Brief (381)
The London Internet Exchange (LINX) will launch LINX Accra, a new interconnection platform at PAIX Data Centres, in early Q1 2025.
This expansion responds to rising demand in Ghana’s networking community and will improve local and international internet traffic through faster, more reliable, and cost-effective connections.
LINX Accra will reduce latency and boost connectivity for businesses and consumers. The platform supports local ISPs while positioning Accra as a key internet gateway for West Africa.
Beyond Limits, an advocate for digital innovation, in partnership with the U.S. Consulate General Lagos, has unveiled the Beyond Limits Fellowship for Founders Cohort 3.0.
The 12-week program, running from January to March 2025, will equip 30 early-stage Nigerian startups with skills, mentorship, and resources to build scalable tech ventures.
Applications, open until November 29, 2024, will select startups from across Nigeria. The top three startups will receive $10,000 in resources to fuel growth.
Brij Technologies Inc. unveiled the BrijX Currency Swap B2B Digital Platform on Tuesday November 19. This will enable real-time mobile money currency swaps between Ghanaian Cedi and Nigerian Naira without traditional foreign exchange intermediation.
Supported by the U.S. Embassy in Ghana and licensed by the Bank of Ghana, BrijX is undergoing final integration with Mobile Money Limited Ghana and G-Money Financial Services. The platform is expected to go live before Christmas 2024.
The National Communications Authority (NCA) of Ghana, in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation and mobile network operators (MNOs), is negotiating with Gambian stakeholders to implement the ECOWAS Free Roaming initiative.
The ongoing talks, held from November 19 to 21, 2024, are expected to result in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This effort will lower telecommunications costs for travelers between Ghana and The Gambia.
Ghana has established ECOWAS roaming agreements with Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, and Togo, which provide local rates for calls and SMS, free reception of local and international calls, and internet access priced at local rates.
Ghana to Establish ICT Lab in Bouya Community to Boost Digital Inclusion
The Minister of Communications and Digitalisation Ursula Owusu-Ekuful announced, on November 18, plans to establish an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) lab in Bouya Community. This initiative aims to bridge the digital divide and enhance ICT literacy among residents.
The ICT lab will provide residents with access to digital skills training, e-learning platforms, and online resources, creating opportunities for education, entrepreneurship, and global connectivity.
The project aligns with the government’s broader vision of leveraging technology to drive innovation and economic progress across Ghana.
The Lagos State Government has awarded N100 million ($59, 618.93) in grants to 26 innovative agripreneurs. The announcement was made during the inaugural Lagos Agrinnovation Summit held on November 14.
Beyond the financial support, these entrepreneurs receive mentorship, technical assistance, and access to an extensive professional network to scale their ventures.
The grants aim to promote sustainable practices across the agricultural value chain. It is part of Lagos State’s broader strategy to engage youth in agriculture and create a sustainable economy.
Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, is preparing to launch in Tanzania. Its local subsidiary, Starlink Satellite Tanzania Limited, has applied for national network facilities and application services licenses with the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), as confirmed in a public notice on November 15, 2024.
The TCRA has opened a 14-day public consultation period for stakeholders to comment on the applications, with a decision expected afterward.
Starlink’s expansion into Tanzania could help bridge the digital divide and improve connectivity nationwide.The service aims to provide high-speed satellite internet, particularly in underserved rural and remote areas.
Visa has announced investments in four African fintech startups from its Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator, underscoring its commitment to financial inclusion and Africa’s digital ecosystem.
The investments focus on startups addressing Africa’s unique challenges including: Workpay, a Kenyan HR and payroll platform operating across 35 countries; Oze, a Ghana-based digital platform providing SMEs with record-keeping tools and an ML-powered credit scoring system; OkHi from Nigeria, a smart addressing solution to verify and locate physical addresses; and ORDA, a Nigerian restaurant management software supporting over 1,500 restaurants with inventory and order processing tools.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has awarded Currenzo, a Nigerian subsidiary of global financial platform Africhange, an International Money Transfer Operator (IMTO) license. This license allows Currenzo to process remittances directly into Nigeria without intermediaries, offering faster and more affordable transfers for Nigerians locally and abroad.
With this approval, Currenzo can now partner directly with Nigerian banks to streamline payments and reduce costs. The company has already partnered with three Nigerian banks and is actively seeking a settlement partner to secure transactions.
By using blockchain technology, Africhange aims to offer low-cost, efficient cross-border transfers, particularly for the African diaspora.
Absa Bank Zambia has launched the Cyberthon, a hackathon to address pressing cybersecurity challenges and spark innovation in digital protection.
The launch event, held in Lusaka on November 4, marked Absa’s continued commitment to advancing Zambia’s digital transformation.
The event highlighted the significance of collaboration in safeguarding Zambia's digital ecosystem. Cyberthon builds on the success of Absa’s previous hackathon, which was Zambia’s first Data Science Hackathon held last year.
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Bamboo, a platform dedicated to empowering Africans to invest in global markets, has launched its new remittance app, Coins by Bamboo.
This app, announced on October 31, facilitates money transfers from the diaspora to Africa with low fees and favorable exchange rates, positioning Bamboo as a contender in the burgeoning remittance sector.
Available on both iOS and Android, the app currently supports transfers from Canada to Nigeria, with plans to expand to more regions soon.
Bitcoin Events is organizing The Blockchain Africa Conference 2024. This 10th edition aims to showcase advancements in Africa’s blockchain and cryptocurrency sectors.
The event will convene blockchain developers, investors, and industry leaders at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria on November 20, 2024.
Speakers include Charles Hoskinson, Founder of Cardano, Ernest Mbenkum, CEO of Interstellar Inc., and Stafford Masie, former CEO of Google Africa. A special fireside chat will feature blockchain pioneers Elizabeth Rossiello and Ernest Mbenkum reflecting on a decade of industry growth.
Pan-African venture capital firm Janngo Capital has finalized its second fund at $78 million, it announced on October 30. This further advances its commitment to early-stage tech startups across Africa.
Janngo distinguishes itself as a "gender-equal" investor, with 56% of its portfolio companies being women-led, given that Africa has the highest rate of female entrepreneurship globally, yet receives minimal VC backing for female founders.
The firm’s investments target diverse sectors including healthcare, logistics, financial services, retail, agritech, mobility, and the creator economy.
Nigeria-based fintech Moniepoint has raised $110 million in funding from investors, including Google, to expand digital payments and banking solutions across Africa. The investment, announced Tuesday, October 29, supports Moniepoint's goal to become a key player in Africa's financial ecosystem.
Existing investors Development Partners International and Lightrock led the round, with Google’s Africa Investment Fund and Verod Capital joining as new backers.
Moniepoint will use the capital to grow its business across Africa and build a unified platform for digital payments, banking, FX, credit, and business tools.