News (1785)
African countries are rapidly digitizing their administrative services. To maximize the benefits for their citizens, they need reliable identification systems.
TECH5, a contactless biometrics solution provider, announced on Thursday, August 15, that it has partnered with the Mauritanian government and local integrator SmartMS to launch the pilot phase of a digital identification solution in Mauritania. Funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), this project aims to modernize the country's digital identity infrastructure.
"We are proud to be part of this project contributing to the technological transformation of the country. Mauritania looks to be on track to become one of the first countries to adopt fully digital national ID biometrically linked to its holder," said Ameya Bhagwat, TECH5 Chief Revenue Officer.
For this pilot phase, a software solution was developed to facilitate the digital integration and verification of citizens. Tested by over 70 people, this solution adheres to NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) standards for identity verification and incorporates biometric verification via OpenID Connect flows. This enables password-free access to the Mauritanian e-government portal. Users are verified by the application through a selfie, which is then compared to their digital identity derived from their passport or ID card.
The successful completion of the pilot project led to the recent launch of the "Houwiyeti" application, an innovative solution that combines functionality and security, leveraging open-source and digital technologies. This initiative is fully aligned with the Mauritanian government's and its partners' goals of promoting an inclusive and rights-respecting digital transformation. It also reflects a broader trend in Africa, where biometrics is playing an increasingly crucial role.
According to the "Biometrics - Global Market Trajectory & Analytics 2020" report published by the American research firm Global Industry Analysts, the biometrics market in Africa and the Middle East is expected to grow at an annual rate of 21%, while the global biometrics industry could reach $82 billion by 2027. This trend underscores the growing importance of biometric technologies in global digital development and their potential to transform governance systems and public services.
The implementation of this digital identity system in Mauritania represents a significant step toward the modernization and efficiency of public services. By providing secure and streamlined access to government services through a biometric-based mobile application, this system not only improves ease of access for citizens but also strengthens the security of digital transactions.
Samira Njoya
Committed to a greener future, Orange has set ambitious goals to reduce its environmental and climate impact across its 17 markets in Africa and the Middle East. Various initiatives are underway to achieve these objectives.
Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA) has converted 10,000 telecom sites and about 20 data centers to solar energy, the company said on Friday, as part of its strategy to bolster infrastructure resilience and maintain profitability.
For Jean-Michel Canto, Chief Climate Officer of OMEA, "Solarization is now a standard configuration for new sites, with an 11% increase in the number of solar sites each year."
In Liberia, where the electrification rate is 12%, the company has solarized 77% of its sites. Jabateh Dweh Charles, Power Manager Operations at Orange Liberia, said this reduced their carbon footprint and fuel consumption by 25% in 2023 compared to 2022.
OMEA's 2023 Corporate Social Responsibility report showed a more than 70% increase in renewable energy use compared to 2022, bringing the share to 32.8% of total energy consumption.
The company prioritizes site solarization and collaborates with energy partners (ESCO – Energy Service Company). In 2022, Alioune Ndiaye, Chairman of OMEA's Board of Directors, noted that solar energy supply saves up to 55 million liters of fuel annually.
These investments align with OMEA's "Lead the Future" and "Net Zero Carbon" by 2040 plans. The company aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2025 and 45% by 2030.
Dorothée Vignalou, Chief Financial Officer of OMEA, said, "We have always placed environmental and energy issues at the heart of our regional strategy. Recent crises have strengthened our determination to ensure sustainable management while addressing local community challenges."
Lack of internet access can be addressed by making mobile phones affordable in African countries. This is crucial for ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their socio-economic status, can participate in the digital economy
The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) plans to launch a local smart device assembly program aimed at producing affordable mobile phones to bridge the significant digital divide in the country, Director General of MACRA Daud Suleman revealed on August 14. This was during the 3rd session of the National Youths Conversations hosted by the National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM) as part of commemoration of the International Youth Day 2024.
The Director General emphasized the importance of a collaborative effort from various stakeholders to enhance digital service access across the nation. “We need a multi-sectoral approach for citizens to have access to digital services at a reasonable distance,” he stated.
