News (1792)
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
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
Senegal has embarked on a public service reform initiative aimed at restoring the trust between the government and its citizens. Collective participation is encouraged to maximize the outcomes.
Senegal’s Minister of Public Service and Public Service Reform, Olivier Boucal, on Thursday launched the first edition of the “Gov’Athon,” an initiative aimed at generating ideas and practical solutions to modernize the country’s public administration.
“Inspired by innovation competitions commonly known as hackathons, the concept reflects my desire to pool resources and build collective intelligence to address the concerns of public administration users. The 'Gov'Athon' is a unique opportunity to rethink our administration. By mobilizing Senegalese youth, we hope to discover innovative ideas that can transform our public services and effectively meet the needs of our citizens,” Boucal said.
Participating teams, composed of students from both public and private universities nationwide, will compete to develop solutions across several key areas. These include public service transformation, education and vocational training improvement, sustainable agriculture and livestock development, urban mobility optimization, air transport innovation, and local tourism promotion.
The Gov’Athon is part of Senegal’s broader plan to modernize the administration and build a sovereign, prosperous nation, in line with directives from President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
The month-long competition will award prizes of XOF20 million (about $33,200), XOF10 million, and XOF5 million to the top three teams. Winners will also receive three months of free coworking space access and equipment vouchers to aid in solution implementation.
Samira Njoya
African countries are currently undergoing a digital revolution that is profoundly shaping their economic development and social progress. Appropriate regulations play a key role in this transformation.
The digital studies firm Think Tank Law and Technologies has now established offices in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). On Tuesday, August 6, in Kinshasa, the Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and Digital Affairs, Augustin Kibassa Maliba (photo), officially launched their activities. This initiative aims to promote research and analysis on legal issues related to the digital realm.
"We aim to support and contribute to discussions on digital and technological law. We have conducted studies and analyses on significant legal topics within a technological context. Today, at our official launch, we presented our first study, which focuses on the legal framework for personal data protection in the DRC. This study has led to several recommendations for the government and the private sector," stated Prosper Ntetika, President of Think Tank Law and Technologies.
The bureau's activities include research and analysis on legal and regulatory issues related to digital technologies in the DRC; promoting dialogue and collaboration among experts, researchers, policymakers, and private sector players; contributing to the development of public policies, digital development strategies, and legislation tailored to the DRC's technological context; raising public awareness about the legal and regulatory challenges of digital technologies; and providing training in technology law, among other things.
The launch of the bureau's activities comes as the DRC pursues the objectives of the National Digital Plan – Horizon 2025, where the legal framework is a crucial pillar. According to President Félix Tshisekedi, establishing a solid institutional and legal framework is necessary to govern and regulate this particularly promising sector.
With its team of legal experts, Think Tank Law and Technologies is well-positioned to assist the DRC in creating a robust regulatory and institutional framework. This support is vital for fostering the country's digital development, ensuring legislation that keeps pace with technological advancements, and effectively protecting citizens' rights in the digital age.
Samira Njoya
Funding for African startups has been plummeting for months. However, the July 2024 figures suggest a potential rebound, as it marks the best month for the African tech ecosystem since May 2023 when $596 million was raised.
African startups raised $420 million in July 2024, according to Africa: The Big Deal, a database tracking funding over $100,000 secured by the continent’s startups, as reported on Tuesday, August 6.
"Indeed, with $420 million raised (exc. exits), this is the highest monthly performance of the ecosystem in 14 months; more than what was raised in the whole of Q2; and 2.5x times the average monthly amount raised over the past 12 months," explained Africa: The Big Deal.
This surge in funding comes amid months of dwindling financing in the African tech ecosystem. While July saw a significant uptick due to three major deals, it remains to be seen if this marks a sustained trend.
The three deals that contributed to the rise includes a $176 million financing for d.light, a Kenya-based startup providing solar energy solutions; $157.5 million for Egyptian fintech unicorn MNT-Halan; and $40 million for Tanzanian fintech Nala. These three transactions accounted for $373.5 million, or 88.9% of the $420 million raised in July 2024.
Over the said period 47 startups raised at least $100,000, with 16 of them securing at least $1 million.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
More...
The government aims to develop the ICT sector and create a digital government that serves all Guineans by 2027.
The Chinese technology firm Huawei will support Guinea in its digital transformation. The support aims to implement robust innovative digital infrastructure to promote widespread access to ICT in Guinea. It was officialized by a memorandum of understanding signed, on Friday August 2nd, during the China-Africa Digital Cooperation Forum recently held in Beijing, China.
Under this agreement, Huawei will assist Guinea in deploying high-speed networks, including fiber optics, to improve connectivity in both urban and rural areas. It also involves helping the country implement e-government solutions to streamline administrative processes and enhance the efficiency of public services. Other projects include developing digital platforms, data centers, and innovation hubs; establishing training and research programs in ICT and digital fields; and strengthening cybersecurity.
The signing of this memorandum of understanding is the result of recent discussions between Rose Pola Pricemou, Guinea’s Minister of Digital Affairs, and a delegation from Huawei, led by its General Manager in Guinea. During these discussions, both parties explored collaboration opportunities, focusing on information systems (SMSI), strengthening the fiber optic backbone, and extending Internet coverage in underserved rural areas.
