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ALX, Anthropic, and the Government of Rwanda launch landmark Artificial Intelligence (AI) learning initiative

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AI

Partnership deploys “Chidi,” an AI-powered learning companion, positioning Africa at the centre of global tech innovation

KIGALI, Rwanda, November 18, 2025/APO Group/ –ALX (http://www.ALXAfrica.com/), Anthropic, and the Government of Rwanda have announced a landmark partnership to enhance learning and teaching across Africa through artificial intelligence. The initiative introduces “Chidi” – an AI-powered learning companion built on Anthropic’s Claude model, designed to guide both learners and educators through critical thinking and problem-solving.

“This collaboration marks a bold step in redefining how African talent learns, works, and leads in the age of AI,” says Fred Swaniker, Founder and CEO of ALX. “Through our partnership with Anthropic and the Government of Rwanda, we are ensuring that Africa’s youth are not just consumers of AI, but creators, shaping the innovations that will define the global economy.”

This partnership represents one of the largest AI-enhanced education deployments on the continent, uniting ALX’s commitment to empowering African talent, Anthropic’s vision for accessible and responsible AI, and Rwanda’s Vision 2050 to build an AI-ready workforce and accelerate digital transformation across Rwanda.

A dual commitment: Empowering both learners and educators

Following the successful Phase 1 rollout of Chidi to ALX learners across Africa, where more than 1,100 conversations and 4,000 chats were recorded within just two days, the next phase of the partnership extends this transformative technology to Rwanda’s public education system in a groundbreaking Phase 2 pilot. Chidi, which acts as a personalised tutor, helps to guide users through questions designed to spark curiosity and critical thinking rather than providing direct answers. For teachers, it becomes a partner in lesson design and student engagement. For learners, it represents access to round-the-clock, world-class guidance that nurtures creativity and confidence.

In this Phase 2 pilot, in addition to exploring Chidi in higher learning institutions, up to 2,000 educators across Rwanda, along with a select group of civil servants, will take part in ALX’s AI Career Essentials program, gaining hands-on experience in using generative AI tools like Anthropic’s Claude Large Language Model to elevate how they teach, plan lessons, and improve productivity in their day-to-day work.

Graduates of this pilot will receive a year of access to Claude Tools, such as Claude Pro for individuals and Claude Code for developer teams in government, while exploring Claude for Education with university educators, ensuring that this new literacy in AI continues to shape classrooms and the workplace long after the program ends.

A joint ALX, Anthropic, and Government of Rwanda working group will document insights from the pilot to inform Rwanda’s national AI policy in education and develop future innovations such as Chidi for Schools and localised African language models. This initiative is not only about introducing technology into classrooms but about equipping educators and students to learn, teach, and imagine at the pace of their ambition, setting a new standard for inclusive AI-powered learning across Africa.

A partnership shaping the future of learning in Africa

This three-way collaboration unites visionary forces redefining the future of technology and education.

By partnering with ALX and the Rwandan government, we’re ensuring Claude’s capabilities strengthen education safely and responsibly across several countries in Africa

ALX, Africa’s fastest-growing tech talent accelerator, connects hundreds of thousands of young Africans to transformative opportunities, equipping them with the skills to thrive in the global economy. ALX will contribute the training, delivery, and implementation infrastructure, ensuring smooth rollout and educator enablement.

“This is not just about bringing technology to Africa; it’s about reimagining how learning itself happens,” says Fred Swaniker, Founder and CEO of ALX. ​ “With Chidi, we’re shifting from traditional instruction to intelligent, inquiry-driven learning that builds critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving at scale. This is how Africa’s youth will generate the ideas and solutions that define sustainable development and shape a thriving future.”

