By Abbas Badmus, 

Africa is rapidly emerging as a global hub for technological innovation, digital entrepreneurship, and ICT-driven economic transformation. Across the continent, governments, startups, and private sector players are investing heavily in digital infrastructure, fintech, artificial intelligence, smart cities, and broadband connectivity.

These efforts are reshaping economies, creating jobs, and positioning African nations as key players in the global digital economy.

Below is a look at the top 10 most technological countries in Africa and the factors driving their digital advancement.

1. South Africa

South Africa remains the continent’s most advanced technology ecosystem, boasting Africa’s largest tech economy and one of its most sophisticated ICT infrastructures.

The country enjoys widespread broadband access, strong innovation hubs, and a thriving startup ecosystem.

Cities such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Pretoria have become magnets for tech entrepreneurs and investors. South Africa also leads in fintech, software development, cybersecurity, and digital services, while its rapidly growing internet penetration continues to fuel innovation and digital transformation.

2. Egypt

Egypt has established itself as one of Africa’s fastest-growing technology destinations. With a large population, a strong telecommunications sector, and a rapidly expanding digital economy, the country has become a major player in fintech and mobile payment solutions.

The Egyptian government has prioritized digital transformation through investments in technology parks, innovation centres, and digital skills development. The country’s vast pool of tech talent and flourishing e-commerce industry continue to attract both local and international investors.

3. Kenya

Kenya’s technological success story is closely linked to M-Pesa, the revolutionary mobile money platform that transformed financial services across Africa and beyond. The country’s vibrant startup ecosystem, particularly in Nairobi’s famed “Silicon Savannah,” has produced numerous innovative solutions in fintech, agritech, healthtech, and e-commerce.

High mobile penetration and widespread digital adoption have made Kenya one of the continent’s most innovative technology markets, attracting venture capital and global technology firms.

4. Nigeria

As Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria has emerged as a leading technology and innovation hub. The country hosts some of Africa’s most successful fintech companies and boasts one of the continent’s largest communities of software developers and digital entrepreneurs.

Significant investments in ICT infrastructure, broadband expansion, and startup development have accelerated Nigeria’s digital economy. Lagos, often referred to as Africa’s startup capital, has become a magnet for investors seeking high-growth technology ventures.

The country’s young, tech-savvy population continues to drive innovation across sectors including financial technology, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and digital services.

5. Rwanda

Rwanda has earned global recognition for its ambitious digital transformation agenda. Through visionary leadership and effective digital governance, the country has embraced technology as a central pillar of national development.

The government has invested heavily in smart city initiatives, artificial intelligence applications, digital public services, and nationwide connectivity. Kigali’s innovation ecosystem is expanding rapidly, while Rwanda’s high internet penetration and digital literacy programmes continue to accelerate economic growth.

6. Morocco

Morocco has strategically positioned itself as a leading technology and manufacturing hub in North Africa. The country has developed a strong IT outsourcing industry and is increasingly investing in artificial intelligence, renewable energy technologies, and digital innovation.

Its proximity to European markets, combined with robust infrastructure and government support, has attracted multinational technology companies seeking a gateway into African markets.

7. Tunisia

Tunisia’s advanced digital infrastructure and highly skilled workforce have contributed to the growth of a dynamic technology sector. The country has become known for producing talented software engineers, developers, and digital innovators.

Government-backed startup initiatives and a growing venture capital ecosystem have helped create a thriving entrepreneurial environment. Tunisia continues to strengthen its reputation as one of Africa’s most digitally competitive economies.

8. Ghana

Ghana’s technology sector has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, driven by increasing ICT investments and a rapidly expanding fintech industry. The country’s youthful population has embraced digital technologies, creating strong demand for innovative products and services.

Government-led digitalization programmes, improved internet access, and growing investor confidence have further strengthened Ghana’s position as one of West Africa’s emerging technology leaders.

9. Algeria

Algeria is making significant progress in modernizing its digital infrastructure through major investments in fiber-optic networks, broadband connectivity, and e-government services.

The government has prioritized digital transformation as part of broader economic diversification efforts. These initiatives are creating new opportunities for businesses, improving public service delivery, and supporting the country’s growing digital economy.

10. Mauritius

Despite its relatively small size, Mauritius has established itself as one of Africa’s most technologically advanced nations.

The country offers high internet speeds, excellent connectivity, and a stable business environment that supports innovation and technology-driven enterprises.

Mauritius has become a regional leader in ICT services, fintech, cybersecurity, and digital business solutions. Its strategic location and business-friendly policies continue to attract technology companies and international investors.

