Author: WAJ Reporter

Nigeria-based e-commerce company Konga is set to introduce Africa’s first AI-powered FM radio station, KongaFM. The station is scheduled to begin broadcasting in the early weeks of the new year. KongaFM aims to bridge the sectors of technology, commerce, and entertainment, fostering both local and international connections. It seeks to enable brands, distributors, and original equipment manufacturers to access new markets, providing a platform capable of transforming commerce in real-time. This initiative is being hailed as a groundbreaking development in media and commerce. According to the company, KongaFM will offer businesses a new channel to enhance product visibility and penetrate…

Doballi, a Dubai-based tech talent recruitment platform, has announced its expansion into Africa. This will enable the continent’s growing talent pool to connect with global employers. The platform is setting new standards in recruitment by using AI-powered evaluations and digital assessments. Africa has a younger population compared to other continents, with over 400 million individuals aged 15-35. The continent’s total population is expected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, and by 2035, more than half of the young people entering the workforce will be African. Despite this potential, access to international job opportunities remains limited in Africa. Doballi aims to…

A significant electricity price hike is expected in South Africa. The energy regulatory body, Nersa, has stated that it will make a decision on Eskom’s request for a 36% price increase by the end of January 2025. Originally, this decision was expected by the end of December, but the hearing period was extended, and further clarifications were required, which led to the delay. Eskom has not only requested a price hike for next year. The proposed increases include 36.15% on April 1, 2025; 11.91% on April 1, 2026; and 9.1% on April 1, 2027, meaning a total increase of 66%…

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB)’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab has sent 20 young African entrepreneurs to South Korea to gain inspiration and investment from its innovative technology ecosystem. Through this initiative, these young African entrepreneurs are participating in a two-week study tour aimed at acquiring investment and insights. These 20 entrepreneurs were selected from a pool of 133 young participants. The selection took place during the forum organized under the framework of the “Leveraging the Entrepreneurial and Innovation Success of Korea to Strengthen African Enterprise Support” project. During the forum, the entrepreneurs presented the best business models as part…

The African Development Bank has announced a $30 million equity investment in the Africa Finance Corporation to support climate action projects across the continent, aiming to bolster the future of green energy in Africa. The funds will be directed towards initiatives that promote the use of green energy, including solar power plants and energy storage systems. This investment is linked to AFC’s green shares program. Through this initiative, various projects will be supported, such as wind and solar power plants in Egypt and Djibouti, as well as energy storage systems in Cape Verde, alongside innovative financial instruments. By 2031, this…

Paratus Botswana is leading a project aimed at improving digital infrastructure in Southern Africa. This project, known as the SADC Highway, will create a digital pathway linking Gaborone, Livingstone, and key regions in Zimbabwe. The first section of the fiber route, connecting Botswana/Gaborone to Zimbabwe/Plumtree, is expected to be completed by February 2025. This route is estimated to cover 500 kilometers. The fiber route is believed to have the potential to provide 11 terabits of capacity, which could strengthen infrastructure in areas lacking network access. Additionally, it is expected to offer a strategic advantage by reducing operational costs for smaller…

Todd Ashton, Vice President of Ericsson Middle East and Africa and Head of the Customer Unit for South and East Africa, spoke at the 2024 Africa Tech Festival. The main points of his speech were the expansion of 4G and 5G networks and the opportunities in the enterprise sector. Ashton discussed the continued growth of 4G technology in Africa and its importance for the continent. He highlighted how lower-cost 4G devices are more accessible to African citizens, leading to increased smartphone usage and a stronger fintech market. He also spoke about the high cost of 5G devices but predicted a…

Every year, groundbreaking startups emerge in Africa, and this year, the continent has made significant strides with some pioneering ventures. These startups across various African countries highlight the continent’s growing commitment to digital growth and innovation. The rise of these ventures further emphasizes the importance Africa places on fostering technological advancement and digital transformation. Plentify Hotbot is a South African startup and a smart energy company with a mission to provide citizens with reliable, clean, and affordable electricity. Through its product, HotBot, it transforms electric or solar water heaters into smart devices. Additionally, users can access monthly reports, such as…

