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South African insurtech Naked announced today, January 21, that it has raised $38 million (about R700 million) in a Series B2 funding round led by global impact investor BlueOrchard. Existing investors, including Hollard, Yellowwoods, International Finance Corporation (IFC), and DEG, also participated.
Naked revolutionizes insurance with its fully digital platform powered by AI and automation. Customers can get quotes, purchase coverage, file claims, or pause accident insurance entirely online, without human interaction.
The funding will strengthen AI and automation, expand products and markets, boost marketing to grow its customer base, and meet regulatory capital requirements for its rapid growth.
Data Community Africa (DCA), in collaboration with DataCamp Donates, is offering free DataCamp licenses worth $150 to $300 to African data professionals for 2025/2026.
Participants can choose from learning tracks such as Data Science with R, Data Science with Python, Data Analysis with R, Data Analysis with Python, and Data Analysis with SQL
To access this opportunity, individuals must join the Data Community Africa network. This initiative aims to build data expertise and support Africa’s growing digital economy.
In partnership with Telecom Egypt, the National Network for PWD Services (Taheel) has launched a training program to enhance English proficiency and computer skills for persons with disabilities (PwDs).
The initiative, announced on January 12 by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, aims to prepare 500 participants for the job market by equipping them with essential skills and boosting their employability.
The program is part of Taheel’s mission to provide tailored services, including training and employment opportunities, for PwDs.
The Ministry of Information, Communication, and the Digital Economy is recruiting 290 ICT Assistant III professionals to advance Kenya's digital landscape.
This initiative aims to strengthen ICT capabilities and drive innovation in public service. Applications are open until February 4, 2025.
Lagos Tech Fest 2025 returns on February 19-20 for its 5th edition, offering a dynamic two-day event celebrating Nigeria's tech ecosystem. The event is open to startup founders, investors, or tech enthusiasts for networking and innovation.
This year, the festival expands to include Nigeria's Tech Leadership Roundtable, exclusive after-dark hours for networking, a live expo, and multiple stages for diverse sessions. Various topics, including AI/cloud, fintech, financial inclusion, startups, and more, will be discussed.
CcHub has partnered with the Mastercard Foundation to support edtech startups focused on improving learning outcomes and expanding access to quality education in Africa.
The program offers $100,000 in equity-free funding, expert mentorship in design, product development, and technology, and connections to investors to help startups scale.
Eligible startups must be Africa-focused, incorporated in Nigeria, and provide solutions addressing challenges in K-12 education, tertiary education, or vocational training. The program encourages inclusive teams and especially welcomes female-led startups.
Applications are open until January 31, 2025.
Nairobi will host the AI Kenya Breakfast Summit 2025 on January 29 at Mövenpick Hotel from 7:00 AM to 11:30 AM. The event, themed “Transformative AI From Efficiency Gains to Strategic Advantage,” will explore AI’s potential to enhance efficiency and provide strategic benefits for businesses in East Africa.
Topics will cover AI adoption in East Africa, partnerships to unlock AI’s potential, and using AI for efficiency and strategy. Attendees can network with leaders, explore partnerships, and gain actionable insights to drive AI-led innovation in 2025.
Zimbabwe, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), is establishing digital hubs in Bikita and Mhondoro-Ngezi districts under the Fostering Digital Villages Through Innovative Advisory and Profitable Market Services in Africa (FDiVi) project.
The hubs will serve over 5,000 residents, offering affordable internet access, digital skills training, and tools to improve efficiency across the agricultural value chain.
The initiative will empower smallholder farmers, agro-dealers, processors, and extension officers, particularly women and youth, to participate in the digital economy. It is expected to close the digital divide, enhance rural livelihoods, and foster a more inclusive agricultural sector in Zimbabwe.
Network International (Network), an enabler of digital commerce in the Middle East and Africa, has partnered with Money Fellows, the top money circles app, to introduce its first payment solution in Egypt. The partnership was announced on January 8.
Network will provide its ‘Digital Payments as a Service’ platform, offering secure payment functionality, advanced fraud prevention, and managed back-office services. The integration aims to enhance the app’s user experience and versatility.
With its regional expertise, Network will support Money Fellows' expansion across the Middle East and Africa, helping modernize money circles and expand financial access.
InnovateAI Lagos 2025, the second edition of AI in Nigeria’s flagship conference, will occur on February 21, 2025, at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos.
Under the theme “AI and the Future of Work,” the conference will examine AI’s impact on reshaping skills, recruitment, and workforce roles, focusing on innovation in key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and finance.
Speakers will include leaders from global tech firms, Nigerian banks, agritech innovators, and AI researchers addressing topics such as workforce reskilling and ethical AI development.
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Visa has launched the Visa Accelerator Program, a three-month initiative to support African startups in transforming the financial landscape. The program targets seed to Series A startups with market-ready solutions addressing key challenges in FinTech.
Startups must have a minimum viable product (MVP), proven market traction, and operations in Africa or plans to expand on the continent.
Participants will gain access to Visa’s technology, mentorship, and global network to scale their innovations. Applications close on March 15, 2025.
Egypt is set to host the Data Science and AI Conference (DSC) MENA 2025 from April 10 to 12, 2025, in Cairo, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) announced on January 2, 2025.
The event will gather over 1,500 participants and 90 speakers to discuss 25 topics shaping the future of AI and data science in the region. Sessions will focus on AI advancements, societal impacts, governance frameworks, and industry applications.
The conference begins with two days of online training and tutorials, concluding with an in-person event on April 12 at Egypt University of Informatics (EUI) in Knowledge City.
The HealthTech Hub Africa (HTHA) is now accepting applications for its 2025 cohort, seeking African ventures with innovative solutions to improve public health systems.
Applicants will be evaluated on the impact, product reliability, team expertise, market alignment, and scalability of their solutions within public health systems.
The hub offers mentorship, funding, and platforms to scale innovations to advance digital transformation and equitable healthcare access. Applications close on January 17, 2025.
On December 18, the African Development Bank announced a $10 million investment from its Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) to support the Persistent Africa Climate Venture Builder Fund (ACV Fund) in advancing climate technology entrepreneurship across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Fund will address critical financing needs for early-stage climate technology entrepreneurs, focusing on key sectors, including solar energy solutions, energy efficiency technologies, electric mobility, agricultural technology, and circular economy innovations.
The initiative emphasizes supporting African entrepreneurs, particularly women-owned and -managed businesses, including the creation of over 66,000 jobs, with a significant portion benefiting women.