Africa Pushes for Data Sovereignty and Digital Independence

Africa Pushes for Data Sovereignty and Digital Independence

United Nations — From data embassies to AI “factories,” policymakers say control over data will define the continent’s economic future. African leaders are sharpening their focus on digital sovereignty, warning that the continent’s economic future will depend not just on connectivity, but on who controls its data–and where it is stored. At a high-level roundtable…

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Can a digital signature be proven in court?

Can a digital signature be proven in court?

Can a digital signature provide reliable, verifiable evidence when disputes arise? As organisations accelerate their move to paperless processes, a recurring legal question remains. If a document is digitally signed today, will that signature still be valid and defensible if challenged in court years later? For legal, compliance and executive teams, the issue extends beyond…

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Africa Pushes for Data Sovereignty and Digital Independence

African Govts Urged to Dedicate 2 Percent of Annual GDP for Digital Infrastructure Devt

The Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Abas Apaak, has called on African governments to dedicate up to two percent of their annual GDP to digital infrastructure development. According to him, Africa’s digital ambitions would not only remain difficult to achieve, but a mirage without substantial investment in infrastructure capable of supporting innovation and technological…

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Africa’s Mining Future Is Increasingly Driven By Energy-Enabled Digital Transformation

Africa’s Mining Future Is Increasingly Driven By Energy-Enabled Digital Transformation

Across Africa, mining is no longer seen merely as an extractive industry, but as a strategic pillar of growth, foreign exchange earnings and industrial ambition. From copper and cobalt to gold, manganese and lithium, resource-rich countries are seeking to move further up the value chain by developing more local processing, refining and downstream activities. Recent…

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Malicious actors take down Avbob’s digital platforms

Malicious actors take down Avbob’s digital platforms

The Avbob incident comes amid a continued rise in cyber breaches affecting South African organisations. (Image source: 123RF) Insurer Avbob has confirmed a cyber incident that resulted in the disruption of some of its services. In a statement today, the insurer confirmed the recent disruption to certain of its digital platforms and services is the…

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Rethinking digital sovereignty in the AI era

Rethinking digital sovereignty in the AI era

Didier Ongena, VP for global government and EMEA public sector. Today, businesses are being asked to navigate profound disruption on two fronts. On the one end, there is artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI (GenAI), which have already had an intense impact on industries, economies and society at large. On the other, widespread geopolitical uncertainty…

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From digital sovereignty regulations to real-world realities

From digital sovereignty regulations to real-world realities

Siya Madyibi, executive director for Microsoft’s corporate, external and legal affairs in South Africa. As a lawyer for Microsoft, Siya Madyibi, executive director for Microsoft’s corporate, external and legal affairs in South Africa, has a keen interest in geopolitics. One of the situations he is watching closely is the deterioration in relations between South Africa…

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AI-fuelled fraud drives surge in local digital scams

AI-fuelled fraud drives surge in local digital scams

South Africa is one of the few markets with the highest rate of suspected digital fraud attempts. (Image source: 123RF) South Africa had the highest rate of suspected digital fraud among African countries analysed, with 3% of transactions involving consumers in South Africa being suspected of digital fraud during 2025 – slightly below the global…

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