🤖 OpenAI Academy Lands in Lagos

Plus: 🔋 Sun King partners REA to power up Nigeria

Innovation Village
October 16, 2025

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Good Morning Valued Subscribers👋

We’re wrapping up the week with something extra for you. Alongside the latest in tech and innovation, we’ve added a fresh batch of opportunities — from grants to programs that could give your next idea a real boost.

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to take the next step, this might just be it.

Let’s dive in👇

Today’s Menu ☕️

🤖 OpenAI Academy Lands in Lagos
📶 Airtel Just Dropped Something Big — 5G Smart Connect Is Here
🔋Sun King & REA Team Up to Power Nigeria’s Clean Energy Future
🤝 Ripple and Absa Team Up to Bring Blockchain Banking to Africa
📲 YouTube Rolls Out Sleek New UI Update Across Mobile, TV, and Web
🪙 Kenya Sets the Stage for Africa’s Most Clear-Cut Crypto Rules

🤖 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

OpenAI Academy Lands in Lagos

Something exciting is brewing in Lagos this week and it might just mark a new chapter for Africa in the global AI story.

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) is hosting Africa’s first-ever OpenAI Academy, happening October 16–17 as part of UNILAG’s International Week. This isn’t your usual tech event it’s a sign that Africa isn’t content being just a user of AI anymore. It’s stepping up to become a creator.

Led by Emmanuel Lubanzadio, OpenAI’s Head of Africa, the academy is all about giving Africans hands-on experience with tools like ChatGPT — not just to chat, but to build real solutions for classrooms, clinics, and communities. Think of it as AI knowledge made local — free training, real tools, and a fair shot at shaping the continent’s digital future.....…..…continue reading

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🔋SOLAR ENERGY

Sun King & REA Team Up to Power Nigeria’s Clean Energy Future

Now this is the kind of partnership that gives “Power Up Nigeria” real meaning.

Off-grid solar giant Sun King just signed an MoU with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) — yes, to boost renewable energy access, local manufacturing, and data-driven policy. In short: they’re teaming up to make clean energy made in Nigeria, by Nigerians, for Nigerians.

Sun King has been on a crazy growth streak, from selling 3,000 solar kits a month in Nigeria back in 2020 to around 75,000 today. Across Africa, they’re moving more than 330,000 solar units monthly, and they’re not slowing down anytime soon. They even design solar-powered TVs, freezers, and affordable smartphones that keep homes and small businesses running without breaking the bank.........…..…continue reading

📶 TELECOMS

Airtel Just Dropped Something Big — 5G Smart Connect Is Here

Okay, let’s talk about internet speed because Airtel Nigeria just rolled out something that might finally make buffering a thing of the past.

They’ve launched Airtel 5G Smart Connect, a new broadband device that basically turns your home (or office) into a 5G-powered zone. For ₦25,000, you get everything the router, a SIM card, free installation (within 48 hours, by the way), and 30 days of unlimited 5G internet. Yup, unlimited.

And here’s the part that actually made us smile — it comes with a 6-hour backup battery. So even when NEPA does what NEPA does, your Wi-Fi stays loyal.

Think of it as Airtel’s way of saying, “You deserve stable internet… even when the lights go off.”

Once the first month’s up, you can pick from flexible data plans that fit your vibe whether you’re just streaming Nollywood movies or running a small business from home. Certified technicians also handle setup, so no climbing chairs looking for signal.......…..…continue reading

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program - provides scholarships and leadership development for young African students to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate studies.
Become a UN Volunteer - offers opportunities to support UN missions globally by volunteering skills in peace, development, and humanitarian work.
The Commonwealth Foundation - supports civil society organizations in Commonwealth countries with capacity-building, cultural initiatives, and policy advocacy.
African Fellowships - a collection of fellowships aimed at empowering African professionals and researchers through mentorship, funding, and leadership training.
InnovationNaija Campaign Application - a program that invites innovators in Nigeria to submit solutions for funding, support, or exposure.

🤝 PARTNERSHIP

Ripple and Absa Team Up to Bring Blockchain Banking to Africa

Big moves in African banking this week — Absa just became the first major African bank to partner with Ripple, adopting its institutional-grade custody platform to securely manage tokenized assets like cryptocurrencies. 👀

It’s not just another crypto headline — this marks Ripple’s first major custody deal in Africa, and it could change how banks across the continent handle digital assets. Absa’s plan? Offer safe, compliant, and scalable custody services without having to build all the tech from scratch (smart move).

Ripple’s been busy in Africa lately — remember its Chipper Cash partnership and the rollout of its US dollar-backed stablecoin (RLUSD) earlier this year? Now, with Absa on board, Ripple is clearly laying the groundwork to become the backbone of tokenized finance in Africa.....…continue reading

🪙 CRYPTOCURRENCY

Kenya Sets the Stage for Africa’s Most Clear-Cut Crypto Rules

Kenya is about to make a major leap in crypto regulation and possibly set the gold standard for the rest of Africa. Lawmakers have approved the Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) Bill, a landmark framework that brings stablecoins, exchanges, and digital asset platforms under proper oversight. All that’s left? President William Ruto’s signature. ✍️

Here’s the big picture: the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) will regulate stablecoins and money-like tokens, while the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) will oversee exchanges and trading platforms. It’s a smart split — keeping payments and market activities under separate watch, just like in top global markets......…continue reading