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Honoris United Universities transforms the lives of 770,000+ people across Africa

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2 years ago

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Honoris United Universities releases its inaugural impact report

LONDON, United Kingdom, May 24, 2022/ — Honoris (Honoris.net)equips >61,000 students with future-proof skills to build rewarding careers solving Africa’s most pressing challenges; Honoris is championing digital skills with 10,000 new students enrolled onto its 21st Century Skills Certificate; additional 100,000 students projected to enrol in the next 5 years; 80% of Honoris graduates gain access to the job market within 6 months of graduating, an industry-leading benchmark; Actis-backed pan-African education platform secures one of the highest impact scores across Actis’ portfolio.

Honoris United Universities (Honoris.net), the first and largest pan-African network of private higher education institutions in Africa, releases its inaugural impact report. The report highlights Honoris’ commitment to Education for Impact for students, their families and communities across Africa and assesses that Honoris has so far transformed over 770,000 lives across Africa by preparing its students to pursue rewarding regional and international careers.

Formed in 2017, the Honoris network constitutes 15 institutions spread across 10 countries in North, West, Central and Southern Africa, doubling in recent years to accommodate over 61,000 students. Honoris’ approach to education through collaborative intelligence serves as a strong platform to unite markets across borders, aligned to the principles underpinning the AfCFTA and the AU Agenda 2063, whilst equipping tomorrow’s workforce with the requisite skills to thrive in industries undergoing radical transformation and disruption amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).  

Africa is a continent of tremendous untapped potential, with more than 420 million youth aged 15 to 35. The increase in human-machine interaction shaping the 4IR is creating new types of jobs and demanding a unique combination of digital and human skills in the modern workplace. More than 130 million new jobs will likely emerge across the globe before 2030 as a result of the 4IR, which will require a set of soft and technical skills which are currently unmet by the traditional education models in place.

PwC recently surveyed global CEO’s from over 90 territories to assess the availability of 4IR skills and in Africa, 87% expressed concerns about the availability of key skills compared to 79% of other correspondents. Honoris is addressing this by reimagining education for the 4IR with its Education for Impact mission, widening access to quality education and preparing future leaders to address the continent’s most pressing development issues and contribute to Africa’s transformation.

Honoris Group CEO, Dr Jonathan Louw, commented:“By living our core values of collaborative intelligence, cultural agility, and mobile mindsets, Honoris has become today what was envisioned five years ago – transformational pan-African social infrastructure to educate tomorrow’s workforce and harness Africa’s demographic dividend. Whilst we continue to adapt to a post-pandemic environment and leverage technologies to increase access to quality education, we take a moment to celebrate this achievement, whilst using it to power and ignite the journey ahead. A journey that the People of Honoris will continue to forge with the same authenticity and passion as was held five years ago, to better serve our students across Africa.”     

Shami Nissan, Partner Sustainability at Actis, added:“Education for Impact means being intentional about the way we educate the next generation of leaders. It is important for an organization to know what their goals are and to set out a plan to achieve them. Honoris has set its vision and has proceeded with intention in providing students across Africa with high quality education that is accessible and affordable. Furthermore, in sewing an internal spirit of fairness and responsibility, and striving to provide services that are sustainable and purpose-driven, Honoris will reap the kind of students that will emulate these core values in the way they go on to make their impact in the world.”

The report reflects and examines the extent to which Honoris has transformed the lives of learners throughout the continent, up to December 2021, across six core pillars of operation, which include: quality of learning; employability, innovation; communities; sustainability and network, framed around the organisation’s contribution to 11 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Some of the highlights featured in the report include:

  • Employability: 80% of Honoris graduates gain access to the job market within 6 months of graduating. Honoris has developed 400+ partnerships to help prepare students for the transition from academia to the workplace, with 22 Career Centres used by more than 21,000+ students.
  • Innovation: 38 new programs, including Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Fintech, and Cyber Security, have been added to Honoris courses in 2021 to address growing tech demands. To further integrate coding as the new second language throughout the network, Honoris launched the Honoris 21st Century Skills Certificate, the network’s first transversal program embedding the key digital and soft skills required for the new world of work. In 2021, 10,000+ students enrolled onto the certificate with an additional 100,000+ students projected in the next 5 years.
  • Communities: Now recognized as a leader in STEM education, Honoris’ leading engineering schools grew from 5,200 total enrolments in 2018 to 20,400 in 2021. In South Africa, a focus on the education vertical saw nearly 500 educational professionals undergo training to narrow the gap of skilled teachers across the continent. In 2021, Honoris awarded 1,000+ scholarships and bursaries to students across Africa.

