Kenya’s iProcure placed under administration due to unpaid debts
Kenyan agri-tech startup iProcure has been placed under administration due to undisclosed debts being unpaid. Launched in 2013, iProcure has developed its own distribution infrastructure, connecting major agricultural input suppliers directly to local agro-dealers via its proprietary distribution technology system. Also backed by Safaricom’s Spark Venture Fund, iProcure expanded to Tanzania last year, but it has become one of the latest victims of the global economic crisis, and resultant “funding winter”, and been placed under administration. iProcure is the latest African tech venture to feel the heat in the current global capital shortage. Kenyan retail-tech startup MarketForce, for example, was recently forced to close down its B2B e-commerce platform RejaReja in the light of failing to adequately scale it given the global “funding winter”.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 03, 2024 16:25 UTC
Parliament approves establishment of National Institute for Teacher Education
Parliament has approved a motion to establish the National Institute for Teacher Education, marking a crucial step towards enhancing teacher training programmes in Uganda. Ogwang highlighted the institute’s vital role in providing specialised education training programmes for career teachers. “The move will provide niche-based pre-service and in-service teacher education programmes for all levels of education,” he said. He emphasised the importance of collaboration with the regulator responsible for teacher education training development. Patrick Oshabe (NUP, Kassanda County North) highlighted the need to address challenges in teacher education institutions.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 03, 2024 15:55 UTC
Samsung tops Apple in global smartphone shipments: How Oppo, Vivo and other brands performed
What led Samsung’s growth and how other brands faredOverall global smartphone market growsSamsung has replaced Apple as the top smartphone player globally in the first quarter this year (Q1 2024), accounting for 20% shipment share, a report said on Friday. Samsung reached its highest-ever ASP during the quarter as well. Emerging markets especially provide long term growth opportunities,” Fieldhack added.Meanwhile, smartphone brands from China – Xiaomi and Vivo – registered growth. While Xiaomi registered growth in almost all its key markets, Vivo posted strong performance in emerging markets of Asia Pacific including India.Huawei, Honor and Transsion also gained during the quarter. Oppo – which includes OnePlus – experienced a shipment decline due to stiff competition in key markets like China.Riding the success of these brands, the global smartphone market grew by 6% year-on-year (YoY) to reach 296.9 million unit shipments.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 03, 2024 15:15 UTC
2 Nigerian military personnel will face court martial over a drone attack that killed 85 villagers
ABUJA, Nigeria — Two Nigerian military personnel will face a court martial over the killing of 85 villagers in a military drone attack in December in the West African nation’s conflict-battered north, authorities said, prompting calls from a rights group Friday for more transparency and justice for victims. The two personnel will be subjected to military justice proceedings “for acts of omission or commission” after investigations found that the civilians killed by the strike “were mistaken for terrorists,” Nigeria’s Defense Headquarters spokesperson Maj. Gen. Edward Buba said in a statement Thursday without providing further details.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 03, 2024 13:12 UTC
AfriLabs, Intel launch initiative to boost impact enterprises in underserved communities
AfriLabs, Intel Corporation and Prosper Africa have launched the Intel Community Reach Programme, aimed at addressing critical social challenges in underserved African communities by leveraging the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and broadband connectivity. The Intel Community Reach Programme initiative seeks to empower communities and drive positive change in key sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, environmental services, fintech solutions, and digital skills readiness. Organisations, enterprises, startups, SMEs, and institutions working towards addressing social challenges using AI or broadband connectivity are invited to apply. Projects must be based in African Union member states and serve vulnerable populations in underserved areas. Selected projects will receive technical, consultancy, and financial support from Intel, AfriLabs, and Prosper Africa to help bring their innovative ideas to life.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 03, 2024 13:10 UTC
Gazprom sees worst loss in decades as European exports falter
Apart from falling European exports, Gazprom has also been hit by stabilising natural gas prices following the Russia-Ukraine war. It was also sharply at odds with the 1.2 trillion roubles profit seen in 2022. Total revenue also dropped to 8.5 trillion roubles in 2023, a slide from the 11.7 trillion seen in the previous year. However, a milder than expected winter in 2023 also meant that less energy supplies than previously anticipated were used. As of now, Gazprom has been hiking its natural gas supplies to China, with the help of a pipeline going through Siberia.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 03, 2024 13:05 UTC
Is “founder-friendly” just a marketing buzzword for competitive African VCs?
Being “founder-friendly”, or not, has become an increasingly relevant part of a venture capital company’s armoury in an increasingly competitive investment landscape. But what does being “founder-friendly” even mean, and has the phrase in reality become somewhat of an irrelevant marketing buzzword? Once upon a time, describing yourself as “founder-friendly” made you stand out from the crowd, but now most VC firms do it. Brett Commaille, founder and managing partner of South Africa-based VC firm Hlayisani Capital, says the term “founder friendly” is a marketing tool that gets wielded in many ways to fit many agendas. I’m hesitant about the concept and I think it’s overrated.”Commaille says “founder friendly” can often be used as a cover.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 03, 2024 12:44 UTC
MENA Digest: Abyan Capital, Bon Plus raise early-stage funds
MENA Digest: Abyan Capital, Bon Plus raise early-stage fundsPremium Credit: 123RF.comDealmaking activity in the Middle East and North Africa decelerated compared to the previous week but saw at least two major funding deals. This included a double-digit fundraising by Saudi Arabian financial robo-advisory company, Abyan Capital and a seed round by an Omani B2B marketplace startup, Bon Plus. The previous week saw ......
