Tech

Kenya, Huawei enter partnership to promote digital transformation

Published

1 year ago

October 24, 2023

The Kenyan government and Huawei Technologies have entered into partnership that will see the two parties collaborate in promoting the country’s ICT infrastructure,
and the digitization of various sectors of the country.

The partnership will also see the eastern African country benefit in key sectors such as transportation, e-government, education, digital energy, as well as cultivating digital skills and knowledge sharing to enable Kenyan youths to be job-ready.

Chairman of Huawei’s Board of Directors, Liang Hua, who revealed the partnership during a visit to Kenya’s President, William Ruto, stated that Huawei was ready to work more closely with the Kenyan government to grow the digital and creative economies in the country.

“We recognise the urgent need to develop a green, digital and creative economy in Kenya. In this regard, we therefore regard Huawei as a reliable partner of Kenya in terms of improving digital infrastructure, with its pioneering strength in ICT technologies driven by its heavy R&D investment.

“We look forward to strengthening the partnership for more positive outcomes of ICT infrastructure construction and industrial digitalization.

“Huawei hopes to facilitate Kenya’s development in fields like the ICT connectivity infrastructure, national data center and solar power generation.

“We will continue to dedicate ourselves to improving young Kenyans’ digital skills and literacy. Huawei values openness, collaboration and win-win results. We will enhance investment in the R&D of cutting-edge technologies across connectivity, computing and digital power.

“Our team will work with local customers and partners to make greater contributions to the digital economy in Kenya,” Hua said.

Since making incursion into Kenya in 2003, the global ICT leader has supported digital skills in the country with the boosting of ICT infrastructure, provision of digital services, and promoting power infrastructure, including National Optical Fiber Backbone Infrastructure (NOFBI) and the KONZA National Data Center.

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Tech

DR Congo sues tech giant Apple over illegal mineral exploitation

Published

16 hours 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

Tech

Moroccan retail-tech startup Z raises $1.5m to drive intense growth

Published

4 days ago

December 15, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Morocco-based B2B retail-tech marketplace, ZSystems, has announced closing a $1.5 million seed funding round which will see it carry out its ambitious expansion dreams.

In a statement by co-founder and CEO, Meriem Benabad, the funding round was led by Morocco-based Venture Capital firms, MNF Ventures (through its MNF II fund), Witamax (through Fund II and III), Cash Plus Ventures, and Kalys Ventures.

“This funding marks a pivotal moment for Z, as we aim to scale operations and bring cutting-edge solutions to traditional retail.

“Our vision is to empower small businesses and unlock growth across Morocco and Africa,” Benabad said.

According to Benabad, the newly acquired capital will support Z’s technology development, product catalogue expansion, and preparation for its next growth phase.

“Z is reshaping the retail landscape by integrating technology and innovation across the value chain. Its scalable platform empowers traditional retailers and brands with direct access to consumers, reviving competitiveness in traditional trade (hanouts), which accounts for 85% of the FMCG market,” he added.

Founded in 2022 by the trio of Benabad, Samer Choumar and Youssef Ait-Haddouch, Z’s platform empowers traditional retailers and brands with direct access to consumers, reviving competitiveness in traditional trade (hanouts), which accounts for 85% of the FMCG market.

Since launch, the startup has helped over 15,000 active retailers, and seen more than 800,000 orders placed.