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In a post shared on the social network X on Thursday, April 4, the Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, Eliud Owalo, disclosed a meeting with the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Kenya. The officials discussed the digital transformation program, the empowerment of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, and the country’s startups.
Triply, a Kenyan startup that assists travel agencies in payment collection, operation automation, and providing customers with access to financial services, has been included in the Winter 2024 cohort of the California-based accelerator, Y Combinator. The announcement was made on April 1 by the American firm through various communication channels, including social networks and its online platform.
Nigerian fintech firm Thepeer announced its closure in a statement released on April 1. “Our unique service had its challenges, the first being compliance issues [...]. Faced with these challenges, we needed to make a key decision either to do a hard pivot, an M&A, or return capital to investors. After carefully weighing our options, we decided that returning the remaining capital to investors was the best decision,” the start-up explained.
Founded in 2021, Thepeer has raised approximately $2.3 million, according to Crunchbase, to develop its technology and accelerate its growth.
Digital Lab, a Libyan initiative fostering innovation and digital transformation, unveiled an innovation mapping platform in Tripoli on Monday. The platform aims to link innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and investors nationwide.
Abdelbaset Albaor, Chairman of the General Information Authority, said the platform “reflects the collaborative efforts of the General Information Authority, Libyan institutions, and [...] international partners.”
“It showcases the major initiatives underway, laying the foundations for a thriving and innovative digital ecosystem to take root in Libya,” he added.
The inaugural Algerian Digital Summit is set to take place from April 23 to 25, 2024, at the Moufdi Zakaria Cultural Center in Algiers. The event, announced on March 20, is born from the consolidation of the Digital African Summit and ICT Maghreb.
Tunisian authorities announced on Monday, March 25, the official adoption of online birth certificates for administrative procedures related to the Ministry of the Interior’s services. This provision extends to Tunisians living abroad, who can now use these online birth certificates for applications or renewals of national identity cards and passports.
On March 20, the Egyptian Space Agency (ESA) and the Chinese Space Administration (CASC) signed a protocol agreement in Cairo for the operation of the EgyptSat-2 satellite. The agreement includes provisions for CASC's support in the peaceful utilization of space and the promotion of sustainable development in Egypt.
Togo's capital, Lomé, is set to host Artificial Intelligence Week (AIW) from June 4 to June 8, an event that aims to unite tech enthusiasts, innovators, and thought leaders. The conference themed "L’IA au Togo et en Afrique : état des lieux, opportunités et enjeux sociétaux (AI in Togo and Africa: Current Status, Opportunities, and Societal Challenges)," seeks to foster sharing, learning, and shaping the future of AI.
Nigerian neobank Brass has raised an undisclosed amount of funding to support its operations, Techcabal reported on Tuesday. The startup recently faced disruptions following a partner withdrawal but has now processed pending transactions. Brass plans to use the new funding to accelerate growth within the Nigerian market.
Nigerian financial technology startup Kuda has secured operating licenses in Tanzania and Canada, tech news platform Techcabal reported on Monday. These licenses will allow Kuda to offer money transfer and multi-currency wallet services to users in these new markets.
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Egyptian healthtech firm 30Med, which seeks to connect pharmaceutical companies and doctors by simplifying the introduction of new drugs through iterative videos, announced last week that it has successfully closed an undisclosed funding round.
The company plans to use the funds to enhance its platform and expand its presence in the medical community.
Last week, Pan-African organization AfricTivistes which focuses on promoting democratic values, human rights and good governance through civic technology launched its Cybersecurity Open Classroom, a free three-month e-learning program designed to boost participants' cybersecurity skills. The program currently has 441 learners enrolled.
Estonian e-mobility startup Bolt has launched operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to local media reports. This marks Bolt's 16th African market expansion. To forester its growth, the company will waive driver commission fees, a strategy used in previous launches including Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Egypt earlier this year.
The Africa Digital Transformation Forum (FITD AFRICA 2024) is set to take place in Lomé, Togo’s capital, on May 21 and 22. The event is designed to foster digital growth across the continent. This year’s forum will center on pivotal sectors including energytech, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cybersecurity, virtual reality, and e-health, showcasing the broad scope of digital transformation.