With a population of over 220 million, Nigeria is the most populous country on the African continent. It is therefore crucial for the government to establish an effective system for the clear identification of its citizens and residents.

IDEMIA Smart Identity, a division of French identity technology firm IDEMIA, announced the renewal of its partnership with the Nigerian National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) on Tuesday. The collaboration aims to upgrade the NIMC’s biometric system, making it one of the most advanced globally, according to IDEMIA. The future biometric matching system will be capable of processing up to one million identity verification searches daily.

Taking this next step in the enhancement of our system with IDEMIA Smart Identity was a natural choice for us. We wanted to ensure that we deliver the best-in-class solution to our fellow Nigerians, and the pure power of the biometric matching we will receive ensures that the solution is future-proof for our growing population,” said Abisoye Coker-Odusote, CEO of NIMC.

The initiative is part of the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) project, funded by the World Bank since 2020. The project aims to issue digital identities to 148 million citizens by June 30, 2024, a goal that Nigeria appears to be on track to achieve, according to a recent World Bank report.

The partnership renewal follows the government’s recent announcement of the introduction of innovative identity cards with a payment function, powered by AfriGO, a national domestic card system. This will enable all types of social and financial services.

The system upgrade should allow NIMC to provide all Nigerians with access to a secure and reliable identity, enabling them to exercise their rights and responsibilities as citizens. The initial system was designed to handle 100 million entries, but it has now been upgraded to handle around 90 million registrations. This necessitates the extension, which will include 250 million entries to cover the entire Nigerian population.

Samira Njoya

Posted On mardi, 09 avril 2024 17:03 Written by

The 2Africa subsea cable aims to interconnect Europe, Asia and Africa. Its landings in African countries are encouraging partnerships to improve connectivity on the continent.

Authorities in Akwa Ibom State have entered into a partnership with MainOne, a leading West African provider of data centers and connectivity solutions, to construct approximately 140 kilometers of fiber optic infrastructure in the region. The partnership, announced on April 5, aims to provide high-speed connectivity across several regions of southern Nigeria.

This collaboration follows the February landing of the 2Africa cable at Qua Iboe in Akwa Ibom State. The 45,000-kilometre fiber optic submarine cable, part of a consortium led by American company Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, will connect Europe, Asia, and Africa, with a nominal capacity of up to 180 terabits per second.

Abayomi Adebanjo, Regional Director of MainOne, stated at the 2Africa landing that his company is "dedicated to improving Internet capacity and driving various aspects of development, including economic growth, digital transformation, healthcare, security, agriculture and increased state revenue in South-South Nigeria."

In addition to the 2Africa cable, Nigeria is connected to six other cables: Google's Equiano, SAT3, MainOne, Glo1, Africa Coast to Europe (ACE), and West Africa Cable System (WACS). As of February 2024, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) reported that 163.3 million people in Nigeria had Internet access, with 93.4 million having broadband access.

Adoni Conrad Quenum

Posted On mardi, 09 avril 2024 13:42 Written by

In 2023, sub-Saharan African countries lost nearly $1.74 billion due to Internet outages and restrictions on access to social networks. Despite these losses, governments continue to use this lever for a variety of reasons.

Voluntary internet blackouts in Sudan, Chad, Senegal, and Comoros resulted in a loss of $39.5 million in the first quarter of 2024, according to data aggregated by Internet Society Pulse.

In Senegal, internet blackouts on February 4-7 and 13 followed the postponement of presidential elections, leading to an estimated loss of $75,523. In Comoros, a blackout from January 17-19, following the re-election of President Azali Assoumani, resulted in a loss of $24,252.

The situation in Chad is more complex, with internet access being cut off since February 28 due to events such as the attempted assassination of Supreme Court President Samir Adam Annour, the assassination of opposition leader Yaya Dillo, and subsequent civil demonstrations. The blackout has already resulted in nearly $2.95 million in losses.

In Sudan, losses are estimated at $36.5 million due to disruptions in internet services amid escalating violence. Internet Society Pulse reports a drop in connections and traffic, with the two main internet service providers, Sudatel and MTN, which hold 53% and 21% of the market share respectively, having completely disappeared.

Additionally, the Amhara region of Ethiopia, home to over 40 million people, has been without internet access since August 3, 2023. This comes in the wake of conflict between the government and the nationalist and irredentist Amhara militia, known as the Fano, formed in the 2010s.

Adoni Conrad Quenum

Posted On mardi, 09 avril 2024 10:42 Written by

Since it arrived in Guinea in 2006, Huawei has contributed to the implementation of various digital projects. In the years to come, the government would like to benefit from its expertise once again.

The Republic of Guinea is turning to Huawei for assistance with several digital initiatives. On April 5, Rose Pola Pricemou (photo), the Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and the Digital Economy, met with a delegation from Huawei in Guinea to discuss potential collaborations aimed at bolstering the nation’s digital infrastructure and fostering technological advancement.

