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The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) (www.AfDB.org), The International Finance Corporation (IFC), and partner organizations today announce the appointment of Inspired Evolution as the investment manager for Zafiri, a new decentralised renewable energy (DRE) equity investment vehicle targeting small-scale and decentralized renewable energy, to expand access to electricity and clean cooking solutions for tens of millions of people across sub-Saharan Africa. The appointment underscores Zafiri’s central role in Mission 300, a joint initiative of the World Bank Group and African Development Bank to provide first-time electricity access to 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030. Zafiri addresses one of Africa’s toughest energy-financing gaps by channelling long-term equity into distributed renewable energy (DRE) companies that are essential to last-mile access yet remain underfinanced by mainstream capital markets. Zafiri’s founding partners include IFC, AfDB, The Rockefeller Foundation, Trade and Development Bank Group (TDB Group), and Nordic Development Fund (NDF). Inspired Evolution is an Africa-based investment firm focused on scaling clean energy and climate solutions across the continent. The company, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Cape Town, has financed more than 10 GW of renewable energy generation, supported 29 companies across 18 African countries, and manages over $850 million including co-investments, through its suite of Evolution funds. “One of the key challenges slowing Africa’s energy transition is the lack of equity financing for distributed energy companies—those expanding power generation and improving access for millions,” said Ethiopis Tafara, IFC Vice President for Africa. “Zafiri addresses this ‘missing middle’ by offering long-term equity to these providers, helping scale innovative business models. IFC is proud to support this initiative, which is expected to reach 30 million people and spur job creation across the continent. Through our commitment to the M300 platform, we are deepening our support for impactful solutions like Zafiri. Inspired Evolution brings strong local investment expertise and a proven track record, making it a valuable partner for M300 in delivering development impact through the private sector.” “By combining AfDB’s capital—including our Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA)—with IFC and partners, Zafiri will inject the much needed risk capital to take the DRE sector to the next level in terms of commercial maturity, larger operational footprint, and ultimately impact on the many communities beyond the grid,” said Kevin Kariuki, the African Development Bank’s Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth. “We are honored to partner with IFC, AfDB and global investors to manage Zafiri, a vehicle uniquely designed to close the equity financing gap for distributed energy solutions across Africa,” said Wayne Keast, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Inspired Evolution. “We will focus on building and scaling high-impact businesses that can deliver clean, affordable and reliable energy while driving inclusive and climate-resilient economic growth.” Zafiri is structured as a permanent capital investment vehicle that provides long-term equity to expand clean energy access in underserved markets. The vehicle leverages concessional junior equity to de-risk private sector participation and mobilize commercial capital into scalable off-grid and decentralized energy solutions. Backed by an initial $300 million capitalization by 2026, Zafiri is expected to scale up to $1 billion to accelerate energy access in Africa. Over its lifespan, Zafiri aims to facilitate new electricity connections and clean cooking access for more than 30 million people while supporting the growth of Africa’s DRE sector. Operations will commence in early 2026. “The Rockefeller Foundation is proud to support Inspired Evolution as it leverages its proven track record to accelerate energy access across Sub-Saharan Africa,” said Ghita Benabderrazik, Director of Innovative Finance at The Rockefeller Foundation. “Following the announcement of our anticipated $10 million investment in Zafiri at the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit, we remain deeply committed to closing the equity gap for distributed renewable energy solutions that power livelihoods and drive productive use — advancing inclusive development, reducing poverty, and creating jobs.” “Complementing the debt support TDB Group has been deploying across several renewable energy sub-sectors in Africa, we are pleased to join forces with this strong group of investors to inject some much-needed equity into small-scale DRE providers – providers which, via electrification and clean cooking, can ultimately catalyse sustainable development in their communities,” said Admassu Tadesse, TDB Group President and Managing Director. “Zafiri enables the speed and scale that is needed to meet the ambitious targets of Mission 300," said Satu Santala, NDF Managing Director. “NDF’s junior capital is expected to catalyse significant commercial investments into increasing energy access in Sub-Saharan Africa. At NDF, we are in full support to make Zafiri become a success and mobilise more private capital for climate action.”
