Hakuna Matata Media 🐢🐢🐢

Exciting news from Blueroomcare Business! The health tech startup has successfully closed its pre-seed funding round, led by eha Impact Ventures, with participation from TVCLabs and Innovest Africa. This investment will propel Blueroomcare’s mission to provide accessible therapy across Africa, enhancing its technology and expanding services beyond Nigeria. Founded in 2022 by Moses Aiyenuro and Ebunoluwa Collins, Blueroomcare offers an online therapy platform connecting users with licensed therapists via text, video, or voice chat. Their comprehensive mental health services include grief counseling, trauma-focused therapy, addiction recovery, and more, all covered by insurance. Blueroomcare stands out with its focus on insurance-covered therapy, serving over 2 million Africans through partnerships with leading HMOs like Reliance Infosystems and AXA. The platform integrates advanced algorithms and personalized support, making mental health care accessible while overcoming barriers like cost and stigma. With plans to pilot services in Eastern and Southern Africa, Blueroomcare aims to expand its reach and enhance platform capabilities, ensuring more individuals can access vital mental health support. #Blueroomcare #HealthTech #MentalHealthCare #StartupFunding #AfricaHealth #InsuranceCoveredTherapy To read more: https://zurl.co/hjuf

Exciting news from @FEI, Finnfund, and ieng Group's Communication & Renewable Energy Infrastructure (CREI)! They have signed a US$20 million facility to finance CREI’s Telecom Energy Service Company (TESCO) in South Sudan, bolstering sustainable energy infrastructure across the region. The Facility for Energy Inclusion (FEI) and Finnfund have joined forces to provide crucial financing: FEI with a US$15 million bridge facility and Finnfund with a US$5 million mezzanine loan. This investment will support CREI in developing and maintaining 413 hybrid power solutions for telecom sites, reducing diesel usage and increasing solar power production. "This landmark transaction in South Sudan underscores FEI's commitment to the telecom energy sector in Africa," remarked Carmen de Castro, Managing Director of FEI at Cygnum Capital. The project aligns with goals for digitalization and climate action, aiming to enhance mobile connectivity and improve living standards for over 2 million people. Kadri El Hakim, CEO of CREI, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership's potential impact: "Our mission is to lead sustainable telecom and energy infrastructure across Africa and Asia. This collaboration will empower our telecom stakeholder to expand, contributing significantly to South Sudan's telecom sector development." #EnergyInclusion #SustainableInfrastructure #TelecomEnergy #SouthSudanDevelopment #ClimateAction To read more: https://zurl.co/ciIs

Jambojet has launched new routes connecting Zanzibar and Mombasa, marking a significant milestone in East African air travel. The airline's CEO, Karanja Ndegwa, announced the commencement of four weekly flights, enhancing accessibility for tourists and travelers between the two destinations. Operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, Jambojet's affordable fares start from 24,420 Kenyan shillings for a round trip, supporting its commitment to making air travel accessible across the region. The route is served by a De Havilland Dash 8 400 aircraft, ensuring comfort for up to 82 passengers per flight. The launch ceremony was attended by Kenya’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Issac Njenga, underscoring the route’s role in strengthening commercial, tourist, and cultural ties between Kenya and Tanzania. This initiative not only facilitates quick and affordable travel but also fosters development along the East African coast. Since its inception in 2014, Jambojet has served over 7.5 million passengers, commanding a substantial share of Kenya’s domestic air travel market. With connections to Nairobi, Dubai, Frankfurt, Milan, and more, the airline continues to expand its network, opening up socio-economic opportunities for tourism and trade. #Jambojet #EastAfricanTravel #AirTravel #Zanzibar #Mombasa #TourismDevelopment To read more: https://zurl.co/5nrT

