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Janngo Lands EUR 1M Seed Funding for Digital Ecosystems Development in Africa

Janngo, a digital backbone development company based in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire and Paris, just completed its first round of €1 million seed funding.

Land LayBy Ghana Aims to Allow Land Purchases First, Due Diligence Later Using Blockchain

Land LayBy Ghana, a pioneer in the "buy-now, pay-tomorrow" land purchase system in Ghana and with offices in Australia and Kenya, a system which uses Blockchain technologies as part of its 'trust-building' solution set, is actively seeking Ghanaian advocates to help map out and acquire dead capital assets to be repurposed by Land LayBy.

Facebook Opens NG_Hub Community Hub Space in Lagos

Operating in partnership with CcHub, Facebook opened its NG_Hub in Lagos Nigeria, this week, its first flagship community hub space in Africa.

Madagascar Receives $75M from the World Bank for Drainage Improvements

Greater Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, just received a $75 million International Development Association (IDA) credit from the World Bank, to improve urban drainage, selected public service upgrades, and climate resilience improvements for its urban poor.

Shell Nigeria Gas Increases Domestic Gas Distribution by 150 Percent

To help support increased demand for Nigerian companies, Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG) Limited just released figures showing it had increased its domestic gas distribution capacity by 150% versus six months ago.

Autograph Collection Adds Five African Pride Hotels in South Africa

The Autograph Collections of Marriott International just added five African Pride Hotels to its portfolio. This marks a new era for African Pride Hotels via the rebranding, and the expansion of the Autograph Collection into South Africa for the first time.

Intellectual Property Protection Becoming Bigger Business in East Africa

According to Bowmans, a Pan-African law firm with a primary headquarters in South Africa, the East African economy has grown so much and matured so that large brand owners are taking to courts to protect their brands and other intellectual property.

Togo's Ecobank Wins Best Digital Strategy Award from Retail Banker International

Ecobank, headquartered in Lome, Togo, and already with 5 million downloads for its mobile financial app, landed the Retail Banker International group's Best Digital Strategy award at a special ceremony recently held at the Waldorf Hilton Hotel in London.

Kenya Computer and Cybercrimes Law Designed to Intimidate not Protect

Kenya's new Computer and Cybercrimes law was just approved by Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta. It allows criminal charges to be brought against persons deemed to have "intentionally published false, misleading or fictitious data". Freedom House has come out strongly against the law as a means of controlling the freedom of the press.

AfDB Approves US $100M Senior Loan to Expand Fertilizer Production in Nigeria

In order to improve agricultural efficiency in Nigeria, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Government of Nigeria are partnering to increase availability of fertilizer in the country. The AfDB just authorized $100 million to help expand production via the Indorama Eleme Complex.

Kenyan Digital Payments Service Cellulant Raises $47.5M in Series C Funding

Cellulant, a digital payments provider based in Kenya currently serving 40 million people in 11 African countries, just landed a record $47.5 million Series C funding round.

UN Refugee Agency Temporarily Suspends Refugee Resettlement in Sudan Over Fraud

Because of fraud and abuse allegations from refugees, the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, has temporarily suspended its refugee resettlement program in Sudan.

Somalia To Establish First Internet Exchange Point (IXP)

Somalia is establishing its first Internet Exchange Point (IXP) in Mogadishu (MogIX). The IXP is being set up in conjunction with the Ministry of Post, Telecom and Technology.

EU Provides EUR 1M Grant for Mango and Fruit Processing Plant in Kenya

The European Union announced a 1 million EURO (Ksh 120,0000,000 million) grant for the Makueni County, Kenya, Mango and fruit processing plant. It is the first county to land an Instrument for Devolution Advice and Support (IDEAS) program grant.

Newton-Mosharafa Fund Launches Egyptian Tour, Seeks Scientists for Grants

The Newton-Mosharafa Fund, a UK-Egypt partnership which helps provide funding for scholarships, research projects and entrepreneurial backing for scientists, is launching its latest tour across Egypt to encourage applicants.

Sgs Selects REDAVIA for Renewable Energy Project in Ghana

SGS, a company headquartered in Geneva which provides inspection, verification, testing and certification services, has been selected by REDAVIA, a solar energy equipment supplier in Munich, to implement its first renewable energy project in Ghana.

Hydropower Developer Voith Opens East Africa Hub in Addis Ababa

German technology group Voith opened a new East Africa hub on May 11, 2018, in Addis Ababa. From there it will be focusing on its active contribution to the development of new hydropower projects throughout the region.

Zambia's High Commissioner to the UK Calls For Creation of Diaspora Bond

His Excellency Mr. Muyeba Chikonde, Zambia's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, has issued a challenge to the Zambian Business Community outside the country to establish a Diaspora Bond to raise capital for investment projects back home.

African Development Bank Debars Individual for 36 Months for Fraud

Robert Akika Ngong has been debarred from applying for loans and/or grants from the Africa Development Bank (AfDB) and other multilateral banks for a minimum of 36 months. This is based on fraud associated with a Bank financing request.

Nigeria Partners with Global Agricultural Equipment Providers to Increase Productivity

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), part of the Federal Government of Nigeria, has established a partnership with the Nigerian Agricultural Mechanization & Equipment Leasing Company (NAMEL) and John Deere Tractors, to improve farmers' access to mechanization and increase agricultural productivity.

SANRAL Announces Ongoing Roadwork on the N2 through March 2019

SANRAL, the South African National Roads Agency, has issued a notice that construction work is currently taking place on the N2 between Toleni (km 15.5) and Ibika (km 44), from Mondays to Saturdays.

Mapcom Paratus Telecom Wins Namibia ISP and OSP Management Contract

Mapcom Systems, a telecommunications service provider based in Virginia, announced a partnership with Paratus, a privately owned Namibian telecommunications operator, for ISP and OSP Management in Namibia.

Gambian Supreme Court Issues Rulings on Press Freedoms

The Gambian Supreme Court issued a decision on May 10 to declare the crime of criminal defamation unconstitutional. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) applauds that, but raised concerns about other segments of the country's criminal code on sedition and false news being upheld.

South Africa Financial Providers Enter the Green Bond Market

The green bond market, still accounting for less than 0.5% of the global bond market according to Moody's, is growing rapidly, especially in emerging markets most at risk of climate change. South Africa is already positioning itself as a leader in such funds.

Commonwealth Conference To Highlight Anti-Corruption Programs In Africa

The Commonwealth Countries in Africa will be showcasing their successes and challenges in recovering millions of dollars from criminal and corrupt officials, during the upcoming 8th Commonwealth Conference on Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa.