In a move set to reshape the landscape for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Egypt, Fawry, a pioneer in electronic payments and banking technology, has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with Hulul, backed by WideBot, the leading Arabic-focused conversational AI chatbot building platform in the MENA region.
Under this groundbreaking collaboration, Fawry will integrate its cutting-edge electronic payment systems with Hulul’s services, leveraging AI-driven chatbots to catalyze digital transformation for SMEs. The aim is to empower emerging institutions, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, by providing them with innovative fintech services. This strategic move is poised to fortify their positions within the Egyptian market.
The core of this collaboration lies in Fawry’s commitment to furnish Hulul’s network of SMEs with the latest in fintech innovation. Through an automated chat feature relying on AI, Fawry will create a seamless payment link, facilitating secure electronic transactions. This initiative is anticipated to expedite the digital transformation journey for these enterprises, bolstering their competitiveness and operational efficiency.
The collaboration seeks to combine Fawry’s expertise in payment solutions with Hulul’s advanced AI-driven digital transformation services. This partnership aspires to revolutionize SME operations in the digital realm, offering them comprehensive tools to drive growth, enhance efficiency, and elevate customer experiences.
Hulul, a subsidiary of WideBot Artificial Intelligence, has positioned itself as a critical player in supporting SMEs to navigate the complexities of digital transformation. With an impressive customer base of 35,000 and having processed over a billion messages, Hulul’s services reach more than 60 million customers in over 40 countries. The platform boasts a market presence that spans 20 regional and global partners.
Heba El-Awady, Chief Business Officer at Fawry, expressed the company’s commitment to fostering startups and small businesses across various industries. She emphasized the provision of innovative payment technology services aimed at propelling growth, aligning with the dynamic entrepreneurial landscape in Egypt, and ultimately contributing to the advancement of the Egyptian economy.
Mohamed Nabil, CEO and co-founder of WideBot, expressed pride in the collaboration with Fawry, highlighting their joint efforts to usher in comprehensive changes to the business flow systems of small, medium, and emerging companies. Nabil emphasized the innovative combination of the latest financial technology and artificial intelligence tools, designed to offer an unparalleled experience through secure and innovative services and solutions.
This strategic partnership between Fawry, Hulul, and WideBot is poised to reshape the digital landscape for SMEs, driving economic growth and innovation within the Egyptian market.
Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer, who has several years of experience working in Africa’s burgeoning tech startup industry. He has closed multi-million dollar deals bordering on venture capital, private equity, intellectual property (trademark, patent or design, etc.), mergers and acquisitions, in countries such as in the Delaware, New York, UK, Singapore, British Virgin Islands, South Africa, Nigeria etc. He’s also a corporate governance and cross-border data privacy and tax expert. As an award-winning writer and researcher, he is passionate about telling the African startup story, and is one of the continent’s pioneers in this regard.
Michael Chiangi Gbagir, a Nigerian national has won the Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition’s Best Educator Award for his initiative ‘EcoPower Adventure’, which engages different communities through interactive learning activities, such as energy scavenger hunts.
The Commonwealth Secretariat announced the award winners at a high-level event, hosted in partnership with the governments of Fiji and Zambia during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai this week.
Additionally, Bangladesh’s Areebah Armin Ahsan and Pakistan’s Sarah Shahbaz Khan received awards for their outstanding short stories: ‘Tragedy to Triumph: Biogas in Daria Nagar’ and ‘Mud-coated Walls and Sandy Dunes’, respectively.
In the category of the best technical solution, Uganda’s Michael Okao, Darius Ogwang and Joshua Elem were recognised for their solar concentrator that harnesses renewable energy for clean cooking.
The event also saw the launch of a new report, which shows that young people, who are among those most at risk of the impacts of climate change, are not accessing the funds they need to tackle the challenges posed by global warming.
DECEMBER 1: World Heads of State pose for a group photo at Al Wasl during the UN Climate Change Conference COP28 at Expo City Dubai on December 1, 2023, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by COP28 / Mahmoud Khaled)
The joint report by the Commonwealth Secretariat and YOUNGO, the children and youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), analysed 100 climate finance initiatives targeted at young people.
