Vodacom Tanzania (www.Vodacom.co.Tz) proudly announces the conclusion of the third season of its Digital Accelerator Program with an exhilarating Demo Day event. The event celebrated the remarkable achievements of the seven finalists who completed the three-month acceleration program in partnership with MassChallenge and Huawei.

This year’s event, held in collaboration with various ventures and accelerators, underscored the growth, scope, and diversity of Tanzanian startups, showcasing the promising future of the country’s tech ecosystem.

This year the telco led accelerator started with 20 startups, and from these, seven finalists emerged: MITz Kits, Afya ya Mnyama, Mkanda Salama, Go Go App, SAB Biomanufacturers, Altitude X, and Makonda Renewable Tech. These finalists embarked on an incredible 3 month journey through workshops, mentorship sessions, and most recently a learning tour in Shenzhen, China, experiencing cutting-edge technology and 5G networks, sparking new ideas and possibilities for Tanzania.

Vodacom Tanzania’s Managing Director, Philip Besiimire, highlighted the significance of this achievement, stating, “Today, we celebrate innovation, hard work, and the bright future of Tanzanian startups. These seven startups have shown that solutions to local challenges lie within our youth, and we are proud to have been a part of their growth. I commend all the finalists and wish them well. The market is ready for your solutions; let’s go make a difference.”

Besiimire emphasized Vodacom Tanzania’s commitment to supporting startups by providing access to local and international industry experts, training, mentorship, partner networks, and M-PESA services. The company believes in creating solutions that are inclusive and accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities, ensuring that innovations benefit all members of society whilst addressing the SDGs.

Coupled with international experience from China and pitch rehearsals with US based Mass Challenge, the 7 startups faced the judges and audience in what was a rigorous and exciting pitching session to present their solutions, following which 3 startups Rose Funja founder of AltituteX (www.AltitudeX.co.tz), Frank Mussa, Afya Lead Co-Founder (https://apo-opa.co/3SaJRbQ) and Lusekelo Nkuwi from GO GO App emerged as winners (https://apo-opa.co/3SaFzl3).

Frank Mussa, one of the winners and co-founder at Afya Lead, says, “From the beginning of our innovation journey, we faced many challenges, but with determination and the support of VDA mentorship, we built a strong business foundation. I am thrilled to win this award and look forward to implementing what I’ve learned to bring positive change to my community.”

Furthermore, the three winners will have the opportunity to travel to the US in September this year. There, they will meet with mentors and potential investors to advance their startups, gaining valuable insights and support for their ventures.

Eric Rodriguez from MassChallenge, “It has been an honor to partner with Vodacom Tanzania for the Digital Accelerator Program. The dedication and talent of these startups are truly inspiring, and it was a great honor connecting them with both local and international mentors to help guide their journeys. We are excited to see how these entrepreneurs will continue to innovate and drive positive change in their communities.”

Besiimire concluded, “The Tanzanian innovation ecosystem is ripe for growth. This year alone, we received over 200 applications and managed to work with only 20 startups during the design sprint phase and later seven finalists so you can see the hunger out there. I invite other corporates, investors, and ventures to explore the Tanzanian market. There are brilliant minds here that just need a boost. Remember, this is just the beginning. Keep innovating, pushing boundaries, and creating solutions that will shape the future of Tanzania.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Vodacom Tanzania Plc.

About the Vodacom Digital Accelerator (VDA) (https://apo-opa.co/4f56sAn):
Started in 2019 by Vodacom Tanzania, the Vodacom Digital Accelerator (VDA) Program aims to support early-stage and growth-stage startups with disruptive products and services that have the potential to scale, leveraging on global partnerships and expertise to provide startups with invaluable resources, mentorship, and exposure. A 6-month tailored program that caters to the specific needs of the startups providing access to tools and in-kind funding that will empower them to grow into profitable, revenue-generating businesses.

About Mass Challenge (https://MassChallenge.org):
Founded in 2009 in Boston, MA, MassChallenge’s mission is to equip bold entrepreneurs to disrupt the status quo and create meaningful change.

MassChallenge connects startups, experts, corporations, and communities to grow and transform businesses and economies. We do this work because entrepreneurship is a uniquely vigorous force in driving progress against humanity’s greatest challenges, creating opportunity for individuals, and generating jobs for our economy. We work across sectors to drive a stronger future through collaborative innovation and support all founders whether they fit or break the traditional venture mold.

About Huawei (www.Huawei.com/Tz):
Founded in 1987, Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. We have 207,000 employees and operate in over 170 countries and regions, serving more than three billion people around the world. We are committed to bringing digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world.

A $52.3 million project approved today by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) aims to help Malawi cope with the devastating effects of climate change and boost the country’s long-term food security.

Led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the project is set to benefit nearly 575,000 vulnerable people in rural communities over six years. It will deliver urgently needed investments in adaption and resilience in Malawi, which the UN categorizes as a Least Developed Country.

The project, Ecosystems-based Adaptation for Resilient Watersheds and Communities in Malawi (EbAM), was approved by the GCF Board at its 39th meeting in Songdo, South Korea.

“This project offers a comprehensive, inclusive, and innovative approach to building climate resilience in Malawi, addressing both major environmental and socio-economic challenges in the context of climate change. We welcome the GCF Board’s approval and look forward to working with our Malawi counterparts to help transform Malawi’s agriculture sector through impactful, holistic ecosystem-based climate actions,” said FAO Deputy Director-General Maria Helena Semedo. This is part of implementing FAO’s strategy on Climate Change 2022-2031 and Action Plan 2022-2025.

Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, with 70 percent of its population living below the international poverty line. Its rural communities, which depend primarily on rainfed agriculture for their livelihoods, are already experiencing the effects of climate change, including rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and more frequent and intense extreme weather events.

