Tag: Uganda

Four innovators awarded Africa Young Innovators for Health Award for contributions to Universal Health Coverage

…the Award focused on innovation that can help extend population coverage, extend service coverage, and ensure financial protection for patients

The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) and Speak Up Africa have announced the winners of the second edition of the Africa Young Innovators for Health Award. Mrs Teniola Aderonke Adedeji (Nigeria) and Dr. Ochora Moses (Uganda) have been announced as first prize winners and Mrs Izath Nura (Uganda) and M. Abdullahi Muhammad Habibu (Nigeria) as second prize winners. The announcement was made at the Galien Forum Africa, which celebrates creativity and excellence in science in Africa. The Africa Young Innovators for Health Award supports pioneering young entrepreneurs with financial and in-kind opportunities they need to advance their innovations for better health outcomes in their communities.

For its second edition, the Award focused on innovations to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Africa. Many African governments have shown their commitment to achieving UHC by 2030, but progress needs to be accelerated. The Award focused on innovation that can help extend population coverage, extend service coverage, and ensure financial protection for patients.

“Winning the first prize of the Award further validates Pharmarun’s mission of providing fast and easy access to medication. We are committed to ensuring medication access through fostering more collaborations among pharmacies to ensure universal health coverage, beginning with medication and pharmaceutical care,” said Mrs Teniola Aderonke Adedeji, CEO of Pharmarun (Nigeria), an on-demand platform that offers a convenient solution to fragmented access to essential medications, and first prize winner of the Award.

“The Photo-Kabada team is humbled by this Award. This is an opportunity for us to move closer to our dreams of getting out of the lab into the clinical space where sick babies are. The Award is also a testament to the fact that homegrown solutions are part of the drivers of Universal Health Coverage,” said Dr. Moses Ochora, first prize winner of the Award and Co-Founder and CEO of Photo-Kabada (Uganda), a hybrid remotely monitored, phototherapy device created as a solution to reduce the burden, morbidity, and mortality associated with neonatal jaundice especially in low and middle-income countries.

Congratulating the winners, Award partners said:

“Reaching the goal of UHC by 2030 requires substantial public sector investment and accelerated action by governments and partners, building on solid evidence and reorienting health systems to a primary health care approach, to advance equity in both the delivery of essential health services and financial protection. It also requires fresh, bold, and fit-for-purpose health innovations, and this is why the Award’s second edition was based on this theme,” said Yacine Djibo, Executive Director and Founder of Speak Up Africa.

“Huge congratulations to the winners of this year’s Africa Young Innovators for Health Award. We wanted to guarantee gender equality in this year’s awards, and I’m delighted that two women and two men have won. IFPMA continues to be committed to accelerating innovation as part of delivering Universal Healthcare Coverage, and today’s Award winners will undoubtedly make a huge contribution to this goal,” said Thomas Cueni, Director General, IFPMA.

“Achieving universal health coverage by 2030 is crucial for fulfilling the promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and realizing the fundamental human right to health. I am very thankful and supportive of such program that significantly contributes in the achievement of our common goals through tangible and intangible support to African entrepreneurs,” said Dr. Ibrahima Socé Fall, Director, Neglected Tropical Disease at the World Health Organization and Jury Member of the second edition.

October 5, 2023
Two Nigerians Among 100 Newly Announced 2023 Rise Global Winners
…New Cycle of Applications Now Open for Talented 15 to 17-year-old Nigerians to Join the Rise Global Community.

– Today, Schmidt Futures, in collaboration with the Rhodes Trust, announced the 2023 cohort of Rise Global Winners including two Nigerians and launched a new application cycle for the 2023-2024 Rise Challenge. Rise is a program that finds promising young people, aged 15-17, and provides them with opportunities that allow them to work together to serve others over their lifetimes.

Two Nigerian Winners were selected as 2023 Rise Global Winners:
- Abigail Ojonugwa Labija (Gboko) developed a prototype of a water purification system that can provide more access to clean drinking water for her community during drier months of the year.
- Orimoloye Moyinoluwa David (Oniru) created a mobile application for local supermarkets that offers consumers a chance to purchase goods remotely, thereby reducing in-store congestion and improving store marketing.
Over the last three years, a total of 13 Nigerian students have been selected as Rise Global Winners. A complete list of Winners can be found at www.risefortheworld.org/global-winners.

Founded in 2019, Rise is the flagship program of a $1 billion commitment by Eric and Wendy Schmidt across their philanthropic organizations and initiatives to find and support global talent. Rise collaborates with more than 60 partners from around the globe to identify and nurture talent from communities worldwide. Partners in Nigeria include BUILD Nigeria and Ingressive for Good, among others.

“With a BUILD Nigeria alumnus as a Rise Global Winner, we have seen first-hand the impact that the Rise Challenge has on building up young people and expanding access to the resources and network they need to make the world a better place,” said Claire Utomi, Chief Operating Officer at BUILD Nigeria. “BUILD Nigeria remains committed to supporting young leaders in achieving the fullness of their aspirations and firmly believes in the power of Rise to help young Nigerians do just that.”

The 2023 Rise Global Winners include the program’s first-ever Winners from Bangladesh, Cuba, Jordan, and Uganda, totaling 43 nationalities represented by the 2023 cohort. This year’s winners are exceptionally talented and motivated young people who are changing the world through ideas and solutions such as an electrochemical pipe scale accelerator to decrease lead and copper corrosion in water; a biodegradable plastic using corn or cassava starch; a functioning reusable glucose monitor applicator that reduces the environmental impact of people with diabetes; a wearable device for dementia patients; and much more.

“We are excited to welcome a new cohort of 100 passionate young people to the Rise Global Winner community,” said Wendy Schmidt, who with her husband Eric is funding the Rise program. “Their ideas—from helping rice farmers transition to renewable energy to creating a biodegradable plastic from cassava starch—are the sparks that we hope will ignite a lifelong commitment to each other and to a better future for us all.”

With its global partners ranging from educational institutions to businesses and local governments, Rise identifies talented 15-17-year-olds and supports them as they leverage their ideas, energy, and initiative to solve the problems facing society and our natural world. Rise aims to empower the next generation of leaders to realize their tremendous potential and commitment to serve others throughout their lives.

Dr Elizabeth Kiss, CEO of the Rhodes Trust, commented: “At the Rhodes Trust we are passionate about the power of young people to lead transformational change. The latest cohort of Rise Global Winners shows that this confidence is well founded, and we look forward to welcoming them all to our intergenerational and international community of people who want to make a positive difference.”

Additionally, starting on September 28, Rise opened its fourth application cycle, inviting young people ages 15 to 17 (as of July 1, 2024) to apply for the 2023-2024 Rise Challenge through January 17, 2024.

