Author: WAJ Reporter

The next decade is set to see significant increases in digitalization in Sub-Saharan Africa, propelling the continent’s technological development forward. It is expected that, as a result of this process, half of Africa’s population will have access to the internet, and artificial intelligence alone is projected to contribute $30 billion to the continent’s economy. Global companies like Google are supporting the goal of making the internet accessible everywhere. For this reason, 15 additional African languages have been introduced for voice search, Gboard typing, and Google Translate. This update will enable around 300 million Africans to benefit from these features. This…

Crystal Palace’s interest in Nigerian midfielder Raphael Onyedika, who plays for Club Brugge, continues. The 23-year-old Nigerian player has many suitors, but due to his style of play, Crystal Palace appears particularly eager for this transfer. Last season, Onyedika was one of the key players that helped his team win Belgium’s prestigious Jupiter Pro League title. He also led the team to the semi-finals of the Conference League with his outstanding performance. His physical qualities are undeniable, and his work ethic and discipline are commendable. However, he has faced criticism due to receiving two red cards in his last five…

The Dublin Marathon delivered outstanding performances this year, with Kenyan athlete Moses Kemei taking the top spot in the men’s race and Ethiopian runner Asmirach Nega breaking the world record in the women’s category. Kemei finished with a personal best time of 2:08.46, surpassing Ethiopia’s Abebaw Desalew, who clocked in at 2:09.23. Hiko Tonosa’s impressive 2:09:42 not only earned him third place but also broke the Irish record, showcasing the depth of talent in the field. On the women’s side, Asmirach Nega’s remarkable finish in 2:24.13 set a new world record, further solidifying her status among the elite in marathon…

Meg Whitman, who previously served as the CEO of HP and eBay, and is currently the U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, has emphasized the importance of counterbalancing China’s influence in Africa. Whitman stated that during her time as a CEO, she hardly ever thought about Africa, but now her perspective has completely changed. Of course, this attitude is common among U.S. tech companies. The main reasons for this issue are the unstable governments, changing regimes, and inadequate infrastructure in the countries on the continent. However, as Whitman pointed out during her ambassadorship, America has not shown enough presence in Africa over…

Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey, both players for Premier League club Fulham, expressed their pride in representing the Nigerian national team. The duo, who were part of the squad that helped the Super Eagles reach the final of AFCON 2023, are grateful for their decision and hope that other Nigerian-origin players born in different countries will make the same choice. Both players could have represented other nations, but Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey chose the Nigerian national team. In an interview with Sky Sports, Alex Iwobi emphasized that success on the international stage would positively influence other players’ decisions. “Yeah,…

The 27-year-old Ethiopian athlete Yomif Kejelcha, a two-time indoor 3000m champion in his previous races, broke another world record in the half marathon held in Valencia, Spain. It took him just 57 minutes and 30 seconds to complete the race. Five years ago, Yomif Kejelcha had also set the indoor mile world record in another competition. Despite this being only his sixth half marathon, he managed to achieve such a remarkable feat. The athlete started the race at a fast pace and significantly increased his speed during the final three kilometers. The previous record holder was the Ugandan athlete Jacob…

RecycleX, AquaGrey, and Binn Solution have been chosen to represent South Africa in the upcoming PachiPanda Challenge across Africa. Spearheaded by MTN SA in partnership with the conservation organization WWF South Africa, the PachiPanda Challenge aims to raise environmental awareness and promote sustainable practices. It also provides a platform to showcase technologies that support South Africa’s ‘Just Transition’ goals. Keabetswe Mabe, the General Manager of Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN SA, made the following statements regarding the event: “MTN has collaborated with WWF through the PachiPanda Challenge to inspire young South Africans aged 16 to 35 to develop innovative…

Libya announced that it will initiate legal action against the Tunisian pilot who provided testimony favoring Nigeria before the controversial match. Abdul Hakim Al-Shalmani, a member of the Libyan CAF Executive Committee, described the statement made by Captain Abdellatif Merchergui, the Tunisian pilot responsible for transporting players during the qualifying match, as disappointing. According to him, the evidence presented by the pilot was false and slanderous. “What the Nigerians are trying to portray as injustice on our part is, in fact, an attempt to cover up the truth, as the testimony presented was completely false.” Al-Shalmani also stated that Nigeria…

