Uber Technologies Inc., the pioneering ride-hailing behemoth from the United States, is in advanced talks to inject up to $100 million into Moove , the innovative African auto-financing startup. This investment stands as a testament to the growing tech ecosystem on the continent, propelling Moove's valuation to an impressive $750 million from its current $650 million.

As Africa continues to experience a tech boom, driven by its rapid population growth and an increasing shift towards digital platforms, Moove is at the forefront, providing vital financial solutions in the ride-hailing, delivery, and logistics sectors. Founded in Lagos in 2020 by the visionary Nigerian duo Ladi Delano and Jide Odunsi, Moove is democratizing access to vehicle financing, leveraging a unique credit-scoring system tied to drivers' earnings. This initiative has gained significant traction, further solidified by Moove's expanding operations across the globe, including the UK, UAE, India, and various African nations.

The potential collaboration between Uber and Moove not only highlights the growing influence of African startups on the global stage but also marks a significant vote of confidence in the continent's tech-driven future. With both companies refraining from commenting on the ongoing discussions, the tech and investment communities eagerly await the outcome of this transformative deal.

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Nigerian startup Pirano Energy is tackling the country's energy crisis with reliable solar solutions that cut costs for businesses and homes. Customers can buy a system outright or opt for a rent-to-own plan, spreading payments over five years. Pirano's remote monitoring technology lets users manage their energy use from anywhere, maximizing the lifespan of their high-quality solar panels and batteries.

"By adding solar to the mix, customers cut their energy bills by up to 40% while gaining reliable power and reducing their carbon footprint," explains founder and CEO Bola Ogidan.

Ogidan founded Pirano in 2018, driven to solve Nigeria's chronic power shortages and the economic drain of relying on generators. Recognizing that upfront solar costs were a barrier, Pirano bridged the gap with flexible payment plans.

"We don't just sell solar products, we provide a power service." Ogidan emphasizes.

Initially self-funded, Pirano's innovative model attracted grants and debt financing, fueling rapid growth. In late 2022, the company secured its first external equity investment. With hundreds of installations across Nigeria, Pirano is poised to expand its reach, solving the energy crisis for businesses and homes in new markets.

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Ghanaian startup FreezeLink is revolutionizing food and medicine distribution using cutting-edge cold chain solutions. Founded in 2018 by Owusu Akoto, FreezeLink tackles the critical gap in unbroken cold chains, ensuring safe transport and storage across the region.

With a focus on connecting farms and factories to global consumers, FreezeLink has seen a 300% growth in its customer base, now serving major clients like Unilever, General Mills, Walmart's Game, and local farmers.

Akoto explains they are building the infrastructure where it's needed most. FreezeLink's IoT and solar-powered tech are even helping Benin farmers reach global markets through a World Bank project.

The startup's expansion plans are bold: reaching West Africa by next year and all of Sub-Saharan Africa within a decade. Self-funded until now, FreezeLink recently secured its first institutional funding round, driving further growth with its flexible pay-per-use and wholesale models.

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Kaspersky shared data shedding light on the evolving cyber threat landscape in Africa, underscoring a concerning trend of increased diversity and complexity in cyber attacks.

According to the cybersecurity firm, advancements in technology, notably the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, have fueled this intricate web of cyber threats.

Key findings from Kaspersky's telemetry reveal a 29% surge in phishing attacks across the African region, with cybercriminals leveraging social engineering tactics to deceive individuals into divulging sensitive information.

While South Africa witnessed a promising 29% decrease in overall cyber threats in 2023 compared to the previous year, Kenya experienced a stark contrast with a 68% spike in ransomware attacks, a 47% rise in backdoor usage, and a 19% increase in phishing attempts, contributing to an 8% overall increase in cyber threats.

Meanwhile, Nigeria observed a 10% decline in overall threats, but banking malware attacks targeting online banking credentials surged by 8%.

Kaspersky experts underscored the pervasive influence of AI in shaping modern threats, alongside the alarming rise in attacks targeting industrial control systems within critical infrastructure.

Analyzing online threats across the META region, Kaspersky highlighted significant fluctuations in vulnerabilities affecting web pages, emails, and web services.

