The program combines SunCulture’s innovative solar-powered irrigation systems with Turaco’s affordable insurance solutions to offer protection against the increasing challenges posed by climate change.

As climate-related extreme weather events grow more frequent and severe, millions of Africans face heightened health risks and economic instability.

Recognizing the need for effective risk mitigation strategies, SunCulture Protect provides health and life insurance coverage to smallholder farmers utilizing SunCulture’s pay-as-you-go (PAYG) irrigation systems.

The initiative ensures farmers and their families are financially protected from medical expenses and other unforeseen challenges linked to climate change.

Samir Ibrahim, CEO of SunCulture, expressed the company’s dedication to empowering smallholder farmers.

“Our mission has always been to help farmers grow more food and improve their livelihoods. This partnership with Turaco allows us to go further by offering financial security and peace of mind to our customers,” he stated.

Turaco CEO Ted Pantone highlighted the importance of accessible insurance in addressing the vulnerabilities exacerbated by climate change:

“By partnering with SunCulture, we can deliver essential coverage that protects livelihoods and fosters resilience among smallholder farmers,” Pantone remarked.

The joint effort seeks to promote financial security and well-being, equipping farmers with tools to adapt to the challenges of a changing climate.

The collaboration marks a significant milestone for Moove, which has rapidly gained recognition for providing innovative vehicle financing solutions tailored to mobility entrepreneurs.

Launched in 2020, Moove connects underserved entrepreneurs with accessible, revenue-based vehicle financing options.

By integrating its alternative credit scoring technology onto ride-hailing platforms, Moove uses proprietary performance and revenue analytics to provide financial services to individuals typically excluded from traditional financing systems.

Operating across nine markets in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, and now based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Moove has facilitated over 30 million trips with its vehicles, serving 20,000 customers to date.

Earlier this year, the company secured $100 million in a Series B funding round, bringing its total capital raised to over $460 million and valuing the company at $750 million.

The partnership with Waymo, formerly known as the Google Self-Driving Car Project, will see Moove contribute to Waymo’s expansion in the US.

Starting in 2025, Moove will take over fleet operations in Phoenix, one of Waymo’s most established markets, and play a key role in launching Waymo’s services in Miami in 2026.

As part of the collaboration, Moove will manage the deployment of Waymo’s autonomous vehicle fleet within the Waymo One ride-hailing service. 

Responsibilities include overseeing fleet operations, managing charging infrastructure, and optimizing vehicle availability to ensure a seamless, safe, and sustainable user experience.

“This partnership marks a defining moment in our journey to revolutionize mobility as we know it, and places Moove at the forefront of the commercial autonomous vehicle revolution on a global scale,” Moove said in a statement.

Moove’s co-founder and co-CEO, Ladi Delano, emphasized the transformative potential of the partnership:

“Ride-hailing has reshaped urban mobility over the past 15 years, but the core experience has remained largely unchanged. Waymo’s safe, reliable, and convenient Waymo One service is leading the autonomous revolution, and we’re proud to bring our expertise to this pivotal transformation,” he said.

Her new term will begin on September 1, 2025, extending her groundbreaking leadership as the first woman and first African to head the global trade body.

The reappointment process commenced on October 8, 2024, under the guidance of Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway, Chair of the WTO General Council.

With no additional nominations submitted by the November 8 deadline, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala stood unopposed.

Her candidacy was finalized during a special session of the General Council on November 28-29, 2024, following a presentation of her vision for the organization and a subsequent Q&A with member nations.

Ambassador Ølberg praised Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s achievements, highlighting her leadership through challenging periods.

“Her guidance has been instrumental in strengthening the WTO’s capacity and relevance,” he remarked.

Ølberg also acknowledged her commitment to fostering inclusivity and advancing a fair global trading system.

Since assuming office on March 1, 2021, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala has made significant strides in rebuilding trust in the WTO and enhancing its role in addressing complex global trade issues. 

Her agenda includes strengthening dispute resolution mechanisms, promoting inclusive trade practices, and addressing emerging challenges like digital trade and climate adaptation.

Expressing her gratitude for the continued support, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala stated:

“The WTO has a vital role in fostering economic resilience, and I am committed to driving reforms that reflect the needs of all members. Together, we will shape a fair, rules-based trading system that benefits everyone.”

The newly formed company will focus on providing and installing Starlink services across Kenya, bringing advanced connectivity solutions to underserved areas.

This move follows Paratus’ designation as an authorized reseller of Starlink’s low earth orbit (LEO) satellite services across Africa, a milestone achieved last year.

Paratus Kenya’s establishment comes shortly after the company launched operations in Eswatini, signaling its growing footprint on the continent.

MoveOn Telecoms Limited, licensed by the Communications Authority of Kenya since 2015, brings extensive experience in telecom solutions.

The partnership aims to leverage MoveOn’s expertise and Paratus’ network capabilities to deliver stable and reliable internet connectivity, critical for economic growth and digital transformation in Kenya.

Joseph Kibwott, Managing Director of Paratus Kenya, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, highlighting its potential impact.

“Paratus Kenya is committed to driving economic development and GDP growth by creating jobs directly and indirectly. Stable and reliable internet connectivity plays a pivotal role in this mission, providing access to e-government services, remote work opportunities, real-time security solutions, and telemedicine. Enhanced connectivity in remote areas will empower Kenyans and foster growth in local economies,” he said.