Anthropic, a leading U.S.-based AI safety and research company, provides the Claude large language model and technical guidance on safe and responsible deployment. Anthropic will cover LLM/API-related costs to support the deployment of Chidi and Claude access. ​
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​“We believe transformative AI should be accessible to learners across the world, regardless of geography,” says Elizabeth Kelly, Head of Beneficial Deployments at Anthropic. “By partnering with ALX and the Rwandan government, we’re ensuring Claude’s capabilities strengthen education safely and responsibly across several countries in Africa.”

The Government of Rwanda (represented through the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of ICT), a continental leader in digital transformation, is providing the policy infrastructure, access to schools and institutional leadership needed to scale AI for learning and governance, but will not bear any financial commitments under this partnership.

Joseph Nsengimana, Minister of Education for Rwanda, says: “Rwanda, and Africa’s, ambition is to place safe AI in the hands of educators so students gain timely, future-ready skills. Chidi is designed to free up teachers’ time in lesson preparation, personalised feedback, and to spark curiosity among students, which aligns with our Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP) priorities on teaching quality and digital literacy, and advances NST2 goals for human capital. We will assess this pilot based on measurable improvements and scale what proves effective, with safeguards for privacy and academic integrity.”

“Rwanda’s Vision 2050 places youth and technology at the core of national progress, and our goal is to build a workforce equipped for the opportunities of the 21st century,” says Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT & Innovation in Rwanda. “This collaboration allows us to explore innovative AI tools that could enhance learning, support educators, and strengthen developer capabilities. By beginning with capacity building for civil servants, we ensure our workforce gains the foundational skills to engage with emerging technologies responsibly.”

Together, these partners are ensuring that Africa’s youth have the same AI-powered learning advantages as their peers in Silicon Valley, Beijing, or London. ​ They are creating a new blueprint for AI-enabled education, developed in Africa and shared globally, demonstrating how global technology, African innovation, and public-sector leadership can deliver scalable, ethical, and transformative learning solutions. ​ For future expansion, the partners will jointly explore opportunities to enable scaling up across Rwanda and other African markets.

A defining moment for Africa’s digital transformation

By combining ALX’s learning innovation, Anthropic’s AI technology, and Rwanda’s progressive governance, this initiative provides a direct pathway from ambition to achievement.

As Chidi scales across the continent, with Rwanda serving as the launch hub and model for future deployments, its impact extends well beyond individual success. It repositions Africa as a source of world-class tech talent, empowering educators and learners with the tools to learn, teach, and innovate and solidifying the continent’s place at the forefront of the global digital revolution.

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“This collaboration marks a bold step in redefining how African talent learns, works, and leads in the age of AI,” says Fred Swaniker, Founder and CEO of ALX. “Through our partnership with Anthropic and the Government of Rwanda, we are ensuring that Africa’s youth are not just consumers of AI, but creators, shaping the innovations that will define the global economy.”

 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of ALX.

Tech

Ghana’s Print Sector Expands as Retail Growth and Advertising Demand Drive Investment in Advanced Production Technologies

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Ghana’s retail market was estimated at approximately US$32 billion in 2023 and projected to reach US$54 billion by 2031, reflecting strong commercial expansion and consumer spending

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, March 13, 2026/APO Group/ –Ghana’s visual communications and printing industry is entering a new phase of growth, driven by expanding retail activity, urban development, and rising demand for high-impact branding and advertising solutions.

 

Ghana’s retail market  was  estimated at approximately US$32 billion in 2023 and projected to reach US$54 billion by 2031 (https://apo-opa.co/4uK1j95), reflecting strong commercial expansion and consumer spending.

Outdoor advertising — a key driver of large-format printing — generates around US$60 million annually, accounting for more than 20% of total advertising expenditure (https://apo-opa.co/3P5PERC).

As brands compete for visibility across storefronts, malls, events, and public spaces, print service providers are investing in advanced production systems that enable faster turnaround, greater versatility, and durable output suited to West Africa’s climate.

Accra-based Chroma Digital Solutions is among the companies leading this transformation. The business has enhanced its capabilities with the installation of the Canon Colorado M5W wide-format printer, expanding its ability to deliver premium retail displays, interior décor, and high-durability outdoor signage.