While it shows an increase in youth-focused climate finance, funds are mainly disbursed in small amounts, hindering large-scale youth-led climate action. In addition, the audit information provided by funders lacked full transparency, especially about beneficiaries and what projects were funded.
In response, the report calls for a fit-for-purpose approach to deploying climate finance for youth-led actions to remove existing barriers and ensure young people receive a fair share of support.
The proposed solutions include targeted reporting, a streamlined process for accessing funds with a focus on clear eligibility criteria, increased private sector support and new innovative financing sources.
Climate finance, a core part of the Paris Agreement, is provided to help developing countries cut greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Speaking at the event, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, said that “Young people, who make up 60 per cent of Commonwealth citizens, are on the frontline of the climate crisis, living mostly in areas prone to extreme weather events.
“As a result, many are facing job losses, displacement, health issues and educational setbacks. In the face of adversity, the resilience of young people shines through as they harness their drive and talent to lead on powerful climate solutions.”
She added that “This report reveals the dire need to scale up financial support for young people and prevent them from being stuck in the vicious cycle of chasing funds. We must work together with young people to address the barriers they face in accessing climate finance and support them in scaling contributions to meeting climate targets. This is essential to our belief that youth-led action is integral to our pursuit for a sustainable future for all.”
Collins Nzovu, Zambia’s Minister of Green Economy and Environment, said: “The future belongs to the children, and we should do everything possible to ensure we leave a liveable climate for them. We realise we need to pass the baton of leadership to the youth. We are increasing our support to the youth to take leadership which demonstrates our unwavering support for the Commonwealth Year of the Youth.”
The minister urged youth to use their energy, presence, connections and innovation to drive the change needed to save the planet.
In his remarks, Naipote Tako Katonitabua, Fiji’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, said: “The world is facing unprecedented impacts of climate change the global stocktake has shown us how far behind we are in our climate ambitions.”
“We need dramatic actions to benefit our climate and we need them now,” he added. “Youth inclusion at all levels in climate action including at political level is necessary to ensure the sustainability of our efforts.”
The ‘Availability of Climate Finance for Youth’ report will inform the Commonwealth Secretariat’s ongoing work, especially its Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub, which has supported small and vulnerable countries to access about $322 million of climate finance for projects to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry
The Global Black Impact Summit (GBIS), a highly anticipated event celebrating #BlackExcellence and fostering global unity, is set to address a critical topic at its upcoming edition: the importance of dedicated Black platforms that create opportunities for Black talent. Taking place next February in Dubai, the summit will bring together global leaders, influencers, entrepreneurs and visionaries to tackle the underrepresentation of Black individuals and drive transformative change.
The summit highlights opportunities for Black talents across industries, ranging from business and the arts to technology and academia. By establishing dedicated platforms that foster inclusivity, GBIS aims to promote growth, visibility and success for Black individuals, with a view to building a more equitable landscape.
One of the key themes of the summit is the power of Black platforms. These platforms, which include media outlets, talent showcases, online communities and networking events, play a vital role in providing visibility, recognition and support to Black talent. They create spaces in which Black individuals can showcase their skills, connect with like-minded professionals and inspire the next generation.
The summit will also emphasize the importance of creating meaningful opportunities within the global Black community. This includes advocating for more inclusive hiring practices and implementing mentorship programs, scholarships and investment initiatives for Black individuals. By nurturing diversity and innovation, these opportunities not only stand to benefit Black talents, but also to contribute to the overall success of industries and society.
One such platform is nonprofit organization Black Girls Code, which was founded to increase the representation of Black girls and women in the fields of computer programming and technology. The organization supports aspiring individuals with skills, training and resources and partners with schools and local organizations. Similarly, Black Creatives, an online community and platform, celebrates and showcases the work of Black artists, designers, photographers and creatives across various disciplines.
In addition to these initiatives, platforms like Black Owned Everything aim to foster meaningful and lasting engagement with Black-owned businesses. This initiative creates a supportive ecosystem for Black entrepreneurs and small businesses to flourish.
