Artificial Intelligence

Afrobarometer (www.Afrobarometer.org) has appointed four distinguished professionals to its board of directors, strengthening the organisation's commitment to rigorous research, youth leadership, and citizen-centred evidence.

The new board members bring expertise spanning governance, elections, youth empowerment, technology, and finance. The appointees are:

• Bupe Lughano Kabaghe (https://apo-opa.co/4aqwCho), a governance and development professional specialising in policy research, stakeholder engagement, and youth empowerment. With experience across Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States, she designs and delivers initiatives that promote inclusion and sustainable development. She holds a master's degree in global governance and diplomacy from the University of Oxford and is the founder of the Abana Afrika Foundation, which has empowered more than 450 young people through leadership and advocacy programmes.
• Mathias Hounkpe (https://apo-opa.co/4aZ4dPA), a Beninese elections and governance expert with more than 20 years of experience promoting democratic processes in West Africa. He currently serves as country representative of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) in Gabon and previously led IFES programmes in Mali and Chad. A former head of the Open Society Initiative for West Africa's Political Governance and Democratic Consolidation programme, he is also a lecturer on elections and governance and co-author of a comparative study on electoral-management bodies in West Africa.
• Rita Sraha (https://apo-opa.co/4rXu68u), a chartered accountant and business consultant with extensive experience in finance, corporate governance, and strategic management. She currently serves as acting managing director and board member of Ghana Post Company Ltd. Over a career spanning nearly three decades, she has held senior leadership roles at Kwame Asante & Associates and worked across both private and public sectors in Ghana and internationally.
• Sherif Helal (https://apo-opa.co/4arafbx), an Egyptian electrical engineer focused on applying technology and artificial intelligence to social and economic development. With a background in engineering and innovation, he works at the intersection of technology, business, and the public good and is developing the Social Knowledge Engine, an AI-powered concept designed to foster accountability, data sharing, and inclusive growth.

Afrobarometer Board Chair Amina Oyagbola said the new members reflect the organisation's strategic focus on youth leadership, accountable governance, and technological transformation.

“Africa's future will be shaped by a new generation of leaders and by how effectively we harness technology for the public good,” Oyagbola said. “Our new members bring strong credentials in youth leadership, governance, and digital innovation, reinforcing Afrobarometer's capacity to generate citizen-centred data that speaks to the aspirations of young Africans and supports evidence-based decision making across the continent.”

For more information, please contact:
Maame Akua Amoah Twum
Afrobarometer communications manager
Email: maameakua@afrobarometer.org
Telephone: +233208326343

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About Afrobarometer:
Afrobarometer (AB) is a trusted source of high-quality data and analysis on what Africans are thinking. With an unmatched track record of 430,000+ interviews in 45 countries, representing the views of more than three-fourths of the African population, AB is leading the charge to bridge the continent's data gap. AB data inform many global indices, such as the Ibrahim Index of African Governance, Transparency International's Global Corruption Barometer, and the World Bank's Worldwide Governance Indicators. The data are also used for country risk analyses and by credit rating and forecasting agencies such as the Economist Intelligence Unit. All AB data sets are publicly available on the AB website and may be analysed free of charge using AB's online data analysis tool.

Visit us online at www.Afrobarometer.org.

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For the 17th consecutive year, Orange (www.Orange.com) is proud to announce its sponsorship of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025 that will take place in Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.

As a major telecommunications player, the Group provides connectivity and innovative services to ensure an optimal experience for fans, players and media across the continent. For this edition held in Morocco, ten of the national teams are from countries where Orange operates, and six are sponsored by Orange.

This partnership reflects the shared commitment of Orange and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to promote inclusive, innovative and accessible African football.

Max it: the AI enriched super-app at the heart of the fan experience

With over 22 million active users across 15 countries, the Max it mobile app will be at the core of Orange's digital offering during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025. This all-in-one super-app enhances the supporters' experience through the “Digital Fan Zone,” allowing real-time updates on the competition. It will also enable users to watch matches live, access interviews and summaries, and even create their avatar to share their passion for football within their community.

This space is complemented by a conversational bot, “MaxGoal,” equipped with advanced artificial intelligence technology. MaxGoal can instantly respond to fans' questions (schedule, results, standings, etc.) in French, English, or Arabic, and also understands some local languages like Wolof or Darija for an even more inclusive experience.

A tournament under the sign of inclusion

Additionally, Orange will set up physical Fan Zones in several African countries to allow everyone to experience the competition in a friendly atmosphere. In Morocco, solidarity Fan Zones will be created within 25 local associations, including youth centers, for the benefit of children from urban and rural areas. These spaces will be equipped by Orange with screens, connectivity, and technical devices, ensuring equitable access and an immersive experience for all.

