During the launch of GITEX AFRICA, the Meeting of Francophone Entrepreneurs (REF) and the African CIO Awards, LAfricaMobile (https://LAfricaMobile.com/), which actively participates in these three events, announced a fundraising of €4.3 million ($4.6 millions) for its series A.

This fundraising will allow LAfricaMobile to consolidate its financial position and accelerate its expansion in French-speaking Africa. The funds will be used to develop the company’s activities in Central Africa and to invest further in its products, in particular by integrating artificial intelligence in order to offer better added value to its customers and partners according to Malick DIOUF CEO and Co- founder of LAfricaMobile.

This funding round, led by Janngo Capital, brought together the participation of several leading investors:

The world vice-champions, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Jules Koundé of the French Football team
The brilliant founders of Expensya, Karim Jouni and Jihed Othmani (Tunisian Success Story – The beautiful African exit of 2023)
And the investment funds SouthBridge Investments and Ciwara Capital.

Investors’ confidence in LAfricaMobile’s strategy and growth potential demonstrates the strength of the company and its promising prospects in French-speaking Africa.

“We are impressed by LAfricaMobile’s vision, the caliber of their team and their technological solutions offering unique services in a huge market. Indeed, their value proposition at the intersection of telecommunications, marketing and financial services efficiently addresses a combined market projected to hit US$150 billion by 2030. We are honored to lead this funding round as a cornerstone investor to support both the expansion of their offering and geographical footprint while improving the accessibility of local content.” stated Fatoumata Bâ, Founder and Executive Chair of Janngo Capital.

“I really believe that entrepreneurs like Malick have the ability to transform African markets and local innovation; in short, exactly the kind of projects Jihed and I like to invest in!”  Karim Jouini,  Founder of Expensya

“I would like to say that at SouthBridge Investments we support companies that are making a unique contribution to furthering the digital economy with solutions at scale. LAM has not only demonstrated that it can do that in one country but through its dynamic leadership is leading the way to scaling solutions across other geographies”. Frannie Lauthier, CEO of Southbridge Investments, Partner

With this fundraising, LAfricaMobile is well positioned to continue its rapid and sustainable development in French-speaking Africa. “This is a decisive step in the development of our company which has already supported more than 300 companies in Africa and established more than 60 partnerships with telecom operators on the continent. Our ambition is to support all companies wherever they are in Africa in their relationship with their customers using mobile technologies » assures Malick Diouf, particularly grateful to all the actors who contributed to the development of the company, in particular:

Its historical investors Teranga Capital and Abysse
Its ecosystem partners NTF5, OPTIC, SenStartup, CTIC, ARTP, ADEPME, DER, 3FPT, H7, Stanford Seed Program
Its telecoms partners: regulatory authorities, operators, MVNOs and aggregators
All its customers and employees

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of LAfricaMobile.

Press contacts:
Mame Diarra Fall
Marketing and Communication Manager
Tel: +221 77 445 29 04
Email: d.fall@lafricamobile.com

S.A.S au Capital de 120 000 000 FCFA – RC
SN DKR 2014B5698 – NINEA 
50345832D2
+221 33 842 58 55 
admin@lafricamobile.com 

About LAfricaMobile: 
Created in 2014, LAfricaMobile is a company specializing in cloud communication and mobile marketing. It allows its clients to carry out large-scale communication campaigns using mobile technologies (SMS, USSD, Voice, WhatsApp, Airtime, Text-To-Speech) in Africa.

With nearly 100 million transactions, LAM has connected more than 15 countries and 60 operators, with a team made up of nearly 30 passionate professionals with diverse cultural backgrounds.

For further information: https://LAfricaMobile.com/

About Janngo:
Janngo builds, grows and invests in pan-African digital champions with proven business models and inclusive social impact. We believe that technology&capital can leapfrog development and achieve SDGs in Africa.

Janngo Capital operates Africa’s largest gender equal technology fund, investing up to €5m in startups solving key market failures while creating green jobs, particularly for women&youth. Our portfolio companies are 56% female-led, 67% francophone and include soonicorn Sabi and fintech champion Expensya. We operate under a full Alternative Investment Fund Management license with main offices in Abidjan&Paris. We are sector agnostic and our portfolio span across healthcare, logistics, financial services, retail, food&agri, mobility&the creative industry.
Janngo Capital is the recipient of the 2023 Gender Equality Award of the Africa CEO forum.

For further information: www.Janngo.Africa

Since the Dakar 2 Summit (https://apo-opa.co/4bBfGm1), six African countries have set up Presidential-level Councils to drive implementation of the Country Food and Agriculture Delivery Compacts agreed at the summit, while another twelve countries are at various stages of establishing their councils.

