Brutus Diakité, Director of Orange Digital Platforms, pulls back the curtain on Orange's groundbreaking new multi-service solution for Africa in an interview with We Are Tech Africa. He dives deep into the innovative technologies powering this initiative and sheds light on crucial security considerations and general improvements in the pipeline.  

We Are Tech: What specific technical advantages does Max it offer compared to Orange Money and Orange et Moi, particularly in terms of features, functionality, or user experience?

Brutus Diakité: First of all, Max it marks a groundbreaking integration of the uses and functionalities of the Orange Money and Orange et Moi universes (telecoms account management). It also offers e-commerce functionalities to our customers and OTT–Over The Top– users.

From a technical standpoint, Max it is the culmination of over a decade of application development expertise, with our initial foray into applications dating back to 2009-2010. Everything we've acquired in terms of experience, technical skills, and technology is reflected in Max it.

The fundamental difference between this new application and its predecessors, from a technical point of view, lies in several points. First and foremost, Max it was developed using a hybrid technology known as Flutter. This approach allows us to generate a single codebase for deployment across various platforms, including Android, iOS, and Harmony OS. It's even possible to deploy the solution on the web. This stands in stark contrast to the previous necessity of crafting platform-specific versions, which often led to disruptions in the user experience when transitioning between different operating systems. For example, when switching from Android to IOS or vice versa, the configuration of the environment changes, and certain functionalities no longer respond correctly. But we're committed to delivering a quality customer experience regardless of the consumer’s device.

Furthermore, Max it's design is grounded in microservices, where functionalities have been distributed strategically. The primary advantage of this architectural approach lies in its scalability. For a Max it-type application aspiring to accommodate several million customers, it is imperative to integrate the inherent capability to seamlessly handle a rapid surge in user numbers without jeopardizing system stability. Leveraging microservices and deploying in a Kubernetes-type container environment, the application becomes adaptive. As the volume of requests escalates, the application dynamically reconfigures itself to adeptly support the burgeoning user base. This set of technical assets makes Max it different from previous applications.

We Are Tech: Do any of Max it's microservices integrate with third-party mobile or online payment solutions, beyond Orange Money?

Brutus Diakité: When it comes to payment methods, our preference naturally leans towards Orange Money. However, in response to our customers' requests, we have incorporated additional options. The microservices development approach we've adopted makes integration remarkably straightforward, be it for payment services or other service categories. These microservices operate on API (application programming interface) access, facilitating seamless integration. Leveraging these APIs allows third-party companies to effortlessly connect with Max it and extend their services to our customers and users. Consequently, these APIs serve as a secure gateway to Max it, ensuring the safeguarding of exchanged data.

We Are Tech: The application is due to be launched in Orange's 17 markets in the Middle East and Africa. How do you ensure that the development of the application takes into account the specific realities of each of those markets? 

Brutus Diakité: This is another key feature of the Max it project compared to our previous applications. To ensure a consistent experience for all customers across different countries while accommodating local requirements, the application follows a co-development approach. Essentially, the core of the application is centrally designed and implemented, while specific functionalities are developed by individual countries. As a result, we have a tailored application for each of the 17 countries that adapt to their unique realities once deployed. The application caters to the distinct offers, products, and services of each country, taking cultural codes into account. Our approach avoids imposing a one-size-fits-all application on our markets. Instead, each deployment in a country is treated as a separate project, meticulously designed and managed in close collaboration with local teams.

Additionally, we aimed for countries to have a high degree of autonomy in managing the application and the flexibility to experiment and learn in their markets. In practice, this co-development philosophy allows countries to create functionalities beyond the standard catalog and test them locally. If [users] like the feature, the code can be made available to other countries to integrate if they wish. One example is the "Wheel of Fortune", which invites users to try and win a gift. This feature was developed by one country, successfully tested with users, and then duplicated in other countries.

We Are Tech: In terms of user security, what is Max it's level of integrity?

