Kuzu zangpo la,
Victoria from Techpoint here,
Here's what I've got for you today:
- Uganda hikes import duty on EVs from zero to 25%
- 7 deep-tech startups in North Africa to watch out for
- Tunisia calls for tenders to launch 5G network
Uganda hikes import duty on EVs from zero to 25%
Uganda has hiked import duty to 25% on electric vehicles, hybrids, and electric motorcycles, a big jump from zero in the past fiscal year.
When import duty was zero, Uganda Revenue Authority data shows that electric car imports hit 420 units in the 2023-2024 fiscal year, up from just 26 when the tax was in play. Of these, 403 were hybrids and 17 fully electric, showing subsidies can sway Ugandans toward hybrids and electric rides over gas-guzzlers.
Meanwhile, companies into electric vehicle manufacturing, batteries, or charging gear, and hiring 80% locals won’t pay Stamp Duty Tax in 2024/2025. This exemption is part of the Stamp Duty (Amendment) Bill, 2024 passed on May 6, chaired by Speaker Anita Among.
To qualify, these firms must use 80% locally sourced raw materials where available. They also need a minimum investment of $10 million for foreigners, or $300,000 for citizens ($150,000 upcountry).
According to the International Energy Agency, China leads the global electric car scene, hosting over half of these vehicles worldwide and handling 35% of global EV exports in 2022.
7 deep-tech startups in North Africa to watch out for
North Africa is stepping up in tech! Instadeep, a Tunisian AI startup, just got bought by BioNTech for a whopping $683 million.
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Founded in 2014 by Karim Beguir and Zohra Slim, Instadeep raised over $100 million and teamed up with BioNTech to predict dangerous COVID variants.
But Instadeep isn't alone in the spotlight. More startups across North Africa are making waves in AI, biotech, cybersecurity, and cleantech.
One cool startup to watch is Proteinea from Egypt. While most startups focus on AI for business, Proteinea is all about protein – not just any protein, but making advanced medical treatments called protein therapeutics better and more available.
They use natural processes to create these treatments faster and more tailored, bridging the gap from lab research to real-world use.
Founded in 2020 by Mahmoud Eljendy and Abdulaziz Elgammal, Proteinea has caught the eye of big investors like 500 Global and Sawari Ventures. They even made Wired's 2023 list of MENA startups set to shake things up.
Want more of this? Check out Chimgozirim's article to learn about 7 innovative companies from Morocco to Egypt, and Tunisia to Algeria. They're tackling big challenges and attracting global attention and investment. Please read it here.
Tunisia calls for tenders to launch 5G network
Tunisia’s Ministry of Communication Technologies is seeking bids to set up and run a 5G mobile network. This move is part of the country’s plan to boost digital development and expand broadband coverage across the nation.
The ministry has asked interested operators to submit their bids by September 2, 2024. They also announced that the opening of bids will be public, with a general session on the same day where all bidders can attend.
As of February 29, 2024, Tunisia has over 16 million mobile phone subscribers, with a penetration rate of 136.5%. There are also about 11.6 million mobile Internet subscribers, making up 97.2% of the population.
Tunisia has three main mobile network operators (2G, 3G, 4G): Tunisie Télécom, Ooreedo Tunisie, and Orange Tunisie. There are also two mobile virtual network operators and several Internet service providers like Orange Tunisie Internet, GlobalNet, Hexabyte, Bee, Nety, Next Step, Topnet, and the Tunisian Internet Agency (ATI).
What’s more, the Prime Ministry has set up a special committee within the Ministry of Communication Technologies to plan the rollout stages for 5G mobile services in Tunisia.
In case you missed it
- NigComSat lands partnership to improve digital inclusion
What I'm watching
- Why Some People Turn to Religion (and Others Don't)
- THIS Led FORMER Atheist Peter Hitchens To a Belief in God!
Opportunities
- EarlyNode is looking for a Technical Writer. Apply here.
- Paystack is hiring for several roles in Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, and Ghana. Apply by July 7, 2024 here.
- Ventures Platform has over 100 job openings across its portfolio companies. Apply here.
- Moniepoint is hiring for 70 positions in the United Kingdom and several Nigerian states, including Lagos, Abia, and Anambra. Check them out here to apply.
- Explore this website to find multiple job opportunities in Data that align with your preferences.
- If you are a software engineer, creative designer, product manager, design researcher, or a techie looking for an internship role, please, check out this website.
Have a wonderful Tuesday!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa.