Presidential Councils have taken off in Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Zambia, while the councils in Benin, Burundi, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Egypt, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Malawi, and Togo are in the process of operationalization.

African Development Bank Group president, Dr Akinwumi Adesina announced this on Monday 27 May, in Nairobi, Kenya, at an event on the sidelines of the 2024 Annual Meetings, to take stock of the progress made since the Dakar 2 Summit which was convened by the Bank and the Senegal government in January 2023.

At that summit, $72 billion was mobilised for agriculture development and transformation across Africa. Now the Bank has committed to invest $2.9 billion to support these Compacts, and also appointed two Special Envoys to coordinate and support the Presidential Delivery Councils.

In his remarks, Adesina identified various obstacles to Africa’s ability to feed itself, including climate change, global volatility of food prices, and geopolitical shocks. He reiterated the Bank’s commitment to investing $25 billion over a ten-year period to increase food production and bolster the continent’s agricultural resilience.

Adesina concluded with five important “needs” required for agricultural transformation in Africa: the need to raise agricultural productivity; the need to significantly expand private sector financing for agriculture; the need for younger farmers in the agriculture sector; the need for significant policy support to de-risk agriculture financing; and the need for effective collaboration and cooperation.

He cited examples of the Bank Group’s ambitious interventions to address these needs, like the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) programme, African Emergency Food Production Facility, Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism, Agri-food SME Catalytic Financing Mechanism, and Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) program.

Following Adesina’s opening remarks, there were two panel discussions, moderated by Dr. Victor Oladokun, Senior Advisor to the Bank President for Communication and Stakeholder Engagement.

The first panel focused on “Food and Nutrition Security progress post Dakar 2.”

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura highlighted the work of the multi-stakeholder Presidential Council set up to oversee the implementation of Sierra Leone’s Compact:

“We believe agriculture is the entry point for real development intervention in Sierra Leone,” he said.

Angola’s Minister of Planning, Victor Hugo Guilherme disclosed that Angola’s Long-term Development Strategy (“Vision 2025”) identifies food security as a leading priority. He said the government is financing the provision of modern agriculture tools to address the low productivity of Angola’s smallholder farmers who account for 99% of all cultivated land in the country.

Bärbel Kofler, Parliamentary State Secretary of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and the Bank’s Governor for Germany, also touched on the productivity issue:

“If you want to feed Africa, you need to raise the productivity of smallholder farmers.”

The second panel, featuring representatives of four organisations involved in agriculture investment partnerships with the African Development Bank, examined “partnerships, resources mobilization and private sector investments post Dakar 2.”

Donal Brown, Associate Vice-President, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) stressed the importance of collaboration, citing the example of the Mission 1 for 200 (M1-200), as well as the $538 million co-financing between the Bank, IFAD and the Islamic Development Bank to develop Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones in Nigeria.

Gwen Mwaba, Director&Global Head, Trade Finance, African Export–Import Bank highlighted the role of trade financing as a “great facilitator” for supporting Africa’s food security and resilience. She shed light on Afreximbank’s “trade guarantee” options for exporters and counterparties, as well as its financing support for the procurement and production of fertilizers by African countries.

George Olaka, Chief Financial Officer, Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms (Arise IIP) shared the company’s approach of partnering with multilateral financial institutions like the African Development Bank, Afreximbank, the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), as well as African governments, to build and operate industrial parks and zones to improve production, value-added logistics, and intra-African trade.

Daniel Huba, Vice President, Mastercard, spoke about the new “Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance: Africa” initiative, launched this month as a partnership between the African Development Bank and Mastercard. This will provide 100 million small-holder farmers Africans with trusted digital credentials to improve their access to credit.

In her closing remarks and vote of thanks, Beth Dunford, the Bank’s Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development, said:

“What Dakar 2 shows is really the importance of country leadership. Through the Country Food and Agriculture Delivery Compacts, that have charted the path for accelerated and focused investment, and agricultural transformation, the results are really showing.”

Her words echoed President Adesina’s verdict on the success of the Dakar 2 Summit:

“Political will is what you need to be able to feed Africa. That was clearly in action [at the Dakar 2 Summit] in Senegal. It was a demonstration of huge political will towards Africa being able to feed itself.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Editor’s note:
This press release corrects a previous version which stated seven African countries have set up Presidential-level Councils, instead of six, and correctly names them.

Contact:
Tolu Ogunlesi
Communication and External Relations Department
email: media@afdb.org

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

As a frontrunner in Morocco’s technological landscape, Mobiblanc is gearing up to showcase the breadth of its transformation and impact on digital factories at Gitex Africa 2024 (https://GITEXAfrica.com). Known for its pioneering approach since its founding in 2010 and participation in global events such as the Mobile World Congress, Gitex Global, and VivaTech, the company is committed to driving the tech sector through sustainable growth and strategic collaborations.

