TechPression

Tag: Rwanda

  • AFIT seeks collaborations with CMU-Africa in Rwanda

    AFIT seeks collaborations with CMU-Africa in Rwanda

    In a strategic move to explore collaborative opportunities in engineering education, Professor Aihua Wood from the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) visited Kigali, Rwanda.

    The focus of the visit was to establish partnerships with Carnegie Mellon University-Africa (CMU-Africa), a renowned institution offering graduate engineering education programs.

    Established in 2011, CMU-Africa is dedicated to providing full-time graduate engineering education to over 290 students from 21 nationalities. Notably, more than 25 percent of its students are female, reflecting a commitment to gender diversity in engineering education. The university offers Master of Science degrees in electrical and computer engineering, information technology, and engineering artificial intelligence. The primary goal of CMU-Africa is to address the critical shortage of high-quality engineering talent needed to accelerate development in Africa.

    Read also: Rwanda’s digital fund supports Nigeria’s AltSchool Africa

    Synergies Between AFIT and CMU-Africa

    AFIT’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management, as a Carnegie-classified high research activity doctoral institution, aligns well with the mission of CMU-Africa. Both institutions focus on science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) fields. Wood, during her visit, highlighted the potential for collaboration, citing AFIT’s ability to contribute to the educational and research goals of CMU-Africa.

    Wood’s visit included a comprehensive tour of CMU-Africa’s robotics and artificial intelligence laboratories, meetings with faculty and the Student Guild, attendance at a digital public infrastructure workshop, and discussions with the leadership of the Rwanda Space Agency. Wood expressed her positive impressions of the campus facilities and the forward-thinking atmosphere in Rwanda.

    “I was very impressed with the campus facilities and students. Typically, when we think of Rwanda, we think of the genocide, but they have really moved beyond that and it is a very energetic place with many very forward-thinking people. I feel like there is a lot of opportunity for AFIT to be involved,” she said.

    Wood observed students engaging in cutting-edge research activities in robotics and artificial intelligence during her tour. She emphasised the benefits of exposing AFIT students to the research conducted by their counterparts at CMU-Africa and gaining insights from an African perspective on technology.

    Potential Collaboration Initiatives

    Wood is actively exploring two collaboration opportunities with CMU-Africa: the Air Force Office of Scientific Research Windows on the World (WOW) and Window on Science (WOS) programs. The WOW program allows Air Force scientists and engineers to conduct full-time research at a foreign laboratory, while WOS sponsors foreign scientists and engineers to visit Air Force counterparts.

    “I would love ultimately to have students from CMU-Africa attend AFIT because they have a really great talent pool there,” Wood expressed, highlighting the potential for student exchanges.

    AFIT’s Provost Sees Promising Potential

    Heidi Ries, AFIT’s provost and chief academic officer, echoed Wood’s sentiments, emphasising the excellent potential for expanding technical and workforce development collaborations through the initiative with CMU-Africa.

    Wood also noted the impactful activities sponsored by CMU-Africa’s Student Guild aimed at supporting students’ mental health and sense of belonging. She sees an opportunity for AFIT to develop a comparable program to address similar concerns among its students.

    During her visit, Wood participated as a panel member in the MentorHer Africa event, discussing the empowerment of girls and women in STEM fields. The event, focusing on mentorship to encourage young girls to pursue careers in cybersecurity, governance, risk management, and compliance, showcased the bright and articulate students in the region.

    “They all speak perfect English, are very much abreast of the current technologies, and asked very coherent and intelligent questions. The young girls are very bright – you can see that they will become leaders in their fields,” Wood commented, highlighting the potential impact of mentorship programs in fostering future leaders in STEM.

    As the collaboration between AFIT and CMU-Africa unfolds, the partnership is expected to contribute significantly to addressing the engineering talent gap in Africa and fostering academic and research synergies between the two institutions.

  • NALA Money establishes East Africa settlement hub in Rwanda

    NALA Money establishes East Africa settlement hub in Rwanda

    The Tanzanian business and consumer cross-border payments fintech company NALA Money, which is supported by Bessemer Ventures and Accel, recently announced its intention to make Rwanda a settlement hub for its East African remittance business. 

