AEDIB Map

Projects

AU-EU Digital for Development (D4D) Hub AEDIB|NET – African European Digital Innovation Bridge Network RESICODI DIRECCT

AU-EU Digital for Development (D4D) Hub

In a Team Europe spirit, the AU-EU D4D Hub leverages the expertise and resources of the EU and five of its Member States (Belgium, Germany, Estonia, France, Luxembourg) to support African institutions to create an enabling environment for an inclusive and sustainable digital transformation.

The AU-EU D4D Hub offers African governments and regional organisations a comprehensive package of services, products and activities, which include demand-driven technical assistance, knowledge sharing, and facilitation of dialogues.

Africa-Europe D4D Hub Multi-Stakeholder Forum

This transcontinental event , which took place on 18 March 2022, gathered over 1600 representatives from private sector, academia, civil society, international organisations, and governments to discuss concrete actions and priorities for Africa-Europe digital cooperation. The event comprised of 13 sessions in which 87 speakers and moderators shared their views on connectivity, data governance, digital entrepreneurship and innovation.

D4D Access Knowledge Platform

The AU-EU D4D Hub is developing a knowledge platform that will centralise, promote, and disseminate good practices and lessons on digitalisation. Its target users are African and European actors working to promote an inclusive and sustainable digital transformation in Africa, including public institutions, donors, academia, companies, and civil society organisations.

Project Website

Project Partners

Benin

e-Governance Conference

Representatives from the Beninese government travelled to Estonia on 10-12 May to attend the e-Governance Conference, share their own e-government experiences, and learn from other African and European countries’ digital transformation journeys. Benin’s experience was also presented during the panel “Laying Ground for Digital Services: Case Studies from Africa”, which explored the pre-conditions, needs and challenges in developing human-centric and effective digital public services in Africa.

Botswana

e-Governance Conference

Representatives from the Botswanan government travelled to Estonia on 10-12 May to attend the e-Governance Conference, share their own e-government experiences, and learn from other African and European countries’ digital transformation journeys. Botswana’s experience was also presented during the panel “Laying Ground for Digital Services: Case Studies from Africa”, which explored the pre-conditions, needs and challenges in developing human-centric and effective digital public services in Africa.

Egypt

e-Governance Conference

Representatives from the Egyptian government travelled to Estonia on 10-12 May to attend the e-Governance Conference, share their own e-government experiences, and learn from other African and European countries’ digital transformation journeys. Egypt’s experience was also presented during the panel “Laying Ground for Digital Services: Case Studies from Africa”, which explored the pre-conditions, needs and challenges in developing human-centric and effective digital public services in Africa.

Guinea

e-Governance Conference

Representatives from the Guinean government travelled to Estonia on 10-12 May to attend the e-Governance Conference, share their own e-government experiences, and learn from other African and European countries’ digital transformation journeys.

Rwanda

Geospatial Hub

The AU-EU D4D Hub is working with the Ministry of ICT and Innovation on a feasibility study of a Geospatial Hub in Rwanda.

e-Governance Conference

Representatives from the Rwandan government travelled to Estonia on 10-12 May to attend the e-Governance Conference, share their own e-government experiences, and learn from other African and European countries’ digital transformation journeys.

Senegal

Geospatial Data for Digital Innovation Workshop

On 1-2 June, Senegalese and European stakeholders in the geospatial sector gathered in Dakar to discuss how to leverage geospatial data to promote innovation and sustainable development in Senegal. Three priority sectors were identified: agriculture and fishing, blue economy, and smart cities. The outcome was a roadmap to further develop the geospatial sector in Senegal.

e-Governance Conference

Representatives from the Senegalese government travelled to Estonia on 10-12 May to attend the e-Governance Conference, share their own e-government experiences, and learn from other African and European countries’ digital transformation journeys.

Tanzania

Dialogue on Data Governance and Cybersecurity at Innovation Week
Tanzania

The side event “Navigating through Data Protection and Cyber Security for Digital Innovation: Takeaways from the EU and Tanzania” took place on 18 May during Innovation Week Tanzania. The event provided an insight on the European Union’s practices and standards in the field of data protection, cybersecurity, and how such regulations have impacted the European Digital Market, as well as overview of the plans of the Tanzanian government in these fields.

e-Governance Conference

Representatives from the Tanzanian government travelled to Estonia on 10-12 May to attend the e-Governance Conference, share their own e-government experiences, and learn from other African and European countries’ digital transformation journeys.