Everyone who applies to Rise, from anywhere in the world, gains a network of peers, and a curated offering of opportunities from Rise’s partners around the world. A full list of benefits is available at www.risefortheworld.org/about-rise#benefits.
October 4, 2023
Verve and adidas announce partnership with Africa’s Biggest Fitness Series, VerveLife 6.0

Verve, Africa’s leading domestic payment cards and tokens brand, and leading global sportswear giant, adidas have announced a significant collaboration which takes the sixth (6^th) edition of VerveLife, one of the biggest fitness festival series on the African continent, to the next level.

Since its inauguration six years ago, buoyed by audacious aspirations to completely revolutionize fitness and wellness in Nigeria, whilst encouraging a healthy lifestyle among not only Verve’s teeming cardholder base, but also millions of fitness enthusiasts in general; VerveLife, the flagship lifestyle passion-point engagement promoted by Africa’s largest home-grown payment card brand has grown in leaps and bounds to become well-renowned as one of Africa’s biggest fitness platforms, attracting over 10,000 thousand participants in West and East Africa each year.

Speaking on the latest collaboration with adidas, Cherry Eromosele, Executive Vice President, Marketing and Communications at Interswitch Group, reiterated VerveLife’s focus on promoting fitness, healthy living, and wellness.

In her words “We are greatly delighted to welcome adidas on board as one of our partners for VerveLife 6.0. Year upon year, we continue to successfully deliver extraordinary experiences that transcend the expectations of fitness enthusiasts in these climes, with an unprecedented approach incorporating fitness, fun and healthy food, all intertwined in a format that leaves participants demanding more. In 2023, we are raising the bar even higher, and working with a globally renowned and credible partner like adidas gives even more fillip to our resolve, as we jointly advocate for more active and healthier lifestyles for African consumers.”

Also commenting on the partnership with Verve, Brett Burgess, Commercial Director Africa at adidas remarked “We are excited by our partnership with VerveLife as we continue to grow our Brand presence in Nigeria. We believe that this is an exciting partnership for us to engage with the Fitness Consumers in Nigeria. Through our Nigerian Partners, BrandCo, we look to give the VerveLife community a world-class Brand experience at the final event to edge the 3-stripes in their hearts. This event will help us entrench our belief that, Through Sport we have the Power to Change Lives”.

Noteworthy highlights of the Verve Life fitness platform include exciting high-intensity workout sessions and dance routines led by renowned fitness experts and dance instructors from across Africa, fitness challenges and immersive masterclasses on nutrition, mental wellness, and other related topics, all in addition to a multi-city train of satellite fitness events pan-Nigeria, touching over seven cities across West and East Africa this year. The collaboration between Verve and adidas stems from both brands’ shared passion for fitness and the partnership will deliver numerous exciting benefits for the VerveLife community, including complimentary adidas merchandise, product discounts, and access to exclusive events and much more.

Following the debut of the fitness event in Nairobi, Kenya, last year, the fast-growing platform is also expected to make its first appearance on the Uganda scene, with its maiden event in Kampala scheduled to hold in October.

The VerveLife events have grown bigger and better each passing year, originally evolving from just one event in Lagos to several events across the country and now in three (3) countries on the continent. Verve International, a subsidiary of the Interswitch Group reaffirms its commitment to continuing to improve on the quality, experience, and impact of the Verve Life series, in consonance with Interswitch’s ‘Never Stop’ corporate philosophy; to keep innovating and inspiring Africa and Africans to greatness. The unwavering sustenance of the initiative so far affirms Verve’s commitment to supporting the healthy lifestyle habits of its cardholders while also providing innovative payment solutions to cardholders, and to Africans in general.”

October 2, 2023
Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum announces Finalists for 2023 AWIEF Awards

The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) is delighted to announce the finalists for its 2023 AWIEF Awards.

Launched in 2017, the prestigious annual AWIEF Awards is an initiative to recognise, honour, and celebrate women entrepreneurs and business owners in Africa across various industry sectors for their achievements and contribution to the continent’s inclusive economic growth and social development.

An international and independent Panel of Judges selected the twenty-four (24) finalists across eight (8) categories. These outstanding women founders and business leaders operate in a diverse range of sectors and represent companies from fourteen (14) different African countries: Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The 2023 AWIEF Awards winners will be announced and celebrated at a special ceremony and gala dinner at the AWIEF2023 Conference and Awards, taking place on 9 and 10 November at the Kigali Convention Centre, Kigali, Rwanda.

AWIEF Founder and CEO, Irene Ochem, said: “Given the huge number and calibre of the nominations received this year, it is clear that female entrepreneurship and business leadership is thriving across Africa. It is our honour to recognise and celebrate the achievements and contributions of these women to the inclusive growth of their respective sectors, their countries and the continent’s economy.”

A member of the 2023 AWIEF Awards Panel of Judges, John-Paul Iwuoha, Founder of Smallstarter Africa, said: “As a Judge, I was thoroughly impressed by the quality of applications in all the categories. It is great to see how AWIEF continues to attract innovative women across Africa who are creating enormous value for society.”

The finalists for the 2023 AWIEF Awards are (listed in alphabetical order):

Young Entrepreneur Award

Salamba Diene, CEO, BIOSENE SARL, Senegal

Joyce Kamande, Co-founder & CEO, Safi Organics, Kenya

Jovia Kisakye, CEO, Sparkle Agro Brand, Uganda

Tech Entrepreneur Award

Norah Magero, Founder & CEO, Drop Access Limited, Kenya

Kathryn Malherbe, CEO, Med Sol AI Solutions, South Africa

Kidist Tesfaye, Founder & CEO, YeneHealth, Ethiopia

Agri Entrepreneur Award

Chinwendu Nweke, CEO, Bridge Merchant Enterprise, Nigeria

Forget Shareka, Founder, Chashi Foods, Zimbabwe

Nonopa Tenza, Founder & MD, Kevinot Farming, South Africa

Energy Entrepreneur Award

Linda Mabhena-Olagunju, Founder & CEO, DLO Energy Resources Group, South Africa

Ifeoma Malo, CEO, Clean Technology Hub, Nigeria

Margaret Yainkain Mansaray, Founder & CEO, Women in Energy Sierra Leone Limited, Sierra Leone

Creative Industry Award

Yasmina Belahsen, Founder, MayaDigital, Morocco

Gladys Chibanda, Founder & CEO, Krafted Ink, Zimbabwe

Ararat Tamirat, Founder & GM, Tuba By Ararat, Ethiopia

Social Entrepreneur Award

Damilola Aminat Adeyemi, Co-founder & CEO, D-Olivette Global Enterprise, Nigeria

Kayumba Chiwele, Founder & Principal Psychologist, MindAid Zambia, Zambia

Mundih Noelar Njohjam, Medical Doctor, Epilepsy Awareness, Aid and Research Association, Cameroon

Empowerment Award

Aya Chebbi, Founder & President, Nalafem Collective, Tunisia

Zulfat Mukarubega, Founder, University of Tourism, Technology and Business Studies, Rwanda

Catherine Wijnberg, Founder & CEO, Fetola, South Africa

Lifetime Achievement Award

Rina Gunter, Founding Partner, Gunter Attorneys, South Africa

Dalia Ibrahim, CEO, Nahdet Misr Publishing House, Egypt

Anke Weisheit, Co-founder & Chair, PHARMBIOTRAC, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda

September 20, 2023
African Education Ministers Take Stock of Country Level progress on Foundational Learning

Education stakeholders across Africa, including ministers, ministerial representatives and partners, convened virtually on Thursday, 7 September 2023 and took stock of country-level progress one year after the commitments made at the Transforming Education Summit (TES) and the ADEA 2022 Triennale. Speakers at the virtual event, convened by the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) and Human Capital Africa (HCA), agreed to prioritise evidence-based and contextually relevant interventions and support countries in scaling initiatives with proven results.

Foundational learning outcomes in Africa are below par. The 2022 Spotlight report from the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report (GEM-R) and ADEA revealed that 89% of school-aged children in Africa who are enrolled in schools are unable to read basic texts by the age of 10. This stark reality calls for urgency, as it has far-reaching negative implications for the future prospects of these children and the continent. In response to this challenge, ADEA and HCA convened various stakeholders and partners, leveraging side events at global and continental fora, including TES and the Triennale, to engage with countries on this result and the need to urgently address it.

The ministerial declaration following the Triennale resulted in the establishment of the African Foundational Learning Ministerial Coalition, comprising Ministers from 12 African countries who committed to making critical changes. Additionally, HCA launched its Learning Scorecard to provide countries with a framework to consistently measure their performance and track their progress over time. The first session of the coalition meeting took place earlier in February, when the platform was launched and critical steps for engagement outlined. The second session was an opportunity to share and measure progress and capture lessons from these efforts while setting the stage for a continued push.

The event featured case studies from Cote d’Ivoire, Malawi, Mauritius, and Uganda, delivered by their respective Ministers of Education. While opening the event, the Executive Secretary of ADEA, Albert Nsengiyumva, recognized coalition ministers as change agents whose actions must now catalyze other countries to take action.

‘You are all, as you know, members of the coalition, and we need to act as change agents in championing our fellow ministers in Africa to increase the intensity and the spotlight on foundational learning so that we can actually be able to sustain the policy-level salience in all our African countries. This is the only way that foundational learning can be a sure anchor for learning in subsequent levels of education in our continent.’

Outlining the rationale for the forum, the HCA founder, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, believes the forum is an opportunity for peers to work together to push for better learning outcomes at the foundational level, which will help Africa’s development:

“It is important for us to collectively work together. There is something about peers coming together to address this continental issue. Because the truth is, until our children are learning, we are not ready for development. So it is my very deep pleasure to welcome the ministers and the leaders in the education space that have joined us today, and we look forward to hearing from the speakers on our panel over to you.”

In his contribution, the Global Education Director at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr. Benjamin Piper, underscored the importance of rigorous evidence as a base for resource mobilization.

“We need to center evidence because funding will follow good evidence. As countries consider how to mobilize financial resources, it is important that they understand that evidence that is rigorous and contextually relevant is key to attracting funding. It is also important to prioritize local capacity and expertise, as contextual understanding enables more nuanced evidence and solutions that have a better chance of being sustained.”

Highlights of the event include the status update from Malawi on its efforts to improve foundational learning outcomes. Hon. Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima, the country’s Minister of Education, shared the efforts made in pushing for foundational learning reforms, including a curriculum review, the planned expansion of its school feeding program from 35% to 100%, the digitization of the school system to allow more learners to access education, and the adoption of HCA’s Scorecard tool to measure Malawi’s foundational learning performance and progress towards expected outcomes.

A panel discussion drew insights and lessons from other countries, especially as articulated by panelists including the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Science, and Technology of Mauritius, Mrs. Leela Devi Luchoomun; Uganda’s Minister of Basic Education, Hon. Joyce Moriku Kaducu; and Prof. Mariatou Kone, Minister of National Education of Côte d’Ivoire. Others included ministerial representatives from Angola, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, and The Gambia.

The African Foundational Learning Ministerial Coalition’s work will continue to engage and push FL reforms, with a primary focus on implementing the strategies discussed during the event. These include fostering ongoing collaboration among member countries and monitoring progress closely. A further progress review will take place at the ADEA High-Level Policy Dialogue Forum on Foundational Learning scheduled for the end of October 2023 in Lusaka, Zambia. Together with other ministers, members of the coalition will meet to review progress made and strengthen their work with peer learning sessions and knowledge exchange.

The African Foundational Learning Ministerial Coalition is a collaborative initiative convened by ADEA and HCA. It seeks to combat the pressing challenges faced by the region’s educational systems. This assembly of education leaders and experts aims to exchange best practices, methodologies, and insights to enhance foundational learning and promote inclusivity.

September 19, 2023
Microsoft-backed FAST Accelerator Launches 2nd Cohort of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Program to Boost African Startups

Flapmax, a leading artificial intelligence (AI) company on a mission to enrich the lives of everyone on the planet through innovation, has announced the launch of the second FAST Accelerator program. It is designed to support and fund the next generation of innovative companies and entrepreneurs throughout the African continent. Building on the success of the inaugural program, FAST Accelerator 2023 offers a transformative experience for startup founders seeking to scale rapidly and sustainably. More than 800 startups from 25+ countries applied to join the inaugural program.

“FAST Accelerator represents our commitment to supporting ambitious entrepreneurs who are driving sustainable innovation across the continent of Africa and emerging markets,” said Dr. Dave Ojika, CEO of Flapmax. “Through this comprehensive program, we are dedicated to connecting startup founders with a global community, industry-leading technology, and the essential startup funding necessary to forge the path towards local, sustainable, and AI-powered technological solutions of the future. Together, we unite in building a brighter future for Africa and the world, fueled by the transformative power of technology and innovation.

In partnership with Microsoft, the FAST Accelerator initiative combines business development, technology integration, funding opportunities, and community building to empower startup companies based in Africa and emerging markets to deliver sustainable solutions. It also provides dedicated venture funding and invaluable mentorship opportunities. The top ten FAST Accelerator 2023 startup participants will be selected for a five-week program in Silicon Valley, California, to forge relationships with industry experts, potential investors, and global partners through Flapmax’s vibrant ecosystem of over 600 corporate partners.

Startup leaders are encouraged to apply to FAST Accelerator this July. To be eligible, startups must be based in Africa, prepared to scale or expand throughout the continent, and have demonstrated established product-market fit and revenue generation. The program is prioritizing business-to-business startups for this cohort, with the areas of healthcare, fintech, Edutech, and industrials/agtech of particular interest. Sustainability and deeptech startups are also encouraged to apply.

Program participants must be available and committed for the entire duration of the program, which includes a two-week virtual bootcamp in August 2023, followed by a five-week accelerator program in October in California. The journey begins with an intensive virtual bootcamp designed to validate startup ideas, refine business models, and prepare founders for the next stage of growth. Next, the top startups are selected to join a five-week accelerator program on the ground in Silicon Valley to experience unparalleled acceleration, networking, and fundraising opportunities, while immersing themselves in the dynamic startup ecosystem of Silicon Valley.

