Mastercard Foundation EdTech

Applications open for 3rd Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship in Kenya

Following the successful conclusion of the second entrepreneurship acceleration program, applications are now being accepted for the third cohort of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship in Kenya. The Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship is an entrepreneurship acceleration program that was introduced in 2019 and provides funding to promising ed-tech businesses in Africa. It gives ed-tech startups…

Trendships Instagram

Instagram introduces “Trendships” – A new term that celebrates social connections through DMs

With 3.5 billion Reels reshared daily, Trendships embrace the relationships forged while sharing meme-worthy, light-hearted or meaningful content via Direct Messages  Instagram has launched a regional campaign to celebrate a form of connection emerging through Direct Messages (DMs). Recognizing how the act of sharing relatable memes and light-hearted content with friends, family and acquaintances is…

TCVP

Africa-based VC firm TCVP has made 18 early-stage investments in the last 3 years.

Located in Africa, The Continent Venture Partners (TCVP) is an early-stage investment firm that has quietly made 18 investments in the previous three years, supporting tech-driven businesses to help them achieve impact, profitability, and continental reach. TCVP was founded in 2020 by managing partner Carisa Graf-Suleman and general partners Salim Suleman and Olufemi Oyinsan. The…

Elon Musk’s xAI

Elon Musk’s xAI is reportedly planning to launch a ChatGPT-like standalone app soon.

According to reports, Elon Musk’s xAI is expected to release a stand-alone app as early as next month. Despite being a latecomer to the artificial intelligence (AI) area, xAI has made rapid progress in catching up. The AI company has apparently started testing a free version of the AI model, published a function-calling capability within…

Global Startup Awards

15 winners in the Africa leg of the Global Startup Awards.

Fifteen firms, groups, and individuals were selected winners at the African leg of the Global Startup Awards (GSA), and they will now go to the global final. Global Startup Awards (GSA) Africa, in conjunction with the Global Innovation Initiative Group (GIIG), recently announced the 15 African winners during the GSA Africa Finale in Cape Town,…

AfriTECH 4.0

AfriTECH 4.0: Obadare Highlights How African Countries Can Benefit from Emerging Technologies

Chief Visionary Officer, Digital Encode Limited, Dr. Obadare Peter Adewale speaking at the Africa Tech Alliance (AfriTECH 4.0) Forum in Lagos, has highlighted the critical roles AI, blockchain, cryptocurrency, and cybersecurity can play in Africa’s technological landscape. Obadare whose presentation titled “Navigating The Future of Technology In Africa: The Intersection of AI, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency and Cybersecurity,” examined…

Africa Fintech Accelerator

Visa selects 19 startups from 3rd Africa Fintech Accelerator

The third edition of Visa’s biennial Africa Fintech Accelerator, which gives businesses access to resources, industry connections, and mentorship to help them develop their creative solutions, has chosen 19 entrepreneurs from throughout the continent to participate. The Africa Fintech Accelerator was started in 2023 in accordance with Visa’s commitment to invest $1 billion USD in…

Nigeria's creative sector

New programme launched to help women, youth thrive in Nigeria’s creative sector

Venture Garden Group (VGG), a Nigerian VC company, is partnering with Ascend Studios and USAID to create innovative and capable projects to help women and young people thrive in Nigeria’s creative sector. Africa Creative Blueprint strengthens Nigerian youth with the skills and resources they need to compete in the creative industry and elevates Nigerian creatives…

Data Centers
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The Sentinel of Security: Facial Recognition’s Role in Securing Data Centers

$5,600 lost every single minute. That’s how much the average data center sacrifices during moments of downtime, a relentless drain on resources that sends shockwaves through entire organizations. Each minute offline doesn’t just mean lost revenue; it signifies a breach of trust, a disruption in service, and potential chaos for those relying on these vital…

NETSCOUT Report Attack

African Telcos Increasingly Under Attack for 2024, Says Latest NETSCOUT Threat Intelligence Report

While it’s true that every company is a potential target for distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, cybercriminals will often exploit security challenges and develop customised attack patterns that target the unique characteristics of specific vertical sectors. For the first half of 2024, this statement certainly rings true for the telecommunications sector – from the…