China-based Gotion High-Tech has announced a €2.5 billion investment in battery production facilities in Morocco and Slovakia, marking a significant step in its expansion into North Africa and Europe. For Morocco, the company will invest €1.28 billion to establish an advanced lithium battery production facility. The system will be gradually enhanced over the next five years and will play a strategic role in Morocco’s transition to sustainable energy. The country’s strong industrial infrastructure and its position as a gateway to both European and African markets are the main reasons Gotion High-Tech chose to invest in Morocco. The facility will have…

The Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) is set to acquire hybrid diesel-electric locomotives to enhance the resilience of its Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) system. This will ensure uninterrupted operations during power outages. The locomotives in this technology are designed to switch seamlessly between electricity and diesel, ensuring operational continuity. TRC Director General Masanja Kadogosa shared that the locomotives will be supplied by a European manufacturer. “The funds for the engines are already allocated in our budget. The procurement process is underway, and we anticipate acquiring the engines by next year,” “Our SGR system is designed to accommodate both electric and diesel…

The 2024 FNB App of the Year Awards, which celebrated the best in technology innovation in South Africa, recognized Matric Live as the winner. Matric Live is an educational app that transforms the learning experience for Grade 10 to 12 students. Featuring interactive video lessons, mock exam simulations, AI-driven academic support, and gamified study tools, the app offers an innovative approach to education, providing significant assistance to young learners. To win the grand prize, Matric Live underwent a rigorous evaluation process in the final stage, judged on creativity, feasibility, technical execution, and impact potential. In addition to claiming the top…

Huawei has launched its local cloud service in Nigeria, aiming to enhance data sovereignty, reduce latency, and provide greater support for local businesses. This marks a significant step in the company’s African growth strategy while aligning with Nigeria’s data protection policies. Following this initiative, Nigerian businesses will have faster and more reliable access to cloud resources. This improvement is expected to boost productivity and competitiveness in both local and international markets. This is not Huawei’s first major move in the country. The company previously announced plans to support 100 Nigerian startups. Additionally, Huawei has committed to investing in talent development…

The Senegalese digital health startup Eyone has secured a $1 million investment. This funding will allow the company to expand its services across West Africa, highlighting the growing interest in the continent’s health-tech sector. Previously, the company has offered services such as telemedicine, systems that integrate patient-doctor connectivity, and electronic health records. With the new funding, Eyone aims to address the challenges faced by underserved communities in West Africa due to infrastructure limitations. The company plans to provide affordable solutions to bridge healthcare gaps in the region. Earlier this year, Nigeria’s MDaaS Global secured $3 million, and Kenya-based Ilara Health…

Alphabet’s autonomous vehicle unit, Waymo, has formed a revolutionary partnership with Nigerian fintech company Moove to manage autonomous fleets. Moove is growing rapidly and is supported by significant funding. The company is already making its presence felt in various geographies such as Mexico and India. Founded in 2020, Moove’s rapid growth demonstrates that other African-based startups have the potential to make a global technological impact, showcasing the potential African entrepreneurs possess. One of Moove’s most critical moves has been reshaping revenue-based vehicle financing. This innovation allows drivers to pay for their vehicles through their earnings, encouraging thousands to join the…

Microsoft and NVIDIA to Collaborate in Supporting AI Startups Across Africa Microsoft has launched a new initiative through its Africa Transformation Office to foster collaboration between startups and the business world, aiming to drive the rapid and effective development of artificial intelligence (AI) across the continent. This initiative marks the beginning of Microsoft’s partnership with NVIDIA, focused on accelerating the growth and innovation of AI startups in Africa. The announcement of this partnership was further solidified during the Microsoft African Companies AI Fest held in South Africa. Gerald Maithya, General Manager of the Microsoft Africa Transformation Office, expressed enthusiasm about…

Sub-Saharan Africa holds the smallest crypto economy in the world, accounting for just 2.3% of global transaction volume. Compared to other regions, it is progressing with a more retail-focused approach. Nevertheless, Africans are increasingly adopting cryptocurrency with each passing day. Bitcoin, the most well-known cryptocurrency in the market, continues to spread across Africa, particularly in countries like South Africa, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Ghana, and Kenya. Notably, South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya are ranked among the top 10 countries in the world for cryptocurrency usage. Economic instability in Africa drives people toward cryptocurrency usage. Since this form of currency is not affected by a country’s…