Month: February 2024

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Nomfro Technologies’ 4th Entrepreneurship Empowerment Project to Support 500 African Startups

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Nomfro Technologies' 4th Entrepreneurship Empowerment Project to Support 500 African Startups

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Aspiring African entrepreneurs now have the chance to join a thriving community and gain valuable skills through the fourth edition of Nomfro Technologies’ Entrepreneurship Empowerment Project (NTEEP).
 

Applications are open until March 14th, with the program running from April 1st to 27th.

NTEEP, launched in 2020, has already empowered over 600 startups across the continent. This year, they aim to support another 500 with a comprehensive program designed to help them scale their businesses in the digital age.

The program offers participants:

– Intensive training: Industry experts lead a month-long program covering business development, strategy, and management.

– Digital marketing training: Learn how to leverage digital platforms effectively to reach your target audience and grow your business.

– Cutting-edge tools: Gain access to the latest digital tools to help you manage your business efficiently.

– Sponsored websites: NTEEP will build a website for your startup, giving you a professional online presence from the start.

– Long-term mentoring: Connect with experienced entrepreneurs who will provide you with guidance and support throughout your journey.

NTEEP welcomes applications from idea-stage and early-stage ventures across Africa with the potential for growth. To apply and learn more, visit – http://www.nteep.org/

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Ghanaian Startup Kofa Gears Up for Next-Gen Battery Network Launch

Key Developments

Ghanaian Startup Kofa Gears Up for Next-Gen Battery Network Launch

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Kofa, a Ghanaian startup pioneering Africa’s first multi-use, swappable battery network, has announced the planned launch of its second-generation Kore 2 Swap & Go network.
 
This innovative system aims to revolutionize urban energy access in West Africa by providing affordable, clean, and readily available power.

Building on the success of its initial Kore1 network launched in early 2023, Kofa’s next iteration boasts significant advancements.
 
Powered by cutting-edge proprietary IoT with full-edge AI capability, the Kore 2 network offers fully autonomous battery swapping, even in areas with unreliable internet connectivity. This ensures users can access a fresh, charged battery quickly and conveniently, regardless of location.

Furthermore, the AI-powered network unlocks substantial cost savings through high automation and auto-repairing features. This, coupled with the battery’s 30% cost advantage over petrol, makes the Kore 2 solution not only convenient but also budget-friendly.

The highly versatile Kore 2 battery caters to diverse needs, including running essential appliances like refrigerators, lights, and fans for up to 15 hours.
 
Kofa’s network currently comprises 12 strategically placed swap stations across Accra, some powered by solar energy. With a capacity of over 20,000 monthly battery swaps, the company plans to expand to 80 stations across multiple African cities by the end of 2024.
 
This ambitious expansion is projected to handle 6,000 batteries, enabling over 100,000 monthly swaps and avoiding 2,160 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually through the Jidi electric motorcycle alone.

“The launch of the Kore 2 network represents a major leap towards accessible and affordable energy in African urban centers,” said Erik Nygard, CEO of Kofa. 

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Tanzanian Healthcare Startup Medikea Secures Funding From Catalyst Fund to Tackle Climate-Induced Health Crises

New Investments

Tanzanian Healthcare Startup Medikea Secures Funding From Catalyst Fund to Tackle Climate-Induced Health Crises

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Medikea, a Tanzanian healthcare startup, has secured an investment from the Catalyst Fund to enhance its mission of delivering affordable healthcare services to vulnerable communities.
 

This investment aims to address the growing healthcare needs in Tanzania, particularly as climate change intensifies various health challenges across Africa.

Medikea’s innovative model aims to bridge the gap by combining 24/7 telemedicine with strategically located physical clinics, making essential care more accessible and affordable for underserved populations.

Africa faces a surge in health problems linked to malnutrition, infectious diseases, heat-related illnesses, and more, often compounded by a lack of readily available healthcare resources.

Medikea’s approach tackles this challenge head-on by offering an integrated care ecosystem that blends physical clinics with telemedicine support.

Founded in 2023, Medikea is the brainchild of Dr. Elvis Silayo (CEO) and Dr. Desire Ruhinda (COO), both veterans of Tanzania’s national hospital system.

Operating currently in Dar es Salaam, the startup prioritizes delivering quality care to individuals facing financial constraints.

Their unique model combines virtual consultations with physical clinic visits, offering affordable primary care and diagnostics. To date, Medikea has served nearly 10,000 Tanzanians, providing crucial services like consultations, specialist referrals, and pharmacy connections at nearly half the cost of alternative options.

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“We are delighted to partner with ISA to support the development of solar energy in Africa,” said Alain Ebobissé, CEO of Africa50. “This partnership will help to accelerate the deployment of solar energy in Africa and improve the lives of millions of Africans,” he added.

