Brief (487)
Smart Africa, YouthConnekt Africa, and 4Ds Metrics have launched the Youth Emerge Challenge, calling on young African innovators aged 18 to 35 to apply for a chance to gain continental recognition, expert mentorship, and a showcase opportunity at the Transform Africa Summit 2025.
Applications will be evaluated based on customer desirability—how well the solution addresses a real, validated need—technical feasibility, and business viability, with an emphasis on scalability and sustainability in the target market.
The initiative reinforces Smart Africa’s digital transformation agenda and YouthConnekt Africa’s mission to empower youth through innovation and entrepreneurship. The deadline to apply is June 20, 2025.
The Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) has launched an expanded Summer Training Program in collaboration with the National Telecommunication Institute (NTI) and Systel, distributor of Motorola Solutions in Egypt. The initiative aims to train 10,000 university students in ICT and digital arts, reinforcing Egypt’s push to grow its tech talent pipeline.
The program targets first to third-year students in engineering, computer science, information systems, mass communication, fine and applied arts, and art education. Training is free of charge and students can choose from eight specialized tracks: cybersecurity, software development and UI/UX design, data analytics and AI, cloud computing, systems administration, electronics, digital arts, and digital marketing. Participants are also eligible for up to 70% discounts on international certification exams.
VERA, a secure B2B communications platform, has partnered with cheqd, a payment infrastructure, to deliver verifiable digital identity and encrypted messaging for businesses across South Africa and beyond, it announced June 10.
The partnership kicks off with a beta launch of VERA’s platform on June 1st, 2025, tailored specifically for South African enterprises. A full minimum viable product (MVP) rollout is expected by the end of August.
This collaboration aims to build a verifiable identity ecosystem that empowers companies to communicate and transact with confidence—an increasingly critical need as cyber fraud and impersonation threats grow.
Meta has launched the Llama Impact Accelerator, a new program supporting startups across Sub-Saharan Africa to build open-source AI solutions that address local challenges in agriculture, healthcare, education, public services, financial inclusion, and security.
The six-week accelerator will run in Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal, and South Africa, offering equity-free funding, technical training, mentorship, and business support. The program is being implemented in collaboration with national innovation agencies and local ecosystem partners.
Each accelerator will culminate in a Demo Day, where teams present their Llama-powered solutions to a panel of local and international experts. Top teams will receive six months of extended support focused on product development, community building, and market expansion.
Applications are now open for Pitch2Win 5, a startup competition offering $10,000 in equity-free funding to the top early-stage startup building for the African market.
The competition targets tech-driven startups with a working product or MVP and coverage in Nigeria. Startups from all sectors are eligible.
Finalists will pitch live to a panel of investors and ecosystem leaders. To apply, startups must submit an online form and a 10-slide pitch deck. Applications close June 15, 2025.
Nigeria is set to host its first National Cybersecurity Conference, marking a major step forward in the country’s efforts to strengthen its digital defense infrastructure.
The event is being organized in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and key partners from both the public and private sectors.
Scheduled for July 9–10, 2025, at the Abuja Continental Hotel, the conference will bring together policymakers, cybersecurity experts, international partners, tech industry leaders, and strategic stakeholders from Nigeria, across Africa, and globally. It aims to foster collaboration, build national cyber capacity, and strengthen Nigeria’s readiness to tackle emerging threats in cyberspace.
dLocal, a global cross-border payments provider, has announced its intent to acquire AZA Finance, a fintech company specializing in African foreign exchange and cross-border payments. The deal, subject to regulatory approval, aims to boost dLocal’s scale and capabilities across the continent.
The acquisition will expand dLocal’s African footprint, increase cross-border volumes, and enhance remittance services. AZA’s experienced team will bring local market expertise to dLocal’s operations.
By combining global infrastructure with regional expertise, dLocal and AZA aim to simplify and scale cross-border payments across one of the world’s most complex and opportunity-rich markets.
Payment infrastructure company Fincra has secured a Third-Party Payment Provider (TPPP) License in South Africa, in partnership with Nedbank.
