The goal of the partnership is to accelerate payment innovation and small business growth across Africa.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are crucial for Africa’s development, employing around 90% of people.

However, African SMEs face steep challenges, including limited access to financial services and seamless local payment methods.

Flutterwave has advanced the democratization of payments in Africa by enabling multiple modes of payment, such as cards and mobile wallets.

By partnering with Microsoft, Flutterwave aims to revolutionize business payments across the continent further.

By transitioning to Azure, Flutterwave can securely process large-scale, high-volume payments for smoother customer experiences.

Azure OpenAI also enables Flutterwave to expand its offerings to millions of global merchants.

For Flutterwave, this collaboration is about more than transactions – it’s about transformation.

Flutterwave Founder and CEO GB Agboola expressed excitement that Microsoft believes in Flutterwave’s capability to create an inclusive digital Africa.

As part of the partnership, Flutterwave will also launch solutions on Azure Marketplace, extending its reach.

Microsoft Africa President Lillian Barnard said increased technology access and innovation hold the key to thriving local businesses and stronger African economies.

Building the next-generation platform on Azure solidifies the shared vision of boosting financial inclusion and prosperity through technology.

The collaboration unites Microsoft’s and Flutterwave’s goals of digitally empowering SMEs.

By leveraging Azure’s capabilities, Flutterwave seeks to unlock the full potential of digital payments for African businesses to drive economic growth.

This milestone highlights that TymeBank now serves one in every five eligible South Africans.

TymeBank’s success is attributed to a number of factors, including its innovative “phygital” model, which integrates digital banking into physical retail environments.

TymeBank also has partnerships with major retailers such as Pick n Pay, Boxer, and TFG, which have helped to expand its distribution network.

In addition, TymeBank offers a range of affordable and accessible banking products and services, including free ATM withdrawals, low bank fees, and competitive interest rates.

This has made TymeBank an attractive option for many South Africans who are looking for a more affordable and convenient banking experience.

TymeBank’s CEO, Coen Jonker, commented on the milestone: “We are pleased to have acquired eight million customers since our launch in February 2019. This reinforces our position as a rapidly growing digital bank and a credible alternative to traditional banks in South Africa.”

“Our growth aligns with our goal of becoming one of the top three retail banks in the country,” Jonker added.

TymeBank’s success is a testament to the growing demand for digital banking in South Africa.

As more and more South Africans gain access to smartphones and the internet, digital banks like TymeBank are well-positioned to meet their needs.

TymeBank is also helping to promote financial inclusion in South Africa.

By offering affordable and accessible banking products and services, TymeBank is making it easier for more South Africans to participate in the formal economy.

The initiative, which is called the AYuTe (Agriculture, Youth and Technology) Project, is being implemented in partnership with Heifer International, a global nonprofit organization.

The AYuTe Project will provide farmers access to financial services, including bank accounts, debit cards, and loans.

The project will also provide farmers with training in financial literacy and business management.

The AYuTe Project targets smallholder farmers in eight northern Nigerian states: Adamawa, Gombe, Yobe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Bauchi.

These states are home to many farmers, but they are also some of the poorest states in Nigeria.

ThriveAgric’s CEO, Ayodeji Arikawe, said that the AYuTe Project is designed to help farmers break the cycle of poverty.

Heifer International’s Country Director for Nigeria, Rufus Idris, said that the AYuTe Project is a unique initiative that will significantly impact Nigerian farmers’ lives.

The AYuTe Project is expected to be completed within the next twelve months.

ThriveAgric and Heifer International are working with a number of partners, including banks, mobile money operators, and government agencies, to implement the project.

The AYuTe Project is a significant development for the Nigerian agricultural sector.

It is one of the first initiatives to give smallholder farmers access to financial services at scale.

The project is expected to positively impact the lives of thousands of farmers and their families.

The announcement was made at the Grand Finale of the competition, which was held at the Ecobank Group headquarters in Lomé, Togo.

Koree is a card wallet payment solution that digitizes merchant payments.

The startup allows consumers to digitally collect their spare change from cash retail payment roundups, and earn cashback from stores and brands across multiple categories.

