Category Archives: South Africa
Transforming lives and businesses through digital innovation
When opportunity knocks, some build a shop around it
JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With an MBA in Strategy, Innovation and Emerging Markets from the ESSEC School of Business in Paris, Candace Nkoth Bisseck is an advocate for moving back to Africa to invest her experience in the upliftment of her community.
“Ten years ago, I was in an abusive relationship and decided the only way out was to return to school, change my life and gain financial independence,” says Nkoth. “In 2014 I moved back home to Cameroon from France to run an e-commerce website that gives local merchants a digital platform to sell their products beyond their hometown.”
Nkoth is passionate about leveraging digital innovation to give people access to better economic opportunities. “My team and I had to assist many of our vendors to open an email account and set up their online store on Kaymu.” By 2015, Kaymu (which would go on to become Jumia Market) was one of the most popular online shopping destinations in Cameroon, and as the country manager, Nkoth found herself spending more and more of her time engaging with companies, universities and associations who were looking to learn from her expertise and personal journey.
“Gradually, I realised that what I really wanted to do was mentor people who were interested in using technology as an enabler for improving lives, businesses and communities.”
That same year, she was named #1 on the Forbes Afrique Top 30 under 30 List, and more recently, in 2018 she was selected for the Obama Foundation Leaders: Africa programme.
“Many women want to know how they can make a real difference in the quality of other’s lives,” she says. “I put a lot of focus on mentoring women and encouraging them. I sometimes suffer from imposter syndrome where I don’t believe I am good enough. This is where my relationship with the Obama Foundation is making a huge difference. There are 200 people who hold you accountable and help you move forward when you are paralysed with self-doubt. It is an incredibly positive experience.”
In 2017, Nkoth moved on from the Jumia Group to join the Western African arm of the Stanford Graduate School of Business Seed Transformation Programme, which focuses on empowering business owners in emerging economies using innovation.
beverley.bradley@mslgroup.com
Laura Lucas Magnuson llucasmagnuson@obama.org
NetDragon powers the education industry in Africa with leading technology
ABUJA, Nigeria, Aug. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — A ten-member delegation including NetDragon Websoft Inc. (NetDragon)’s management team led by founder and chairman Liu Dejian, product designers and technical engineers, visited Nigeria and Kenya from August 13 to August 18, 2018. The delegation hosted several events during which they investigated the local education environment and provided exchange opportunities for local educators in a move to leverage NetDragon’s cutting-edge internet technologies to support the development of a smart education industry & ecosystem in the two countries.
The events were attended by Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Minister of State for Education Anthony Gozie Onwuka and Minister of Communications Abdur-Raheem Adebayo Shittu, as well as Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of ICT of Kenya, Joe Wakaba Mucheru and Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Education Amina Chawahir Mohamed, in addition to NetDragon Vice Chairman and Executive Director Dr. Leung Lim Kin Simon, Executive Director Zheng Hui, and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Xiong Li. During the visit, Chairman Liu was named as Nigerian SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) Ambassador , NetDragon and the Nigerian government jointly launched the Initiative of Digital Education in Africa (IDEA).
Prior to the company’s Nigerian visit, senior government officials from Nigeria had been to China. During the tour, officials signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NetDragon, following their introduction and demonstration of educational products and solutions developed by their education subsidiary, Elernity. Details of the MoU included solutions to provide core elements of digital education combining VR, AR, and AI technologies. As a result, both parties are now taking action to implement the MoU, just four months after its signing; with the announcement of the partnership with the joint introduction of IDEA with the Nigerian government signifies the major first step.
Mr. Liu said “the challenge of unbalanced education resources facing the world is reflected in the investment in hardware and the allocation of soft resources. The IDEA concept, jointly developed by NetDragon and the Nigerian government, aims to help students across Africa benefit from the wisdom of a Chinese internet company while providing technology-enhanced education to more children.”
As a key part of IDEA, NetDragon will build a national public service platform of educational resources, a national network platform for the teaching community, a national digital talent training platform and a national future education experience center, all aimed at helping Nigeria create a high-quality education service system. The efforts will focus on primary, lifelong and future education.
NetDragon CEO Xiong Li indicated that the new platforms and center “would promote an educational balance by integrating the company’s years of experience in education and innovation, superior internet technologies and an open ecological teaching model with customized educational resources”. He went on to add, “NetDragon adheres to the United Nation’s Sustainability and Development Goals, to promote e inclusive, quality education and lifelong learning for all.”
In addition to supporting Nigeria’s education service system , NetDragon also signed a collaborative agreement with the Nigerian government to build smart classrooms, preceded by the opening ceremony of the N-Power Junior Smart Classroom Project held in Nigeria on August 14. As part of its efforts in providing Nigeria with access to its education platforms and resources as well as one of its key products, Edmodo, NetDragon plans to make a donation to the smart classroom building project in Nigeria’s capital Abuja.
The N-Power Junior Smart Classroom Project, managed by Nigeria’s National Social Investment Office, is committed to improving local primary and secondary school students’ scientific knowledge and skills in the disciplines of programming, computer graphics and computer-aided design, applications in robotics as well as network and fundamental engineering. The smart classroom donated by NetDragon is to be equipped with Promethean’s interactive displays, 101 PADs and VR headsets, and other components of an integrated intelligent classroom solution.
Following the visit to Nigeria, the delegation arrived at the second stop of their African tour, Kenya, where the company will sign an MoU with the Kenyan government to engage in a collaborative effort to improve the country’s educational system. The MoU marks a milestone in NetDragon’s expansion into the African education market.
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/
Where the wild things learn
Coding, engineering, robotics and tech – the essential skills children need to thrive in the modern world
JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 16, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In 2015, a young software engineer named Faten Ghriss went to the U.S. on an exchange programme and left as a young entrepreneur. She was inspired to build something that would affect real change in her home country of Tunisia when she saw the stark difference in education standards and accessibility between Tunisia and the USA. Ghriss started Young Tunisian Coders Academy and her passion prompted recognition by the Obama Foundation Leaders: Africa programme.
Ghriss explains: “Tunisia is still behind when it comes to education and access to educational tools. In many cases, we only start teaching children about computers when they’re 16 years old and this is too late. I believe that it is essential that we show them how important technology is to their futures, today. It is a powerful tool will provide them with career opportunities and help us solve challenges in our country.”
Young Tunisian Coders Academy teaches children about coding and technology through interactive and engaging courses and training programmes. It aims to take away the fears and negative perceptions that many children in Tunisia have around technology and coding, instead igniting their interest in a positive and engaging environment.
“The Academy directly addresses this issue by providing coding camps for kids which we have taken across Tunisia,” says Ghriss. “We use Scratch, an interactive coding tool that teaches the basics and logics of coding. We have also developed private classes that provide us with the income we need to develop classes for children in areas that cannot afford these classes.”
Young Tunisian Coders Academy has been running for nearly two years and the recognition from the Obama Foundation is pivotal to its growth and expansion. It is an opportunity for Ghriss to learn from her peers and take her business to new levels and into new markets.
“The Obama Foundation helps us to maintain our initiative and is filled with people who support us through networking and partnerships,” concludes Ghriss. “With this level of support and engagement, we believe that anything is possible, that we can take Young Tunisian Coders Academy to even more children in even more areas that need this level of education.”
beverley.bradley@mslgroup.com Laura Lucas Magnuson llucasmagnuson@obama.org
Bombardier poursuit sa pénétration du marché africain avec des Q400 d’occasion
- PassionAir devient le premier exploitant d’avions Bombardier au Ghana avec trois avions Q400
MONTRÉAL, 13 août 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bombardier Avions commerciaux a annoncé aujourd’hui le placement de trois biturbopropulseurs Q400 d’occasion à PassionAir en République du Ghana. La compagnie aérienne a fait l’acquisition de ces avions dans le cadre d’une location sans équipage auprès d’une tierce partie.
« Jusqu’à maintenant, Bombardier a vendu environ 3 500 avions régionaux neufs, et nous demeurons très présents sur le marché des avions d’occasion, a dit David Speirs, vice-président, Gestion des actifs, Bombardier Avions commerciaux. La dynamique que nous avons récemment créée sur le marché mondial des avions d’occasion est une indication claire que nos produits répondent aux besoins croissants des transporteurs aériens régionaux, et ce, surtout dans les marchés émergents. »
« Notre pénétration du marché africain va en s’accroissant et nous sommes heureux d’accueillir PassionAir comme première compagnie aérienne commerciale à exploiter des avions régionaux Bombardier en République du Ghana, a dit Jean-Paul Boutibou, vice-président, Ventes, Moyen-Orient et Afrique, Bombardier Avions commerciaux. L’Afrique est un marché jeune qui connaît la croissance la plus rapide au monde, et les avions régionaux comme le Q400 seront un facteur clé dans le développement économique de ce continent. »
La compagnie aérienne exploitera ses trois avions Q400 selon une configuration à 78 places sur des routes intérieures.
