East African Community places universities at centre of regional AI strategy
The East African Community adopts an AI strategy focusing on universities to boost AI skills, research and Kiswahili AI standards across member states.
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Llewellyn Williams
Llewellyn Williams is a Media and Communications professional and contributor at Newzroom dot Africa. With over a decade of experience in marketing and digital strategy, Llewellyn focuses on African news, sustainability, and innovation. Passionate about authentic storytelling, Llewellyn brings clarity and insight to complex topics shaping the continent.
Stories by Llewellyn
AI
Business
Nigeria’s Central Bank mandates bank linkage for all crypto P2P payments
Nigeria’s Central Bank requires all cryptocurrency peer-to-peer transactions to be linked to verified bank payments under new rules.
AI
Absa cuts debt review time from four days to one using AI
Absa uses AI to reduce debt review application processing from four days to one, improving efficiency and customer experience.
AI
South Africa’s PSET launches AI-first platform to automate student admissions
PSET’s new platform uses AI to reduce workload in South African admissions offices, speeding up application processing and improving efficiency.
AI
Ocient raises $100m to boost enterprise agentic AI platform
Chicago-based Ocient secured $100 million in Series C funding to accelerate its AI data analytics platform for large-scale enterprise use.
AI
AI-powered appliances face infrastructure hurdles in Africa
Unstable power and limited internet access could delay AI appliance adoption in Africa, despite growing interest from manufacturers.
AI
Humble Robotics raises $51 million to develop autonomous freight trucks
Humble Robotics secured $51 million in Series A funding to advance autonomous electric trucks for regional freight, aiming for a 2027 commercial launch.
Tech
African startups use US for fundraising, UK for licences, UAE for operations
A study of 100 African tech firms shows US leads in incorporation, UK in licences and teams, UAE in operations.
AI
Kalepa raises $75m to expand AI insurance software
Kalepa secured $75 million in Series B funding to grow its AI platform for insurance underwriting and enter new markets.
AI
Microsoft uses AI to speed up finding and fixing Windows security flaws
Microsoft is applying AI to detect and remediate Windows vulnerabilities faster, improving update deployment and transparency.
AI
Kenya leads East Africa in youth AI readiness, ranks 22nd in Commonwealth
Kenya tops East African Community countries in youth AI readiness, scoring 48.7 and ranking 22nd among 56 Commonwealth nations.
AI
Google DeepMind launches Gemini Omni 1.2 Flash with 15-second video clips and 30% lower cost
Gemini Omni 1.2 Flash offers longer 15-second videos, improved consistency, multi-turn editing, and 30% cost reduction for video generation.
Tech
Web3Bridge shifts focus from developer training to startup incubation
After seven years training blockchain developers, Nigerian firm Web3Bridge launches a founder residency to support African tech startups.
AI
Sentra raises $150 million to secure enterprise data from AI agents
Sentra has raised $150 million led by Capital One Ventures to protect enterprise data from AI agents. Its platform identifies sensitive data and restricts...
Business
Lobito Corridor records first 99.7% pure copper shipment from DRC
The Lobito Corridor has completed its first 99.7% pure copper shipment from the DRC, signalling a major shift in African mining logistics.
Business
R581bn electronics giant Haier launches in South Africa
Haier South Africa launch marks the entry of a global appliance leader into the competitive South African market.
Health
Lenacapavir Arrives in Kenya as Trust Collides With Memory
Lenacapavir arrives in Kenya, bringing hope for HIV prevention amid public skepticism and concerns about medical trust.
AI
Rwanda signs AI partnership with Anthropic for public services
Rwanda has signed an AI partnership with Anthropic to deploy AI in health, education, and public services. Commentary frames this as another leapfrogging moment. Skipping legacy systems.
Business
China to Remove Tariffs on Most African Imports in Major Trade Shift
China Africa tariff removal brings opportunities and concerns. Understand the impact on African exports to China before May 1.
Business
Nigeria to overtake South Africa in global growth contribution
Nigeria is projected to become Africa’s top contributor to global economic growth in 2026. New IMF estimates show Nigeria rising ahead of South Africa.
Business
Ghana’s cocoa export earnings surge to $3.9bn in 2025
Ghana’s cocoa export earnings surged to $3.9bn in 2025, more than double 2024 levels, driven by higher prices and export volumes.
