Tech

Egyptian startup Potcast Productions raises funding to upscale offerings

Published

5 months ago

June 15, 2024

Potcast Production, an Egypt-based innovative company that specializes in podcast production, has announced securing an an undisclosed pre-seed funding round to help enhance its content production capabilities, scale its marketing efforts, and accelerate the development of new podcast series.

Potcast Productions which was established by entrepreneur Islam Adel in 2020, creates 15 diverse podcast programmes tailored to various target demographics, and has racked up seven million listens and over 600,000 viewing hours within the last six months.

According Adel, the pre-seed funding round comes from Innovative Media Productions (IMP), the media company behind Egypt’s Shart Tank television show, which made its first investment in Potcast Productions back in April, as well as renowned investor Ahmed Tarek Khalil.

“The funds will be used to enhance Potcast’s content production capabilities, scale up its marketing efforts, and accelerate the development of new, high-quality podcast series that cater to a diverse and growing audience,” Adel said.

“This round of investment will also support plans to produce high quality audio experiences both digitally and offline, further solidifying Potcast’s position as a leader in audio-first content production.

“The injection of funds will be directed towards enhancing Potcast’s capacity to produce high-quality content, scaling its marketing initiatives, and creating new podcast series to meet the demands of an increasingly diverse listener base.

“The investment will also support Potcast’s ambition to deliver premium audio experiences, both online and offline, thereby reinforcing its status as a pioneer in the realm of audio-first content production.

“Securing this follow-up investment from IMP and Ahmed Tarek Khalil is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team.

“Their support validates our mission to transform podcasting in the region and propels us forward as we continue to innovate and expand our reach,” Adel said.

Related Topics:Egypt Featured Funding Podcast Potcast Production

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Tech

Ghana partners with The Gambia to provide free roaming services

Published

2 days 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

3 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.