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African countries need reliable internet connections to achieve the objectives set out in their respective digital transformation agendas. Consequently, the need for these countries to collaborate with partners capable of bolstering their ambitions has become increasingly imperative.
On the sidelines of the China-Africa Digital Capacity Building Cooperation, Uganda signed an agreement with China to enhance connectivity nationwide.
Commenting on the new collaboration, the country’s ICT Minister, Chris Baryomunsi, said that it would help build the infrastructure needed to ensure internet access for the whole country.
"China is ahead of us in terms of technology and has been a key pillar in connecting internet cables to different parts of the country. Through this cooperation, we shall build new infrastructure, equipment, and training and provide services to all Ugandans," said Chris Baryomunsi.
This new initiative is part of the Ugandan government's ambition to accelerate digital transformation to support economic recovery, create unlimited opportunities for youth, and achieve "Vision 2040". Last March, the executive secured 1,800 billion shillings (477.4 million USD) in funding from the World Bank to expand Internet access in the country.
At the end of this partnership, which is already being implemented, Uganda will benefit from improved Internet connectivity coverage at affordable costs. The partnership will also enable people in remote areas to familiarize themselves with the public services set up by the government via digital platforms.
Samira Noya
Digital Realty aims to position itself as one of the most important data providers on the African continent. To achieve this, management is making strategic decisions.
Medallion Data Centres, a Nigerian data center provider, has been renamed Digital Realty, after its parent company. The name was officialized at a ceremony held in Lagos on Friday, October 27.
"We have made a strategic decision to align with Digital Reality and we are proud to be part of one of America’s largest Public Companies. For over a decade, we have been at the forefront of the Nigerian digital economy through the provisioning of carrier-neutral data center services in both Lagos and Abuja," said Ikechukwu Nnamani (photo, center), founder of Medallion Data Centres.
The Nigerian data center provider entered Digital Realty’s portfolio in 2021. At the time, the American firm, which owns over 300 facilities in more than 50 cities worldwide, decided to finance the Nigerian firm’s expansion on the continent with a $500 million package. Before this name change, Medallion Data Centres inaugurated a new data center in the city of Lagos on October 24 to expand its capacities.
"We are going to take advantage of the huge opportunity to both meet growing customer demand for connectivity in Africa and improve the internet infrastructure that serves over one billion people who don’t yet have proper access to the benefits of the Internet," said Mike Hollands (photo, right), Digital Realty's Vice President for Market Development.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
In Africa, digital transformation is accelerating across all countries. However, some countries are more focused on quickly achieving their digital goals than others. In Rwanda for instance, the government is hard at work to complete some of its digital projects by 2024.
The Rwandan government will soon launch a unique digital identification system (SDID) and deploy 5th generation (5G) technology in the country. Rwanda's Minister of ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire, confirmed this recently in a podcast produced by the private Rwandan newspaper, The New Times.
"We’ll start very soon with what we call the pre-enrolment phase which is about enrolling citizens and getting their biometrics. The current ID that we have is given only to people who are 16 years and above, but we’ll provide the digital ID from birth. That’s one exciting aspect of the digital ID," she said.
The new system, which is currently being rolled out, is financed to the tune of $40 million by the World Bank. It will be based on a national population register containing the biographical and biometric data of all Rwandan citizens, including those from the diaspora and foreigners living in the country.
During the same broadcast, the Minister also mentioned that the first 5G tests were recently successfully carried out in the country from the stratosphere using a prototype unmanned aerial vehicle (HAPS). During the test, 5G connectivity was provided for around 73 minutes at a maximum altitude of 16.9 km, ts2.space reveals. These ongoing initiatives, among others, are part of the Rwandan government's commitment to enhancing public service delivery across diverse sectors. They aim to expand internet accessibility across the nation, encompassing even remote rural communities, and providing an identity to every citizen.
