Futurize is launching its first annual Fuel Africa Innovation Program from March 17 to 25, 2022. In partnership with AstraZeneca, through the A.Catalyst Network, and Microsoft and co-funded by Bristol Myers Squibb and Famfa Oil. To equip young entrepreneurs with the resources to build high-potential venture ideas and contribute to sustainable development globally.
Fuel Africa 2022 will bring together students and alumni of 12 universities across 7 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to address some of the continent’s most pressing challenges in healthcare. Through a virtual entrepreneurship bootcamp and innovation hackathon competition.
Coding or healthcare experiences are not a requirement to participate in the program. Participants will receive mentorship and hands-on training to build solutions for early-stage business ventures. It is currently focusing on solutions that provide access to healthcare as well as the screening, early diagnosis and optimal management of Non-Communicable Diseases. Winners will get investment money and opportunities to advance their careers.
Participating universities include Amref International University (AMIU), African Leadership University (ALU), Covenant University, JFN Institute of Technology, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ibadan, University of Ghana, University of Lagos, University of Nigeria, University of Capetown, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology and the University of Nairobi.
“Microsoft, through the Africa Transformation Office, is committed to supporting education transformation across Africa with access to learning tools, resources and technology. We look forward to seeing what innovative solutions to pressing concerns these bright minds will develop during the program.”
Yacine Barro Bourgault, Enablement Lead, Africa Transformation Office at Microsoft.
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Microsoft Africa Development Center is organizing a free virtual event as part of its ADC’s user group series themed Azure Developers Connect for Developers and Software Engineers in Africa scheduled to hold on the 24th of February, 2022. Time 3 PM GMT, 4 PM WAT, 5 PM SAT, 6 PM EAT.
The event which would be held virtually is targeted at Azure user groups & communities, developers, engineers, working professionals; Tech communities in West Africa and Kenya in a bid to expose them to the many capabilities of Azure for building next-gen apps and driving global transformation as a developer or software engineer in Africa.
Developers and software engineers would enjoy practical sessions with Top Azure experts, as well as get insights into existing cloud features, they never knew were in existence. Speakers at the event will include Scott Hunter (VP DIR Program Management, Azure Applications, Microsoft), Matt Soucoup (Senior Cloud Advocate, Microsoft), Donald Okafor (Principal Software Engineering Lead, Microsoft ADC), Kehinde Ladipo (Software engineer, Microsoft ADC).
Panel discussions will also feature Adora Nwodo (Software Engineer, Microsoft ADC), Olaitan Adeboye (Software Engineer, Microsoft ADC), Samuel Adranyi (Senior Software Engineer, Mekorma), Frank Odoom (Software Consultant, Accede) and other Microsoft ADC software Engineers.
Topics: – 5 career paths you can explore as an Azure Software Engineer, – How to become a software engineer at the Microsoft ADC, – Leveraging Azure for continuous deployment & integration.
Microsoft Azure is Microsoft’s public cloud computing platform that provides a wide range of cloud services such as computing, analytics, networking, and storage. Microsoft Azure helps developers and software engineers to develop new applications or even upscale existing applications with its various cloud services. The public cloud computing platform is flexible and open which makes it globally recognized to developers and software engineers due to its reliability.
The Azure developers connect event will also serve as a great way for developers and software engineers to network with other Azure professionals in the field.
Developers and Software Engineers in Africa can book their seat by registering with the link https://aka.ms/AzureDevelopersConnect to get in-depth knowledge about exploring the Microsoft Azure Platform and its existing features whilst they prepare to build next-gen apps that would drive global transformations.
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TECNO, the mobile company known for producing entry to mid-range mobile devices for emerging markets like Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Pakistan and India is introducing a premium model device with the announcement of the PHANTOM X. The company is rebranding the Phantom model to represent its premium category for its devices. TECNO has packed in some good specs for the device but how will this compare to existing devices in this range and will it be value for money?
TECNO Phantom X runs on a MediaTek Helio G95 processor, 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB storage. It sports a 6.7-inch display, 90Hz panel, 1080p resolution and Gorilla Glass 5. The phone will come running Android 11 and HIOS 7.6. It will have a 4700 mAh battery capacity that supports 33W fast charging. TECNO says you can get up to 70% when you charge it for 30 minutes.
In terms of pricing, the Phantom X will retail at about $460 – $560. Here are the country-specific prices in the following markets; Ghana – GHS 2795, Nigeria – NGN 228,000, Kenya – KES 49,999. Pakistan – Rs. 69,999, India – ₹18,999 .
TECNO Phantom X Specs
OS – Android 11, HIOS 7.6
Display – 6.70-inch (1080×2340), Super AMOLED Display, 90Hz, 385 ppi
Everything you need to know about the Camera capability and experience
For a premium phone, TECNO says the Phantom X’s main camera has a 50MP Ultra-Nigh camera with ultra-large sensors that support 100 million pixel photo mode. The 48MP front camera sports a 105°Ultra-Wide-angle and 50mm golden portrait mode. It also boasts of a super night mode that lets you get clear and vivid photos at night. But what exactly do you get and what does this mean? Read on to find out especially if you are buying or own one, to maximize the device.
50MP Ultra-Night Camera with 1/1.3-inch Ultra-Large Sensor
With PHANTOM X’s extraordinary camera features, users can become professional photographers producing high-quality photos. PHANTOM X adopts the industry-leading 50MP Ultra-Night Camera with a 1/1.3-inch Ultra-Large Sensor, making it easy to shoot crisp professional photos. With a pixel size of 2.4um in 4-in-1 pixel mode, PHANTOM X’s 50MP camera with 1/1.3-inch ultra-large sensor can take in a 33% more light from the outer environment compared to a camera featuring a 108MP camera with 1/1.5-inch sensor, bringing a wider ISO range and less noise. It also comes with better exposure and detailed reproduction in complex lighting. The ultra-clear image is achieved by decoding the image quality of Re-mosaic, providing ample space for post cropping and re-creation, supporting one hundred million level shooting.
