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Sanofi, through Afric@Tech (its dedicated innovation lab), invites health tech companies in Nigeria and Ghana to submit solutions to three health challenges. The deadline for submissions to Sanofi is 15 February, 2019. The solutions will be evaluated by a jury of professionals. Successful candidates, supported by Sanofi, will present their solutions at Viva Technology in Paris on 16 – 18 May, 2019. Interested participants can access information here. Please make further inquiries by sending an email to info.nigeria@sanofi.com.

Telkom Kenya Limited and Airtel Networks Kenya have announced plans to merge their respective Mobile, Enterprise and Carrier Services. The joint venture company, to be named Airtel-Telkom, will see sustained investments in networks to further accelerate roll-out of future technologies.

The Korea-Africa Cooperation (KOAFEC) fund and African Development Bank, in cooperation with Busan Metropolitan City, and the Busan Techno Park, have launched a pilot project in Tunisia using drone technology to develop agriculture including monitoring irrigated perimeters, aquifers, the effects of climate change and land degradation. Agriculture is one of a number of areas South Korea intends to partner with policy makers on the continent for the transfer of technology.

Rwandan tech company, Mara, together with the Rwandan government officials, have announced the roll-out of its first smartphone manufacturing factory in the country. Just last year, the company said it was investing $100 million in South Africa for the production of smartphones.

Johannesburg-based Founders Factory has opened applications for its African accelerator. The six-month, corporate-supported programme will provide participants access to global capital, talent and knowledge transfer. Applications for the accelerator are now open to startups in the fintech and e-health spaces. Click here to apply.

Stears Business is launching a a public data project ahead of the Nigerian elections on February 16 and March 2. The Stears Election Centre will be used to aggregate, visualise and distribute results. Post-election, Stears says they will continue to grow the platform as the hub of Nigerian electoral information.

Econet Wireless founder, Strive Masiyiwa, will launch a $100-million revolving fund for young Zimbabwean rural entrepreneurs and rural-focused ventures. Beneficiaries of the fund will receive funds between $1,000 and $10,000. “The money will support projects from rural entrepreneurs or those entrepreneurs willing to focus on rural areas,” he said.

From TechCabal

+ A Tale of Two Cities with Senior Software Engineer Adebayo Adesanya

+ Making Ageing Less Lonely for Nigeria’s Elderly Population