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Tackling Africa’s Off-Grid Gap

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GoDaddy (www.GoDaddy.com), a global leader in empowering entrepreneurs, announced the expansion of its new Digital Ads feature with GoDaddy Airo® (https://GetStarted.GoDaddy/Africa) to nine new English-language markets including Ireland, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. This AI-powered tool enables small business owners and entrepreneurs to create, launch, and manage professional Google Ad campaigns in minutes, without prior advertising expertise, directly addressing a key barrier to online visibility and customer acquisition. "Reaching new customers online is critical for growth, but creating effective ads has traditionally required significant time or resources many small businesses simply don’t have," said Selina Bieber, Vice President of International Markets at GoDaddy. "Airo Digital Ads now empowers entrepreneurs in these markets to compete more effectively. Our AI handles the technical complexities, like writing compelling ad copy and selecting high-performing search keywords, so they can focus on running their business and connecting with customers." Why Simplifying Digital Ads Matters GoDaddy’s 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Survey highlights the hurdles faced by entrepreneurs, with over one in three (37%) facing financial constraints limiting marketing investments, 23% struggling with technology complexity, and 40% citing work-life balance challenges from operational demands. Digital Ads leverages Airo’s advanced AI to transform ad creation from a daunting task into an effortless streamlined process. Instant Campaign Setup: Generate complete, professional Google Ad campaigns in minutes. Airo drafts persuasive ad copy, selects relevant keywords based on the business offering, and structures the campaign using industry best practices, eliminating the "blank page" problem. Zero Experience Required: Tailored specifically for those new to digital advertising, the intuitive dashboard guides users through the process without requiring a dedicated marketing team. Full Control & Customization: Users review, edit, and perfect every element before launch – headlines, descriptions, keywords, target audience, and budget. The AI provides a powerful starting point, but the business owner makes the final decisions. Integrated Management & Analytics: Launch campaigns and track detailed performance metrics (like clicks, impressions, and costs) all within the GoDaddy Digital Ads dashboard. No need to juggle multiple platforms or logins. Risk-Free Testing: Preview the complete ad exactly as it will appear on Google. Make unlimited adjustments. Campaigns only go live when the user is completely satisfied. AI Benefits for All Entrepreneurs Digital Ads effectively works as a plug-and-play solution to key challenges faced by various entrepreneurial segments. Small business owners new to digital ads gain a streamlined, cost-efficient entry point without agency overhead; busy entrepreneurs benefit from rapid campaign launch to drive traffic while juggling multiple priorities; and budget-conscious businesses garner professional results without the need to hire specialists to manage ads. Get started today at https://GetStarted.GoDaddy/Africa.
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GoDaddy Brings Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Powered Digital Ads to Entrepreneurs, Empowering Faster...