Uganda

Mapping the Digital Savannah

On 26 May 2022, the AU-EU D4D Hub and Uganda’s Nation al ICT Innovation Hub hosted the workshop “Mapping of the Digital Savannah: Strengthening European-Ugandan digital cooperation” aimed at gaining a full overview of ongoing and planned activities in the digital field between Ugandan and European actors, as well as identifying priorities and opportunities for joint cooperation. The parties involved committed to continue engaging in a D4D dialogue.

Delivery of Digital Services in Post Offices

The AU-EU D4D Hub is working with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance to conduct a pre-feasibility study of Posta Uganda post offices for the delivery of e-government services.

AEDIB|NET – African European Digital Innovation Bridge Network

The AEDIB|NET project is the first step of a broader approach for the African-European collaboration on digitalisation and innovation. The project being launched under the broader political initiative AEDIB. Initiated by EU Member States (France, Belgium, and Germany) and the European Commission to the EC’s Digital 4 Development Hub (D4D).

Vision

The vision is to strengthen digital innovation ecosystems in Africa and connect them with European innovation ecosystems to shape a single African European market for digital innovation. Establish and strengthen African Digital Innovation Hubs (ADIHs) along the thematic, technological and entrepreneurial challenges Smart Cities, Climate Smart Agriculture and Digital Trade with pan-African outreach and create virtual marketplaces for digital innovation in Africa. Twelve consortia from all over Africa have been selected to become one of these DIH. Scroll through the selected DIHs on the left to learn more about the sectors they work in and how they plan to support their local innovation ecosystem.

Our approach

In order to realize this vision and these objectives, AEDIB|NET is working in four different areas:

1. Foster dialogue between digital policy makers and innovators across Africa and Europe by strengthening pan-African policy dialogue and reinforcing new formats of intercontinental collaboration.

2. Strengthening digital and entrepreneurial skills including for vulnerable groups, youth and women by establishing a Digital and Entrepreneurial Skills Academy.

3. Establish and strengthen African Digital Innovation Hubs (ADIHs) along the thematic, technological and entrepreneurial challenges Smart Cities, Climate Smart Agriculture and Digital Trade with pan-African outreach and create virtual marketplaces for digital innovation in Africa.

4. Establish a network of ADIHs and European DIHs, engage start-ups and ICT professionals, investors and diaspora and facilitate inter-continental innovation collaboration.

Funded by the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme and coordinated by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, AEDIB|NET brings together a network of strong partners from the European and African digital innovation ecosystem: pan-African policy actors and digital policy think tanks, support organizations for African start-ups as well as the leading entrepreneurship platform providers and business angel network facilitators.

Project Website

Project Partners

Cameroon

237 DT Innovation Lab

237 DT Innovation Lab is a group of organizations bringing together their expertise to promote and support innovative projects, start-ups and SMEs operating or wishing to operate in the field of digital trade across Cameroon.

Members of the consortium:
Orange Digital Center Cameroon, ActivSpaces, Cameroon Angels Network, Université Catholique d’Afrique Centrale

Côte d'Ivoire

GreenInvest – ImpactHub

GreenInvest – ImpactHub is a one-stop-shop of digital innovation for the transition of cities towards smart city management.

Members of the consortium:
Green Invest Africa, i-Hub Abidjan, Green Invest-Impact Hub

Egypt

eBusiness Leaders

eBusiness Leaders is an e-commerce enabler offering a wide range and effective services to SMEs. It is a one-stop shop offering digital trade technology solutions’ awareness/knowledge to SMEs.

Members of the consortium:
Leadership, Bibliotica, LilyShop

The Smart Cities Startups Hub (SCSH)

SCSH is planning to implement a wide range of activities to improve networks, knowledge, skills and access to finance for new entrepreneurs and MSMEs in the Smart Cities areas.