Türkiye emerged as the most affected, with 41.8% of users impacted by online threats, followed closely by Kenya (39.2%), Qatar (38.8%), and South Africa (35%). In contrast, fewer users faced threats in Oman (23.4%), Egypt (27.4%), Saudi Arabia (29.9%), and Kuwait (30.8%).

Amin Hasbini i, Director of the META Research Center at Kaspersky's Global Research and Analysis division, emphasized the urgency of addressing these evolving threats: "As the cybersecurity landscape evolves, cyber threats continue to become diverse and sophisticated.

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Hohm Energy, a climate startup in South Africa, has just announced a game-changing $8 million seed funding.

Led by former backers E3 Capital and 4DX Ventures, the funding round saw participation from a consortium of notable investors, including Breega, E4E Africa, TO.org, Tekton Ventures, Sunu Capital, Musha Ventures, and Climate Capital Ventures.

With a focus on accelerating the adoption of rooftop solar across the nation, Hohm Energy unveils plans to leverage the investment to propel its cutting-edge climate fintech strategy. This strategy aims to drive technological innovation, product development, and skill enhancement for solar installers.

Promising a future where rooftop solar is reliable, affordable, and accessible to all, Hohm Energy's initiative marks a significant milestone for South Africa's tech and solar ecosystem.

Founded in 2021 by Tim Ohlsen and Emir Gluhbegovic, Hohm Energy empowers homeowners and businesses to embrace solar solutions through its accredited installer network and product marketplace.

Utilizing its proprietary software platform, Hohm Energy connects stakeholders across the solar value chain, enabling seamless project management, financing, and procurement.

Addressing the financing barrier hindering solar adoption, Hohm Energy has forged strategic partnerships with major South African retail finance institutions, expanding access to structured financing for customers.

With over 17,000 custom solar designs generated and $90 million in finance applications processed, Hohm Energy is poised to accelerate rooftop solar installations for up to 7.7 million homes in South Africa, targeting profitability by 2024's end.

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Airtel Gabon and Moov Africa Gabon Telecom have announced a transformative partnership aiming to extend crucial mobile telephone and Internet services to 200 previously underserved villages in Gabon. This initiative, stemming from a pivotal meeting with Célestin Kadjidja, the President of Gabon's ARCEP, on February 16, 2024, marks a significant leap in the country's journey towards universal digital inclusion. Under the vigilant eye of Gabon's Transitional President, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, this collaboration kickstarts the second phase of ARCEP's Universal Service Development Project, designed to knit the nation closer through enhanced connectivity. With an alarming 1,253 villages lacking basic telecommunications services, this partnership not only promises to revolutionize access for thousands of Gabonese but also aligns with the government's ambitious digital transformation strategy. Supported by the World Bank's recent $68.5 million investment in the Digital Gabon Project, this initiative is a hopeful way to accelerate Gabon's digitalized public services and foster a more inclusive society.

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Malawi's national security was compromised following a cyberattack targeting the country's passport issuance system. President Lazarus Chakwera confirmed the distressing news, revealing that the attack had temporarily halted passport services as authorities worked diligently to counter the hackers' demands for an unspecified ransom. This announcement came amid discussions in Lilongwe's parliamentary session, where the breach's implications for citizens and national security were front and center.

The cybercriminals had seized control of Malawi's passport printing infrastructure, presenting a severe challenge to the government's operations and the privacy of its citizens. In response to a proposal for a cabinet reshuffle by Sameer Suleman, MP for Blantyre City South East, President Chakwera clarified that the issue's complexity went beyond a simple reshuffle, emphasizing the nuanced approach needed to address such a sophisticated threat.

In an interim measure to mitigate the impact, Chakwera had directed the Department of Immigration to expedite the passport printing process and bolster security to fend off future cyber threats. The President's stern message to the hackers and any insiders aiding them was clear: Malawi would not succumb to their ransom demands.

As the government vowed to track down and prosecute those responsible, the disruption left many Malawians in a state of limbo, unable to secure passports for travel or identification purposes. Charles Kalumo, Director-General of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services, expressed sympathy for the affected citizens but could not specify when normal services would resume.

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Google is gearing up to relaunch its Gemini AI Image Generator in the coming weeks. This decision comes after the technology giant temporarily pulled the plug on Gemini due to widespread criticism over its display of historical inaccuracies and problematic outputs. Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, announced the plan to reintroduce an improved version of the tool, which is part of Google's premier suite of AI models, aiming to mitigate the backlash and restore confidence in its AI innovations.