Exciting news from TRIFIC SEZ! Two Rivers International Finance & Innovation Centre SEZ, in partnership with Chanzo Capital, has launched the COSSA program at ONESPACE, focusing on scaling tech ventures across Africa. This initiative, supported by Chanzo Capital's KINGS Fund, aims to propel Kenyan tech companies like Saveapp and CheckUps COVA into regional markets through strategic funding and capacity building. The program leverages the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat to foster African multinational corporations. Brenda Mbathi, CEO of TRIFIC SEZ, highlighted the program's role in positioning TRIFIC as the preferred hub for high-tech firms in Africa. The COSSA program will not only provide capital but also critical business solutions and access to regional markets. Ian Kabiru, CEO of OneSpace, emphasized the program's potential to empower entrepreneurs and create job opportunities within an enabling environment. This collaboration underscores TRIFIC SEZ's commitment to fostering innovation and economic growth. James Mworia, CEO of Centum Investment Company Plc., affirmed that initiatives like COSSA align with TRIFIC SEZ's vision to drive innovation and support the growth of African businesses. Stay tuned as the COSSA cohort prepares to pitch their ventures at the upcoming Angel Fair Africa in Nairobi! #Entrepreneurship #StartupAfrica #TechScaleup #AfricanInnovation #TechInnovation #StartupAccelerator #AfricanTech To read more: https://zurl.co/I50d

Stitch and Ozow have partnered with Absa Group to launch Absa Pay, a cutting-edge payment solution leveraging open banking technology. Absa Pay, integrated through Stitch's "pay by bank" solution, allows Absa customers to securely make direct payments from their accounts to online merchants. This initiative responds to growing consumer demand for seamless, fast, and secure payment experiences in the digital realm. "With Absa Pay, approximately three million digitally active Absa customers can now enjoy a streamlined online banking experience," shared Subash Sharma, Chief Digital Officer at Absa Everyday Banking. The launch underscores Absa's commitment to enhancing digital convenience while prioritizing security for their customers. Junaid Dadan, President of Stitch, emphasized the collaboration's role in advancing digital infrastructure. "We aim to continually offer our clients the latest payment innovations like Absa Pay, fostering broader adoption of digital transactions and expanding access to the digital economy." Coenie L., Head of Technical Operations at Ozow, echoed the sentiment, highlighting Absa Pay's contribution to improving the digital payments landscape. "This partnership marks a significant milestone in harnessing open banking to deliver fast, secure, and convenient payment solutions to merchants and consumers alike." #DigitalPayments #OpenBanking #FintechInnovation #AbsaPay #Stitch #Ozow #PaymentSolutions To read more: https://lnkd.in/ddCCWPbv

Today, AfriLabs unveiled two pivotal studies on artificial intelligence in Africa. The first report, 'Landscape Analysis of AI Startups in Africa,' maps out the diverse AI startup ecosystem across the continent. It categorizes startups by focus areas, development stages, and geographical spread, offering a comprehensive view of Africa's current AI landscape. This study identifies key challenges and opportunities faced by these startups within Africa's unique socioeconomic context. The second study, 'Implications of AI Ethical Policies on African Innovators and Entrepreneurs,' examines how varying ethical frameworks and policies impact AI development and deployment across African nations. It explores both the positive implications and potential risks, providing strategic recommendations to ensure that AI practices align with ethical standards and contribute to Africa's broader development goals. According to AfriLabs, these publications fill critical knowledge gaps and will significantly influence African AI practitioners, policymakers, and researchers. They aim to guide informed decision-making and foster an environment conducive to AI innovation across the continent. Nanko Madu, Director of Programmes at AfriLabs, highlighted the studies' importance: "These insights are pivotal for navigating the evolving AI landscape in Africa and addressing the ethical considerations that must shape our innovation journey. We extend our gratitude to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for their support and believe these studies will serve as invaluable resources for stakeholders continent-wide." #ArtificialIntelligence #AIInnovation #EthicalAI #AfricanTech #AfriLabs #BillAndMelindaGatesFoundation The full reports are available for download at the following links: Ethical Horizons: Mapping AI Policy in Africa- https://zurl.co/mCqr Startups Mapping in Africa - https://zurl.co/TGEm To read more: https://zurl.co/yh15

AfriKonekta, in collaboration with Google Maps, is set to enhance travel planning for long-distance commuters in Kenya and 15 other African countries. This pioneering partnership integrates precise transit information into Google Maps, allowing travelers to effortlessly plan, compare fares, book, and pay for bus trips online. With operations spanning Kenya, Zambia, and connectivity to 14 neighboring countries, AfriKonekta's integration with Google Maps promises to streamline route planning and improve convenience for travelers across Africa. "This initiative aims to transform the travel experience by simplifying route planning," highlighted Tichaona Dande, CEO, and Co-Founder of AfriKonekta. The technology ensures comprehensive intercity and cross-border bus transit information directly accessible through Google Maps. Traveling in Africa often presents challenges such as disorganization and unreliability, particularly for complex trips involving multiple routes or countries. AfriKonekta's partnership with Google Maps addresses these issues, providing a user-friendly platform for seamless travel planning and enhanced reliability. #AfriKonekta #GoogleMaps #TravelTech #AfricaTravel #BusTravel #DigitalTransformation #Transportation #TravelConvenience To read more: https://zurl.co/Pgkp

