References to DEI on annual reports of FTSE 100 companies in the UK have declined, according to The Observer. Mentions of DEI, as well as the number of pages containing the phrase and revisions on it, fell by more than 16% compared to the annual reports for 85 companies in 2023 and 2024. While references to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and revisions on the term decreased by 22%, the data points to influence from the US after President Trump revoked a six-decade-old executive order that prohibited workplace discrimination by
Starlink has received the green light to begin operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following a previous ban. Reuters reported that the Democratic Republic of Congo said that it had become the latest African country to grant a license to Starlink. In March 2024, the Congolese government announced that Starlink was banned from operating in the country, following concerns from military officials that it could be used by rebel groups, such as the Rwandan-backed M23, which had taken over more territory than ever in the east of the country
Nigerian startup Salpha Energy has raised $1.3 million in funding from All On, an impact investment firm supported by Shell. Salpha Energy is the only female-founded startup that runs a solar home system assembly facility in sub-Saharan Africa, according to Distrupt Africa. The company is dedicated to providing affordable and reliable solar power to underserved communities across Africa. Having local manufacturing capacity enables the company to manage product quality and design more effectively, while also generating employment opportunities in the area. $1.3 million funding from All On The fund will be
Krisp has announced the launch of AI Accent Conversion for Latin America, making it the first AI-powered voice provider to offer accent conversion services in the region. The noise cancellation app supports five Latin American English accents that represent around 85% of Spanish speakers across the major dialect groups in Latin America. This includes Mexican and Central American Spanish, Caribbean Spanish, Andean Spanish, and Standard Spanish. “By supporting the most widely spoken Latin American English accents, we’re not just improving call clarity but helping to bridge cultural and linguistic gaps
The Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) has officially approved Moniepoint Inc.’s acquisition of a 78% stake in Sumac Microfinance Bank Limited. Sumac is a well-established Kenyan microfinance institution that offers a range of services, including lending, deposit-taking, insurance, and foreign exchange trading. This move will enable the Nigerian fintech to expand into East Africa. Moniepoint expanding in East Africa This acquisition is Moniepoint’s first official entry into Kenya’s financial services scene. “The transaction is unlikely to negatively impact competition in the market for provision of microfinance banking services in Kenya, nor
Ghana has signed a $1 billion deal with the United Arab Emirates to build an innovation hub in Accra. The hub, which will span 25 square kilometers in Ningo Prampram, Greater Accra, is fully funded by the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), as stated by Impact News. Ghana will provide the land, while PCFC will bring the capital, technology, and global partnerships. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. Transforming Ghana into Africa’s next artificial intelligence nerve
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has begun seizing Starlink equipment from local resellers as part of a crackdown aimed at reducing the illegal use of Starlink in the country. “Icasa has taken note, with serious concern, of recent reports alleging that Starlink may be offering its services within the Republic of South Africa without the requisite authorization,” the sector regulator said. Cracking down on the illegal use of Starlink The internet satellite company does not have a license to operate in South Africa as it refuses to
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) is investigating the alleged illegal use of Starlink in the country. On Wednesday, Icasa stated that it has formally engaged with SpaceX and is currently awaiting a response, according to Bloomberg. “Icasa has taken note, with serious concern, of recent reports alleging that Starlink may be offering its services within the Republic of South Africa without the requisite authorization,” the sector regulator said. It adds: “To this end, Icasa has published a general notice reiterating that all entities offering electronic communications services
Construction tech startup Litehaus has raised €1.46 million ($1.58 million) in a pre-seed round co-led by Cornerstone VC and Explorer Fund. Claster Group and angel investor Pascal Levy also participated in the pre-seed round. The fund will help simplify the home-building process in Europe. Husband-and-wife duo Thibault and Simi Launay set out to buy a house in Portugal nearly five years ago. However, they faced a 14-month delay, 20% budget overruns, and mismanagement involving over 10 subcontractors. “We realized if we’re struggling with this, so are millions of others,” Thibault told
Nigerian fintech startup, Carrot Credit, has raised $4.2 million in seed funding to expand its credit platform across Africa. The startup offers users loans backed by digital investment assets, including stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and cryptocurrencies. The funding round was led by US-based MaC Venture Capital, with participation from Authentic Ventures, as reported by TechCabal. What does Carrot Credit do? Carrot Credit is a digital lending platform that enables individuals to borrow money without selling their investment portfolios, including ETFs, bonds, or cryptocurrencies. It was founded by Bolu Aiki-Raji in
