Author: Kaluka wanjala

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced that its AI Ready initiative will be available in Kenya. This initiative seeks to equip 2 million people with AI skills by 2025. The current estimates by the World Economic Forum predict that AI could replace over 85 million jobs by 2025.  “Amazon is launching AI Ready to help those with a desire to learn about AI and benefit from the tremendous opportunity ahead,” said AWS.  Through this initiative, Kenyans will have access to free AI skill training ranging from machine learning, deep learning to Natural language Processing (NLP). This training is suitable for…

It is 2024, and Wall Street firms, led by the world’s biggest asset manager, BlackRock, race to provide bitcoin exposure to mainstream investors via regulated exchange-traded products. Around the world, millions of people use digital assets to protect the value of their savings amid raging inflation and devaluation of their national currencies as well as to take advantage of low-fee and near-instant cross-border money transfers. Traditional domains from charitable giving to art are being enhanced and reimagined with new efficiencies and capabilities that the use of blockchain technology offers. And yet, oddly enough, there are still people out there stubbornly…

Vertiv has announced the introduction of the extension of the Vertiv Liebert GXT5 Lithium-Ion double-conversion, on-line uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system for 5kVA-10kVA Global Voltage (GV) (200V-240V; Default 230V) applications. This expansion of the Liebert GXT5 Lithium-Ion line to 10kVA (from 1-3kVA) further rounds out the Vertiv portfolio of lithium-ion UPS systems and solutions for the edge of the network. Vertiv is now accepting orders for the new 5-10kVA GV models in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and shipping from current inventories.  The Liebert GXT5 Lithium-Ion models are designed for the smaller spaces typical of the network edge, with a convertible rack/tower design and only…

Madica has announced its first set of investments in three African startups. Madica is a structured investment program designed for pre-seed stage startups in Africa. Each of the three startups will receive $200,000 and will be part of Madica’s comprehensive investment program. This consists of 18 months of dedicated company-building support tailored to the unique needs of each startup. Madica offers highly personalized curriculum, hands-on mentorship, invitations to fully-funded week-long founder immersion trips, executive coaching opportunities, and access to madica’s global network of investors for follow-on funding – all designed to spur growth and ensure the long-term viability of the…

Announced on the sidelines of the Connected Africa Summit 2024, the academy aligns with Safaricom’s commitment to investing in robust fiber optic networks in Kenya and Ethiopia and the ICT Authority’s initiative to roll out extensive fiber networks, public Wi-Fi hotspots, and Digital Village Smart Hubs. The Connect Academy is part of the Presidential DigiTalent Programme, a Public-Private Partnership Programme whose key components are Skill development, on-the-job coaching, mentorship, training, certification, and ICT innovations. “Our target is to grow a world-class broadband connectivity talent pool for both public & private sectors in partnership with TVETs. This will create employment and a career path…

Moringa School has announced the appointment of Nikki Germany as the new CEO of the company. Nikki Germany has over 15 years experience in the technology and education sectors. She was previously the Chief Growth Officer at Copia, Director of Operations at Bridge International Academies and Industry Head at Google. “We are thrilled to welcome Nikki Germany as our new CEO, at Moringa School” said Sebastian McKinlay, Chair of the Moringa School Board. “Her proven track record of operating and scaling tech-enabled businesses and her passion for education will be invaluable as we continue to empower students with cutting-edge tech…

Standard Chartered Kenya has today announced the launch of its first Sustainable Account in Africa, in response to growing momentum in the sustainable finance arena. Aligned to Standard Chartered’s commitment to enhance access to sustainable finance, the Sustainable Account provides clients an opportunity to participate in sustainable development by having surplus cash referenced against Standard Chartered’s sustainable loans and projects. Kenya became the first African market to adopt the new solution following its launch in the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, China and more recently, the United States. “We understand the challenges that businesses face when it comes…

Chunguza Travel, a Ugandan self-service online travel reservation platform, has announced the successful raise of $200,000 in seed investment. Launched in December 2023, Chunguza Travel is breaking down barriers and transforming travel planning for individuals across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi. This user-friendly platform offers unprecedented convenience for East African travelers. For the first time, residents can seamlessly book flights, hotels, rental cars, tours, and activities to destinations worldwide – all directly from a local website. Chunguza Travel’s integration with familiar payment methods like M-Pesa, Airtel Money, MTN Mobile Money, Tigo-Pesa, and other popular mobile money options eliminates transaction…

Bokra, a Cairo-based fintech, announces the successful closure of its $4.6 million pre-Seed round led by DisrupTech Ventures, and SS Capital alongside other investors, setting it to revolutionise wealth management in the MENA region by being the first platform to offer goal-based investment and saving products through asset backed securities. On a mission to democratise wealth management, Ayman El-Sawy, an industry veteran boasting 21 years of experience in non-banking financial services and debt instruments, founded Bokra to serve diverse financial goals and empower retail and SME’s investors to seamlessly save and invest across multiple asset classes. Bokra’s team is tackling…

Kenya Power, Kenya’s electricity transmitting and distributing company, plans to invest ksh 258 million over the next 3 years to accelerate adoption of electric mobility in Kenya. As of June 2023, there were 2,079 electric vehicles, including two-wheelers, according to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA). With rising demand for EVs, Kenya Power is taking the right steps to being one of the key stakeholders driving adoption of EVs. The investment by Kenya Power will include the cost of setting up EV charging stations across the country. It will also include the purchase of electric vehicles and motorbikes for…