News (1785)
Digital transformation is positively impacting key sectors of the economy, notably in Africa with sectors like agriculture and finance. To further capitalize on its opportunities, African countries are actively invested in initiatives such as innovation support schemes that aim to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship.
Last week, the Tanzanian and Moroccan governments launched a satellite-based system for the digital collection of agricultural harvest data. The launch took place at the Tanzanian Agricultural Research Institute's (TARI) Uyole center in Mbeya, Tanzania.
The new system, which costs more than a billion Tanzanian shillings (around $399,202), should enable better estimates of agricultural yields and cultivated areas.
The system works by using smartphones equipped with satellite connectivity to collect data from "white zones," which are areas with limited or no internet access. These zones are home to most of Tanzania's agricultural regions.
The data collected by the smartphones will be used to monitor crops from germination to harvest. This will allow the Tanzanian government to have more accurate statistics on agricultural production.
"The aim is to have actual statistics of what we produce in every farming season," explained Fredrick Mlowe, a soil expert at the TARI center in Uyole. "Our officers used to predict the amount of crops to be harvested, a practice that is now phasing out as we are switching to digitalization,” headded
Tanzania is hoping that the new system will help to make agriculture a key sector for its economic development. In the age of the technological revolution, digitization is seen as a mandatory step for improving agricultural statistics. This, in turn, will enable the government to have a clearer vision of food security, monitor crop prices, identify production basins, provide financial support to farmers, and anticipate food shortages.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Despite the continent's booming startup scene, only a handful of countries –Tunisia, Congo, and Nigeria– have legal frameworks specifically designed to support and nurture local startups. Kenya, with its vibrant tech hub, aims to join this exclusive club in 2024 by enacting its own Startup Act.
Kenya's Startup Bill, which has been in the Senate since 2021, will be enacted in 2024, President William Ruto (Photo, left) announced at the Kenya Innovation Week (KIW) last week. This landmark legislation promises to be a game-changer for Kenyan innovators, offering them not only a supportive legal framework but also tangible benefits and a dedicated platform to access various resources.
“By March, or April next year, we will have a firm startup law in Kenya, which will assist many of our innovators to de-risk their innovations and turn them into businesses," said President Ruto.
Despite lacking such a framework, Kenya's tech ecosystem has consistently attracted most of the investments in Africa in recent years, along with Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt. According to Disrupt Africa’s "The African Tech Startups Funding Report 2022”, Kenyan startups captured $574.8 million in investments in 2022, $292 million in 2021, and $191.4 million in 2020. This bill is expected to further enhance Kenya's attractiveness, create jobs and wealth, and connect research institutes with businesses.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
As the digital revolution sweeps across every field, new technologies are emerging to revolutionize the way people work. In the agriculture sector, one of the promising technologies is artificial intelligence, which is poised to greatly transform the sector by for instance helping optimize resource usage and minimize waste.
On Friday, December 1st, British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca announced a reforestation initiative in Kenya. Unveiled during COP28 in Dubai, the project aims to plant six million trees and leverage the power of artificial intelligence to monitor their growth and health.
Kenya's Rift Valley will be the heart of this initiative, spanning six counties and encompassing over 3,500 hectares of land. Experts will utilize a deep learning AI model to analyze drone and satellite imagery, tracking each tree's progress and quantifying carbon sequestration levels.
"Investing in our natural world through tree planting and conservation, and limiting deforestation, are some of the most effective preventative health steps we can take. By expanding AZ Forest to Kenya, we are progressing our commitment to deliver reforestation at scale, with a science-led approach that benefits both the environment and local communities," said Juliette White, AstraZeneca Vice President of Global Sustainability.
This initiative forms part of AstraZeneca's global "AZ Forest" program, launched in 2020 to plant and nurture 200 million trees –in partnership with landscape restoration specialists– across six continents by 2030.
Beyond Kenya, "AZ Forest" has planted nearly 3 million trees in Ghana this year alone, bringing their total to over 4 million since 2021. Rwanda is next in line, with a target of 5.8 million trees on 21,000 hectares in the coming months.
Samira Njoya
Despite ongoing endeavors to expand international connectivity and the deployment of fiber optic backbones across West Africa, significant hurdles remain. The steadfast support of the World Bank is poised to further accelerate progress in this critical domain.