In the same spirit, Orange Digital Center Champions 2025, organized ahead of the football tournament, brought together over 1,300 young talents from 14 African and Middle Eastern countries around coding challenges. This initiative illustrates Orange's commitment to fostering dialogue between sport and innovation, celebrating African talent, creativity, and youth.

Yasser Shaker, CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, comments: "We are proud of our partnership with CAF, because football is more than just a sport — it's a shared passion that unites and empowers communities across Africa. This year, with Max it, we are bringing our digital vision to life by delivering a fully integrated experience. Our customers can now immerse themselves in the excitement of the AFCON fan zone and experience the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025 — closer than ever to the action. This initiative reflects our deep commitment to supporting our customers' love for football and creating unforgettable moments that inspire and bring together millions across the continent. Together, we celebrate the spirit of football — a symbol of hope, unity, and shared dreams.”

Whether in Africa or Europe, Orange is committed to the sustainable development of football and the promotion of diversity. Sport, and football in particular, is a powerful vector of inclusion that connects millions of people, bridges cultures, and inspires African youth. Through innovation and solidarity, Orange continues to affirm its role as a key player in the development of sport on the continent.

Orange has been the official and exclusive global telecom partner of CAF since 2008. In this role, Orange is currently supporting the continent's major competitions, including:

• CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2024
• CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025
• TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025
• CAF School Championship 2025/26

Press Contacts:
Stella Fumey
stella.fumey@orange.com

Tom Wright
tom.wright @orange.com

Follow us on:
X: @ orangegrouppr

About Orange:
Orange is one of the world's leading telecommunications operators with revenues of 40.3 billion euros in 2024 and 124,600 employees worldwide at 30 June 2025, including 68,700 employees in France. The Group has a total customer base of 300 million customers worldwide at 30 June 2025, including 262 million mobile customers and 22 million fixed broadband customers. These figures account for the deconsolidation of certain activities in Spain following the creation of MASORANGE. The Group is present in 26 countries (including non-consolidated countries).

Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies under the brand Orange Business. In February 2023, the Group presented its strategic plan "Lead the Future", built on a new business model and guided by responsibility and efficiency. "Lead the Future" capitalizes on network excellence to reinforce Orange's leadership in service quality.

Orange is listed on Euronext Paris (symbol ORA).

For more information on the internet and on your mobile: www.Orange.com, www.Orange-Business.com and the Orange News app.

Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trademarks of Orange or Orange Brand Services Limited.

About Orange Africa and Middle East (OMEA):
Orange is present in 18 countries in Africa and the Middle East and has more than 173 million customers at 30 November 2025. With 7.7 billion euros of revenues in 2024, Orange MEA is the first growth area in the Orange group. Orange Money, its flagship mobile-based money transfer and financial services offer is available in 17 countries and has more than 100 million customers. Orange, multi-services operator, key partner of the digital transformation provides its expertise to support the development of new digital services in Africa and the Middle East.

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KoçDigital (http://www.KocDigital.com), Türkiye's pioneering technology company, continues to expand its vision of regional leadership by strengthening its presence across the MENA region. As part of this strategy, the company made a strong impact at Industrial Transformation Saudi Arabia | ITSA 2025, one of the region's most prominent technology and industrial transformation events.

During the exhibition, KoçDigital represented Türkiye while deepening its leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) across the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. As one of the 27 strategic technology partners of the Advanced Manufacturing and Production Center (AMPC) established under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, KoçDigital further accelerated its regional growth agenda.

Trusted industrial transformation partner in MENA

At ITSA 2025, the company showcased its advanced AI-driven solutions and participated in the official signing ceremony as one of the 27 strategic technology partners of the Advanced Manufacturing and Production Center (AMPC), supporting the Future Factories Program, which aims to accelerate the transformation of more than 4,000 factories across the Kingdom. The event brought together key stakeholders shaping the region's industrial future, positioning KoçDigital as a trusted transformation partner in MENA.

KoçDigital stated that MENA is a strategic priority for the company, not only in terms of market expansion but also as a region where they can create measurable industrial impact through artificial intelligence. The company added that its participation in ITSA 2025 reflects its commitment to supporting Vision 2030 and delivering scalable, end-to-end industrial transformation solutions that enhance productivity, resilience, and sustainability across the region.

High level visitors, strategic collaborations

As part of ITSA 2025, KoçDigital announced strategic collaborations with Zain KSA, one of the region's leading telecommunications operators, and Experts Vision Consulting (EVC) to accelerate regional digital transformation initiatives. These partnerships aim to combine advanced AI capabilities with local expertise to deliver high-impact industrial solutions across MENA.

KoçDigital's stand also welcomed high-level visits from Prof. Dr. Emrullah İşler, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and H.E. Ahmed Al-Zawawi, Assistant Deputy Minister of the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, further underlining the company's strategic role in MENA's industrial transformation ecosystem.

