News (1785)
Competition is intensifying in Africa's data center market. Local and international companies invest in infrastructure to meet the growing demand for cloud services.
EcoCloud, a leading Kenyan data center solutions provider, and G42, an Emirati technology group specializing in artificial intelligence, signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday, March 6, in Nairobi. The agreement aims to tap into Kenya’s vast untapped geothermal potential by establishing the country’s first geothermal-powered data center.
“This geothermal-powered data center is a milestone towards realizing Kenya's potential as a global digital hub and fulfilling our mission of making intelligence accessible to everyone, everywhere,” said Peng Xiao, CEO of G42 Group.
The new data center will commence with an initial computing load of 100 MW, which will be ramped up over the years to 1 gigawatt. It will be suitable for use in telecommunications and other sectors. Its implementation is part of the country’s digital strategy to position Kenya as a leading technology hub in the East African sub-region and the continent at large.
The MoU between the two entities will herald a new era of cloud computing and AI services. The initiative promises to unlock unprecedented economic opportunities, drive innovation, and advance the digital economy, positioning Kenya as the center of technological innovation in Africa and a competitive player on the global stage.
In response to environmental demands, the facility will also reduce Kenya’s reliance on fossil fuels, cut carbon emissions, and contribute to environmental conservation. “By harnessing the power of geothermal energy, we are not only meeting the region's data needs but also setting a new standard for eco-friendly infrastructure. This partnership underscores our dedication to a greener, more sustainable future for Africa and beyond,” said Amos Siwoi, CEO of EcoCloud.
Samira Njoya
Broadband is central to Zimbabwe's development agenda, which is centered around digital transformation. In collaboration with the private sector, the government aims to bolster the national telecommunications infrastructure to ensure affordable Internet access for all citizens.
The Zimbabwean government announced on Thursday, March 7, the commencement of the second phase of the fiber optic rail project. The project, executed by wholesale telecoms infrastructure provider Bandwidth & Cloud Services Group (BCS), aims to enhance connectivity within Zimbabwe’s cities by deploying fiber along national railroads.
This phase will extend fiber optics over 800 km, connecting the village of Somabhula to the capital Harare via the town of Gweru. It will also span the Bulawayo - Plumtree and Harare - Mutare routes. The first phase of the project, initiated in 2022, has already laid 1,180 km of fiber from the border town of Beitbridge in Matabeleland province to the city of Victoria Falls, in the north of the country. The network infrastructure costs $18 million, and the second phase is projected to incur a similar expense.
The project aligns with the government’s strategic goal of transforming Zimbabwe into a self-sufficient and prosperous upper-middle-income society by 2030, leveraging digital technology. It also corresponds with the national broadband program for 2023-2030, which encompasses several state and privately financed infrastructure deployment projects. This program is expected to accelerate broadband penetration in the country and reduce costs.
Ultimately, the fiber optic system will cover the country's entire rail network, from Rutenga to Chikwalakwala, before extending into Zambia and other regions. According to the Honourable Owen Ncube, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Decentralization, this project ensures that Zimbabwe will be connected to the rest of the world, marking a positive stride in the “Leave no one behind (LNOB)” principle enshrined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Samira Njoya
Broadband is central to Zimbabwe's development agenda, which is centered around digital transformation. In collaboration with the private sector, the government aims to bolster the national telecommunications infrastructure to ensure affordable Internet access for all citizens.
The Zimbabwean government announced on Thursday, March 7, the commencement of the second phase of the fiber optic rail project. The project, executed by wholesale telecoms infrastructure provider Bandwidth & Cloud Services Group (BCS), aims to enhance connectivity within Zimbabwe’s cities by deploying fiber along national railroads.
This phase will extend fiber optics over 800 km, connecting the village of Somabhula to the capital Harare via the town of Gweru. It will also span the Bulawayo - Plumtree and Harare - Mutare routes. The first phase of the project, initiated in 2022, has already laid 1,180 km of fiber from the border town of Beitbridge in Matabeleland province to the city of Victoria Falls, in the north of the country. The network infrastructure costs $18 million, and the second phase is projected to incur a similar expense.