The World Bank has approved $266.5 million in financing for the Digital Transformation for Africa (DTfA)/West Africa Regional Digital Integration Program (WARDIP). This transformative initiative aims to revolutionize the digital landscape of Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Mauritania, laying the foundation for a connected, innovative, and inclusive future.
"DTfA/ WARDIP is a crucial step toward an interconnected, innovative, and inclusive future for West Africa. Beyond shaping a digital landscape, it aims to foster regional integration through collaboration and strategic investments,” commented Boutheina Guermazi, World Bank Director for Regional Integration for Africa and the Middle East.
This timely intervention comes amidst West Africa's burgeoning efforts to digitize the region. While mobile broadband coverage has expanded, substantial gaps in digital connectivity, access, and usage persist. According to World Bank data, mobile broadband adoption rates remain below 40%, primarily due to prohibitively high retail prices.
The World Bank's support will empower ICT companies and service providers to capitalize on opportunities to foster a growth-conducive regional digital market. Public sector entities, universities, and regulatory bodies will also receive targeted support to enhance their contributions to digital development. The project will further bolster the efforts of the Smart Africa alliance, building the capacity of African decision-makers and policymakers in digital transformation.
Ultimately, the program will lower the digital divide by reducing the cost of Internet services in the region, stimulating competition among service providers, and upgrading underlying infrastructure. This transformation is expected to generate new employment opportunities, expand access to services for 1.3 million inhabitants, and reduce gender inequalities in digital skills, entrepreneurship, and financial services. The goal is to ensure that women have equal opportunities to benefit from the digital economy, with a target of reaching 50% of women and people with disabilities.
Samira Njoya
The African continent is undergoing a profound transformation of both its public services and its economy, driven by the rapid adoption of ICT. However, harnessing the full potential of these cutting-edge technologies requires the expertise and guidance of well-informed professionals.
Russia plans to enhance its ICT collaboration with African countries. As part of this effort, leading figures from some 36 African nations have been invited to Moscow this month to connect with Russian tech specialists and investors.
The initiative, spearheaded by Katerina Vladimirovna Tikhonova (pictured above), daughter of the Russian President, aims to support Africa's development of digital governance services, including cybersecurity, digitization of public services, and electronic voting. The initiative is being driven through a center affiliated with the Russian Foundation for Intellectual Development.
This effort falls under an awareness-raising project titled "e-Governance Knowledge Sharing Program," which was launched in July by the foundation in partnership with the Moscow Higher School of Economics.
Through this initiative, participating African countries will gain access to Russia's advanced expertise in providing digital services to citizens. According to international experts, Russia ranks among the most advanced countries in the digitization of public services. The country is ranked 42nd in this area out of 193 countries by the UN.
In terms of e-voting, Russia is currently testing a digital platform that will be used for the presidential election in 2024. This presents an opportunity for African countries to familiarize themselves with this innovation, which is still gaining traction on the continent. As a result of this working visit and the ensuing partnerships, African countries will also enhance their cybersecurity capabilities. Notably, in the wake of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the country has been actively developing solutions to strengthen its cyberspace.
Samira Njoya
To ensure the success of its digital transition program, Algeria needs a skilled workforce. For that purpose, the government wants to implement programs to match students’ skills to the demands of the job market.
The Algerian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has inked a partnership agreement with Huawei, a global leader in ICT equipment and infrastructure. The agreement, signed on November 28, 2023, aims to equip universities and colleges with cutting-edge technology while bolstering the digital skills of students and faculty. According to local media outlet Agence algérienne de presse, it was initialled by the Ministry's Secretary General, Abdelhakim Bentellis, and Huawei Algeria Vice President Alex Zhang Chang
Under the terms of the agreement, Huawei will provide six universities with state-of-the-art smart classrooms, enabling students to access world-class educational programs. Additionally, the company will collaborate with the Ministry to develop comprehensive training programs for teachers and students, focusing on in-demand digital skills such as artificial intelligence and cloud computing.
This strategic partnership aligns with the Ministry's vision of modernizing Algeria's higher education system and ensuring that students are equipped with the skills necessary to thrive in the digital era. The initiative builds upon the recent launch of 46 digital platforms designed to enhance the digital literacy of students and teachers, demonstrating the government's unwavering commitment to transforming the education sector.