Meanwhile, the rise of these technological leaders reflects a broader transformation taking place across Africa. Increasing internet penetration, growing investments in digital infrastructure, expanding startup ecosystems, and supportive government policies are creating unprecedented opportunities for innovation.

While challenges such as infrastructure gaps, funding constraints, and digital inclusion remain, Africa’s leading technology nations are demonstrating that the continent possesses the talent, creativity, and determination needed to compete in the global digital economy.

As emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing, and smart city solutions continue to evolve, these countries are likely to play an even more influential role in shaping Africa’s digital future and driving sustainable economic growth across the continent.

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As we move through 2026, the tech landscape has shifted from “experimenting with AI” to “integrating AI into everything.” The most valuable courses right now aren’t just about coding; they are about managing the complex relationship between humans, machines, and data.

If you are looking to future proof your career this year, here are the top 5 emerging tech course areas to watch:

1. Agentic AI & AI Orchestration

While 2024 was about chatbots, 2026 is the year of AI Agents. These are systems that don’t just “chat” but actually execute multi-step tasks autonomously. Courses in this field move beyond basic prompt engineering into building Agentic Workflows. Companies are moving away from single-use AI tools toward “digital coworkers” that can manage entire business processes.

2. Zero-Trust Cybersecurity & AI Defense

With the 30% year-over-year increase in global cyberattacks, traditional firewalls are no longer enough. Emerging courses now focus on Zero Trust Architecture a “never trust, always verify” approach. Top Certifications, CISSP (still the gold standard) and specialized Cloud Security credentials (AWS/Azure Security Specialty).

3. Platform Engineering (The Evolution of DevOps)

Traditional DevOps is maturing into Platform Engineering. Instead of just managing pipelines, professionals are now building “Internal Developer Platforms” (IDPs) that allow software teams to self-serve their infrastructure. It reduces the “cognitive load” on developers, allowing them to ship code faster and more securely.

4. Applied Quantum Computing Fundamentals

Quantum computing is moving out of the laboratory and into finance, logistics, and drug discovery. You don’t need a PhD in physics anymore; “Quantum for Developers” courses are becoming mainstream. Early adopters in 2026 will be the architects of the next computational revolution, specifically in breaking and creating new forms of cryptography.

5. Sustainable Technology & Green IT

As global ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) regulations tighten, companies are desperate for “Green Architects.” These courses teach how to optimize code and data centers to reduce carbon footprints.

Sustainability is no longer a PR move; it is a legal and operational requirement for large enterprises in 2026.

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By Fatimah Yusuf Usman,

In a world where artificial intelligence is often portrayed as a force threatening to displace human labour, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), offers a different perspective.

He sees AI not as a rival to human intelligence but as a powerful tool for enhancing productivity and efficiency. On Monday, March 17, 2025, at NITDA’s First Quarter General Staff Meeting, Abdullahi addressed his team with a message that challenged conventional fears about AI.

While many view AI as a threat to job security, he described it as a transformative force that, rather than replacing humans, has the potential to complement their work. He acknowledged that AI could take over nearly half of the tasks currently performed by people but emphasized that this shift should not be seen as a loss.

Instead, he urged his audience to recognize the immense opportunities it presents. The growing concern that AI will lead to widespread unemployment often overshadows the benefits it offers.

The NITDA Chief Executive believes the focus should be on how AI can relieve workers of repetitive and time-consuming tasks, allowing them to channel their energy into more complex, strategic, and creative endeavors. The impact of AI is already visible across various industries.

In healthcare, AI-driven diagnostics and data processing are enabling doctors to spend more time attending to patients. In creative industries, AI is providing analytical support that helps human professionals make better decisions without diminishing their originality.

Beyond efficiency, AI integration in the workplace could also transform work-life balance. As AI takes over routine duties, employees may find more time to focus on self-improvement, leisure, and family, without compromising productivity.

A properly managed AI-powered workforce could ultimately lead to improved well-being and reduced stress. While speaking further at the meeting, Kashifu Inuwa urged NITDA staff to embody professionalism, innovation, and commitment in their roles.

He stressed that NITDA’s success in shaping Nigeria’s digital transformation depends on these core values. Professionalism ensures that the agency remains a credible institution within the technology sector.

Innovation fosters groundbreaking ideas that drive digital progress. Commitment reflects the passion required to make lasting contributions to the country’s technological advancement.