Expanding growth potential in the region

KoçDigital also contributed to the “Industrial Transformation Journey” panel at ITSA 2025, where its AI-based operational models, scalable digital platforms, and Lighthouse-level manufacturing capabilities were discussed as key enablers of next-generation production and operational excellence.

The company's Platform360, an Industry 4.0 and AI-infused manufacturing platform, was demonstrated live throughout the event. The demo area hosted in-depth discussions with technology leaders and industry executives, highlighting the growing demand for KoçDigital's solutions and the company's expanding growth potential in the region.

Contact:
Janset Akışık
jansetakisik@cpartner.com.tr

About KoçDigital:
KoçDigital empowers companies to maximize resilience, competitiveness, and sustainability through cutting-edge AI-integrated solutions in Data Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, Industrial IoT & Industry 4.0, and Supply Chain Transformation.

A subsidiary of Koç Holding— Türkiye's largest conglomerate—KoçDigital drives ‘Factories of the Future' initiatives by deploying AI-infused manufacturing analytics, operational excellence, digital-twin, and supply-chain planning at production sites across Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and the wider Middle East.

With more than 300 experts and over 500 successful transformation projects across 14 countries and 150+ clients, KoçDigital develops solutions for competitive operations, benchmarked against global standards—cementing its reputation as the region's trusted digital-transformation partner.

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The EU-accredited online institution responds to the growing demand for AI, Cybersecurity, and Data Science skills by providing flexible learning opportunities for students from around the world.

Responding to Africa's Growing Demand for Digital Skills

Throughout African markets, businesses in the banking, energy, telecom, logistics, IT services, and public administration sectors are stepping up their hunt for specialists in AI, data science, software development, and cybersecurity.

“The future of work demands educational institutions that combine rigorous European academic standards with the flexibility professionals require,” said Professor Francesco Profumo, Rector of OPIT and former Italian Minister of Education.

OPIT's EU accreditation assures that its BSc in Computer Science provides a globally recognized degree, which is a significant benefit for African professionals seeking career advancement or transitioning into high-growth sectors driven by artificial intelligence and digital transformation.

A Flexible and High-Quality Pathway for Working Professionals

OPIT's BSc in Computer Science is designed to provide students with a solid technical foundation in:

• Software Development
• AI and Machine Learning
• Data Science and Analytics
• Cybersecurity
• Cloud Computing and Emerging Technologies

The program's competency-based learning model enables students to progress and manage their studies with demanding job and family commitments. Courses incorporate hands-on projects and real-world scenarios to guarantee that graduates are job-ready.

OPIT's international faculty brings experience from major institutions and corporations such as Amazon, MIT, Microsoft, McKinsey, and Morgan Stanley, ensuring that academic excellence meets market requirements.

Student Voices: African Professionals Advancing Without Pausing Their Careers

First-hand experiences from current African students show OPIT's role in supporting career progression while maintaining work-life balance:

“OPIT's learning model, with optional live sessions and expertly curated asynchronous study materials, allows you to fit a high-quality accredited program into an already demanding work schedule.” - Charles Watson Ndethi Kibaki, OPIT student

“OPIT challenged me to think strategically, not just as a technical expert, but as someone who can influence high-level organizational decision-making.” - Obiora Awogu, OPIT student

These experiences represent a bigger trend across the African continent: professionals are consciously pursuing programs that combine global academic standards with instant applicability to the industry.

Applications Now Open

African professionals looking to boost their careers in software development, AI, cybersecurity, or data science can now apply for OPIT's January 2026 BSc in Computer Science intake.

The Open Institute of Technology, OPIT, a fully online and EU-accredited higher education institution that specializes in technology disciplines, is now accepting applications for its mid-January 2026 intake for the BSc in Computer Science, reinforcing its commitment to meeting Africa's growing demand for advanced digital skills.

In the last few years, OPIT has seen an increase in the number of applicants from Nigeria, Cameroon, South Africa, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Kenya have enrolled at OPIT. African students now represent 20% of OPIT's international student base, reflecting the continent's accelerating interest in practical, industry-aligned tech education.

OPIT - Open Institute of Technology, a fully online and EU-accredited higher education institution that specializes in technology disciplines, is now accepting applications for its mid-January 2026 intake for the BSc in Computer Science, reinforcing its commitment to meeting Africa's growing demand for advanced digital skills.

About OPIT:
OPIT - Open Institute of Technology is an EU-accredited online institution dedicated to offering high-quality and affordable education in technology and digital disciplines. Its degrees follow a competency-based learning method and are taught in English by international faculty. OPIT's mission is to unlock global career opportunities by training the next generation of leaders in computer science, digital business, data science, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.

More information: www.OPIT.com

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