Koree beat out eight other finalists to win the top prize of US$50,000.

Koree’s victory is a significant achievement for the Cameroonian fintech ecosystem. It is the first time that a Cameroonian fintech company has won the Ecobank Fintech Challenge.

The Ecobank Fintech Challenge is an annual competition that is organized by Ecobank Group, one of Africa’s largest banks.

The competition aims to identify and support innovative fintech startups that are developing solutions to address the challenges facing the African financial sector.

The 2023 Ecobank Fintech Challenge received over 1,400 applications from fintech startups.

The finalists were selected by a panel of judges who are experts in the fintech and financial services sectors.

The winner of the Ecobank Fintech Challenge receives a cash prize, as well as access to mentorship and support from the Ecobank Group.

This support can help the winning startup to scale its business and reach more customers.

Koree’s victory in the Ecobank Fintech Challenge is a testament to the innovation and creativity of the Cameroonian fintech ecosystem.

The startup’s solution is addressing a real need in the African market, poised to make a significant impact on the lives of millions of people.

The program will provide selected startups with $100,000 in funding, mentorship, and support from a team of experienced investors and entrepreneurs.

The Baobab Network Accelerator Programme is designed to help African startups scale their businesses and reach their full potential.

The program will focus on helping startups develop their products and services, improve their go-to-market strategies, and raise additional capital.

The program is open to all African startups, regardless of sector or stage of development.

However, priority will be given to startups using technology to solve real-world problems in Africa.

The application process for the Baobab Network Accelerator Programme is now open.

To apply, startups must submit a pitch deck and a video application. The deadline to apply is October 31, 2023.

The Baobab Network Accelerator Programme is a significant investment in African startups and the continent’s tech ecosystem.

The program is expected to help the selected startups grow their businesses and create jobs across Africa.

Benefits of participation in the Baobab Network Accelerator Programme:

$100,000 in funding
Mentorship and support from a team of experienced investors and entrepreneurs
Access to Baobab Network’s network of partners and resources
Opportunity to pitch to potential investors

Eligibility criteria:

• African startup
  Using technology to solve a real-world problem in Africa
• Strong team with a proven track record
  Scalable business model

Application process:

• Submit a pitch deck and a video application
• Shortlisted startups will be invited to pitch to a panel of judges
• Selected startups will be announced in November 2023

Program timeline:

The program will start in January 2024 and run for six months.

During the program, startups will participate in a series of workshops and mentorship sessions.

At the end of the program, startups will pitch their businesses to a panel of potential investors.

The Baobab Network Accelerator Programme is a valuable opportunity for African startups to learn from experienced investors and entrepreneurs and to raise the capital they need to grow their businesses.

This marks the startup’s first major international expansion since its launch in 2022.

Auto24 was founded by Axel Peyriere, a French entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the African automotive industry.

The startup aims to revolutionize the used car buying and selling experience in Africa by providing a transparent and convenient platform for buyers and sellers to connect.

Auto24 offers a wide range of used cars from a variety of makes and models.

All cars are inspected and certified by Auto24’s team of experienced mechanics before being listed on the platform.

Auto24 also offers a number of value-added services, such as financing options, insurance plans, and warranties.

Auto24’s expansion into Morocco, Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa is a significant development for the African tech ecosystem. It demonstrates the growing maturity of African startups and their ability to scale to new markets.

Why Auto24 chose these markets

Peyriere said that Auto24 chose to expand into Morocco, Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa for a number of reasons.

Morocco and South Africa are two of the largest car markets in Africa.

Auto24 believes that it can make a significant impact in these markets by offering a more transparent and convenient way to buy and sell used cars.

Rwanda is an important market for electric cars. Auto24 is committed to promoting the adoption of electric cars in Africa, and it sees Rwanda as a key market for this initiative.

Senegal is similar to Côte d’Ivoire in terms of its culture and economy, and Auto24 believes that its experience in Côte d’Ivoire will help it to quickly succeed in Senegal.

The partnership will focus on three key areas:

– Infrastructure: The AfDB and Google will work together to invest in and develop digital infrastructure, such as broadband internet and data centers.