Brutus Diakité: In the development of the application, we adopted a Security by Design approach, meaning that security considerations were integrated into every stage of design and development. Our development teams include security experts who continuously assess the application for vulnerabilities. Following the initial deployment in the first five markets, security experts are conducting daily penetration and vulnerability tests to swiftly identify and address potential flaws. It's crucial to highlight that our Group, through Orange Cybersecurity, holds a significant global presence in security, with a team of skilled professionals consistently evaluating the application.

Beyond the technical security aspects, we also have a section dedicated to social engineering. This involves countering scammers who target customers directly through calls and messages to manipulate them into revealing their passwords. For this, we employ a Deep Link-based authentication solution. This entails sending a secure link to a Max it user, and only Max it can open this link. This approach ensures that the user has initiated the action and possesses the app, representing one of the best contemporary security practices for authenticating customers and safeguarding their usage. This technology has already been successfully implemented in multiple countries.

We Are Tech: What enhancements are you currently focusing on to bolster the application?

Brutus Diakité: Regarding security, we are continuously working on enhancements. As hackers and scammers evolve, our goal is to stay ahead of these threats. In terms of functionalities, several are currently undergoing testing and will be incorporated into the application in future deployments. These additions aim to elevate Max it to the level of applications offered by leading companies in the field, surpassing their flagship applications due to our unique telco environment, which sets us apart and works in our favor.

We Are Tech: Are these improvements likely to make Orange Money interoperable across Orange's 17 markets in the Middle East and Africa?

Brutus Diakité: As far as mobile money is concerned, the challenge lies in regulatory considerations. Technically, today, we know how to achieve this interoperability. However, regulatory decisions on the issuance of electronic money between countries still need to be determined by banking regulators, which are the central banks of each country.

We Are Tech: What will happen to customers who have a preference for previous applications, or who use basic mobile phones?

Brutus Diakité: We strongly recommend their transition to Max it as it introduces several innovative features that were not present in our previous applications. Max it not only retains all the functionalities of the older ones but also provides additional advanced features. For users with basic mobile phones, USSD services will continue to be available for some time. However, it's important to note that they do not offer the same user-friendly experience and numerous benefits as the app. Specifically, users relying on USSD will not have access to the Marketplace, video, and audio content, among other features.

Interview by Muriel Edjo

Posted On lundi, 18 décembre 2023 12:52 Written by

The Ivorian government's 2021-2025 development plan unveils ambitious projects for economic and social growth. The projects require substantial financial resources. In that context, authorities are determined to clamp down on loopholes and collect every penny due.

Starting from January 2024, fines for road traffic offenses in Côte d'Ivoire will be processed through the Treasury platform, TrésorPay-TrésorMoney. Ibrahima Koné, the Managing Director of Quipux Afrique, the company overseeing the project, announced this development on Tuesday, December 12, during a visit by members of the Economic, Social, Environmental, and Cultural Council (CESEC) to the Integrated Management Center (CGI) in Treichville.

The platform, implemented by the Treasury and Public Accounting Department, is designed to enhance government revenue collection, ensure operational traceability, and provide immediate access to public funds to meet external support requirements.

This initiative is a key component of the Ivorian government's broader efforts to modernize public services and enhance services for the population. In practical terms, it involves the digitization of all funds collected by the Treasury and its branches, encompassing various fees such as school fees, school examination fees, communal taxes, fixed fines, contraventions, hospitalization fees, royalties, acts of justice, and other payments processed through Treasury departments.

Recent figures released by the National Treasury indicate that from January 2021 to June 10, 2023, over XOF30 billion ($50.2 million) was collected through the TrésorPay-TrésorMoney platform. 

Samira NJOYA

Posted On vendredi, 15 décembre 2023 18:28 Written by

A biomedical engineering doctor, he dedicates his efforts to enhancing radiology services. Through his work with Intixel, an artificial intelligence-based platform, he empowers radiologists to minimize diagnostic errors, enhance productivity, and mitigate the risk of disease progression.

Egyptian-born Mustafa Elattar (photo) is a biomedical engineering, image analysis, medical imaging, and artificial intelligence expert. He is also the founder and CEO of Intixel, a company specializing in cutting-edge artificial intelligence solutions for medical imaging.

