E-Business
Gowu, TICON President says Africa’s Data Revolution Must Drive Climate Finance Transparency
Amid global climate negotiations, as we move closer to implementing the Baku to Belém Roadmap with COP30 being held this month, Africa finds itself at a critical juncture.
David Gowu, President of Technology Information Confederation Africa (TICON Africa) said, the continent must not only secure its share of what is projected to be a $1.3 trillion climate investment pipeline, but also prove it is worthy of this financing.
This is key when the Roadmap requires that funding be used effectively, transparently, and in an equitable manner. None of this money can be wasted at a time when Africa urgently requires assistance in limiting the adverse effects of climate change.
If climate finance transparency is the backbone of the Baku to Belém Roadmap, then African technology companies must be its vital organs, tracking climate investment from disbursement to measurable climate outcomes through the intelligent use of data.
Across the continent, businesses are deploying artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and data analytics – from precision agriculture in Kenya to forest-monitoring systems in the Congo Basin. These examples show that the technological capability already exists.
Despite this, Africa’s tech sector remains largely sidelined from building the public sector technology and capability needed to track and report climate investment impact.
While African startups build innovative monitoring solutions, they’re rarely commissioned to create the government tracking systems that could address corruption, the very issue that sees billions in climate finance lost to misappropriation across the globe each year. The result is a persistent data gap that limits access to finance, weakens accountability, and undermines global transparency goals.
Africa needs to ensure that any use of climate finance is beyond reproach.
Why data matters
Data, when turned into information, transforms investment into outcome. It enables us to see whether money is being used effectively and whether promises are being kept. This is key for good governance – something Africa has been criticised for lacking.
When we have these insights, climate finance becomes measurable, comparable, and verifiable, building the trust required for long-term financing partnerships.
African countries contribute minimally to global carbon emissions, yet they are highly vulnerable to climate change. The effects include increased water stress, reduced agricultural yields, and heightened inequality. Millions have been displaced by drought, floods, and crop failures – all because the globe is getting too hot, too fast.
For Africa to reach Net Zero, we will need around $2.8 trillion – and that figure is already out of date. The African Development Bank Group estimates corruption amounts to around $10 billion, which is money lost to healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Many observers believe the true figure is much higher.
There is a solution. We can use Africa’s skilled data scientists and expert software developers to track financial flows and help reduce the money leaving our shores each year. In doing so, we strengthen governance through transparency, accountability, and data-driven oversight, which is a safeguard for Africa’s climate future.
African solutions for African challenges
Moreover, data helps us identify where urgent intervention will make the greatest difference and lift communities out of crisis. Why not use the talent already available on the continent? This will create much-needed jobs while skilling up the next generation of data scientists.
Africa already has AI-driven climate models and satellite-enabled monitoring of forests and farmlands. These are powerful examples of what’s possible when local expertise meets local context.
African companies are proving that technology built on the continent can solve global problems. Let’s harness the skills we have at home to ensure money is used as intended and directed where it’s most needed.
African data scientists bring two critical advantages: technical capability and on-the-ground knowledge. They understand local realities, governance structures, and community needs in ways external actors cannot. They know which regions face the most urgent threats and where funding will have the greatest impact.
This combination of technical sophistication and contextual intelligence is exactly what the transparency challenge demands. It is also how we will demonstrate good governance through measurable impact.
A matter of urgency
The Baku to Belém Roadmap created the framework for coordinated international action. Now African innovation must fill it with substance.
International donors and multilateral institutions should prioritise partnerships with African technology companies when building climate finance tracking infrastructure.
African governments must recognise their domestic tech sectors as strategic climate assets, investing in digital public infrastructure that supports transparent climate governance.
And African companies should step forward with confidence, knowing that their locally developed solutions can meet and even set global standards.
The technology exists. The talent exists. The urgency is undeniable.
Africa can lead the world in climate finance transparency, if we choose to trust our own capabilities and act with the speed this moment demands.
Nigeria has taken a major step toward strengthening its digital governance framework as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) officially assumes control of the Nigeria Government Enterprise Architecture (NGEA) infrastructure.
The handover ceremony held in Abuja, marks the culmination of a high-level partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
This transition signals a shift from fragmented IT projects to a unified, disciplined approach to national digital investment.
