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Smartphone For All (www.SmartphoneForAll.ai), a business committed to digital inclusion, has won the 2025 Pinnacle Awards (Telecoms and Wireless Category) Digital Inclusion & Accessibility Champion and the 2026 Merit Award (Telecoms and Wireless) Digital Divide. The Pinnacle Awards is a reputable global program honoring innovation and excellence across industries. According to Katie Lang, Executive Director of the Pinnacle Awards, “The Telecom and Wireless Sector continue to set the pace for innovation, connecting people and businesses worldwide. We are proud to recognize the organizations that exemplify ingenuity, reliability and impact in one of the most dynamic industries on the planet”. In the same vein, Marie Zander, Executive Director of Merit Awards states that “this year’s winners reflect excellence across the ecosystem—demonstrating the technologies and strategies that are shaping the future of communications”. Smartphone For All had earlier in the year 2025 unveiled an ambitious campaign to bridge Africa’s digital divide by providing affordable, high-quality smartphones and connectivity and AI at the edge to consumers who are excluded from the digital world across the continent. Established on the belief that exclusion from the digital ecosystem locks people out of opportunities and lifestyle enhancements. Smartphone For All aims that every individual—regardless of income, geography, or background- can fully participate in the digital economy and the evolving AI transformation. According to Mr. Babatunde Osho, Founder/CEO of Smartphone For All, “The digital divide is not just a technology gap—it’s an opportunity gap. When someone does not have access to a smartphone, they are cut off from education, jobs, healthcare, financial services, and even their own voice. Our mission is to close that gap, one device at a time and build Africa’s largest digital inclusion platform. We are glad that the Pinnacle and Telecom & Wireless Awards have recognized what we are doing to improve digital inclusion and accessibility in Africa” Smartphone For All partners with MNOs to provide smartphones to 2G/3G subscribers who cannot afford 4G smartphone across Africa. The initiative was launched with MTN in South Africa in May 2025 for an initial period of one year with a smartphone device at ZAR 99 or $5. The plan is targeting about 1.2m devices. The vision of Smartphone for All is to take the offering to other African countries like Cote D’Ivoire, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and other markets. Apart from the benefits for the subscribers, there are obvious MNO benefits of better spectrum utilization with 4G+ networks over legacy 2G/3G networks. For regulators and government, the benefits include productivity enhancements and digital inclusion among citizens. According to a report from the Economist Intelligence Unit, 10% growth in broadband connectivity results in 1.4% growth in GDP in low- and middle-income countries and 1.2% growth in high income countries. African countries like South Africa are actively incentivizing this growth through policies like a ban on new 2G/3G device activations starting from December 31, 2024, and a complete shutdown by December 31, 2027. The government has also reduced taxes on certain classes of smartphones to drive adoption. According to Jeff Miller, Director at Smartphone for all, ‘Smartphone For All is not just a business, it is a movement powering Africa into the next phase of development. Digital access is the foundation of inclusion in commerce, wellbeing and civic engagement. The pathway to growth for Africa is to bring more Africans into the digital ecosystem spanning financial, educational, public health, trade and other streams of innovation.’
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Smartphone For All wins the Pinnacle Awards (Platinum) and Merit Awards...

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Canon Europe (www.Canon-Europe.com), in partnership with Visa pour l’Image, announces two grants to support long-term documentary projects both in the photography and filmmaking space. Championing the very best in storytelling, the 26th Canon Female Photojournalist Grant celebrates an outstanding photographer in recognition of her contribution to photojournalism, whilst the 7th Canon Video Grant acknowledges those wanting to magnify a social, cultural or economic issue in documentary form. The grants are open to individuals worldwide. Canon Female Photojournalist Grant For the 26th year in a row, Canon and Visa pour l’Image will award an €8,000 grant to a female photojournalist pursuing a long-term documentary project. The grant is designed to either support the completion of an existing project or facilitate the making of a new one. Entries will be judged by a jury of renowned industry experts. In 2025, French photojournalist Marion Péhée was awarded for her long-term project documenting young adults in Ukraine. Former grantees (https://apo-opa.co/41JgwcU) include Anastasia Taylor-Lind, Natalya Saprunova and Acacia Johnson. Canon Video Grant Alongside this, Canon together with Visa pour l’Image are seeking documentary filmmakers for the 7th Canon Video Grant. In 2025, Shiho Fukada, photojournalist and filmmaker, was awarded for her project ‘Echoes of Little Tokyo’, focusing on a fifth-generation funeral home serving Los Angeles' Japanese-American community. The grant winner will receive €8,000, along with a loan of video kit including a Canon video camera and two lenses to make a short documentary of approximately eight minutes in length. Both grants form part of a long-standing partnership between Visa pour l’Image and Canon, celebrating its 37th anniversary this year. The winning projects of 2025 (Marion Péhée and Shiho Fukada's projects) will be presented at this year’s Visa pour l’Image festival in Perpignan, France. How to apply Canon Female Photojournalist Grant: Application window: 18 March – 19 May 2026 Granted to professional photojournalists actively working in the field Worldwide submissions accepted Entry is free Apply here: https://apo-opa.co/4tfKRf4 Canon Video Grant: Application window: 25 March – 27 May 2026 Granted to professional documentary filmmakers actively working in the field Worldwide submissions accepted Entry is free Apply here: https://VisaPourlImage.com
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Canon’s Female Photojournalist Grant and Video Grant Now Accepting Applications

