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Smartphone For All wins the Pinnacle Awards (Platinum) and Merit Awards (Gold) for Digital Inclusion, Accessibility and bridging the Digital divide

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3 months ago

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Smartphone

Less than one year after launch, the vision of Empowering Millions with Affordable Smartphones and Digital Access Across the Continent just got recognized

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 18, 2026/APO Group/ –Smartphone For All (www.SmartphoneForAll.ai), a business committed to digital inclusion, has won the 2025 Pinnacle Awards (Telecoms and Wireless Category) Digital Inclusion & Accessibility Champion and the 2026 Merit Award (Telecoms and Wireless) Digital Divide. The Pinnacle Awards is a reputable global program honoring innovation and excellence across industries. According to Katie Lang, Executive Director of the Pinnacle Awards, “The Telecom and Wireless Sector continue to set the pace for innovation, connecting people and businesses worldwide. We are proud to recognize the organizations that exemplify ingenuity, reliability and impact in one of the most dynamic industries on the planet”.

In the same vein, Marie Zander, Executive Director of Merit Awards states that “this year’s winners reflect excellence across the ecosystem—demonstrating the technologies and strategies that are shaping the future of communications”.

Smartphone For All had earlier in the year 2025 unveiled an ambitious campaign to bridge Africa’s digital divide by providing affordable, high-quality smartphones and connectivity and AI at the edge to consumers who are excluded from the digital world across the continent.

The pathway to growth for Africa is to bring more Africans into the digital ecosystem spanning financial, educational, public health, trade and other streams of innovation

Established on the belief that exclusion from the digital ecosystem locks people out of opportunities and lifestyle enhancements. Smartphone For All aims that every individual—regardless of income, geography, or background- can fully participate in the digital economy and the evolving AI transformation.

According to Mr. Babatunde Osho, Founder/CEO of Smartphone For All, “The digital divide is not just a technology gap—it’s an opportunity gap. When someone does not have access to a smartphone, they are cut off from education, jobs, healthcare, financial services, and even their own voice. Our mission is to close that gap, one device at a time and build Africa’s largest digital inclusion platform. We are glad that the Pinnacle and Telecom & Wireless Awards have recognized what we are doing to improve digital inclusion and accessibility in Africa”

Smartphone For All partners with MNOs to provide smartphones to 2G/3G subscribers who cannot afford 4G smartphone across Africa. The initiative was launched with MTN in South Africa in May 2025 for an initial period of one year with a smartphone device at ZAR 99 or $5. The plan is targeting about 1.2m devices. The vision of Smartphone for All is to take the offering to other African countries like Cote D’Ivoire, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and other markets.  Apart from the benefits for the subscribers, there are obvious MNO benefits of better spectrum utilization with 4G+ networks over legacy 2G/3G networks. For regulators and government, the benefits include productivity enhancements and digital inclusion among citizens.

According to a report from the Economist Intelligence Unit, 10% growth in broadband connectivity results in 1.4% growth in GDP in low- and middle-income countries and 1.2% growth in high income countries. African countries like South Africa are actively incentivizing this growth through policies like a ban on new 2G/3G device activations starting from December 31, 2024, and a complete shutdown by December 31, 2027. The government has also reduced taxes on certain classes of smartphones to drive adoption.

According to Jeff Miller, Director at Smartphone for all, ‘Smartphone For All is not just a business, it is a movement powering Africa into the next phase of development. Digital access is the foundation of inclusion in commerce, wellbeing and civic engagement. The pathway to growth for Africa is to bring more Africans into the digital ecosystem spanning financial, educational, public health, trade and other streams of innovation.’

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Smartphone For All.

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Events

Africa Tech Festival 2026 returns as Africa’s defining platform for digital transformation, investment and innovation

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14 hours ago

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June 23, 2026

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Africa Tech Festival

Africa Tech Festival 2026 is structured around six interconnected pillars that reflect the technologies and priorities driving Africa’s digital economy: Telecoms & Connectivity; Data Centres; AI; Cybersecurity; Startups; and Digital Transformation

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, June 22, 2026/APO Group/ –Africa Tech Festival (https://AfricaTechFestival.com), the continent’s longest running and most influential technology gathering, will return to the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 16 to 19 November 2026, bringing together key stakeholders driving the next phase of Africa’s digital growth.

