Technology

Moroccan Government Highlights Role of Digital Transformation in African Cooperation

Published

9 months ago

May 30, 2024

Aziz Akhannouch, the Head of Government of the Kingdom of Morocco, emphasized the critical role of digital transformation in fostering cooperation among African countries. Speaking at GITEX AFRICA 2024 in Marrakech, Akhannouch described digital transformation as an essential driver for addressing continental challenges, promoting sustainable development, and creating a conducive environment for deeper integration among African nations.

“Digital transformation is not just a technological luxury but a crucial enabler for strengthening cooperation between African countries. It offers concrete solutions to the continent’s challenges, stimulates sustainable development, and creates a favorable environment for deepening integration,” Akhannouch said at the tech summit.

GITEX AFRICA 2024, which spans three days, focuses on Africa’s digital opportunities and economic growth. The event gathers influential tech experts, pioneering innovators, policymakers, government leaders, and investors to discuss and explore the potential of digital technologies on the continent.

Akhannouch underscored the importance of adopting and promoting digital transformation to unlock Africa’s potential in the 21st century. He noted that GITEX AFRICA serves as a pivotal platform to discuss the catalysts needed for Africa to emerge as both a consumer and producer of digital technologies.

The event, which runs until May 31, features over 1,400 tech enterprises and start-ups, more than 350 leading investors, over 600 conference speakers, and 100 government entities, attracting tens of thousands of attendees from over 130 countries. Akhannouch was joined by dignitaries and ministers, including Ghita Mezzour, Morocco’s Minister of Digital Transition and Administration Reform; Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai Authority; Chakib Alj, President of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM); Sidi Mohammed Drissi Melyani, General Director of the Moroccan Digital Development Agency; Lacina Kone, CEO of Smart Africa; and Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International, the event organizer.

Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori praised Morocco and the UAE for their digital transformation efforts, emphasizing the importance of regional and international cooperation in achieving sustainable development. “The world today has become a small village, and the battle for sustainable development is our collective battle,” he stated.

Ghita Mezzour highlighted the significant growth of startups in Morocco and Africa, many of which are represented at GITEX AFRICA 2024. She noted the transformative potential of AI technologies in addressing Africa’s challenges and fostering economic growth. “Sustaining the growth of Africa as a technology and AI powerhouse is key to the continent’s industrialization and job creation, especially as the population is expected to double by 2050, with half of Africans being under 25 years old by then,” she said.

Sidi Mohammed Drissi Melyani emphasized the collaboration between the private and public sectors in accelerating digital transformation. He praised the organization of GITEX AFRICA as a testament to the considerable efforts made by digital development actors in integrating technology into services.

GITEX AFRICA 2024 showcases the significant strides being made in digital transformation across Africa, highlighting its role in fostering cooperation, sustainable development, and economic growth on the continent.

Technology

OpenAI’s Sam Altman Acknowledges DeepSeek as Major AI Rival

Published

2 weeks ago

January 28, 2025

Admin

By Emmanuel Ogbodo

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has praised Chinese startup DeepSeek as a serious competitor in the global AI race, citing its ability to deliver high-quality AI at significantly lower costs.
In a post on X, Altman highlighted DeepSeek’s R1 model, lauding its performance and affordability.
DeepSeek’s open-source V3 model has disrupted the industry, achieving results comparable to OpenAI’s advanced systems for a fraction of the cost.
The startup’s rapid rise has unsettled U.S. tech markets, triggering a selloff in shares of Nvidia, Microsoft, and Meta.
DeepSeek’s R1 app has even overtaken ChatGPT as the top-rated free app on Apple’s App Store.
While acknowledging the competition, Altman assured that OpenAI remains focused on innovation, promising groundbreaking advancements in upcoming releases.

News

Nigeria’s First AI University to Open in Lagos

Published

3 weeks ago

January 23, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Our Correspondent

Nigeria is set to open its first artificial intelligence (AI), university in Epe, Lagos, marking a significant milestone in advancing AI education across Africa.

Named Wini University, the institution aims to equip young Nigerians with advanced AI skills, addressing unemployment and positioning the continent as a hub for technological innovation.

Inspired by the first AI university in Qatar, Wini University aspires to attract top-tier academics and innovators from around the globe.

The project, initiated in 2016 by a visionary collaboration between Nigerian and Boston-based experts, has undergone years of planning, securing National Universities Commission (NUC), interest, and building stakeholder support.

Wini University is envisioned as Africa’s first AI-focused institution and the foundation for an AI-powered Silicon Valley on the continent.

It aims to foster a thriving community of academics and students passionate about leveraging AI and quantum computing to drive progress in Africa and beyond.

Beyond academics, the university seeks to transform Lagos into Africa’s innovation hub, where technology is harnessed to solve real-world challenges.

The curriculum will include cutting-edge fields such as blockchain, cloud computing, generative AI, data science, and machine learning, preparing students to lead in the global AI market.

This bold initiative underscores the growing importance of AI, echoing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s 2013 declaration that dominance in AI would define the next global superpower.

Abuja Reports

CNG Conversion Will Cut Costs, Boost Local Content, PiCNG Boss Assures

Published

3 weeks ago

January 22, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Ade Iyamoye

The CEO of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Initiative, Engr Michael Oluwagbemi, has assured Nigerians that the government’s CNG conversion program will significantly reduce transportation costs while fostering local content development in the sector.

Speaking during an exclusive interview, Oluwagbemi outlined ambitious plans to expand the adoption of CNG-powered vehicles nationwide.

He revealed that over 10,000 commercial vehicles in Abuja and Lagos are targeted for conversion within the next 10 weeks under the “10 for 10” program, with projections to increase this figure to 250,000 vehicles within a year.

“We are starting with critical urban centers like Lagos and Abuja to achieve the critical mass needed to lower transportation costs,” he said.

To sustain the initiative, Oluwagbemi emphasized the importance of local content, noting that over 80% of the program’s spending so far has been directed toward Nigerian companies.

He also highlighted growing investments in local manufacturing of CNG kits, cylinders, and vehicles.

“This program has created over 9,000 jobs and attracted $470 million in investments, with more opportunities on the horizon,” he added.

The CEO acknowledged the challenges of scaling up, such as increasing conversion centers and training technicians.

Plans are underway to double the current 193 conversion centers to 500 by year-end, with a capacity to convert 250,000 vehicles annually.

Additionally, partnerships with state authorities aim to implement CNG policies at the local level, with Abuja poised to become a model for full adoption of CNG-powered taxis.

Oluwagbemi commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritizing energy transition policies and urged Nigerians to embrace the program.

He assured that ongoing investments in refueling stations and modular refilling units will ensure adequate CNG supply across the country.

“CNG conversion is not just about reducing costs; it’s about driving local capacity and positioning Nigeria as a leader in energy transition,” Oluwagbemi said.