Tech leaders, academics, policymakers, and entrepreneurs from across Africa and beyond recently gathered in Lagos, Nigeria, to discuss the opportunities and challenges raised by artificial intelligence (AI) development and use. The 2024 Pan-African AI Conference in Lagos is a significant step in AI advancement and is a collaborative effort between Africa and the United States. During the conference, Nigeria’s Minister for Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, emphasized the importance of inclusive, equitable, and human-focused digital transformation. Tijani also announced the Artificial Intelligence fund for Nigeria’s brightest AI startups, a 100 Million Naira ($61,000) initiative created in collaboration between Nigeria’s Artificial Intelligence & Robotics centers and Google.
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are expected to launch new bio-metric passports soon, according to Mali’s military leader, colonel Assimi Goita. The junta-led states want to solidify their alliance after splitting from regional bloc ecowas. For more on the latest developments, Modibo Dembele, managing editor of VOA’s Bambara unit, speaks to Africa 54’s Paul Ndiho about the soon-to-be-launched new biometric passport.
3wayz, a technology firm in Fairfax, Virginia, has developed a rideshare app called Kommute. This app connects drivers and passengers for long-distance travel and is currently being tested in Uganda and the greater East African region. The app aims to make it easy for drivers to find passengers and vice versa, with a feature for on-the-spot booking and payment. To learn more, Steven Lwasa, CEO of 3WAYZ, LLC, the firm behind this ridesharing app, shares his insights.
Uganda is estimated to have at least 1.4 billion barrels of recoverable oil reserves, and oil production is expected to begin by 2026. The total investment in Uganda’s oil fields is estimated to reach $15 billion, with the majority stake held by the French company TotalEnergies.
They are also building a long pipeline for the oil, but some people are worried about its impact on the environment and local communities. Despite the concerns, Uganda has already built about 500 kilometers of the 1,443-kilometer pipeline, and in a recent interview with VOA’s Paul Ndiho, Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, Uganda’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, affirmed this progress.
The recently concluded three-day convention organized by the Ugandan North American Association (UNAA) in Washington, D.C., brought together Ugandans living abroad to promote cross-cultural collaborations and investment opportunities to support Uganda’s economic development.
The convention, which focused on technology, innovation, healthcare, networking, and investment, aimed to provide a platform for Ugandans in the diaspora to discuss and explore various opportunities to contribute to their home country’s growth.
One of the event’s highlights was the presentation of a Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Shaka Ssali, the former host of VOA’s Straight Talk Africa, in recognition of his remarkable contributions to the media industry. Dr. Ssali’s work has inspired countless individuals and paved the way for the next generation of young journalists across Africa. “Ugandans in North America gathered at their annual convention to celebrate 36 years of existence as an organization that plays a pivotal role in uniting Ugandans from different parts of North America, including the United States, Canada, and other countries within the hemisphere.”
The convention served as a platform for attendees to engage in discussions, networking, and the exchange of business ideas, with a focus on fostering collaborations and investments to benefit Uganda. The event also allowed organizations based in the United States and Uganda to showcase their initiatives. The academy offers online Luganda language coaching and instruction for children interested in learning the language, thereby contributing to preserving Ugandan culture and heritage. Furthermore, the convention highlighted investment opportunities in various sectors, including Oil and Gas, Renewable Energy, Real Estate, Healthcare, and Technology, to address critical needs in Uganda.
Overall, the UNAA Convention 2021 served as a significant platform for Ugandans in the diaspora to come together, reconnect with their roots, and explore avenues for meaningful contributions to Uganda’s development. The event underscored the importance of collaboration, investment, and harnessing the skills and expertise of the Ugandan community abroad to drive positive change in their home country.
Hundreds of thousands protested across Nigeria earlier this month due to inflation and economic hardships, costing the economy millions of dollars. Similar protests by young activists dubbed GenZ have also occurred in Kenya, Uganda, and other countries. To learn more about the commonalities among the protestors, VOA’s Paul Ndiho recently spoke to Dr. Yetunde Odugbesan-Omede, a Global Affairs and Politics professor at the State University of New York-Farmingdale State College.
A new electrified commuter railway in Tanzania has been inaugurated to modernize travel. The 440-kilometer line, built by a Turkish company, connects the commercial hub Dar es Salaam and the capital Dodoma and is part of a more extensive 2,561-kilometer Standard Gauge Railway network. Tony Miella, a tech entrepreneur based in Dar es Salaam, believes the railway system will offer safe and reliable transportation options to Tanzania’s growing population. Miella shared his thoughts with VOA’s Paul Ndiho.
CHAJA, an innovative energy tech start-up based in Tanzania, is revolutionizing the energy industry through cutting-edge modular clean energy systems that power homes, businesses, and sustainable solutions. Chaja aims to provide reliable and efficient energy solutions to meet the growing demands of businesses and communities. By harnessing the power of renewable energy, Chaja aims to drive positive change in Tanzania and beyond. Tony Godfrey Mlella, Founder and CEO of Chaja Africa Limited, based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, spoke to VOA’s Paul Ndiho.
This story is fascinating. It is about Julie-Anne Savarit-Cosenza, co-founder and executive director of the African Education Program in Zambia, who recently completed a meaningful climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. She and her colleagues embarked on this trek, dubbed “Summits with a Purpose trek to Kilimanjaro,” to raise funds for the Program’s 20th anniversary and its positive impact in Kafue, Zambia. After reaching the highest point of Kilimanjaro, Julie-Anne spoke with VOA’s Paul Ndiho about the experience and the Program’s mission.
Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Donald Trump should engage with Diaspora American voters, who are almost evenly divided between the two major political parties. Analysts believe the 2024 election could see diaspora communities playing a crucial role, potentially determining the outcome. Despite this, major political parties have yet to fully recognize the importance of this voting bloc. Speaking to VOA’s Paul Ndiho, Dr. Yetunde Odugbesan-Omede, a Global Affairs and Politics professor at the State University of New York-Farmingdale State College, said the Diaspora vote could be decisive in the upcoming election.
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