🔐 Lagos Unveils Cybersecurity Ops Centre |🌞 SA secures $234m for EV charging grid

Today’s Menu ☕️

🔐 Lagos Unveils Cybersecurity Operations Centre to Combat Digital Threats and Bolster Data Protection
🏢 Kenya Emerges as Geothermal Data Centre Hotspot, Attracting Billions in Investment
🥤Coca-Cola announces potential $175 million investment in Kenya
🌞 South Africa secures $234 million to pioneer global solar-powered electric vehicle charging grid
💰Egyptian venture capital firm, Glint, secures $3 million in first close of its second funding round.
👩🏾‍💻 Microsoft commits R1.3 billion to boost digital skills and SME growth in South Africa

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🔐 CYBERSECURITY

Lagos Unveils Cybersecurity Operations Centre to Combat Digital Threats and Bolster Data Protection

The Lagos State Government has launched a new Cybersecurity Operations Centre (CSOC) to protect its digital infrastructure from cyber threats. This cutting-edge facility, unveiled at the Year 2024 Ministerial Press Briefing on Monday, May 20th, is set to become the nerve center for monitoring, detecting, and responding to cyber threats in real time within the state.

The Honorable Commissioner for Science, Innovation and Technology, Mr. Olatunbosun Alake, emphasised that the CSOC is a pivotal component of a broader strategy to enhance overall security and governance in Lagos. The center will leverage advanced technologies and a dedicated team of cybersecurity experts to protect the state’s critical digital infrastructure from potential attacks.

Recognising the evolving nature of cyber threats, Lagos State has forged strategic partnerships with leading cybersecurity firms and international organizations. These collaborations will provide access to the latest technologies and expertise, bolstering the state’s defenses against increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks........continue reading

🏢 DATA CENTRE

Kenya Emerges as Geothermal Data Centre Hotspot, Attracting Billions in Investment

Kenya is rapidly becoming a hotbed for digital infrastructure development, with not one, but two massive geothermal-powered data center projects underway. This surge in activity signals a pivotal moment in the East African nation’s technological evolution, showcasing its commitment to sustainable innovation and solidifying its position as a frontrunner in Africa’s digital revolution.

Earlier this year, in March 2024, sustainable data centre provider EcoCloud and tech investment group G42 made headlines with their ambitious plan to construct a 1 Gigawatt geothermal-powered data centre.

Now, Microsoft and G42 have joined the fray, announcing a $1 billion investment in another state-of-the-art geothermal data center campus in Olkaria. This significant investment, the largest single private-sector digital investment in Kenya’s history, further reinforces the country’s dedication to fostering a sustainable and innovative technological landscape......continue reading

🥤FOOD & BEVERAGES

Coca-Cola announces potential $175 million investment in Kenya

Coca-Cola has announced a significant investment plan aimed at enhancing its production capabilities in Kenya over the next five years. Partnering with Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA), the company plans to inject up to $175 million into the Kenyan market. This financial commitment is tied to meeting specific growth targets within the country, underscoring Coca-Cola’s confidence in Kenya’s economic potential.

Sunil Gupta, the CEO of CCBA, emphasized that this investment aims to accelerate the Coca-Cola system’s capacity and capability expansion. He highlighted the company’s belief in Kenya’s long-term economic prospects. While the specific areas of production to benefit from this investment were not disclosed, the overall objective is clear: to bolster the company’s local operations and foster economic growth......……continue reading

💻 DIGITAL SKILLS

Microsoft commits R1.3 billion to boost digital skills and SME growth in South Africa

Microsoft South Africa has announced a substantial investment of 1.3 billion rand aimed at fostering the development of essential digital skills within the nation. This initiative is particularly focused on empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to upgrade their workforce’s capabilities to seamlessly integrate with contemporary technological advancements.

To facilitate this objective, Microsoft intends to create a specialized fund designed to support industries outside the tech sector in becoming proficient in a range of cutting-edge fields, including cloud computing, cybersecurity, data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning. The company envisions that this strategic move will not only stimulate job creation but also encourage entrepreneurial activities across South Africa......……continue reading

🌞 SOLAR POWER INFRASTRUCTURE

South Africa secures $234 million to pioneer global solar-powered electric vehicle charging grid

The Free State province in South Africa is embarking on an ambitious journey to embrace electric mobility by investing a substantial sum of $234 million to establish the first-ever global network of solar-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. This groundbreaking initiative is the result of a collaboration between Zero Carbon Charge (ZCC), a company specializing in clean energy infrastructure, and the provincial government of the Free State.

The scope of the project is extensive, with plans to set up 120 charging stations throughout the province. Of these, 75 will cater to the needs of passenger vehicles, while the remaining 45 are designated for electric trucks. The timeline for the project is clear, with an expected completion date set for September 2025......……continue reading

OTHER STORIES

• PAIX Data Centres has revealed plans to expand its facility in Ghana to a capacity of 1.2 megawatts (MW)….read more

• TOA Tanzania secures $30 million financing for enhancing rural telecommunications infrastructure….read more

• Kenyan mobility startup, BuuPass, aims for expansion into eight additional African markets by 2025….read more

• Egyptian fintech startup bokra partners with Dahab Masr to launch precious metals investment platform….read more

• Egyptian venture capital firm, Glint, secures $3 million in first close of its second funding round…..read more