Author: WAJ Reporter

The pan-African initiative, Investing in Innovation Africa (i3), funded by the Gates Foundation, Endless Foundation, Cencora, HELP Logistics, MSD, Chemonics, and Sanofi’s Global Health Unit, is calling for innovators to join its 3rd cohort. This organization supports African health-tech startups to commercialize, offering 3 critical resources to entrepreneurs participating in the event to help them expand. These resources include introductions to potential customers, flexible grants, and tailored advice on closing partnership deals. i3 plans to select 15 startups for the cohort, with 10 in the early-stage and 5 in the growth-stage. Early-stage startups will receive a $50,000 grant, while growth-stage…

“Projet Afrique” exhibition will be held in Accra, Ghana on January 30, 2025, showcasing innovations across the continent. The exhibition will continue until February 1, 2025, and take place at the Accra International Conference Centre. The event aligns with the 2025 Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) theme of “Delivering Africa’s Single Market through Infrastructure.” During the exhibition, Africa’s dynamic identity will be highlighted across key sectors such as Agriculture, Technology, Engineering, Automotive, and Arts. In the Technology and Engineering fields, innovations in areas like artificial intelligence, urban planning, robotics, and renewable energy will be displayed, showcasing Africa’s advancements in these sectors.…

Insight Terra has raised $5.7 million in an extended Series A funding round, led by E3 Capital, with additional support from Fireball Capital, Atlantic Bridge, Globalive, and JLR Star. This investment will help expand its AI-powered platform designed to monitor greenhouse gas emissions and manage geotechnical risks. With the funding, Insight Terra will expand its commercial and technical teams and increase adoption across various industries. Insight Terra offers a cloud-based data management platform that provides environmental risk analysis and actionable insights. This platform enables businesses to effectively monitor and reduce their environmental impact. It also caters to industries that require…

The 2025 Internet Development Conference began on January 21 in Addis Ababa. The goal of the conference is to lay the foundations for a stronger and more integrated internet ecosystem in the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) region. The event will continue for three days. Among the main topics of the conference will be enhancing regional cooperation and addressing connectivity challenges. Additionally, key stakeholders from Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan, Uganda, and Djibouti will focus on promoting the growth of the internet economy. The conference will provide opportunities for professional networking, technical knowledge sharing, collaboration on initiatives such as supporting…

Researchers from the University of Cape Town (UCT) and the MeerKAT radio telescope have discovered the existence of Inkathazo, a distinctive giant radio galaxy. As astronomers attempt to understand the unique features of this cosmic structure, they have faced various challenges. Giant radio galaxies (GRGs) are fueled by supermassive black holes and are among the largest structures in the universe. Once considered rare, these structures have been discovered in increasing numbers over the past five years, thanks to the capabilities of the MeerKAT telescope. Kathleen Charlton, a Master’s student at UCT, made the following statement about GRG research: “The number…

5G penetration across Africa is expected to reach 25% by 2029. According to findings shared by Omdia, the total number of 5G subscriptions in Africa was 20 million in 2024 and is projected to grow to 427 million by 2029. While 5G is spreading rapidly, the lack of 5G spectrum and the high cost of 5G devices are still expected to hinder its adoption across the continent. South Africa has become the leading market for 5G in the region. In South Africa alone, 5G subscriptions are forecasted to increase tenfold by 2029. In Egypt, 5G services are expected to launch…

The government of Madagascar is striving to support the country’s digital transformation through well-aligned steps, viewing it as one of the foundational pillars of its economy. This digital transformation effort is also evident in the healthcare sector, where the digitization of hospitals in Madagascar is being planned. In its 2023-2028 Digital Strategic Plan (PSN), the government presented a vision of “leveraging digital technology as a tool to drive national development.” Staying true to this vision, Madagascar aims to position itself as a significant player in Africa’s growing economy. Specifically, in the healthcare sector, the government is committed to improving access…

The Kenyan government has mandated all social media platforms operating in the country to establish physical offices within its borders. This move aims to enhance accountability and address issues such as incitement to violence, disinformation, and online harassment. Kenyan citizens, particularly the youth, had expressed concerns about the misuse of social media, and this decision seeks to address those concerns. Kenya’s Principal Secretary of the Interior, Raymond Omollo, commented on the decision, stating: “The rising abuse of social media, such as harassment, hate speech, and incitement to violence, requires swift and decisive intervention.” He also emphasized that for comprehensive security,…