He holds a master's degree in communication and information technology from Nile University, earned in 2010, and a PhD in biomedical engineering and physics from the University of Amsterdam, completed in 2016.

Established in 2018, his company, Intixel, empowers medical imaging companies to leverage artificial intelligence for product enhancement. Functioning as a supplementary diagnostic tool, Intixel aids radiologists in swiftly identifying anomalies, thereby reducing diagnostic errors. Intixel also assists radiologists in prioritizing high-risk patients, ultimately enhancing their overall productivity. By optimizing workflow efficiency, the platform enables professionals to examine more patients each day, thereby mitigating the risk of disease progression exacerbated by prolonged waiting lists.

Since 2017, Mustafa Elattar has served as an assistant professor at Nile University. His earlier career includes roles as a research assistant and PhD student at the Academic Medical Center from 2012 to 2016, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the Netherlands Cancer Institute in 2016. From 2017 to 2018, he served as the Head of Research at Myocardial Solutions Inc., a medical technology company dedicated to transforming cardiac and cancer care.

He is also a prolific author with over 68 journal articles and conference publications, disseminating his research ideas and innovations. In 2019, he won the pitch deck and best health-tech startup award at the Takeoff Istanbul International Startup Summit. He also received the Fareed Bader Award at the World Entrepreneurs and Investment Forum (WEIF). In addition, his company was in the top 5 start-ups at the Young Business Hub Entrepreneurship Investment Summit in Bahrain. In 2022, he received the IVLP Impact Award from the US State Department for an artificial intelligence hackathon project he launched on behalf of Nile University.

Melchior Koba

Posted On vendredi, 15 décembre 2023 12:02 Written by

The development of information and communication technologies fueled the growth of ecommerce across Africa, encouraging the multiplication of startups in the sector. In that context, to unlock the full potential of this economic engine, creating a robust legal framework becomes a critical and urgent need, ensuring both consumer protection and investor confidence.

On Wednesday, November 13, in Nairobi, Kenyan authorities, in collaboration with the German Agency for International Development Cooperation (GIZ) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), unveiled the country’s national e-commerce strategy. The primary goal is to enhance both domestic and cross-border trade, enabling local producers to respond to the international market.

"In the contemporary digital landscape, digital trade emerges as a gateway to commerce with a significantly low entry barrier. Notably, Kenya takes the lead among African nations, with its digital economy contributing a substantial 7.7% to the GDP. The newly launched Kenya National E-commerce Strategy aligns with our commitment to empowering local businesses and fostering economic growth from the ground up," explained Rebecca Miano, Kenya's Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry.

The launch is part of the government's strategy to make the country a leading technology hub on the continent and in the East African sub-region in particular. Startups operating in the e-commerce sector, such as Wasoko and Copia Global, have been able to emerge in the Kenyan ecosystem and will be able to continue their growth with the safeguards put in place by the public authorities to stimulate the sector's development.

Developing e-commerce-specific financing products; raising awareness of the need for documentation and collateral for financing; improving links between companies and financial institutions; and developing investment incentives are some of the objectives set by the country's authorities when rolling out the strategy.

Adoni Conrad Quenum

Posted On vendredi, 15 décembre 2023 11:54 Written by

The COVID-19 pandemic has irrevocably changed the education landscape. With classrooms shut down and social distancing becoming the norm, the transition to digital education became a matter of survival for schools around the world. However, this shift is not merely a temporary response to a crisis; it presents a vital opportunity to reshape education for the future.

The Liaison Office of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Addis Ababa, in partnership with Huawei, has provided Ethiopian schools with a vital technology boost. On Thursday, December 14, representatives from both organizations handed over IT equipment to the Ethiopian Ministry of Education and regional education offices.

The delivery includes 480 tablets, 48 laptops, 48 access points, and 24 smartboards. This equipment is part of the TeOSS Project (Schools Open to All through Technology), a joint initiative aimed at bridging the gap between school and home learning and ensuring quality education for all.