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Reimagining Africa’s Trade Corridors: A Blueprint for Integration, Growth, and Resilience

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International payments platform LemFi allows over 2 million immigrants to easily send money across the globe LemFi uses AI within its robust credit service to enable ‘send now, pay later’ remittance, so people can ensure their families are supported when they need it most New product will help streamline nearly £10 billion worth of payments LemFi (https://LemFi.com), the leading AI-powered international payments platform dedicated to building financial products and services for immigrant communities, today announced the launch of Send Now, Pay Later (SNPL), a credit-powered remittance product that allows its UK customers to use their LemFi credit line to send money home to their families when they need it most. For the millions of immigrants in the UK who send nearly £10 billion back home annually (https://apo-opa.co/4ohJsCl), there is often a timing mismatch between unexpected expenses and local earning cycles. This can force them to delay pivotal transfers home or turn to unregulated, expensive credit solutions. Since traditional remittance providers typically require immediate payment, Send Now, Pay Later aims to address this critical pain point and provide vital service to customers who are new to the country and have a limited UK credit history. Powering SNPL is LemFi’s Ensemble AI model, which combines multiple data sources to inform credit decisions, including national credit bureaus, open banking data, and the company’s own remittance data, to help determine credit limits and repayment structures. This intelligent system also automatically adjusts depending on the individual customer’s journey and available data points, determining the required data points based on the customer’s circumstances and then offering risk-adjusted credit based on the available data. Ridwan Olalere, co-founder and CEO of LemFi, said: “The rise of Buy Now, Pay Later means people across the world can buy products and stagger the payments depending on their cash flow. But this has never been possible before with remittance, despite it being such a core part of the immigrant financial experience. With Send Now, Pay Later, we’re integrating credit directly into the remittance experience, ensuring financial support is never delayed by cash flow timing. It’s also a testament to our commitment to building a full-stack, AI-enabled financial ecosystem that understands and serves the unique challenges faced by global citizens.” How Send Now, Pay Later Works To access SNPL, LemFi customers are onboarded to LemFi Credit, which gives users access to credit lines ranging from £300 to £1,000, depending on their credit profile and assessment, which is enabled by leveraging open banking technology to evaluate eligibility. This makes it accessible even to recent immigrants who often lack extensive UK credit histories and are excluded from traditional finance services. In addition, LemFi’s platform can recognise international credit histories and employs alternative credit assessment methods that look beyond traditional UK financial records. This allows users to start with smaller credit limits and build their UK credit profile over time while accessing essential financial services. This is done through the company’s AI-driven decisioning engine that analyses a wide spectrum of data points, including open banking insights, bureau files, remittance history and patterns within LemFi, as well as international credit footprints. By training models across these diverse datasets, LemFi can predict affordability and repayment likelihood with greater accuracy than traditional scoring approaches while reducing bias that often excludes immigrants from mainstream credit, helping to solve the issue of “credit invisibility” through the application of artificial intelligence. Once onboarded, customers can access their credit limit to send money to any of the 30+ LemFi-supported destination countries. When choosing the SNPL option, LemFi immediately processes the transfer to the recipient while creating a deferred payment obligation for the sender. Bridging the Credit Divide Currently, immigrants face significant and widespread issues when it comes to trying to access credit and banking services more broadly. Approximately five million individuals in the UK are considered “credit invisible”, with immigrants from emerging countries disproportionately affected. Research indicates (https://apo-opa.co/3VT1bUt) that nine in 10 immigrants report that accessing credit has become more difficult in recent years, while 13% of migrants are excluded from banking services compared to just 3% of the general UK population. This exclusion creates a cascade of financial challenges that extend beyond simple access to credit. LemFi's approach to credit assessment specifically addresses these challenges. As well, SNPL will tackle friction points around timing and bank transfers. Its real-time / same-day transfers reduce the time taken by traditional banks by a third and provide a means for its users to support their community despite their cash flow. Global Expansion and Market Opportunities Following the UK launch, LemFi plans to expand the SNPL service to its other markets in the United States, Canada, and Europe. It currently supports over 2 million customers, enabling them to send money to over 30 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America. Since its founding, LemFi has supported over 2 million customers in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Europe. In January 2025, LemFi secured $53 million in Series B funding, bringing its total funding to over $86M. Investors include Highland Europe, LeftLane Capital, Endeavor Capital, and Y-Combinator.
