Kenya is aiming to become a leading technology hub in Africa, ramping up investment in the sector and forging strategic partnerships to fast-track its ambitions.
Kenyan President William Ruto (photo, right) announced on Saturday, January 27, during the inauguration of the Mukiria Technical Training Institute’s teaching block and engineering workshop in Central Imenti, that China has been chosen to equip the country’s digital hubs. The initiative aims to provide Kenyan youth with digital skills.
Ruto emphasized the importance of investing in technical colleges and ICT hubs to ensure that the youth acquire the necessary competencies to monetize their knowledge and skills, thereby contributing to the country’s economic development.
"Our investment in technical colleges and ICT hubs guarantees our youth the acquisition of competencies to help them monetize their knowledge and skills so that they can contribute meaningfully to our economic development," he said.
The Kenyan government has prioritized digital technology in its development policy, taking steps to enable its population, particularly the youth, to keep up with the global technological revolution. The establishment of various digital hubs is a part of this initiative, and the government has increased the education budget to support this project.
“Technical training is a crucial element of the Kenyan government’s strategy to equip our human capital, especially the youth, with skills that can significantly contribute to the country’s development,” Ruto explained.
Kenya, along with Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa, boasts one of the most advanced technological ecosystems in Africa. As of early 2023, Kenya had 17.86 million Internet users, representing an Internet penetration rate of 32.7%, according to DataReportal.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
He is an award-winning technology entrepreneur in Africa. Specializing in educational technologies, he aims to stimulate the continent's development through education and knowledge sharing.
Edouard Claude Oussou (photo), a Gabonese strategic leader and entrepreneur, is the founder and CEO of Scientia Africa, an educational technology startup established in 2017. The company, which operates in Gabon, Côte d’Ivoire, and Comoros, aims to ensure 100% academic success for all students through its web, mobile, and SMS/USSD applications.
According to the World Bank, Gabon has the highest school failure rate globally, primarily due to inadequate infrastructure and poor quality school supervision. “Since we can’t replace the state in terms of building schools, we’ve positioned ourselves in terms of school follow-up,” Oussou stated in 2020.
Scientia Africa offers a school tracking application, providing students, parents, teachers, and school administrators with real-time access to essential information for monitoring students’ education. The application analyzes and processes data to evaluate pedagogy, course quality, student assimilation, potential shortcomings, and educational progress.
In addition to his role at Scientia Africa, Oussou serves as the Head of Strategy, Research, and Development at Société équatoriale des mines (SEM) in Gabon. He holds a diploma in computer administration and management from the Institut Supérieur de Technologie in Libreville, obtained in 2003, and a certification in business and entrepreneurship from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in the USA.
Oussou also founded Routedusucces.com, an educational platform where he served as CEO from 2016 to 2020. His professional career began in 2003 at CRN, a marketing company, where he was a Multimedia Manager. In 2018, he interned in business development at Microsoft.
Oussou and his company, Scientia Africa, have received several awards and distinctions. In 2017, the African Startup Forum voted Scientia Africa as the best African startup in the education category. Positive Youth’s Africa named Oussou as one of the 100 most inspiring young Africans. In 2019, the African Union Commission recognized him as one of Africa’s top education innovators. In 2021, he won the Moov Africa Gabon Télécom Startup Challenge.
Melchior Koba
Ghita Mezzour (photo), the Moroccan Minister for Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, outlined the Maroc Digital 2030 strategy at a Government Council meeting on Thursday, January 25. The strategy is anchored in two main pillars: the digitization of public services and the stimulation of a new dynamic in the digital economy. The goal is to foster the development of Moroccan digital solutions, create added value, and generate jobs, forming the basis for digital development in the country.
Financial hurdles can hinder start-up growth. To equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools and guidance needed to secure funding, 250 STARTUPS offers customized incubation, acceleration, and mentorship programs in Rwanda.
250STARTUPS, a Rwandan incubation and acceleration center led by Managing Director Charles Shyaka, provides technology startups with the resources to develop a proof of concept and become investment-ready through a customized program. The center accelerates startups for six months per cohort, offering financial, legal, technical, and mentoring support to help them transition from incubation to expansion.
The center also runs a capacity-building program for young graduates in information and communication technology (ICT), finance, and law, who collaborate closely with entrepreneurs under expert guidance. Each month, the center hosts Capital Talks, where incubatees showcase their progress to potential partners, investors, and other startups. The center currently supports 160 beneficiaries, 40 companies, and 80 associates.