The temporary suspension of Gemini's image generation, particularly of people, became a focal point of contention, leading to a notable 4.4% drop in Alphabet's shares. This situation unfolded amid a broader rebranding effort by Google, which included renaming its chatbot from Bard to Gemini, further spotlighting the challenges of deploying AI technologies responsibly.

The controversy has reignited discussions around AI ethics and the industry's rush to release advanced AI tools without fully addressing their societal impacts. Google's acknowledgment of Gemini's shortcomings and its commitment to improving the tool reflect a growing awareness of the need for ethical considerations in AI development. This episode has also amplified criticisms directed at The company's response to this challenge could set a precedent for how tech giants navigate the complex terrain of AI ethics and innovation.

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Rwandan drone startup Charis UAS is revolutionizing asset monitoring by overseeing properties valued at over US$1 billion. This innovative firm utilizes its proprietary platform, Charis Analytics, alongside cutting-edge drone technology and artificial intelligence, to provide high-quality, accurate, and near real-time 3D representations of physical assets. This technology offers comprehensive visibility, control, and management for clients and plays a crucial role in environmental conservation and health improvement initiatives across four continents.

Eric Rutayisire, the visionary CEO and co-founder of Charis UAS, shares that the startup's services span various sectors including agriculture, health, environment, and infrastructure, catering to both private and public entities.

Moreover, Charis UAS is at the forefront of combating environmental degradation and health issues, notably achieving over 15,000 hectares of wetland restoration and significantly reducing malaria cases by up to 90% in areas served by their technology in Rwanda and the Ivory Coast.

The platform's ability to collect, analyze, and visualize data in an accessible manner empowers clients to streamline their operations, enhance data security, uncover cost savings, and make more informed decisions regarding their assets. Rutayisire highlights the transformative impact of their solution in simplifying asset management, addressing a critical market need.

Fueled by initial self-funding, subsequent private investments, and support from Google’s Black Founders Fund, Charis UAS has expanded its footprint to include eight markets across Africa, North America, Australia, and Europe, with primary offices in Rwanda and the Ivory Coast. The company operates on a subscription-based model, achieving profitability through its innovative approach to data access and project-based revenue generation.

Despite the challenges of introducing new drone technology and fostering customer understanding and adoption, Rutayisire's perseverance and the startup's commitment to innovation have led to remarkable progress. Charis UAS stands as a testament to the potential of technology to enhance business operations and make significant contributions to environmental preservation and public health.

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Equinix, the global leader in digital infrastructure headquartered in the United States, is significantly increasing its investment in Africa with a $390 million initiative to expand its data center operations across the continent. This ambitious move comes from its $320 million acquisition of MainOne, a prominent West African data center and connectivity solutions provider, marking Equinix's strategic entry into Africa's burgeoning digital landscape. With operations already established in Nigeria, Ghana, and Ivory Coast, Equinix is not only reinforcing its presence in West Africa but is also extending its footprint to South Africa and strategically exploring entry points into East Africa.

Under the guidance of Sandile Dube, Equinix's Managing Director for South Africa, the company is conducting thorough studies to identify viable opportunities for expansion, adhering to its business model of establishing key digital hubs akin to those in Europe.

This expansion is timely, considering Africa's digital potential is vastly untapped, with the continent hosting less than 1% of the world's data center capacity despite comprising 17% of the global population.

Equinix's investment in Africa is a testament to the continent's emerging significance in the global digital economy, joining other tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft in tapping into Africa's growth potential. This strategic expansion not only highlights Equinix's commitment to fostering digital connectivity worldwide but also signals the opportunities for technological advancement across Africa.

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KCB Bank Group - Kenya and Mastercard have joined forces in a strategic partnership aimed at enriching the experiences of cardholders across East Africa. This collaboration, set to span over five years, carries a wide array of initiatives aimed at enhancing payment solutions and benefits for customers in Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. As part of this collaboration, both KCB Bank Kenya and MasterCard will introduce a diverse range of payment solutions tailored to meet the evolving needs of consumers and businesses in the region. This includes the rollout of premium World and World Elite cards, youth pre-paid cards, and corporate cards, providing customers with access to a comprehensive suite of financial tools.