Samira Njoya
Last May, the Kenyan Minister of ICT revealed the government's intention to offer locally assembled smartphones for sale. A few months later, thanks to a public-private partnership, the project is becoming a reality.
On Monday, October 30, Kenyan President William Ruto (photo, center) officially launched East Africa Device Assembly Kenya (EADAK), a low-cost smartphone assembly plant located in the town of Athi River. The fruit of a partnership between the government, private telecommunications companies Safaricom and Jamii, and Chinese firm Shenzhen TeleOne Technology, EADAK is expected to assemble between 1.2 and 1.4 million smartphones each year.
They will be available nationwide in the stores of the two local private partners and on the Masoko e-commerce platform.
"The EADAK-assembled smartphone will cost about Sh7,500 and comes with pre-installed e-Citizen to enable more Kenyans to access government services easily [...] We have the benefit of both cheaper devices, approximately 30 percent less, compared to imports and creating jobs locally. The EADAK plant currently employs 300 people," says President William Ruto.
The move is part of the government's drive to accelerate Kenya's digital transformation. Earlier this year, President Ruto secured $390 million in funding from the World Bank to implement various projects aimed at accelerating the digital economy. With EADAK, the Kenyan authorities aim to facilitate access to ICT gadgets for people in a country with 29.7 million active smartphones, which represents 46.9% of the 63.3 million cell phones connected to the network, according to the Communications Authority.
"The launch of EADAK reaffirms our belief in the power of connectivity to transform lives and drive economic progress. [...] This partnership underscores our relentless pursuit to expand 4G access and empower Kenyans through affordable, high-quality smartphones, create employment opportunities, and grow our economy," said Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa (photo, right).
Adoni Conrad Quenum
With the exponential growth of global platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook, the number of digital content creators in Africa has significantly surged in recent years. Governments want to capitalize on this trend to boost their revenues.
Kenya will now collect taxes from content creators. President William Ruto (photo) has approved proposed amendments to the Finance Act, 2023, concerning taxes and levies from digital creators.
Under the Act, payments made by taxpayers to content creators will now be subject to a 15% withholding tax. The tax is specifically applied to goods and services sold to content creators’ audiences. The text also proposes a tax on creators' paid content subscriptions and revenues generated on free content.
Last May, the law was amended and submitted to the government for approval, which was quick to respond positively, creating a sense of frustration among the country's young content creators. In their view, the proposed tax is too high for a growing digital economy, given that they receive minimal state support for content creation. On the government side, the new tax aims to diversify revenue sources, tackle poverty, and grow the digital economy.
It is one of the numerous taxes introduced in the 2023 Finance Act. Some of them broaden the tax base to include the digital space. They are expected to generate up to $2 billion in additional revenue for the Kenyan government.
Samira Njoya
In 2019, Raxio committed to building ten to twelve data centers in Africa. The company is growing rapidly and continues its expansion on the continent.
Raxio Data Centres, a Tier 3 data center provider focused on the African continent, announced on Wednesday, October 25, that it has secured $46 million in acuity funding from its existing shareholders Meridiam and Roha. The funds will be used to continue its expansion in African markets.
"This funding will help Raxio expand and consolidate its position as the provider with the widest geographic footprint of data centers in Africa at a time where demand for high-quality digital infrastructure in Africa continues to grow from both international and local businesses," said Brooks Washington, partner at Roha.
Various public and private players are injecting significant funds into the development of technological infrastructures on the continent. According to the International Telecommunication Union, Africa is home to less than 2% of the world's data centers, and the industry's global giants see this as an opportunity and are investing in several countries, including South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya.
Earlier in the year, Raxio secured a $170 million loan from the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF) and Proparco, the private sector financing arm of French development agency AFD, to accelerate its growth in Africa. The company is present in Uganda, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Côte d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola and Tanzania.
