Tech

Zambian Library Service partners tech hub to drive digital literacy in schools

Published

2 years ago

April 12, 2023

The Zambian Library Service (ZLS) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Centre for Electronic Learning and Information Technology Research (CEIR) to implement a 5-year Digital and Technology Literacy Skills (DTLS) programme for schools across the country.

The ZLS, in a statement on Wednesday in Lusaka by its Assistant Director, Sharon Liato, said the “five years programme is a digital technology driven pilot that will aim to enhance library services and educational delivery in Zambia.”

Liato added that the partnership with CEIR Zambia will “deliver transformation for libraries in both the district and schools will allow the organisation to provide the very best services, programs, and readership strategies.”

Zambian Monitor reports that Liato, noted that the arrangement will also enable the ZLS to conceive ideas, design, and build the next generation of transformative information and digital services and platforms which will, in turn, create a new educational digital landscape for the East African country.

“Our education system will be put on the best possible path for success in the new digital education landscape if we all work together as a cohesive team to fully realize the potential of digital revolutions,” Liato said.

Also speaking on the positive side of the partnership, DTLS Programme Executive, Mwape Musonda, said as part of a commitment to give people access to resources, technology, and delivery options that support alternative education, CEIR Zambia will set up Information Communications Technology (ICT)-compliant knowledge centers and self-learning spaces in a number of district libraries and schools.

“By supplying computers, internet access, and even the appropriate books for reference materials, libraries and schools will provide ICT tools that will enable simple practical sessions and hands-on experiences among the students,” Musonda said.

“The partnership represents a paradigm shift in how both partners respond to the needs of the education market by virtually enhancing the technology skills of over 9, 000 school administrators and teachers with certifications in digital technologies,” he added.

Related Topics:Digital Education Featured Partnership Zambian Library Service

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Tech

Orange Egypt earmarks $52.7m to support African startups

Published

15 hours ago

November 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Orange Egypt has earmarked the sum of $52.7 million to support African startups in what is going to be the largest investment to drive a youth-focused tech revolution.

According to the company, the mammoth investment will see over 40 startups benefitting from the funds, with most of them being Egyptian companies.

‘It’s a boost for Egypt’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem and a step closer to cementing its spot as a top startup hub in Africa,” the company said in a statement.

The investment is coming on the heels of the telco signing a deal with the Egyptian government to roll out the second phase of its 5G licensing.

The statement noted that with Egypt’s startup game already strong and ranking as the third most funded country in the MENA region, “the numbers speak for themselves.”

“In 2022, Egyptian startups closed 143 funding deals worth nearly $766.7 million, outpacing the $606.79 million raised the year before.

“Plus over 2,100 startups employing more than 50,000 people, the country’s ecosystem is one of the top 10 emerging startup hubs globally.

“The Egyptian government is all in on this. And since launching initiatives like Egypt Ventures in 2017, they’ve been backing startups to drive innovation and growth in the tech space.

“Orange Egypt’s latest move only adds fuel to this already blazing fire, paving the way for more opportunities and a stronger startup culture across Africa,” it added.

Tech

10 African startups selected for final of Latitude59 pitch competition

Published

2 days ago

November 18, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ten African startups have been selected for the final round of the Latitude59 pitch competition which will see the winner qualify to pitch at the main event in Tallinn, Estonia, with the chance of winning the grand prize $1.1 million.

The Latitude59 pitch competition which is in 12th edition, is Estonia’s flagship startup and tech event and attracted over 3,500 attendees, including more than 900 startup representatives and nearly 600 investors when it was hosted in Tallinn in May.

According to the organizers,
Latitude59 is seeking early-stage startups from across Africa to compete for the chance to pitch at the next edition of its pitch competition, which will take place at next year’s edition of the event.

The event organizers said a total of 382 applications were received from 37 African countries, with the top 10 now selected and will pitch at an event in Kenya on November 28, where the African winner will be chosen.

Eight of the selected ventures are Kenyan and include Eco Nasi, which transforms pineapple pulp waste into high-quality vegan leather.

Others are Grekkon, a platform which scales up moisture sensors for smallholder farmers; NoMa, a tech platform that digitises school transportation; and Paycloud, which is building a neobank to help MSMEs in Africa to pay, get paid, and access credit through payment aggregation.

The other selected Kenyan ventures are Roadrims, which provides reliable, efficient, and cost-effective logistics; Twiva, a social commerce platform; VunaPay, which provides instant payments to farmers; and Zerobionic, which is developing a human-like robotic arm to help students with hearing impairments.

From Nigeria comes AcemyX, an LMS helping students prepare for exams with personalised learning tools and study materials, with Tanzania’s Afya Mama, which is providing answers to questions pertaining maternal care and reproductive health to women via SMS and web app, completing the list.