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Blandine Umuziranenge: A Champion for Women’s Health and Empowerment in Africa

Blandine Umuziranenge: A Champion for Women's Health and Empowerment in Africa

Blandine Umuziranenge is a distinguished Rwandan social entrepreneur, widely recognized for her commitment to improving reproductive, maternal, and child health across Africa.

As the founder and CEO of Kosmotive, a social enterprise established in 2014, she has dedicated her career to addressing critical issues related to menstrual hygiene and women’s health access in Rwanda.

Born and raised in the northern province of Rwanda, Blandine’s journey into social entrepreneurship was shaped by her personal experiences with the challenges women face regarding reproductive health.

Blandine began her career as an intern at Contact FM radio station and later worked at the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency.

Her background in communication and technology played a crucial role in her decision to establish Kosmotive, aiming to provide sustainable health solutions for women.

Under her leadership, Kosmotive has launched several innovative products, including the KosmoPad—an eco-friendly and affordable sanitary pad that has been distributed to over 54,000 girls.

This initiative helps girls continue their education during menstruation, thus combating period poverty.

In addition to the KosmoPad, Blandine has developed the KosmoHealth App, which offers vital information for pregnant women and connects them with healthcare services.

Blandine’s mission is rooted in the belief that access to reproductive health information and sustainable hygiene products is a fundamental right for every woman.

Through Kosmotive, she strives to tackle the systemic issues of period poverty, which affects many girls and women across sub-Saharan Africa.

Currently, her initiatives aim to produce reusable sanitary pads that not only reduce environmental waste but also provide substantial cost savings for women.

Blandine’s work has garnered significant recognition both locally and internationally. She was named one of the Top 50 African Business Heroes in 2021 and has been a finalist in various prestigious competitions.

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Raxio Group Launches First Tier Data Centre in Ivory Coast

Key Developments

Raxio Group Launches First Tier Data Centre in Ivory Coast

Raxio Group has officially launched a state-of-the-art data centre in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, named Raxio Côte d’Ivoire (CIV1).
 

This facility represents Raxio’s fifth data centre in its expanding portfolio and is the third one to open in 2024.

The data centre has earned Tier III certification from the Uptime Institute, positioning Raxio to significantly contribute to the country’s growing digital landscape.

CIV1 is Côte d’Ivoire’s first Tier III certified carrier-neutral and cloud-neutral data centre.
It is set to boost the country’s data consumption and local content creation in the rapidly expanding digital economy of Francophone West Africa.

Equipped with the latest technology, CIV1 has the capacity to house up to 800 racks and provide 3MW of IT power, making it a critical infrastructure in the region.

The launch also marks Raxio’s entry into West Africa, positioning Abidjan as a strategic hub for the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), which includes countries such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, and Senegal.

The facility will cater to the banking sector and other industries requiring secure and efficient data storage solutions.

Raxio Group’s CEO, Robert Mullins, emphasized the significance of this expansion, stating, “The launch of our Abidjan data centre solidifies our presence in West Africa, a key area for our continued growth.

Abidjan is an ideal location for businesses from across the region to collocate their mission-critical infrastructure in a secure, reliable environment. We are proud to play a part in Côte d’Ivoire’s digital progress and enhance its regional prominence.”

Located approximately 30 kilometers from Abidjan’s city center within the Village of Innovation and Technology (VITIB), CIV1 is equipped with multiple power and fibre pathways, ensuring uninterrupted service.

The facility also boasts advanced redundant systems to meet Tier III standards. In addition, it hosts the country’s Internet Exchange Point (CIVIX), providing a cost-effective platform for both local and international traffic interconnection.

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UK-Kenya Tech Hub and PwC Launch Digital Toolkit to Support African Entrepreneurs

Key Developments

UK-Kenya Tech Hub and PwC Launch Digital Toolkit to Support African Entrepreneurs

The UK and PwC, in collaboration with the UK-Kenya Tech Hub, have introduced a new digital toolkit designed to assist entrepreneurs in accessing markets in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.
 

The toolkit was developed following a comprehensive study aimed at identifying the practical needs for startups to successfully enter these key markets.

It focuses on critical sectors, including agriculture, education, financial services, health, and manufacturing.

The digital toolkit provides a range of outputs, tools, and guides tailored to support entrepreneurs navigating these diverse markets.

It has undergone validation through feedback sessions to ensure it effectively addresses entrepreneurs’ needs.

Additionally, the toolkit serves as a model for future initiatives aimed at expanding access to other markets across Africa.

Jordan Kyongo, Head of the East Africa Research and Innovation Hub at the British High Commission Nairobi, emphasized the importance of this initiative in easing market entry barriers for African entrepreneurs.

“This exercise was critical in understanding the requirements for entrepreneurs to enter different markets in the region. We are confident that this digital toolkit will be an instrument in growing Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem,” he stated.

The toolkit addresses challenges that entrepreneurs face across the continent, particularly regarding the complexity of regulatory requirements, certifications, and tariffs.

Entrepreneurs often need to navigate 55 different licensing systems across Africa, creating significant hurdles for market expansion. The toolkit seeks to simplify these processes, providing much-needed clarity and support.

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Teddy Kossoko: Transforming the Gaming Industry with African Culture and Innovation

Teddy Kossoko: Transforming the Gaming Industry with African Culture and Innovation

Teddy Kossoko is an innovative Central African entrepreneur, technology enthusiast, and game developer.

He is the founder and CEO of Masseka Game Studio, a pioneering gaming company that creates video games rooted in African culture, history, and folklore.

