In 2024, 19 African countries are recognized as strong performers in e-government, with scores of at least 0.5 out of 1. South Africa and Mauritius lead the rankings, while Tunisia has surpassed Seychelles. South Africa (0.8616), Mauritius (0.7506), and Tunisia (0.6935) top the African continent in the latest E-Government Development Index (EGDI), according to a new report by the United Nations...

A robust digital infrastructure is essential for supporting Africa’s fast-growing digital economy. A resilient internet ecosystem ensures that operations can continue smoothly even during global disruptions, which is critical for maintaining business continuity. The Ghana Internet Service Providers Association (GISPA) has called for urgent reforms to bolster the country’s digital...

An international coalition led by the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB) aims to raise $90 billion to provide electricity to 300 million Africans by 2030. The program focuses on clean energy solutions. The Rockefeller Foundation, Global Alliance for People and Planet, and Sustainable Energy For All have announced their support for the initiative. These organizations will...

Nigeria is set to overhaul its tax system by reducing corporate taxes and removing value-added tax (VAT) on essential goods such as food and education. This move aims to support households, attract investors, and control inflation, though it remains to be seen if these changes will ease the strain on the struggling private sector. Taiwo Oyedele (pictured x), head of the Presidential Committee on...

In the first half of 2024, Côte d'Ivoire granted $467 million in tax and customs exemptions, according to a government announcement made on September 18. This marks an increase from the $332 million spent on exemptions during the same period in 2023. Most of these exemptions 63% of the total were for import duties, referred to as border taxes, accounting for more than $296...

Airtel Africa began discussions with the IFC in April 2024. The company had previously received $194 million from the financial institution in December 2022 for six of its 14 subsidiaries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Airtel Africa has secured a new loan of $200 million from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the lender announced Thursday. The money will be invested in three of...

The ICT landscape is rapidly evolving, with technologies like AI, blockchain, and 5G. Existing policies, some decades old, may not cover these advancements. Reforms are needed to keep regulations current and relevant.  Kenya's ICT Sector Working Group (SWG) submitted, on September 16, a comprehensive report to the Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy. The report...

The Organization expects a decrease in the country's public debt-to-GDP ratio and a continued decline in inflation this year and next. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) forecasts Morocco’s economy will grow by 3.5% in 2024 and 4% in 2025, up from 3.5% in 2023, according to a report released on September 11, 2024. This growth is expected due to increased...

Based on satellite images and on-site measurements, the report highlights that the loss of forest cover primarily stems from the expansion of small-scale agricultural land. A report published in August in Nature by a team of African and European researchers reveals that Africa lost 7.4 million hectares of mountain tropical forests between 2003 and 2022. This loss amounts to 18% of the total area...

In Côte d'Ivoire, as in most Sub-Saharan African countries, staple crops play a crucial role in food security. In the country, this category of agricultural products primarily includes grains, tubers, and horticultural products. Care International kicked off the Sustainable Food Systems Strengthening Project in Côte d'Ivoire (PRESACI) on Tuesday in Abidjan, according to a government press...