The projects under discussion include training for those involved in computer systems modernization services (SMSI), strengthening the backbone, implementing the Guinea Safe City program, expanding Internet coverage to underserved rural areas, and organizing ICT Girls’ Day on April 25.

These initiatives, for which Guinea is seeking Huawei’s support, form a crucial part of the National Digitisation Strategy’s implementation, which aims to modernize the country’s administration and key sectors. Huawei has been a long-standing partner in this process, having been operational in the country since 2006. The company has spearheaded numerous projects, including the construction of 4,000 km of fiber optic cable, thereby contributing to the development of Guinea’s communications infrastructure.

With recent financial backing of $60 million from the World Bank, the Guinean government is hoping to ramp up its efforts in collaboration with Huawei. The government’s primary digital projects currently include the construction of a digital village, extension of the national fiber optic network, connection to new international fiber optic submarine cables, launch of the public telecommunications company Guinée Télécom, digitization of the administration and various public services, and provision of Internet connectivity to 300 schools and some universities.

Samira Njoya

Posted On lundi, 08 avril 2024 16:37 Written by

E-health provides much-needed services in Africa, particularly by extending healthcare provision to regions where health workers are scarce. However, challenges persist, including the need for better coordination of various initiatives.

The International Committee of Digital Health Experts in Africa (CEISNA) has partnered with the Higher Institute of Public Health in Bamako, Mali, to improve the country’s healthcare systems, according to an announcement made on April 6.

"In a country facing major health challenges, the involvement of the senior management of Mali's Institute of Public Health in this collaboration is not only remarkable but essential. This partnership clearly illustrates Mali's determination to promote the well-being of its population through digital innovation in health," says CEISNA in a press release.

The collaboration will see the implementation of targeted initiatives to strengthen local capacities, expand access to quality care, and leverage modern technology to serve the Malian population better. The partnership also plans to foster a synergy of expertise to stimulate the development of innovative digital health solutions, promote knowledge sharing, and launch projects aimed at transforming healthcare access in Mali.

The partnership aligns with the joint commitment of CEISNA and the Institut Supérieur de Santé Publique de Bamako to enhance Mali’s healthcare systems through digital technology. This comes as Mali is in the process of overhauling its healthcare system, with the National Strategic Plan for Digital Health 2024-2028 approved last December.

The collaboration is expected to herald a new era in the collective effort towards sustainable development and the promotion of public health in Africa, ultimately contributing significantly to the well-being of the people of Mali and the wider region.

Samira Njoya

Posted On lundi, 08 avril 2024 11:45 Written by

The benefit of remote work culture to African technology adoption lies in its capacity to democratize access to global talent and foster collaboration across borders, among others, thereby propelling Africa's technological advancement.

South Africa has officially passed its digital nomad visa regulations into law, following a draft released in February. The law, which took effect on 28 March 2024, paves the way for the issuance of digital nomad visas. This move aims to attract international talent and stimulate economic growth.

The regulations follow months of deliberation and public consultation. Despite concerns about its impact on the cost of living and tax leakage, the government is optimistic about the benefits for the economy.

South Africa's diverse landscapes and thriving tech scene make it an attractive destination for digital nomads. According to the ‘State Of The ICT Sector Report’ released on 31 March 2024, 5G network coverage in the region has seen a significant increase, growing from 20% in 2022 to 38.42% in 2023, while all provinces in urban areas have achieved 97- 100% coverage for both 3G and 4G/LTE networks. This growth is attributed to the substantial investments in mobile infrastructure. The enhanced network reliability and speed are expected to boost IoT and digital service advancements, marking a notable step in the transformative journey of this new era of remote work.

The digital nomad visa is crucial for driving technology adoption in Africa by attracting global talent, fostering knowledge transfer, promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening tech ecosystems, and encouraging remote work culture.

Hikmatu Bilali

 

Posted On vendredi, 05 avril 2024 10:32 Written by

In January 2023, Ghanaian fintech Zeepay raised $10 million, bringing the total funds raised since its launch in 2014 to $24.6 million. The company aims to continue its expansion in its markets and to attract new capital.

Ghana-based fintech firm Zeepay has successfully concluded a funding round, securing an undisclosed amount from pan-African investors including Africa50, Oikocredit, Injaro, Verdant Capital Hybrid Fund, and I&P. The announcement was made in a press release on Thursday, April 4. The funds are set to bolster Zeepay’s operations in cross-border remittances and mobile money in Africa and the Caribbean.

Andrew Takyi-Appiah, the startup’s founder, stated, “The raise will greatly assist us in completing our ongoing expansion drive into the rest of Africa. Our short to medium plan is to expand our mobile money reach into a minimum of 10 countries within the next two years, leveraging remittances in partnership with MoneyGram, and we are delighted to see this vision come through.”