For AI to truly serve as a partner in progress, Nigeria must embrace policies that encourage upskilling and digital literacy. Workers need to be prepared for an era where AI does not replace them but works alongside them.

Addressing ethical concerns such as data privacy and algorithmic bias is also essential in ensuring that AI development aligns with societal values. Indeed, Kashifu Inuwa’s perspective challenges the common narrative of AI as a competitor to human intelligence.

The NITDA helmsman envisions a future where AI empowers people to be more efficient, creative, and strategic in their professions. The challenge ahead lies not in resisting AI but in finding ways to harness its potential to build a smarter, more adaptive workforce.

If Nigeria adopts this approach, it will not merely adjust to technological advancements; it will take a leading role in shaping them.

Fatimah Yusuf Usman is a serving corps member at PRNigeria Centre, Abuja. She can be reached via: fatimahborkono@gmail.com.

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The rise of AI chatbots like DeepSeek and ChatGPT has triggered a wave of unease worldwide. Governments are grappling with concerns about data security and the privacy implications of using these generative AI services.

The (Seoul) South Korea’s state-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power has recently blocked access to DeepSeek and other generative AI services. As per the reports, the ministry of other nations has also banned the use of AI services on computers connected to external networks.

The Australian government has banned DeepSeek from all its government systems and devices, citing its use as a national security risk. Tony Burke, the Australian Home Affairs Minister, highlighted that the government has made this decision to protect Australia’s national security.

Recently, Taiwan has also restricted its government agencies from using DeepSeek. Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs has announced that “all government agencies and critical infrastructure should refrain from using DeepSeek, citing threats to national information security.”

France and Italy including other European nations have restricted DeepSeek to protect their consumers’ data as it involves the risk of data collection as per its privacy policies. Meanwhile, the USA has banned the use of DeepSeek in both its government and private sectors.

The governmental bodies in both the UK and Ireland have raised alarms over the potential security of using the Chinese AI model. However, despite its low-cost service the security risks of the Chinese AI firm have raised concern globally, hence it will be a challenge for DeepSeek.

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Artificial Intelligence: Elon Musk Seeks to Halt OpenAI’s For-Profit Transition

TECH DIGEST- Elon Musk, along with representatives from his AI venture xAI and former OpenAI board member Shivon Zilis, filed a motion last Friday seeking a federal injunction to prevent OpenAI’s restructuring into a fully for-profit public benefit corporation.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleges that OpenAI’s transition violates its original commitment to prioritize ethical and open-source AI research. Musk contends that the shift towards a profit-driven model compromises OpenAI’s founding principles and poses a potential threat to the responsible development of artificial intelligence.

Furthermore, the filing accuses OpenAI of engaging in anti-competitive practices by allegedly pressuring investors to withhold funding from rival AI companies, including Musk’s xAI. Musk’s legal team argues that such agreements stifle competition in the burgeoning AI market, which is projected to generate over $1 trillion in revenue within the next decade.

This legal challenge highlights the growing tension and competition within the AI industry as it rapidly evolves. The court will now consider whether to grant the preliminary injunction, which could significantly impact OpenAI’s future operations and the broader landscape of artificial intelligence development.

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By Fatima Idakwo,

Apple recently expanded its lineup with the release of the iPhone 16, and fans are already excited about its cutting-edge features. Announced on September 9, 2024, and available in stores from September 20, 2024, the iPhone 16 introduces innovations that mark a new chapter in mobile artificial intelligence.

iPhone 16 Specifications

The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus feature a 48MP wide camera with an f/1.6 aperture, a 12MP ultra-wide camera with an f/2.2 aperture and macro mode, and a telephoto camera with 2x sensor crop, providing lossless optical quality.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max raise the stakes with a 48MP wide camera with an f/1.78 aperture, a 48MP ultra-wide camera with an f/2.2 aperture, and a 12MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom and 25x digital zoom.

The battery capacities vary slightly across models: the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max offer 3,561mAh, 4,674mAh, 3,582mAh, and 4,685mAh, respectively. All models include 8GB of RAM, but storage options differ.

The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus come with choices of 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB, while the 16 Pro and Pro Max offer storage up to 1TB.

In terms of size, the iPhone 16 Pro Max leads with a 6.9-inch display, followed by the 16 Plus at 6.7 inches, the 16 Pro at 6.3 inches, and the iPhone 16 at 6.1 inches.

The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus come in colors including Black, White, Pink, Teal, and Ultramarine. For the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, color options include Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, and Desert Titanium.

