Introduction: A New Dawn for Money There was a time when “banking” in Nigeria meant long queues, paper slips, and limited access. Only a few decades ago, financial inclusion was a privilege, not a right. Today, however, we’ve witnessed one of Africa’s most profound digital transformations, the rise of digital banking. From the early days…
The six student-led firms from Nigeria selected for the Uninnovators’ firms-in-Residence initiative, which aims to spur innovation in a few postsecondary institutions in Africa, have been announced by Co-Creation Hub (CcHub). The Make-IT in Africa project, run by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic…
Android users who use WhatsApp will soon be able to securely re-login to their accounts using their device PIN or biometric authentication. Before, users of WhatsApp had to enter a one-time password (OTP) and an optional six-digit PIN for two-factor authentication in order to access their accounts. Android users will now be able to use…
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has announced the latest FE series addition to the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem — the new Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Tab S9 FE and S9 FE+, and Galaxy Buds FE. Known for their iconic and durable designs, advanced performance, cutting-edge camera and audio capabilities, and so much more — these are the most…
Generally speaking, a larger TV screen is a good thing. Larger TVs have grown in popularity among consumers as well as in availability over time. Because of developments in film technology, they let viewers fully immerse themselves in the subject they’re watching by bringing our favourite stories to life on screen in more realistic ways….
AVEVA, a global leader in industrial software, driving digital transformation and sustainability, announced that it has achieved Amazon Web Services (AWS) Energy Competency status. The distinction recognizes AVEVA’s expertise in helping customers leverage AWS’ cloud technology to transform complex industrial systems and accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy future. AVEVA is one of just seven companies…
A Sub-Saharan African (SSA) investment company, Kuramo Capital Management, has announced plans to invest $150 million over the next 10 years to promote female-led businesses. The investment will be provided through its Moremi Platform, a three-pillar initiative that includes an accelerator program, a warehousing/lending facility, and a Fund of Funds in an effort to support…
The Nigerian hybrid solar system supplier WATT Renewable Corporation (WATT) has raised US$13 million to expand its operations. The US$13 million in funding came from Empower New Energy, a lender and partner in the development of renewable energy. For the needs of commercial, industrial, and agricultural energy users, Empower New Energy finances, builds, and owns…
The 500 Global in Egypt Scale Up Programme, which helps founders grow their companies, has chosen 15 Egyptian tech startups for its inaugural class. The initiative is a seven-week program run by 500 Global, one of the most active venture capital firms in the world, in collaboration with the Egyptian Information Technology Industry Development Agency…
In order to support digital startups across Africa, early-stage investor and accelerator Baobab Network has announced plans to invest in 1000 businesses between now and 2033. Since its 2019 launch, Baobab has continuously been one among the continent’s most active investors, supporting locally led businesses from the start. The co-founder of Baobab, Toby Hanington, claimed…
With a focus on improving day-to-day lives, Glencore Ferroalloys is uncompromising in its dedication to upgrading and educating communities. The group started a project to give young people the knowledge and abilities they’d need to succeed and solve problems in the future. In the pilot project, pupils from rural schools close to Glencore’s activities in…
MediaTek, a leading global fabless semiconductor company that powers nearly 2 billion connected devices annually, has collaborated with Airtel Nigeria, a leading telecommunications service provider. The collaboration aims to drive technological advancements and enhance mobile connectivity nationwide and will see the integration of hundreds of millions of individuals into the digital economy, consequently advancing mobile connectivity…
The global growth and adoption of digital property and Blockchain technology has inevitably extended its reach to Nigeria, where CoinEx, a renowned cryptocurrency exchange, has been actively contributing to the development of the Nigerian Blockchain economy since the appointment of its first effective Nigerian partner in 2021. Getting familiar with the Nigerian Blockchain Landscape Nigeria’s tech-savvy, heavy content-consuming…
The Nigeria Innovation Summit 2023 which was held on October 6th, 2023 with the theme: Innovating for the Future, was successfully concluded with the participation of delegates and stakeholders across the globe, who participated in the hybrid event. The Summit in its 8th year is an annual event that brings together stakeholders from different sectors of Nigeria’s economy,…
Over the past several years sustainability has become a growing priority for most, if not all, organisations. Forward-thinking businesses, consumers and governments alike are increasingly looking at how to increase their sustainability efforts, while many decisions are increasingly being made with enhancing sustainability as an important driver. One key trend to this end for businesses…
