-
African Development Bank and Government of Rwanda Launch $300 Million Energy Sector Results-Based Financing II Program Co-Financed With Aiib to Accelerate Universal Energy Access
The performance-based financing approach links disbursements to independently verified results to strengthen electricity transmission and distribution networks, improve grid reliability, and expand on-grid and off-grid connections among other targets.
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Analysis: How AEyecare’s AI-Powered Tool Is Discovering Malaria Through the Eyes
In the hands of 25,000 health workers, this tool could facilitate over 65 million screenings annually, weaving a safety net across the entire nation.
- Categories
- Health Care, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Analysis: A Nigerian Teen Is Turning Agricultural Waste Into Biodegradable Sanitary Pads
Auwal-Panti’s project was selected in a shortlist of 35 global teams for the 2026 Earth Prize, organized by the Earth Foundation, a Switzerland-based nonprofit that empowers, educates and inspires young people to tackle environmental challenges.
- Categories
- Agriculture, WASH
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Oikocredit Invests in Charm Impact’s Hummingbird One to Support Early-Stage Renewable Energy Companies in Africa
Oikocredit invests in Hummingbird One, a blended finance vehicle supporting early-stage renewable energy companies in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Categories
- Energy, Environment
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
South Africa’s Role in the Broader Conversation About AI in Government
The original draft was released in April 2026 for public comment and was intended to position South Africa as a continental leader in AI innovation while addressing ethical and economic concerns. It was withdrawn shortly after a News24 report exposed that several of its citations were fictitious, references to nonexistent sources and documents that could not be verified.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
inDrive Backs Aurora Ventures to Fund Emerging Market Female Tech Founders
Aurora Ventures is structured to capitalize on a persistent market inefficiency identified over five years of managing the Aurora Tech Award.
- Categories
- Investing, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Nigerian AI Startup Talksign Launches Real-Time Sign Language Translation Models
Talksign said it plans to expand the models’ capabilities in upcoming versions, including support for additional sign languages such as British Sign Language, Deutsche Gebärdensprache, and Nigerian Sign Language.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Report: The Human Cost of Recycling Tech Devices
Using more than 20 years of data, Finn and Gounaridis are working to make sense of what they call the “informal paradox”; a complex trade-off between relative economic opportunity and exposure to chronic health and environmental harm.
- Source
- University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) (link opens in a new window)
- Categories
- Environment, Health Care
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
Subscribe to Our Weekly Newsletter, "NextBillion Notes"
Published each Wednesday, our e-newsletter features NextBillion's latest original articles, along with a selection of news, jobs, bizdev opportunities and events from our recent coverage — and regular conference ticket giveaways.
We respect your privacy. Your information is safe and will never be shared.
Don't miss out. Subscribe today.