Samira Njoya
Kenya is making significant strides to solidify its position as the preeminent technology hub in East Africa. To achieve this ambitious goal, the country is forging strategic partnerships with key technical partners.
Kenya launched the Green and Digital Innovation Hub Kenya (gDIH) on Tuesday, November 28, during Kenya Innovation Week. The initiative, spearheaded by the Digital Transformation Centre of the German International Development Cooperation Agency (GIZ) in Kenya, aims to empower micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) with the necessary technology and innovation resources to navigate the digital transformation journey and enhance their participation in the country's digital economy while adhering to green principles.
"As the digital economy evolves and competition becomes more intense, the hub stands as a distinctive platform for MSMEs to level the playing field, ensuring equitable access to digital innovation opportunities for all MSMEs in Kenya, irrespective of their geographical location," emphasized Bernd Lakemeier, GIZ Kenya’s Director of Programs Sustainable Economic Development Cluster.
The hub's activities will focus on fostering innovation in the agriculture, information and communication technology, and energy sectors, leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, cybersecurity/IT security, cloud computing, and smart cities. The promoters envision the gDIH becoming a major technology hub in the country, further strengthening Kenya's already robust technology landscape on a continental scale.
Commenting on the launch of gDIH, Prof. Tom Ogada, the Team Lead of the ACTS consortium said: “Embedding a green ethos into technological advancements holds substantial implications for Kenya’s sustainable development and economic growth. By fostering collaborations with diverse stakeholders and organizations, we are committed to extending the Hub’s influence beyond Nairobi to encompass all 47 counties, facilitating linkages to expertise, markets, and access to capital beyond the borders of our nation.”
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Nigeria has one of the most mature technology ecosystems in Africa. To further bolster the attractiveness of this ecosystem, the Nigerian government is forging strategic partnerships with key players in the industry.
On Wednesday, November 29, the African Development Bank (AfDB) announced the approval of an $80 million loan for the Ekiti Knowledge Zone (EKZ) incubation program. The funds will be used to build a 20-hectare green technology park and service infrastructure such as roads, electricity, water supply and wastewater treatment facilities. The Ekiti State Government will finance the project to the tune of $14.8 million, with a total project cost of $94.8 million.
"The Ekiti Knowledge Zone Project design responds to the requirements of technology firms and prospective investors as indicated during the preparation phase, lessons learned from similar Bank-financed projects such as the Cabo Verde and Senegal technology parks, and drew insights from good practices of similar initiatives in the continent and globally," said Lamin Barrow, AfDB’s Director General of Nigeria Country Department.
The EKZ incubation program aims to provide an enabling environment for research and development, information and communication technologies, incubation, and acceleration of technology startups, as well as pre-seed and seed financing. The goal is to transform EKZ into a major technology hub that could create some 26,000 jobs and generate net economic benefits worth $14 million a year.
In April 2023, the federal government granted EKZ "free zone" status, which will enable private investors to benefit from various advantages such as the free repatriation of capital, profits, and dividends by foreign investors; free land during the construction phase; tax exemptions; import and export duty waivers; and expatriate quotas for companies operating locally.
"This funding will play a crucial role in realizing our vision for EKZ [...] EKZ is not just about buildings; it’s about building communities, generating thousands of jobs, including opportunities for women and youth, while fuelling the State’s progress," said Akintunde Oyebode, Ekiti State Commissioner for Finance.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Driven by an unwavering commitment to harnessing the transformative power of technology for the country's progress, the Moroccan government is actively fostering robust collaborations with key players in the technology sector. These strategic partnerships are expected to yield promising spin-offs in the years to come.
Morocco and Huawei recently announced a partnership to collaborate on a range of digital transformation projects. The partnership was formalized through the signing of three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) during the 2nd Digitech Ecosystem Summit held in Essaouira, Morocco.
They focus on the digitization of services, ICT training and skills development, and digital inclusion.
"The launch of the second edition of the 'Digitech Ecosystem Summit' forum, born of the convergence of the visions of all our partners, emphasizes the importance of strengthening digital skills and consolidating, in fine, the public-private partnership, considered to be a real lever for boosting the national digital economy," said David Li, Managing Director of Huawei Morocco.