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Sending money to Canada has been harder than it should be. Wire queues, unpredictable fees, days of uncertainty, whether you’re supporting family in Ontario, paying a Canadian contractor, or settling a business invoice. Starting today, Grey (https://Grey.co) users can send Canadian Dollars directly to any Canadian bank account, arriving in minutes via Interac for $3.00, or the next business day via bank transfer for $2.50. No percentage fee. No wire delays. Canada is home to one of the world’s most diverse diaspora populations, with communities from Nigeria, India, the Philippines, and other emerging markets deeply connected to their homes. The corridor has been dominated by legacy services that charge $15-30 on a typical $500 transfer and settle in days. Grey's flat fee and Interac delivery address both problems at once. The Interac integration matters more than the price. Interac is the payment rail built into the daily financial life of virtually every Canadian bank account holder, the same network used for everyday domestic payments. When Grey settles through Interac, the transfer doesn’t enter a wire queue. It moves the way domestic payments do: fast, confirmed, and predictable. Recipients don’t need a new app or account. The money arrives at the bank, where they already have an account. "Canada kept coming up. From Lagos to Mumbai to Manila, our users had someone in Canada they needed to pay, but no good way to do so. Expensive wires, slow settlement, no certainty. We fixed that,” said Idorenyin Obong, CEO and co-founder of Grey. The service supports all Canadian banks for both personal and business accounts and joins Grey's local-currency transfer network across 170+ destinations. Users can send from USD, EUR, GBP, or NGN balances, with individual transaction limits of $10,000 CAD and business limits of up to $100,000 CAD via bank transfer. Grey holds a Money Service Business license from FINTRAC in Canada and FinCEN in the USA.
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Grey Connects the Africa-Canada Money Corridor With Instant Transfers via Interac

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Liquid C2, a business of Cassava Technologies, a global technology leader, has launched Africa’s first Partner Experience Centre powered by Google Cloud in Johannesburg, South Africa. The state-of-the-art facility is designed to empower partners and resellers to move beyond traditional distribution, providing the immersive, hands-on environment needed to architect and deploy cloud and AI solutions tailored specifically to African market needs. Through the Centre, partners will be onboarded to a structured journey that guides them in securing official Google Cloud accreditation and certification. Beyond technical training provided by both Liquid C2 and Google, the centre will also serve as a collaborative hub, allowing them to work alongside specialist engineers to architect bespoke solutions. Once finalised, these solutions will be brought to market through Liquid’s robust distribution network. This expansion not only opens new commercial avenues for partners but also acts as a catalyst for high-value job creation and the rapid maturation of Africa’s technology ecosystem. The Partner Experience Centre provides the partner and reseller ecosystem in Africa with direct access to enterprise-grade technologies such as Gemini Enterprise, and the "Gemini Playspace" for rapid AI experimentation. It also provides specialist expertise to prototype, test, and scale digital solutions in real-world environments. The centre is a testament to Liquid C2’s commitment to strengthening its role within the partner ecosystem in Africa, as it supports partners in overcoming infrastructure constraints, skills gaps, and complexity barriers that often slow digital transformation efforts across the continent. As demand for advanced digital capabilities grows, the Partner Experience Centre serves as an innovation hub where enterprises, startups, academic institutions, developers, and public-sector stakeholders can co-create locally-relevant solutions, fostering a sense of shared progress and community across Africa. The facility also provides industry-specific platforms tailored to sectors including financial services, healthcare, and retail. These platforms demonstrate how AI-enabled solutions can reduce operational risk, improve efficiency, enhance customer engagement, and unlock new growth opportunities across African markets. “At Cassava Technologies, we believe the future of Africa’s digital transformation will be shaped through strong ecosystems that combine global innovation with local infrastructure and expertise,” said Ziaad Suleman, Senior Vice President, Cassava Technologies and CEO, South Africa & Botswana. “The Partner Experience Centre powered by Google Cloud creates a practical environment where organisations can explore, test, and scale solutions that deliver real business value. By combining our infrastructure, expertise, and continental reach with Google Cloud’s advanced technologies, we are helping to democratise access to AI and cloud capabilities for enterprises across Africa.” “This is a pivotal moment in our commitment to Africa’s digital future,” said Tara Brady, President, Google Cloud EMEA. “The Partner Experience Centre is a testament to our belief in the power of a strong partner ecosystem. By combining our advanced AI capabilities, including our Gemini models, with Liquid C2’s localised expertise, we are not just building a facility; we are building a hub for innovation that will empower businesses, create jobs, and deliver the benefits of digital transformation to every corner of the continent.” The collaboration will focus on three core pillars of transformation: Accelerated Partner Enablement: The centre acts as a dedicated Proof-of-Concept (PoC) hub designed to dismantle historical market barriers. It provides localised training, hands-on technology interaction, and business support, leveraging Liquid’s capabilities to offer local currency billing and credit to manage financial complexity for resellers. AI and Technology Innovation: A primary focus is empowering partners to build and deploy advanced AI solutions. The facility features a dedicated "Gemini Playspace & AI Solutions" to certify technical staff, alongside integrated "Solutions Pods" where partners can demonstrate complete technology stacks to win complex enterprise bids. Economic Growth and Job Creation: The partnership is a direct investment in Africa’s tech workforce. By strategically broadening the partner network, the initiative will foster deep, localised expertise and act as a catalyst for new economic opportunities, creating a significant ripple effect of job creation for certified engineers and other tech professionals across the continent. As a business of Cassava Technologies, Liquid C2 has always been at the forefront of bringing cutting-edge digital technologies to African businesses, both directly and through its partner ecosystem. This first-of-its-kind Partner Experience Centre is yet another milestone that reflects the company’s commitment to partnerships that leverage its continental footprint to serve a broader base of organisations. Aligned with this, Cassava continues to expand digital inclusion across Africa through its integrated portfolio of connectivity, cloud, cyber security, and digital solutions, ensuring that a broad spectrum of organisations, regardless of size or sector, can access and benefit from advanced technologies, thereby enabling more inclusive participation in Africa’s digital economy.
