Neuralink, the brain-implant company co-founded by Elon Musk, is expanding its groundbreaking research into Canada. With Health Canada’s regulatory approval, Toronto Western Hospital will serve as the first non-U.S. site for Neuralink’s clinical trials, marking a major step in the company’s journey to revolutionize neural technology. The clinical trials, operating…
Author: Staff Writer
Staff Writer
I am a staff at Innovation Village.
Ariika, a digital-first, direct-to-consumer home furnishing brand, has successfully raised $3 million in its Series A extension equity round. The investment was spearheaded by Beltone Venture Capital, a subsidiary of Beltone Financial Holding, and UAE-based Citadel International Holdings. This funding milestone paves the way for ariika to accelerate its expansion…
WhatsApp has launched a new feature that allows users to transcribe voice messages into text, enhancing accessibility and convenience for its global audience. The update, announced on Thursday, is designed for situations where listening to a voice message isn’t feasible—whether you’re in a noisy environment or simply prefer reading over…
Mercy Corps Ventures (MCV) has announced the fourth round of its Crypto for Good Fund (C4G), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at driving global financial inclusion and climate resilience through blockchain technology in emerging markets. Building on the success of three previous rounds, C4G has already screened over 1,000 applications, deployed…
Kenya’s President William Ruto has canceled multimillion-dollar deals involving the Indian conglomerate Adani Group following allegations of bribery and fraud against the group’s founder, Gautam Adani, in the United States. The scrapped agreements included a $2 billion airport modernization project at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and a $736 million…
VAS2Nets, a Nigerian technology firm has joined forces with Telness Tech, Lebara and Procescom to establish a new Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) in Nigeria. This initiative brings a fresh entrant to the rapidly evolving Nigerian telecommunications market, leveraging cutting-edge technology and a globally recognized brand. A Growing Market Ripe…
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has ramped up its fight against Google, proposing significant remedies to address the tech giant’s illegal monopoly in search and search advertising. Among the most radical measures, the DOJ seeks to compel Google to divest its Chrome web browser and impose sweeping restrictions on…
MTN, Africa’s telecom giant with over 290 million subscribers, has introduced Cloudplay, a pioneering cloud gaming service in collaboration with Telecoming, a sportech company focused on digital entertainment. The launch signifies a bold step in redefining gaming accessibility and marks a milestone in MTN’s ongoing innovation efforts. What is MTN…
Vodacom Group has launched an ambitious initiative to bridge the digital skills gap in Africa. Through partnerships with technology giants such as AWS, Microsoft, and Skillsoft, Vodacom aims to empower young people across eight African countries with critical digital competencies. The Vodacom Digital Skills Hub is designed to train 1…
Yellow Card, a leading stablecoin-based financial infrastructure provider in Africa, has taken a significant step forward in its mission to transform digital finance on the continent. The company recently received a Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) license from South Africa’s Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). This regulatory milestone underscores Yellow…
Jaguar, the iconic 90-year-old sports car manufacturer, is gearing up for a seismic transformation. The British automaker, a subsidiary of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), has unveiled a comprehensive rebranding strategy as it prepares to pivot entirely to electric vehicles (EVs). This move, which marks a complete departure from its storied…
Amenli, a leading insurtech broker licensed by Egypt’s Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA), has raised $2.3 million in a new funding round aimed at accelerating its growth and redefining the insurance experience in Egypt. The investment, led by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Venture Capital arm with participation…
In a bid to strengthen global partnerships, the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has closed a $300 million India-focused syndicated loan. This marks a key milestone in AFC’s strategy to diversify its international investor base and mobilize global capital to drive transformative infrastructure projects across Africa. The syndicated loan, celebrated at…
Lagos State has set a new benchmark for youth-driven agricultural innovation by awarding N100 million in grants to 26 young agripreneurs. This landmark initiative, unveiled during the inaugural Lagos Agrinnovation Summit, demonstrates the government’s commitment to empowering the next generation of agricultural leaders and ensuring food security in Nigeria. Themed…
As of November 2024, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has granted mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) licenses to 46 companies, marking a transformative chapter for the nation’s telecommunications sector. The NCC introduced the MVNO licensing framework in August 2022 to diversify the market by introducing competition, innovation, and more affordable services…
Meta Platforms has been hit with a substantial fine by the European Union (EU), amounting to €797.72 million (around $841 million), due to alleged breaches of EU antitrust regulations involving Facebook Marketplace. The EU Commission’s case against Meta centers on claims that the tech giant used its social network’s vast…
In an ongoing effort to maintain a safe environment for its users, TikTok recently announced the removal of over 360,000 videos in Kenya that violated the platform’s community guidelines. This action was part of TikTok’s Community Guidelines Enforcement Report for Q2 2024, which highlights its commitment to user safety across…
In a significant step toward advancing digital infrastructure, Next Gen Infraco has launched Ghana’s first open-access 5G network. This groundbreaking development promises to reshape internet connectivity across the nation and beyond, making Ghana one of the first countries in Africa to deploy a neutral 5G network dedicated to providing seamless…
vivo has officially introduced the V40 Lite to the Kenyan market, adding an impressive new model to its V series. Combining refined design, advanced functionality, and powerful performance, the V40 Lite sets a new standard for mobile lifestyle devices, packed with fast charging and cutting-edge AI photography features. The V40…
Watu, a Pan-African asset finance provider, has reached an impressive milestone in Kenya’s mobile device market. Through its subsidiary, Watu Simu, the company has financed the purchase of over one million mobile devices, making a significant impact on digital access for customers across Kenya. In collaboration with manufacturers like Samsung…