The first agreement, a tripartite collaboration, involves Huawei, the Ministry in charge of Relations with Parliament and the Ministry of Digital Transition. It focuses on strengthening ICT skills, for the benefit of the Ministry's civil servants, its partners, and selected civil society associations.
The second agreement initiated between Huawei and the Essaouira Mogador Association for Essaouira Province aims to stimulate innovation, foster digital skills at the community level, and promote economic growth in the region.
The third partnership, signed with the Foundation for Research, Development, and Innovation in Science and Engineering (FRDISI), will train and certify students and teachers at the SUPTECH Santé school in Essaouira and Mohammedia in technological fields, to take advantage of Huawei's Digitech Talent program.
According to a Huawei press release, the signing of these agreements is in line with the tech giant's vision to be a catalyst for training, development, and digital innovation in Morocco. It comes at a time when Morocco is stepping up its digital projects to become a benchmark technology hub in Africa by 2025.
Samira Njoya
Digital transformation offers a huge potential, notably for African countries. To capitalize on those opportunities, countries need to enhance connectivity. This is why like most African countries, South Africa is focused on developing broadband internet.
South African authorities introduced a Broadband Access Fund on Tuesday, November 28, specifically designed to support small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) providing internet services in KwaZulu-Natal province. The fund aims to bridge the digital divide by providing partial subsidies to these SMBs, enabling them to connect 50,000 households and establish 3,000 community Wi-Fi access points.
The initiative has already benefited sixteen internet service providers, who will be tasked with extending broadband connectivity to underserved areas and reducing access costs. These efforts are expected to improve broadband penetration, increase employment opportunities, and stimulate economic growth in the region.
"Through the Broadband Access Fund, the government has reduced the cost of data considerably with packages from as little as R5 [~$0.26] per day Wi-Fi connectivity. We are enabling our people to have access to the Internet in an affordable, secure and safe way. We intend to connect more than a million households over the next six months,” commented Mondli Gungubele, South Africa's Minister of Communications.
The establishment of the Broadband Access Fund aligns with the President's job stimulus program, providing partial subsidies to internet service providers. This initiative forms part of the second phase of the SA Connect project, launched on Saturday, November 4, which aims to guarantee all South Africans access to affordable broadband connectivity.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
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Dedicated to fostering the development of African nations, the African Development Bank (AfDB) is expanding its network of partnerships to empower Africa to fully harness the potential of emerging technologies.
On Monday, November 27, the African Development Bank (AfDB) announced a strategic partnership with the US Commercial Service, a global network of trade experts dedicated to promoting foreign direct investment in the United States. This collaboration, unveiled during the Africa Tech Festival in Cape Town, South Africa, aims to foster a series of dialogues on how US digital innovation can contribute to achieving development goals in Africa.
"We are at a turning point in Africa's technological advancement. By bridging insights from the U.S. private sector with Africa's vibrant markets, we aim to drive innovation and economic growth. This partnership is a testament to that mission," said Ashley Ndir, senior U.S. Commercial Liaison to the African Development Bank.
Under the terms of this partnership, the two parties will explore avenues for African governments to collaborate with US technology companies to advance their economies. Additionally, they will examine how US businesses can capitalize on emerging opportunities in Africa's emerging markets.
Discussions will focus on key themes such as embracing emerging technologies, enhancing internet access, developing digital skills, and establishing a regulatory environment conducive to innovation.
This initiative aligns with the AfDB's digital development strategy, which is designed to support African countries in achieving their digitization goals. As part of this strategy, the AfDB invested $2 billion in digital infrastructure, including “regional and national broadband development, creating favorable policy environments for private sector investments, scaling digital skills, and nurturing innovative enterprises.”
Samira Njoya
African countries are actively forging strategic partnerships to remain abreast of the swiftly evolving global technological landscape. In the same vein, Morocco recently inked a memorandum of understanding with a U.S. Tech giant.
On Monday, November 27, Morocco's Ministries of Higher Education and Digital Transition signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with American technology giant Oracle, marking a significant step towards enhancing digital skills development in the kingdom's higher education landscape.