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Liquid C2 launches Africa’s first Google Cloud-powered Experience Centre to accelerate...

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Incomedia (www.Incomedia.eu) is excited to announce its participation in Gitex Africa 2026, the leading trade fair for technology and innovation hosted in Marrakech, Morocco, from April 7th to 9th. The power of AI in a no-code webisite builder for businesses and entrepreneurs As Africa’s digital economy accelerates, and millions of small and medium-sized businesses are looking to go online, Italian software company Incomedia is taking the opportunity represented by Gitex to introduce WebSite X5 to African businesses, entrepreneurs, and startups. The tool is an all-in-one website and e-commerce builder designed to simplify and speed up the creation of online businesses. A key innovation is the integrated AI assistant MagicSite, which helps users generate complete and easily customizable websites through a simple conversation. Expanding WebSite X5 presence in Africa Within the last few years, Incomedia has been expanding its network in the African market such as Ivory Coast, Kenya, Niger or South Africa and contributed to the digital transformation in this area. Following this successful trend, Incomedia is actively expanding its presence across Africa and is looking to collaborate with local distributors, digital agencies, training centers and government institutions involved in digital transformation. Join Us at Gitex Africa 2026 “Digital access should not be complex or expensive”, says Federico Ranfagni, CEO of Incomedia. “Our goal is empowering African entrepreneurs to launch and grow their businesses online, unlocking new possibilities across the continent.” Visitors and partners can meet Incomedia at: GITEX Africa 2026 Hall 20 – Stand B-56 (Italian Area) The team will provide live demos and explore partnership opportunities across African markets.
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Incomedia presents no-code digital growth tools at GITEX Africa 2026

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Radisson Hotel Group has reached a significant milestone in Africa, with more than 100 hotels across the continent in operation and under development. Radisson Blu continues to anchor the legacy footprint. At the same time, the Radisson brand is the fastest riser, supported by a strong conversion engine and a concrete pipeline that continues to translate into openings. Building on this momentum, the Group has signed over 15 new hotels and roughly 2,500 rooms in the last 12 months, including new market entries in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe. This week, Radisson Hotel Group is also attending FHS Africa (www.FutureHospitality.com) in Nairobi, reinforcing its commitment to expanding its presence and strengthening strategic partnerships across the continent. Over the past five years, Radisson and Radisson Blu have ranked among the most signed brands in Africa, with one of the highest shares of cumulative openings. The last 12 months set a new benchmark with more than 2,500 rooms signed and multiple market entries. Priority growth markets remain Morocco, South Africa, and Nigeria, where the Group is deepening its presence and widening its brand distribution. Ramsay Rankoussi, Regional Chief Development Officer, Radisson Hotel Group, commented: “We’ve crossed the 100-hotel mark in Africa by staying true to our plan, focusing on where we can lead, moving fast on quality conversions, and partnering with owners who share our ambition. The next phase is about depth in Morocco and Nigeria, a smarter footprint in South Africa, and a stronger resort offering that matches where travelers want to go. Our pipeline is built to open, not just to announce. That is why our conversion share is high, our time to market is short, and our brands are gaining ground in the cities and resort destinations that matter most.” Nigeria shows the model’s resilience. The Group now holds a strong position in the country with 13 hotels in operation and pipeline, while Abuja is carrying a significant active pipeline with three hotels totaling 458 keys. South Africa is being reshaped with priorities in Cape Town, targeted growth in secondary cities such as Durban and Pretoria, and a sharper focus on leisure corridors that include Kruger National Park, Sun City, and the Garden Route. The Group plans to enter Zanzibar and is considering lodge, safari, and affiliation opportunities across Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia to meet the rising demand for nature-led experiences. Conversions remain a core lever for scale and speed. In the last five years, more than 15 hotels, equal to almost 3,000 rooms, joined the portfolio through conversion. This helped the Group lead openings across the continent while keeping brand standards high and owners in mind. Recent signings show the extensiveness of this strategy, with a balanced pipeline of city hotels, resort destinations, and quick-to-market conversions. These signings span the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Morocco, including Radisson Blu Kinshasa and three Radisson hotels in Lubumbashi, Radisson Harare, Park Inn Victoria Falls, Radisson Collection Lagos Atlantic, as well as new additions in Casablanca with Radisson Blu Resort & Conference Center Bouskoura, a first Radisson brand hotel in Rabat, and further expansion in Marrakech. Key signings include: Democratic Republic of the Congo Radisson Blu Hotel, Kinshasa Upper-upscale flagship in Gombe Opening late 2026. Set on Boulevard Colonel Tshatshi in the Gombe district, the hotel will offer 110 keys, including suites and a Presidential Suite. Guests can choose from a lobby bar, an all-day dining restaurant, and a pool bar. Wellness includes a gym, massage rooms, and an outdoor pool with a terrace. Meetings and events feature a modern event hall with a pre-function area. The address is well connected, 32 kilometers from N’djili International Airport, 10 kilometers from N’Dolo Airport, and 6 kilometers from Gare Centrale. Radisson Hotel Lubumbashi Panoramic city stay in the DRC’s second city Opening mid-2027. Located on Revolution Road Avenue, the hotel will feature 97 keys, including junior suites and a Presidential Suite. Dining spans a lobby bar, an all-day dining venue, and a rooftop bar and grill with city views. Three flexible meeting rooms and a pre-function area support business and social events. Facilities include a gym and a swimming pool. The location sits near Kipopo Lake, Lubumbashi Golf Club, and La Plage, and is 12 kilometers from Luano International Airport. Radisson Blu Apartments Lubumbashi Upscale apartment living in Lubumbashi’s prestigious Quartier Golf Targeted for 2030. A 160-room property located in Quartier Golf, one of Lubumbashi’s most upscale residential districts, near Kipopo Lake and surrounded by luxury homes and key landmarks including Lubumbashi Golf and La Plage. Planned amenities include a specialty restaurant and bar, a pool bar, and a gym, offering a premium stay experience for extended-stay and leisure travelers. Radisson Airport Hotel Lubumbashi