News (1583)
In Africa, the use of VPNs has grown significantly with the frequent Internet blackout strategy used by governments to prevent access at times. Some may soon be unable to access that solution.
On Friday, October 13, the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) issued a public notice calling on individuals and companies whose activities depend on virtual private networks (VPNs) to “declare their VPN and all relevant information including IP address.” The deadline for compliance is set to October 30.
Paragraph 2 of Article 16 of the Electronic and Postal Communications Act 2020 stipulates that "it is prohibited to make, possess or distribute any technology, program, application or any other related element that enables or helps users to access prohibited content." The law provides for a fine of at least 5 million Tanzanian shillings (approx. $1,996) or imprisonment for at least twelve months, or both.
VPNs enable users to protect themselves online by creating a private connection between their devices and the Internet. They drastically reduce the risk of hacking, encrypt IP addresses, and grant users a new online identity. However, it is also used by cybercriminals who favor it for the anonymity it offers. In some countries, such as China, India, and Russia, the use of VPNs is highly restricted.
Tanzania is no pioneer in this field. By identifying VPN users, the authorities want to keep an eye on everyone –honest people and potential criminals alike– to be able to take effective action if necessary. Tanzania is one of 22 African countries with National Computer Incident Response Teams (CIRTs), and one of 18 on the continent with national cybersecurity strategies.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
In January 2019, Senegal signed a memorandum of understanding with France's National Centre for Space Studies and Ariane Group. The first spinoffs were expected for 2021, but it seems things are finally falling into place.
The Republic of Senegal will receive its first satellite, baptized GAINDESAT, on November 10, after three years in the making, the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation (MESRI) announced in a press release published on its web portal on Friday, October 13.
"After three years of hard work, Senegal's first satellite will be delivered on November 10, 2023, during a ceremony to be presided over by the MESRI on the premises of the Centre Spatial Universitaire de Montpellier [CSUM] in France," the release points out.
The nanosatellite is part of the SenSAT space program launched by the government to meet the country's needs for space products and services and to make the space sector a key driver for its socio-economic and sustainable development. It is the result of a partnership agreement signed, in January 2019, by MESRI and the Centre Spatial Universitaire de Montpellier.
The €1 million agreement catered for the training of eight engineers and five technicians in the manufacture and operation of space tools. Under the supervision of MUSC engineers, the beneficiaries designed and built Senegal's first satellite.
Once the satellite is delivered, the government will set a date for its launch. The satellite was initially scheduled for launch in 2021, but COVID-19 and its impacts forced the government to postpone the operation until this year.
According to Senegalese authorities, the nanosatellite will connect to all the stations on each pass, draw in all the data recorded by these stations, and transmit them directly. The data, in turn, will help prevent and combat bushfires, floods, and erosion, as well as develop agriculture, among other things.
Samira Njoya
Some 2.6 billion people still have no access to the Internet across the globe. In remote areas, where conventional networks seem limited, satellites are positioning themselves as a reliable alternative.
On Friday, October 6, American e-commerce giant Amazon launched the first two satellites of its 3,236-satellite constellation. Dubbed "Project Kuiper", the satellites will orbit lower around the Earth to provide high-speed, low-latency satellite Internet services like Elon Musk’s Starlink.
Project Kuiper aims to bridge the digital divide by providing fast, affordable broadband to communities unserved or underserved by traditional communications technologies. To achieve this, Jeff Bezos's company intends to invest $10 billion.
"Our goal with Project Kuiper is not just to connect unserved and underserved communities, but also to delight them with the quality, reliability, and value of their service. [...] From day one, every technology and business decision we’ve made has centered on what will deliver the best experience for different customers around the world, and our range of customer terminals reflects those choices," explained Rajeev Badyal, Amazon’s vice president of technology for Project Kuiper, last March.