Formed in 2017 by leading global investment firm Actis, Honoris is committed to transforming the lives of Africa’s future workforce by providing relevant education for lifetime success. Championing new methods of delivery and technologies, the network has developed unique academic models designed to address Africa’s key educational challenges to improve the employability and life skills of graduates.

Honoris worked closely with Actis, in light of its award-winning focus on impact investment, to calculate a precise impact score using a proprietary framework measuring the positive social and environmental impacts of Actis investments and enabling comparison across sectors and geographies. This score, generated for the first time in 2022, demonstrates that Honoris delivered transformational progress specifically in the areas of Quality Education; Employment Access; Gender Equality; and STEM Education. A detailed breakdown of these impact multiples is available within the report.  

Access the full report at: https://bit.ly/3sSGE4m

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Honoris United Universities.

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Yellow Card Secures Crypto Asset Service Provider Licence in South Africa

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16 hours ago

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November 21, 2024

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Stablecoin adoption is surging throughout Africa, with sub-Saharan Africa having the highest adoption rate in the world at 9.2%

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, November 20, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Yellow Card (www.YellowCard.io), Africa’s leading stablecoin-based infrastructure provider, has been issued a Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) licence by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa.  

Commenting on the FSCA’s decision to issue the licence to Yellow Card Financial South Africa, Chris Maurice, Yellow Card’s co-founder and CEO, said, “The CASP licence underscores Yellow Card’s commitment to its customers in South Africa and regulatory compliance across the continent.This achievement reflects our dedication to providing secure, compliant and transformative solutions for our customers both in South Africa and across Africa.  

The CASP licence underscores Yellow Card’s commitment to its customers in South Africa and regulatory compliance across the continent

Stablecoin adoption is surging throughout Africa, with sub-Saharan Africa having the highest adoption rate in the world at 9.2%. In South Africa alone, where the number of total users of crypto assets is estimated to amount to 5.8 million people, stablecoins have experienced growth of 50% month over month since October 2023, displacing bitcoin as the country’s most popular cryptocurrency.  Yellow Card is excited to play a pivotal role in this financial revolution in South Africa. 

Yellow Card, which launched in South Africa in 2020, has facilitated over US$3 billion in transactions in the last several years and now operates in 20 countries across the continent. The company recently completed a US$33 million Series C financing, led by Blockchain Capital and existing investors, including Polychain Capital, Valar Ventures, Third Prime Ventures, Coinbase Ventures, and Block, Inc. (Square/Cash App), reflecting strong investor confidence in its mission.   

As the stablecoin landscape continues to evolve, Yellow Card is committed to leading the charge in making digital assets accessible and secure for businesses across Africa. With the recent licensing and funding, the company plans to expand its B2B offerings by enhancing its stablecoin rails, upgrading infrastructure, and advancing its B2B API and Widget. These efforts will empower businesses with seamless solutions for liquidity management and their general operations. 

To learn more about Yellow Card, visit: https://YellowCard.io/. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Yellow Card Financial.

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Telecoming and MTN Partner to Launch cloud gaming in South Africa

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16 hours ago

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November 21, 2024

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MTN Cloudplay will allow MTN users in South Africa to access a wide range of cloud-based video games, providing a high-quality gaming experience without the need for downloads or high-end gaming consoles

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, November 20, 2024/APO Group/ —

  • Both companies extend their collaboration to introduce cloud gaming in South Africa.
  • MTN Cloudplay aims to revolutionize digital entertainment with affordable, high-quality gaming access.