Established in 2014, Zeepay specializes in facilitating instant remittance settlements to mobile money wallets in Africa and the Caribbean on behalf of leading international money transfer organizations (IMTOs). The fintech firm, which operates in around 20 countries globally, has already raised over $24 million to accelerate its growth, particularly in Africa and the Caribbean. Through its technology and various partnerships, Zeepay enables real-time money transfers abroad via a mobile wallet to more than 150 countries.

The fintech sector is the most appealing segment of the African technology industry for investors. In 2023, young entrepreneurs in this segment raised $852 million, and $1.9 billion in 2022, as per data from Partech Africa, a tech investment firm with offices in Dakar (Senegal) and Nairobi (Kenya).

Adoni Conrad Quenum

Posted On vendredi, 05 avril 2024 09:43 Written by

Africa, the world’s youngest and most vibrant continent, stands to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) for economic expansion. Yet, appropriate backing is required for the continent to harness this technology effectively.

China is eager to enhance its partnership with Africa in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI), the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) stated on Wednesday, April 3. The announcement followed the China-Africa Internet Development and Cooperation Forum, which took place in Xiamen, China, from April 2 to 3. 

The CAC statement outlined cooperation areas, including AI research, technological advancement, and its application in Chinese and African academic and research institutions. Key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and urban management will also be involved. The collaboration will extend to digital infrastructure development, talent exchange, capacity building, cybersecurity, and data protection. 

The declaration comes as African experts ponder the enormous opportunities that this technology could bring to the continent, provided the right policies and infrastructure are in place. According to a recent analysis by the US think tank Brookings Institution, only seven African countries have developed national AI strategies, and none have implemented formal AI regulation.

Collaborating with China, a country advanced in AI, could empower Africa to establish supportive policies and robust infrastructure, harnessing AI’s boundless opportunities and propelling its development. As per PwC’s Annual Global CEO Survey, AI could add $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, with Africa potentially generating $1.2 trillion, signifying a 5.6% rise in the continent’s GDP by 2030.

Samira Njoya

 

Posted On vendredi, 05 avril 2024 09:37 Written by

In a bid to become a model of inclusive development via digital technology, the government of Madagascar is collaborating with both local and global partners. Several initiatives are currently in progress to achieve this goal.

Madagascar’s Digital Development, Posts and Telecommunications Minister, Tahina Razafindramalo, launched “Antananarivo 42”, a tuition-free institution aimed at equipping the youth with essential digital and programming skills, on Tuesday, April 2.

Backed by the Axian group, this initiative addresses Madagascar’s increasing demand for expertise in areas such as big data, artificial intelligence, web development, network and systems administration, and cybersecurity, as highlighted by the French embassy in Madagascar.

The inaugural batch of 196 students will undergo a three-year program, learning various programming languages and working on practical projects, often in partnership with associated companies. The objective is to effectively prepare them for the IT job market.

Official data indicates that the sector accounts for over 30,000 formal jobs in Madagascar, with the job market’s demands continually changing. Consequently, the Ministry of Digital Development, Posts and Telecommunications plans significant investment in digital profession training, including the imminent establishment of the National Digital Institute, projected to train over 3,000 individuals annually.

With the inauguration of Antananarivo 42, Madagascar joins Morocco as the second African country in the global 42 network. This network, initially established by French billionaire Xavier Niel, comprises 54 campuses across 31 countries, offering innovative, free programming and IT development training. The schools admit students without any diploma prerequisites or age restrictions.

Samira Njoya

Posted On jeudi, 04 avril 2024 13:02 Written by

Burkina Faso has been documenting internally displaced individuals for the past few months, with international allies like Japan providing support.

On April 2, the Japanese government donated digital equipment to the Burkina Faso Ministry of Solidarity, Humanitarian Action, National Reconciliation, Gender and Family. The donation aims to assist the government in the biometric registration of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The Ministry of Humanitarian Action announced that the donation, valued at XOF93 million ($153,000), primarily includes 120 fingerprint sensors and 120 power banks. This contribution supports the implementation of the biometric registration system for IDPs, a project initiated in May 2019 to provide more reliable data and streamline aid efforts for displaced individuals.

With the backing of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the government has developed two applications for this initiative. The first application registers and fingerprints IDPs detects duplicate registrations, and offers accurate statistics on population movements and returns. The second application aids in the processing, analysis, and dissemination of registration data, thereby enhancing the management of IDPs.

The Japanese government’s donation is expected to facilitate Burkina Faso’s implementation of the IDP registration system and expedite its development through the use of digital technology. Official estimates suggest that the system and its deployment will exceed two billion CFA francs in costs.

Samira Njoya

Posted On jeudi, 04 avril 2024 12:56 Written by
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