Against this backdrop, GBIS will unite the brightest minds, experts and leaders from around the globe and across industries. Prepare to engage in thought-provoking discussions that will challenge conventional thinking and ignite innovative ideas. The carefully curated lineup of speakers will share their invaluable insights, experiences and strategies, giving delegates a front-row seat to the secret to establishing successful platforms that amplify Black voices and talents.
The upcoming summit isn’t about passive learning. Brace yourself for interactive workshops where attendees will roll up their sleeves and dive headfirst into immersive activities. These hands-on sessions will equip you with practical tools and techniques and actionable strategies, ensuring that you walk away with the knowledge and skills required to make a real impact.
Ensure you don’t miss the chance to participate in the worldwide initiative that celebrates #BlackExcellence. Engage in discussions on unity, cooperation and recognition by joining the Global Black Impact Summit, taking place in Dubai in February 2024.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry
Petrodel Resources Ltd. , a leading energy company in the development of oil and gas reserves, confirms Tanzania’s Minister of Energy, has approved the assignment of 74% interest in the Tanga block from Afren Tanzania Ltd. to Octant Energy Tanzania Ltd. in accordance with Section 86(2) of the Petroleum Act 2015.
The parties Petrodel (26%) and Octant (the operator – 74%) can now move into the final 3-year period and shall focus on applying state of the art technology to reprocess the 3D seismic survey of Tanga acquired in 2013.
The Tanga block is optimally located as it includes a deep basin with a very thick sedimentary section that has the potential to host several source rock intervals and reservoir/seal pairings. Potential petroleum plays recognised to date are Lower Cretaceous sands deposited in deltaic to shallow marine environments, Upper Cretaceous submarine fans, Eocene shelf sands and Miocene fluvial and deltaic sands. Both structural and stratigraphic traps have been identified by previous mapping campaigns.
Medard Matogolo Kalemani
Oil seeps and shows encountered in previous wells drilled on the nearby Pemba Island attest to the oil potential of the block and surrounding area. Previous interpretations have indicated the likely presence of several giant (>100 MMB) prospects within the Tanga block.
Speaking on the development, Michael J Prest, Founder and Chief Executive of Petrodel, said that “Petrodel had been a first mover in Tanzania and was awarded Tanga, Latham & Kimbiji exploration licences under competitive tender. We farmed out an interest to Afren and so we are delighted with what is a most positive and significant development and we look forward to working with our partner Octant in realising Tanga’s significant potential.”
Petrodel was awarded Tanga, Kimbiji and Latham licenses in Tanzania in 2006. Tanzania is home to sub-Saharan Africa’s second largest gas resources, with reserves estimated at 57.5 trillion cubic feet.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry
A majority of Africans say that corruption in their country is rising, that their government is failing in its efforts to fight it, and that ordinary citizens risk retaliation if they report corruption to the authorities, Afrobarometer’s latest Pan-Africa Profile reveals.
Released ahead of International Anti-Corruption Day (9 December), the Afrobarometer report is based on nationally representative surveys in 39 African countries.
Findings show that among key public institutions, the police are most widely perceived as corrupt. In substantial numbers, citizens report having to pay bribes to obtain police assistance or avoid problems with the police, as well as to get government documents and services at health facilities and schools.
Citizens’ assessments vary widely across countries, with Gabon, South Africa, Nigeria, Liberia, and Uganda among the worst-performing countries when it comes to perceived corruption in key public institutions, while Seychelles, Cabo Verde, Tanzania, and Mauritius turn in the best performances.
On average across 39 countries, a majority (58%) of Africans say corruption increased “somewhat” or “a lot” in their country during the preceding year.
Compared to 2014/2015, 12 countries recorded double-digit increases in perceptions of worsening corruption, including a surge of 39 percentage points in Senegal, while decreases reached a remarkable 61 points in Benin.
More than two-thirds (68%) of citizens say “some” or “a lot” of the resources intended to address the COVID-19 pandemic were lost to corruption.