MTN, Africa’s leading telecommunications operator with over 290 million subscribers across the continent, announces the launch of Cloudplay, a revolutionary new cloud gaming service, with Telecoming (www.Telecoming.com), a sportech company specializing in developing and distributing mobile experiences for sports and entertainment. This project marks a new milestone in the ongoing collaboration between the two companies.

MTN Cloudplay: A Game Changer

MTN Cloudplay will allow MTN users in South Africa to access a wide range of cloud-based video games, providing a high-quality gaming experience without the need for downloads or high-end gaming consoles. The service will allow customers to stream high-end PC games to their mobile phones, enabling them to play anywhere, anytime.

This service seeks to democratize access to high-quality mobile gaming for the whole family; including various genres which include retro games and exciting popular gaming titles with multi-device gameplay, at an affordable price of only R79 per month.

Jason Probert, General Manager for Digital Services at MTN South Africa shared his thoughts on the collaboration:

Customers can use their existing Steam licenses on the service, and have access to more than 300 games on the service for only R79 per month

“We’re thrilled to launch MTN Cloudplay in South Africa. We’re committed to enabling our customers to enjoy the benefits of a modern connected life and the advent of 5G means that it is now possible to stream and play games without the need for a PC or console. Customers can use their existing Steam licenses on the service, and have access to more than 300 games on the service for only R79 per month.”

Alí Karaosman, MEA Director of Telecoming says “It is very exciting for us to extend our collaboration with MTN, bringing our nearly decade-long experience in this market and supporting the operator in this innovative digital entertainment offering, we are convinced that MTN Cloudplay will revolutionize the way users in South Africa enjoy video games. For Telecoming, this partnership with MTN is a strategic step in our mission to bring esports and innovative digital services to Africa. We are committed to continuing to develop technological solutions that enhance digital leisure for people in the region.”

Service Details

MTN Cloudplay is available to all MTN users in South Africa since November 2024. With a vast library of over 340 games from over 50 publishers, this cloud gaming service offers an unmatched gaming experience on any device.

MTN Cloudplay is accessible to MTN subscribers. Users can visit https://Cloudplay.MTN.co.za to explore the platform and enjoy a wide selection of gaming titles.

Highlights

  • Extensive Game Library: Enjoy classics like Contra, PacMan and Mortal Kombat and modern hits like Hogwarts Legacy and Borderlands 3.
  • Bring Your Own License (BYOL): Access games you’ve purchased on Steam, such as Grand Theft Auto V and Fallout 4.
  • Multi-Device Access: Play on any device and switch seamlessly between them.
  • Low Latency: Experience responsive gameplay with minimal lag.
  • Subscription: Available directly on https://Cloudplay.MTN.co.za or via the MTN Play https://Play.MTN.co.za website for R79 per month.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Telecoming.

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rainx Launches the101 Range of 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) Routers for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)

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1 day ago

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November 20, 2024

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The industry’s smartest and most aesthetically pleasing 5G and Wi-Fi 7 router opens new opportunities for service providers globally

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, November 20, 2024/APO Group/ — 

rainx, a leader in 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) solutions, has launched the101 range (https://apo-opa.co/40UwYYE), an advanced ecosystem of fixed wireless 5G and Wi-Fi access products designed to meet the high standards of modern Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) and their customers.

This lineup includes the101 and the101 Pro 5G smart routers, the101 Xtender smart mesh Wi-Fi extender, and the101 Loop – a new category of product designed for today’s always-connected customer, powered by MediaTek. Together, these solutions redefine 5G FWA, enabling operators to enhance network quality, reduce churn, and drive new revenue streams. The routers also offer a collection of 101 skins to suit the users’ style, creating devices that are designed to be on show.

Targeted to the demands of the modern telco

As demand for 5G-enabled FWA continues to surge, MNOs face complex challenges in scaling network capacity and quality for fixed locations, while managing the concurrent load on mobile networks. Recognising this challenge, rainx has engineered the Customer Edge approach, an integrated ecosystem of products and services designed to empower operators to manage and optimise the customer experience. This begins with the101 range of 5G smart routers, which double as network probes, feeding real-time insights to theStation, a smart managed services platform.

theStation provides operators with deep network insights, enabling accurate, proactive decisions on coverage and capacity expansion. Operators can access detailed data on network performance in the home, including Wi-Fi clients, usage patterns, speed and latency – providing proactive support and direct customer communication through the101’s touch screen. This visibility gives MNOs comprehensive control over the entire FWA ecosystem, helping to streamline network load management, anticipate capacity needs, and deliver high-speed connectivity for both residential and commercial customers.