“As a HR technology company dedicated to building world-class software solutions for businesses, we are delighted to have participated in the transformative FAST Accelerator program in 2022,” stated Lekan Omotosho, co-founder and CTO of Pade. “The technology and business masterclasses offered through Flapmax Learn were truly exceptional, and the invaluable network of mentors and advisors has played a significant role in our growth. With the successful raise of $500,000, we are poised to scale our cutting-edge HCM solutions across the continent, catering to both SMEs and large corporations.”

“At Snark Health, we are pioneering a novel approach to healthcare payment solutions, and our collaboration with FAST Accelerator has been instrumental in driving our growth,” said Edwin Lubanga, co-founder and CTO of Snark Health. “Through FAST’s support, we have gained access to critical infrastructure, enabling us to deploy our services at scale. Working in conjunction with Microsoft and Azure services and partnering with hospitals in Kenya, we are determined to deliver equitable and affordable healthcare to tens of thousands of SMEs and health centers across Africa, creating a lasting impact on the healthcare landscape.”

“Our collaboration with FAST Accelerator has opened doors to an extraordinary opportunity, one that I fully endorse,” said Innocent Orikiiriza, founder and CEO of KaCyber Technologies. Guided by FAST Accelerator, we have developed a comprehensive sustainability framework that now underpins our business operations, emphasizing the vital importance of sustainability in the public transport sector. Additionally, we have achieved a major milestone of processing 11 million travel tickets to date, amounting to a transaction value of 200 billion Ugandan shillings, immensely bolstering our revenue pipeline. With major corporate partnerships underway, we eagerly anticipate unlocking even greater possibilities with FAST as we work towards realizing a seamless and sustainable mobility experience throughout Africa.”

July 11, 2023
Garbage Boy & Trash Can created by Nigerian, Ridwan Moshood and others premieres on Cartoon Network July 17

…Cartoon Network’s first African-produced superhero animated comedy series comes to the channel this month.

Garbage Boy and Trash Can, the first Cartoon Network superhero animated comedy series to be produced in Africa, will premiere on Cartoon Network Africa on 17 July at 16:45 CAT. Cartoon Network Africa commissioned Garbage Boy and Trash Can following Nigerian animator, Ridwan Moshood winning the CNN Creative Lab initiative.

The series was produced in collaboration with the newly-formed animation production company Pure Garbage, a South African-based company specially launched for the project, which is a partnership between series creator Ridwan Moshood, Mike de Seve, head of US multi–Emmy Award-winning studio, Baboon Animation and Nick Wilson, founder of African Animation Network (AAN). Magic Carpet, a leading Nigerian animation studio, co-produced the show, and actors from Uganda, Malawi, Nigeria and the USA voice the characters. This global collaboration marks the first innovative model in animation between talents from Africa, Europe, and the US under Cartoon Network’s creative production process – a process intended to train and mentor African talent and produce content of international broadcast quality.

He’s a superhero with no actual superpowers, and his sidekick is a trash can, but that’s not going to stop young Tobi from using absolutely anything he finds to set off on a world of amazing adventures.

He may not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound or run faster than a speeding locomotive, but Garbage Boy’s belief in his superpowers may just be his actual superpower! Where most people see trash, Garbage Boy sees unlimited opportunities for fun and adventure. Whether it’s building a bazooka out of some old PVC piping that fires wads of mouldy socks or an electron microscope from broken VCR parts, Garbage Boy believes that everything – even garbage – is worthwhile. Exiled from his home planet, the alien robot, Trash Can, is driven by his sense of duty. He has an infinite intellect, a cyber-noggin filled with galaxies of knowledge and a compact, metallic frame housing an endless number of gadgets. Together, they tackle their major enemies – boredom and Dr Sore Eyes (full name ‘Braintomus Bombastus Edgar James Vanessa Sore Eyes, Ph.D.) – although the latter does a pretty good job of thwarting himself as he tries to avenge being shunned by the Academy of Really Real Sciences.

Creator, Director and Art Director Ridwan Moshood found inspiration for the show in the adversity of his childhood. “The inspiration for creating the lead characters came from the derogatory name some bullies used to call me back in junior secondary school. However, I soon realised that this name did not define my identity or limit my potential,” he says. “It is this powerful message that I aim to convey to children currently experiencing name-calling and bullying. That’s why I decided to create a show centred around the character ‘Garbage Boy’ who, despite the name, is actually a superhero — a symbol of overcoming adversity and proving that hurtful labels do not determine one’s true worth.”

The style of Garbage Boy and Trash Can is a homage to the cartoons Moshood watched during his childhood, mainly the Saturday morning shows like Dexter’s Laboratory, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, The Powerpuff Girls, and more. “It is Dexter’s Laboratory that greatly influences the artistic style of the show, as it remains my favourite Cartoon Network series. In fact, meeting the creator, Genndy Tartakovsky, is a personal aspiration of mine,” he says.

Cartoon Network Africa’s Creative Lab began its journey in June 2018 as an initiative designed to bring innovative, local short-form content to the channel and its digital platforms while reinforcing the local relevance of the brand. “The Cartoon Network team was amazed by Ridwan’s talent and his vision for the show, even then – and we’re delighted to see the final product adding to Cartoon Network’s diverse and original content,” says Ana González, Editorial Lead: Southern Europe and Africa, Kids Brands, Warner Bros. Discovery. “We are proud to produce and bring on air a pure African story with a fantastic Nigerian comedy hero in Garbage Boy and Trash Can, featuring fresh local animation talent and a truly stellar African voice cast to produce local, inclusive content.”

July 7, 2023
18 million doses of first-ever malaria vaccine allocated to 12 African countries for 2023–2025: Gavi, WHO and UNICEF

…Allocations were also made for new introductions in Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Niger, Sierra Leone and Uganda

Twelve countries across different African regions are set to receive 18 million doses of the first-ever malaria vaccine over the next two years. The roll out is a critical step forward in the fight against one of the leading causes of death in the continent.

The allocations have been determined through the application of the principles outlined in the Framework for allocation of limited malaria vaccine supply that prioritizes those doses to areas of highest need, where the risk of malaria illness and death among children are highest.

Since 2019, Ghana, Kenya and Malawi have been delivering the malaria vaccine through the Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme (MVIP), coordinated by WHO and funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and Unitaid. The RTS,S/AS01 vaccine has been administered to more than 1.7 million children in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi since 2019 and has been shown to be safe and effective, resulting in a substantial reduction in severe malaria and a fall in child deaths. At least 28 African countries have expressed interest in receiving the malaria vaccine.

In addition to Ghana, Kenya and Malawi, the initial 18 million dose allocation will enable nine more countries, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Niger, Sierra Leone and Uganda, to introduce the vaccine into their routine immunisation programmes for the first time. This allocation round makes use of the supply of vaccine doses available to Gavi, Vaccine Alliance via UNICEF. The first doses of the vaccine are expected to arrive in countries during the last quarter of 2023, with countries starting to roll them out by early 2024.

