News (1584)
After developing various e-health applications, the Canadian firm is looking to take on new challenges in the healthcare technology sector.
Yulcom Technologies, a Canadian IT and AI consulting firm with operations across Africa, announced a $2 million two-year investment in developing an AI-powered medical diagnostic aid system.
"Our solution contributes to solving a major public health issue, that of supporting medical staff who are under pressure from a shortage of healthcare workers," said Yulcom’s CEO, Youmani Jérôme Lankoandé, on Wednesday.
Across Africa and the world, AI is increasingly infiltrating diverse sectors, including healthcare, where its potential for revolutionizing diagnosis is attracting substantial interest. Yulcom, led by Burkina Faso-born entrepreneur Lankoandé, is joining this wave with its upcoming Diagnostic Assistance System.
"YULCOM puts forward an innovative vision in the design of AI models that can reduce waiting times for specialist consultations and improve survival rates for patients in the most remote or under-served areas," explains Komi Sodoké, Yulcom's director of AI Projects.
However, concerns regarding AI ethics and responsible use remain prominent. In November, 18 countries, including Nigeria, signed an agreement to prevent AI misuse. The United Nations also established an AI advisory committee to underscore responsible AI development and implementation.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Schools everywhere had to close for COVID-19, so teaching online became super important, like a must-do. But just throwing kids online isn't enough. Schools need new tools and new ways of teaching to make sure students learn what they need in a world that's always changing.
To modernize education and enhance transparency, the Tunisian Ministry of Education on Wednesday launched "L’école de la Tunisie du futur," a comprehensive digital platform for students, parents, and teachers.
Accessible at http://www.tarbia.tn./fr, the platform provides dedicated portals for each group, streamlining administrative processes, facilitating distance learning, and offering real-time student monitoring. Parents can track attendance, assignments, and progress reports, while educators can manage classes and engage with students remotely.
This digital initiative dovetails with the Ministry's broader strategy of integrating technology into schools and closing the digital divide. The “Modern School on Every Hill" project aims to connect 3,300 schools to broadband internet by the end of the year, bridging the connectivity gap in rural areas.
According to Minister of Education Mohamed Ali Boughdiri, with the digital transition being crucial to improving education quality, the platform not only promotes transparency and efficiency but also streamlines essential services such as school meals, scholarships, and guidance.
Samira Njoya
In a bid to enhance transparency, efficiency, and combat corruption, Togo has embarked on an ambitious digital transformation journey, focusing on key sectors like taxation. Following the lead of several African nations, the West African country aims to leverage technology to streamline administrative processes and improve resource traceability.
Togolese drivers can now ditch the queues and pay their motor vehicle tax (TVM) from the comfort of their smartphones, marking a new chapter in the country's digital tax revolution.
The Togolese Revenue Office (OTR) launched the online payment system on Tuesday, January 2, following its December announcement. The move streamlines tax compliance for vehicle owners, eliminating the need for time-consuming visits to physical offices. It also contributes to improving the level of tax collection and ensures greater transparency in operations.
The online TVM payment is part of a broader digitization push by the OTR to modernize tax administration and boost revenue. Several other services, including tax identification (NIF) acquisition, have already gone digital. Through the nif.otr.tg platform, Togolese citizens can now obtain their NIF, pay taxes and fees, register real estate, and access other services, all from their mobile phones.
According to recently published OTR figures, tax revenues have doubled in the past decade, soaring from XOF403 billion (around $673 million) in 2013 to XOF865 billion in 2022.
Samira Njoya
Algeria's ambitious drive to digitize its economy is starting to bear fruit, with key sectors experiencing tangible benefits from the government's focus on technological advancements.
Algeria is fast-tracking its journey towards a fully digitized government, with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune announcing the ambitious goal of "total dematerialization" of public services by mid-2024. The ambitious digital overhaul aims to simplify citizen interactions, streamline administrative processes, and reduce reliance on physical services.
In a landmark address to parliament on December 25, Tebboune outlined significant progress in digitizing key sectors, including national land registry, taxes, customs, healthcare, and digital identity. He declared, "By the end of 2024's first half, we will have definitively settled this question."
The push for digital transformation has gained momentum throughout 2023. Under Tebboune's directive, several initiatives have modernized crucial areas like education, where over 46 digital platforms for training and research were launched by the Ministry of Higher Education. Similarly, the labor, employment, and social security sector has seen numerous online platforms introduced, aiming to expedite service delivery and reduce the need for physical visits.