"Beyond the classroom, the TeOSS project is a catalyst for innovation and economic growth," said Rita Bissoonauth, Director of UNESCO's Liaison Office in Addis Ababa. "By equipping schools with ICT facilities, we are empowering students to shape Ethiopia's future. Congratulations to UNESCO and Huawei for leading the charge," she added.

The $300,000 investment will equip 24 secondary schools across Ethiopia, providing students and teachers with essential tools to enhance their learning experiences. The TeOSS project, supported by the Huawei Trust Fund, aims to build technology-based, crisis-resilient school systems. This includes facilitating continuity and quality of learning in both normal and crisis situations, a crucial factor in Ethiopia's educational landscape.

Aligned with UNESCO's Priority Africa strategy, the TeOSS project extends its reach beyond Ethiopia. Sub-Saharan African countries like Ghana and Egypt are also participating in the initiative, with the shared goal of utilizing technology as a driving force for quality education and digital development opportunities.

In Ethiopia, the TeOSS project is focusing on building robust ICT infrastructure in pilot schools. This includes connecting schools, setting up a learning management system, and integrating a dedicated teacher training platform. 

Samira Njoya

Posted On vendredi, 15 décembre 2023 11:44 Written by

Driven by a bold vision to transform eSwatini into a tech titan, King Mswati III spearheaded the creation of the Royal Science & Technology Park, a hub fostering scientific advancement and innovation.

The Royal Science & Technology Park (RSTP) is a science and technology hub established in 2007 in the Kingdom of eSwatini. Its inception, fueled by the forward-thinking vision of King Mswati III, was formalized through the enactment of the Royal Science & Technology Park Act in 2012. Spearheading this innovative initiative is Vumile Dlamini.

RSTP's main mission is to champion science, technology, and innovation within Eswatini, fostering an environment that cultivates research, development, and entrepreneurial endeavors. Spanning an expansive 317.17 hectares, the park comprises two distinct sites: the Nokwane Site and the Phocweni Site.

Dedicated to information technology services and products, the Phocweni Site boasts a specialized training center known as the Advanced School of IT. Affiliated with Aptech, a global leader in training solutions, this center caters to both retail and corporate sectors. Furthermore, the site hosts a business incubator designed to stimulate innovation in pivotal sectors such as information and communication technologies, biotechnology, agriculture and food, climate and the environment, waste management (green solutions), and indigenous knowledge systems.

Notably, the Phocweni Site is equipped with essential infrastructure, including a national contact center and a national data center. The latter plays a crucial role in delivering secure, efficient, and reliable ICT services to businesses while actively contributing to the advancement of e-government and championing digital inclusion throughout the Kingdom of eSwatini.

The second site, Nokwane, houses a research unit that serves as a multi-purpose platform for research and development in biotechnology-related technologies, production, product marketing, and trade.

Under the Kingdom's Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Act 2018, the Royal Science & Technology Park has been designated a Special Economic Zone.

Melchior Koba

Posted On vendredi, 15 décembre 2023 11:34 Written by

In addition to its core e-commerce business, Jumia also launched a food delivery service. This service did not live up to the expectations of the startup's management.

E-commerce giant Jumia will shutdown Jumia Food by the end of this month. The decision, communicated through a press release on Wednesday, December 13th, cites the current challenging economic conditions and macroeconomic environment in its African markets as the primary factor.

Jumia Food, operating in seven markets across Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, and Côte d'Ivoire, struggled to find profitability in the competitive food delivery landscape. "Food delivery remains a business with very challenging economics, in Africa and across the world, and we want to focus our efforts on our physical goods e-commerce business, in the eleven markets where we operate. This is a matter of prioritization of opportunities, and expected return on investment," explained Antoine Maillet-Mezeray, Jumia’s executive vice-president (EVP) of finance and operations.

