Here are this week’s top headlines on startups, entrepreneurship, innovation and tech around Africa.
Nigeria to get solar energy plants. At the recently concluded World Future Energy Summit, the International Solar Alliance (ISA) signed a letter of intent to invest up to $5 billion in global solar projects. A total of nine projects will be undertaken across five countries, Nigeria being the only African country among them. The agreement covers a period spanning 12 years though so, don't hold your breath just yet. Read more on ConstructionWeekOnline.
Suggested Read: Solar energy: Nigeria’s best shot at eradicating its electricity problem
Volkswagen coming to Rwanda. This is huge. German automobile manufacturing company, Volkswagen is ramping up its Sub-Saharan Africa strategy by committing at least $20m into building a production facility in Rwanda. Read more on allAfrica.
Mobile money. Kenya has finally kicked off mobile money interoperability. This will enable users send and receive mobile money regardless of their network provider, essentially stifling Safaricom's perceived monopoly; a long overdue move that Tanzania beat them to. Read more on iAfrikan.
6 Nigerian telcos could be delicensed. The Nigerian Communications Commission has threatened to suspend six Nigerian telecom operators for alleged involvement in call masking. Read more on Nigerian CommunicationWeek.
Facebook Marketplace. Facebook has launched a classifieds platform that enables users buy and sell within their local community, in South Africa. Read more on Memeburn.
NiPOST goes electronic. The Nigerian Postal Service has declared that Electronic Money Order will debut in Nigeria in February. Read more on Vanguard News.
