Author: Kaluka wanjala

Google for Startups Accelerator Africa has announced its 8th cohort of 10 startups utilizing AI to tackle challenges across Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa. These startups are addressing healthcare, cargo mobility, energy solutions, and more. These startups from Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa, share a collective mission: using artificial intelligence to solve pressing challenges on the continent. They are not merely creating businesses; they are shaping a future where technology empowers and uplifts communities. Meet the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa: Class 8: From July 29th to September 20th, 2024, these ten startups will embark on a journey…

Since 2003, Korea’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have been active participants in IFA Berlin. In the year of IFA’s 100th anniversary celebration, South Korea becomes the official IFA NEXT Innovation Partner Country. South Korea will have its own Pavilion located at IFA Next, presenting twenty carefully selected startups and SMEs that have shown exceptional potential in the fields of AI (artificial intelligence), Digital Health, IoT, Sustainability and Home Appliances etc. “I’ve had the pleasure of visiting South Korea during NextRise in mid-June and am always thrilled by the country’s innovation and technological advancements. Mega trends like digital health and…

After receiving ~20,000 applications from all 54 African countries, the Africa’s Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition has revealed the Top 50 Finalists for its 2024 edition. The competition is a philanthropic program supported by the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Philanthropy to honor and elevate African entrepreneurs. This year’s competition reflects an increasingly diverse applicant pool cementing the competition’s reputation as Africa’s largest and most inclusive competition. Since its inception in 2019, ABH has dedicated itself to identifying, supporting and spotlighting talented African entrepreneurs. Annually, this sector-agnostic competition awards a total grant of $1.5 million to 10 deserving entrepreneurs. Beyond…

Glovo recently hosted its first Partners Day event in Mombasa, aimed at empowering local business partners through training and development. The event, conducted in collaboration with Ongoza, covered essential aspects of business management.  With the participation of over 20 partners, the training session underscored Glovo’s commitment to supporting local SMEs. Partners received practical guidance on managing their finances, leveraging online marketing, and effectively utilizing the Glovo platform for growth. Caroline Mutuku, General Manager of Glovo Kenya, highlighted the initiative’s significance: “Our goal with Glovo Partners Day is to equip our partners with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed.…

Summary Kenya’s EV sector is set for growth following the $20 million investment into local manufacturer, Afrigreen Automobile, by Chinese EV manufacturer, Chery. Acording to Afrigreen Automobile, the funding will be used to set up an assembly plant in nairobi that will create over 3,000 direct and indirect jobs. Afrigreen Automobile is optimistic this deal will accelerate the adoption of Evs in Kenya as well as generate employment opportunities. Chery on its part said kenya’s skilled workforce and its strategic position as an economic hub as key factors in their decision to invest. According to Afrgreen, one of the first…

In Kenya, mobile money interoperability has been a game-changer in the financial landscape, enhancing inclusion and economic growth. By allowing seamless transactions between different mobile money providers, it has broken down barriers and opened up new opportunities for millions of people, empowering individuals and communities across the country. Kenya has been at the forefront of mobile money innovation since the early 2000s, starting with the launch of M-Pesa. Yet, transferring money between different mobile networks has long been challenging, involving extra costs and complex procedures. However, with the introduction of mobile money interoperability this situation has improved. Now, Kenyans can…

Healthcare consulting firm Salient Advisory has launched its latest market intelligence report, focusing on 24 leading Africa-focused supply chain innovators which appear to be on the cusp of more substantive impact. Funded by the Gates Foundation, the report titled “Leading Innovations Enabling Health Product Access in Africa”, finds that, amid difficult macro- economic realities and dwindling investment in African technology ecosystems, a select number of African health innovators are emerging as leaders. Having operated for 10 years on average, the 24 leading innovators collectively now partner with 100+ manufacturers and 75 public health institutions, reaching around 50,000 providers (who serve hundreds of thousands…

Here are short descriptions of seven of them. Whether you’re a seasoned trader, a crypto enthusiast, or just curious about the buzz, these seven facts will give you a fresh perspective on the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange. 1. Zero to Hero in 165 Days Binance was launched on 14th of July 2017, and within merely 165 days, Binance became the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world by trading volume.  What has contributed to such explosive growth within a short period of time?  According to one of Binance’s co-founders, there were a number of internal and external factors that launched Binance…

Standard Chartered has released its Global Market Outlook for the second half (H2) of 2024, providing its investment strategy and key themes for navigating global markets. The report, compiled by the Bank’s Wealth Solutions Chief Investment Office (CIO), notes that the start of major central bank rate cuts as a key turning point for investors as policymakers switch their focus towards supporting growth. The Bank’s CIO sees this as a good time to adapt to the shifting winds by: Given this environment, balanced foundation allocations comprising equities, bonds and alternative assets are likely to outperform allocations that are solely aimed…

If you are a startup founder or have a startup idea, this is your chance to get support from Antler Nairobi. This was shared on LinkedIn by Marie Nielsen, a partner at Antler Africa. The statement reads in part, “Antler Nairobi is looking to invest $2M into early-stage startups over the next 6 months. We seek 10 ambitious teams / companies to join us, each receiving a $200k investment.” According to Marie, Antler is specifically looking for individuals and teams in the following areas: You can head over to Marie’s LinkedIn page to learn more on how to take part.…