Hello Guys,
Welcome to the beginning of a good weekend. To usher us into the weekend, here is the Africa Tech News Roundup.
Are you also Crazy about the #FaceAppChallenge?
Social media platforms have been filled with a lot of noise about the Face App Challenge. In case you didn’t know, the Artificial Intelligence-enabled app can be used to transform photos into older or younger versions. We have put together relevant facts about the trend to properly guide our readers. See Details Here
Internet Restored to Chad
Earlier this week, we learnt that the government of Chad finally restored internet connectivity, after 4 long months of the blackout. Ever since the ban was lifted this week, telcos have restored internet access to citizens. Read More Here
E-cargo Tracking System now Endorsed in Dr Congo
An e-cargo tracking system was endorsed by the Directorate of Customs and Ugandan Revenues Authority. The tracking systems will be used to track goods to and from the DRC via an online platform. Read More Here
Canal+ now owns ROK Film Studios
Earlier in the week, French television company Canal+ purchased ROK Film Studios. They secured the Nigerian on-demand online video streaming platform for an undisclosed sum. ROK Film Studios will now air Francophone movies and series, alongside other regular English contents to a larger pan-African audience. Read More Here
All Sub-Saharan Africa Countries to get Off-grid Energy in 2025
The African Development Bank has approved finance for Distributed Energy Service Companies (DESCOs). They will deploy solar-powered electricity to 4.5 million people living in Sub Saharan Africa by 2025. Hence, the 900, 000 people living in off-grid communities will enjoy the supply of electricity. Read More Here
Facebook got fined over Privacy Concerns
The US Federal Trade Commission, FTC has fined Facebook $5 billion for allegedly sharing the private data of 87 million users. The social media giant is still under investigation by the Commission to ensure proper regulations around the use of customer’s data. Read More Here
Nigerian Plans to boost Broadband Connectivity
Still this week, the Nigerian government secured $100 million loan from the Indian government to boost broadband connectivity in the country. Solar-equipped telephone booths and more telecommunication masts will be deployed across the country when the project is executed. Read More Here
Have you heard of Google’s latest social media platform?
Yes, Google has launched a new social media platform called Shoelace. Unlike your regular social app, its Loop feature will connect people of similar interests and let them attend events organized offline. The Shoelace is already available in New York and will subsequently come to your city. See Details Here
Sub-Saharan Africa’s Mobile Economy to generate $185 billion by 2023
The GSMA recently released a report that projects the mobile economy of Sub-Saharan Africa at $185 billion by 2023. The report revealed that the region will remain the fastest-growing of the continent, generating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6%. For more information, Click Here
Kudos to the Women Stepping up in Tech
This week saw the promotion of two women in Andela and MTN. The first was Andela’s CO-founder and President, Christiana Sass who became the chairperson of the Andela Advisory Council and the Andela Alumni Group. The next is the appointment of Yolanda Cuba as the new Group Chief Digital and Fintech Officer of the MTN Group. We are proud of the African women doing exploits in tech, and Christiana and Yolanda are good examples.
Thank you for reading through and if you are not following us on social media, do so on @techgistafrica.
Have a great weekend ahead
Yours sincerely,
Team TechGist Africa