Pricing for the iPhone 16 ranges based on location, model, and time of purchase. In Nigeria, it is available at iStores, with prices from 1.8 million Naira to 3.9 million Naira.

Key Features Retained

Aluminum Design

Titanium Frame

Action Button

Storage Options

20W Wired Charging

48MP Main Camera

5x Telephoto Camera

New Features Added

iOS 18

AI support with an upgraded Siri, coming in 2025

New Camera Controls

Vertical Camera Layout

A18 Bionic Chip

8GB RAM

The upgraded iOS 18 and AI-powered features provide Apple with a competitive advantage, showcasing Apple as a leader in advanced, technology-driven mobile experiences.

Although the enhanced Siri will not launch until next year, users can already experience sophisticated AI features on the iPhone 16, such as Writing Tools that offer text editing and proofreading, Photo Applications with built-in search and enhanced editing tools, and memory features that allow users to create personalized movies.

Additionally, new transcription options are now available in the Phone application. As Apple ushers in a new era of mobile technology, we can anticipate even more transformative advancements in future iPhone models.

Fatima Idakwo is an intern at PR Nigeria and can be reached at: idakwofatima04@gmail.com.

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TECH DIGEST- In a forward-looking initiative, the Federal Government of Nigeria is setting its sights on the creation of approximately 50,000 jobs by the year 2030 through the harnessing of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, unveiled this ambitious plan as part of the ministry’s four-year blueprint, titled “Accelerating Our Collective Prosperity Through Technical Efficiency.”

Drawing inspiration from reputable sources such as the PwC Report, McKinsey Global Institute Analysis, and the Accenture Report, Minister Tijani emphasized the transformative potential of AI, heralding a new era of technological and economic progress over the next two decades.

READ ALSO: ChatGPT Upgrades to Real-Time Internet Browsing

Acknowledging Nigeria’s status as an emerging economy, Minister Tijani stressed the importance of formulating a comprehensive national strategy to leverage AI inclusively and responsibly. He highlighted the country’s unique approach to nurturing expertise and perspectives to craft a forward-looking strategy.

The minister outlined vital objectives, including elevating Nigeria’s position as a top-10 location for AI model training and talent globally and establishing the nation as a leader in fostering inclusivity in AI dataset development. Furthermore, the plan seeks to propel Nigeria into the top 50 global rankings for AI readiness and adoption across various metrics, including computing power, skills, data availability, ethics, and governance, by the year 2030.

The comprehensive blueprint is built upon five foundational pillars: knowledge, policy, infrastructure, innovation, entrepreneurship, capital (IEC), and trade. These pillars are integral to the ministry’s mission and interconnected, serving as the cornerstone of the strategy.

Minister Tijani articulated the government’s commitment to this transformative journey, recognizing the challenges ahead and viewing them as opportunities for growth and adaptation. The overarching goal is to harness technology’s power to enhance Nigeria’s global standing, foster sustainable employment opportunities, and enhance the quality of life for all Nigerians. This initiative aligns with the belief that AI could potentially contribute trillions to the global economy by 2030, with a significant portion coming from increased productivity and the introduction of new products and services, as indicated by a PwC report from 2018.

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TECH DIGEST– Artificial intelligence could lead to the extinction of humanity, experts including the heads of OpenAI and Google Deepmind have warned. Dozens have supported a statement published on the webpage of the Centre for AI Safety. “Mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks such as pandemics and nuclear war” it reads.But others say the fears are overblown.

READALSO:Registered Organisations Back NITDA Bill, Says Fact-Check

Sam Altman the chief executive of ChatGPT maker OpenAI, Demis Hassabis chief executive of Google DeepMind and Dario Amodei of Anthropic have all supported the statement.
Geoffrey Hinton, a so-called “godfather of AI”, who issued an earlier warning about risks from super-intelligent AI, has also supported the call.

However some experts believe that fears of AI wiping out humanity are unrealistic, and a distraction from issues such as bias in systems that are already a problem.

• SOURCE: BBC NEWS

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The Nigerian government has completed the first draft of the National Policy on Artificial Intelligence, which will soon be transmitted to the Federal Executive Council (FEC). The policy was co-created by a team from the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and 63 industry experts, who were selected from 351 volunteers from Nigeria and abroad. The volunteers contributed to seven major areas covered by the policy, including education, finance, health, media and telecommunications, labour and productivity, general and special issues, and security.