Almost half (46%) of Africans say that “most” or “all” police officials are corrupt, the worst rating among 11 institutions and leaders the survey asked about. Tax officials, civil servants, and officials in the Presidency tie for second-worst, at 38% .
Among citizens who sought selected public services during the previous year, substantial proportions say they had to pay a bribe to obtain police assistance (36%), to avoid problems with the police (37%), to get a government document (31%), or to receive services at a public medical facility (20%) or a public school (19%).
Self-reported bribe-paying varies widely across countries. For example, obtaining a government document required a bribe from 68% of applicants in Congo-Brazzaville, compared to 1% in Cabo Verde and Seychelles.
Two in three Africans (67%) say their government is doing a poor job of fighting corruption. Only one in four Africans (26%) say people can report corruption to the authorities without fear of retaliation.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry
Tony Elumelu Foundation Hosts US Administration, WTO, UNDP, IFC, UNICEF, Rockefeller Foundation Leaders; Champions equitable partnerships to catalyse a new generation of green entrepreneurs; Announces partnership to fund young African entrepreneurs in Green sector with Ikea Foundation, Dutch Government, and UNICEF Generation Unlimited; Secures commitments to support Africa’s youth to drive climate resilience from World Trade Organisation, World Bank, UNDP, Government of Sweden, IFC, US State Department, and others.
At a series of events across COP28, Tony Elumelu delivered a single message to world leaders: Africa needs to be heard, Africa’s future is the world’s future and the continent that is most impacted by and the least contributor to climate change, needs our attention. With African youth set to make up one third of global population later this century, the future of Africa’s youth, entrepreneurial, ambitious, resilient, needs to be given the highest priority.
Elumelu offered the infrastructure and experience of his own Foundation’s 10 year $100m entrepreneurship programme to partners, to catalyse a further generation of African entrepreneurs; entrepreneurs who can address climate change and drive the broader wealth creation that Africa requires. Reaching and funding young entrepreneurs in every African country, the Elumelu approach of sector agnostic seed funding, mentoring, and networking has delivered robust impact.
Tony Elumelu, founder, Tony Elumelu foundation
The annual COP UN Climate Change Conferences unites the world to assess progress in combatting climate change. Elumelu is one of Africa’s leading advocates for an equitable agenda for climate action and through the Tony Elumelu Foundation has empowered thousands of green entrepreneurs, shaping a more sustainable future for Africa.
The Tony Elumelu Foundation, in partnership with the United Bank for Africa (UBA), hosted a high-level session, bringing together Africans, and key players in the Gulf, Europe, and Americas, where UBA operates, underscoring the urgent need for innovative approaches to climate adaptation and mitigation, while fostering sustainable development, and bringing attention to Africa’s unique position.
Speakers included Dr. Okonjo Iweala, Director General, World Trade Organization; Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa, UNDP, Kevin Frey, CEO, UNICEF Generation Unlimited; Sergio Pimenta, VP Africa, IFC; Wendy Teleki, Head of the Women Entrepreneurs Financial Initiative, World Bank; Adam Wang-Levine, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Climate; Joseph Nganga, Vice President, Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, Rockefeller Foundation; Hassan Al Hashemi, VP International Relations, Dubai Chambers; Serge Ekué, Chairman, West African Development Bank (BOAD); Muyiwa Akinyemi, Deputy Group Managing Director, United Bank for Africa; and Mattias Frumerie, Swedish Climate Ambassador and Head of Delegation, UNFCCC.
“Addressing climate change is the paramount challenge of our era. The urgency is unmistakable.” Elumelu stated. “It is critical that Africa, as a continent, and African voices, play a key role in global climate conversations, as meaningful participants, and no longer as bystanders. Africa is least responsible and is disproportionately impacted by climate change. I am investing in a generation of green entrepreneurs, and we are extending the hand of partnership, so that others can benefit and use the infrastructure and platform we have created to reach entrepreneurs across Africa.”
