East African digital postal service MPOST has officially launched its e-P.O.Box system in Rwanda, designed to transform the postal experience for millions of Rwandan citizens. Launched in 2016, MPost is a platform that enables the conversion of mobile numbers into official virtual addresses, which allows notifications to be sent to clients whenever they get mail through their postal addresses. The startup said the expansion underscored its commitment to leveraging technology to enhance accessibility and efficiency in postal services across Africa. “The virtual platform commits to reach over five million citizens within the next three years. By integrating the local postal services and leveraging the high mobile phone penetration in Rwanda, MPOST aims to offer an inclusive solution that caters to both urban and rural populations,” the startup said.

The Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program is L’Oréal SAPMENA’s inaugural open innovation venture, featuring a startup competition and pilot stage. Eligibility CriteriaAlthough L’Oréal SAPMENA seeks early to mid-stage start-ups that fit the challenge themes, the Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program encourages applications from companies at all stages of fundraising. Preference during the shortlisting process will be given to companies with transformative potential that will benefit the most from the Big Bang Beauty Tech Innovation Program curriculum and strategic partner mentorship. Startups of any size and stage are welcome to apply if they fit the needs and criteria that L’Oréal SAPMENA are looking for. Once evaluated, 10 startups will be shortlisted* to pitch at the regional semi-finals happening virtually for India and Southeast Asia respectively.

As part of his recent glow-up, Meta CEO and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg released a series of whimsical photos of himself, commissioned by his wife, for his 40th birthday. Rome had been at war with Carthage, its great rival and enemy, for much of Cato’s life. He had fought in the brutal Second Punic War and wanted to see Carthage gone. There were some calls for Zuckerberg to apologize and others for a public response from the regime. They view Tunisia as a modern-day Carthage — powerful, independent and resilient in the face of an encroaching empire.

The issuance of green bonds in emerging markets reached $135 billion in 2023, increasing 34% year on year. Yerlan Syzdykov, Amundi Global Head of Emerging Markets said they anticipate continued growth in green bonds issuance within emerging markets to be driven by several factors over the medium term. The forecast is for 7.1% year on year growth for Global Green, Social, Sustainability and Sustainability-Linked (GSSS) bonds and 7.5% growth for green bonds. In EMDEs outside of China, GSSS bonds issuance was mostly driven by green bonds and this increased by 81%. Read more in the Emerging Market Green Bonds Report

First published: 27-May-2024 11:26:50Dubai, UAE: HSBC has announced the launch of its new e-commerce digital payment platform Omni Collect in the UAE in partnership with leading Saudi-based fintech player, Geidea. The partnership was announced at a signing ceremony attended by Mohamed Al Marzooqi, Chief Executive Officer, UAE, HSBC Bank Middle East, and Mr Abdullah AlOthman, founder and Executive Chairperson of Geidea. Omni Collect is available in the UK, Australia, India, mainland China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Omni Collect is one of many ways we are investing in the UAE market to meet our customers’ digital needs,” added Boag. In Saudi Arabia, HSBC is a 31% shareholder of Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB), and a 51% shareholder of HSBC Saudi Arabia for investment banking in the Kingdom.

Africa-focused fund managers have been invited to apply for the Obuntu Launchpad programme in order to advance their investment approach, optimise fund outcomes, and expand their impact. Run by the Obuntu Foundation, a catalyst for the next generation of Africa-focused Fund Managers, via a strategic partnership with Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA), a global non-profit organisation focused on economic development and entrepreneurship, applications for the third cohort of the Obuntu Launchpad programme are now open. The 12-month programme equips early-stage fund managers with the essential tools and expertise to build and operate successful funds within an African context, providing tailored training, LP engagement opportunities, and a collaborative network for knowledge sharing and deal flow. Since its launch in 2022, the Obuntu Launchpad Fellowship has successfully run two cohorts, supporting 24 fellows representing 21 funds with a combined target Assets Under Management (AUM) of US$281 million. The partnership with MEDA will strengthen the Obuntu Foundation’s mission of empowering a thriving ecosystem of African fund managers.