Among the startups backed by 250 STARTUPS are Nyereka Tech, an e-commerce platform selling IoT sensors and experiential learning tools, and AFIA Pharma, a pharmaceutical e-commerce platform. Another notable startup is Safe Sana, which has developed a safety device that detects gas leaks, automatically shuts down the gas cylinder, triggers an alarm, and sends SMS alerts and calls to a mobile phone.
Melchior Koba
Liberia's incoming president, Joseph Boakai, will prioritize youth when building on outgoing leader George Weah's digital technology initiatives to power economic growth, officials said. Weah, a former soccer star, launched projects during his term to leverage technology and promote entrepreneurship. The incoming president intends to take these efforts further, with a focus on empowering young Liberians through tech-driven opportunities.
Liberia’s newly inaugurated President, Joseph Boakai (photo), pledged to enhance the digital skills of over 10,000 young Liberians during his first address to the nation on Monday, January 29, at the Capitol Building. “In our quest to expand the economy, we will leverage Information Communication Technology (ICT) in creating jobs, especially for our youth. To achieve this, my Administration will train up to 10,000 young people in various digital skills in the first half of 2024. The Liberian middle-class goal must be a reality in the next 6 years,” Boakai declared.
This ambitious initiative aims to prepare young people for the digital age by bridging the country’s existing technology gap and ensuring that Liberians are competitive in the global marketplace. This project continues the digital initiatives of former President George Weah, which included the establishment of a national digital transformation project in partnership with the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), the construction of a national fiber optic network with Kenyan company CSquared, and the digitization of public services and modernization of the Post Office.
It’s worth noting that Liberia significantly lags in the digital field in Africa. According to the latest statistics from DataReportal, as of the start of 2023, the country had 1.80 million Internet users, a penetration rate of 33.6% for a population of 5.36 million. Additionally, the number of social media users was 642,100 in January, representing 12.0% of the total population. In terms of mobile connectivity, Liberia recorded a total of 4.20 million active cellular mobile connections at the start of 2023, equivalent to 78.4% of the total population.
Samira Njoya
African fintech startups eager to scale their businesses are invited to apply for the Visa Accelerator program, offering three months of intensive training and support from the global payments giant.
The program provides selected startups with 1:1 mentorship, personalized training, and networking opportunities. With the deadline for applications set for February 18, interested parties can learn more by visiting the program’s page.
Plagued by high youth unemployment, Kenya is turning to innovative technology solutions to equip its young workforce and bridge the skills gap. The challenge remains daunting, however, reflecting the complexities of the Kenyan labor market.
Kenya launched the National Skills Inventory (NSI) on Monday, January 29, in a government-led initiative to combat youth unemployment and connect young people with relevant jobs, both locally and internationally.
Backed by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, the NSI aims to create a comprehensive digital database of skills available across the country. This data will be used to match unemployed young people with job opportunities that align with their qualifications and market needs.
"The digital skills database will support the government's skills migration agenda that is geared to ensure that surplus labor is henceforth exported to enhance the inflow of diaspora remittances," said Shadrack Mwadime, Labour and Skills Development Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.
The NSI launch follows the formation of an Inter-Ministerial Committee dedicated to its development and ongoing management. This committee aims to establish a comprehensive framework for capturing and utilizing individual skill sets, contributing to the national target of reducing unemployment, which the International Labour Organization put at 4.9% in 2022.
Bilateral agreements signed with several European and Middle Eastern countries over recent years pave the way for smoother job placement and migration for skilled Kenyans. The ambitious goal is to export at least one million workers annually over the next five years.
By providing youth with a platform to showcase their skills and access international opportunities, the NSI is a significant step towards tackling Kenya's unemployment challenge. The initiative's potential to boost remittances and stimulate the national economy further strengthens its importance.
Samira Njoya
Across Africa, a rapid digital transformation is fueling the continent's economic emergence. Massive investments in technological infrastructure are laying the groundwork for innovation, job creation, and enhanced connectivity, offering a powerful catalyst for growth.
Swedish telecoms giant Ericsson is teaming up with the Malagasy government to accelerate the country's digital transformation, following a recent working visit by its regional leadership.