Additionally, the partnership extends to facilitating various transactions, making processes such as e-commerce payments, cross-border remittances, QR code payments, and Tap on phone solutions more accessible and seamless for users across East Africa.

In addition to introducing new payment solutions, both KCB Bank Kenya and MasterCard are committed to leveraging their technological expertise to co-create innovative payment solutions and marketing initiatives. By doing so, they aim to catalyze financial inclusion across the target territories, fostering trust, expanding financial access, and empowering small and mid-sized businesses to derive significant value from their interactions with the bank.

Paul Russo, the KCB Group CEO, said, “This collaboration is part of our commitment to continually extend a variety of benefits to them while at the same time shaping the future of commerce and forging new paths for inclusive economic growth.”

This strategic collaboration between KCB Bank Kenya and MasterCard represents a significant step forward in advancing the financial landscape in East Africa, ensuring that customers benefit from cutting-edge payment solutions and enhanced banking experiences tailored to their needs and preferences.

The rapid adoption of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in the Middle East and Africa (MENA) is prompting a significant rise in data privacy and cloud security investments. According to Gartner, security budgets are set to increase by 24% for data privacy and 17% for cloud security in 2024, reflecting heightened concerns over GenAI's potential threats. These include intellectual property leaks via chatbots, enhanced social engineering by attackers, and AI-induced "hallucinations" impacting businesses unexpectedly. Nader Henein, a Gartner analyst, underscores the novelty and risk of GenAI, pointing out the challenges in fully anticipating its disruptive effects on businesses.

Despite these concerns, enthusiasm for GenAI remains strong, with nearly a third of global organizations experimenting with its applications. The drive for enhanced data protection in the MENA region is largely fueled by new data protection laws and the booming adoption of cloud technology, which necessitates robust security measures. With MENA's security and risk management spending projected to hit $3.3 billion in 2024, up 12% from 2023, the focus is on maintaining high data privacy and cybersecurity standards. Meanwhile, GenAI's potential as a cybersecurity tool is also being explored, offering a glimmer of hope in easing the load on overburdened security teams while navigating the complexities of digital transformation and regulatory compliance.

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The average cost of a data breach for South African companies has surged to R49.45 million ($2.57 million), an indication of the pressing cybersecurity crisis within the nation. This alarming figure emerges from the 2023 Cost of a Data Breach Report, a collaborative research effort by the Ponemon Institute and IBM Security, which delves into the financial havoc wreaked by data breaches on organizations globally.

Data breaches, events that jeopardize sensitive information ranging from personal identifiers to confidential corporate data, have become more frequent and financially draining, the report highlights. South Africa, in particular, is grappling with an 8% increase in breach costs from the previous year and a staggering 73% rise since 2015, with the cost to recover each compromised file now averaging R2750.

Interestingly, a significant portion of businesses will only be aware of breaches once considerable damage has been done, with two-thirds of incidents reported by external parties rather than detected internally. The report further identifies the financial sector as the most affected by breaches in South Africa, followed by the industrial and services sectors. In contrast, on a global scale, the healthcare sector faces the heftiest financial burden from breaches, with costs soaring to an average of $10.93 million in 2023.

The IBM Report sheds light on the predominant cyber threats, pinpointing stolen or compromised credentials and phishing scams as leading culprits, alongside compromised business email systems. To counteract these threats, the report recommends integrating security at every stage of software development, modernizing data protection, employing AI and automation for enhanced detection and response, and bolstering incide response capabilities.

Highlighting the transformative potential of AI in cybersecurity, Era Gunning of ENS Africa points out that automation not only reduces data breach costs by nearly $1.8 million but also significantly shortens the breach identification and containment process. Despite the clear benefits, only 28% of organizations are utilizing AI extensively in their cybersecurity operations.

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The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has announced an $80 million loan commitment for the pioneering Ekiti Knowledge Zone (EKZ) project. Designed to unite educators, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and industries in one dynamic space, the EKZ promises to be a hub where ideas converge and dreams take shape.

Endorsed by the Federal Government of Nigeria as a "free zone" project under the Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA) Act, the EKZ offers private investors enticing incentives such as tax exemptions and free land to spur investment and innovation.