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Pan-African Startup Tappi Raises Funding From Renew Capital to Revolutionize Digital Marketing Solutions for African SMEs

New Investments

Pan-African Startup Tappi Raises Funding From Renew Capital to Revolutionize Digital Marketing Solutions for African SMEs

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Tappi, a rising Pan-African digital marketing startup, is poised to reshape how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) establish themselves online, fueled by a recent investment from Renew Capital Angels.
 

This strategic partnership aims to empower African businesses to swiftly build robust digital identities and connect seamlessly with their target markets.

Tappi provides an innovative end-to-end Software as a Service (SaaS) platform equipped with enterprise-grade tools that streamline website creation, customer engagement, and online advertising for SMEs.

The platform’s user-friendly interface allows businesses to craft their online presence in under two minutes, while also offering integrated access to major advertising channels like Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and Instagram Ads.

This combination revolutionizes digital marketing strategies for African businesses, opening doors to previously out-of-reach growth opportunities.

“Tappi serves as a catalyst for SMEs entering the digital space,” expressed Kenfield Griffith, co-founder of Tappi.

“With this investment, we’re amplifying this transformation across Africa’s diverse markets. We’re thrilled to leverage this partnership to deepen our connections with SMEs on the continent.”

Tappi’s platform goes beyond website creation, as it features an intuitive AI-powered chat tool that simplifies webpage setup and ensures businesses are instantly visible online.

Additionally, the solution extends to enhancing customer communication through WhatsApp integration, reducing operational costs, and enabling direct transactions and feedback collection.

Drawing on their expertise from developing customer experience tools for major banks and operators at Ajua, Tappi’s founders, Kenfield Griffith and Louis Majanja, are now applying their knowledge to create bespoke digital solutions specifically tailored to the needs of SMEs.

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“We are delighted to partner with ISA to support the development of solar energy in Africa,” said Alain Ebobissé, CEO of Africa50. “This partnership will help to accelerate the deployment of solar energy in Africa and improve the lives of millions of Africans,” he added.

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Diago Dieye

Diago Dieye

A seasoned professional with 17 years of experience spent between the US, the UK and Senegal in the Financial Services industry.

A native of Senegal, where she grew up, Dieye is passionate about empowering African micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

Through her rich and wide-ranging experiences at investment banks, corporate banks, consulting firms, and investment funds, she has been focusing on delivering capital to MSMEs on the African continent for more than 10 years.

She is the Founder and Managing Partner of Khuwaylid Capital, the first Shari’ah-compliant SME impact investment fund in Francophone Africa.

The fund aims to invest in Senegal, in small and growing businesses in the Agribusiness, Health and Education value chains.

Dieye previously served as a Program Director at Teranga Capital, where she co-structured and led the deployment of Suqali, a $30 million Access to Finance program funded by the Mastercard Foundation and targeting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurs (MSMEs).

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Dr. Alistair Mokoena

Dr Alistair Mokoena is a respected leader in the advertising and marketing industry who is passionate about using technology to solve social and economic challenges.

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June 9, 2023

Sim Shagaya

Sim is a Nigerian media and technology entrepreneur and a strong advocate for education in Africa.

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May 26, 2023
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Idris Ayodeji Bello

Idris Ayodeji Bello

A Nigerian tech investor and entrepreneur dedicated to fostering innovation and empowering the underserved in Africa.

His commitment is evident in his work, focusing on innovation-driven, technology-enabled social enterprises that bring transformative ideas to life, changing lives on the African continent.

As an angel investor and advisor to several African startups, Idris continues to contribute to the entrepreneurial landscape.

He sits on the Investment Management Committee of the LoftyInc Capital, focusing on early-stage ventures in Nigeria with Pan-African potential.

Idris is also serving on the Steering Committee of the Nigeria Health Innovation Marketplace and as an Independent Non-Executive Director on the Board of Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited.

He has previously been recognized among CNN’s Top Ten African Technology Voices.

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Samuel Alemayehu

Samuel is an Ethiopian entrepreneur and impact investor known for his work in Africa’s renewable energy and sustainable development sectors.

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May 22, 2023

Baratang Miya

Miya is a South African social entrepreneur and the founder of GirlHype, a non-profit organization that aims to empower girls and young women in South Africa through technology education.

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May 25, 2023
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Eutelsat and Q-KON Join Forces to Launch Africa’s First OneWeb LEO Satellite Service

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Eutelsat and Q-KON Join Forces to Launch Africa's First OneWeb LEO Satellite Service

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In a landmark move for African connectivity, Eutelsat Group and South African satellite solutions provider Q-KON have implemented the first operational Eutelsat OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite service on the continent.
 