Prioritizing profitability, Jumia is streamlining its operations, focusing its capital and resources on its core e-commerce business across its eleven African markets. The company, founded in 2012 and Africa's first unicorn by 2016, has raised $1.2 billion to fuel its growth and remains publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

"The more we focus on our physical goods business, the more we realize that there is huge potential for Jumia to grow, with a path to profitability. We must take the right decision and fully focus our management, our teams, and our capital resources to go after this opportunity. In the current context, it means leaving a business line, which we believe does not offer the same upside potential - food delivery," says CEO Francis Dufay

Adoni Conrad Quenum

Posted On vendredi, 15 décembre 2023 03:13 Written by

Corruption has long been a cancer on Uganda's socio-economic development, stifling progress in various sectors. To combat this issue, the government has turned to technological solutions.

On December 13, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni officially inaugurated the Electronic Investor Protection Portal (EIPP) at his residence in Entebbe. This new portal is designed to safeguard the interests of investors and combat fraudulent activities by establishing a direct channel of communication with the President's office.

Commending the initiative, President Museveni indicated the EIPP would play a key role in combatting corruption and misinformation. “I [...] congratulate Col. Edith Nakalema and her team for successfully leveraging technology and launching the Electronic Investor Protection portal, which serves as a crucial tool in safeguarding the interests of investors. I wish them good luck,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Managed by the State House Investor Protection Unit (SHIPU), the platform provides a range of services. These include offering advice to investors through direct access to verified government sources, a comprehensive reporting mechanism for investor inquiries and complaints, rigorous enforcement and follow-up procedures for reported issues, a conduit linking investors to pertinent ministries, departments, and agencies, and language features catering to the diverse linguistic needs of investors.

The introduction of this portal aligns with President Museveni's commitment to fostering a conducive environment for investors, shielding them from unwarranted corruption and bureaucratic hurdles. It comes at a time when corruption is on the rise in the country. According to Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index 2022, Uganda ranks 142nd out of 180 countries in terms of corruption control.

Samira Njoya

Posted On jeudi, 14 décembre 2023 15:59 Written by

Ghana will launch a mobile-accessible version of its national ID card next year, announced Moses K. Baiden, CEO of Margins ID Group, the company spearheading the project. The app-based digital card will be equipped with a secure barcode and QR code for seamless verification across various services, including financial transactions. 

Posted On jeudi, 14 décembre 2023 15:12 Written by

For more than 19 years, he has dedicated his efforts through Silulo Ulutho Technologies to narrow the digital divide and enhance the quality of life for his fellow citizens. His impactful work has earned him numerous national and international awards.

Luvuyo Rani (photo) is a South African entrepreneur and the CEO of Silulo Ulutho Technologies, a company that sets up community businesses and career centers in South Africa's slums and rural communities, creating employment opportunities for thousands of unemployed young people.

He completed his studies at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, obtaining a Bachelor of Commerce and Education in 2002, followed by a Bachelor of Business Administration in 2004. He furthered his education by earning an Associate's Degree in Management from the University of Cape Town's Graduate School of Business in 2007. In 2018, he enhanced his leadership skills by completing the Certificate in Leadership for System Change from Harvard Business School Executive Education.

The entrepreneur founded Silulo Ulutho Technologies in 2004 with his brother Lonwabo Rani. The company provides slum and rural populations with accessible infrastructure, a support network, skills development services, and digital connectivity through its community-centric career and business centers.

Since 2021, Luvuyo Rani has been a board member of the Entrepreneurs' Organization, a high-quality support network of over 18,000 business founders and owners. Before founding Silulo Ulutho Technologies, he taught accounting and business economics at KwaMfundo Secondary School from 2001 to 2004.

His entrepreneurial endeavors and significant social impact have earned him numerous accolades. Notable awards include the 2007 Cape Times/KPMG Entrepreneur of the Year, the 2008 SAB Kick-Start Award as second runner-up in the Western Cape, the 2011 Endeavour Global Entrepreneur recognition, and the 2014 acknowledgment as one of the "Ten Outstanding People of the Year" by Junior Chamber International. In 2015, he was honored with a diploma from Tsiba Education, and in 2016, he received the prestigious title of Social Entrepreneur of the Year from the Schwab Foundation.

Melchior Koba

Posted On jeudi, 14 décembre 2023 13:10 Written by

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