To spearhead these efforts, a High Commission for Digitization, led by Meriem Benmouloud, was established in September. This body is tasked with crafting the national digitization strategy and ensuring its effective implementation. Benmouloud confirmed that the strategy, currently under development, will be further bolstered by a dedicated law on digitization expected in the first quarter of 2024.
Samira Njoya
As Algeria embarks on a path of economic modernization, the North African nation is intensifying efforts to cultivate a vibrant ecosystem for innovative startups. This drive is poised to witness the proliferation of projects tackling social challenges with innovative technological solutions.
In a bid to fuel its fledgling startup ecosystem, Algeria has launched a dedicated crowdfunding platform, tapping into a global trend gaining traction.
The platform, launched on the sidelines of the first annual forum of the Algerian Securities Market Commission (COSOB), aims to bridge the gap between financial backers and aspiring entrepreneurs.
"This opens new doors for startups to access funding, broadening their options," said Yacine El-Mahdi Oualid (photo), Algeria's Minister of the Knowledge Economy, Startups, and Micro-enterprises.
The initiative dovetails with the government's broader thrust to expand financing avenues for innovative ventures. In October, a decree paved the way for crowdfunding activity in the country.
The platform is expected to empower companies with socially impactful projects to tap into a wider pool of investors through the digital platform.
Algeria is catching up with a rapidly surging global trend. Worldwide crowdfunding transactions ballooned from $1.5 billion in 2011 to $140 billion in 2022, with China leading the pack with a market size of $60-$100 billion. Africa, according to the World Bank, could see its crowdfunding market reach $2.5 billion by 2025.
Samira Njoya
Driven by the quest for new avenues of growth, Meta is pouring its efforts into Africa, a continent teeming with promise. The company is actively engaged through a multitude of projects and initiatives with some noticeable successes.
In Africa, over 21,800 businesses received valuable skills and support, empowering them to thrive in the digital age through the programs of Meta –the social media giant behind Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. According to key highlights disclosed by the company last Wednesday, Meta's dedication to nurturing creativity also shone through, with over 1,000 creators participating in innovation programs, honing their talents and reaching wider audiences. Moreover, the company's digital literacy initiatives made a significant impact, equipping over 160,000 individuals with essential skills to navigate the online world confidently.
"We remain committed to the continent, and our 2023 highlights reinforce some of the impact we’ve been able to create by supporting the growing ecosystems of creators and building communities through technology," commented Kezia Anim-Addo, Communications Director, Africa Middle East & Turkey, Meta.
Nine flagship projects across the continent in 2023 have enabled Meta to record the achievements highlighted. They include Creator Lab Live, a unique educational program for content creators in Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa; Instagram Creators x Brand Academy’s nano courses; "Made by Africa, Loved by the World"; WhatsApp Channels; EbaSafeOnline; Youth Safety and Wellbeing; My Digital World; African XR Realities Lab and Meta Connect 2023.
According to Meta, its resources have been directed towards "initiatives that align with its core mission of empowering users to build communities and bring the world closer together."
Samira Njoya
In recent years, cybersecurity has become a key issue for African countries. It has therefore become crucial to train talents in the field.
On Tuesday, December 19, the American Business Council (ABC) launched a virtual center to train Nigerian talent in the field of cybersecurity. The aim is to bridge the skills gap in the sector.
"We are trying to create awareness for the talent gap we have in Nigeria. There is an urgent need for capacity building and upskilling the market that can help drive cybersecurity in Nigeria," said Margaret Olele, ABC’s Chief Executive Officer and Executive Secretary.
The acceleration of digital transformation has made African nations aware of the importance of a secure cyberspace. Nigeria, one of the continent's leading technology nations, is a top performer in the cybersecurity sector. It has a national Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT) and a national cybersecurity strategy. According to the International Telecommunication Union's Global Cybersecurity Index 2020, the country led by Bola Tinubu ranks fourth on the continent with a score of 84.76, just behind Ghana and ahead of Kenya.
Speaking on the subject, Aderonke Adeyegbe, CEO of Commercio Limited (a Nigerian ICT company) said: “We need a talent factory that meets international standards that the students would be exposed to. This is one of the ways to bridge the shortage of cybersecurity skills in Nigeria and the world.”
Adoni Conrad Quenum
As part of its digital transformation ambitions, the Zambian government wants to accelerate Internet adoption. Connectivity for all projects is underway across the country to enable the population to fully capitalize on the services being digitized.
Next year, the Zambian government will establish community digital transformation centers across the nation, offering citizens free Internet access, Science and Technology Minister Felix Chipota Mutati announced on December 19.
“These centers will not only provide internet access but will also serve as training grounds for digital literacy and skills programs including digital entrepreneurship and innovation, creating opportunities for jobs and empowerment. We believe that empowering our citizens with digital skills is as crucial as providing internet access,” he explained.