The project aligns with the government’s strategic goal of transforming Zimbabwe into a self-sufficient and prosperous upper-middle-income society by 2030, leveraging digital technology. It also corresponds with the national broadband program for 2023-2030, which encompasses several state and privately financed infrastructure deployment projects. This program is expected to accelerate broadband penetration in the country and reduce costs.
Ultimately, the fiber optic system will cover the country's entire rail network, from Rutenga to Chikwalakwala, before extending into Zambia and other regions. According to the Honourable Owen Ncube, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Decentralization, this project ensures that Zimbabwe will be connected to the rest of the world, marking a positive stride in the “Leave no one behind (LNOB)” principle enshrined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Samira Njoya
Seven months ago, Sonatel acquired the super broadband license for almost $57 million. It aims to revolutionize usage in the local telecoms market and remain the leading operator.
The commercial fixed 5G connectivity offers of Sonatel, 42.33%-owned by Orange, are now available for residential and business customers in Senegal. The telecom company announced in a press release on Tuesday, March 5, that it would soon be expanding its services to include mobile internet offers for ultra-high-speed broadband.
With the advent of 5G, Sonatel promises its customers instantaneous download and streaming speeds, as well as enhanced responsiveness for real-time applications such as online gaming, virtual reality, telemedicine, e-education, among others. The company is inviting customers to explore the “boundless possibilities” of the technology at a dedicated laboratory at the Orange Digital Center in Dakar.
The launch of Sonatel’s commercial 5G comes seven months after the company secured Senegal’s first ultra-broadband license from the local telecom regulator, ARTP, for XOF34.5 billion ($57 million). The telecom firm has been preparing for the deployment of the technology since 2020, confirming its readiness through a successful test in December 2021 and launching its 5G laboratory in July 2022.
In the 5G market, Sonatel leads its main competitors, Expresso Sénégal and Saga Africa Holding Limited (Free), the latter of which obtained its operating license in December 2023 for XOF13.5 billion.
This advantage positions Sonatel to boost its revenues and solidify its leadership in the Senegalese telecom market. As per ARTP data, Orange had 12.5 million mobile telephony subscribers in the third quarter of 2023, accounting for a market share of 56.47%. Expresso and Free held 16.8% and 23.89% of the national mobile subscriber base, respectively. In the internet segment, Orange commanded a market share of 66.52%.
Isaac K. Kassouwi
African initiatives to support the technology sector are increasing in response to a decline in funding. These initiatives aim to bolster the continent's fast-growing tech industry.
Conducive Capital, a South African venture capital firm, was inaugurated in Johannesburg on Tuesday, March 5. The firm, founded by Clive Butkow (photo, left), former CEO of Kalon Venture Partners, and Mitchan Adams (photo, right), co-founder of Ozow and CEO of Aions Creative Technology, aims to invest in early and growth-stage start-ups across Africa.
The firm plans to raise its first capital of $15 million in July, with a target to close a fund exceeding $50 million within 24 months. "And we go beyond just monetary investments. Alongside funding, Conducive Capital pledges comprehensive support, offering strategic guidance, operational expertise, and mentorship to nurture start-ups, facilitating their growth into industry frontrunners," said Mitchan Adams.
The establishment of Conducive Capital comes amidst a decline in funding for the African technology ecosystem in 2023. However, several initiatives have emerged across the continent, including Sawari Ventures for North African and Middle Eastern start-ups, and Timbuktoo, funded by the United Nations Development Program and African countries. The African Development Bank has also approved a $10.5 million stake in Seedstars Africa Ventures to bolster its investments in sub-Saharan African startups.
Despite a slow start to the new year with $77 million raised by African startups in January 2024, funding nearly tripled to $217 million in February, according to Africa: The Big Deal, a database tracking startup financing in Africa. The influx of new venture capital entities and the closing of Partech’s second African fund at over $300 million signal promising prospects for the African technology ecosystem.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Like several other African countries, Burkina Faso embarked on the digitization of its public services a few years ago. However, the country grapples with resource constraints that hinder its ability to fully realize its digital transformation ambitions.
The Supreme Council of the Arab-African Economy (CSEAA) has pledged to support Burkina Faso in developing various sectors, including digital transition and the digital economy. A delegation from the CSEAA, led by its President Hani Hassani Abuzaid, met with the Minister of Digital Transition, Posts and Electronic Communications, Aminata Zerbo/Sabane, on Monday, March 4 to discuss this collaboration.
