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Dakar-based LAfricaMobile, a multi-channel, multi-operator, and multi-country digital cloud platform, said on Wednesday it closed a successful Series A funding round of €4.3 million. The investment, announced at GITEX Africa in Marrakech, Morocco, will be used to bolster its technology with artificial intelligence integration and fuel expansion across Francophone Africa.
Zimbabwe has granted Starlink a license to operate in the country, President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced on May 25.
The move aligns with Zimbabwe's Vision 2030, focusing on innovation, science, and technology.
The license aims to enhance internet access and support Zimbabwe's technological and economic goals.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) unveiled the 'Digital Literacy for All' initiative on May 26, aiming to narrow Nigeria's digital gap and promote inclusive growth.
The program, set to achieve a 70% literacy rate by 2027, seeks to provide universal access to digital literacy. It empowers citizens with critical digital skills such as online resource utilization, cybersecurity awareness, effective communication, and proficiency in digital tools.
Statistics Botswana announced on May 16 that it will conduct the 2024 Botswana Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Household Survey from June to August 2024, collecting data from selected households nationwide.
The survey aims to produce indicators for evaluating ICT development goals, provide benchmarks for international comparisons, monitor progress towards building an information society, and offer critical data to enhance digital economy growth.
Data will encompass household ICT access, online safety, e-waste awareness, individual device usage, digital skills, e-education, e-commerce, e-government, security, privacy, and media habits.
The Organization of Information and Communication Technologies Professionals in Senegal (OPTIC) recently announced the 7th edition of the International Fair for Professionals of the Digital Economy (SIPEN). This event is scheduled to take place on June 27-28 in Dakar. The event will focus on the theme "Accelerating Digitalization: A Powerful Lever for the Competitiveness of the Senegalese and African Economy."
Kenya’s government has trained over 390,000 youth in digital skills and generated 139,000 online jobs within the past year. Information, Communication, and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo revealed this at the launch of the Jitume ICT Hub in Ruiru on May 20.
Since 2016, Kenya's Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector has grown by an average of 10.8% annually, emerging as a key driver of economic development and job creation, with positive impacts extending across various sectors of the economy, according to the “Kenya Economic Update: Accelerating Kenya’s Digital Economy” 2019 report by the World Bank.
Google is accepting applications for the 2024 Hustle Academy, a 5-day bootcamp to boost small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This year's program features a new focus on business-oriented artificial intelligence (AI) training.
Since 2022, the Hustle Academy has supported over 10,000 businesses in securing funding and creating jobs through education, mentorship, and networking. New AI modules will help businesses make data-driven decisions, optimize operations, and develop AI-powered marketing strategies.
Applications for the 2024 cohort are open to SME owners in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.
Kenyan youth have secured free ICT training through a partnership involving Zone 01, the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (ULCGA), the County Government of Kisumu, and Lake Hub. The County Government of Kisumu revealed on May 17 in a release.
The selected cohort, 96, out of 13,000 applications received, will undergo a two-year training program for free using a peer-to-peer learning model.
The program aims to develop skilled professionals in web app development, data engineering, AI, video game development, blockchain, and cybersecurity.
Glint Ventures, an Egyptian consulting and investment firm, announced on Monday, May 13, the first close of Glint Fund II, its second venture capital fund, at $3 million. The fund aims to support Egyptian startups with investments ranging from $250,000 to $500,000.
OpenseedVC, a U.K.-based venture capital firm focused on early-stage tech companies in Africa and Europe, announced the first close of its seed fund at $10 million on Monday, May 20. The fund will target investments in startups across various sectors, including e-commerce, fintech, healthtech, and productivity tools.
"Our thesis is that by backing experienced operators early in their journey with the right capital and support from peer operators, you can build a diversified portfolio that generates incredible returns for investors and provides crucial support for ambitious operators when they need it most," said Maria Rotilu (photo), founder of OpenseedVC.
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Congo is implementing a €66.55 million project to build its national data center, according to an AFDB release dated May 17. Co-funded by the AfDB (€52.47 million) and the Republic of Congo (€14.50 million), the project includes constructing a data center and laying a 600-kilometer fiber cable.
The data center, a three-story building, will feature server and monitoring rooms, meeting spaces, and essential energy and air-conditioning equipment. Set for completion by December 2024, it is expected to be the main hub for the country’s digital data and support national projects like the digital identification initiative, boosting Congo’s digital infrastructure and security.
Kenya’s Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy has proposed the Information and Communications Technology Authority Bill 2024 to improve the technology sector. The draft bill, published in April 2024, outlines a licensing regime for ICT operators and establishes a framework for improved service delivery. For Cabinet Secretary for ICT and Digital Economy, Eliud Owalo, the bill aims to strengthen ICT service delivery by ensuring security, efficiency, and high quality, and simplifying ICT integration into public services.
The bill creates accreditation categories based on experience and technical skills. If passed, the relevant authority will assign accreditation levels to individuals or organizations that meet the prescribed requirements.
Egyptian fintech startup MNZL announced a successful $3.5 million funding round last week. The capital will fuel technology development and propel the company's growth within the Egyptian market.
"We at MNZL are going beyond a mere adjustment; it’s a complete revolution in credit access. This shift not only empowers families by providing financial leverage but also contributes to broader economic prosperity in the region," declared MNZL's co-founder Sameh Saleh.
Digify Africa has launched the 2024 Digify Pro Online program, a digital entrepreneurship initiative in collaboration with Meta and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation (MSDF). The program targets unemployed youth aged 18-35 in South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya. It aims to address youth unemployment by providing comprehensive digital marketing and entrepreneurship training.
The program consists of three levels: Foundational (6 weeks) introduces participants to digital marketing basics and professional skills; Intermediate (10 weeks) delves into strategic topics like content creation and data analytics through real-world tasks; Advanced (6 weeks) offers elective training in areas such as paid advertising and marketing data analytics with AI-driven methods.
Applications are open until June 2, 2024, for South Africans.