Kenyan influencer marketing platform Wowzi has partnered Mastercard and Masria Digital Payments in a US$2.04 million deal aimed at transforming the financial management landscape for content creators through innovative digital card solutions. The well-backed startup has now signed a five-year deal with Mastercard and MDP that wull see it provide Wowzi content creators with access to a range of digital card benefits. Leveraging MDP’s expertise in digital payments, these cards are designed to offer content creators a seamless and secure user experience, simplifying both online and offline transactions. “Our journey has always been driven by the belief that content creators are the heartbeat of the digital age. “We are dedicated to being at the forefront of technology solutions that cater to the unique needs of content creators.

Eneo, the main electricity company of Cameroon, has signed two new agreements to double the generation and battery storage capacities of two of its solar energy parks. The Maroua Solar PV Park, which is located in Far North, currently generates 14.52MW. The Guider Solar PV Park, situated in the North region of Cameroon, has a current capacity of 15.78MW solar. The Maroua and Guider solar power parks are the first huge-capacity solar parks in Cameroon and in the sub-region. Phase 2 has recently been launched; Hybridise isolated power plants by attaching small solar power plants to thermal generation;by attaching small solar power plants to thermal generation; Facilitate the construction of mini-hydropower plants .

HSBC Egypt is planning to launch a fund worth EGP 1.5 billion ($31.5 million) to back the fintech sector in the North African country. EFG Holding will manage the fund, which is set to be launched in Q3. Source: ZawyaHSBC Egypt is planning to launch a fund worth EGP 1.5 billion (around $31.5 million) to invest in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating within the fintech sector in Egypt, two sources in the know told Asharq Business. EFG Holding will manage the fund, one source said, expecting the fund to be launched in the third quarter (Q3) of this year. Several financial institutions, including the Suez Canal Bank, have contributed to the new fund, a banker noted, highlighting that the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) had approved the launch of the fund.

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Traditional investment paradigms shift in a lower interest rate environment, compelling investors to reassess their asset allocation and trading strategies. Traditional investment paradigms shift in a lower interest rate environment, compelling investors to reassess their asset allocation and trading strategies. Traditional investment paradigms shift in a lower interest rate environment, compelling investors to reassess their asset allocation and trading strategies. Traditional investment paradigms shift in a lower interest rate environment, compelling investors to reassess their asset allocation and trading strategies. Traditional investment paradigms shift in a lower interest rate environment, compelling investors to reassess their asset allocation and trading strategies.

According to Gartner, IT spending in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is forecast to total 193.7 billion USD in 2024, an increase of 5.2% from 2023. Nonetheless, the MENA region presents abundant opportunities for IT investment, driven by the adoption of emerging technologies, digital infrastructure development, and strategic partnerships. By addressing challenges and leveraging opportunities, the MENA region can chart a course towards sustainable growth and leadership in the digital economy. “CIOs in the MENA region are expected to increase their spending on cloud services. While AI/GenAI has some influence on cloud services spending, it is not expected to have an immediate and significant impact on IT spending levels in MENA in 2024,” said Eyad Tachwali, Senior Director Advisory at Gartner.

Zambian startup eMsika, is an innovative agri-tech company that provides a digital platform tailored to the needs of poultry farmers and a physical store, plans to expand to four new markets soon after strong uptake. “We identified a significant gap in the market for accessible and user-friendly digital solutions tailored specifically to smallholder poultry and livestock farmers,” Mwale told Disrupt Africa. eMsika plans to expand into Tanzania, Nigeria, Egypt and Zimbabwe soon, mainly via its Poultry Manager feature, and is looking for partners. “Farmhouse generates revenue through subscription fees for on-farm technical support and margins from sales. While we’re focused on scaling our user base, we’re also steadily growing our revenue streams,” said Mwale.

The IEA’s latest report into the progress on achieving universal energy access shows global population growth is outpacing energy access growth, with 10 million more people without access in 2022 than 2021. “Achieving universal access by 2030 will require significant investment, policy support, and the deployment of renewable energy,” says the IEA’s Tracking SDG7: The Energy Progress Report. Accelerating investment into clean energy in cities across AfricaRegional disparity on energy access is wideningSub-Saharan Africa is home to the biggest proportion of the global population lacking access, accounting for 83% of the global energy access deficit, up from 50% in 2010. Sub-Saharan Africa dominates energy access deficit listEighteen of the 20 countries with the largest energy access deficits in 2022 are to be found in Sub-Saharan Africa. Read the IEA’s 2024 edition of Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress ReportSign up for our premium, curated insights and news

Eskom has, since the beginning of the year, replaced at least 66 transformers every month. Network overloading has resurfaced in some areas due to electricity theft. Electricity theft includes illegal connections, network equipment theft, vandalism, meter bypasses and tampering, unauthorised network operations and purchasing electricity from illegal vendors. SA: No loadshedding, but other threats to electricity supply persistTo date, Eskom said it has replaced 400 transformers damaged by network overloading since January 2024. “Overloaded transformers as a result of electricity theft present a serious risk to human life.

Furthermore, expanding the coverage of treatment and enhancing its community-level impact can significantly alleviate the health burden associated with HSBP19,23. In addition, reducing tobacco use, another substantial risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, is crucial for improving hypertension control and preventing cardiovascular diseases33,34. Future research is required to comprehensively assess the impact of cardiovascular diseases and their related risk factors. Thirdly, the analysis was based on data from 1990 to 2019, although more recent data may provide additional insights into the changing HSBP burden in MENA. Fourthly, the GBD project only reported the burden of diseases attributable to HSBP, so we did not have the data to evaluate the burden of diseases attributable to high diastolic blood pressure.

Istanbul, Türkiye – Shorooq Partners, a leading investment firm in the Middle East and North Africa, has announced a significant investment in Roamless, a U.S.-based company with a leadership team in Türkiye. This marks Shorooq Partners' first venture into Türkiye's tech ecosystem, highlighting their dedication to supporting innovative ventures in various markets. With expertise in fintech, platforms, software, gaming, and Web 3.0, Shorooq Partners continues to support visionary startups, propelling them toward success. -Ends-About Shorooq PartnersFounded in 2017, Shorooq Partners is a leading alternative investment manager in the Middle East and North Africa. Built on the principle of being partners to founders, company builders, and value investors, Shorooq Partners operates across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Riyadh, Egypt, and Korea.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced on Wednesday a €45.5 million loan to Eczacıbaşı Consumer Products Maroc (ECP Maroc) to enable the Moroccan subsidiary of Turkish group Eczacıbaşı Consumer Products (ECP) to acquire Jeesr, a leading manufacturer of tissue paper products in Morocco. This is the Bank’s first cross-border acquisition financing package of its kind. The loan will help the Turkish Group to strengthen its presence in the local market. By acquiring Jeesr, ECP Maroc will be able to unlock synergies in terms of economies of scale, cross-selling of products, efficiency improvements and optimization of production lines, leading to higher production capacity and efficiency. Since 2012, the European Bank has injected €4.5 billion in 102 projects carried out in the North African Kingdom.

The Greek coast guard, migration ministry and other officials did not respond to requests for comment ahead of the shipwreck anniversary. Authorities had a coast guard boat on the scene and merchant ships in the vicinity during the trawler's last hours. And they insist that offers to take the migrants off the ship were rebuffed by people set on reaching Italy. The coast guard has denied any towing attempt, and allegations that its vessel tried to shift the trawler into neighbouring Italy's area of responsibility. Without examining evidence for or against them, it determined that Greece lacked jurisdiction as the wreck occurred in international waters.