This innovative solution provides a reliable backup internet connection for a leading digital bank in South Africa, ensuring uninterrupted service even in case of terrestrial network disruptions.

The undisclosed bank, among the pioneers of digital banking in South Africa, utilizes Q-KON’s Twoobii Smart Satellite Services.

This service harnesses the power of LEO satellites to deliver consistent internet speeds of 50 Mbps with minimal latency, guaranteeing seamless operations regardless of ground-based infrastructure challenges.

“This implementation marks a significant leap forward in securing reliable connectivity for African financial institutions, particularly those embracing the digital banking revolution,” states Eutelsat Group.

“The low latency and high bandwidth offered by LEO technology empower banks to offer uninterrupted services to their customers, even in remote areas or locations prone to terrestrial network outages.”

This pioneering collaboration between Eutelsat, Q-KON, and the South African digital bank paves the way for broader adoption of LEO-based solutions within the African banking sector.

It showcases the potential of Twoobii Eutelsat OneWeb in enhancing financial services by guaranteeing continuous, secure, and high-speed connectivity across the continent.

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Google Launches First African Cloud Region in Johannesburg, Boosting Digital Transformation Efforts

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Google Launches First African Cloud Region in Johannesburg, Boosting Digital Transformation Efforts

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Google Cloud has officially unveiled its first cloud region in Africa, situated in Johannesburg, South Africa.
 

This marks a significant development for businesses across the continent, granting them access to high-performance, secure, and low-latency cloud services.

The announcement follows Google’s initial plans revealed at the 2022 Google for Africa event. Cloud regions serve as dedicated geographical locations housing data centers operated by cloud providers.

These regions empower users, primarily businesses, to leverage cloud resources like cloud storage, compute engines, and key management systems.

Google emphasizes the positive impact this new Johannesburg cloud region will have on the African tech ecosystem.

By equipping businesses with the necessary resources, the company aims to facilitate scaling, innovation, and enhanced global competitiveness.

Google also expresses its commitment to collaborating with organizations across Africa to unlock the full potential of digitalization.

With the inclusion of Johannesburg, Google’s global network now encompasses 40 cloud regions, working in tandem to deliver Google Cloud services to over 200 countries and territories.

This expansion builds upon Google’s 2022 announcement regarding Dedicated Cloud Interconnect sites in Lagos, Nairobi, Cape Town, and Johannesburg, aimed at connecting user networks to Google’s infrastructure.

Niral Patel, Google Cloud Africa Director, highlights the Johannesburg region’s integration with Google’s secure network infrastructure, characterized by a global network of high-capacity subsea and underground fiber optic cables.

This network also includes the recently completed Equiano subsea cable connecting Portugal with Togo, Nigeria, Namibia, South Africa, and St. Helena.

This launch signifies a momentous step for Google Cloud in Africa, promising to accelerate digital transformation across the continent.

With access to advanced cloud services and Google’s collaborative approach, businesses are poised for growth and global impact.

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South African Gaming Platform Carry1st Secures Investment from Sony’s New Africa Fund

New Investments

South African Gaming Platform Carry1st Secures Investment from Sony's New Africa Fund

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Carry1st, a leading South African mobile game publisher and digital commerce platform, has secured a strategic investment from Sony Innovation Fund: Africa, marking the venture capital arm’s first investment on the continent.
 

Founded in 2018, Carry1st caters to the burgeoning African smartphone gaming market, boasting millions of users across the region.

The company has partnered with industry giants like Activision, Supercell, and Riot Games to scale popular titles like Call of Duty: Mobile and Valorant, while also developing its own games like Africa Glam and Mancala Adventures.

To enhance monetization, Carry1st established a proprietary payments platform and online marketplace.

This latest investment adds Sony to Carry1st’s already impressive roster of backers, including Andreessen Horowitz, BITKRAFT, Google, Riot Games, and Nas.

The Sony Innovation Fund: Africa, launched in late 2023 with an initial allocation of US$10 million, aims to support the growth of entertainment ventures across Africa, encompassing gaming, music, film, and content distribution.

While the specific amount invested in Carry1st remains undisclosed, it signifies Sony’s commitment to the African gaming market’s immense potential.

“We are thrilled to join forces with Sony Innovation Fund: Africa,” said Cordel Robbin-Coker, CEO and co-founder of Carry1st.

“This partnership will fuel Carry1st’s mission to shape the future of African gaming. We believe the console market in Africa holds massive, untapped potential, and Sony’s expertise in gaming and entertainment perfectly complements our regional strengths. Together, we aim to bring the best games to players across the continent.”

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“We are delighted to partner with ISA to support the development of solar energy in Africa,” said Alain Ebobissé, CEO of Africa50. “This partnership will help to accelerate the deployment of solar energy in Africa and improve the lives of millions of Africans,” he added.

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