Author: Tapiwa Matthew Mutisi

Enterprise software titan SAP is restructuring 8,000 jobs, which is over 7% of its 108,000 employees, as part of its €2 billion ($2.2 billion) reshaping focus towards artificial intelligence, joining other firms adjusting to the growing significance of AI. The German company mentioned in a statement that this move is…

Microsoft’s Gaming division is set to lay off around 1,900 employees, which constitutes about 9% of the unit’s staff, according to an internal memo. Phil Spencer, Microsoft Gaming’s CEO, explained in the memo that these layoffs are part of a wider “execution plan” aimed at cutting down “areas of overlap.”…

Netflix announced in its Q4 2023 report that it has added 13.12 million new subscribers, reaching a total of 260 million subscribers globally. A significant contribution of 5.05 million subscribers came from the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region. Furthermore, Netflix saw a revenue increase of 12% in Q4…

Cairo-based beauty and wellness startup Mira has secured a $200,000 investment from Wingoo Investment and Technology. The funding will be used to expand its customer base and extend its reach beyond Africa. This follows its initial locally-produced beauty product launch in late 2023, with a public revelation expected later this…

Google is introducing new features for Pixel users, which includes allowing Pixel 8 Pro users to utilize the Thermometer app for taking body temperature via a forehead scan. Users can save these readings to their Fitbit profiles for better health analysis. Initially, Google stated that the Thermometer app could be…

Tesla’s solar business experienced a significant decline last year, as per its Q4 2023 earnings report. The company reported a 36% drop in solar deployments to 223 megawatts (MW) in 2023, down from 348 MW the previous year. This happened even as the United States experienced a record year for…

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) reported on Wednesday that its cloud-based email system was breached by the Russia-linked hacking group Midnight Blizzard, also known as APT29 or Cozy Bear. The group is also suspected of recently infiltrating Microsoft’s corporate network. In a report filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission,…

Khoi Tech, a start-up backed by Telkom Group, has become a member of the BRICS Business Council’s manufacturing group. The Soweto-based company has created its own smartwatch, Khoi Afriwatch1, which offers real-time data on crucial health indicators like heart rate, body temperature, blood oxygen saturation, stress levels, and sleep patterns.…

Livestock Wealth, a crowdfunding platform, has denied claims that it may be conducting its online investment services unlawfully, and it’s fully cooperating with the Financial Sector Conduct Authority’s (FSCA) enquiry. The FSCA recently released a statement indicating that the online investment platform is being investigated and might be functioning illegally,…

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) stated last week that the Nigerian telecommunications industry can expect a new operator this year. This announcement came after Mafab Communications, a relatively unknown telecommunications company, disclosed its intentions to launch to the commission. Mafab secured a 5G license in…

Swiggy, an Indian food delivery startup, is laying off about 400 employees which equates to nearly 7% of its workforce. The goal is to enhance financial stability ahead of a proposed IPO scheduled for later this year. This marks the company’s second round of layoffs, with the first happening early…

Today, Meta revealed that it’s implementing new direct message restrictions for teenagers on both Facebook and Instagram. Henceforth, all users under 16, and under 18 in some regions, will have the new restrictions applied to them by default. Before this announcement, Instagram only restricted adults above 18 years from messaging…

DXwand, a startup based in Cairo and Dubai that utilizes conversational AI to help Middle Eastern businesses automate customer service and employee assistance, has secured $4 million in Series A funding. The investment was led by UAE-based Shorooq Partners and Cairo-based firm Algebra Ventures, with the Dubai Future District Fund,…

Cova, a Nigerian wealth-tech start-up co-founded by the former CEO and founder of Printivo, Olu’yomi Ojo, alongside Yomi Osamiluyi, is set to close down. The co-founders attributed the shutdown to “several factors” in an email sent to users on Tuesday, January 23. “This was an extremely difficult decision, one that…

The UK and South Africa are boosting their scientific collaboration, with the UK declaring an investment of R1 billion to create the International Science Partnership Fund. This fund is designed to advance the science and research partnership between the UK and South Africa over the next two years, including support…

Aurora Innovation, the self-driving truck technology company planning to initiate a business of autonomous trucks by 2024’s end, has reportedly laid off a significant number of employees this month, say sources close to the matter. The company, headquartered in Pittsburgh and operating facilities in California, Colorado, Texas, and Montana, confirmed…

A baby girl named Daniella in Cameroon received the first routine malaria vaccine in a historic event on January 22nd, 2024. This major development signifies an important stride in saving numerous children’s lives in Africa, the continent most severely affected by the mosquito-borne disease. Malaria claims approximately 600,000 lives yearly…

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) is inviting ambitious African entrepreneurs to apply for their Entrepreneurship Programme (TEF2024). Successful applicants will have the chance to receive non-refundable seed capital of $5,000 to help bring their business dreams to life. Applying for Tony Elumelu’s grant is a straightforward process that can be…

Chinese phone manufacturer MiOne has released two new smartphones, the U1 and Joy 9, assembled in Uganda’s Mbale City. The phones were unveiled by Uganda’s Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Chris Baryomunsi, and State Minister for Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, David Bahati. This follows the successful sale of over…

With the release of Chrome M121, Google is introducing new AI-driven features to enhance browser usability. These include a tab organizer, a writing tool, and personalized artwork and themes. Users can access these features by enabling the ‘Experimental AI’ option from the Settings page found in the three-dot dropdown menu.…