For end-users, the101 range provides an intuitive, self-service interface that empowers customers to manage their network in real time, minimising support needs and enhancing the overall customer experience.

Key Products in the101 Range include:

the101 Pro 5G smart router

Built for premium, high-demand users, the101 Pro offers advanced 5G capabilities with the new MediaTek (MTK) T830 platform that delivers sub-6Ghz 5G with speeds of up to 7 Gbps, Wi-Fi 7 and 300MHz 4 carrier aggregation. The routers offer a range of customisable skins to suit the users’ aesthetic preferences that bring the Pro’s screen to life. Its powerful hardware ensures optimal performance for bandwidth-intensive applications, including cloud gaming.

Our Customer Edge approach provides operators with the deep insights they need to make informed decisions on their networks

Ripple Messaging™ offers MNOs a direct communication channel to the device’s 2.1” touch screen for real-time support and service notifications. It includes a built-in speed test and a “Tap for Support” feature. Additionally, theStation’s managed services enable proactive device management, optimising performance with real-time updates to ensure continuous service quality and reducing operational costs.

the101 5G Smart Router

rainx’s mid-range offering is powered by an MTK T750 platform with 200MHz two carrier aggregation and AX3600 Wi-Fi 6. With a 1.8” touch screen display, it offers smart features like “Scan to Connect”, direct messaging and a built-in speed test. It’s available with a choice of 101 skins to suit customer tastes. the101 also offers managed services through theStation.

the101 Xtender Smart Mesh Wi-Fi

the101 Xtender broadens 5G coverage, enabling MNOs to deliver high-quality, uniform connectivity throughout larger spaces. As part of the mesh network, Xtenders integrate directly with 101 routers, allowing operators to address Wi-Fi coverage gaps and deliver a consistent, high-speed experience across homes or office spaces.

the101 Loop

A new portable 5G router designed for today’s always-connected consumer. With built-in 5G, a 5.5” LCD touch screen, 25W stereo sound and a cinematic camera, the Loop lets you connect in exciting new ways. MNOs can leverage the Loop’s multimedia capabilities to offer premium services, build customer loyalty and create new ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) opportunities through integrated 5G and Wi-Fi.

“Through smart hardware and services, we’re partnering with MNOs and MVNOs to unlock the potential of 5G,” said Brandon Leigh, Founder and Director of rainx. “Our ecosystem empowers operators to monetise latent 5G capacity, create new revenue streams, and addresses the shift from spiky mobile traffic to high, steady usage at fixed locations. Our Customer Edge approach provides operators with the deep insights they need to make informed decisions on their networks, manage the customer experience and generate ROI from 5G.”

“For customers, the 101range allows them to blend their aesthetic preferences with beautiful customisable skins, alongside high-performance engineering powered by the latest MediaTek CPE technology. the101 range delivers a reliable, high-speed connection that stays robust during periods of spiky traffic. The range also offers intuitive self-service features, allowing customers to easily monitor and control their router, reducing the need for support calls and creating a seamless, hands-on user experience that truly puts the power in their hands,” Leigh concluded. 

Rami Osman, Director of Business Development for MediaTek Middle East and Africa, said: “We are excited to collaborate with rainx to increase 5G FWA access across Africa, Asia and abroad to bring the benefits of fast, reliable connectivity to consumers and businesses. The MediaTek T830 has a highly integrated and compact design that provides big power savings and reduces development time and costs for customers like rainx.

“The MediaTek T830 chipset platform represents the latest advancements in both 5G and Wi-Fi connectivity and enables our customers to build extremely high-performance multi-gigabit 5G CPE products in the smallest form factors possible. Users can get a super-fast router at home of office that they can self-install and manage, reducing the lengthy installation times for fixed line broadband,” Osman said.  

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of MediaTek Inc..

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