Brief (210)
BongoHive, Zambia’s leading innovation and technology hub, in collaboration with the German Cooperation (GIZ) and Zanga African Metrics, a Zambian firm, has recently unveiled the FIT4Mentorship program. This initiative is specifically designed for African women in the ICT sector. The program aims to bring about substantial transformations in the industry by offering mentorship, networking opportunities, and capacity-building for women. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply by May 31.
Côte d’Ivoire’s Prime Minister, Beugré Mambé, recently advocated for responsible use of social media. During the conference of the French-speaking regulators' network, REFRAM, and the African Communication Regulation Authorities Network, ACRAN, on Tuesday, April 23, he called on these networks to protect digital platforms from toxic content and to strengthen regulation to ensure a healthy online environment. He also emphasized the importance of dialogue in promoting responsible digital usage.
On Monday, April 22, Djibouti’s Minister of Labor, Omar Abdi Said, met with the Moroccan Minister of Digital Transition during his official visit to Morocco. The two officials discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, focusing on digital transition, administrative reform, and social protection. They expressed satisfaction with the relations between their countries and agreed to promote the exchange of expertise and best practices for the mutual benefit of their populations.
The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, recently hosted Dr. Matteo Prosperi and Roland Ruhumuriza, respectively CEO and Africa Area Manager of De Lorenzo SpA, at the agency's Abuja headquarters, NITDA announced on its Facebook page on April 16.
The meeting centered on discussions regarding potential partnerships and collaborations aimed at bolstering Nigeria's digital economy.
On Wednesday, April 17, Dr. Batakao Grégoire, advisor to Chad's Ministry of Public Health and Prevention, initiated a workshop to develop the National Digital Health Strategy Plan for Chad. This plan will serve as the primary reference for all actions and developments related to digital health in Chad, aiming for its effective implementation at the national level.
The Irish Tech Challenge South Africa calls on South African startups to collaborate with Irish counterparts. Organized with Wits University’s Tshimologong Digital Precinct and Dogpatch Labs, with support from Department of Science and Innovation DSI, Technology Innovation Agency TIA, and the Embassy of Ireland, the initiative aims to expand tech companies owned by South Africans, aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Selected startups will receive EUR10,000 each, a 10-day trip to Ireland, tech expertise, and government support. Applications are open until April 26th.
The AgriTech4Egypt Innovation Challenge is now accepting applications from scientists and entrepreneurs with agri-tech solutions that can enhance Egypt’s agricultural system.
Selected ventures will benefit from a fully funded bootcamp, professional advice, a six-month acceleration program, and an equity-free grant of up to EGP300,000 (US$6,500) from the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT) of Egypt. The program runs from June to October, with a demo day in November. Applications are open until April 21st.
The Malawi Government has hired local ICT firm E-Tech Systems to resolve a passport crisis at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services, which began after the system was hacked. The engagement of E-Tech Systems was confirmed by Frank Namangale, the Ministry of Justice spokesperson on April 14.
This move follows the cancellation of a contract with TechnoBrain in December 2021 due to alleged mismanagement.
The Sierra Leone ICT Talent Development Program is inviting applications for a one-week intensive training on digital technologies, focusing on Cyber Security, Privacy Protection, and Digital Marketing.
The training will run from April 29th to May 3rd, 2024. Selected participants will be trained to educate secondary school students and traders across Sierra Leone. The application deadline is April 19, 2024.
Click here to apply.
Kenyan agritech company SunCulture recently announced the successful completion of a $12 million funding round. The funds will be used to introduce solar irrigation systems, leveraging the Internet of Things technology, to numerous smallholder farmers by 2030.
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On Monday, April 15, Roscas, a fintech startup based in Mozambique, announced the successful closure of a funding round. The financial details of the operation, spearheaded by Renew Capital—an American investment firm with a focus on Africa—remain undisclosed. The newly acquired funds will help the company further develop its technology. Specifically, it aims to provide access to social protection products such as insurance, capitalized savings, and loans for individuals who have historically been marginalized from formal financial systems.
On Friday, April 12, the Information and Digital Systems Agency (ASIN) of Benin initiated a call for applications for a Women’s Bootcamp focused on cybersecurity. The initiative aims to equip 22 young women, aged between 18 and 25, with an in-depth knowledge of prevalent web application vulnerabilities and the methods to ethically identify and exploit them. Applications are open until April 24, with the training scheduled from April 29 to May 3, 2024.
The Future World team emerged as the champions of the inaugural First Lego League, which took place on Saturday, April 13, at Sèmè City Open Park in Cotonou, Benin. The competition, a collaborative effort between Sèmè City and STEM Inspires, was themed “Quand l'art et la technologie se rencontrent (When Art and Technology Meet).”
The event offered a platform for young individuals aged 9 to 16, divided into various teams, to explore and apply concepts from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through an engaging and educational robotics program. In addition to winning the best team award, Future World also took home the prize for the best team with the most innovative project. The "Design du Robot," "Match de Robot," and "Valeurs fondamentales" awards were won by the Tech BoT Warriors, Dixitbot Squad, and Agodjié, respectively.
AfriLabs, in collaboration with Intel Corporation and Prosper Africa, recently announced the launch of the Intel Community Reach program. The initiative aims to support tech players who leverage artificial intelligence or high-speed connectivity to catalyze social change in Africa. Interested organizations, companies, startups, SMEs, and institutions can submit their applications before June 7.