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Applications are now open for the 2026 UNDP Timbuktoo Pan-African MineTech Startup Incubation Programme, an initiative designed to support African startups developing innovative technologies that transform the mining sector
Through the Timbuktoo Pan-African Incubation Network’s new MineTech Hub in Zambia, the programme will identify and support startups building solutions that make mining safer, cleaner, more transparent, and more sustainable across Africa. The first cohort begins in July 2026
Why This Matters
Mining is a critical driver of Africa’s economy, yet the sector continues to face challenges ranging from worker safety and environmental degradation to mineral traceability and financial inclusion. The MineTech Hub seeks to accelerate innovative startups developing technology-driven solutions that improve mining operations while promoting responsible re
Eligibility Criteria
Applications are open to startups that:
• Are based in Africa or are building solutions for African mining markets
• Have a working prototype or Minimum
• Have a committed founding team
• Are solving a real challenge within the mining value chain
Women-led and youth-led startups, as well as founders working in underserved or mining-affected communities, are strongly encouraged to apply
Eligible Innovation Areas
Applications are welcome from startups working in:
• Mine safety technology and workforce protection
• Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) formalization and mechanization
• Mineral traceability and re
• Environmental monitoring and climate resilience
• Lithium-ion battery design and value chain development
• Remote and autonomous mining operations
• Mine dewatering, ventilation, and geotechnical risk management
• Market access, trade, and financial inclusion for mining-related businesses
Programme Benefits
Successful startups will receive:
• Structured incubation through accredited incubators within the Timbuktoo Network
• Mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts
• Access to investors and funding opportunities
• Networking with founders across Africa
• AI-powered guidance and learning re
• Business development support to strengthen investment readiness
Application Deadline
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with new cohorts admitted every three months
The first cohort begins in July 2026
Apply Here
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News
WhatsApp Dumps Use of Phone Number, Introduces Username
Published
1 minute ago
on
June 30, 2026
By
Olusola Blessing
WhatsApp has started rolling out username reservations, introducing a new privacy feature that will allow users to communicate with new contacts without revealing their phone numbers
The reservation process began this week ahead of the feature’s full launch later this year. Users will receive in-app notifications once the option becomes available in their respective countries
The new feature is designed to give users greater control over their privacy by allowing them to create a unique username that others can use to find and contact them, instead of relying on their personal phone number
Explaining the reason behind the update, WhatsApp said many users are uncomfortable sharing their phone numbers, particularly when interacting with people for the first time
“Sharing a phone number can feel like a big step. That’s because a phone number is personal and it’s tied to so many parts of your life. Sometimes you just want to chat without handing over your digits,” the company said
“That’s why we’re introducing usernames for WhatsApp.”
According to the company, username reservations are opening months before the official launch because of WhatsApp’s massive global user base, which now exceeds three billion people
“Starting this week, you can reserve a username to use later this year when we launch this feature. With over three billion people on WhatsApp, a lot of names overlap, which is why we’re opening reservations early so everyone has the opportunity to select the username that matters to them,” WhatsApp said
The platform noted that most users are expected to choose usernames that are known only to people they want to communicate with
To protect users’ privacy, WhatsApp said it will not introduce a public directory or username search suggestions. Anyone wishing to contact a user for the first time must already know that person’s exact username
Once the feature is fully rolled out and activated, first-time contacts, including businesses, will no longer see a user’s phone number unless the user chooses to share it
To provide an additional layer of protection, WhatsApp is also introducing an optional “username key.” The feature requires anyone contacting a user for the first time to enter a unique security key before they can send a message, helping users filter unwanted contacts and reduce spam
The company also announced that creators, organisations and businesses will be able to reserve the same usernames they already use on Instagram or Facebook, allowing them to maintain a consistent identity across Meta’s platforms
For users who do not want to create a username manually, WhatsApp will include a built-in username generator that automatically suggests available options
Users can reserve a username by updating to the latest version of WhatsApp and navigating to Settings, Account, then Username
The feature will be introduced gradually over the coming months, with WhatsApp notifying users when it becomes available in their country or region
