Author: Tapiwa Matthew Mutisi

Forge Academy a forerunner education facility focused on training students for careers that rely on 3D printing, next-generation computing, virtual and augmented reality, and digital marketing so that they can be equipped to have influence, impact, and increase in the Fourth Industrial Revolution will host an SMME Showcase for tech…

El Salvador has become the first country in the world to officially adopt the largest and most popular cryptocurrency bitcoin as legal tender. Lawmakers in the Central American country’s Congress voted by a “supermajority” in favor of the Bitcoin Law, receiving 62 out of 84 of the legislature’s vote. The price…

Johannesburg-based Khula Africa Innovation Projects an organization dedicated to creating innovative projects that help accelerate Africa’s growth into the digital age has launched a new edutech platform for local teachers and students. Titled Smartpozi, the platform is a digital directory that connects qualified teachers with students who require academic support. Siyabulela Bomvu, co-founder…

Established by Campus AFD (French Development Agency), The Social & Inclusive Business Camp (SIBC) has officially opened applications for this year’s programme. Innovative African entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply to the programme as it aims to drive growth in the continent’s ecosystem. Campus AFD is committed to assisting African social entrepreneurs with…

Five African startups have received a $5000 funding grant from Southern Africa Innovation Support Programme (SAIS) and Seedstars, a private Swiss-based tech company. The startups have been selected from the 2019/2020 Investment Readiness Programme (IRP), a startup education initiative that helps participants convert their ideas into sustainable tech solutions. Investment Readiness Programme Zambian mobile…

Cape Town-founded mobility technology startup WhereIsMyTransport and is a central source of complete public transport data for emerging-market megacities has secured $14.5-million which’s equivalent to at least R42-million in funding from Naspers. This investment forms part of the R201-million funding round led by Naspers Foundry, Cathay AfricInvest Innovation Fund, and SBI Investment. Many…

Silicon Cape and the United States Embassy in South Africa will host a virtual hackathon over the weekend of 19 and 20 June 2021. Daily bootcamps will be held from 21 to 25 of June, with the overall winner announced on the 27 of June. This collaboration is part of the Hackathons for South…

Absa Group has opened its user-friendly procurement portal, allowing Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) to apply and be verified as suppliers. This opportunity means that SMMEs, currently the drivers of our post-pandemic economy, will be able to search for and network with corporate suppliers and win tenders that previously would not…

Cape Town – Not-for-profit social enterprise Harambe Youth Employment Accelerator has partnered with SiMODisA and South African tech startup Clickatell to launch DigiLink, an incubator programme that aims to upskill unemployed youth to enter the tech economy and secure long-term employment. The partnership is backed by an industry-level coalition focused on the mutual interests of all…

Google has launched a series of programmes that aim to support the growth and recovery of African SMEs in the continent. The new initiative titled “International Small Business Month” will roll out several programmes this month. Mojolaoluwa Aderemi-Makinde, Google’s head of brand and reputation for Africa explains that the programmes…

Huawei recently launched its own HarmonyOS mobile operating system on its handsets on Wednesday as it adapts to having lost access to Google mobile services two years ago after the United States put the Chinese telecommunications company on a trade blacklist. Huawei announced that about 100 Huawei smartphone models will…

Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos is set to be the first billionaire in space! In a Monday morning Instagram post he revealed that he will be flying to space on the first crewed flight of the New Shepard, the rocket ship made by his space company, Blue Origin next month, together…

South African-based cybersecurity startup Sendmarc has secured an undisclosed amount of funding in an investment round led by Kalon Venture Partners with contribution from Endeavor South Africa‘s Harvest venture Capital II fund. Clive Butkow the CEO of Kalon Venture Partners comments on the funding round injected into the innovative local tech…

Vodacom Business Africa (VBA) remains committed to supporting the ambitions of multinational businesses across the African continent, regardless of the global disruptions to businesses due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The business landscape is ever-changing; competitive barriers are disappearing making the speed and agility to market critical components in the digital…

Comparison website Hippo.co.za has launched South Africa’s first free online comparison portal that assists local businesses in searching fiber-to-the-business (FTTB) connectivity packages and prices based on their location. Bradley Du Chenne, CEO of Hippo.co.za explains that the platform aims to ensure that business owners are able to access affordable options. “With many businesses trying…

AfricArena, in partnership with Délégation Générale à l’Entreprenariat Rapide des Femmes et des Jeunes, Senegal Government ( DER/FJ) and ITC United Nations #FastTrackTech Africa project has announced that the West Africa Summit will take place in Dakar, Senegal from 22 to 23 June 2021.  Papa Amadou Sarr, General Delegate of…

SA fintech startup Mortgage Market has been nominated in the prestigious 2021 African Banker Award under the category of “Innovation in Financial Services Award”.  As the only South African company nominated under the category of “Innovation in Financial Services Award”, The fast-growing local fintech has been nominated for its innovative financial offering…

The Department of Small Business Development has launched The Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme (TREP). The programme aims to promote and integrate business opportunities in townships and rural areas. TREP aims to create platforms that provide business support infrastructure and an environment where entrepreneurship can thrive and grow. The initiative will be…

Based in Germany, The Federal Development Ministry (BMZ) has launched DeveloPPP Ventures, a programme that aims to empower Kenyan startups by providing entrepreneurial support and a grant of up to €100 000. The funding will reportedly be distributed by  DEG – Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH via a matching-funds model. DEG provides grant funding to…

Classic 1027 has partnered with Sum of 21 to launch The Small Business Booster Programme with an aim to assist local businesses. The funds raised through the Enterprise and Supplier Development grant will be provided to selected SMMEs. The funding will be used towards marketing and branding campaigns to support local SMMEs. Janhendrik Oosthuizen,…