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Mini-grids May Not Be the Answer: Why Shifts in Technology and Funding Have Changed the Energy Access Outlook in Africa
There is intense pressure to reach universal energy access by 2030, which requires a further 666 million people to be electrified, most of whom live in sub-Saharan Africa. And according to Stewart Hicks at Bamboo Capital Partners, mini-grids are often viewed as a key part of the solution, leading to growing calls for more private sector investment in this technology. But he argues that this focus on mini-grids may be distracting from faster, more cost-effective approaches. He explains why mini-grids — despite being a good solution in some areas — have several under-reported constraints, and explores some emerging alternative electrification models that may present a more realistic path toward greater energy access in Africa.
- Categories
- Energy, Environment, Investing, Technology
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Beanstalk AgTech Announces the Launch of Monsoon Ventures to Accelerate Agtech Commercialisation in Southeast Asia
The studio will invest capital, recruit complementary commercial expertise, map value chain pathways, and help ventures attract the right investors or strategic partnerships with regional players.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Environment, Technology
- Region
- South Asia
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Analysis: The Offline Messaging Apps Challenging Internet Shutdowns
Across the globe, state-enforced internet blackouts have become a primary weapon against protests and independent journalism during political crises.
- Categories
- Technology, Telecommunications
- Region
- Asia Pacific
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Report: The End of Manual Finance? AI Agents Are Coming for Startup Payments
As regional startups scale across currencies and regulations, autonomous payment systems could reduce back-office friction and improve working capital.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- South Asia
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Moove Becomes Africa’s Newest Unicorn After $250 Million Series C
The capital is earmarked for Moove’s push into autonomous vehicles, funding both fleet ownership and “Nests,” depot facilities where self-driving cars will be charged, serviced, and maintained.
- Categories
- Technology, Transportation
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- data, e-mobility, innovation, startups
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Press Release: Cross-Border Impact Ventures Announces US $58 Million First Close of Women’s and Children’s Health Technology Fund II
CBIV invests in companies developing technologies that address conditions affecting women and children specifically, differently or disproportionately at the Series A or B stage.
- Categories
- Health Care, Technology
- Region
- Global
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ANDE’s Next Chapter
Announcement via ANDE, "To keep ANDE strong for the long term, we are transitioning to a digital-first operating model."
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Global
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CoreWeave Targets APAC With Plans for Three AI Data Centres in Indonesia
CoreWeave said that the move is a response to demand for AI cloud services accelerating in the Asia-Pacific region, and particularly in Indonesia.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
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