The latest update builds on Meta’s broader efforts to transform WhatsApp into more than a messaging platform. Earlier this year, the company introduced new features in the Updates tab, including Channel Subscriptions, Promoted Channels and Status Ads, creating new opportunities for creators, organisations and businesses to grow their audiences and generate revenue
For small businesses and MSMEs, the introduction of usernames could make customer engagement more secure and professional by allowing brands to communicate without exposing personal phone numbers. It also makes it easier for businesses to maintain a consistent digital identity across WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook, helping customers recognise and connect with them while strengthening trust and brand visibility
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Business
British International Investment Channels £1.07bn into African Businesses
Published
14 minutes ago
on
June 30, 2026
By
Olusola Blessing
British International Investment (BII), the United Kingdom’s development finance institution and impact investor, invested £1.07 billion in African businesses in 2025, reinforcing the continent’s position as its largest investment destination
The investment accounted for 59 per cent of BII’s total commitments during the year, reflecting the institution’s continued focus on supporting business growth, job creation and sustainable economic development across Africa
According to figures contained in BII’s 2025 Annual Review, the institution committed a total of £1.8 billion during the year. Of this amount, £1.07 billion was invested in African businesses, while £712 million went to companies in Asia. An additional £40 million was committed to investments in Ukraine
BII also reported a portfolio-level annual return of 3.8 per cent based on a seven-year weighted average and said its investments now support nearly 1,700 companies globally
Managing Director and Head of Africa at BII, Chris Chijiutomi, said the organisation’s latest investments demonstrate its long-standing commitment to Africa’s economic transformation
“BII has been supporting African businesses for nearly eight decades. Our 2025 commitment further underlines our unwavering support to the continent as we continue to focus on supporting the growth of businesses and helping to create quality jobs across the continent,” he said
Climate finance remained a major area of investment, with BII announcing that its climate-related commitments exceeded $1 billion in a single year for the first time. Over the past four years, the institution has invested a total of $3.3 billion in climate finance projects
Among the notable climate investments in 2025 was the Allianz ACE Fund, a blended finance initiative anchored by BII. The fund secured $150 million in commitments from development finance institutions and is expected to mobilise an additional $850 million from private investors
Other major investments included the Gulf of Suez Wind Farm and the Obelisk solar and battery storage project in Egypt, as well as ARC Ride, an electric motorcycle manufacturing and battery-swapping company based in Nairobi, Kenya
The institution said its climate investments span a broad range of projects, including large-scale renewable energy developments and innovative clean mobility businesses that are helping countries transition to lower-carbon economies
Egypt, Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria remain BII’s four largest African markets based on the size of its investment portfolio
As part of its newly launched investment strategy, BII also announced that at least 25 per cent of all new investments will be directed towards frontier markets, particularly countries classified by the United Nations as the world’s least developed economies
Earlier this year, the institution expanded its climate investment ambitions through the launch of British Climate Partners, a £1.1 billion initiative aimed at attracting institutional capital into climate solutions across rapidly growing and coal-dependent economies in Asia
Commenting on the global investment landscape, BII Chair Diana Layfield said development finance institutions must play an even greater role as countries face increasing economic uncertainty, widening inequality and the growing impacts of climate change
“As we conclude our current strategy period and look ahead to the next, it is clear the world in which we operate has become more complex and more demanding of long-term investment
“Financing for development is changing. At the same time, the gap between countries, particularly the most climate- and conflict-vulnerable, is widening. And the urgency of tackling climate change is greater than ever. This context underscores the need for more effective partnerships, greater mobilisation of private capital and investment that delivers sustainable economic growth,” she said
For African startups, MSMEs and growing businesses, BII’s increased investment signals stronger access to long-term financing, particularly in sectors such as renewable energy, manufacturing, technology, infrastructure and climate innovation. The renewed focus on frontier markets could also open new opportunities for businesses operating in underserved economies, while encouraging greater private sector participation in projects that drive sustainable growth and employment across the continent.
