Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19.
Date: 2020-07-31
Institutions: European Investment Bank
Subjects: Africa, basic needs, coronavirus disease, cost analysis, digital technology, economic consequence, epidemic, food resources, health care system, impact of information technology, investment, poverty, remote sensing, social impact

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Africa’s digital solutions  

to tackle COVID-19

July 2020

 
 
 
 
 
Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 

July 2020 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 
© European Investment Bank, 2020. 

All rights reserved. 
All questions on rights and licensing should be addressed to publications@eib.org. 

Disclaimer 

This  study  was  conducted  from  May  to  June  2020  by  BearingPoint  under  the  supervision  of  the 
European  Investment  Bank  and  with  the  collaboration  of  the  United  Nations  Development 
Programme. 

For further information on the EIB’s activities, please consult our website, www.eib.org. You can also 
contact our InfoDesk, info@eib.org. 

Published by the European Investment Bank. 
Printed on FSC Paper. 

pdf: 

QH-02-20-541-EN-N 

ISBN 978-92-861-4717-3 

DOI 10.2867/690603 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contents 

Foreword ..................................................................................................................................... 3 

A statement from the United Nations Development Programme ................................................... 4 

Executive summary ...................................................................................................................... 5 

Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 7 

Analysis and findings ................................................................................................................... 10 

Digital solutions offered right now .................................................................................................... 10 

Priority 1 – Information, risk communication and geolocation of cases ...................................... 10 

Collaborative tools .................................................................................................................... 10 

Contact-tracing apps ................................................................................................................. 11 

Large communication tools ....................................................................................................... 12 

Priority 2 – Health system responses ............................................................................................ 13 

Self-assessment applications ..................................................................................................... 13 

Self-assessment solutions – unstructured supplementary service data ................................... 13 

Drones and robots ..................................................................................................................... 13 

Healthcare software .................................................................................................................. 14 

Priority 3 – Supply basic necessities and manage the continuity of essential services ................ 15 

E-commerce purchase and delivery platforms ......................................................................... 15 

Education technologies ............................................................................................................. 15 

Government monitoring dashboards ........................................................................................ 16 

Priority 4 – Protection of vulnerable populations ......................................................................... 16 

Priority 5 – Anticipate the impact on society and the economy ................................................... 17 

Assessment of the digital needs in Africa and the ability of countries to deploy solutions ............. 18 

Investment requirements ............................................................................................................ 23 

Going forward ............................................................................................................................. 25 

Annexes ...................................................................................................................................... 26 

Annex 1: Description of solutions ..................................................................................................... 26 

Annex 2: Digital solutions case studies ............................................................................................. 34 

Annex 3: Countries surveyed............................................................................................................. 58 

Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................... 59 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19   

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
2 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 

 
 
 
 
Foreword 

Many  African  countries  have  been  severely  hurt  by  the  coronavirus  pandemic.  Fragile  and  less-
developed countries in particular do not have the financial power to withstand the economic troubles 
caused by this crisis. Many countries also depend heavily on commodity exports. 

Health systems and the local manufacturers of basic medical equipment are often extremely weak. 
There  is  widespread  concern  that  the  crisis  could  lead  to  social  unrest  and  security  problems, 
particularly in countries where there is conflict or where a large part of the population is living on a 
day-to-day income. 

In Africa, COVID-19 is disrupting millions of lives. Poor people and small and informal businesses are 
having  particular  difficulties  getting  by.  Even  with  containment  measures  such  as  lockdowns  and 
quarantines,  the  pace  of  this  disruption  is  likely  to  accelerate  in  the  months  ahead.  No  country  is 
exempt. In addition to the social turmoil, the crisis’s economic impact may cause a major displacement 
of people. 

There  is  an  urgent  need  to  secure  supplies  of  essential  products,  contain  the  spread  of  the  virus, 
support health systems, stabilise financial systems and help businesses survive. In the short to medium 
term, Africa will have  to  invest heavily  in sustainable growth to reverse  the economic damage and 
increase the resilience of societies and businesses. 

The  pandemic  has  put  more  attention  on  the  world’s  digital  divide.  The  internet  is  a  vital 
communications tool that can help communities deal with the crisis. The technology sector is helping 
many industries adapt to this new situation and reduce the risks. But an estimated 3.6 billion people 
are not connected to the internet across the world, including 900 million in Africa. Only 27% of women 
in Africa have access to the internet and only 15% of them can afford to use it. People who do not have 
access to the internet cannot receive timely information about the crisis. They also can’t get educated 
about preventative measures or benefit from telemedicine. 

As we seek to limit the spread of the virus with lockdowns and other safety measures, and try to keep 
businesses open, the limitations of the technological infrastructure and the lack of investment become 
more  apparent.  In  Africa,  large  companies  that  support  local  economies  –  like  banks,  the  mining 
industry  or  agriculture  –  need  to  ensure  that  workers  have  internet  access.  Businesses  also  need 
sufficient capacity to run virtual private networks that enable secure teleworking, and they need to be 
protected from cyberattacks at a time of high confusion. 

This paper is intended to contribute to the European Union’s response to the coronavirus. This joint 
EU  response  includes  a  special  initiative  called  “Team  Europe.”  This  new  team  is  helping  partner 
countries outside the European Union fight the pandemic and prepare for the future. This paper will 
enhance communication among public agencies like the European Investment Bank, other members 
of Team Europe and the communities that need our help. The paper also seeks to evaluate solutions, 
encourage  the  development  of  new  ideas  and  identify  investments  that  will  make  life  better  for 
everyone. 

Ambroise Fayolle 
Vice-President, European Investment Bank 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19   

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A statement from the United Nations 
Development Programme 

The COVID-19 pandemic is the defining global health crisis of our time, and the greatest challenge since 
World War II. COVID-19 – with its triple threat to health, education, and livelihoods – is undermining 
human  development  globally.  In  Africa,  the  pandemic  threatens  to  erase  many  development  gains 
made in the past few decades. 

Even before COVID-19 hit, Africa was battling several crises, from food shortages to violent extremism. 
Yet Africa also  has  some  of  the  best-performing economies and several countries on the continent 
have become world leaders in technological innovation. Mobile payment services, for example, were 
pioneered in Africa. The high rate of mobile phone use in some areas helps spur innovations that are 
then  adapted  to  each  country’s  problems.  As  these  same  countries  race  to  slow  the  spread  of  the 
disease,  digital  tools  and  technologies  are  playing  a  crucial  role.  Through  our  work  with  the 
governments, we are seeing creative solutions such as robots that can detect the spread of the virus 
in Rwanda, a mobile app that helps market vendors in Uganda, and an open system for contracts that 
improves transparency in Kenya. 

This paper is timely and important. It outlines the digital solutions being used right now in response to 
COVID-19  across  the  continent.  In  addition,  it  lists  the  investment  required  to  improve  digital 
technology  and  digital  infrastructure.  The  document  reviews  many  technologies,  such  as  basic 
conferencing  software  that  allows  teleworking over  a  mobile  device  or  computer  and  social media 
platforms that allow people to communicate with each other and enable governments to educate the 
public. There are also more advanced offerings, such as the delivery of medical products using drones 
and digital platforms that help small businesses stay open. 

One of the main findings in this study is that we need smarter and more cost-effective investment. This 
will  allow  us  to  improve  technologies  at  a  faster  rate  nationally  and  regionally.  The  UN  Economic 
Commission for Africa estimates that the pandemic could cause African economies to contract by 2.6% 
in 2020. This will make it harder for local governments to finance and support new technology. This 
paper will help Africa understand how much it will cost to develop more digital solutions. As African 
countries continue to adapt to the pandemic and prepare for the recovery, there are many ways we 
can help them invest in a better future. 

The United Nations Development Programme connects countries to the knowledge and resources they 
need to build better lives. We are helping countries build communities that are stronger and greener. 
We are helping decision-makers look beyond the recovery and toward 2030, so they can make choices 
that  handle  complexity  and  uncertainty.  In  the  new  world  after  COVID-19,  we  are  convinced  that 
advanced technologies will be even more important and fulfil Africa’s goal to help everyone in society. 

Ahunna Eziakonwa 
Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa 

4 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Executive summary 

At the end of  December 2019,  China  reported several cases of acute respiratory syndrome. A new 
coronavirus responsible for this syndrome, called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, or 
SARS-CoV-2, was identified. The disease is called COVID-19. After a pandemic was declared, African 
countries quickly started working to reduce the spread of the virus. Today, the continent still faces the 
risk of a massive increase in sick patients and the need to find alternatives to a general lockdown. 

The European Union’s plan to fight the pandemic includes a new initiative called Team Europe that is 
helping  partner  countries  outside  the  European  Union  to  recover  from  the  crisis.  Team  Europe 
combines  aid  from  the  European  Union,  its  member  states  and  financial  institutions  such  as  the 
European Investment  Bank  Group.  As of June 2020, almost €36 billion had been mobilised for this 
initiative. The EIB Group has pledged €6.7 billion for Team Europe. The Bank’s aid will support urgent 
healthcare needs and help many parts of the public and private sectors. 

Throughout  the  world,  the  public  and  private  sectors  have  developed  digital  services  and  digital 
infrastructure  to  improve  healthcare  services  and  boost  the  economy.  The  use  of  more  digital 
technology to help societies is a top priority for the European Union. Digital services are likely to be a 
key feature in a joint strategy to be endorsed at the summit meeting of the European Union and the 
African Union in October 2020. 

Several African and European companies have indicated their strong willingness to use their expertise 
and technology to find alternatives to the quarantine of people and to help fight the crisis. Some of 
the new digital technology being used right now across Africa can be implemented quickly and has 
proven useful in the fight against the pandemic in several countries. 

To better understand the digital solutions that can help Africa and to estimate the investment required, 
the European Investment Bank organised a broad-based survey in many African countries, with the 
help of the United Nations Development Programme and the consulting firm BearingPoint. 

The  goal  was  to  highlight  technological  solutions  that  can  manage  the  pandemic  and  provide  an 
estimate of the costs. This assessment included two main phases: 1) identify solutions already helping 
Africa and Europe, and 2) identify the digital solutions African countries need. 

These solutions were classified according to five priorities. Based on the classification system, and after 
reviewing  more  than  100  digital  solutions  in  Europe  and  Africa,  interviews  were  carried  out  and 
questionnaires were completed involving 50 people from 30 African countries. The people involved 
are in charge of coordinating digital investments related to the COVID-19 outbreak. 

Based on the results, we created three categories: category 1, countries with a low ability to deploy 
digital  solutions;  category  2,  countries  with  an  intermediate  ability  to  take  advantage  of  digital 
solutions; and category 3, countries that have already accomplished three or four priorities identified 
in this paper. 

The  total  investment  required  to  carry out  these  digital  solutions  across  the  African  continent,  not 
including costs related to telecom infrastructure, training, or law improvement, has been estimated at 
€680 million – €190 million for category 1, €140 million for category 2, and €350 million for category 3. 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19   

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
African countries have faced many different crises in the past, especially health-related emergencies 
such as Ebola. This new crisis is another burden that could hurt the positive trend African economies 
have  experienced  over  the  last  10  years.  The  digital  economy  has  given  countries  the  ability  to 
accelerate  part  of  the  services  offered  to  people.  This  is  part  of  the  so-called  digital  leapfrog.  The 
coronavirus has required certain countries to quickly implement new digital tools to help communicate 
with the public, to strengthen healthcare and to monitor the evolution of the pandemic. This shows 
that in an emergency, African countries have the ability to launch impactful digital projects. 

However, based on the interviews, most African countries have reached their limits of financing and 
lack the ability to go the extra mile to complete the digital transformations required to fight COVID-19 
and  future  crises.  The  amount  of  investment  and  technical  assistance  still  needed  is  not  huge 
compared to other development programmes and financing initiatives, so efforts should be made to 
fill this gap. These efforts would go a long way toward increasing the resilience of African countries. 
This is what the Bank intends to provide for the digital economy. 

To meet its commitment to Team Europe, the Bank will work with the public and private sectors to 
increase financing for healthcare services and businesses. This will include support for regional trade 
and highly vulnerable sectors. Fast-track financing will be available for countries where the EIB already 
operates.  The  Bank  aims  to  attract  private  sector  investment.  In  the  spirit  of  the  Team  Europe 
approach,  this  initiative  has  been  designed  so  that  EIB  financing  can  be  matched  by  support  from 
international and European development finance partners. 

6 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Introduction 

Africa  has  been  less  affected  than  Europe  by  the  coronavirus  crisis,  but  the  number  of  cases  is 
increasing as the pandemic progresses across the continent. Measures must be taken so that it does 
not get worse. Many African families depend on the informal economy1 and will have to find means of 
subsistence to continue to live closer to normalcy. 

Restrictive containment measures have to be accompanied by economic and social solutions, such as 
a safety net for people in isolation who cannot work. However, the real concern is reaching people 
quickly with assistance, but without exposing them to the virus. In predominantly informal economies, 
most families seek a new source of income every day. Total lockdown in the absence of a daily safety 
net and the means to relay direct aid would cause a complete economic halt and an increase in poverty. 
Distributing  cash  would  break  the  lockdown,  putting  families  at  risk.  Supply  chains  also  cannot  be 
guaranteed under total lockdown. 

The World Health Organization is encouraging people to use digital payment services when possible, 
saying that the use of cash could be a risk factor in the spread of the coronavirus. Mobile financial 
services, which have grown across the continent, are allowing governments and startups to perform a 
significant volume of digital transactions. However, there are huge disparities across the continent in 
mobile financial services. Countries such as Kenya rely heavily on these technologies for any kind of 
transaction,  while  many  other  countries  rarely  use  this  service.  Mobile  services  can  be  expanded 
rapidly across the continent with the right financing. Startups that are focused on financial inclusion 
receive the majority of venture capital funding in Africa. 

Among the measures that can support Africa, some can serve fundamental needs and secure minimum 
services, while some can help prepare the continent for the future and make countries more capable 
of  tackling  other  health  or  social  crises.  Based  on  several  readings2  and  discussions,  the  European 
Investment Bank identified five priorities to address a crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa 
and to suggest digital solutions. Those priorities address the three main objectives of Team Europe -- 
responding to the immediate needs, strengthening healthcare and other essential programmes, and 
reducing the social and economic effects of the crisis. 

1 

“The International Labour Organization estimates that more than 66% of total employment in Sub-Saharan African is 
in the informal sector.” “Understanding the informal economy in African cities: Recent evidence from Greater 
Kampala,” by Angus Morgan Kathage, March 14, 2018, blogs.worldbank.org/team/angus-morgan-kathage. 

2  Readings including “Tackling COVID-19 in Africa, An unfolding health and economic crisis that demands bold action” by 

Kartik Jayaram, Acha Leke, Amandla Ooko-Ombaka, and Ying Sunny Sun. 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19   

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Priorities 
1 – Information, risk communication and geolocation of cases 

Digital solutions 

A.  Coordinate government actions 
B.  Anticipate pandemic evolution 
C. 

Inform the population 

2 – Health systems responses 
D.  Cure the infected 

E. 

Increase capacity to fight the pandemic 

D.  Strengthen health systems  

1.1. Set up and operation of the state capacity 
1.2. Digital tracking and monitoring 
1.3. Proactive communication 

2.1. Contain the epidemic: preventative measures, 
diagnostics, testing, isolation 
2.2. Prepare the healthcare ecosystem: infrastructure, 
drugs and medical equipment 
2.3. Prepare the healthcare ecosystem: workforce 

3 – Supply basic necessities and manage the continuity of essential services 

F.  Support the vulnerable population 

E. 

Increase capacity to fight the pandemic 

3.1. Secure the food supply: supply priority products, 
pricing, tracking and monitoring 
3.2. Maintain access to essential services: health and 
education, telecommunications, utilities 

4 – Protection of vulnerable populations 

G.  Know what to do 
F.  Support the poorest 

4.1. Protect jobs: retraining for crisis needs 
4.2. Support most vulnerable populations: social 
safety-net mechanisms and distribution 

5 – Anticipate the impact on society and the economy 

G.  Know what to do 

H. 

Increase resilience 

H. 

Increase resilience 

5.1. Economy: scenario analysis, impact on economy 
and public finance 
5.2. Short-term stimulus package: financial stability, 
help firms survive, especially small companies and 
informal economy 
5.3. Preparation for recovery: preparation for "next 
normal" 

All priorities require substantial financial mobilisation and coordination. Some may prove challenging 
because of physical distancing rules, population movement and the evolution of the pandemic. But 
digital solutions can still significantly help countries fight the pandemic. 

When addressing digital technology in Africa, it is important to consider the challenges, such as access 
to electricity, internet connectivity, infrastructure, policies and regulations, and the ability of people 
to use the digital solutions. 

Despite  these  challenges,  the  digital  economy  has  grown  significantly  in  Africa,  with  incubators, 
startups, and IT activities spreading across the continent. Using technology and experience, Africans 
have  created  many  digital  solutions  to  provide  immediate  help  for  the  pandemic.  Many  countries 
across the continent are using digital technology and developing highly innovative solutions. They have 
established  laws  and  regulatory  frameworks  and  continue  to  develop  digital  skills  to  offer  new 
solutions. Africa has another key advantage: mobile banking.3 The massive use of mobile banking for 
direct  payments  is  an  important  solution.  Ventures  such  as  M-BIRR,  which  offer  mobile  money 
transfers, allow Ethiopians to send and receive money safely and instantly by phone. 

3  An example from Togo around basic universal income implementation leveraging on digital here by the innovation team: 

https://podcasts.apple.com/my/podcast/covid-cash-transfer-programme-in-togo-that-gives-
more/id1508950038?i=1000477961786 

8 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
However,  there  are  strong  disparities  among  countries.  This  study  describes  the  current  state  of 
digitalisation, the needs in many areas and the challenges African countries are facing in deploying the 
solutions. 

Many of these needs can generally be met without heavy investment. Filling the gaps and providing 
rapid  responses  to  fight  COVID-19  are  technically  and  financially  feasible  for  the  international 
community, and these responses will make the continent’s societies and economies more resilient. 
This work should be done in accordance with data protection and privacy laws and should be subject 
to  good  cybersecurity  to  avoid  any  misuse  of  data.  This  will  ensure  that  investments  meet  the 
international community’s values and standards. 

The European Union is working in various ways and using different programmes to fill these gaps. It is 
focusing on these areas: 

•  Responding to the immediate health crisis and humanitarian needs. This includes supporting 

the World Health Organization and the United Nations. 

•  Strengthening healthcare, water and sanitation, and increasing partner countries’ ability to 

deal with the pandemic. 

•  Reducing the social and economic consequences, including giving more support to the private 
sector, especially small businesses, and encouraging government reforms to reduce poverty. 

The  European  Union  is  a  major  contributor  to  the  international  aid  system.  It  is  promoting  a 
coordinated,  multilateral  response  to  the  pandemic  by  joining  forces  with  the  United  Nations, 
international financial institutions, and members of the G7 and G20. 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19   

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Analysis and findings 

Digital solutions offered right now 

According  to  the  interviews  and  questionnaires  received,  many  digital  solutions  for  the  pandemic 
address the urgent priorities identified here. A wide range of solutions and technologies have been 
identified and studied in this paper. Around 100 solutions are already being implemented4 or tested 
in African countries. Some solutions are technologically very simple, while others are truly innovative. 
All provide thoughtful examples of the way to support the fight against the pandemic. 

Digital technologies used in relation to the priorities (see in Annex 1 for a full-page table). 

Priority 1 – Information, risk communication and geolocation of cases 

The first priorities to address in a health crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic are the country’s ability 
to keep the private and public sectors running, to monitor the spread of the pandemic and to ensure 
good communication with people about the risks. 

Collaborative tools 

Tools enabling people to collaborate on projects are widely used across Africa and allow countries to 
keep operating public services such as ministerial councils, crisis units and surveillance teams. 

It seems that the surge in bandwidth use due to the crisis did not break the internet in Africa. As in the 
rest of the world, network operators and content providers successfully maintained internet services 
and  used  the  data  capacity  efficiently.  Data  capacity  was  very  often  increased  to  avoid  major 
congestion.  This  internet  access  resilience  is  partly  related  to  competition  among  data  networks, 
especially in urban areas, which allowed traffic peaks to be managed, eliminating service interruptions. 

4  As of June 2020. 

10 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
The coronavirus crisis made it even clearer that providing advanced broadband connections involves 
a  number  of  challenges.  It  also  put  the  huge  digital  divide  across  the  continent  into  stark  relief. 
Advanced  broadband  is  required  for  a  good  experience  with  videoconferences  and  other  online 
services. Since the informal economy is widespread in sub-Saharan countries, most people do not work 
in offices. Teleworking is usually the reserve of managers at service companies or people working for 
the government, multi-national companies or international organisations. 

Contact-tracing apps 

Many applications based on geographic information technologies are used to track and monitor the 
pandemic.  These  apps  often  use  geolocation  data  from  telecom  companies  and  help  identify  the 
contacts  of  people  who  have  tested  positive,  and  can  locate  neighbourhoods  where  the  virus  is 
spreading. 

Many African startups have developed this type of solution for local needs. FabLab, an innovation hub 
in Kenya, has developed an application called Msafari,5 which can track people on public transport. 
Morocco  launched  a  COVID-19  tracking  application  called  Wiqaytna6  in  June.  The  application  is 
downloaded onto mobile phones and uses GPS and Bluetooth technology. Once a case is found, the 
application crosschecks the person’s movements over the last 14 days. Users who have been in contact 
with  someone  who  has  tested  positive  are  notified  with  a  text  message.  The application  has  been 
download more than 1 million times. 

Case study on Msafari, Kenya 

On  23  March  2020,  Kenya  launched  an  application  for  contact-tracing.  Public  service  vehicle 
operators and passengers are required to provide information that helps trace the movements of 
people who have contracted the coronavirus. All public drivers or operators are required to enroll 
using their vehicle registration numbers and collect details of every passenger. The application is 
expected to trace all the contacts made by an infected person inside public vehicles. An estimated 
50% of the Kenyan population uses public transport daily. The application is also intended to enforce 
a rule on the maximum number of passengers allowed on matatus (minibuses) and buses. 

In Tunisia, Enova Robotics has developed the PGuard robot7, which has been circulating in Tunis since 
the end of March in a pilot phase. Equipped with speakers and a camera, all remotely controlled, the 
robot  can  broadcast  safety  instructions,  check  the  validity  of  exit  authorisations,  and  ensure 
compliance with the lockdown. Such measures can slow the spread of the virus. 

Phone apps may help fight the pandemic, but they also raise privacy and data protection concerns. 
Digital measures used for the pandemic must comply with data protection and privacy legislation or 
be in line with locally approved practices. The European Commission has recommended a common EU 
approach  on  contact-tracing  apps,  designed  to  warn  people  if  they  have  been  in  contact  with  an 
infected person. The apps should not be obligatory and their use should end once the pandemic is 
over. 

5 

“We can get it done here”: Africa’s tech scene tackles virus”, Rosebank Killerney Gazette, by Fran Blandy and AFP Africa 
bureaus, Nairobi (AFP) | 19 May 2020 3:05. 
Explained through questionnaire answered by Moroccan Digital Agency (https://www.wiqaytna.ma/). 

6 
7  https://enovarobotics.eu/. 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19   

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Large communication tools 

Due to the lack of infrastructure, communication is often a challenge in Africa, especially in rural areas 
and in poor or isolated communities. Communication is even harder under physical-distancing rules. 
Structured  communication  campaigns  were  established  quickly  in  some  countries  using  television, 
radio, and social networks. Websites, COVID dashboards8 and government applications have been set 
up to provide reliable information to people in real time, and to fight fake news. Countries such as 
Guinea-Bissau9 and Kenya10 have created websites to help educate people about the pandemic and 
combat false information. 

In Libya, an emergency telecom hotline managed by the World Food Programme allows humanitarian 
workers to communicate with communities that need help. It is also trying to ascertain how men and 
women access and use information differently, to help ensure that the needs of all people can be met. 

In  several  countries,  the  World  Health  Organization  has  set  up  an  artificial  intelligence  chatbot  to 
provide information. Called WHO HEALTH Alert, the chatbot is available in more than 10 languages. 
Since  February,  the  WHO  has  reached  out  to  dozens  of  governments  to  help  provide  accurate 
information to the public through the WhatsApp service.11 There have also been country-led offerings 
in Egypt (including a version for the deaf), Congo and Zimbabwe.12 

German development agency GIZ and the European Commission’s development department, known 
as DEVCO, are providing up to €30 million in financing for hackathons. One of these initiatives is called 
launched  by  the  German  Ministry  for  Economic  Cooperation  and 
SmartDevelopmentHack, 
Development. The hackathon is calling for digital solutions to fight the coronavirus in low- and middle-
income  countries.  It  is  sponsored  by  the  German  development  ministry,  the  EU  Commission,  EU 
countries, technology companies and other organisations, and is a global hackathon launched ahead 
of  the  German  presidency  of  the  EU  Council.  The  German  software  company  SAP  and  the  survey 
company Qualtrics have worked together to help governments collect real-time data from the public 
and healthcare workers. This data can be quickly analysed to help respond to the crisis. 

Receiving  reliable  health  and  safety  information  is  complicated  in  most  regions  of  Africa without  a 
smartphone  or  other  mobile  device  and  access  to  the  internet.  Women  experience  a  particularly 
substantial cost barrier to getting smartphones, so there is a risk that they will not know how to protect 
themselves or their families.  Some countries  use robots to communicate with the public and make 
sure physical-distancing rules are followed. 

Ivory Coast is using drones to spread messages in rural areas. These drones13 were developed by three 
local companies, Côte d’Ivoire Drone, WeFly Agri and Investiv, and are also used to sanitise large areas. 

Example in Angola. 

8 
9  https://airtable.com/shr2xNxlgBXK5oWDb/tblwPhDJfiisTMNg6/viwRoWh6lu99wyzz7/rec65Dm5ijydDlsnA. 
10  https://airtable.com/shr2xNxlgBXK5oWDb/tblwPhDJfiisTMNg6/viwRoWh6lu99wyzz7/recWftuJQmCKepel5. 
11  See solution 9 in Annex 2. 
12  https://airtable.com/shrGXLJECotnZa1Ou/tblwPhDJfiisTMNg6/viwRoWh6lu99wyzz7?blocks=bipVDslkfppjON6Dh. 
13  See solution 15 in Annex 2. 

12 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Priority 2 – Health system responses 

The  health  crisis  also  can  be  managed  with  digital  technologies  that  improve  prevention  and 
diagnostics. It’s also important to improve the healthcare infrastructure and the workforce. 

Self-assessment applications 

Many  websites  have  been  launched  to  share  virus  prevention  advice.  In  Togo,  the  startup 
Teachmepad14 has launched a website in local languages that provides prevention information. This 
initiative  is  being  offered  in  other  languages  in  different  African  countries.  It  may  also  provide 
information through phone messages. 

