In a significant escalation of the legal battles surrounding the use of published content to train artificial intelligence (A.I.) technologies, The New York Times has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft. This move marks the first instance of a major American media organization taking legal action against…
Author: Staff Writer
Staff Writer
I am a staff at Innovation Village.
As we stand on the cusp of a new year, the time is ripe for reflection and forward-thinking. Planning for your life is not just about setting resolutions but about creating a roadmap that aligns with your aspirations. Let’s delve into the practical elements that constitute a robust plan to…
In a significant shift, Nigeria’s Central Bank has decided to lift the ban on transacting in cryptocurrencies, acknowledging global trends that emphasize the necessity of regulating such activities. This reversal comes after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) imposed a ban in February 2021, prohibiting banks and financial institutions from…
Two of Africa’s leading e-commerce giants, MaxAB and Wasoko, have officially announced their intent to merge, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of Africa’s digital retail landscape. The merger, described as a union of equals, is set to propel the transformation of Africa’s informal retail sector, creating the largest…
South African aerospace startup, Cloudline, has successfully raised $6 million in funding to propel its vision of leading the global frontier in carbon emissions-free autonomous flight. The seed round saw investment from Schmidt Futures, founded by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Wendy Schmidt, along with pan-African funds like the…
In a groundbreaking moment for medical science, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two cutting-edge treatments, Casgevy and Lyfgenia, marking the first-ever cell-based gene therapies for sickle cell disease (SCD) in patients aged 12 and older. Notably, Casgevy stands out as the maiden FDA-approved therapy utilizing CRISPR/Cas9,…
Egypt-based edtech startup, iSchool, has successfully raised $4.5 million in a funding round led by VentureWave Capital, an Irish VC. Other contributors include OneStop Capital UK, Webit Investment Network, and Oraseya Capital, the Venture Capital arm of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority iSchool’s platform offers live gamified classes led…
In October 2023, Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, introduced the “Nigeria Artificial Intelligence Research Scheme,” an initiative designed to provide financial support to startups and researchers, aiming to create a vibrant and sustainable artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem within Nigeria. The Honourable Minister, in a post on X,…
The Federal Ministry of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy in partnership with Raspberry Pi, has announced the launch of “Build-a-thon” , an initiative to introduce senior secondary students to embedded systems and maker culture. According to the Minister, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani in a post on X, “this is part of…
InfraCredit, a top-rated infrastructure credit guarantee institution, has secured a significant equity investment from AIICO Insurance Plc, representing a 5% stake in InfraCredit’s total share capital. This move makes AIICO the second private domestic institutional investor, alongside Leadway Assurance Plc. With AIICO’s equity investment, InfraCredit’s paid-in capital will see a…
These five startups – Letaji, Chestify AI, OneHealth, Sayna and Koa Academy – have qualified to compete for $50K Equity Prize in 2023 MEST Africa Challenge. They beat 40 competing startups from Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, and South Africa in the MEST Africa Challenge (MAC), an Africa-wide pitch competition for…
As we approach 2024, the air is thick with possibilities. For some, it’s merely the start of another month; for others, it’s the dawn of a new year, brimming with fresh ambitions and goals waiting to be realized. Whether securing your dream job is part of your New Year resolution…
The healthcare industry has always been at the forefront of embracing technological advancements to improve patient care and administrative efficiency. A significant development in this realm is the rise of virtual medical administrative assistance. This evolution marks a transformative period in healthcare management, fundamentally altering how medical practices handle administrative…
Entersekt, the Financial Authentication Company, has successfully acquired the Modirum 3-D Secure software business from Modirum, a leading digital payment security provider. With a history spanning 25 years, Modirum has been a pioneer in facilitating authenticated, card-not-present payments. Its cloud-based 3-D Secure (3DS) technologies and services authenticate digital payment transactions…
Co-creation Hub (CcHUB), Africa’s largest innovation center, has appointed Ojoma Ochai as its new Managing Director, succeeding the former CEO, Bosun Tijani, who has transitioned to serve as the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Ojoma Ochai, previously the Managing Partner at the…
Cryptyd Inc, an Egyptian cutting-edge gaming company, has successfully concluded a funding round with backing from Newton International Management. The capital injection is set to drive the launch of Cryptyd’s revolutionary Baloot Quest تحدي بلوت mobile game, with a focus on targeting the Saudi Arabian market and other GCC regions.…
Yabx, a prominent player in the digital lending space, is taking a significant leap forward by introducing WhatsApp lending services in Africa through a strategic collaboration with Clickatell. This move is poised to democratize access to financial services, enabling customers to secure credit in real time. In Africa, the demand…
Jenesys AI, a major player in B2B invoice management and payments, has announced the successful closure of a $1.1 million pre-seed funding round. Spearheaded by Nigerian co-founder Oluwatosin Dairo, Jenesys AI is poised to redefine transactional accounting and compliance through the incorporation of cutting-edge AI technology, shifting the human role…
Techstars has unveiled the second cohort of its pan-African accelerator program in collaboration with Lagos-based innovation program, ARM Labs. This initiative, known as the ARM Labs Lagos Techstars Accelerator, builds on the success of its inaugural program and reinforces its commitment to supporting entrepreneurs driving impactful change in Africa and…
Jumia has unveiled plans to shutter its food delivery arm, Jumia Food. The company will maintain its core physical goods business and JumiaPay operations across all its operational countries. After conducting a strategic review of Jumia Food, the company concluded that the food delivery business is not well-suited to the…