“The meeting focused on the digital transformation of society and the economy, and we discussed several topics related to the digital transition in Burkina Faso. The Supreme Council of the Arab-African Economy has committed to providing its expertise and ecosystem to support the digital transition in Burkina Faso, and we have already made a commitment to start next week,” said Hani Hassani Abuzaid.
As part of this cooperation, the organization will support the Burkinabè authorities in developing digital infrastructure, the national backbone, and the overall strategy for covering the communications access network. It will also encourage the construction of data centers and the promotion of digital payment platforms.
This collaboration is part of the Burkinabè government's desire to make digital technology a driver of social and economic transformation to accelerate the country's development. The Supreme Council of the Arab-African Economy (CSEAA), with its expertise, will support Burkina Faso in this process. With more than 1,800 member companies, the CSEAA is a pan-Arab organization made up of experienced private companies that partner for economic development and are interested in promoting investment projects.
Samira Njoya
In February 2023, Bolt announced it would invest $500 million over the following two years to accelerate its growth in Africa. Since the beginning of 2024, the startup has entered several additional markets on the continent.
Estonian e-mobility start-up Bolt has launched in Cairo, Egypt, co-founder Martin Villig announced on X (formerly Twitter), on Monday. This makes Egypt the fifteenth country the ride-hailing startup is entering and the second in North Africa (After Tunisia in 2019).
The startup intends to establish itself in the Egyptian market by eliminating the 15% commission charged to drivers for the first six months and offering a 50% discount to customers.
Eduard Suchanek, Bolt's Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, says: "Bolt’s entry into one of the largest economies in North Africa underscores our commitment to revolutionizing mobility in the region. By offering ride-hailing services tailored to both individual and corporate needs, Bolt aims to provide Egyptians with convenient, reliable, and affordable transportation options."
Bolt is expanding in Africa in a context marked by a global tech investment slowdown. Tech investments on the continent fell 54% to $2.3 billion in 2023, according to Partech Africa. E-mobility was particularly hard hit, with funding down 75% from 2022.
It is worth noting that the entry into Egypt is in line with the ride-hailing startup’s plan, announced in February 2023, to invest $500 million in its African expansion plan in two years.
With its new expansion in Egypt, Bolt aims to conquer North Africa and the Middle East (MENA), a region where it has little presence and which is dominated by the American Uber and the Emirati Careem.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
This new session increases the number of skilled labor available in Africa’s booming entertainment industry.
The second cohort of the “Afro VFX” training program, a joint initiative by EM&MB, the Orange Digital Center (ODC), and the Canadian Embassy, was launched on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at the ODC in Abidjan’s Plateau district.
The program, which focuses on training young talent, producing high-quality cinematic works, and fostering the growth of the African industry, will provide thirty individuals with intensive four-month training in special effects (VFX). The goal is to stimulate the creative industries within the audiovisual sector in the region. Upon completion, participants will gain practical experience through internships with local companies and Afro VFX’s partner studios.
West Africa, primarily driven by the Nigerian film industry, releases nearly 3,400 films annually from production studios, making it the continent’s most productive region in audiovisual production, according to Statista. For Eric M'Boua and Dedy Bilamba, co-founders of EM&MB, Afro VFX positions itself as "a key partner in the VFX ecosystem in French-speaking Africa."
Three students from the first cohort won the “Sony Talent League by THU 2022” competition with a 3D animation series called “Djossi Heroes”, which celebrates self-employed informal workers with superpowers.
The Orange Digital Center has long been dedicated to aiding young Ivorians, offering technical support to enhance their skills and realize their projects. Reminding of that commitment, Habib Bamba, Director of Digital and Media Transformation, stated: “The Afro VFX program is the perfect illustration of Orange Digital Center's commitment to the creative and cultural industries, to make digital an opportunity for all, and thus contribute to the development of the film industry.”
Smart citiesin Africa leverage technology to drive progress, enhance quality of life, and foster innovation while promoting sustainable development. They use digital solutions for efficient services, environmental initiatives, and strategic urban planning.
On Tuesday, February 27, Minister Uche Nnaji, representing the Nigerian government, formally sealed an agreement with Domineum/Edenbase UK. This collaboration aims to propel the ambitious Abuja Tech City project forward.
