africa
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Africa Roundup: Zuckerberg’s visit, IBM’s new research center
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s surprise August/September trip to Nigeria and Kenya put the global spotlight on Africa’s emerging IT ecosystem. Unsurprisingly, when one of the world’s most recognized tech entrepreneurs pops up at startups and tech hubs few have heard of it draws attention. News of Zuckerberg’s unannounced visit broke with social media photos of him… Read More
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The OX is a flat-pack truck for the developing world
The Global Vehicle Trust has revealed its OX prototype, a truck that can be flat-packed into itself for transportation anywhere in the world. When it arrives at its destination, the OX can be unpacked and assembled by a trained team of three professionals in about 12 hours. (Insert your own favorite IKEA joke here.) The GVT was founded five years ago by British businessman and… Read More
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Iroko launches IrokoX online network to showcase Africa’s creative talent
Africa’s artists have a new online stage to showcase their talent. Nigeria based digital entertainment startup Iroko has launched IrokoX, a multi-platform Pan-African network for filmmakers, musicians, and other creative aspirants to produce, distribute, and monetize short-form content. The new medium will provide select artists production assistance, studio resources, and the opportunity… Read More
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Mark Zuckerberg’s Africa tour tracks tech’s growing interests on the continent
After a surprise Nigeria visit to meet with techies in Lagos, Mark Zuckerberg took his Africa tour to Kenya this Thursday. There, the Facebook CEO visited the iHub innovation space, reviewed the BRCK mobile Wi-Fi device, had lunch with Kenyan ICT Cabinet Secretary Joseph Mucheru and met with tech leaders Juliana Rotich and Erik Hersman. Like the Lagos expedition, the trip was unannounced. Read More
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Crunch Network
Mark Zuckerberg meets with African tech leaders on Nigerian tour
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is in Nigeria. News of his unannounced trip broke Tuesday with social media photos of him visiting the Co-Creation Hub (Cchub) innovation center in Lagos. Zuckerberg then dropped in at Andela, a software developer accelerator, in which he and his wife’s foundation invested $24million earlier this year. It seems Zuckerberg travels a bit like the… Read More
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Responding to the demand for reliable data collection in Africa, mSurvey raises seed funding
mSurvey, a Kenya based startup specializing in mobile data collection, has raised seed capital as it looks to expand its survey business in partnership with retailers in sub-Saharan Africa. Safaricom, Cross Culture Ventures, and the Virgin Group’s Alpha Angels joined an investment round in the four year old business. “It’s a seed round. I can’t disclose the amount… Read More
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Emerging markets’ challenge to Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley leads the global technology innovation markets with the credentials and an ecosystem that is second to none. We have had contact with many of the leading technology accelerators operating out of Silicon Valley; their opening line for the conversation is often: “How are you relevant to us?” However, those of us living in the rest of the planet have to ask: “When… Read More
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Expanding in Africa, eBay partners with MallForAfrica.com
American eBay sellers will soon gain access to Africa’s biggest consumer markets. This comes via a new partnership between the U.S. e-commerce giant and online shopping startup MallforAfrica.com, set to go live July 2016. Read More
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The opportunities Silicon Valley doesn’t see
Silicon Valley is justifiably seen as the geographical center of digital innovation. From Google and Facebook to Uber and Netflix, the Valley is home to many global technology leaders. However, when searching for the next big startup, the time has come to look beyond Silicon Valley. Read More
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P2P mobile payment app Tapp raises $9 million to tap into the cash economy in Southeast Asia
Mobile phones have emerged as the dominant alternative payment method to cash for buying and selling goods and services in emerging markets. And with a service akin to alternative payment providers like M-Pesa and Pagatech in Africa and a slew of alternative payment platforms in Southeast Asia, Tapp’s technology is one that the region understands well. Read More
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Africa Roundup: UPS Enters Drone Space, Uber Tests Cash, Facebook Offers Free Internet in Nigeria
More big U.S. corporate names are entering Africa’s tech space and testing new models there. UPS took its first steps in the African drone delivery space teaming up with San Francisco startup Zipline, and Gates Foundation backed Gavi, to begin unmanned aerial transport of healthcare supplies in Rwanda. Read More
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As it expands in Africa, Uber adapts to local markets and adopts cash payments
While Uber continues its push into Africa the company is making allowances to local markets and testing unique service models users wouldn’t see in other parts of the globe. Anyone can now use the mobile app to hail a car in 12 cities across South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Morocco and Egypt…. And in all of those countries users can pay drivers in hard cash. Read More
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Crunch Network
Africa is becoming a testbed for commercial drone services
UPS recently entered into a partnership with Zipline, a medical drone delivery startup, to begin aerial transport of healthcare supplies in Rwanda. Read More
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Four ways African countries can ensure digital innovation benefits the entire population
When Rwanda’s socioeconomic turnaround is discussed, the country’s disciplined approach to economic growth and commitment to avoiding the pitfalls of corruption are usually highlighted. However, while these components certainly played a significant role, another key factor in Rwanda’s transformation is often overlooked. Read More
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Solar startup M-KOPA leapfrogs Africa’s electricity grid
Across East Africa more than 300,000 households previously without electricity are powering homes and devices with solar panels and using mobile money to pay for it. Read More
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Africa Roundup: DealDey Acquisition Creates VC Exits
The DealDey acquisition marks continued outside investor confidence in the value proposition for African e-commerce—expected to top $75 billion by 2025, according to McKinsey Consulting. Read More
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In Africa, Watson’s sister Lucy is growing up with the help of IBM’s Research team
Three years after launching a $100 million initiative to create a Watson-inspired tech platform that finds “commercially viable solutions to the continent’s grand challenges,” Watson’s African equivalent—Lucy—is shaping up and IBM’s Africa research facility is more defined in structure, team, and projects. Read More
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Rocket Internet’s Africa Internet Group raises $326M from Goldman Sachs and others
Fresh from pulling in $83 million from European insurance giant AXA last month, Africa Internet Group (AIG) — the Rocket Internet-backed company behind e-commerce site Jumia — has announced that it has raised €300 million ($326 million) in fresh funding. Read More
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Crunch Network
Africa’s commercial drones take off
Some of Africa’s first commercial drone startups are generating clients and income. South Africa’s Rocketmine and Ghana’s Aeroshutter are completing services such as 3D volumetric image processing, aerial advertising, and music video production for multinational mining companies, global telecoms firms, and African pop stars. Read More
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Crunch Network
Not Another African Tech Article
The great continent of Africa seems to be the flavor of the month. As the world wakes up to its potential, I can’t help but cringe each time an “African tech” article is published on a popular medium like TechCrunch. The lack of data and “exotic charm” of Africa makes it an easy target for baseless, heavily flawed or downright ridiculous content. This benefits no… Read More
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