Amazon, which is still lagging in terms of satellite deployment, ultimately wants to compete with Starlink in the satellite internet segment. For that purpose, it plans to launch more than 1,500 satellites before 2026 to retain its operating license granted in 2020 by the US Federal Communications Commission. Meanwhile, Starlink already has over two million active users worldwide with plans to conquer the African market. This year, it intended to enter 23 African markets but currently, it has effectively launched in six owing to various legislations.
It is worth noting that the costs of Starlink’s equipment are pretty high for the average African. Earlier this month, the company decided to reduce the cost of its equipment by 21% in Nigeria, from 378,000 naira (around $487) to 299,000 naira. Last September, Kenyan President William Ruto also asked Starlink to reduce the price of its services. The equipment costs 89,000 Kenyan shillings (approx. $595), with a delivery charge of 3,100 shillings. In Zambia, the equipment costs 10,774 kwachas (around $505).
Will Amazon’s equipment be more affordable for Africans?
Amazon wants to offer three antenna models for its customers. The firm revealed that the production cost of the standard model is around $400, which implies that the standard selling price will be higher than this amount. Truly, equipment is a one-off expense but, at this rate whether it is higher than that practiced by Starlink in African markets or not it remains high. What's more, after reducing its prices in Nigeria, Elon Musk's firm will probably continue this pricing policy in other markets to standardize its offerings across the continent.
As a reminder, the number of people covered by fixed broadband in Africa remains below 10%. This is the lowest level in the world. With conventional networks’ failure in this area, satellite Internet remains the most attractive alternative for remote and underserved areas to access broadband Internet.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
The sheer volume of high-speed telecom infrastructure deployed in Africa since 2010 has made the continent a market with high financial potential for many international tech groups. But these investments appear to be underexploited.
Over the past ten years, the number of people covered by fixed broadband in Africa has remained below 10%, despite the considerable financial investments made during this period. In its "Global Connectivity Report 2022", the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) reports that in 2021, only seven out of every hundred households were covered by the service, compared with 82% for mobile. This is the lowest level worldwide and has not changed since. In Europe, the coverage rate is 96%, compared with 88% and 86% respectively in the Asia-Pacific and Americas.
In terms of subscriptions, only 1% of consumers had subscribed to the service on the continent by 2021. This was also the lowest level worldwide. In Europe, the figure was 35%, compared with 23% and 17% in the Americas and Asia-Pacific respectively, according to the ITU.
Worldwide fixed broadband coverage (Source: ITU, 2021)
According to the ITU, the lag in fixed broadband is explained by consumer preference in terms of usage. They opt for mobile, which is more flexible and less expensive. For telecom operators, the choice is explained by investment costs. "Fixed broadband networks are very costly to deploy, maintain, and upgrade, depending on the geography and extent of the territory to be covered," says the ITU. At 17.9% of monthly gross national income per capita, fixed broadband access costs in Africa are the most expensive in the world. Meanwhile, the ITU recommends less than 2%.
Fixed broadband access costs in 2021 (Source: ITU)
Since 2020, Africa has recorded the fastest annual growth rate in Internet transmission capacity in the world, according to the report "The State of Broadband 2023 Digital Connectivity: A Transformative Opportunity" by the United Nations Broadband Commission. The continent is already home to more than 25 submarine fiber optic systems and is covered by almost 1.2 million km of terrestrial fiber optics. But only 25% of the population lives within 10 km of a fiber optic network.
Percentage of population near a fiber optic network (Source: ITU)Worldwide, only 2.3 billion people (29%) were living within 10 kilometers of a fiber optic network in 2021. In Europe, over 60% of the population lives within 10 kilometers of a fiber-optic network, nearly 47% in the Americas, and 22% in the Asia-Pacific region.
“Although more people use mobile networks than fixed networks to connect to the Internet, the latter remains important. For example,fixed-broadband networks generally have a higher data capacity than mobile networks, and download limits are higher than similarly priced mobile-broadband plans. They are faster and are more reliable than 3G or 4G networks, making them more suited for high-bandwidth activities such as games and video calls," explains the Union.
Broadband internet is more strategic for small and medium-sized businesses. In its survey "The State of Broadband: Accelerating Broadband for New Realities September 2022," the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development conducted a survey of informal businesses in nine African countries, revealing low levels of ICT use. "Internet use for business purposes was 7% on average, ranging from 24% in South Africa to 1% in Rwanda. Computer ownership is also low: over 90% of businesses surveyed in Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda said they did not have one," the survey shows
While a one-person micro-business may find that a smartphone with wireless access is sufficient to carry out its activities, particularly for online sales on social media, many businesses still feel that they don't need Internet access or a computer. Yet, fixed broadband can improve operational and commercial activities, as the Covid-19 crisis demonstrated.
In the report "Economic impact of broadband in LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS: An empirical study, 2019", the ITU estimates that a 10% increase in fixed broadband penetration would increase gross domestic product per capita by 2.0 to 2.3%.
Muriel Edjo
For several years now, the Tanzanian government has been implementing initiatives to transform the country digitally. To accelerate the process, authorities are working with specialized partners with proven expertise.
The Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) and its partners - namely the Finnish Institute of Public Management (HAUS), the German Agency for International Cooperation, and the German Ministry of Digital Transport - recently launched the Digital4Tanzania (D4T) project in Tanzania.
The project, funded to the tune of €2 million by the European Union, aims to support Tanzania's digital transformation by cooperating on e-government reform and connectivity.
"Interest in Estonia’s digitization experience is also great in those African countries that are not Estonia’s priority countries. Of course, we are ready to share our experience of building a digital state and e-governance with all countries. Estonia has a large network of experts, and both we and Tanzania have a lot to learn from this twinning," said Andres Ääremaa, ESTDEV’s Programme Manager for Digital Transformation.
As part of the project, the D4T consortium partners and the Tanzanian Ministry of Information, Communication, and Technology will implement activities in line with D4T objectives.
The activities include capacity building and skills development in government cybersecurity, developing privacy and data protection frameworks, and strengthening data management and governance skills. It also includes the improvement of “skills and capacity in the private sector, particularly within the cybersecurity and privacy and data protection research communities, while addressing the digital gender divide.”
According to the ESTDEV press release, the project contract was signed, last summer, by the Finnish Institute of Public Management and the European Commission delegation in Tanzania. The project is scheduled to run until spring 2026.
Samira Njoya
The funds announced by the Gates Foundation will complement ongoing investments in the use of artificial intelligence to develop the healthcare sector worldwide.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation pledges $30 million to support the development of a new artificial intelligence platform for Africa. American billionaire Bill Gates (photo) made the announcement on Tuesday, October 10, at this year's "Grand Challenges" meeting in Dakar, Senegal.
According to the donors, the platform will provide African scientists and innovators with the technical and operational support they need to turn promising health and development ideas into real, scalable solutions.
It is a step towards ensuring that the benefits of AI are relevant, affordable, and accessible to all and that these essential tools are developed both safely, ethically, and equitably.
"The world needs to make sure that everyone—and not just people who are well-off—benefits from artificial intelligence. Governments and philanthropy will need to play a major role in ensuring that it reduces inequity and doesn’t contribute to it. This is the priority for my own work related to AI," Bill Gates said in an interview last March.
According to the Foundation, this latest investment aligns with its recent focus on funding technological innovation, particularly as it relates to AI, in the world's low- and middle-income countries. Last August, the Foundation announced that it would spend $5 million to fund nearly 50 AI projects in the said countries.
These investments aim to increase funding for healthcare R&D (research and development) worldwide to make development easier and faster and enable the next generation of scientific and technological breakthroughs that are relevant and accessible to all.
According to the Foundation, only 2% of R&D funding is devoted to diseases affecting the world's poorest populations.
Bolt's current operating license is due to expire in 17 days. Nevertheless, Kenyan authorities are calling on the Estonian company to address lingering issues or cease operations.
Kenya's National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has rejected the renewal of VTC company Bolt's operating license in the country, local media report. The decision follows alleged violations by Bolt, including illegal commissions and booking fees higher than those set by the Ministry of Transport.
"Please note that the Authority is not able to proceed with the renewal of your operator license until the issues raised by drivers and their representatives are satisfactorily addressed and rectified," said Cosmas Ngeso, Deputy Director and Licensing Officer, in the letter sent to Bolt on behalf of NTSA Director General George Njao.
Indeed, the Estonia-based company, which entered Kenya as Taxify in 2016, obtained a license from Transport Network Company on October 28, 2022. At the time, it committed to complying with the regulations in force in the country, in particular the law which stipulates that the commission collected from drivers using the app is set at 18%. Nevertheless, in recent months Bolt has been accused of introducing "illegal" booking fees.
According to the VTC company officials, the booking fee is an additional charge added to each trip. "The booking fee assists with covering support and enhanced technological features that ensure an even more efficient service on our platform," explained Linda Ndungu, Bolt's country manager.
It is worth noting that the company has promised to address the issues before its current license expires, in about 17 days. Currently, it offers its services in 16 cities across Kenya. In Africa, it is present in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania and Tunisia.
Samira Njoya
The services materialize the partnership agreement signed by the two companies in October 2022. After South Africa, they plan on entering countries like Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, and Zambia.
Last week, BCX, a subsidiary of telecoms operator Telkom, launched its cloud service, dubbed Africa Local Public (ALP), in partnership with Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba. Data will be stored in two centers in South Africa's largest city, Johannesburg.
"This strategic initiative addresses the rising demand for secure, scalable, and high-performance cloud solutions that cater to the distinct requirements of South African businesses.[...] The launch of ALP cloud serves multiple purposes, one of which accentuates our dedication to maintaining a local presence. As a result, when our customers opt for BCX local cloud services, they will be directly connecting with and supported by a South African company,” explains Jonas Bogoshi, CEO of BCX.
Data centers, whose role is to process, secure, and store digital data, are of vital importance in the digital transformation process underway on the continent. They will enable African countries to acquire digital sovereignty, i.e. the ability to act in cyberspace and to ensure that their rules are respected by the various players in the virtual world. Africa accounts for barely 1% of the data centers installed worldwide and South Africa hosts more than half of them.
The new partnership is part of South Africa's national data and cloud computing policy. Among other things, this policy aims to create an environment conducive to the development of the data ecosystem and to promote access to data and cloud services. BCX and Alibaba are also planning to build new centers in Cape Town (South Africa), Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zambia.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
When it comes to scientific research, Africa still lags behind the rest of the world. To bridge this gap, new initiatives are being launched to encourage it on the continent.
On Thursday, October 5, Google unveiled the list of 11 African startups selected for the first cohort of its Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First program, which aims to support startups that use artificial intelligence to tackle Africa's unique challenges.
The selected startups come from South Africa (Avalon Health), Ghana (Chatbots Africa), Senegal (Lengo AI), Uganda (Logistify AI), Ethiopia (Telliscopen, Garri Logistics), Kenya (Dial Afrika Inc, Fastagger Inc ) and Nigeria (Famasi Africa, Izifin, Vzy). They were chosen from a vast pool of innovative talent, offering solutions to global problems through the use of artificial intelligence.
They will each benefit from a 10-week acceleration path, an allocation of $350,000 in Google Cloud credits, mentoring sessions, technical advice, and networking opportunities to enhance their reach and impact.
Ultimately, the training will enable these specialized startups to benefit from Google's vast network to further develop their businesses and promote the use of AI in their respective countries at a time when McKinsey Global Institute report indicates that AI could increase Africa's GDP to $1.3 trillion by 2030. This demonstrates the undeniable potential of artificial intelligence to power solutions and drive economic growth.
"Our chosen startups for the ‘AI First’ program embody this vision, leveraging AI in pioneering ways to address both local and global challenges. We’re here excited to support and amplify their impact," said Folarin Aiyegbusi, Google’s Head of Startup Ecosystem, Africa.
Samira Njoya
Tunisia wants to capitalize on accelerating digital transformation to modernize its administration. For that project, the North African country sees Japan as a key partner.
On Tuesday, October 10, Tunisia's Minister of Communication Technologies, Nizar Ben Neji (photo, left), and his Japanese counterpart for Digital Transformation, Taro Kono (photo, right), signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at promoting bilateral cooperation in the field of digital transformation and modern technologies.
The memorandum, signed on the sidelines of Mr. Ben Neji's current visit to Japan, covers e-government, digital transition, experience sharing, data analytics, e-payment, digital identity, cloud, artificial intelligence solutions, and more.
"This memorandum is also a translation of the commitment of both countries to strengthen and open the horizons of cooperation between Tunisia and Japan to benefit from global best practices and opportunities available in the fields of digital transformation and modern technologies to develop government services for citizens and institutions, promote innovation and entrepreneurship, and support sustainable development goals," said the Tunisian Ministry of Communication Technologies in a statement.
The signing of this memorandum of understanding is part of the actions undertaken by the Tunisian government in recent months to promote digital transformation. It comes a few months after the signing of a memorandum of understanding with China to promote collaboration in several areas, including digital infrastructure, research and innovation, skills development, digital technology development, cybersecurity, the digital economy, and the exchange of expertise.
The new protocol will enable Tunisia to take advantage of Japanese expertise and make considerable progress towards achieving the objectives of its digital strategy, which is due to be implemented by 2025. It will also enable Japan to "benefit from Tunisia's experience in several e-government projects, in particular the digital identity project, information exchange, cybersecurity regulation and the encouragement of startups," said Taro Kono.
Samira Njoya
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The Chinese video-sharing platform TikTok is enjoying great success on the African continent. While some countries have no problem with it, Senegal considers the application to be a threat to national stability.
TikTok will remain suspended until further notice in Senegal, Minister of Communication Moussa Bocar Thiam (photo) said at a press conference last October 5. According to the government official, the government is in talks with the social network’s executives to lift that suspension.
"It's an unfortunate situation because our objective is [to guarantee] the free use of this platform [...] For the moment, the restriction is maintained pending the conclusion of a comprehensive written agreement," he said.
Three conditions were set out for the lifting of the suspension. Firstly, the Minister insisted on the need for TikTok to put in place a mechanism guaranteeing the deletion of fake accounts and accounts with subversive content. He also called for a local representation in Senegal.
Finally, the government called for regulation of the application's algorithm in Senegal, to control content that could run counter to Senegalese values and negatively influence young people. According to the Minister, it's a question of knowing what content is being offered to Senegalese.
The ban on TikTok was imposed in August following the arrest of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko. At the time, Senegalese authorities said it was "the preferred network used by malicious individuals to spread hateful and subversive messages threatening the country's stability."
Despite being banned in the country, it is still widely used by the Senegalese youths who use means like VPNs to bypass censorship.
Samira Njoya
Over the past decade, the Kenyan government has invested heavily to make the country a technological hub in East Africa. It wants to reach even greater heights with the support of various partners.
On Thursday, October 5 in Nairobi, the European Union (EU) Commission launched a €430 million digital package aimed at extending connectivity in Kenyan schools, creating a green digital innovation center, and supporting the government in its digital transition.
The package, unveiled during the official visit of the European Union's Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, underlines the EU's commitment to Kenya's technological transformation.
"Expanding digital connectivity, upskilling jobs, and driving digital governance and services is at the heart of what our investment strategy is about: Creating sustainable connections and local added value while cutting unsustainable dependencies," said Jutta Urpilainen.
The launch of this digital package in Kenya is part of Europe's Global Gateway strategy, an initiative of the European Commission to advance the dual digital and green transition and provide reliable, sustainable connections to partner countries.
In Kenya, the initiative will reduce the digital divide by providing Internet access to around 1,300 schools in remote areas. A grant of 9.8 million euros will fund the development of infrastructure and digital educational skills and services in schools in 47 counties. These will benefit over 219,000 children as part of the GIGA program, a global initiative set up by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
The package will also enable the creation of a green digital innovation cluster supported by the EU and Germany, as well as e-government initiatives in partnership with Estonia and Germany, and participation in Govstack, an innovative community project formed as part of a multilateral partnership between Germany, Estonia, ITU, and Digital Impact Alliance.
According to William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, the aim of the partnership with the European Union is to create a link that will contribute to sustainable development, the empowerment of the most disadvantaged, and the promotion of good governance and the rule of law in the country.
Samira Njoya
The ongoing digital revolution has encouraged a growing number of young Africans to venture into the path of entrepreneurship and innovation, giving the continent a glimmer of hope. However, their endeavors are sometimes slowed by the lack of financing.
The Baobab Network, a startup accelerator providing technical and financial support to entrepreneurs in Africa, announced on Thursday, October 5 its intention to invest in a thousand African technology companies over the next decade.
"We have the platform to dramatically scale the number of investments we review and execute across Africa. Our goal is to empower 1000 start-ups, catalyzing innovation and driving economic growth across the continent," said Baobab co-founder Toby Hanington.
Around 60% of Africa's population is under the age of 25, making the continent the world's youngest. This translates into a large youth population, and highlights the immense potential for youth-led innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth.
Like The Baobab Network, multinationals like Microsoft believe in the potential of this enterprising youth and are investing accordingly. In 2022, the American computer software company announced its plan to support the growth of around 10,000 African startups over the next five years.
According to its executives, Microsoft intends to become "one of the cornerstones of the continent's digital economy and provide relevant solutions to Africa's societal challenges". For the company, this means working towards an explosion of local innovations that will contribute positively, not only to Africa's digital economy, but also to global society.
Since its launch in 2019, Baobab has invested in 45 startups in 15 African countries. Thanks to the establishment of its new co-investment vehicle, future cohorts will benefit from an investment of $100,000 each, up from $50,000 previously. The new cohort includes Brandrive, PocketFood, and Bunce (Nigeria), as well as Kawu (Uganda) and Alal (Senegal).
Samira Njoya
Moussa Bagnon, one of the members of the Ivorian team that won the Sony Talent League last March recently agreed to talk to We Are Tech Africa. During this interview, he discusses the competition, his ambitions for the animation and special effects sectors as well as the Afro VFX training program that enabled him to enter the industry.
We Are Tech: Hi Mr. Bagnon, can you tell us a bit about your background?
Moussa Bagnon: I have a degree in electronics and a passion for the digital, photography and video. I was part of the first cohort of the Afro VFX training course organized by Orange Côte d'Ivoire in 2022. The aim of the course was to introduce young people to special effects and animation.
WAT: Before this training, were you already familiar with special effects and animation?
MB: No, I had no prior knowledge. I did start out in related fields with computer graphics and video editing. I had some idea of the tools that could be used to create 3D and animation, but I had no skills in these areas.
WAT: How did you join the first cohort of the Afro VFX training program?
MB : I heard about the training at the Orange Digital Center Côte d'Ivoire, a center dedicated to coaching and developing digital skills. I took part in Orange Summer Challenge 2021, a summer internship that enables young people to carry out a project to solve a social problem. After that, I kept up a good relationship with the members of the Orange Digital Center Côte d'Ivoire, which I visited regularly. Then I heard about Afro VFX and applied.
WAT: How did the apprenticeship go when you were selected?
MB: The apprenticeship began with MASTERCLASSES on special effects. Following a selection process, the most motivated and able, whether amateurs or beginners, were selected to follow the certification course. The first sessions focused on Maya software for 3D modeling and animation. Next, we learned about simulation using software such as Houdini. The sessions took place online every Saturday with different trainers over several weeks.
WAT: Did the training meet your expectations? In particular, in terms of the animation skills you were looking for?
MB : When I entered the Afro VFX program, what I really wanted was to be able to animate and create special effects like professionals. I can't say that I have become a professional after the course but I did learn a lot about the basics of the trade. We were given technical skills, but first, we had to learn about the industry's ecosystem with the world of studios and how animators collaborate. I believe three months of training can not make me a professional who can start applying for animation jobs. It is just an initiation. Also, I was looking to upgrade myself to international animation and special effects standards. So, this level can’t be reached within just three months. Nevertheless, I have learned a lot and I’m still learning. We are already seeing animation projects by very talented people in Côte d’Ivoire, but I’m really aiming for international standards. So, I still want to improve my skills.
WAT : With the skills you acquired during the 3-month training, you and other students from the Afro VFX cohort won the Sony Talent League (a worldwide digital competition) in March with your animated documentary "Djossi Heroes". How did you get to take part in such a high-profile competition when you were still not confident your skills would match international standards?
MB : We heard about the competition through Dedy Bilamba, one of the co-founders of the Afro VFX program, who shared the competition link with us. We heard about it a few weeks before the first deadline, but the criteria were really up to the international standards I was aiming for, for example. It was an opportunity for us to gauge our current level. We set off to discover the competition and put our new skills into practice. We didn't really think we'd win the competition. First, we had to submit a pitch, and out of the 600 projects submitted, five, including ours, were selected and then we had to work for 10 weeks with our mentors to present the final version.
WAT: Can you tell us about the project that made you win the competition?
MB : It's called Djossi Heroes, a 15-minute documentary series that puts the spotlight on petty traders. The first episode, for example, is about a water vendor and her business. For us, these people are everyday heroes. Our job was to use animation to bring the heroine's ambitions and dreams to life so that they would shine in the documentary. We collaborated with two other students from the Afro VFX cohort and a cartoonist, under the supervision of our instructors who helped us structure the project.
WAT: What do you think attracted the judges to Djossi Heroes?
MB : The 5 finalists submitted great projects, but I think what made the difference with our project is the social impact and awareness-raising on immigration and other important subjects that we dealt with in the episodes. I think the jury was more attracted by the impact of our project.
WAT: What do you plan to do next?
MB: For now, the plan is to improve Djossi Heroes. The next step will be to find investors to finish and distribute it on a large scale. At the same time, I will continue to train myself to reach the skill level I desire. I want to contribute to the improvement of animation and special effects in Côte d'Ivoire, and Africa.
WAT: Are you planning to take part in the next Afro VFX cohort?
MB : Of course. The first cohort was more of an initiation than anything else. The second cohort provides for real specialization, and there I'll have the opportunity to choose a very specific area of special effects. It's a much broader sector than you might think. There are people who do texturing, some specialize in animation, others in composition. I will have the chance to perfect my simulation skills.
WAT: You've greatly stressed on international standards. Do you think that Africa is still far from reaching those standards?
MB: We're gradually getting there. With what we're seeing in certain countries like Nigeria and Côte d'Ivoire, there are quite a few studios doing good work. We're not up to international standards, but we're not far off.
WAT: Do you think there's a real demand for animation specialists in Africa right now?
MB : I think there's a real need because the continent is producing more and more content, especially animated films. There are more and more African projects of this kind, but the people behind these initiatives are often obliged to outsource the animation part and entrust it to professionals outside Africa, in order to get quality animation. That's why training is so important. In Africa, we have great stories, but we need to train animators and special effects specialists to perfect the narration.
WAT: What message would you like to pass on to young people like yourself who want to get into animation and special effects?
MB: I want to encourage them because we're seeing more and more African animated films on well-known platforms like Netflix, so we can say that the sector is growing. Africa is very closely watched by the outside world in this field, so I'd ask them not to hesitate. It's a sector that feeds its people and has a future. I'd also like to appeal to African authorities for more support in the field because it can create a lot of jobs for Ivorians and Africans in general.
WAT: I think your appeal will be heard. Thank you for your time.
MB: Thank you too.
Interview by Servan Ahougnon