Five years after the signing of the design protocol, Senegal’s first satellite is ready to be soon be launched into orbit. 

GAINDESAT-1A, Senegal's first nanosatellite, is ready for its launch. Successfully integrated into an Exolaunch deployer in the United States, this development was revealed by the Senegalese Space Program (Sensat) on Thursday, June 13, via LinkedIn.

The 10 cm-edged nanosatellite will be launched into space in the coming days aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Its primary mission will be to collect data from state meteorology and water level measurement agencies, which have stations across the country.

Additionally, GAINDESAT-1A will capture satellite images of Senegal using an onboard camera. These images will serve as raw material for future developments. The satellite will take images of the country four times a day for six to seven minutes each time, over a five-year period.

This achievement is the result of a collaboration between the Senegalese government and the Space Center of the University of Montpellier (CSUM), where the satellite was designed and built by Senegalese engineers and technicians. Once in orbit, it will be monitored and controlled from Senegal, using a large control room.

With the launch of GAINDESAT-1A, Senegal will become the second Francophone sub-Saharan country, after Djibouti, to have its own satellite. In Africa, Egypt and South Africa were the first to embark on the space adventure in 1998 and 1999, respectively, followed by a dozen other countries.

Samira Njoya

Posted On lundi, 17 juin 2024 10:19 Written by

Intra-African trade is confronted with numerous challenges, particularly regarding the management of goods transportation. To promote the emergence of a common market, it is urgent to identify and overcome existing barriers.

On Thursday, June 13, the Djiboutian Ministry of Infrastructure and Equipment, in collaboration with Djibouti Ports Corridor Road (DPCR) and the European Union, inaugurated a digital fleet management system named "Fleet Management System." This initiative aims to enhance the efficiency of goods transportation between Djibouti and Ethiopia, marking a crucial step for regional trade.

This modern system will allow us to better plan, manage, and the efficient flow of goods, contributing to our vision of making Djibouti a leading logistics and economic hub in Africa,” stated Aboubaker Omar Hadi, President of the Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority (DPFZA).

The launch of this new system is part of a strategic partnership between the European Union and the Republic of Djibouti, supporting the implementation of the Ethiopia-Djibouti Transport Corridor Project. The European Union has invested €32 million in one of the programs aimed at promoting regional economic integration in the Horn of Africa. The objective is to reduce trade costs by 10%, transit times by 15%, and customs clearance times by 30% at certain border crossing points.

The new system, which utilizes radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology, is expected to provide complete and instantaneous control of vehicle routes and transit times along the Djibouti-Ethiopia corridor. This system will also enable all logistics stakeholders to have visibility over truck movements, optimizing logistics operations and reducing waiting times at ports.

Samira Njoya

Posted On lundi, 17 juin 2024 10:13 Written by

Togo's Minister of Digital Economy and Digital Transformation launched the Nana Tech Program on Friday, aiming to equip young female entrepreneurs with the skills needed to thrive in the digital age.

The initiative will train participants in digital professions, enabling them to leverage new technologies to enhance their businesses and boost their performance.

"In line with the government’s ambitions, Nana Tech aims to identify and promote female talents in the fields of education and information technologies," said Kafui Ekouhoho, head of the Togo Digital Agency (ATD) and representative for Minister Cina Lawson, at the program's launch. 

The "Nana Tech" program draws inspiration from the "Nana Benz," Togolese businesswomen who dominated the textile trade in the 1970s and 80s. "Inspired by this valuable heritage, we aim to perpetuate this culture of excellence in the digital economy by promoting Nanatech," Ekouhoho added.

The program anticipates reaching 1,500 women, empowering them to become key players in Togo's digital transformation.

Support from OMCA

This year, the program is hosted entirely within the Djanta Tech hub, with the Millennium Challenge Account Togo (OMCA-Togo) support as part of its ICT promotion program funded by the MCC's Threshold program.

"The Millennium Challenge Account Togo is honored to work with the digital sector in Togo to accelerate and implement the deep reforms initiated since the beginning of the year," stated Jeanne Ngname Bougonou, Director of OMCA, at the launch of this initiative.

Currently, Nana Tech encompasses five complementary programs:

1. Nana Tech Entrepreneurs: A six-month incubation program for female entrepreneurs, providing support with digital tools.

2. Nana Tech Immersion: An intensive six-day training focused on business management and effective use of digital tools.

3. Nana Tech Ecosystem: Roundtable discussions across the country to strengthen the female entrepreneurial ecosystem.

4. Nana Tech Lab: An online training platform.

5. Nana Tech Talents: A one-month intensive program focused on developing entrepreneurial spirit and digital skills among young startups.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi 

Posted On lundi, 17 juin 2024 10:07 Written by

Participation in programs like the AWS Generative AI Accelerator can help African startups gain visibility on a global scale, attracting investors and partners, and ultimately driving economic growth and technological advancement in the region.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has unveiled a $230 million investment to boost generative AI startups globally, AWS announced June 13. The move aims to accelerate innovative AI applications across sectors, supporting startups with AWS credits, mentorship, and resources.

