President William Ruto's state visit to the United States from May 20 to 24, 2024, marked an important milestone in Kenya-U.S. relations. It was the first state visit by a Kenyan Head of State in over two decades and the first by an African Head of State since 2008. The visit aimed to strengthen the strategic partnership between Kenya and the United States, which has been in place since 2018.

Trade and Investment:

• Microsoft and G42 to invest $1 billion in a Kenyan data center.

• U.S. International Development Finance Corporation n to open an office in Nairobi.

• $15 million from USAID to reduce poverty and improve food security.

• The Coca-Cola Company to invest $175 million over five years and set up a mango supply chain hub.

Debt and Finance:

• Launch of Nairobi-Washington Vision to address Kenya's debt.

• U.S. commitment of up to $21 billion to the IMF's Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust.

• $250 million U.S. aid for crisis response to the World Bank's International Development Association.

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USTDA Director Enoh T. Ebong highlighted that this partnership supports Kenya’s goal of becoming a global technology hub, creating opportunities for U.S. technology exports. The facility will be located at DEDAN KIMATHI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (DeKUT)in Nyeri and will be Africa’s second commercial semiconductor fabrication facility.

STL’s CEO, Dr. Anthony Githinji, noted that USTDA’s support will attract significant investment to Kenya’s semiconductor sector, enhancing bilateral and private sector cooperation between the U.S. and Kenya. He expressed gratitude to the USTDA and U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman for their support.

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At the 35th annual African Public Relations Association (APRA) conference in Abidjan, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) highlighted its digital social investments. Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, Ph.D., fnipr, MACCE, MIIC, arpa , Head of Media Management Relations at the NCC, presented 36 initiatives aimed at expanding infrastructure, supporting SMEs, empowering educational institutions, fostering innovation, and upskilling Nigerian youths.

Key initiatives include the Advanced Digital Awareness Programme for Tertiary Institutions (ADAPTI), Campus Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programme (CIEP), e-PAD project, Digital Appreciation Project (DAP), Digital Literacy Training for Teachers (DLT), Digital Integration Programme (DIP) for MSMEs, and E-Accessibility programme for persons with disabilities. Other projects featured were the Nigerian Girls Can Code Competition, Build A-Thon, Tertiary Institutions Digital Centre (TIDC), 2,291 Digital Nigeria Centers (DNC), and 72 Rural Broadband Initiative projects.

The NCC, through the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), has significantly improved digital literacy and reduced the digital divide in Nigeria. The conference, themed “One Africa, One Voice: Bridging Africa’s Communication Divide,” featured over 20 papers, with Ibietan's presentation being the sole showcase of digital infrastructure investments by an African country.

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South Africa is on the brink of an economic recovery after years of stagnation, but the upcoming election poses a risk. Opinion polls indicate that the AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS (ANC) might lose its national majority for the first time since 1994, primarily due to corruption and mismanagement. Under President Cyril Ramaphosa, the ANC has pursued a cautious pro-growth strategy, which has attracted investor optimism, reflected in a recent rally in the rand.

Analysts predict economic growth could rise to 1.1% this year from 0.6% in 2023 if Ramaphosa remains in office. However, if the ANC's support drops below 50%, it may have to form a coalition government. A minor shortfall could mean partnering with a smaller party supportive of Ramaphosa's agenda, but larger losses might force a coalition with opposition parties, some of which, like the Economic Freedom Fighters, propose policies that worry foreign investors.

Investors favor a coalition between the ANC and the business-friendly Democratic Alliance, though this is not yet confirmed. The uncertainty surrounding the election outcome has led companies to stockpile cash and foreigners to sell stocks, with businesses hesitant to invest amid coalition uncertainties.

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In an episode of the Financial Times' Tech Tonic, James Kynge explores China's growing technological influence in Africa, with Lagos, Nigeria, serving as a prime example. Evidence of China's tech dominance is everywhere in Lagos, from the overwhelming presence of Chinese smartphone brands like Tecno, Infinix, and Itel to the widespread use of Chinese-owned financial apps.