While artificial intelligence (AI) continues its remarkable climb worldwide, several African countries are throwing their hats in the ring to incorporate the emerging technology into their economies. Oxford Insights Government AI Readiness Index report measures the efforts of 193 countries in their attempts at integrating AI and machine learning. According to the report, African nations are at the bottom of the pile, ranking low across all 39 indicators in the index when compared to other regions. The last 12 months saw the trio of Senegal, Benin and Rwanda introduce national AI strategies to join Mauritius as the only countries with a national AI blueprint. “As Rwanda and Senegal’s new strategies illustrate, international organisations can be influential in supporting African nations to create their own national AI strategies,” read the report.

SILER CITY, N.C. (AP) — At the epicenter of President Joe Biden’s promised economic boom, a slow tractor can still halt traffic. “It is growth, growth, growth.”That same economic story is being replicated in a number of other critical battleground states, including Arizona and Georgia. The county backed Biden over Trump in 2020 but sits in the solidly Republican congressional district of Rep. Richard Hudson. But Republicans in North Carolina’s legislature say investments in the state had more to do with their own policies than the incentives from Biden. EVEN WITH NEW FACTORY INVESTMENTS, THERE ARE RISKSBut that does not mean Biden’s industrial strategy is a sure thing.

Ghana’s Atunwa Digital is providing audio and video streaming services to media companies and content creators, helping them bring their content online and connecting them with a global network of advertisers. Launched five years ago by Mac Maison and Mamuna Oladipo, Atunwa Digital aims to reconcile media companies and content creators by providing reliable streaming services, ad-tech support, and comprehensive technical assistance. Additionally, we understand that a significant number of media companies and content creators across Africa require assistance in meeting these requirements and we are here to help,” said Maison. But Maison said Atunwa Digital differentiates itself by “turning would-be competitors into long-term partners”. “We achieve this by prioritising investments in our product department and developing cutting-edge SaaS products tailored to the digital streaming industry.

Sanctions-breaking launch follows Pyongyang’s third and successful attempt to launch a spy satellite in November. North Korea has notified Japan of plans to launch a satellite between May 27 and June 4, after putting its first spy satellite into orbit at the third attempt last November. The notice came ahead of the first trilateral summit between Japan, South Korea and China in nearly five years. Nuclear-armed North Korea placed its first spy satellite in orbit in November, following two unsuccessful attempts, in a move that drew widespread condemnation. Seoul has said that North Korea received technical help from Russia for that satellite launch, in return for sending Moscow weapons for use in its war in Ukraine.

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The Annuloplasty Rings Market research report delivers essential data, offering clients the insights necessary for making critical decisions. The Annuloplasty Rings report elucidates the market’s potential, offering both quantitative and qualitative insights that equip stakeholders with competitive advantages. Covering more than 60 geographies, the Annuloplasty Rings market report offers a detailed segmentation by region and country. Research and study the status and future forecast of the global Annuloplasty Rings market, which includes production, revenue, consumption, history, and forecast. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis, PEST, and SWOT Analysis are used to examine the various perspectives of the Annuloplasty Rings Market.

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Emirates NBD, the banking group for the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey (MENAT), is joining forces with Pine Labs, a merchant commerce omnichannel platform, to provide the latest payment solutions to companies across the region. Emirates NBD will leverage the Pine Labs Credit+ platform, to deliver cutting-edge merchant-acquiring processing solutions for its corporate and institutional clients, initially in the UAE and then across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Egypt. We will run their point-of-sale, payment gateway and run all their payment processing.”Mittal also explained how the partnership is enabling Pine Labs to expand its global influence. “This is not only for the UAE alone, but, with Emirates NBD, we plan to expand into two new markets: Saudi Arabia later this year, and Egypt next year. Emirates NBD currently boasts a presence in 13 countries, serving over nine million active customers.

Early Triumphs Fuel BlastUP’s Presale Surge Toward $7 MillionBlastUP, currently in its presale phase, has already demonstrated its practical value by successfully launching two IDOs. Continuing to capture attention, BlastUP’s presale success is nearing a pivotal milestone with nearly $7 million raised so far. Hurry to Join BlastUP Presale Before It EndsMultiple Benefits for Early Buyers of $BLP TokensBLP, the native token of BlastUP, plays a vital role within its ecosystem, enhancing user involvement. Why buy BLP tokens? The ongoing presale of $BLP tokens offers a unique chance to join this promising project.