Strategic meetings with key partners, customers, and industry leaders explored leveraging Ericsson's technologies to expand mobile broadband, bridge the digital divide, and empower individuals, businesses, and communities.
"The engagements focused on Madagascar’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) landscape and delved into areas of collaboration to leverage Ericsson’s innovation to expand mobile broadband access, drive digital inclusion, and create unlimited opportunities for individuals, empower businesses, and transform communities," an Ericsson release points out.
This initiative is part of Ericsson's #AfricaInMotion vision, aiming to contribute to sustainable development and digitization across the African continent. Ericsson's commitment to Madagascar includes recent collaborations like the 2Africa submarine cable project alongside Vodafone. The company is also intensifying investments in telecom infrastructure across its African markets.
The recent working visit thus reaffirms Ericsson's commitment to supporting Madagascar's digital transformation ambitions, contributing to a more connected and prosperous future for the island nation. According to the company's Mobility Report published in November 2023, mobile subscriptions in sub-Saharan Africa are forecast to grow by 3% annually. The number of subscriptions is expected to rise from 940 million in 2023 to 1.1 billion in 2029, with 5G leading this rapid expansion.
Samira Njoya
An agricultural technology entrepreneur, she created a crop and soil management tool aimed at enhancing farmers' productivity and mitigating crop pests. Her innovation has earned her numerous accolades and distinctions.
Maryanne Gichanga (photo), a Kenyan tech entrepreneur and law student at Mount Kenya University, is the co-founder and CEO of AgriTech Analytics. The company, established in 2018, is committed to eradicating hunger and poverty by assisting small-scale farmers in rural Africa to increase crop yields and secure food supplies.
AgriTech Analytics employs various data types, including satellite imagery and data from its solar IoT crop and soil sensors. The device sends alerts or reports to farmers via mobile phones with over 97% accuracy, enabling early pest detection to prevent crop damage and harvest loss.
The company currently serves 2,880 small-scale farmers across the Rift Valley, Central, and Eastern Kenya, with plans to enroll 15,000 farmers by 2024. "There are 33 million farmers in Africa and approximately 4.5 million small-scale farmers in Kenya. Our target market is 2.5% of this demographic in Kenya which translates to 112,500 farmers by 2027," Gichanga stated in 2023.
Gichanga, a former data analyst at Standard Chartered Bank (2013-2020), received several awards and honors in 2023. She was included in Business Daily Africa's 40 under 40 women list and won the 2023 Agritech of the Year award on behalf of her company from Guzakuza, a women leaders in agribusiness support organization, and the German Agency for International Development Cooperation (GIZ).
Melchior Koba
MALhub, a shared workspace in Ilorin, offers budding entrepreneurs and small businesses affordable workspace, training programs, and incubation support. The hub aims to nurture young talent and foster economic growth in the Nigerian city.
Nigeria’s Makers and Leaders Hub (MALhub), an incubator established in 2017, is fostering a supportive and inclusive tech community under the leadership of managing partners Kehinde Kamaldeen and Abubakar Sadiq.
The hub, based in Ilorin, is a gathering place for technologists, social entrepreneurs, government officials, tech companies, impact investors, and local youth. They collaborate to devise innovative solutions to Nigeria’s pressing social issues, with MALhub aiming to be the go-to partner for such initiatives.
MALhub offers training programs to equip its clients with a competitive advantage and provides a well-resourced coworking space for entrepreneurs. Its incubation program offers the necessary advice and resources for entrepreneurs to realize their business aspirations, providing them with valuable insights and practical strategies to navigate challenges, capitalize on opportunities, and ensure sustainable growth.
With a strong commitment to promoting women’s participation in entrepreneurship and technology, MALhub has organized numerous Women in Tech programs, supporting over 200 women to date. The hub boasts a vibrant community of more than 7,000 active members and has facilitated the creation and support of over 50 sustainable jobs and business ventures.
Melchior Koba
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Ghana's public utilities are joining a wave of digital transformation sweeping across Africa, aiming to improve efficiency, transparency, and service delivery in vital sectors like water, electricity, and sanitation. The move reflects a broader trend across the continent, where countries are increasingly leveraging technology to modernize infrastructure, boost economic growth, and improve citizens' lives.
Ghana’s state-owned Electricity Company (ECG) announced on Saturday, January 27, the digitization of several of its services. Customers will need to use the company’s mobile app to access services such as requesting a new contract, a sub-meter, or an additional load, to enhance service quality.