    When Nala handles foreign money transfers for beneficiaries in East Africa, those transfers will terminate in Rwanda before being settled into the accounts of beneficiaries across the region if Rwanda is designated as a settlement hub.

    After obtaining a payment service provider (PSP) license in Rwanda, Flutterwave, one of the most highly valued privately held fintech companies in Africa, made an announcement in June of this year regarding a similar plan.

    Read also: NALA enables Apple Pay payments from the UK and US

    The journey so far for NALA

    Nala Money, a service that enables people living in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States to transfer money to nine different countries in Africa, recently got a license from the National Bank of Rwanda, which is Rwanda’s highest authority on financial regulation. Because of the license, the company will be able to eliminate the need for third parties and provide cheaper international money transfers.

    Nicolai Eddy, chief operating officer of Nala, said: “It means we can aggregate the payment channels ourselves,” Eddy said, “We want to go deeper, and a PSP licence also means that we can process remittance payments for third-party providers and  integrate with local banks and telcos.”

    With a Money Service Provider (PSP) license in Rwanda, NALA will be able to provide money transfer services through established players such as Western Union. This will give the company the possibility to open up a new distribution and client acquisition front. 

    In the past, a financial technology company such as NALA would have to rely on payment aggregators such as Cellulant, DPO Payment, or Onafriq (formerly known as MFS Africa) in order to make payments to its customers in Rwanda. According to the World Bank, the total amount of remittances received as a proportion of GDP reached $474 million in the year 2022. According to data provided by the World Bank, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda received a combined total of approximately $6.36 billion in remittances in 2017.

    Rwanda has set its sights on becoming a major center for businesses providing financial services. According to the Rwandan ICT Ministry’s plan for the period 2022–2027 pertaining to fintech, the ministry’s goal is to develop “the narrative that Rwanda is the gateway for entering the African fintech market.” ChipperCash and Paystack are among the most recent financial technology companies to set up shop in the country. These two companies are among the most successful on the African continent.

    Kuda’s Remittance Product Hits The U.K.

    NALA Services 

    You may send money to nine different African nations with bank transfers, mobile money, Google Pay, and Apple Pay. Even paying payments and shopping for goods directly in Kenya is an option.

    You may send money to Africa in a matter of seconds. They have worked with more than 200 different banks in order to provide the most convenient payment app experience.

    They will present you with real-time updates on the path that your money is taking, so helping you to make decisions based on accurate information.

    Meet the Mama NALA team, an expert, multilingual group that is here to serve you around the clock.

    When you transfer money back home, make sure you obtain the greatest rate possible by comparing it to the most recent rates offered by the app’s other providers.

  • Rwanda’s digital fund supports Nigeria’s AltSchool Africa

    Rwanda’s digital fund supports Nigeria’s AltSchool Africa

    The Nigerian edtech startup AltSchool Africa says it is the African version of the US coding bootcamp BloomTech. 

    Intellecap, an advisory firm focusing on Asia and Africa, will help AltSchool Africa with its strategy. It was learned that the program, paid for in full by the Rwandan Innovation Fund, will help AltSchool plan for its next growth stage.

    Pitchbook data shows that in April 2023, AltSchool raised $3 million. Angaza Capital, a venture capital company that helps run the Rwandan Innovation Fund, was one of the investors in that round. This investment has not been talked about before. Altschol’s CEO, Adewale Yusuf, admitted that the innovation fund gave money to his company, but he wouldn’t say how much.

    Read also: Nigeria’s AltSchool Africa launches new schools for Africans

    The African Development Bank loaned $30 million to set up the Rwandan Innovation Fund in 2021. This was part of the country’s plan to become an African technology hub. “The Rwandan government has been beneficial to our success since we entered the market, and we’re thankful for that,” Yusuf wrote on LinkedIn. 

    Yusuf told Media that AltSchool built a Rwandan office at the Norrsken hub last year, one of the first African companies wooed by Rwanda. It has four employees and is employing more. Flutterwave opened an East African settlement hub earlier this year, and Paystack announced Rwanda development plans. More firms will follow.

