Tech

Microsoft Nigeria launches agro-tech hackathon for young entrepreneurs

Published

3 years ago

March 29, 2022

In a bid to contribute to the development of its host community and empower budding businesses, Microsoft Nigeria has launched its first Agro-Tech Hackathon for young Nigerian agricultural entrepreneurs.

The initiative, according to the company in a release on Monday, is “targeted at providing homegrown scalable platforms by Nigerian farmers and consumers, to access farm produce, as well as helping to improve digital value chain processes and reducing agricultural wastes and losses.”

“The goal of the hackathon is to develop a repository of innovative and inclusive solutions to the myriad of challenges in the agricultural sector.

“These solutions in the long run, will empower farmers economically and improve the profitability of their agri-business by facilitating easier and faster consumer access to farm produce and reduce wastage of perishable farm items,” the foremost digital company said.

The competition is open to Nigerians between the ages of 18 to 45 and the applicants must have demonstrated interest/experience in technology, agriculture and/or entrepreneurship.

The successful applicants will be divided into teams during the Hackathon stage, with each team undergoing a 4-week mentorship programme where they will be mentored by world-class agro-specialists, entrepreneurs, and training teams from Microsoft.

At the end of the competition, three teams with the most outstanding solutions will be selected for funding and technical support by Microsoft and its partners, sharing a sum of N5m with other consolation prizes and recognitions by Microsoft and their partners.

Related Topics:Agro-Tech Featured hackathon Microsoft

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Tech

7th Africa Tech Summit set to hold in Nairobi in February

Published

11 hours ago

December 13, 2024

Isaac Dachen

All is set for the seventh edition of Africa Tech Summit Nairobi, powered for the second consecutive year by Nigerian fintech, Raenest.

According to the organizers, the Summit which will take place on February 12-13, 2025, at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi, will connect over 2,000 industry leaders, corporates, investors and international delegations, with a special feature on a B2B summit, exhibition, and awards.

A statement announcing the upcoming Summit say it will feature four key track themes – Africa Money & DeFi Summit, Africa Climate Tech & Investment Summit, Africa Startup Summit, and the Africa Mobile & App Summit.

“The Africa Tech Summit will deliver a packed agenda of fireside chats, panel discussions, keynote addresses, and masterclass sessions, creating a platform for knowledge sharing and networking,” Andrew Fassnidge, founder of Africa Tech Summit, said in the statement.

“We’re delighted to welcome Raenest back as our headline partner for the seventh edition of ATS Nairobi.

“Our mission has always been to help ventures across the continent and beyond connect and scale, and Raenest’s commitment to empowering African businesses to manage global financial operations aligns perfectly with this,” said Fassnidge.

Tech

Huawei launches cloud service in Nigeria

Published

2 days ago

December 11, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Global technology company, Huawei, has launched its first African hyperscale local cloud service in Nigeria, making it the first international cloud provider to offer such services in the country.

The CEO of Huawei Nigeria, Chris Lu, who unveiled the new local cloud in Lagos on Wednesday, said it was powered by Tier 3+ data centres, providing ultra-fast services with a latency of just 15 milliseconds.

According to Lu, this will ensure that data storage and computing resources remain within Nigeria, benefiting local businesses and sectors, particularly fintech companies that require strict adherence to data protection laws.

At the launch event, themed “Leap Now With A Better Cloud,” Lu emphasised the company’s dedication to supporting Nigeria’s digital economy.

He noted that the initiative was a significant milestone towards meeting the country’s data protection regulation, and alignment with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission’s objectives to limit cross-border data transfer and have data kept within the country.

“With disruptive technology, we can transform our daily lives, our industries, and our economy. Not knowing where your data is stored is terrifying,” Lu said.

“The Huawei local cloud ensures your data and that of your customers are safely protected. Our local cloud provides better latency, better services, and ensures data sovereignty for our customers.

“Huawei’s is offering enhanced data sovereignty, reduced latency, and bolstered support for local businesses.The service aims to support Nigerian startups, SMEs, and the broader tech ecosystem and aligns with Nigeria’s regulatory environment and digital transformation goals.”

Beyond cloud technology, Huawei has invested heavily in Africa’s tech ecosystem, forming partnerships with governments and private entities to drive digital transformation.