Members of the consortium:
ICEALEX, The Smart Future Cities Laboratory (SFCL), Impact Circles

Kenya

CleanTech Hub Nairobi

CleanTech Hub Nairobi is a digital and physical resource centre that supports CleanTech SMEs to digitise their operations and offering.

Members of the consortium:
Circular Innovation Hub, Growh Africa Foundation, Nairobi Circle Innovations Consulting Limited

JKIAN

JKIAN is a digital solutions hub to provide digital climate smart agriculture and trade solutions to small and medium scale farmers.

Members of the consortium:
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Impact Africa Network

Rwanda

DOORS – Digital Innovation for SMEs

The aim of DOORS is to increase technology adoption and digitalization efforts of Rwandan SMEs. The DIH will help in capability and capacity building towards digitization and develop an entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Members of the consortium:
Coventry University Africa Hub, 250Startups Incubator

The Smart City Lab

The Smart City Lab provides a bridge between the private and public sector by connecting government priorities with ideas and solutions from innovators and businesses.

Members of the consortium:
Rwandan Ministry of ICT and Innovation, Rwanda Information Society Authority, Rwanda ICT Chamber

Senegal

Geospatial Innovation Agri Hub

GIA Hub aims to help fishermen and farmers improve their productivity to ultimately achieve food security, by facilitating access to meaningful digital solutions using geospatial data.

Members of the consortium:
CNCR, Yessal AgriHub, Université Cheikh Anta DIOP of Dakar

South Africa

Wits Enterprise / Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct

Wits Enterprise / Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct supports understanding the business case, and developing a strong, sustainable business around products built on sound research. The DIH will support university inventions that support Smart city priorities.

Members of the consortium:
Wits Commercial Enterprise, Shimologong Digital Innovation Precinct

Tanzania

Smart Kilimo

Smart Kilimo aims to democratise digital climate smart agriculture technologies to empower young Tanzanian entrepreneurs to grow the agriculture sector.

Members of the consortium:
Westerwelle Foundation Tanzania, Agriedo Hub, Smartcore Enterprise Limited

Tunisia

Cleantech216

Cleantech216 is a hybrid hub for the development, prototyping, and incubation of clean technologies to improve climate resilience. It is focusing on innovating in cleantech solutions for the private sector.

Members of the consortium:
Future Islands, Ipalm, Talent lab

RESICODI – EU digital solutions to strengthen the resilience of education and health systems to COVID-19 in Eastern and Southern Africa

The RESICODI project is a Team Europe project, co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and is implemented by Enabel and GIZ. In close collaboration, Enabel and GIZ leverage existing projects to strengthen the resilience of education and health systems to COVID-19 in Africa. On one hand GIZ builds on the established BACKUP Fund Initiative to provide technical and financial support to African partners working on digital solutions for basic education services. On the other hand, Enabel strengthens successful TVET and health projects to facilitate COVID-19 resilience.

Project Website

Project Partners

Botswana

With the support of the BACKUP Initiative, the civil society organisation Destination Imagination (DI) implements projects with students in the STEM field that promote digital and project management skills. These projects are carried out within the framework of a competition involving different teams. The participants of the competition are provided with materials, internet data and software (e.g., the learning platform atingi.org). The supervisors who support the teams in terms of content also receive online training. Monitoring and evaluation of the project goals are ensured through surveys before and after the projects.

Burundi

Through the RESICODI Action, Enabel aims to strengthen the digitalisation of the health system in Burundi, supporting existing programmes and increasing resilience for COVID-19. Within the framework of the “Programme d’Appui Institutionnel au Secteur de la Santé (PAISS)”, several interventions are implemented in the field of digital health, notably in a sectoral support of the Plan National de Développement de l’Informatique de la Santé (PNDIS) by Enabel. The organization also supports the development of digital tools to guide healthcare providers in clinical decisions. In addition, an activity at the level of the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) as well as support for a Master’s degree in digital health are also under development. The Burundian education coalition Coalition Education Pour Tous BAFASHEBIGE – which basically participates in the elaboration of the sectoral education programme (Programme Sectoriel Education, PSE) and thereby contributes to the consideration of inclusive, fair and quality education in Burundi – implements several activities in the field of digital solutions with the support of the BACKUP initiative.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Within the framework of RESICODI, Enabel provides technical support and support the digital transformation in health and education. The Action has up to now rolled out information systems in various hospitals, developed eLearning modules and organized trainings to develop the health workers’ digital skills. The Action has also supported the installation of classrooms of the future in various schools to support learners.