    The Rwandan Innovation Fund needs $30 million from private investors and $8.6 million from the government in addition to the AfDB loan. The fund supports 150 tech-enabled enterprises, ten incubators and accelerators, and 20 early-stage growth prospects across Africa. The Fund has invested $6.6 million in 11 East African businesses.

    OpenLabs, AltSchool Enhance Digital Education In Africa

    AltSchool and What it Has to Offer Online

    AltSchool only lets you learn online. Its curriculum is much more thorough than BloomTech’s, covering business, data, engineering, media, and the creative economy. You can take those courses for $20 to $50 a month, and the company uses an income-sharing agreement (ISA) model, which is famous for online education startups like ALX. The company tries to match students with internships so that this can happen. You are trying to make sure that they get jobs in the end. 

    AltSchool has helped about 20,000 students in eight African countries so far. The startup has promised to give young Africans the information and skills they need to build long-term careers in and out of the tech industry. In Africa, youth unemployment has been a problem for a long time. Only about 3 million of the 10 million young people who join the job market can find work or make enough money to live on. Edtechs like AltSchool help kids learn skills that are in demand worldwide.

    VCs and private investors gave AltSchool $1 million in pre-seed funding in 2022. This was its second round of funding. Some of the VCs in the round were Voltron Capital and Obda VC. Sola Akinlade from Paystack and Nigerian singer Folarin “Falz” Falana also participated.

  • Oracle pioneers cloud computing Infrastructure in Rwanda

    Oracle pioneers cloud computing Infrastructure in Rwanda

    Oracle is set to establish cloud computing infrastructure in Rwanda by June 2024, making the country’s journey to becoming a technology hub a step closer.

    Cloud computing, characterised by the delivery of various services over the Internet, including data storage, servers, databases, networking, and software, offers the ability to scale rapidly, adapt to changing demands, and foster innovation.

    In a recent episode of “The Long Form” podcast, hosted by The New Times, Paula Ingabire, Rwanda’s Minister of ICT and Innovation, discussed various technology-related topics, unveiling a groundbreaking partnership with Oracle. This initiative aims to propel Rwanda into the realm of cloud computing services, aligning with the country’s ambitious tech development goals.

    Read also: Oracle FS Lands Two Core Banking Tech Clients In Libya

    Oracle’s Entrance into Rwanda’s Cloud Computing Space

    The journey to establish a robust cloud computing infrastructure in Rwanda has been set in motion, with Oracle taking the lead. This initiative is not just about technological advancement but also aligns with the country’s commitment to data protection and privacy, which is highly relevant in today’s technology-driven era.

    The initial phase of this project is scheduled to commence in December, with an ambitious 18-month timeline to construct the data centre. Paula Ingabire highlighted that Oracle has already identified a strategic location within the Kigali Innovation City to house the data centre. The projected activation date for this groundbreaking facility is June 2024.

    Beyond Infrastructure: Leveraging Existing Cloud Resources
    While the physical infrastructure is in progress, Rwanda has also made a compelling request for Oracle to harness some of its existing cloud resources. This strategic collaboration seeks to empower not only tech start-ups but also government institutions and corporate entities, propelling Rwanda’s technological aspirations and fostering a competitive ecosystem.

    Paula Ingabire outlined the potential impact of this endeavour, stating that it would attract more companies to consider Rwanda as a destination for doing business. This influx of businesses would create a thriving environment where innovation can flourish.

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    Embracing Cloud Computing in Rwanda’s Tech Revolution

    The adoption of cloud computing services is pivotal as Rwanda embarks on a journey to explore and implement technological solutions. Data privacy and protection remain paramount in the digital age, making cloud computing infrastructure an indispensable asset for the nation.

    Oracle’s entry into Rwanda’s technology landscape signifies a broader commitment to developing the country’s technological capabilities. By offering cutting-edge cloud computing services, this initiative not only enhances the digital infrastructure but also fuels Rwanda’s aspirations to become a prominent technology hub in the region.

    This isn’t the first time Oracle and Rwanda have joined forces. Back in 2015, the two entities inked an agreement aimed at bolstering ICT skills in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions. This collaboration led to the establishment of learning centres, providing students from various colleges across Rwanda with access to software, curriculum, technology, and certification resources. Through these efforts, Oracle has played an integral role in nurturing ICT talent and contributing to Rwanda’s technological progress.

