Under the partnership, Morocco will share its experience in implementing digital public administration reforms, including the deployment of online government services, interoperable administrative platforms, and digital identity solutions designed to reduce bureaucracy and improve transparency. Morocco has made significant progress in digitizing state services through national programs aimed at modernizing administration, streamlining licensing procedures, and expanding citizen access to public services via digital platforms. Ghana, meanwhile, brings valuable experience from its own digitalization efforts, particularly in mobile-based public services, fintech innovation, and electronic governance initiatives that have helped expand financial inclusion and public access to government systems.

The cooperation framework emphasizes institutional collaboration, joint technical training, and the exchange of expertise between ministries and public agencies in both countries. Moroccan digital transition initiatives are overseen by Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, whose office has been leading reforms aimed at integrating artificial intelligence, strengthening administrative efficiency, and building inclusive digital services. Through this partnership, Ghanaian institutions are expected to benefit from Morocco’s practical experience in implementing large-scale digital reforms while contributing insights from Ghana’s rapidly evolving digital ecosystem.

Officials from both nations highlighted that strengthening e-government systems is essential for improving transparency, reducing administrative delays, and enhancing citizen trust in public institutions. The collaboration also aligns with broader continental ambitions to promote African-led digital solutions and reduce reliance on external technological models. By working together on cybersecurity frameworks, digital infrastructure development, and interoperable government platforms, Morocco and Ghana aim to accelerate economic growth, encourage innovation, and position themselves as leaders in Africa’s digital governance transformation.

The partnership reflects a wider shift toward South-South cooperation across Africa, where countries increasingly collaborate to share expertise, scale successful digital policies, and support regional integration through technology. As governments across the continent invest more heavily in digital public infrastructure, initiatives such as the Morocco-Ghana agreement are expected to play a key role in shaping efficient, transparent, and citizen-centered administrations capable of meeting the demands of a rapidly digitizing global economy.

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The government has rolled out an AI-powered customs valuation system at major ports, including Tema, as part of broader efforts to modernize border management, reduce fraud, and plug long-standing revenue leakages. Authorities view the technology as a key instrument in improving efficiency and strengthening fiscal stability amid evolving global trade pressures.

Early outcomes suggest the reform is already delivering measurable results. Customs revenue collections have increased significantly following the deployment of the system, reflecting tighter monitoring of imports and improved detection of undervaluation practices. Officials argue that automated assessments reduce human discretion, limit corruption risks, and align Ghana’s trade administration with digital transformation trends taking hold worldwide.

The AI platform works alongside Ghana’s existing digital trade infrastructure, including electronic customs processing systems introduced to streamline import and export documentation. By automating valuation processes, authorities aim to shorten cargo clearance times while enhancing compliance monitoring across supply chains. Similar digital reforms are increasingly seen across Africa as governments pursue efficiency gains under expanding regional trade frameworks.

However, the transition has triggered friction between regulators and private-sector operators. Freight forwarders, importers, and traders have voiced concerns that algorithm-driven valuations sometimes exceed declared transaction prices, leading to higher duty assessments. Industry groups argue that limited transparency surrounding how the AI calculates values makes it difficult for businesses to challenge decisions or predict costs accurately.

Critics warn that heavy reliance on automated benchmarks could create disputes with international trade rules that prioritize actual transaction value in customs assessments. Legal and logistics experts caution that without sufficient oversight and stakeholder engagement, the technology risks disrupting trade flows rather than facilitating them.

Government officials maintain that the reform is necessary to curb systemic under-invoicing and revenue losses that have historically weakened public finances. The AI system is also expected to accelerate customs processing, reducing clearance procedures that previously took hours to just minutes while strengthening enforcement against fraud and smuggling.

The debate highlights a broader challenge facing many emerging economies: balancing digital innovation with commercial predictability. As artificial intelligence becomes embedded in customs operations, Ghana must reconcile its push for technological modernization with the need to preserve trader confidence and maintain smooth cross-border commerce.

Ultimately, the success of Ghana’s AI-driven customs reform will depend on transparency, regulatory clarity, and continuous dialogue between authorities and the private sector. If managed effectively, the initiative could position the country as a regional leader in digital trade governance; if not, it risks deepening trade friction at a time when Africa is working toward greater economic integration.

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The allocation, covering around 410 megahertz of frequencies, was granted to Telecom Egypt (WE), Vodafone Egypt, Orange Egypt, and e& Egypt, effectively doubling the spectrum currently available for mobile services. Authorities said the scale of the deal is comparable to the total spectrum assigned to the sector over the past three decades.