A strategically located airport hotel designed for ease and connectivity Set to open in 2028, this 105-room property will be located just 6 kilometers from Luano International Airport, around a 10-minute drive, making it well positioned for business travelers, transit guests, and airline crews. Planned facilities include a restaurant, lobby bar, pool bar, meeting rooms, and a swimming pool, combining practicality with a welcoming hospitality experience close to the airport. Egypt Radisson Resort Ain Sokhna Groove A large-scale Red Sea resort in one of Egypt’s growing leisure destinations Planned for 2029, Radisson Resort Ain Sokhna Groove will offer 469 rooms, including 50 family rooms, as part of The Groove Ain Sokhna mixed-use development. Located along the Red Sea coast, around 30 kilometers south of Ain Sokhna and approximately 150 kilometers from Cairo, the resort is expected to feature private beach access, a spa, gym and fitness center, several restaurants, plus a ballroom and meeting rooms, catering to both holidaymakers and events demand. Radisson Serviced Apartments COY Sheikh Zayed City Flexible extended-stay accommodation in a fast-growing hub of Greater Cairo Expected to open in 2030, this 120-key serviced apartments property, including six one-bedroom units, will form part of the COY development in Sheikh Zayed City. With a location just 13 kilometers from Sphinx International Airport and 14 kilometers from the Great Pyramids of Giza, the development sits close to major commercial, leisure, education, and healthcare destinations. Planned amenities include a coffee lounge, bar, kiosk, and meeting and event space integrated into the wider co-working environment. Morocco Radisson Blu Hotel & Conference Center, Casablanc a Bouskoura Conference-ready address beside Palm Golf A 119-key hotel with eight suites, a rooftop restaurant, and a dedicated conference center. Event facilities include two boardrooms, while a spa and a large outdoor pool cater to leisure travelers. The hotel is located 20 kilometers from Mohammed V International Airport and next to Palm Golf Palmeraie Country Club. Radisson Hotel & Apartments Rabat Technopolis Dual-component hub in the capital’s innovation park A two-building project in Technopolis, 25 minutes from central Rabat. The hotel will offer 140 rooms, four dining venues, a pool, and a meeting and events space. The adjacent serviced apartment building adds 56 units. Technopolis connects businesses with leading education and research centers, creating a strong base for corporate demand. Radisson Blu Resort Marrakech Ben Akil Low-rise bungalows with views of Atlas Mountains Opening early 2028. A 17-hectare estate featuring 80 bungalow-style accommodations, each with an outdoor terrace. Larger typologies include private pools. The resort sits beside Royal Golf Marrakech and is a 15-minute drive from the city center. Nigeria Radisson Hotel Aba A new internationally branded hospitality destination for Aba Targeted for 2031, Radisson Hotel Aba will introduce 120 rooms, including six junior suites, in a prime riverside location along the Aba River near key transport corridors. The hotel will become the first Radisson-branded property in Aba and the Group’s third branded hotel in Nigeria. Plans for the hotel include a gym, swimming pool, and several meeting rooms, serving both business and local demand. Sam Mbakwe International Airport in Owerri is approximately 56 kilometers away, or a 1 hour and 10 minute drive. Radisson Hotel & Conference Center Yenagoa A conference-focused hotel in the heart of an emerging Nigerian business center Scheduled for 2027, the property will feature 196 rooms, including 16 junior suites, four executive suites, and two Presidential Suites, in Yenagoa, a city that is steadily strengthening its role as an administrative and commercial hub in southern Nigeria. Located near government institutions, business districts, and Bayelsa International Airport, approximately 33 kilometers or 40 minutes away, the hotel is set to benefit from the area’s ongoing infrastructure and hospitality growth while meeting rising demand for accommodation, meetings, and large-scale events. Radisson Collection Hotel, Lagos Atlantic Refined lifestyle luxury on the oceanfront of Lagos’ leading business district Targeted for 2029, Radisson Collection Hotel, Lagos Atlantic will feature 107 rooms, including 16 executive suites and one Presidential Suite, on a prime oceanfront site on Victoria Island. As Lagos’ main financial and commercial district, Victoria Island is home to multinational companies, corporate headquarters, embassies, and strong year-round business activity. Located approximately 33 kilometers from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, around a 45-minute drive, the hotel will mark the second Radisson Collection property in Lagos. South Africa Radisson Serviced Apartments Umhlanga A modern serviced apartment offering in the heart of Umhlanga’s business district Planned for 2029, Radisson Serviced Apartments Umhlanga will introduce 155 rooms in a newly built development within Umhlanga Ridge, one of the area’s most established commercial and lifestyle hubs. The property will be within walking distance of Gateway Theatre of Shopping and close to major office precincts, including Umhlanga Ridge Business Park, La Lucia Office Park, and Glass House Office Park. Comprising studios and apartments, the project is designed to meet growing demand for high-quality extended-stay accommodation in the district. Zimbabwe New market entry Radisson Serviced Apartments, Harare Prime Borrowdale address for extended stays Targeted for end-2028. A 147-key serviced apartments project within a master development near Maxwell Road in Borrowdale. The neighborhood is known for luxury residences, upscale shopping at Sam Levy’s Village, and entertainment at Borrowdale Racecourse. Planned amenities include a café and bar, a gym with sauna, and a pool with a deck. Set to be the only internationally branded hotel apartment offering in the area. Park Inn by Radisson Victoria Falls Resort A resort destination near one of the world’s most iconic natural landmarks Expected to open in 2029, Park Inn by Radisson Victoria Falls Resort will offer 150 rooms, including five suites, in a setting overlooking Zambezi National Park. Located just 5 kilometers from Victoria Falls, around a 10-minute drive, the resort will be ideally positioned near one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, a destination that attracts more than 350,000 international visitors each year. With year-round waterfall views, adventure tourism, and access to safari experiences in the surrounding national parks, the property will cater to both leisure travelers and tour groups. Victoria Falls Airport is located approximately 22 kilometers, or a 23-minute drive, away. Leading with the most diverse footprint across the continent, with presence in more than 30 African countries, Radisson Hotel Group blends depth in focus markets with selective entry into new destinations each year.
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Radisson Hotel Group Surpasses 100 Hotels in Africa, Accelerating 2030 Growth...