Spanning 40 hectares, the EKZ aims to create 26,000 jobs and inject $14 million annually into the economy upon completion. With a focus on world-class infrastructure development and human capital investment, particularly in youth, the EKZ seeks to catalyze digital entrepreneurship and propel economic prosperity.

Central to its mission is attracting a diverse array of companies, from technology start-ups to manufacturing firms, research institutes, and corporate entities. The project will also foster innovation through an incubator program supported by the Ekiti Innovation Fund, nurturing promising start-ups with pre-seed and seed funding.

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In South Africa, the media and communication industry is harnessing the power of big data to revolutionize how it understands and engages with diverse audiences. Through advanced analytics and data mining, media entities can now gather detailed insights into audience preferences, behaviors, and interactions. This shift towards data-driven strategies enables content personalization and tailored advertising, significantly enhancing user experience and engagement. Moreover, big data is proving instrumental in optimizing operational efficiencies within media companies, from distribution channels to production processes, ensuring more informed and strategic decision-making.

However, integrating big data also introduces challenges concerning data privacy, security, and the requisite skills for effective data analytics. As the South African media sector navigates these hurdles, the focus remains on leveraging big data responsibly and ethically. Embracing this technological advancement offers the promise of deepening audience connections, increased advertising revenues, and streamlined operations, marking a new era of growth and innovation in the industry.

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Endeavor Kenya has proudly announced the launch of its first-ever cohort for the ScaleUp Program on February 26, 2024. This initiative is designed to propel a handpicked group of entrepreneurs into their next growth phase, offering them an unprecedented opportunity to access comprehensive support and resources. The program, which spans six to twelve months, is set to equip these visionaries with Endeavor's cutting-edge ScaleUp methodology. This includes personalized mentorship from industry veterans, advanced business development training, fundraising assistance, and integration into a robust network of successful high-impact entrepreneurs.

The diverse group of ten selected founders, including :

• Ms. June Odongo, Founder, Senga

• Ms. Hilda Moraa, Founder, Pezesha

• Ms. Rebecca Harrison , Founder, African Management Institute

• Ms. Sonia Kabra, Co-Founder, BuuPass

• Mr. Wyclife Omondi Omondi, Co-Founder, BuuPass

• Mr. George Jabesh, Co-Founder, Nakama Tech

• Mr. Wilfred Chege, Co-Founder, ZenDawa

• Mr. Japheth Dibo , Founder, Dial Afrika

• Mr. Javin Kipruto Hutchinson, Founder, Satao

• Mr. Anteneh Tesfaye, Founder, Shega

These entrepreneurs demonstrate significant potential for rapid growth, creating valuable employment opportunities, and showcasing impressive year-on-year growth exceeding 50%.

Maryanne Ochola, the Managing Director of Endeavor Kenya, emphasized the program's goal of accelerating these startups' trajectory to become the next wave of Endeavor Entrepreneurs. Through the ScaleUp Program, participants will gain invaluable insights into leadership, business strategy, and the latest technological innovations, setting them on a path to remarkable success and impact.

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East Africans continue to face steep challenges in sending money across borders within their region, encountering some of the world's highest remittance fees, a significant barrier to trade, and a stumbling block to the full realization of the East African Community's (EAC) Common Market Protocol. Despite concerted efforts to lower these costs to facilitate easier trade, the latest World Bank data reveals that transaction fees in certain East African corridors remain substantially above the global average. This issue is not only a major impediment to economic integration but also delays the broader goals of the EAC union.

Tanzania has been identified as the costliest source country for remittances, with fees reaching up to 65 percent of the transaction value in some cases. Sending $200 from Tanzania to neighboring countries like Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda incurs fees ranging from 20 to 35 percent, starkly higher than the IMF's global average of 12.5 percent. These exorbitant costs are attributed to a mix of factors including the quality of digital and financial infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and the availability of digital money transfer operators (MTOs).

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A recent survey by the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) highlights phishing scams as a significant challenge within the country's digital credit market. The 2021 study in the CAK's Competition and Consumer Protection Law Digest found that scammers frequently attempt to extract money or sensitive information from consumers.

Key findings from the survey include:

• 77% of phishing attempts involve requests for direct payments under pretenses.

• Scammers often seek passwords, PINs (21%), personal details (19%), or account information (13%).