Now in its 29th edition, Africa Tech Festival, originally launched as AfricaCom, has evolved alongside the continent’s digital transformation, expanding its focus to encompass the full spectrum of technology, investment opportunities and policies that drive economic growth.

At a time when investment in connectivity, subsea cables, fibre networks, data centres and cloud infrastructure is reshaping Africa’s digital landscape, Africa Tech Festival serves as a catalyst for the conversations and partnerships driving that progress. South Africa’s Department of Communications and Digital Technologies is a Strategic Partner of the event, with Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Hon. Solly Malatsi, confirmed to deliver the opening address.

“Africa Tech Festival is a strategic platform shaping Africa’s digital future, bringing together leaders from across the continent in government and industry to drive collaboration, investment, and innovation. As host country, South Africa is proud to champion an event that not only strengthens partnerships, but advances a shared vision of an inclusive, connected and globally competitive African digital economy,” said Minister Malatsi.

Africa Tech Festival 2026 is structured around six interconnected pillars that reflect the technologies and priorities driving Africa’s digital economy: Telecoms & Connectivity; Data Centres; AI; Cybersecurity; Startups; and Digital Transformation.

Africa Tech Festival is the only forum where leaders from across the tech ecosystem – telecoms operators, hyperscalers and corporate end-users – can come together

Together, these pillars provide a framework for addressing some of the continent’s most pressing priorities, including digital infrastructure expansion, greater connectivity and digital inclusion, responsible AI adoption, stronger data sovereignty and digital trust, and the partnerships and investments needed to unlock Africa’s next wave of innovation and economic growth.

The event will feature dedicated content programmes, executive forums, exhibitions, networking opportunities and investment-focused discussions designed to connect decision-makers from across Africa and around the world.

“It is now clear that this is a defining moment for the ICT sector in Africa. AI adoption is transforming business processes, but it also raises questions around inclusion, data sovereignty and the capacity of digital infrastructure. Africa Tech Festival is the only forum where leaders from across the tech ecosystem – telecoms operators, hyperscalers and corporate end-users – can come together to find the answers,” said David Monaghan, VP, Africa Tech Festival.

As Africa’s digital economy continues to attract global investment and attention, Africa Tech Festival showcases the continent’s capabilities and leadership while connecting African stakeholders with international investors, technology companies and policymakers. Beyond the annual event, it continues to serve as a year-round forum for thought leadership, industry engagement and ecosystem development, helping shape the policies, investments and innovations that are accelerating Africa’s digital transformation.

Register to attend Africa Tech Festival 2026

General registration: https://apo-opa.co/3Sq6goC

For more information, as well as exhibitor and sponsor applications, visit https://AfricaTechFestival.com

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Tech Festival.

 

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Energy

Cabship Expands Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Driven Logistics, Workforce Development Strategy Ahead of Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2026 Sponsorship

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14 hours ago

on

June 23, 2026

By

Etu Energias

As Angola’s oil and gas sector evolves, Cabship is expanding its service offering through digital innovation, workforce development and integrated logistics solutions designed to support the next phase of industry growth

LUANDA, Angola, June 22, 2026/APO Group/ –Angolan logistics and maritime services provider Cabship is strengthening its service portfolio to better support the country’s evolving oil and gas sector, while leveraging digital technologies, workforce development and local partnerships to meet growing industry demand. Reflecting its expanding role across Angola’s oil and gas value chain, the company has joined the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2026 conference and exhibition as an Elite Sponsor.

 

Over the years, Cabship has developed into a strategic integrated logistics and support service providers for Angola’s oil and gas industry. The company offers a broad range of solutions spanning shipping, customs clearance, procurement, warehousing, material management, pipe yard operations, freight forwarding, transportation and offshore support services. Building on this foundation, Cabship continues to diversify its capabilities to support increasingly complex upstream and offshore developments across Angola.