George Zhu, the founder of Transsion, began his journey in Lagos's Computer Village in 2006. Today, Transsion holds nearly 50% of the market share across Africa, thanks to phones designed to meet local needs with features like long-lasting batteries and multi-SIM capabilities. These innovations address the challenges posed by Nigeria's unreliable electricity and cell network.

Chinese tech extends beyond smartphones. Apps like PalmPay and OPay have revolutionized banking, offering services to previously unbanked populations. However, the aggressive recovery methods and high-interest rates of Chinese-backed loan apps have caused issues for many Nigerians, including individuals like Femi, who fell into debt traps due to exploitative practices.

China's influence isn't limited to consumer electronics and financial apps. Chinese companies have laid telecom cables, funded infrastructure projects such as the deep seaport and light rail system in Lagos, and even dominate lithium extraction. This deep integration has significantly shaped Nigeria’s tech landscape, despite concerns over regulatory oversight and consumer protection.

Chinese companies' readiness to adapt and invest heavily has brought significant changes, introducing digital connectivity to millions and transforming daily transactions. This adaptability often comes at the expense of strict regulatory compliance, reflecting China’s broader strategy of leveraging technological prowess to expand its global footprint, particularly in developing markets.

As China continues its march towards global tech prominence, its impact on Africa’s technological and economic landscape is profound and multifaceted, illustrating both opportunities and challenges in this evolving relationship.

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As Africa experiences economic growth and increasing global integration, there is a growing focus on enhancing air travel through improved digital identification systems and digital public infrastructure (DPI).

At ID4Africa 2024 in Cape Town, HID Global showcased technologies aimed at promoting a secure and inclusive digital identity future. These included Digital Travel Credentials (DTC), personalized ID issuance, identity documents with integrated biometric data storage, and citizen enrollment and identity security solutions. HID's personalized ID issuance solutions feature cloud-based systems, desktop issuance printers, and laser engraving technology for ID cards.

A key highlight was the introduction of Digital Travel Credentials, or mobile passports, which aim to streamline the travel experience and enhance security. HID advocates a hybrid approach, maintaining physical documents for secondary verification while developing a fully functional DTC ecosystem.

Natascha Trivisas , HID’s senior director of marketing communications, emphasized that digital travel systems are vital for improving air travel in Africa. These technologies enhance security and efficiency and support inclusive identity management, crucial for socio-economic development. An IATA survey suggests that opening air markets in 12 African countries could add 155,000 jobs and $1.3 billion in GDP annually, supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat goals.

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Reliance Jio -Saurashtra (region) , India's leading mobile network operator, is expanding into Africa, directly competing with Bharti Airtel. Jio has partnered with Ghana through its subsidiary, Radysis, to provide affordable 5G connectivity. The collaboration involves Tech Mahindra, Nokia, K-NET, and Telecel. The Next-Gen Infrastructure Company (NGIC) has received a 5G license and plans to launch services in Ghana within six months, with further expansion across Africa.

airtel acquired Zain Group's Africa business in 2010 and now has around 140 million subscribers. Reliance Jio quickly rose to the top in India, capturing over 40% market share within eight years.

Replicating this success in Africa will be challenging due to Airtel's strong presence, but Jio aims to leverage its resources to offer competitive and innovative services.

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In a new episode of Inside Africa, CNN highlights EarthRanger, a technology developed by conservationists to protect threatened wildlife in Kenya. Kenya, home to over 35,000 species, is among the top ten megadiverse countries. At least 30 bird and mammal species face extinction due to poaching, habitat loss, and climate change.

Dr. Mukami Ruoro-Oundo, a senior wildlife vet for the Kenya Wildlife Service, emphasizes the importance of wildlife health, human-wildlife conflict resolution, rehabilitation, and research. Jake Wall, Director for Research and Conservation for the Mara Elephant Project and co-founder of EarthRanger, explains that the tool integrates various data sources to aid wildlife management in real time. EarthRanger operates in 70 countries and tracks 9,000 animals in Kenya, supported by Africa's largest Internet of Things network.