• Phishing emails, where scammers impersonate trusted institutions, are a common tactic.

• 82% of consumers report receiving fraudulent calls or messages from unknown parties.

• Accidental transfers to the wrong recipients are a concern in digital finance.

The CAK emphasizes the need for tighter regulations on complaint handling, more transparent terms and conditions, and increased consumer control over personal data to address these issues.

The publication of the Law Digest, a collaboration between the CAK and the National Council for Law Reporting, aims to promote awareness of competition and consumer protection laws in Kenya.

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Google's current Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy has plunged into disarray, bewildering users worldwide. The tech giant's rapid deployment of a bewildering array of AI products and features—such as Bard, Gemini in its various incarnations like Gemini Advanced, Gemini 1.5 Pro, Gemini for Workspace, Gemini Business, and Gemini Enterprise—has sparked confusion and mockery both internally and across social media platforms. This frenetic pace of rebranding and launching has not only complicated the AI landscape for consumers but also risks eroding trust in Google's AI innovations and, by extension, the company itself.

Amidst this chaos, Google's attempt to differentiate these offerings has led to a cluttered and confusing product ecosystem, with variations in capabilities, availability, and pricing that leave consumers puzzled about the real value of these advancements. The introduction of new pricing tiers for Gemini Business and Gemini Enterprise further complicates the matter, creating a layered complexity reminiscent of Russian matryoshka dolls.

This turmoil within Google's AI strategy unfolds against the backdrop of intense competition from OpenAI, which has managed to maintain simplicity in branding and access. Google's convoluted approach starkly contrasts with OpenAI's streamlined offerings, underscoring a crisis of comprehension that Google urgently needs to address.

To regain consumer confidence and clarity, Google must overhaul its communication strategy, simplify its AI product lineup, and present a clear, coherent roadmap for its AI technologies. Only through transparent and straightforward engagement can Google hope to restore faith in its AI capabilities and ensure that its innovations are both understood and embraced by the public.

To regain consumer confidence and clarity, Google must overhaul its communication strategy, simplify its AI product lineup, and present a clear, coherent roadmap for its AI technologies. Only through transparent and straightforward engagement can Google hope to restore faith in its AI capabilities and ensure that its innovations are both understood and embraced by the public. The question remains: Can the tech giant find clarity amidst the chaos?

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Bridge Labs, a platform founded by Kevin Fomengia ngia and Peng Boris, is redefining the global technology landscape by connecting Africa's booming pool of over 700,000 skilled software developers with leading tech companies across the globe.  This startup aims to address the gap between Africa's rich talent reservoir and the global demand for innovative tech solutions.

Operating with a vision to position African tech talent as a cornerstone in the global technology workforce, Bridge Labs has become a beacon of opportunity. Peng Boris, CTO and co-founder, emphasizes Africa's emerging status as a talent goldmine for the technology sector's future needs. Through a vetting process, Bridge Labs ensures that only the top 3% of applicants, judged on both technical and behavioral skills, make it through, guaranteeing that companies receive access to premier talent.

The platform not only facilitates the seamless integration of African software developers into American tech teams but also manages all HR compliance and legal frameworks, offering comprehensive Employer of Record (EOR) and staff augmentation services across Africa. This holistic approach has led to significant cost savings of 30% for its clients, alongside accelerating product development and launch timelines.

Kevin Fomengia, CEO and co-founder, envisions Bridge Labs as more than just a talent-access platform; it's a movement towards a more interconnected and productive global tech ecosystem. This vision has already started to materialize, with Bridge Labs serving over 30 American technology companies and startups, streamlining the hiring process to under a week from screening to onboarding.

As Africa's tech startups and digital products gain international acclaim, the continent's development and innovation sectors are poised for exponential growth. Bridge Labs symbolizes the immense possibilities that lie in harnessing Africa's talent to shape the future of technology worldwide.

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MultiChoice Group, a prominent player in the African entertainment landscape, has finalized a licensing agreement with Paramount Global Content Distribution. This strategic collaboration marks a pivotal moment for African viewers as it brings Paramount+ to the continent for the first time.

The agreement opens the doors for Paramount+ to debut on MultiChoice's platform, making it the premier streaming choice for African audiences. This development represents a significant leap forward in the availability of entertainment options across the continent.

