News, economies and societies across Africa
Tech
Startups, mobile services and digital classrooms: this section follows how technology is changing lives and businesses across the continent, and which global innovations may reach it next.
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Regional coverage profiles young companies to watch in 2026, the role of startups in driving innovation, the spread of mobile technology and the future of education technology. A broader piece asks how digital tools can support development.
International stories cover light-based internet links from Alphabet’s Taara project, cheaper sodium batteries improved with scandium, the minerals hidden inside every phone and a series on autonomous drones and new naval designs.
Entrepreneurs and investors can start with the startup round-ups; readers interested in infrastructure will get more from the connectivity and battery stories. Everything is written for a general audience, so no technical background is required.
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How startups are driving innovation in africa
How startups are driving innovation in africa: startups are reshaping legacy industries – fintech, agritech, e-commerce and healthtech – by leveraging mobile penetration and a…
The future of education technology in africa
Africa’s education system stands at a crossroads: progress in enrollment masks persistent gaps in access, quality and rural provision that demand immediate policy focus. Core…
How mobile technology is changing lives in africa
How mobile technology is changing lives in africa: the rapid spread of affordable smartphones and expanding mobile networks has made mobile devices the primary gateway…
Africa’s emerging startups to watch in 2026
Moniepoint and TymeBank joined Africa’s unicorn ranks in late 2024 – early 2025, bringing the continent’s total to nine; investors are now prioritising profitability and…
The role of technology in africa’s development
Argue that STISA-2024 set a clear precedent by placing science, technology and innovation at the centre of continental policy, and that STISA-2034 builds on this…
China Reveals Revolutionary Autonomous Drone, Poised to Transform Anti-Submarine Warfare and Enhance Maritime Security
China’s unveiling of the Wing Loong X drone marks a significant leap in autonomous military technology. The drone’s ability to operate for 40 hours enhances…
World’s First Fifth-Generation Submarine Transforms Underwater Warfare, Bringing Unprecedented Change to Global Maritime Security
Saab unveils the A26, the world’s first fifth-generation submarine, revolutionizing naval warfare. A26 boasts enhanced stealth capabilities with advanced hull design and radar-absorbing coatings. Emphasizing…
“They’re Beaming the Internet Through Light”: Alphabet’s Taara Promises Speeds 100 Times Faster Than Starlink (And It’s Already Working)
Taara, from Alphabet’s X lab, offers laser beam data transmission promising speeds 100 times faster than Starlink. The technology provides an affordable and fast internet…
“They’re in Every Phone You Own”: The Hidden Minerals Powering Modern Tech Are Sparking a Global Resource War (And You’ve Never Heard of Them)
Tantalum is vital for miniaturized capacitors in electronics, sourced mainly from ethically complex regions like the Congo. Germanium is a key semiconductor in fiber optics…
“Navies Won’t Need Crews Anymore”: The AIRCAT Bengal MC Unleashes Autonomous Firepower With Tomahawk Missiles and 50-Knot Speed (It’s a Game-Changer)
The AIRCAT Bengal MC introduces a new era in maritime warfare with its autonomous capabilities. Equipped with Tomahawk and Naval Strike Missiles, it enhances operational…
“They’re Not Supposed to Show This”: This Orbital Aircraft Carrier Reveals How the U.S. Plans to Control Space (and no one’s admitting it yet)
The U.S. is advancing its space capabilities with an orbital aircraft carrier project. The carrier provides an unpressurized environment to protect sensitive electronics in space.…
“They Fixed the Weak Spot in Sodium Batteries”: Japanese Scientists Use Scandium to Make Cheaper, Longer-Lasting Energy Storage
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science enhance sodium-ion batteries by adding scandium to improve performance. The addition of scandium addresses the issue of rapid capacity…