The Sera Community Conservancy focuses on protecting the critically endangered black rhino, with their numbers nearly doubling since 1990. In February 2024, Sera made history by relocating four white rhinos with GPS tracking to Samburu County.

Dr. Ruoro-Oundo concludes that community effort and technology are crucial for safeguarding Kenya's wildlife and their natural environments for the future.

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The foundation of any economy is its infrastructure, which promotes investment, commerce, and production. Unfortunately, infrastructure development in certain African countries is often overlooked due to a lack of proper investment and irresponsible government administration. This neglect results in a sub-par quality of life for individuals living in these regions.

The absence of adequate infrastructure contributes to economic dispersion across the continent, causing some countries to function in relative isolation. This isolation prevents them from capitalizing on the synergies and efficiencies of an integrated regional economy, reducing opportunities for economic diversification and the formation of strong regional markets.

The table below lists the 10 African countries with the lowest number of private infrastructure projects, each having only one project.

Africa's vulnerability to climate change makes resilient infrastructure critical for adaptation. However, fewer infrastructure projects mean less investment in climate-resilient structures, increasing communities' susceptibility to climate-related disasters and threatening livelihoods and economic stability.

According to a World Bank report, private investment in infrastructure totaled $3.5 billion across 66 projects, marking a 24% decrease from the previous year and a 46% decrease from the five-year average.

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The Finance Bill 2024, recently presented in Parliament, aims to broaden the nations tax base to include more economic activities while removing certain exemptions. However, the tax proposal has raised concerns that it will slow or stifle the growth of EVs in the country. Guy Jack, CEO of Associated Battery Manufacturers, stated that the development was completely unsustainable and would impact jobs.

It also raises concerns that interest and international investment in the sector will decline. However, President William Ruto sees it as a way to improve the country tax environment and pay off its debts. While Kenya intends to impose an EV tax, countries, including Tunisia announced in 2023 to offer tax breaks and purchase incentives to boost its EV sector and meet its goal of 130,000 electric vehicles by 2030.

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Raxio Data Centres, backed by Meridiam Partners Infrastructure Partners SAS and US private equity firm Roha Group Inc, is launching its first data center in Mozambique as part of a $290 million investment strategy in Africa. CEO Robert Mullins announced that the company plans to open five new facilities this year across various African markets, aiming to establish a portfolio of ten data centers.

The investment in African data centers is driven by increasing demand for connectivity, AI capabilities, and storage from a young, tech-savvy population. Africa currently holds just 1% of global data-center capacity, presenting significant growth opportunities despite challenges like reliable power supply.

Raxio has secured over $120 million in equity from shareholders and $110 million in debt from France’s Proparco and the UK-backed Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund. The company is also seeking an additional $60 million in debt funding. Raxio targets under-served markets and countries with larger populations, focusing on coastal areas with undersea cables, including Angola, Ivory Coast, and Tanzania.

Raxio aims to cater to local needs while also hosting major tech firms like Microsoft, AWS, Google, and Meta in any country.

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Egyptian fintech startup Bokra has partnered with precious metals firm Dahab Masr - ذهب مصر to launch a platform for investing and saving in gold, silver, and platinum. Bokra's app offers personalized financial planning based on asset-backed securities and fractional ownership. Users answer a questionnaire to determine their risk appetite and investment goals, and are then matched with a suitable portfolio.

Bokra closed a $4.6 million pre-seed funding round last month. The new "Bokra Dahab" platform will serve individuals and SMEs in Egypt, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, providing a secure process for investing in precious metals. Founder and CEO Ayman El-Sawy highlighted the partnership as a step towards transforming wealth management and expanding Bokra's reach through strategic collaborations.

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At the CEO summit organized by Continental Reinsurance in Victoria Falls, African insurance industry leaders emphasized the need to prioritize ESG compliance. The summit brought together executives to discuss the impacts of climate change, demographic shifts, and evolving market demands on the insurance sector.

