Brief (729)
Interswitch has launched Season 8 of InterswitchSPAK, a national STEM competition in Nigeria. The scholarship prize pool exceeds 40 million Naira (approximately $30,000) and includes five-year academic grants, laptops for the nine finalists, and cash prizes for their teachers. Parents and guardians can register students by May 24, 2026.
KPMG has opened applications for the 2026 'Female Founders in Africa' competition, targeting women entrepreneurs leading high-potential startups across the continent. The program spans various sectors, including tech, healthcare, and agriculture. Participants can benefit from mentorship, increased visibility, and networking opportunities with investors. Applications are open through Saturday, February 28.
WhatsApp is rolling out voice and video calls directly to its web browser, eliminating the need for a desktop app. The feature launches with one-on-one calls, while group calls, call links, and scheduled calls are set to arrive soon. All conversations remain protected by end-to-end encryption, and screen sharing is also available, which will be particularly useful for Linux users.
Cameroon will host e-Gov’A, the African e-Governance Summit, in Yaoundé from May 14-16, 2026. Held under the theme “Artificial Intelligence and e-Governance,” the event aims to accelerate the transition to more efficient digital public services across Africa. The summit will bring together policymakers, experts and technology leaders to develop practical digital solutions.
Agritech startups in Kenya and Uganda are invited to apply for the O-Farms accelerator, a program focused on circular agriculture models that reduce waste and generate new revenue streams for rural communities. Selected participants will receive specialized training, mentorship, technical support and networking opportunities. Upon completion of the program, two standout startups will each receive a grant of up to €50,000. Applications close on Sunday, February 15.
Delta40, a venture studio based in Nairobi and Lagos, has raised $20 million to invest in and help scale African startups. Its model combines early-stage capital with hands-on operational support across strategy, product development, finance and growth. Focused on energy, agriculture, financial services and AI-driven technologies, Delta40 aims to help local ventures achieve sustainable growth.
BlueInvest Africa, a leading event focused on the blue economy, is inviting African startups and small businesses working on ocean sustainability to apply to pitch in Cape Town this November. Selected companies will present to investors, take part in B2B meetings and join a network focused on sustainable coastal development. Applications close on Friday, February 13.
OpenAI is testing ads for ChatGPT users in the U.S. on the Free and Go plans. The company says ads will be clearly labeled and kept separate from the chat interface, and will not influence responses or user privacy. The move is intended to help cover costs and keep the service free.
The She Wins Africa program, backed by the International Finance Corporation and the World Bank, has completed its first phase in Lagos, supporting 100 women-led startups across 23 countries and helping them raise $4 million. The initiative is now scaling up, aiming to support 1,000 more entrepreneurs across the continent with training, mentorship and access to capital.
The Mozambican Ministry of Communications and Digital Transformation is hosting the first National Conference on Digital Transformation this Wednesday and Thursday, February 11-12, at Indy Village in Maputo. The event will bring together government officials, private sector leaders, academia, and development partners to discuss priorities and implementation strategies for the nation’s digital roadmap. The ultimate goal is to build a more modern, citizen-centric public service.
More...
RevUp Women, an initiative by AfriLabs supported by the Visa Foundation, is launching a new business development phase for 150 women in Nigeria. Over twelve weeks, participants in Abuja, Lagos, and Abia will engage in training, mentorship, and hands-on workshops through a hybrid support model. The program offers access to non-dilutive funding and will culminate in a final Demo Day.
MISSION NOVA, a pan-African television program specializing in robotics, artificial intelligence, 3D tech, and leadership, is currently seeking partner centers throughout Africa. Selected tech hubs and educational institutions will lead the identification, training, and support of national youth teams. Interested parties can apply via the online form until Wednesday, February 18, 2026, to help provide young talent with pan-African exposure.
Bridge Seed Global has opened applications for its 2026 accelerator programme targeting African founders aged 18 to 35. Selected projects will receive $5,000 in non-dilutive funding over a three-month programme, along with structured support, one-on-one mentoring and access to an investor network. The curriculum focuses on business models, market strategy and investment readiness, and the programme will conclude with a Demo Day. Applications are open until Friday, Feb. 20.
Afreximbank has selected eight African startups for the inaugural edition of its acceleration programme, aimed at boosting innovation to support intra-African trade. The startups were chosen from more than 1,600 applicants and are based in countries including Nigeria, Egypt, Ethiopia and Côte d’Ivoire. Participants will take part in a three-month mentoring and training programme and will gain access to the bank’s network, as well as potential equity investment.