Cameroon Launches Ambitious AI Roadmap to Drive Innovation by 2040

Cameroon

Cameroon has unveiled its first National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (SNIA), outlining a bold vision to position the country as a regional AI leader by 2040. Announced by the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Minette Libom Li Likeng, during the second edition of the National Consultations on AI (CONIA), the roadmap is anchored on seven strategic pillars to guide cross-sector AI integration.

Key pillars of the strategy include

  1. Governance and Digital Sovereignty—Establishing a dedicated AI Authority, a Presidential Council on AI, and a national legal framework for ethical and regulated AI deployment.
  2. Data and Infrastructure—Launching a government Data Lake, mass digitisation of services, open data policies, and national interoperability standards.
  3. Multilingual and Inclusive AI—Developing a sovereign large language model, “GPT Cameroon,” to support national and local languages through linguistic research and voice data collection.
  4. Sovereign Technological Infrastructure—Deploying 15 solar-powered edge computing nodes for resilient AI processing across all regions.
  5. Human Capital and Research—Training 4,000 people annually, creating five AI centres of excellence, and implementing talent repatriation and research enhancement programmes.
  6. Innovation and Sectoral Use Cases—Promoting AI-driven solutions in health, agriculture, education, and justice, with targeted startup and innovation support.
  7. Regional and International Cooperation—Establishing a regional AI network for Central Africa and expanding export pathways for “Made in Cameroon” AI solutions.

The government estimates that the plan could generate 12,000 direct jobs and boost AI’s contribution to GDP by 1.2% by 2040. The SNIA prioritizes ethical use, inclusivity, and sovereignty, aiming to make AI a catalyst for public service delivery, economic development, and cultural representation in digital spaces.

Source: Tech Africa News

MTN Commits to Expanding Network Coverage in South Sudan

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MTN South Sudan has pledged to extend its mobile network coverage to underserved and rural communities, with new sites planned in the Greater Pibor and Lakes regions. The announcement follows the successful launch of network services in Abuyong Payam, Lakes State.

The initiative is being executed in partnership with the Universal Service and Access Fund (USAF), and was officially unveiled by South Sudan’s Minister of Information, Communication Technology, and Postal Services, Michael Makuei. He noted that improved connectivity would support financial inclusion through mobile cash transfers between Juba and remote areas, as well as enhance education, healthcare, and local security.

Future expansions are set to include additional sites in Greater Pibor and Cuebet to address ongoing security and development challenges in those areas.

MTN South Sudan CEO, Mapula Bodibe, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to rural connectivity, stating, “We will continue working closely with the government and USAF to ensure reliable power, address outages, and bring mobile services to unconnected areas. Our vision is to bring the benefits of urban connectivity to rural communities.”

Source: Extensia.tech

Telecel Ghana CEO Challenges Youth at Data Science Summit

Ing. Mrs. Patricia Obo-Nai

Telecel Ghana CEO, Ing. Patricia Obo-Nai, has urged young data scientists to channel their technical expertise into solutions that address Ghana’s most urgent challenges. Speaking at the 2025 Ghana Data Science Summit held at Ashesi University, she emphasized that data’s true value lies not in its volume but in its potential to drive social impact.

Under the summit theme, “From Skills to Impact: Empowering Ghana’s Data Science Evolution,” Obo-Nai highlighted how data science has evolved into a global force for automation, prediction, and transformation. She noted that although interest in the field is growing, obstacles such as limited hands-on experience, costly computing resources, and narrow career pathways persist.

“Without opportunities to apply your skills, technical knowledge risks becoming an unused asset,” she said. She also stressed the need for partnerships between academia and industry to create practical, project-based learning environments, as well as mentorship and inclusive job opportunities.

Obo-Nai shared how Telecel Ghana integrates data science into operations such as fraud detection, revenue forecasting, and the development of personalized customer bundles like Made4Me. She also referenced the telco’s Data for Good partnership with the Ghana Statistical Service and Flowminder, which supports crisis response using anonymized mobility data.

Calling for open data platforms, standard data-sharing agreements, and advanced research centres, she challenged participants to build a data-driven Ghana. “It’s not enough to code. Your skills should solve real-world problems—help farmers, improve health outcomes, and build fintech solutions.”

The three-day summit, known as IndabaX Ghana, was launched in 2019 to promote machine learning and AI across sectors. It continues to serve as a vital platform for academia, industry, and government to advance Ghana’s data science ecosystem.

Source: BusinessGhana

GSMA Flags Heavy Tax Burden as Major Obstacle to Digital Growth in DR Congo

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The mobile telecommunications industry in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is buckling under an “excessively heavy” tax burden, hampering investment and stalling the country’s digital transformation, according to a new GSMA report.

