Experts attending an African Development Bank High-level dialogue in Kenya have urged African nations to intensify efforts to attract private-sector financing to enhance tertiary education and equip the continent’s youth with competitive skills.

During a panel discussion at the Bank’s 2024 Annual Meetings in Nairobi, the experts stressed the importance of political commitment to guarantee returns on private sector investments in education.

Former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, Board Chair of the Global Partnership for Education, called for a renewed commitment to increase national education expenditure to harness Africa’s demographic potential as the world’s largest future labor force.

“To build a stronger tertiary education pipeline, we need to build strong foundations with early learning, primary and secondary education to provide a talent pool of trained young people for lifelong learning that will make them thrive,” Kikwete said.

The Bank organized the event entitled “Policy Dialogue on Innovative Financing for Tertiary Education in Africa: Revitalizing the Role of the Private Sector,” in collaboration with the Kenyan government, the African Union Commission, and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. It explored strategies and best practices to stimulate private-sector financing for tertiary education.

During the session, the African Development Bank signed a Joint Declaration of Intent at the event with GIZ to scale up joint commitments to skills development to enhance youth employability in Africa. The collaboration through the Build4Skills initiative will place youth trainees for workplace training within Bank-supported infrastructure projects in agriculture, water or transport sectors for 6 to 12 months. Build4Skills aligns with the Bank’s Action Plan on Skills for Employability and Productivity in Africa 2021-2025, which aims to support a skilled and productive labor force.

Birgit Pickel, Director-General Africa, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), said: “This is the first Declaration of Intent between the two organizations in the field of education, and we highly welcome this collaboration. It’s a sign of our intent to scale up our joint commitment to vocational training and skills development in African countries. In light of the current challenges, this is more urgent than ever.”

The African Development Bank has been actively engaged in education and skills development since 1975, committing significant resources to strengthen science, technology, engineering and mathematics infrastructure at tertiary levels and enhance sector policy environments.

Dr. Beth Dunford, the Bank’s Vice President for Agriculture, Human, and Social Development, stated that the institution has committed $964 million to tertiary education and skills development over the past decade.

“The focus has been on strengthening infrastructure for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and catalyzing private sector investments in skills development and job creation,” Dunford stressed.

She highlighted the Bank’s $80 million support for Nigeria’s Ekiti state Special Economic Zone project and a $23 million investment in Rwanda’s Centre of Excellence for Aviation Skills as some of the projects that will help boost economies and create jobs.

Prof. Mohamed Belhocine, African Union Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, said increased investment in tertiary education requires national, continental, and global action. He noted that between 2017 and 2019, only seven African countries met the required 6 percent of GDP expenditure on education, with the average standing at around 4 percent of GDP.

Dr. James Mwangi, Group CEO of Equity Holdings, shared how collaboration with tertiary institutions is boosting human resource development across the continent. For example, he said Equity Group has provided scholarships to at least 23,000 students in partnership with the Kenyan government.

Over 10,000 participants registered for the African Development Bank’s hybrid 2024 Annual Meetings, with around 5,000 delegates attending physically. Several heads of state are expected to feature in a presidential dialogue on Wednesday.

In the fast-changing world of online gaming, many new companies appear, but few make as big a splash as JILI. This exciting newcomer has raised the bar in the industry with its unique games and wide range of options. JILI’s focus on creativity and quality has quickly made it popular with gamers and industry experts. Their games are known for being both fun and easy to play, attracting players from all over the world. With a strong commitment to innovation, JILI is setting new trends in the online gaming market.

Unique Gameplay Innovations

One of the main reasons for JILI’s success is its focus on creating unique gameplay experiences. Unlike many competitors who use the same old ideas, JILI always tries to push the limits of what’s possible in online gaming. Their games have top-quality graphics, captivating stories, and interactive features that keep players hooked. This dedication to new and different ideas means JILI games are not only fun but also fresh and exciting, giving players a gaming experience like no other. By listening to player feedback and constantly improving, JILI, along with platforms like jiliko, keeps its audience engaged and eager for more. This approach has helped JILI build a strong and loyal fan base.

Expansive Game Library

Another area where JILI excels is in the breadth and depth of its game library. JILI offers a wide variety of games that cater to different tastes and preferences, from classic casino games to innovative new titles. Utilizing modern technology and technological advances, this expansive library ensures that there is something for everyone, whether you are a fan of slot games, table games, or live dealer experiences. The diverse offerings are a testament to JILI’s understanding of the varied demands of the modern gamer, and their ability to deliver high-quality content consistently.

Commitment to Quality and Fairness

Quality and fairness are cornerstones of JILI’s philosophy. Every game developed by JILI undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it meets the highest standards of quality and reliability. Moreover, JILI is dedicated to maintaining fairness in all its games, employing advanced algorithms and transparent practices to ensure a level playing field for all players. This commitment to integrity has helped build trust and loyalty among its growing user base, setting JILI apart as a trustworthy and reputable brand in the iGaming industry.