“This vaccine has the potential to be very impactful in the fight against malaria, and when broadly deployed alongside other interventions, it can prevent tens of thousands of future deaths every year,” said Thabani Maphosa, Managing Director of Country Programmes Delivery at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. “While we work with manufacturers to help ramp up supply, we need to make sure the doses that we do have are used as effectively as possible, which means applying all the learnings from our pilot programmes as we broaden out to a new total of 12 countries.”

Malaria remains one of Africa’s deadliest diseases, killing nearly half a million children each year under the age of 5, and accounting for approximately 95% of global malaria cases and 96% of deaths in 2021.

“Nearly every minute, a child under 5 years old dies of malaria,” said UNICEF Associate Director of Immunization Ephrem T Lemango. “For a long time, these deaths have been preventable and treatable; but the roll-out of this vaccine will give children, especially in Africa, an even better chance at surviving. As supply increases, we hope even more children can benefit from this life-saving advancement.”

“The malaria vaccine is a breakthrough to improve child health and child survival; and families and communities, rightly, want this vaccine for their children. This first allocation of malaria vaccine doses is prioritised for children at highest risk of dying of malaria,” said Dr Kate O’Brien, WHO Director of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals. “The high demand for the vaccine and the strong reach of childhood immunisation will increase equity in access to malaria prevention and save many young lives. We will work tirelessly to increase supply until all children at risk have access.”

Given the limited supply in the first years of the roll-out of this new vaccine, in 2022 WHO convened expert advisors, primarily from Africa – where the burden of malaria is greatest – to support the development of a Framework for allocation of limited malaria vaccine supply, to guide where initial limited doses would be allocated. The Framework is based on ethical principles on a foundation of solidarity; and it proposes that vaccine allocation begin in areas of greatest need.

The Framework implementation group that applied the framework principles included representatives of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), UNICEF, WHO and the Gavi Secretariat, as well as representatives of civil society and independent advisors. The group’s recommendations were reviewed and endorsed by the Senior Leadership Endorsement Group of Gavi, WHO and UNICEF (for more, see First malaria vaccine supply allocations: explanation of process and outcomes).

Annual global demand for malaria vaccines is estimated at 40–60 million doses by 2026 alone, growing to 80–100 million doses each year by 2030. In addition to the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine, developed and produced by GSK, and in the future supplied by Bharat Biotech, it is expected that a second vaccine, R21/Matrix-M, developed by Oxford University and manufactured by Serum Institute of India (SII), could also be prequalified by WHO soon. Gavi has recently outlined its roadmap to support increasing supply to meet demand.

July 6, 2023
CNN’s Connecting Africa explores the Seychelles’ blue economy

In the latest episode of Connecting Africa, CNN International’s Eleni Giokos visits the Seychelles. The programme explores what it means to be a part of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa [COMESA], and delves deeper into the blue economy, where marine resources are used for sustainability and promote economic growth.

The Seychelles is one of 21 countries that are part of the COMESA. Secretary General, Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe, describes the COMESA mission, “COMESA is the common market for Eastern and Southern Africa, which is a regional economic community. It has a wide footprint across the continent. Their main objective is for us to support our member states to transform their economies anchored on trade, to ensure that there’s sustainable economic development to uplift the living standards of our citizens.”

COMESA tailors programs and instruments specifically for small-to-medium enterprises [SME]. This includes a simplified trade regime of clearing goods for small scale traders, of whom around 70% are women. Kapwepwe continues, “For those women, it’s more than just trade. It’s a way of life. It’s a way of supporting their families. We come in to facilitate that process. We’ve engaged with the Cross Border Traders Association and we’ve seen that this structured approach really does help inform what is required.”

The programme then travels to Nairobi and Crown Paints, which produces 3 million litres of paint every month. Making the most of their geographical setting is key for the business, according to CEO, Rakesh Rao. “COMESA is one of the biggest advantages because we can exchange our goods freely from each country. It’s a great advantage to free movement of goods due to commerce in East Africa.”

Crown Paints describes itself as the most innovative paint company in East Africa, pointing to their computerised tinting machines which they say allow them to dispense thousands of different shades in minutes.

Specialising in all thing steel-related, Tembo Steels in Uganda aims to utilise technology to help the company become one of the most innovative operators on the continent. Chairman and MD, Sanjay Awasthi, explains that having a base in Uganda comes with many advantages. “It is a great location and it offers huge amount of opportunities in terms of business and people and connectivity into the entire region,” he says.

Tembo exports to several countries in East Africa and Awasthi acknowledges that the logistics of trading with neighbouring countries can be challenging. However, he also believes that being part of a larger community will always be good for business. “It’s an advantage for the whole community to be connected because 200 million people will consume steel, cement, the commodity.”

Later in the programme, Giokos meets Chrissant Barbe, Principal Policy Analyst in the Blue Economy Department. “The blue economy is all about the sustainable use or the sustainable development of the ocean,” he explains, “The biggest lesson is you need to get your community involved in this development. Some people see development or strategy as a top-down strategy and some see it as a bottom-up strategy. But I will say it’s a combination. You need to get your people, your community involved because they are one of the main factors and they are one of the main beneficiaries of this development.”

Head of Seychelles Aquaculture, Aubrey Lesperance outlines the objectives of the organisation, “We are aiming for the whole entire sector in Seychelles to go up to a production capacity of 60,000 tons within the next 20 to 30 years,” she says.

June 26, 2023
MultiChoice Africa Returns to Profitability, Affirms Commitment to African Entertainment

…Despite challenging market conditions, MultiChoice Africa’s unwavering dedication to telling African stories and its ongoing investment in local content has been a driving force behind its success in a highly competitive sector

MultiChoice Africa Holdings (“MultiChoice Africa”) has demonstrated remarkable resilience and achieved profitability, solidifying its position as a leader in African entertainment.

With the release of MultiChoice Group’s (MCG) FY2023 financial results, MultiChoice Africa proudly announces its return to profitability, marking a significant milestone in the company’s journey.

Despite challenging market conditions, MultiChoice Africa’s unwavering dedication to telling African stories and its ongoing investment in local content has been a driving force behind its success in a highly competitive sector. It has demonstrated its commitment to growing, amplifying and multiplying Africa through the power of entertainment, the power of its stakeholders and the power of its people, evident through this promising set of results.

“Our industry has faced numerous challenges in recent times,” says Fhulufhelo Badugela, Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoice Africa. “However, we have risen above these challenges, leveraging our strengths to overcome them, and that is something we take great pride in.”

Over the past financial year, MultiChoice’s Rest of Africa business not only returned to profitability but also expanded its consumer services ecosystem. With the FIFA World Cup and popular local content such as Big Brother Naija, the Rest of Africa business witnessed substantial growth, adding 1.4 million 90-day active subscribers and reaching over 14 million households across the continent.

