Tech

OCP Africa partners UM6P to launch digital farming school in Cote d’Ivoire

Published

11 months ago

June 11, 2023

Leading global provider of phosphate and derivatives, OCP Africa has entered into a partnership with Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) of Morocco to set up a “Digital Farming School” in Cote d’Ivoire.

The project, which is located in Yamoussoukro, saw the laying of the foundation stone on Friday, with the pioneering project presenting a significant milestone in digital agriculture aimed at providing unique opportunities for young Ivorians passionate about AgriTech, according to Mohamed Hettiti, Vice President of OCP for West Africa.

At the foundation stone-laying ceremony which was attended by key officials includin the Ivorian Minister of Higher Education, Adama Diawara, Abdelmalek Kettani, Moroccan Ambassador in Ivory Coast, Hettiti and UM6P’s Bouchaib Boulanouar, the Minister said the establishment of the Digital Farming School underscored “Morocco’s commitment to mutually beneficial South-South cooperation with Ivory Coast aligning with the instructions of King Mohammed VI.”

“The establishment of this Digital Farming School marks a major milestone in the field of education and agricultural innovation in sub-Saharan Africa,” he said.

“This investment of great importance comes in addition to the major projects that Morocco is carrying out in Côte d’Ivoire, in line with the High Directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, for mutually advantageous South-South cooperation.

“This pioneering school, with its innovative pedagogical approach, will be the first project of its kind on the continent, offering new opportunities to young Ivorians passionate about AgriTech,” he added.

A press statement by OCP Africa said the project would be carried out in close collaboration with the National Polytechnic Institute Félix Houphouët-Boigny (INPHB-Côte d’Ivoire), and would be the first branch of the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in sub-Saharan Africa, located in the Yamoussoukro Technopole.

“The project will see the light of day this year as decreed by His Excellency the President of the Republic, Mr. Alassane Dramane Ouattara, thus demonstrating the commitment of the Ivorian government to support educational initiatives and technology for youth,” the statement noted.

“In the next 10 to 12 months, the first cohort of a hundred talented young people will join the school, benefiting from excellent training in Agritech and having an experimental farm next to the school as a laboratory,” it added.

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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.”

Tech

Intel Liftoff Hackathon 2024 calls for applications from African AI startups

Published

3 days ago

April 26, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

Applications for the 2024 cohort of Intel Liftoff Hackathon has opened for African AI startups designed to bring together aspiring tech entrepreneurs, software developers, and AI enthusiasts to collaborate, innovate, and create solutions to concrete African challenges.

In its second edition, the hackathon welcomes pioneering early-stage AI startup teams from the African continent, delving into experiments with LLM technology, a statement on the website of the organiser stated.

It added that the Intel Liftoff Hackathon for African AI Startups, which will be held online on May 27-31, is themed “Hack and Connect”, and will take place in partnership with Modus Africa, University Mohamed VI Polytechnic, Morocco

Other partners include TUT Hub of Artificial Intelligence Institute of South Africa, Prosper Africa, UM6P Ventures, FAST Accelerator, Innov8 Technology Hubs, and Open Startups International.

“The hackathon will feature hands-on workshops that will allow learning of AI essentials; three days of challenges with mentors to test skills; exhibition opportunities to showcase startups and forge partnerships with industry leaders; and networking opportunities to engage with fellow startups and gain insights from domain experts in the AI ecosystem,” the statement said.

“Winners will be invited to join the Intel Liftoff for Startups programme, and receive unique mentoring sessions with ecosystem partners and marketing opportunities with blog articles,” it concluded.