Hello guys,
As we usher you into a great weekend, enjoy this week’s edition of the African Tech News Roundup
Trella Joins the YCombinator Summer Batch
A Cairo-based startup noticeable for disrupting the truck haulage industry ‘Trella’, has been admitted in the 2019 YCombinator accelerator. The accelerator program is set to kick-start in September. Learn More
Ilara Health Secures a whopping sum of $735 000!
Kenya-based healthcare startup, Ilara Health has joined the African startups to secure seed funding. The company wants to use this fund to reach out to more customers in rural Kenya and also expand to other African countries. Read More
Kobo360 Secured $30 million this time
Joining the many startups that secured funds this week is Nigeria-based Kobo360. The logistics company secured the sum of $30 million to reap from the large intra-African AfCFTA pact. They will utilize the fund to set up a Global Logistics Operating System (G-LOS). Learn More
TechAdvance Secures Seed Funding
TechAdvance, a Nigeria-based payment application development startup has raised $1 million for expansion. The recent funding round values the company at $20 million. Learn More
Applications for the Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge now Open
Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge is calling on startups who leverage technology to solve world challenges to apply for the 6th edition. Participating startups will be provided with free equity-funds, connections with other deep tech innovators and global prominence. Learn More
Facebook Intervenes in the Rapid Spread of Fake News in African media
In a bid to tackle the spread of fake news in the African social media network, Facebook has partnered with Africa Check. The social media giant added local languages such as Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Swahili, Afrikaans, Wolof, Sotho and others from Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal and Kenya. Learn More
Huawei Technicians faced Political Spying Allegations
This week, a report from the Wall Street Journal accused some Huawei Technicians of aiding the Ugandan and Zambian governments to spy on their political opponents. The aftermath of these led to the arrest of political opponents, but Huawei has debunked the allegations that the employees were acting on their behalf or the Chinese government. Learn More
Kenya Revenue Authority about to tax Income-generating Apps
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has revealed plans to receive a 16% tax on all mobile apps downloads and revenues. KRA plans to collaborate with the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), to retrieve transactions data of all local and foreign-based app developers that are operating in Kenya. Learn More
SOLA to construct solar PV Facilities in South Africa
SOLA, a South African solar project developer has set aside the sum of $26 million to construct solar PV facilities across South Africa. The project will be built across Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg, Polokwane, Nelspruit, and Ekurhuleni. Learn More
Ghana Plans to Deepen Financial Inclusion with new Gh-Dual Cards
The government of Ghana has launched Gh-Dual, a double purpose EMV and financial inclusion payment card. The card will be issued by the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems Limited (GhIPSS) and will function as either e-zwtich, Gh-link or both, depending on the platform and user. Learn More
That brings us to the end of this week’s African Tech News Roundup. We look forward to an amazing weekend and hope you also enjoy every bit of it!
Sincerely,
Team TechGist Africa