The NGEA initiative forms a core part of the e-Government Masterplan 2.0 (Ne-GMP 2.0), aimed at establishing a unified and structured approach to managing government IT investments and digital resources.
The framework is designed to ensure that technology deployment across public institutions aligns with national priorities while improving efficiency and accountability.
With the system now operational, government agencies are expected to adopt more integrated digital processes, allowing seamless data sharing and interoperability.
This is anticipated to reduce duplication, strengthen risk management, and translate policy objectives into measurable digital outcomes.
Over the past two and a half years, Nigerian technical experts worked closely with their Korean counterparts to develop the architecture framework, create reference models, and execute pilot programmes in key institutions.
These include the National Identity Management Commission, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, and NITDA.
Officials say the NGEA represents a shift from fragmented digital efforts to a more coordinated, citizen-focused system.
The infrastructure is hosted by Galaxy Backbone Limited, providing a secure and reliable platform for nationwide deployment.
Looking ahead, NITDA is expected to work with government stakeholders to expand and sustain the system, while the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy will provide policy guidance to ensure its adoption across the country.
Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, has said the government is shifting focus from expanding access to ensuring “meaningful connectivity” that drives economic growth and inclusion.
Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy
The minister made the statement on Friday while addressing stakeholders at the inauguration of board members of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) in Abuja.
He said that although Nigeria had made significant progress since the introduction of GSM services, millions of people, particularly in rural and underserved communities, remain either unconnected or unable to fully benefit from digital services.
Dr Tijani highlighted ongoing investments in digital infrastructure, including plans to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic network and nearly 4,000 telecom towers nationwide.
He said initiatives under the USPF had improved access through projects such as rural connectivity and digital facilities in schools but stressed that the next phase must prioritise effective usage.
“It is not enough to connect a community. We must ensure that schools can teach with digital tools and that small businesses can access market opportunities,” he said, citing a pilot project in the Kura community where connectivity has enhanced access to communication, education and healthcare.
Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) also called for a shift towards meaningful connectivity, noting that while data usage had grown significantly, it remained concentrated in urban areas.
According to him, recent data shows that telecom usage has increased by about 160% over the past two years, largely driven by urban demand.
“When we drill down, we see that a lot of that growth is actually in urban centres. So, the gap between those who are not connected or not meaningfully connected is growing,” he said.
Dr Maida added that the trend underscored the need for the USPF board to intensify efforts to bridge both access and usage gaps across the country.
Both officials emphasised the importance of collaboration, sustainable investment models and improved digital literacy to ensure that connectivity translates into real economic benefits for Nigerians.
A jury in Los Angeles has found technology companies, Meta and Google liable for contributing to a young woman’s social media addiction, in a case being described as a landmark ruling.
The 20-year-old woman, identified only as Kaley, argued that she became addicted to Google’s YouTube and Meta’s Instagram from an early age due to their attention-driven design features.
According to her testimony, she began using YouTube at the age of six after downloading the app on her iPod Touch to watch videos about lip gloss and online games.
Kaley told the court that she joined Instagram at nine, bypassing parental restrictions put in place by her mother, and spent extended periods on social media.
The trial, which lasted about a month, with arguments and evidence from both sides.
Jurors also heard testimony from Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive, Meta and Adam Mosseri, Instagram head.
However, Neal Mohan, YouTube chief executive, did not testify.
The jury found that the companies were negligent in the design of their platforms and failed to adequately warn users about potential harms. Meta and Google were ordered to pay the woman $3 million in damages.
Jurors also recommended additional punitive damages, including $900,000 against YouTube and $2.1 million against Meta, according to company spokespersons.
The jury apportioned 70 per cent of the responsibility to Meta and 30 per cent to YouTube.
Kaley was present in the courtroom when the verdict was delivered, alongside parents of other teenagers who say they were harmed by social media use. Both companies said they plan to appeal the decision.
“We respectfully disagree with the verdict and will appeal. Teen mental health is profoundly complex and cannot be linked to a single app. We will continue to defend ourselves vigorously as every case is different, and we remain confident in our record of protecting teens online”, a Meta spokesperson said.
José Castañeda, Google spokesperson, said the case misunderstands YouTube, which is a responsibly built streaming platform, not a social media site.
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