Exciting news from CityBlue Hotels! They've taken an equity stake in Farm to Feed, a B2B platform revolutionizing food sustainability in Africa. Farm to Feed sources imperfect surplus produce directly from farmers, boosting their income and combating food loss, a critical issue in Sub-Saharan Africa where up to 50% of crops go to waste before reaching consumers. Claire van Enk, Founder and CEO of Farm to Feed, highlighted the devastating impact of food loss on both food security and the economy, exacerbated by challenges in market access. Their tech-enabled platform and innovative logistics using freezer trucks are setting a new standard for food sustainability in Kenya, reducing methane emissions and fostering a circular food system. Jameel Verjee, Founder and CEO of CityBlue Hotels, emphasized the alignment of this investment with their ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals. Partnering with Farm to Feed enhances their commitment to sustainability and climate action, reflecting their leadership in responsible business practices at the Africa Hotel Investment Forum 2024 in Windhoek, Namibia. #ESG #FoodSustainability #ImpactInvestment #ClimateAction To read more: https://zurl.co/TV38

Visa Kenya has announced the top five women business owners competing for the Sh2.5 million grand prize in the She’s Next Kenya program. This initiative supports women-owned SMEs through funding, training, and mentorship, aiming to empower their growth and impact on the Kenyan economy. The finalists—Busu Naturals, Cladfy, Code with Kids, Crafts with Meaning, and Timao Group—represent diverse sectors from sustainability to STEM education, showcasing exceptional business acumen and innovation. Eva Ngigi-Sarwari, Visa Kenya’s Country Manager, highlighted the program's role in fostering economic growth by incentivizing women-led businesses. She emphasized the finalists’ resilience and innovation, noting their potential to make significant contributions not only locally but also on a broader scale. The She’s Next Kenya program received overwhelming support with over 2,300 applicants, underscoring the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit among Kenyan women. In addition to the grand prize competition, 15 other SMEs will participate in a capacity building and mentorship program facilitated by Kayana Create, a community dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs. Patricia Okelo, co-founder of Kayana Create, expressed excitement for the finalists and their potential to inspire others with their determination and innovative business solutions. This initiative aligns with Kenya’s vibrant SME landscape, where these enterprises play a pivotal role in driving economic growth, fostering job creation, and contributing to sustainable development. #She'sNextKenya #WomenEntrepreneurs #SMEs #KenyanEconomy #BusinessInnovation #VisaKenya #EntrepreneurshipDevelopment #KayanaCreate #STEMEducation #Sustainability To read more: https://zurl.co/7bT2

Kenya and China have solidified their commitment to cultural exchange and film industry collaboration with a Memorandum of Understanding signing. This partnership aims to elevate Kenya as a prime filming destination and facilitate the production and showcasing of Chinese films. Last year’s agreement to bring Hollywood Invention Studios to Kenya underscores the nation’s growing role in global filmmaking. The themed ceremony, 'Kenya, China TV Theatre,' highlighted various Chinese TV programs, emphasizing cultural enrichment and bilateral cooperation. Jimmy Carter Luo, CEO of StarTimes Kenya, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, foreseeing joint productions, content sharing, and professional exchanges between Kenyan and Chinese media entities. Key figures from both nations attended the event, including Dong Xin from China’s National Radio and Television Administration and Timothy Owase, CEO of Kenya Film Commission. Deputy Minister Dong Xin affirmed optimism about future collaboration, envisioning strengthened ties in media and entertainment to foster mutual development. Kenya Film Commission's CEO Timothy Owase lauded the partnership’s potential to transform Kenya’s film industry, promising continued government support for youth engagement and talent development. This collaboration opens doors for cultural integration and economic growth in the vibrant realm of global media. #KenyaChinaFilmCollaboration #CulturalExchange #FilmIndustryPartnership #GlobalMediaRelations #KenyaFilmCommission #StarTimesMedia #FilmProduction #CulturalDiplomacy To read more: https://zurl.co/y6x8