    The establishment of cloud computing infrastructure by Oracle is a testament to Rwanda’s dedication to becoming a regional technology powerhouse. As the project unfolds, it is poised to open new avenues for innovation, economic growth, and technological advancements in the heart of Africa. Oracle’s entry into the Rwandan tech ecosystem signifies a significant step forward and is poised to revolutionise the country’s technology landscape. With the groundwork being laid for cloud compuRwanda’s Tech Ambitions Soar as Oracle Pioneers Cloud Computing Infrastructure.

  • Airtel launches Africa’s most affordable 4G smartphone in Rwanda

    Airtel launches Africa’s most affordable 4G smartphone in Rwanda

    In a groundbreaking move to enhance digital inclusion and empower Rwandans, Airtel Africa, operating in 14 African nations, has introduced the Rwanda 4G smartphone in collaboration with the Rwandan Government. This initiative is a crucial part of the ConnectRwanda 2.0 program, aimed at equipping more than a million Rwandans with advanced high-speed LTE smartphones by the year 2024.

    Group CEO of Airtel Africa, Segun Ogunsanya, expressed his pride in being part of this transformative initiative. He emphasized that this effort promises to reshape Rwanda’s digitization landscape, offering new possibilities in education, commerce, and connectivity, ultimately fostering economic development and creativity.

    The most striking aspect of this initiative is the affordability of the smartphone. Priced at just 20,000 Rwandan Francs, which is equivalent to a mere US$16.5, it opens up new avenues for individuals who previously had limited access to advanced technology. Additionally, there’s a modest monthly charge of 1,000 Rwandan Francs (approximately US$0.8), equivalent to Ksh2,300, which provides subscribers with 1GB of daily data and unrestricted calls to any network in Rwanda. This affordable pricing structure significantly enhances connectivity, making it more accessible to a wider audience.

    Rwanda’s Minister of ICT, Paula Ingabire, underlined the government’s commitment to digitizing its activities by 2024. The introduction of the 4G smartphone is aligned with this ambitious target, ensuring that more Rwandans can participate in the digital transformation of the country.

    Read also: MediaTek, Airtel Nigeria to improve mobile connectivity in Nigeria

    Airtel’s Vision for Rwanda’s Digital Transformation

    Airtel Africa, with its presence in 14 African nations, has always been at the forefront of empowering communities through innovative telecommunication solutions. The Rwanda 4G smartphone represents a powerful collaboration between Airtel and the Rwandan Government, aimed at enhancing digital inclusion and empowering the people of Rwanda. The goal of this initiative is clear: to equip over a million Rwandans with advanced high-speed LTE smartphones by 2024.

    Leadership Paving the Way

    The Group CEO of Airtel Africa, Segun Ogunsanya, shared his enthusiasm about this transformative initiative. He stated, “We are proud to be part of this transformative initiative that promises to rewrite Rwanda’s digitization story and give more Rwandans a reason to imagine.” Mr. Ogunsanya recognizes the potential of this endeavor, highlighting its ability to open new doors in education, commerce, and connectivity. He anticipates that the initiative will foster economic development and creativity among the Rwandan population.

    Affordability: The Game-Changer

    One of the most striking aspects of the Rwanda 4G smartphone is its affordability. Priced at a mere 20,000 Rwandan Francs, equivalent to just US$16.5, this smartphone breaks down the barriers that have limited access to advanced technology for many. Additionally, the monthly charge is set at a modest 1,000 Rwandan Francs, approximately US$0.8, which translates to Ksh2,300. In return for this affordable pricing, subscribers receive 1GB of daily data and unrestricted calls to any network in Rwanda. This pricing structure not only makes the smartphone accessible to a wider audience but also enhances connectivity, ensuring that more Rwandans can participate in the digital revolution.

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    Rwanda’s Digital Vision: Government’s Commitment

    Rwanda’s Minister of ICT, Paula Ingabire, has expressed the government’s commitment to digitizing its activities by the year 2024. She emphasized that this initiative aligns perfectly with their ambitious target, aiming to enable more Rwandans to actively participate in the digital transformation of the country. Mr. Gordon Kalema, Director General of Digital Transformation in the Ministry, represented Minister Ingabire at the launch and commended Airtel Africa for their role in realizing the government’s digitalization vision.

