The investment is part of an equity round led by Naspers with Platform Investment Partners, Raba Capital, and Base Capital as participating investors.  South African internet group announced, today, a ZAR40 million (about US$2.5 million) investment in agritech Nile through its investment vehicle Naspers Foundry.  Nile, an agritech startup connecting farmers to buyers, is the...

According to the Africa Center, Mali’s military junta claims it is the only entity “able to provide security, enhance justice, and return the country to democracy.” However, the country seems to be facing a “deeper security crisis.”   In Mali, official reports contrast with the ground realities, according to infographics published in early  April 2022 by the Africa...

Earlier this month, Kenya's telecom regulator awarded Safaricom 60 MHz of spectrum for 5G’s commercial launch. The rollout is expected to improve connectivity but according to Safaricom, not many people can afford compliant phones for the time being.  Safaricom has decided to slow down on the deployment of the 5G in Kenya and focus on the 4G for the time being. According to CEO Peter...

Three years ago, the Central Bank of Zambia sensitized financial actors against cybersecurity threats. This time, it announces an incident, which partially disrupted some of its IT applications on Monday, May 9.  Bank of Zambia (BoZ) issued, Saturday (May 13), a release alerting financial market players of a “suspected cybersecurity incident,” which partially disrupted its...

South African broadband connectivity provider MetroFibre wants to expand its footprint in the country to meet accelerating demand. In that regard, it opened 25% of its capital to investors.  African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM) recently completed the acquisition of an additional 25.8% stake in South African broadband connectivity provider MetroFibre Networx. This transaction...

On Sunday, May 15, Somalia held its presidential elections, after several postponements over an about one year period. The winner is Hassan Cheikh Mohamoud, the former president who served between 2012 and 2017.   Hassan Cheikh Mohamoud (photo) is the new President of Somalia. The incoming Head of State was elected, Sunday (May 15), by the parliament, winning 165 votes out of 329. The...

The Gambia Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) recently completed the inspection of telecom mast and towers deployed in the country. The operation, which started in March, aims to check compliance with regulatory standards.  The regulator also assessed the quality of the services offered by each of the operators using those towers and mast. The criteria used were GSM signal quality,...

In 2018, the country announced it would not extend the 3-year program signed in 2015 by former president John Mahama. Two years later, it turned to the IMF for a US$1 billion assistance amid the coronavirus pandemic. Despite the economic challenges Ghana is still facing, authorities are committed to their “Beyond Aid” agenda.  Ghana will manage its debt without going to the...

The additional capacity is one of Liquid’s strategic moves to position itself as the main internet service provider in Africa. In March 2022, it had already acquired a fiber pair on Google’s Equiano.  Pan-African internet services provider Liquid Intelligent Technologies announced Wednesday (May 11), a partnership agreement with PEACE Cable Company. Under that agreement, Liquid will...

The new facility is announced four months after AFC secured a US$400 million syndicated loan to support post-pandemic recovery in Africa. It will provide much-needed liquidity to help financial institutions finance trade and economic activities.  Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) announced, today, the launch of a US$2 billion facility to support resilience and recovery in Africa. According...