The theme, "Unity in diversity: Harmonizing growth and responsibility in African insurance," reflects the sector's focus on integrating ESG factors into business strategies. The summit stressed the importance of adapting business practices to accommodate social diversity and environmental constraints. Discussions focused on innovative approaches to insurance, including addressing the needs of underserved populations like the disabled.

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At the AFSIC - Investing in Africa, OX Delivers shared their journey of launching a startup in Africa, offering unique insights into the opportunities and challenges faced in this rapidly expanding market. OX Delivers, known for providing affordable, reliable transport-as-a-service, emphasized that Africa's burgeoning market offers immense potential, unencumbered by legacy industries or outdated infrastructure. The startup highlighted the advantage of competing against non-existent or ineffective solutions, which has enabled their rapid growth.

A key challenge noted by OX Delivers is the persistent stereotypes and lack of understanding among non-African investors, who often overlook the region's opportunities. They stressed the need for African technology solutions tailored to local needs and emphasized the importance of patience and local engagement to navigate regulatory and bureaucratic hurdles.

OX Delivers has successfully built a diverse and inclusive team by prioritizing local hires and promoting gender diversity. They have launched initiatives like supporting women to obtain driving licenses, leading to a significant increase in female drivers and managers within the company.

Looking ahead, OX Delivers aims to become the go-to solution for businesses across Africa by leveraging their cost-effective electric trucks and user-friendly app. Their long-term vision includes simplifying logistics and ensuring seamless delivery, payment, and paperwork processes for African businesses. Through initiatives like the AFSIC Quickfire Pitches and support from the African Investments Team, OX Delivers continues to seek investment to further their mission of driving sustainable growth in Africa.

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Kaspersky 's Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) has uncovered three new information stealers: Acrid, ScarletStealer, and an evolved form of Sys01. Acrid, despite its 32-bit architecture, uses the "Heaven's Gate" technique to access 64-bit space enabling it to steal browser data, cryptocurrency wallets and files.

ScarletStealer, identified alongside the Penguish downloader, primarily targets cryptocurrency wallets and is notable for its digitally signed executables, despite its underdeveloped functionality. The evolved Sys01, now named Newb, continues to use malicious ZIP archives to infect users, with browser data collection handled by a separate module called imageclass. These new threats highlight the ongoing demand for data theft tools in the cybercriminal underworld, emphasizing the need for vigilant and proactive cybersecurity measures.

Kaspersky advises keeping software updated, being cautious with downloads and attachments and using robust security solutions like SystemWatcher to protect against these evolving threats.

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Sajjaad Khader , a 22-year-old software engineer who studied AI at Georgia Tech, advises prospective students to reconsider majoring in AI if they struggle with attention span, math or commitment. During his studies, Khader realized that AI requires intense focus, especially during long and often monotonous research phases. Additionally, he found that AI courses heavily rely on advanced theoretical math, which can be daunting if one isn't strong in mathematics. Commitment is another crucial factor as achieving results in AI projects often demands prolonged effort and a willingness to continuously learn and adapt.

Khader emphasizes that pursuing a career in tech doesn’t necessarily require a degree in AI. Many tech roles including web development and logistical operations offer substantial opportunities and job security without focusing solely on

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NamX, founded by French-Moroccan entrepreneur Faouzi ANNAJAH , won the Technology Election Award in the mobility and smart cities category at the Paris Viva Technology 2024 international fair. The award, presented on May 25, recognized NamX for its innovative hydrogen SUV (HUV), showcased for the final time before road testing.

The HUV features a V8 Hydrogen Engine Technology and a patented removable hydrogen fuel tank system, aiming to revolutionize clean energy vehicles. Annajah views this project as a significant step towards combining human mobility with environmental preservation through green hydrogen. NamX is supported by major industrial and technical partners and aims to deliver the vehicle by the end of 2025.