Driven by its commitment to local storytelling, the broader MultiChoice Group invested in local content, empowering African talent and fostering a thriving creative industry. In its financial year 2023, local content accounted for 50% of the Group’s total general entertainment spend, surpassing this target one year earlier than expected. The group’s local content library now boasts over 76,000 hours, with local content production delivering a 9% year-on-year increase to 6,587 hours.

Despite liquidity challenges in Nigeria, MultiChoice Africa successfully repatriated cash throughout the year. The company also launched five additional local channels across the continent, including Uganda, Ethiopia, and Ghana, while popular shows continued to achieve record viewership across various platforms.

As Africa’s unrivalled champion in sports entertainment, MultiChoice Africa delivered the best action from across the globe to its fans through SuperSport. The company’s highlights included the live broadcast of all 64 FIFA World Cup matches, accompanied by local language commentary in 11 languages across eight markets.

Furthermore, the MultiChoice Group has partnered with Comcast’s NBC Universal and Sky to drive Showmax’s market leadership in streaming on the continent. This partnership will ensure customers have access to a more diverse range of local and international content, supported by Peacock’s world-class, scalable platform.

In May, MultiChoice announced a joint venture called Moment, which will be offering expanded payment infrastructure across Africa. Moment aims to transform the African payments landscape by making digital payments more accessible and reliable for domestic, cross-border and global payments.

“With the investments made over the past year, we are on track to transform from a traditional pay-TV platform to a broader ecosystem underpinned by technology.”

By continuing to invest in African stories, MultiChoice Africa is committed to cementing its position as a platform for local storytellers, celebrating and sharing the rich heritage and cultural tapestry of the continent with the world.

“As we navigate this ever-evolving industry, we stand strong, ready to deliver compelling African content that captures the hearts and minds of audiences across the continent,” concludes Badugela. “We are excited about our prospects and remain dedicated to making significant strides toward a profitable future as Africa’s most loved storyteller.”

June 14, 2023
Liquid C2 and INOVO partnership enables African contact centres to effortlessly boost Customer experience (CX) through a flexible, fully integrated cloud solution

Liquid C2, a business of Liquid Intelligent Technologies (Liquid) , a pan-African technology group, has partnered with INOVO to offer its omnichannel cloud contact centre to clients in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and South Africa.

INOVO’s cloud contact centre solution enables businesses to easily optimise channels, supporting processes, data and their workforce to drive efficiencies and boost the customer experience. The solution is completely flexible and scalable, allowing businesses to securely add functionality as they need it.

“Most technology works in functional silos. This is why so many businesses provide disjointed, impersonal and disappointing customer experiences,” says INOVO CEO, Wynand Smit. “Our cloud contact centre solution, combined with our industry knowledge and experience, helps bridge that gap. We enable businesses to easily connect all their existing business apps, systems, customer contact channels and data sources, while adding and leveraging industry-leading DPA, contact centre, analytics and workforce optimisation technologies to boost efficiency and CX. We are focused on providing a single, flexible cloud solution that provides all the resources and insight needed for African businesses to effortlessly make CX improvements,” says Smit.

“This partnership enables businesses to be in full control of their customer journey,” says Winston Ritson, Chief Operations Officer of Liquid C2. “It doesn’t matter if you are a bank, a hotel group, or a retail chain, the most critical element of a business is its customers, and through this solution, we enable seamless and hyper-personalised engagement with customers across all channels. This is what drives business success. We’re all about connecting people across Africa, and we are thrilled to offer our customers a better way to engage with theirs through INOVO’s secure cloud contact centre solution.”

“As a company that continues to invest in connecting the African continent, Liquid is the perfect partner for INOVO. Through their infrastructure, we can ensure fast-delivery and technical capability in-country. Liquid C2 can also aid us immensely in selling our products in new markets as this partnership continues to grow,” says Wynand Smit, CEO of INOVO.

Through their new partnership, Liquid C2 and INOVO stand ready to make it easier and quicker for contact centres to improve their CX end-to-end.

June 1, 2023
Africa cements status as a global leader in digital transformation at the inaugural GITEX Africa

Africa’s rising status as a global leader in digital transformation was firmly cemented during day one of the inaugural GITEX Africa 2023, as tech leaders from across the continent and the world gathered to collaborate and pledge their commitments to accelerating cross-continent investment opportunities.

GITEX Africa, which runs until tomorrow (2 June 2023), in Marrakech, Morocco, welcomed thousands of attendees across its 45,000 sqm of exhibition expanse, with government ministers and private sector executives alike celebrating the collective achievements, and, more importantly, advancing the future ambitions of a continent determined to elevate its entrepreneurial innovation economy.

Creating Africa’s own Silicon Valley

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Executive Governor of Lagos State in Nigeria, was among the keynote speakers at the GITEX Africa Digital Summit on how Africa is on the fast-track to become the next Silicon Valley.

Mr. Sanwo-Olu stressed the importance of investing in African youth, which makes up over 60 percent of the continent’s population, while noting that, according to studies, around 30 percent of investment in Africa is dedicated to the digital economy.

Mr. Sanwo-Olu also said Lagos is already home to some of Africa’s largest data centres, while the state’s Start-Up Act 2022 and Knowledge, Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (KITE) Project in the Yaba suburb are propelling Lagos, and Nigeria into a hub of global innovation.

“The Yaba Start-Up policy will elevate Lagos as a city ready to become a global player,” said Mr. Sanwo-olu. “In a few years, not only will Africa be supplying the bulk of professionals required (in the global IT industry) but it will also be creating a lot of jobs.

“In ten years, Africa will become the place where major global companies such as Microsoft and Meta, will come to recruit intelligent profiles trained in the technical fields in which Africa abounds.”

In its debut edition, GITEX Africa features 900 exhibiting companies and start-ups eager to gain access to meaningful and valuable connections for business development while learning about the vast opportunities in the world’s rising digital economy.

TalentQL is one of 60-plus Nigerian start-ups this week looking to scale-up its operations and collaborate with fellow innovators and investors. Founded in 2021, TalentQL helps companies build top-tier teams by hiring, developing and managing tech talent remotely.

“The focus for us is to bridge the divide between demand and supply for tech talent in Africa,” said Ibrahim Conte of TalentQL, which has operations in Nigeria, the UK, Rwanda, and the US.

“We help companies hire engineering talent via our diverse and robust pool of data scientists, developers, software, cloud, and cybersecurity professionals, and technical support. We shorten the process that companies go through to hire talent, and even ensure a cultural fit of candidates so clients have the best possible talent to grow their organisations and scale their products.”

Conte said demand for African talent is now higher than ever: “The supply and the demand are higher now for African talent, and we help these companies access those talents,” he added. “We’re participating at GITEX Africa to learn from other innovators and to celebrate collaboration to make things better for Africa.”

Promoting financial inclusion through flourishing fintech

Africa’s flourishing fintech sector meanwhile is estimated to reach revenues of US$65 billion by 2030, growing at the world’s fastest rate at 13 times over the next seven years.