The company’s growth strategy has been underpinned by continuous investment in technology and operational efficiency. As Angola’s oil and gas industry embraces digital transformation, Cabship has integrated artificial intelligence and advanced digital tools into its logistics and supply chain operations. These technologies are helping optimize cargo tracking, improve operational planning and enhance the efficiency of project execution, enabling operators and service providers to reduce costs while maintaining reliability across the supply chain.

Alongside technology adoption, Cabship has placed local content development at the center of its long-term strategy. The company signed a partnership agreement with Angola’s National Petroleum Institute (INP), aimed at strengthening training initiatives to prepare young Angolan professionals for careers in the energy sector. The partnership initially benefits 15 individuals from the provinces of Cabinda, Zaire, Bengo and Luanda, with recipients undergoing specialized training in industrial electricity in renewable energies and international welding.

The company has also continued to expand its offshore and marine support capabilities through strategic partnerships, strengthening its ability to provide integrated services for both shallow-water and deepwater operations. These efforts align with Angola’s broader objectives of increasing local participation across the oil and gas value chain while supporting new exploration, development and production projects.

As an Elite Sponsor of AOG 2026 – taking place September 9-10 in Luanda, with a pre-conference day on September 8 – Cabship will join industry leaders, policymakers and investors to discuss the future of Angola’s oil and gas sector. The company’s participation highlights the increasingly important role that logistics, digital innovation and workforce development play in supporting Angola’s next phase of oil and gas growth.

 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Business

Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) Launches Pitch n Grow 2026 – A Women Entrepreneurship Pitch Competition

Published

14 hours ago

on

June 23, 2026

By

AWIEF

Selected finalists will pitch live at the AWIEF 2026 Conference in Cape Town, on 10 and 11 November 2026

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, June 22, 2026/APO Group/ –The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) (https://www.AWIEForum.org/) announces the launch of Pitch n Grow, a flagship annual women entrepreneurship pitch competition programme for identifying, developing, and amplifying the most promising women-led ventures across all African nations.

 

Selected finalists will pitch live at the AWIEF 2026 Conference in Cape Town, on 10 and 11 November 2026.

Each year, the competition adopts a new strategic theme aligned with AWIEF’s continental priorities. The 2026 theme is “Deep Roots, Digital Futures“.

Africa’s greatest competitive advantage is its depth: deep knowledge of local contexts, deep understanding of communities, and deep experience of challenges the rest of the world is yet to face. This theme challenges women-led ventures to apply deep technology not as an import, but as a tool grown from African soil.

Who Can Apply?
Applications are accepted from women founders and co-founders across Africa who are building ventures in the following priority innovation sectors to solve African development challenges:

  • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
  • AgriTech
  • HealthTech
  • Clean Energy
  • Water Technology
  • Biotech
  • FinTech
  • Cybersecurity
  • EdTech
  • Smart Cities
  • Circular Economy
  • Frontier Technologies

Competition Tracks
Participants can apply to one of three tracks based on their stage of business:

Pre-Venture – Concept-stage ventures with a prototype or proof of concept.
Early-Stage – Registered startups with active customers and revenue generation.
Growth-Stage – Scaling ventures with proven traction and regional expansion.

Benefits and Prizes
Selected participants will gain access to:

  • Expert-led training bootcamps
  • Mentorship from industry leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs
  • Exposure to investors, ecosystem partners, and media
  • An opportunity to pitch live at the AWIEF 2026 Conference in Cape Town
  • Travel and accommodation support for finalists
  • Cash prizes and global recognition

Key Dates

 

  • Applications Open: 22 June 2026
  • Orientation Webinars: 1 – 7 July 2026
  • Application Deadline: 20 July 2026
  • Bootcamp: August 2026
  • Finalists Announced: 20 September 2026
  • Live Finals at AWIEF 2026 Conference, Cape Town, 10 – 11 November 2026

Application Submission
Applications are submitted before 20 July 2026 only through this official link: http://apo-opa.co/4g0iUog

If you are building the future through innovation and technology, this is your opportunity to showcase your venture on one of Africa’s leading platforms for women entrepreneurs.

 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF).

 

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