To reduce pressure on care centres and healthcare workers, it is important for people to try to self-
diagnose. Wellvis15, a healthcare application, is offering a tool that helps people diagnose themselves 
and contact medical emergency workers in 15 African countries. Such services are particularly useful 
in countries with a weak healthcare system that cannot serve large numbers of patients. Mbaza is a 
COVID-19 chatbot used in Rwanda. The solution provides access to valuable COVID-19 information in 
plain language on any phone at any time and enables feedback connecting people to the authorities. 
It allows citizens to raise concerns and to provide governments with information on the local situation. 
The solution was highlighted during #SmartDevelopmentHack organised by the European Commission, 
together with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). 

Self-assessment solutions – unstructured supplementary service data 

The  government  of  Sierra  Leone16,  in  partnership  with  local  startups,  launched  a  self-assessment 
solution based on this technology in April. An existing unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) 
government platform was extended to enable citizens to conduct a self-assessment of their symptoms 
and get updates on Sierra Leone’s COVID-19 situation. An additional SMS mobile application that offers 
users the same functionalities was also developed for smartphone users. USSD technology is a low-
cost service that helps reach people who have no internet coverage and no access to smartphones. 

USSD solutions are the best way to reach both men and women, as there is a significant gender gap 
for smartphones. Women in low and middle-income countries are 20% less likely to own a smartphone 
than men. The ability of people to obtain an initial diagnosis not only reassures the population but also 
helps predict the spread of the virus. 

Drones and robots 

In  April,  as  the  coronavirus  was  circulating  in  Ghana,  an  American  startup,  Zipline17,  started  using 
drones  to  collect  test  samples  from  health  facilities  in  rural  areas,  and  deliver  them  to  medical 
laboratories in the country’s two largest cities, Accra and Kumasi. Zipline drones were already being 
used in Ghana and Rwanda for blood transfer between healthcare facilities. This technology performs 
600 deliveries per day in Ghana and covers more than 500 hospitals. The company has a contract with 

14  See solution 12 in Annex 2. 
15  See solution 13 in Annex 2. 
16  “Sierra  Leone  goes  live  with  SMS  and  USSD  COVID-19  self-assessment  mobile  services”,  Directorate  of  Sciences 

Technology, and Innovation. 

17  See solution 16 in Annex 2. 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19   

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Ghana to make those 600 deliveries a day for four years at a cost of about $12.5 million. Drones are 
covering an area that serves nearly 22 million people. 

Rwanda,  in  partnership  with  the  United  Nations  Development  Programme  (UNDP),  uses  four 
humanoid  robots  in  coronavirus treatment centres to minimise  physical  contact.  These  robots  can 
screen 50 to 150 people per minute. The robots can deliver food and medication to patient rooms and 
monitor patient status. These robots protect health workers’ lives by minimising physical contact and 
can speed up service delivery. 

Healthcare software 

Health  Management  Information  Systems  and  other  data  collection  systems  exist  for  multiple 
purposes such as routine health facility data, staffing, equipment, infrastructure, population estimates, 
disease outbreaks, survey/audit data, patient satisfaction surveys, longitudinal patient records, etc. In 
a  pandemic  situation,  a  digitalised  healthcare  ecosystem  may  facilitate  the  pandemic  response  by 
enhancing  surveillance  and  control  activities  (e.g.  for  rapid  case  reporting),  and  by  facilitating  the 
exchange of information (such as efficient documentation and sharing of patient records). The spread 
of  the  COVID-19  pandemic  has  highlighted  the 
importance  of  health  data  exchange  and 
interoperability,  and  has  exposed  their  limited  penetration  across  health  organisations.  Data 
visualisation systems (such as GIS) have proven useful to ensuring that programme staff and health 
workers  have  a  better  understanding  of  the  context  (geospatial  data,  administrative  and  health 
facilities) and the pandemic (epidemiological overview maps – geospatial and over time). By providing 
this  data  in  an  easy-to-grasp  format,  health  workers  and  officials  are  more  likely  to  take  this  into 
account for decision making, logistical planning, etc. 

Several healthcare software developers have adapted their offers during the pandemic, focusing on 
COVID-19 monitoring. SAP has launched a  healthcare application that can be set up in less than a 
month that helps health ministries to monitor a patient’s situation, equipment, and medicine stocks, 
and provides a real-time dashboard with combined data. The Ministry of Health in Morocco has already 
implemented this application. 

The mHERO18 solution – initially developed in 2014 for the fight against Ebola and used in Uganda, 
Guinea, Liberia, Mali and Sierra Leone – has enabled many countries that have adopted it to continue 
their  fight  against  pandemic  situations.  mHERO  is  a  two-way  mobile  phone-based  communication 
system  that  connects  ministries  of  health  and  health  workers.  Communication  can  reach  the 
healthcare workforce in rural areas with no internet coverage by using simple talk-and-text phones. 
While the platform is built on free technologies, countries are only responsible for the cost of sending 
texts through mobile network operator and employees’ time for using and maintaining the system. 

Enabel, the Belgian development agency, and other partners have worked to roll out DHIS2 for health 
data  (District  Health  Information  Software  is  an  open  source,  web-based  health  management 
information  system  platform).  DHIS2  has  recently  released  a  digital  data  package  for  COVID-19 
detection, reporting and surveillance19. 

18  See solution 18 in Annex 2. 
19  https://www.dhis2.org/covid-19. 

14 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Priority 3 – Supply basic necessities and manage the continuity of essential 
services 

The third priority is securing access to the food supply chain and essential services. 

E-commerce purchase and delivery platforms 

Digital commerce has proven it can meet people’s needs during the pandemic. In fact,  as physical 
distancing is imposed many online platforms are  being used to purchase and deliver products. This 
means that digital  commerce  –  as  a contact-reduced way of  providing products and services – can 
allow for food security and economic resilience even when shops are closed or movement is restricted 
due to lockdown measures. Jumia, the African e-commerce leader, has strengthened its offerings and 
supply chain facilities to meet the increase in demand. Jumia has also included products from informal 
workers,  especially  women,  to  help  them  save  and  restructure  their  jobs.  The  United  Nations 
Development  Programme  (UNDP),  in  partnership  with  Jumia  Uganda20,  has  launched  an  online 
platform to enable small and medium-sized businesses to connect with consumers in order to meet 
new  requirements  while  restrictions  on  movement  are  in  force.  Jumia  Food  is  offering  an  online 
ordering platform via an app and a website. The services include a last-mile distribution network, a 
diverse set of payment methods, quality assurance, training for vendors and growth marketing. The 
United Nations agency has provided mobile phones, airtime and data services for the vendors. 

The  European  Commission’s  development  department  is  working  on  different  projects  for  online 
commerce to address the COVID-19 crisis, some with local solutions 21and some being carried out with 
the UN Capital Development Fund in Sierra Leone, for example. 

The  crisis  has  accelerated  the  development  of  online  commerce  in  Africa.  Online  platforms  are 
adapting and offering essential products to meet people’s needs. Hypermarkets and local producers 
are also getting involved. 

Education technologies 

The lockdown has caused school buildings to close. To adapt, many countries are using online teaching, 
social media, TV, radio and other digital education offerings. 

Shule Direct is an online learning platform for students and teachers in secondary schools in Tanzania. 
This platform is serving over 2 million students and 23 637 teachers. Telecommunications companies 
are offering free access to the platform during COVID-19 crisis. 

Eneza Education22 currently serves around 380 000 people a month. It offers a subscription service for 
educational  content  to  children  in  primary  and  secondary  schools  via  SMS  or  USSD,  with  a  daily, 
weekly, or monthly subscription in Kenya, Ghana and Ivory Coast. 

Elsewhere, KaiOs23, a low-cost solution for simple text-and-talk phones, has launched an application 
named  “Life”  that  enables  students  to  learn,  take  quizzes,  complete  assignments,  and  prepare  for 
national exams, all on a KaiOs-enabled device. 

20  See solution 19 in Annex 2. 
21  Digital Agriculture Africa: https://toolkit-digitalisierung.de/en/smartdevelopmenthack/winners/. 
22  See solution 21 in Annex 2. 
23  See solution 3 in Annex 2. 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19   

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
In Uganda, Enabel has helped the mobile phone operator MTN set up special ICT training programmes 
based on open source software. The platform ensures continuity of technical and vocational education 
and training. Of all regions, sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rates of education exclusion. Over 20% 
of children between the ages of about 6 and 11 are out of school, followed by 30% of young people 
between the ages of about 12 and 14. 

Government monitoring dashboards 

Supplying medicines and basic necessities nationwide remains a major challenge for all countries. If 
countries can track supply in real time, they can adjust to shortfalls. 

Djibouti  is  currently  relying  on  BI  Dashboards24  to  monitor  stocks  of  medical  supplies  and  critical 
imports.  Using  two  dashboards,  the  government  receives  requests  for  COVID-19  supplies  from  all 
health  facilities  countrywide  in  real  time  through  a  simplified  request  form  that  is  accessible  by 
smartphone or computer. It also helps the Ministry of Trade streamline the supply chain and ensure 
the stability of resale prices and therefore the availability of key food items at affordable prices. 

The European Commission’s development department is providing €7 million in financing for countries 
in the Intergovernmental Authority on Development region. This financing will help these countries 
establish surveillance and monitoring systems for COVID-19 data in line with European standards for 
data protection and privacy. The systems will be compatible with national and continental systems, 
such  as  those  established  by  the  African  Centres  for  Disease  Control  and  Prevention.  The  German 
development agency GIZ and the Digital for Development Hub are the leading partners for this project. 

Priority 4 – Protection of vulnerable populations 

People operating in the informal economy are the hardest hit by the crisis and are more vulnerable to 
the lockdown. We need to ensure support for these vulnerable populations. 

SafeBoda25, an e-commerce platform in Uganda, has partnered with the UNDP to launch an initiative 
that will provide 800 market vendors with access to the SafeBoda app. They can use the app to sell 
their  produce  while  creating  and  maintaining  the  livelihoods  of  the  18 000  SafeBoda  riders  whose 
income has been affected by the ban on public transport. The application will enable about 50 000 
customers to be reached daily with food and goods delivery. 

Famoco26 has developed the SCOPE platform for the World Food Programme to organise, assist and 
monitor food and non-food distribution to poor communities and other people who need help. This 
technology is based on the distribution of e-vouchers through a secure digital platform and the use of 
a professional terminal by any shopkeeper partnering with the programme. 

In general, African governments have had the daunting task of finding solutions to help the poorest 
people.  The  contribution  of  digital  has  made  it  possible  to  facilitate  the  implementation  of  this 
assistance and ensure that it is the right citizens who benefit. 

The  pandemic  has  had  severe  consequences  in  sectors  where  a  majority of women  are  employed. 
Most women across the continent do not have savings accounts. Social protection and food security – 

24  See solution 4 in Annex 2. 
25  See solution 20 in Annex 2. 
26  See solution 2 in Annex 2. 

16 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
among other key issues – should be a focus in the gender equality responses to COVID-19, including 
support for technologies such as biometric identification and mobile financial services. 

Priority 5 – Anticipate the impact on society and the economy 

Anticipating and managing the impact on the economy has been a challenge for governments during 
the pandemic. 

The  UNDP  Accelerator  Lab,  in  Kenya27,  has  compiled  a  systems  map  covering  the  relationships 
between the effects and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. The UNDP Accelerator Lab began by 
casting its net wide to see how the response to COVID-19 was evolving. It drew on stories and data 
from social media. The factors considered included people, institutions, trends, events, norms, beliefs, 
laws and policies: 

• 

Increasing local production in the long term could encourage inclusive growth and help in the 
fight against climate change if transport to other parts of the world is reduced. 

•  Transparency  and  accountability:  To  increase  the  public’s  voice  and  participation  in  the 
process of accountability, governments should publish the procurement details of their entire 
medical  infrastructure,  develop  open  contracting  platforms,  and  follow  other  forms  of 
accountability for public operations. 

•  Access to the formal justice system: The crisis could encourage different arms of government 
to  rethink  their  approach  to  technology  and  to  see  how  it  can  be  used  to  provide  a  more 
engaging experience for everyone involved. 

Much  of  the  digital  transformation  Africa  is  experiencing  because  of  the  COVID-19  pandemic  will 
increase the continent’s economic resilience via a higher level of digital knowledge, better productivity 
and stronger inclusion. 

27  See solution 6 in Annex 2. 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19   

17 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                           
Assessment of the digital needs in Africa and the ability of 
countries to deploy solutions 

In our in-depth study, we reviewed digital technologies already being used in African countries and 
those that still need to be developed. One of the main findings from these interviews is that many 
digital initiatives have already been implemented across a large number of African countries, but a lot 
more  could  be  done  to  improve  the  ability  of  the  continent  to  fight  COVID-19  and  handle  related 
problems, while also preparing to fight other crises in the future. Investments in digital technologies 
that  provide  immediate  solutions  to  the  pandemic  will  also  build  medium-term  and  long-term 
economic resilience. 

First of all, the majority of the surveyed countries have set up 
a specific organisation or task forces to combat the COVID-19 
pandemic. For more than half of them, this unit is not focused 
only on the coordination of digital initiatives, but also on all 
actions  taken  to  deal  with  the  pandemic.  These  specific 
organisations  are  sometimes  led  by  prime  ministers,  and 
most often comprise several institutions and ministries, such 
as  the  ministries  in  charge  of  the  digital  economy,  health, 
information  and  communication  technology,  security  or 
telecommunications. The telecommunications regulatory authorities and the country's mobile phone 
operators may also be members of these task forces. Sometimes they are voluntary initiatives by the 
public. 

“A voluntary task force has been 
setup by some Gambians to 
coordinate digital initiatives and 
fight COVID-19.” - Alagie Fadera,  
Directorate of Development 
Planning, Ministry of Finance and 
Economic Affairs (Gambia) 

However, few countries have adopted a specific law or official decision to regulate the deployment of 
digital solutions for COVID-19. For many of them, the deployment of digital solutions is already covered 
by existing regulations. 