In its latest country analysis, “Mobile Sector Taxation: Comparative Fiscal Burden in DRC,” the global telecom industry body warns that the effective average tax rate (EATR) on pre-tax profits in the DRC’s telecom sector has soared to an alarming 91%. This far exceeds that of the mining sector (71%) and retail finance (34%), placing a disproportionate strain on an industry critical to the country’s digital future.

The report attributes this imbalance to a tax system skewed heavily toward gross revenue rather than net income. Only 8% of telecom tax contributions are based on actual profits, compared to 35% in mining and 54% in retail finance. Sector-specific levies, excise duties, and non-income-based taxes are significantly driving up operational costs.

“This tax structure is unsustainable,” the GSMA warns. “It limits operators’ ability to invest in infrastructure upgrades and network expansion, especially in rural and underserved regions—further entrenching the digital divide.”

The consequences are far-reaching. Elevated costs, driven in part by consumer-facing excise taxes, threaten affordability and digital inclusion in key sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and commerce. The report cites World Bank estimates suggesting that eliminating sector-specific taxes could extend 3G and 4G coverage to an additional 1.5 million Congolese and boost mobile internet adoption by over 6 percentage points.

While the GSMA advocates aligning telecom taxation with sectors like mining and finance—both capital-intensive industries with lower relative tax burdens—the conversation comes at a sensitive political moment. The Congolese government, facing rising fiscal pressures, views the telecom sector as a potential revenue stream and questions whether multinational operators are paying their fair share.

As the country weighs reforms to balance public financing needs with its digital ambitions, the GSMA’s findings land squarely in the midst of a charged policy debate. Whether the report triggers a rethink of sector taxation or further entrenches scepticism around industry lobbying remains uncertain.

Source: ecofinagency.com

GSMA: Mobile Industry Cuts Emissions by 4.5% in 2024, But Urged to Double Decarbonisation Pace

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The global mobile industry recorded a 4.5% drop in operational emissions in 2024, according to the GSMA’s latest Mobile Net Zero report—bringing the sector’s total emissions reduction to 8% since 2019, even as global emissions rose by 4% over the same period.

Despite the progress, the GSMA cautions that the sector must accelerate its decarbonisation trajectory, halving emissions annually by 7.5% through 2030 to align with net-zero commitments by 2050. The report is based on data from 77 mobile operators, representing 80% of global mobile connections.

Europe leads the emissions race, with 56% of its operators reporting significant reductions between 2019 and 2023, followed by North America (44%) and Latin America (36%). Although Chinese operators were not part of the official dataset, external analysis suggests a 4% decline in China’s operational emissions in 2024 after years of growth.

GSMA Head of Climate Action, Steven Moore, said: “The industry isn’t greenwashing or greenwishing—it’s green acting. But to stay on course, we need faster progress, broader access to renewables, and greater cross-sector collaboration.”

Operators have made measurable gains by transitioning to renewable energy—now accounting for 37% of their electricity usage, up from just 13% in 2019—and by phasing out legacy infrastructure and diesel reliance. European operators such as Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, and O2 Telefónica are driving long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to secure clean energy sources.

However, the report flags Scope 3 emissions—those generated across supply chains and device manufacturing—as the sector’s most pressing challenge. These emissions constitute more than two-thirds of the industry’s carbon footprint and remain poorly disclosed.

Australian operator Telstra is cited as a leader, having reduced Scope 3 emissions by 31% since 2019. Industry-wide, there is growing momentum toward circularity: 12 leading operators have pledged to retrieve 20% of sold devices by 2030 to keep them out of landfills. Refurbished handsets, according to the report, produce up to 90% less carbon than new devices.

The GSMA report makes clear that while the mobile industry is on the right path, the pace of change must accelerate dramatically to meet climate targets and build a sustainable, low-carbon digital future.

Source: Datacentredynamics.com

Ethiopia Launches MESOB e-Services Platform Nationwide to Modernize Public Administration

Google

Ethiopia has officially rolled out its national e-services platform, MESOB (Modern Ethiopian Service for Organized Benefits), across the country. The announcement was made by Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh during the 10th Africa Public Service Day celebration on June 23.

Positioned as a digital one-stop shop for government services, MESOB integrates web portals, mobile apps, and in-person service points to streamline access and reduce administrative fragmentation. The initiative forms part of a larger public sector reform agenda focused on seven pillars, including human resource modernization, inclusive governance, performance-based management, and public ethics.

“This platform is about building trust and closing historical gaps in service delivery,” said Tiruneh, adding that MESOB will help Ethiopia meet the demands of evolving technologies, inequality, and global uncertainty.

Despite the ambitious rollout, Ethiopia still faces significant challenges in its digital governance journey. According to the United Nations Department of Social Affairs, Ethiopia scored 0.3111 on the 2024 Global e-Government Development Index—below the African average of 0.4247. Its e-Services Index rating also lagged at 0.3420, underscoring the need for continued investment in digital public infrastructure.