The project, outlined in a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), seeks to transform Nigeria’s technological landscape by drawing inspiration from the remarkable achievements of London Tech City.
Conceived as Abuja Tech Village (ATV) under former President Olusegun Obasanjo's administration, Abuja Tech City is envisioned as a smart and environmentally conscious metropolis that will play host to tech startups, industries, and entertainment ventures. Additionally, it is designed as a Free Trade Zone, aligning with global trends and bolstering Nigeria’s burgeoning tech ecosystem.
“Tech Cities are the catalysts for rapid industrialization and enhancement of operational synergy within critical sectors. For this reason, the federal government is committed to ensuring sustainable industrialization through the establishment of Tech Cities across the country,” said Minister Uche Nnaji.
As Nigeria embraces a tech-driven future, the collaboration with UK developers underscores the nation’s commitment to leveraging international expertise for unprecedented growth and innovation. Abuja Tech City promises to position Nigeria as a competitive global technology hub, fostering progress, prosperity, and a brighter future for all.
Hikmatu Bilali
In his address to the youth on February 11, the Head of State once again urged Cameroonians towards self-employment. It is then essential to provide the technical framework necessary to support the youth in that direction.
On Wednesday, February 28, Jacques Fame Ndongo, Cameroon’s Minister of Higher Education, laid the foundation stone of the digital innovation and business incubation center at the International School of Digital Engineering in Sangmélima, southern Cameroon. The center is a part of the Congo-Cameroon Inter-State University (UIECC) and is being constructed by military engineers. The project, funded to the tune of XAF450 million (US$743,000) by the Development Bank of the Central African States (BDEAC), is one of the eleven priority integration projects in the CEMAC region.
The two-story center, spanning approximately 1,675 square meters, is designed to identify, support, and assist students and young graduates of the International School of Digital Engineering with digital business startup projects. It will provide entrepreneurship training, networking, mentoring, and administrative services, facilitating the implementation and monitoring of innovation and digital entrepreneurship projects.
According to Marcel Fouda Ndjodo, the coordinator of the Congo-Cameroon Inter-State University and director of the digital engineering school, the school itself is an incubation center where students are already engaged in profitable economic activities. The school, which opened less than five years ago, has reportedly supported around thirty startups by engineering students. The director expressed the school’s ambition to transform Sangmélima into a hub for digital activities.
Cameroon’s new higher education law, enacted on June 25, 2023, redefines the role of university institutions, transforming them into “university companies” and elevating students to “student entrepreneurs” to combat youth unemployment through self-employment. “In a liberal economy like ours, in which the private sector should be the primary provider of jobs, one of the fundamental roles of the university is to support economic diversification through the detection, training, and incubation at the university of potential and future captains and leaders of the primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary sectors,” said Minister Jacques Fame Ndongo.
The Congo-Cameroon Inter-State University, established on December 21, 2012, by the heads of state of Cameroon and Congo, Paul Biya and Denis Sassou Nguesso, began its training activities in the 2020-2021 academic year with the opening of the Sangmélima Engineering School. The school currently enrolls 450 engineering students, including 250 Cameroonians and 200 Congolese nationals.
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The Ugandan government is committed to accelerating digital transformation and supporting all sectors of the economy. To this end, it is multiplying partnerships likely to help achieve this objective.
Mastercard announced on Tuesday, February 27, a memorandum of understanding with Uganda’s Ministry of ICT and National Directions. The agreement aims to stimulate socio-economic development, enhance services, and foster financial inclusion in Uganda.
The partnership includes Mastercard’s technical assistance to bolster the Ugandan government’s efforts toward digitization and financial inclusion. This encompasses the digitization of traditional services like Posta Uganda and the national postal service, to generate new revenue streams and provide integrated, user-friendly experiences.
The collaboration also aims to enhance the capabilities of Ugandan startups, enabling them to thrive in the digital era. Specifically, micro and small merchants will be equipped with the necessary tools to connect to the global digital economy and accept electronic payments, thereby broadening their market reach and reinforcing their contribution to Uganda’s economic growth.
