This article from Global Africa Sciences analyzes the legal challenges of Africa’s digital economy. It highlights the transformative impact of digital technologies and emphasizes the need for coherent legal and regulatory frameworks. Key challenges include data governance, cybersecurity, payment system interoperability, and user rights protection. Despite frameworks like the Malabo Convention and African Union digital strategies, implementation remains slow due to fragmented jurisdictions and limited enforcement capacity. The article advocates for a “third way” of regulation that combines legal rigor (hard power) with flexible experimentation (soft power), including the use of regulatory sandboxes. This hybrid approach aims to develop a sustainable, inclusive, and sovereign African digital economy aligned with local needs and global standards.

Governance, Economic Development, Numérique, Cybersecurity

Mauritania's "National Digital Security Strategy 2022-2025," developed by the Ministry of Digital Transformation, Innovation, and Modernization of the Administration, aims to strengthen cybersecurity and combat cybercrime. Recognizing the growing reliance on digital technologies and associated threats, the strategy focuses on six strategic objectives:​ Establish institutions dedicated to digital security.​ Protect Mauritania's cyberspace and critical infrastructures.​ Enhance mechanisms to combat cybercrime.​ Raise awareness and provide training on cybersecurity issues.​ Promote national collaboration in digital security.​ Develop regional and international cooperation.​ The implementation of this strategy is overseen by the High Council for Digital (HCN), supported by the National Cybersecurity Agency. It aligns with the 2014 Malabo Convention on cybersecurity and personal data protection, to which Mauritania is a signatory.

Public Administration, Numérique, Cybercriminalité, Cybersecurity

The article "Can social entrepreneurs make Africa's digital boom more inclusive?" by Helen Lock, published by Devex in July 2022, examines how African social entrepreneurs are working to make the continent's digital boom more inclusive. Despite a digital economy valued at $115 billion and a forecast of $712 billion by 2050, less than 25% of Africa's population has internet access. Initiatives like the German agency GIZ's "Digital Enquirer Kit" aim to bridge this gap by offering free training on misinformation and online safety. These efforts highlight the importance of digital inclusion for Africa's economic and social development.

Numérique, Entrepreneurship, Inclusion

The article "The Emergence of 'Vidéomans' in Mali: Between Popular Expression and Tool of Disinformation" by Bah Traoré, published on March 28, 2025, by WATHI, examines the phenomenon of "vidéomans" in Mali. These influencers use social media to comment on national news through live videos, a trend that emerged between 2015 and 2018 with the rise of platforms like Facebook and YouTube. Initially focused on various topics, vidéomans have gradually shifted towards more politicized discourse, notably criticizing government management and foreign interference, particularly from France. Their growing influence led the Malian government to organize a workshop from March 6 to 8, 2025, bringing together several vidéomans to strengthen its communication and counter disinformation. However, the article highlights that the information disseminated by these vidéomans is not always accurate, posing challenges regarding information reliability.

Governance, Information, Numérique, Disinformation

This report explores the impact of growing Internet use in the Sahel region, notably Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. The rise of social media users has exacerbated existing tensions and conflicts, with phenomena such as disinformation, radicalization and polarization. Despite this, digital access also offers opportunities to strengthen transparency and cohesion, and to prevent conflicts. Recommendations for a more inclusive and safe use of these digital spaces are proposed.

Governance, Social cohesion, Numérique, Radicalisation, Disinformation

The article "Digital Security in Niger" published in December 2021 by Agir Ensemble pour les Droits Humains (AEDH) examines the evolution of Niger's political, legal, and technological framework regarding digital matters. Since 2013, the country has organized forums on internet governance and established the National Agency for the Information Society (ANSI) in 2017, aiming to promote universal access to ICT. However, concerns have arisen about the repression of civil society, notably with the 2019-33 law on cybercrime, whose Article 31 penalizes the dissemination of data disturbing public order. This legislation has been used to target human rights defenders and journalists. Additionally, the 2020-19 law authorizes the interception of electronic communications, raising issues regarding privacy rights. Despite technological advancements, challenges remain in protecting digital rights and freedom of expression.

Security, Human Rights, Numérique, Cybercriminalité

The report by Search for Common Ground examines the participation of Sahelian women in digital spaces, focusing on the challenges and opportunities they encounter. It highlights that, despite a growing online presence, women face obstacles such as limited access to technology, restrictive sociocultural norms, and risks of online violence. The report recommends actions to enhance women's digital inclusion, including strengthening technological skills, raising awareness of digital rights, and creating safe online environments.

Gender, Women, Violence, Numérique

In her interview, Dr. Minata Sarr Ndiaye identifies five priorities for Senegal. First, she emphasizes the importance for the State to place humans at the center of its actions, by serving citizens and responding to their needs. Second, she advocates for better integration of Senegal into the artificial intelligence (AI) value chain, by strengthening research and developing infrastructure for the local production of big data. Third, she calls for the industrialization of digital public services, by making all services accessible online and entering into public-private partnerships to enhance the value of data while protecting fundamental rights. Fourth, she emphasizes the valorization of cultural knowledge through digital technology to promote Senegalese culture internationally. Finally, she recommends updating educational curricula, starting in elementary school, to adapt to the changes in today's world.

Governance, Education, Numérique, Intelligence artificielle