Africa
-
Africa’s Oldest Cremation Pyre Found in Malawi
Read Full Article: Africa’s Oldest Cremation Pyre Found in Malawi
Archaeologists have uncovered Africa's oldest known cremation pyre, dating back 9,500 years, at the base of Mount Hora in Malawi. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about the capabilities and rituals of ancient hunter-gatherer societies, as cremation requires significant communal effort and resources. The remains, belonging to an adult woman, show evidence of being skinned and decapitated before cremation, suggesting complex ritualistic practices. This finding is significant as it provides new insights into the social and ritualistic behaviors of early human societies in Africa, a region where such practices were previously thought to be rare.
-
Flutterwave Acquires Mono in Major Fintech Deal
Read Full Article: Flutterwave Acquires Mono in Major Fintech Deal
Flutterwave, Africa's largest fintech company, has acquired Nigerian open banking startup Mono in an all-stock deal valued between $25 million and $40 million. This acquisition merges two leading fintech infrastructure companies, with Flutterwave's extensive payments network and Mono's APIs that facilitate access to bank data and customer verification. Mono, often referred to as the "Plaid for Africa," has powered over 8 million bank account linkages and processed significant financial data, supporting nearly all Nigerian digital lenders. The acquisition enhances Flutterwave's offerings by integrating payments, onboarding, identity checks, and data-driven risk assessments, positioning the company for further growth in Africa's evolving fintech landscape. This matters because it marks a significant step in the consolidation of African fintech, potentially accelerating financial inclusion and innovation across the continent.
-
AI Transforming Healthcare in Africa
Read Full Article: AI Transforming Healthcare in Africa
Generative AI is transforming healthcare by providing innovative solutions to real-world health challenges, particularly in Africa. There is significant interest across the continent in addressing issues such as cervical cancer screening and maternal health support. In response, a collaborative effort with pan-African data science and machine learning communities led to the organization of an Africa-wide Data Science for Health Ideathon. This event aimed to utilize Google's open Health AI models to address these pressing health concerns, highlighting the potential of AI in creating impactful solutions tailored to local needs. From over 30 submissions, six finalist teams were chosen for their innovative ideas and potential to significantly impact African health systems. These teams received guidance from global experts and access to technical resources provided by Google Research and Google DeepMind. The initiative underscores the growing interest in using AI to develop local solutions for health, agriculture, and climate challenges across Africa. By fostering such innovation, the ideathon showcases the potential of AI to address specific regional priorities effectively. This initiative is part of Google's broader commitment to AI for Africa, which spans various sectors including health, education, food security, infrastructure, and languages. By supporting projects like the Data Science for Health Ideathon, Google aims to empower local communities with the tools and knowledge needed to tackle their unique challenges. This matters because it demonstrates the role of AI in driving meaningful change and improving the quality of life across the continent, while also encouraging local innovation and problem-solving.