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‘We are committed to mutual success’ A quiet revolution is brewing in the fight against energy poverty and climate change, and its engine is an unexpected one: a microfinance loan. While major corporations pledge distant net-zero goals, one lender, Jawabu Biashara, is making a tangible impact today. By designing a specialized loan product for Biogas digestors, they are turning communities into active participants in the green economy. Business Insights Africa talked to Mr. Charles Njoroge, Managing Director, Jawabu Biashara, to understand their winning concept. How has Jawabu Biashara evolved from its early days to become a formidable player in the microfinance industry in Kenya? Seven years ago, specifically in Githurai, we stablished our first office that doubled as our head office. From that humble beginnings, today we operate in over 11 counties and we offer a buffet of financial solutions. Jawabu Biashara name defines our business mandate in Kenya, to be a solution to the very many micro-entrepreneurs who operate micro and small enterprises that dot every part of Kenya. We remain guided by our vision, to be a market leader and a partner of choice in the provision of innovative and profitable customer focused financial solutions in Kenya. This is a huge mandate, but one we are equal to the task. Our past, and indeed our future growth is anchored on charting an organization path that walks on innovation and partnerships. As an institution, we have built a team that believes in our bigger picture, if we are to deliver our brand promise of Finance, Empower and transform. This way we have been able to manage the challenges that come our way with confidence. We have also taken our business lessons along the way, and we remain hopeful the future can only be better. What are some of the proudest achievements of Jawabu Biashara over the years? Jawabu Biashara, like many other business corporates has had its good days and challenging days as well. Some of the achievements we have had, and many a times other institutions may have taken it for granted is to survive covid-19. From an institutional point of view this was the most difficult period in the life of Jawabu Biashara, yet when I look back, its the moment when resilience of the organization got tested. While some of our peers have struggled to raise themselves up, we have dusted ourselves, taken our lessons and moved on. Further, we have been able to retain staff, deliver scale, expanded to eleven counties over the period and executed more innovative solutions, giving Jawabu Biashara that inner drive to thrive despite the very many odds we find on our way. As MD, how have you worked to preserve Jawabu Biashara’s legacy while driving modernization? First, I have passion for what I do. I like what I do, and every day is an improvement of yesterday. The moment I listen to a customer say, how grateful he|she is for the funding support he received from Jawabu and shares his|her journey of success due to our intervention, that’s it for me. Further when certain facts confront me like - Over 90% of rural households in Kenya use firewood for cooking, they rely majorly on 3-stone cook stoves because they are cheap to assemble and operate, this resonates well with my past. You ask yourself, what can you do to change this? At the same time, you gather millions of Kenyans, especially women and children are exposed to harmful smoke from traditional cooking methods, then this speaks to you as well. Further, you gather that the long term health effects, which include respiratory illnesses are devastating rural families , with over 20,000 deaths attributed to indoor air pollution each year in Kenya – can something be done? This is where Jawabu Biashara comes in with its clean cooking solutions. We are able to remove households from harmful smoke and respiratory deaths through access to affordable credit for clean cooking. This brings to life why an institution like Jawabu exists. We work for a good bottom line, just like any one else, but we are proud to say we deliver impact, we deliver over 9 of the 17 UN SDGs ( sustainable development goals) and this fits well to our brand promise of Finance , Empower and Transform. Beyond this, its also very clear in the entire microfinance space, that you cannot wish away technology and digitization. The challenge though, is that it’s expensive. Finally, the question that bothers me and every other executive every minute of the day is – What can we do today to remain relevant not only today, but also tomorrow? Sustaining business relevance and understanding how to identify what matters, filtering out distractions, and connecting information or actions to objectives for better problem-solving and decision-making is the new norm in a fast paced industry like the one Jawabu Biashara is in. How do you ensure that the institution’s culture remains client-centric and innovative amid industry disruptions? Peter Drucker, an influential thinker and author on management talks of corporate culture as , "Culture eats strategy for breakfast." Every business success or failure many a time is anchored on its