  • Rwanda, SoftBank achieve 5G milestone

    Rwanda, SoftBank achieve 5G milestone

    Rwanda, in collaboration with SoftBank Corporation, marked a significant milestone in telecommunications by successfully testing advanced 5G communications technology in the stratosphere. The announcement of this pioneering achievement was made at the opening of the Mobile World Congress (MWC Kigali) on October 17.

    The groundbreaking test involved leveraging a solar-powered High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) prototype to deliver 5G connectivity from the stratosphere, providing unprecedented opportunities to extend high-speed internet access to remote areas and bridge the digital divide.

    Read also: Infinix Mobile releases ZERO 30 5G smartphone for improved vlogging

    The Significance of Stratospheric 5G Technology

    Imagine a high-altitude drone equipped with 5G technology soaring in the Earth’s stratosphere. This stratospheric drone essentially functions as a flying 5G hotspot, connecting individuals on the ground to high-speed internet and digital services. The key significance of this technology lies in its capacity to deliver internet access to areas that were previously hard to reach. The test of SoftBank’s 5G technology in the stratosphere opens new horizons for connectivity, especially in remote and underserved regions.

    During the test, the stratospheric drone equipped with SoftBank’s 5G technology provided uninterrupted 5G connectivity for approximately 73 minutes. This remarkable achievement was accomplished at an altitude of 16.9 kilometers (around 10.5 miles). In practical terms, this means having a super-fast internet connection high above the Earth’s surface. To demonstrate the real-world applications of this technology, a 5G-based Zoom video call was conducted between a smartphone in Rwanda and SoftBank team members in Japan. The utilization of a standard 5G smartphone underscores the practicality and immediate applicability of this technology.

    A Collaboration for Connectivity

    This milestone stems from a collaborative partnership between SoftBank and the Rwandan government. Their joint efforts aim to explore how stratospheric technology can be harnessed to provide internet connectivity and educational services in Rwanda, particularly in rural areas with limited connectivity.

    The successful test of stratospheric 5G technology marks just the beginning of an exciting journey. SoftBank and the Rwandan government intend to investigate potential use cases for this innovative technology, not only in Rwanda but also in other parts of Africa. One promising avenue is the digitalization of schools and communities in remote regions lacking internet access. This transformation has the potential to revolutionize education and connectivity in underserved areas.

    Minister of ICT and Innovation’s Perspective

    Paula Ingabire, the Minister of ICT and Innovation of Rwanda, emphasized the test’s importance in narrowing the digital divide and enhancing digital inclusion. She stated, “We’re establishing Rwanda as a premier global destination for pioneering visionary individuals from across the globe, where they can harness our supportive policies and regulatory flexibility to explore cutting-edge innovations that address development challenges. We extend our appreciation to SoftBank, our partner in this Joint Research Project, and look forward to furthering our partnership beyond the proof-of-concept phase.”

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    SoftBank CEO’s Perspective

    Junichi Miyakawa, the President and CEO of SoftBank, expressed his excitement over the performance of their 5G payload in the stratosphere, exceeding expectations. He highlighted the importance of this test in their mission to bridge the digital divide with High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) and other NTN solutions. He expressed gratitude to the Government of Rwanda for their support and their anticipation of working together to explore use cases for commercial implementation.

    The successful testing of SoftBank’s 5G technology in the stratosphere is a testament to the potential of innovative solutions to enhance connectivity in remote and underserved areas. This milestone brings the promise of digital inclusion, particularly in the educational sector, to the forefront. Rwanda’s commitment to pioneering cutting-edge innovations and SoftBank’s technological advancements offer a bright outlook for bridging the digital divide and fostering a more connected and informed world.

  • Auto24 opens new car markets in SA, Rwanda, others

    Auto24 opens new car markets in SA, Rwanda, others

    AUTO24.africa, a business that sells cars, has started to grow by opening up in four new African markets. This is what a statement was given to reporters. South Africa, Rwanda, Senegal, and Morocco are some of the new areas.

