IFC and TLG Capital have announced the first close of a new private credit fund, TLG Africa Growth Impact Fund II (AGIF II), with $75 million raised. IFC, through its Distressed Asset Recovery Program (DARP), is anchoring the AGIF II Fund with a commitment of up to $20 million, which is also backed by Swedfund, Norfund, Bpifrance, and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) through its Manufacturing Africa program. “Today, one in four SME loans in Africa is under stress,” said Isha Doshi, Co-Founder of TLG Capital. “And yet, the entrepreneurial spirit is unshaken. AGIF II is our…
Author: Brand Spot
Building on the success of its existing engagement to improve access to HIV care, Homa Bay County in Kenya has taken a bold step to strengthen its entire health system by investing in procuring, storing and delivering critical medical commodities through Zipline, the world’s largest autonomous logistics system. This move marks a significant shift in the county’s approach to last-mile healthcare delivery, enabling timely access to essential medicines that had long been out of reach for many communities. With Zipline, even remote and hard-to-reach areas can receive consistent, life-saving medical supplies, transforming access and strengthening the health system. Zipline initially partnered…
Check Point and Illumio, the breach containment company, have announced a strategic partnership to help organisations strengthen security and advance their Zero-Trust posture. The integration between the Check Point Infinity and Illumio Platforms delivers rapid identification and mitigation of lateral movement risks across hybrid and multi-cloud environments using advanced micro segmentation enforcement. This collaboration empowers customers to combine Check Point Quantum Force Firewalls, Infinity Threat Cloud AI, and AI Powered Security Management with Illumio Segmentation and Illumio Insights to neutralise threats by halting lateral movements and strengthening overall cyber security. “Stopping lateral movement is critical to breach prevention,” says Itai…
Kenya Airways (KQ) and Safarilink Aviation have entered into a one-way codeshare partnership deal designed to revolutionize the way travelers access Kenya’s world-renowned safari destinations. Kenya Airways’ global customers will now be able to book their international flights and domestic safari connections on a single ticket, creating a seamless and convenient travel experience. KQ’s extensive international network will now connect with two (2) daily flights to nine (9) key airstrips in the Maasai Mara, as well as Amboseli, Nanyuki, and Samburu. “This partnership exemplifies smart innovation, bridging Kenya Airways’ global reach with Safarilink’s expertise in last-mile connectivity to key safari…
BCG X, the tech, build, and design division of Boston Consulting Group (BCG), announced the launch of its new AI Science Institute—leveraging BCG X’s expertise and talent, supported by a 3000+ person team, including 200+ PhDs, to accelerate scientific discovery in collaboration with top R&D teams across leading industries and governments. BCG’s strategic investment in artificial intelligence is propelling the firm’s growth and driving value for businesses at record speed. Leveraging this momentum, the BCG X AI Science Institute will be a groundbreaking hub that brings the power of AI to scientific research, discovery, and innovation—where cutting-edge AI research, academic rigor, and real-world business…
NTT DATA, has announced the appointment of Hani Nofal’s as Regional Head for Technology Solutions, Middle East and Africa (MEA), effective May 1, 2025. In this strategic leadership role, Nofal will drive NTT DATA’s Technology Solutions growth in the MEA region, collaborating with local teams to define and implement a growth strategy aligned with global objectives. “We are thrilled to welcome Hani to the NTT DATA family,” said Alan Turnley-Jones, CEO of NTT DATA for Middle East and Africa. “His exceptional leadership in building high-performance teams, extensive expertise in digital, security, cloud, and networking solutions, and impressive track record in…
PayPal has opened a new regional hub in Dubai, which serves as the company’s first ever location in the Middle East and Africa. PayPal’s expanded presence will bring global commerce capabilities to the region, including frictionless payments, robust security, and broader access to international payment networks to help large enterprises and small businesses sell across borders. Speaking from the Dubai AI Festival 2025 today, Suzan Kereere, President of Global Markets at PayPal, said: “PayPal is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between consumers and businesses for cross-border commerce, fostering growth in local economies. We proudly serve over 430 million customers…
Huawei Intelligent Africa Summit 2025 was held in Marrakech alongside GITEX Africa under the theme “Amplify Intelligence for New Africa.” For its 3rd edition, GITEX put a strong spotlight on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital innovation, highlighting a turning point in Africa’s technological transformation. In this dynamic, Huawei’s Summit aimed at exploring how AI can foster inclusive, sustainable development and help shape the continent’s future. In his opening speech, Shen Li, President of Huawei Northern Africa, emphasized the necessity of an integrated and collaborative approach: “Moving forward, we will continue to collaborate with all parties across key pillars of AI development…
MEST Africa in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has announced its second cohort of 12 innovative companies for the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship in Ghana. This six-month entrepreneurship acceleration program is dedicated to supporting Africa’s most promising EdTech ventures by equipping them with mentorship, funding, and expertise in the science of learning. These newly selected companies are set to scale their groundbreaking solutions and address pressing educational challenges across Ghana. The Second cohort builds on the success of the first cohort of 12 EdTech Companies, whose solutions impacted over 136,798 learners during the period of acceleration, underscoring the Fellowship’s ability to drive…
Back for 2025, the Google Hustle Academy once again offers free, high-impact business training to entrepreneurs in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. This year’s program is more focused than ever on helping founders tap into the power of AI to grow smarter and faster. What to Expect in 2025 Since it was launched in 2022, the Google Hustle Academy has trained over 15,000 small businesses across the continent. The 2025 edition brings a fresh focus on AI integration as a practical tool to help business owners: The program will run as a virtual bootcamp covering everything from business strategy and…