48MP Ultra-clear Selfie Camera with 105°Ultra-Wide Angle
PHANTOM X features a 48MP Ultra-clear Selfie camera offering greater color vibrancy and natural quality when snapping a selfie. Users can have clearer skin textures, sharper facial features, and brighter smiles to capture all their beauty in its glory. Layered with AI to add that extra glimmer and sparkle, every selfie will be picture perfect. Additionally, PHANTOM X will automatically expand the field of view to 105°Ultra-Wide Angle, fitting more in group selfies. Magic to cheese not squeeze with more friends!
Portrait Magician – Magic of 50mm Golden Portrait
As for the important portrait photo performance, PHANTOM X uses a 50mm focal lens to present the Golden Portrait natural images without distortion, capturing and enhancing the quality. By accurate scenery separation and aesthetic spot effect, each portrait is filled with vivid details. Users can also choose seven diversified portrait lighting effects without changing the photo background. Three professional portrait color schemes are provided by PHANTOM X for the skin color needs of different groups, in line with multi-regional aesthetics. And there are more: PHANTOM X uses AI to restore the portraits by automatically learning how to sharpen the fuzzy image taken from less desirable conditions such as low light, sports events, or shaking hands. Be bold to capture the best portrait with PHANTOM X.
Super Night View 3.0 and Super Night Portrait
With the increased 4-in-1 pixel size, PHANTOM X can bring the night alive and capture more than the eye can see. When paired with AI assistance to add those finishing touches, the glow of the city night can be vividly captured from a simple click. And with the meshing of low light HDR and AI, your nightlife snaps will also shine with exuberance. It is your opportunity to capture the beauty of night city scenes with the Super Night View 3.0, and you can have elegant portraits in the glorious night view with the help of the Super Night Portrait.
Even in an extremely dark environment, PHANTOM X can increase the amount of light captured to reveal fine details hidden in the dark. With the powerful Super Night Mode, users can shoot an unexpectedly bright and clear night scene at any time.
Night Video Algorithm and the 960fps Slow Motion
“What should life be like on its best day?” PHANTOM X answers by making its users become video experts. With Night Video Algorithm, users don’t have to worry about those low lighting conditions. The leading Night Video Algorithm enables users to capture ultimate clarity, highly defined colors, and the finest details. In addition, the film mode of PHANTOM X makes it possible to edit your own cinematic films on your hands with different film schemes, whether it is for parties, travel, or business meetings. Even for an exciting fast sports event, the 960fps Slow Motion can help users freeze every fleeting moment just like memories frozen in time. Whether it is for days or nights, dynamics or statics, PHANTOM X records every moment, sharp and clear.
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Microsoft is announcing its partner of the year award winners and here is a list of winning organizations in Africa. The announcement comes ahead of Microsoft Inspire 2021 where it will celebrate exemplary achievements from across its global partner ecosystem. Microsoft Inspire 2021 partner event, is set to take place July 14-15 as a free global digital event.
Microsoft uses the partner award to recognize outstanding accomplishments within its partner community. This year, the company received over four thousand entries from one hundred and thirty countries across fifty-six categories. Microsoft introduced a new category, the Social Impact Award which includes awards for Community Response, Inclusion Changemaker, and Sustainability Changemaker.
Ten partner organizations emerge as award winners in 2021. Cloud Productivity Solutions, Kenya is the only winner from last year to win this year as well. Ghana recorded an award winner for the second year in a row. Senegal for the third year in a row failed to register an award winner. Côte d’Ivoire is back with a winner after failing to register an award winner in 2020. Namibia failed to register a winner this year.
Below are Microsoft Partner Africa winners from the country and region category.
At Microsoft, we believe our partners make more possible. That’s why we recognize exceptional partner contributions.
Microsoft Partner Africa Award Winners country category
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Check out other stories making the news in the technology ecosystem in Africa and the Middle East.
It is a virtual hands-on workshop and will take place from the 3rd to the 7th of May 2021.
The company says its goals are to help participants deepen their technical knowledge and sharpen their interview skills. It will also give them an opportunity to network and interact with Microsoft female software engineers.
Business Program Manager at Microsoft Nigeria, Princess Anya says this workshop is for you if you applied for a software engineering role in a top technology organization and couldn’t get the position.
To participate in the workshop check out the eligibility requirements from the application page. Some are to have a year and above experience in programming, be a resident of Nigeria or Ghana.
Don’t forget to kindly share this with anyone in your network who might benefit from this workshop.
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Microsoft is announcing it has helped over 30 million people in 249 countries and territories acquire digital skills. Out of this, over one million learners across Africa participated in the Microsoft Global Skills program.
The global skills initiative offers free online courses across Microsoft, LinkedIn, and GitHub learning platforms. It seeks to help people, mostly those affected by the pandemic gain in-demand skills to be employable.
Across the Middle East and Africa region, 2.1 million learners have participated in the program. With software development, customer service, project manager and data analysis being the popular learning paths among learners.
The top 10 countries with learners across Africa are South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, Tunisia, Algeria, Ghana, Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Comoros, Sao tome and Principe, Eritrea, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Seychelles and the Central African Republic are countries with less than 500 learners.
To get more Africans to acquire digital skills, Microsoft is also partnering with organizations and governments. Offering additional funding and services to make this possible where this is necessary.
Microsoft is extending the free LinkedIn Learning and Microsoft Learn courses and low-cost certifications that align to 10 of the most in-demand jobs offer through 2021.
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