Robert Mullins, President and CEO of Raxio Data Centres, explains that "this capital injection will allow Raxio to continue to expand its presence across the continent and to deliver the resilient mission-critical environments" Radio clients demand.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Leading global companies, including Amazon, Microsoft, and Oracle, have shown their commitment to investing in the establishment of data centers across Africa. Simultaneously, local businesses are also actively positioning themselves within the market.
On Tuesday, October 24, Medallion Data Centres, a Nigerian data center operator, launched a new data center in Lagos. Named LOS2 Data Centre, it replaces LOS1, which has reached its maximum capacity but can now accommodate more data. LOS2 has a computing capacity of one megawatt (MW).
"The new Tier 111 Data Centre will help us to extend the current peering and connectivity process we had in LOS1, our first data center facility in Lagos that has reached its full rack capacity. We decided to build a second Data Center facility to accommodate more customers’ data," says Ikechukwu Nnamani, CEO of Medallion Data Centres.
Data center providers in Africa are increasing their investments in the sector due to growing demand on the continent. Digital Realty, the parent company of Medallion Data Centres, is part of this dynamic and aims to become a major player in the sector in Africa since acquiring Medallion in 2021. The firm has pledged to invest $500 million over ten years to accelerate the continent's digital economy.
"It is exciting now that we can build and expand on the LOS1 Data Centre facility and ready for our customers to continue to grow and expand their business and to also help make the internet infrastructure in Nigeria stronger and better," said Mike Collins, Vice President of Market Development at Digital Realty Group.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
The adoption of blockchain technology is swiftly gaining momentum throughout Africa. While the continent may not currently lead in resource mobilization, investments in the sector are rapidly gaining speed, benefitting numerous companies in the region.
On Monday, October 23, Uganda's Presidential Advisory Committee on Export and Industrial Development (PACEID) signed a memorandum of understanding with a TA-CargoX technology consortium comprising Technology Associates and CargoX, a blockchain-based document transfer company. The MoU aims to create TradeXchange, a national digital trade facilitation platform.
"The TA-CargoX Consortium will provide a robust, globally compliant digital trade platform as the surest means to integrate Uganda into the global trade network. This platform shall automate the import and export value chain, provide visibility in the trade supply chain, ensuring transparency, traceability, authenticity, and reliability in trade processes, as well as save cost directly for all participants," said Girisch Nair, Chairman of Technology Associates.
The new partnership is part of Uganda's ambitious goal to double its exports by 2026. PACEID aims to leverage this collaboration to support exporters, resolve trade bottlenecks, and easily comply with global trade standards, among other things.
TradeXchange will therefore be a blockchain-based collaboration platform that will streamline processes and improve the flow of information between farmers, producers, traders, and government agencies.
Once up and running, it will help the government reduce cargo release times, cut import compliance costs, and improve the efficiency of risk assessment when importing goods, tax revenue collection, and overall transparency of goods flow.
Samira Njoya
In the past two decades, Africa has increasingly relied on satellite data to accelerate its development. Currently, around ten countries have established their space agencies and are actively pursuing strategies to accomplish their objectives.
On Tuesday, October 24, Senegal’s space agency ASES and the Regional Satellite Communications Organization (RASCOM) signed a memorandum of understanding and strategic partnership on the sidelines of the African Union-European Union Space Dialogue ongoing in Dakar. The agreement aims to strengthen and accelerate Senegal's digitization initiatives by harnessing the capabilities of satellite communication solutions.
As part of the partnership, the two organizations will implement projects to revolutionize various sectors –including telecommunications, agriculture, education, and health– in Senegal through the use of satellite technologies.
The memorandum of understanding reflects Senegal's commitment to becoming a pioneer in the use of space technology to foster innovation in Africa. It is part of the SenSAT space program launched by the government to meet the country's needs in space products and services and to make the space sector a key driver for socio-economic and sustainable development.
For RASCOM, the protocol aligns entirely with its mission of bridging the digital divide in Africa, ensuring comprehensive connectivity in a sustainable and viable way.