    Auto24 is a new marketplace for used cars opening in September 2022. It is a collaboration between Africa, a global car marketplace, and Stellantis, the parent company of Maserati, Peugeot, Fiat, and Chrysler, among other brands. The company gives people who want to buy or sell used cars a place to do business.

    After what the company says was a very successful first year in Ivory Coast, this change happened. The company says that the move makes its site the best place to sell used cars from many different brands on the whole continent. After getting money from Stellantis last year, AUTO24.africa is changing the African car industry by giving customers services that have never been done before.

    CEO Axel Peyrière says that the team is obsessed with its focus on customers, so it has always tried to provide the best service and be the best in the car dealership space.

    We are obsessed with putting the customer first. Our goal is not only to be the best on the market but also to ensure that every person who buys or sells a used car gets the best service possible. This growth shows how hard we’ve worked.

    Read also: Sylndr Secures $12.6M Pre-seed to Disrupt Egypt’s Automotive Used-Car Market

    Auto24 used-car dealership

    New imported cars are popular in Africa. The lack of automotive production hubs and enterprises on the continent drives this. Unfortunately, most of its inhabitants couldn’t afford new cars, so they bought secondhand ones. However, buying old cars is difficult. The buyer has no guarantee, no refund policy if the vehicle is inferior, and many other issues.

    However, Auto24 is fixing these issues. It offers unmatched and exclusive services, including a five-day refund policy, a six-month warranty, one-year maintenance, and one-year insurance for all automobiles. The portal offers convenient funding through numerous partners. These perks are unprecedented in many African countries and redefine car ownership.

    The company wants to be Africa’s premier multi-brand certified pre-owned automobile retailer, so this year’s expansion is part of that goal. The platform seeks to add new features and capabilities to improve the car buying and selling experience with trust and transparency.

    Since its 2016 foundation in Australia, Africa Group has pioneered online automobile classifieds in Sub-Saharan Africa. Africa runs and expands Africa’s major automotive marketplaces. In more than 45 countries and serving over 1 billion people, it has helped millions of pre-owned automobile buyers and sellers trade safely and efficiently for five years.

    Stellantis, AUTO24.africa’s principal investor, continues to support its ambitious journey, which corresponds with Stellantis’ strategic plan DARE FORWARD 2030, by expanding our mobility solutions to satisfy African customers’ demands. Stellantis Senior Vice President of Pre-Owned Vehicles Xavier Duchemin said the investment in Africar Group to develop Auto24 underlines its aim to grow its used vehicle business globally in a bold, pragmatic, and agile way at Auto24’s launch last year.

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    It will follow Stellantis’ other used vehicle ecosystem investments. Using Stellantis, the entrepreneurs will speed their growth while keeping the originality, vitality, and agility of start-ups, he claimed.

    The new countries’ platforms will be unique in offering both international and local languages, reaching more clients. These markets’ platforms will let customers reserve and secure their favourite car before test-driving and buying. Auto24 claims this unique product raises the bar and improves customer satisfaction.

  • Rwanda partners Canadian firm to build small-scale nuclear reactor

    Rwanda partners Canadian firm to build small-scale nuclear reactor

    Rwanda has embarked on an ambitious project to build its first small-scale nuclear reactor in partnership with Dual Fluid Energy Inc., a Canadian-German company.

    The purpose of this project is not to generate electricity for the country’s grid but to test a novel nuclear fission approach developed by the company. The initiative aligns with Rwanda’s efforts to explore low-carbon energy solutions.

    Potential for Future Expansion

    Should the project prove successful, Rwanda and Dual Fluid Energy could establish a production line for such reactors in the country. This move represents Rwanda’s commitment to nuclear power as a means to address its growing energy needs and combat climate change. Currently, much of the country’s electricity is sourced from hydropower and diesel plants, with only 68% of the population having access to electricity, according to the Rwanda Energy Group.

    Read also: African families turn to solar energy as governments’ electricity supply dwindles

    Innovative Nuclear Fission Technology

    Dual Fluid Energy is among more than 20 small modular reactor projects in development worldwide. These reactors differ from conventional ones by requiring less fuel, offering flexibility in location, and the ability to be prefabricated and shipped. Dual Fluid Energy is pursuing a nuclear fission technology based on “liquid fuel and lead coolant” that could produce emission-free electricity, hydrogen, and synthetic fuels.