Elumelu represented the African private sector at the 2023 New Global Financing Pact in Paris at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, and the Climate Finance Mobilisation Forum in London, at the invitation of King Charles III of the United Kingdom and U.S. President Biden. At the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78) in New York, the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) launched a first-of-its-kind Green Entrepreneurship Programme, the #BeGreenAfrica Initiative, in partnership with the IKEA Foundation, Dutch Government and UNICEF GenU, to support green entrepreneurship and youth development.
Tony Elumelu Entrepreneur from Madagascar in the green economy, Marie-Christiana Kola, shared a compelling impact story. “As a beneficiary of the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship programme, I was able to create a recycled and 100% biodegradable hand soap made with waste cooked oil – the number one water polluter of water in African urban cities. These soaps do not only protect the environment, but they are also solidarity soaps. I was also able to attend the COP27 conference in Egypt, where I won the Innovation Prize. Today, I have employed over 30 people because of the Tony Elumelu Foundation.”
Speaking at the TEF #COP28 high-level event, Dr. Okonjo Iweala, DG, World Trade Organisation stated, “I am proud of what my brother, Tony Elumelu, has done in empowering and inspiring so many young entrepreneurs. We have no choice; the future is green. The future of growth is two things – it is green, and it must be inclusive. I am very interested in partnerships with organisations like TEF.”
Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa, UNDP added, “The reason why UNDP associated itself with the Tony Elumelu Foundation years ago is because of the leadership and courage of the Foundation to trust and invest in young Africans. It was one of the first organisation to do so at that scale.”
The Foundation partnered with the UNDP to empower thousands in the Sahel, with an ambitious project to impact the lives one million young Africans.
Sergio Pimenta, VP, Africa at the IFC, also stated, “Tony, I salute you and your Foundation for what you have been doing to support young entrepreneurs in Africa. The IFC has deployed $2billion in funding for African SMEs in the last fiscal year and we are very excited to be able to do more, working with you.”
Kevin Frey, CEO UNICEF Generation Unlimited added, “With TEF, we have moved in a concerted way into the entrepreneurial space. Generation Unlimited now have a flagship programme with the Tony Elumelu Foundation called #BeGreenAfrica, launched in Kenya, and now with the support of the IKEA Foundation and the Dutch Government, we have scaled to Nigeria, Morocco, South Africa, and Senegal. We will train and seed 500 green entrepreneurs this year in the pilot project across those countries. So Tony, thank you so much, you are right it is all about partnerships.”
Wendy Teleki, Head of the Women Entrepreneurs Financial Initiative at the World Bank, announced, “Our women-focused initiative has been able to secure $3.6 billion to finance women entrepreneurs in 67 countries across the world, and is set to launch a new programme focused on financing African women entrepreneurs to drive the continent’s green energy transition, and we are keen to work with the Tony Elumelu Foundation.”
Mattias Frumerie, Swedish Climate Ambassador and Head of UNFCCC Delegation stated, “My Government and I commend the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s incredible impact across Africa, and will facilitate connections between the Tony Elumelu Foundation, and the Swedish embassies across Africa to drive innovation, digitalisation, and green-energy transition, which promises to bring about new jobs and growth.”
Adam Wang-Levine, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Climate, added” Before coming to the United States Treasury, I was working in venture capital, and I know first-hand that it is incredibly important what the Tony Elumelu Foundation is doing. I have seen two pillars of their work – financing and the mentorship – just as I have seen with Silicon Valley, which helps to drive innovation and jobs creation. We are excited to begin partnership conversations.”
Muyiwa Akinyemi, Deputy GMD, United Bank for Africa, announced, “For us, UBA, we give market access into 20 geographies in Africa. Everything that we do is around Africa, and that is why we have partnered with the Afrexim Bank to launch the $6billion fund for SMEs with a focus on import substitution, working in four key areas including climate emission reduction.”
Earlier in the day, Tony Elumelu joined Ajay Banga, President of World Bank Group; Brian Moynihan, Chair of the Board and CEO of Bank of America; Ms. Ruth Porat, President, Alphabet and Google; and Ms. Laurene Powell Jobs, Founder & President of Emerson Collective as a panelist in a session titled “Big, Audacious and Green: A Convergence of Visionaries”, moderated by Børge Brende, President of World Economic Forum.