Kossoko’s mission is to break the stereotypes surrounding Africa in the global tech and entertainment industries by offering authentic, culturally enriched gaming experiences that celebrate the continent’s rich heritage.

Born and raised in the Central African Republic, Kossoko was always fascinated by technology and storytelling.

He pursued studies in computer science in France, where he became passionate about using his technical skills to share African stories with a global audience.

His background, deeply rooted in African traditions, motivated him to create digital products that would serve as a bridge between African culture and modern technology.

In 2018, Kossoko founded Masseka Game Studio with a vision to transform how African narratives are portrayed in the gaming industry.

The studio’s name, “Masseka,” comes from the Sango word meaning “tales,” reflecting his goal to tell African stories through video games.

Kossoko’s studio focuses on mobile gaming, a strategic choice given the increasing penetration of smartphones across Africa.

One of his studio’s flagship creations is “Kissoro Tribal Game,” inspired by one of the oldest strategy games in Africa.

The game highlights the depth of African intellectual tradition, providing a platform for players to experience African strategic thinking while simultaneously learning about African cultures.

“Kissoro” became a breakthrough in the gaming world, receiving acclaim for how it combined tradition with modern gameplay mechanics.

Teddy Kossoko aims to tackle two major challenges: the underrepresentation of Africa in the global gaming and tech industries and the stereotypes often associated with African content.

Through his work, he seeks to change African Representation in Tech and Gaming and empower African creators.

Kossoko has received international recognition for his efforts to elevate African voices in the gaming world.

His work with “Kissoro Tribal Game” garnered attention from both gaming communities and cultural advocates, earning awards and nominations at various gaming and tech conferences.

His innovative approach has also sparked conversations about how technology can be used to combat cultural erasure and promote diversity.

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Egypt to Launch Africa’s First Sovereign Investment Guarantee Agency with $50 Million Capital

New Investments

Egypt to Launch Africa's First Sovereign Investment Guarantee Agency with $50 Million Capital

The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) is set to unveil a groundbreaking initiative aimed at boosting investments across the African continent.
 

According to Ambassador Abu Bakr Hefny, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigration, the CBE is set to launch Africa’s first sovereign investment guarantee agency with a starting capital of $50 million.

Speaking at a regional workshop in Cairo on Monday, Hefny highlighted that the new agency is designed to strengthen investments and exports within Africa, offering much-needed security for investors.

The workshop was organized to ratify amendments to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Investment Agreement.

“This agency will be the first of its kind, dedicated to bolstering investor confidence by implementing internationally recognized investment guarantees,” Hefny said.

He added that the agency will offer a reliable framework for Egyptian companies operating within Africa, encouraging further trade and economic cooperation.

Hefny emphasized that regional integration and economic collaboration are crucial for fostering sustainable development among COMESA member states.

He urged African nations to seize this opportunity to promote trade, investment, and business partnerships that could lead to greater prosperity across the continent.

Hefny also spoke on the broader significance of investment, noting that it goes beyond capital flows. He described investment as the foundation of economic growth, creating jobs, reducing poverty, and driving innovation.

He further explained that the revised COMESA Investment Agreement reflects the region’s shared goal of achieving economic stability and growth.

He argued that cooperation among member states will unlock new opportunities and enhance their collective competitiveness in regional and global markets.

In light of ongoing global challenges, including post-pandemic recovery, climate change, and geopolitical tensions, Hefny stressed the importance of building a strong economic bloc.

Simplifying investment procedures, promoting transparency, and fostering trust among member states, he said, will attract more foreign direct investment and encourage joint ventures.

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Ivorian Fintech Daba Finance Wins Ecobank Fintech Challenge 2024

New Investments

Ivorian Fintech Daba Finance Wins Ecobank Fintech Challenge 2024

Ecobank, a pan-African financial services group, has named Daba Finance, an Ivorian fintech company, as the Grand Winner of the 2024 Ecobank Fintech Challenge.
 

Twelve innovative startups vied for the top prize in the competition, which awarded Daba Finance US$50,000 for its pioneering investment platform.

Daba Finance’s platform simplifies access to trading stocks, bonds, and other financial products.

A panel of five industry experts judged the finalists, assessing the startups based on innovation, market potential, scalability, and team strength.

Daba Finance’s win was a testament to its goal of making investment opportunities accessible to all.

CEO BOUM III JR celebrated the victory, saying, “Winning this challenge propels our mission to make investing and wealth-building opportunities available for all. With Ecobank as our partner, we are accelerating the journey to making our innovation accessible to millions.”

In addition to Daba Finance’s victory, Melanin Kapital from Kenya secured second place and a prize of US$10,000, while Guinean fintech YMO took third place.

This year’s competition also included a “Public Choice Award,” which went to MiaPay from Togo, voted for by the general public.

The Ecobank Fintech Challenge 2024 attracted a record 1,550 entrants from 70 countries, highlighting its growing reputation as a leading platform for fintech innovation.

All finalists were inducted into the Ecobank Fintech Fellowship, giving them access to Ecobank’s Banking Sandbox for testing and developing their solutions, along with exposure to investors and industry leaders.

Jeremy Awori, Group CEO of Ecobank, expressed his admiration for the quality of the competition and congratulated Daba Finance on their well-deserved win.

“I am incredibly impressed by the standard of pitches from our finalists. Daba Finance stood out, and I am excited to see how our partnership will help them scale,” Awori remarked.

Ecobank’s Fintech Challenge, launched in 2017, has received over 7,000 applications from fintech innovators worldwide, with 72 startups so far joining the Ecobank Fintech Fellowship.

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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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