Access acquires ARM Pensions 👴🏾 | 10 Startups to get N10 Million Grant each under 4IRTA 🧑🏽‍🌾

In today’s menu 🥘

👴🏾 Access Holdings acquires ARM Pensions to create the 2nd biggest PFA by AUM 
🧑🏽‍🌾 Announcing the 10 Startups Set to Receive Up to N10 Million Grant Each under 4IRTA
🤖 Samsung chooses Baidu’s Ernie AI over Google for Chinese Market’s Galaxy S24 AI features

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👴🏾 PENSIONS

Access Holdings acquires ARM Pensions to create the 2nd biggest PFA by AUM

Access Holdings Plc has unveiled a pivotal development in its strategic growth trajectory with the announcement of a proposed acquisition that is poised to reshape the landscape of pension fund administration in Nigeria. Access Golf Nigeria Limited, a majority shareholder of Access Pensions Limited, a subsidiary of Access Holdings, has secured the ‘no-objection’ from the National Pension Commission and approval from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission for its acquisition of a majority equity stake in ARM Pensions Managers Limited (‘ARM’).

Subject to the fulfilment of regulatory requirements, Access Holdings envisions a groundbreaking merger where the operations of ARM Pensions Managers Limited and Access Pensions Limited will join forces. This dynamic integration is poised to create Nigeria’s second-largest Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) by Assets Under Management...….continue reading

🧑🏽‍🌾 AGRICULTURE

Announcing the 10 Startups Set to Receive Up to N10 Million Grant Each under 4IRTA

Dr ‘Bosun Tijani, the Honourable Minister of Communications, Information, and Digital Economy, has unveiled the list of selected recipients for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Technology Application (4IRTA) in Agriculture. The 4IRTA initiative serves as a platform for executing demonstration projects utilizing Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Blockchain, across various sectors of the economy. These projects are conceived as pilot initiatives, illustrating the successful implementation of these advanced technologies within Nigeria.

Each of the ten chosen beneficiaries is slated to receive funding amounting to N10,000,000. This financial support will facilitate the in-depth integration and application of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies within their respective domains. The projects undertaken by the selected grantees will serve as exemplars, showcasing the successful incorporation of 4IR technologies into practical use in Nigeria..….continue reading

🤖 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Samsung chooses Baidu’s Ernie AI over Google for Chinese Market’s Galaxy S24 AI features

Samsung has chosen to integrate Baidu’s Ernie AI technology into its Galaxy S24 series for the Chinese market, replacing Google’s Gemini models. At the official launch event in China, Samsung Electronics China announced that Baidu’s Ernie AI would power Galaxy AI features, including translation and summaries, for the Chinese variant of the Galaxy S24. Unlike Western markets, where Google’s Gemini foundational models support Galaxy AI, the Chinese launch exclusively highlighted the capabilities of Baidu’s Ernie, a chatbot introduced in August, last year.

The Chinese iteration of the Galaxy S24 retains familiar AI features such as translation, summarisation, text formatting, and real-time call translation. Notably, Google’s Circle to Search feature is also included. Given the unavailability of Google services in China, Samsung has strategically turned to Baidu to facilitate Galaxy AI functionalities in the region. Baidu’s Ernie AI, specifically version 4.0, is touted as an advanced model comparable to OpenAI’s GPT-4, with 100 million users as of December.….continue reading

OTHER STORIES

• Automotive giants General Motors (GM) and Honda have commenced mass production of hydrogen fuel cell systems at their collaborative facility in Michigan…read more

• China’s electric vehicle manufacturer, Build Your Dreams (BYD), has declared its next step of expansion into Rwanda…read more

• Unlocking the Future: Xiaomi Launches the Redmi Note 13 Series in Nigeria…read more

• Apple is finally allowing full versions of Chrome and Firefox to run on the iPhone…..read more

🚀 OPPORTUNITIES

• The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) is calling on all aspiring African entrepreneurs seeking to turn their business dreams into reality to apply to the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme (TEF2024), for the opportunity to receive a non-returnable seed capital of $5,000. Application deadline: 1 March 2024 Click here to apply.

• The Federal Government through the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, has opened applications for Nigerian girls to participate in its new initiative called the National Girls in ICT Competition. Application deadline: 18 February 2024. Click here to apply.

• Safaricom, M-PESA Africa and Sumitomo Corporation calls for tech startups looking to join the Spark Accelerator program, which aims at accelerating early stage startups to grow and scale their businesses. Application deadline: 16 February 2024 . Click here to apply

• Norrsken22 invites African startups to apply for its $125k Accelerator Program. Interested entrepreneurs can apply here.

• Cohort 2 of the Visa Accelerator Program is now open for applications. Click here to apply. Application deadline: February 18, 2024

• CcHUB is currently accepting applications from EdTech companies interested in becoming members of its 2024 cohort. Click here to apply. Application Deadline: 17th February, 2024

• Application open for the MEST Training Program. The MEST Training Program is a one year, fully sponsored, graduate-level program in tech entrepreneurship. Click here to apply. Application Deadline: 18th March 2024