Kippa could be embarking on a significant transformation by shifting its focus from financial technology (FinTech) to educational technology (EdTech). The company is reportedly in the process of piloting a novel EdTech service, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), aimed at empowering individuals to efficiently create and deliver online courses. This strategic…
Author: Smart Megwai
Smart Megwai
Smart is a technology journalist covering innovation, digital culture, and the business of emerging tech. His reporting for Innovation Village explores how technology shapes everyday life in Africa and beyond.
The GSMA (GSM Association) has entered into a strategic collaboration with IBM, aiming to accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and enhance AI-related skills within the telecommunications sector. The partnership is a response to the growing trend among telecom operators who are either exploring or expediting the deployment of…
Africarare, hailed as Africa’s inaugural metaverse, is on the verge of introducing its virtual currency, the $Ubuntu Token, poised to become the primary medium of exchange within the metaverse’s virtual marketplace. Crafted by Mann Made, a Johannesburg-based innovation company, Africarare stands out as a 3D virtual reality immersive hub, driven…
Melon Mobile, a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) operating on MTN South Africa’s network infrastructure, is embracing artificial intelligence (AI) for strategic growth. The MVNO has entered into a partnership with SourseAI, an AI-driven data analytics and decision-making platform, to augment its business intelligence capabilities and enhance customer-centric offerings in…
OpenAI, the innovative AI research lab, has introduced a new feature to ChatGPT, allowing users to seamlessly invoke and integrate third-party applications powered by its AI models directly into conversations. Paid users of ChatGPT can now leverage this functionality by typing “@” and selecting a GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) from…
Toronto-based storytelling platform Wattpad, owned by Naver’s Webtoon Entertainment, has recently concluded a second round of layoffs, affecting around 30 jobs, or approximately 15% of its workforce, according to sources familiar with the matter. The restructuring initiative aligns with the company’s strategy to streamline operations and reduce costs, a move…
Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Kenya are now encouraged to embrace the convenience of self-registration to obtain Disability Certificates through the eCitizen platform. This initiative aligns with the broader digitisation efforts in government services, offering PWDs an efficient and user-friendly experience. The self-registration functionality, initiated last year, is now fully…
Renowned data-driven utility platform, Bboxx, has officially relocated its global headquarters from London to Kigali, Rwanda. This unprecedented move was announced during the UK-Rwanda Business Forum, setting Bboxx apart as a unique startup that has chosen to move its headquarters from Europe to Africa. Commitment to Growth: Training 1000 Rwandans…
TikTok is reportedly moving from its signature vertical video format to embrace horizontal video content. The ByteDance-owned platform, which gained immense popularity during the pandemic with its short-form, full-screen vertical videos, is now introducing features reminiscent of YouTube, as seen in Matt Navarra’s screenshot on Threads. Creators on TikTok are…
The Telecel Group, an Africa-focused telecommunications company, is set to complete the comprehensive rebranding of Vodafone Ghana to “Telecel” by the conclusion of February 2024. This strategic initiative follows the acquisition of a 70% majority stake in Vodafone Ghana (Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited – GTCL) in February 2023. In a…
Genzaar, a pioneering platform that leverages games and animated content to impart financial education, has recently gained recognition by being selected for the prestigious UK Libra accelerator program. In an exclusive interview with Innovation Village, Seyi Agbedana, Co-Founder of Genzaar, shared insights into the genesis of the platform, its unique…
Samsung has chosen to integrate Baidu’s Ernie AI technology into its Galaxy S24 series for the Chinese market, replacing Google’s Gemini models. At the official launch event in China, Samsung Electronics China announced that Baidu’s Ernie AI would power Galaxy AI features, including translation and summaries, for the Chinese variant…
Automotive giants General Motors (GM) and Honda have commenced mass production of hydrogen fuel cell systems at their collaborative facility in Michigan. This significant development marks the realisation of a decade-long effort by the two companies to advance hydrogen technology. The joint venture, known as Fuel Cell System Manufacturing (FCSM),…
Smile ID, formerly known as Smile Identity, has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing 100 million identity verifications across Africa. Concurrently, the company has unveiled its inaugural report on Digital Identity Fraud in Africa for 2024, offering a comprehensive analysis of fraudster tactics, patterns, and industry-specific trends. This landmark achievement…
Microsoft has unveiled its latest enhancement to virtual collaboration with the integration of immersive 3D meetings into Microsoft Teams. This introduction is powered by Microsoft Mesh, the company’s mixed reality platform, which has transitioned from its preview phase to seamlessly integrate with Teams. This development allows individuals to convene in…
Sama, a leading US-based provider of data annotation and model validation solutions, has officially launched its multi-cloud integration system in Kenya, marking a significant step towards global activation. This strategic deployment of the multi-cloud system integration is designed to streamline operations for customers, optimising resource utilisation, and facilitating compliance with…
OPay, a prominent fintech company, has announced that as of March 1, 2024, all accounts not linked with the National Identification Number (NIN) will be subject to blocking. Ikponmwosa Odiase, OPay’s Director of Partnerships, revealed this directive during a media interaction session in Lagos. The company has already restricted transactions…
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with Coursera, has officially opened the application process for Cohort 3 of Coursera courses. Mrs. Hadiza Umar, the Head of Corporate Affairs and External Relations at NITDA, made this announcement in a statement issued from Abuja. A simultaneous announcement was also…
The Nigerian government is actively engaging industry stakeholders in anticipation of the imminent launch of its ambitious Smart National Transport Databank initiative. Positioned as Africa’s inaugural online, real-time, nation-wide comprehensive transport database, the initiative is designed to enhance policy formulation and ensure the transport sector meets the demands of both…
The retail industry, notorious for generating substantial waste, faces growing pressure to adopt sustainable practices due to increased consumer awareness and regulatory scrutiny. This waste encompasses unsold products, packaging materials, and particularly, food waste in grocery stores. The inefficiency of traditional waste management methods has contributed to environmental degradation and…