READALSO: Binance Supports African Currencies For Direct Cryptocurrency Transactions

Kashifu Inuwa, the Director General of NITDA, commended the volunteer group for their exceptional work in developing the policy. He emphasised the potential of artificial intelligence to transform industries, save lives, and revolutionise the world, but also highlighted the risks associated with it, such as bias, privacy violations, and job displacement. Inuwa stated that the policy would guide the development and deployment of AI in Nigeria and an implementation strategic plan would be drafted to ensure that the policy achieves its purpose.

Inuwa explained that NITDA initiated the process of co-creating the policy because the agency strongly believes that the government can do some things that the ecosystem cannot and vice versa. He noted that consultants are often engaged to draft policies, but they lack the technical know-how of the subject matter, which is why the procurement processes always give them an edge over industry experts. However, the volunteers have achieved a commendable result-oriented approach to engage them, he added.

Inuwa assured the volunteers that the agency would send them letters of commendation, as no amount of money could assuage the commitment they put into drafting the policy. Emmanuel Edet, the head of NITDA Legal Unit, expressed the agency’s appreciation to the volunteer experts and requested their response when they are called upon again. The NITDA Secretariat will now take over and continue working on the document’s design to get it ready for publication

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TECHDIGEST – The Vice President Professor of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has unveiled Africa’s Humanoid Robot ‘Omeife’ built by Uniccon Group, which is human-like and skilled in language, movement, navigation, and behavioural intelligence using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and computer vision capabilities.

Speaking during the unveiling in Abuja, Prof Osinbajo, who was represented by Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), who also assigned Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, to unveil on his behalf, announced that Federal Government will soon come up with regulatory Instruments that will make responsible technology for Nigerians to benefit from.

He stated that the innovation signifies a dawn in the nation’s journey to becoming one of the digitally visible countries in the world.

“It is so dear to us that we are living in an exciting time of technological advancement, where the science of yesterday is becoming a reality in products and services”.

“We are reaching a point where a Robot will create a Robot, Algorithm will create Algorithm, a world without scarcity of resources where every human on earth has access to basic needs like enough food, clean water and so on, with the kind of technology like Omeife, Nigeria can reach that point.

“Omeife is behaving like human, but the target is the super intelligence, whereby the Artificial Intelligence becomes more intelligent than the human being,” the VP said.

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He added that, “We have to go with what the new technology (AI) brought, like not going to farms because Robots can do that, not driving a car which Robot can do, creating furniture, road constructions which all Robots can do effectively. With AI you can cure terminal diseases, we can reverse aging which are all part of the futuristic things that are talking about singularity.”

While emphasising government’s commitment to turn things around technologically, the VP described this as a “technology is a doubled aged sword. What we need to do as a government is to support our citizens by ensuring that they are digitally visible, we need to get data available for AI to be used to make a decision and also to connect the unconnected”.

In achieving this, he said, the present administration has redesigned the scope of the Communications Ministry to Communications and Digital Economy, where several plans are put in place like Broadband plan which is targeted at connecting the unconnected to make sure every Nigerian is digitally visible.

He affirmed the support of the Federal Government for the domestication of the technology urging the tech community to find measures that would ensure that Artificial Intelligence systems are built according to policies, regulations, laws and also domesticate such innovation in line with the Nigerian culture.

On his part Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) lauded the effort and foresight of Unicorn Group for the unprecedented achievement.

He said, “We are so excited today, because most of our games (the Robots) are not African, seeing Omeife looking like African gives me a lot of courage that Nigeria is at verge of attaining greatness”.

The Minister said this and many other initiatives will in no small measure assist the country in building technology locally and to promote local cultures and values.

He also announced that government is working on the National Data Strategy which will also help to make data available for everyone, because AI is all about Data. 

He pledges government readiness to work with Unicorn Group to commercialise the technology.

It could be recalled that the Minister introduced Omeife for the first time at GITEX in Dubai while complimenting the Uniccon Group’s dedication to playing a significant role in encouraging innovation in Africa.

Omeife, a 6 feet tall Multilingual robot has the ability to speak 8 different languages including Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, French, Arabic, Kiswahili, Pidgin, Wazobia Afrikaans and the English language.

The Robot also has terrain intelligence, knowing the ground and having stability on the floor, which helps it navigate on non-flat surfaces and maintain good balance. It also has GPS for location and state-management for knowing whether the system is standing, walking, talking and so on as well as Advanced Gestures. It expresses while talking, gives hand illustrations, smiles and makes other bodily gestures.

It has the ability to understand shape and how to hold things with its hand. Conversation wise, it has real time understanding, can actively listen and focus on a specific conversation thread as it’s happening.

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