinese giant invested in William Ruto's country with its TikTokEmpower program. In August, the social network had come close to being banned in the country before its CEO Shou Zi Chew announced the opening of physical offices to oversee its activities in East Africa after a virtual meeting with the authorities. With this investment, TikTok is increasing its involvement on the African continent where it is, according to a September report by GeoPoll, the second most-used social network after Facebook.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Funding startups is essential for boosting innovation and entrepreneurship. Although securing funding can be tough for African startups, there's growing interest from investors who recognize the potential of supporting promising ventures.
Ex-Kaduna State governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai (pictured) plans to establish a $100 million venture capital fund for Nigerian startups. He revealed this in a December 4 tweet.
The venture capital fund, named Afri-Venture Capital Company, is set to launch in January 2024, initially focusing on Nigeria and later on other African countries.
During a discussion with BusinessDay newspapers at the Africa Investment Forum held in November, in Marrakech, El-Rufai revealed his commitment to invest $2 million personally to kickstart the initiative. He aims to persuade like-minded investors to join, stating, "They trust our judgment, and they will come with us."
According to El-Rufai, the fund will welcome innovative ideas from various sectors, with a specific goal of bridging the gap for young Nigerians who lack mentorship and financial backing.
"I encountered students with exceptional ideas during my tenure as governor, but many lacked mentors and support," said El-Rufai. The fund aims to provide not just financial support but also networking opportunities and resources for young entrepreneurs.
Deviating from the conventional focus on Lagos, the fund will be strategically located in Abuja to foster innovation across different regions of the country.
Founding directors and initial shareholders include Jimi Lawal, Hafiz Bayero, Eyo Ekpo, and Kabir Yabo, with El-Rufai as the part-time Chairman. The fund will operate with a three to four-year investment horizon, engaging new startups and established companies facing management challenges.
The announcement has generated excitement within the Nigerian entrepreneurial community, with hopes that this venture capital fund will provide a crucial boost to the next generation of innovators and startups.
Hikmatu Bilali
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Digital transformation is a key pillar of President William Ruto's government, with efforts underway to digitize various sectors across the country. However, one crucial area remains untouched: the identification system. This has once again sparked resistance from the Kenyan population.
Maisha Namba, the digital identification system planned by the Kenyan government, will not see its anticipated launch this year due to a recent decision by the High Court of Kenya. The court has ordered a halt to the system's rollout, citing the absence of a data protection impact assessment.
The court's decision imposes a stay on the implementation or further progression of the government's November 1, 2023, resolution to deploy or pilot Maisha Namba, encompassing the digital card, unique personal identifier, and a national population register. This pause is mandated until a comprehensive data protection impact assessment is conducted, as stipulated in section 31 of the Data Protection Act, according to the High Court.
This legal development follows a petition filed by civil society groups, including the Katiba Institute, the Nubian Rights Forum, the Kenya Human Rights Commission, and the Coalition of Human Rights Defenders. The petitioners argue that the biometric and biographical data collected during registration were obtained unlawfully, and the government lacks a legal foundation for the digital identity system. Additionally, concerns are raised about data protection, the exclusion of many Kenyans from the system, and the expeditious rollout scheduled for this December.
This marks the second instance where the High Court has intervened to suspend the deployment of a digital identification system in the country. The previous system, Huduma Namba, initiated by former president Uhuru Kenyatta, faced similar criticisms and suspension on the same grounds.
The court emphasizes that any implementation of the system must await the completion of a data protection impact assessment, as outlined in Article 31. This article governs the collection, storage, use, and sharing of personal information, with a particular emphasis on safeguarding privacy and personal security.
Samira Njoya
Africa's burgeoning technology ecosystem is attracting investors from around the globe, with over $2.95 billion invested in the continent's startups within the first nine months of the year alone, according to the African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association.
On Monday, December 4, the MasterCard Foundation Africa Growth Fund, a $200 million impact-investment initiative of the MasterCard Foundation, announced a $27 million investment in three African investment companies dedicated to supporting early-stage startups. The investment aims to stimulate technological innovation and accelerate digital transformation across the continent.