The US Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has introduced export controls on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced computing technologies under a comprehensive Interim Final Rule. These restrictions are expected to limit access to advanced technological tools for countries like China. According to the AI Diffusion Framework developed by the BIS, access to AI technology is divided into three tiers. The first tier includes the US and 18 key allies, granting them privileged access to advanced computing resources. The second tier includes most African countries, which have limited access governed by licensing and quotas. The final tier consists of countries…

Recognized as one of Africa’s most distinguished figures in global finance and infrastructure, Nigerian investor Adebayo Ogunlesi has been appointed to the OpenAI Board of Directors. Ogunlesi, who has extensive experience in strategic areas such as corporate strategy, infrastructure investment, and regulatory affairs, is expected to contribute to helping OpenAI overcome the complex challenges in AI development. OpenAI Board Chairman Bret Taylor praised Ogunlesi, saying, “Bayo brings an outstanding history of leading organizations to success on a global scale, skillfully managing intricate and ever-changing commercial environments. We are thrilled to have him join the Board.” Ogunlesi is the Founding Partner,…

African Development Bank, PowerGen and Partners Announce Launch of Transformative Renewable Energy Platform to Scale Clean Energy Access Across Africa PowerGen Renewable Energy (PowerGen) has established a scalable, distributed renewable energy platform targeting the deployment of 120 MW of renewable power and battery energy storage solutions across the continent. This platform will serve more than 70,000 households. Initially, the platform will focus on the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone, and will expand through local developer and engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) partnerships. The success of this platform could accelerate efforts to connect the 570 million people without…

Vodacom Group has been named Africa’s number one employer by the Top Employers Institute. The company, one of the continent’s largest telecommunications and digital service providers, received this award for its success in standards such as work environment, people strategy, talent acquisition, learning, and well-being. Vodacom, which also won this award in 2023, has now been recognized for two consecutive years. Additionally, the company’s subsidiaries, including Vodacom Mozambique, Vodacom Tanzania, Vodacom South Africa, and Safaricom Kenya, also received this prestigious award. Vodacom Group’s CEO, Shameel Joosub, commented on the award: “We are incredibly proud to be certified as the Top…

In recent years, digital music has been on the rise in Africa. African digital music producers are strengthening the continent’s already rich musical fabric and helping solidify its position on the global stage. Pioneers like South Africa’s Black Coffee are blending African rhythms with digital music, earning awards and bringing prestige to the continent. This success has opened doors for new African talents. Thanks to the development of music technology on the continent, Africa is now able to offer digital music producers more powerful tools and platforms. These advancements have also made it easier to distribute music and monetize it.…

SpaceX’s satellite service, Starlink, has announced the launch of its operations in Liberia. The company signed an annual licensing agreement with the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA). Under this agreement, Starlink aims to increase high-speed internet access in remote, underserved, and rural areas of Liberia. Currently, the country’s internet penetration stands at 30%, and LTA Acting Chairperson Abdullah Kamara mentioned that this agreement could potentially increase the coverage to 100%. To support this goal, the Liberia Revenue Authority has purchased 50 Starlink satellite terminals to improve connectivity across its offices. This investment amounts to $162,000. Abdullah Kamara also highlighted the service’s…

The South Africa-based fintech platform Mukuru has announced the launch of its mobile wallet service in Zimbabwe. The company stated that the Mukuru Wallet offers free cash withdrawals for both local and international transactions. Marc Carrie-Wilson, CEO of Mukuru Send Money Home Zimbabwe, highlighted that the company is now able to reach more people than ever before, both in rural and urban areas. Doug Tait-Knight, CEO of Mukuru Zimbabwe Financial Services, emphasized that the wallet application facilitates more affordable local money transfers while eliminating the need for customers to carry cash, thereby enhancing security. He also noted that the app…

Egypt strengthens its digital transformation agenda with the introduction of new electronic voting systems and government service monitoring applications. This initiative aims to enhance citizens’ access to public services and foster development across the country. The new e-voting platform allows citizens to cast their votes more easily. This technology is expected to increase voter turnout and improve election security. By doing so, Egypt integrates technology into its democratic processes. Additionally, the Egyptian government has launched mobile applications that facilitate the evaluation of government services and direct complaints. Through these apps, citizens can establish direct communication channels with government institutions, creating…