Professor Rose-Margaret Ekeng-Itua has become the world’s first Black woman to hold a PhD in Cybernetics, according to The Citizen. A PhD In Cybernetics Ekeng-Itua earned a degree in Cybernetics from the University of Reading in the UK under the supervision of her first PhD supervisor, Prof. Kevin Warwick, also known as Captain Cyborg. Cybernetics is the science of how information is communicated in machines and pieces of electronic equipment, compared with how information is communicated in the brain and nervous system. “Every challenge became fuel for my determination,” she said in an
Nigeria has launched its first multilingual Large Language Model (LLM), announced Minister Bosun Tijani of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy. The initiative took place following a comprehensive four-day AI workshop in Abuja. The multilingual LLM is developed with local AI firm Awarritech, global tech entity DataDotOrg, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Centre for AI and Robotics (NCAIR). Capitalizing on a Growing Market With predictions from Statista that the AI market could reach $890 millon in 2024 and expand to $8.75 billion by 2030, Nigeria’s investment
African tech startup Kubik has announced a $5.2 million seed funding round, making it the first Ethiopian company to raise a multi-million dollar investment in climate and sustainability solutions. Ethiopia’s First Company To Raise Multi-Million Climate Investment Kubik, named the Global Startup of the Year 2023, is an environmental company that uses tech to help countries reduce their carbon and plastic footprint. They turn hard-to-recycle plastic waste into low-cost, low-carbon, interlocking building material by removing environmental waste and creating ultra-durable, safe, affordable buildings. They are on a mission to build dignity through clean and affordable
BuuPass, Kenya’s leading provider of digital travel solutions, has acquired QuickBus, increasing its status as the largest intercity transport booking platform in Africa. Expansion and Innovation By integrating QuickBus’s extensive network, which includes over 5,200 intercity routes across Nigeria and South Africa, BuuPass has broadened its service offerings. This expansion brings an additional 5,000 routes to BuuPass’s platform, pushing its monthly active user accounts to 650,000. The integration also includes onboarding over 100 bus operators and having high-profile online distribution partnerships with major African corporations like FNB, Voda, and MTN. Digital Transformation
Nigeria’s Chowdeck, an on-demand delivery platform, has raised $2.5 million in seed funding to fuel its growth. Chowdeck With households in Nigeria spending nearly 60% of their income on food and the rise of online shopping, Chowdeck aims to make its mark in the space. The platform was founded by Femi Aluko, Olumide Ojo, and Landre Yusuf to offer consumers the option of ordering food and delivering it within an average of 30 minutes. “Ordering food in Nigeria would usually take one or two hours,” Aluko said as he described how his trip to Dubai was one
HyperionDev, a leading South African startup, has raised R95 million (approximately $5 million) to expand tech education. This latest financial infusion is part of a broader R595 million ($31.1 million) investment to accelerate the company’s expansion within South Africa and internationally, particularly in the United Kingdom. Strategic Expansion and Educational Innovation With the new capital, HyperionDev plans to broaden its reach by entering new markets and increasing tech education accessibility across its platforms. A portion of the funds will also support the expansion of the HyperionDev Academy and its scholarship programs. “This
Lafarge Africa Plc has recently launched the Girls in Tech Program to foster a new generation of female innovators. The program seeks to diminish the gender disparities within the tech industry by focusing on empowering young women from host communities in Cross River State, Nigeria. Bridging the Gender Gap in Tech The Girls in Tech Program is designed to provide vital skills and opportunities to ten young women aged 18-25. By introducing them to the technology world, Lafarge Africa aims to create an environment where these women can become self-reliant and influential problem-solvers within
The Folklore, a platform known for connecting global consumers with African brands and diasporic fashion, has secured a substantial $3.4 million seed funding. This round was spearheaded by Benchstrength Ventures, with contributions from Techstars, Black Tech Nation Ventures, and Slauson and Co. Connecting brands with Major Retailers In 2022, Folklore underwent a transformation. Originally a shopping platform showcasing primarly African brands, it now aims to enhance how emerging brands integrate into the retail landscape. “[Brands] would come to me for advice on how to expand their footprint, how to get a loan or how
Intuit is hiring on POCIT. Petagae Butcher is a versatile force in the tech world, currently working as a Staff Technical Program Manager at Intuit. Her introduction to technology started with a love of Super Nintendo in the 90s. She later graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Management Information Systems, initially majoring in Computer Programming, finding her niche bridging the technology and business worlds. Over her 18-year career, she’s garnered a wealth of experience, from software consulting to her current role at Intuit. Born on
SunCulture, a Kenya-based company focused on climate technology, recently raised $12 million to expand its solar-powered irrigation systems across sub-Saharan Africa. The funding is part of a larger $27.5 million Series B round. Revolutionizing Agriculture with Solar Power In many countries around the world, climate change and erratic weather have made it increasingly dificult for farmers to maintain consistent crop yields. SunCulture’s solar-powered irrigation systems aim to help farmers efficiently use water and boost their crop yields, even with unpredictable rainfall. These systems are sustainable and cost-effective alternatives to traditional,
