Author: Akin Naphtal

Kenya-based EV startup Roam has introduced a new shuttle bus model called Move, as the country aims to promote the use of electric vehicles. Roam, previously known as Opibus, plans to increase production of the Move bus and expand its charging infrastructure in response to the growing demand for EV buses in Kenya. This demand is driven by rising fuel prices and the need for sustainable transportation options. By February 2023, Roam aims to deliver 50 Move buses and achieve a monthly production capacity of 40 units. The buses, which can seat 42 or 52 people and have a range…

Global consulting firm Ernst and Young (EY) has launched a new artificial intelligence platform EY.ai. This solution leverages the company’s technology platform and capabilities with expertise in strategy, transactions, transformation, and risk assurance. EY has said that after an initial pilot of 4,200 team members, the company will be releasing a large language model called EY.ai EYQ, along with rolling AI learning and development programs. For EY.ai, AI solutions have been embedded into proprietary technologies like EY Fabric. The $1.4 billion investment has been directed to build this solution and to secure a series of EY technology acquisitions with supporting…

Bob van Dijk has stepped down as chief executive officer of JSE-listed Naspers and its Prosus unit. Naspers made the announcement recently, saying Van Dijk will be replaced by chief investment officer Ervin Tu on an interim basis. In a statement, the companies say they have mutually agreed that Van Dijk will, effective 18 September, step down as chief executive, as well as his position on the boards of both companies. According to the organisations, Van Dijk has agreed to assist with the transition after this date and will remain as a consultant to the group until 30 September 2024.…

MTN South Africa has announced a new partnership with Eseye, a global provider of IoT services. The partnership will see Eseye’s IoT solutions deployed in South Africa, with the aim of expanding the solution to eighteen MTN operating companies across Africa.  This involves integration with MTN’s current infrastructure, utilising Eseye’s deep engineering expertise and experience in deploying rapid IoT solutions to meet MTN’s global needs, and supporting customers with IoT deployments pan-Africa. Lawrence Juku, Head of IoT Solutions at MTN Business, said: “Our partnership with Eseye is a major milestone in our journey to become Africa’s leading digital platform. Eseye’s…

Dell Technologies has announced the appointment of Alexandre Brousse as EMEA Channel Lead, effective October 1. Brousse will work with the EMEA Channel team to deliver a customer-centric and partner-empowered ecosystem that drives growth and innovation in the region. “With today’s leadership announcements we demonstrate our commitment to growth and creating market opportunities for both our customers and partners.,” said Diego Majdalani, President, Global Channel Sales, Dell Technologies. “Brousse is a highly experienced, respected leader and will be an asset to my leadership team and our broader EMEA partner ecosystem, while Anwar brings a great channel perspective, relationships, and a…

Global technology company IBM has announced the expansion of its collaboration with biscuit brand Parle Products for digital transformation services. In the latest phase of engagement, IBM Consulting is collaborating with Microsoft to implement Azure Databricks Lakehouse, an AI engine for Auto Replenishment, SAP Ariba solutions at Parle for better operational resilience, agility, and scalability. The two organisations first collaborated in 2014 to solve Parle’s complexities in the supply and distribution network due to non-differentiated strategies across products as well as channel and fulfilment approaches. Since then, Parle has been able to reduce sourcing costs, better sales forecast accuracy, and…

Adobe has announced the general availability of its gen AI-powered Firefly after several months of beta testing. This release opens up a world of creative possibilities for users across Adobe Creative Cloud, Adobe Express, and Adobe Experience Cloud. Previously confined to beta versions of Adobe applications, Firefly’s AI-powered workflows are now accessible to a wider audience. These features include Illustrator’s vector recoloring, Express text-to-image effects, and Photoshop’s Generative Fill tools. One noteworthy update is the expanded language support, with Firefly AI now accommodating over 100 languages, making Adobe Express more accessible on a global scale. Initially available on desktop web…

In a significant move to bolster global security and provide innovative solutions for businesses and individuals facing crisis situations, Mastercard which is a global financial services company known for providing payment solutions and services has partnered with   Crisis24, a risk management platform owned by Garda World Company and integrated risk management and crisis response, consulting and global protective firm to offer a new service that helps business keep their employees safe while travelling. Crisis 24 is available in the Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (EEMEA) regions. The partnership aims to combine Mastercard’s expertise in financial technology and global reach…

Lipalater a Kenyan based financial company known for its innovative approach to consumer financing, has successfully secured regulatory approval to conduct public fundraising activities in the United States. This milestone marks a significant breakthrough for LipaLater, as it becomes one of the pioneering African companies to receive the coveted green light from the esteemed United States, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). LipaLater was founded in 2018 by Eric Muli and Michael Maina, the Buy Now and Pay Later (BNPL) service partners with retailers to allow shoppers to pay in instalments and operates in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. Speaking on this…

In a notable surge, the number of SMEs in South Africa has seen a commendable 6% year-on-year increase. Recognising the potential of transformative technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) in the business landscape, Microsoft South Africa has launched an AI-driven technology skills training program targeting 2,000 local SMEs. The first training sessions were delivered in Durban, in the lead up to GovTech 2023 taking place between 12 and 14 September 2023, and leveraged the low-code capabilities of Microsoft Power Platform to help SMEs build solutions and applications that are fuelled by data and AI. According to the company;“Through this initiative, we…