    Challenges and Scepticism

    While the project shows promise, experts remain cautious. Jacopo Buongiorno, a nuclear science and engineering professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, expressed skepticism about the novelty of the technology, stating that virtually all combinations of reactor coolants, fuels, and power conversion cycles have been considered over the past 70 years. He also questioned the ambitious timeline.

    Juan Matthews, a visiting professor at the Dalton Nuclear Institute at the University of Manchester, acknowledged the interesting features of the reactor’s design but emphasized the need for further feasibility confirmation.

    Rwanda’s government anticipates the reactor to be operational by 2026, with technology testing completed by 2028. The deal with Dual Fluid Energy is reported to be worth 90 billion Rwandan francs, equivalent to $75 million.

    Amid Calls for Low-Carbon Energy

    This announcement comes in the wake of the Africa Climate Summit’s unanimous call for a shift to low-carbon energy sources and a global tax on fossil fuels. Currently, South Africa is the only African nation with an operational nuclear power plant.

    The CEO of the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board, Fidel Ndahayo, emphasized that the deal aligns with the country’s strategy to collaborate with startup companies working on small modular nuclear reactor technologies. Rwanda, known for its dense population, established its atomic energy board in 2020 and has ambitions for peaceful nuclear technology to drive development.

    However, there have been concerns raised about the proximity of nuclear energy plants to populated areas. Frank Habineza, a lawmaker, voiced concerns about the potential risks associated with such facilities. Nevertheless, the government asserts its commitment to nuclear power for peaceful purposes and development.

    As Rwanda moves forward with its nuclear aspirations, it joins the global effort to explore innovative and sustainable energy solutions to meet the needs of its growing population while addressing climate change challenges.

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    About Dual Fluid Energy

    Founded in Canada in 2021, Dual Fluid Energy is a creator of nuclear technology whose goal is to offer cheap, emission-free energy. The company’s technology uses two fluids, one of which transports fuel and the other of which extracts heat.

    The dual fluid concept, which is used in this technology, offers the greatest temperature and efficiency of any reactor designs now being developed, allowing businesses to produce large amounts of energy at reasonable prices.

  • AI company, InstaDeep chooses Rwanda for African AI research

    AI company, InstaDeep chooses Rwanda for African AI research

    InstaDeep, an AI company with roots in Tunisia and a central office in London, wants to open an office in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital city. 

    Karim Beguir, the CEO of InstaDeep, said recently at Deep Learning Indaba, the yearly meeting of the African machine learning and artificial intelligence community, whose goal is to improve African AI.

    The Kigali office will open with six people who will do the study on artificial intelligence on the continent. “It makes sense to send and grow our team in Kigali as Rwanda becomes a leader in building the economy of the future. “We’re excited to tell this group of African AI researchers and developers at the Deep Learning Indaba,” Beguir said.

    The AI startup employs approximately 240 people across Tunis, London, Lagos, Dubai, Berlin, Cape Town, Paris, Boston, and San Francisco.

    Kigali gives an excellent opportunity for InstaDeep to maintain growing AI in Africa and build sustainable solutions for the continent and beyond, says the head of AI research in Africa, Arnu Pretorius. Rwanda hosted the first AI worldwide conference, ICLR, in Africa, demonstrating its policy leadership. Having an office in Kigali allows us to give additional possibilities to African AI talent from around the continent.”

    According to Deep Learning Indaba, Pretorius will lead the Kigali office. He was recently awarded the Kambule Doctoral Award, which recognises and encourages doctoral candidates at African universities to excel in research and writing in computational and statistical sciences.

    Read also: BioNTech acquires Tunisian startup InstaDeep for £562 million

    Rwanda as Africa’s AI hub

    Rwanda ranks among the top ten African AI readiness index countries. Rwanda was among the few African countries to draft a national AI policy with six priority areas[pdf]: AI literacy, infrastructure, data strategy, public and private sector AI adoption, and ethical implementation in April 2023. East Africa needs $76.5 million to implement the policy in five years.

