Communications Minister Solly Malatsi is denying any claims that Elon Musk’s company influenced the planned changes to South Africa’s telecommunications licensing framework. Solly Malatsi denyling claims The claims come after policy changes to allow Equity Equivalent Investment Programmes (EEIPs) as an alternative to existing ownership requirements. But Malatsi claims that these changes were already included in the Democratic Alliance’s 2024 election manifesto and the Government of National Unity’s Medium Term Development Plan, according to Business Insider Africa. Additionally, Committee chairperson Khusela Sangoni alleges that public affairs firm Resolve Communications arranged
The Democratic Republic of Congo is set to launch its first stock exchange in 2027, which will include the Congolese franc and the US dollar. Finance Minister Doudou Fwamba Likunde Li-Botayi told Bloomberg News that the new exchange will allow the country to benefit from the growing demand for crucial minerals that will fuel the AI revolution. “The reality of our economy is that it is strongly dollarized,” Li-Botayi said in an email response, highlighting that more than 95% of total banking system deposits and over 80% of public securities
South Africa is rolling out over 33,000 CCTV cameras, drones, and helicopters, and deploying 13,000 law enforcement officers across Gauteng Province ahead of Tuesday’s anti-migrant protests. The operation, which will cost an estimated R600 million ($35.5 million) will be the largest domestic security operation in recent years, according to Business Insider Africa. The anti-migrant protests The operation comes after concerns from migrant communities who are seeking refuge at embassies and advice in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Some migrants have left their homes and businesses ahead of demonstrations organised by the anti-illegal-immigration movement, March
Kenya plans to create a marketplace for government datasets for commercial use over the next five years. Citizens’ data could be accessed by businesses, researchers, and NGOs through subscriptions, licensing, and data-as-a-service offerings, according to TechPoint. The plans fall under a draft National Data Governance Policy, which would make Kenya the first African country to coomercialise public-sector data on a large scale. The project is set to cost nearly $3.1 million and could commence as soon as next month, according to Semafor. Kenya creating a marketplace for government data The government
CreditChek, a Nigerian credit data company, has raised $600,000 to enter the East African market. Janngo Capital led the round, with participation from previous investor Assembly Investors and new investors Vastly Valuable Ventures and Unipeg Capital. The Nigerian company plans to expand in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. “We’re building the data infrastructure that allows lenders to access richer, more reliable insights,” Kingsley Ibe, co-founder and chief executive of CreditChek, told TechCabal. ‘This funding allows us to scale our infrastructure and partnerships in East Africa, bringing us closer to a future
On Thursday, 4 June, residents in East London protested against a planned data center in Brick Lane. The protest took place outside the SXSW Festival, a week-long event focused on technology, music, and culture. The planned data center and office development is part of a 500 million redevelopment scheme replacing the Truman Brewery, according to Socialist Worker. Plans for the data center The brewery currently consists of pop-up shops, restaurants, and bars. Truman Estates owner Zeloof LLC plans to demolish several buildings around Brick Lane to make way for the
Kenya is seeking KES 2.7 billion ($20.8 million) from the government to develop an AI-powered system to monitor social media. The State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications told the National Assembly’s ICT committee that the tool will help curb misinformation on social media. The AI tool would analyze social media conversations and public opinion on government policies, according to MEXC exchange. Kenya building an AI tool Officials state that the tool will improve the way the government communicates its work to the public, as reported by Techpoint Africa. It would
Uganda’s communications regulator has given Starlink a provisional license to operate in the country, as reported by Techpoint. The license was granted to Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, but Airtel Uganda had previously started testing Starlink’s direct-to-cell (D2C) LEO satellite service. Starlink operating in Uganda Starlink could improve connectivity in locations where terrestrial network infrastructure is limited, as the direct-to-call l technology allows standard mobile handsets to connect directly to satellites without specialized equipment. Airtel Uganda’s testing of the D2C service underscores the growing interest among established telecom operators in
South Africa’s Minister for Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, is planning to introduce legal changes to the country’s Electronic Communications Act to allow Starlink to operate in the country, according to Techpoint. Starlink was blocked from operating in South Africa due to its Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) rules. South Africa created the BEE laws to address racial inequalities stemming from apartheid. The policy is supported by the African National Congress Party (ANC), a political party in South Africa known for its opposition against apartheid. Changes to the Electronic Communications
This Married Couple Built a $38M Haircare Brand. And They Just Raised Capital while Keeping Control.
The Doux, a Black-owned hair care brand, has received a minority investment from VMG Partners, according to WWD. Maya Smith and Brian Smith launched the brand in 2011 as a salon in Germany, where Brian was stationed as a US Air Force veteran. “I opened a salon because at the time, there weren’t really any hair spaces overseas that really focused on curly hair. I started developing [the product line] in 2010, but we launched in 2012, and then when we came back to the States, our official mass launch was
