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Burkina Faso launched an online travel declaration platform to streamline border procedures.
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Authorities aim to enhance real-time data access and strengthen security monitoring.
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The initiative forms part of a broader rollout of 272 digital public service platforms.
Security Minister Mahamadou Sana launched an online platform for managing travel declaration forms on April 8. The platform is accessible at https://fichedevoyage.gov.bf/ and allows travelers to complete their forms up to 72 hours before departure.
The system aims to streamline entry and exit procedures while reducing queues and processing times at border checkpoints, particularly at Ouagadougou International Airport.
Beyond simplifying administrative procedures, the digitalization introduces a structural shift in migration data management. Security services now access centralized, real-time traveler information, which improves traceability of movements and strengthens analytical capabilities.
Authorities are implementing these measures as the region continues to face persistent security challenges.
The launch aligns with Burkina Faso’s wider public sector digital transformation strategy. The platform adds to a growing portfolio of online services developed under the government’s administrative modernization program.
In February, authorities announced the rollout of 272 digital service platforms, of which 146 are already operational. These tools are improving access to administrative services for both citizens and businesses.
The expansion of digital services addresses several structural challenges within Burkina Faso’s administration, including slow manual procedures, fragmented databases, and limited tracking of traveler flows.
By centralizing information and automating part of the administrative process, the government aims to reduce processing times, minimize human error, and improve data reliability.
Samira Njoya
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Morocco and Gabon signed two agreements covering AI, digital policy and skills development.
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The partnership includes scholarships and training programs to strengthen public-sector capabilities.
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Morocco targets up to $10.7 billion in AI-driven value by 2030.
Morocco and Gabon signed two agreements on the sidelines of the 2026 edition of GITEX Africa, held from April 7 to April 9 in Marrakech. The agreements reflect a shared commitment to accelerate digital transformation and develop human capital.
Digital ministers Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni and Mark Alexandre Doumba signed the first agreement to structure bilateral cooperation. The framework covers knowledge sharing on digital public policies, regulatory harmonization, and the rollout of training programs aligned with sector needs.
Under the agreement, 15 Gabonese students will receive full scholarships to attend Mohammed VI Polytechnic University starting in September 2026.
The National Institute of Posts and Telecommunications of Morocco and its Gabonese counterpart signed the second agreement to modernize training curricula. The institutions aim to align education programs with labor market and public administration needs.
The initiative includes a dedicated program for Gabonese public officials, with five fully funded scholarships awarded annually over five years to strengthen technical expertise within government institutions.
The partnership forms part of a broader trend of South-South cooperation across Africa, where governments are leveraging shared expertise to accelerate digital transitions and boost ecosystem competitiveness.
Gabon is seeking to leverage Morocco’s experience to structure its digital environment and diversify its economy. The country is refining its digital strategy around regulatory strengthening, infrastructure development, digitization of public services, and skills development.
Morocco is pursuing ambitious artificial intelligence goals and is targeting value creation of up to 100 billion dirhams (about $10.7 billion) by 2030. The country is relying on innovation, skills development, and expanded international partnerships to achieve this target.
Samira Njoya
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Ahoko offers a digital platform to simplify and lower the cost of car rentals across Ivory Coast.
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Founder Eric Adangba leverages engineering and international energy-sector experience.
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The platform focuses on user-friendly booking, proximity search, and recurring promotional offers.
Eric Adangba is the founder and chief executive officer of Ahoko, a mobility-focused start-up. The platform enables users to rent vehicles easily and at competitive prices across Ivory Coast.
Adangba founded Ahoko in 2017 and positioned the company around comfort, affordability, and convenience. The platform offers vehicles selected for quality and provides weekly promotional deals to attract and retain customers. The company aims to deliver a simple, efficient, and practical rental experience for everyday use.
Ahoko designs its interface to ensure intuitive navigation. The homepage displays the best available offers and provides a dedicated booking button. Users complete reservations within a few clicks through a centralized search form, which eliminates complex administrative steps.
In addition, the platform integrates a search engine that allows users to locate nearby vehicles quickly. Customers can conduct general searches or refine results using multiple criteria. The company also offers a subscription feature that enables users to receive early notifications about new deals and recently added vehicles.
Eric Adangba is a petroleum engineer who graduated in 2004 from the National Polytechnic Institute Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Yamoussoukro. He also holds a master’s degree in finance and strategy obtained in 2012 from Hult International Business School in the United States.
