Day: May 26, 2024

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MPost Launches Electronic P.O. Boxes in Rwanda to Transform Postal Experience

Key Developments

MPost Launches Electronic P.O. Boxes in Rwanda to Transform Postal Experience

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Kenyan tech startup MPost has announced the launch of their innovative electronic P.O. Box system in Rwanda.
 
 

This service aims to revolutionize the postal experience for Rwandans by leveraging mobile technology.

MPost’s platform allows individuals and businesses to convert their mobile phone numbers into official virtual addresses.

This eliminates the need for traditional physical P.O. boxes, offering a more convenient and accessible solution.

The launch comes after MPost relocated its headquarters from Nairobi, Kenya, to Kigali, Rwanda, in November 2023.

“Our goal is to be at the forefront of digital addressing and postal services in Africa,” said a spokesperson for MPost. “Rwanda’s commitment to technological innovation makes it the perfect launchpad for our e-P.O. Box system.”

Rwanda’s postal landscape faces challenges, with less than 1% of the population having access to a physical post office.

MPost’s e-P.O. Boxes address this by providing instant SMS alerts whenever mail or parcels arrive. This eliminates the need for frequent trips to physical locations, improving overall convenience.

The launch also coincides with the Rwandan government’s push for technology-driven public services. MPost’s e-P.O. Boxes complement this initiative by offering a modern and accessible solution for mail management.

While Iposita, the national postal service, introduced its own electronic P.O. Box system earlier in May, MPost’s mobile-centric approach provides a unique alternative for Rwandans seeking a convenient and efficient postal experience.

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Google Unveils Umoja, First-Ever Fiber Optic Cable Directly Linking Africa and Australia

Key Developments

Google Unveils Umoja, First-Ever Fiber Optic Cable Directly Linking Africa and Australia

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Google has announced a landmark infrastructure project: Umoja, the first-ever fiber optic cable directly connecting Africa and Australia.
 

Umoja, which means “unity” in Swahili, signifies a new era of digital connectivity for the continent.

The cable stretches from Kenya, traversing Uganda, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe before reaching South Africa.

It will then connect to the Google Cloud region and continue its journey to Australia via the Indian Ocean.

Notably, the terrestrial portion of Umoja was built collaboratively with Liquid Technologies and is designed to provide access points for other countries to join the network.

This innovative project is part of Google’s broader Africa Connect initiative, which also includes Equiano, the company’s subsea cable launched in 2019 to connect Africa and Europe.

Google’s focus on creating a separate route highlights the importance of network resilience.

The African continent has faced challenges due to past disruptions to subsea cables, and Umoja aims to provide a more robust connection.

“Umoja represents a significant investment in Kenya, Africa, and Australia,” said Kenyan President William Ruto.

“This project will significantly improve global and regional digital infrastructure, ensuring redundancy and resilience in our connectivity to the world.”

The announcement comes after recent internet outages in Africa caused by subsea cable damage. In March and May of 2024, disruptions plagued East African countries due to failures in critical subsea connections.

Umoja represents a significant step towards a more connected Africa.

This continent-spanning cable, coupled with Google’s commitment to collaboration, has the potential to unlock new possibilities for economic growth, innovation, and digital inclusion across the region.

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Egyptian Logistics Startup OneOrder Secures $16 Million in Series A Funding For Expansion

New Investments

Egyptian Logistics Startup OneOrder Secures $16 Million in Series A Funding For Expansion

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OneOrder, a leading Egyptian logistics company, has secured $16 million in a Series A funding round.

The investment, a mix of equity and debt, will propel the company’s expansion into the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region later this year.

The funding round was led by Delivery Hero Ventures, with participation from Norrsken22, existing investors Nclude and A15.

This comes on the heels of OneOrder’s successful $3 million Seed round in December 2022.

OneOrder addresses inefficiencies in the hospitality industry’s supply chain across Africa and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The company tackles challenges arising from fragmented supplier networks and manual processes that plague the hotel, restaurant, and catering (HoReCa) sector.

These issues lead to limited price transparency, difficulties in obtaining high-quality ingredients, excessive waste and storage costs, and restricted access to financing for business growth.

“Traditionally, restaurants and hotels juggle interactions with countless suppliers, receiving multiple deliveries daily, causing disruptions and inventory shortages,” explained Tamer Amer, CEO of OneOrder.

He further emphasized that existing solutions merely digitize the problem.

