WeeklySA_AdminDIGITAL FUTURE:Training will address socio-economic challenges and boost productivity in key growth sectors such as agriculture, health, and education, thereby disrupting traditional growth cycles…
By Own Correspondent
NAIROBI, Kenya — The African Development Bank and technology giant Intel have formalised their cooperation to transform the African digital ecosystem, aiming to equip a million Africans and 30 000 government officials with Artificial Intelligence skills.
Sealed at the recent African Development Bank’s Annual Meetings in Nairobi, Kenya, the deal will help create a critical mass of Africans proficient in Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) skills to accelerate growth and productivity and position Africans as contributors, not just consumers of 4IR. The training will address socio-economic challenges and boost productivity in key growth sectors such as agriculture, health, and education, thereby disrupting traditional growth cycles.
Bienvenu Agbokponto Soglo, Director of Government Affairs Africa at Intel said, “Intel looks forward to furthering its collaboration with African governments to make advanced technologies such as AI accessible to all, breaking down barriers related to geography, gender, and ethnicity, and enabling widespread participation in the digital economy.”
The partnership will also support African countries, regional economic communities, and continental organisations in developing harmonised policy and regulatory frameworks in AI, 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, data and cloud.
Ousmane Fall, African Development Bank’s Acting Director of Industrial and Trade Development, underscored the importance of digital skills for Africa’s youth.
“With advancements in digital technology, our world is rapidly evolving, and so is our youthful population, projected to reach 830 million by 2050. To develop skills on a large scale and at the necessary speed, we need everyone’s cooperation,” he said. “The Bank is thrilled to collaborate with Intel to work towards this shared commitment. Together, we are shaping the digital future of Africa and empowering our youth.”
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s leading development finance institution, comprising three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF), and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). With a presence in 44 African countries with an external office in Japan, the AfDB contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states.
Intel is an industry leader and its mission is to create world-changing technology that enables global progress and enriches lives.
Mirror Briefs
BURSARY SCHEME SECURED
United Manganese of Kalahari (UMK) has reaffirmed its support for educational development by championing tertiary education through creating opportunity. The company also celebrated more than a decade of helping school leavers achieve their educational goals.
The UMK Bursary Scheme was established a decade ago by UMK with a mandate to empower the youth of South Africa by providing scholarships to diligent students, youth who may not otherwise have the means to pursue further education.
Malcolm Curror, UMK chief executive, says focusing on the next generation will secure tomorrow’s leaders in business, education and other sectors that will lead South Africa into further growth. “Instead of narrowing the playing field to mining, candidates are encouraged to pursue whichever field of study they are interested in. This way, graduates emerge from various sectors who will then become role players across industry,” he said and added that this less restrictive approach to supporting tertiary education will yield better results for the broader economy.
The UMK Bursary Scheme has thus far created opportunity for many students since its inception, supporting top-performing Grade 12 students who aspire to further their education, as well as those already enrolled in tertiary institutions who require financial aid. – WSAM Reporter
UPCOMING PODCAST FEST
The SA Podcast and Music Festival, a premier gathering celebrating the intersection of podcasts, music, and creative content in South Africa, takes place at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park on June 14 and 15. This annual event showcases emerging talents, industry trends, and innovative collaborations, driving forward the vibrant landscape of entertainment and media in Africa.
The festival goes beyond mere entertainment and also serves as a vital meeting ground for industry leaders, creatives, and enthusiasts alike. The organisers are passionate advocates for the advancement of the creative industry, and believe in the power of collaboration to drive innovation and sustainability. Through the dynamic medium of podcasts, African storytelling will be amplified, providing a platform for diverse voices and narratives to flourish.
DJ Sbu who will host the event along with a power packed line up of speakers goes on to say, “Remember, podcasting isn’t just about recording audio—it’s about sharing stories, sparking conversations, and making a meaningful impact. We are doing this to embrace the power of podcasting, and inspire voices to reach and resonate across continents. The time to embark on a podcasting journey is now.”
ECOBANK’S R1M START-UP SCHEME
LOMÉ, Togo — The 2024 Ecobank Fintech Challenge has opened applications for early-stage and mature startups to partner with it across its 35 African markets.
Ecobank , the pan-African financial services Group, officially opens call for applications to this annual competition for early-stage and mature fintech startups to partner with Ecobank, offering a grand prize of US$50,000 (approx. R950 000) and a chance to scale their solutions across Ecobank’s extensive network spanning 35 African countries.
Despite the fintech eruption in the African continent, a McKinsey report [1] reveals that fintech start-ups in Africa are still facing several challenges such as reaching scale, navigating an uncertain regulatory environment, or managing scarcity of funding. The Ecobank Fintech Challenge provides a unique opportunity for Fintech Entrepreneurs to address these challenges by not only offering financial rewards but by also providing Ecobank’s expertise in diversified markets operations and the right solutions to scale across its pan-African footprint and international presence such as France. Last year’s competition attracted 1,490 entries of real quality, which underscores the significance of this pan-African challenge. Successful applicants reaching the Grand Finale and Awards Ceremony in October 2024 will have the chance to join the highly coveted Ecobank Fintech Fellowship programme, with the overall winner receiving a cash prize of US$50,000.
Applications for the 7th Ecobank Fintech Challenge are now open to fintechs and developers from across Africa, as well as global Africa-centered fintechs. Interested parties can find out more about the competition and submit their applications through the official website: EcobankFintechChallenge.com. The deadline for entries is 7 July 2024.
Unveiling ALX Ventures
In a bold move to accelerate Africa’s entrepreneurial trajectory and empower a new generation of agile start-ups with 21st-century digital capabilities, an award-winning tech training and career acceleration provider has announced the rollout of ALX Ventures in South Africa.
Already launched in two other African markets, Lagos and Rwanda, the first cohort in SA starts this month, with over 1300 applications. ALX Ventures programmes support top young SA tech talent and early-stage start-ups, to launch, accelerate and fund promising disruptive ventures that tackle the world’s greatest challenges and opportunities through business.
Available to young Africans between the ages of 18-34, ALX Ventures programmes are fully sponsored to eligible candidates and all courses are available online. Learners also have the option to attend two ALX tech hub working spaces in Braamfontein and Sophiatown, Johannesburg where they can access uninterrupted internet connection and power, along with an opportunity to connect with peers and industry leaders during expert-led sessions. Courses take place across three pathways – The Founder Academy, The Accelerator Programme, and the Venture Capital Fund – that will run in succession.
The Founder Academy Programme is a three-month curriculum that focuses on building and launching a startup. Meanwhile, the Accelerator Programme is a highly selective three-month programme offering investor readiness support and initial in-kind investment in the form of legal, product and marketing support. On the other hand, the Venture Capital Fund focuses on co-investment, advisory support, and ongoing access to the ALX ecosystem platform and community, The FutureList. For further information please visit https://alx-ventures.com/
