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Orange Ventures partners Digital Africa to co-invest in startups

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Global venture capital investors, Orange Ventures, has announced a strategic partnership with Digital Africa which will see them commit to co-investing in startups from the “Orange Digital Centres” network in Africa and the Middle East.

Fayçal Adlouni, Managing Partner of Orange Ventures who broke the news on Thursday, said the deal will strengthen and accelerate support for African startups from the Orange Digital Centres.

“The Orange Group is fully committed to nurturing the future champions of the technology scene in Africa and the Middle East,” he said.

“This arrangement, involving Orange Middle East and Africa, Orange Ventures and Digital Africa will collectively enable us to concentrate our resources to create an environment conducive to the success of startups in Africa and the Middle East,” Adlouni stated.

Also speaking on the partnership, Grégoire de Padirac, CEO of Digital Africa, said his firm already runs a Fuzé investment facility, which allows early-stage startups operating in Francophone African countries to apply for up to EUR50,000 (US$54,000) in equity funding from by Digital Africa.

He noted that by teaming up with Orange Ventures, benefiting startups will get support throughout their lifecycle, with the aim of stimulating entrepreneurship and innovation in the African region.

Orange Digital Centre is an ecosystem deployed in 17 countries in Africa and the Middle East, and eight countries in Europe, bringing together in a single location a range of free programmes open to all, from digital training for young people to startup incubation and acceleration, as well as support for and investment in project leaders.

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Siemens partners PE Energy for industrial automation, innovation in Nigeria

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Siemens Digital Industries has struck a partnership deal with PE Energy aimed at enhancing industrial automation and innovation in Nigeria.

The partnership, according to Siemens Sub-Saharan Africa CEO, Sabine Dall’Omo, will elevate the landscape with advanced industrial automation systems, motion and drives, and process instrumentation across Nigeria.

“Our partnership represents a powerful synergy of Siemens’ advanced technology and PE Energy’s industry expertise. Together, we look forward to driving significant advancements in industrial automation across Nigeria, fostering growth and innovation in the region.”

“This collaboration paves the way for the future of automation and innovation, empowering Nigerian businesses to compete globally and prosper locally.

“This collaboration promises to deliver state-of-the-art solutions to a diverse array of industries such as Oil & Gas, manufacturing, food & beverage, and more,” the Siemens CEO said in a statement.

Also speaking on the deal, Daere Akobo, CEO, PE Energy said:

“As a player in the Nigerian industrial sector, PE Energy has consistently demonstrated its commitment to excellence and innovation.

“By teaming up with Siemens Digital Industries, a global innovation and technology leader in industrial automation, PE Energy is set to provide unparalleled services that enhance operational efficiency, productivity, and sustainability for its clients.

“We are excited about this partnership with Siemens Digital Industries. This collaboration aligns with our mission to offer cutting-edge technology and comprehensive solutions that meet the dynamic needs of our clients across various industries.

“Together, we will drive the implementation of state-of-the-art solutions in Nigeria’s industrial sector, fostering growth and competitiveness.”

The partnership, he added, will leverage Siemens’ advanced technology and expertise in automation, drive systems and process instrumentation while PE Energy will integrate these solutions to deliver customized, high-performance systems that address the unique challenges faced by Nigerian industries.

“This includes enhancing factory automation processes, optimizing motion and drives applications, and improving process instrumentation for better control and efficiency.”

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Safaricom, M-Pesa Foundations donate Sh15m to victims of Kenyan protests

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Kenya’s tech giants, Safaricom and M-Pesa, have made a joint donation of KES Sh15m to victims of the protests that have rocked the country in the last two weeks.

The two companies which made the donation through their Foundations also rolled out infrastructure developmental projects and support to hospitals catering for the project victims.

Safaricom CEO, Peter Ndegwa, who spoke at the Kenyatta National Hospital while visiting the victims on Thursday, said as part of the donation, KES 10 million would go to the hospital’s Disaster Response Centre, while KES 5 million would go towards supporting those injured and admitted at the hospital.

“Our Foundations are there to stand with people, especially in times of need. We are happy to provide hospitals with structured support in times of emergencies, both for infrastructure improvement and patient recovery,” Ndegwa said.

He said the KES 5 million will be for the provision of assistive devices to the injured, smartphones and airtime for those who lost their phones, supporting affected individuals with three months’ worth of food as well as one year’s worth of rent for those in extreme condition.

The Safaricom CEO added that to provide further immediate support, the firm, through its M-Pesa Foundation, is organizing medical camps in affected areas, starting with Githurai on 6th July, followed by Rongai at a later date.

“In the medium term, Safaricom will also mobilize its Gen Z employees as well as other like-minded corporates and foundations, under the #GenZforGenZ initiative, which will entail volunteer squads leading community outreaches, clean-ups, and medical camps.

“The long-term plan will entail a comprehensive execution of community programs through M-Pesa and Safaricom Foundations, with an increased focus on Gen Z.

“This includes providing TVET scholarships, economic empowerment through the Ndoto Zetu program, agri-business value chain opportunities through the Wezesha Agri Program, and offering access to business training and micro-loans in 13 counties, starting with Nakuru, Nairobi, Kajiado, and Migori.

“The plan will also include supporting mental health through strategic partnerships and provision of complimentary counselling services,” he said.

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