Madagascar

Malawi

In cooperation with the BACKUP Initiative, the Civil Society Education Coalition (CSEC) in Malawi is involved in the creation of a range of digital contents and formats, such as the digitisation of curricula, the creation of selected digital teaching contents and the development of guidelines for the use of multimedia technologies in schools. The coalition also trains teachers, head teachers and media officers (e.g., from radio) on the use of digital media in education in Malawi. Moreover, awareness campaigns are being conducted to sensitise the general public to the importance of online teaching methods through radio and TV spots as well as through the establishment of an online learning platform on the CSEC website (www.csecmalawi.org).

Namibia

The Namibia National Teachers’ Union (NANTU) is committed to providing access to education for all and ensuring that the education system becomes more equitable and provides quality education. In cooperation with the BACKUP Initiative, NANTU focuses on providing teacher training on digital teaching and learning methods. In Namibia, only a few digital solutions have been used in education, and only a few schools have had the opportunity to switch to e-learning formats during school closures. NANTU therefore wants to protect the rights of Namibian teacher s and support their competence development. This includes the use of digital teaching materials and methods, in particular through the development of a manual as a framework for teacher training on digital teaching and learning methods. The union has also established a resource centre to provide teachers with access to teaching and learning materials on the internet (e-books).

Rwanda

Within the framework of RESICODI, Enabel develops long-term collaboration with government agencies and civil society (Rwanda Polytechnic, Rwanda TVET Board, Rwanda Biomedical Centre…) to provide technical support and support the digital transformation in health and education. Enabel has, among others, strengthened 2 existing e-learning platforms, supports distance learning, sustainable connectivity and works on developing the digital literacy of teachers and learners. Besides the organization has worked on the upgrade of COVID-19 dashboard, supported country vaccine manufacturing and enhanced health workers’ digital skills. The Rwanda Education For All Coalition (REFAC), in collaboration with the BACKUP Initiative, aims to support digital solutions in the education sector and strengthen national digital learning strategies. This includes, among others, strengthening the capacities of REFAC members and stakeholders, for policy advocacy of civil society on ICT education policies and strategies.

Zambia

The Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) – which participates in national education discussions and processes and contributes to the promotion of inclusive and high-quality education in Zambia – is developing remote solutions in the form of classic and digital media in cooperation with the BACKUP Initiative. As a first step, a study on digital competences among parents, teachers and pupils will help to organise demand-oriented teacher training on digital competences. At the same time, nationwide radio education will be promoted (e.g., in cooperation with radio stations, members of parliament, setting up radio listening clubs in schools). Furthermore, the public is sensitised to alternative learning methods (digital platforms, radio programmes) and campaigns are carried out to bring school dropouts (especially girls) back into schools.

DIRECCT – Digital Response Connecting CiTizens

Aware of the importance of digital technologies for health and socio-economic response, the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OEACP) and the European Union have launched an ambitious programme: the DIRECCT – Digital REsponse Connecting CiTizens Programme.

Funded by the EU, it is jointly implemented by Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and Enabel, the Belgian development agency.

The DIRECCT programme supports the connectivity and digitalisation of health, education and small business actors to better cope with current and future shocks.

Digital to build health and socio-economic resilience.
Health, education and the economy are three fundamental pillars of development and well-being for people in every country. The program DIRECCT is developed in more than 55 ACP countries and involve several dozen partners.

Health
The development of digital technology should make it possible to better monitor epidemics. COVID 19 highlighted the urgent need to promote the exchange of important and sensitive data in order to monitor the epidemiological situation in countries. Digital technologies are also an important tool to support isolated health centres.

Education and research
Access to e-learning is urgent and indispensable to avoid losing one or more classes of students. Online education has moved from being an option or a privilege to being a necessity, and we are likely to see the emergence of models that combine face-to- face and online learning in the coming years.

Small and medium-sized enterprises
The programme’s actions aim to promote access to the Internet for MSMEs, to encourage the appropriation of e-commerce and to promote digital tools.