Among the sub-priorities identified, two are almost always addressed by the countries studied: the 
communication  of  official  information  to  populations  via  e-government  platforms  or  mobile  phone 
applications (Priority 1) and continued access to essential services, especially education (Priority 3): 

•  Communication of official information to populations via e-government platforms or mobile 

phone applications 

The  coordination  of  official  communications  to  the  public  is  considered  the  first  priority  in 
responding to the pandemic. Multiple solutions have emerged. They range from the simple 
communication of information through an official government or health ministry website to 
the implementation of mobile applications, and sometimes chatbot solutions, SMS platforms 
or specific call centres. These solutions communicate information about the pandemic in the 
country, security measures and government directives, but also information on fighting fake 
news. Many countries have implemented more than one solution. 

•  Continued access to essential services 

Essential services, such as education, access to energy, water sanitation or security, are also 
priorities, according to the different statements and concerns from all African countries. 

18 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Improving distance education is also a high priority in African countries, and digital solutions 
in this field have multiplied, using mobile applications, Skype, and the broadcasting of courses 
on national radio or television. 

Some  priorities  are  often  addressed  by  African  countries,  but  in  a  second  phase:  the  analysis  of 
geographic data to understand the spread of the pandemic and the movements of people (Priority 1), 
the control of the epidemic through methods such as self-diagnosis and better patient care (Priority 2), 
and improvements in information systems and equipment in healthcare (Priority 2). 

In general, a large number of solutions are developed around the USSD channel, particularly for people 
who  don’t  have  a  smartphone  and  who  are  often  the  most  isolated.  This  solution  also  improves 
inclusion. 

The  study  highlighted  three  categories  for  African  countries  based  their  digital  progress  and  their 
ability  to  use  these  solutions.  Category  1,  for  example,  adopted  digital  technologies  in  a  slow  and 
limited manner, while category 3 used digital technologies in a timely way to address a vast array of 
problems related to the pandemic. According to the interviews, the speed of adoption depends on the 
ability to develop technology, local coordination, the spread of the pandemic and access to loans or 
other financing. 

% of countries interviewed by category 

•  Country  category 1  –  Countries  with  a  low  capacity  to  deploy  digital  solutions,  having 

responded to very few or no priorities mentioned 

•  Country category 2 – Countries with an intermediate capacity to deploy digital solutions, which 

have had the capacity to address 2 to 3 priorities 

•  Country category 3 – Countries that have already covered 3 to 4 priorities with their deployed 
digital  solutions  and  whose  need  is  to  implement  a  global  digital  transformation  plan  and 
increase economic resilience 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19   

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
It is noteworthy that there is a certain link between the implementation of digital solutions and the 
condition of society and the economy in the country. For instance, the average human development 
index (HDI) of countries in category 1 is about 0.47, with an average of 40 in terms of ranking in Africa. 
This is 0.58 and 26 for countries in category 2, and 0.59 and 16 for countries in category 3. There is a 
direct link between the amount of development in an African country and the ability to take advantage 
of new digital technologies to fight the pandemic. 

Source - World Bank Development Indicators 

Category  1  -  Countries  with  a  low  ability  to  take  advantage  of  new  digital  technologies,  having 
accomplished few or no priorities mentioned in this paper. 

This first category is for countries experiencing significant difficulties in taking advantage of new digital 
technologies. These countries are using only one solution that helps maintain access to education and 
enables online courses for students, or the country may not have deployed any digital solutions. A few 
countries in this category are experiencing  difficulties  getting started with a solution or persuading 
people to use them. A lack of electricity and internet are major challenges identified in the interviews, 
in  remote  areas  and  in  cities.  In  some  areas,  few  people  have  electricity  or  internet.  The  second 
significant  issue  is  the  lack  of  internet  servers,  data  centres  and  electricity  supporting  the  digital 
technology already in place or in development. Another difficulty – in Ethiopia, Liberia and Democratic 
Republic of Congo – is the lack of a digital identification system, which is a huge constraint for countries 
trying  to  develop  a  digital  strategy.  Countries  in  this  first  category  have  a  big  problem  accessing 
electricity (less than 40% of population), and mobile phone use is less than 45%, while internet access 
is less than 20%. 

These countries, with an underdeveloped digital economy, usually also have the lowest ability to fight 
the  pandemic  with  economic  power  or  strong  healthcare  systems.  They  are  experiencing  major 
challenges dealing with the pandemic and they could be helped quickly by digital technologies. These 
countries generally have a strong need for digital solutions to accomplish the first three priorities, in 
particular to enable: 

20 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
•  Tracking of the epidemic and analysis of the most affected areas 
•  Remote  working  in  key  government  departments  and  the  provision  of  equipment  to 

employees 
Improvement of patient care  

• 
•  Better communication with the public and education about physical distancing for countries 

that have not deployed digital technologies to meet these needs 

Countries  have  often  identified  or  even  started  to  develop  local  digital  solutions  that  meet  these 
objectives. However, those countries do not have the capacity to roll out those technologies across 
their  territory  due  to  a  lack  of  funding  and  infrastructure  and  low  levels  of  digital  knowledge. 
Moreover, as these countries have very low internet access rates, they need simple solutions often 
relying on the USSD channel in order to reach a larger share of the population easily. 

In addition to the challenges already mentioned, people are generally not familiar with common digital 
tools, or do not have access to the equipment to use these tools. In addition, these countries do not 
always have the local capacity to deploy digital solutions throughout the territory and need support 
from  technical  partners.  Often  they  have  not  even  been  able  to  find  the  right  technical  partners. 
Angola, for example, is finding it difficult to develop digital solutions, according to its national director 
for technological innovation. The country was yet to implement any solutions for the coronavirus crisis. 

Category 2 - Countries with an intermediate capacity to deploy digital solutions, but with the ability 
to accomplish two or three priorities. 

Countries in this category usually have at least 40% electricity access, 45% mobile phone penetration 
and 20% internet users. 

In  addition  to  the  priorities  already  covered  by  the  first  country  category,  these  countries  have 
identified or deployed digital solutions covering broader needs. Concerning the first priority, some of 
these  countries  have  deployed  equipment  and  tools  to  facilitate  the  remote  working  of  several 
government administrations and tracking applications to anticipate the evolution of the epidemic and 
identify risk areas. They have also deployed solutions to address priorities relating to the anticipation 
and the management of the  health crisis, including mobile applications or USSD interfaces  offering 
self-diagnosis  services  and  providing  a  list  of  doctors  and  health  centres  in  the  country,  or  the 
possibility to ask questions and seek medical advice. 

As a result, these countries are now focusing primarily on the enhancement of the healthcare system 
(in particular by developing a centralised information system) and the creation of online health services 
over the long term. After using digital solutions to provide an immediate answer to the pandemic – 
informing  the  public,  limiting  the  spread  of  the  virus  or  making  more  efficient  use  of  healthcare 
resources – countries in this category can also work on building economic resilience. For instance, they 
also need to implement online commerce and online payment solutions, making it possible to secure 
the food supply chain, as well as adding tools to monitor medical supply distribution channels. 

Countries in this category generally have a sufficient mobile penetration rate, above 80%, which does 
not  represent  a  major  obstacle  to  the  deployment  of  digital  solutions.  However,  these  are  often 
“feature phones,” as the proportion of  the  population owning a  smartphone  remains low, and the 
average internet user rate within countries in this category is only 20%. In addition, these countries 
generally have a broad vision of the local IT solutions market and have the local capacity to deploy 
digital solutions across the country easily. For the largest part of this catagory, there is sufficient local 
capacity in terms of information technology resources to deploy digital solutions. 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19   

21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Category  3  -  Countries  that  have  already  accomplished  three  or  four  priorities  with  their  digital 
solutions,  but  that  still  need  to  implement  a  digital  transformation  plan  and  increase  economic 
resilience. 

The third category involves countries that have implemented a large number of digital initiatives that 
address most of the priorities identified in this report to fight the pandemic. These investments are 
countering  the  spread  of  the  pandemic  in  a  major  way.  These  innovative  solutions  have  enabled 
remote working for public entities, tracking solutions for the pandemic, effective communication with 
the population, and improvement of healthcare services. These countries are going even further by 
using online commerce and online payments to secure the food supply or protect jobs, or solutions to 
support the poorest people. For example, Mauritania has set up systems to monitor food and medical 
supply stocks and their distribution, and Morocco has set up an online portal enabling companies to 
declare employees who can no longer work fulltime. 

These countries primarily need to anticipate and manage the pandemic’s impact on the economy in 
the  long  term,  implement  solutions  to  increase  economic  resilience,  and  offer  sustainable  digital 
solutions that can transform society. 

“We’ve done a lot, we are happy. At 
least our innovators and our 
community were able to address the 
challenges.” - Angelos Munezero, 
Ministry of Information Technology 
and Communications, Rwanda 

These  countries  have  demonstrated  a  strong  ability  to 
deploy  digital  solutions  throughout  the  territory, with  a 
global outlook on the local IT solutions market. Their rates 
of internet users are disparate and may be very limited, 
but the population has a high level of digital knowledge 
and the high rate of mobile phones and smartphones use 
help these countries provide effective digital solutions for 
the crisis. 

To sum up, the rollout of those solutions is restrained by various challenges in different countries. The 
absence of a digital identity system in some countries is an obstacle to identification, monitoring and 
outreach to poor populations. The limited testing for COVID-19 and access to the internet hinders the 
deployment of tracking solutions, and the low rate of mobile payment users also limits the possible 
solutions. However, many solutions already developed or created during the pandemic have addressed 
some of the crisis’s challenges. 

They won’t help all the challenges in Africa, but technological solutions can help countries battle the 
coronavirus, while digitalising economies and making them stronger. 

22 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment requirements 

Outside the European Union, the Bank signs agreements with countries to offer development finance 
and other aid. Africa will require a significant level of sustainable investments to help the economy and 
society recover from the coronavirus crisis. 

A wide range of the digital solutions listed in this study require financing to reach their full potential 
across  the  continent.  The  solutions  would  help  manage  the  crisis,  assist  medical  staff,  control  the 
spread of the virus, support the poorest people and help the government educate the public and fight 
fake  news.  Each  African  country  is  addressing  the  crisis  differently  and  implementing  different 
measures. The investments have to be adapted according to the level of the pandemic: identification 
of the crisis, start of the crisis, middle of the crisis, end of lockdown measures, return to something 
approaching normal life. 

To estimate each country’s financing needs, three main factors were considered: solutions that have 
been implemented; solutions that have been identified and budgeted; and investments that still need 
to  be  budgeted.  For  the  third  factor,  regional  benchmarks  were  used  to  estimate  investment 
requirements.  For  countries  that  did  not  respond  to  the  interviews  or  questionnaires,  investment 
requirements were estimated based on regional benchmarks with similar criteria. 

For each of the sub-priorities defined by the Bank, we identified a digital solution that is deployable 
and whose benefits go beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. For each solution, we estimated the costs in 
each African country according to local factors. 

All the factors include fixed and variable costs. Fixed costs aren’t connected to the number of people 
served, such as websites and online commerce, which require one solution per country. Variable costs 
can change with the number of people served, and could include the number of devices offered to 
students, the number of devices offered to healthcare staff, and the distribution points. Examples of 
the factors include: 

•  Devices with access to educational content for students: This involves the number of students 
enrolled in secondary and tertiary education in rural areas who can benefit from an initiative. 
•  Solutions to  identify and reach  vulnerable populations: This involves the number of people 

below the poverty line who can benefit from a service. 

•  Devices  used  by  healthcare  workers  for  patient  monitoring:  This  involves  the  number  of 

healthcare workers involved in COVID-19 work who can benefit from an initiative. 

•  USSD self-diagnostics: This involves the percentage of the population that uses mobile phones 

and can benefit from such USSD services. 

•  Drone deliveries. This involves the size of areas covered by drone deliveries in a country 

The calculations explained above were applied to data from the World Health Organization and the 
World  Bank.  The  data  used  for  estimates  include  factors  such  as  population,  land  areas,  poverty 
numbers,  poverty  income  levels  of  $1.90  a  day,  school  enrolment,  medical  doctors,  nurses  and 
midwives, cellular subscriptions and people using the Internet. 

The following estimates do not take into account technical assistance or regulatory reforms needed to 
address data protection, governance, ethics and privacy issues. The total investment required to carry 
out these digital solutions across the African continent has been estimated at €680 million over the 
next 12 months. 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19   

23 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  estimates  are  based  on  input  from  27  African  countries.  The  feedback  was  collected  using 
interviews and questionnaires. 

The estimates only cover the cost of acquiring and deploying digital solutions. 

Category 
1 

2 

3 

Countries 
Countries  with  a  low  ability  to  deploy  digital  solutions.  They  have 
accomplished very few or no priorities listed in this paper. 
Countries with an  intermediate capacity to deploy digital solutions. 
They have accomplished two or three of the priorities. 
Countries that have accomplished three or four digital priorities, but 
they  still  need  to  implement  a  digital  transformation  plan  and 
increase economic resilience. 
Total  12  months  investment  requirements  across  the  African 
continent 

Estimates 
€190 million 

€140 million 

€350 million 

€680 million 

24 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Going forward 

Most  African  countries  are  already  using  many  digital  technologies  to  fight  the  new  coronavirus. 
However,  these  solutions  are  not  enough,  according  to  most  people  interviewed.  What  solutions 
deserve extra investment to help fight the pandemic, while improving social and economic resilience? 
This answer can vary widely depending on the country and the state of digital technology there. 

