Investment in African women-founded and led startups remains a bright spot in a global ecosystem drained of funding.

Investment in African women-founded and led startups remains a bright spot in a global ecosystem drained of funding.

By Conrad Onyango, via bird story agency Africa’s women-led startups retained their sparkle through 2023, against the backdrop of one of the darkest periods for global startup funding, raising US$200 million, 7% growth over the previous year, according to a report from Africa: The Big Deal. In 2022, these female-founded ventures had grown by 4%. The amount remains significantly lower than the US$ 2.7 billion raised […]

February 9, 2024 6

Opinion Pieces

Harnessing 5G for Entrepreneurs

The arrival of Fifth Generation (5G) technology signals a new era of connectivity set to empower entrepreneurs and businesses across Namibia. As the world transitions into greater digitalisation, 5G stands poised to radically transform how enterprises operate, innovate, and thrive. The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) recognises the immense potential of 5G to activate entrepreneurship and cultivate startups within the nation.1 With unmatched speeds, ultra-low latency, and expanded bandwidth, […]

February 1, 2024 25

Africa

UNDP’s New $1 Billion Fund Could Boost Africa’s Tech Startups Globally

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January, Presidents Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, left, and Paul Kagame of Rwanda helped launch the United Nations Development Program’s investment fund directed at tech startups in Africa. Called Timbuktoo, it could cushion the bearish state of venture capital globally. WEF2024 By Damilola Banjo via PassBlue Venture capital funding is shrinking globally, but experts are optimistic that a new $1 billion investment […]

January 30, 2024 32

Africa

UNEP report highlights potential surge in electric two-wheelers for motorcycle taxis in Africa

By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Motorcycle taxis, a dominant transportation force in Africa, have substantial potential for electrification as electric two- and three-wheelers gain traction across the continent. These insights stem from a recently launched UNEP report focusing on the state of global electric two- and three-wheelers in emerging markets. At a virtual report launch on Wednesday, January 10, Tom Courtright, the Research Director at Africa e-Mobility Alliance, who […]

January 11, 2024 16

Namibia

Iipumbu commends Germany for supporting the growth of small enterprises

The Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade has received equipment worth N.dollars 3.5 million from the German government through its development and cooperation agency, GIZ, aimed at supporting small business activities. These include eight vehicles and industrial machinery, including an industrial rotary cutter, dye sublimation printer, industrial iron and 3D printers. The donation also included laptops, printers, office chairs, laser printers and colour printers. Industrialisation and trade minister, Lucia Iipumbu, […]

December 14, 2023 15