As retail, infrastructure, and advertising sectors expand, print businesses are investing in technologies that allow them to diversify offerings

This installation marks one of the earliest deployments of the Colorado M5W technology in Africa, positioning Chroma Digital Solutions to meet emerging demand for specialised and high-value print applications.“In today’s market, clients expect speed, consistency, and the ability to handle everything from décor to large outdoor graphics,” said a Kwame Owusu-Kwarteng , Operation Manger from Chroma Digital Solutions. “Investing in the Canon Colorado M5W enables us to deliver all of this on one platform. Its UVgel technology produces prints that withstand heat and sunlight, while features like white ink, matte-and-gloss finishes in a single job, and texture printing open new premium applications previously difficult to produce locally.” The system’s high productivity and efficient ink usage also support cost control — a critical factor in Ghana’s price-sensitive business environment.

According to Canon, Ghana’s evolving economy is prompting print providers to move beyond basic production towards value-added services that support branding, retail experiences, and architectural design.

“Ghana is one of West Africa’s most dynamic visual communications markets,” said Tushar Vashnavi, Business Unit Director, B2B, at Canon Central & North Africa. “As retail, infrastructure, and advertising sectors expand, print businesses are investing in technologies that allow them to diversify offerings, respond faster to customers, and operate more profitably. Solutions like the Colorado M-series are designed to support this transition by combining productivity, application versatility, and durability.”

CCNA adds that reliable local technical support and strategic business guidance remain essential for successful technology adoption and sustainable growth in emerging markets such as Ghana.For Chroma Digital Solutions, upgrading to advanced production capabilities has opened new business opportunities and strengthened  reliability.

“Having dependable support behind the technology gives us confidence to grow and take on more complex projects,” the spokesperson added. “It allows us to focus on delivering real value to our customers.”

As Ghana’s economy continues to diversify, demand for high-quality visual communication is expected to increase across retail, real estate, events, and corporate sectors — positioning technologically advanced print providers at the centre of this growth.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA).

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“Always On”: 83% of employees stay connected to work during time off, fuelling digital anxiety

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Kaspersky

A new Kaspersky (http://Kaspersky.co.za) survey undertaken in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region reveals that digital anxiety is becoming a defining feature of modern work culture, as employees don’t disconnect even during their free time and vacations.

According to the findings, 83% of respondents keep an eye on work tasks outside working hours. An overwhelming 85% reply to all work-related messages in instant messaging apps, while the same share (85%) check work emails during their time off – and 81% admit they are responding to work emails while on vacation or in their personal time.

 

The pressure to remain constantly available is contributing to heightened stress levels in the workplace. Other sources of stress include work issues, for example, 43% experience anxiety after accidentally sending a random message to a work chat. Interestingly, not all digital mishaps are perceived equally: 40% report that they take it calmly when they send an unfinished email, proving that some mistakes are considered less damaging than others.

 

Digital anxiety doesn’t just affect employee well-being – it can also increase cybersecurity risks for organisations

Blurred boundaries between professional and personal life, combined with instant communication tools, are intensifying feelings of constant monitoring and fear of making digital errors. More than a third (36%) of respondents say they feel extremely uncomfortable or even scared if their boss notices them scrolling through social media at work instead of working. The “always-on” culture may undermine employee well-being, increase burnout risks, and reduce overall productivity in the long term.

 

“Digital anxiety doesn’t just affect employee well-being – it can also increase cybersecurity risks for organisations. When people feel constant pressure to respond immediately to messages and emails, they are more likely to act impulsively, without carefully verifying links, attachments, or sender identities. This urgency can make employees more vulnerable to phishing, and other scams using social engineering techniques,” comments Brandon Muller, Technical Expert at Kaspersky.