Download document (1): https://apo-opa.co/3KjY3uP
Download document (2): https://apo-opa.co/3KFWIPr

The past year has marked a turning point for Mobiblanc, with advancements that have transformed its client interactions and strengthened the dynamics of a team exceeding 100 employees. The definitive adoption of agility has allowed for rapid adjustments to market demands. This transition reflects an evolution towards agile operations, where robustness and flexibility are paramount, preparing Mobiblanc to present its progress at Gitex 2024.

Build and Delivery for Digital Factories

The overhaul of Mobiblanc’s delivery model marks a strategic shift, optimizing the efficiency and coordination of its technological initiatives. This new model stands out for its adaptability and precision, ensuring high-quality results that solidify our leadership in custom digital product development. “Our redesigned collaboration model enables seamless integration of multidisciplinary experts, precisely targeting the unique challenges of each industry,” explains Ahmed Jawad Tabet, Mobiblanc’s Delivery Service Director.

Youssef El Alaoui, Co-CEO of Mobiblanc, adds: “This innovative approach is at the heart of our co-creation strategy. Every collaboration with Mobiblanc is seen as a strategic partnership, transcending conventional project execution. Partnering with us means engaging in a journey of continuous progress, where the robustness of platforms and agility of processes prevail, and each step is an opportunity for joint growth.” This revolutionary collaboration model fosters proactive synergy between Mobiblanc and its clients, accelerating their digital transformation with technologies that anticipate and exceed their business expectations.

Accelerating Go-To-Market

Mobiblanc’s missions within our clients’ digital factories have led to significant advancements in their technological environments, enhancing product build and accelerating go-to-market timelines. Our targeted interventions have supported various sectors, including finance, telecommunications, and retail, optimizing processes and improving performance. “Our client partnerships aim to sustainably enrich and modernize our clients’ digital platforms and reduce their technological debt,” highlights Youssef El Alaoui. For a concrete illustration of these advancements, our teams at Gitex 2024 will be available to share their experiences and achievements.

A Rich and Engaging Program

With a rich and diverse program, the subsidiaries are set to demonstrate their collective expertise at Gitex Africa 2024. Keynotes prepared by leaders and experts from various subsidiaries will cover cutting-edge technology topics, complemented by panel discussions where ecosystem leaders will share their perspectives and experiences, illustrating how their work supports transformation strategies on the continent.

Networking sessions will offer opportunities to interact with international delegations, professional associations, as well as potential clients and partners. These networking moments are designed to facilitate fruitful exchanges and establish sustainable partnerships conducive to the initiation of large-scale projects.

Alone, we make a difference, Together, we drive transformation

As Gitex Africa 2024 approaches, Mobiblanc, in synergy with the Arrabet ecosystem, embodies the power of our collaboration. This major event will serve as a showcase to present the fruits of our collective transformation, where each subsidiary’s initiative enriches a common vision focused on sectoral expertise and proximity.

Our program for Gitex is designed to highlight Mobiblanc’s technological advancements and the productive dynamic between our companies. Inspiring keynotes, interactive workshops, and networking sessions will illustrate the strength of our collaboration. This will be an opportunity for everyone to discover how our joint efforts are shaping a promising technological future for technology in Africa and beyond.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GITEX Africa.

Contact Médias :
Abderrahmane KHOMSI
Head of Communication&Strategy
khomsi@arrabet.ma

Site Web :
arrabetholding.com

À PROPOS MOBIBLANC – FURTHER :
Embodying agility in digital solutions development, Mobiblanc positions itself as a key strategic partner in its clients’ technological growth. With agile teams specially tailored to the unique needs of each project, Mobiblanc engages multidisciplinary experts to accurately address the challenges specific to various industries.

À PROPOS DE L’ÉCOSYSTÈME :
ARRABET HOLDING – GROWTH FOR GOOD
Founded in 2021 by Mohamed Benboubker and Youssef El Alaoui, Arrabet Holding is a constellation of technology companies based in Casablanca. Its history began in 2010 with Mobiblanc, a pioneering company in transforming the Moroccan technological landscape. Mobiblanc quickly evolved beyond mobile technology solutions to become the cornerstone of the group. Today, Arrabet operates across the entire digital transformation value chain in Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East. Its journey is marked by a bold vision, commitment to performance, sustainable growth, and positive impact, propelling the digital transformation of companies to new heights of technological and economic success.

