Bolt has announced its strategic initiatives for 2024, aiming to bolster safety and security measures for both riders and drivers. Country Manager, Yahaya Mohammed, shared these plans during a media briefing at the new Bolt office and Driver Engagement Centre in Lagos. The key highlights of Bolt’s upcoming safety measures…
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.
President William Ruto has announced the imminent signing of the Kenyan Startup Bill into law, scheduled for April 2024, marking the culmination of a comprehensive two-year legislative process. Disclosed during the Kenya Innovation Week, President Ruto highlighted the significance of the Startup Bill in de-risking innovations and fostering a conducive…
Nigerian artist Burna Boy has clinched the title of the most streamed African artist in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) on Spotify for the year 2023, as reported in Spotify’s latest Wrapped review. This achievement mirrors his global recognition as the most streamed artist from the region in the previous year. Burna…
Sam Altman has been reinstated to his position as CEO at OpenAI, returning within a fortnight following his removal by the board of the artificial intelligence startup. Notably, Microsoft, holding a 49% stake in OpenAI, has secured a non-voting seat on the company’s board. The confirmation of Altman’s return follows…
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has entered into a strategic collaboration with the U.S. Commercial Service, solidifying their commitment to advancing technological innovation across the African continent. This milestone partnership, announced during the Africa Tech Festival in Cape Town, South Africa, underscores a mutual commitment to fostering development through enhanced…
Covalensedigital and inq. Digital Nigeria have strategically joined forces in a transformative partnership aimed at transforming digital services for Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) in Nigeria. The collaboration introduces a bespoke Software as a Service (SaaS) platform, known as the Digital Service Enablement Platform (DSEP), poised to redefine the landscape…
Kenya’s government has launched a formal investigation into Huawei Technologies (Kenya) Ltd., focusing on a tax waiver amounting to Ksh1.92 billion ($12.57 million). The parliamentary members are currently conducting inquiries to understand how the Chinese corporation secured this significant tax relief from the National Treasury. This inquiry has led to…
Kenya’s GIZ Digital Transformation Centre (DTC) has unveiled The Green and Digital Innovation Hub Kenya (gDIH) during the annual Kenya Innovation Week (KIW). This initiative, slated to commence operations next month, aims to bolster micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across Kenya, providing them with widespread access to technology and…
Idris Dayo Mustapha, a United Kingdom citizen, faces federal charges in Brooklyn, including computer intrusion, securities fraud, money laundering, bank fraud, and wire fraud. The allegations span from 2011 to 2018, during which Mustapha purportedly accessed U.S.-based computers, including those of financial institutions, engaging in activities such as stealing funds…
GOtv Nigeria has recently launched the GOtv Stream App, a significant development in the pay TV sector. As a prominent Digital Terrestrial Television service provider, GOtv has introduced this free value-added service, signaling a substantial change in how Nigerians engage with pay TV. With its roots dating back to 2011,…
On November 16, 2023, ZojaPay, an innovative payment application dedicated to streamlining financial transactions, officially entered the Nigerian market. Functioning as a peer-to-peer financial inclusion platform, ZojaPay focuses on simplifying payments and ensuring easy access to cash for the retail market. The comprehensive digital financial app supports both contactless and…
Nigeria is on the brink of introducing an automated passport application process, as stated by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today program, the minister assured that the automated system would be operational “in the next one week.” Tunji-Ojo emphasised that the technology behind the…
YouTube has launched “The Voices of Africa,” a social campaign to celebrate the continent’s unique and traditional expressions. Developed in collaboration with a curated group of African creators, this campaign is poised to honor and showcase the diverse and unique cultural expressions prevalent across the continent. Creators originating from Sub-Saharan…
Fuse Network, a leading Web3 payment infrastructure provider, has introduced its groundbreaking Web3 Business Grant Program, allocating $10 million to support global businesses. The initiative aims to offer essential funding and infrastructure, streamlining access to Web3 payment systems and empowering businesses on a global scale. The $10 million grant program…
Kenyan agri-tech startup, Twiga Foods, has successfully raised an undisclosed amount of funding from a consortium of investors, featuring notable names like Creadev and Juven. The capital injection coincides with a significant restructuring phase for the company, resulting in the departure of nearly 40% of its workforce. While the exact…
Endeavor Kenya, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting high-impact entrepreneurs, has unveiled its groundbreaking ScaleUp Program. Representing a major milestone in their mission, this inaugural cohort-based initiative aims to propel ten high-growth ventures in East Africa to new heights by providing essential resources and an extensive support network. What is…
MPost, a renowned Kenyan tech startup celebrated for its innovation in transforming mobile numbers into virtual addresses, has declared a significant operational change. The company is shifting its headquarters from Nairobi to Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, effective November 2023. This move is part of a broader trend where Kenyan…
Over 7,000 Nigerian women tech founders have enrolled in a government-led training initiative, co-organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). The Director-General of NITDA, represented by Amina Magaji, the Interim Director of Digital Literacy and Capacity Development, disclosed this during the launch of the Female Tech Founders Training…
Huawei and Xiaomi, major players in the Chinese smartphone industry, are making strides in the competitive Chinese electric vehicle (EV) market, potentially influencing Apple to enter the global EV race. Huawei’s debut Aito M7 SUV garnered 80,000 orders within the initial 50 days, while Xiaomi, having developed a car operating…
Vodacom, in collaboration with the Free State Department of Health, has introduced digital health solutions to enhance medical care in public hospitals across the province. According to a statement from Vodacom, the solutions include the computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system and the assisted reality medico-legal surveillance system (ARMSS). The CAD system…