Strategic Partnerships and Growth

JILI’s rapid rise can also be attributed to its strategic partnerships and growth initiatives. By collaborating with other industry leaders and leveraging cutting-edge technology, JILI has expanded its reach and enhanced its offerings, contributing to significant economic growth in the gaming industry. One notable partnership is with jiliko, which has allowed JILI to further its commitment to delivering top-notch gaming experiences. For more details about JILI’s impressive range of games and innovations, visit jili.io.

In conclusion, JILI has firmly established itself as a leading force in the iGaming industry through its unique gameplay, expansive game library, commitment to quality and fairness, and strategic growth initiatives. As JILI continues to innovate and expand, it is set to redefine the standards of iGaming and provide players with increasingly exciting and engaging experiences. With a bright future ahead, JILI is a name that gamers and industry insiders will continue to watch closely.

Agriculture is the mainstay of Africa’s economy and it provides living for a lot of people in this continent. But, usual ways of farming are not always effective; they can cause problems like low crop production, no food certainty and poverty. Now, a new era of inventive remedies has come up that are changing how agriculture works across Africa. These new advancements cover a wide range, from leading technologies to enduring methods. All have the goal of improving productivity, durability and sustainability. Let’s dive into this blog that looks at some of the most effective innovations pushing African agriculture transformation forward.

Precision Agriculture: Leveraging Technology for Higher Yields

Drones and Satellite Imagery

Precision agriculture, it is using technology for better observation and handling of crops. Drones and pictures from satellites are playing a big part in this change. These can give farmers clear views from above their fields, helping them spot problems like bugs affecting the plants, lack of nutrients or too much water pressure on them. By addressing these problems promptly, farmers can improve crop health and increase yields.

Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart Farming

The smart solutions from the Internet of Things (IoT) have brought in sensor and data analysis technology to make farming more effective. For instance, soil sensors are used to measure moisture and nutrient levels in the soil. This helps farmers apply water and fertilizers better by providing them with real-time information about what their plants need most at any given time. There are smart irrigation systems that link up with these sensors; this makes it possible for automated watering schedules adjusted according to current conditions – lessening waste on water while also enhancing crop growth through precision control methods like drip irrigation or spray application methods as needed for different areas within a farm field etc. The Internet of Things (IoT) brings advanced technology into farming through its smart solutions. For example, sensors that can detect changes in moisture and nutrient levels within the soil give farmers important details on how much water or fertilizer they should use for each area of land. These findings help optimize agricultural practices by only applying these resources when necessary based on actual needs identified from real-time data collected by these devices placed throughout farms fields etcetera – which means lessening waste while increasing efficiency greatly!

Climate-Smart Agriculture: Adapting to Climate Change

Drought-Resistant Crops

Agriculture in Africa faces strong problems due to climate change, mainly from higher temperatures and unpredictable rain patterns. Scientists have made progress in developing crop varieties that can resist drought and still give good harvests even when there is less rainfall, so farmers can keep up their productivity under changing weather conditions. These farming products like maize and millet which tolerate dryness are very important for keeping food safety in areas at risk. For more latest news connect at Africa Latest News.

Agroforestry and Conservation Agriculture

Agroforestry, the technique of combining trees and shrubs with crop and livestock systems, boosts biodiversity and enhances soil well-being. It helps trap carbon, fight against climate change effects, and gives extra money-making chances from selling timber plus non-timber products. Conservation agriculture methods such as less soil disturbance or changing crops often can increase fertility for healthier soils that are more resistant to climate shifts.

Digital Platforms: Connecting Farmers to Markets

Mobile Apps and Market Access

Technological advancements in mobile phones have greatly impacted African farmers, making information and markets more accessible to them. Mobile apps now offer real-time market prices, weather predictions along with good farming methods. For example, applications such as M-Farm that works in Kenya or Esoko for Ghana allow direct connection between farmers and buyers. This helps cut down middlemen involvement while also guaranteeing fair pricing for produce from these farmers (Waldman et al., 2021). These digital tools give power to farmers by providing them with information about markets, helping them make smart choices and boost their earnings.

E-commerce and Supply Chain Management

E-commerce platforms are altering the way agricultural supply chain works in Africa. Businesses such as Twiga Foods from Kenya make it easier to distribute fresh farm produce to city markets, lessening losses after harvest and securing a continuous availability of cheap food. These platforms use data analysis to improve logistics, improve efficiency in the supply chain and diminish wastage of food.

Financial Innovations: Empowering Smallholder Farmers

Mobile Banking and Digital Payments

In Africa, small-scale farmers have usually struggled to reach financial services. But with the rise of mobile banking and digital payment solutions like M-Pesa in Kenya, this issue has been solved. These methods allow farmers to save money securely and easily, get credit when needed and do transactions without risk. Such financial tools help them put more into their work, grow bigger and have better life quality.

Agricultural Insurance

Also, a significant innovation that helps African farmers greatly is agricultural insurance. Insurance products made specifically for the requirements of small-scale farmers help to cover risks such as crop failure, extreme weather occurrences and diseases affecting livestock. Programs like Ethiopia’s Index-Based Livestock Insurance (IBLI) and Kenya use satellite information to activate payouts according to rainfall trends. These give farmers a safety net and motivate them to invest in productive resources.