According to the Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI), cell phones, particularly smartphones, are still inaccessible to low-income populations in Africa. This situation hinders the participation of most of Africa’s population in the digital economy. Without a phone, there is no way to connect to the Internet or use digital services. The price disparity between cell phones and average incomes also exacerbates digital inequalities. People who cannot afford these devices miss out on the benefits of digital technology, including access to information, financial services, online education, and economic opportunities.
While no specific launch date has been provided, the upcoming initiative is expected to address the disparity in digital access.
The initiative aligns with the Malawi 2063 (MW2063) agenda, which seeks to transform Malawi into a prosperous, self-sufficient, and industrialized 'upper-middle-income country' by 2063.
Hikmatu Bilali
Digital transformation is essential for the socio-economic development of the country. The government is ramping up its efforts to successfully complete ongoing projects aimed at enhancing citizens' well-being through access to efficient and inclusive digital services.
The Burkina Faso Ministry of Digital Transition, Posts, and Electronic Communications has achieved a performance rate of 55% for the first half of 2024, according to an evaluation of its objective contract recently conducted by Prime Minister Apollinaire Joachimson Kyelem de Tambèla. This result reflects the ministry’s commitment to meeting the targets outlined in its roadmap.
According to the ministry's statement, key achievements contributing to this success include "strengthening the legal framework for the digital sector, digitizing certain administrative services, acquiring equipment to enhance and secure the digital network, and restoring electronic communication services in high-security challenge areas."
Despite this "satisfactory" performance, some projects have experienced significant delays. Efforts to rehabilitate existing infrastructure and extend digital services to rural areas have been hindered by security challenges, exacerbated by political instability, which has affected the ministry's ability to adhere to its initial timeline.
For the second half of the year, the ministry plans to intensify ongoing projects, including the digitization of at least 100 administrative procedures, the creation of citizen service centers to facilitate access to online services, and the implementation of the Digital Transformation Acceleration Project. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to position Burkina Faso as a leader in Africa for integrating information and communication technologies (ICT) into key sectors such as public administration, education, health, commerce, and agriculture.
Despite these advancements, Burkina Faso faces significant challenges. According to the "Measuring Digital Development – ICT Development Index 2024" report published in June by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Burkina Faso ranks 43rd out of 47 African countries in ICT development. This ranking highlights the considerable obstacles the country must overcome to fully harness digital technologies and improve the living conditions of its citizens.
Samira Njoya
Clear regulatory frameworks can foster innovation in the fintech sector, attracting investment and encouraging the development of new technologies and business models that can drive economic growth on the continent.
The Bank of Ghana (BOG) issued on August 16 a draft of guidelines designed to regulate digital assets. This move comes in response to the growing prominence of digital assets in the country. The Bank is currently seeking public input on the proposed measures and welcomes recommendations by August 31, 2024.
The draft guidelines are designed to outline the BOG’s proposed regulatory measures and invite feedback from industry stakeholders and the general public. The regulatory framework is expected to address the operations of exchanges and platforms involved in buying, selling, trading, and holding digital assets. It will also delineate which asset types are covered and regulate interactions between financial institutions and Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs).
The BOG plans to work with other regulatory bodies, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), to develop complementary frameworks that align with their respective regulatory roles. Once the framework is finalized, VASPs operating in Ghana will need to seek authorization from either the BOG or the SEC, depending on their services. Those failing to register within the designated timeframe will be deemed to be operating illegally.
The BOG has acknowledged ongoing challenges in the sector, including regulatory and legal uncertainties, cybersecurity risks, market manipulation, and consumer protection issues.
According to a 2023 report by Chainalysis, Ghana ranks among the top - 29 out of 154- countries globally in terms of cryptocurrency adoption. This indicates a high level of interest and use of digital assets in the country. The Bank’s action reflects a proactive response to the growing interest and use of cryptocurrencies, aiming to address potential risks and opportunities associated with their widespread adoption.
Hikmatu Bilali
As digital transformation gains momentum, the demand for skilled labor is increasing. In Côte d'Ivoire, the government is working closely with the private sector to ensure that all citizens receive the necessary training to contribute to this shift.