The move aligns with Egypt’s National Spectrum Roadmap 2026–2030, which aims to modernize spectrum management, expand broadband capacity, and support rising demand for data-intensive services across industries and consumers.

Officials say the additional spectrum will enable operators to improve network quality, expand coverage, and deliver faster and more reliable mobile services, particularly as Egypt advances the commercial deployment of 5G, which officially launched in 2025.

Beyond improving user experience, the government views the allocation as a strategic investment in Egypt’s digital economy, helping to enhance competitiveness, attract technology investment, and support emerging applications such as smart cities, cloud services, and the Internet of Things.

The spectrum deal also provides a significant boost to public revenues while giving operators long-term certainty to plan network investments in next-generation telecommunications infrastructure.

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Under the agreement, the two organizations will collaborate on initiatives designed to give young people hands-on experience with emerging technologies. The partnership will include mentorship programmes, internship opportunities, scholarships, and practical AI projects that help participants apply their skills in real-world settings.

The MoU also aligns with MTN Ghana’s recent support for national digital skills development efforts, including a US $2 million contribution to the Government of Ghana’s One Million Coders Programme,  a flagship initiative aimed at training large numbers of young people in coding and technology.

MTN Ghana’s Chief Digital Officer and the co-founder of Thrive and Shine signed the agreement, underscoring both organizations’ commitment to closing the digital skills gap and promoting inclusive access to technological education across the country.

The collaboration comes as AI skills become increasingly important for the future workforce, with both public and private sectors emphasizing digital training as a key pathway for youth empowerment and economic participation.

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Paystack celebrated its tenth anniversary with the creation of TSG, which will oversee several distinct brands. These include Paystack’s core merchant payments business, the consumer-oriented money transfer app Zap, a newly acquired microfinance institution now called Paystack Microfinance Bank, and a research and development division.

The restructuring reflects recent strategic moves by the company, including launching Zap in 2025 and acquiring Ladder Microfinance Bank, now operating under the Paystack microfinance licence. According to CEO Shola Akinlade, customers had been asking for a wider set of financial tools, prompting the shift. “We’re betting on African entrepreneurs,” he said, noting that Paystack supports about 300,000 merchants.

Founded in Lagos in 2016 as a payments processor serving Nigerian businesses, Paystack expanded into several African markets , including Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa ,after Stripe bought it for around $200 million in 2020. The creation of the holding company comes after Paystack reached profitability across its markets for the first time last year.

The move also follows internal leadership controversy: co-founder Ezra Olubi was dismissed in November amid allegations of misconduct and has threatened legal action, though TSG has confirmed he will not hold a stake in the new group.

Under the updated structure, TSG is backed by three founding shareholders: Stripe, Paystack’s employees, and Akinlade himself, who has made a personal investment, though details were not disclosed. The agreements establishing TSG were signed in October 2025 and are awaiting regulatory approval.

Analysts say the new setup allows the group to offer a broader range of services, from payments and money transfers to lending and potentially other products developed by its R&D arm, but that growth will require patience as it enters competitive areas of fintech and banking

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Government officials told Parliament this week that 68 of the country’s 76 fish markets are now operating through digital systems, a move aimed at improving transparency and strengthening oversight of commercial transactions. Speaking during an oral question session at the House of Representatives on January 5, Secretary of State for Maritime Fisheries Zakia Driouich said the digitalization of first-sale markets allows the state to collect more reliable data while reducing opacity in fish trading.

The system enables real-time registration of sales, creating structured datasets that enhance audit capabilities and support better governance across the sector. Authorities see these tools as key to improving business practices and reinforcing regulatory compliance in one of the country’s most strategic industries.

Digital controls are also being extended offshore. All vessels operating in Moroccan waters are now monitored via satellite, while radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology is used to trace authorized boats. The measures are designed to strengthen enforcement and curb illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

Beyond monitoring and compliance, the government is deploying digital tools across scientific research, fisheries management, production processes, and commercialization. Officials say the approach will improve data-driven planning and support the sustainable management of marine resources.

These reforms build on Morocco’s long-term modernization agenda under the Halieutis strategy launched in 2009, which began replacing paper-based procedures with electronic processing, particularly for export documentation. With the expansion of digital systems across markets and maritime surveillance, Morocco is positioning its fisheries value chain to become more traceable, better regulated, and increasingly driven by data.

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The new platform uses AI-driven video analytics to monitor traffic in real time, detect violations, and support faster intervention by road safety authorities. Installed across key urban centers and major highways, the system is designed to identify speeding, dangerous driving behaviors, and other infractions that contribute to road fatalities.

