Why your tech investment isn’t paying off: The digital transformation myth

Why your tech investment isn’t paying off: The digital transformation myth

Businesses across the continent are pouring millions into digital tools, platforms, and systems. Yet, the results remain underwhelming. Why? Because technology isn’t the solution. Without the right leadership, your shiny new systems are simply expensive distractions. Why your tech investment isn’t paying off: The digital transformation myth Dentsu BX SSA is here to cut through the noise. Launched across 11 African markets and part of the global BX team, their growth transformation initiative is led by Johan Walters, SSA business transformation strategy lead, and Wendy Case, SSA business transformation capability lead – the most experienced transformation duo in Africa. With decades of experience, they’ve delivered real change, not just talked about it. If you think transformation is just about adding a new platform or tool, think again. It’s about aligning your people with the technology and ensuring they fully adopt it. True transformation happens when people collaborate to achieve outcomes, they once thought impossible. Johan and Wendy have been at the forefront of transformation across Africa, leading digital and customer interaction journeys for major brands in banking, insurance, telecommunications, and retail. They’ve also partnered with global giants like Google and Meta. Now, as part of dentsu SSA, their focus […]

Ukraine's Ministry of Digital Transformation continues USAID projects but seeks alternative funding sources

Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation continues USAID projects but seeks alternative funding sources

Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation is continuing work on digital projects initially launched in partnership with USAID but is now seeking alternative funding sources in case the agency’s programs are not reinstated following a three-month audit, Deputy Minister Oleksandr Borniakov revealed. "USAID is indeed our strategic partner. We’ve done a lot with them—numerous digital projects. I can only share public information: they paused operations, an audit is ongoing for three months, and a decision will follow. We believe the digital initiatives will remain intact," Borniakov said at the WINWIN AI Center of Excellence presentation in Kyiv on Tuesday. According to Borniakov, the Ministry is actively working to attract alternative funding from other partner countries. "We’ve started discussions with other countries that also support us to replace USAID funding if their programs aren’t continued. Nothing critical has happened. Even if USAID halts operations entirely, I believe we’ll find ways to continue our digital projects," he said. Borniakov reminded that USAID also funds numerous initiatives outside the digital sector, including recovery processes and energy. However, a complete shutdown has not been confirmed. "As for alternative sources, the President of Ukraine has already looked into prioritizing certain projects, and I believe some […]

Qorgau: How Kazakhstan is Using AI to Make Roads Safer

Qorgau: How Kazakhstan is Using AI to Make Roads Safer

Credit: Bluescreen.kz Traffic management is a growing challenge for cities worldwide, requiring a balance between enforcement, efficiency, and public trust. In Kazakhstan, the Qorgau system is redefining road safety through an innovative fusion of artificial intelligence (AI), computer vision, and mobile technology. Designed to assist traffic police in real-time violation detection and enforcement, Qorgau represents a leap forward in smart policing. A digital approach to safer roads Since its implementation, the impact has been substantial. Road accidents in Kazakhstan have decreased by 30% , and the number of injured individuals has dropped from over 500 in 2019 to 338 in 2023 . At the same time, the system has streamlined the collection of traffic fines, raising compliance rates from 50.5% in 2017 to 88.1% in 2023. These improvements demonstrate the power of digital transformation in public safety. Qorgau’s mobile-first approach equips traffic police with a digital tool that integrates seamlessly with the country’s broader law enforcement infrastructure. The system uses AI-driven cameras to scan traffic in real time, detect violations such as speeding, running red lights, and improper lane usage, and immediately flag offenders. The results are sent to police officers’ tablets, allowing for quick decision-making without unnecessary vehicle […]

Unlocking business transformation: the power of marketing data and technology

Unlocking business transformation: the power of marketing data and technology

Image Credit: Shutterstock (Image credit: Shutterstock) In today’s fast-paced world, businesses face a perfect storm: rising customer expectations, talent shortages, and economic turbulence. The playing field isn’t level – while legacy organizations struggle to adapt, nimble start-ups are leveraging cutting-edge tech to disrupt industries. For established players, digital transformation isn’t just an option – it’s a lifeline. However, even with the most detailed roadmaps and the best intentions, business transformation is not a guaranteed success. In fact, around 70% of these projects fail to deliver positive results – something that has already cost over $2.3 trillion globally. Early buy-in is crucial, but difficult to achieve when stakeholders do not see tangible results in the initial phases of a project. Therefore, those looking to undertake transformation projects need to look for technologies and techniques that will enable them to achieve long-term ambitions as well as the first quick wins. This could generate more excitement around the transformation – both internally and externally – and ultimately help to prevent future failure. Dan Truman Group Chief Strategy Officer, UK&I, at dentsu. Marketing Tech: The Game Changer for Business Transformation Business leaders are often under heavy scrutiny when it comes to justifying investment […]

USAID’s Bureaucracy Stalled Digital Innovation Projects

USAID’s Bureaucracy Stalled Digital Innovation Projects

by Edwin Liava’a February 5th, 2025 Too Long; Didn’t Read While the potential shutdown of USAID represents a significant shift in American foreign policy, perhaps it also offers an opportunity to rethink how we approach international development. featured image – USAID’s Bureaucracy Stalled Digital Innovation Projects 1x Read by Dr. One Audio Presented by I was not going to write about this, but I just got confirmation from a former colleague that he is calling it a day with the Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership (DCCP) Pacific Project. The news of USAID’s potential shutdown, as announced through Elon Musk’s recent statements and Trump’s apparent agreement to dismantle the agency, stirred memories of my own journey with the organization. As I read the headlines this February 2025, I couldn’t help but reflect on my decision to resign from the USAID Digital Connectivity and Cybersecurity Partnership (DCCP) Pacific Project in December 2023. Sometimes, our instincts warn us of approaching storms before they appear on the horizon. My role as Objective 4 Lead for the DCCP Pacific Project began with immense hope and excitement. The initiative, launched in Suva during August 2023, promised to transform digital connectivity across the Pacific region. We […]