Digital training center DigiFemmes announced on Wednesday its goal to train 1,000 Ivorian women in digital skills, leadership, and responsible technology use.
The initiative follows a memorandum of understanding signed between Nassénéba Touré, Minister of Women, Family, and Children, and DigiFemmes during the official launch of the DigiFemmes Caravan program on August 14.
"Through this caravan, we will offer a variety of training sessions, workshops, and resources to support women in their personal development and contribute to the progress of our nation. This program will enable thousands of women to acquire essential digital skills that will enhance their lives in every aspect," stated Nassénéba Touré.
The program aligns with DigiFemmes' mission to bridge the digital divide and supports the Ivorian government's view of digital technology as crucial for women's employability and empowerment.
In 2019, women represented 38% of the ICT sector workforce, with 30% in executive positions, according to Côte d'Ivoire's Data Protection Authority.
Since 2015, programs like Orange Foundation's Maisons Digitales have trained 4,738 women in digital fields, underscoring ongoing efforts for women's economic empowerment in Côte d'Ivoire.
The DigiFemmes partnership aims to improve women's integration into the digital economy, enhance leadership skills, and strengthen autonomy. It is expected to reduce the gender digital skills gap and foster innovation, contributing to the country's socio-economic development.
Samira Njoya
Satellite technology has seen significant growth in Africa over the past ten years. While the telecommunications sector has traditionally been the primary beneficiary, Earth observation is increasingly gaining value with a growing number of African states now eager to enhance their territorial monitoring capabilities through satellite technology.
Senegal successfully launched its first satellite, GAINDESAT-1A, into space on Friday, August 16, 2024, after a three-month delay. The nanosatellite lifted off at 6:56 p.m. local time from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Transporter-11 mission.
Developed by Senegalese engineers and technicians trained at the University Space Center of Montpellier (CSUM) under a partnership with the Senegalese government, GAINDESAT-1A represents the culmination of a five-year project.
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye hailed the achievement, saying, "Senegal enters a new era today with the successful launch of our first satellite ... this achievement marks a major step towards our technological sovereignty."
The launch is the first phase of Senegal's national space program, "SenSAT," which aims to leverage the space sector as a driver of socio-economic development. The program focuses on designing and utilizing space-based tools to meet national needs for space products and services.
Moussa Baldé, former Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, stated last October that the program aims to establish Senegal as "a space hub for the sub-region."
GAINDESAT-1A, an Earth observation satellite, will contribute to data collection and analysis for various applications, including natural resource and land management, disaster prevention, agriculture and more.
The satellite's control and data reception center, inaugurated in October 2023, is located in Diamniadio.
Investing in renewable energy and clean technologies is essential for reducing carbon emissions and enhancing energy security. Ultimately, they can help safeguard Africa’s economic future by addressing the root causes of climate-related economic losses and contributing to a more sustainable and prosperous continent.
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved $10 million to the KawiSafi II Fund to support climate-focused startups serving vulnerable communities across Africa. Announced on August 12, the investment will be drawn from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), a financing facility managed by the AfDB.
KawiSafi Ventures Managing Director Amar Inamdar described the investment as “catalytic,” noting that it would help the fund achieve its first close and attract further capital to support Africa’s climate innovators. “The African Development Bank’s investment into KawiSafi II, our innovative climate fund, is catalytic for helping us reach a first close and attract the significant private capital that is urgently required to support Africa’s climate innovators,” he said.
The $200 million KawiSafi II Fund targets energy transition, productivity, mobility, and logistics in sub-Saharan Africa and includes a $10 million facility for climate impact and ESG risk management.
The new fund follows KawiSafi Fund I, a $67 million off-grid energy fund launched in 2016 and backed by Acumen Fund. Fund I has invested in companies such as d.light, Bboxx, and BioLite. d.light recently secured a $176 million facility to scale its PayGo consumer finance offering in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Projections from the "State and Trends in Adaptation Report 2023" by the Global Center on Adaptation estimate that climate change could cause a 2% to 4% annual loss in Africa’s GDP by 2040. This highlights the critical importance of the African Development Bank Group’s (AfDB) $10 million investment in the KawiSafi II Fund.
