[Africa Tech Review] Nixon Kanali: Africa still lagging behind when it comes to Digital Rights and Inclusion
Digital Rights and Inclusion have been an area of concern for most countries across Africa. At the recently-concluded Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum 2022 organized by Paradigm Initiative and a host of country partners across 17 African countries, stakeholders shared recommendations for a proper digital rights implementation within the continent. It was concluded in Kenya with the launch of PIN’s 2021 Annual Digital Rights and Inclusion Report – LONDA featuring 22 countries.
This week, Nigerian fintech startup Grey announced the launch of its service to East Africa starting with Kenya in partnership with Cellulant. AfricInvest, a leading investment platform in Africa, joined mobility fintech Moove’s latest US$105 million Series A2 equity and debt financing round through its Inclusion Vehicle (AfricInvest FIVE). Mastercard announced a strategic partnership Saudi Arabia-based HyperPay, the fastest growing e-commerce payments services provider in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), to drive the adoption of digital payment solutions across the region. It also announced a partnership with One Global™ to provide tailored financial solutions that will enable the issuance of digital mobile wallets in the region. Airtel Africa teed off operation in its recently licensed Nigerian payment service bank unit SmartCash PSB. Still on startups, Esaal, an online health and wellness consultation platform for patients in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), wrapped a $1.7 million seed funding round.
This week, BT and MTN Business announced a strategic alliance which will offer world class security and communications services to business customers across Africa.
Incentro announced it has renewed its Infrastructure Specialization in Google Cloud Partner Advantage. The Google Partners Advantage program enables organizations like Incentro to gain access to training, support, and resources to set clients up to succeed.
Pay Television Company StarTimes Media this week announced revamped content offering across its local and Bollywood content giving viewers wider variety across its entertainment content genre at the same most affordable monthly subscription costs across its terrestrial and satellite television platforms. Uber also celebrated a huge milestone having clocked a billion rides across all its markets in Africa. The company which entered the African market less than a year ago says it has so far facilitated 1 billion trips in the continent.
In South Africa, NEC XON partnered with Mimecast Limited to complete its turnkey cybersecurity offering to South African organisations with secure email platform, integration, and managed cybersecurity services.
As part of its Africa Day celebrations on 25 May, Meta this week announced the return of its global campaign ‘Made by Africa, Loved by the World’, which was first launched in 2021.
Nixon Kanali is the Tech Editor for Africa Business Communities.