Paramount+ on MultiChoice's platform promises an extensive selection of content, ranging from the latest TV series to blockbuster movies and exclusive Paramount+ Originals. With content sourced from acclaimed networks such as CBS, Showtime, and Paramount Pictures, subscribers can anticipate an unparalleled viewing experience.

Nomsa Philiso, the CEO of General Entertainment at MultiChoice South Africa, has expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing MultiChoice's dedication to enriching its entertainment offerings. This collaboration not only enhances the appeal of MultiChoice's platform but also reinforces its position as a leader in the African entertainment sector.

The arrival of Paramount+ on MultiChoice represents more than just an expansion of streaming services; it symbolizes a cultural milestone for African viewers. By gaining access to globally renowned entertainment content, African audiences are offered a front-row seat to the best of what the industry has to offer.

Paramount+'s expansion into Africa with MultiChoice is part of a broader strategy to prioritize the region, with South Africa serving as a key focus area. As one of the largest and most influential streaming platforms globally, Paramount+ aims to compete with established giants like Netflix and Amazon Video in the African market.

This collaboration comes at a time when MultiChoice is making strategic moves to enhance its offerings. Alongside the Paramount+ partnership, MultiChoice has recently introduced a new pricing structure for its Showmax platform and is exploring potential acquisition opportunities with Canal+, further solidifying its commitment to delivering top-notch entertainment experiences to African audiences.

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In an update from NewsGuard, February 2024 marks a concerning milestone in the digital age's battle against misinformation. An astonishing surge has been recorded, with the number of AI-generated fake news websites skyrocketing to 713. This revelation underscores a growing trend of reliance on artificial intelligence to churn out news content without human oversight, spanning 15 languages worldwide.

This dramatic rise from a mere 50 in May 2023 to roughly 600 by December, before peaking in February, signals a tenfold increase within months, showcasing the rapid escalation of AI's role in spreading misinformation. These websites, often cloaked under credible-sounding names, are predominantly automated, publishing on various topics and, in some cases, pushing false narratives to unsuspecting audiences.

The economic underpinning of this surge is notably driven by programmatic advertising, inadvertently supporting these platforms through top brands' advertisements. NewsGuard's warning highlights a crucial call to action for brands to reassess their ad placements to stem the tide of economic incentives fueling this misinformation ecosystem.

The report also sheds light on a more sinister facet of AI misinformation: state-sponsored campaigns, with a Chinese-government run site spreading unfounded claims, illustrating the global scale and varied actors in this crisis.

Amidst this backdrop, the global community recognizes the peril, with the World Economic Forum's 2024 report ranking AI-generated misinformation as a top global risk. Efforts to combat this challenge are ramping up, involving a coalition of tech firms, media, governments, and educational initiatives to fortify the public's ability to discern truth in the digital realm.

The fight against AI-generated misinformation is a complex, global endeavor requiring coordinated action across sectors. As this digital menace continues to evolve, the collective response will determine the integrity of our information landscape.

Find the full report here:https://www.newsguardtech.com/special-reports/ai-tracking-center/ 

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In the heart of Kenya's tech landscape, Jihan Abass emerges as a pioneering force, reshaping the insurance industry with her digital innovation. From her humble beginnings in Mombasa to the corridors of Oxford, Jihan's journey reflects a relentless pursuit of purpose-driven entrepreneurship. Fueled by a desire to bridge the gap in Africa's insurance sector, she founded Lami Technologies, a groundbreaking platform revolutionizing access to insurance services. Facing skepticism and challenges head-on, Jihan's vision propelled Lami to remarkable heights, securing significant funding and expanding operations across Africa. With partnerships and acquisitions amplifying their impact, Jihan envisions Lami as a catalyst for change, reaching millions with flexible insurance solutions. As she continues to disrupt the status quo, Jihan's message resonates: invest in understanding the needs of others and seize the opportunity to make a difference, no matter the obstacles.

Read Jihan’s inspiring journey

Do you have an exciting fintech story, innovation, or insight you'd love to share with our vibrant community? This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your achievements, share your expertise, or highlight how you're shaping the future of fintech in Kenya.

If you're interested, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Please email us at [email protected] with a brief outline of what you'd like to feature. We can't wait to hear from you and potentially share your story with our community!

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