Roma and Milan Prepare for Transfer of Nottingham Forest and Super Eagles Defender Ola Aina Roma and Milan are gearing up for the transfer of Nigerian defender Ola Aina, who moved from Torino to Nottingham Forest. Rumors suggest that he may return to Italy this season as he is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, sparking interest from both clubs. Aina is currently a key player for Nottingham Forest, which is why they are looking to renew his contract. However, the desire of both Italian giants to strengthen their right-back positions seems to pose…

BasiGo Raises $42 Million to Accelerate Public Transport Electrification BasiGo has raised $42 million to accelerate the electrification of public transport. Of this amount, $24 million comes from Series A equity financing, while $17.5 million is sourced from debt. The capital raise was led by Africa50, with participation from investors such as Novastar Ventures, CFAO Kenya, Mobility54, SBI Investment, Trucks VC, Moxxie Ventures, and the Susquehanna Foundation. Additionally, through this equity financing, BasiGo will be able to secure an extra $7.5 million in debt from British International Investment (BII) to expand its E-bus deployments in Rwanda. This capital will be…

Abdelaziz Barrada, who played as Morocco’s number 10 in recent years, has passed away at the age of 35. His former clubs, Marseille and Antalyaspor, released condolences for the player who died at 35. The cause of his death has not yet been confirmed by official sources. Marseille stated, “The club would like to offer its sincerest condolences to his family and share their grief,” while Antalyaspor expressed, “We have learned with deep sadness that Abdelaziz Barrada, who once played for our club, has passed away. We wish Allah’s mercy upon Abdelaziz Barrada; we extend our condolences to his family,…

Huawei Cloud has grown 16-fold in South Africa over the past five years. Demand for cloud services continues to rise across the country. With a strategic move made five years ago, Huawei Cloud became the first international firm to establish a hyperscale cloud center in the country, propelling it forward in the region. The company maintains its leadership in the sector with three data centers, particularly in the capital, Johannesburg. Competing with giants like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google, Huawei aims to stand out in the cloud market, which is valued at $6 billion. The competition is intensifying among other major…

Football fans have been eagerly awaiting the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to release the list of nominees for the 2024 CAF Awards. The event, which is scheduled to take place in Marrakech on December 16, has now revealed the top 10 nominees in each category. For the Best Male Player award, last year’s winner Victor Osimhen has not been nominated this time . Surprisingly, players like his teammate Victor Boniface and Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz, who were expected to make the list, were also omitted. Jose Peseiro, who led the Super Eagles to the final, has not made the…

Emmanuel Adebayor, who left his mark on an era, will play his testimonial match in Togo and retire from football after having played for major clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Arsenal. This legendary footballer, who helped his country qualify for the World Cup for the first time, will be honored in a ceremony after his testimonial, with African football legends Samuel Eto’o, Jay-Jay Okocha, and the Toure brothers in attendance. According to Adebayor, the armed attacks he witnessed during his childhood and while playing for the Togo national team were turning points in his career. In an…

The third Africa HealthTech Summit will be held at the Kigali Convention Center in Rwanda. Organized by Africa CDC and Smart Africa, this event will bring together ministers of health and technology, national public health institutes, and leading innovators. The summit will cover topics such as technology, media, satellite, and broadcasting. Discussions will focus on the impact of digital transformation on the healthcare sector. The event will explore how emerging technologies can effectively improve health systems and individual well-being in various African countries. Africa CDC’s Chief Digital Advisor, in a statement to Tech Africa, commented on the summit: “The Africa…

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that the 2024 African Player of the Year Awards will be held on December 16, 2024, in Marrakech, Morocco. With this announcement, it is confirmed that Morocco will host the event for the third consecutive year. CAF takes into account not only national team performances but also club achievements when awarding this prestigious honor. Last year’s award was won by Victor Osimhen, who delivered an outstanding performance for Napoli. However, this year, Osimhen has not been able to maintain his form and has not played as much as expected. As a result,…

