Governance & Policy

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger will introduce new biometric passports to harmonise travel documents under a new alliance after withdrawal from the West African bloc.

South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs plans to digitise its application process to eliminate the need for in-person visits and effectively reduce corruption.

South Africa’s Information Regulator has served an enforcement notice on Meta Platforms’ WhatsApp, directing it to comply with data privacy laws.

The Kenyan government has revealed plans to implement a regulatory regime to prevent the misuse of new technologies, including artificial intelligence, which leads to disinformation that threatens democracy.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has given Payment Service Providers a 30-day deadline to comply with new PoS transaction tracking rules, requiring all transactions to go through licensed Payment Terminal Service Aggregators (PTSAs) for improved monitoring and transparency.

South Africa’s Information Regulator has expanded its investigation on election transparency, initially focused on Meta Platforms, to now include Google and Elon Musk’s X.

Ghana’s Securities and Exchange Commission has granted Chipper Cash a broker-dealer licence, allowing it to broker securities for both individual and institutional clients in the country.

Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, has launched the federal government’s ₦100 million AI Fund, in partnership with Google, to empower 10 Nigerian AI-focused startups.

Namibia has signed a contract with two Chinese firms to build its largest solar power plant, costing N$1.6 billion ($89 million). The 100 MW Rosh Pinah plant is expected to be completed in 18 months and launched in Q2 2026.

Namibia seeks to complete data protection and cybercrime bills, as the government recently revealed that 2.7 million cyber attacks were recorded in 2022, with 7000 attacks per day

The Nigerian Communications Commission has launched the Device Management System (NCC-DMS) to register and regulate all mobile phones accessing communication networks three years after first proposing it.

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in partnership with the NYSC, has kicked off the first phase of its “Digital Literacy for All” (DL4ALL) initiative to empower millions of Nigerian youth with critical digital skills.

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has made it clear that PoS operators not yet registered could face possible shutdowns and other “severe” legal consequences as the 60-day deadline for registration closes.

Malawi has partnered with Huawei to launch a Smart Village Initiative to enhance Internet access in rural areas. As of early 2024, the country has 5.86 million Internet users, with a 27.7% penetration rate.

Months after allegations of financial irregularities emerged, the Democratic Republic of Congo has cancelled its $1.2 billion national biometric ID system project.

Binance has issued an official statement expressing deep concern over the treatment of its detained executive, Tigran Gambaryan, in response to the EFCC’s claims that his health isn’t as bad as portrayed by his family and legal team.

Government officials in Kenya will now request approval for foreign travel online. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said this will increase efficiency, transparency, and accountability within the government.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has refuted the health claims made by Tigran Gambaryan’s legal team, arguing that it’s not as serious as presented.

A US federal court has ordered Dozy Mmobuosi, Tingo CEO, to pay over $250 million in fines and barred him from serving as a director of a public company after the CEO failed to make any representations to the fraud complaints filed by the US SEC in December 2023.

South Africa’s Information Regulator is investigating Meta Platforms after the tech giant declined to provide information requested by the Campaign for Free Expression (CFE) regarding handling the country’s May 29 general election.