This initiative aligns with Uganda’s digital transformation goals outlined in the “Vision 2040” digital strategy. It seeks to empower citizens by aiming for universal inclusion, sustainable development, economic advancement, and poverty eradication through digital innovation across various sectors.
The partnership aligns with Mastercard’s goal of enhancing financial inclusion by integrating one billion unbanked and underserved individuals into the digital economy by 2025. This includes empowering 50 million micro and small traders and supporting 25 million businesses owned or led by women.
Samira Njoya
In Africa, most women entrepreneurs struggle to obtain financing. Women-owned businesses often lack the capital needed for startup or expansion due to various obstacles.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) jointly initiated a $50 million fund, named the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy Fund (WEIDE), on February 25, Sunday. The fund is designed to promote digital technology adoption among women entrepreneurs, not only in Africa but also in other developing and least-developed nations. Its ultimate aim is to enable women to leverage the opportunities presented by international trade and the digital economy.
For Pamela Coke-Hamilton, ITC's Executive Director, the fund will help women to raise the capital they need for their businesses. "Time and time again, women in developing countries tell us that access to finance is a key barrier to trade. With this new Fund, women entrepreneurs will have the resources they need to do business across borders and online," she stated.
In Africa, women entrepreneurs often struggle to access bank loans and capital due to social norms, discriminatory policies, and a lack of collateral. This fund, initially backed by a $5 million contribution from the United Arab Emirates, aims to overcome these challenges.
The fund’s launch is a step towards empowering women in commerce and assisting them in developing and promoting their online businesses. According to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, digital trade, particularly trade in digitally delivered services, has been the fastest-growing segment of international trade since 2005, with an average growth rate of 8%.
"Digitalization presents us with unprecedented opportunities to empower women entrepreneurs, level the playing field, and foster inclusive growth," said Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
Samira Njoya
The strategic partnership was inspired by Tencent's Weixin/WeChat ecosystem and its billion monthly active users.
Orange wants to double the adoption of its Max it super-app by 2025. To this end, the French group decided to sign a partnership with China's Tencent Cloud on Tuesday, February 27 at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.
Orange will leverage "Tencent Cloud's Mobility framework and the Tencent Cloud Mini Program Platform (TCMPP) solution to create an open platform for Max it, enabling the integration of a wide range of mini-apps within its super-app." The aim is to enrich the Max it ecosystem and enhance the customer and partner experience for businesses and people in Africa and the Middle East.
Commenting on the partnership, Jérôme Hénique, CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, said: "This partnership with Tencent Cloud is a key step in our vision to offer innovative and high value-added services to our users. Enriching Max it with innovative mini-apps is key to strengthening its value proposition, increasing its penetration among Orange and non-Orange customers, and amplifying our social impact."
Max it, launched last November, is a super mobile application that aggregates all the services offered by Orange and its partners. The French company aims to position its super-app in this part of the world as a hub for all mobile services. Deployed in half a dozen countries at launch, it will expand to eight more destinations in the first quarter of this year, before covering all the countries where the group operates before the end of the year.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
The Mobile World Congress opened in Barcelona, Spain, on Monday, February 26, offering an opportunity for technology companies to sign strategic partnerships to support their growth in various regions of the world.
Orange Middle East and Africa and Microsoft signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support digital transformation initiatives in 17 African and Middle Eastern countries. The memorandum was announced, Wednesday, at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.
"This collaboration with Microsoft is a significant step in our commitment to support the digital transformation of African businesses. By combining our network and Microsoft’s solutions, we can provide SMEs with the tools and guidance they need to thrive in the digital economy," said Jérôme Hénique (pictured, left), CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa.
Under that agreement, Microsoft will leverage the Orange network to offer Microsoft solutions such as Microsoft 365, Copilot, Azure, and Dynamics 365 to approximately 15,000 SMEs in 2024 and ultimately to 1 million. The two companies will collaborate on training, marketing, and sales support programs, and establish a steering committee to track progress using performance indicators.
Microsoft, like Orange, continues to invest in the continent. Besides announcing the construction of a new data center in South Africa earlier this month, Microsoft has partnered with several African countries to drive digital transformation. This includes Kenya, where the company will integrate its cloud solutions into public administration e-services, and Nigeria, where it aims to enhance the digital skills of civil servants across various ministries in collaboration with a local partner.
Adoni Conrad Quenum