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Ivorian entrepreneur, Alain Capo-Chichi, creates ‘local language’ smartphone

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In Ivory Coast, an entrepreneur, Alain Capo-Chichi has created a locally-made smartphone, called “Open G”.

Capo-Chichi said he wanted to create the phone to help people like his parents, who are illiterate, use features like transferring money and sending messages.

“In Africa the problem we have… is that reading and writing is not accessible to everyone,” he said. “People can use their smartphones much more easily by simply speaking to them.”

The device aims to improve accessibility with voice commands in local languages for users who can’t read and write.

The phone adds to the growing number of African-made mobile devices. Some of them are Afrione, Imose Mobile, Pliris Mobile, and Solo Phone in Nigeria; SICO Technology in Egypt, and Onyx Connect and Mint in South Africa. There is also VMK, a Congolese start-up launched in 2009, which opened a factory in Mpila, Congo Brazzaville, in July 2015.

The device went on sale last month in the West African country. It can understand commands and respond in 16 of Ivory Coast’s approximately 60 spoken languages, including Dioula, Senoufo and Bété.

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Egyptian AI-powered ed-tech startup Sprints raises $3m to scale up platform

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Egyptian AI-powered ed-tech startup, Sprints, has announced raising $3 million bridge round of funding to help it scale up its platform with the aim of “redefining education for the future”.

Co-founder and CEO of Sprints, Ayman Bazaraa, who made the announcement on Thursday, said the platform which is on a “mission to educate one billion learners in 10 years” raised the $3 million bridge round of funding led by Disruptech Ventures with investments from EdVentures and CFYE, among others.

“Our team is the beating heart of this success. We’re a proud force of passionate trailblazers, consisting of over 100 employees and 300 trainers from 12 countries, united by a single mission, to revolutionise education through AI,” said Bazaraa

“This investment is a resounding validation of the team’s tireless efforts and unwavering dedication.

“Today, I stand proud of what we’ve collectively accomplished, and brimming with anticipation for the future we will pave together,” Bazaraa added.

Founded in 2020 by Bazaraa and Bassam Sharkawy, Sprints is the first end-to-end platform in the MENA region to bridge the tech talent gap, spanning talent assessment, customised learning journeys, and top-paying job guarantee.

The startup delivers world-class, agile-based learning journeys that empower organisations to build top-notch tech teams in all tracks, including AI, data science, mobile, web, IoT, cloud computing and cybersecurity, according to a citation on its website.

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Radisson Group targets 25 hotels in Morocco by 2030

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The Radisson Hotel Group says it has set a goal of setting up 25 hotels in Morocco, which will expand its current portfolio of 11 hotels in operation to 36 by 2030.

Erwan Garnier, Senior Director, Development, Africa at Radisson Hotel Group, who disclosed this in a statement, saidMorocco continues to be a crucial market for the group’s development, while also accelerating its expansion in the country which is part of its vision of redefining the group’s expansion strategy for the country.

“I am delighted to lead our expansion efforts in Morocco and take them to new heights. Leveraging our success in the country thus far, our expansion strategy will concentrate on targeting the major cities in Morocco,” Garnier said.

“Our focus will be on strengthening our presence in Casablanca and Marrakech, where we currently operate the conveniently located Radisson Blu Hotel, Casablanca City Center and the highly acclaimed Radisson Blu Hotel, Marrakech Carré Eden.

“Additionally, we plan to establish our presence in the key cities of Rabat, Tangier, Agadir, and Fez.

“In light of Radisson Hotel Group’s strategic 5-year plan and the 2030 FIFA World Cup in Morocco, we have identified significant potential within these cities to establish a diverse portfolio consisting of ideally located business hotels, efficient serviced apartments, premium mixed-use projects, and expanding our portfolio of exceptional resorts.

“The introduction of the Radisson brand with the imminent opening of the Radisson Hotel Casablanca Gauthier La Citadelle in the vibrant Gauthier district of Casablanca, marks a notable development.

“This new establishment will be the flagship of the Radisson brand in Morocco, marking the entry of a new brand for the group in the country and underlining our commitment to quality and diversified expansion,” he added.

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