Tech

Starlink acquires one-year licence to expand internet coverage in Liberia

Published

1 month ago

October 11, 2024

The Elon Musk-owned internet service provider, Starlink, has secured a one-year provisional licence to expand its coverage in Liberia.

The one-year licencing agreement which was signed by the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) will enable Starlink to increase its high-speed Internet access throughout the West African country, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

As part of the agreement, the provisional licence will allow LTA to assess Starlink’s services over the next year, setting quality standards and ensuring consumer protection as the technology is rolled out.

Acting Chairperson of the LTA, Abdullah Kamara, who confirmed that Starlink’s official service will be available in the first week of November, however, lamented that some individuals are already offering the service illegally across the country, and urged citizens to engage their ISPs to verify they are authorised resellers.

While Kamara acknowledged that the country is making universal Internet access a reality for the first time, he noted that this agreement will allow Starlink to deliver high-speed Internet to every village, town, and community, no matter how remote.

He pointed out that Kamara pointed out that Internet coverage in Liberia is currently around 60%, and the government’s goal is to push that number as close to 100% by leveraging Starlink.

The licencing comes three months after Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., held a virtual meeting with Musk to discuss the potential launch of the satellite Internet service provider in the country.

Boakai had then invited the SpaceX founder and his team to visit the country, affirming his administration’s commitment to ongoing engagement and collaboration.

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Tech

Tanzania to host 6th Ocean Innovation Africa summit in February

Published

22 hours 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.

Tech

Orange Egypt earmarks $52.7m to support African startups

Published

2 days ago

November 19, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Orange Egypt has earmarked the sum of $52.7 million to support African startups in what is going to be the largest investment to drive a youth-focused tech revolution.

According to the company, the mammoth investment will see over 40 startups benefitting from the funds, with most of them being Egyptian companies.

‘It’s a boost for Egypt’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem and a step closer to cementing its spot as a top startup hub in Africa,” the company said in a statement.

The investment is coming on the heels of the telco signing a deal with the Egyptian government to roll out the second phase of its 5G licensing.

The statement noted that with Egypt’s startup game already strong and ranking as the third most funded country in the MENA region, “the numbers speak for themselves.”

“In 2022, Egyptian startups closed 143 funding deals worth nearly $766.7 million, outpacing the $606.79 million raised the year before.

“Plus over 2,100 startups employing more than 50,000 people, the country’s ecosystem is one of the top 10 emerging startup hubs globally.

“The Egyptian government is all in on this. And since launching initiatives like Egypt Ventures in 2017, they’ve been backing startups to drive innovation and growth in the tech space.

“Orange Egypt’s latest move only adds fuel to this already blazing fire, paving the way for more opportunities and a stronger startup culture across Africa,” it added.