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Nigerian preventive healthcare startup Platos Health announced on May 7 that it has raised $1.4 million in pre-seed financing. The round included backing from Google for Startups, Invest International, and notable angel investors affiliated with Google, Tesla, and Unicredit.
This funding milestone underscores Platos Health’s growing credibility and ambition to reimagine health systems by focusing on early intervention and holistic risk reduction, rather than reactive treatment.
The company is scaling nationwide through 300+ pharmacy partners and preparing for global expansion into emerging markets.
Ms. Geek Africa, an initiative under the Girls in ICT Rwanda, supported by Smart Africa and other partners, is inviting girls aged 13 to 21 from Smart Africa member states to submit innovative, AI-powered solutions under the theme “AI for Africa: Innovate Locally, Impact Globally.” The competition aims to empower young African women to tackle pressing local and continental challenges through technology.
Applicants must submit a written concept of no more than 500 words outlining the problem they aim to solve, how their solution uses Artificial Intelligence, a simple conceptual design or drawing to illustrate how it works, and a clear explanation of how it could be implemented or scaled. Submissions can be an idea, a prototype, or a working product, and must be original or represent a meaningful innovation on an existing solution.
The deadline to submit entries is May 16, 2025. Finalists will receive high-level exposure, prizes, and access to mentorship opportunities.
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), in partnership with Mastercard, hosted a capacity-building workshop on Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIA) for Data Protection Officers (DPOs) from both the public and private sectors. The event also marked the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the NDPC and Mastercard to deepen their collaboration on data privacy and security.
About 150 Data Protection Officers from key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) across the country participated in the workshop, which aimed to enhance institutional compliance with Nigeria’s data protection laws and foster a culture of responsible data handling.
The MoU signals a strong and growing relationship between the NDPC and Mastercard and reflects Nigeria's readiness to engage in responsible data governance with international partners.
South African Airways (SAA) confirmed it was hit by a cyberattack on Saturday, 3 May 2025, which briefly disrupted its website, mobile app, and some internal systems.
The airline announced in a release dated May 6 that it activated its disaster recovery and business continuity protocols, restoring essential services the same day and maintaining uninterrupted flight operations and customer support.
An investigation has been conducted with independent digital forensic experts to determine the source and scope of the incident, believed to involve external cybercriminals. The airline reported the breach to the State Security Agency, South African Police Service, and the Information Regulator, in compliance with national security and data protection laws.
Investigators are assessing whether any data was accessed or stolen. SAA has committed to notifying affected individuals if a breach is confirmed.
Ghana’s Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation will train 3,000 girls this year through its Girls-In-ICT Initiative, expanding in-person sessions to the Volta, Upper East, and Upper West regions, with 1,000 participants in each.
Participants will receive training in coding, computer literacy, cybersecurity, and digital creativity, along with mentorship, career workshops, and ICT competitions designed to build skills and confidence.
Launched in Ghana in 2012, the Girls-In-ICT Initiative—supported by the International Telecommunication Union—aims to inspire girls to pursue careers in STEM and support Ghana’s broader push for digital inclusion.
Money Fellows, a fintech platform digitizing traditional savings practices, has raised $13 million in new funding. The funds will boost platform upgrades and support regional expansion.
The round was co-led by Al Mada Ventures (AMV) and DPI Venture Capital via the Nclude Fund, with continued backing from Partech and CommerzVentures. The investment will help scale access to digital savings, lending, and investment services, particularly in underserved communities.
With plans to expand into North Africa, Money Fellows aims to tap into rising demand for digital finance, driven by events like the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
MYDAWA, a digital health platform in East Africa, has raised new funding to expand its services and improve access to essential medicines across the region. The investment will support regional growth, AI-powered service upgrades, and the scale-up of MYDAWA’s hybrid “Bricks-and-Clicks” model, which combines online health services with physical pharmacy support.
The funding round includes global healthcare investors such as IFU, Alta Semper, AAIC Investment, Creadev, and Ohara Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
The funds will also expand chronic care support, enhance digital tools, and reduce patient costs through smarter logistics and inventory systems. MYDAWA recently strengthened its presence in Uganda through the acquisition of Rocket Health.
African payments company Onafriq has announced a partnership with global financial technology company Circle to improve cross-border payments across the continent.
The collaboration, announced on April 30, will integrate Circle’s USDC-powered settlement solutions into Onafriq’s infrastructure, marking a major leap toward simpler, faster, and more affordable intra-African transactions.
The partnership aims to break down traditional barriers in cross-border finance, including high transaction fees, slow processing, and currency exchange hurdles, by leveraging blockchain-powered stablecoin technology.
Women in Tech 2025 is set to gather Africa’s leading female innovators at Vodacom World, Johannesburg, for a full day of celebration, inspiration, and empowerment on November 16.
The event, "Join the Shevolution," will showcase female tech entrepreneurs, spotlight their achievements, and open doors to new opportunities. It aims to build a future where women lead and power the technology sector. SHEVOLUTION is a call to action for female entrepreneurs to join Africa’s growing tech revolution.
Highlights include celebrating outstanding women from enterprise development programs, networking opportunities, and access to inspiring industry leaders.
Kaduna State, Nigeria, is advancing AI for public good, reinforcing its commitment to digital transformation, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Technology announced on April 29.
As part of the AI Governance Peer Learning Tour in Singapore, the Commissioner of Business Innovation & Technology, Mrs. Patience Fakai, and the SA on IT to the Governor, Musa Bello, visited AI Singapore to explore its National AI Strategy.
Inspired by Singapore’s AI Strategy 2.0, Kaduna is advancing AI adoption by integrating it into vocational training and supporting local researchers through state institutions. As part of this effort, the State is establishing an AI Centre of Excellence to strengthen governance, improve infrastructure planning, enhance national security, and drive AI research.
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- Senegal launches six major projects to digitize healthcare system
- Projects include electronic health records, telemedicine development, Hospital Information System (HIS), Health Geographic Information System (HGIS), pharmaceutical management digitization, and digital health governance
Senegal has initiated six major projects to accelerate the digitization of its healthcare system, the director of the Unit for the Health and Social Map, Digital Health, and the Health Observatory (CSSDOS), Ibrahima Khaliloulah Dia, announced on Monday, April 28. The initiative aims to transform the country's health governance through the adoption of cutting-edge technological solutions.
These projects encompass the implementation of electronic health records, the development of telemedicine services, the establishment of a Hospital Information System (HIS), a Health Geographic Information System (HGIS), and the digitization of both pharmaceutical management and community health activities. A sixth component, focusing on digital governance, provides the overarching framework for the entire initiative.
"To date, two hospitals, one health center, and one health post are utilizing the digital patient record system, with over 127,000 patients registered, more than 355,000 financial transactions processed, and over 66,000 medical procedures recorded," Ibrahima Khaliloulah Dia said.
These advancements are part of the Senegal Digital Economy Acceleration Project (PAENS), aligning with the national digital strategy known as the Technological New Deal. Healthcare holds a central position within this strategy, alongside education and public administration. The dual objective is to enhance equitable access to healthcare and to establish Senegal as a regional leader in digital health.
By 2034, the government's key targets include achieving fully digitized health coverage, increasing the use of telemedicine to reduce expensive medical evacuations, and enabling data-driven decision-making based on reliable, real-time information. According to goals set by the CSSDOS, by the end of the current year, 20% of health centers must adopt electronic medical records, 30% of health facilities must have internet connectivity, and 1.5 million Senegalese citizens, with 50% being women, must possess a secure digital health space. Furthermore, 2,000 regulated telemedicine consultations are to be conducted.
Samira Njoya
Aruwa Capital Management, a Lagos-based female-founded and led early-stage growth equity and gender lens fund manager, announced on April 28 that it has secured 90% of its $40 million Fund II target, moving closer to its mission of driving gender-lens investing across Africa.
Key investors include returning anchors Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund and Visa Foundation, along with global institutions like British International Investment (BII) and EDFI Management Company. Nigeria’s Bank of Industry (BOI) also joined as a lead local partner.
Fund II builds on the success of Fund I. Aruwa plans to increase Fund II to $50 million this year in response to strong investor demand.
OmniRetail, a unified consumer goods distribution platform, closed its Series A funding round, it announced on April 28.
The funding round strengthens OmniRetail’s commitment to its asset-light, technology-first model - a strategy that has proven resilient even amid economic headwinds across the continent.
The company plans to channel the new capital into inventory financing through debt, strategic acquisitions, and profitable growth initiatives. This Series A success signals investor confidence in OmniRetail’s ability to not just navigate but redefine Africa’s fast-moving consumer goods industry through digital infrastructure and scalable logistics solutions.
Nigeria is set to host the West Africa Internet Governance Forum (WAIGF) 2025, a platform where different groups come together to discuss important issues about how the internet is managed.
The event will convene policymakers, stakeholders, youth leaders, and digital enthusiasts from May 19–23 at The Auditorium, Digital Economy Complex (NCC Annex), Mbora, Abuja.
This year’s forum will feature the West Africa Youth IGF, a multi-stakeholder forum, and a parliamentary track, driving discussions on building a resilient, inclusive, and secure digital future for the region.