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Unilever South Africa, the British High Commission, and global professional services organization EY have awarded over R9 million ($455,832.39) in funding to four South African startups tackling plastic waste.
The support, announced by Unilever South Africa on April 7, includes tailored mentorship and business development assistance under the Transform South Africa initiative, which promotes sustainable solutions and community development.
This new cohort joins previous Transform-supported ventures like Oxfam South Africa’s Social Factory, Imagineif, and Loowatt. Together, they form part of a global movement across 17 countries, bringing scalable, inclusive solutions to millions.
The Give1Project, in partnership with Concordia University and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), has launched the second cohort of its Regional Cybersecurity Training Program to train 150 young people across West and Central Africa.
Participants will gain practical skills in cybersecurity and receive industry-recognized certification. They will also have access to mentorship, networking opportunities, and potential pathways to internships, employment, or entrepreneurship.
Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old and be a citizen of one of the 24 countries in West and Central Africa. They must be currently enrolled in or have graduated from a university or technical institution.
The deadline for application is 17 April 2025.
Global payment technology giant Mastercard announced on April 3 a partnership with Nomba, an African payment solutions provider. The collaboration aims to deliver faster, safer, and more seamless payment experiences for businesses across the country while advancing financial inclusion.
As part of the partnership, Mastercard’s trusted Gateway platform will be integrated into Nomba’s Checkout solution. This integration enables businesses to access a broader range of secure payment options, including international cards, QR codes, and other digital methods, thereby enhancing customer experience and boosting operational efficiency.
The Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, in partnership with the Ministry of Interior and the Slovakian Government, has launched a 10-week Cybergame Challenge running until June 9, 2025.
Themed "Unlocking Your Cyber Security Potential," the competition aims to identify and nurture cybersecurity talent. Entry is free, with weekly challenges in different categories. Kenyan citizens qualify for prizes, while non-citizens can participate as non-competing players.
Winners will receive tech gadgets, cybersecurity training vouchers, software licenses, and tech store gift vouchers. Top performers may join Kenya’s National Cyber Security Team for regional and global competitions.
The SMART Zambia Muchinga Province team has deployed six internet access points at the Nakonde border post to enhance Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) operations, improving cargo clearance and efficiency.
The upgrade, announced March 31, will speed up cargo processing by strengthening connectivity. The project was implemented in collaboration with ZRA Nakonde ICT Officer Dennis Machaya.
The initiative supports the government's goal of leveraging technology to enhance trade and regional economic integration.
Katsina State, Nigeria, is set to host Arewa Tech Fest 2025. The event will bring together industry leaders, startups, investors, and tech enthusiasts on May 21-22, 2025, at the Katsina Directorate of ICT Complex, KSITM.
Themed "Innovating for Impact: Technology as a Catalyst for Economic Transformation," the event will explore how technology drives economic growth and entrepreneurship in Northern Nigeria.
Attendees will connect with key industry players, explore investment opportunities, and engage in panel discussions, workshops, and product showcases. Topics will cover AI, fintech, and digital innovation.
Africa-focused private equity firm Alterra Capital Partners secured, on March 17, a $20 million investment from British International Investment (BII) for its Alterra Africa Accelerator Fund (AAA Fund). The fund, targeting $400 million, supports businesses driving financial inclusion, digital growth, and job creation in East and Southern Africa.
The AAA Fund, which closed its first round at $140 million, is backed by IFC, Norfund AS, DEG, Standard Bank, Allianz AfricaGrow Fund, and Public Investment Corporation.
With BII’s backing, Alterra aims to accelerate sustainable growth across the continent.
Proparco and Equity Group, a Kenya based not-for-profit foundation, have signed a €1 million agreement to support the Climate Resilient Agri-Food Systems (CRAFS) project, an Equity Group Foundation (EGF) initiative helping Kenyan smallholder farmers adopt sustainable practices.
The signing took place in Nairobi, on March 18, attended by French Ambassador H.E. Arnaud Suquet, Proparco’s East Africa Director Jean Guyonnet-Dupérat, and Equity Group CEO Dr. James Mwangi.
CRAFS will train 15,000 farmers annually in climate-smart agriculture, covering energy use, sustainable farming, waste-to-energy, and water management. A field team and industry partners will support implementation.
Mastercard announced on March 17 that it is strengthening its partnership with Paymentology, a company that helps banks and fintechs create, manage, and process card payments, to simplify card issuance for South African fintechs.
This collaboration provides the expertise, infrastructure, and speed needed to scale payment solutions, driving financial inclusion and digital growth.
Mastercard offers global payments infrastructure and security, while Paymentology provides cloud-based processing and program management. Their combined expertise ensures faster, more efficient card issuance.
The 3rd edition of the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) AFRICA 2025 will take place from April 14–16 in Marrakech. The event will unite global tech leaders, policymakers, and investors to shape Africa’s digital transformation.
GITEX AFRICA is a hub for innovation and investment. The event will feature 500+ tech and startup companies, 660+ expert speakers, and 350+ investors managing $200+ billion in assets.
Key sectors include AI, cloud, IoT, fintech, telecom, digital cities, agritech, climate tech, health tech, cybersecurity, and edutech. Over three days, industry pioneers will collaborate and drive Africa’s tech growth, cementing its place in the global digital economy.
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Google is providing Conference Scholarships to help African students in technology and business attend top computer science conferences globally. The initiative aims to remove financial barriers, foster networking, and connect students with industry leaders.
Applicants must be full-time students at an African university, demonstrate financial need, and have an accepted research paper at a top computer science conference.
Scholarships cover travel and registration fees, with applications reviewed year-round. Approved funds are disbursed through the student’s university.
Safaricom Talent Cloud is offering a six-week Capstone Project for tech professionals to build, launch, and showcase products with expert mentorship and peer collaboration.
The program is open to those skilled in UX/UI design, backend (Java/Node.js), frontend (React.js), mobile (Kotlin/Flutter), DevOps, and Scrum Master/Product Owner roles.
Held in Addis Ababa, participants must attend in person for two hours weekly. The program offers a chance to apply skills, gain industry insights, and make an impact.
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.