Day: October 2, 2021

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Untapped Global partners with Paga to boost digital payments for Nigerian SMEs

Smart Asset Financing fast tracks digitization for over 120,000 small businesses

LAGOS, Nigeria, Oct. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Untapped Global, an investment company focused on emerging markets, announces a scale up of its partnership with Paga, the mobile payment and financial services company. The program finances point-of-sale devices (POS) for merchants in Nigeria, the largest country in Africa, but still underserved when it comes to financial services.

The collaboration between Paga and Untapped focuses on empowering small businesses to accept digital payments and bring financial services to the masses. The financing is structured to lower the overall cost of entry for merchants to acquire a handheld POS terminal and other digital tools for their businesses, making it easy for them to buy, sell, and get paid.

Untapped Global Logo

“We are excited to scale our POS rollout program with Untapped,” said Tayo Oviosu, Founder and CEO of Paga Group. “We have built the best on-ramps and off-ramps for cash in Nigeria through the Paga agent network and are further digitizing merchants via our new merchant platform, Doroki. Across our ecosystem, we currently have over 33,000 merchants. Our collaboration with Untapped is accelerating our progress to reaching 120,000 merchants in the next two years by lowering the startup and onboarding costs for merchants.”

Untapped Global offers Smart Asset Financing to asset-based businesses across Africa and other emerging markets. Smart Asset Financing is an innovative investment model that provides flexible capital for fast-growing enterprises like Paga, leveraging technology to make investments safer and more profitable for investors by tracking assets and capturing revenue in real-time.

Paga’s POS devices enable merchants to accept cards, mobile payments, and other forms of digital payments, and offer other value-add financial services to customers. The financing from Untapped is unique, as payments are recovered from the revenues earned on the devices. Lowering the cost of entry for using mobile payments is key to delivering the benefits of Africa’s growing fintech revolution to even the smallest businesses.

“The network of the POS devices that will be available for merchants via this partnership is powerful,” Untapped founder and CEO, Jim Chu, commented. “It enables a seamless process for merchants and their customers to buy, sell, and get paid. We’re excited to use Smart Asset Financing to greatly increase access to financial services across Nigeria with partners that know the space best, like Paga.”

Untapped and Paga had an initial and successful pilot in 2021. Scaling up the availability of the devices shows the impact these devices have on small businesses, particularly in emerging markets like Nigeria.

“Our goal at Paga Group is to make it simple for 1 billion people to pay, get paid, and access financial services,” Oviosu said. “The team at Untapped is aligned with that goal, and the current partnership showcases its objective to ensure that entrepreneurs have the opportunity to scale to their full potential.”

About Paga:
Paga is a payments and financial services ecosystem for Africa. Our ecosystem is similar to that of Square and PayPal as we focus on helping both consumers and sellers pay, get paid, and access financial services. Our first market is Nigeria where we now have over 18 million unique users.

About Untapped Global:
On a mission to empower the next billion entrepreneurs to scale to their full potential, Untapped creates opportunity by connecting frontier market innovators to global investors through its Smart Asset Financing™ platform that provides CAPEX financing for revenue-generating assets around the world, and its global investment network, The Nest.

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Kun, le concept-car de SAIC Motor, dévoilé à l’Expo de Dubaï

DUBAÏ, EAU, 1er octobre 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Aujourd’hui, le concept de voiture autonome à énergies nouvelles « Kun » de SAIC Motor – exposition vedette du pavillon de la Chine de l’Expo de Dubaï 2020, a été virtuellement dévoilé au musée de l’Exposition universelle de Shanghai.

L’Expo de Dubaï ouvrira officiellement ses portes le 1er octobre. Le tout dernier concept-car de SAIC Motor, « Kun »,constituera l’élément d’exposition le plus éblouissant avec le satellite chinois Beidou et le chemin de fer à grande vitesse de Chine, démontrant au monde entier la puissante force d’innovation et le charme technologique unique de la fabrication haut de gamme de la Chine. Dans le même temps, les marques propres de SAIC Motor, MG et MAXUS, présenteront leurs derniers modèles en tant que véhicules officiels désignés pour le pavillon de la Chine pendant l’exposition.