corporate culture. Its usually very fragile and needs to be managed with utmost attention. Corporate culture defines a company's identity and indeed shapes the work environment. The secret though is how the institution engages with itself, the level of team engagement and team work and how the institution is aligned to the strategy as it monitors the market dynamism. This is a tough one for any corporate leader, but as slippery as it is, it’s the reason why agile entities thrive. From where I sit, it’s the reason I report to work every morning. What’s going on in the microfinance sector and what makes Jawabu stand out in Kenya’s crowded microfinance space? The Microfinance industry in Kenya is very competitive, innovative and ever evolving. I would imagine its fast paced abit more than many other sectors of the economy. At the same time, its an industry with many players some very strong from a bottom line point of view, foreign owned and many locally owned as well. It’s a very dynamic industry going through a lot of disruptions including regulation coupled with funding constraints. Its an industry that depicts what survival for the fittest is all about. But again, it’s also an industry that thrives through sheer hard work, Innovation, strategy and with a huge dose of trust from staff, customers, funders and regulator. Jawabu Biashara is a proactive lender who upholds innovation and genuinely seeks to deliver impact with its financial solutions. Beyond this we also give back to the community, by supporting their communally owned entities such as schools. What lessons can Jawabu Biashara share with younger entrepreneurs and businesspeople looking to build long-term success? Success is a journey and is not an abracadabra moment. Success does not happen overnight and requires focus and patience. There is huge potential for entrepreneurship in Kenya, but a bigger portion of them face many common business challenges such as limited access to capital, inadequate business management skills, lack of mentorship and also the education system may not be preparing many of them on what is ahead of them. Many of them get to entrepreneurship for lack of an alternative, especially formal work. Mentorship is what is urgently needed as it psychologically prepares someone for the heartaches of business and confers discipline that many new entrepreneurs majorly lack. Only, when this is sorted can we talk of access to capital. Access to capital resonates well with a psychologically prepared entrepreneur. But entrepreneurship needs boldness of action, taking calculated risk and that inner faith that success will happen, what come may. Quoting Vincent Van Gogh “ Fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient to keep them ashore”. Where do you see Jawabu Biashara in the next decade, especially with increasing competition and tech disruption? Our vision defines our longevity in the Kenyan market. Every day, in Jawabu we ask ourselves what are we doing to ensure we become the partner of choice to the customers that we serve and all the other stakeholders we work with. We are privy to the fact that competition will not cease and the earlier we accept it as a way of life, the better we respond to it. Technology disruptions will be the in-thing. Bigger players will come and distort the market to their advantage, but then in our own small way we shall disrupt the market in our own way. We shall ensure we deliver need based financial solutions, we shall anchor our future on business innovation and technology and we shall serve the customer with diligence. Are there plans for regional expansion, new product lines, or digital transformation to future-proof the institution? Absolutely! Scale and digital engagement fits very well to our strategic direction to not only offer branch-less expansion, but occasionally anchor some brick and mortar expansion based on an in-house expansion criteria. What has been the most rewarding aspect of leading Jawabu Biz? The progress Jawabu Biashara has made to date is phenomenal. We offer a buffet of financial solutions that meet our agenda of delivering customers need for social and economic transformation. Our business name, Jawabu in Kiswahili translates to “solution or an answer” and that’s what we strive to offer innovatively in the Kenyan market. Over the years, we have increased our outreach to eleven counties, we work with many farmers especially in SDG#7 – Affordable and clean energy. The clean cooking space, especially the roll out of Biodigestor credit has in many ways brought healthy cooking alternative to our customers, improved on forest cover protection and ensured there is uptake of organic farming via production of Bioslurry. Jawabu also has solutions that address SDG#6 – Clean water and sanitation, whose benefit include water storage, ensuring sustainable use of rain water and ensuring consistent water supply to families. What message do you have for clients, employees, and stakeholders who have been part of Jawabu Biashara’s journey? To all our stakeholders – Please know we value the partnership and you have a solid partner in Jawabu Biashara, At Jawabu Biashara we are committed to mutual success.