On Sunday December 3 Mr. Tony Elumelu, also participated in a fireside conversation with Ms. Teresa Ribera, Vice President of the Government of Spain and Minister for Ecological Transition and Demographic Change, moderated by Sec. Hillary Rodham Clinton, and with closing remarks from Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry
In commemoration of International Youth Day 2023, LEAP Africa , one of Africa’s leading non-profit organizations focused on youth leadership development; Dow, a global leader in materials science; and other strategic partners within the youth ecosystem announced the successful conclusion of the 2023 Youth Day of Service (YDoS) campaign, reaching 28 African countries and over 10,000 volunteers across different communities on the continent.
The month-long campaign, which kicked off on August 12 through 31, brought together young individuals to highlight the power and potential of their collective action in achieving a sustainable future through volunteerism and community service. These volunteers joined forces to tackle challenges and implement projects, including tree planting, painting, food drives, beach cleaning, digital sensitisation, medical outreach, prison outreach, and more in their communities. All of the executed projects were aligned with the 17 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Sami Mainich, President, Dow Africa
Kehinde Ayeni, Executive Director, LEAP Africa in her comment, expressed LEAP Africa’s commitment to the actualization of the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs). She said, “Now in its fourth year, the Youth Day of Service campaign provides a platform for us to mobilize young people across the continent, re-orientating them with the theme “Youthful and Useful” and galvanizing them to commit their skills, talents, time and resources for the greater good of their communities”. She also emphasized that the partnership with Dow to support young people is a testament to how the campaign continues to scale, year in and year out.
“To Africa’s youth, I say: keep building the Africa you want,” said Sami Mainich, President, Dow Africa. “We at Dow are proud to have partnered with LEAP Africa once more to galvanize and support the thousands of youths from communities across Africa who came together to make a difference. Through their service projects, they have demonstrated the power of the youth in addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing our continent, from climate change to poverty to education inequality. The youth matter and they are the changemakers of tomorrow. Dow is committed to continuing working with them to create a more sustainable, prosperous, and equitable Africa for all.”
The month-long campaign registered projects across different communities in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Algeria, Benin Republic, Burundi, Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Liberia, Malawi, Madagascar, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, The Gambia, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Key highlights of the 2023 campaign include – a Pan African SDGs press briefing, a Stakeholder Forum, and an SDGs Walkathon, held in Nairobi, Kenya; a Qrate Period tour in South Africa; an Afforestation and Land Restoration project in Ghana; a Biodiversity Project in North Africa; and other community projects across the continent. This year, all 17 SDGs were covered by the 10,511 volunteers who engaged in 301 projects, including 27 cleanups. A total of 812,951.51 tonnes of waste were removed through waste recycling and collection efforts, and 7983 trees were planted across all key regions in Africa.
The fourth edition of the Youth Day of Service (YDoS) campaign was supported by various organizations across Africa, including ChildFund International, Emerging Leaders Foundation, BellaNaija, Forgotten Bottom Millions, Legit, Zikoko Citizen, W4 Immerse, Dotts Media, African Climate Reality Project, Strategic Youth Network for Development Ghana, Youth Development Organization, Zambia and Global Shapers Community, among others.
For 21 years, Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability, and Professionalism (LEAP) Africa has stayed true to its mission to equip a new cadre of African leaders. LEAP Africa achieves this through its training programmes, research publications, convenings, and, most recently, e-learning. Our programme interventions focus on two core thematic pillars—raising talents to actualise the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Making Secondary Education Work in Africa. Through all these, our overall objective is to change youth’s mindset, equipping them to lead ethically, motivating them to deliver positive changes in their communities, and building sustainable social enterprises for socio-economic transformation.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry
Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) 5G is emerging as the technology of choice for closing the remaining digital divide in Africa and bringing the educational, entertainment, business and lifestyle benefits of fast broadband to a much wider population in Africa. This will lead to a 5G boom for the African telecoms sector over the next five years, as operators race to reach more people with 5G connectivity.
