News (1792)
Identity theft is rising everywhere. In that context, biometric technology has become a top priority for African countries, which are gradually updating their identity documents.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has pledged its support to Burkina Faso in the implementation of its basic electronic unique identifier, a system that has been in progress since 2018. The pledge was confirmed by an IOM delegation, led by Damien Thuriaux, Head of Immigration and Borders Governance, during a meeting with Aminata Zerbo/Sabane, the Minister for Digital Transition, Posts, and Electronic Communications, on Tuesday.
“We had a productive discussion with the Minister in charge of Digital Transition about the various opportunities we have, particularly in terms of digitization of identity management. We also discussed the various projects that Burkina Faso has launched and how we could contribute to their implementation,” Thuriaux stated at the end of the audience.
As part of this future collaboration, Burkina Faso will identify areas where it can leverage IOM expertise. These areas could include the drafting of national identity cards and passports, ensuring these documents meet international standards.
The IOM delegation’s visit comes shortly after the validation of the draft law on basic electronic identification in Burkina Faso. The system aims to uniquely identify a person by combining minimal biographical data and biometric data, providing assurance of a person’s unique identity without undermining the legal attributes and values of other supporting documents such as the national identity card or passport.
The e-ID system in Burkina Faso will be implemented as part of the World Bank-funded West Africa Unique Identification for Regional Integration and Inclusion (WURI) project. The project, which also covers Benin, Senegal, Niger, and Côte d’Ivoire, aims to increase the number of people with a unique proof of identity recognized by the government, thereby facilitating access to basic social services.
Samira Njoya
The Democratic Republic of Congo is modernizing administrative procedures as part of ongoing digital transformation. Through those initiatives, the country seeks to boost economic growth and public well-being with increased efficiency and transparency.
Fonds de Garantie de l’Entrepreneuriat au Congo (FOGEC), the DRC government-backed fund aimed at boosting SMEs’ access to finance, announced on Wednesday, March 6, a partnership with Dutch fintech firm MoneyPhone to digitize the loan guarantee application process for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The collaboration aims to implement a digital solution that will expedite the application process for FOGEC’s financial services, replacing the traditional in-person application method. The project is valued at approximately $2 million.
This initiative aligns with the National Digital Plan 2025 and the National Entrepreneurship Development Program, which aim to raise capital for businesses, facilitate credit access, enhance the business environment, digitize administrative procedures, increase the number of businesses, and reduce unemployment.
The new platform is expected to professionalize FOGEC’s services, thereby fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth in the DRC.
Hélène Gakuru Bukara (photo, right), Managing Director of FOGEC, stated, “This is about the youth. We want to tell them that they no longer have to face any obstacles. With this application, all they need is a phone and a connection to present their business plans and get direct access to finance. No more exclusion, long live cohesion and transparency.”
Samira Njoya
In Africa, the Chinese tech company is venturing into emerging niches whose potential is becoming apparent with the digital revolution.
Chinese tech giant Huawei is set to establish its new public cloud zone in Africa, located in Egypt. It will be the second on the continent, after the one in South Africa. The project, which has been in the works since last year, is expected to be completed by the end of next year. It was announced by Jeremy Lin, Vice President of Huawei’s Northern Africa region, which spans twenty-eight countries, at a press conference in Barcelona on Tuesday, February 27.
Adnane Ben Halima, Huawei Northern Africa’s Vice President in charge of public relations for the Mediterranean region, elaborated on the decision to choose Egypt as the host for this new cloud zone. Factors include the size of the Egyptian market, which is already a lucrative opportunity for Huawei, and the rapid growth of cloud services in the country, spurred by the government’s digital transformation vision. Egypt’s strategic location, serving as a hub for several terrestrial and submarine broadband connectivity infrastructures, and its geographical position allowing access to West, Central, and East Africa, were also considered.
Ben Halima further explained Huawei’s role as a cloud provider, stating, “We provide infrastructure for customers who want to buy solutions. But we are also public cloud providers. That means we have the same offering as Amazon, Microsoft Azure, etc. We have clouds in China, Ireland, Eastern Europe, and so on. We choose countries in which we have infrastructure that is connected to the region that is going to access it, so that usage is sustainable.”
According to a report by The Insights Partners, a market research and consulting firm, the global cloud computing market, valued at $405.3 billion in 2022, is projected to reach $1,465.8 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.9%. This growth is expected to be driven by the increasing demand for advanced digital solutions and the adoption of technologies such as AI, 5G, IoT, and edge computing. While the Asia-Pacific, North America, and Europe regions are currently the main contributors to this growth, Africa is also on a rising trajectory, thanks to its growing adoption of digital technologies and increased government support.
The new cloud zone in Egypt will be an addition to Huawei’s existing 85 zones across 30 regions, enabling the company to cater to the increasing demand for affordable cloud offerings in African markets.
Muriel Edjo
African governments increasingly prioritize digitalization to streamline services and combat corruption inherent in bureaucratic processes. To encourage widespread adoption of digitization, improved internet penetration is essential, catalyzing economic developments across the continent, and unlocking numerous opportunities for growth, innovation, and progress.
The National Assembly of Zambia has received 156 Starlink kits from the Ministry of Science and Technology, in partnership with the Smart Zambia Institute, aiming to enhance digital communication and streamline parliamentary operations.
According to the parliament’s release, the kits handed over on February 29th, aim to “facilitate the full implementation of the recently launched My e-Parliament portal and will go a long way in bringing Parliament closer to the People.”
“My e-Parliament” is an online citizen consultation platform launched to “increase citizen participation in Parliamentary programs.” For Malungo Chisangano, First Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, it is a timely gift as the said application requires strong internet connectivity.
Honourable Situmbeko Musokotwane, Minister of Finance, noted the transformative potential of the kits in facilitating communication with constituents, particularly regarding the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), without the need for physical travel.
The donation signals a progressive move towards strengthening democratic processes and promoting inclusive governance in Zambia, enabling efficient and transparent parliamentary engagement.
As of October 2023, according to Mybroadband, Starlink initiated its operations in seven African nations, such as Nigeria, Kenya, and Rwanda, significantly contributing to closing the internet connectivity divide across the continent. Starlink’s provision of dependable, swift internet connectivity to isolated and underserved areas fosters community development through improved educational tools, economic prospects, and communication systems.
Hikmatu Bilali
Angola wants to fast-track the development of its digital sector. Estonia, a country with a proven track record in the sector, is the ideal partner.
Digital Nation, an Estonian consultancy specializing in digital transformation, and the Angolan Institute for Administrative Modernization (IMA) have entered into a memorandum of cooperation. The agreement was signed on Friday, March 8, during a visit to Angola by Estonian President Alar Karis.
The partnership aims to bolster digital governance and administrative modernization cooperation, building on a previous agreement signed on April 14, 2023. The earlier agreement was between Adão de Almeida, Head of the Civil Household of the President of the Republic of Angola, and Kristjan Järvan, the Estonian Minister of Enterprise and Information Technology.
The collaboration will involve a series of initiatives leveraging the digital expertise of both parties. Additional areas of mutual interest for digital development will be identified as the partnership progresses.
This initiative is expected to fast-track the achievement of the Angolan government’s goal of becoming a digital leader in Africa, drawing on Estonia’s experience in digitizing public administration and reducing bureaucracy. The agreement also allows Estonian companies to expand into the Angolan and broader African markets.
Samira Njoya
Africa's digital economy is expected to reach a value of $712 billion by 2050, representing 8.5% of the continent's GDP. This projected growth has spurred digital transformation initiatives across several African nations.
The Guinean Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and the Digital Economy inked two significant agreements with U.S. firms Cisco and Cybastion on March 8 at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington D.C.
The agreements, signed during an official U.S. visit by a ministry delegation, aim to aid Guinea in executing its national digitization and cybersecurity policies and strategies.
The first agreement with Cisco Systems, Inc. addresses the pressing need to bolster skills within the public administration to modernize public services and secure information systems. It includes provisions for training and qualifying citizens in IT and cybersecurity through Cisco’s Networking Academy program. This initiative originated from a process begun in September 2023, with a visit by Youssouf Mohamed Aribot, Managing Director of the Agence Nationale de digitalisation de l’Etat (ANDE), to Cisco’s San Francisco headquarters to solidify a partnership between the American company and the Guinean government.
The second agreement with Cybastion seeks to provide expertise and aid in identifying and mobilizing the necessary financing to implement several state digitization and cybersecurity projects.
These agreements mark a significant advancement for Guinea in reaching its digitization and cybersecurity goals. They follow closely on the heels of a $60 million grant from the World Bank for various digital projects as part of the West African Regional Digital Integration Program (DTfA/WARDIP).
Samira Njoya
While misinformation is not a new phenomenon, its scope has been amplified by new technologies. It now disseminates more rapidly, impacts a larger audience, and has a heightened effect.
In its Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2024, the World Economic Forum (WEF) believes that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will mark a turning point in the cybercrime landscape. Indeed, beyond attacks on computer systems, information manipulation will be one of the major challenges of the connected world.
Although attacks on critical infrastructures still represent a major security risk, they can be controlled. However, the social and political upheavals that can result from the profound manipulation of information by new technologies are likely to undermine the economic stability of various sectors, countries, and regions of the world over the long term.
Anxiety, fear, identitarian withdrawal, the crisis of public confidence, etc. are all situations that deepfakes can create, maintain, and accentuate across the planet, turning them into weapons against governments and between countries. Through this new approach, it is the hearts and minds of the people who make up political, economic, and social systems that are hacked. In a September 2023 memo, the US Department of Defense described deepfakes as a threat to national security.
Talent Shortfall
Against a global backdrop of cybersecurity skills shortages - 4.7 million people were working in cybersecurity internationally in 2022, but the global deficit stands at 3.4 million according to the non-profit organization International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2) - the rapid emergence of AI and its impact on reality is putting further pressure on the need for cyber defense professionals.
In 2023, Gartner, the US information and communications technology research and advisory firm, predicted that the number of cyber and social engineering attacks against people will increase by 2025 due to this critical shortage of talent. It asserted that humans will increasingly be seen as the most vulnerable point of exploitation.
While AI is reinventing and intensifying cybercriminal threats, it is also opening up new opportunities for millions of young people on every continent. In Africa in particular, where the start-up ecosystem is currently dominated by the provision of services in finance, commerce, healthcare, education, energy, etc., a new generation of cyber talents capable of identifying and authenticating the real thing could emerge.
States can contribute to their emergence by thinking now about various strategies that prepare them for this new technology and its opportunities, but also for the threats. In its AI Readiness Index 2023, information and communications technology consultancy Oxford Insights reports that only three African countries have already adopted an AI strategy. These are Rwanda, Senegal and Benin. Ethiopia and Nigeria are already working on it.
Muriel Edjo
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
More...
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