-
Meta Completes 2Africa, the World’s Longest Open-Access Subsea Cable
On key routes, the network is said to offer up to 180 terabits per second (Tbps) of capacity — more than all existing subsea cables serving Africa combined.
- Categories
- Technology, Telecommunications
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
U.S. Backs $150 Million Zipline Expansion to Transform Africa’s Healthcare Delivery
"The U.S. Department of State has approved a $150 million award to Zipline, the world’s largest autonomous logistics company, to support the expansion of its life-saving artificial intelligence-powered drone delivery infrastructure across Africa."
- Categories
- Health Care, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Analysis: China Wants Electric Cars to Feed Power Back to the Grid
The world’s largest EV fleet could become a giant battery network if economic and technical hurdles are overcome.
- Categories
- Energy, Technology, Transportation
- Region
- Asia Pacific
-
Bill Gates Pledges $1.4 Billion to Help Farmers Adapt to Extreme Weather in Africa and Asia
"Billionaire Bill Gates’ foundation will invest at least $1.4 billion over the next four years to help farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia access technologies that enhance resilience to extreme weather."
- Categories
- Agriculture, Environment
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
2 New Malaria Treatments Show Promise as Drug Resistance Grows
A study of its experimental drug in 12 African countries found it works well against the mosquito-borne parasite that causes malaria and seems to block spread.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
IFC Commits $6 Million to First Circle Capital to Back Early-Stage Fintech Growth in Africa
"Founded and managed by a female-led executive team, First Circle operates from offices in Kampala (Uganda) and Casablanca (Morocco) and is registered as a limited partnership in Delaware."
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Public Good vs. Profitable Exits: Why Public Innovation Agencies Must Stop Copying Venture Capital
A new class of venture capitalist is emerging, but they aren’t Wall Street financiers or Silicon Valley tech bros. As Emre Eren Korkmaz at the University of Oxford argues, they are public innovation agencies that are shifting their funding approach: Instead of supporting high-risk research and innovations aimed at delivering societal benefit, they have begun to adopt the logic of venture capital, favoring commercially viable projects that are more likely to secure follow-on private funding. He explores the downsides to this shift, arguing that the world needs these institutions to do what private capital cannot or will not: supporting innovation for the public good, not just for profitable exits.
- Categories
- Investing, Social Enterprise, Technology
-
Green Digital Action Hub to Accelerate Innovation for a Sustainable Future: New Global Nerve Centre Will Harness Digital Technology for Climate Action and Sustainable Development for All
The GDA Hub will provide tools, expertise, and data to help nations scale up green technologies, reduce environmental footprint of technology and ensure access to sustainable digital solutions for all.
- Categories
- Environment, Technology
- Region
- Global
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.