5G is key to rolling out broadband services in Africa that can support tomorrow’s most demanding applications at scale, at a cost that will be commercially viable for operators and affordable for consumers.
Africa still experiences significant gaps in connectivity, with only 25% of the population currently using the mobile internet, according to the GSM Association (GSMA) (https://apo-opa.co/3RzrsWx). 5G offers an opportunity for currently excluded people and regions to leapfrog to the latest and fastest mobile connectivity, with the GSMA (https://apo-opa.co/3T9IzPP) forecasting that 5G will grow from around 1% of total connections in Africa today to 22% by 2030.
Rami Osman, Director for Business Development, MediaTek Middle East and Africa
Enabling true broadband speeds without fibre
With speeds around 10-fold than 4G as well as lower latencies, 5G can enable consumers that don’t have access to fibre to enjoy true broadband speeds and performance for the first time. This will enable them to have a better experience on applications such as 4K video for videoconferencing and streaming, multiplayer gaming and cloud-based productivity applications.
Looking to the near-future, 5G will allow consumers to also use next-generation applications such as 8K video, augmented and virtual reality, cloud gaming, advanced internet of things and artificial intelligence applications in the smart home, school, workplace, and car. This will help to integrate Africa into the digital world economy on a more even footing.
Fibre to the home penetration in Africa is estimated to be only around 5% (https://apo-opa.co/3uGfVLR) and older FWA solutions such as LTE and WiMax have struggled to gain traction on the continent. However, FWA 5G enables operators to deploy the connectivity technology in communities where fibre isn’t commercially viable.
It is possible to deploy 5G with capital expenditure per user that is a fraction of digging trenches and laying down fibre, especially in areas where there are already mobile towers. This makes FWA 5G a highly attractive option for Africa’s mobile operators.
Unlocking growth for operators
With high levels of mobile penetration in Africa, most mobile operators are now seeking new growth opportunities. Targeting the connected home and business with FWA services enables them to create new revenue streams by adding multiple new devices and users to their networks.
Spectrum allocation is currently the major barrier to wider deployment of 5G in many parts of the continent. But governments and regulators recognise that unblocking access to spectrum will unleash considerable economic and social benefits. We are thus optimistic that we’ll see a lot of 5G activity over the next couple of years.
Superior consumer experiences
From a consumer perspective, dedicated 5G FWA is a far superior option to using a mobile hotspot. While many African subscribers are using a mobile hotspot from their phone for internet access, the user experience isn’t as good as a dedicated connection. It’s annoying to lose your connection when you get a voice call, plus, battery life tends to run out faster when you’re hotspotting.
Leading operators are using platforms such as the MediaTek T750 (https://apo-opa.co/4abeUvv) and MediaTek T830 (https://apo-opa.co/41ebhAT) to create dedicated 5G FWA consumer premises equipment (CPE). These full-featured systems-on-chip (SoCs) enable device makers to build extremely high-performance multi-gigabit CPE products, such as fixed wireless access (FWA) routers and mobile hotspots (Mi-Fi), in the smallest form factors possible.
The benefits of 5G FWA for Africa are clear. Operators can deploy high-speed broadband using already installed cellular infrastructure and avoiding the costs of laying down cables and users can get superfast internet services from a compact device that they can self-install. This will help to close the digital divide by addressing the significant gaps that still exist in the last mile in many parts of Africa.
Rami Osman is the Director for Business Development, MediaTek Middle East and Africa.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry
Boeing has appointed Henok Teferra Shawl as the new managing director for Boeing Africa to strengthen the company’s operations and relationships across the African continent. Based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Henok Teferra Shawl reports to Kuljit Ghata-Aura, president of Boeing Middle East, Türkiye, Africa, and Central Asia (METACA). In his new role, Teferra will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where Boeing plans to open an office early 2024.
With an impressive career history in aviation, regulatory affairs and government relations, Teferra Shawl is positioned to be a strategic leader driving Boeing’s continued success in Africa. Previously, he was vice president of strategic planning and alliances at Ethiopian Airlines, and the chief operating officer and board member of ASKY Airlines. Additionally, Teferra Shawl served as the ambassador of Ethiopia to France, Spain, Portugal, Monaco, and the Holy See, contributing significantly to the promotion of Ethiopia’s interests and the enhancement of bilateral relations. Teferra Shawl joins Boeing from Safaricom Telecommunication Ethiopia, where he was chief external affairs and regulatory officer.