« C’est une première étape, et nous avons hâte d’augmenter notre flotte avec davantage d’avions Bombardier, a dit Edward Annan, chef de la direction, PassionAir. Le Q400 offre la performance et la souplesse nécessaires pour étendre davantage notre réseau. Son autonomie ouvre la voie à de grandes possibilités et nous sommes certains de pouvoir tirer parti d’un marché plus grand, qui s’étend à 12 pays et à plus de 180 millions de passagers potentiels à partir d’Accra. »
À propos de PassionAir
PassionAir est une compagnie aérienne de propriété ghanéenne qui vise à devenir le fournisseur de services aériens le plus concurrentiel au Ghana et en Afrique occidentale. La sécurité et l’excellence du service à la clientèle fondé sur le proverbial accueil ghanéen lui sont prioritaires. Ses gammes de produits, à prix concurrentiels, comprennent les vols réguliers et nolisés exploités selon les normes acceptées sur le plan international.
PassionAir offrira d’abord des vols intérieurs, mais projette à moyen terme d’étendre ses services à la sous-région de l’Afrique occidentale.
À propos de Bombardier
Comptant plus de 69 500 employés répartis entre quatre secteurs d’activité, Bombardier est un leader mondial de l’industrie du transport, créant des avions et des trains novateurs qui changent la donne sur leur marché. Nos produits et nos services offrent des expériences de transport de calibre international qui établissent de nouvelles normes de confort des passagers, d’efficacité énergétique, de fiabilité et de sécurité.
Avec son siège social situé à Montréal, au Canada, Bombardier possède des installations de production et d’ingénierie dans 28 pays, couvrant les secteurs Transport, Avions d’affaires, Avions commerciaux et Aérostructures et Services d’ingénierie. Les actions de Bombardier se négocient à la Bourse de Toronto (BBD). Au cours de l’exercice terminé le 31 décembre 2017, nous avons réalisé un chiffre d’affaires de 16,2 milliards de dollars américains. Vous trouverez nouvelles et information à l’adresse www.bombardier.com ou en nous suivant sur Twitter @Bombardier.
Notes aux rédacteurs
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Source d’information
Nathalie Siphengphet
Chef, Communications et Relations publiques
Bombardier Avions commerciaux
+1 416 375-3030
nathalie.siphengphet@aero.
une photo associée à ce communiqué de presse est disponible à l’adresse suivante : http://www.globenewswire.com/
Bombardier Continues African Market Penetration with Pre-Owned Q400
- PassionAir becomes first Bombardier operator in Ghana with three Q400 aircraft
MONTREAL, Aug. 13, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced today that the company successfully placed three pre-owned Q400 turboprops with PassionAir from the Republic of Ghana. The airline acquired the aircraft through a dry-lease with a third party.
“Bombardier has sold about 3,500 new regional aircraft to date, and we continue to be very active on the used aircraft market.” said David Speirs, Vice President, Asset Management, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “Our recent momentum on the pre-owned aircraft market worldwide is a clear indication that our products are addressing a growing need for regional air transportation, especially in emerging markets.”
“Our market penetration in Africa continues to intensify, and we are pleased to welcome Passion Air as the first commercial airline operating a Bombardier regional aircraft in the Republic of Ghana,” said Jean-Paul Boutibou, Vice President, Sales, Middle East and Africa, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “Africa is the youngest and fastest growing region in the world, and regional aircraft like the Q400 will play a key role in helping advancing Africa’s economic growth.”
The airline will operate the three Q400 aircraft in a 78-seat configuration on domestic routes.
“This is a first step, and we look forward to expanding our fleet with more Bombardier aircraft,” said Edward Annan, Chief Executive Officer, PassionAir. “The Q400 offers the performance and flexibility that we need to further develop our network. With a range that unlocks great opportunities for us, we are confident that we will capitalize on a larger market, which extends to 12 countries and over 180 million potential passengers out of Accra.”
About PassionAir
PassionAir is a Ghanaian owned airline, and aims to become the most competitive Aviation Service Provider in Ghana and West Africa. Our focus is on safety and excellent customer service delivery, depicting the proverbial Ghanaian hospitality. Our product lines range from scheduled to chartered flights offered at internationally accepted standards and competitive prices.
PassionAir as start off, will operate flights domestically, with plans of expanding our services to the West African sub-region in the medium term.
About Bombardier
With over 69,500 employees across four business segments, Bombardier is a global leader in the transportation industry, creating innovative and game-changing planes and trains. Our products and services provide world-class transportation experiences that set new standards in passenger comfort, energy efficiency, reliability and safety.
Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Bombardier has production and engineering sites in 28 countries across the segments of Transportation, Business Aircraft, Commercial Aircraft and Aerostructures and Engineering Services. Bombardier shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, Bombardier posted revenues of $16.2 billion US. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.
Notes to Editors
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Pictures of the Q Series aircraft are available on www.bombardier.com.
For more information about Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, visit http://commercialaircraft.
Bombardier, Q Series, Q400 are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. and its affiliates.
For Information
Nathalie Siphengphet
Head of Communications and Public Relations
Bombardier Commercial Aircraft
+1 416-375-3030
nathalie.siphengphet@aero.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/