Tech

Mastercard partners Uganda’s ICT Ministry to drive digital transformation

Published

2 months ago

March 5, 2024

Global payments network processor, Mastercard, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ugandan Ministry of ICT and National Guidance which seeks to accelerate digital transformation across the country.

According to Victor Ndlovu, Director and Business Development Lead for East Africa at Mastercard, the collaboration marks a significant milestone in the implementation of the ‘Digital Uganda Vision’, aimed at driving socio-economic development, enhancing services, and driving financial inclusion.

The partnership with Mastercard will provide technical assistance and expertise to support the Ugandan Government’s digitization and financial inclusion efforts, including the digitization of traditional services such as Posta Uganda, to capture new revenue flows and deliver integrated and convenient experiences for customers.

The signing of the MoU took place at the offices of the Ministry of ICT in Kampala, led by Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, Minister of ICT and National Guidance in Uganda, and Ndlovu, and is aligned with Uganda’s digital transformation goals laid out in their Digital Uganda Vision.

“This vision will empower Ugandan citizens striving to achieve the goals of universal inclusion, sustainable development, economic progress, and poverty eradication through digital innovation combining initiatives across multiple sectors,” Baryomunsi after the signing ceremony.

Ndlovu who spoke to journalists after the event, said the “vision aligns with Mastercard’s goal of enhancing financial inclusion by bringing one billion unbanked and underserved individuals into the digital economy by 2025, including empowering 50 million micro- and small merchants and supporting 25 million women-owned or led businesses.”

“One of the key focal areas of this partnership is to modernize Uganda’s digital payments ecosystem, making it more inclusive and accessible to micro and small merchants.

“These merchants will now have the tools they need to connect with the global digital economy and accept payments electronically, broadening their market reach and enhancing their contribution to Uganda’s economic growth.

“The initiative will also explore digital payment solutions as a gateway to support e-commerce platforms and e-government initiatives, therefore facilitating both domestic and cross-border transactions,” he said.

Related Topics:Featured MasterCard Ministry of ICT Uganda

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Tech

RepAir, Cella partner to launch carbon capture in Kenya

Published

1 day 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

2 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.