In 2023, acute food insecurity reported in the country was attributed to a significant decrease in the production of maize—the country’s leading staple food—due to droughts and floods brought about by tropical cyclones, coupled with existing soil degradation.

Going forward, climate change is expected to continue to alter the onset of the rainy season, increase water stress, and intensify incidents of pests and diseases, making it even more difficult for smallholders to grow cash and subsistence crops. This will likely put farming communities under increased pressure to resort to unsustainable land use practices, further exacerbating land degradation.

Inclusive approach

The project aims to increase the resilience of rural communities at the watershed and farm levels, where ecosystem-based approaches and integrated sustainable water and soil management are critical to agricultural production and adaptation to climate change. It will also restore more than 83,000 hectares of communal and farmland.

Crucially, it adopts an inclusive and participatory approach that engages women, youth, and other vulnerable groups in all aspects of the project.

Local communities will be empowered to formulate village-level action plans (VLAPs) to conserve, restore, and sustainably manage landscapes through green infrastructure (such as gully plugs and check dams) and sustainable forest management and restoration. Communities involved in the project will receive native and well-adapted seeds and seedlings to promote high biodiversity, which is crucial for resilience, as well as equipment and materials such as wheelbarrows, shovels, wire, and boulders required to perform the work.

Farmer Field Schools will enable community members to acquire essential knowledge in sustainable agricultural practices that enhance resilience and minimize greenhouse gas emissions. This includes promoting agrobiodiversity, growing drought-resilient crops, and using weather information.

In addition to improving livelihoods and resilience, the project also aims to increase farmers’ access to markets and financing opportunities, as well as to regional and international value chains, through the strengthening of Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLA), the creation of public-private producer partnerships, capacity building for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and technical support to financial institutions. 

“Today marks a historic moment for Malawi’s agricultural sector,” said Sam Dalitso Kawale, Malawi’s Minister of Agriculture. “The investment will increase the resilience of our rural communities at watershed and farm level, where good water and soil management are crucial to sustainable agricultural production.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

In an alert, Dr Shible Sahbani, WHO Representative to Sudan, said that heavy fighting between Sudan’s rival militaries had made access to El Fasher “completely impossible”, as the country’s warring parties continue to hold talks in Geneva.

The latest warning about the emergency comes 15 months since heavy conflict erupted between rival militaries in Sudan over a proposed transition to civilian rule, following a military coup in 2021 and the 2019 ousting of long-time President Omar Al-Bashir.

Millions forced to flee

“The Darfurs, Kordofans, Khartoum and Al Jazira states are all but cut off from humanitarian and health assistance due to the relentless fighting,” the WHO official told journalists in Geneva. “The situation in Darfur is particularly alarming, where in places like El Fasher…the wounded cannot get the urgent care they need; children and pregnant and breastfeeding women are weak due to acute hunger.”

Large parts of Sudan have been impacted by the fighting, after hostilities involving heavy weapons and fighter jets spread from the capital, Khartoum, to other regions and states including the Darfurs, located in the west of the vast country.

In addition to pleas to the belligerents to ensure the protection of civilians, aid teams and public infrastructure including hospitals in line with international humanitarian law, the WHO official insisted that access was “immediately needed so that we can avert the disastrous health situation”.

Relief supplies on the move

Existing healthcare stockpiles have been used to supply a few hospitals in El Fasher, but “it’s not enough and it’s not sustainable”, the WHO official insisted, adding that the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, was continuing to negotiate with the various parties at war to allow relief supplies to be trucked in wherever possible.

“As we speak now I have seven trucks moving from Kordofans towards Darfur… and just yesterday we got the approval to have them moving towards Darfur,” said Dr Sahbani, adding that there were also “good signs” about cross-border aid operations from “all the different parties”.

“But it’s not enough, again, because we have to deal with these cases on ad hoc basis…We need more advocacy in the country with the different belligerents, but we need also advocacy with the big, countries, with those who have a certain influence on the situation.”

Dr Sahbani said that while he was on an assessment mission to neighbouring Chad last week, desperate refugees had told him that “the main reason they left Sudan now is hunger, is famine…They said it’s not insecurity, it’s not lack of access to basic services, but because we have nothing to eat there.”

The WHO official described his shock when a woman who had fled Darfur and reached Adré just past Chad’s eastern border told him that “whatever we use to produce [food] locally, to eat, was taken by fighters”. She had walked for three days with her children in search of safety, without food for the entire journey.

Geneva talks focus

Dr. Sahbani warned that the humanitarian response in Sudan remains only 26 per cent funded as he described the emergency as “one of the worst in the world”.

Humanitarian access and protection of civilians are among the main points under discussion at the UN-led talks between representatives from the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces that began last week in Geneva, under the leadership of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra.

UN Geneva spokesperson Alessandra Vellucci told journalists that both delegations were “engaged” and that Mr. Lamamra and his team have had several interactions with each throughout the weekend.

“If we don’t get [a] ceasefire, at least we could get the protection of civilians and the opening of humanitarian corridors,” Dr Sahbani noted.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received a phone call from President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel. The call underscored the two countries’ commitment to further advancing cooperation across various levels, building on the solid relations they share and the ample opportunities available to achieve significant progress in their ties, notably in the economic and trade areas.

The two Presidents also tackled a multitude of regional and international issues of mutual concern, primarily the Ukrainian crisis and developments in the Gaza Strip. President El-Sisi emphasized the importance of peaceful solutions to regional and international crises, stressing the crucial need for concerted international efforts to reach an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and provide urgent and unfettered access for humanitarian relief into the sector to address the catastrophic humanitarian conditions endured by the Palestinian people. The President reiterated the vital need to take effective steps to avoid the expansion of the conflict and to reach a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue based on the two-state solution.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.