Innovation Village Newsletter
Posts
Dangote $280m CNG Investment | Pick n Pay exits Nigeria

Dangote $280m CNG Investment | Pick n Pay exits Nigeria

Plus: Google Invests $5.8 Million in AI Training in Africa

Innovation Village
October 29, 2024

In partnership with

Today’s Menu ☕️

Dangote Group Powers Nigeria’s Green Transition with $280 million CNG Investment
Google Invests $5.8 Million in AI Training for Workers, Students, and Nonprofits Across Africa
Egypt launches first Deloitte Innovation Hub with $30 million investment over three years
Pick n Pay to Exit Nigeria After Less Than Five Years, Citing Losses
Mozambique Accused of Internet Censorship During Election Protests
Apple Intelligence Launches with iOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1

If you haven't subscribed, join over 7,000 people curious about Innovation, New Products, New Technologies in Africa.

🔋CLEAN ENERGY

Dangote Group Powers Nigeria’s Green Transition with $280 million CNG Investment

Aliko Dangote

Aliko Dangote, President and CEO of Dangote Group, recently voiced strong support for Nigeria’s transition from petroleum products to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). In a bid to align with Nigeria’s commitment to a net-zero emissions future, Dangote has positioned his company at the forefront of CNG adoption, underscoring both economic and environmental benefits for the country.

Dangote Cement, a subsidiary of the Dangote Group, has invested over $280 million to become a leader in the CNG sector. According to Arvind Pathak, Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement Plc, the company is working towards operating a fully CNG-powered fleet by mid-2026..……continue reading

🤖 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Google Invests $5.8 Million in AI Training for Workers, Students, and Nonprofits Across Africa

Google is deepening its commitment to Africa’s digital transformation with a $5.8 million investment in AI skilling initiatives across Sub-Saharan Africa. This funding will support organizations working to equip individuals, businesses, and communities with the skills needed to thrive in an AI-powered world.

The announcement, made by Matt Brittin, President of Google Europe, Middle East and Africa, during his visit to Nigeria and Kenya, highlights Google’s focus on fostering a deeper understanding of AI across society. The company aims to ensure that everyone can participate in and benefit from the opportunities presented by this technological revolution.

The funding will support a range of programs, including:

Training for workers and students: Equipping individuals with foundational AI and cybersecurity skills to prepare them for the future of work.
Support for non-profit leaders and the public sector: Providing foundational AI skills to enable these sectors to leverage AI for social good.
AI literacy for youth: Collaborating with organizations like the Raspberry Pi Foundation and Data Scientists Network Foundation to roll out AI education programs for young people in Kenya and Nigeria.
.........continue reading

This Product Leadership Training equips experienced product managers and leaders with the tools and knowledge needed to effectively guide product teams and drive business growth through innovative product development. Click here to register

🛒 RETAIL

Pick n Pay to Exit Nigeria After Less Than Five Years, Citing Losses

South African grocery retailer Pick n Pay is exiting the Nigerian market, selling its 51% share in a joint venture less than five years after entering the market. This strategic move, announced by CEO Sean Summers, is part of a broader restructuring plan aimed at addressing the company’s financial challenges and consolidating its focus on its home market.

Pick n Pay’s foray into Nigeria began in 2020 through a partnership with A.G. Leventis (Nigeria). However, the venture has faced headwinds, contributing to the retailer’s widening half-year losses. In the 26 weeks leading to August 25th, 2024, Pick n Pay reported a pre-tax loss of R1.1 billion, a significant increase from the R837.2 million loss reported the previous year.…….continue reading

Learn AI in 5 Minutes a Day

AI Tool Report is one of the fastest-growing and most respected newsletters in the world, with over 550,000 readers from companies like OpenAI, Nvidia, Meta, Microsoft, and more.

Our research team spends hundreds of hours a week summarizing the latest news, and finding you the best opportunities to save time and earn more using AI.

🧑🏽‍💻 INNOVATION

Egypt launches first Deloitte Innovation Hub with $30 million investment over three years

Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Amr Talaat, has inaugurated the Deloitte Innovation Hub with a substantial investment of $30 million over the next three years. This marks Deloitte’s first center dedicated to exporting innovative digital services from Egypt. As a global leader in audit and assurance, consulting, financial advisory, risk advisory, tax, and related services, Deloitte aims to broaden its digital footprint through this new hub.

The Deloitte Innovation Hub is set to offer a wide array of services to clients across Europe and the region. These services include Artificial Intelligence and Data Analysis, Marketing & Commerce, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, and Enterprise Resource Planning. The hub’s ambitious expansion plans target a workforce of 5,000 employees in the coming years, thereby diversifying Deloitte’s service offerings and amplifying its impact across various business sectors…….continue reading

🛜 INTERNET

Mozambique Accused of Internet Censorship During Election Protests

Mozambique has joined the growing list of African countries resorting to internet censorship to stifle dissent and control the flow of information during politically sensitive periods. This unprecedented move by the Mozambican government has drawn sharp criticism from media organisations and human rights groups, who denounce it as an infringement on freedom of expression and access to information.

The internet disruption occurred amidst protests following the announcement of election results, which were contested by independent presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane. The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Mozambique reported a significant slowdown of internet speeds, particularly on Friday, October 25th, coinciding with the protests.…….continue reading