The Nigerian national team was redirected to a different airport before their match against Libya and had to wait for 20 hours without access to food and drink. Following this incident, Nigeria decided not to participate in the match. FIFA Council member and former Nigeria Football Federation president, Amaju Pinnick, confirmed that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is set to make a statement regarding the poor treatment experienced by the Nigerian national team during their trip to Libya. According to him, this decision will be finalized today or tomorrow. In an interview with Arise Television, he stated, “CAF is…

Equinix Opens JN1 Data Center in South Africa Digital infrastructure firm Equinix has opened the JN1 data center in South Africa, which has a reported potential of 20 megawatts. The JN1 data center aims to provide secure and resilient connectivity services in South Africa. The company announced that it would connect businesses in Africa and other continents to its global network of customers and partners, investing $160 million for this purpose back in December 2022. The first phase of the project includes a 4-megawatt facility, which is expected to attract a diverse group of customers, including subsea cable providers. Sandile…

The Zanzibar government has announced the launch of a blockchain sandbox program. The aim of this program is to enhance entrepreneurship and technological advancements. Designed by Ledgerfi IT, the program is supported by the Xinfin XDC network. This sandbox program seeks to facilitate fintech startups, similar to the initiative in Tanzania. Both programs aim to reduce risks and encourage investment. According to a report, the archipelago’s government is now inviting interested startups to join the sandbox. Priority will be given to entrepreneurs offering digital solutions such as financial inclusion. Innovators will have the opportunity to receive mentorship from pioneers and…

The FIFA international club rankings have been updated today. The Argentina national team continues to hold the top position, while many teams in Africa have changed their standings. Morocco, which reached the semifinals by eliminating Portugal in the last World Cup, has become the highest-ranked African team at 14th place. Senegal, in 20th place, and Egypt, in 30th place, follow Morocco in the rankings. Thanks to their impressive performances in AFCON, Nigeria and Algeria share the 36th and 37th positions. Despite not suffering any losses in the current tournament, the Ivory Coast, the winner of the last cup, has dropped…

SuperSport United has announced the signing of left-winger Abubeker Nasir from reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns. Last week, before Orlando Pirates’ 2-0 victory over SuperSport United, head coach Gavin Hunt mentioned that the squad was struggling with injuries and a lack of depth. Previously, SuperSport United had also faced a 4-0 defeat against Kaizer Chiefs, further highlighting their squad issues. This transfer will likely provide much-needed relief for the team. Sundowns head coach Manqoba Mngqithi had already informed the media about the transfer, but the official announcement came today. Abubeker Nasir is a talented player, but due to long-term injuries and…

Zimbabwe surpassed their opponent Gambia with a score of 344-4 in T20 cricket. This score marked the highest ever achieved in T20 history. Captain Sikandar Raza managed to score 133 runs off 43 balls. Previously, the world record had been held by Nepal, who defeated Mongolia with a score of 314-3, but Zimbabwe extended this record. Raza reached his century in 33 balls, equalling Namibia’s Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton as the second-fastest in T20I cricket. In addition to Raza’s brilliant performance, Tadiwanashe Marumani scored 62 off 19 balls, Clive Madande 53 off 17 balls, and Brian Bennett 50 off 26 balls.…

Rodney Strasser, the AC Milan midfielder and Sierra Leone national team player, attended the 46th CAF Ordinary Assembly held yesterday in Addis Ababa. The event brought together many leaders and organizations from across Africa. CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe and Secretary General Veron Mosegno were among the notable figures participating in the discussions held in Ethiopia. Strasser shared his experience with the media, stating: “I am honored to be part of the CAF 46th Ordinary General Assembly in Addis Ababa, joining colleagues from across the continent.” He added, “We are here to discuss the future of the game, making sure…

