By Myles Donnelly, Head of Sales and Marketing at ICE Tech
At ICE Tech, I’ve seen first-hand how technology can transform the way governments serve their citizens and how trade moves across Africa. When borders become smarter and systems more efficient, it’s not just governments that benefit, it’s businesses, citizens, and entire economies.
Smarter borders, stronger economies
Take Beitbridge, one of the busiest border posts in Africa. Before our intervention, freight could sit for up to 72 hours. Today, those wait times are down to just three hours, and in some cases, under an hour for empty vehicles. That kind of efficiency has a direct impact on GDP. Roads remain the backbone of African trade, and by unlocking border flow, we’re enabling governments to strengthen compliance and revenue while improving the experience for drivers, transporters, and citizens alike.
Revolutionary governments
What makes our work possible are the governments we partner with. Leaders who I would call truly revolutionary. These are governments that want to be at the forefront of digital transformation, putting citizens at the centre. In many ways, Africa is moving faster than a lot of its counterparts when it comes to adopting digital frameworks. That vision inspires us to deliver the very best technology.
Public-private partnerships that last
One of the reasons ICE Tech succeeds is because we’re not afraid to share in the risk. Many governments need to prioritize healthcare or social development, which means digitization budgets aren’t always there. Through our public-private partnership (PPP) model, we invest upfront in these projects. Governments then benefit from the revenue generated, creating a win-win model that delivers impact long after implementation.
Built in Africa, for Africa
What makes us different is that ICE Tech was born and built in Africa. We design our products for this environment. Our tech is adaptable and able to withstand the realities of connectivity challenges, power fluctuations, and complex legislative frameworks. We also take data sovereignty seriously, ensuring citizen data stays secure and under government control. That’s why our message of being African-built, African-proven resonates so strongly with our partners.
Towards a borderless Africa
Looking ahead, I believe ICE Tech has a critical role to play in enabling the African Continental Free Trade Area. Today we are digitizing borders and improving trade corridors. Tomorrow, I can see us moving towards a reality where borders become virtual—where goods travel seamlessly across the continent, much like in the EU. That’s the future we’re building towards.
Respecting local nuance
No two African countries are the same. Each has its own laws, processes, and ways of working. We pride ourselves on adapting our systems to meet those local nuances. In some places, regulations can change overnight, and our technology is flexible enough to adjust quickly. That adaptability is what makes us thrive in diverse environments.
Building trust in digital transformation
For governments that are still early in their digital journey, trust is key. We work closely with stakeholders at every level, advise on best practices, and support change management to ensure digitization isn’t an external imposition. It becomes a process governments own and drive. That’s how short-term clients become long-term partners.
Citizens at the centre
While governments are our direct clients, the citizens are the ultimate beneficiaries. Faster border processing means lower costs for businesses, better working conditions for drivers, and more efficient services for everyday people. Our work is about improving lives across Africa.
Unlocking potential
At the heart of everything we do is a simple message: unlocking potential. I believe African governments and their people have extraordinary capacity. Our role at ICE Tech is to empower them with the tools to realize it. When governments succeed, we succeed, and most importantly, Africa succeeds.