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Irish fintech firm CR2 has been acquired by Morocco-based payments software company Hightech Payment Systems HPS. This strategic acquisition aims to enhance HPS's digital banking and payments capabilities, accelerating its global growth. CR2, headquartered in Dublin and led by CEO Fintan Byrne , has been a significant player in the self-service banking market for over two decades, with its BankWorld platform powering more than 90 banks across 50 countries.

The acquisition is seen as a recognition of CR2's innovative solutions and aligns with its ambition for an international scale. HPS CEO Abdeslam Alaoui highlighted the complementary strengths and shared values of both companies, emphasizing the potential for new revenue opportunities and long-term growth.

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MPost Rwanda (Techstars '23) has launched its e-P.O Box Service in Rwanda to revolutionize the postal experience. Currently, less than 1% of Rwandans are connected to a post office, facing long queues and limited access. MPOST's e-P.O.Box system transforms mobile phone numbers into formal postal addresses, allowing citizens and businesses to receive mail and parcels directly to their mobile-linked e-P.O.Box. This eliminates the need for physical P.O. Boxes and offers a convenient postal solution.

The e-P.O.Box service provides access to all postal services, government services, e-commerce platforms like Rwandamat, Amazon, and Alibaba, and financial services. This platform will boost e-commerce, improve delivery times, and support local businesses, enhancing Rwanda's digital economy. MPOST aims to reach over 5 million citizens in the next three years by integrating local postal services with the high mobile phone penetration in the country.

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Africa needs $6 billion annually to enhance digital infrastructure, connecting more citizens and businesses to the Internet, according to the International Financial Corporation (IFC). Despite the World Bank's $2.8 billion investment in digital projects over the past decade, much of the continent still lacks adequate infrastructure. The IFC plans to increase its total investment to $10 billion by the end of 2024, focusing on innovative companies driving digital adoption.

A survey in 54 African countries shows that few small businesses have internet-connected computers, mainly due to insufficient fibre optic infrastructure and high costs. An additional $2.7 billion is required to help SMEs, particularly in manufacturing and agriculture, transition to digital operations. New submarine cables are promising, but the challenge lies in extending this capacity inland. Improving digital connectivity for SMEs can boost productivity and support 400 million workers, or 70% of Africa's labor force.

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The Huawei ICT Competition 2023–2024 Global Final concluded in Shenzhen, marking its largest offline event ever. Over 170,000 students from 2,000+ universities in 80 countries participated, with 160 teams from 49 countries competing from May 23-26.

Nineteen teams from Algeria, China, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, the Philippines, Tanzania, Türkiye, and Uganda won Grand Prizes. Kenya received the Women in Tech Award, while Pakistan won Best Social Media Popularity and China and Morocco won the Green Development Award. The TECH4ALL Digital Inclusion Award went to teams from China and the Philippines.

Huawei leaders emphasized the importance of digital inclusion, with Zhou Hong, Stefania Giannini of UNESCO, and Ritchie Peng highlighting the role of technology in creating an equitable future. The event also recognized 24 instructors with the "Huawei ICT Academy Global Most Valuable Instructor" award for their contributions to ICT talent development.

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South African startup Orca, which combats fraud for banks and fintechs in emerging markets, has raised $550,000 in a pre-seed round led by Norrsken22, with participation from First Circle Capital, Musha Ventures, Kara Ventures, and several business angels. The funding will be used to develop fraud prevention tools and iterate with customers in South Africa.

Fraud in South Africa has surged 600% since 2018, driven by new payment methods like mobile money and e-wallets. Orca aims to provide modular, affordable fraud prevention tailored to the unique challenges of emerging markets.

Orca, founded by an all-female team, plans to expand its team and refine its fraud and compliance products. Co-founder Thalia Pillay highlighted the importance of a diverse investor base and collaboration with international fraud experts. Investors praised Orca's market-specific approach and the expertise of its founders in fraud risk management.

Orca's funding round is notable given the rarity of female-led startups in Africa, with only 1% of funding going to female-only founding teams between 2019 and 2022. Orca is committed to promoting diversity and representation in its team and operations.