 

Kaspersky recommends employees to follow the below tips to avoid digital anxiety and associated cyber risks:

  • Slow down before clicking or replying. Digital anxiety can trigger automatic reactions. A short pause to check sender details, URLs, or attachments can prevent security breaches.
  • Treat urgency as a red flag. Cybercriminals often exploit pressure and fear. Always verify unexpected or urgent requests before responding.
  • Avoid handling sensitive information on unsecured networks. Public Wi-Fi, often used when working outside regular hours, increases exposure to cyber threats. Mobile network and VPN should be applied in such cases.
  • Use technologies that will help reduce risks. For example, Kaspersky Premium (https://apo-opa.co/4cRPM0P) offers AI-powered anti-phishing features designed to help warn of potential threats.

 

Businesses can reduce cybersecurity risks related to employees’ digital anxiety by providing regular cybersecurity training that helps staff recognise threats and respond correctly even under stress. At the same time, organisations should use robust cybersecurity solutions to minimise the impact of human error. Kaspersky Next’s adaptable and robust cloud-native protection, underpinned by an unequalled cybersecurity track record, is one of such products. Protection solutions for mail servers, such as Kaspersky Security for Mail Server, with anti-phishing capabilities, help to additionally decrease the chance of infection through a phishing email.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kaspersky.

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Binance Earn Offers Users a Simple Way to Put Idle Crypto to Work

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Binance

As interest in passive crypto strategies continues to grow, Binance Earn is becoming an increasingly important part of how users engage with digital assets

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 19, 2026/APO Group/ –As the cryptocurrency market (www.Binance.com) matures, more users are looking for ways to make their digital assets more productive. Rather than leaving crypto idle in wallets, many are exploring ways to generate rewards without actively trading or constantly monitoring the market.

 

Binance is addressing this demand through Binance Earn, a feature designed to help users generate rewards on the crypto they already hold. By enabling users to allocate supported assets to reward-generating products, Binance Earn (https://apo-opa.co/4sl8sLm) offers a simple, accessible way to put idle crypto to work.

For many users, the appeal lies in simplicity. Binance Earn is built around a straightforward experience: users select their assets, choose a product, and once set up, their holdings begin generating rewards automatically. This “set-and-forget” approach allows users to remain invested while their assets work in the background.

The feature is particularly relevant for long-term crypto holders who are not actively trading but still want to derive value from their portfolios. Instead of waiting for market movements, users can explore ways to make their holdings more productive over time.

Simple, ‘set-and-forget’ solutions are becoming increasingly relevant as more users take a longer-term approach to digital assets

Binance Earn offers a range of products to suit different user needs. Flexible options allow users to access their funds at any time, providing liquidity when needed. At the same time, fixed-term products are designed for users who are comfortable committing assets for a defined period. This flexibility allows users to choose options that align with their individual strategies and financial goals.

“We’re seeing growing interest across Africa in ways to make crypto holdings more productive without active trading,” said Larry Cooke, Africa Head of Legal at Binance. “Simple, ‘set-and-forget’ solutions are becoming increasingly relevant as more users take a longer-term approach to digital assets.”

As interest in passive crypto strategies continues to grow, Binance Earn is becoming an increasingly important part of how users engage with digital assets. The feature provides a practical alternative to active trading, allowing users to participate in the crypto ecosystem in a more hands-off way.

This trend reflects a broader shift in user behaviour. While active trading remains a key part of the market, more users are exploring approaches that focus on holding and gradually growing their assets over time.

At the same time, users should be aware that cryptocurrency markets remain volatile, and reward rates may vary depending on market conditions, liquidity, and product structures. As with any financial product, users need to understand how Binance Earn works and assess whether it aligns with their individual risk tolerance and financial objectives.

As digital asset adoption continues to expand across Africa, tools like Binance Earn are helping to shape how users interact with their crypto holdings. For many, the ability to put idle assets to work—simply and without constant involvement—is becoming an increasingly important part of their overall strategy.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Binance.

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