For category 1 countries, the goal is to find affordable solutions for immediate and basic needs, while 
making a big difference in people’s lives. Here is what these countries need: 
•  Simple websites to educate the public and combat fake news; 
•  Collaboration tools that help people work. These tools can improve everyday work outside of 

a pandemic; 

•  Affordable and easy-to-implement technologies (USSD or SMS-type) that help with: 
o  Self-diagnosis or services to ask a question and get medical advice; 
o  Securing the supply of consumer goods and other necessities; 
o  Messaging-type solutions to identify and assist communities that need extra help. 

•  Acquisition of terminals at low prices with integrated applications for e-learning, for example, 

in countries where many people don’t have smartphones. 

For category 2 countries, the objective is to improve and develop healthcare systems through medium- 
and long-term programmes that  streamline the medical chain, from patient care to treatment, and 
including the supply of medical equipment. 

Online and mobile services in healthcare, agriculture, business and education offer big steps forward 
for societies and economies. Many of these technologies can be developed locally and do not require 
much investment. 

For  category  3  countries,  the  first  aim  is  to  build  a  long-term  healthcare  system  by  setting  up  a 
centralised  and  connected  information  system,  making  it  possible  to  treat  patients  effectively  and 
gather information to make quick decisions. These are slightly more expensive solutions. 
Investment for this type of country is needed in two areas: 

•  Recover from the pandemic by collecting better data to manage the end of the crisis and the 

economic revival; 

•  Offer more digital services, such as online administrative services and online education. 

In general, the investments can address several priorities at the same time and provide long-term help 
for society and the economy, going far beyond the pandemic. 

In the end, the best way to help countries adopt digital solutions might be to maximise the investment 
possibilities and offer advice on rolling out solutions locally. The key is to find solutions that do the 
best job of addressing the pandemic while helping society and the economy recover, improving the 
outlook for future crises, and keeping investments at the minimum level required to meet countries’ 
needs. The European Investment Bank will keep working with Team Europe, the United Nations and 
other organisations, while encouraging the development of new ideas and new investments that make 
life better for everyone. 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19   

25 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annexes 

Annex 1: Description of solutions 

26 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Adopted approach 

Based on documentation and information resources shared by the EIB, BearingPoint internal resources and public external resources:

1- A large panel of digital
initiatives and
specific solutions that are already deployed in
many countries all over the world have been
identified. The macro-matrix of
the most
common solutions types being adopted is
shown below.

2- A shortlist of about 42 successful examples
of specific digital solutions or country case
respond to the five urgent
studies that
priorities, particularly in African countries.

3- A broader outline of
solutions and country case studies.

specific digital

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 1

27

Countries all over the world are devising various digital solutions that respond to the five urgent 
priorities to help contain the spread of COVID-19 

A. Coordinate
B. Anticipate
C. Inform
D. Cure
E. Increase capacity
F. Support
G. Know
I/J. Increase resilience

Remotely 
controlled devices 
and operating 
systems 
Collaborative tools

GIS tracking
BI

s
e
p
y
t

s
e
s
n
o
p
s
e
r

l

a
t
i
g
i
D

Semi-autonomous robots and drones 

Specialised
software

Loon balloons

E-commerce, 
produce delivery 
and equipment-
sharing platforms  

E-agriculture

BI 

Fintech

E-commerce, 
produce delivery 
and equipment-
sharing platforms  

E-agriculture

BI 

Fintech

E-commerce, 
produce delivery 
and equipment 
sharing platforms  

E-agriculture

Remotely 
controlled devices 
and operating 
systems 

Edtech solutions 
Remotely 
controlled devices 
and operating 
systems 

Virtual assistants 
and chatbots

Virtual assistants 
and chatbots
Hotlines, simple 
texting & USSD

Websites and applications 

Radio, TV and social 
media

Hotlines, simple 
texting & USSD

Hotlines, simple texting & USSD

Websites and 
applications 

Radio, TV and social 
media

Websites and 
applications 

P1.1: Set up and 
operationalisation

P1.2: Digital 
tracking and 
monitoring

P1.3: Proactive 
communication

P2.1: Contain the 
epidemic: 
preventive 
measures, 
diagnostic, testing, 
isolation

P.2.2: Prepare the 
healthcare 
ecosystem: 
infrastructure, 
drugs & medical 
equipment

P2.3: Prepare the 
healthcare 
ecosystem: 
workforce

P3.1: Secure the 
food supply: supply 
of priority products, 
pricing, tracking & 
monitoring

P3.2: Maintain the 
access to essential 
services: health & 
education, 
telecoms, utilities

P4.1: Protect jobs: 
protecting jobs, 
retraining for crisis 
needs

P4.2: Support most
vulnerable
populations: social 
safety-net 
mechanisms & 
distribution

P5.1: Economy: 
scenario analysis, 
impact on economy 
and public finance

P5.2: Short-term 
stimulus package: 
financial stability, 
helping firms 
survive

P5.3: Preparation 
for recovery: 
preparation for 
"next normal"

Priority #1 Set up National Nerve Centre

Priority #2 Anticipate and manage the health crisis

Priority #3 Secure food supply 
chain and essential services

Priority #4 Ensure support for 
vulnerable populations

Priority #5 Anticipate and manage the impact on the 
economy

Many innovative solutions have already been adopted in African countries as a quick response to the challenges of the pandemic. Among more than 200 specific solutions 
identified, we have shortlisted about 45 digital solutions and country case studies, specifically focusing on about 20 of them. 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 1

28

 
 
Digital solution and case study examples (1/5) 

Solution examples 

Priority #1 Set up National Nerve 
Centre

Priority #2 Anticipate and manage 
the health crisis

Priority #3 Secure food 
supply chain and 
essential services

Solution type 

Solution title 

Country 

Software developer

P1.1 

P1.2

P1.3

P2.1

P2.2

P2.3

P3.1

P3.2

Priority #4 Ensure 
support for vulnerable 
populations
P4.1

P4.2

Priority #5 Anticipate and manage 
the impact on the economy

P5.1

P5.2

P5.3

Dingtalk

Lark

Worldwide 

Dingtalk

Worldwide 

Lark

Hangouts Meet

Worldwide 

Hangouts Meet

Teams

Skype

Worldwide 

MS Teams 

Worldwide 

Skype 

WeChat Work

Worldwide 

WeChat Work 

Zoom

Worldwide 

Zoom 

Famoco Mobile Devices Worldwide

Famoco

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

KaiOS – Software that 
gives smartphone 
capabilities to 
inexpensive mobile 
phones
Medical Supplies BI 
Dashboard 
Critical food imports BI 
Dashboard
COVID behaviour map Kenya

Djibouti 

Worldwide 

Djibouti 

KaiOs

PowerBI

PowerBI

Dataminr

X

X

X

X

X

Collaborative 
tools 

Remotely 
controlled 
devices and 
operating 
systems 

BI

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Specific focus

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 1

29

Digital solution and case study examples (2/5) 

Solution examples

Priority #1 Set up National Nerve 
Centre

Priority #2 Anticipate and manage 
the health crisis

Priority #3 Secure food 
supply chain and 
essential services

Solution type 

Solution title

Country 

Software developer

P1.1 

P1.2

P1.3

P2.1

P2.2

P2.3

P3.1

P3.2

Priority #4 Ensure
support for vulnerable
populations
P4.1

P4.2

Priority #5 Anticipate and manage 
the impact on the economy

P5.1

P5.2

P5.3

Covimoov

GIS tracking

TELIA COVID-19 MOBILITY 
ANALYSIS

France 

Europe

Geo4cast 

Telia

TraceTogether

Worldwide 

GovTech

X

X

X

Hotlines, simple 
texting & USSD

Virtual assistants 
and chatbots

Websites and 
applications

Communication SMS 

Worldwide

Telecom actors

SMS system to identify and 
support vulnerable 
populations 
World Health 
Organization’s Health Alert 
on WhatsApp

Centralised communication 
platforms with economic 
actors 
REDBIRD - Self assessment
app 
Coronapp

Teachme Covid 
COVID-19 Triage Tool: self 
assessment and online 
medication  

Worldwide, Eg : 
Morocco 
Mauritius 

N/A

Worldwide  

Praekelt.Orgs

Worldwide, e.g. 
France 

France Focus: 
Stonly
Copernic.co

African countries 
South Africa

African countries 

REDBIRD
Local startup 
Teachmepad Mobile 
Limited

African countries  Willvis

COVID-19 Auto-Test: app 
for COVID self-assessment 
in local languages 

Togo

Nunya Lab
DARKA (local startup)
Data Pop Alliance 

X

X

X

X

X
X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 1

30

Digital solution and case study examples (3/5) 

Solution examples 

Priority #1 Set up National Nerve 
Centre

Priority #2 Anticipate and manage 
the health crisis

Priority #3 Secure food 
supply chain and 
essential services

Priority #4 Ensure 
support for vulnerable 
populations

Priority #5 Anticipate and manage 
the impact on the economy

Solution type 

Solution title

Country 

Software developer

P1.1 

P1.2

P1.3

P2.1

P2.2

P2.3

P3.1

P3.2

P4.1

P4.2

P5.1

P5.2

P5.3

Semi-
autonomous
robots and 
drones 

Specialised
software 

Local drone for 
sanitising public space 
and spreading 
messages 

Ivory Coast

Saved by tech: 
Côte d’ivoire Drone 
We Fly Agri
Investiv

Hybrix drones by 
Quaternium 

Zipline Drones for 
medical delivery

Temperature scanning 
helmets

Spain 
Worldwide, e.g. 
Rwanda
Ghana

Quaternium

Zipline 

Worldwide

Kuang-chi technology

DHIS2 COVID-19 
tracker: healthcare 
software

Worldwide 

Health Information 
Systems Program (HISP)
the University of Oslo 
(UiO).

X

mHero for COVID-19: 
an integrated digital 
health platform for 
health worker 
communication and 
coordination 

African countries 

mHERO

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 1

31

Digital solution and case study examples (4/5) 

Solution examples 

Priority #1 Set up National Nerve 
Centre

Priority #2 Anticipate and manage 
the health crisis

Priority #3 Secure food 
supply chain and 
essential services

Priority #4 Ensure 
support for vulnerable 
populations

Priority #5 Anticipate and manage 
the impact on the economy

Solution type 

Solution title

Country 

Software developer

P1.1 

P1.2

P1.3

P2.1

P2.2

P2.3

P3.1

P3.2

P4.1

P4.2

P5.1

P5.2

P5.3

Mergdata - Helping 
rural farmers connect
Farmafrica - Helping 
rural farmers connect African countries 

Kenya & 13 other
countries 

FarmerLine

Farmafrica 

E-agriculture

Apollo Agriculture -
Helping rural farmers 
connect

Jumia: using e-
commerce to link 
market vendors with 
consumers online

Safe Boda - Delivery 
and logistics support 
with ride-hailing 
company

E-commerce, 
produce delivery 
and equipment-
sharing platforms  

Freshinabox -
Vegetable sales and 
delivery 

Kenya 

Apollo Agriculture 

African countries, e.g. 
Uganda Focus

Jumia 

Uganda 

SafeBoda

Zimbabwe 

Freshinabox

The Market Garden -
Vegetable sales and 
delivery 

Uganda 

The Institute for Social 
Transformation 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 1

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

32

Digital solution and case study examples (5/5) 

Solution examples 

Priority #1 Set up National Nerve 
Centre

Priority #2 Anticipate and manage 
the health crisis

Priority #3 Secure food 
supply chain and 
essential services

Solution type 

Solution title

Country 

Software developer

P1.1 

P1.2

P1.3

P2.1

P2.2

P2.3

P3.1

P3.2

Priority #4 Ensure 
support for vulnerable 
populations
P4.1

P4.2

Priority #5 Anticipate and manage 
the impact on the economy

P5.1

P5.2

P5.3

Cell-Ed – Learner-
centred, skills-based 
learning platform with 
offline options

Eneza Education -
Revision and learning 
materials for basic 
feature phones

Worldwide 

Cell-ED

Worldwide 

Eneza Education 

Funzi – Mobile learning 
service that supports 
teaching and training 
for large groups

Worldwide 

Funzi

Edtech solutions 

Ubongo - Uses 
entertainment, mass 
media, and the 
connectivity of mobile 
devices to deliver 
localised learning to 
African families at low 
cost and scale

African countries 

Ubongo

Loon balloons

Kolibri - offline app for 
universal education Worldwide 
High-altitude balloons 
to supply internet to 
remote communities

Worldwide , e.g. 
Kenya focus 

Kolibri

Loon (Google) 

X

X

X

X

X

X

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 1

33

Annex 2: Digital solutions case studies 

# 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

Title 

Uganda: enable virtual government business continuity through collaborative tools 

Famoco: remotely controlled Android devices 

KaiOs: software that gives smartphone capabilities to inexpensive mobile phones and helps 
open portals to learning opportunities 

Djibouti: dashboard to monitor the stock of key medical supplies 

Djibouti: commodities dashboard to monitor supply of critical food imports 

Kenya: COVID behaviour map, leveraging opportunities forged in the COVID-19 crisis to deliver 
long-term change 

Telia: COVID-19 mobility analysis 

Morocco: SMS system to identify and support vulnerable populations 

Worldwide World Health Organization’s Health Alert on WhatsApp 

France: centralised communication platforms with economic actors 

South Africa: Coronapp , a reliable information source and self-assessment tool 

Multi-form and multi-language awareness-raising platform to tackle COVID-19 

Many African countries: COVID-19 triage tool for self-assessment and online medication 

Togo: COVID-19 auto-test - COVID self-assessment in local languages application 

Ivory Coast: drones to sanitise public spaces, spread information and take temperature 

Rwanda and Ghana: drones for medical deliveries to rural communities 

Worldwide: DHIS2 COVID-19 tracker, healthcare software 

mHero, an integrated digital health platform for health worker communication and coordination 

Uganda: Jumia using e-commerce to connect informal vendors and consumers 

Uganda: SafeBoda, delivery and logistics support with ride-hailing company 

Eneza Education, revision and learning materials for basic feature phones 

Ubongo, entertainment, mass media, and the connectivity of mobile devices to deliver localised 
learning 

Kenya: high-altitude balloons to supply internet to remote communities 

34 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Uganda: enable virtual government business continuity through collaborative tools  

Priorities
P1.1: Set up and operationalisation

Software developers 
• Zoom

Relevant links and contacts

• https://www.ug.undp.org/content/ugan
da/en/home/presscenter/pressreleases/
2019/covid-19--undp-supports-uganda-
government-business-continuity-th.html

Target 
>  Government employees 

Partnerships 
• UNDP Uganda 

Countries of implementation
>  Uganda

Technology Type 
• Collaborative tools 

Description

• UNDP has provided a collaboration tool, Zoom, and an assortment of ICT gadgets to enable virtual government business
continuity as the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) affects routine operations in several ministries, departments and agencies
as well as the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary.

