Idris Elba has been allocated land in Zanzibar, a Tanzanian archipelago, to establish a film studio. The British actor, with roots in Sierra Leone and Ghana, has announced several ambitious projects to highlight Africa’s potential on a global scale. These include a film studio in Ghana and a smart eco-city in Sierra Leone. Expanding the African Film Industry with New Studios Elba’s investments are particularly focused on tourism and entertainment, areas he believes can significantly boost the continent’s economic growth. One of his most significant projects is the development of
Cadana has raised $7.1 million in seed funding this year. Launched in 2021, the startup allows global workforces to integrate payments and payroll management into their systems. Cadana According to the company, the world’s largest payroll platforms and talent marketplaces use Cadana’s APIs to build compliant hiring products in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Founders Albert Owusu-Asare and Ameer Shujjah, who are originally from Ghana and Pakistan, gained years of experience working at Amazon, Esusu, and Goldman Sachs before founding the company. Although the pair appreciated their version of the
Ghana is setting the stage to become Africa’s first blockchain-powered government in a move towards digital transparency. The initiative, supported by Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, aims for a future where digital accountability could potentially save billions lost to corruption annually. Blockchain for Enhanced Governance During the 14th Regional Conference and Annual General Meeting of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa, held in Accra, Bawumia highlighted the potential of blockchain technology in governance. Bawumia argued that Blockchain’s qualities—like immutability and transparency—make it an ideal candidate for enhancing governmental operations, particularly
Ghana’s telco regulator has issued a warning against the sale and operation of Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet service. Starlink has yet to obtain a license or type approval in the West African country, but citizens appear to be purchasing kits through intermediaries. Starlink in Ghana Starlink is an internet satellite constellation operated by American aerospace company SpaceX, providing coverage to over 60 countries. Spearheaded by Elon Musk, Starlink is a network of satellites that promises to provide high-speed, low-cost internet access to remote and underserved areas. Although SpaceX only
A Surf Ghana event with several panellists including Sandy Alibo. A Vibrate poster is visible on the wall.
Ghana-based construction company, LMI Holdings, has partnered with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to enhance Ghana’s solar technology. The partnership, which will see the IFC loan the company $30 million, will provide dozens of businesses with solar technology and essential infrastructure needed to boost their productivity. The funding will also enhance water development services in the Sub-Saharan African region. LMI Holdings, founded by Kojo Aduhene, is a private power distribution company that works to provide a reliable infrastructure for businesses in Africa. The organization’s commitment to building a 16.8-megawatt rooftop solar plant
The community-led startup Afropolitan, also known as the company behind “The Year of Return” event in Ghana, has raised $2.1 million (£1.8 million) in pre-seed funding to bring its vision to life, with Srinivasan being one of its investors. The funding round, which saw African-based VC firms Atlantica Ventures and Microtraction participate, also included angel investors Balaji Srinivasan, Elizabeth Yin of Hustle Fund, and Iyinoluwa Aboyeji of Future Africa. Afropolitan, co-founded by Eche Emole and Chika Uwazie in 2016, works to create community-led events for Africans and those in the
Ghanaian startup Float has picked up a significant round of funding with $17M already in the bag in the first few weeks of the year. The fintech which provides credit lines for businesses says the funding will be used to bolster its offerings and expand around the globe. The seed round was a mix of $7 million equity and $10 million debt. While Cauris provided debt financing, Tiger Global and JAM Fund, the investment firm of Tinder co-founder Justin Mateen co-led the equity bit. Other VC firms involved in the equity round include Kinfolk,
An African healthcare startup running several hospitals has secured $18 million in a Series A round. These funds will build its “tech-forward healthcare system” across Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria. The funding round for Africal Health Holdings, led by Asia Pacific Land/Natural World Limited, saw the participation of several investors, including TRB Advisors, Breyer Capital, M3, Inc., Valiant Capital, Kepple Ventures, and SUNU Capital. Based in West Africa, Africa Health Holdings will use the new capital to expand its telemedicine service beyond Ghana to countries like Nigeria and Kenya. The startup’s MyCareMobile
MPharma, a Ghanaian health tech startup is set to open 100 virtual centers across seven markets in Africa over the next six months. The company, founded by CEO Gregory Rockson, has the goal to deliver quality primary care in the communities they serve by providing medical examinations. MPharma already provides about 10,000 physician consultations to patients at the startup’s network of pharmacies. Its also managed to raise over $50 million since inception; this includes a Series C round of $17 million, led by U.K.’s development arm CDC Group last year. Other existing investors include