The MoU aims to empower professors and students with access to comprehensive training programs, learning resources, and software developed by Oracle. This collaboration aligns with the Kingdom of Morocco's ambitious digital transformation goals, as outlined in its digital transformation strategy, Maroc Digital.
"This memorandum of understanding forms part of the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform's vision to increase the number of skills and talents trained in digitalization professions. [...] This will enable us to support our country's digital transformation as a leading producer of digital solutions at regional and continental levels, while also meeting the needs of national and international investors," reads a joint release from both ministries.
Under the terms of the MoU, Oracle will provide Moroccan institutions with access to its Oracle Academy, a global education program that has been empowering students for over two decades. Through this partnership, Moroccan students will gain hands-on experience with Oracle's technology stack, preparing them for successful careers in the digital sector.
The MoU aligns with Morocco's commitment to Maroc Digital, which calls for the annual training of 45,000 digital talents and the conversion of 50,000 young people to digital professions. This initiative aims to position Morocco as a global hub for innovation and digital excellence.
On completion of the training courses, Moroccan students will be able to obtain Oracle professional certifications in various technological fields, enhancing their career prospects and making them highly sought-after professionals.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
In Africa, the healthcare landscape is plagued by a shortage of adequate infrastructure and qualified medical professionals. This severely hinders accessibility and the quality of healthcare services but, with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), players hope to alleviate those critical challenges.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector financing arm of the World Bank Group, recently announced a partnership agreement with Senegalese e-health startup Kera Health Platforms, to address the critical shortage of healthcare professionals and facilities in West Africa. This collaboration aims to leverage technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), to enhance healthcare accessibility and outcomes for millions of people across the region.
"As Africa stands on the cusp of a demographic boom, harnessing the power of technology in healthcare is not just an opportunity; it is an imperative.[...] Thanks to this collaboration with IFC, we are poised to accelerate the integration of AI, enhancing healthcare accessibility and outcomes across the continent," said Moustapha Cissé, founder and CEO of Kera Health Platforms.
Under the partnership agreement, IFC will provide financial support to Kera to further develop its AI-powered solutions for managing electronic health records (EHRs), lab results, pharmaceutical data, smart medical records, and health insurance products.
According to IFC officials, the initiative is part of the corporation’s investment strategy to address an insufficient number of healthcare professionals and facilities, as well as low health insurance coverage in Africa. "With its boundless potential, the African continent faces an acute healthcare challenge. It bears the weight of one of the lowest doctor-population ratios in the world, with about 1.5 medical professionals per 1,000 individuals. In Senegal, as of 2020, there was an average of less than one physician per 10,000 people," an IFC release explains.
In such a context, the technology developed through this partnership will significantly improve healthcare delivery at reduced costs by making crucial information readily accessible to patients, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders.
Samira Njoya
Over the past few years, AI has been the focal point in global tech news. With its ever-expanding applications, there is a growing imperative to consider and address the security aspects associated with its widespread usage.
In a landmark move to bolster the safety of artificial intelligence (AI), 18 countries around the world have signed an agreement outlining a comprehensive framework for developing and deploying secure AI systems. The 20-page document, known as the Guidelines for Secure AI System Development, stipulates that companies involved in the development, deployment, or commercialization of AI must design their systems with inherent security measures to safeguard users and the public from potential harm.
"The release of the Guidelines for Secure AI System Development marks a key milestone in our collective commitment by governments across the world to ensure the development and deployment of artificial intelligence capabilities that are secure by design," said Jen Easterly, Director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
This groundbreaking agreement follows three weeks after the inaugural international summit on AI, held from November 1 to 2 at Bletchley Park, England. It demonstrates global leaders’ will to proactively address the challenges and opportunities presented by the rapid advancement of AI technologies.
Beyond the core principle of "secure design," the agreement encompasses a range of recommendations, including Enhanced system security to prevent cyberattacks and unauthorized intrusions, Robust data protection measures to safeguard sensitive information, and Rigorous oversight of software suppliers to ensure compliance with security standards.
The 18 signatory nations include the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Poland, Australia, Chile, Israel, Nigeria, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Norway, France, New Zealand, Canada, and Germany. Notably, China, a major player in AI development, was excluded from the agreement due to ongoing U.S. sanctions.
Samira Njoya