In August, the European Union enacted its AI law, a globally significant step in regulating the use of artificial intelligence. South Africa’s Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) is reviewing whether these regulations align with the country’s policies. The upcoming regulations will form the foundation for AI use in South Africa and may potentially lead to an independent AI law. Amid this regulatory momentum, there is growing concern within the financial services sector about the risks posed by AI-driven solutions. This has led to increasing demand for comprehensive risk mitigation strategies, including software escrow. Guy Krige, Executive Risk Consultant…

The English media reports that Premier League giant Arsenal is set to make a move for a right-wing transfer. Arsenal, which boasts one of the strongest squads in the world, is considering Cameroonian player Bryan Mbeumo for this position. The 25-year-old player, who plays for another Premier League team, Brentford, has scored six goals in eight matches this season. This places him second in the race for the top scorer, just behind Manchester City’s star striker Erling Haaland. Arsenal indeed has a very strong squad, and in the position they are considering Mbeumo for, they already have Bukayo Saka, who…

Siya Kolisi and Rachel announced their divorce after being together for over ten years. South African national team player Kolisi and his wife were among the most loved couples in the country. Their social media posts showed that they shared a strong bond as a couple. Therefore, fans were left in shock and sadness upon hearing the news of their split. Siya Kolisi was the first black captain of the national team and was one of the players who led his country to victory in the World Cup in 2019. After dating for four years, the couple got married in…

Nigeria is establishing a Cybercrime Rapid Response Desk that will provide intelligence on cyber crimes and act swiftly. This initiative, aimed at increasing the fight against cyber crimes, will operate 24 hours a day to quickly respond to reports from the public. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken this measure to strengthen its efforts in combating cyber crime. The rapid response desk, set up by the EFCC, will have both local and international phone numbers for contact. This launch was one of the key highlights of the National Cybercrime Summit organized by the EFCC with support from…

The renewable energy firm Cleanergy Namibia continues to advance its ammonia and green energy terminal project. The company’s goal is to complete this project by 2028. The allocated budget for this project has reached $230 million. The firm has successfully obtained two environmental clearance certificates while continuing its specialized studies. However, to achieve its goals, they need to secure a permit from the Namibia Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism by March next year. Regarding these efforts, Eike Krafft, a member of the company’s Development Committee, stated, “We are focusing on commercial ammonia production, aiming for a target of around…

The recent surge in BTC production costs to record levels has significantly squeezed the profits of crypto miners. Wall Street-listed Bitcoin (BTC) miner BitFuFu (NASDAQ: FUFU) has announced its plans to acquire a majority stake in an 80 MW capacity crypto mining facility in Ethiopia. BitFuFu, like other companies in the industry, has been hit hard by the crypto crisis. Its costs have increased by 170%, and its revenues have dropped by 75% as a result. After this investment, BitFuFu will have a hosting capacity of over 600 MW. One of the key advantages of the Ethiopian facility is the…

Rudolph Gerhardus Snyman, who plays for Ireland’s champion club Leinster, will once again feature in the South Africa squad. Snyman had to leave the national team due to a foot injury, causing him to miss the previous Rugby Championship. However, he has been delivering outstanding performances for Leinster recently. As a result, it is expected that the two-time World Cup winner will have an easier time readapting to the national team. Additionally, star players like Damian Willemse, Andre Esterhuizen, and Franco Mostert will also return to the Springboks for this tournament. South Africa has emerged victorious in the last two…

In recent years, the Nigerian government, making strides in the development of 5G technology, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Swedish ICT company Ericsson. This collaboration aims to develop, implement, and foster innovation in 5G technology. With this agreement, Nigeria could ensure an effective transition to 5G in the long term. This would enable 5G to be used as a tool in the future to achieve digital transformation goals, foster economic growth, and improve public services. The Nigerian government delegation, which signed the memorandum, was led by Vice President Kashim Shettima. Other key figures included Foreign Minister Yusuf…