According to the authorities, the technology will significantly strengthen enforcement capabilities by automating traffic surveillance and reducing reliance on manual checks. Data collected by the system will also be used to analyze accident patterns, helping policymakers design more targeted road safety measures.

Road accidents remain a major public safety challenge in Mauritania, with high fatality rates linked to speeding, poor compliance with traffic rules, and limited monitoring infrastructure. Officials say the AI rollout is part of a broader digital transformation strategy aimed at improving public services through smart technologies.

Beyond enforcement, the system is expected to support emergency response by enabling quicker detection of incidents and faster coordination with rescue services. The government believes this will help reduce response times and limit the severity of accidents.

The initiative aligns Mauritania with a growing number of African countries adopting AI and digital tools to address urban mobility and public safety challenges. Authorities say further upgrades, including expanded coverage and integration with other transport databases, are planned in the coming phases.

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Under the new approval, Tpay will operate as a Direct Carrier Billing (DCB) provider, allowing citizens to pay for selected public services directly through their mobile phone balance or telecom monthly bill. The system removes the need for bank cards or traditional bank accounts, making government payments more accessible to a wider segment of the population.

The service is expected to cover a range of everyday government payments, including electricity bills, traffic fines, and civil registry services, among others. By integrating payments into mobile networks, the platform simplifies transactions and reduces friction for users who rely primarily on mobile phones for financial activities.

Egypt’s authorities see the move as a way to leverage the country’s high mobile penetration to support digital transformation. With more than 120 million mobile subscriptions, mobile-based billing is viewed as a scalable channel to reach unbanked and underbanked citizens, particularly in areas where access to banking infrastructure remains limited.

Tpay’s bank-independent model aligns with Egypt’s broader strategy to modernize public services, reduce cash usage, and improve the efficiency of government collections. The licensing also reflects growing regulatory support for fintech solutions that complement existing banking and mobile money systems.

The rollout of mobile-based government payments is expected to accelerate the adoption of digital services across the public sector, while reinforcing Egypt’s efforts to build a more inclusive and technology-driven payments ecosystem.

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Across the continent, limited access to finance remains a major constraint on agricultural productivity. Small-scale farmers, who produce the bulk of Africa’s food, often operate far from bank branches and lack the documentation required by conventional lenders. AI is helping to bridge this gap by transforming everyday digital footprints into viable indicators of creditworthiness.

Agri-fintech firms are at the forefront of this shift. Kenya-based Apollo Agriculture, for example, uses machine-learning models that combine satellite data, soil analysis, weather patterns and on-the-ground information collected through mobile phones. This approach allows the company to offer small loans and farm inputs directly to farmers, while continuously improving its credit algorithms through repayment data. The model has enabled hundreds of thousands of farmers in countries such as Kenya and Zambia to access financing and advisory services more quickly than through traditional channels.

AI is also being applied beyond lending. In the insurance sector, Kenyan firm Pula uses artificial intelligence and remote sensing to design and manage climate insurance products for farmers. By monitoring rainfall and crop conditions via satellite data, the company can automate payouts after droughts or floods, reducing delays and disputes while lowering insurance costs for farmers.

Digital advisory tools are further supporting rural finance. In Ghana, agri-tech company Farmerline has developed an AI-powered chatbot that operates through WhatsApp in multiple local languages. The tool helps farmers receive agronomic advice, supports loan monitoring, and improves communication between farmers and financial institutions.

Early results from AI-enabled agri-finance initiatives point to higher productivity and strong repayment performance. Some projects have reported yield increases of up to 50% and repayment rates exceeding 85%, as farmers gain timely access to quality inputs and tailored advice. At the same time, loan approval processes that once took days or weeks can now be completed almost instantly.

Despite the progress, challenges remain. Weak digital infrastructure, limited internet access, and low digital literacy in rural areas continue to constrain adoption. Concerns over data quality, algorithmic bias, and the need for human oversight also persist, particularly when financial decisions directly affect vulnerable communities.

Policy support is increasingly seen as critical to scaling these innovations. Governments and development partners are being urged to invest in rural connectivity, strengthen data governance frameworks, and integrate AI into broader agricultural and financial inclusion strategies. At the continental level, the African Union’s upcoming CAADP Strategy and Action Plan for 2026–2035 emphasizes the role of digital tools and artificial intelligence in transforming agriculture.

As AI adoption accelerates, its ability to turn mobile data and satellite insights into affordable credit is positioning technology as a key driver of rural financial inclusion, with the potential to unlock growth for millions of African farmers.

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