News (1792)
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
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
Africa's digital economy is poised to reach a staggering $712 billion by 2050, accounting for 8.5% of the continent's GDP. This prospect justifies the implementation of digital transformation initiatives across Africa, including Côte d’Ivoire which is accelerating its process.
Côte d'Ivoire and the United States are joining forces to foster the growth of the digital economy in both countries. US Ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire Jessica Davis Ba (photo, left) met with Ivorian Minister of Digital Transition and Digitization Kalil Konaté (photo, right) on Thursday, November 23, to discuss this collaboration.
During their meeting, Ambassador Davis Ba reaffirmed the United States' commitment to supporting the Ivorian government in implementing various digital projects. "We are delighted to assist Côte d'Ivoire in building a digital infrastructure that can create jobs for young people and establish Côte d'Ivoire as a model of technological innovation in the minds of Americans," stated the ambassador.
Côte d'Ivoire aspires to become a technology hub, mirroring the aspirations of several African countries, where digital technology serves as a cross-cutting sector driving economic dynamism and job creation. To achieve this goal, the government is collaborating with countries that share similar ambitions for the sector.
The United States was a natural choice given its long-standing position as one of the top five most technologically advanced nations. According to recent trade data released by the US Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis, the digital economy's share of US GDP increased from 11% in 2005 to 19% in 2022, and digital services exports accounted for 2.5% of GDP last year.
Côte d'Ivoire hopes to gain from the United States' experience to boost its digital economy, which currently contributes around 3% of GDP. The collaboration also aims to provide support for the development of digital infrastructure and services, cybersecurity, and entrepreneurship, among other areas.
Samira Njoya
In recent years, cybersecurity has emerged as a critical concern for African nations. Collaborating with strategic partners, they are embarking on specific cybersecurity initiatives to achieve predetermined goals.
Kenyan authorities welcomed an American delegation led by Ambassador-at-Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy, Nathaniel C. Fick, to Nairobi on Monday, November 27, according to a press release issued by the US State Department. The visit marked the second U.S.-Kenyan Cyberspace and Digital Dialogue, which aims to bolster the partnership between the two countries in promoting a secure and stable cyberspace.
"U.S. and Kenyan officials discussed a range of topics, which included engagement on cyber and digital capacity building, implementation of the Framework for Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace, collaboration on combatting cybercrime, promotion of secure and trusted information and communication technology infrastructure, and the advancement of digital freedom," stated the release.
Cybersecurity has become a crucial concern for African nations as they embark on their digital transformation journeys. Kenya, particularly since the inauguration of President William Ruto, has placed digital technology at the heart of its development strategy, fostering partnerships with various entities in the technology sector to support efforts in this domain. In terms of cybersecurity, Kenya holds a strong position, with a national cybersecurity strategy slated for implementation in August 2022 and a national computer incident response team in place. However, Nairobi has yet to ratify the African Union's Malabo Convention on cybersecurity.
Beyond cybersecurity, the two delegations also discussed topics related to achieving Kenya's objectives in the digital economy sector. Notably, Kenya, under President William Ruto, boasts one of the continent's most mature technological ecosystems, alongside South Africa, Egypt, and Nigeria.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
To achieve the ambitious goals set out in its digital strategy, Morocco is fostering a collaborative environment that brings all the relevant stakeholders together. It offers a comprehensive suite of programs to entrepreneurs, providing them with the necessary support and enabling them to further develop their innovative ventures and gain access to increased funding opportunities.
On Friday, November 24, the Moroccan Ministry for Digital Transition and Administrative Reform and the Technopark Morocco management company (MITC) signed a partnership agreement on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Essaouira Technopark (the fifth in Morocco). This strategic collaboration aims to establish a comprehensive framework for providing targeted support programs to local startups.
The agreement, championed by Minister for Digital Transition Ghita Mezzour, underscores the government's commitment to fostering a vibrant startup ecosystem in Morocco. "We want to empower young entrepreneurs and project leaders to thrive in the national and international markets," stated Mezzour, expressing her aspiration to nurture a Moroccan unicorn shortly.
