In many ways, 2021 was a watershed moment for online privacy. Apple released an update in April 2021 that allowed users to opt-out of app tracking, with the majority of iPhone users having done so by the end of the year. There were even discussions about turning off tracking technology in the world’s most popular…
In 2021, more and larger deals were closed in Africa, with tech startups across the continent raising nearly $5 billion. This amount was more than double the previous year’s investment and nine times what was raised five years ago, demonstrating how much the startup scene has changed in recent years. According to a report by…
mPharma, a Ghanaian health tech startup, is establishing a network of community pharmacies across Africa with the goal of becoming the region’s primary healthcare provider for millions of people. MPharma intends to expand its community (Mutti) pharmacies across eight African markets in order to serve as patients’ first point of contact. Mutti pharmacies are essentially…
Alvin, a Kenyan startup that helps people align their daily spending around savings goals, has raised a US$740,000 pre-seed funding round as it continues to hone its product, which is currently in private beta. Alvin, which was founded in May of last year, is a smart money manager app that uses automated budgeting, personalized offers,…
While 2021 was the crypto year, 2022 will be the custody year. Central banks all over the world are racing to develop and launch their own CBDCs, and surveys indicate that investment in digital assets will continue to rise. Blockchain-powered digital assets have the potential to completely reshape how we interact with the financial system….
Alphabet-owned Google announced the acquisition of Israeli cybersecurity startup Siemplify by its cloud division on Tuesday, as the US tech giant expands its security offerings in the face of rising cyber attacks. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed by the companies, but a source familiar with the matter stated that Google paid…
Kosovo’s government banned cryptocurrency mining on Tuesday in an effort to reduce electricity consumption as the country faces the worst energy crisis in a decade due to production outages. “All law enforcement agencies will halt this activity in collaboration with other relevant institutions that will identify the locations where cryptocurrency production occurs,” Economy and Energy…
According to the CEO of a game-changing global financial giant, Bitcoin will be legal tender in three more countries by 2022. Nigel Green of deVere Group, one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory, asset management, and fintech organizations, doubled down on a prediction made by El Salvador’s President on Sunday. Nayib Bukele tweeted a…
The rate of digital transformation in Nigeria (and across Africa) is increasing; there were 104.4 million internet users in Nigeria in January 2021, a 19 million (+22 percent) increase between 2020 and 2021. In January 2021, Nigeria’s internet penetration will be 50.0 percent (source). So, what does all of this mean? Because of the increase…
Many people believe that the latest paradigm shift for the internet is already underway: the metaverse, they claim, is almost here. When a company invests in a space and the media declares a moment, it’s reasonable to take a step back and see if the reality can live up to the hype. But, if this…
Windowshoppi, a Tanzanian startup that allows users to post photos, add locations, and recommend products, is hoping to boost local commerce with new product releases in the new year. Windowshoppi is a product discovery app that will be released in September 2020. Users can upload photos, include links and locations in their posts, and recommend…
Tesla’s goal of bringing electric vehicles into the mainstream is gaining traction, as evidenced by the company’s consistent growth in deliveries. As the EV manufacturer ramps up production, the number of delivered vehicles is expected to reach all-time highs in 2022. According to Finbold data, Tesla’s 2021 deliveries totaled 936,172, an increase of 87.4 percent…
Digital Realty, an American real estate investment trust, has agreed to buy a majority stake in Teraco Data Environments, a South African data center and interconnection solutions provider. Teraco released a statement on the subject. Following the transaction, which is expected to close in the first half of 2022, Digital Realty will own approximately 55…
Gahez, an Egypt-based e-commerce startup and business-to-business fashion marketplace, recently raised $2 million in funding. The pre-Seed round was attended by Disruptech Ventures, Egypt Ventures, Tanmeyah (an EFG Hermes company), Afropreneur fund, and other strategic angel investors. Gahez launched as an online marketplace at the end of 2021 with the goal of transforming the wholesale…
Ethiopia’s beU Delivery and Nigeria’s IdentityPass are among the 40 startups confirmed as participants in the W22 batch of the renowned Silicon Valley-based accelerator Y Combinator. Between now and March, the W22 batch of the Y Combinator program, which has played a role in the early days of companies such as Airbnb, Coinbase, and Dropbox,…