Bill Gates said the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will spend $30 million in a new artificial intelligence platform in Africa yesterday at the Grand Challenges annual event sponsored by the foundation and its partners in Senegal. Grand Challenges, the foundation’s flagship innovation program, was introduced in 2003. It focuses funding and attention on urgent…
Months after adding support for the secure login method across all of its services, Google has revealed that it has started urging users to set up passkeys on their devices. Passkeys, a “passwordless” but secure alternative that enables you to connect to apps and services using biometric identification on your smartphone and other devices, are…
The Women Techsters Fellowship Class of 2024 now includes a total of 14 women and girls. The program, a project of the Technology for Social Change and Development Initiative (Tech4Dev), aims to reduce the gender gap in technology and the digital world. The Women Techsters Fellowship, now in its third year, offers young women and…
The Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Innovation and Business Incubation, Ms. Chinwe Okoli has expressed the commitment of the Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration to creators and innovators. This was the crux of Ms. Okoli’s keynote speech at the 5th International Conference and Exhibition for Science, Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (FAPSCON 2023). The conference…
The Sony Group today declared the launch of Sony Innovation Fund: Africa (SIF: AF), a program that will aid the expansion of entertainment companies in Africa. The Tokyo multinational company has appropriated $10 million for early-stage businesses in gaming, music, cinema, and content distribution through Sony Ventures Corporation (SVC). This fund targeted at African entertainment…
On November 14 in Lagos, Nigeria, the sixth annual Africa Tech Female Founder Summit will be held by the African-focused venture capital firm TLcom Capital. The annual event will be held this year under the theme “Building Resilience: Adapting to New Realities,” which addresses the difficulties African founders and operators are currently facing. Experienced global…
MTN ICT and Business Skills Training is a Youth Development initiative aimed at equipping young entrepreneurs between 18 and 35 years with tech enabled skills to keep their small businesses relevant and competitive. The training will be delivered through a 5-week online programme which includes Masterclasses from key industry experts. Participants will be given data…
Applications for the SAIS Investment Readiness Programme are being accepted from digital entrepreneurs looking to scale in Africa’s agriculture and food tech sectors. The “Scaling Digital Agriculture Innovations through Startups” (SAIS) project, run by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the German Agency for International Cooperation, and co-funded by the Bill and Melinda…
According to the federal government, its methanol fuel technology program will give Nigerians over 40 million new job possibilities in the next two years. The government’s methanol economy revolution, according to Chief Uche Nnaji, Minister of Science, Innovation, and Technology, who made this announcement in Abuja over the weekend, will harness the enormous potential of…
Government-funded project in Germany Applications for the GreenAPI: Smart Agriculture Programme, which aims to let Senegalese agri-tech firms scale more quickly, have been opened by mobile operator Orange and Make-IT in Africa. Make-IT in Africa and Orange are working together to deliver the GreenAPI: Smart Agriculture Programme, which aims to enhance agricultural practices in Africa…
Payments processor Visa has joined the number of investors who have rushed to the field this year by launching a $100 million venture fund for start-ups using generative artificial intelligence. After chatbot ChatGPT’s success, a number of well-known companies, including Microsoft and Google, have backed the AI sector, which has been a hot topic in…
Microsoft and M-PESA Africa are working together to support the Capability Development Academy. The partnership aims to give Micro, Small and Medium SMEs (MSMEs) in many African markets access to the Microsoft Community Platform and SME Skilling Programs to foster capacity building and digitisation. M-PESA Africa will digitise skilling through the Microsoft Community and Training…
Google’s well-known email client, Gmail, has been receiving improvements and new features to improve usability. Now, Gmail may soon get a new emoji reaction function that will enable users to respond to emails with emojis on both iOS and Android. The capability that is already present in Microsoft Outlook is comparable to this one. A…
In order to address the lack of cybersecurity talent, Check Point® Software Technologies Ltd, a global provider of cybersecurity solutions, has teamed with the African NGO Cybersafe Foundation. Through a partnership with higher education institutions and non-profit organizations, Check Point’s SecureAcademy program, which offers free cutting-edge cyber educational content, will have its courses used as…
A special $75 million equity-free fund called the Hustle Academy SMB Fund is already accepting applications, according to a Google announcement today. This project exemplifies Google’s unwavering dedication to encouraging entrepreneurial dreams and advancing Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) in Nigeria. The backbone of Nigeria’s economy is made up of small and medium-sized businesses, yet…