Author: Kaluka wanjala

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) can help accelerate progress towards the attainment of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has said. Speaking at MWC24 Shanghai, Zhao Xiaolei, Head of UNIDO ITPO (Investment and Technology Promotion Offices) said digital transformation had a greater potential of creating value through job creation, improving economies, creating harmonious societies and friendly environments. “At UNIDO, we are creating industry competitive index – under the UN 2030 agenda which will cover 169 factors, out of which over130 factors could be affected directly or indirectly by digital transformation,” Ms. Xiaolei said. “More…

MultiChoice Talent Factory has announced that it’s once again calling upon all aspiring filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers, and storytellers to apply for entry into the 2025 fully funded academic year. Whether you’re a young professional looking to change careers and expand your horizons or a newcomer eager to make your mark in the TV & Film industry, MTF welcomes applicants from all backgrounds across the Eastern African region. MTF Eastern Africa Academy Director Victoria Goro expressed her enthusiasm, saying, “MultiChoice Talent Factory is more than just a training program; it’s a launchpad for Africa’s next generation of storytellers. We are…

Visa has released new data revealing initial consumer spending patterns during the opening weekend of the Olympic Games Paris 2024. The world leader in digital payments has identified the positive impact that Paris 2024 is having in boosting commerce in Paris: Charlotte Hogg, Chief Executive Officer of Visa Europe, said: “As a sponsor of the Olympic Movement for almost 40 years and the Paralympic Games since 2002, we know first-hand the impact that the Games can have to boost host-country economies, in line with Visa’s purpose to uplift everyone everywhere. Our latest data shows a significant increase in consumer spending…

BetaLab, Britam’s innovation hub, has announced the selection of 6 startups to be part of its 12-week pre-incubation program. These startups address challenges in real estate, savings, SME financing, and healthcare. Through the pre-incubation period, the startups will be equipped with the necessary tools and support to scale their businesses and achieve significant impact in the financial sector. The pre-incubation program is a 12-week program that is designed to accelerate the startups’ growth and development. At the end of the 12 weeks, the top three performers will be eligible for incubation within the BetaLab program. The chosen startups are: According…

When the 27th edition of Africa Tech Festival kicks off on 12 November at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in South Africa, the spotlight will be on the exceptional women shaping the future of technology and telecoms in Africa. With August marking the celebration of Women’s Month in the host country, the event will proudly showcase many of the women leaders driving growth and innovation across the sector. Taking place from 12 to 14 November, Africa Tech Festival 2024 incorporates AfricaCom, AfricaTech, AfricaIgnite, and The AI Summit Cape Town, which will welcome a cumulative 15,000 visitors, more than 400 speakers,…

Safaricom was the first telco to launch 5G services in Kenya. Safaricom 5G went live in Kenya back in 2022 and the company has been aggressively expanding availability across the country. Safaricom has today revealed that it has 1,114 5G sites in Kenya. These are spread across all 47 counties in 102 towns. The company says this covers 14% of the population. Back in March 2024, Safaricom reportedly had 803 5G sites and this means that it has added 311 new 5G sites in about 5 months. At that point, Airtel kenya had only 690 5G sites. Safaricom also says…

I&M Bank has been recognized as the number one bank in the Kenya Banking Consumer Sentiment on Social Media Index 2024 powered by Data EQ. This comprehensive analysis of consumer sentiment towards Kenya’s major banks tracked over 502,000 public online consumer posts. I&M Bank scored over 72% in the Data EQ Index, which was 56% higher than the industry average. This achievement for the Bank follows another notable recognition at this year’s Think Business Banking Awards where the Bank won the Most Customer-Centric Bank. These accolades highlight our dedication to listening to our customers. Gul Khan, CEO I&M Bank Kenya, expressed…

The East African Development Bank (EADB) has unveiled an ambitious program to bolster the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Kenya. In partnership with Sidian Bank, HF Bank, Development Bank of Kenya (DBK), and Kenya Women’s Finance Trust Microfinance Bank (KWFT), EADB will fund this KES 892 million initiative, targeting over 1,300 SMEs nationwide. These financial institutions will extend direct loans to SMEs in sectors including agriculture, transport, commerce, and manufacturing. During the signing ceremony, EADB Director General Ms. Vivienne Yeda highlighted the essential role of SMEs in East African economies. “SMEs are the backbone of the East…

Founders Factory Africa has rebranded to 54 Collective. 54 Collective builds on its exceptional track record of investing in and scaling early-stage ventures in Africa. The new name, 54 Collective, reflects the firm’s ambitious pan-African vision, aspiring to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses to serve all 54 African countries.  The firm is a commercial-first investor and embeds impact in everything it does. 54 Collective invests in ventures from idea to Pre-Series A stage by offering catalytic capital, and value-add support through its Venture Success Platform. “Our catalytic capital and value-add support to founders, through our Venture Success Platform, signifies our evolution…

Liquid Intelligent Technologies (Liquid) has announced the official launch of the first Microsoft Azure Stack in Uganda. This achievement is a significant milestone for Liquid Uganda as it can now enable local businesses to access cloud solutions that meet the local data regulatory requirements. By investing in the first Azure Stack hub in Uganda, Liquid is not only demonstrating its commitment to the country’s digital transformation but also actively supporting the Uganda Digital Transformation Roadmap. This roadmap aims to connect 90% of Ugandan households to the internet by 2040, a goal that Liquid is dedicated to helping achieve. According to…