A procurement digital transformation survival guide for practitioners: How to embrace digital without getting lost on the way

A procurement digital transformation survival guide for practitioners: How to embrace digital without getting lost on the way

Adobe Stock Procurement has evolved from a back-office function to a strategic driver of innovation and value. While technology is at the heart of this shift, jumping on the digital bandwagon isn’t always as simple as plugging in some shiny new software. Real transformation demands a mix of creativity, strategy and much patience. Change management isn’t a sidekick in this story; it’s the star of the show. So, to support organizations and practitioners who are undergoing a transformation fueled by digital or are looking at launching such an initiative, Spend Matters will publish a series of posts and other content over the next few months that focuses on the digital transformation of procurement and change management. Because such a critical endeavor is too often not entirely successful, our series will be a sort of ‘survival guide’ for practitioners and will cover: Setting the stage : what digital transformation is and what it means for procurement; how to recognize the need; what are the unique barriers, pitfalls and lessons from failed initiatives. Building the foundation : where to start; how to build a digital roadmap; the critical role of data; identifying quick and long-term wins; how to make the case […]

Bouygues strengthens ties with AWS in digital transformation drive

Bouygues strengthens ties with AWS in digital transformation drive

French conglomerate Bouygues, of which network operator Bouygues Telecom and broadcaster TF1 are subsidiaries, has built on its long-standing relationship with Amazon Web Services (AWS) in order to accelerate digital transformation across all the group’s operations. This new strategic partnership covers a number of initiatives that will rely on AWS’ cloud expertise and generative AI capabilities.

Vandet: Telco ministry driving Cambodia's digital transformation

Vandet: Telco ministry driving Cambodia’s digital transformation

National Publication date Reporter : Vong Oun More Topic The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications has shared several of its achievements of the past five years The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications has shared several of its achievements of the past five years at a special February 5 conference held to summarise Cambodia’s digital transformation journey. Telecommunications minister Chea Vandet told the assembled dignitaries how the ministry launched several initiatives to accelerate Cambodia’s digital transformation, including the development of the “Stop Covid” QR Code system and the Covid-19 vaccination platform. The ministry’s efforts also included the import and distribution of rapid testing kits and medication to treat the virus. He described how the ministry’s forward-thinking approach resulted in the creation of four major national strategies aimed at advancing the digital sector during the pivotal years of 2020 to 2024, each of them approved by the Royal Government. They include Cambodia’s Digital Economy and Society Policy Framework 2021-2035, Cambodia Digital Government Policy 2022-2035, Postal Sector Development Policy 2022-2030 and phase one of the seventh mandate government’s Pentagonal Strategy. The event was also an opportunity for the minister to outline the direction for future developments in the sector. “These documents serve […]

Top 10 Logistics Technology for Digital Transformation [2025]

Top 10 Logistics Technology for Digital Transformation [2025]

Share this: Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) The logistics industry is expanding due to the exponential growth of the e-commerce sector over the past decade. The global digital logistics market size is projected to reach USD 120.33 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 17.8%. In this guide, we explore advanced logistics technology that is digitizing operations. We will also cover how logistics companies can successfully implement these technologies for exponential growth. Key Takeaways The Time to Act Is Now : Digital transformation is revolutionizing logistics, and early adoption is key to staying competitive. Top 10 Digital Transformation Technologies in the Logistics Industry [2025] Artificial Intelligence (AI) Internet of Things (IoT) Blockchain Cloud Computing Robotics Digital Twins 5G Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR and VR) Autonomous Vehicles and Drones Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Key Benefits : Digitization in logistics enhances efficiency, cost savings, real-time visibility, and customer experience. Step-by-Step Guide : A step-by-step approach ensures seamless logistics transformation and technology adoption. Future Trends : Quantum computing, AI-powered robotics, autonomous systems, and sustainable energy will shape logistics innovation. […]

CGI Inc. (GIB) Wins ACCA India Award for AI-Driven Digital Transformation with CGI DigiOps

CGI Inc. (GIB) Wins ACCA India Award for AI-Driven Digital Transformation with CGI DigiOps

We recently compiled a list of the 12 AI News and Ratings You Should Not Miss . In this article, we are going to take a look at where CGI Inc. (NYSE:GIB) stands against the other AI stocks investors shouldn’t miss. As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, investors are closely watching the opportunities emerging in both private and public markets. While some companies have been treated as clear winners, industry experts argue that the race is still in its early stages. Lower financial barriers for startups and increasing demand for AI-driven solutions are reshaping the competitive space, with many companies expected to gain traction in the coming years. The discussion around AI investment is growing, with venture capitalists and analysts weighing in on what the future holds. The Evolution of AI Investment in Private and Public Markets Rick Heitzmann, founder of FirstMark Capital, joined ‘Closing Bell’ to discuss the AI private market and investment opportunities, emphasizing that the industry is still in its early stages. He noted that while some have treated certain AI companies as definitive winners, the sector is still evolving, with both infrastructure and applications continuing to develop. He agreed with Mark Cuban’s view, who said […]