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South Africa will host the second edition of The Presidential African Youth in AI and Robotics Competition 2025, which is set to position Africa as a leader in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
The competition is organized by AUDA-NEPAD, Ele-vate AI Africa, and the South African Government to foster innovation, skills development, and AI-driven solutions tailored to African needs. The 2025 edition will feature 12 categories, with the Presidential Award as the highest honor.
African youth aged 15 to 35 years can participate as individuals or in teams. The competition is open for registration and submissions must be completed by June 13, 2025. The final ceremony will take place on November 22-23, 2025.
Flutterwave, Africa’s payments technology company, has received approval from the Bank of Ghana to provide inward remittance services, it announced on March 11. This furthers its mission to simplify payments across the continent.
With this approval, Flutterwave aims to offer faster, more secure, and cost-effective remittance services for Ghanaians abroad sending money home.
By enhancing cross-border payments, Flutterwave is set to boost financial access and economic growth.
Satellite network operator Intelsat and MaxIQ Space, an educational resource provider, are expanding the Africa Space STEM Program to schools in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Senegal. The initiative, announced on March 10, will grow to 12 schools, integrating in-person learning to inspire the next generation of African scientists and engineers.
The program offers in-community sessions with space STEM experts, innovative STEM kits, and interactive training, helping students explore space science, sustainability, and IoT technologies.
By equipping students with STEM skills, the program supports national development goals and strengthens Africa’s technological landscape. Application deadline is March 31st.
The Embassy of Finland in New Delhi and UNICEF have launched a global call for applications from tech startups in low- and middle-income countries developing FemTech solutions—innovations designed to enhance the health, wellness, and economic participation of women and girls.
The UNICEF Venture Fund, backed by Finland, will provide grant funding and one year of mentoring to selected early-stage tech startups using Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, and other advanced technologies. Applications are open until May 8, 2025.
The FemTech initiative (2025-2030) will invest in solutions designed with and for women and girls, addressing disparities shaped by gender and social barriers.
Google has opened applications for its 2025 Hustle Academy, a free five-day virtual bootcamp for small businesses in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. The announcement was made on March 6.
The program will equip entrepreneurs with AI skills, digital tools, and strategies to drive growth and efficiency.
Led by expert trainers, the bootcamp features live sessions, personalized mentorship, and networking opportunities. Participants will learn to integrate AI into their operations, enhancing competitiveness in a digital economy.
IHS Nigeria, a subsidiary of IHS Holding Limited, has launched incubation and acceleration programs at the Ilorin Innovation Hub in Kwara State ahead of its official opening, the company announced on February 27.
Built in partnership with the Kwara State Government, the hub aims to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth.
Together, their vision is to create over 10,000 jobs, focusing on digital skills, AI, agritech, and energy innovation.
Egyptian Fintech Fawry announced on February 26 that it has invested 80 million EGP (1,579,200 US Dollar) in three leading Egyptian tech firms—Dirac Systems, Virtual CFO, and Code Zone. The new investment is part of the fintech’s strategy to expand its business solutions ‘Fawry Business’ and drive digital transformation in Egypt,
The EGX-listed company has acquired 51% of Dirac Systems, 56.6% of Virtual CFO, and 51% of Code Zone, strengthening its role as a one-stop provider of ERP, financial management, and digital payment solutions for businesses.
This investment aligns with Fawry’s vision to accelerate Egypt’s fintech and business technology sectors, equipping companies with cutting-edge digital solutions to enhance growth in an increasingly cashless and digital economy.
The GSMA Innovation Fund, supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), is providing grants to small and growing enterprises (SGEs) using AI and mobile technology to address socio-economic and climate challenges in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
The fund is open to for-profit enterprises with up to 250 employees. Eligibale businesses must be based in Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, or the Pacific.
Successful enterprises will receive grants ranging from £100,000 to £250,000 for projects lasting 15 to 18 months. They will also gain tailored venture-building support, partnerships with mobile network operators, and increased visibility through GSMA platforms and events.
The deadline for pitch submissions is 19 March 2025.
Oze, a Ghanaian fintech startup supporting small businesses, has secured funding from Visa and German development finance institution DEG, it announced today February 24.
With this funding, Oze will expand its Lending Management System (LMS), enabling banks, microfinance institutions, and fintechs to offer no-collateral digital loans using its machine-learning credit risk algorithm.
Oze enables banks to automate lending while providing MSMEs with tools to track finances and customers. It analyzes this data to offer insights, training, and funding.
South African Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has announced the rollout of body-worn cameras for police officers, starting April 2025.
The decision comes in response to a question from the Democratic Alliance, a South African nonprofit, asking when the police service will implement body cameras.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) revealed that it will purchase 100 cameras this year at R28,818 per unit, totaling R2.88 million annually and R14.4 million over five years.
The use of body cameras is crucial for enhancing transparency, accountability, and public trust in policing.
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Madica, a pre-seed investment program for African startups, announced on February 12, funding for four tech-driven ventures: Medikea, Motherbeing, Pixii Motors, and ToumAI.
Each received up to $200,000 and will join Madica’s 18-month support program, which includes mentorship, executive coaching, and immersion trips to startup hubs like Cape Town and London.
Marking its North African debut, Madica focuses on underrepresented founders in AI, FemTech, Mobility, and Healthcare. Affiliated with Flourish Ventures, it tackles funding and mentorship gaps in Africa’s startup ecosystem.
The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) signed, on February 12, a $6 million partnership with the UAE Office of Development Affairs and the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation to support 1,000 young African entrepreneurs with training, mentorship, networking opportunities, and non-refundable $5,000 seed capital each.
The agreement was signed at the World Governments Summit by TEF Founder, Tony O. Elumelu, and His Excellency Mohamed Haji Al Khoori, Director General of the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation.
This initiative further reinforces TEF’s mission to empower young business leaders across all 54 African countries, strengthening Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and driving economic growth on the continent.
Fintech Company Payaza has expanded to Ghana, introducing a ₵15 million ($973,000) business support initiative to help entrepreneurs, small businesses, and startups scale.
At its launch event, SME Thrive, attendees will gain networking opportunities, expert business insights, and access to funding and payment solutions designed to drive local and global growth.
Payaza aims to enhance financial accessibility and business expansion through seamless payment processing and tailored financial tools. This expansion cements Payaza’s role in boosting SME growth and strengthening Ghana’s digital economy.
Digital banking platform Affinity Africa announced on February 11 that it had raised $8 million in an oversubscribed Seed Round led by Grazia Equity and BACKED VC to expand financial services for the unbanked.
Affinity operates a branchless model via a mobile app, agent network, and proprietary tech. Unlike traditional banks, it charges no monthly fees or transaction costs.
With this capital, Affinity will scale operations in Ghana and expand further across Africa, driving financial inclusion.