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced that mobile money operators, including OPay, Palmpay, Kuda Bank, and Moniepoint, will be allowed to resume onboarding new customers in a few months. This follows a suspension in April that halted new customer enrollments for these companies.

CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso made the announcement during the 295th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in Abuja, where the interest rate was also raised from 24.75% to 26.25%. Cardoso stated that the CBN has been working with fintech firms to enhance their operations and implement measures to prevent money laundering and illicit financial flows.

Cardoso dismissed claims of a crackdown on fintechs, emphasizing the CBN's support for the sector and the need for stronger regulatory frameworks. He clarified that no fintech licenses have been revoked and stressed the importance of regulation due to issues like illicit financial activities and money laundering, particularly in less-regulated areas of the banking system.

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the telecom industry by enabling communication service providers (CSPs) to handle increasingly complex networks and meet escalating customer demands. With its remarkable capacity to analyze extensive network and user data, recognize patterns, detect anomalies and deliver valuable insights, AI is set to revolutionize telecom operations.

The technology's prowess in managing real-time and historical data allows CSPs to enhance network reliability, improve quality of service, dynamically scale workloads, strengthen security against fraud and tailor customer interactions for better retention and sales opportunities.

Here are key ways AI can enhance telecom networks:

1. Network Reliability

AI helps improve uptime and performance by analyzing historical and current data to identify patterns and predict outages thus enabling proactive maintenance and the development of self-healing networks.

2. Quality of Experience Management

By applying AI to data from user endpoints and network resources, CSPs can optimize network performance, reduce congestion and ensure seamless user experiences across various devices.

3. Dynamic Workload Scaling

AI predicts traffic shifts and manages resource allocation in real-time, helping CSPs scale infrastructure efficiently, reducing energy consumption and operating costs.

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Meanwhile Globally...

Nubank, a Brazilian neobank, is entering the mobile network market by launching an eSIM service for travelers, offering 10GB of free roaming internet in over 40 countries without the need for a physical SIM card. This move follows Brazil's National Telecommunications Agency (ANATEL) approving Nubank's plan to become a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) in partnership with Claro, although details remain unconfirmed.

Nubank's growth has been notable, with a valuation surge to $58 billion and a shift from a $9 million net loss in 2022 to a $1 billion net profit in 2023. The company serves over 100 million customers across Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia, providing bank accounts, credit cards, loans, insurance, and investments.

The new eSIM service targets Nubank Ultravioleta subscribers and is part of its recent travel sector expansion, including a "global account" for low-fee international money transfers in partnership with Wise. The eSIM is activated via the Nubank app, with infrastructure powered by Gigs.

This trend aligns with other fintech companies like Revolut and Zolve, which have also launched eSIM services, highlighting the synergy between financial services and mobile communications. Traditional banks and mobile operators are increasingly crossing into each other's domains, exemplified by T-Mobile's banking services and Banco Inter's MVNO offerings.

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Elon Musk’s AI firm, xAI, has secured an additional $6 billion in funding from prominent investors, including Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz and Saudi Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, raising its valuation to an impressive $24 billion. Announced in a recent blog post, xAI plans to use the fresh capital to launch its first products, build advanced infrastructure and accelerate R&D efforts. Musk, who founded xAI in July last year, indicated that more announcements are forthcoming and confirmed the firm's pre-funding valuation at $18 billion.

This investment positions xAI as a formidable competitor to OpenAI, the research group behind ChatGPT, which Musk co-founded but left six years ago due to strategic differences. xAI has been developing its AI-powered chatbot, Grok, which leverages real-time data from X, Musk's social media platform. With improved versions of Grok already in development and active recruitment for engineers and researchers, xAI aims to revolutionize AI applications in daily life.

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AI is driving growth across various sectors, with demand for AI technology booming a year after its surge on Wall Street. Companies are heavily investing in AI, benefiting chip makers like Nvidia and businesses supplying power, labor, and raw materials. The utilities sector of the S&P 500 has returned 15% over the past three months, outperforming other sectors, with energy and materials stocks also seeing significant gains.

