Visa is inviting women entrepreneurs in South Africa to apply for the She’s Next program. The program is offering over ZAR1 million (USD 54,540) in funding, along with mentorship and training, to help businesses grow and contribute to the South African economy.

Eligible businesses must be at least 51% woman-owned and 51% black-owned, operate in South Africa, have annual revenue under ZAR50 million (USD 2,728,000), and have been operating for at least one year before July 22, 2024.

Application closes by August 9.

Kemitt, Egypt's top e-commerce platform for furniture and home accessories, has expanded into Saudi Arabia following a recent undisclosed funding round, according to a press release dated July 22.

Founded in 2017, Kemitt connects product and furniture designers with consumers, managing manufacturing, overheads, and last-mile logistics. The platform offers on-demand manufacturing and 7-12 day delivery services.

The recent funding supports Kemitt’s growth plans, including technology upgrades, product expansion, local partnerships, and its Saudi entry.

Cofinity Group, a 15-year veteran in the data center market, has signed strategic partnership agreements with Africa's largest data center operators, the group announced on July 23.

They include PAIX Data Centres, Rack Centre, Raxio, and Digital Realty's African subsidiaries iColo, Teraco, and Digital Realty Nigeria. These data center providers account for over 75% of Sub-Saharan Africa's GDP.

Cofinity’s extensive experience and relationships with these operators offer significant opportunities for enterprises seeking quality colocation data center solutions in Africa.

The adoption of technologies such as AI in health interventions signals progress towards modernizing Africa's health infrastructure. This not only helps in fighting diseases but also positions Africa as a growing hub for technological innovation.

President Yoweri Museveni met with Israeli businessmen Israel Green and Koby Shushan to discuss innovative projects for Uganda, the State House Uganda announced on July 18. The meeting focused on using Artificial Intelligence (AI) through Malera Technologies Limited to combat malaria.

President Museveni met Israeli business leaders Israel Green & Koby Shushan at Nakasero State Lodge. They discussed; Combating Malaria with AI technologies, enhancing tourism with the Ruwenzori Cable Car project & Launching a Ka-Band satellite for rural connectivity. pic.twitter.com/uRly05h2HU

— State House Uganda (@StateHouseUg) July 18, 2024

The initiative will employ the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), an environmentally friendly pest control method that involves large-scale rearing of the target pest followed by sterilization using radiation. SIT has proven successful in countries like Israel and the United States, and it has been approved by Uganda's Ministry of Health.

The discussions covered both the project's budget and timeline. President Museveni directed the immediate allocation of a portion of the current budget towards the project, with additional funding to come from Israel's support program. A follow-up meeting with the Ministry of Finance will delve deeper into financing options.

The World Malaria Report 2020 by the WHO shows that Sub-Saharan Africa bears a disproportionate malaria burden, with 95% of cases and 96% of deaths globally in 2020. In Uganda, malaria is the leading cause of illness and death, particularly affecting children under five, according to the Ministry of Health's National Malaria Control program.

This move aligns with the regional strategy for malaria elimination endorsed by the Government of Uganda (GoU). The project reflects a strategic approach to leveraging technology and innovation for sustainable development.

Hikmatu Bilali

Digital progress is critical for Africa's development, providing numerous benefits to the broader economic landscape. Efforts to increase internet penetration in Africa are vital for connecting rural communities, enhancing social outcomes, fostering economic growth, and improving governance.

Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. held a virtual meeting with Elon Musk, entrepreneur and CEO of SpaceX, the operator of Starlink. The Executive Mansion announced the meeting in a release dated July 21.

During the meeting, President Boakai emphasized the value of such engagements for building long-term relationships and improving Liberia’s key sectors through technology. He highlighted the potential of tech collaborations to enhance service delivery and support Liberia’s youth.

Musk discussed the Starlink program’s impact on education and healthcare, noting how improved internet access could benefit rural communities. He expressed support for advancing these initiatives while President Boakai welcomed the discussion as a significant step in fostering international partnerships and invited Musk to visit Liberia.

According to Datareportal, as of 2024, Liberia has about 1.65 million internet users, representing 30.1 % of the total population, showing a notable increase from previous years. The country also has around 859,000 active social media users, indicating growing engagement and connectivity among its citizens.

This discussion represents a crucial step in enhancing international partnerships and harnessing technological innovation, aligning with the Government’s ARREST (Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, & Tourism) Agenda.

Hikmatu Bilali

The Green Innovation Hub (GiH) at the African Centre for a Green Economy is now inviting applications for its Just Transition Innovation Program (J-TIP). The 6-month business incubation program seeks green enterprises ready to advance Africa’s climate action and low-carbon transition.

J-TIP will support participants with business development training, personalized coaching, and increased visibility. The program also offers mentorship, funding opportunities, and networking with investors.

Applications are open until July 31.

After a first funding round that closed on May 6, the Women in the Digital Economy Fund (WiDEF) announced its second round, on July 17. This round offers technical assistance to large private sector enterprises, including those in Africa, to help close the digital gender divide.

WiDEF is a joint effort by USAID and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, managed by CARE, the Global Digital Inclusion Partnership, and the GSMA Foundation. It will provide successful applicants with technical assistance valued between $50,000 and $150,000 for up to two years.

Applications close by September 12.

Accurate birth registration data is essential for government planning and budgeting, ensuring efficient resource allocation. It also helps monitor progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as eliminating poverty, promoting quality education, and reducing inequality.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has underscored the critical need for e-birth registration to ensure Nigerian children obtain a legal identity. Celine Lafoucriere, Chief of UNICEF's South-West Nigeria Field Office, highlighted this during a media dialogue in Lagos on July 17.

The event, organized by UNICEF in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development and the National Population Commission (NPC), aimed to promote e-birth registration in South-West Nigeria.

Lafoucriere noted that without a birth certificate, a child remains invisible and lacks access to essential services such as protection, health, and education. "Birth registration is a fundamental human right and cornerstone of a child's legal identity," she said.

The dialogue underscored the collective effort required to ensure every Nigerian child is registered and has access to their legal rights and essential services.

According to the 2022 ‘Statistical Update on Birth Registration in Africa’ by UNICEF and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), out of the 164 million children under 5 worldwide who are unregistered, over half (approximately 91 million) reside in Africa. This lack of registration hinders effective planning and policy-making, as accurate data is crucial for these processes.

The E-birth registration will allow parents to register their children immediately after birth, addressing accessibility challenges in Nigeria. This system supports robust civil registration and generates vital statistics for effective planning and policy implementation.

Hikmatu Bilali

Stakeholders from government, civil society, donors, academia, and private industry are in Nairobi, Kenya, for DataFest Africa 2024, held from July 17-19. Organized by Aga Khan University and Pollicy, the event is themed "Opportunities for All: Harnessing Data & Technology for Africa’s Transformation."

Since 2019, DataFest Africa has celebrated data science's impact on the continent. This year's conference aims to foster discussions and innovations to help Africa harness data and technology for development.

The African Union (AU) will assess the Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy and the African Digital Compact on July 18–19, 2024, in Accra, Ghana. This follows the roadmap's endorsement by African ICT and Communications Ministers in June.

The Continental AI Strategy and the African Digital Compact aim to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation through new technologies for sustainable development, economic growth, and societal well-being. It will position Africa as a leader in the global digital economy, promoting homegrown digital solutions through a strong talent pool and public-private partnerships.