This presents a unique opportunity for the continent to leapfrog outdated stages of technological development and move straight to more advanced solutions that are being debated and scrutinised at GITEX Africa’s Fintech Summit, one of ten dedicated conference tracks at Africa’s most comprehensive leadership conference programme.

Aalya Ghouli, CEO of DIGIFI and DIGISERV at BNP Paribas, a speaker at the Fintech Summit, said: “GITEX Africa is a unique opportunity to bring together the African ecosystem around a common goal: to accelerate digitalisation in Africa and position the continent as a key global player in the development of technological innovation.

“The number of participants and their backgrounds prove the current effervescence of the continent and its willingness of its states to position digital at the heart of their development strategy. GITEX Africa plays a major role to support this dynamic. BNP Paribas has been promoting for years now the financial inclusion and the digitalisation of financial services in Morocco and other African territories. It is natural to support such as a forum and initiative.”

Khalid Elgibaly, President of the Middle East and North Africa Division at Mastercard, will also speak on a fireside chat on GITEX Africa’s Fintech Summit about Fintech as a building block of Africa’s digital future: “Fintechs, with their disruptive and inclusive nature, have emerged as powerful enablers of financial services for previously underserved populations, overcoming traditional barriers such as limited access to banking infrastructure.

“By promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders, GITEX Africa unlocks new opportunities and drives the digital transformation necessary to address the continent’s unique challenges while unlocking its vast potential.”

Supernova Challenge battlers take centre-stage for start-up supremacy

Today will also see some of world’s most innovative start-ups take their next steps into potentially becoming the next African-borne Unicorn.

The GITEX Africa Supernova Challenge, Africa’s most valuable start-up pitch competition with US$100,000 in cash prizes, has pooled a shortlist of 70 disruptive start-ups from 31 countries to battle it out for supremacy across two days of live pitches in front of a 13-strong judging panel of global VCs, angel investors, and accelerators.

The shortlist of Africa’s most coveted start-up pitch competition was selected from more than 300 applications, representing nations from across the globe, including Cameroon, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Gambia, Ghana, India, Israel, Kenya, Korea, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, Switzerland, Tunisia, Uganda, UK, USA, and Zambia.

GITEX Africa is held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, and hosted by the Digital Development Agency (DDA), under the authority of the Moroccan Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform.

The hyper connector is organised by KAOUN International, the overseas events organising company of Dubai World Trade Centre, which organises GITEX Global in Dubai, UAE, the world’s largest tech and start-up show, rated by tech executives as the world’s best global tech event.

June 1, 2023
FIND welcomes the adoption of historic World Health Assembly Resolution on diagnostics as the organization enters its 20th anniversary year
WHA Resolution formally recognizes the vital role of diagnostics in delivering health for all, enabling countries to prioritize the resources needed to ensure everyone who needs a test can get one; A country-led International Alliance for Diagnostics will be formed to support the implementation of the Resolution; Adoption of the Resolution coincides with FIND marking its 20^th anniversary.

At the 76^th World Health Assembly last week, Member States voted to adopt a Resolution on strengthening diagnostics capacity, following a recommendation from the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board on 1 February 2023.

The WHA Resolution is a historic milestone on the path to health for all, enabling countries to prioritize the systems and resources needed to ensure everyone who needs a test can get one – wherever and whenever they seek care, in a hospital, at a clinic, or at home through self-tests. The Resolution ranges widely, covering testing for infectious and non-communicable diseases and health conditions, for pandemic prevention and preparedness, and to combat antimicrobial resistance. The Resolution also recognizes the need for national diagnostics strategies to be put in place and acknowledges that diagnostic data are critical to inform healthcare decision-making at every level.

The Resolution builds on recommendations from the 2021 Lancet Commission on diagnostics, chaired by Dr Kenneth Fleming. Negotiations were led by Eswatini on behalf of the Member States of the African Region. Indonesia was also a champion, building on their commitment earlier this year to improving access to essential diagnostic tests, as well as spotlighting diagnostics as part of their G20 agenda when they held the Presidency last year. The G20 Presidency passed to India at the end of 2022, and India has continued to keep testing central to the political health agenda.

To support the implementation of the Resolution, and to align with global goals for universal health coverage (UHC) and global health security, the Lancet Commission also identified the need for a formal, country-led, International Alliance for Diagnostics, with a focus on primary care, as a coordinated mechanism to drive access to testing. On the side-lines of the WHA, leaders from Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia, met alongside WHO, PAHO, Africa CDC, FIND, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), and agreed unanimously on the path forward for an International Diagnostics Alliance. As WHO establishes a strategy and plan for implementing the terms of the Resolution, a series of regional consultations will be convened in Africa, Asia, and Latin America before the end of this year to define the structure and governance for the Alliance.

The adoption of the Resolution on diagnostics comes as FIND enters its 20^th anniversary year, having been founded at the World Health Assembly in 2003. To mark the moment, FIND hosted a Diagnostics Day on 24 May alongside the WHA, at which FIND Chair Dr Ayoade Alakija, FIND CEO Dr Bill Rodriguez, and FIND senior staff were joined by experts in the field of global health, including (in alphabetical order):
- Dr Alexandre Costa, Senior Health Advisor, UNICEF
- Dr Ngozi Erondu, Technical Director, GLIDE
- Dr Marcos Espinal, Acting Assistant Director, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
- Dr Kenneth Fleming, Chair, The Lancet Commission on diagnostics
- Dr Nyane Letsie, Director General Health Services, Ministry of Health Lesotho
- Dr Heulwen Philpot, Head of the International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat
- Bawelile Philomena Sibili Simelane, Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini and lead negotiator of the WHA Resolution on diagnostics
- Professor Dr Woo Yin Ling, Co-founder of the ROSE Foundation
- Dr Howard Zucker, Deputy Director for Global Health, US CDC
Bill Rodriguez, FIND CEO, said at the Diagnostics Day event: “COVID-19 showed all of us that testing matters, and that testing requires the right diagnostic tools, trained health workers, laboratory infrastructure, data management systems, policies, and resources to be in place. Without the ability to test, not only are individuals and communities gravely affected, but economic and social catastrophe can follow. But while most of us have only just experienced what lack of testing means, prior to the pandemic four billion of the world’s poorest people – those with the least power – were already facing personal economic, and social catastrophe, without access to tests for tuberculosis, cervical cancer, Chagas disease, and many others. This is what the WHA Resolution on diagnostics addresses, and why it is so fundamental to improving health across the world.”
May 30, 2023

Egypt’s Al Ahly Crowned 2023 Basketball Africa League Champions

…Al Ahly Forward Anunwa “Nuni” Omot Named 2023 BAL Most Valuable Player, Receives Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy

Egypt’s Al Ahly defeated Senegal’s AS Douanes 80-65 to win the 2023 Basketball Africa League (BAL) Finals, which took place at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda and reached fans in 214 countries and territories in 17 languages.