The successful implementation of the partnership will help bridge the digital divide in Senegal, by leveraging cutting-edge satellite communication technologies and providing essential public services to the entire population, including those in far-flung areas.
The agreement comes just a few days before the launch of Senegal's first satellite (due on November 10).
Samira Njoya
The sector is digitalized after a pilot phase led by the Ministry of Tourism’s IT and startup development division.
Last Monday, October 23, Côte d’Ivoire presented SITD, its digital platform aggregating information about its tourism industry. Overall, the platform aggregates 22,641 operators, including 19,201 accommodation and catering establishments and 3,440 dedicated to leisure activities.
The platform aims to showcase Côte d’Ivoire’s tourist destinations, provide reliable data for strategic decision-making, and information on market trends throughout the country. It bodes well for the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) to be held in the country between January and February 2024.
For Tourism Minister Siandou Fofana, who presided over the presentation ceremony in Abidjan, it is a strategic tool unveiled at a time when the country is hosting an AFCON edition focused on innovation and hospitality. “I would like to reassure you that we are fully aware of the challenges posed by such a platform, particularly in terms of cybersecurity and data protection. Strong technical and organizational measures have been taken to ensure that all your information remains secure and compartmentalized," he said.
In recent years, Côte d'Ivoire has embarked on revitalizing its tourism sector. Authorities have taken several actions to promote the country as a leading tourist destination in West Africa. Last August, a three-year agreement was signed with French football club Olympique de Marseille to feature the "Sublime Côte d'Ivoire" brand at the club's stadium, and on their shorts, and training shirts.
During the AFCON Cup, the country will host over twenty football teams with their staff and supporters. In that context, the platform will help them geolocate travel agencies, restaurants, tourist sites, bars and nightclubs, hospitals, clinics, petrol stations, etc.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
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Like almost every African country, Niger wants to leverage digital technologies as key drivers for development. Projects are underway in the country to meet the needs of the population over the next ten years.
Niger is currently working towards the development of its 2023-2032 digital agenda and the improvement of the legal and institutional framework to account for new developments in the digital world. This was announced, last October 21, by Moustapha Tinao, the secretary general of the Nigerien Ministry of Digital Economy, on the sidelines of the Global Encryption Day, celebrated by the Internet Society Niger Chapter in Niamey.
According to the secretary general, one of the government’s actions is to democratize digital technologies “by making them accessible to everyone, contributing to the achievement of the MDGs and ensuring access to services for all.”
As part of the Nigerien government's vision, this initiative aims to foster the development of information and communication technologies, positioning digital innovation as a significant catalyst for social and economic progress. Acknowledging the imperative to embrace digital transformation, the leadership seeks to promote universal access to ICTs.
With a fast-growing population already exceeding 25 million, Niger's government aims to urgently meet the demand for digital public services. The country is focusing on digitizing various sectors, including fintech, smart mobility, education, agriculture, and health.
In August, the government announced plans to merge the telecommunications companies Niger Telecoms and Zamani Telecom. The initiative will create a large public company that will better position the State in the national telecoms market, currently dominated by the private sector.
Samira Njoya
Satellite Internet is gaining ground in Africa. Since the beginning of the year, American operator Starlink has been rolling out its services on the continent. New operators are also eying the continent.
Last week, Chinese satellite communication solutions provider StarWin announced the successful testing of its Electronically Steered Phased Array (ESA) antenna terminal for Communications on the Move (COTM) on the high-speed Ka-band HYLAS 4 satellite of Avanti Communications, a UK provider of high-speed satellite connectivity. The aim is to provide broadband connectivity across Africa to government, military, and corporate clients.
"We are thrilled to have joined forces with Avanti for this revolutionary project. The successful testing of our Ka-band ESA terminal is just the beginning of a new era. We look forward to further advancements in the industry. The future of mobile connectivity in Africa looks brighter than ever," said Amelia Liu, COO and co-founder of StarWin.