Huawei's new commitment to Guinea is expected to not only improve the quality and coverage of connectivity services in the country but also reduce their costs. According to the latest official statistics, the country has 7.7 million internet subscribers, with a penetration rate of 56.27%. Guinea, which recently received $60 million from the World Bank for digital projects, hopes to achieve a qualitative leap in its digital transformation through this partnership.
Samira Njoya
As African economies increasingly rely on digital technologies for growth, secure and reliable internet access becomes vital. Enhancing cybersecurity and digital trust helps facilitate online transactions, attract foreign investment, and support economic diversification.
The World Bank announced, on July 29, a call for expressions of interest for a project in Cameroon to strengthen digital trust and boost online transaction security. The initiative seeks experts in cybersecurity policy, capacity assessments, trust frameworks, e-transactions, e-signatures, and public key infrastructure. Proposals are due by August 12.
The consultant will assist in updating Cameroon's National Cybersecurity Strategy from 2018, enhance the regulatory framework for e-signatures, and establish a public key infrastructure. Responsibilities include conducting gap analyses, providing policy recommendations, and hosting capacity-building workshops for government officials.
Selection criteria include the firm's experience, expertise, technical and management skills, and key personnel qualifications. The project is scheduled to begin in September 2024 and is expected to last for nine months.
Cameroon has made strides in establishing a trust framework for online transactions, including the 2010 Law on Cybersecurity and Cybercrime (2010-012), the Law on E-commerce (2010-021), and the 2019 Decree (2019-150) on the National Agency for Information and Communication Technologies (ANTIC). ANTIC regulates cybersecurity and electronic activities. However, the National Cybersecurity Strategy from 2018 remains only partially implemented.
While Cameroon’s legal and regulatory framework reflects a commitment to a secure digital environment, the incomplete implementation of the National Cybersecurity Strategy highlights a governance gap. The World Bank’s call for expert support is vital for refining these efforts and enhancing digital trust and security. Updating the cybersecurity law to address threats like DeepFakes is crucial for protecting citizens and aligning with international standards, thereby strengthening justice and trust in the digital era.
Hikmatu Bilali
Since 2016, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has been encouraging African governments to improve internet access in rural areas. Côte d'Ivoire is working to address this challenge through various initiatives.
The Ivorian government on Friday launched an initiative to bring internet access to rural communities across the country.
Ibrahim Kalil Konaté, Minister of Digital Transition and Digitalization, officially kicked off the program in Djébékaha, a town in the Napié sub-prefecture. The project aims to connect 175 rural localities.
The program, part of the first phase of the World Bank-funded Digital Solutions Project for Opening Up Rural Areas and E-Agriculture (PSDEA), involves building 160 towers to improve connectivity in the Bagoué, Poro, Folon, Bounkani, Tchologo, and Marahoué regions. The PSDEA, launched in 2018, has received $63.2 million in World Bank funding to bridge the digital divide and promote digital agriculture.
The government plans to connect an additional 240 localities in the second phase of the project. A third phase, scheduled for 2025, will connect 160 more, bringing the total to 575 connected rural communities. This will provide thousands of Ivorians with access to online public services, telemedicine, and digital economic opportunities.
Rural connectivity is one of the flagship projects in the 2024 budget allocated to the Ministry of Digital Transition and Digitalization. This budget, amounting to XOF55.6 billion, aims to attract more investments, digitize citizen services, extend digital connectivity in uncovered rural areas, and develop inclusive digital skills nationwide.
Samira Njoya
The digital transformation of judicial systems in Africa holds significant importance for the continent's development. Digital systems reduce the need for physical paperwork, court visits, and administrative tasks, leading to considerable cost savings for the judiciary and litigants. This is particularly beneficial in resource-constrained environments.
Starting August 12, 2024, all urgent applications in the South African Labour Court will be submitted through the Court Online System. Acting Judge President of the Labour Court, Edwin Mogomotsi Molahlehi, announced in a directive signed July 31 that the Office of the Chief Justice has established this e-filing solution for the country's superior courts.
The system allows law firms and litigants to file petitions and documents online and manage court schedules and evidence in real time. Judge Molahlehi clarified that "all urgent applications in the Labour Court will be initiated on Court Online from the specified date. Unless otherwise directed, existing cases cannot be initiated on Court Online." The Court Online System is a comprehensive platform for South Africa's High Courts that facilitates E-Filing, Digital Case Management, and Evidence Management. It enables the electronic sharing and filing of documents, streamlines the inspection of documents, and provides fast, accurate, real-time updates on case statuses.
The South African government has been investing in ICT infrastructure, with digital government services becoming a key focus. For example, the South African National Development Plan envisions increased access to electronic services by 2030.
In the 2023 Network Readiness Index (NRI), which assesses the application and impact of information and communication technology (ICT) across global economies, South Africa is ranked 74th out of 134 countries. The country holds the 2nd position in Africa. South Africa demonstrated strong performance across four key pillars: Technology (including Access, Content, and Future Technologies), People (encompassing Individuals, Businesses, and Governments), Governance (covering Trust, Regulation, and Inclusion), and Impact (focusing on Economy, Quality of Life, and Sustainable Development Goals contribution).
Hikmatu Bilali