Chui Ventures, VestedWorld, and SME Impact Fund are the three investment companies receiving the funding, with allocations of $9 million, $10 million, and $8 million, respectively. These companies are focused on identifying and nurturing high-potential startups in various sectors, primarily in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and Tanzania.
"We are excited to welcome Chui Ventures, Vested World, and SME Impact Fund to our expanding family of investment vehicles. These strategic partnerships represent our ongoing commitment to fostering sustainable development in Africa through impactful investments. Stay tuned for more developments in the very near future," commented Samuel Akyianu, Managing Director of the MasterCard Foundation Africa Growth Fund.
The establishment of the Africa Growth Fund aligns with the MasterCard Foundation's broader efforts to drive digital transformation across Africa. This year alone, the fund has invested in several startup-focused investment companies, including Nigeria's Aruwa Capital Management ($2.2 million) and Uganda's Inua Capital ($5 million). Additionally, the foundation demonstrated its support for Uganda's national startup policy, which aims to enhance the attractiveness of the country's technological ecosystem.
Commenting on the MasterCard Foundation's investment, Joyce Ann Wainaina, Managing Director of Chui Ventures, stated, "This investment validates our effort to drive African innovation and entrepreneurship, and we are eager to unlock the potential of these promising ventures."
Adoni Conrad Quenum
India and the Republic of Kenya have maintained robust bilateral ties spanning various sectors since 1948. Recently, the two countries decided to step up their cooperation in the digital field.
Kenyan President William Ruto embarked on a three-day visit to India on Monday, December 4. The visit culminated in the signing of five memorandums of understanding (MoUs) spanning critical sectors, including technology, public digital infrastructure, defense, agriculture, energy, and healthcare.
Underscoring the importance of this strategic partnership, President Ruto remarked, "Kenya and India will expand partnership in technology along other sectors. We will benefit tremendously from India’s capacity and experience as a global leader in technology."
The digital agreement paves the way for India to facilitate the transfer of skills and technologies tailored to Kenya's specific needs, particularly in the areas of health, education, ICT, and digital governance. Additionally, the two countries' Heads of state explored avenues for Kenya to harness the potential of e-health by leveraging digitization and technology in telemedicine and telehealth initiatives.
India's burgeoning ICT sector has garnered global attention in recent years, prompting partnerships with numerous nations seeking to emulate its success. In Africa, aside from Kenya, countries like Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Egypt, Gabon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Mauritius have established partnerships with India to advance sectors such as artificial intelligence, telecommunications, and digital infrastructure.
The initiative aligns with President William Ruto's vision of harnessing digital technology to drive socio-economic development in Kenya. The country aspires to become a benchmark for digital transformation in Africa by 2027. This ambitious goal entails developing a cutting-edge digital infrastructure, expanding high-speed internet access nationwide, digitizing education and select government services, and enhancing the population's digital skills.
Samira Njoya
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of e-learning platforms, and their usage has continued to rise since. Recognizing the effectiveness of this approach, the Tunisian government has embraced e-learning platforms as a key tool for training its civil servants.
Nizar Ben Néji (photo, center), Tunisia's Minister of Communication Technologies, inaugurated the "Digital Learning Academy" platform on Friday, December 1. The primary goal is to provide 680,000 civil servants with access to online training courses to enhance their digital skills.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Communication Technologies, is overseen by Smart Tunisian Technoparks, a Tunisian technopark specializing in information and communication technologies.
The launch of the Digital Learning Academy aligns with Tunisia's comprehensive digital strategy, set to be fully implemented by 2025. This strategy prioritizes the digitization and simplification of administrative procedures alongside the development of enhanced digital services for citizens. To effectively implement these objectives, government employees must adapt to evolving digital standards and embrace new technologies. The Digital Learning Academy addresses this need by providing civil servants with access to a comprehensive range of free, internationally certified online training courses, fostering a more digitally skilled and adaptable workforce.
Adoni Conrad Quenum