• By early April, over 81 government institutions including 40 districts had key officials registered and enabled to remotely video-
conference in supporting government business continuity. Notable examples include the Office of the Prime Minister, the Office
of the President, Ministry of Local Government, and Ministry of ICT and National Guidance.

Objectives

• Enable the Government to maintain its core functions, and to plan, coordinate, communicate and finance its response to COVID-

19 in a robust manner.

Requirements 

Software & infrastructure 
o Electricity access
o Network access
o Internet access

Hardware & devices 
o Simple talk-and-text mobile devices
o Smartphone/tablet
o Computer 
o TV/radio stations

User qualifications 
o Ability to read and write 
o Special/technical qualifications

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 2

35

Famoco: remotely controlled Android devices 

Priorities
P1.1: Set up and operationalisation
P2.3: Prepare the healthcare 
ecosystem: workforce
P3.2: Maintain access to essential 
services: health & education, 
telecoms, utilities
Target 
> Economic actors 
> Population 
Countries of implementation
>  Worldwide

Description

Software developers 
•

Famoco

Relevant links and contacts

• https://www.famoco.com/

Partnerships 
• N/A

Technology Type 
• Remotely controlled devices 

and operating systems 

Business applications on secure Android devices, remotely manageable in one SaaS platform.

Objectives
Famoco offers many devices and applications types to ensure:

• Contactless payment.
• Transport ticket validation.
• QR code payment.
• Inventory management.
• Goods tracking.
• Biometric customer enrollment.
• ID verification.

Requirements 

Software & infrastructure 
o Electricity access
o Network access
o Internet access

Hardware & devices 
o Simple talk-and-text mobile devices
o Smartphone/tablet
o Computer 
o TV/radio stations

User qualifications 
o Ability to read and write 
o Special/technical qualifications

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 2

36

KaiOs: software that gives smartphone capabilities to inexpensive mobile phones and helps 
open portals to learning opportunities

Priorities
P3.2: Maintain access to essential 
services: health & education, 
telecoms, utilities

Software developers 
• KaiOs

Relevant links and contacts

Target 
>  Population

Partnerships 
• N/A

Countries of implementation
>  Worldwide

Description

Technology Type 
• Remotely controlled devices 

and operating systems 

•

• KaiOS – Software that gives smartphone 

capabilities to inexpensive mobile phones 
and helps open portals to learning 
opportunities.
https://www.kaiostech.com/life-the-kaios-
in-house-app-that-bridges-the-gap-to-
educational-resources-is-now-live-in-
africa/

Open up new possibilities for individuals, organisations, and societies by bringing mobile connectivity to people without internet in
emerging markets, as well as providing those in established markets with an alternative to smartphones.

Objectives

• Through different applications, KaiOS users have access to reliable and practical information about the coronavirus disease and

prevention measures.

• Application that equips first-time internet users with tools and resources in digital skills, health, education, and other essential
topics now includes coronavirus-related information from UNICEF and the WHO. It also gives users access to the WHO’s
WhatsApp chatbot, which answers questions in real-time.

• Application that allows students to learn, take quizzes, complete assignments, and prepare for national exams, all on a KaiOS-

enabled device.

Requirements 

Software & infrastructure 
o Electricity access
o Network access
o Internet access

Hardware & devices 
o Simple talk-and-text mobile devices
o Smartphone/tablet
o Computer 
o TV/radio stations

User qualifications 
o Ability to read and write 
o Special/technical qualifications

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 2

37

Djibouti: dashboard to monitor the stock of key medical supplies

Priorities
P1.2: Digital tracking and monitoring
P.2.2: Prepare the healthcare 
ecosystem: infrastructure, drugs & 
medical equipment
P3.2: Maintain access to essential 
services: health & education, 
telecoms, utilities
Target 
> Government 
> Healthcare personal
Countries of implementation
> Djibouti

Software developers 
• Powerbi

Partnerships 
• UNDP Djibouti
• Ministry of Health
• Central Medical Store
•

Intergovernmental Authority 
on Development, IGAD

Technology Type 
• BI

Relevant links and contacts

• https://app.powerbi.com/

• Gael Ollivier (Legal Specialist, TD)

Description
• Real-time COVID-19 dashboard to visualise and monitor the stock levels of the key medical supplies and equipment related to COVID-

19, and notably PPE, at a country level for the Ministry of Health and at a regional level for IGAD.

Objectives

• Receive requests for COVID-19 supplies from all health facilities countrywide in real-time through a simplified request form that is

accessible by smartphone or PC.

• Monitor and approve the quantities to be delivered and notify the dispatcher and requester.

• Track the stock levels, assess trends and enable informed decision making on re-ordering levels for any specific item.

• Track stock levels in each IGAD country and facilitate coordination and swaps among countries to respond to most urgent and priority

needs.

• The real-time COVID-19 dashboard of health products is fully automated and visible to authorised users 24/7.

Requirements 

Software & infrastructure 
o Electricity access
o Network access
o Internet access

Hardware & devices 
o Simple talk-and-text mobile devices
o Smartphone/tablet
o Computer 
o TV/radio stations

User qualifications 
o Ability to read and write 
o Special/technical qualifications

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 2

38

Djibouti: commodities dashboard to monitor supply of critical food imports

Priorities
P1.2: Digital tracking and monitoring
P3.1: Secure the food supply: supply 
of priority products, pricing, tracking 
& monitoring

Target 
> Government 

Countries of implementation
> Djibouti

Software developers 
• Powerbi

Relevant links and contacts

• https://app.powerbi.com/

• Gael Ollivier (Legal Specialist, TD)

Partnerships 
• UNDP Djibouti
• Ministry of Trade

Technology Type 
• BI

Description
• Real-time COVID-19 commodities dashboard to visualise and monitor the stock levels of the critical food imports during the

COVID-19 lockdown to meet national food consumption needs.

Objectives

• This data is used by the Ministry of Trade to closely monitor market prices and support informed policy decisions.

• It helps the Ministry of Trade to streamline the supply chain and ensure stability of resale prices and therefore availability of key

food items at affordable prices for the population.

Requirements 

Software & infrastructure 
o Electricity access
o Network access
o Internet access

Hardware & devices 
o Simple talk-and-text mobile devices
o Smartphone/tablet
o Computer 
o TV/radio stations

User qualifications 
o Ability to read and write 
o Special/technical qualifications

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 2

39

Kenya: COVID behaviour map, leveraging opportunities forged in the COVID-19 crisis to 
deliver long-term change

Priorities
P5.1: Economy: scenario analysis, 
impact on economy and public 
finance

Software developers
• Dataminr

Target 
> Government 

Partnerships 
• UNDP Accelerator Lab in Kenya

Countries of implementation
> Kenya

Technology Type 
• BI

Relevant links and contacts

• https://www.ke.undp.org/content/ke
nya/en/home/blog/2020/leveraging-
opportunities-forged-in-the-covid-19-
crisis-to-delive.html

• Victor Apollo, Head of Solutions

Mapping

Description
The UNDP Accelerator Lab in Kenya compiled a systems map showing the interrelations between effects of and responses to the
COVID-19 pandemic. Methodologically, UNDP Accelerator Lab began by casting its net wide to illuminate forces that impact how the
response to COVID-19 was evolving by drawing on data and stories from social media, including Twitter analytics and trending
hashtags, and tapping into the work of Dataminr and media outlets. The factors considered included people, trends, events, norms,
beliefs, phenomena, institutions, laws and policies, focusing on those that led to both negative and positive systemic behaviours and
grouping these within defined political, economic, social, technological, educational, legal, and institutional spheres.
Objectives
Innovations born of necessity during the pandemic situation have the potential to strengthen socio-economic infrastructure for the
future. Below are a few examples of what could be considered as potential arising from the systems mapping exercise.
• Transparency and accountability: equal focus could be placed on developing open contracting platforms; helping government to
publish the procurement details of all its medical infrastructure and new forms of social accountability to increase public voice
and participation in the process of accountability.

• Upscaling local production in the long-term: this would not only be a tool for inclusive growth, but also a weapon in the fight

against climate change if intercontinental transport is reduced.

• Access to formal justice system: the crisis could act as a tipping point to encourage the judiciary and other arms of government
to rethink their approach to technology and to see how it can be used to provide a more engaging and inclusive experience for
their stakeholders.

Requirements 

Software & infrastructure 
o Electricity access
o Network access
o Internet access

Hardware & devices 
o Simple talk-and-text mobile devices
o Smartphone/tablet
o Computer 
o TV/radio stations

User qualifications 
o Ability to read and write
o Special/technical qualifications

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 2

40

Telia: COVID-19 mobility analysis

Priorities
P1.2: Digital tracking and 
monitoring

Software developers 
• Telia

Relevant links and contacts

• https://www.ug.undp.org/content/ugan
da/en/home/presscenter/pressreleases/
2019/covid-19--undp-supports-uganda-
government-business-continuity-th.html

Target 
>  Government

Partnerships 
• N/A

Countries of implementation
>  Europe

Technology Type 
• GIS Tracking 

Description

As national authorities around the world take on the COVID-19 pandemic, they face the universal challenge of trying to make the
best possible public health decisions - based on evidence and data. One measure taken everywhere is to stay in the area where you
live and travel restrictions have been put in place to different extents. To be able to stay on top of how these restrictions are working
out, national authorities across the Nordics and Estonia have been seeking up-to-date data about people’s travel patterns.

Objectives

A commercial service analysing anonymised and aggregated mobile network data which provides a way to understand grouped
movement behaviour in society, such as travel patterns.

Requirements 

Software & infrastructure 
o Electricity access
o Network access
o Internet access

Hardware & devices 
o Simple talk-and-text mobile devices
o Smartphone/tablet
o Computer 
o TV/radio stations

User qualifications 
o Ability to read and write 
o Special/technical qualifications

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 2

41

Morocco: SMS system to identify and support vulnerable populations 

Priorities
P4.2: Support most vulnerable
populations: social safety-net 
mechanisms & distribution

Target 
> Government 
> Population

Countries of implementation
>  Morocco

Description

Software developers 
• TBD

Relevant links and contacts

• https://ledesk.ma/2020/03/30/exclusif-

voici-comment-laide-de-subsistance-aux-
menages-sera-distribuee/

Partnerships 
• Moroccan government 
• Moroccan telecom companies
• Banks and money transfer 

companies  

Technology Type 
• Hotlines, simple texting & USSD

• Identification and distribution of financial aid for vulnerable populations and informal workers, via a simple SMS system.

Objectives

•

•

Identify vulnerable populations eligible for financial aid by sending their affiliation numbers via SMS.

Communicate via SMS with vulnerable populations to inform them about withdrawal points near there locations, taking social
distancing into consideration.

Requirements 

Software & Infrastructure 
o Electricity access
o Network access
o Internet access

Hardware & devices 
o Simple talk-and-text mobile devices
o Smartphone/tablet
o Computer 
o TV/radio stations

User qualifications 
o Ability to read and write 
o Special/technical qualifications

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 2

42

Worldwide World Health Organization’s Health Alert on WhatsApp

Priorities
P1.3: Proactive communication
P2.1: Contain the epidemic: 
preventive measures, diagnostic, 
testing, isolation

Countries of implementation (examples)
 South Africa 
 New Zealand
 Australia
 Mozambique
 Uganda

 Ethiopia
 Bangladesh
 Madagascar
 Timor-Leste

Software developers 
• Praekelt.Orgs

Relevant links and contacts

Partnerships
• World Health Organization
• WhatsApp
Facebook 
•

Technology Type 
• Virtual assistants and 

chatbots

• https://www.praekelt.org/onboarding-

form

• https://www.praekelt.org/
• https://www.whatsapp.com/coronavirus/

who

Target 
>  Population 

Description
• WHO has launched a dedicated messaging services in 11 languages in partnership with WhatsApp and Facebook to keep people
safe from coronavirus. This easy-to-use messaging service has the potential to reach 2 billion people and enables WHO to get
information directly into the hands of the people that need it. This solution can be adapted to countries’ local contexts.

Objectives

• WhatsApp-based helpline to support users on queries/concerns and direct them to accurate information sources.

• Automated responses provide answers to the most frequently asked questions.

• Machine learning and natural language understanding enable automatic triage to help manage conversations at scale.

• Serving government decision-makers by providing the latest numbers and situation reports.

Requirements 

Software & infrastructure 
o Electricity access
o Network access
o Internet access

Hardware & devices 
o Simple talk-and-text mobile devices
o Smartphone/tablet
o Computer 
o TV/radio stations

User qualifications 
o Ability to read and write
o Special/technical qualifications

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 2

43

France: centralised communication platforms with economic actors 

Priorities
P1.3: Proactive communication
P5.2: Short-term stimulus package: 
financial stability, helping firms 
survive
Target 
>  Economic actors 

Software developers 
•
• Copernic.com

Stonly

Partnerships 
•

French Ministry of Finance & 
Economy 

Countries of implementation
>  France

Technology Type 
• Websites and application 

Relevant links and contacts
• https://info-entreprises-

covid19.economie.gouv.fr/kb/fr/finance
ment-8233

Description

• The French Ministry of Finance and Economy, in partnership with Stonly and Copernic startups, has launched an online support

and communication tool for economic actors.