FOSTER PROCESSING  – FROM TECH TO VALUE
Specializing in the integration of technological solutions, Foster Processing stands out in demanding sectors such as finance, telecommunications, and retail. Leveraging deep sectoral expertise, Foster mobilizes experts with proven experiences and an approach that transforms technology platforms into economic growth drivers, helping clients maximize their return on investment.

ACKORDEON TECHNOLOGIES – CAPACITY SHAPER
Specializing in Talent as a Service for offshoring and nearshoring, Ackordeon Technologies deploys highly skilled talents for direct integration into the technological teams of international companies. Supporting the daily operations of IT departments and Digital Factories, it significantly enhances the capacities of client teams.

THE FRONTLINE UNIT – THE ULTIMATE LEVEL
Specializing in technology consulting, The Frontline Unit is renowned for mobilizing high-level experts capable of addressing complex strategic challenges. Aligning the strategic visions of general management with current technological requirements, it offers personalized advice and support on transformation projects.

Action resumes in the Enterprise Cup this coming weekend with semifinal action in Kakamega and Nairobi.

Defending champions Kabras Sugar face Nondescripts at the Kakamega Showground in Kakamega Town, as they embark on their quest to reach the final and bid for a third successive title.

The second semifinal takes place at the KCB Sports Club in Ruaraka, on the outskirts of Nairobi where former champions KCB host Kenya Harlequin.

Enterprise Cup semifinal fixtures | Saturday 1 June 2024

Kabras Sugar v Nondescripts | 3pm | Kakamega Showground

KCB v Kenya Harlequin | 3pm | KCB Sports Club

Previous Winners

1930 Nairobi District

1931 Nairobi North

1932 West Kenya

1933 Eldoret

1934 Eldoret

1935 Eldoret

1936 Eldoret

1937 Nondescripts RFC

1938 Nondescripts RFC

1939 Eldoret

1940 Suspended due to World War II

1941 Suspended due to World War II

1942 Suspended due to World War II

1943 Suspended due to World War II

1944 Suspended due to World War II

1945 Suspended due to World War II

1946 Suspended due to World War II

1947 Eldoret

1948 Nakuru

1949 Nondescript RFC

1950 Nondescript RFC

1951 Nondescript RFC

1952 Coast Province

1953 West Kenya

1954 Nondescript RFC

1955 Kenya Harlequin FC

1956 Kampala RFC

1957 Kenya Harlequin FC

1958 Nakuru RFC

1959 Kenya Police RFC

1960 Nakuru RFC

1961 Impala RFC

1962 Nakuru RFC

1963 Nakuru RFC

1964 Kenya Harlequin FC

1965 Impala RFC

1966 Nondescripts RFC

1967 Kitale RFC

1968 Kampala RFC

1969 Kampala RFC

1970 Kampala RFC

1971 Impala RFC

1972 Impala RFC

1973 Impala RFC

1974 Impala RFC

1975 Nondescripts RFC

1976 Nondescripts RFC

1977 Nondescripts RFC

1978 Nondescripts RFC

1979 Nondescripts RFC

1980 Nondescripts RFC

1981 Nondescripts RFC

1982 Nondescripts RFC

1983 Nondescripts RFC

1984 Nondescripts RFC

1985 Mwamba RFC

1986 Mwamba RFC

1987 Suspended due to 4th All African Games

1988 Kenya Harlequin FC

1989 Nondescripts RFC

1990 Nondescripts RFC

1991 Nondescripts RFC

1992 Nondescripts RFC

1993 Nondescripts RFC

1994 Nondescripts RFC

1995 Kenya Harlequin FC

1996 Kenya Harlequin FC/Nondescripts RFC shared the trophy

1997 Mombasa Sports Club

1998 Nondescripts RFC

1999 Kenya Harlequin FC

2000 Impala RFC

2001 Impala RFC

2002 Impala RFC

2003 Impala RFC/Kenya Harlequin FC shared the trophy

2004 KCB RFC

2005 Impala RFC

2006 Mwamba RFC

2007 KCB RFC

2008 Nakuru RFC

2009 Kenya Harlequin FC

2010/11 Kenya Harlequin

2011/12 Not Played

2012/13 Mwamba RFC

2013/14 Nakuru RFC

2014/15 KCB RFC

2015/16 KCB RFC

2016/17 KCB RFC

2017/18  Homeboyz RFC

2018/19 Kabras Sugar

2019/20 Not played due to COVID19

2021 Not played due to COVID19

2022 Kabras Sugar

2023 Kabras Sugar

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kenya Rugby Union (KRU).

KRU Media&Communications:
Tel: +254 724 256 179
Email: media@kru.co.ke