financial services

Tightening Cyber Defences in the SA Financial Services Industry Through Legislation

ByTechTrends

Automated processes across banking, financing, insurance and other financial services are dependent on complex infrastructures that span both on-premises data centres and cloud service providers. This dependency on third-party service providers and technology vendors puts financial organisations at significant risk. It is therefore a welcome fact that local financial institutions are facing a pressing cybersecurity…

Digital Marketing

Why Digital Marketing Fails for Most Small Businesses (And How to Fix It)

ByOkey Chigbu

Many small businesses jump into digital marketing expecting instant results, only to be frustrated when their efforts don’t lead to sales. The truth is, digital marketing works—but only when done right. If you’re not seeing results, you’re likely making one of these mistakes: Some Common Reasons Digital Marketing Fails No Clear Strategy Many businesses run…

Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation

The 2025 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation shortlist consists of 16 innovators.

ByTechTrends

After receiving applications from a record 30 countries, the Royal Academy of Engineering has selected 16 engineering innovators from seven African nations to be on its shortlist for the 2025 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation. With the goal of encouraging, honoring, and rewarding innovation and entrepreneurship throughout sub-Saharan Africa, the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation…

UpGreyed Her

Invitation to Apply: “UpGreyed Her” Accelerator Program for Female Entrepreneurs (Grants Up to $9500)

ByTechTrends

The second iteration of Y Combinator-backed fintech Grey’s “UpGreyed Her” initiative has begun, providing women entrepreneurs with $9,500 in equity-free scholarships. This represents a 19% increase in investment compared to the previous year. Grey’s UpGreyed Her financial inclusion program aims to empower female entrepreneurs by giving them the money they need to grow their companies….

United Nations CSW69

Nigeria Takes Bold Steps to Bridge the Gender Digital Divide at the United Nations CSW69

ByTechTrends

In a resounding commitment to bridging gender digital divide, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs (FMWA), has taken a decisive step toward closing the gender digital divide by presenting the National Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy (NGDIS) at the United Nations 69th Session of the Commission…

Samsung Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G and Galaxy A26 5G
|

Samsung Unleashes AI for Everyone, Introduces New Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G and Galaxy A26 5G

ByTechTrends

Samsung today unveiled Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G and Galaxy A26 5G, the latest Galaxy A series smartphones. For the first time, the Galaxy A series is integrating Awesome Intelligence—including Galaxy’s fan-favorite AI-powered features to reimagine creativity — while bringing enhanced durability and longevity, as well as robust security and privacy protections to provide…

AI

The Outlook of AI in 2025 – The Power of Prediction in Industries

ByTechTrends

It’s March 2025, a small organic farm in Vermont just doubled its profits. Thanks to an AI tool that predicted a surge in demand for heirloom tomatoes after analyzing TikTok food trends, and a looming drought in California. A Tokyo hospital hasn’t had a single patient readmitted for heart failure this quarter because its algorithms…

Kaspersky

Advanced persistent threats target one in four companies in 2024, according to Kaspersky

ByTechTrends

According to the latest Kaspersky Managed Detection and Response (MDR) analyst report, advanced persistent threats (APTs) have been detected in 25% of companies, accounting for over 43% of all high-severity incidents. This marks a staggering 74% increase compared to 2023. The annual Managed Detection and Response (MDR) analyst report provides insights based on the analysis…

Data Science Africa and Meta

Meta Announces Llama Impact Grant for Startups and Researchers in Partnership with Data Science Africa

ByTechTrends

Meta, In partnership with Data Science Africa, is excited to announce the Llama Impact Grant for startups and researchers based in Sub-Saharan Africa. As part of Meta’s global Llama Impact Grants, this initiative will support innovative projects that harness the power of Llama, Meta’s cutting-edge open-source large language model, to develop unique solutions tailored to…

startups

What are the most typical mistakes that startups make that lead to higher cash burn rates?

ByTechTrends

The runway available to meet investor expectations, launch a funding round, or create a sustainable business is determined by a startup’s burn rate, which is its monthly operating expenses. Effectively controlling this rate is essential for long-term survival because excessive expenditure can quickly exhaust resources and impede growth. This is the opinion of Aysha Saifi,…

Galaxy Backbone

Galaxy Backbone unveils a comprehensive four-year roadmap for digital transformation

ByTechTrends

Nigeria’s top provider of digital infrastructure, Galaxy Backbone (GBB), has released its Integrated Digital Transformation Strategic (IDTS) Plan for 2025–2028. By accelerating digital transformation for businesses and the government, this all-encompassing approach seeks to move Nigeria closer to being a fully integrated digital economy. The IDTS plan, developed in collaboration with key stakeholders, is built…

NITDA

NITDA expands iHatch Initiative to drive Job Creation, Economic Diversification

ByTechTrends

In total alignment with the presidential priority area of Reforming the Economy for Sustained Inclusive Growth and Accelerating Diversification through Industrialisation and Digitisation, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, has announced the nationwide expansion of the Hub Managers training programme in harnessing technological innovation to improve the…

Google DeepMind

Google DeepMind Reveals Gemini Robotics AI Models Capable of Real-World Robot Control

ByTechTrends

Two new artificial intelligence (AI) models that can manipulate robots to carry out a variety of tasks in real-world settings were introduced by Google DeepMind on Thursday. These sophisticated vision language models, known as Gemini Robotics and Gemini Robotics-ER (embodied reasoning), are able to act and exhibit spatial intelligence. The IT behemoth from Mountain View…

Orange Social Venture Prize

The 15th Orange Social Venture Prize in Africa and the Middle East is now accepting applications.

ByTechTrends

The 15th Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP), which supports social innovation and promotes entrepreneurship, is currently accepting applications throughout Africa and the Middle East. Innovative startup ventures that employ and develop new technologies to improve the region in areas like education, healthcare, e-commerce, agriculture, or the environment have been rewarded by the OSVP in Africa…

AWIEF Growth Accelerator Programme

Female-founded Nigerian startups are invited to apply for the AWIEF Growth Accelerator Programme.

ByTechTrends

In order to promote greater access to capital and markets for women-owned and women-led small and medium-sized businesses (WSMEs) in Nigeria, the Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) has teamed up with the African Guarantee Fund (AGF) and FSDH Merchant Bank Limited to open applications for its flagship AWIEF Growth Accelerator Program. By reducing…

Payments Forum Nigeria

Payments Forum Nigeria (PAFON 2.0) Set to Address Customer Experience in AI-Driven Payment Ecosystem

ByTechTrends

The highly anticipated Payments Forum Nigeria (PAFON) 2.0 is set to convene industry leaders, policymakers, fintech innovators, and key stakeholders to discuss the evolving landscape of digital payments, with a special focus on cybersecurity, trust, and regulatory compliance in the AI era. PAFON 2.0, scheduled to take place on April 10, 2025 at the Function…

Greentech Africa
|

Greentech Africa Investment Readiness Accelerator Program 2025: Call for Applications for African Startups in Its Early Stage

ByTechTrends

An investment-readiness accelerator program called Greentech Africa 2025: The Future of Sustainability will help ten to fifteen startups with creative ideas for sustainable development in Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa. The program’s goal is to assist startups in identifying early milestones and getting ready for their upcoming funding round or expansion plans, if…

Galaxy Backbone

Galaxy Backbone Advances Government Digitalization with Govmail Training for Over 300 Civil Servants

ByTechTrends

In a major step toward digital governance, Nigeria’s top digital infrastructure provider, Galaxy Backbone (GBB), plans to give more than 300 federal servants with thorough training on Govmail, the government’s secure official email system. GBB will provide specific training sessions for email administrators and heads of ICT from different Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) until…

Gemini

In Gmail, Gemini Getting a New Button That Can Make Google Calendar Events Automatically

ByTechTrends

A new feature in Gmail called Gemini will make it simpler for users to create events on Google Calendar. The internet giant with headquarters in Mountain View said Monday that it is launching a new button that may be touched to create and save a calendar event. The AI chatbot can automatically recognize emails that…

RES4Africa Foundation

Apply to the Renewables Accelerators for Creative Startups and Entrepreneurs in Africa 2025 offered by the RES4Africa Foundation!

ByTechTrends

The Open Call for the 2025 Batch of RAISEAfrica – Renewables Accelerators for Innovative Startups and Entrepreneurs in Africa has been launched, according to the RES4Africa Foundation. Supporting and growing renewable energy-focused companies within the African startup ecosystem is the main objective of RAISEAfrica. This entails supporting creative company concepts from aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs…

Mastercard Foundation BRIDGE

Mastercard Foundation BRIDGE-in Agriculture Program 2025: Call for Applications for SMEs

ByTechTrends

The Mastercard Foundation BRIDGE-in Agriculture Program provides access to affordable finance and business development services to young entrepreneurs operating SMEs in agriculture and adjacent sectors to foster financial inclusion and reduce inequalities. Eligibility To be considered for the Mastercard Foundation BRIDGE-in Agriculture, you must: Benefits The BRIDGE-in Agriculture program provides access to affordable finance and…

insurance

Survey: 78% of insurance execs say closing $1.8 trillion protection gap is an ethical obligation

ByTechTrends

More than 500 insurance leaders weigh in on risks, opportunities and trends to watch through 2040 The global protection gap – the difference between insured and uninsured losses across life, health, natural catastrophe and crop insurance – was last estimated at $1.8 trillion. A new “future of insurance” survey of more than 500 insurance executives from 17…

AI

AI Readiness Lags Ambitions: Survey Highlights Key Gaps Threatening Generative AI Success

ByTechTrends

Only 12% of organisations feel ready for agentic AI workflows, despite significant investments, underscoring critical data and infrastructure challenges Qlik®, a global leader in data integration, data quality, analytics and artificial intelligence, today announced findings from an IDC survey exploring the challenges and opportunities in adopting advanced AI technologies. The study highlights a significant gap…

Global Africa Gateway Summer Internship Program

Call for Applications: Global Africa Gateway Summer Internship Program, Africa Center, and Afreximbank

ByTechTrends

The Global Africa Gateway Summer Internship Program is proudly launched by Afreximbank and The Africa Center! Through this program, young professionals from the continent and its diaspora can access life-changing internship opportunities in a variety of vibrant African industries. Changing how the world perceives Africa As the center for the sharing of ideas about the…

Microsoft AI Model

According to reports, Microsoft is creating AI reasoning models to rival OpenAI.

ByTechTrends

According to a person involved in the program, The Information revealed on Friday that Microsoft is creating its own artificial intelligence reasoning models to compete with OpenAI and may offer them to developers. According to the report, the Redmond, Washington-based business, which is a significant supporter of OpenAI, has started experimenting with models from xAI,…

Google Hustle Academy

To equip SMBs with AI, Google launches Hustle Academy 2025

ByTechTrends

Applications for the 2025 Hustle Academy, a free online course created to give small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya the resources they need to prosper in the digital era, have been made available by Google. A new season of the “Hustle Academy Brings You” speaker series, which provides direct access…

Paradigm Initiative

Paradigm Initiative (PIN) opens application researchers for the Evaluating Africa’s Digital Literacy Initiatives and Workforce Readiness.

ByTechTrends

Experienced researchers are being invited to work with Paradigm Initiative (PIN), a prominent pan-African organization that promotes digital rights and inclusion in the Global South, on a study called “Evaluating Africa’s Digital Literacy Initiatives and Impact on Global Competency Applicability and Work Readiness.” The success of digital literacy initiatives throughout the African continent will be…

DG NITDA Kashifu Inuwa CCIE and Executive Secretary National Universities Commission, Professor Abdullahi Yusufu Ribadu, during the visit at the NUC Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.

NITDA, NUC Strengthen Partnership to Implement Digital Literacy and Skills Curriculum

ByTechTrends

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the National Universities Commission (NUC) have renewed their commitment to implementing the Digital Literacy and Skills Curriculum across all Nigerian universities. This was announced during the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa and his management team visit to the National Universities Commission (NUC), where they engaged with…

GITEX Africa
|

Call for Applications: NITDA/Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) Offers Nigerian Startups a Fully Sponsored Chance to Exhibit at GITEX Africa

ByTechTrends

A fully sponsored chance to exhibit at the Nigeria Pavilion at GITEX Africa 2025 is being extended to 12 high-potential Nigerian entrepreneurs by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in partnership with the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). Global investors, industry executives, policymakers, and creative entrepreneurs come together at GITEX Africa, the continent’s biggest…

Growth Accelerator program

AWIEF Growth Accelerator program for Nigerian women entrepreneurs is currently accepting applications.

ByTechTrends

For African women entrepreneurs, limited access to capital continues to be a major obstacle, with an estimated USD 49 billion in financing gaps. The African Development Bank’s Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) program, which seeks to unlock up to USD 3 billion in financing for women-owned/led Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (WSMEs) throughout…