Mercedes-Benz unveiled the Vision EQXX, a solar-powered concept car that can travel more than 1,000 kilometers (648 miles) on a single charge. After several weeks of teasing, Mercedes finally unveiled the vehicle (virtually) at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Because of its sporty intentions and sleek, futuristic design, the Vision EQXX is likely…
Apple made history on Monday when it became the first company to have a market value of $3 trillion. During Monday’s intraday trading, Apple briefly reached a market value of $3 trillion before resuming its decline. When the company’s stock price reached $182.86, it was the first to do so. Apple has a $2.99 trillion…
Flat6Labs, a Cairo-based accelerator and investor, has partnered with ESLSCA University to launch a new innovation and entrepreneurship incubation program that will enable undergraduate students to develop viable and sustainable businesses upon graduation. Flat6Labs, founded in 2011 and headquartered in Cairo, is a seed and early-stage venture capital firm with multiple offices throughout the MENA…
In its own way, Samsung has validated the crypto space by announcing new features that will be included in its upcoming lineup of smart televisions. The South Korean tech behemoth has announced a new “NFT Aggregation Platform” that will debut alongside its latest Smart TV models at CES 2022. People will be able to browse…
Tesla reported record quarterly deliveries on Sunday that far exceeded Wall Street expectations, despite global chip shortages as it ramped up China production. It was the world’s most valuable automaker’s sixth consecutive quarter of record deliveries. Tesla, led by billionaire CEO Elon Musk, delivered 308,600 vehicles in the fourth quarter, far exceeding analysts’ expectations of…
BlackBerry has already bitten the dust in the smartphone market and lost its allure, as even its most ardent fans may now be using an iPhone or an Android device. However, because some people may be using BlackBerry phones, the Canadian company has reiterated that its devices will no longer be able to support legacy…
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) ordered a thorough investigation into Apple on Friday for alleged unfair business practices in its App Store. It was claimed that Apple engages in anti-competitive restraints and dominant practices in markets for the distribution of applications (apps) to users, as well as the processing of payments for digital content…
By 2026, the Korean government intends to develop a technology that will allow Korea’s first artificial sun, KSTAR, to maintain 100 million degrees for 300 seconds. The minimum time required for the commercialization of nuclear fusion technology is 300 seconds. On December 30, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced that the 16th National Fusion…
Corporations can achieve unprecedented levels of success by capitalizing on new business and tech trends. As the world recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic, the year 2022 will undoubtedly be a watershed moment. Long before the devastating pandemics of 2020 and 2021, business innovation and technology were already transforming and reshaping the world. Here are some…
The Microsoft Store experience is improving, and it isn’t always due to the enhancements released by Microsoft with the release of Windows 11. The company is working on several fronts, and it recently decided to separate its Office apps from the Microsoft Store. In other words, if you don’t require the entire Office suite, you…
EGBank and Cairo Angels have opened applications for the latest MINT Incubator, which assists startups in growing and becoming investment-ready. Cairo Angels, which invests in and supports startups across the Middle East and Africa, and EGBank collaborated in 2018 to launch the three-month equity-free MINT Incubator, which has since had several editions. The three-month program…
Two years ago, the African tech ecosystem received renewed attention from global players, resulting in the continent’s best year in terms of venture capital. According to various sources, up to $2 billion was invested in African tech startups in 2019. It was a sign of things to come for African tech, with high-profile visits from…
The Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme (TEEP) has opened applications for the eighth edition, which will provide startups with training, mentorship, and US$5,000 in funding. The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) is running the program, which is a 10-year, US$100 million commitment to identify, train, mentor, and fund 10,000 African entrepreneurs by 2024. Applications for the latest…
Koko Networks, a Kenya-based bio-fuel technology company, has expanded its business to include other fast-moving consumer goods via a new technology platform that will leverage its established distribution networks in low-income neighborhoods. Koko Club, the company’s new business line, sells the products directly to consumers through the dukas (small shops) that currently serve as agents…
The African tech ecosystem mourns the death of Nnena Nkongho, an African investor who advocated for diversity and excellence. Nkongho passed away on December 26, 2021. Nkongho has over 15 years of experience identifying, building, and capturing value for African corporations and funds. He is also the founding partner of Otundi Ventures, a pan-African early-stage…