GenAI

5 steps to advance your business with sustainable GenAI

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) promises to deliver a giant leap forward in productivity, efficiency and waste reduction. For most, adoption is not a question of if, but when. In a BT sponsored survey conducted by Dell Technologies in 2023, 76% of IT leaders said they believe GenAI will be significant or transformative for their organisations. Businesses are…

AI

Transforming utilities with AI: Embracing a new era of smart, predictive, and efficient solutions

The global artificial intelligence (AI) in energy and utilities market was valued at USD 10.56 billion in 2023 and is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.9% during the forecast period, reaching USD 45.78 billion by 2030. Over the past decade, the utilities industry has undergone significant evolution. The methods for…

Sophos Cyber Monday

Prepare for Black Friday & Cyber Monday: Keep Your Organization Safe

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday around the corner, we’re entering a high-risk period for cybersecurity. A recent Sophos report highlights that malicious emails were the second most common root cause of ransomware attacks in critical sectors, responsible for 25% of cases.During peak shopping days, this threat intensifies. Here’s what happens: with the surge in…

ai, artificial intelligence, sci-fi

Building a data governance framework for AI integration

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how companies across industry sectors and geographies govern data. This means that updating data governance frameworks to reflect AI integration is critical for business success and adherence to regulatory requirements. With AI becoming intertwined with data-driven processes, ensuring rigorous standards when it comes to data quality, ethical usage, and privacy…

Meta Youth Summit
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Meta Holds Inaugural Youth Summit in Nigeria to Foster Innovation and Empowerment

Meta recently hosted its first Youth Summit in Lagos, Nigeria, bringing together over 200 young professionals, students, recent graduates, creatives, tech enthusiasts and aspiring entrepreneurs.  Themed ‘Empowering Youth Through Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship’, the summit included a series of thought-provoking panel discussions, a mentoring session  and an interactive workshop designed to equip young Nigerians with…

Naseni and Afrilab

AfriLabs and NASENI collaborate to build an innovation hub for Nigerian tech entrepreneurs.

Nigeria’s National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the Pan-African hubs network AfriLabs have teamed up to establish an innovation lab that will assist startups and young innovators throughout Nigeria in commercializing ground-breaking technologies and promoting sustainable economic growth. By connecting technological hubs, companies, investors, and other important ecosystem players, AfriLabs is a…

FREEE Recycle
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Building a Circular Economy: FREEE Recycle’s Journey in Sustainable Tyre Management

Nigeria generates approximately 32 billion tonnes of solid waste annually, making it one of the highest waste-producing countries in Africa. Unfortunately, only a fraction of this waste is treated and disposed of properly, leading to a buildup of pollution and an uncalculated amount of waste recycling revenue lost annually. Amid Nigeria’s ongoing waste management challenges,…

NEC and Naseni

NEC Calls on States to Harness NASENI Innovations for Nigeria’s Industrial Growth

The National Economic Council (NEC) has urged state governments to adopt and patronize technological innovations developed by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI). According to the Council, the States’ patronage of local technology has become imperative to accelerate Nigeria’s industrialization NASENI’s Director of Information, Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, disclosed in a statement released on…

Galaxy Backbone

Galaxy Backbone Partners with Bauchi State to Enhance Digital Infrastructure

Galaxy Backbone (GBB) and the Bauchi State Government have entered into a strategic partnership to enhance digital infrastructure and ICT-related services across the state. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by Professor Ibrahim A. Adeyanju, Managing Director/CEO of Galaxy Backbone, and His Excellency, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Muhammed, Governor of Bauchi State. This collaboration leverages…

Africa Tech Alliance Excellence [ATAEx] Awards

Meet the Winners of 2024 Africa Tech Alliance Excellence [ATAEx] Awards

…Kashifu Inuwa, NITDA DG, receives Digital Transformation Leadership Award …Dr. Ayotunde Coker named ATAEx Man of the Year …QNET, GBB, Digital Encode, Tecom, others win  The Africa Tech Alliance (ATAEx) Awards has, again, lived up to expectations by honouring individuals, organizations, and initiatives that have made significant impact on Africa’s tech ecosystem, focusing on categories…

The representative of Kashifu Inuwa, the DG NITDA , Engr Ya'u Isa Garba, at the 8th Annual Research Fair and Exhibition at Nassarawa State University, Keffi.