As part of this partnership, Essaouira Technopark will offer tailored programs designed to nurture startups throughout their lifecycle. These six-month and twelve-month programs will provide comprehensive support at every stage of development, empowering startups to overcome challenges and achieve their full potential. Over the course of the agreement, an estimated 70 startups will benefit from this specialized training and guidance.
The collaboration between the government and Technopark aligns with their shared vision of leveraging digital technology to drive Morocco's economic growth. The plan is to establish Technoparks in seven regions and increase the number of Technopark cities from four to ten by 2026.
Since its inception in 2001, Technopark has established itself as Morocco's premier technology business incubator. Through its unwavering support, Technopark has nurtured over 3,500 innovative companies, creating more than 15,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Samira Njoya
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Onix Data Centres aims to establish a pan-African data center network, beginning with West Africa, to address the burgeoning demand for digital services on the continent. To achieve this goal, the company is actively expanding its collaborative partnerships.
Ghanaian data center operator Onix Data Centres Ltd recently announced its integration into the Angola Cables network through its West African subsidiary TelCables. The initiative aims to improve international connectivity in Ghana and Senegal, two countries that host the operator’s data centers.
"Our intent has been to develop a reliable facility that can accommodate and deliver secure services to hyperscalers and carriers supporting terrestrial networks as well as existing and new subsea cables planned for the region," said Onix CEO, Michael Nahon.
In Ghana, Onix’s 2,000-square-meter data center currently serves major banking and financial customers. It currently has 3 kW and 5 kW racks and a dedicated pod of 50 racks for individual customers wishing to share infrastructure and reduce costs.
By connecting to Angola Cables, Onix will be able to offer its customers a variety of secure digital solutions and managed services thanks to the network’s state-of-the-art facilities comprising, among other things, 66 new data centers and 21 IXPs (Internet Exchange points).
The aim is to meet the needs of a wide range of customers who require secure storage and management of their digital assets and data. The partnership is part of Onix's commitment to providing neutral colocation services and high-quality connectivity in West Africa, as demand for digital services continues to grow in the region. In January, the company launched its second data center in Dakar, Senegal.
Meanwhile, Fernando Fernandes, CEO of TelCables Nigeria and West Africa, believes that “Partners like Onix are playing a vital role in developing the infrastructure necessary to expand digital services and provide the platform for ISPs, CDNs and other enterprises contributing to the explosive growth in data traffic, cloud services, and content distribution across the African continent.”
Samira Njoya
On the African continent where value-added digital services are getting appealing by the day, telecom operators are adapting their strategies to remain competitive. In that context, Orange is multiplying innovations, in line with its “Lead the Future” vision, to meet subscribers’ needs.
Earlier today, November 24, Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA) announced the launch of Max it, its super app. Currently, the app is available in five African countries, namely Cameroon, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Botswana. It will be gradually rolled out with functional updates in the twelve other countries that make up Orange’s market in the Middle East-Africa zone.
According to Orange CEO Christel Heydemann, "Max it perfectly reflects Orange’s spirit of innovation in Africa and the Middle East. By bringing together all our services and those of numerous partners, this application strengthens our position as a multi-service operator and our desire to offer the best of digital services to all our customers."
The digital solution aggregates three essential service offerings into a unified smartphone interface. Orange customers can seamlessly manage their mobile or fixed lines, and access a wide range of local and international financial services including money transfers, merchant payments, bank transfers, credit, and savings. Additionally, users can access diverse digital content such as online games, music, TV, videos, news, and more through an inclusive marketplace. The interface even facilitates the purchase of tickets for events like concerts and transportation services.
“Max it is accessible to all, regardless of operator, with Orange Money as the payment base, while accepting other solutions for paying for purchases via the super-app. Available in different languages and integrating local specificities for greater inclusion, Max it will enable the development of new uses while meeting the different needs of its users' daily lives,” Orange indicates in a release.