Une vision de la « Mobilité intelligente » pour une vie meilleure

L’Exposition universelle, qui a une longue histoire de plus de 160 ans, est connue comme « l’événement olympique des milieux économiques, technologiques et culturels » et est devenue une scène mondiale pour exposer de nouveaux concepts, de nouvelles idées et de nouvelles technologies. « Tout commence à l’Exposition universelle ». Les trains, les lumières, les téléphones, les avions, les autoroutes et d’autres technologies et concepts qui ont été lancés pour la première fois à l’Exposition universelle sont progressivement entrés dans la vie quotidienne des gens et ont fortement favorisé le progrès continu de la société humaine.

Lors de l’Expo 2010 de Shanghai, SAIC Motor a construit un pavillon d’entreprise automobile, décrivant une image souhaitable de « Direct to 2030 » (En route pour 2030) avec zéro émission, zéro accident de la route, sans dépendance à l’égard du pétrole et sans embouteillages.

Lors de l’Expo 2020 de Dubaï, SAIC Motor présentera le concept « Kun », créé conjointement par les équipes de design avant-gardistes de Shanghai et de Londres. Citant la légende du « Léviathan » dans Carefree Soaring de Zhuangzi, inspiré par « le monde et la Chine, la montagne et la mer », le concept « Kun » intègre l’interaction de la bio-intelligence, l’énergie photosynthétique, le siège zéro gravité, l’interaction de l’image holographique et les technologies avancées de conduite autonome, et présente une belle image de la mobilité intelligente qui ne sera pas limitée par l’espace à l’avenir et de la fusion des environnements de l’homme et du véhicule. Elle offrira au public international de l’Expo une expérience unique « un regard sur la technologie, un regard sur l’avenir et un regard sur la Chine ».

Une image de marque chinoise « verte et intelligente »

SAIC Motor représente l’industrie automobile chinoise et crée activement une image innovante « verte et intelligente » à l’Expo de Dubaï. SAIC Motor a mis en place une chaîne industrielle automobile mondiale comprenant la R&D, le marketing, la logistique, les pièces détachées, la fabrication, la finance, les voitures d’occasion, etc. Ses produits et services sont appréciés dans plus de 70 pays et régions du monde.

S’appuyant sur les avantages des technologies innovantes telles que les véhicules à énergies nouvelles et les réseaux intelligents, SAIC Motor crée activement une compétitivité internationale différenciée. De janvier à août de cette année, les ventes sur les marchés étrangers ont dépassé 370 000 unités, soit une augmentation de 106,4 % en glissement annuel, ce qui place la société au premier rang des ventes à l’étranger des constructeurs automobiles chinois. Parmi ces ventes, la marque MG a atteint 182 000 unités, soit une augmentation de 83,9 % en glissement annuel. Les ventes de MG dans les pays développés ont représenté près de 40 % et ont permis à la marque de remporter le titre de « championne des ventes à l’étranger d’une seule marque en Chine ». Les ventes de véhicules à énergies nouvelles de marques propres dans les pays européens développés ont atteint près de 19 000 unités, soit une augmentation de 133 % en glissement annuel, classant ainsi la société au premier rang des segments de véhicules dans des pays tels que le Royaume-Uni, la Norvège, le Danemark et l’Islande. Dans le même temps, le système de réseaux intelligents « i-Smart » a été populaire auprès des consommateurs en Thaïlande, en Inde, en Indonésie et dans d’autres pays. Il a été utilisé sur plus de 30 modèles étrangers et a activé plus de 130 000 utilisateurs.

Photo –  https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1639710/image_836135_27483761.jpg

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Agriculture Graduates Making Efforts to Boost Production

Eritrea has been investing in types of machinery and, most notably, its human resource development in agriculture to utilize the expanding farms and achieve its goal of ensuring food security. In particular, graduates from Hamelmalo Agricultural College have been making substantial contributions in increasing crop and livestock production mainly in farms at Adi-Omar, Gherset, Ali-Gider, Fanko-Rawi, and Fanko-Tsumue.

The farms in Gherset have been mostly utilized during the rainy seasons. A good harvest was obtained in 2020 from 2000-hectares of sorghum, 140 hectares of millet, and 20 hectares of sesame. This was expanded in 2021 and the plan is to increase production every year through the cultivation of select seeds.

The farms in Gherset are so fertile they are suitable for a variety of crops. Wheat and taff, crops that are common in the highlands, have been tried in Gherset and gave promising results. The agronomists in Gherset work intensely on crop protection from weeds and pests. Mehari Haile, who has been working as head of the Agronomy Department in Gherset farm since 2014, said that surplus produce will be obtained in the area with the expansion of farm activities and particularly with the enhancement of irrigation systems.

Noting that a variety of crops have been piloted in Gherset farm, Mehari encourages farmers in the areas to have confidence in the cultivation of crops that are common in the highlands. The agronomists in the area are always ready to assist local farmers in the provision of select seeds and in the protection of crops from pests and weeds.

Veterinarians in the farms have been giving assistance to herders. Helen Medhanie, who has been working as a veterinarian in Fanko farm, works in a livestock department of Fanko farm mostly at the sheep treating section. Emphasizing that there is a huge gap between theory and practice, she said, “What we have learned while we were in college is very comprehensive and theoretical but we are now having a venue where we can have practical experience through the transfer of knowledge from our seniors.”

The agronomists and veterinarians, who graduated from college, are working at farms in the Gash-Barka region to boost the production of crops and livestock. They have done a lot with the tools they have at hand and are very optimistic that their efforts will be more productive with the introduction of modern machinery and laboratories in the future.

Experts in horticulture, agronomy, and plant protection have been working in collaboration for the development of the farm project in Adi- Omar. Habtom Tesfamariam, an agronomist, said Adi-Omar farm has a capacity to meet local demands of tomatoes and onions once the farm project starts operating at full capacity.

Like the other farm projects in the Gash-Barka region, Fanko- Tsumue farm has plant and livestock development sections. The livestock development section has focused on camels, cattle, sheep, and goats while the plant development section has focused on the cultivation of crops, fruits, and vegetables.

Fanko-Tsumue farm is very fertile and conducive for the cultivation of a variety of crops. But it has been mainly used to grow tomatoes for Banatom processing plant. The cultivation of fruits was introduced in 2017 with the planting of 12 hectares of orange and two hectares of mango trees. Orange and lemon trees were also planted in Fanko- Rawi.

Livestock development in Fanko was introduced in 2015. Currently, there are more than 3000 sheep, over 500 camels, and 200 cattle in Fanko-Tsumue. In terms of human resources, the farm projects in Fanko have over 300 experts work in a variety of fields such as agricultural engineering, plant and animal science, agronomy, and horticulture.

Since 2010 the farm project in Fanko has created employment opportunities for local communities of Fanko- Rawi, Fanko-Tsumue, and Alebu administrative areas. In addition to their assignments at the farm projects, the agronomists have also been giving technical assistance to local farmers in the area. One of the primary objectives of the farm project is to assist a large population of farmers in the Gash-Barka region. For this reason, Mr. Mahmud said, the farm project has centers in Barentu sub-zone, Shamboko, Molqi, Lalay-Gash, and Golug that have been offering veterinary medicines, pesticides and select seeds to the farmers in the area.

Agronomists working at farms in the Gash-Barka region have been making efforts to help ensure food security. Mr. Mahumd said he believes the graduates have been honing their skills through practical engagements in the farms and he is very optimistic that the technical know-how they have acquired will enable them to overcome much greater challenges in the future.

Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea

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Workshop to develop nutrition SBCC manual concludes

The three-day multi-stakeholder Consultation Workshop for the Development of a Roadmap for Nutrition Social Behavioral Change Communication Strategy and Manual organized by the Ministry of Agriculture in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN concluded on 1 October adopting various recommendations.

At the workshop that was conducted at Asmara Palace Hotel, various topics were raised and discussed including the development of fish farming and nutritious food, the role of UN institutions in improving recipes and food diversity and related activities, the role of the mass media in raising awareness of the public, designing a strategic plan on nutrition social behavioral change as well on other related issues.

Dr. Eden Tareke, a chemist and food expert said that the objective of the workshop was to create a common understanding and develop a Roadmap for Nutrition Social Behavioral Change Communication Strategy and Manual.

Speaking to Erina, Mr. Bancie Saeed, FAO Representative in Eritrea, said that in line with the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, FAO’s mission in the nutrition sector is to tackle malnutrition in all its forms by promoting feasible policies and actions across agro-food systems to enable healthy diets for all.

The participants on their part conducted extensive discussion on the research papers presented and designed a roadmap and guidelines for ensuring nutrition social behavioral change communication.

Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea

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One UN Peacekeeper Killed, Four Wounded in Mali

BAMAKO, MALI — One U.N. peacekeeper was killed and four more were severely wounded when their convoy hit an improvised explosive device in northern Mali on Saturday, the U.N. force in Mali said.

The bloodshed near the town of Tessalit followed the killing of five Malian gendarmes in an ambush on a mining convoy in southern Mali earlier this week that was claimed by a group linked to al-Qaida.

Armed attacks by Islamist militants and other groups are common across vast swaths of Mali and its neighbors Burkina Faso and Niger despite a heavy presence of international troops. Thousands of civilians have been killed and millions displaced.

“This incident is a sad reminder of the permanent danger that hangs over our peacekeepers,” El Ghassim Wane, the head of the U.N. mission known as MINUSMA, said in a statement. The peacekeeper who was killed was from Egypt.

The mission has deployed more than 13,000 troops to contain violence by armed groups in the north and center of the country. It has recorded about 255 fatalities since 2013, making it the deadliest of the U.N.’s more than a dozen peacekeeping missions.

In a statement issued Saturday night, the U.N. secretary-general strongly condemned the attack and “expresses his deep condolences to the family of the victim, as well as the government and people of Egypt. He wishes a speedy recovery to the injured,” the statement from the spokesperson for the secretary-general said.

Source: Voice of America

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UN Says Sudan, South Sudan Ravaged by Seasonal Flooding

GENEVA — Seasonal flooding in Sudan and South Sudan has devastated whole communities, where homes have been destroyed and farmland and livelihoods are washed away, the United Nations says.

The rains came early this year, beginning in South Sudan in late April instead of June. The buildup of massive amounts of rainwater has caused the Nile and Lol rivers and Sudd marshlands to overflow and flood large swathes of territory.

Jonglei, Unity, Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Upper Nile are the worst affected states. The U.N. says nearly half a million people are suffering because of the floods.

Jens Laerke, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs spokesman, says aid agencies are doing their best to provide emergency relief.

“Access is a major challenge though, with most of the flood-affected areas inaccessible by road, and the transport of aid by air is very costly.… Some of the flood-affected counties are also affected by ongoing violence, which creates significant challenges for the people affected and the humanitarians who try to respond to their needs,” he said.

Laerke said aid agencies have delivered food, water purification tablets, plastic sheeting for temporary shelter, mosquito nets and medical and other supplies, but resources are limited and must be replenished.

Lack of money is hampering the operation, he said, with only 61% of this year’s U.N. $1.7-billion South Sudan appeal met.

Laerke said a similar funding problem in Sudan is preventing emergency aid from being delivered to more than 314,000 flood victims. He said heavy rains have been wreaking havoc in 14 of Sudan’s 18 states since July.

“Flooding has destroyed or damaged more than 62,000 houses and displaced over 100,000 people. Bridges have collapsed and farmland has been inundated. Some 183,000 people have been reached with various kinds of assistance. However, relief stocks also here in Sudan urgently need to be replenished to maintain the response,” he said.

Laerke said hundreds of thousands of Sudanese will be deprived of essential supplies and services for the rest of this year without more outside support, and that the U.N.’s $1.9-billion Sudan appeal is only 29% funded.

Source: Voice of America

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Jihadist Chief, 18 Fighters Killed in Mozambique, Bloc Says

JOHANNESBURG — A local jihadist leader and 18 fighters were killed during a military strike on their base in Mozambique’s insurgency-hit north, a bloc of southern African nations said Saturday.

Al-Qaida-linked jihadists have been terrorizing Mozambique’s gas-rich Cabo Delgado region since 2017, raiding villages and towns in a bid to establish a caliphate.

Local jihadist leader Rajab Awadhi Ndanjile was killed along with 18 other fighters in an offensive on September 25 on the militants’ base in the Nangade district of Cabo Delgado, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional grouping said.

Many members of the 16-nation bloc have deployed troops in Mozambique to fight the insurgents.

SADC said Ndanjile recruited and indoctrinated fighters and was involved in the first attack in the region and “subsequent attacks on villages” as well as the “abduction of women and children.”

In July, Rwanda sent 1,000 troops to Mozambique, the first country to do so. Several other SADC members followed suit.

South Africa has deployed nearly 1,500 soldiers in the neighboring country.

The insurgency has killed more than 3,300 people — half of them civilians — and displaced at least 800,000 from their homes over the past four years.

Source: Voice of America