Martin Cox, Chief Commercial Officer of Paratus Group, emphasized the strategic importance of the expansion.

“Opening in East Africa has been one of our primary objectives, and this marks a significant milestone. It’s a giant step forward in our mission to connect underserved African countries south of the equator. We are thrilled to partner with MoveOn and to bring Starlink services to Kenya.”

This initiative, set to launch in 2025, will provide participants with certifications such as Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate (KCNA) and Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD), recognized globally as essential credentials in the cloud-native field.

The free training program will last six to nine months.

Andela plans to select participants from its extensive talent marketplace, which features over 150,000 tech professionals, primarily from Africa.

This initiative is designed to address the worldwide gap of 7.5 million unfilled cloud-related roles anticipated by 2025, simultaneously creating job opportunities for African developers and tackling the global tech talent shortage.

Africa’s growing prominence in the global technology landscape makes this partnership particularly timely.

According to the Google Africa Developer Ecosystem Report, 38% of African developers are already working remotely for international companies.

As the continent boasts the fastest-growing developer population, equipping professionals with advanced skills in cloud-native technologies will enable them to thrive in a competitive global market.

Participants will benefit from a CNCF-developed curriculum focused on building, deploying, and managing scalable applications across diverse cloud environments.

The partnership brings together Andela’s AI-powered talent platform and CNCF’s leadership in open-source cloud technologies, underscoring the transformative potential of strategic collaborations to address global skill shortages.

This collaboration seeks to empower communities by offering eco-friendly transportation options, taking a significant step towards sustainable mobility in Africa.

Speaking on the partnership, Valerie Labi, Co-Founder of Wahu Mobility Ltd., expressed excitement about the initiative.

“Collaborating with Letshego is a pivotal step forward in our mission to deliver sustainable and accessible EV options to the African market,” she said.

Letshego echoed this sentiment, stating that the partnership aligns with their dedication to fostering inclusive, sustainable economic growth in the region.

The initiative introduces a financing program aimed at “Wahu Heroes,” individuals committed to embracing sustainable transportation.

Through Letshego’s financial expertise and Wahu Mobility’s EV knowledge, these users will benefit from affordable financing options, making it easier to transition to environmentally friendly vehicles.

The two companies plan a phased rollout of financing products, initially focusing on urban centers with an eventual expansion to underserved regions.

This venture also supports the African Union’s Agenda 2063 by promoting sustainable development and climate resilience across the continent.

The collaboration, championed by Nigeria’s National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), is expected to bolster the nation’s automotive sector with a focus on electric and gas-powered vehicles, alongside developing EV infrastructure.

Joseph Osanipin, Director-General of NADDC, unveiled the partnership during the recent Nigeria-Morocco business forum.

He underscored the initiative’s potential to foster local component manufacturing and strengthen Nigeria’s automotive industry.

“We have identified electric vehicle products that can be manufactured in Nigeria and exported to Morocco,” Osanipin explained, highlighting the mutual benefits of the partnership.

A delegation led by Osanipin visited key automotive facilities in Morocco, including the National Center for Homologation and multiple local firms.

The team held discussions with E-move Vehicles Company, a significant player in energy storage systems, specializing in electric motorcycles, tricycles, and batteries.

They also explored collaboration possibilities with Univers Acier Steel, a prominent supplier of automotive parts.

The Nigerian delegation also toured Cetiev, a Moroccan technology partner for automotive innovation, and reviewed six test centers spanning various sectors.

According to Osanipin, the goal is to replicate Morocco’s success in Nigeria, promoting local production, enhancing technical skills, and contributing to economic growth and sustainability.

“Their expertise in battery manufacturing and economical EVs is especially valuable. Producing these products locally will support Nigeria’s transition to sustainable mobility and create jobs,” Osanipin concluded.

This collaboration marks a significant step toward Nigeria’s vision for a self-sustaining automotive industry, with the potential to position the country as a regional leader in EV production and green technology.

As Deloitte’s first center dedicated to exporting digital services from Egypt, the hub aims to broaden the company’s global footprint in digital services.

The Deloitte Innovation Hub will offer services to clients in Europe and the wider region, focusing on artificial intelligence, data analysis, cloud technology, cybersecurity, and enterprise resource planning.

Deloitte envisions the hub supporting 5,000 jobs in the coming years, diversifying its service offerings and expanding its impact across various business sectors.

Hani Girgis, leader of the Innovation Hub, emphasized that the hub is designed to foster local talent, bring value to Egyptian society, and support clients across Europe and the Middle East.

Minister Talaat echoed this sentiment, highlighting Egypt’s appeal as a strategic location for IT and digital innovation, driven by its skilled young workforce and the government’s commitment to job creation and digital exports.

The Egyptian government has set ambitious goals.

Digital exports reached $6.2 billion in 2023, marking a 26% increase from $4.9 billion in 2022.

The government aims to create high-value jobs for youth and build a knowledge-based economy. It plans to train more youth in digital skills, freelancing, and outsourcing to achieve $3.7 billion in digital exports by 2024 and $9 billion by 2026.

Egypt has seen increasing investments from international tech companies, including Telecom Egypt and Huawei Cloud.

The latter recently announced plans to launch the first public cloud platform in Egypt and North Africa, supporting the nation’s digital transformation strategy.