CAF President Patrice Motsepe made strong statements regarding the incidents that led to the cancellation of the Nigeria-Libya match. The Nigerian national team was redirected to a different airport in Libya before the match and was stranded there for over 13 hours. Motsepe stated that he would take full responsibility for the situation: “When there was this problem of the Nigerian national team in Libya, I will not comment on that because there is a proper investigation [going on], but I want to emphasise the principle we will not tolerate. Because this is something that has been going on for…

Hakeem Olajuwon paved the way for Africans to enter the NBA 40 years ago and left an indelible mark in history. His record-breaking achievements and victories have set an example for the careers of three young African-linked star centers today. Ulrich Chomche from Cameroon became the youngest player ever drafted in NBA history. Nigerian-born Adem Bona and Yves Missi, who was born in Central Africa, were also part of the draft. Currently, 10% of the NBA player pool consists of players with African parentage. These three young players earned their spots in the NBA, joining the rosters of the Toronto…

Cloud technology is fundamentally changing how companies store and process data, providing cost savings and flexibility. Many individuals, like 24-year-old Kumba Njie studying cloud computing in Banjul, Gambia, aim to build careers in this field. Demand for cloud computing services in Africa is growing at an annual rate of 25-30%, significantly outpacing growth rates in Europe and North America. This technology is driving significant changes in Africa’s fintech and telecommunications sectors. For example, fintech companies like Flutterwave leverage cloud infrastructure to reduce costs and enhance efficiency. Gurbhej Dhillon, chief technology officer at Flutterwave metioned: “We harness the power of the…

Having faced each other in the last CAF Super Cup, Egyptian teams Al Ahly and Zamalek will once again go head-to-head in the Egyptian Super Cup final. Pyramids missed a penalty with Ramadan Sobhy in their match against Zamalek, and in the final moments, what would have been the winning goal was disallowed. The regular time of the match ended 1-1 with goals from Ibrahim Adel and Seifeddine Jaziri. This allowed Zamalek to avoid elimination, as they advanced thanks to their goalkeeper Awwad’s crucial saves during the penalty shootout. Al Ahly, on the other hand, defeated their opponents Ceramica Cleopatra…

Abdullah Ercan, a winger who has played for both Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe, stated that the competition in the Turkish league has been ruined due to Osimhen’s transfer, resulting in a one-sided dominance. The Super Eagles player decided to leave Napoli and join Galatasaray on a one-year loan. The Nigerian player has provided tremendous strength to his team, recently scoring a stunning bicycle kick against Antalyaspor. Ercan mentioned that this performance will only increase over the weeks and will lead to an unfair competition:“Mauro Icardi and Victor Osimhen in Galatasaray are an unfair competition for the Super League.” Osimhen, who quickly…

After suffering a 4-0 defeat against Kaizer Chiefs, Supersport United will face Orlando Pirates, who were also defeated in the cup match. Supersport’s coach stated that their squad is inadequate compared to Orlando Pirates, who are competing at the top of the league. Following Orlando Pirates’ first loss of the season, a strong response is expected against Supersport United. Supersport United coach Gavin Hunt made the following statement regarding the match:“The next game is always the most important. We go again against Pirates. We are so short in numbers [suggesting their squad is thin] but we’ve got to pick ourselves…

The Nigerian fintech company Woven Finance, which provides a payment gateway service enabling merchants to receive payments through card payments and bank transfers, had published a report in the first quarter of 2024 stating that they would be shutting down. An email was also sent to customers regarding this, but it was later clarified as a mistake and the company denied the shutdown. The Head of Products and Partnerships, Frank Ugwulali, explained that this email was meant to be an internal email and that sending it to customers was an error. It was never actually about shutting down; the email…

Kagiso Rabada has become the 39th player to take 300 Test wickets. Only 5 South African cricketers have achieved this milestone before him. He accomplished this feat by taking 3 wickets on the first day of the first Test against Bangladesh. What makes Rabada’s achievement remarkable is his age and career. He reached this milestone in just 65 Test matches. While he ranks 7th in terms of matches played to reach 300 wickets, he set a world record by achieving it with only 11,817 deliveries. This is 785 balls fewer than Pakistani legend Waqar Younis. Rabada also became the 8th…

Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest tech investors, is making revolutionary strides in AI on the continent. In 2025, global investors will turn their attention to Nigeria’s growing startup economy through GITEX, the world’s largest tech expo. Nigeria ranks in the top 15 globally in the fields of AI and cryptocurrency. With the launch of its AI strategy and the AI Collective Initiative, Nigeria is making significant moves in the tech world. Africa has 2,400 AI organizations, with 40% of them consisting of startups. Thanks to these moves, Nigeria ranks second on the continent, just behind South Africa, in AI organizations.…

Nigerian national football player and Bundesliga sensation Victor Boniface was involved in a traffic accident in Germany and was hospitalized. The 23-year-old star striker had managed to score against Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, but subsequently suffered an accident. He survived the crash without serious injury; however, he incurred damages amounting to €167,000. On Sunday, the player shared a story on Instagram that clearly showed his right hand bleeding at the time of the accident. His vehicle, on the other hand, was in much worse condition, with significant damage to the body. By captioning the video with “God is the greatest,”…

Last Thursday, the Meltwater Entrepreneurship School of Technology (MEST Africa) held a meeting to review and celebrate the achievements of their five-year partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. The main focus of the gathering was to anticipate and analyze transformative technologies in Ghana. MEST Africa’s Programs Director, Olufemi Adewumi, praised the partnership for its role in supporting technological initiatives in Ghana. Meanwhile, Rica Rwigamba, Country Director at the Mastercard Foundation, discussed the importance of providing young innovators with the tools and resources they need to succeed in the digital economy. The event also analyzed the successes of the past five years,…

Digital Encode Unlimited, Africa Tech Alliance Forum (AfriTECH 4.0), which will be held in Lagos, Nigeria, has announced its sponsorship. By opening a state-of-the-art facility in the Lekki area of Lagos, Digital Encode has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its global presence and addressing cyber threats worldwide. Following the establishment of this office, the company also launched a specialized center called the Centre for Information Security Intelligence (CISI) to create an intelligence network for threats and collaborate with international cybersecurity organizations. Dr. Obadare Peter Adewale, the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Digital Encode, stated that by proactively addressing emerging…

Despite recent poor performances, Kaizer Chiefs’ head coach Nasreddine Nabi made intriguing statements following their convincing victory. The Chiefs, one of South Africa’s competitive teams, came prepared to the match against SuperSport United in the first round of the Carling Knockout, winning 4-0 in honor of their club chairman’s 80th anniversary. Goals for Kaizer Chiefs were scored by Gaston Sirino, Yusuf Maart, Ranga Chivaviro, and Ashley du Preez. If Chivaviro had not missed clear opportunities, the match could have ended differently. Chivaviro was booed by the fans for squandering those chances, but Coach Nabi emphasized the need to support players…

Cameroonian fighter Francis Ngannou emerged victorious in his return to MMA. The 38-year-old Ngannou knocked out Renan Ferreira in the first round, dedicating his win to his son Kobe, who passed away earlier this year. After becoming the UFC heavyweight champion two years ago, Ngannou left the organization and became one of the most recognized boxers in the world. He had always expressed a desire to return to MMA, and with this fight, he achieved that goal. Ngannou, who had considered retirement earlier this year, revealed that he continued fighting to honor Kobe. He said, “I can’t think about anything…

South Africa couldn’t overcome New Zealand in the final. New Zealand had lost 10 consecutive matches before the tournament began, making their T20 championship a surprise for the entire world. Having reached the finals in 2009 and 2010 but losing both, New Zealand secured their first T20 title. South Africa delivered a dominant performance in the first half of the match but couldn’t finish strong. Although South Africa’s national team captain Laura guided them to 47-0 in the first over, it wasn’t enough. With this result, South Africa has now lost two consecutive finals. After surpassing the tournament favorites, the…