In sub-Saharan Africa, the mobile phone is the main gateway to the digital world. With a current smartphone adoption rate of 51%, projected to reach 87% by 2030, Orange is poised to capitalize on this potential by expanding its reach through its app over the next seven years. Aiming to connect with a wider audience, Orange has set a target of registering nearly 45 million active Max it users by 2025, building upon its existing base of 32 million monthly Orange Money users.
Digital transformation is now recognized as a driving force for growth across diverse sectors of the economy. Notably, the United Nations advocates for its role in accomplishing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
At its 2023 Sustainability Forum held on November 21 in Dongguan, China, under the theme "Thrive Together with Tech: Realizing Sustainable Development", Huawei unveiled a fellowship program in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). This initiative targets young innovators between the ages of 18 and 28 worldwide who have impactful digital projects that empower community development.
Called the "The ITU Generation Connect Young Leadership Programme in Partnership with Huawei," the fellowship will open for applications early next year and run for three years. The 30 young people selected will be supported in carrying out their projects. This is an expression of the Chinese technology company's firm belief in the catalytic effect of digital talent in future technological innovation.
Jeff Wang, President of Huawei's Public Affairs and Communications Department, explains: “The support that participants will receive includes financial contributions to their projects, mentoring from ITU and Huawei experts, and opportunities to participate in joint events.”
The fellowship introduced by Huawei and ITU marks a significant development in the ongoing collaboration between the two entities, which commenced last year with the establishment of the Partner2Connect Digital Coalition (P2C). P2C is a program dedicated to advancing global connectivity and digital transformation, with a special emphasis on underserved communities in regions and countries facing digital accessibility challenges. As part of its commitment to this initiative, Huawei has pledged to extend connectivity to approximately 120 million individuals residing in these underserved regions across over 80 countries by 2025. Notably, the company reports that it has already made significant strides, reaching 90 million people as of now.
"Digital is a prerequisite for accelerating the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We want the youth to push the envelope on the evolving global digital ecosystem and make their transformative contributions," said Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau.
To expedite its digital transformation journey, Kenya is bolstering its partnerships in the technology sector. Earlier this week, the authorities partnered with American giant Microsoft to improve the delivery of public services.
Stanley Kamanguya, Director General of the Kenya ICT Authority (ICTA), and Phyllis Migwi, Country Manager of Microsoft East Africa Company, signed a memorandum of understanding in the ICT sector on Tuesday, November 21 in Nairobi, Kenya. The aim is to reinforce the digital transformation underway in the country and integrate Microsoft cloud services to improve public service delivery with the adoption of the cloud-first strategy.
By February 2024, the Redmond-based firm will have to put in place a comprehensive framework for this purpose. The move to the cloud should enable Kenya to outsource the security and data protection of all its institutions to the American giant for the next three years, per the terms of the protocol.
"I would like to thank Microsoft for this engagement which has come at the right time. We believe that towards the end of this partnership, we shall enhance our cybersecurity awareness, enhance our digital skills, and develop key technology areas for a vibrant digital sector," said Stanley Kamanguya.
A few months ago, the Kenyan public services portal, eCitizen, suffered a cyberattack claimed by pro-Russian hacktivist group Anonymous Sudan, forcing authorities to take measures to ensure continuity of services like visa, passport, identity card, and driving license issuance.
Yet, Kenya is one of the African countries that performs best when it comes to cybersecurity. It ranks 5th on the continent and, is one of the few with a national cybersecurity strategy. In its report "Cybersecurity in Africa -Call to action" published in June 2023, consulting firm Kearney explains that the continent's ability to resist, adapt, and recover from cyberattacks is low. Sub-Saharan African countries do not invest enough in cybersecurity. The region’s average cybersecurity investment is around 0.03% of GDP while the average benchmark is 0.25%.
Kenya’s digital ambitions place the country among the top African targets for hackers. Therefore, it is allowing itself up to three years –the duration of the agreement with Microsoft– to get up to speed.
"As a leader in the tech space in Kenya, Microsoft is very glad to sign this MoU and for us, we are looking forward to seeing how we shall bring the full power of Microsoft services and products to the government for mutual benefit," explained Phyllis Migwi.
Adoni Conrad Quenum