Objectives

• Centralised and reliable communication about governmental initiatives to support economic actors.
• Open forum for questions.
• Online financial assessment tool.
• Access to financial support and aids.

Requirements 

Software & infrastructure 
o Electricity access
o Network access
o Internet access

Hardware & devices 
o Simple talk-and-text mobile devices
o Smartphone/tablet
o Computer 
o TV/radio stations

User qualifications 
o Ability to read and write 
o Special/technical qualifications

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 2

44

South Africa: Coronapp , a reliable information source and
self-assessment tool

Priorities
the
Contain
P2.1:
preventive measures,
testing, isolation

epidemic:
diagnostic,

Software developers 
Local startup 
•

Relevant links and contacts

• https://www.coronapp.co.za/https://

www.coronapp.co.za/

Target 
>  Population 

Partnerships 
• N/A

Countries of implementation
>  South Africa

Technology Type 
• Websites and applications 

Description

• Coronapp is a centralised repository for relevant and accurate information regarding the COVID-19 virus in South Africa. Its
purpose is to make reliable information highly accessible to South Africans to help people and prevent panic. The information
published is collected from government and health authorities.

Objectives

• Provide reliable and verified access to information and statistics about regional and national COVID-19 evolution.

• Provide quick self assessment and link with emergency services and WhatsApp support.

Requirements 

Software & infrastructure 
o Electricity access
o Network access
o Internet access

Hardware & devices 
o Simple talk-and-text mobile devices
o Smartphone/tablet
o Computer 
o TV/radio stations

User qualifications 
o Ability to read and write 
o Special/technical qualifications

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 2

45

Multi-form and multi-language awareness-raising platform
to tackle COVID-19

Priorities
epidemic:
P2.1: Contain
preventive measures, diagnostic,
testing, isolation

the

Target 
>  Population 

Countries of implementation 
> Cameroon & other African countries

Software developers 
• Teachmepad Mobile 

Limited

Partnerships 
• UNDP 

Technology Type 
• Websites and applications 

Relevant links and contacts

• https://www.teachmecovid.com/

Description
• Multi-form & multi-language awareness-raising platform to tackle COVID-19.

Objectives

• Provide information about useful emergency numbers in different African countries.

• Provide information about the health situation in countries in local languages via SMS.

• Free access to prevention audio and video sports in more than nine local languages.

Requirements 

Software & infrastructure 
o Electricity access
o Network access
o Internet access

Hardware & devices 
o Simple talk-and-text mobile devices
o Smartphone/tablet
o Computer 
o TV/radio stations

User qualifications 
o Ability to read and write 
o Special/technical qualifications

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 2

46

Many African countries: COVID-19 triage tool for self-assessment and 
online medication  

epidemic:
diagnostic,

Priorities
the
Contain
P2.1:
preventive measures,
testing, isolation
P3.2: Maintain access to essential
services:
education,
health
telecoms, utilities
Target 
> Population
> Healthcare personal 

&

Software developers 
• Wellvis

Partnerships 
• N/A 

Countries of implementation
> 16 African countries*

Technology Type 
• Websites and applications 

Relevant links and contacts

• http://covid19.wellvis.org/

* Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, 
Cameroon, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, 
Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, 
Mali, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, 
Gambia

Description
• Wellvis app is an application that allows users to self-assess their coronavirus risk category based on their symptoms and

exposure history in a free way. The application also allows digital healthcare appointments that can be payed online.

Objectives

• Assess how many individuals in a geographical location are at high, medium, and low risk levels of contracting COVID-19.
• Provide data for contact tracing of individuals who present a high risk.
• Provide support for planned testing of individuals in an identified high-risk location.
• Provide the required safety education and reassurance.
• Connect users to doctors for virtual private chat.

Requirements 

Software & infrastructure 
o Electricity access
o Network access
o Internet access

Hardware & devices 
o Simple talk-and-text mobile devices
o Smartphone/tablet
o Computer 
o TV/radio stations

User qualifications 
o Ability to read and write 
o Special/technical qualifications

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 2

47

Togo: COVID-19 auto-test - COVID self-assessment in local languages application 

Priorities
P2.1: Contain the epidemic: 
preventive measures, diagnostic, 
testing, isolation

Software developers 
• Nunya Lab 
• DARKA (local startup)
• Data Pop Alliance 

Target 
> Population 

Partnerships 
• UNDP Togo 

Countries of implementation
> Togo

Technology Type 
• Websites and applications 

Relevant links and contacts

• https://covid19-

check.smspro.tg/web/starter/replay

• Yawo

Agnigbankou

(Head

of

Experimentation, TG)

• Komi Ognadon Aokou

(Head

of

Exploration, TG)

Description
• COVID-19 auto-test app is in application implemented in Togo, based on local languages with GIS in which users give answers to
some basic questions on their health (temperature, travel status, etc.). The app is currently being completed with tracking codes
which allows the creation, via an application, of a completely anonymous database on the social interactions of individuals.

Objectives
• In the event symptoms are revealed through answers, the user is advised to call "111“, which is the official line for COVID-19 to

be diagnosed. The GIS allows the user to be located.

• A social interaction is marked by retrieving the public identification code associated with another user, and by recording the pair
of QR codes, with associated information such as the date, and possibly the GIS position. It can be operated via Bluetooth scan,
WiFi, audio or QR code optical recognition. It makes it possible to find people in contact with positive cases quickly and easily .

• The solution will help analyse the Togolese perception of the disease through mobile phone surveys and make projections on
possible new cases; analyse the impact of the measures taken so far by the government on the living conditions of the poorest;
locate the most vulnerable; and anticipate from the data the effects of support and recovery measures.

Requirements 

Software & infrastructure 
o Electricity access
o Network access
o Internet access

Hardware & devices 
o Simple talk-and-text mobile devices
o Smartphone/tablet
o Computer 
o TV/radio stations

User qualifications 
o Ability to read and write 
o Special/technical qualifications

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 2

48

Ivory Coast: drones to sanitise public spaces, spread information and take temperature

Côte d’Ivoire Drone 
We Fly Agri
Investiv

Priorities
P1.3: Proactive communication
P2.1: Contain the epidemic: preventive 
measures, diagnostic, testing, isolation
P.2.2: Prepare the healthcare ecosystem: 
infrastructure, drugs & medical 
equipment
Target 
> Government 
> Population 

Countries of implementation
> Ivory Coast

Description

Software developers
• Côte d’Ivoire Drone 
• We Fly Agri
Investiv
•

Partnerships 
• N/A

Technology Type 
•

Semi-autonomous robots and 
drones 

Relevant links and contacts

• https://afrique.le360.ma/cote-

divoire/societe/2020/04/10/30155-cote-
divoire-coronavirus-des-drones-concus-
par-un-marocain-mobilises-contre-le-
covid-19

• Marouane Jebbar – “Côte d’ivoire

Drone” - CEO

• “Saved by tech” is an Ivoirian foundation led by three leading local companies specialised in drone design. It has developed three

types of drone for specific uses to tackle COVID-19.

Objectives

• Spread pre-recorded or live messages from the sky on how to prevent coronavirus infection in rural aeras.

• Measure temperature using a thermic camera.

• Transport about 30 litres of liquid solution to sanitise public spaces.

Requirements 

Software & infrastructure 
o Electricity access
o Network access
o Internet access

Hardware & devices 
o Simple talk-and-text mobile devices
o Smartphone/tablet
o Computer 
o TV/radio stations

User qualifications 
o Ability to read and write 
o Special/technical qualifications

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 2

49

Rwanda and Ghana: drones for medical deliveries to rural communities

Priorities
P2.1: Contain the epidemic: preventive 
measures, diagnostic, testing, isolation
P.2.2: Prepare the healthcare ecosystem: 
infrastructure, drugs & medical 
equipment
Target 
> Population
> Healthcare personal 

Countries of implementation
> Rwanda
> Ghana 

Description

Software developers 
• Zipline 

Relevant links and contacts

• https://flyzipline.com/covid-19/

Partnerships 
•

Local governments 

Technology Type 
•

Semi-autonomous robots and 
drones 

• https://www.voanews.com/covid-19-
pandemic/ghana-drones-help-combat-
covid-19

• GlobalHealth@flyzipline.com

• Already used for supplying blood to a network of 21 remotely located transfusion clinics in Rwanda and carrying more than 35%
of Rwanda’s blood supply, Zipline high speed drones are being used to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic by delivering vital packages
to clinics and hospitals over up to 85 km in Ghana and Rwanda, in about one-third the time it would take by car.

Objectives

• Reduce unnecessary hospital visits and lower the risk of exposure for non-infected patients by extending the reach of the

healthcare system to areas closer to their home.

• Deliver medical supplies to hospitals, clinics, healthcare workers or directly to patients.

• Carry samples from suspected coronavirus patients to labs in Ghana’s and Rwanda’s big cities, allowing the government to more

quickly monitor the spread of COVID-19.

Requirements 

Software & infrastructure 
o Electricity access
o Network access
o Internet access

Hardware & devices 
o Simple talk-and-text mobile devices
o Smartphone/tablet
o Computer 
o TV/radio stations

User qualifications 
o Ability to read and write 
o Special/technical qualifications

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 2

50

Worldwide: DHIS2 COVID-19 tracker, healthcare software

Priorities
P1.2: Digital tracking and 
monitoring

Target 
>  Government
> Healthcare personal
Countries of implementation
> Operational in 21 countries all over 
the world 
> In development in 26 countries 

Software developers 
• Health Information Systems 

Program (HISP)

• University of Oslo (UiO).

Partnerships 
• UNDP 
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• Ministry of Health 
Technology Type 
•

Specialised software 

Relevant links and contacts

• https://www.dhis2.org/development

•

covid@dhis2.org.

Description
• District Health Information 2 is the world's largest HMIS platform, in use by 67 low and middle-income countries. 2.3 billion
people live in countries where DHIS2 is used. DHIS2 has released a digital data package offering five main functionalities, to
accelerate case detection, situation reporting, active surveillance and response for COVID-19:

o COVID-19 case-based surveillance [tracker].
o Contact registration & follow-up programme [tracker].
o Ports of Entry screening & follow-up programme [tracker].
o COVID-19 surveillance event programme [event].
o COVID-19 aggregate surveillance [aggregate].

• Most solutions work-offline, enabling improved reach in locations with poor connectivity.

Objectives
• Improve information use in countries.
• Simplify support if there are standard solutions.
• Reporting on key indicators.
• Avoid reinventing the wheel in each country.
• Integrate disease programmes into (often) Health Management Information-run systems.

Requirements 

Software & infrastructure 
o Electricity access
o Network access
o Internet access

Hardware & devices 
o Simple talk-and-text mobile devices
o Smartphone/tablet
o Computer 
o TV/radio stations

User qualifications 
o Ability to read and write 
o Special/technical qualifications

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 2

51

mHero, an integrated digital health platform for health worker 
communication and coordination 

Priorities
P1.3: Proactive communication
P2.3: Prepare the healthcare 
ecosystem: workforce

Target 
>  Healthcare personal

Countries of implementation
> Sierra Leonne
> Uganda
> Guinea 

> Liberia 
> Mali 

Software developers 
• mHero

IntraHealth International

Partnerships 
•
• UNICEF
• USAID

Technology Type 
•

Specialised software

Relevant links and contacts

• https://www.mhero.org/faq#smart

• https://www.mhero.org/sites/mhero/files/

mherobrochureenglish2018.pdf

Description
• mHero is a system that connects health workers to health officials, to each other, and to critical information that can save lives,
using the basic mobile phones that most health workers already have. The platform facilitates two-way communication using
SMS messages to get critical information to frontline health workers in real time. Initially launched to address the Ebola crisis in
2014 by a consortium led by IntraHealth International and UNICEF, mHero offers ministries of health and health workers a
trusted channel of communication on a broad range of health services, including primary care, maternal and child health, family
planning, HIV, malaria, nutrition and disease surveillance.

Objectives
• Coordinate health promotion strategies and public health emergency responses.
• Train health workers on infection prevention and control and risk communication.
• Test health worker knowledge of COVID-19 responses through mini-quizzes.
• Report suspected COVID-19 cases and other high-priority diseases.
• Relay unanticipated stock outs of essential commodities such as sterile gloves, masks, and respirators.
• Reveal local health and safety concerns, including mental health and physical risks.

Requirements 

Software & infrastructure 
o Electricity access
o Network access
o Internet access

Hardware & devices 
o Simple talk-and-text mobile devices
o Smartphone/tablet
o Computer 
o TV/radio stations

User qualifications 
o Ability to read and write
o Special/technical qualifications

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 2

52

Uganda: Jumia using e-commerce to connect informal vendors and consumers

jobs: protecting jobs,

Priorities
P3.1: Secure the food supply: supply of
tracking &
priority products, pricing,
monitoring
P4.1: Protect
retraining for crisis needs
Preparation
P5.3:
preparation for "next normal"
Target 
> Population
> SMEs
Countries of implementation
> Uganda

recovery:

for

Software developers 
•

Jumia 

Partnerships 
• UNDP Uganda

Technology Type 
• E-commerce, produce delivery 

and equipment sharing 
platforms 

Relevant links and contacts

• https://group.jumia.com/covid-19-undp-
jumia-uganda-partner-to-link-market-
vendors-with-consumers-online/

• Michael Mubangizi, Communications 

Analyst, UNDP Uganda Email: 
michael.mubangizi@undp.org, 

• Tel: 0772147564

Description
• The UNDP in partnership with Jumia Uganda, have launched an online platform – to enable small and medium enterprises to
connect with consumers to sustain livelihoods in view of restrictions on movement, stay at home measures and social distancing
guidelines which were instituted as part of the measures to curtail further transmission of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
pandemic. Jumia Food will avail of its dedicated ordering platform via app and website that includes a last-mile distribution
network, diverse set of payment methods, quality assurance, facilitation of training for the vendors, and growth marketing.