"We'll assist startups in launching and scaling businesses, unleashing new AI applications," said Matt Wood, VP of AI Products at AWS.

The AWS Generative AI Accelerator, a 10-week program, will onboard 80 startups, offering hands-on expertise, mentorship, and up to $1 million in credits each. Applications are open until July 19.

Selected startups gain access to AWS compute, storage, and AI chips like AWS Trainium and AWS Inferentia2, plus Amazon SageMaker.

AWS's dominant 41.5% share of the cloud computing market underscores its significant influence. This level of control suggests that initiatives like the AWS Generative AI Accelerator can shape global AI innovation, including emerging markets like Africa.

Hikmatu Bilali

Posted On vendredi, 14 juin 2024 16:25 Written by

African countries are experiencing a substantial lag in digital development, a situation attributed to various factors. Effectively addressing these delays requires a clear understanding of these underlying issues.

Niger's Minister of Communication, Posts, and Digital Economy, Sidi Mohamed Raliou, officially launched the Digital Economy Diagnostic of Niger (Niger DE4A) on Wednesday, June 12th, in Niamey.

This initiative aims to comprehensively assess the current state of digital services penetration and usage within the country. "The evaluation will provide policymakers with actionable and prioritized recommendations to accelerate the digital transformation of Niger's government and its socio-economic landscape," emphasized the Ministry of Digital Economy.

The program, supported by the World Bank, aligns with broader efforts to assist African nations in implementing the African Union's Digital Transformation Strategy. This strategy seeks to equip every individual, business, and government body on the continent with the necessary digital skills by 2030, ultimately contributing to lifting Africa out of underdevelopment.

The digital economy diagnostic will unfold in three key phases. The first phase involves consultations with relevant stakeholders to gather essential data. This will be followed by the development of a detailed report outlining current challenges and opportunities in Niger's digital landscape. Finally, the program will propose concrete strategies and measures to maximize the country's potential for digital development.

The overall goal of the assessment is to identify and address obstacles hindering Niger's digital progress. Key challenges include insufficient technological infrastructure, limited digital skills among the population, and restrictive regulations. Overcoming these hurdles will not only enhance government efficiency but also stimulate innovation and drive economic growth in Niger.

Samira Njoya


Posted On vendredi, 14 juin 2024 13:41 Written by

In Côte d’Ivoire, digital talents, particularly data analysts, are among the most sought-after in the job market. To strengthen the workforce in this sector, Yango continues to pursue targeted training initiatives.

Ride-hailing platform Yango announced the expansion of its Yango Education program on Wednesday, June 12. The initiative provides free online introductory data analysis courses to Ivorian citizens aged 18 and over who have completed their basic education. The courses are designed by Yango engineers.

"This expansion allows us to offer free access to these courses to a wider community," said Kadotien Soro, Yango's National Director in Côte d'Ivoire. "We believe education is key to driving innovation and creating growth opportunities in the digital economy."

The program offers an 80-hour online data analysis course in Python and SQL, delivered over a one-month period. Yango will select over 1,500 students throughout the year through application reviews and personal interviews. Priority will be given to those aiming for careers in data analysis. The program is also open to Yango's partner drivers, couriers, and their families.

This initiative builds on Yango's commitment to fostering African entrepreneurship by equipping young people with skills to collect, analyze, and visualize data for business development. The first phase of the program benefitted approximately 250 participants.

Samira Njoya

Posted On jeudi, 13 juin 2024 17:41 Written by

Modernizing the administration to improve efficiency and equip it for the challenges of the new economy is a key focus for Senegal's President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye. President Faye is committed to implementing reforms that will optimize governmental effectiveness in this vital area.

Senegal Numérique SA (Sénum SA), the state-run agency responsible for managing Senegal's digital infrastructure, has a new leader. Isidore Diouf (pictured right) took the helm on Friday, June 7, succeeding Cheikh Bakhoum (pictured center) who served for nearly a decade (9 years, 11 months).

Diouf, tasked with executing President Bassirou Diomaye Faye's digital policy, outlined his strategic vision. He views digital technology as an engine for development across various sectors, including economic, industrial, healthcare, and education. He positions Sénégal Numérique, designated a "strategic state enterprise," as central to this transformation.

Diouf identified key elements for success: building robust and secure digital infrastructure, acting as a central hub to coordinate government digital programs, fostering collaboration with Information Systems Departments (DSI) within the government, and establishing strong partnerships with stakeholders in the digital space.

Diouf will build upon the accomplishments of his predecessor, Bakhoum, whose initiatives have positioned Senegal as a leader in the West African digital landscape. Notable achievements include the Smart Senegal project, the deployment of nearly 4,400 kilometers of fiber optic cable, the SHARE submarine cable, the construction of the national data center in Diamniadio (commissioned in 2021), and the digitization of numerous administrative procedures.