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LemFi Launches Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Powered “Send Now, Pay Later” Service

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Africa Property Investment (API) Events (https://www.APIEvents.com) is proud to announce a bespoke investor tour in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, designed to provide African delegates with exclusive access to the Gulf’s capital markets and iconic real estate developments. API Events, a leading facilitator of investment and development platforms across Africa, will host the inaugural Africa-UAE Investor Tour, taking place from November 10 to 13, 2025, in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This exclusive, boutique tour is designed to inspire, educate, and catalyse new deals for Africa’s top property developers, investors, and C-suite leaders by connecting them directly with the heart of Gulf capital and world-class real estate innovation. The tour addresses a critical market need, a trend underscored by industry leaders. As Kevin Teeroovengadum, Board Director of real estate and hospitality companies, observes: “We are seeing growing interest from Middle East investors across Africa, extending beyond traditional sectors like ports, mining, and petroleum into areas such as high-end bush lodges in the hospitality sector.” This sentiment is echoed by Murray Anderson-Ogle, Managing Director of API Events: “There is a lot of Gulf capital — sovereign wealth funds, family offices — and a lot of activity led out of the Gulf and Dubai into Africa. But for someone from the Gulf to come to Africa to meet a developer or a pension fund, it’s hard; you’re going to spend months tracking them down.” Anderson-Ogle says the tour is about bringing the leader of Africa to Dubai, creating a two-way exchange that matters. “It’s not just another conference or sightseeing trip. It’s a chance to forge authentic connections with sovereign wealth funds, family offices, private equity, and venture capital investors who actually deploy capital into Africa. Since some Gulf investors can be cautious about Africa, this tour is set to build trust and allow the kind of relationship-building that takes months or even years to develop if you go alone.” The four-day tour will offer attendees an opportunity to study Dubai’s unparalleled blueprint for urban development, town planning, and sustainable residential growth through sessions and site visits with leading real estate developers, including Binghatti, DAMAC, and others. This connection is a two-way street, as noted by Teeroovengadum: “Real estate companies from Dubai, such as DAMAC, are actively marketing their products to African buyers seeking to diversify their wealth and establish a ‘plan B’.” It will also be an opportunity to meet global retailers and brands actively expanding into Africa’s high-growth markets, facilitated by the UAE’s role as a global trade hub. “As the UAE positions itself as a hub for trade, more and more Africans are using places like Dubai for their trading operations,” adds Teeroovengadum. African delegates joining the tour will be welcomed by Dubai’s leading developers and funders, getting exclusive behind-the-scenes access to landmark projects. They’ll also engage directly with global retail giants and hospitality leaders who are expanding aggressively into African markets. Key site visits include: ICD Brookfield Place: The Gulf’s premier business & lifestyle destination in Dubai International Financial Centre, a global financial hub and a free zone in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and the tallest & largest Green Building in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. One Za’abeel Tower: Featuring an exclusive exploration of Siro hotel, the World’s First Sport Hotel, with insights by Kerzner. CityWalk: An urban master-planned community, featuring a lunch experience with insights by Meraas and Merex Investments. Residential Developments: Exclusive visits to projects by leading developers like Binghatti and DAMAC. The tour combines project site visits with the Africa + UAE Investor Conference, featuring industry panels and networking sessions focused on joint ventures, capital raising, and preserving personal wealth. The core conference day on 11 November will feature sessions led by industry luminaries, including a macroeconomic overview of Dubai by Taimur Khan, Head of Research at JLL in the region, and deep-dive panels on capital raising, urban development, and retail expansion into Africa. Enhanced flight connectivity has been a key driver in strengthening these economic ties. “Airlines such as Emirates have been pivotal in connecting Africa with the Middle East and the world. We are also seeing Etihad, Qatar Airways, Air Arabia, and Saudia Airlines expanding routes to key African hubs,” says Teeroovengadum. “All the above demonstrates the importance of the Middle East as a partner with the African continent, more so in a world of geopolitical turbulence.” Anderson-Ogle says the