DG NITDA Advocates Innovation for Nigeria’s Sustainable Development

The Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa CCIE has reiterated the critical role of innovation in driving Nigeria’s sustainable development, economic diversification, and global competitiveness. Inuwa made this remark while delivering a keynote address at the 8th Annual Research Fair and Exhibition of Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), where he called…

Mr. Biram Fall, the Regional General Manager, QNET Sub-Saharan Africa at Afritech

African Can Expand Access to Financial Security via eCommerce – QNET Regional Manager

Mr. Biram Fall, the Regional General Manager, QNET Sub-Saharan Africa, has said that with over 350 million unbanked adults, there is a significant potential of financial inclusion and digital solutions for Africa, and a vast opportunity to expand access to financial security, event through electronic commerce (eCommerce). Speaking as a lead presenter at the recent…

Data Centre Trends 2025
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Data Centre Trends 2025: Vertiv Predicts Industry Efforts to Support, Enable, Leverage and Regulate AI

Innovation in powering and cooling AI racks, management of energy consumption and emissions all to be a focus in new year AI continues to reshape the data centre industry, a reality reflected in the projected 2025 data centre trends from Vertiv (NYSE: VRT), a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions. Vertiv experts anticipate increased…

Online Activities

Digital Discord: 17% of South African Families at Odds Over Kids’ Online Activities

According to a Kaspersky survey*, 17% of surveyed parents in South Africa reported having conflicts with their children because of their children’s online life. Yet another 23% state that there are no conflicts regarding this – but only as long as their children’s online activities don’t create real problems. Real problems are not rare though: 18%…

Facial Recognition

Finding Lost Smiles: How Facial Recognition Brings Children Back to Their Families

“That is the nightmare of every single parent out there,” said Callahan Walsh, a child advocate and executive director for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). For any parent, just thinking about losing a child in a busy crowd can feel like the worst nightmare. The heart-wrenching fear, the frantic search, and…

AU Digital and Innovation Fellowship
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19 innovators selected for the 2nd AU Digital and Innovation Fellowship Programme.

AfriLabs and the African Union (AU) have chosen 19 innovators from over the continent to participate in the second iteration of the AU Digital and Innovation Fellowship Program, which aims to use innovation and technology to promote socioeconomic development throughout the continent. The goal of the ground-breaking 12-month AU Digital and Innovation Fellowship Program is…

LG E;lectronics

2 Port Harcourt Communities Benefit from LG Electronics’ Solar-Powered Water Initiative

LG Electronics announces the commissioning of solar-powered boreholes in the Nkpogu and Elekahia communities in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. This initiative reflects LG’s continued commitment to sustainable development, community empowerment, and improving basic living conditions for underserved populations. The newly installed boreholes are powered by solar energy, ensuring a reliable, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective…

Woven Finance

Woven Finance Champions Financial Inclusion and Innovation in Nigeria

With the growing transformative potential of digital technologies like AI, blockchain, and cloud computing in revolutionizing financial services across Africa, Woven Finance, Nigeria’s emerging fintech powerhouse is championing financial inclusion and innovation in Nigeria. In a groundbreaking event that underscores its commitment to redefining the financial services landscape, Woven Finance Limited, launched its much-anticipated Woven…

AI

The new AI reality: playing the long game drives value, today and into the future

As a global leader in data integration, analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI), Qlik understands that embracing AI is essential for businesses to thrive. Much like the transformative impact of the internet, AI promises to reshape industries in ways we can’t fully anticipate yet. While most organisations are still in the early stages of their AI…

Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi,

AfriTECH 4.0: Blockchain, AI Offer Africa Unprecedented Opportunities – NITDA DG

Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has highlighted the transformative potential of blockchain and AI in positioning Africa as a global technology leader. In his keynote address, titled “Blockchain Technology & AI: Positioning Africa for the Future,” and delivered at the Africa Tech Alliance (AfriTECH 4.0) Forum held in Lagos recently,…