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CBK licenses Jawabu Biashara as a digital lender

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Despite ongoing regional and global headwinds, Africa continues to demonstrate impressive resilience and maintains its status as a global growth frontier. This is the headline finding of the 2026 Africa Macroeconomic Performance and Outlook (MEO) report, released by the African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) on Monday 30 March 2026 at the Bank Group headquarters in Abidjan. The report underscores that Africa outpaced the global average in 2025 as real GDP surged to 4.2 percent, up from 3.1 per cent in 2024, comfortably eclipsing the 3.1 per cent world average. A key finding in the report is the "broad-based" surge, with growth exceeding 5 per cent in 22 African countries, and topping 7 per cent in six, bolstered by easing inflationary pressures, improved macroeconomic management and favourable agricultural conditions. Other highlights include: Africa's real GDP growth is projected to stabilise at 4.3 percent in 2026 and grow further to 4.5 percent in 2027. 12 of the 20 fastest-growing economies in the world in 2025 were African. In 2025, East Africa maintained its lead as the continent’s fastest-growing region (posting 6.4 percent GDP growth), with its expansion driven by the surge in growth performances of 9.8 per cent in Ethiopia, 7.5 per cent in Rwanda, and 6.4 per cent in Uganda. Africa’s GDP per capita growth rose from 0.9% in 2023 to 1.1% in 2024 and 1.9% in 2025, but still remains too low to propel rapid poverty reduction. Inflation is declining, with average inflation estimated at 13.6 percent in 2025, down from 21.8 percent in 2024; further reductions are projected for 2026 and 2027. Foreign direct investment rebounded sharply in 2024, rising by more than 75% to reach $97 billion. Remittance flows rebounded strongly in 2024, rising by more than 14 percent to $104.6 billion—offsetting the 6 percent decline recorded in 2023 and making remittances the largest single source of external non-debt financing, surpassing foreign portfolio investment. In his high-level remarks at the launch, the President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr Sidi Ould Tah, underscored that the continent faces an "important moment when the world is changing, not always in favour of the African continent." Citing a difficult landscape of increasing geopolitical fragmentation, trade tensions, and declining global development finance flows, Dr Ould Tah positioned the Bank Group's Four Cardinal Points agenda as a vital strategic shield, explaining that "each one speaks directly to the challenges this Macro Economic Outlook report has identified and quantified." In light of recent developments in the Middle East, Dr Ould Tah noted that the 2026 MEO analysis and projections "were prepared before the current crisis" began. He added that the Bank Group and partners, including the United Nations Development Programme are currently assessing the potential consequences of the crisis on the continent. In his detailed presentation, the Bank Group Chief Economist and Vice President for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management, Prof Kevin Urama, expressed optimism that the current crisis would have a limited impact on Africa's macroeconomic landscape in 2026. "Africa has held strong in previous shocks, and has the capacity to bounce back after, provided we do not panic and we instead apply the right policy levers," he said. "In our estimates, if the crisis lasts beyond three months, it might cause a dip of 0.2 percentage point in Africa's economic growth rate in 2026." An expert-led panel followed the presentation and explored the report's findings and policy recommendations aimed at sustaining growth, strengthening financial systems, and mobilising development finance at scale. Panellists included Souleymane Diarrassouba, the Minister of Planning and Development of Côte d'Ivoire; Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, Minister of Finance and Development Planning of Liberia; Prof Mthuli Ncube, Minister of Finance of Zimbabwe; Dr Retselisitsoe Matlanyane, Minister of Finance and Development Planning of Lesotho; and Mrs Aminata Toure, the International Monetary Fund Resident Representative for Côte d'Ivoire. The panelists emphasised the importance of sustaining reforms linked to domestic resource mobilisation, including deepening local equity and fixed-income markets, and scaling digitalisation efforts to improve the efficiency of tax collection. They also shared success stories from ongoing reforms in their respective countries. A consensus emerged that Africa's experiences with shocks can position the continent to draw on valuable lessons to weather current and future challenges. The African Development Bank Group publishes the Macroeconomic Report biannually to complement its annual Africa Economic Outlook. Dr Ould Tah described the series as a demonstration of "the Bank's commitment to provide our member countries, our partners and our investors with the most rigorous, timely and actionable analysis."
