Google will invest $37 million across Africa to expand artificial intelligence developments on the continent. A majority of the funds will be allocated to enhance food security and expand digital access in local languages, with $25 million being invested in an AI Collaborative for Food Security. This initiative will help African researchers and nonprofits create AI tools that tackle hunger, climate-related crop threats, and farming inefficiencies, according to TechPoint Africa. The program aims to safeguard millions of smallholder farmers against damaging economic and environmental shocks by leveraging AI in early
The Digital Law Company has applied to hold Meta Platforms in contempt of court after it did not provide data on individuals who posted harmful content about South African school children on WhatsApp. If Meta does not comply with the order to release the alleged perpetrators’ data, the law firm wants the judge to jail Thabo Makenete, Meta’s public policy head for Southern Africa. This came after the Digital Law Company received an urgent court order, urging Meta to remove explicit content and share identifying details, such as names, emails,
The Financial Times has released its ranking of the fastest-growing African countries. The ranking, now in its fourth year, revealed that Nigerian and South African companies dominate the list, with 79 businesses from both countries featured. This speaks to the size and entrepreneurial depths of both economies, according to the FT. It also shows that businesses from smaller countries are struggling to build a continental presence. Nigerian companies on the list The top three companies on the list are Nigerian: Omniretail Inc., PalmPay Ltd, and Remedial Health Inc. PalmPay is
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
The South African government will alter its Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) regulations to allow Starlink to operate in the country. Bloomberg reported that the offer came at a last-minute meeting on Tuesday, 21 June. Foreign investors in South Africa’s telecom sector are required to allocate 30% of a project’s equity to Black-owned businesses to obtain a license. However, Elon Musk’s satellite internet provider will be allowed to meet BEE requirements through equity-equivalent investments instead. South Africa’s Workaround for Starlink South Africa created the BEE laws to address racial inequalities stemming from
Samuel George, Ghana’s minister for communication, digital technology, and innovations, has given Starlink one month to comply with national regulations. The satellite internet service has been operating in Ghana since August 2024. However, it does not have a physical office or customer support system, and the government wants that to change, as stated by Connecting Africa. Starlink in Ghana “Starlink must establish a local office in Ghana to ensure effective communication and decision-making,” George said. “Starlink must comply with Ghana’s regulatory framework, including licensing and tax requirements,” he added. The
On Wednesday, May 12, Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok repeatedly made references to “white genocide” in South Africa in unrelated posts on X, often bringing up the topic without any prompt from users. While it’s unclear what caused the apparent glitch, Musk, who grew up in South Africa, has a long history of promoting the debunked conspiracy theory of a “white genocide” in the country. Grok tells X users about white genocide The posts originated from Grok’s official X account, which replies with AI-generated responses when tagged by users. The AI
Elon Musk’s satellite internet service Starlink has received a 10-year license to operate in Lesotho. The Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) announced the approval on Monday, April 14, 2025, as Techpoint stated. Starlink will be Lesotho’s first satellite internet provider operating in the country, highlighting progress in expanding the nation’s digital transformation agenda, according to Space In Africa. “The approval of this operating licence clears the path for the Authority to finalise the terms and conditions under which Starlink Lesotho will provide satellite internet services to individuals and businesses across Lesotho.
On Thursday, March 27, South Africa launched the first phase of a smart city development in Shongweni, outside Durban. The development, which is called Westown, is expected to attract around R15 billion ($822 million) in private-sector investment over the next 10 to 15 years and produce over 23,000 jobs. The initial phase is part of a wider project that includes, includes retail, housing, and healthcare facilities, according to Mybroadband. Transforming the development trajectory of the region Themba Masimula, senior project manager from the eThekwini Municipality’s Catalytic Projects Uni, told Mybroadband