The announcement closely follows the government's decision to phase out 2G technology in favor of improved connectivity. These initiatives align with the government's broader goals of bridging the digital divide and ensuring that every citizen can benefit from the opportunities presented by the digital age.
To establish the community centers, Smart Zambia, the institute responsible for implementing e-governance in Zambia, will draw on the infrastructure of the Zambia Postal Services Corporation and other appropriate infrastructures. The services provided by these centers will encompass various e-government functions, including business licenses, cooperative registration, road taxes, and social cash transfers.
Samira Njoya
The Guinean government is intensifying efforts to ensure high-speed Internet access for the entire population. In that regard, collaboration with partners, including the World Bank, is expected to play a crucial role in advancing these initiatives.
On Thursday, December 14, the Guinean government and the World Bank signed a $60 million agreement to improve mobile Internet access in Guinea. The agreement was announced by Ousmane Gaoual Diallo, Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Economy, on his X page.
The new World Bank investment will enable Guinea to build quality digital infrastructure, deploy fiber optic backbones, and reduce the country's pronounced digital divide. The initiative is part of the World Bank-funded West Africa Regional Digital Integration Program (DTfA/WARDIP). Earlier this month, the financial institution announced $266.5 million in funding to improve Internet access in four countries in the region: Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Mauritania.
In Guinea, the initiative comes at a time when the country is grappling with Internet access restrictions and limited access to social networks, while the rate of Internet access in the country continues to rise. According to the latest report from the local telecom regulator ARTP, mobile Internet penetration in Guinea stood at 55.2% in the third quarter of 2022.
This major agreement will strengthen market connectivity by removing obstacles to cross-border telecommunications, thereby increasing Internet access in the region. It will also protect cross-border data exchanges to foster innovation and access to data-based services. It will also contribute to simplifying access to digital services and online transactions and boosting e-commerce in the region.
Samira Njoya
According to DataReportal stats, in early 2023, Libya’s internet penetration rate was 45.9% for 3.14 million users. To fill the gap, internet service providers are teaming up with major international groups.
On Wednesday, December 13, Eutelsat OneWeb, a British satellite Internet provider, announced a memorandum of understanding with Libyan Internet service provider Rafawed Libya for Telecommunications & Technology (RLTT) to use its constellation of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to improve the quality of high-speed, low-latency connectivity throughout Libya. The contract will take effect from 2024.
"We have been working with Eutelsat Group for several years now and are excited to bring its high-speed, low-latency connectivity to our customers across the oil and gas, cellular backhaul, and humanitarian sectors. By combining both LEO and GEO-powered connectivity, we can meet the different needs of our customers without having to use multiple providers. Through this exclusive deal, we look forward to bringing unmatched connectivity across Libya," said Taha Ellafi, Chairman of RLTT.
The partnership, which is part of the British satellite Internet provider's planned African expansion, reinforces the longstanding partnership between the Libyan operator and Eutelsat, dating back to 2013. With Eutelsat's recent merger with OneWeb, the company is now equipped to provide not only geostationary solutions but also low-Earth orbit alternatives. These expanded capabilities are being passed on to RLTT as part of the enhanced contract.
"We continue to see huge demand for high-speed connectivity as we roll out our LEO services globally, with the wide variety of potential use cases that the increased resilience offers proving highly attractive to customers. By building on existing customer relationships, we can grow the business in international markets and continue to bridge the digital divide globally," explained Cyril Dujardin, Co-General Manager of Eutelsat OneWeb.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
More...
Recognizing the transformative power of digital solutions, Egypt prioritizes international cooperation in its "Digital Egypt 2030" strategy. Recent ICT and telecoms agreements address critical infrastructure gaps and pave the way for a digitally fueled future, unlocking greater socio-economic prosperity.
The United Arab Emirates and Egypt recently signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a comprehensive framework for investment cooperation in the field of digital infrastructure, with a particular focus on data center projects in the Arab Republic of Egypt.
The agreement also provides for the improvement of relations between governmental and private institutions in the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, the development of certifications, research and development, and innovation in data center projects. According to the press release announcing the signature, a joint action plan and mechanisms for monitoring the implementation of the memorandum will also be developed through cooperation between the two parties.
"This memorandum supports our joint efforts to drive innovation and growth, contribute to the development of the digital economy in the Arab Republic of Egypt, and develop its digital infrastructure in preparation for the future," said Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi (photo, left), UAE Minister of Investment.
