Seedstars World, the global seed-stage startup competition for emerging markets and fast-growing startup scenes, is continuing its tour through Africa to scout for the best startups in Maputo.
In line with its mission to place the spotlight on entrepreneurs from emerging markets, Seedstars World is travelling to more than 65 countries globally and 20 in Africa this year to identify the best seed-stage entrepreneurs and provide them with an opportunity to win up to USD 1 million and network with investors and mentors from around the world. Its previous participants have raised over USD 61M collectively, providing employment to more than 360 employees worldwide.
The event will take place at Rua dos Desportistas, no 119, 1 andar (attendees can register here for free) with the startups to pitch to a panel of judges. The top startup will be crowned the most promising seed-stage startup of Seedstars World Mozambique 2016. The Mozambican competition is carried out with the support of Standard Bank and local ambassador UX Information Technologies.
The 10 startups that are selected to participate at the Seedstars World pitching event are:
- Compra: An online marketplace for quality brands, products and services.
- Kharin: A new intelligent shopping tool that allows supermarkets to advertise their products and services and consumers to compare prices.
- BlackBOX TV: Allows you to stream any content you want using their digital broadcast – no internet connection needed!
- MolaPay: A peer 2 peer mobile payment platform which enables people to make and receive payments using smartphones.
- +J: A social media platform that provides exclusive services and benefits for all its users.
- Mozik: A music streaming platform that is focusing on the full potential of African culture.
- Ola Taxi: A mobile application to easily locate taxis and tchopelas.
- IZYSHOP: An online supermarket connecting producers to consumer markets.
- Vamobi Net: A startup that is modernizing the management of small water supply and distribution systems in developing countries.
- Kwine: A startups that allows anyone to locate their bus on time.
Tshwane to double its free Wi-Fi zones
There are 752 zones across Tshwane where residents can access the city’s award winning free internet service. The initiative, which recently won a World Wi- Fi Day Award for Most Innovative City or Government Programme to bridge the Digital Divide, will be increased by a further 700 city sites.
World Wi-Fi Day is celebrated on 20 June and it supports projects and initiatives that brings broadband connectivity to the under-privileged in both developed and developing countries, reads its website.
Kgosientso Ramokgopa, the city mayor, was proud and excited about the award. He said that the programme will continue “to be a shining example of what it means to employ the use of technology to lead the way towards a South Africa that is democratic, inclusive, united and prosperous – ours will be the global Cyber Capital.”
Tshwane free Wi-Fi known as Tshwi-Fi is a collaborative initiative between the city and non-profit Project Isizwe. The non-profit was also shortlisted for its project in rural Limpopo which was recognised in the Best Wi-Fi Deployment to Connect the Unconnected in Rural Environment category. While it lost out to Liquid Telecom for their Free Wi-Fi project in Nakuru County, Kenya, it has still brought thousands of rural households online.
Launched in 2013, Tshwi-Fi has spread across public spaces predominantly in the low income communities like Soshanguve, Mamelodi and Atteridgeville. At 20:47 on the evening of 28 October 2015 the millionth new user logged on to the system. Tshwi-Fi is a part of the metro’s eKaelo strategy to build a city administration that is more responsive to its residents’ needs. At the end of 2015 there were 1 800 active government sponsored hot spots around the country. The majority of these were, according to research firm BMI-T, were a part of Tshwane’s programme.
Each user receives a daily cap of 500MB. Research conducted by Project Isizwe found that only 7% of users reach 250MB cap per day. Among those users is Unisa student Daniel Nyaude, who uses the free access to research and complete his degree. Tshwi-Fi has changed his life and he encourages the city to grow the service. (Southafrica.info)
Nigeria signs $146m solar deal
In a $146m deal, Pan Africa Solar and Nigeria have jointly signed country’s first solar power purchase agreement (PPA). The 75MW photovoltaic power project in Katsina State, will sell power at a tariff of 11,5 US cents per kWh and will be commissioned in 2017.
Outside of South Africa, this solar farm will be the largest of its type in sub-Saharan Africa and will provide power to 1,1m Nigerians.
Not only that, it will also create over 500 jobs for local people during the 12-month construction period. It is also estimated that more 40,000 new jobs will be created from the additional economic activity stimulated by the power plant.
In his address, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Pan Africa Solar, Mr. Marcus Heal said, “We are delighted that the Federal Ministry of Power is pushing ahead with its solar energy policy. This tariff has been achieved through harnessing lower construction and lower solar panel prices and the commitments of the project’s Lender”. (AllAfrica)
