This year-long mentorship initiative pairs 70 female Kenyan university students pursuing technology degrees with experienced women working at Microsoft.

The program’s launch coincided with International Women’s Day, highlighting Microsoft’s commitment to increasing female representation in the tech sector.

“We see a significant underrepresentation of women in technology fields,” said Catherine Muraga, Managing Director of Microsoft ADC.

“WINS aims to address this by providing mentorship and support to young women in tech, encouraging them to complete their studies and pursue successful careers.”

Muraga emphasized the importance of diversity in driving innovation. “WINS aligns with our broader diversity and inclusion goals,” she stated.

“By empowering women in tech, we contribute to a more inclusive industry and a brighter future for technology as a whole.”

The inaugural WINS cohort includes students from prestigious Kenyan universities like the University of Nairobi, Kabarak University, and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

The program complements existing Microsoft ADC initiatives focused on women in tech, including campus tours, faculty development programs, and the Game of Learners challenge.

WINS signifies Microsoft’s dedication to building a more inclusive tech landscape in Kenya and beyond.

By investing in young women’s education and professional growth, the program paves the way for a more diverse and innovative future for the tech industry.

The Nxtra by Airtel data center is a cornerstone of the company’s new data center venture, Nxtra.

This project is expected to generate over 1,000 jobs in Nigeria, with 250 permanent positions created upon completion.

The news was announced by Segun Ogunsanya, Group CEO of Airtel Africa, during a groundbreaking ceremony held in Lagos.

The state-of-the-art facility boasts a targeted capacity of 38 megawatts and will utilize high-density racks built with cutting-edge practices to achieve an impressive Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.3. Completion is slated for the first quarter of 2026.

Ogunsanya emphasized the transformative nature of the Nxtra project for Airtel Africa, particularly in Nigeria, their largest market.

He highlighted Nxtra’s role in enhancing data sovereignty, security, and preservation across the continent. This initiative aligns with Airtel’s vision of establishing Nigeria as a central hub for digital service access.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu echoed Ogunsanya’s sentiments, suggesting the Nxtra project ushers in a new era for data control and security in Africa.

Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, also underscored the project’s potential to propel the nation’s economy and businesses in the coming era driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data centers like Nxtra.

He emphasized the critical role data plays in Nigeria’s economic landscape, underlining the importance of investing in the digital economy and commending Airtel’s commitment to this vision.

This expansion follows similar moves into Nigeria and Kenya in 2023, solidifying Unlimit’s position as a major player in African payment solutions.

The new license allows Unlimit to introduce a range of services to Tanzanian businesses, including business payments, merchant services, and outbound payments.

This expansion aligns with Unlimit’s goal of eliminating financial borders globally. By integrating their proprietary payment infrastructure, Unlimit aims to streamline regional and international trade for Tanzanian entrepreneurs.

“We are thrilled to bring our advanced payment solutions to Tanzania,” said Trevor Goott, Director of Unlimit for Africa and India.

“Through our custom-built digital payment solutions, we believe we can significantly contribute to consolidating Africa’s fragmented payments landscape and fostering economic growth by empowering local businesses and entrepreneurs. We’re here for the long haul.”

Unlimit’s entry into Tanzania positions them to compete with established fintech companies like Flutterwave, Lemfi, Payday, and Grey Finance.

In a separate development, Unlimit announced a strategic partnership with Union Pay International (UPI) in November 2023.

This collaboration aims to accelerate the growth of Unlimit’s Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform by allowing BaaS clients to integrate UPI cards into their offerings.