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Africa’s Economic Resilience Holds Firm Amid Global Headwinds, Says New African...

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Afrobarometer (www.Afrobarometer.org) is urging private-sector leaders and investors across Africa to integrate public attitude data into their decision making, as citizen perspectives are essential to building resilient, competitive, and future-ready enterprises. This call came through strongly as Afrobarometer engaged business leaders, investors, policy makers, regulators, and innovators at the CEO Conclave and Investors Forum 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya. The forum, convened by the Africa Asia Middle East Chamber of Commerce (AAMECC), brought together about 100 leaders from across the business ecosystem to explore opportunities for investment, innovation, and cross-border partnerships. At the event, Afrobarometer presented data on economic and social conditions tailored for private-sector stakeholders and highlighted the role of citizens’ lived experiences and perceptions in shaping consumer behaviour, investment climates, and business performance. “The environments in which you operate are shaped by the expectations, frustrations, resilience, and aspirations of people,” said Felix Biga, chief operations officer for Afrobarometer. “Citizen experiences and perceptions of economic conditions, trust in institutions, access to services, and lived realities all influence market behaviour, investment climates, and ultimately business success.” Participants echoed the value of integrating citizen-centred data into business planning. “As Africa emerges as a significant frontier for economic growth, those who lead will be organisations prioritising insights derived from robust data, particularly citizen-centred data,” said Peter Mutinda, president of AAMECC. “What is most important to me in business, especially when working with African partners, is starting with data, then building connections and cooperation, and only then moving into the details and country-specific specialisations,” said Pawel Zarzecki, an export manager at Bart, a health-focused manufacturer. Eve Mischeki from the Women in Business network also underscored the relevance of the findings presented by Afrobarometer. “As a woman in business, I see strong synergy with Afrobarometer’s data, particularly in the key priorities it highlights, which closely reflect the realities we navigate,” she said. This engagement forms part of Afrobarometer’s broader effort to deepen collaboration with business leaders through a series of targeted dialogues aimed at increasing awareness of its data and co-creating solutions that respond to both business and societal priorities.
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Public attitude data are key to building resilient, competitive businesses, Afrobarometer...

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PAC Capital Limited (www.PACCapitalLtd.com) has been recognised with four prestigious continental awards by the International Business Magazine, further cementing its position as a leading force in investment banking and transaction advisory across Africa. At the 2026 awards, the firm emerged as: Excellence in Cross-Border Transactions Africa 2026 Best Investment Banking Firm Africa 2026 Best Deal Structuring & Advisory Firm Africa 2026 Financial Advisory Firm of the Year Africa 2026 These recognitions come on the heels of the firm’s 2025 honour as Best Transaction Advisory Firm Nigeria, underscoring a consistent trajectory of excellence, innovation, and strong execution across both domestic and cross-border mandates. Over the years, PAC Capital has built a reputation for structuring and delivering complex, high-value transactions across multiple sectors and jurisdictions. From mergers and acquisitions to capital raising and bespoke financial advisory mandates, the investment banking arm of PAC Holdings continues to demonstrate deep technical expertise, strategic foresight, and an intimate understanding of the African business landscape. Its growing portfolio of cross-border transactions highlights its ability to navigate regulatory environments, manage multi-market stakeholders, and unlock sustainable value for clients operating within and beyond the continent. Commenting on the achievement, Humphrey Oriakhi, Managing Director/CEO, PAC Capital, stated: “We are honoured by this recognition from International Business Magazine. Receiving four continental awards in one year is a strong validation of our borderless capital solutions initiative, strategic direction, execution capability, and the trust our clients place in us. Cross-border transactions in Africa require resilience, precision, and deep market intelligence. Our team remains committed to delivering innovative solutions that enable businesses to scale, expand, and create long-term impact.” Also speaking, Bolarinwa Sanni, Executive Director, PAC Capital, added: “These awards reflect the strength of our advisory model and our deliberate focus on value-driven deal structuring. Every mandate we undertake is approached with rigor, creativity, and a clear understanding of our clients’ long-term objectives. As markets become increasingly interconnected, our role as a trusted transaction partner across Africa becomes even more critical.” With this latest milestone, PAC Capital continues to reinforce its standing as a premier African Investment Banking and Financial Advisory firm—driven by excellence, defined by innovation, and committed to shaping transformative transactions across the continent.
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PAC Capital Secures Four Major African Honours at the International Business...

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