The signing of the MoU aligns with the Egyptian government's efforts to implement its "Digital Egypt 2030" digital transformation strategy, which aims to propel the country's ICT sector, modernize its telecoms infrastructure, and establish a robust network of data centers across the nation.
Ultimately, the agreement will enable the development of data centers with a total capacity of up to 1,000 megawatts, meeting the growing need for data centers in Egypt. Currently, the country operates 15 data centers while data from Statista reveals that the Egyptian data center market is poised to grow by 7.23% (2023-2028) to reach a market volume of $369.90 million by 2028.
Samira Njoya
Prior to the digital revolution, centralizing population and housing data collected on paper was a cumbersome and time-consuming process. Data extraction could take months, hindering its use by government agencies like the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education. Today, information and communication technologies have transformed this landscape.
On Tuesday, December 12, President Yoweri Museveni officially unveiled the country's 11th National Population and Housing Census (NPHC), set to unfold in May 2024. This time, the census will be completely digital. No more bulky paper registers. Everything will be done using connected digital tablets.
According to the Executive Director of the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), Chris Ndatira Mukiza, digitization will not only minimize errors associated with paper-based data entry in previous years, but will also shorten the publication date of the final data. The first results are expected in the second quarter of the year.
"So this will be the record time because we have been taking 2-3 years to reach the final product. But now because of electronic devices, we have cut so many steps," explained Mukiza.
To carry out the NPHC, the government will finance over 91% of the activities, i.e. 320.9 billion shillings (around $84.6 million). In addition to financial resources, the government will also deploy enumerators to households. They will be provided with digital tablets for the census.
In February 2023, 20 computers and digital accessories were handed over to the Bureau of Statistics to ensure that the process runs smoothly.
This census is the sixth to be carried out post-independence, the first digital, and the third conducted by UBOS. It is part of the 2030 Development Agenda, the 2063 Agenda for Africa, Uganda's Vision 2040, and the 4th Development Plan (NDPIV) that the government is about to launch.
Samira Njoya
As part of its digital transformation process, the Ethiopian government is investing in digital identification. The new project in that line is an e-passport initiative.
On Wednesday, December 13, the Ethiopian Immigration and Citizenship Services (ICS) and Toppan Gravity Ethiopia –a joint venture between Ethiopian Investment Holdings, Toppan Group, Berhanena Selam Printing Enterprise, and Educational Materials Production and Distribution Enterprise– officially signed a supply and services agreement to begin work on the new Ethiopian e-passport. The aim is to provide the country with a new, more secure travel document.
"This partnership marks a significant stride in modernizing Ethiopia's passport system, offering enhanced security features and improved efficiency," reads a tweet by the Immigration and Citizenship Services.
In recent years, Ethiopia has implemented several digital projects aimed at improving population identification. For instance, it set up the Fayda, a World Bank-supported program aimed at registering 90 million people by 2025. A similar program has also been set up to provide digital identification for 90,000 refugees and returnees on Ethiopian soil.
In a country that is immense in size and torn by internal conflicts between various ethnic groups, the introduction of the e-passport should significantly reduce the risk of identity forgery and fraud, thanks to additional levels of identity verification.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
According to the World Bank, the digital economy could generate more than $5.5 billion for Côte d'Ivoire by 2025, and more than $20 billion by 2050. However, seizing this golden opportunity requires immediate investment in critical infrastructure and initiatives.
Ibrahim Kalil Konaté (photo, center), Ivorian Minister for Digital Transition and Digitization, launched the construction of the next national data center in Abidjan on Thursday, December 14, in the presence of Jessica Davis Ba (photo, left), US Ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire. Certified Tier 3, the 2,200-terabit infrastructure will be built on a 20,000-square-meter site at the headquarters of the Radio Frequency Management Agency (AIGF) in Marcory-Anoumabo. The construction budget is $60 million.
"The National Data Center symbolizes our quest for digital sovereignty. It is designed to stimulate the dematerialization of administrative procedures, thus serving to modernize our public administration. As a catalyst for innovation, this Data Center will not only host the data of national administrative entities but also offer disaster recovery and business continuity solutions, thereby strengthening the resilience and security of our information systems," said the Minister.
The project aligns with the national digital development strategy, which was formally adopted in 2021. This comprehensive strategy, announced by Amadou Coulibaly, the then Minister for the Digital Economy, in June 2022, encompasses not only the construction of vital facilities but also the ambitious deployment of 7,000 kilometers of fiber optics by 2025.
Data centers are key to the ongoing digital transformation. African countries therefore need to invest in these infrastructures especially since the continent hosts only 2% of the global data centers, according to the International Telecommunication Union.
Adoni Conrad Quenum