Tech

Bolt Kenya partners OWIT to empower female drivers

Published

8 months ago

March 21, 2024

Bolt Kenya has entered into a partnership deal with the Organisation of Women in International Trade (OWIT), aimed at empowering female drivers on its platform.

The partnership, according to Linda Ndungu, Bolt Country Manager for Kenya, was to align with the recently celebrated International Women’s Day which was “focused on global women’s inclusion and fostered meaningful discussions on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and well-being.”

She noted that the new initiative also “aligned with Bolt’s commitment to fostering gender diversity and inclusion within its driver community and OWIT’s mandate to empower women to transform communities through global trade.”

At an event held at Bolt’s Driver Engagement Centre where the partnership deal was sealed, Ndungu said the Bolt initiative will serve as a platform for women drivers to engage in value-driven conversations on key topics such as business acumen, financial literacy, and personal wellness.

“Through interactive workshops, panel discussions, and networking sessions, participants have the opportunity to gain valuable insights, share experiences, and connect with like-minded individuals in a supportive and empowering environment,” she said.

“We are excited to partner with the Organisation of Women in International Trade to empower and uplift women drivers on our platform.

“At Bolt, we recognise the importance of providing our female driver partners with the tools, resources, and support they need to succeed in both their professional and personal lives.

“Through this event, we aim to foster a sense of community, promote dialogue on gender equality in the workplace, and celebrate the achievements of our remarkable women drivers.”

She added that in addition to empowering women drivers, the event also promoted discussion and dialogue on what it means to be a woman in business today.

“By highlighting the experiences, challenges, and successes of women entrepreneurs within the ride-hailing industry, Bolt and OWIT seek to inspire and empower future generations of female leaders and change-makers.”

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Tech

Ghana partners with The Gambia to provide free roaming services

Published

15 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana and The Gambia are in the process of launching free roaming services that will enhance a West African connectivity.

The plan which is a joint initiative of the Ghana Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation and The Gambian National Communications Authority (NCA) will see mobile users in both countries avoiding extra charges for calls, texts, and data, which in turn, is expected to boost trade, tourism, and economic integration across borders.

The collaboration, according to a joint statement by the two bodies, aligns with the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) broader push for seamless regional communication.

“Ghana and The Gambia are forging new paths in West Africa’s digital landscape, implementing a free-roaming initiative,” the statement said.

“This move strengthens regional connectivity while highlighting the role of technological collaboration in fostering economic integration. The initiative enables mobile users travelling between the two nations to make calls, send messages, and use data services without additional roaming fees.”

It further noted that by reducing these costs, the program aligns with the ECOWAS Free Roaming Initiative, which seeks to eliminate barriers to communication across member states.

“It is a boost for trade and travel as the free roaming plan is expected to spur economic activities by streamlining cross-border communication.

“Businesses and individuals travelling between Ghana and The Gambia can now stay connected without worrying about exorbitant charges, facilitating smoother transactions and personal interactions. The initiative is also expected to attract more tourists by ensuring seamless digital access for visitors.

“This collaboration marks another milestone in Ghana’s commitment to expanding digital connectivity, following Ghana’s successful implementation of similar agreements with Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Benin, with talks of possible roaming partnerships with Liberia.

“By focusing on digital integration, Ghana and The Gambia demonstrate the power of technology to bridge gaps between countries. This step also serves as a model for other West African nations to join the free-roaming framework, contributing to the larger goal of a connected and economically integrated region,” it added.

Tech

Tanzania to host 6th Ocean Innovation Africa summit in February

Published

2 days ago

November 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, has been selected to host the sixth edition of the Ocean Innovation Africa (OIA) summit from February 24-28, 2025, as a flagship event within Regenerative Ocean Week.

The Ocean Innovation Africa is set to be Africa’s most significant platform for Ocean Innovation conservation, and sustainable development in the blue economy. OIA2025 will be co-organised with leading partners, including IUCN, GIZ, OceanHub Africa, Catalyze and the Ocean-Climate Platform.

With the theme, “Science-to-Solution”, the Regenerative Ocean Week will present a line-up of sessions designed to bridge the gap between scientific research, business innovation, policy, and community engagement.

According to the organizers of the event, it will bring together African ocean innovators, investors, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders to explore practical solutions that can be applied across the continent.

“These include the OIA Pitch Competition, which is a platform for Africa-based startups and entrepreneurs to showcase breakthrough ideas in ocean-impact solutions, allowing them to connect with investors and industry leaders and emphasizing Africa’s role in driving sustainable ocean initiatives,” the organizers said in a statement.