Tech

5,300 African entrepreneurs graduate from Google’s Hustle Academy

Published

5 months ago

November 27, 2023

The Google’s Hustle Academy which was launched in 2022 to empower budding African entrepreneurs has graduated 5,300 small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) from across countries like Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya.

The Google Hustle Academy, since coming on board, has empowered over 10,000 entrepreneurs across Africa, with more than 3,000 of the SMBs coming from Kenya, according to Google Country Director for East Africa, Agnes Gathaiya.

At the graduation ceremony on Monday in Nairobi, Gathaiya noted that the Hustle Academy programme focused on addressing the challenges faced by African SMBs and provided practical skills and resources essential for business growth.

“In the Academy, business owners undergo five days of hands-on training and receive 3,000 hours of training on fundamental aspects of business to help them navigate the challenges faced by SMEs in Africa,” she said.

“The training curriculum includes strategic growth sessions including business growth strategy, building digital marketing roadmaps, discovering and evaluating funding routes and how to pitch for success among other topics.

“This year’s cohort builds upon the foundation of the more than 5,000 SMBs who graduated last year. The graduates represent a wide range of industries, demonstrating the diverse and dynamic nature of African entrepreneurship.

“These businesses, through their participation in the Hustle Academy, have shown a remarkable capacity for innovation and resilience. The determination and growth exhibited by these SMBs are commendable,” Gathaiya added.

“The Hustle Academy program stands as a beacon of what practical training and resource provision can accomplish. Today’s graduation is not only a celebration of their hard work but also an acknowledgment of their role in enriching the African business environment.

“Through a variety of programs, products, and partnerships, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in Africa are receiving substantial support, helping them navigate the challenges of the modern business world. Programs like the Hustle Academy are part of Google’s broader commitment to bolster the African business sector” she further revealed.

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Tech

African Union, Google Africa launch campaign to celebrate creative economy

Published

6 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

The African Union has entered a partnership with Google Africa aimed at celebrating the continent’s thriving creative economy which has “fueled innovation, create jobs, and economic growth across Africa.”

Addy Awofisayo, Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa, who announced the collaboration, said Google Africa, having recognized this potential, decided to team up with the African Union to launch the #DiscoverMyAfrica Shorts Challenge, a month-long campaign of the continent’s rich diversity, heritage, and vibrant spirit.

“In celebration of Africa Month, YouTube creators across Africa are invited to share short videos capturing their unique perspectives using the #DiscoverMyAfrica hashtag,” Awofisayo said.

“The challenge encourages them to showcase various facets of African life, from music and art to food, fashion, and local landmarks.

“It will be a curated playlist of African-inspired music on YouTube Music that will fuel inspiration and accompanies these creative expressions.

“This initiative goes beyond celebration. #DiscoverMyAfrica empowers African youth to share their stories and rich cultural heritage globally.

“By providing a platform for African voices, the challenge fosters cultural exchange and positions Africa as a hub of creative energy.

“It’s about unlocking the vibrant future of Africa’s creative landscape, aligning with the vision of a digitally-enabled Africa harnessing its cultural wealth for economic growth and social progress.

“YouTube is committed to supporting the diverse voices and talents that make up Africa’s creative landscape,” said Awofisayo.

He added that the “initiatives provide valuable resources and platforms for African filmmakers, musicians, and content creators to share their stories and connect with global audiences.”

The #DiscoverMyAfrica Challenge is part of the African Union’s collaborative effort in driving innovation through strategic partnership with Google, through the Office of the Youth Envoy, Make Africa Digital (MAD) initiative.

The MAD initiative is implemented under the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy 2020-2030 which envisions an “integrated and inclusive digital society and economy in Africa that improves the quality of life of Africa’s citizens.

Tech

Nigeria’s food delivery startup Chowdeck raises $2.5m to optimise operations

Published

1 day ago

May 2, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

Nigeria’s on-demand food delivery startup, Chowdeck, has announced securing the sum of $2.5 million in seed funding that will enable it optimise operations and support its expansion plans into more cities across the country.

Femi Aluko, the CEO and co-founder of Chowdeck who made the announcement on Thursday, said the funds which came from investors including Y Combinator, Goodwater Capital, FounderX Ventures, Hoaq Fund, Levare Ventures, True Culture Funds and Haleakala Ventures, will will enable the startup to double down on its market leadership in the cities they are already operating in as well as lay the groundwork for further expansion into other Nigerian cities.

“We know that Nigerians love good food, and we just want to make it as easy as possible for them to access the food they desire,” Aluko said.

“Chowdeck was birthed to fulfil this purpose and we are committed to delivering truly excellent experiences for our customers, vendors and riders.

“We are pleased with the success we have achieved to date and excited to have raised these funds that will enable us to replicate that success in more parts of Nigeria, and add value to our customers, vendors, and riders in as many ways as we can,” Aluko added.

Chowdeck which was launched in Lagos in October 2021, allows customers to order meals from a variety of restaurants and have them delivered to their doorstep within 30 minutes.

A participant in the Y Combinator accelerator in 2022, Chowdeck has acquired more than 500,000 users and more than 3,000 riders, serving eight Nigerian cities including Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Port-Harcourt, Ilorin, Benin City, Abeokuta and Asaba.