tour will target audiences in the C-suite, including CEOs, CFOs, chairpersons, founders, and pension fund heads, all looking to deepen their professional networks and secure legacy investments. “That’s the real selling point – the connections you can’t just make by flying solo to Dubai,” he says. Key highlights will include insights into emerging sectors, including healthcare, logistics, education, and digital infrastructure, from players such as DP World and Agility. Hospitality and tourism will take centre stage with Abu Dhabi Capital, Accor, Marriott, Radisson, and others exploring Africa’s hotel investment boom. Anderson-Ogle highlights Dubai’s growing role as a neutral and strategic financial gateway. He notes that capital from the Gulf is increasingly viewed by African investors as a receptive and pragmatic source for diversification, offering a valuable and long-term option for wealth preservation within a rapidly evolving global landscape. The Africa–UAE Investor Tour is limited to 40 top-tier delegates who will gain unparalleled professional networks in a focused, boutique setting. “We are seeing a lot of interest, but it’s very boutique. We’re targeting quality over quantity with about 40-50 participants to maintain exclusivity and real engagement,” Anderson-Ogle explains. API Events invites senior African and Middle Eastern investors, developers, and funders to join this unique opportunity to build legacy and unlock new avenues of growth in one of the world’s fastest-evolving investment hubs. For more information, registration details, and the full itinerary, please visit: Dubai Tour - API Events: https://apo-opa.co/46Vz2Rs
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Unlocking real estate connection between Africa and Dubai

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In a move that has sent shockwaves through the quick-service restaurant industry, KFC Africa (https://global.KFC.com) announced today that it will do the unthinkable: reveal its secret recipe. The recipe has been the stuff of corporate legend, with only a handful of people knowing the complete formula. Competitors have tried to reverse-engineer it, conspiracy theorists have developed elaborate ideas about it, and social media has played its part in stoking the flames. The objective has always been the same: to work out what’s in the recipe. And on Wednesday 8 October, the truth will finally be revealed. The world deserves the truth “People have been asking us for years about our secret recipe,” says Grant Macpherson, Chief Marketing & Digital Officer, KFC Africa. “They’ve guessed, they’ve pleaded and they’ve done their best to copy it. And now we’ve decided the world can finally share it. We think it will be better for everyone if it’s out in the open. “History will decide whether or not this is a masterstroke, but we believe it will be good for us and most importantly good for South Africa.” Macpherson says KFC will explain its reasons for revealing the secret recipe only on the day of the big reveal. Precious asset “There’s obviously going to be a lot of speculation about why we would give away this precious asset, and why now,” he says. “Our loyal customers may be wondering whether this will kill the mystique that has made KFC South Africa’s biggest quick-service restaurant brand. “We don’t think it will, but everything will become clear on 8 October. Until then, all the guesses and opinions will be just that.
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KFC’s secret recipe is out – the one the world really...

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The awards see strong turnout with 150 finalists, recording a 58% increase in entries from project owners, including key government authorities Over 20 countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Oman, South Africa, Kenya, Singapore, the UK, the US and Uganda, among others The Sustainable Initiative of the Year award recorded the highest number of entries this year The fifth edition of Big 5 Global Impact Awards, celebrating impact in the built environment, has announced 150 finalists competing across 19 categories. The awards recognize projects, organizations, individuals and teams driving sustainable, collaborative and technology-led achievements, highlighting evolving standards of excellence across both public and private sectors in the urban development and construction landscape. Commenting on this year’s finalists’ announcement, Josine Heijmans, Senior Vice President, dmg events, said: “This year we have seen a remarkable 58% increase in entries from project owners, including key government authorities, alongside a 63% rise in new entrants across all categories. These figures underline the importance of Big 5 Global Impact Awards and highlight the industry’s commitment to sustainable development, innovation and collaboration.” Finalists this year come from 21 countries, including Azerbaijan, Canada, Egypt, Ethiopia, Hong Kong, Kenya, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Trinidad and Tobago and Uganda, the UK and