Facebook introduces CatchUp, an app for voice calls only.   

Facebook‘s New Product Experimentation (NPE) is introducing a new app for voice calls only named ‘CatchUp’. CatchUp, allows users to see who is available to voice chat and then lets them initiate both one-on-one and group calls within the app. CatchUp is not connected to Facebook in any way.

Artificial Intelligence

Applications open for Africa AI Accelerator Program.

Applications have been opened for the Africa AI Accelerator program which is designed by Ghana Tech Lab (GTL). The accelerator program aims to promote local innovations in the field of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data usage. The first cohort will assist ten AI startups from Ghana, South Africa, Rwanda,

Blockchain

Novi replaces Facebook's Blockchain Division Calibra after Libra Confusion.

Facebook Inc. has renamed its blockchain division, called Calibra to “Novi”, to avoid the confusion of it’s Libra digital currency. Upon completion, the coin will be used as a digital wallet for Facebook’s apps but the coin will not be controlled by Facebook. According to the head of

Google to reopen some of its offices in July.

Technology Giant, Google has announced that it would reopen some of its offices in various cities at roughly 10% of their capacity coming July 6 and scale it up to 30% in September, if conditions permit. This comes after the restrictions on offices by the Government to limit the spread

New invented Body Temperature Monitor Could Detect Future Virus Outbreaks.

New Invented IoT sensors that monitor body temperature could help detect future virus outbreaks to shut down emerging viruses before a pandemic could take hold. The idea is to also provide geo-location data that would allow potential quarantine areas to be rapidly identified. According to IoT security firm WISeKey, “Using

Ghanaian health-tech startup, mPharma, secures $17m round led by CDC.

Ghanaian health tech startup, mPharma, has secured $17 million in a funding round led by the CDC Group, UK’s development finance arm. Other investors that participated in the round include; Dr. Daniel Vasella, ex-CEO, and Chairman of pharmaceutical giant, Novartis, Silicon valley investor, Jim Breyer; and Dompe Holdings. This

Kenyan startup, MarketForce 360 receives $350k seed round from VBAN.

Kenyan retail-tech startup, MarketForce 360 has received US$350,000 in seed funding from Viktoria Business Angels Network (VBAN) and other investors. MarketForce 360, a field sales and distribution automation software that allows consumer brands to improve how they deliver essential goods and services to retailers and consumers by bridging

MTN Ranked The Most Admired Brand in Africa.

MTN has been ranked as the most admired brand in Africa based on Africa’s Brands survey 2020. The spontaneous consumer responses in Brand Africa 100, which was released on Monday, shows that MTN is also the only African brand in the rankings of the most admired brands in Africa.

Hackers roll out a jailbreak tool that unlocks every iPhone.

A popular iPhone hacking team, named Unc0ver team has rolled out a new “jailbreak” tool that unlocks almost every iPhone, including the latest iOS 13.5. Apple is known for its strong security measures and it has been long since a jailbreak can impact almost every iPhone that has been

Video sharing apps, TikTok's in-app revenue increases amid  COVID-19 generated lockdowns.

Video sharing app, TikTok, and it’s Chinese version, Douyin has seen an increase in its in-app revenue in April amid the ongoing COVID-19 generated lockdown in many countries. This comes after Coronavirus pandemic which has caused a surge in using video sharing apps to keep people at home. Focusing

Gaming

Over 1.56-Billion Gaming Consoles Sold Worldwide.

1.56-billion game consoles of different brands have been sold globally according to data gathered by Learnbonds.com. Sony’s PlayStation 2 remains the best selling game console of all time, two decades after its release. Among the top sold units, Sony, Atari, Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sega brands have more

Kenyan startup Access Afya receives funding from MIT Solve.

Kenyan healthcare startup Access Afya receives from MIT Solve through its new venture vehicle, as part of a US$900,000 bridge funding round. The Kenyan startup Access Afya is a client-centered organization that offers high-quality health products and services to clients who have poor health options in Kenya. MIT

Popular Web Brower Opera, Launches Data-Saving Opera Mini Update.

