Tech

Airtel Rwanda partners with UNICEF to increase access to digital learning

Published

2 years ago

April 3, 2023

Airtel Rwanda has entered into a partnership with UNICEF to help accelerate its roll-out of digital learning through connecting schools to the internet and ensuring access to learning platforms in the country.

The agreement between Airtel Africa and UNICEF is a five-year pan-African partnership to help increase digital learning through connecting schools to the internet and ensuring free access to learning platforms across 13 countries.

Under the agreement signed on Monday, Airtel Africa has made a commitment to provide US$50 million support in-kind (Data, SMS) and US$7 million in cash over the span of the 5-year period, according to a statement by the mobile operator.

“As a result of this partnership, students in Rwanda are set to receive access to digital learning resources for both teachers and students free of charge,” it said.

“In the coming weeks, a total of 20 schools will receive internet connectivity that will benefit up to 12,000 young learners and their teachers.

“In addition, Airtel has zero-rated five platforms that hold a wealth of content from the official Rwanda Education Board curriculum freely accessible to anyone who has an Airtel Rwanda SIM card,” the statement added.

Acting UNICEF Representative in Rwanda, Ms. Min Yuan, in a release, said:

“The sky is the limit when students and teachers can use digital connectivity to learn and teach wherever and whenever possible.

“We are honoured to partner with Airtel Rwanda as we embark on this endeavour to provide thousands of school children and their teachers access to the internet.”

Also speaking during the signing ceremony, Airtel Rwanda Managing Director, Mr. Emmanuel Hamez said:

“It gives Airtel Rwanda great pleasure to extend our world class internet to the young learners in Rwanda.”

“I commend the Government of Rwanda, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of ICT & Innovation for providing a conducive environment that makes such initiates possible.”

Airtel Africa and UNICEF has a similar project in other African countries like Nigeria, Zambia, Kenya, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Tanzania and Uganda.

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Tech

Kenya’s ticketing startup BuuPass partners Flexpay for flexible travel payments

Published

3 days ago

December 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Kenyan digital ticketing startup, BuuPass, has entered into a partnership with goal-based savings platform, Flexpay, to offer customers flexible payment plans ahead of holiday travels as well as simplify travel planning and ease the financial burden of holiday travel for Kenyans.

Co-founder and CEO at Buupass, Sonia Kabra, who unveiled the package at a press conference, said the collaboration between the two platforms will allow travellers to save for their journeys in manageable, interest-free installments over four to 12 weeks.

“Travelers can select their travel dates, book tickets, and pay a small deposit upfront, with the remaining balance spread across weekly or monthly payments,” she said.

“This approach offers a stress-free way for families and large groups to secure their tickets early, helping them avoid last-minute price hikes as fares are locked in.

“By partnering with Flexpay, we’re giving travelers the flexibility to budget for their trips in advance. This initiative aligns with our mission to make travel accessible to everyone, providing a solution that meets customers where they are financially,” said Kabra.

Also speaking at the event, Richard Machomba, CEO and founder of Flexpay, said:

“Flexpay’s mission is to empower individuals by providing accessible financial solutions that make it easier for them to achieve their financial goals.

“By partnering with BuuPass, we’re making travel more accessible and stress-free for Kenyans, especially during the holiday season when expenses can be overwhelming,” Machomba added.

Founded in 2016 by Kabra and Wyclife Omondi, BuuPass is a B2B2C mobility marketplace that enables users to search, compare, and book travel tickets via web, app, or USSD, while its SaaS platform helps bus operators manage their operations, inventory, and sales.

FlexPay, on the other hand, is an online and offline payment gateway that allows merchants to offer interest-free targeted savings to their customers in Africa.

Tech

DR Congo sues tech giant Apple over illegal mineral exploitation

Published

4 days ago

December 18, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has filed a criminal case against the European subsidiaries of tech giant, Apple, accusing them of illegal mineral exploitation and allegedly using “blood minerals” in its supply chain.

In the suit filed on Tuesday, the DRC alleges that Apple has bought contraband supplies from the country’s conflict-ladden east and Rwanda, zones in which it allege the materials are mined illegally and then integrated into global supply chains before ending up in tech devices.

The DRC suit specifically mentioned Apple subsidiaries in France and Belgium, accusing the tech giant of using conflict minerals in its supply chain.

The DRC is a major source of tin, tantalum, and tungsten which are used in electronic devices, with some mines controlled by armed groups responsible for human rights violations.

International lawyers representing the African country’s government have accused Apple’s local subsidiaries of taking these minerals from conflict areas and laundering them through international supply chains, with one lawyer telling journalists that Belgium had a moral duty to act given its history of exploiting the country’s resources under colonial rule.

However, in its response, Apple claims it conducts supplier audits and does not directly source primary minerals.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1262670-dr-congo-sues-apple-over-alleged-illegal-mineral-exploitation