Tech
Zanzibar receives first 10 electric buses at Malindi Port
Zanzibar electric buses arrive, marking the start of the Zan Bus project aimed at modernizing public transport in Zanzibar.
Tech
Addis Ababa to host World Internet Conference in September, first time outside China
World Internet Conference Addis Ababa will host the global tech summit in September, the first time the event is held outside China.
Business
Morocco breaks ground on Africa’s largest car tire factory in Driouch
Morocco has started building what will become Africa’s largest car tire factory. Work is underway in the Betoya Industrial Acceleration Zone in Driouch province.
Tech
Telecom Namibia announces N$2.3 billion investment to upgrade national network
Telecom Namibia network upgrades will receive N$2.3 billion to expand fibre, improve mobile speeds and cut telecom prices in 2026.
Business
CHERY TAKES OVER NISSAN’S ROSSLYN PLANT AS LOCAL MANUFACTURING SHIFTS
Chery takes over Rosslyn plant, transforming South Africa's automotive industry and ensuring job security for employees.
Environment
SHOPRITE MARKS 100TH SOLAR SITE AS IT SEEKS NEW ENERGY PARTNERS
Shoprite 100th solar site boosts clean energy use as the retailer expands solar and wheeling partnerships across South Africa.
Tech
South African Astronomers Solve Mystery of Misbehaving Red Supergiant Star
South African astronomers solve misbehaving star mystery using SALT and confirm the red supergiant is reshaped by a companion star.
Business
Ghana’s multidimensional poverty rate falls for third consecutive quarter
Ghana's multidimensional poverty rate continues to decline. Discover the latest statistics and improvements in living conditions.
AI
Africa adopts AI-driven healthcare as Gates, OpenAI back $50m rollout
Africa is scaling AI-driven healthcare as the Gates Foundation and OpenAI launch a $50m programme targeting clinics and workforce shortages.
Business
Ghana to refine gold locally in bid to capture more value
Ghana plans to refine gold locally from February 2026 to boost exports, jobs and revenue as it moves away from raw gold shipments.
Business
Gold overtakes coffee as Uganda’s top export after 76% surge to $5.8bn
Uganda’s export profile has undergone a major shift after gold exports jumped 76% in 2025 to $5.8 billion , overtaking coffee as the country’s largest source of foreign‑exchange earnings.
Environment
Africa’s biggest plastic recycler to build $60m Nigeria plant for 100,000‑tonne waste stream
Africa’s largest plastic recycler invests $60m in a Nigeria plant to process 100,000 tonnes a year and make food‑grade rPET by July 2026.
Health
Kenya Boda Girls ride to support maternal care in remote communities
Kenya Boda Girls ride to help pregnant women reach clinics in remote areas with free and safe maternal transport.
AI
Masakhane Hub Announces Funding to Boost AI for 50 African Languages
Masakhane Hub launches funding to support AI datasets for 50 African languages and improve digital inclusion across the continent.
Business
The BRICS Shift: Africa’s Place in a Changing Global Economy
Africa is entering a decisive moment in global economics. For decades, international trade has been shaped by institutions and systems largely centred around Western economies.
Business
BRICS Pay: What it is and how it works
BRICS Pay is a digital system that lets BRICS nations make cross‑border payments using their own currencies.
Tech
How Digital Public Infrastructure is reshaping health and identity in rural Zambia
Digital public infrastructure and SmartCare Pro are improving health records, identity access and service delivery in rural Zambia.
AI
Senegal prepares for Robotics for Good Youth Challenge 2026
Senegal launches its Robotics for Good Youth Challenge, preparing young innovators for the 2026 global finals in Geneva.
AI
Mangrove loss increases vulnerability in the Niger Delta as new model tracks ecosystem decline
New modelling reveals how mangrove loss is increasing flood risks in the Niger Delta and highlights the need for urgent restoration and protection.
Environment
Cameroonians turn to eco‑charcoal as clean cooking gains momentum
Eco‑charcoal is gaining ground in Cameroon as households seek cleaner, safer and more sustainable cooking alternatives amid deforestation and health risks.
Business
Ethiopia Begins Building Africa’s Largest Airport in Bishoftu
Ethiopia has begun building Bishoftu International Airport, set to handle up to 110 million passengers a year and become Africa’s largest aviation hub.
Tech
Zimbabwe advances digital push with new ZIMSAT‑3 satellite
Zimbabwe advances digital push with the new ZIMSAT‑3 satellite to enhance connectivity and support broadband expansion.