Henok Teferra Shawl
“With Boeing airplanes serving as the backbone of Africa’s commercial fleet for over 75 years, Boeing also is playing an active role in enabling the growth of Africa’s aerospace industry by investing in talent, promoting innovation and assisting in the development of an industrial and manufacturing base,” said Kuljit Ghata-Aura, president of Boeing METACA. “We are delighted to have Henok Teferra Shawl join our team. With his exceptional background in aviation and government relations, we are confident in his ability to champion our mission in the African market.”
The appointment of Teferra Shawl complements the efforts of the Boeing Commercial Airplanes team led by Anbessie Yitbarek, vice president, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Sales and Marketing in Africa. His team is dedicated to serving African customers and further expanding Boeing’s presence in the region.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry
The Leadership of Parliament has renewed its commitment to the fight against corruption in what the Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, referred to as ‘checking ourselves first’. Tayebwa said the institution is ready to deal with corrupt tendencies among its members, should they be found guilty as they discharge their duties.
“As an institution, we have decided that even if it means exposing ourselves, we have to do it and correct the record. We cannot say we are Parliament, and so we cannot check ourselves,” said Tayebwa, adding, “If there are members involved in corruption through the budgeting process, through sitting on accountability reports, they are going to be exposed”.
Tayebwa, who was represented the First Lady, Janet Museveni, was officiating at the second national conference on Ethics and Morality held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on Wednesday, 06 December 2023.
The Chancellor of Makerere University, Ezra Suruma
The Conference was organized by Parliamentary Forum on Ethics and Integrity chaired by Hon. James Nsaba Buturo.
Tayebwa commended the Forum for championing the efforts to restore morality in the society, a fight he said must be continuous.
“The fight for morality and ethics is the fight for renewal where you cannot say ‘I am now morally upright’, and then you sleep. I am happy that you have kept this fight, you have stood for a very justifiable cause, and I know history will judge you rightly,” he said.
Tayebwa observed that the fight against immorality resonates with Parliament’s oversight role which he said has been renewed starting with the institution itself.
“I recently went through reports of Parliament, and found out instances where an accountability committee overseeing 124 entities, has been handling only 10 entities for the last four years,” said Tayebwa.
He asked, “Why are the rest not touched, are they the fatty ones? Do you have special interests [why], you must go for Uganda National Roads Authority [and] Kampala Capital City Authority? What about the rest where the auditor general has raised pertinent and persistent questions?”
Tayebwa was concerned that the money lost through corruption could bridge the national budgetary deficits, giving an example of the recent media reports on money allocated to ‘ghost students.’
“If you did a thorough audit, I believe that money allocated to ghost students can sort out the gaps in funding. I saw police doing their audit, and I hope we can do it in the education sector,” he said. Tayebwa delivered the First Lady’s speech, who called for promoting patriotism, a spirit she said would counter the growing culture of selfishness, dishonesty, and eventual corruption.
“Today, we live in an era where the culture of the end justifies the means seems to be the mantra for most Ugandans. Consequently, a society full of selfish and dishonest individuals, presents the next generation with the vicious cycle of moral degradation and corruption,” read Museveni’s speech.
Hon. Nsaba Buturo made a case for the need to restore ethics and morality, saying nations that are more developed have institutions influenced by ethics and morality.
“In more developed nations, the way of life of citizens as well as governance and institutions are richly informed by ethical and moral values. These have been molded for many years by education, culture, and uncompromising law enforcement regime and incorruptible institutions,” said Buturo Nsaba.
The keynote speaker, the Chancellor of Makerere University, Ezra Suruma, called for the inclusion of subjects on ethics and morality at all levels of education. “In every school term and for all the 12 years of education, subjects on ethics and morality should be taught. They should be included in the national curriculum,” said Suruma.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry
