Author: Smart Megwai

Mozambique and Tanzania have emerged as potential sources for South Korea as it explores options in African nations to secure a supply of graphite. This move comes in response to China tightening its export controls on this critical material, which is extensively used in electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The South…

Drivers who use inDrive’s ride-hailing platform in Botswana are reportedly facing accusations of misconduct, with passengers reporting issues ranging from aggressive behavior to sexual harassment. inDrive is actively investigating some of these incidents and has already blocked certain drivers based on complaints. Passengers shared their firsthand experiences with TechCabal, which…

Instagram is now allowing select users to include polls in the comments on their posts, providing creators with an additional means of enhancing content engagement. Adam Mosseri, Instagram’s head, announced this on his broadcast channel, mentioning that polls can now be integrated into comments for both regular feed posts and…

Vodacom has agreed to the R1-million fine imposed by the National Consumer Tribunal due to disputes regarding its 75% contract cancellation fee policy, found to be in violation of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA). TechCentral reports the company expressed its intention to abide by the tribunal’s decision and to maintain…

Vodacom, a telecom provider in South Africa, is facing a 1 million Rand ($53,000) fine for breaching the country’s Consumer Protection Act (CPA). The fine was imposed by the National Consumer Tribunal. “In a statement,” IT Web reports, “the tribunal says it found Vodacom’s conduct was “unconscionable” by imposing terms…

WhatsApp, yesterday, started to roll out the ability for users to share voice notes in “view once” mode. The Instant-messaging service has been developing this feature since March, and is now rolling it out to beta testers on iOS and Android. Users will share voice notes with view once mode enabled for…

WhatsApp will soon introduce a feature that users search for messages by date. As reported by popular WABetaInfo, the “Search message by date” feature will make it easier for users to quickly search for messages shared on a specific date within their conversations. WABetaInfo reported WhatsApp has plans to release the…

Meta is extending its “broadcast channels” feature, akin to Telegram’s channels, to Facebook and Messenger. After its introduction on Instagram and WhatsApp earlier this year, Meta has revealed that this feature will soon be accessible on these two platforms. The functionality empowers creators and public figures to convey one-to-many messages…

Remote work is now a top priority for companies, not just in tech but across industries. This shift comes from realising that remote job breaks the barriers of location and offers various benefits and efficiencies. With technology advancing and the post-pandemic world taking shape, remote work has become a lasting…

To boost innovation and digital progress in Nigeria, Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, has introduced the “Nigeria Artificial Intelligence Research Scheme.” This initiative is designed to provide financial support to startups and researchers, aiming to create a vibrant and sustainable artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem…

Microsoft has unveiled the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.2483 (KB5031451), marking an update to the Beta Channel, as stated in a recent announcement on the Windows Insider Blog. This release carries a significant reminder for all Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel. “The Beta Channel is the place…

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged $30 million to establish a new artificial intelligence (A.I.)-powered research and development platform in Africa. This initiative aligns with the foundation’s recent focus on funding technological innovation, particularly in the field of AI, in low- and middle-income regions around the world. The…

Treepz, Africa’s leading car-sharing marketplace, has entered into a strategic partnership with Octamile, a pioneer in African insurtech solutions, to introduce Treepz Care—a comprehensive insurance program designed to offer peace of mind and extensive coverage to Treepz’s community of guests and hosts. The partnership promises to improve the standards of…

Bolt South Africa has reportedly launched a physical driver engagement center in Randburg, Johannesburg, to enhance relations with its drivers and address their concerns. Until now, most of the communication between the company and drivers primarily occurred within the app or through the contact center. This newly established center, available…

Koree, a Cameroonian fintech company, emerged as the winner of the 2023 Ecobank Fintech Challenge, marking the first time a female-led fintech has claimed the top prize. The competition featured eight finalists who presented their innovative fintech solutions to a panel of judges. Koree’s card wallet payment solution, which digitises…

The UK Government and the Nigerian Government are teaming up to address safety and security concerns related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) models, as announced during the Nigeria Innovation Summit (NIS) in Lagos, held in October 2023. The NIS event, supported by key players in the innovation ecosystem, brought together a…

SecondSTAX, a Ghanaian fintech, has announced a new partnership with the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX). The strategic alliance was officially announced at a product launch event held at the exchange. This marks a significant achievement in the company’s mission to promote economic growth and investment opportunities in Nigeria and across…

In a big step to fight HIV, South Africa plans to use Dapivirine Vaginal Rings (DVR) to prevent the disease. This important effort comes from a partnership between three organisations in South Africa dedicated to HIV prevention and response: the AIDS Foundation of South Africa, Beyond Zero, and Networking HIV…

The management of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, Plc (IBEDC), has once again affirmed its commitment to ensuring uninterrupted power supply during and after the 63rd independence anniversary celebration. This dedication to serving the public interest was encapsulated in a statement released by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer…

Enza Capital, a venture firm based in Kenya, said it has successfully closed two funds, raising a total of $58 million in funding to support startups across Africa. Alongside this significant funding achievement, the firm has introduced its innovative Founder Partner program. This initiative invites founders of portfolio companies the…