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 03, 2024 12:24 UTC
When and where to watch Girona v FC Barcelona?
Catalan derby incoming! The blaugranes visit Girona for the matchday 34 fixture in LaLiga. A win for Xavi Hernández' side in this Saturday game ( kick-off 6.30pm CEST) will further consolidate second place in the league. This page will help you make sure what time the game will kick-off in your part of the world, while also listing the TV channels that broadcast LaLiga games in different countries or regions. That does not depend on us, and you should check their own websites for details.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 03, 2024 12:12 UTC
Morocco-Spain rail link floats again with 2030 WC – The North Africa Post
After some four decades, the idea of a rail link between Morocco and Spain floats again as the two countries, together with Portugal, prepare to host the 2030 World Cup. International media is speaking of underway surveys on the project that would boost connectivity between Europe and Africa. During his most recent visit to Morocco, Spanish transport minister Oscar Puente discussed the issue with Moroccan counterpart, highlighting Spain’s interest in the link. According to rail news site Railtech.com, the tunnel’s route would run from Punta Paloma in Tarifa to Punta Malabata in the Bay of Tangiers. Besides improving political ties, trade between Spain and Morocco increased spectacularly exceeding 20 billion euros.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 03, 2024 12:02 UTC
Football: Morocco’s 2030 World Cup Projects Advancing – The North Africa Post
Morocco is busy working to ensure the best ever FIFA World Cup final to be organized jointly with Spain and Portugal in 2030. The event, which unites two continents, Europe and Africa, in a divided world, sends a message of peace, tolerance and inclusion. He made the remarks following a coordination meeting gathering all governmental departments involved in the World Cup projects. The meeting was an opportunity to look into the work accomplished so far and discuss the actions to be taken to meet the deadlines. It comes following several other coordination meetings held by the football federations of Morocco, Spain and Portugal to tune up their joint plans, actions, and projects.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 03, 2024 12:02 UTC
Russian military personnel enter Niger airbase where some U.S. troops remain
Russian military personnel have entered an airbase in Niger where some U.S. troops are located, two U.S. officials confirmed to CBS News on Thursday. Most of the roughly 1,000 U.S. troops still in Niger are at a second airbase, about 500 miles away from the capital, in the city of Agadez. In October, Washington officially designated the military takeover a coup, triggering U.S. laws that restrict the provision of military support and aid to Niger. Protesters hold up a sign demanding that U.S. troops leave Niger immediately during a demonstration in Niamey, Niger, April 13, 2024. The U.S. also has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in training Niger's military since it began operations there in 2013.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 03, 2024 11:26 UTC
India ranks 159 among 180 countries in World Press Freedom Index
India ranks 159th in the 2024 world Press Freedom Index published annually by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The index ranks 180 countries on the ability of journalists to work and report freely and independently. Ireland has dropped out of the Index’s top three countries, replaced by Sweden, while Germany is now one of the top ten countries. Press freedom is nonetheless being put to the test in Hungary, Malta and Greece, the three lowest-ranked EU countries. The overall decline in the political indicator has also affected the trio at the top of the World Press Freedom Index.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 03, 2024 10:24 UTC
Nigeria’s Renda secures $1.9m pre-seed funding to drive expansion
Nigeria’s Renda, a Nigerian technology solution that simplifies order fulfillment and retail distribution for businesses in Africa, has closed a US$1.9 million pre-seed round of equity and debt funding to enhance its offerings and drive expansion. Renda will use the funding to technologically enhance its offerings, drive expansion to more cities in Nigeria and East Africa, and grow its partnership network across all active markets. “Our vision at Renda is to become the largest and most trusted fulfillment partner for e-commerce and major businesses across Africa. “Renda’s technology solution addresses a critical need in the African manufacturing and e-commerce ecosystems, offering seamless access to fulfillment infrastructure. “With the current high inflation and skyrocketing prices for shipping and storage, there has never been a better time for Renda.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 03, 2024 09:15 UTC
UPDATE 2-North America drives Daimler Truck to core profit beat
First-quarter core profit (adjusted earnings before interest and taxes) at Daimler Truck’s North American business rose 7% year-on-year in the first quarter compared to 4% across Daimler Truck as a whole. Orders were normalising across all regions after a bumper 2023, the maker of yellow Thomas Built school buses said, but order intake at Trucks North America grew almost 30% in the quarter on the same time last year.
Source:The North Africa Journal
May 03, 2024 07:15 UTC