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Business
Bauchi Govt, UNICEF Commit N1bn To Tackle Malnutrition, Distribute Therapeutic Food
Published
25 minutes ago
on
June 30, 2026
By
Olusola Blessing
The Bauchi State Government has intensified efforts to combat child malnutrition by expanding its nutrition programme, following growing concerns that rising poverty and inflation are worsening malnutrition among children across the state
Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, said the worsening economic situation has left many families struggling to provide adequate nutrition for their children, prompting the government to strengthen its partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF)
Speaking while briefing journalists on the distribution of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for the treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) among children under five, Dr. Mohammed said the state remains committed to improving healthcare outcomes for women and children through expanded nutrition interventions
He disclosed that the Bauchi State Government contributed N300 million towards the programme, with UNICEF providing a matching grant of another N300 million, bringing the total intervention fund to N600 million for maternal and child nutrition commodities
According to him, the funding enabled the procurement and distribution of 4,842 cartons of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food to Community-Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) centres across the state, where children suffering from severe acute malnutrition are receiving treatment
In addition to the therapeutic food, the state also distributed 15,000 cartons of Small Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (SQLNS), equivalent to about 15 million doses, to vulnerable communities as part of efforts to prevent malnutrition before it becomes severe
Dr. Mohammed said Bauchi was among seven states identified through a federal government survey as having a high burden of malnutrition. He added that the state became the first in Nigeria to commit its own re
“The distribution is ongoing. These supplements are targeted at healthy children who are at risk of malnutrition, helping to prevent them from sliding into severe nutritional deficiencies,” he said
The board chairman also announced ongoing efforts to improve maternal health through the introduction of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) for pregnant women, replacing the conventional iron and folic acid supplements
He explained that the state has integrated MMS into its nutrition programme under the UNICEF-supported initiative and revealed that additional supplies recently cleared at the nation’s ports are already being transported to Bauchi
Although about 30,000 cartons of MMS are currently available, he noted that the quantity is still insufficient to meet the increasing demand from pregnant women across the state
Dr. Mohammed revealed that Bauchi was the first state in Nigeria to pilot the use of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements, recording positive results in two local government areas before extending the programme to all 20 local government areas
“We are scaling up the intervention across all 20 local government areas because the governor considers malnutrition a priority issue, especially given the economic challenges facing many families,” he said
He further disclosed that Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has approved an increase in the state’s nutrition counterpart funding from N300 million to N500 million this year
Once UNICEF provides its expected matching contribution, the total investment in maternal and child nutrition programmes will rise to N1 billion
According to Dr. Mohammed, the increased funding will strengthen the state’s capacity to prevent and manage severe, moderate and mild malnutrition while expanding nutritional support for pregnant women
He noted that Multiple Micronutrient Supplements have gained widespread acceptance among beneficiaries because of their effectiveness in preventing anaemia and improving maternal health outcomes, leading to growing demand across the state
To ensure long-term sustainability, the government is also exploring ways to maintain the availability and affordability of essential nutrition commodities beyond donor-supported interventions
He added that proposals to introduce calcium supplements into maternal healthcare services would undergo national approval processes and evidence-based assessments before implementation
Dr. Mohammed explained that SQLNS plays an important role in preventing anaemia, malaria and malnutrition among children, while Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food remains a vital treatment for children already suffering from severe acute malnutrition
He stressed that improving child nutrition is not only a public health priority but also an investment in the state’s future workforce and economic development
“No nation can prosper if its children are dying from preventable conditions. Children are the future of society, and investing in their health and nutrition is investing in the future of the state and the country,” he said
The expanded nutrition programme is expected to improve child survival rates, reduce the long-term health and economic impact of malnutrition, and strengthen community resilience. It also presents opportunities for businesses involved in food production, healthcare supply chains and nutrition-related services as governments continue to increase investments in public health interventions
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