Safaricom Unveils 2024/2025 Mission at Vodacom Event, Focusing on Smartphone Accessibility in KenyaSafaricom CEO Dr. Peter Ndegwa presented plans for 2024/2025, focusing on increasing smartphone accessibility in Kenya through innovative financing and local assembly. At Vodacom’s strategy event in Johannesburg, Safaricom CEO Dr. Peter Ndegwa presented the company’s mission for 2024/2025, emphasizing its commitment to enhancing smartphone accessibility in Kenya. To achieve this goal, Safaricom is implementing innovative device financing solutions and investing in local assembly. These initiatives are designed to make smartphones more affordable and effectively bridge the digital divide. This strategy aligns seamlessly with Vodafone Group’s broader objectives…

Technological investments are continuing across Africa, with access to technological resources and inclusivity expanding day by day. According to data compiled by Techloy, this week’s investments across the continent include the following: Kenya’s firm Sistema.bio raised $15 million to scale its biogas solution, while another Kenyan company, Octavia Carbon, secured $5 million in funding for its clean technology project. South Africa’s renewable energy startup, Grid Africa, received $2.8 million for its projects. Egypt’s Rabbit Mobility raised $1.3 million to support its expansion plans, and Kenya’s Lapaire secured $3 million to expand its operations. Sistema.bio, which secured the highest amount of…

In the third quarter of 2024, while global fintech investments experienced a 25% decline, Africa saw an astounding 688% increase. When we break this down numerically, investments in Africa rose from $34 million in the second quarter of 2024 to an impressive $268 million in the third quarter. Fintech companies on the continent raised more capital in the third quarter than in the combined total of the first and second quarters, having previously secured $131 million in the first quarter. Although the first quarter of 2023 saw a record investment of $412 million, this significant rise in Africa’s fintech sector…

Moroccan company ToumAI wins Best AI Startup award at AfricArena 2024 in Tunisia. Over the past five years, more than $150 million has been invested in the technology sector in Tunisia. Following these investments, Morocco has begun to be recognized as Africa’s top deep tech and AI hub. AfricArena 2024 was supported by major sponsors such as Caisse des Depots et Consignations (CDC), the World Bank, Smart Capital, Startups & PME Innovantes, GIZ SAIS, AWS Startups, and Cloud Plexo. Christophe Viarnaud, founder and CEO of AfricArena, emphasized that AI specialists across the continent are producing innovative solutions on a global…

Rwanda, which suffered a genocide 30 years ago, is now working to bring the Formula 1 Grand Prix to the country through its successful governance. Paul Kagame, the driving force behind this initiative, has intervened against rebels in the Central African Republic, attracted foreign investors, implemented economic reforms, and significantly reduced corruption. Despite being a small landlocked country, Rwanda is increasingly becoming a significant player on the continent. Kagame places great importance on investments in sports. He has previously developed a partnership with the NBA and invested hundreds of millions of dollars to enhance Rwanda’s sports facilities. Recently, he has…

Cameroonian athlete Ngannou started MMA at the age of 26. People thought he was too late to start this sport and that it would be impossible for him to become a champion. However, he ignored the criticism, continued to work hard, and earned his place in the UFC. Critics continued to disturb him even in the professional league, saying he was too one-dimensional to become a champion, but their words were not strong enough to knock out Francis Ngannou. In 2021, the Cameroonian fighter managed to reach for the trophy by surpassing his opponents. After that, Ngannou wanted to elevate…

The 26-year-old South African winger Monnapule Saleng, who has scored 2 goals in 2 matches this season, could be on his way out of Orlando Pirates. Orlando Pirates, set to face Algerian champions Belouizdad in the CAF Champions League on Saturday, have been on the rise recently, adding a trophy to their cabinet and sitting at the top of the league table. While these successes have delighted the fans, the players’ high performances have begun to attract the attention of other clubs. Rumors suggest that Monnapule Saleng has suitors from Europe. Belgian Jupiter Pro League side Standard Liege and several…