The nationwide implementation of MESOB marks a key milestone in Ethiopia’s quest to standardize and digitize public service delivery.

Source: Agency EcoFin

MTN Group Backs Economic Governance Training for African Public Officials

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MTN Group has supported the 2025 edition of the Economic Governance School, a continental training initiative aimed at enhancing leadership and inclusive economic governance among public officials. The weeklong programme took place at the Fiesta Royal Hotel in Accra and welcomed participants from Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya.

The initiative, jointly organised by the National School of Government (South Africa), Kenya School of Government, and Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), brought together senior public servants, legislators, and policymakers for peer learning, policy exchange, and institutional networking.

Participants visited key institutions such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat and the MTN-supported Opportunities Industrialisation Centre (OICG), which provides vocational and entrepreneurial training for youth.

The training coincided with MTN’s annual “21 Days of Y’ello Care” campaign. MTN Ghana CEO Stephen Blewett, CIO Bernard Acquah, and MTN Group’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer Nompilo Morafo joined expert panels to explore the role of technology, AI, and infrastructure in transforming public service delivery and advancing economic inclusion.

South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration, Pinky Kekana, described the programme as a timely platform for tackling Africa’s governance challenges. GIMPA Director, Prof. Samuel Kwadwo Bonsu, emphasized the value of public-private partnerships in shaping effective public leadership.

The training ended with a closing dinner at the Mövenpick Hotel in Accra, where participants were awarded certificates. A memorandum of understanding was signed between MTN and GIMPA to formalise continued collaboration in leadership development.

Source: MyJoyOnline

Telecel Ghana Champions Sportsmanship and Tradition at 68th Asantehene Golf Open

Telecel

Telecel Ghana reaffirmed its commitment to heritage, sports, and community at the 68th Asantehene Open Golf Championship, held at the Royal Golf Club in Kumasi. Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II led the ceremonial tee-off alongside Telecel Group Board Chair Nicolas Bourg, Telecel Ghana CEO Patricia Obo-Nai, and business icon Sir Sam Jonah.

The four-day tournament, headlined by Telecel for the eighth consecutive year, brought together over 200 golfers from seven countries, including South Africa, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire. The event opened with a traditional procession and flag-raising ceremony by the Ghana Armed Forces, symbolizing the blend of royal heritage and international sportsmanship.

Chair of the Royal Golf Club’s Management Team, Kwesi Attah-Antwi, lauded Telecel’s continuous support, noting the growing interest and international participation in the tournament.

As part of its broader Ashanti Month celebrations, Telecel also rolled out community-focused initiatives including market activations, enterprise engagement, shop expansions, health outreaches, and educational donations—all aimed at advancing digital and socioeconomic inclusion in the region.

Speaking at the Royal Awards Gala, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II reflected on his personal journey in golf and expressed appreciation to Telecel for sustaining the tournament. “I enjoy golf… and I’m grateful to Telecel for supporting this competition each year. I inherited it, and I pray it continues to thrive,” he said.

The championship concluded with an elegant gala dinner at the Otumfuo Jubilee Hall, where winners across various categories were celebrated. Telecel Ghana’s Samuel Sarpong was named Overall Runner-Up in the Sponsors category, marking a proud moment for the telco’s team.

The 68th Asantehene Open once again blended sport, culture, and corporate impact—strengthening bonds within the Ashanti Kingdom and beyond.

Source: MyJoyOnline

MTN Equips Youth with Phone Repair Skills Under 21 Days of Y’ello Care

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As part of its 21 Days of Y’ello Care initiative, MTN Ghana has empowered 12 young people in Nyinahini, Ashanti Region, with practical skills in mobile phone repairs, offering them certificates and starter toolkits to support self-employment.

The training, held at MTN’s Nyinahini Data Center, forms part of the company’s annual staff volunteerism campaign aimed at uplifting underserved communities through skills development and youth empowerment.

Charles Osei Akoto, MTN’s Head of Technical for the Northern Business District, highlighted the initiative’s long-term impact on job creation, stressing that mobile phone repair is a relevant trade in today’s digital world. “We have provided them with all the tools they need so that right from the training, they find a place and start helping the community,” he noted.

Led by Abdul-Karim Awudu, trainees were introduced to both theoretical and hands-on lessons in phone diagnostics, repairs, and ethics. Participants expressed gratitude, with one beneficiary, Peter Bonsu, sharing how the programme transformed his knowledge and employability.

MTN’s 2025 edition of Y’ello Care has also reached communities such as Asokwa, focusing on vocational training including fashion design, reinforcing the telco’s commitment to community development and digital inclusion since the programme’s inception in 2007.

Source: GNA