    The policy is a big step towards launching Rwanda’s AI ecosystem and achieving its goals for national growth. Paula Ingabire, Rwanda’s minister of ICT and innovation, says that we are setting ourselves up to be the best place in Africa for playing with and making trustworthy AI technology that works well in Africa.

    BioNTech, a German biotech company, bought InstaDeep earlier this year for £362 million in cash and unnamed BioNTech shares. The remaining £200 million will be paid based on how well InstaDeep does in the future.

    Uur Sahin, CEO and co-founder of BioNTech, said at the purchase, “The acquisition of InstaDeep allows us to use the rapidly changing AI capabilities of the digital world in our technologies, research, drug discovery, manufacturing, and deployment processes.”

    Now that InstaDeep is a part of the company, it’s important to remember that this is not the first time BioNTech will start an important project in Rwanda. The German biotech business started building its first factory in Kigali, Rwanda, last year. This factory will help make mRNA vaccines in Africa.

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    About BioNTech

    BioNTech, situated in Mainz, Germany, develops and manufactures active immunotherapies for patient-specific illness treatment. It develops mRNA-based pharmaceutical candidates for individualized cancer immunotherapies, infectious disease vaccines, protein replacement therapies for rare diseases, engineered cell therapy, novel antibodies, and small molecule immunomodulators.

    The company created an injectable mRNA-based human treatment to bring individualized cancer immunotherapy to clinical trials and construct its manufacturing process.

    BioNTech was started in 2008 based on the study done by Uur Ahin, Ozlem Türeci, and Christoph Huber. MIG Capital and AT Impf gave the company a start-up loan of €150 million. The company’s primary goals are to make tools and drugs for individualised cancer immunotherapy and to develop and test them.

    Andreas and Thomas Strüngmann, Michael Motschmann, and Helmut Jeggle started the company. In 2009, EUFETS and JPT Peptide Technologies were both bought out.

    Katalin Karikó’s work on mRNA at the University of Pennsylvania helped Pfizer and BioNTech make the COVID-19 vaccine. In 2013, she became a senior vice president at BioNTech.

  • MTN Rwanda earned $102,000 in H1 2023.

    MTN Rwanda earned $102,000 in H1 2023.

    MTN Rwanda released its unaudited financial data for the first half of 2023. Since last year, the telco’s service income has gone up by 14.7%. 

    The company’s service income, number of mobile money customers, number of active internet subscribers, and more all went up.

    Between H1 2022 and H1 2023, its service income went from Rwf 105 million ($89k) to Rwf 120 million ($102k). The money that MTN makes from its base transmission station (BTS) is called “service revenue.”

    The carrier got more people to sign up for mobile service. 7 million people had signed up for it, the story said. Year over year, the amount before ($6.6 million) went up by 6%.

    In one year, the number of active internet users went from 2.2 million to 2.3 million, an increase of 5.1%. It made more people use MoMo, which is a banking tool owned by a company. Rwanda will have 4.4 million MoMo users in the first half of 2023, which is 14.4% more than in the first half of 2022. Last year, it was used by 3.9 million people.

    To be clear, mobile users are people who have used their phones for at least 90 days. MTN puts together users of both the internet and MoMo who have done something in the last 30 days.

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    MTN Rwanda remains positive

    The first half of 2023 saw “solid financial performance” for MTN Rwanda, according to CEO Mapula Bodibe. She also said it indicated that the corporation was determined to lead in providing digital solutions to help the country grow.

    In the past month, 4G LTE has been made available in eighty percent of MTN Rwanda’s locations. The previous month, Airtel followed suit. This put an end to KTRN’s monopoly in the 4G market.

    Up until recently, KTRN provided MTN, Airtel, and other companies with wholesale 4G services. This transaction will no longer be valid now that their services are available to the public.

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    Bodibe went over the business plan for the telco’s second half. She went on to say that MTN Rwanda would be concentrating on mobile money services. The addition of more MoMo users will be beneficial for Rwanda’s company.

    Rwanda is working towards becoming a cashless society, much like many other countries in Africa. The importance of MoMo and other financial businesses now operating in the country cannot be overstated. By 2023, MTN Rwanda’s network will be accessible to 99% of the population.