Brief (431)
Safaricom Ethiopia announced on March 19 that it hosted GSMA on a workshop to close digital access gaps, particularly in gender and usage disparities.
Held at Safaricom Ethiopia’s headquarters, the session brought together Consumer Business Unit (CBU) employees and GSMA experts to address barriers like handset affordability and digital literacy. Participants explored scalable, sustainable solutions and outlined a roadmap to expand digital access.
This collaboration reinforces Safaricom Ethiopia’s commitment to making digital transformation inclusive and accessible for all.
The Zambia National STEM Foundation (ZNSF) and TEVETA have signed an MoU with the Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFE) and Agricultural Institute of Zambia (AIZ) to enhance Work-Based Learning (WBL) and boost STEM adoption in vocational training. The announcement was made on March 19.
Ministry of Technology and Science Permanent Secretary, Dr. Brilliant Habeenzu, emphasized the partnership’s role in closing skills gaps and aligning training with industry needs.
ZNSF remains committed to equipping Zambia’s workforce with industry-relevant STEM skills for the evolving job market.
Africa-focused private equity firm Alterra Capital Partners secured, on March 17, a $20 million investment from British International Investment (BII) for its Alterra Africa Accelerator Fund (AAA Fund). The fund, targeting $400 million, supports businesses driving financial inclusion, digital growth, and job creation in East and Southern Africa.
The AAA Fund, which closed its first round at $140 million, is backed by IFC, Norfund AS, DEG, Standard Bank, Allianz AfricaGrow Fund, and Public Investment Corporation.
With BII’s backing, Alterra aims to accelerate sustainable growth across the continent.
Proparco and Equity Group, a Kenya based not-for-profit foundation, have signed a €1 million agreement to support the Climate Resilient Agri-Food Systems (CRAFS) project, an Equity Group Foundation (EGF) initiative helping Kenyan smallholder farmers adopt sustainable practices.
The signing took place in Nairobi, on March 18, attended by French Ambassador H.E. Arnaud Suquet, Proparco’s East Africa Director Jean Guyonnet-Dupérat, and Equity Group CEO Dr. James Mwangi.
CRAFS will train 15,000 farmers annually in climate-smart agriculture, covering energy use, sustainable farming, waste-to-energy, and water management. A field team and industry partners will support implementation.
Mastercard announced on March 17 that it is strengthening its partnership with Paymentology, a company that helps banks and fintechs create, manage, and process card payments, to simplify card issuance for South African fintechs.
This collaboration provides the expertise, infrastructure, and speed needed to scale payment solutions, driving financial inclusion and digital growth.
Mastercard offers global payments infrastructure and security, while Paymentology provides cloud-based processing and program management. Their combined expertise ensures faster, more efficient card issuance.
The 3rd edition of the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) AFRICA 2025 will take place from April 14–16 in Marrakech. The event will unite global tech leaders, policymakers, and investors to shape Africa’s digital transformation.
GITEX AFRICA is a hub for innovation and investment. The event will feature 500+ tech and startup companies, 660+ expert speakers, and 350+ investors managing $200+ billion in assets.
Key sectors include AI, cloud, IoT, fintech, telecom, digital cities, agritech, climate tech, health tech, cybersecurity, and edutech. Over three days, industry pioneers will collaborate and drive Africa’s tech growth, cementing its place in the global digital economy.
Google is providing Conference Scholarships to help African students in technology and business attend top computer science conferences globally. The initiative aims to remove financial barriers, foster networking, and connect students with industry leaders.
Applicants must be full-time students at an African university, demonstrate financial need, and have an accepted research paper at a top computer science conference.
Scholarships cover travel and registration fees, with applications reviewed year-round. Approved funds are disbursed through the student’s university.
Safaricom Talent Cloud is offering a six-week Capstone Project for tech professionals to build, launch, and showcase products with expert mentorship and peer collaboration.
The program is open to those skilled in UX/UI design, backend (Java/Node.js), frontend (React.js), mobile (Kotlin/Flutter), DevOps, and Scrum Master/Product Owner roles.
Held in Addis Ababa, participants must attend in person for two hours weekly. The program offers a chance to apply skills, gain industry insights, and make an impact.
South Africa will host the second edition of The Presidential African Youth in AI and Robotics Competition 2025, which is set to position Africa as a leader in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
The competition is organized by AUDA-NEPAD, Ele-vate AI Africa, and the South African Government to foster innovation, skills development, and AI-driven solutions tailored to African needs. The 2025 edition will feature 12 categories, with the Presidential Award as the highest honor.
African youth aged 15 to 35 years can participate as individuals or in teams. The competition is open for registration and submissions must be completed by June 13, 2025. The final ceremony will take place on November 22-23, 2025.
Flutterwave, Africa’s payments technology company, has received approval from the Bank of Ghana to provide inward remittance services, it announced on March 11. This furthers its mission to simplify payments across the continent.
With this approval, Flutterwave aims to offer faster, more secure, and cost-effective remittance services for Ghanaians abroad sending money home.
By enhancing cross-border payments, Flutterwave is set to boost financial access and economic growth.
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Satellite network operator Intelsat and MaxIQ Space, an educational resource provider, are expanding the Africa Space STEM Program to schools in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Senegal. The initiative, announced on March 10, will grow to 12 schools, integrating in-person learning to inspire the next generation of African scientists and engineers.
The program offers in-community sessions with space STEM experts, innovative STEM kits, and interactive training, helping students explore space science, sustainability, and IoT technologies.
By equipping students with STEM skills, the program supports national development goals and strengthens Africa’s technological landscape. Application deadline is March 31st.
The Embassy of Finland in New Delhi and UNICEF have launched a global call for applications from tech startups in low- and middle-income countries developing FemTech solutions—innovations designed to enhance the health, wellness, and economic participation of women and girls.
The UNICEF Venture Fund, backed by Finland, will provide grant funding and one year of mentoring to selected early-stage tech startups using Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, and other advanced technologies. Applications are open until May 8, 2025.
The FemTech initiative (2025-2030) will invest in solutions designed with and for women and girls, addressing disparities shaped by gender and social barriers.
Google has opened applications for its 2025 Hustle Academy, a free five-day virtual bootcamp for small businesses in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. The announcement was made on March 6.
The program will equip entrepreneurs with AI skills, digital tools, and strategies to drive growth and efficiency.
Led by expert trainers, the bootcamp features live sessions, personalized mentorship, and networking opportunities. Participants will learn to integrate AI into their operations, enhancing competitiveness in a digital economy.
IHS Nigeria, a subsidiary of IHS Holding Limited, has launched incubation and acceleration programs at the Ilorin Innovation Hub in Kwara State ahead of its official opening, the company announced on February 27.
Built in partnership with the Kwara State Government, the hub aims to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth.
Together, their vision is to create over 10,000 jobs, focusing on digital skills, AI, agritech, and energy innovation.