Nvidia's recent earnings report highlighted a substantial increase in demand for AI, with $26 billion in sales for the latest quarter, tripling from the previous year. The company’s stock has more than doubled this year. Big-tech firms like Microsoft and Meta are investing billions in AI infrastructure. A bipartisan Senate group has also recommended significant federal spending on AI in the coming years.

Investors are finding opportunities in data-center builders and operators, as well as power and utilities. Companies like Vertiv Holdings and Eaton have seen their stock prices surge due to increasing orders and demand for data center equipment. Infrastructure stocks are expected to benefit further if the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates.

Despite high valuations, analysts believe the spending boom reduces the risk. Companies like Eaton and Quanta Services are expected to see significant profit growth, with Quanta’s stock up 31% this year.

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As We Say Good Bye - for this edition;

Business choices.

They greatly impact success, and offering diverse B2B payment options can lead to more business. Recent partnerships in the diaspora highlight this trend: American Express has teamed with Emburse to integrate virtual card solutions, and Dwolla and Visa are simplifying pay-by-bank services for mid- to enterprise-size businesses. Providing various payment methods can differentiate a company, attract new customers, and improve customer loyalty.

Modern B2B payment solutions, such as digital wallets and virtual cards, are increasingly popular, aligning payment terms with cash flow needs and ensuring timely payments for suppliers. Automated payment systems streamline accounting, reduce errors, and free resources for strategic tasks. The B2B payment landscape is evolving, with digital innovations making adoption easier and enhancing global market opportunities.

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Follow these Essential Tips to Prevent Bank Account Hacking and Theft

And

Governed by President Sahle-Work Zewde and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopia operates a parliamentary system. The country is divided into the federal government, two federal cities (Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa), and nine regional states. The legal system is based on civil law, governed by the federal and state constitutions and the federal Civil Code.

The Government Structure comprises of the House of People's (HPR), House of Federation (HOF) and Council of Ministers.The HPR, which appoints federal judges, ratifies international agreements and nominates the president, is the higher house with 550 members and the party with the highest number of seats form the executive...

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In Case You Missed These Too...

Payments 💸

WeWire Joins Bank of Ghana's Sandbox: WeWire, a cross-border payment platform, has been admitted into the Bank of Ghana's regulatory sandbox to foster fintech innovation and secure global payments.

Renewable Energy 🌍

EU Praises Kenya's Electrification Efforts: EU Ambassador Henriette Geiger commended Kenya for doubling its electricity access from 37% to 75% in a decade, during the signing of the Last Mile Connectivity project.

Fintech 🌐

Zeepay Gets Approval for Outbound Transfers: Ghanaian fintech Zeepay received regulatory approval for outbound money transfers, enabling immigrants to send up to $10,000 annually back home.

Innovation 🚀

Kenya's Regulatory Sandbox for ICT Start-ups: The Communications Authority of Kenya has launched a regulatory sandbox to help ICT start-ups test new ideas in a controlled environment.

Education 📚

Dr. Shikoh Gitau Joins The Tech Interactive Board: Dr. Shikoh Gitau has been appointed to the Board of The Tech Interactive, aiming to enhance global STEM education starting with Kenya.

Climate Action 🌱

Egyptian and Tunisian Startups in Mega Green Accelerator: Startups from Egypt and Tunisia have been selected for the Mega Green Accelerator to develop sustainable solutions to combat climate change.

Automotive 🚗

Enviro Automotive Launches Budget-Friendly EV: Enviro Automotive is set to launch the Dayun S5 Mini Electric SUV in South Africa, offering a budget-friendly and eco-friendly transportation option.

Youth Empowerment 👩💻

Combating Youth Unemployment in Kisumu: Zone 01 has launched a tech training initiative in Kisumu to address youth unemployment, offering free training and guaranteed job contracts.

HR Tech 🛠️

bluworks Raises $1 Million: Egyptian HR tech startup Bluworks secured $1 million to enhance blue-collar workforce management with its mobile-first HR platform.

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