Brief (798)
The Shell Foundation and Startup Discovery School are launching the West Africa Aggregator Platform, a one-year pilot in Ghana and Senegal to test new delivery models for low-carbon agricultural technologies. The initiative aims to reduce the cost of access for women smallholder farmers, improve crop yields, and increase incomes by at least 20%, with a target of reaching 200,000 women farmers by 2030.
The Africa Technology Expo returns to Lagos for its third edition, now expanded to two days with a stronger business focus. The event will bring together executives, tech professionals and regulators on June 26-27 to drive partnerships, investment and innovation. The programme includes robotics, drones, connectivity, masterclasses and networking. Organisers aim to strengthen Africa’s digital ecosystem and support practical partnerships to shape the continent’s tech future.
The E-Gov'A Exhibition, dedicated to e-governance and digital innovation in Africa, has been rescheduled to October 14-16, 2026, in Yaoundé. This postponement is designed to maximize participation from government agencies, businesses, and international partners. The edition will focus on artificial intelligence, digital talent, and the modernization of public services, featuring conferences, workshops, a student hackathon, and visits to institutions committed to digital transformation.
The CcHUB innovation center is accepting applications for GATEWAY, a five-year program that aims to train 340,000 young Nigerians in digital skills and connect them to online work opportunities. The initiative will offer training in digital marketing, graphic design, UI/UX, and video production, with support for computer access, internet connectivity, and learning spaces across ten states.
South African fintech Happy Pay has raised $5 million to scale its interest-free installment solution, in which merchants absorb the cost of monthly payments in return for higher conversion rates. The funding will support the expansion of its merchant network, reinforce its online and in-store presence, and improve its risk assessment and fraud detection capabilities.
The Innovate for Impact 2026 competition is inviting early-stage agricultural startups to present solutions aimed at improving food security, productivity and sustainability.
Open to companies from several regions, including Africa, the competition offers a total of $65,000 in prizes. Finalists will also have the opportunity to pitch their projects to investors and industry leaders in Des Moines, Iowa.
WhatsApp is testing a noise reduction feature on Android to improve the clarity of voice and video calls. The system reduces background sounds, including traffic and nearby conversations, while keeping the speaker’s voice clear. The feature is still under development and is expected to roll out in a future update, with an option to disable it.
Namibia has launched a startup accelerator in Windhoek to support the country’s startup ecosystem. Named Accelerate36, the initiative aims to help young companies scale, attract investment, and eventually list on the Namibia Stock Exchange’s SME board. Three local startups have already presented projects focused on education, healthcare, and digital skills.
South African sales management software startup Skynamo has been acquired by UK-based Klipboard Group. The company will continue to operate under its own brand, with additional resources to strengthen its platform and serve manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors. The deal is expected to expand its presence in Southern Africa, the UK and the United States.
Deel’s 2026 Pitch Startup Competition is now accepting applications from pre-seed, seed, and Series A startups. Selected startups will pitch at regional events, where up to 100 winners will receive $50,000 each and advance to the global final. The top ten finalists can secure up to $1 million in funding to accelerate their international growth.
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The Botswana Innovation Fund and Scalar International have launched the Scalar Botswana Innovation Program, a 12-month accelerator supporting ten startups in climate tech and digital technologies. Selected firms will gain access to a $150 million fund targeting decarbonization in Southern Africa, aimed at scaling sustainable energy solutions and digital infrastructure.
Legal services platform Sidebrief is launching Signal, a quarterly event series organized with Diligence Africa and Impact Hub Lagos. The inaugural edition is scheduled for March 27, 2026, in Lagos and will feature 20 speakers across five panel discussions. It aims to bring together founders, investors, regulators and support organizations to address governance, funding and growth challenges.
On April 29, the Africa Blockchain, DeFi and Web3 Summit 2026 is scheduled to take place in Lagos, bringing together founders, investors, public officials and companies to discuss digital asset use cases.
The event will be held at the Lagos Oriental Hotel and will include keynote speeches, panel discussions, demonstrations and networking sessions. Registration and sponsorship details are available on the summit’s website.
From March 16 to 27, the city of Gitega is hosting the second coding camp of the African Girls Can Code Initiative at the Rusi training center. Implemented by UN Women Burundi with support from the Kingdom of Belgium, the program aims to strengthen the digital skills of young Burundian women and prepare them for careers in technology.