Roald Poulsen, who left an indelible mark on the hearts of Zambian football fans for his remarkable achievements, has passed away at the age of 73. The main reason for Poulsen’s legendary status among Zambians was his role in rebuilding the Zambia national football team after the tragic plane crash on April 28, 1993, which occurred before their match against Senegal. In this disaster, 18 Zambian players lost their lives. Despite this tragedy, just 67 days later, Poulsen managed to assemble a team capable of defeating African giants like Morocco. Poulsen also coached Zambia between 1994 and 1996, as well…

In the T20 Cricket World Cup, the Proteas defeated six-time champions Australia, knocking them out of the tournament. With this victory, the South African cricket team secured their spot in the final while preventing Australia from reaching their eighth final. South Africa chased down their target of 135 with 16 balls to spare. The star of the match, Anneke Bosch, scored 74 runs off 48 balls. Captain Laura Wolvaardt also played brilliantly, contributing significantly to the team’s success. Australia finished their batting at 134-5, but South Africa’s offense proved unstoppable. South Africa had previously achieved this level of success when…

Satellite operator Intelsat has announced a new cellular backhaul service in Lagos, aimed at strengthening connectivity in West Africa through satellite and terrestrial networks. According to the company, this project will significantly expand connectivity infrastructure in both Nigeria and across Africa. Hans Geldenhuys, Intelsat’s Director for Africa, stated that their CellBackhaul network offers a solution that combines the strengths of both geostationary (GEO) and low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. He noted: “Expanding our CellBackhaul services is a key objective for Intelsat. Since its launch, we have extended coverage to six regions across six continents, and we added two more regions in…

CAF announces a 10-man shortlist for the CAF Player of the Year award every year during this period. One player from this list ultimately wins the prestigious award. This year, many players have delivered exceptional performances. Serhou Guirassy has contributed an incredible number of goals for Stuttgart, taking the Bundesliga by storm. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has also shown signs of returning to his old form in France. Potential candidates for the list include Brahim Diaz and Edmond Tapsoba, who have elevated their game this season, as well as long-established stars at the top of European football, like Mohammed Kudus, Achraf Hakimi,…

Ademola Olajade Lookman has made an impressive rise in both the Nigerian national team and Atalanta, attracting the attention of major clubs. Last year, he scored a hat-trick to lead his team to victory in the Europa League and reached the AFCON 2023 final with Nigeria. The 26-year-old player spoke about the significant effort his mother put into shaping him into the man he is today. After winning the Europa League, Lookman celebrated his success with his mother, whom he affectionately calls “Superwoman,” and his childhood coach. In an interview with Olt Sports, Lookman shared, “I lived with my mom…

Morocco is culling stray dogs as it prepares for the 2030 World Cup, with some campaigners expressing concerns to authorities about the harshness of the methods used. Animal welfare groups are warning the Moroccan government regarding this issue. It is reported that the number of dogs to be killed could reach three million. Morocco is one of three host candidates for the tournament, which will be co-hosted with Spain and Portugal. The International Animal Coalition has launched a campaign to prevent this situation. They claim that dogs are being slaughtered through injection or poisoned bait. Additionally, it is alleged that…

According to a recent survey conducted by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), cash remains the most preferred payment method in South Africa. Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago emphasized the need to monitor the changes in digital payments over the years, highlighting that the system should be more inclusive for citizens. Paymentology is a South African company that leads innovations in the digital payment space. Considering the recent explosion in this sector, we can see that it is a company open to development. CEO Jeff Parker stated in his remarks that they aim to offer innovative solutions, targeting customer choice…

Founded in 2014 by Justin Coetzee, South Africa-based B2B software-as-a-service fleet management company GoMetro has secured a grant of $191,000 from the UK Freight Innovation Fund. GoMetro offers an OEM-agnostic electrification management platform for bus and truck operators, which helps reduce carbon emissions and environmental pollution. The company will collect and analyze fleet movement data from a UK depot and then identify vehicle and infrastructure needs. Founder and CEO Justin Coetzee stated, “The grant will be used to finance a six-month trial with leading UK logistics companies Maritime Transport and Welch’s Transport to implement GoMetro’s EV-FIT solution for electric vehicle…