Satellite Internet is an attractive alternative for the African continent, especially for people living in remote areas. Due to various constraints, conventional Internet providers are unable to reach these areas, hindering the pursuit of a key sustainable development objective ensuring affordable Internet access for all in the least developed nations.
Avanti, with its fleet of four HYLAS Ka-band satellites, offers 50 GHz capacity and covers more than 1.7 billion people in 118 countries.
"This latest partnership with StarWin will allow us to expand our offering in Africa’s defense and security sector, by providing greater on-the-move capabilities. This new chapter will further our mission to deliver secure and reliable connectivity to those who need it most," said Donald Walker, Senior Vice President of Government and Defence at Avanti.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Africa continues to be the region where health issues hold paramount importance. However, with the progress of technology, the continent may witness a shift in the right direction if the right policies are implemented.
The Mobile World Congress Kigali 2023, held from October 17 to 19, enabled guests and participants to discover the latest mobile telecommunications technologies and discuss the future of mobile in Africa. It was also an opportunity to set up initiatives such as the African Digital Health Network (ADHN), launched on the sidelines of the congress.
The new network will serve as an umbrella organization and a marketplace connecting digital health buyers and sellers.
"We hope to build a network that will bring all innovations and unite digital health stakeholders across the continent. We are going to form a kind of marketplace where buyers and sellers in digital health meet. And we hope to build a technology platform to help do all that," said Jean Philbert Nsengimana, Senior Technology Advisor at the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
According to the project's designers, the network will be a not-for-profit organization, but there are plans to “onboard investments and governments” to ensure its implementation, which will be primarily focused on improving the digital health market. At the launch, 150 members from 43 countries signed up at individual and institutional levels.
The launch of the African Digital Health Network comes at a time when the development of e-health is high on the agenda of African governments. In Senegal, for example, the executive secured nearly $50 million from the World Bank in June to digitize its healthcare system.
In Kenya, by 2030, the widespread adoption of selected digital tools could reduce healthcare spending by between $400 million and $2.5 billion, according to consulting firm McKinsey & Company. Hence, establishing a network is imperative to consolidate the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders, ensuring a promising future for healthcare in Africa through the integration of new technologies.
According to Brian O'Connor, Chairman of the global community ECHAlliance, the network will also highlight Africa's digital healthcare innovations and offer access to global partners through a centralized platform.
Samira Njoya
The Saudi technology firm wants to expand across Africa, particularly in the Arab region. To achieve this, it is teaming up with strategic partners.
Last week, Saudi-based digital services and solutions provider Elm signed a memorandum of understanding with CyShield, an Egyptian AI and cybersecurity company.
The MoU, signed at Gitex Global in Dubai, is aimed primarily at promoting the Saudi firm's expansion in Africa, starting with Egypt.
The two parties will need to establish a framework for bilateral cooperation based on common interests, to achieve their respective objectives. According to Majid Al Arifi, official spokesperson and director of marketing at Elm, in addition to expanding its footprint through various partnerships with companies operating in the technology sector, this agreement will enable the company to explore and evaluate opportunities in regional and international markets and to collaborate on the creation of new joint digital ventures.
At Gitex Africa in Marrakech (Morocco) last May and June, Elm signed a partnership with Senegal Numerique, the agency in charge of the management of Senegal’s digital infrastructure, to foster digital inclusion in the country.
With over 30 million users and 700,000 corporate customers, Elm aims to provide its Egyptian partner with the tools it needs to strengthen its position as a major player in Egypt’s digital transformation landscape.
According to Al Arifi, strengthening Elm's regional partnerships is a key pillar of efforts to ensure a technological infrastructure that supports digital transformation in the Arab region and on the African continent. It also enables companies to deliver services via digital platforms, guaranteeing maximum efficiency and reliability.
Adoni Conrad Quenum