Brief (360)
Botswana Fibre Networks (BoFiNet) is due to receive its data center, built by a Chinese company, in October, according to the Chinese news agency Xinhua.
Called the Digital Delta Data Center (DDDC), it is located in the Gaborone-based Botswana Innovation Hub. The Tier 3 data center spans over 1,000 square meters with the ability to house around 400 bays. It will enable Botswana to assume data sovereignty and facilitate its ongoing socio-economic transformation.
Electronic payment solutions provider Visa Inc. has officially inaugurated its new office in the Egyptian city of Cairo.
According to the company's press release, this further expansion demonstrates Visa’s commitment to supporting the company's financial institution and merchant clients, local government partners, investments, and local communities in ongoing efforts to drive the digitization of the payments landscape.
E-health platform "Expertise", which promotes digital health in Africa, and its partners recently issued a call for applications for the creation of a Committee of Experts in Digital Health for Africa (CEiSNA). The initiative aims to bring together digital health stakeholders to develop innovative strategies and solutions for the future of digital health in Africa.
Individuals, start-ups, companies, universities, and healthcare institutions involved in this sector are invited to submit applications, by November 9, 2023, at 23:59 GMT. To apply, they simply need to fill out this form.
Last week, AI company Flapmax announced the twelve startups selected for its Fast Accelerator program focused on artificial intelligence. Supported by Microsoft, the program aims to strengthen and advance the African tech ecosystem. "Participation in the FAST Accelerator program will help these entrepreneurs capture growth opportunities and expand their market reach," explained Mame-Fatou Gueye, SME Program Manager, Microsoft Africa Transformation Office.
Ghanaian start-up Complete Farmer, which connects farmers with global food buyers, recently announced it raised $10.4 million in funding, including $7 million in equity.
According to its executives, the funds will help Complete Farmer notably scale operations, improve technologies, and conduct research on agricultural protocols.
TelCables Nigeria, a subsidiary of Angola Cables, announced on Wednesday, September 20 the launch of the Clouds2Africa node. The aim is to improve connectivity in the West African sub-region and facilitate access to cloud solutions.
"Clouds2Africa is powered by Angola Cables’ submarine network, including WACS, SACS, Monet, Equiano, and Djoliba Network for West Africa, offering robust and reliable connectivity across the African continent," the company indicates.
On Thursday, September 21, Liquid Intelligent Technologies' Zambian subsidiary announced the official launch of Azure Stack, a Microsoft cloud solution accessible from Liquid's data centers. Aimed at businesses, it will, among other things, ensure they “can access local cloud solutions cost-effectively.”
Sattelite internet provider Starlink has applied for a license to operate in Zimbabwe, Information Minister Jenfan Muswere confirmed on Monday, September 18. According to the official, the application is currently being reviewed by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.
Zambian fintech Lupiya announced on Tuesday, September 19 the successful completion of an $8.25 million Series A funding round. Evelyn Chilomo Kaingu (photo, right), co-founder of the fintech, explains that with the support of Alitheia IDF, INOKS Capital, Mastercard, and Kfw DEG, Lupiya is “poised to provide holistic financial services not only to its Zambian customers but also to expand its reach across East and Southern Africa.”
On Friday, September 15, Edasso Rodrigue Bayala (photo), Burkina Faso’s Justice Minister, launched “e-casier judiciaire”, a web platform for the retrieval of criminal record certificates. The pilot jurisdictions on the web platform are the courts of Ouaga I and II. Later, the service will be extended nationwide.
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Last September 13, Guinea's Water and Electricity Regulatory Authority (AREE) launched an AfDB-funded electronic management project in Conakry. The project, funded to the tune of $401,300, will modernize electricity regulation, improve decision-making thanks to real-time data, and encourage private-sector involvement through transparent information.
The decree-law no. 2023-17 of March 11, 2023, governing cybersecurity in Tunisia and setting out the missions and operating structures of the National Cybersecurity Agency (ANCS), came into force on Monday, September 11.
Placed under the authority of the Ministry of Communication Technologies, the new agency will be responsible, among other things, for supervising the security of the information and communication systems of public and private companies in the national cyberspace.
The 7th edition of the Internet Governance Forum-Chad (IGF -Chad) will be held on Saturday, September 16 in N'djamena under the theme "Quality of service (QoS) of mobile networks in Chad and the consumer experience: measurement and improvement".
As in previous years, participants will discuss issues and opportunities linked to the responsible and secure use of the Internet in the country.
Last week, Nigerian crypto company Nestcoin announced the completion of a $1.9 million funding round. The proceeds from this round will help set up Onboard Wallet, a non-custodial crypto wallet that will enable users to transfer funds directly to a bank account without going through a centralized exchange.