The new director's focus is on bridging the digital divide within Senegal and diversifying state revenue. According to official 2021 statistics, the digital economy currently contributes about 3.3% to GDP, while internet penetration sits at roughly 46%. The Sénégal Numérique 2025 (SN2025) strategy aims to increase the digital economy's share of GDP to 10%.

Samira Njoya

Posted On jeudi, 13 juin 2024 15:54 Written by

In July 2023, Sonatel became the first Senegalese operator to acquire a 5G license in the country, for nearly $57 million. In March 2024, it announced the launch of ultra-high-speed commercial internet exclusively for residential and business customers.

Senegalese telecom company Sonatel (Orange) announced the launch of its 5G mobile offers on Saturday, June 8. The operator promises its subscribers "instant download and streaming speeds, as well as increased responsiveness for real-time applications such as online gaming, virtual reality, telemedicine, e-education, and many others."

To access the service, Sonatel subscribers will need 5G-compatible devices and must be in areas already covered by the network. Sonatel's 5G network currently covers the cities of Dakar, Thiès, Saint-Louis, Diourbel, Kaolack, and Louga, with 176 sites deployed. The company plans to extend the next-generation mobile network coverage to the entire Dakar region by the end of 2024.

In March, Sonatel announced the launch of commercial 5G services in Senegal, nearly simultaneously with its competitor Saga Africa Holding Limited (Free). However, the initial offers from the historic operator were limited to fixed 5G for residential and business customers. On May 21, Sékou Dramé, the company's CEO, announced the launch of commercial 5G mobile offers for June 1.

The launch of Sonatel's 5G mobile service is expected to democratize the service in a Senegalese telecom market dominated by mobile consumers. It should also help the company strengthen its market-leading position, particularly in the Internet segment. Sonatel claims the status of "first 5G operator in Senegal and, to date, the only one offering 5G services."

According to data from the Regulatory Authority for Telecommunications and Posts (ARTP), Sonatel held a 65.2% share of the Internet market with 19.8 million subscribers as of December 31, 2023. In the mobile phone market, the operator had 12.6 million subscribers, representing a market share of 56.4%.

Isaac K. Kassouwi

 

Posted On jeudi, 13 juin 2024 10:32 Written by

Digitalization streamlines processes, reducing paperwork, time, and resources required for court proceedings. This efficiency can lead to faster resolution of cases, which is crucial for economic development as it enhances the ease of doing business and fosters investor confidence.

Zimbabwe’s Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has embarked on a campaign to digitalize magistrates courts nationwide, aiming to improve access to judicial information. The campaign was launched across all 10 provinces as the JSC marked its 14th anniversary on June 10.

Chief Magistrate Faith Mushure said, "Digitalization of the magistrates courts will begin on January 1, 2025. This is a critical step towards ensuring efficient, transparent, and accessible justice for all Zimbabweans."

Since its establishment in 2010, the JSC has aimed to provide easy access to courts and judicial services across Zimbabwe, particularly in marginalized areas.

In its DIGITAL ECONOMY FOR ZIMBABWE Country Diagnostic 2021 report, the World Bank reveals that Zimbabwe has the potential to establish a strong digital government, having laid the foundation for a digital ID system, core back-end systems, an accessible government portal, and innovative digital services. This development signals a shift towards modernization and efficiency within the country's governance structures.

Hikmatu Bilali

Posted On mercredi, 12 juin 2024 17:06 Written by

Africa's digital transformation is gaining momentum, and building a strong digital infrastructure is crucial to achieving the goals outlined in previous strategy documents.

Mauritania plans to install an additional 2,300 kilometers of optic fiber cable nationwide, Minister of Digital Transformation Mohamed Abdallahi Ould Louly announced on June 10th. The plan, unveiled at the launch of a fiber optic training program, aims to connect all wilayas and moughatas to fiber optic infrastructure.

This initiative is part of the Mauritanian government's Digital Agenda 2022-2025, which seeks to leverage digital technology as a catalyst for accelerating the country's socio-economic development. In May 2021, the government established a specialized ministry to oversee all projects related to this vision. Since then, the country has already implemented more than 5,500 kilometers of fiber optic cable as part of its efforts to improve digital infrastructure.

In addition to political will, this progress has been driven by various partnerships. Notable agreements include several partnerships with the United Arab Emirates and France, as well as prospects for enhanced cooperation in the digital sector with the United Nations. On April 2, the Mauritanian minister met with Leila Peters Yahya, the UN system's Resident Coordinator in Mauritania, in Nouakchott to discuss these collaborations.

Under its Digital Agenda 2022-2025, Mauritania planned to lay 4,000 kilometers of backbone infrastructure by 2025 and has outlined plans for an additional 4,000 kilometers in the coming years. The goal is to enhance Internet connectivity and access to international bandwidth, which are essential conditions for the development of e-government, the proliferation of startups, and the emergence of a technological ecosystem in the country.

Adoni Conrad Quenum

Posted On mercredi, 12 juin 2024 13:48 Written by
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