Following the game, BAL President, Amadou Gallo Fall and FIBA Africa President, Anibal Manave presented Al Ahly with the BAL Championship Trophy and Al Ahly forward Anunwa “Nuni” Omot with The Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy for winning the 2023 BAL Most Valuable Player Award. Omot recorded per game averages of 18.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists during the season.

Al Ahly went 7-1 during the Nile Conference group phase and Playoffs, defeating Rwanda Energy Group and Mali’s Stade Malien in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, to advance to the Finals. Stade Malien defeated Angola’s Club Atlético Petróleos de Luanda (Petro de Luanda) 73-65 in the third-place game yesterday.

Notable attendees throughout the 2023 BAL Playoffs and Finals included NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum; FIBA President, Hamane Niang; FIBA Secretary General, Andreas Zagklis; NBA Africa CEO, Victor Williams; Fall Manave; FIBA Africa Executive Director, Alphonse Bilé; Toronto Raptors Vice-Chairman and Team President, Masai Ujiri; Academy Award-winning actor, social activist and NBA Africa investor, Forest Whitaker; BAL Ambassadors and NBA Africa investors. Luol Deng (South Sudan), Joakim Noah (grandfather from Cameroon) and Ian Mahinmi (France; ties to Benin); and New York Knicks President of G League Operations, Pops Mensah-Bonsu (Ghana).

The league has also announced several end-of-season awards, some of which honor pioneering African NBA legends:

2023 BAL Coach of the Year

AS Douanes head coach Mamadou Gueye led his team to a 3-2 record in the Sahara Conference group phase before defeating Mozambique’s Clube Ferroviário da Beira (CFV-Beira) and Petro de Luanda to advance to the Finals. Gueye becomes the first African-born coach to win the award.

2023 BAL Defensive Player of the Year

Stade Malien center Aliou Diarra received The Dikembe Mutombo Trophy after helping his team to a 5-3 record and recording per game averages of 18.3 points, 12.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks.

2023 BAL Sportsmanship Award

CFV-Beira guard Will Perry received The Manute Bol Trophy for exemplifying the ideals of sportsmanship and camaraderie.

2023 All-BAL First Team

Position	Player	Team
Guard	Jean Jacques Boissy	AS Douanes
Guard	Chris Crawford	AS Douanes
Guard	Dane Miller Jr.	S.L.A.C
Forward	Anunwa Omot	Al Ahly
Forward	Aliou Diarra	Stade Malien

2023 All-BAL Defensive Team

Position	Player	Team
Guard	Childe Dundao	Petro de Luanda
Guard	Jean Jacques Boissy	AS Douanes
Guard	Samkelo Cele	Cape Town Tigers
Forward	Aliou Diarra	Stade Malien
Center	Ater Majok	Petro de Luanda

The voting panels were comprised of coaches, team captains, media and broadcasters in attendance and varied for each award. The 2023 BAL Ubuntu Award, which is awarded to an individual or organization that has made an impact on the local community during the BAL season, will be announced at a later date.

The 2023 BAL season once again featured the top 12 club teams from 12 African countries playing a total of 38 games in Dakar, Senegal; Cairo, Egypt; and Kigali, Rwanda over three months. Champions from the national leagues in Angola, Egypt, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal and Tunisia earned their participation in the 2023 BAL season by winning their respective national leagues. The remaining six teams, which came from Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Mozambique, South Africa and Uganda, secured their participation through the Road to the BAL qualifying tournaments conducted by FIBA Africa across the continent from October to November 2022.

May 29, 2023

Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) Boost Women Entrepreneurship Education in Tourism and Hospitality in Sub-Saharan Africa

Seven organisations from Africa and Europe have partnered to form a consortium and launched the project, WITH: Boosting Women Entrepreneurship Education in Tourism and Hospitality in Sub-Saharan Africa. Co-funded by the European Union, WITH was officially launched last week in Seville, Spain.

The partner organisations are: Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF), South Africa; Seville Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Services and Navigation, Spain; International Consulting and Mobility Agency (INCOMA), Spain; Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Nigeria; Centro Studi e Iniziative Europeo (CESIE), Italy; Equip Consulting Group, Malawi; and Gift Women Link Foundation, Uganda.

WITH is a two-year initiative that aims to skill and empower a new generation of climate and sustainability conscious women intrapreneurs, entrepreneurs and business owners to succeed in the tourism and hospitality industry in Sub-Saharan Africa.

WITH’s key objectives are to empower young women with the soft skills and personal and social competences needed to succeed as entrepreneurs, support trainers and educators in updating their knowledge and practices aligned with labour market needs and international practices, introduce and promote sustainable tourism and hospitality concepts, and boost experiential learning opportunities by working with public and private institutions active in vocational education and training (VET) and in the labour market.

Francisco Herrero León, President of the Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Services and Navigation of Seville, welcomed the WITH partners at their headquarters for a kick-off meeting last week, and said that the organisation was very proud of being involved in a project where entrepreneurship and women are linked.

“At the Seville Chamber of Commerce, we are working intensely to improve the entrepreneurial ecosystem every day, especially in recent years, we are boosting the role of women entrepreneurs, supporting them through programmes and initiatives. We hope to continue helping women entrepreneurs around the world thanks to the WITH project.

“The kick-off meeting has been just a starting point of inspiring organisations. During these two years, the European and African entities involved will work together to reinforce the entrepreneurial mindset of young women in Sub-Saharan African countries and bring sustainability consciousness to the new generations in the fields of tourism and hospitality.”

AWIEF Founder and CEO, Irene Ochem, added: “We are passionate about helping African women entrepreneurs build and scale the next generation of innovative and sustainable businesses that impact the lives of all of us in the coming years. We are taking this to the next level by engaging in effective multi-stakeholder partnerships as the WITH project, to mobilize and share knowledge, expertise and resources to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa.”

Juan Guerrero, Head of Research and Innovation, INCOMA, said: “INCOMA will bring to WITH its more than 20 years of experience in highly relevant projects, such as ATHENA, SMART Volunteering for Female Migrants, CulTVET and EU4BCC, among others. We are very excited and inspired after this partnership kick-off meeting and launching of the project in our city, and looking forward to seeing the results start to show.”

Giulia Tarantino, Coordinator, International Cooperation at CESIE said, “CESIE is thrilled to work on the WITH project, as it focuses on three key aspects at the heart of our activities: women empowerment, entrepreneurship and tourism. Having developed several initiatives in this field, providing training and coaching opportunities to people interested in starting a business, we will try to capitalise on all these experiences to make a positive contribution to the WITH project.”

Rollins Chitika, Managing Director, Equip Consulting Group, said, “The WITH Project will inspire young women to seize opportunities, overcome challenges and actualize their entrepreneurial goals. This is the generation that promises to circumvent existing barriers to economic development in our country and Equip Consulting Group is thrilled to be working with partners from Africa and Europe in our contribution to making economic growth a reality.”

May 26, 2023