the US, among others, showcasing the global reach and relevance of the awards. Government participation highlights sector collaboration Once again, Big 5 Global Impact Awards has drawn an exceptional number of finalists from government authorities, reflecting the increasing role of public sector leadership in promoting innovative and sustainable practices across the construction and urban development ecosystem. Among the finalists are the UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) Dubai, Dubai Municipality, Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Waste Management (MWAN), County Government of Tana River, Lagos Free Zone, Fujairah Municipality, Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority, Ethiopian Electric Power, and Sharjah Department of Town Planning and Survey. The Sustainable Initiative of the Year award, which received the highest number of entries, highlights an initiative’s success through clear metrics, effective collaboration and tangible outcomes, including adherence to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles. Finalists include Dianne Rampadarath’s Contracting and General Services Provider for Rural Electrification Utilizing Solar Energy; ITC Limited for Mainstreaming Energy Efficiency & Thermal Comfort; Soudah Development for the Soudah Cloud Forest Reforestation Programme; Msheireb Properties for Msheireb Downtown Doha: Sustainable Downtown City; Almoosa Health for Almoosa Rehabilitation Hospital; County Government of Tana River for Maji ya Solar Initiative; Dar for Dar’s Decarbonization and Net Zero 2030 Strategy; Ethiopian Electric Power for Serving Community: Sustainable Social Impact; Fakhruddin Properties for 90:90 Waste Management Initiative; Fujairah Municipality for Green Geopolymer Concrete from Industrial Waste; Orascom Construction for Orascom Integrated ESG Excellence Program; and PEARL Homes for Hunters Point Pearl Homes and Marina. Another award showcasing the industry’s forward-looking vision is the Liveable City Initiative of the Year, which recognizes projects that improve urban quality of life and social infrastructure. Finalists include Centum Real Estate for Two Rivers Social City; Concept Dash for Reclaiming the Edge – Public Realm Reimagined; Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure for Building Humanization Certification; and The Arab Contractors Company (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.) for Greater Cairo Monorail. View the full list of finalists across 19 categories (https://apo-opa.co/4pO6YbD). Every year, the awards are judged by an independent, international panel of industry experts, representing the highest standards of excellence and ensuring that winners are selected purely on merit and excellence. Commenting on the quality of entries, Matthew Jackson, Co-Founder, ZERO Construct, said: “The calibre of submissions this year demonstrates encouraging progress, and I commend all of the submissions to this year’s awards. The projects are moving beyond ambition to demonstrate real action on sustainability, digital innovation and community impact. At the same time, we must be honest: there is still a long way to go before this becomes the norm across the industry. This shortlist proves what’s possible and sets a challenge for all of us to keep raising the bar if we are serious about building a resilient, inclusive and zero-carbon future. My congratulations to the projects and the teams who worked on them.” Winners will be announced at a ceremony on 25 November 2025 at Address Sky View, Downtown Dubai, where more than 400 industry leaders, innovators and government representatives will gather to celebrate achievement and impact. Big 5 Global Impact Awards is supported by Gold Sponsor, Wurth Professional Services and Carbon Net-Zero Initiative of the Year Category Sponsor, AGSI.
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Finalists from South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda and Tanzania recognized among...

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African economies have been challenged to boost their investment in research to power the continent’s industrial transformation by accelerating development of homegrown innovations that reinforce autonomy, sustainability, and technological sovereignty. Speaking during the official launch of the African Research and Innovation Hub (ARIH) on the sidelines of the ongoing Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025) in Algiers, the Group Chief Economist and Managing Director for Research at the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) Dr. Yemi Kale noted that while Africa accounts for less than 3% of global research output, it bears a disproportionately higher share of global challenges. “Even more concerning, our research and development spending averages under 0.5% of GDP, far below the global average of 2.2% and far less than the over 4% invested in countries such as South Korea and Israel. However, history shows us that deliberate investment in research ecosystems has been