The investment aligns with the AfDB's broader goals of fostering sustainable development in Africa, demonstrating a commitment to addressing both immediate and long-term challenges through strategic financial support.
Hikmatu Bilali
The growing demand for connectivity, data storage, and processing in Africa highlights the rapid acceleration of digital transformation across the continent. To meet the needs of businesses and governments, significant investments in digital infrastructure are underway.
Open Access Data Centres (OADC), a subsidiary of digital infrastructure provider WIOCC, launched its first facility in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Wednesday in partnership with local company Texaf.
OADC Texaf Digital - Kinshasa is a Tier 3 open-access data center, neutral with respect to operators. It features 2 MW of computing capacity and 1,500 square meters of white space, accommodating over 550 racks.
"OADC Texaf Digital - Kinshasa is central to boosting many sectors of the DRC’s economy, creating rich and vibrant digital ecosystems, and providing content distribution networks and cloud content providers with access to a quality peering location in the country," said Mohammed Bouhelal, Managing Director of OADC Texaf DRC, said,
WIOCC and Texaf signed a shareholder agreement to build the data center in Kinshasa in July 2023. This aligns with WIOCC's plan to expand its digital infrastructure across Africa. The company operates six core data centers across the continent and more than 30 edge data centers in South Africa. It also boasts 200,000 kilometers of submarine fiber systems and 75,000 kilometers of terrestrial fiber. In June, WIOCC secured $41 million in funding to support its investments.
The new facility strengthens DRC’s digital infrastructure, meeting current and future needs of Internet exchange points, content providers, cloud operators, data carriers, telecommunications operators, and Internet service providers in the DRC. The launch comes amid high demand for digital services and high-speed connectivity from individuals, businesses, and government agencies.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
Cross-border payments in Africa face significant hurdles that slow down transactions. Innovative solutions are essential to streamline these payments and boost economic growth across the continent.
Latin American cross-border B2B payment platform Conduit announced on Monday, August 12, it raised $6 million in funding led by Helios Digital Ventures to expand into Africa.
The fintech, founded in 2021, will use the money to offer its services to African businesses struggling with high costs, slow speeds, and complex currency conversions.
Conduit has been operating in Kenya and Nigeria since December and processed more than $5 billion in annualized transaction volume, with 20% originating from those countries. The company plans to enter Ghana and South Africa soon.
The expansion comes as Sub-Saharan Africa remains the world’s most expensive region for sending money, with average costs of 7.9% per $200 transfer, according to the World Bank.
Conduit's expansion into Africa aims to address critical cross-border payment needs for businesses on the continent. By offering solutions that reduce costs, speed up transaction times, and simplify currency conversions, Conduit could become a key player in enhancing the financial efficiency of African businesses.
Samira Njoya
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Algerian authorities want to equip the population with digital skills. One of their strategies to achieve that goal is to provide primary schools with dedicated tools.
Algeria is set to equip an additional 1,700 primary schools with digital tablets, as announced by Abdelhakim Belaabed (photo), the country's Minister of National Education, on Thursday, August 8. This announcement was made during a national conference focused on implementing the operational plan for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year in Mostaganem.
"This year, 1,700 primary schools will receive digital tablets, increasing the total number of schools equipped with such technology to 5,000 nationwide," Belaabed stated.
Since taking office in 2019, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has prioritized digital technology as a key component of Algeria's development strategy. The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the nation’s digital transformation efforts. According to the "Measuring Digital Development – ICT Development Index 2024" report released by the International Telecommunication Union in June, Algeria's ICT Development Index is 80.9 out of 100, placing it sixth in Africa.
This initiative aims to provide the population, especially primary school students, with essential digital skills. The introduction of digital tablets is expected to enhance students' digital competencies, promote inclusive education for those with special needs, and enable real-time tracking of students' progress, facilitating continuous assessment and the adaptation of teaching methods.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
African countries are now recognizing the benefits of interstate collaborations in achieving their digital goals. Numerous initiatives are emerging, bolstering joint efforts to accelerate the continent's digital transformation.
Sierra Leone and Guinea plan to strengthen cooperation in the digital sector, with plans for network interconnection, knowledge sharing, infrastructure development, and joint projects to spur digital growth.
