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The Orange Foundation inaugurated its 22nd Digital House in Côte d’Ivoire on Wednesday, January 31, at the Institution de formation et d'éducation des femmes (IFEF) in Soubré. This initiative aims to empower women and promote their digital inclusion by providing access to tailored digital tools and content. Ultimately, it seeks to facilitate their professional integration into the local economy.
"The inauguration of this new Digital House underscores the Orange Côte d'Ivoire Foundation's commitment to supporting women," said Habib Bamba, Director of the Foundation's Management Committee. "We believe that digital technology is an essential tool for their financial autonomy."
UNICEF StartUp Lab, an initiative supporting impactful technology-driven startups in Ghana, opened applications for its fourth cohort last week, the organization announced. The six-month program offers selected startups one-on-one mentorship, access to a network of UN partners, funding for prototyping, and various other support mechanisms.
Startups focusing on education, health, child protection, and other areas aligned with UNICEF's mandate are encouraged to apply. Applications close on February 29th.
U.S. satellite internet company Starlink's application for an operating license in Botswana has been rejected due to incomplete information. "There were issues regarding missing requirements with the application, which were identified and pointed out. [...] They are yet to respond to the issues," a source from the Botswana Communications Authority told Techcabal. Botswana is the third country in southern Africa to oppose the deployment of Elon Musk's company, after Zimbabwe and South Africa.
South African startup offerZen, which connects tech talent with businesses, announced last week it closed a €4 million funding round. The company plans to use the funds to develop its technology platform and expand its service offerings.
Ethiopia's Ministry of Education said last week it distributed 3,790 tablets to 18,000 schools nationwide, aiming to digitize the teaching and learning process. The initiative, in partnership with the World Bank, seeks to equip schools with digital tools and strengthen teachers' digital skills. This follows the distribution of 1,000 tablets to high schools in 2023 for similar purposes, bringing the total to 4,790 devices distributed.
The Seychelles Council of Ministers has approved a new law to regulate virtual assets (VAs) and virtual asset service providers (VASPs), Vice President Ahmed Afif announced. The legislation, awaiting National Assembly approval, aims to foster responsible and sustainable growth in the burgeoning industry.
Nigerian fintech startup Kippa is shifting gears and venturing into the education technology (edtech) space, according to a Wednesday report by Techcabal. The company is developing an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered e-learning platform to facilitate the creation of online course modules and deliver bite-sized training sessions.
Ghita Mezzour (photo), the Moroccan Minister for Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, outlined the Maroc Digital 2030 strategy at a Government Council meeting on Thursday, January 25. The strategy is anchored in two main pillars: the digitization of public services and the stimulation of a new dynamic in the digital economy. The goal is to foster the development of Moroccan digital solutions, create added value, and generate jobs, forming the basis for digital development in the country.
African fintech startups eager to scale their businesses are invited to apply for the Visa Accelerator program, offering three months of intensive training and support from the global payments giant.
The program provides selected startups with 1:1 mentorship, personalized training, and networking opportunities. With the deadline for applications set for February 18, interested parties can learn more by visiting the program’s page.
Nigeria's Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (MCIDE) on Friday announced 10 startups that will receive grants under its Fourth Industrial Revolution Technology Application (4IRTA) program in agriculture.
The selected companies, stand to gain up to 10 million naira ($10,977) each to scale their innovations.
"Congratulations to the 10 selected projects as we look forward to working with them in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture to support their path to scale and sustainability," said Bosun Tijani, Nigeria's Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
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Cova, a Nigerian startup offering asset management services, announced its closure in an email to users on Tuesday, January 23. The firm, citing "several factors," will cease operations on February 10, 2024. Cova assured users they would be fully refunded by February 13 at the latest.
Altschool Africa, a Nigerian edtech based in Kigali, Rwanda, is extending its services to Kenya, Techcabal reported last Wednesday. The country is the startup's second-largest market in terms of revenue, after Nigeria and ahead of the UK. "We're not new to the people, but this will give us the opportunity to expand," said Altschool Africa founder Adewale Yusuf.
Ugandan e-mobility startup Safeboda is set to return to the Kenyan market in February 2024, two years after suspending operations there. The announcement was made on Monday, January 22, through a post on the X social network. Details regarding the company's Kenyan relaunch remain scarce, with the post only confirming the February timeframe and Nairobi as the initial operating city.
Global payments giant Visa announced a strategic partnership with Kenyan fintech company Pesaflow to transform and enhance digital payments within the Kenyan government. The collaboration aims to establish seamless and user-friendly digital payment platforms, incorporating virtual cards and secure gateway services for transparent and reliable transactions.