insert_link Africa Can insurtech fix Africa’s low insurance penetration? By Conrad Onyango, via bird story agency Until recently, Africa’s legacy insurance market has been relying on an old agent-driven sales model, where agents physically scouts for clients in offices, malls and other business centers to market, sell and deliver insurance products. Under this model these agents have mostly been focusing on selling individual policies largely to wealthy clients who can buy expensive products to earn them […] today10 May, 2024
insert_link Africa Global tech giants in Africa AI gold rush By Conrad Onyango, bird story agency Global technology giants including Microsoft, IBM, Huawei, Nvidia, and Google are lining up to tap into a multi-billion dollar opportunity in the nascent Artificial Intelligence (AI) market. The five multinationals tops the list of more than 100 tech companies across the globe that will feature in the ‘AI Everything’ forum in this year’s GITEX Africa 2024, the continent's premier tech and […] today2 May, 2024
insert_link Africa NBA Africa ‘hoops’ into African tech with a startup accelerator By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency The NBA, through its business franchise in Africa, NBA Africa, has stepped onto Africa's tech startup scene, launching an accelerator tailored for early-stage startups in sports and creative industries. In a statement, NBA Africa explained that the initiative, known as the Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator, will support Africa’s tech ecosystem and the next generation of African tech entrepreneurs by […] today30 April, 2024
insert_link Business / Economics MeerKAT: the South African radio telescope that’s transformed our understanding of the cosmos Some of the satellite dishes that make up the MeerKAT. South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) By Ed Elson, University of the Western Cape South Africa’s Karoo region is a vast semi-arid area that stretches across four of the country’s provinces. It is sparsely populated and renowned for its wide open spaces. In the heart of this landscape, near the small Northern Cape town of Carnarvon, the South African […] today23 April, 2024
insert_link Africa Ethiopia looks to the Singapore model to lure startups in sweeping new reforms By Seth Onyango, bird story agency Ethiopia has unveiled sweeping reforms to support a burgeoning startup industry and turn the country into a leading incubator of entrepreneurs. Notable changes include slashing a 30% capital-gains tax on the transfer and issuance of shares, according to Brook Taye, Director-General of the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority. The move, combined with an allowance for startups to retain all foreign currency […] today16 April, 2024
insert_link Science & Technology To understand the risks posed by AI, follow the money Shutterstock/Chaosamran_Studio Tim O'Reilly, UCL; Ilan Strauss, UCL; Mariana Mazzucato, UCL, and Rufus Rock, UCL Time and again, leading scientists, technologists, and philosophers have made spectacularly terrible guesses about the direction of innovation. Even Einstein was not immune, claiming, “There is not the slightest indication that nuclear energy will ever be obtainable,” just ten years before Enrico Fermi completed construction of the first fission reactor in Chicago. Shortly thereafter, the consensus […] today11 April, 2024
insert_link Africa Making short films is a powerful way to learn job skills: 5 ways it prepares students for work Making short films can change the way people learn. ASphotowed/iStock/Getty Plus By Wendy Smidt, Cape Peninsula University of Technology and Zayd Waghid, Cape Peninsula University of Technology The world of work is changing all the time. Technology is driving innovation and productivity, leading to the creation of new industries and employment opportunities. This means people need new skills to meet the demands of an ever-changing economy. While […] today2 April, 2024
insert_link Local Pupkewitz motors celebrates Etienne Steenkamp’s Prestigious Toyota chairmanship award Pupkewitz Motors proudly announces the recognition of Etienne Steenkamp, Franchise Director of Pupkewitz Toyota in Namibia, with the prestigious Toyota Chairmanship Award. The award ceremony took place on the 15th of March 2024, at the Toyota Dealer Awards in Sandton, Johannesburg, a hallmark event for Toyota dealers across southern Africa, including South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, and Eswatini. Etienne Steenkamp's remarkable leadership and dedication to the Toyota brand have […] today27 March, 2024
Africa Cultural wealth can drive economic growth in African cities By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency With the right policies, African cities hold immense potential to drive significant economic growth by capitalizing on their rich cultural heritage and harnessing the creativity of their youthful populations, according to a new report. “Africa’s urban landscapes are not just repositories of heritage and tradition; they are dynamic centres of innovation, awaiting the right policies to support unlocking their full potential,” the […] today25 March, 2024
