Brief (434)
Pan-African firm Cassava Technologies announced on Thursday, September 28 its partnership with Atlas AI, a US platform using artificial intelligence to analyze data. "AI and data analytics are a core part of our digital transformation journey across all Cassava Technologies business units. Our clients across Africa will benefit from access to quality data and analytics that will help them better serve their customers," said Hardy Pemhiwa (photo, right) president and CEO of Cassava Technologies Group.
South African fintech startup Revio announced, Tuesday (September 29), the successful completion of a $5.2 million funding round. The deal was led by QED Investors and Partech, with the participation of former fintech investors such as Speedinvest, RaliCap, and Everywhere VC. Founded in 2020 by Ruaan Botha, the fintech startup wants to use the funds to, among other things, improve its technology, broaden its offerings, and expand into new markets on the continent.
Ham Serunjogi (photo), co-founder of Nigerian unicorn Chipper Cash, was appointed on Tuesday, September 26 to the U.S. Council for African Diaspora Engagement. He will serve in the twelve-member council along with 11 other African Americans, until 2025.
Africa CEO Forum, in partnership with Ecobank Côte d'Ivoire, will organize the forum “Invest in Côte d’Ivoire’s Digital Economy” (Invest in Côte d’Ivoire – Economie numérique) next October 5 in Abidjan.
According to an official press release, the event aims to highlight the investment opportunities offered by the country’s digital sector.
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.
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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.