Tech

African School of Economics launches 5G Mokki Tech Spaces

Published

1 year ago

April 21, 2023

The African School of Economics (ASE) has struck a partnership with leading universities in the continent to launch Africa’s first-ever “5G Mokki Tech Space”, which is aimed at facilitating a “network of immersive digital learning and remote work environments connected via fifth-generation mobile communication technology.”

The Director of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Cosmas Zavazava, who highlighted the potentials of the 5G network in learning and innovation environments, said the programme was tailored towards the development of new products and services to local requirements.

He added that in addition to ASE campuses in Benin Republic and Ivory Coast, the modular tech spaces would take ASE’s presence to remote areas, “helping local communities leapfrog access to high-technology education, remote job creation and digital entrepreneurship.”

“The satellite model of the ASE’s tech spaces can help prevent various African regions and remote areas from falling behind in, for example, the innovation and acceleration of products and services powered by artificial intelligence,” Zavazava said.

According to him, the 5G Mokki is a modular high-tech unit for developing software applications that require ultra-fast internet connections to render immersive, three-dimensional (3D) virtual-reality (VR) and augmented-reality (AR) learning environments, as well as to deliver innovation services and remote work from and to any location in the world.

“The tech spaces enable new types of trans-continental studies combining technology and business.

“We are currently in partnership with Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, the University of Lusaka in Zambia, as well as Aalto University and LUT University in Finland.

“The ASE 5G Mokki Tech Space was also announced at the occasion of the 5G Seasonal School which is being held simultaneously in Nigeria, Ethiopia and Zambia this week,” he said.

Professor Leonard Wantchekon, founder of the African School of Economics and a Visiting Professor at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, also emphasized that Africa needs innovation in education to create talent and jobs.

“The accelerator network consists of world-leading universities, companies, and not-for-profit organizations including Ambitious Africa, an initiative bringing African and Nordic youth together to take Africa to the next level.

“The 5G Mokkis provide an opportunity for international corporations to tap into highly skilled, young African talent, not only to deliver remote work but also to spur innovation.

Related Topics:5G African School of Economics Featured Tech Spaces

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Tech

Bolt Kenya teams up with M-KOPA to launch electric motorcycles

Published

18 hours ago

April 29, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

In a bid to improve driver earnings and combat climate change, ride-hailing platform, Bolt Kenya, has struck a partnership with Kenya’s energy fintech firm and largest financier of electric motorbikes, M-KOPA, to launch electric motorcycles in the country.

The partnership between the two, according to Caroline Wanjihia, Bolt Kenya’s Regional Director, will give new and existing Bolt drivers the opportunity to lease ROAM and Ampersand electric motorbikes at a discounted price in comparison to current market rates, boosting earnings through a reduction in operational costs and helping the market move towards eco-friendly urban mobility.

The initial rollout of 5,000 electric motorcycle aligns with the recent launch of Kenya’s National E-mobility Policy, aimed at promoting local production and assembly of EVs, Wanjihia said in a statement on Monday.

“We are excited to introduce our electric bike fleet, in partnership with M-KOPA, as part of our ongoing efforts to support and empower our drivers,” she stated.

“Through this collaboration, Bolt will leverage M-KOPA’s fintech platform to make electric motorbike ownership affordable, by substantially reducing the expenses associated with electric motorbikes for drivers.

“This marks a significant milestone in Bolt’s mission to provide sustainable and financially viable transportation solutions in Kenya.

“By leveraging electric vehicles, we are not only reducing our environmental footprint, but also aim to enhance driver earnings and improve overall economic stability within the communities that we serve.

“Considering all financial incentives and reduced operating costs, drivers participating in this pilot launch could see significantly increased daily earnings compared to petrol motorcycles.

“This initiative underscores our commitment to driving positive change and fostering economic empowerment within our driver community.”

Also speaking on the collaboration, Managing Director of M-KOPA Mobility, David Damberger, said his company was committed to redefining mobility in Kenya through affordable financing solutions for electric motorbikes, particularly for the underbanked.

“Partnering with Bolt represents a significant leap towards this goal, enabling us to broaden our reach and support more customers in transitioning to sustainable transport solutions.

“Already, we have made substantial inroads since launching our Mobility division in 2022, in collaboration with ROAM and Ampersand.

“With over two million motorbikes navigating Kenya’s roads, now is the time for us to extend our reach, as we set to positively impact the environment significantly by reducing carbon emissions and saving on fuel costs – an essential keystone of Kenya’s sustainable development,” he said.

Tech

RepAir, Cella partner to launch carbon capture in Kenya

Published

2 days ago

April 27, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

Global Direct Air Capture (DAC) firm, RepAir, has entered into a partnership with carbon storage technology company, Cella, to launch a first-of-its-kind innovative Carbon Capture and Storage venture in Kenya.

In a statement on its website on Friday, RepAir said the venture will see a replication of its “cultivating partnerships” with storage firms in Europe, U.S. and Africa.

“This storage agreement will streamline the sale of high-quality carbon credits to off-takers, enabling corporations to meet evolving ESG standards, manage offsets and advance towards net zero goals,” the statement issued by RePAir CEO, Amir Amir Shiner, stated.

“Our solution sets a new standard, requiring only 600 kWh per ton of CO2 captured, marking the lowest energy consumption on the market.

“This agreement is perfectly aligned with the launch of our commercial demonstrator in 2025, empowering RepAir to offer high-quality carbon credits to our customers.

“It will see to the establishment of a storage partnership with Cella aimed at creating dedicated value chains for extracting CO2 from the atmosphere and permanently storing it underground through in-situ mineralization.

Corey Pattison, CEO, Cella, who also issued a statement on the partnership, said “by partnering with Cella at our first demonstration site, RepAir can capitalize on two critical resources: the potential for truly permanent, highly verifiable carbon storage via mineralization combined with Kenya’s abundant renewable energy sources.

“Together these resources provide a comprehensive solution for capturing and storing CO2 for off-takers. This collaboration represents an extraordinary opportunity to nurture mutual growth.”