the foundation of industrial transformation. Sustained competitiveness requires research, innovation, and the industrial capacity to transform ideas into products and services that can stand at the frontier of global markets,” Dr Kale said. The hub is a joint initiative of Afreximbank, the African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat that aims to promote and commercialise African research and innovation. It provides a platform for academics, researchers, and students to contribute their knowledge and expertise towards advancing Intra-African trade and industrialisation. “ARIH’s mission is to transform intellectual capital into industrial competitiveness and trade-led growth. Studies indicate that if Africa merely doubles its R&D spending to 1% of GDP by 2030, we could unlock an estimated $60–70 billion annually in additional value across agriculture, digital technology, and manufacturing. This would boost productivity, reduce import dependence, and expand Africa’s share of global trade,” Dr Kale argued. Throughout IATF2025, ARIH is running sessions bringing together participants from academia, enterprise, policymakers and investors. Besides the co-convenors, Algeria's Ministry of Higher Education is providing technical coordination for the sessions that include roundtables and pitch sessions for innovative projects and startups. University lecturers and students, as well as scientists and researchers affiliated with National Research Institutions from Africa, and the Diaspora including the Caribbean, have the opportunity to showcase their innovative research and scientific prototypes. Hosted by the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, IATF2025 is co-convened by Afreximbank, the African Union Commission and the AfCFTA Secretariat, and is projected to facilitate trade and investment deals worth over US$44 billion. IATF is a platform for businesses to showcase their goods and services to visitors and buyers while exploring opportunities and exchanging information. IATF aims to tap into opportunities from AfCFTA’s single market of over 1.4 billion people and GDP of over US$3.5 trillion. The ongoing IATF2025 is in its fourth edition with the last three editions of IATF cumulatively generating over $118 billion in trade and investment deals and attracting more than 70,000 visitors and 4,500 exhibitors.
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African Employers Welcome a Fresh Start with the African Development Bank...

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Azentio Software (www.Azentio.com) , a leading technology enabler in the BFSI space, announced the launch of Azentio Loan Origination, its next-generation product that redefines how financial institutions scale credit operations across retail, SME, and corporate segments, and supports both conventional and Islamic financing. According to Deloitte (http://apo-opa.co/46lKYvA), today’s lending market demands speed, personalization, and easy digital access. Azentio Loan Origination enables banks and financial institutions to onboard customers quickly, make accurate credit decisions, and provide a seamless borrower experience, all while staying compliant with evolving regulations. Reimagining speed and personalization in lending With Azentio Loan Origination, lenders can launch new products up to 70% faster. Built-in compliance for each region shortens time-to-market from months to weeks. This enables lenders to avoid delays, accelerate innovation, and identify new growth opportunities. Smarter credit decisions for precision and efficiency Azentio’s new loan origination offering streamlines every step of credit decisioning with automation at its core. Its policy-driven framework seamlessly integrates with KYC, AML, and credit bureau systems to reduce approval delays and minimize manual errors. Pre-configured integrations and dynamic workflows make onboarding faster and simpler, helping banks lower drop-offs and improve decision accuracy. With compliance built in for both conventional and Islamic finance, lenders can grow without regulatory risk. Future-ready architecture for scalable growth Azentio Loan Origination is cloud-ready, scalable, and integrates easily with existing technology stacks, enabling financial institutions to expand into new regions. Its open framework ensures resilience, adapts to regulatory change, and supports new capabilities such as advanced analytics and alternative data without causing significant disruptions. “Banks are under pressure to deliver seamless digital experiences while navigating tougher regulatory landscapes,” said Guru L, Senior Vice President, Lending – Product Management, Azentio. “Azentio Loan Origination brings speed, intelligence, and compliance together in a single offering, enabling financial institutions to innovate and scale. With this launch, we are equipping the industry not just to keep pace with change, but to lead it.”
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African Mining Week: Rising Number of Female Chief Executive Officers (CEO)...