Popular web browser Opera has announced the launch of Opera Mini 50 – the latest update which introduces a fully revamped user interface. Opera Mini 50 is integrating a new and versatile status bar at the top of the browser screen. The new status bar adds a touch of personalization – one

AFGRI launches new agri-tech platform Axl.

AFGRI Agri Services has launched “Axl” a new agri-tech platform enabling farmers to find, rent, and pay for agricultural equipment through a secure online portal. The platform also enables service providers, equipment owners, retailers, and contractors, to build their business and grow revenue streams and optimizing the process of renting

South African Facial Recognition startup Kenai introduces COVID-19 screening feature for businesses.

South African office management and facial recognition startup Kenai, has introduced a new feature that helps businesses screen employees for COVID-19 as the country prepares to end the lockdown. Kenai leverages facial recognition technology to transform visitor’s books in offices with a slip iPad application, enabling companies to manage

Kenya startup launches Africa's first video conferencing, Gumzo.

Kenya’s Gaming tech start-up, Usiku Games has launched the first Made-in-Africa video conferencing system, Gumzo. The platform comes at a time when there is a video conferencing has substituted normal human activities to control the spread of the deadly coronavirus. Gumzo is free for users to attend meetings, and

MTN Zambia commits $9.8 Million in its Network Upgrade.

MTN Zambia is planning to commit $9.8 million to boost network capacity to offer high-speed data services on 337 3G and 4G (LTE) network sites across Zambia. The site-by-site technical roll-out will focus on areas with the highest demand pressure. It will start in the Copperbelt northern regions followed

South African startup, Syafunda receives $140,000 in funding from Edge Growth.

South African ed-tech startup Syafunda has received US$140,000 in funding from Edge Growth. The investment will enable the startup to scale its operations to meet the growing demand for digital learning due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Also, the funding will cover the development of the new online bookstore

Nigerian fintech startup, Carbon rollouts an extended inbuilt app.

Nigerian fintech startup Carbon has rolled out Carbon Express, a keyboard extension that allows customers to access its financial services within any app they are using. Carbon Express enables users to make financial transactions such as Peer-to-Peer transfers and bill payments from the keyboard without opening the Carbon app or

Facebook introduces new Messenger to prevent online scams.

Facebook has announced a new feature for Messenger designed to cut down on malicious parties looking to scam users this morning. The feature aims to both cut down on scammers and users posing as other people, along with helping to protect minors from bad actors. The company scans accounts for

South African fintech, Peach Payments secures investment round led by UW Ventures.

South African fintech company, Peach Payments has secured an undisclosed investment round led by Umkhathi Wethu Ventures (UW Ventures), in partnership with Allan Gray to enable it to expand across Africa. Other industry executives from Europe, South Africa, and existing investors took part in the round. The South African fintech,

South African startup, Aerobotics secures $5.5M from Naspers Foundry.

South African agri-tech startup, Aerobotics has obtained $5.5 million in funding from Naspers Foundry. The investment will help Aerobotics to scale its growth trajectory that has taken its solution to the United States (US). Aerobotics is a data analytics company that uses aerial imagery from drones and satellites, and

Blockchain

Cryptocurrency Exchange platform, Luno to expand to Kenya, Ghana.

Cryptocurrency exchange platform, Luno is extending into Kenya and Ghana to extend its African footprint. This follows the increment of Bitcoin by 99% over the past two months due to the current coronavirus pandemic. Cryptocurrency exchange platform Luno is a digital currency company that facilitates storage and transactions such as

Facebook launches Shops to bring more businesses online during the pandemic.

Facebook has launched shops to bring more businesses online during the pandemic. The company today announced the launch of Shops, a convenient way for businesses to set up free storefronts on Facebook and Instagram. The shops are designed to turn the social network into a shopping destination and  will be

BECO Capital to commit up to $150,000 to help founders of startups in North Africa, Middle East.

BECO Capital, a venture capital firm, will commit up to $150,000 in a new pre-seed initiative to fund exceptional founders of tech-enabled startups in  North Africa and the Middle East. The program, known as Launch with BECO, will select up to 10 founders and provide each one of them