– Skills: The two organizations will collaborate to provide training and development opportunities for Africans in digital skills, such as coding and data science.

– Innovation: The AfDB and Google will support African startups and entrepreneurs in developing new digital products and services.

The partnership is part of the AfDB’s Digital Transformation Strategy, which aims to accelerate Africa’s transition to a digital economy.

The collaboration is expected to have a significant impact on digital transformation in Africa.

The AfDB’s financial resources and expertise in development, combined with Google’s technological expertise and global reach, will help to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies across the continent.

The partnership is also expected to boost economic growth and create jobs in Africa.

The digital economy is growing rapidly around the world, and Africa is well-positioned to benefit from this growth. with the latest move expected to help ensure that Africa has the infrastructure, skills, and innovation ecosystem necessary to compete in the global digital economy.

The awards recognize, honor, and celebrate women entrepreneurs and business owners in Africa across various industry sectors for their achievements and contribution to the continent’s inclusive economic growth and social development.

The 24 finalists were selected from a record number of nominations received from across Africa.

The finalists represent a diverse range of sectors, including technology, agriculture, education, healthcare, and finance.

They are also from a variety of countries, including Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The finalists for the 2023 AWIEF Awards are (listed in alphabetical order):

Young Entrepreneur Award

Salamba Diene, CEO, BIOSENE SARL, Senegal

Joyce Kamande, Co-founder & CEO, Safi Organics, Kenya

Jovia Kisakye, CEO, Sparkle Agro Brand, Uganda

Tech Entrepreneur Award

Norah Magero, Founder & CEO, Drop Access Limited, Kenya

Kathryn Malherbe, CEO, Med Sol AI Solutions, South Africa

Kidist Tesfaye, Founder & CEO, YeneHealth, Ethiopia

Agri Entrepreneur Award

Chinwendu Nweke, CEO, Bridge Merchant Enterprise, Nigeria

Forget Shareka, Founder, Chashi Foods, Zimbabwe

Nonopa Tenza, Founder & MD, Kevinot Farming, South Africa

Energy Entrepreneur Award

Linda Mabhena-Olagunju, Founder & CEO, DLO Energy Resources Group, South Africa

Ifeoma Malo, CEO, Clean Technology Hub, Nigeria

Margaret Yainkain Mansaray, Founder & CEO, Women in Energy Sierra Leone Limited, Sierra Leone

Creative Industry Award

Yasmina Belahsen, Founder, MayaDigital, Morocco

Gladys Chibanda, Founder & CEO, Krafted Ink, Zimbabwe

Ararat Tamirat, Founder & GM, Tuba By Ararat, Ethiopia

Social Entrepreneur Award

Damilola Aminat Adeyemi, Co-founder & CEO, D-Olivette Global Enterprise, Nigeria

Kayumba Chiwele, Founder & Principal Psychologist, MindAid Zambia, Zambia

Mundih Noelar Njohjam, Medical Doctor, Epilepsy Awareness, Aid and Research Association, Cameroon

Empowerment Award

Aya Chebbi, Founder & President, Nalafem Collective, Tunisia

Zulfat Mukarubega, Founder, University of Tourism, Technology and Business Studies, Rwanda

Catherine Wijnberg, Founder & CEO, Fetola, South Africa

Lifetime Achievement Award

Rina Gunter, Founding Partner, Gunter Attorneys, South Africa

Dalia Ibrahim, CEO, Nahdet Misr Publishing House, Egypt

Anke Weisheit, Co-founder & Chair, PHARMBIOTRAC, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda

The winners of the 2023 AWIEF Awards will be announced at a special ceremony and gala dinner at the AWIEF2023 Conference and Awards.

The even is set for November 9 and 10 at the Kigali Convention Centre, Kigali, Rwanda.

The AWIEF Awards are sponsored by a number of leading organizations, including Microsoft, Google, and Amazon Web Services.

The 24 finalists for the 2023 AWIEF Awards are a truly inspiring group of women entrepreneurs.

They are making a significant contribution to the inclusive economic growth and social development of Africa.