• UNDP will provide smartphones, airtime, and data to be used by the market vendors.

Objectives
• Provide the informal sector and SMEs solutions to keep running and reaching customers during the COVID-19 crisis.
• Connect rural farmers with the urban market, keeping the supply chain for agricultural produce active and providing employment

and mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 on the economy.

• Reduce congestion in the markets and traffic jams around these markets and hence not only reducing the risk around spreading

the virus, but also increasing convenience of shopping

• For the initial six months, the innovation will benefit vendors in five markets: Nakasero, Nakawa, Wandegeya, Bugolobi, and

Kalerwe, all in Kampala city.

Requirements 

Software & infrastructure 
o Electricity access
o Network access
o Internet access

Hardware & devices 
o Simple talk-and-text mobile devices
o Smartphone/tablet
o Computer 
o TV/radio stations

User qualifications 
o Ability to read and write 
o Special/technical qualifications

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 2

53

Uganda: SafeBoda, delivery and logistics support with ride-hailing company

jobs: protecting jobs,

Priorities
P3.1: Secure the food supply: supply of
tracking &
priority products, pricing,
monitoring
P4.1: Protect
retraining for crisis needs
Preparation
P5.3:
preparation for "next normal"
Target 
> Population
> SMEs
Countries of implementation
> Uganda

recovery:

for

Software developers 
•

SafeBoda

Relevant links and contacts

Partnerships 
• UNCDF
• Kampala Capital City Authority
• Ministry of Kampala

Technology Type 
• E-commerce, produce delivery 

and equipment sharing 
platforms  

•

• https://www.uncdf.org/article/5577/uncdf-
and-safeboda-launch-an-e-commerce-
platform-for-food-and-grocery-home-
delivery-amid-covid-19-and-beyond

• https://safeboda.com/ng/index.php#howit

works

• Rachael

Kentenyingi
Management and Communications
rachael.kentenyingi@uncdf.org

-

Knowledge

Description
• Targeting an initial 800 market vendors, this e-commerce platform is connecting the market vendors to households that need a

range of supplies by using the preexisting reliable SafeBoda transport service.

• Through this partnership, UNCDF and SafeBoda will provide 800 market vendors access to the SafeBoda app, whereby they can
sell their produce while creating and maintaining the livelihoods of the 18 000 SafeBoda riders whose source of income has been
affected by the ban on public transport.

Requirements 

Software & infrastructure 
o Electricity access
o Network access
o Internet access

Objectives
• Catalyse the growth of the digital economy in Uganda by empowering populations to go digital and access previously out-of-
reach digital solutions that can help keep their businesses afloat, whilst ensuring that households do not run out of food supplies
– particularly with the temporary ban on public transport due to the coronavirus mitigation lockdown.

• Catalyse enterprise innovation and investment that will spur small businesses and consumers to embrace digital platforms in

their daily lives, which will in turn drive growth and sustainability.

• The partnership will also look to leverage SafeBoda’s riders and user base to share vital information and safety practices about

COVID-19. This will enable a projected average of 50 000 customers to be reached daily with food and goods delivery.

• After COVID-19, it is envisaged that customers will continue to use digital platforms after experiencing the convenience and
quality service of the SafeBoda e-commerce platform, which will increase inclusion and bolster resilience for similar future shocks
and stresses.

Hardware & devices 
o Simple talk-and-text mobile devices
o Smartphone/tablet
o Computer 
o TV/radio stations

User qualifications 
o Ability to read and write
o Special/technical qualifications

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 2

54

Eneza Education, revision and learning materials for basic feature phones

Priorities
P3.2: Maintain access to essential 
services: health & education, 
telecoms, utilities

Target 
> Population (students)

Countries of implementation
> Kenya 
> Ghana 
> Ivory Coast 

Description

Software developers 
• Eneza education 

Partnerships 
• UNESCO
•

Local telecom compagnies 

Relevant links and contacts

• https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationre

sponse/nationalresponses#AFRICA

• https://enezaeducation.com/

Technology Type 
• Edtech

• Learning solution for basic phones via USSD & texting messages, for students from 6 to 18 years old with dedicated content.

Objectives

• Ensure free and large access to education for students in lockdown situations through basic phones.

• Ensure access to education for students in rural areas with difficult access to schools, even without the lockdown situation.

Requirements 

Software & infrastructure 
o Electricity access
o Network access
o Internet access

Hardware & devices 
o Simple talk-and-text mobile devices
o Smartphone/tablet
o Computer 
o TV/radio stations

User qualifications 
o Ability to read and write 
o Special/technical qualifications

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 2

55

Ubongo, entertainment, mass media, and the connectivity of mobile devices
to deliver localised learning

Priorities
P3.2: Maintain access to 
essential services: health & 
education, telecoms, utilities

Target 
> Population (students)

Countries of implementation
> Several African countries: 
Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, 
Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, 
Uganda and Zambia. 

Description

Software developers 
• Ubango

Partnerships 
• UNESCO
• Other

Technology Type 
• Edtech

Relevant links and contacts

• https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationre

sponse/nationalresponses#AFRICA

• https://www.ubongo.org/

• As Africa's leading edutainment company, Ubongo creates fun, localised and multi-platform educational media that reaches

millions of families through accessible technologies.

Objectives

• Improve school readiness and learning outcomes for kids, and promote social and behavioral change for kids, caregivers and

educators.

• Ensure free and large-scale access to education for students in lockdown situations through basic phones.

• Ensure access to education for students in rural areas with difficult access to schools, even without the lockdown situation.

Requirements 

Software & infrastructure 
o Electricity access
o Network access
o Internet access

Hardware & devices 
o Simple talk-and-text mobile devices
o Smartphone/tablet
o Computer 
o TV/radio stations

User qualifications 
o Ability to read and write 
o Special/technical qualifications

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 2

56

Kenya: high-altitude balloons to supply internet to remote communities

Priorities
P3.2: Maintain access to 
essential services: health & 
education, telecoms, utilities

Target 
> Population

Partnerships
• Telkom Kenya
• Government of Kenya 

Countries of implementation
> Kenya

Technology Type 
Loon balloons 
•

Description

Software developers 
• Alphabet Inc 

Relevant links and contacts

• https://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/ne
ws_ext_content/ifc_external_corporate_sit
e/news+and+events/news/insights/telkom-
kenya

• https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/edut
ech/brief/how-countries-are-using-edtech-
to-support-remote-learning-during-the-
covid-19-pandemic

• Balloons – floating cell sites equipped to offer 4G connectivity to about 25 million Kenyans who lack coverage. Because each
internet-enabled balloon covers a large area – roughly 30 times greater than a ground-based system – Loon can provide service
to traditionally hard-to-reach or underserved regions. Loon’s balloons work by beaming internet connectivity from ground
stations to a balloon 20 km overhead. The signal is then sent across multiple balloons, creating a network of floating cell sites that
deliver connectivity directly to a user’s phone handset, router, or dongle.

Objectives

• Ensure access to internet in rural areas.
• Ensure education continuity for students during lockdown.
• Enable the connection of remote health clinics to the country’s national referral hospitals, other medical facilities, and emergency

services.

Requirements 

Software & infrastructure 
o Electricity access
o Network access
o Internet access

Hardware & devices 
o Simple talk-and-text mobile devices
o Smartphone/tablet
o Computer 
o TV/radio stations

User qualifications 
o Ability to read and write 
o Special/technical qualifications

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 2

57

Annex 3: Countries surveyed 

Country 

Questionnaire 

Interview conducted 

Angola 

Benin 
Central African Republic 

Chad 
Comoros 

Republic of Congo 
Djibouti 

Equatorial Guinea 
Eswatini 
Ethiopia 
Gambia 
Guinea 
Kenya 
Lesotho 
Liberia 
Mali 
Mauritania 
Mauritius 
Morocco 
Mozambique 
Niger 
Nigeria 
Rwanda 
Senegal 
Sierra Leone 

South Africa 
South Sudan 

Togo 
Tunisia 

Uganda 
Zimbabwe 

x 
x 

x 

x 
x 

x 
x 
x 
x 
x 

x 
x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 
x 

x 
x 

x 

x 
x 
x 
x 
x 
x 

x 

x 

x 

58 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acknowledgements 

Report coordinators 

The European Investment Bank is the financing arm of the European Union. It is financing billions of 
euros  in  projects  to  fight  the  coronavirus  pandemic  outside  the  European  Union.  This  support  will 
strengthen healthcare systems and sustain jobs in many countries around the world. 

The  United  Nations  Development  Programme  works  in  about  170  countries  and  territories, 
fighting  poverty  and  inequality.  The  programme  also  supports  development,  disaster-risk 
reduction and climate change. It is also helping countries meet the UN Sustainable Development 
Goals. 

BearingPoint is a management and technology consulting firm with European roots and a global reach. 
It works in more than 75 countries, including more than 25 African states. 

Research participants 

We would like to thank everyone who contributed to this study. They spent time giving us valuable 
information during an interview or in a questionnaire. The views they expressed do not necessarily 
reflect the positions of their institution. 

•  François  Abandza  –  Congo-Brazzaville  –  Managing  Director  of  Technological  Innovation, 

Ministry of Scientific Research and Technological Innovation 

•  Abdou Ambarka – Benin – ICT Head, Sèmè City 
•  Mohamed Assoweh – Djibouti – General Director, Djibouti Telecom 
•  Claude Borna – Benin – General Director of Sèmè City and initiator of the Task Force INNOV 

COVID-19 

•  Abdallah Diallo – Senegal – Smart Territory Manager, State IT Agency 
•  Melanio  Ebendeng  Oyana  –  Equatorial  Guinea  –  General  Director,  National  Center  for 

Informatisation of Public Administration in Equatorial Guinea (CNIAPGE) 

•  Alagie  Fadera  –  Gambia  –  Directorate  of  Development  Planning,  Ministry  of  Finance  and 

Economic Affairs 

•  André Gandala – Chad – Director of Communication, Ministry of the Post and New Information 

• 

Technologies 
Jone Heitor – Angola – National Director for the Development of Technological Innovation and 
University Professor, Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation 

•  Dr Behailu Kassaye – Ethiopia 
•  Rouffahi  Koabo  –  Niger  –  General  Director,  CIPMEN  (Centre  Incubateur  des  Petites  et 
Moyennes Entreprises du Niger – Niger Small and Medium Enterprises Incubator Centre) 
•  Rym Jarou – Tunisia – CEO of “Smart Tunisia”, Ministry of ICT and Digital Transformation 
•  HE Cina Lawson – Togo – Minister of Posts, Digital Economy and Technological Innovation 
•  Aminetou  Bowba  MBareck  –  Mauritania  –  President,  Réseau  des  Jeunes  Scientifiques 

Mauritaniens (Mauritanian Young Scientists Network) 

Africa’s digital solutions to tackle COVID-19 – Annex 4 

59 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
• 
• 

Jean M'Boliguipa – Central African Republic – University Professor, Bangui University 
Luc Missidimbazi – Congo-Brazzaville – Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Adviser, Prime 
Minister's Office 

•  Farhan Mohamed Bouh – Djibouti – Digital Strategy Consultant, Djibouti Telecom 
•  Sidi Mohamed Drissi Melyani – Morocco – General Director, Agence du Développement Digital 

(Digital Development Agency) 

•  Shandrai  Mugari  –  Zimbabwe  –  Deputy  Director  Innovation  &  Development,  Ministry  of 

Primary and Secondary Education  

•  Angelos  Munezero  –  Rwanda  –  Director  General  of  Innovation  and  Business  Development 

Department, Ministry of ICT and Innovation 

•  Chamsoudine  Mzaouiyani  –  Comoros  –  General  Director,  ANADEN  (Agence  Nationale  de 

Développement du Numérique - National Digital Development Agency) 

•  Bonga  Ndlangamandla  –  Eswatini – Executive Director, eGovernment Unit within  the Prime 

Minister’s Office 

•  Eric NDoumba – Congo-Brazzaville – Adviser to the Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and 

New Technologies 

•  Amadou Nyang – Gambia – Ministry of Information Communication Infrastructure 
•  Ronald Osumba – Kenya – CEO, iGov Africa 
•  Cassandre Pignon – Senegal - West Africa Regional Director, IDinsight  
•  Guy Rozenblum – Guinea – General Director, SkyVision Guinea 
•  Mohamed Lemine Salihi – Mauritania – General Direction of Information and Communication 
Technologies,  Ministry  of  Higher  Education  and  Scientific  Research,  Information  and 
Communication Technologies (MESRSTIC) 

•  Mouhamed Tidiane Seck – Senegal – Coordinator, Technical Committee DANNCOVID19 
•  David  Moinina  Sengeh  –  Sierra  Leone  –  Chief  Innovation  Officer,  Directorate  of  Science, 

Technology, and Innovation 

•  Eyob Tesfaye – Ethiopia – Program Director Financial Inclusion, UN Capital Development Fund 

Ethiopia 

•  Tuminsang  Thabela  –  Zimbabwe  –  Ministry  of  Primary  and  Secondary  Education,  Head  of 

Ministry and Permanent Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education 

60 

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Africa’s digital solutions  

to tackle COVID-19

July 2020

Africa’s digital solutions  

to tackle COVID-19

July 2020

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