Sustainable Practices: Ensuring Long-Term Productivity

Organic Farming and Integrated Pest Management

Agricultural practices that can be maintained for a long time are very important to keep productivity and environment healthy. Organic farming, which doesn’t use synthetic materials, uses natural methods for improving soil fertility and handling pests. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) method incorporates biological, cultural and mechanical practices to control pests sustainably. This lowers the need for chemical pesticides while supporting biodiversity.

Water Management and Irrigation

To farm in Africa, it’s necessary to focus on water management for long-term agriculture sustainability. The use of irrigation methods like drop and sprinkler systems is helpful because they provide water directly at the roots of plants, reducing evaporation and increasing the effectiveness of using water. Harvesting rainwater and storing it in containers or underground tanks helps farmers gather rainwater for later use when there is a lack of rainfall, making sure there is a steady supply of water available for their crops and improving their ability to withstand dry periods.

Capacity Building: Empowering Farmers Through Education and Training

Farmer Field Schools and Extension Services

Education and training are very important in the process of transforming agriculture. Farmer Field Schools give practical lessons to farmers about modern farming methods, how to manage pests and sustainable ways of doing things. Extension services, usually with help from governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), provide technical support and guidance for farmers. They assist them in adopting new technologies as well as enhancing their farming methods.

Youth and Women Empowerment

Giving power to youth and women is very important for the future of farming in Africa. Plans that offer work skills, resources, and chances to lead are inspiring young people and females to involve in agriculture. Also, things like the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) help female scientists as well as farmers which improves gender equality while boosting new ideas for agriculture.

Conclusion

The change in agriculture happening in Africa is a result of various elements such as new technologies, long-lasting methods and actions that provide power. Precision farming, climate-conscious solutions, digital stages for exchanges, financial alterations and improvement of abilities all combine together to make African agriculture more productive, resistant and sustainable. As these innovations keep growing and getting better over time – they promise an enhanced food security situation while also helping with lessening poverty rates plus supporting economic expansion throughout the continent. If Africa takes up and expands on these solutions, it can tap into the complete capacity of its agricultural area. This will guarantee a successful future for both farmers and communities in Africa.

Ghanaian tech influencers, Dessy and Delppy, have been selected by META, the parent company for Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, to push the company’s new AI innovations and make the technology more accessible to the Ghanaian community.

Real names – Emmanuel Fianko and Desmond Ofori Appiah, Delppy, and Dessy are leading the charge in promoting META’s cutting-edge AI technologies across the African continent. Known for their dynamic presence in the tech community and their commitment to technological advancement content creation, the two are leveraging their influence to spotlight META’s innovative AI solutions.

Dessy and Delppy have established themselves as pivotal content creators in the African tech landscape. Their influence extends far beyond Ghana, reaching a diverse audience across Africa and beyond with expertise in technology and digital trends. 

META’s AI technologies promise to revolutionize various sectors. Dessy and Delppy are at the forefront of showcasing advancements through a series of engaging and informative content. 

By demonstrating the practical applications of META’s AI, they aim to educate and inspire a new generation of tech enthusiasts and professionals in Africa.

“We are thrilled to be part of this exciting journey with META. Their AI technologies have the potential to create significant positive impacts across various industries in Africa. We look forward to exploring and sharing these innovations with our audience,” said Dessy.

“Technology is a powerful tool for change, and META’s AI is at the forefront of this transformation. We are excited to highlight how AI can address real-world challenges and opportunities in Africa,” added Delppy.

Dessy and Delppy are renowned tech influencers from Ghana, known for their insightful commentary and engaging content on technology and digital trends. With a passion for innovation and a commitment to education, they have become trusted voices in the tech community.

The MTN Ghana Foundation has announced that it will close entries for its Bright Scholarship program on May 31, 2024. Eligible applicants who meet all the criteria are urged to apply through the web portal scholarship.mtn.com.gh before the application deadline.

The MTN Bright Scholarship is open to continuing students pursuing a first degree at any public tertiary institution or pursuing vocational and technical skills training. Applicants must be Ghanaians, of good conduct, and have excellent academic results.

The MTN Bright Scholarship covers the cost of tuition, accommodation, provides a stipend for books, and includes a device for the beneficiaries. The MTN Ghana Foundation will award 200 scholarships to continuing students in public tertiary institutions across the country for the 2024/2025 academic year.

Adwoa Wiafe, MTN’s Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, commented on the scholarship, stating, “we have doubled the number of beneficiaries this year because of the compelling needs in the society. We are confident that this will ease the financial burden on needy students and reduce the number of students dropping out of school due to financial constraints.”

The commencement of the MTN Bright Scholarship in 2018 was in fulfilment of a commitment MTN made to Ghanaians during the commemoration of its 20th Anniversary in 2016. During the celebrations, MTN, through the MTN Ghana Foundation, promised to award a total of 300 scholarships over three years. Considering the impact of the scholarship at the end of the first three years, the MTN Ghana Foundation again approved the renewal of the scholarship program in 2021 during MTN’s 25th Anniversary celebration.