Cassava Technologies, founded by Strive Masiyiwa, has partnered with NVIDIA to establish Africa’s first AI factory. This state-of-the-art data center facility will be powered by NVIDIA’s advanced AI computing technology, providing African businesses, governments, and researchers with access to cutting-edge AI infrastructure. The AI factory will initially deploy NVIDIA’s advanced computing and AI software at Cassava’s data centers in South Africa by June 2025, with plans to expand to Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, and Nigeria. NVIDIA GPU-based supercomputers will power the AI factory, enabling faster AI model training, fine-tuning, and advanced inference capabilities. This will be supported by Cassava’s pan-African high-speed, ultra-low-latency fiber-optic network and sustainable data centers, delivering AI as a Service (AIaaS). The AI factory aims to empower African businesses and governments to develop smarter AI solutions, optimize operations, and enhance global competitiveness while keeping data securely within the continent. Strive Masiyiwa emphasized the importance of building digital infrastructure for Africa’s AI economy, stating that this partnership with NVIDIA will drive AI innovation and strengthen the continent’s digital independence. Jaap Zuiderveld, VP EMEA at NVIDIA, highlighted AI’s role in solving major challenges across industries in Africa, noting that Cassava’s initiative will foster innovation across the continent.
South Africa weighs e-voting options as IEC seeks public input at upcoming conference
South Africa’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) will host a landmark conference from March 10–12, 2025, to evaluate the feasibility of adopting electronic voting (e-voting) systems. The discussions, set to include government stakeholders, cybersecurity experts, and international advisors, aim to determine whether the country’s infrastructure and public trust can support a transition from manual ballots to digital solutions. The announcement follows widespread frustration during the 2024 general elections, where long queues and logistical delays sparked calls for modernization. IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo confirmed the conference will assess technical readiness, costs, and security risks while drawing insights from nations like Estonia, Brazil, India, and the Philippines, which have implemented e-voting with varying success. South Africa’s exploration of e-voting reflects a broader shift toward digitizing public services. Proponents argue that online systems could streamline the voting process, reduce paper waste, and improve accessibility for citizens abroad or in remote regions. Local advocates, including radio personality Jack Lekgothoane, have emphasized the urgency of adopting technology to avoid repeat scenarios where voters waited hours to cast ballots. “Embracing digital voting is the future,” Lekgothoane said, echoing sentiments from citizens fatigued by manual processes. However, Mamabolo cautioned that the IEC is in the “early stages” of deliberation. “We are not straight-jacketing the country into e-voting,” he clarified. “This is about initiating a dialogue to understand risks, costs, and opportunities”. While e-voting promises efficiency, the IEC faces skepticism over cybersecurity threats and system vulnerabilities. Recent incidents in other nations underscore these risks: Belgium’s 2003 federal elections saw a candidate erroneously receive 4,096 extra votes due to a software glitch caused by a single bit of memory flipping spontaneously. The Netherlands abandoned e-voting in 2007 after activists demonstrated how machines could be hacked. Germany reverted to paper ballots in 2009 after its Constitutional Court ruled digital systems lacked transparency. Mamabolo stressed that South Africa would learn from both successful and failed implementations. Countries like Estonia, a pioneer in secure online voting since 2005, and Brazil, which automated its elections in 2000, will provide blueprints for balancing innovation with integrity. Conversely, nations like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Paraguay offer cautionary tales; the DRC’s 2018 election was marred by arson attacks on voting machines, while Paraguay discarded Brazilian-loaned devices over reliability concerns. For e-voting to succeed, South Africa must address gaps in digital literacy and internet access. While urban centers like Johannesburg and Cape Town boast robust connectivity, rural areas often lack reliable electricity or broadband, a disparity that could disenfranchise vulnerable populations. The IEC has enlisted the National Treasury to evaluate affordability, as developing secure systems requires significant investment in encryption, auditing tools, and voter education. Privacy is another critical concern. “Preserving voter anonymity while ensuring accurate results is non-negotiable,” Mamabolo said, referencing debates over whether digital systems could expose ballots to manipulation or surveillance. The conference will feature case studies from: Estonia: Citizens vote via secure ID cards, with 47% opting for online ballots in the 2023 parliamentary elections. United States: Over 90% of votes are counted electronically, though manual audits remain standard in states like Georgia. Australia: Limited e-voting for military personnel and disabled voters highlights targeted accessibility. Mamabolo noted that even failed experiments, such as Norway’s 2011–2013 trials, offer lessons. The Scandinavian nation scrapped e-voting after public distrust overshadowed technical feasibility. The IEC has not committed to a timeline for implementation, emphasizing that the conference is exploratory. Public feedback will play a pivotal role, as trust in electoral integrity remains fragile after decades of political turbulence. “We cannot ignore this debate,” Mamabolo concluded. “Whether we adopt e-voting or not, understanding its implications is crucial for our democracy”.
Kenya launches crackdown on TikTok over child exploitation concerns
Kenyan authorities have ordered an immediate investigation into TikTok and demanded the removal of exploitative content involving minors after a BBC report exposed rampant child exploitation on the platform’s live streams. The move underscores the growing scrutiny of social media giants’ content moderation practices in Africa. The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) announced stringent measures on Friday, March 7, 2025, following a March 3 BBC investigation that revealed underage Kenyan users were coerced into performing sexualized acts during TikTok livestreams. The report alleged that the platform profited from virtual gifts sent by viewers during these streams, sparking national outrage and demands for accountability. Regulatory Action and TikTok’s ObligationsThe CA has directed TikTok to immediately take down all content linked to child exploitation and submit a detailed report explaining how such material evaded its moderation systems. Authorities have also demanded a comprehensive plan to strengthen child safety protocols, aligning with Kenya’s Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, Films and Stage Plays Act, and Children Act. “This isn’t just about penalizing wrongdoing, it’s about ensuring platforms prioritize child safety as a non-negotiable standard,” a CA spokesperson stated. Failure to comply could result in fines or restrictions under Kenyan law, though officials did not specify a timeline for the probe. The revelations have intensified debates about parental oversight in Kenya’s rapidly digitizing society. The government has urged caregivers to leverage parental control tools and educate children about online risks. “Awareness is critical. We must equip families to navigate these spaces safely,” said Maryanne Karanja, a child protection advocate. Critics argue the crisis highlights systemic gaps in global tech firms’ approach to emerging markets. “Content moderation often lacks cultural and linguistic nuance in regions like Africa,” noted tech analyst Juma Mwangi. “This isn’t unique to TikTok, but it’s a wake-up call for all platforms.” Broader Implications for Tech RegulationKenya’s crackdown mirrors rising global pressure on TikTok, which faces similar scrutiny in the U.S., EU, and Asia over data privacy and harmful content. The platform’s response could set precedents for how African nations regulate social media amid soaring internet adoption. For now, Kenyan officials emphasize collaboration over outright bans. “We’re pushing for accountability, not punishment,” the CA spokesperson added. “But if platforms won’t act responsibly, we will.” As investigations proceed, the case shows the delicate balance between digital innovation and safeguarding vulnerable users, a challenge reshaping tech governance worldwide.