This regulatory milestone strengthens Fincra’s footprint in Southern Africa and advances its mission to build seamless, borderless financial infrastructure across the continent.
With this license, Fincra is now authorized to process a wide range of payment services in South Africa, including credit and debit card payments, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) credits, Real-Time Clearing (RTC), and Rapid Payments.
Standard Chartered, in partnership with AUC Venture Lab and Village Capital, has launched the first Futuremakers Women in Tech Accelerator in Egypt. Funded by the Standard Chartered Foundation, the program is part of the global Futuremakers initiative and aims to support women-led tech startups with the tools, mentorship, and funding to succeed.
The three-month program targets early-stage, tech-enabled ventures led by women. It offers masterclasses, mentorship, and investment readiness training, with participants competing for up to USD 10,000 in equity-free funding. Participants will gain access to a global network of investors, experts, and startup resources.
The program reflects Standard Chartered Foundation’s mission to promote economic inclusion, especially for women and youth in underserved communities.
The Africa Deep Tech Foundation has officially launched the Africa Deep Tech Challenge 2025, a pan-African innovation initiative designed to spotlight high-impact technologies that thrive under real-world constraints.
Powered by Future Africa and organized in collaboration with Ilorin Tech Hub, CcHub, and IHS, the challenge calls on African innovators to transform scarcity into cutting-edge solutions. It is open to individuals or teams of up to four members, aged 18 or older, residing in eligible African countries. No startup or funding experience is required. Submissions must be original work by the team.
Finalists and winners will receive a range of benefits, including cash grants, mentorship, incubation opportunities, and global exposure. The submission deadline is set for July 31.
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Nigerian Edtech Startup Tespire LLC has been awarded a $100,000 equity-free grant as one of the 12 startups selected for the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship, run in partnership with Co-creation Hub (CcHUB). The award follows a highly competitive selection process that saw over 1,000 startup applications from across the continent.
This milestone marks a significant step in Tespire’s mission to transform education through technology. The company, which provides data-driven tools for schools and institutions, has developed integrated software and free internet-enabled tablets to enhance school administration and boost revenue generation.
With support from the Mastercard Foundation and CcHUB, Tespire will further refine its solutions, expand its reach, and continue working to close gaps in education access and quality across Africa.
Registration is now open for Kids Tech Fest 2025, an international summit designed to introduce children aged 6–16 to the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) through fun, hands-on learning experiences. The event is scheduled for Saturday, June 14, 2025, at the Landmark Event Center in Victoria Island, Lagos, and kicks off at 9:00 AM.
The event will feature specially curated sessions for kids, parents, and tutors — creating a dynamic space for young minds to explore the power of technology alongside the adults shaping their learning environment.
With a focus on accessibility, innovation, and interactive education, Kids Tech Fest 2025 aims to inspire the next generation of tech leaders and digital thinkers making AI learning engaging, age-appropriate, and community-driven.
Ghana will showcase its digital progress at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, led by Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George (MP). The focus will be on Ghana’s achievements in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and its vision to become a digital innovation hub in Africa.
A sub-committee has been formed to guide preparations, with sector agencies developing content aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Expo offers Ghana a global platform to attract investment, build partnerships, and promote its digital economy. The event started from April 13 and will go on till October 13, 2025.
The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) has launched the SA Tech Challenge 2025, inviting South African tech innovators to apply for a chance to win R1 million in funding (about $55,000), gain global exposure at the G20 Summit in Cape Town, and unlock major growth opportunities.
Applicants must be South African-owned and headquartered, post-revenue companies with fewer than 250 employees and an annual turnover under R250 million. Solutions must be at least at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7—beyond prototype and already in use—and address at least one of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with measurable impact and potential for global growth.
The challenge targets companies in six sectors: Digital Platforms, FinTech, Secured Digital Infrastructure, Circular Economy, Innovations for Connectivity, and Innovations for Development (including Agri-tech, Health-tech, and Ed-tech). Applications close on Monday, June 30, 2025.