“Unlike basic Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, OneOrder acts as a comprehensive solution, streamlining the entire supply chain. We house a vast selection of ingredients in strategically located warehouses, catering to all restaurant needs,” Amer elaborated.

The Egyptian food service market is projected to reach $18.14 billion by 2029, reflecting a significant growth trajectory.

Founded in 2022 by Tamer Amer and Karim Maurice, OneOrder leverages technology to connect restaurants directly with local suppliers for their daily procurement needs.

The platform tackles issues including product availability, price fluctuations, consistency, delivery efficiency, and access to working capital.

Brendon Blacker, Managing Partner at Delivery Hero Ventures, expressed optimism about the investment’s impact. “This funding will empower OneOrder to expand its services geographically, replicating the success it has achieved in Egypt across the GCC region,” Blacker stated.

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Microsoft Invests $70 Million in South African Tech Growth and AI Transformation

New Investments

Microsoft Invests $70 Million in South African Tech Growth and AI Transformation

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Tech giant Microsoft has announced a $70 million investment in the South African economy over the next decade.

This partnership with the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC) aims to fuel innovation, create jobs, and prepare the country for the future of artificial intelligence (AI).

A significant portion of the investment, $34.6 million, will be directed towards an enterprise development program. This initiative prioritizes Black-owned tech startups and fosters disruptive technologies.

“The Fund will assist Black South Africans in harnessing the power of technology to be more competitive and expand their businesses,” said Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition.

The investment also includes a $18.9 million skills development program. This initiative will provide young Black South Africans with intensive training and leadership development opportunities to prepare them for the AI-driven workforce.

“We believe there’s a tremendous opportunity for those who acquire AI skills,” said Kalane Rampai, Microsoft SA MD. “Organizations that empower their employees with AI tools will attract top talent.”

An additional R160 million (US$8.7 million) will be allocated to research and development programs to further propel South Africa’s AI advancements.

This investment aligns with South Africa’s recent efforts to embrace AI. The country unveiled a draft national AI plan in April 2024, following the establishment of the AI Institute of South Africa (AIISA) and the Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research (CAIR).

“The digital revolution demands a skilled workforce,” said Rampai. “Microsoft’s investment aims to empower South Africans and propel the country’s SMMEs, the backbone of the economy, through technology and digital transformation.”

SMMEs contribute nearly 40% of South Africa’s GDP and employ roughly half of the workforce. However, many struggle to secure funding, often relying on personal savings or loans.

Microsoft’s investment offers a much-needed boost to South Africa’s burgeoning tech sector and its ambitions to become a leader in AI development.

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Kenya Receives $1 Billion Digital Transformation Boost from Microsoft and G42

New Investments

Kenya Receives $1 Billion Digital Transformation Boost from Microsoft and G42

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A landmark digital transformation initiative for Kenya has been announced, with Microsoft and UAE-based artificial intelligence (AI) leader G42 pledging an initial investment of $1 billion.

The project, spearheaded by Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, aims to significantly enhance the country’s digital infrastructure and empower its citizens.

The agreement signifies a major step forward in Kenya’s digital journey.

G42 will take the lead in securing the initial investment and collaborating with local partners to establish a state-of-the-art data center complex.

This eco-friendly facility will utilize geothermal energy and water conservation technologies, ensuring sustainable operations.

A key highlight of the initiative is the establishment of a new East Africa Cloud Region for Microsoft Azure.

This cloud platform, operational within 24 months of the final agreements, will be hosted within the new data center and provide enhanced access to Microsoft’s cloud services across the region.

Beyond infrastructure, the partnership focuses on fostering innovation and digital skills development. Initiatives include:

  • Swahili/English AI Development: G42 has already begun training open-source language AI models in both Swahili and English, leveraging their US data infrastructure.
  • East African Innovation Lab: A collaborative effort to be established in Nairobi, offering businesses and organizations support in developing and implementing cloud and AI solutions.
  • Digital and AI Skills Training: The program encompasses various digital and AI skills training opportunities, including a cybersecurity training program targeting over 2,000 individuals annually.

The project further emphasizes expanding internet connectivity within Kenya and collaborating with the government to ensure secure and reliable cloud services across East Africa.

This comprehensive digital transformation initiative positions Kenya at the forefront of technological advancement in Africa, fostering innovation, economic growth, and improved access to technology for its citizens.

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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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