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Canon (www.Canon-CNA.com) today announces the Colorado XL-series, a new platform of 3.4m printers that extends the proven advantages of Canon's UVgel technology to the 3.2m graphics market. Available in hybrid and roll-to-roll configurations, the modular, field upgradable platform powered by UVgel technology delivers great versatility and exceptional productivity for both flexible and rigid media applications from signage and décor to point of sale and packaging. The Colorado XL-series comprises two easy-to-operate models: the Colorado XL7 roll-to-roll printer and Colorado XL7 hybrid printer. The new series brings the benefits of UVgel to a new market segment with exceptional application versatility across a comprehensive range of media – from banner, paper, vinyl and films to soft signage, heat-sensitive materials, foam board, fluted polypropylene, acrylic, aluminium composite boards and cardboard – providing the flexibility to tackle diverse customer requirements. With print speeds of 70m² per hour in quality mode, 106m² per hour in production mode and up to 211m² per hour in express mode, the system delivers the productivity needed for demanding production environments while accommodating substrates up to 52mm/2 inches thick for rigid applications. The new platform includes multiple technology innovations, such as the UVgel 860 ink set, which has been optimised to cover a wide variety of both rigid and flexible applications. It also provides the proven benefits of UVgel: odourless and instant-dry prints, high mechanical and chemical robustness, dimensional stability due to low-temperature curing, excellent colour consistency, TPO [1] - and VCL [2] -free, and matte and gloss finish without the need of a separate varnish. The Colorado XL-series also incorporates new UVgel 850 PrintHeads. Each printhead has 4,544 nozzles and features automated built-in nozzle performance monitoring and compensation. A single printhead supports two colours simultaneously, so that only two printheads are required to print CMYK, plus an optional third if white is configured. Additionally, the Colorado XL-series has an agile and precise printhead carriage that features UVgel DynamicMotion Control to ensure exceptional print quality even with challenging media. Taking the UV LED curing process to the next level, the Colorado XL-series introduces UVgel FullBeam Curing. This technology uses a unique 3.4-metre-wide LED curing array that, combined with an ingenious mirror system, delivers consistent UV light dosing across the entire print width, guaranteeing exceptional print uniformity over large surfaces and enabling a wider colour gamut. Media handling is optimised by the new UVgel TRIdrive vacuum belt system, which features three interactive rollers and multiple powerful vacuum zones that reduce wrinkling and skewing by automatically detecting and correcting the media positioning. This results in highly repeatable media transport through the printer, ensuring accurate positioning both longitudinally and laterally and enabling razor-sharp applications. Optional features for the Colorado XL-series, which are already available on the highly successful and modular Colorado M-series, include: UVgel White for hassle-free white printing, FLXfinish+ for creative effects using matte or gloss or mixed matte and gloss on the same print without additional varnish, and FLXture for textured finishes that mimic materials like leather, wood or fabric. Mathew Faulkner, Director, Marketing & Innovation, Wide Format Printing Group, Canon EMEA, comments: "For the past decade, Canon has been at the forefront of the inkjet evolution in large format, with market-leading technologies including the Colorado roll-to-roll printer series powered by UVgel technology and the Arizona flatbed printers. Large format print providers are looking for systems that deliver high productivity, versatile applications and reliable quality while addressing the challenge of finding skilled operators – which is why Canon is launching our new, breakthrough Colorado XL-series, an addition to our portfolio that will set a new standard in productivity and versatility. “This innovative solution brings the proven advantages of our unique UVgel technology to the 3.2m market for the first time, combining it with extensive automation and a modular design that will enable customers to extend their application possibilities into markets such as packaging and décor. Print service providers already producing high-value signage and graphics can now leverage UVgel's distinctive finishes, including mixed gloss and matte effects and textured printing, at scale to stand out in these new markets. And with its hybrid capabilities, users can print both roll-to-roll and rigid applications on the same device, using the same ink, the same colour profiles and the same unique features and finishes. For brands, for example, this translates to seamless campaigns that span the full spectrum of applications, ensuring perfect consistency across campaign assets whether they're roll-fed graphics, rigid signage, packaging, or décor elements. This is particularly valuable when these different applications appear side by side in-store, where maintaining that consistent quality and finish elevates the entire brand experience that today's brands demand." The Colorado XL-series will be available from the beginning of 2026 via Canon’s direct sales organisations as well as from accredited partners. For more information about the Colorado XL-series, please visit: https://apo-opa.co/3WltKtM
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Canon expands large format graphics production portfolio with new 3.4m Colorado...

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