Adangba began his career in 2003 at PETROCI, the Ivorian national oil company, where he worked as a seismic engineer. He then joined Canadian Natural Resources Ltd (CNRL) in 2004 as a materials and logistics coordinator.
In 2007, he moved to Schlumberger as a drilling and measurement engineer and worked across several African markets, including Ivory Coast, Ghana, Benin, Equatorial Guinea, and Cameroon. He later led drilling and measurement projects in Libya and Angola.
In 2014, he returned to PETROCI as an internal auditor before rejoining Schlumberger in Angola. He served successively as field service engineer and drilling services manager until 2019.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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Vazzel provides an online marketplace linking fashion brands, designers and consumers.
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The platform integrates artificial intelligence to personalize recommendations and optimize sales.
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Founder Mayowa Akande combines engineering expertise with international tech experience.
Mayowa Akande is a Nigerian IT project engineer and entrepreneur. He is the co-founder of Vazzel, a digital marketplace dedicated to fashion that connects designers, vendors and style-conscious consumers on one platform.
Akande founded Vazzel in 2024 as a fully online ecosystem offering clothing, bags, shoes, accessories and hair products. The platform targets both established brands and emerging designers and provides them with a structured space to showcase collections and reach a broader audience.
Vazzel enables sellers and designers to open online stores, display products and manage operations within a centralized system. The platform provides continuous support and offers round-the-clock assistance to help brands design storefronts, present products and monitor performance.
At the same time, the platform allows buyers to access a wide selection of fashion items in one place. Users can explore multiple brands and collections while identifying products that match their personal style. The platform aims to reduce common issues related to sizing and fit.
Artificial intelligence plays a central role in Vazzel’s operations. The platform uses AI-powered tools to match products with customers more effectively. These tools include personalized recommendations, sales and preference analysis, and product image optimization.
Mayowa Akande holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronic engineering from the Federal University of Agriculture in Nigeria. He also earned a master’s degree in electronic engineering and information technology from the Université libre de Bruxelles.
Between 2014 and 2016, Akande completed several internships, including a role as an electrical project engineer at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
In 2019, he joined Longbridge Technologies Ltd as an IT project engineer. He then moved to Belgian logistics company Katoen Natie in 2020, where he worked as a project control coordinator. Between 2021 and 2022, he completed a data and automation engineering internship at Awingu.
This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
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Namibia recorded 1.7 million cyberattacks in 2025, up 37% year-on-year.
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Authorities identified over 2.23 million vulnerabilities enabling attacks.
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Government allocated $1 million to cybersecurity for the 2026/2027 fiscal year.
Namibia recorded 1.7 million cyberattacks between January and December 2025, marking an increase of about 37% compared with the previous year, according to official data. The findings come from the “Namibia Cybersecurity Landscape Report 2025.”
The Namibia Cyber Security Incident Response Team (NAM-CSIRT) housed at CRAN, released it’s annual Namibia Cybersecurity Landscape Report 2025.
— CRAN (@CRANamibia) April 11, 2026
Highlighting the national and international landscapes, in this edition, NAM-CSIRT draws the spotlight on the secured electronic… pic.twitter.com/1Qe7FtjalG
The Namibia Cyber Security Incident Response Team (NAM-CSIRT) published the report on Friday, April 11. The report states that authorities identified 2,231,970 vulnerabilities during the year. These weaknesses directly enabled cyber incidents, including distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, malware propagation, and unauthorized remote access.
The report highlights a shift toward large-scale exploitation of trust, as attackers increasingly use social engineering and artificial intelligence-assisted deception.
During the first quarter, attackers deployed AI-generated deepfake campaigns to promote fraudulent investment schemes. By mid-year, phishing attacks via Telegram and other social engineering methods remained widespread.
The report also identifies the emergence of ransomware attacks at the municipal level, using double extortion techniques. In addition, attackers launched smishing campaigns that mimicked delivery services and circulated deepfake videos featuring senior officials. These trends illustrate a more structured fraud ecosystem fueled by AI-driven disinformation.
A global and continental trend
This increase in cyber fraud reflects broader global and African trends. In its “Cybercrime Africa Cyberthreat Assessment 2025,” Interpol states that the expansion of online activity is accelerating cybercrime across the continent.
Interpol states that “cybercriminals constantly refine their tactics, using social engineering, artificial intelligence and instant messaging platforms to launch increasingly sophisticated attacks. Cybercriminal networks, whether local or international, exploit human vulnerabilities as a primary method, using advanced deception techniques to target organizations and individuals.”
Measures to secure Namibia’s digital future
NAM-CSIRT emphasizes that the rollout of digital identity systems, the expansion of digital services, and the growth of infrastructure are increasing the urgency of integrating cybersecurity into national development. The agency calls for a comprehensive approach involving government, regulators, critical sectors, businesses, academia, and citizens to maintain digital trust and ensure service continuity.
The “Namibia Cybersecurity Landscape Report 2025” recommends finalizing legal frameworks covering cybercrime, data protection, and critical infrastructure. The report also calls for strengthening NAM-CSIRT’s capacity to improve monitoring, detection, and incident coordination.
In addition, the report recommends establishing sector-specific CSIRTs in key industries and reducing critical vulnerabilities such as outdated and poorly secured systems. It urges authorities to accelerate the deployment of digital identity and trust services.
The report calls on authorities to mandate multi-factor authentication, increase awareness of threats such as phishing and deepfakes, and improve cyber threat information sharing. Finally, the document emphasizes strengthening cyber governance through international standards and increasing support for small and medium-sized enterprises and resource-constrained public institutions.
This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi
Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum
The cryptocurrency platform VALR has partnered with Onafriq to let users in several African countries fund their accounts via mobile money in local currencies. Under the agreement, users can buy Bitcoin, stablecoins and tokenized assets, and use additional financial services. The integration of local payment systems with digital assets is intended to broaden access to financial services across the continent.
Nigerian startup PowerLabs has raised a pre-seed round to accelerate deployment of its Pai Enterprise platform, which uses artificial intelligence to manage multiple energy sources for businesses. The platform helps clients cut electricity costs, prevent outages and reduce emissions by integrating solar, grid and generator power into a single real-time system.
Tanzania is launching a dedicated fund for youth-led startups to support its digital economy. Announced by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the initiative will be government-funded and overseen by the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology. The fund aims to help young entrepreneurs access capital, take advantage of expanding telecommunications infrastructure, and create jobs in online services, education, healthcare and e-commerce.
- Program targets 250 firms, focusing on SMEs and productivity gains
- Initiative aligns with national AI roadmap for 2026–2035
Confédération Générale des Entreprises de Guinée (CGE-GUI), the country’s main private sector body, launched the "AI Xcelerate" programme in Conakry on Wednesday, April 8. The initiative, developed in partnership with the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) and Microsoft, aims to accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence into Guinea’s private sector.
The programme targets more than 250 Guinean companies, with the goal of facilitating the adoption of technologies that remain largely underused in the country. It aims to help businesses improve productivity, modernise management tools and adapt to shifts in the global economy, according to Mansah Sy Savané, vice president of CGE-GUI.
Beyond training, "AI Xcelerate" offers a structured support framework that allows companies to test and gradually integrate artificial intelligence into their operations. The programme seeks to move participants from awareness to practical adoption, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises, which account for most businesses in Guinea.
The initiative comes as artificial intelligence is emerging as a driver of growth worldwide. For Guinea, the challenge is to avoid falling behind technologically by equipping its companies with the tools needed to benefit from AI in a rapidly changing economic environment.
According to Rose Pola Pricemou, presidential adviser on technology and artificial intelligence, the country has adopted the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) AILA framework, which led to the development of a national artificial intelligence roadmap for 2026–2035. This momentum has been reinforced by the DounIA conferences, which focused on shaping a national data strategy.
Samira Njoya
In Casablanca, Orange unveiled the ambitions for its Max it super app, which it aims to make one of its main growth drivers in Africa and the Middle East. With already 23 million monthly active users, the platform is looking to scale up significantly by 2028.
Orange is stepping up its transformation under a new 2026–2030 strategy, “Trust the Future,” unveiled to international media on April 8 in Casablanca. Long seen as a traditional telecom operator, the French group is now pivoting toward digital services to drive its next phase of growth, with Africa and the Middle East at the core.
A central pillar of that shift is Max it, a super-app developed in Casablanca that Orange sees as a key driver of new revenue beyond its core telecom business. “By 2028, we aim to add 50 million monthly active users on Max it. The app will also support Orange Money in adding 20 million active users in the region, as well as one million new customers for Orange Energies,” said Yvan Delègue, head of the Max it program.
The targets underline Orange’s ambition to position Max it as a single gateway for everyday services, including mobile account management, payments, digital content, service purchases and access to an integrated marketplace.
A broad ecosystem of services
Now deployed in 16 countries, the app has 23 million monthly active users. Of these, 8 million use its financial services via Orange Money, which has 47 million active users across the region. Max it also integrates Orange Energies, available in 13 countries, allowing nearly one million customers to buy and top up electricity directly through the app.
Orange’s strategy is straightforward: bring multiple services into one platform. Users can manage their accounts, make payments, access entertainment — including video on demand, live sports, gaming and TV series — and purchase services without leaving the Orange ecosystem. The approach streamlines the user experience and strengthens customer retention.
Delègue said the app also supports bundled offers combining connectivity and content. For example, Orange can pair a data plan with sports streaming to boost usage while reducing concerns over data consumption.
This shift comes as the Africa–Middle East region becomes Orange’s main growth engine. In 2025, the group generated 8.4 billion euros in revenue there, up 12.2%, making it the largest contributor to overall growth. The strategy is underpinned by strong demographic trends: Africa’s population could reach 2.5 billion by 2050, offering significant potential for digital services.
AI and ecosystem expansion
Beyond commercial goals, Orange aims to turn Max it into an open platform for both global partners and local businesses. The objective is to expand the range of services while giving companies access to a large and growing user base. In this model, the app acts as a hub for payments, content and essential services.
To meet its 2028 targets, Orange is focusing on two levers: expanding partnerships and integrating artificial intelligence more deeply. The group plans to use AI to tailor services to individual users and deliver more relevant offers in real time. It is also developing voice interfaces in local languages to lower barriers to digital adoption in several African markets.
With Max it, Orange is moving beyond connectivity. The group is positioning itself at the intersection of telecoms, digital finance, energy and merchant services, aiming to capture a larger share of the continent’s digital economy.
Muriel EDJO
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UNICEF and Maarif Foundation signed an agreement to expand digital and STEM education for girls.
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The initiative will leverage the U-Report platform with over 3 million users to drive youth engagement.
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Girls’ school enrollment rose to 83% in 2024 from 33% in 2011, but STEM participation remains low.
UNICEF Côte d’Ivoire and the Maarif Foundation signed a memorandum of understanding on April 7 in Abidjan. The agreement aims to strengthen digital inclusion and improve access to education for girls, with a particular focus on scientific disciplines.
The two institutions concluded the partnership after one year of negotiations. They plan to reduce gender disparities in the Ivorian education system by directing more students toward STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields, where girls remain historically underrepresented. “This protocol is an opportunity to emphasize girls’ participation in fields that are not traditionally theirs,” said Jean‑François Basse.
Moreover, the agreement includes the use of the youth digital platform U-Report. The platform, which has more than 3 million users in the country, will serve as a channel to promote civic engagement among young people, including in rural areas.
The partners aim to transform adolescents into agents of change while developing practical training programs to improve employability among the most vulnerable groups.
This collaboration comes as Ivory Coast accelerates efforts to modernize its education sector. According to data from the Ministry of National Education and Literacy, the girls’ enrollment rate increased from 33% in 2011 to 83% in 2024.
However, the transition toward technical and scientific fields remains a major challenge. The Maarif Foundation, which manages a growing international network of schools, will contribute pedagogical expertise to complement the humanitarian programs led by UNICEF.
Finally, the agreement builds on commitments made during last year’s technology festival. It also includes support for major national events such as the Fête de la Science, with the aim of creating a sustainable link between international institutions and the local education ecosystem.
Samira Njoya
The Botswana Innovation Fund is launching a 12-month program to support 10 startups in climate and digital technologies. Selected companies will be supported in turning their ideas into viable products, testing their solutions, gaining customers, and preparing to attract investors. The program targets renewable energy, energy efficiency, water management, and data-driven technologies.
Vertiv, a company specializing in critical digital infrastructure, will host an online event on April 15 at 11:00 AM (GMT+2) focused on AI-ready data centers in Africa. The session will examine the power, cooling, and scalable infrastructure needed to support the rapid growth of AI and cloud computing. Industry experts will discuss key technical challenges and the solutions required to support future expansion.
The Africa Tech Summit is scheduled to take place on May 29, 2026, at the London Stock Exchange. The event will bring together African startups, diaspora investors and global funds. It will focus on funding and partnerships in London, a key hub for access to international capital.