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Tech & Business
- Availability of mobile phones, internet increasing agriculture digitization.
- Smallholder farmers still lag in adapting digital solutions in farming.
- Policymakers urged to prioritize digitalization interventions for smallholder farmers.
Across Africa, a new era of agriculture is unfolding, driven by the rise of farming AI (artificial intelligence)—a powerful tool that promises to revolutionize food production and meet the demands of a growing population. Increasingly, farming Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the ‘future present’ of agriculture development as rising number of smallholder farmers in Africa adopt various digital solutions to increase productivity.
In a recent research that looked into rural farmers’ experiences and attitudes toward digital tools and services in Africa, the findings show that the trend is less than promising, comparatively speaking.
“We like to look at how the adoption and application of digital services, and digital solutions directly and/or indirectly to agricultural processes and how farmers are fairing, if at all,” explains …
- Laser-powered Taara Lightbridge, an firm owned by Google, is competing with Elon Musk’s Starlink to advance access to internet services in Africa.
- Taara is targeting some 860 million people in Africa who currently go without reliable internet access.
- Taara Lightbridge offers affordable, high-speed internet that rivals satellite broadband solutions.
As Elon Musk’s satellite internet services firm Starlink grows its footprint in Africa, rival Google’s Taara Lightbridge has stepped in for a share of the growing number of consumers in the vast continent.
Taara Lightbridge is the brainchild of Alphabet, the parent company of tech giant Google and is envisioned to become “a standalone company,” as it takes on Starlink “in the race to connect underserved regions with high-speed internet.”
Taara Lightbridge uses Free Space Optical Communication (FSOC) technology to beam high-speed internet through light over long distances, unlike satellite broadband that Elon Musk’s Starlink uses.
The move into Africa’s …
- At AIM Congress 2025, PAL-V will be showcasing the PAL-V Liberty, the world’s first FlyDrive vehicle.
- This vehicle combines the convenience of traditional driving with the freedom of flying, presenting a practical vision for the future of mobility.
- “We are bringing the future of mobility to reality—creating seamless, efficient, and flexible transportation,” said Robert Dingemanse, Founder and CEO of PAL-V.
AIM Congress 2025, in its 14th edition, will highlight the latest global innovations in the mobility sector under the Future Cities Portfolio, bringing together industry leaders, investors, and policymakers to explore the future of advanced transportation.
Among this year’s most prominent participants is PAL-V, showcasing the PAL-V Liberty, the world’s first FlyDrive vehicle. This revolutionary vehicle combines the convenience of traditional driving with the freedom of flying, presenting a practical vision for the future of mobility.
As transportation systems face increasing challenges, such as traffic congestion and intercity travel …
- Cyber recovery costs have over the past one year increased to $2.73 million.
- The survey included responses from 5,000 IT and cybersecurity leaders in 14 countries, covering organisations with 100 to 5,000 employees
- Only 1 per cent of claimants said their insurance covered all costs
According to a new report by online security solutions provider Sophos, the recovery costs from cyber-attacks have outpaced insurance coverage.
The survey titled “Cyber Insurance and Cyber Defenses 2024: Lessons from IT and Cybersecurity Leaders,” shows that recovery costs from cyber-attacks are outpacing insurance coverage with only one percent of those that made a claim saying that their carrier funded 100 percent of the costs incurred.
The most common reason for the policy not paying for the costs in full was because the total bill exceeded the policy limit.
According to The State of Ransomware 2024 survey, recovery costs following a ransomware incident increased by …
- SME loan products offer a considerably low interest rate, which helps fund businesses.
- Pezesha is a financing platform for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) that enables them to access affordable credit and other financial services through embedded finance infrastructure.
- Safaricom has partnered with Pezesha, a digital lender, to credit small business owners, adding to the telco’s existing loan products.
Pezesha loan products
Pezesha is a financing platform for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) that enables them to access affordable credit and other financial services through embedded finance infrastructure.
Pezesha has created an integrated digital financial infrastructure whose mission is to lead platforms and marketplaces where small and medium-sized businesses work through a collaborative approach. Financial institutions or networks connect on this platform and are matched with quality SMEs, driving meaningful financial inclusion and reducing any inequalities in access to formal financial services.
In 2023, Pezesha partnered with FSD Kenya to …
- Price for engineering innovations was awarded to Esther Kimani from Kenya.
- A solar-powered tool using AI and machine learning-enabled cameras to swiftly detect and identify agricultural pests and diseases has won Africa’s largest prize for engineering innovation.
- Her tool reduces crop losses for smallholder farmers by up to 30 per cent while increasing yields by as much as 40 per cent.
- The Africa Price has supported almost 150 entrepreneurs across 23 African countries, generating over 28,000 jobs and benefitting more than 10 million people through the innovative products and services developed.
Price for Engineering Innovations was awarded to Esther Kimani from Kenya. This price, recognised as Africa’s most esteemed engineering accolade, was presented in Nairobi on June 13, 2024.
Kimani’s pioneering AI-driven pest and disease detection tool for crops secured this price for its groundbreaking impact on the agricultural sector, particularly for smallholder farmers in Kenya.
Read Also: Inside Africa’s …
- Smart cities are emerging as a critical solution to address the rapid urbanisation and infrastructure challenges facing African cities.
- Smart cities in Africa focus on infrastructure development to enhance connectivity, mobility, and accessibility.
- The limitations in human resources, organisational capacity, and rigid bureaucracy are significant obstacles to adapting to the demands of digital transformation and smart cities in Africa.
Smart cities in Africa
Smart cities are emerging as a critical solution to address the rapid urbanisation and infrastructure challenges facing African cities.
Smart cities agenda in Africa strive to ensure inclusive and equitable development by addressing social inequalities and providing all residents equal access to opportunities and services. This includes affordable housing programs, social safety nets, and community development initiatives to improve living standards and reduce poverty in urban areas.
Smart city projects also prioritise accessibility and universal design principles to ensure that infrastructure and services are accessible to people …
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration into various industries has sparked a wave of both anticipation and concern among employees.
- As AI and automation become prevalent, new job categories and roles emerge.
- Cultivating interpersonal skills and collaborating effectively with technology to drive innovation and achieve successful outcomes in the future workplace is key.
Artificial Intelligence and automation in the business landscape
Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration into various industries has sparked a wave of both anticipation and concern among employees. As Artificial Intelligence evolves, employees express growing apprehensions about its impact on job security and overall well-being.
AI and automation are revolutionising the workforce, paving the way for a new era in employment. The adoption of artificial intelligence in automated technologies is poised to transform the job market. Organisations are turning to AI to improve operations and efficiency and stay competitive and relevant in a rapidly evolving landscape.
With the rise of AI …
- Technological developments have completely changed how businesses run, engage with customers, and promote economic progress.
- Digital innovations like cloud computing, big data analytics, and machine learning have given organisations access to real-time information and personalised services.
- Disruptive technologies, characterised by their ability to significantly alter the business and social landscape, have driven massive economic transformations.
Technological change profoundly impacts businesses and the global economy in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. Technological developments have completely changed how businesses run, engage with customers, and promote economic progress.
Technological change has catalysed economic transformation, driven by various technological advancements. Businesses constantly adapt to new technologies to stay competitive, improve efficiency, and meet evolving consumer demands. The Internet of Things (IoT) and automation are examples of technological advancements that have completely changed various industries and organisational structures.
Technological change has reshaped work, leading to new employment patterns and skill requirements. The gig economy, involving …