For that purpose, a delegation led by Sierra Leone’s Communications, Technology, and Innovation Minister Salima Manorma Bah visited Conakry on Friday to discuss the partnership with Guinean Posts, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy Minister Rose Pola Pricemou.
“The goal is to translate the shared commitment of Guinea and Sierra Leone into concrete actions to build a dynamic and inclusive digital ecosystem in the region,” Guinea’s Digital Economy Ministry said. A meeting of private sector representatives from both countries is planned to outline technical details for the enhanced partnership.
The potential cooperation aligns with digitalization efforts underway in both countries to use technology for societal transformation and economic development. The talks follow Pricemou’s announcement of a possible interconnection between the two nations at the China-Africa Digital Summit in Beijing last month.
A successful partnership could improve connectivity quality and reach while lowering costs. Expanded internet access and shared expertise would accelerate digital transformation and promote inclusion for both populations.
Samira Njoya
Establishing Digital Free Zones is a critical step for African development, as it positions the continent as a key player in global digital trade. This initiative will attract investment, create jobs, and enhance the continent's economic competitiveness by creating an environment conducive to tech, finance, and service-oriented businesses.
Nigeria's government has launched an initiative to establish Digital Free Zones to position the country as a hub for global digital trade and innovation. This was announced by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation in a press release dated August 7. The initiative, chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aims to attract and support tech, finance, and service-oriented businesses by creating a conducive environment tailored to the needs of the 21st-century digital economy.
“As we embrace the concept of digital free zones in Nigeria, we are presented with a unique opportunity to drive local domiciliation of global technology companies to boost skills development and job creation in innovation and technology, and contribute to the local economy...,” said Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani.
According to the release, a steering committee has been formed to oversee the creation of the digital free zones. The committee is led by Finance Minister Wale Edun as Vice Chairman and includes key government officials like the Attorney General, Ministers of Communications, Industry, Interior, and heads of relevant agencies.
The committee will collaborate with relevant government agencies and private stakeholders to modernize Nigeria’s outdated free zone policies and regulatory framework. This effort includes creating and releasing new policy and operational guidelines, enabling global and local technology, finance, and service-based businesses to establish Pan-African or global operations from Nigeria.
Businesses operating within these zones will benefit from modernized free zone regulations, including tax, banking, and immigration incentives, simplified government compliance processes, and a stable regulatory environment.
Nigeria's Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector significantly contributed to the nation's economy in Q4 2023, accounting for 16.66% of the real GDP, according to figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). This underscores the country's increasing reliance on technology for economic growth. The establishment of Digital Free Zones aligns with this trajectory, positioning Nigeria to attract global tech and service-oriented businesses. By stimulating innovation and expanding the ICT sector's GDP contribution, these zones can transform Nigeria into one of the leading African digital hubs, fostering economic diversification and digital transformation.
Hikmatu Bilali
The company is rebranding and upgrading its services to expand its reach in the African tech market.
Pan-African venture capital firm Founders Factory Africa announced on Wednesday, August 7, that it has rebranded as 54 Collective. The company has evolved its business model to better support technology enterprises across the continent.
Founders can now rely on the firm’s expertise and network to help grow their startups. The firm plans to invest up to $500,000 in equity and non-dilutive capital across various startups. Additionally, female founders will receive an extra $150,000 to help address access inequalities.
“Our name change to 54 Collective communicates our continued commitment to African founders. We are more supportive than ever of unlocking opportunities for entrepreneurs and ensuring a level playing field for youth and women founders,” explained Bongani Sithole, CEO of 54 Collective.
In recent years, African startups have attracted less capital. To combat this trend, venture capital firms have been established across various sub-regions of the continent to support promising projects. In March, South Africa's Conducive Capital launched with a goal of raising $50 million to back the continent’s startups. In June, the Paris-based venture capital firm Breega established a new $75 million fund, Africa Seed I. The rebranding of 54 Collective aligns with these efforts.
Despite funding challenges in Africa's tech sector, startups have secured over $1 billion this year, according to the database Africa: The Big Deal.
Adoni Conrad Quenum