The company issued a press release stating, “This paperless system will require prospective customers applying for service to use the ECG Mobile App and follow the prompts therein, including uploading all required documents for the processing of service requests.” It further advised customers to provide accurate information when applying for the service, noting that all responses regarding their applications would be communicated via the contact telephone numbers provided.
Digital transformation is accelerating in Ghana, as in many other African countries, with an increasing number of public bodies digitizing their services to simplify daily life for citizens. According to the “E-Government Survey 2022 The Future of Digital Government” report by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), Ghana, under the leadership of Nana Akufo-Addo, is one of sixteen African champions in e-government, outperforming other West African countries like Cape Verde and Côte d’Ivoire.
DataReportal data indicates that Ghana had 23.05 million internet users at the start of 2023, representing an internet penetration rate of 68.2%.
Adoni Conrad Quenum
Nigeria's Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (MCIDE) on Friday announced 10 startups that will receive grants under its Fourth Industrial Revolution Technology Application (4IRTA) program in agriculture.
The selected companies, stand to gain up to 10 million naira ($10,977) each to scale their innovations.
"Congratulations to the 10 selected projects as we look forward to working with them in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture to support their path to scale and sustainability," said Bosun Tijani, Nigeria's Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
Africa's digital economy is projected to surge to $712 billion by 2050, representing a hefty 8.5% of the continent's gross domestic product. This robust growth is fueling digital transformation strategies across African nations, with Côte d'Ivoire emerging as a frontrunner in spearheading the digital shift.
Côte d’Ivoire plans to activate 5,207 kilometers of fiber optic cable in the coming months, part of a total 7,000 km to be deployed nationwide by 2025, according to Ibrahim Kalil Konaté, Minister of Digital Transition and Digitization. The announcement was made during a New Year’s greeting ceremony at his ministry on January 26.
The project, initiated in 2012, aims to provide high-speed internet access, crucial for the broad adoption of dematerialized services, and to bridge the digital divide by creating new socio-economic opportunities. The government has partnered with Axians to construct 1,920 km of the fiber optic cable, in collaboration with the National Agency for Universal Telecommunication Services, a public agency under the Ministry of Telecommunications. Sagemcom and Bouygues Energies & Services are also key contributors to the project.
In addition to the fiber optic rollout, the country plans to implement other digital initiatives this year, including the enforcement of a new startup law passed in 2023 and an increase in 4G coverage from 63% to 90%.
These actions form part of the national digital development strategy through 2025, adopted by the Council of Ministers on December 22, 2021. Minister Konaté is optimistic about the potential impact of digital transformation on the Ivorian economy, predicting it could boost the gross domestic product (GDP) by 6 to 7 points and mobilize between XOF2,000 billion ($3.3 billion) and XOF3,500 billion.
Samira Njoya
Following his medical studies, he spent several years working for a U.S. medical company. Despite his background in medicine, he ventured into the fintech industry, establishing his own business with a focus on a QR code payment solution.
Senegalese doctor and entrepreneur, Ibrahima Kane (photo), is the founder and CEO of Kalpay, a fintech firm aimed at streamlining payment processes across Africa. Established in 2019, Kalpay has developed a quick payment application that utilizes QR code technology.
The platform offers a range of innovative services for users, retailers, and businesses, and is compatible with all operators. It features two main products: Kalpay Wallet and Kalpay Business. Kalpay Wallet is a digital wallet that allows users to make everyday purchases, transfer money, pay bills, and even purchase airtime using their mobile devices. On the other hand, Kalpay Business provides merchants, businesses, and financial institutions with digital solutions for issuing or receiving digital payments. It also helps generate additional revenue through deposit and withdrawal operations, while facilitating better business management.
Kane explained in 2019, "Upon arrival, the customer will scan the QR code (printed on a white sheet of paper). Their phone will then display the merchant's name and photo, allowing them to proceed with the payment."
Kane earned his medical degree from Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University in Fez, Morocco, in 2012, and a Master's degree in Public Health from George Washington University in 2015. He also holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from Johns Hopkins University in the USA.
Before founding Kalpay, Kane served as the Executive Vice President in charge of operations and development at Metro Spine PC, a medical services company, from 2012 to 2018.
Melchior Koba