Meta's $220M Nigerian fine, CrowdStrike's Outage, Africa Powers Up 💡

Let’s get into the latest stories that are taking the continent by storm right now.


Per usual, we're always on the lookout for the latest tech and innovation trends and developments to keep you informed and ahead of the curve.


New to our community? Welcome aboard! 🧑🏾‍✈️ Whether you've been here since day one or are just joining us, your support means the world.
Join the MTS community 🧡 ()

Now let’s get down to business!

#ICYMI, here is the July weekly round-up

In a nutshell:
* CrowdStrike update caused global outage, affecting different systems
* Association of Fintechs in Kenya partner with Africa Fintech Summit to advance
continental fintech innovation
* KenGen to add 42.5MW of solar energy in Seven Forks dam
* Nigeria fines Meta $220 million for violating data privacy laws
* Cameroon secures $38 million for digital transformation initiatives
* Upcoming events & MTS updates

CrowdStrike update caused global outage, affecting different systems

The recent software update from CrowdStrike, an independent cybersecurity corporation, had various negative impacts were felt across numerous sectors around the world.

The update caused a global outage that happened on July 18, 2024 affecting services of global cloud providers like Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and Amazon Web Services (AWS) which in return caused problems in the daily routines of many individuals.

Major banks, media and airlines were affected by the major IT outage.

In a public statement, Crowdstrike founder and CEO George Kurtz noted that the outage was not a cyberattack but a flaw found in a Falcon content update for Windows hosts.

“We quickly identified the issue in a Falcon content update for Windows hosts as Mac and Linux was not affected and our highest priority is to diligently restore our customers' systems by working closely with impacted customers and partners,” he said.

The outage issue did not affect sensor systems that CrowdStrike offers like Falcon Complete and Falcon OverWatch services.

“CrowdStrike is operating normally and this problem has not affected our Falcon platform systems. This occurrence has made us take necessary measures to prevent anything like this in the future from happening.” Kurtz said.

Reinforcements and solutions were put in place by CrowdStrike, Microsoft Azure, GCP and AWS to ensure that the systems were brought back online.

These included distributing experts at Microsoft to work closely with customers for restoration of services, updating customers by establishing ongoing conversations with CrowdStrike that lead to creation of awareness.

Microsoft Azure Enterprise and OS Security VP, David Weston teamed up with AWS and GCP to develop scalable solutions for the CrowdStrike malfunctioned update.

“We are working round the clock to fix the CrowdStrike outage and by doing so we are collaborating with AWS and GCP to provide the most effective approach. Additionally CrowdStrike has helped us come up with a resolution that will help Microsoft’s Azure infrastructure.” Kurtz said.

According to online statistics, nearly 8.5 million Windows devices or less than one percent of all Windows machines were affected by the flawed CrowdStrike software update.

This caused ripple effects in providing critical services in the economic and social sectors. The incident highlighted the importance of coordination between global cloud providers, software platforms, security vendors and customers.

Association of Fintechs in Kenya partner with Africa Fintech Summit to advance
continental fintech innovation

The Association of Fintechs in Kenya (AFIK) is pleased to announce its strategic partnership with the Africa Fintech Summit (https://africafintechsummit.com/event/africa-fintech-summit-nairobi-2024/) (AFTS) 2024 with an aim to advance fintech innovation, foster growth and create new opportunities for key players across the continent’s financial tech landscape.

AFTS 2024 is a premier event bringing together issues, entrepreneurs, and opportunities revolutionising finance in Africa to the world’s stage.

The event will be held on September 4-6, 2024 at the JW Marriot in Nairobi.

As a partner, AFIK will play a pivotal role in shaping the summit’s agenda, ensuring that key topics and challenges faced by the fintech community in Kenya and Africa are addressed.

AFN VP-EA and Chairman of the AFIK board Said Ali Hussein Kassim expressed excitement on the partnership adding that the collaboration aligns with their mission to drive fintech innovation and create a thriving ecosystem in Kenya.

“By joining forces with AFTS, we can amplify our efforts to make financial services more accessible and inclusive,” he said.

The partnership aims to highlight the innovative work being done within Kenya’s fintech sector, provide a unique opportunity for fintechs to connect with industry leaders, regulators and potential investors, gain exclusive access to the latest insights, trends, and technological advancements in the fintech industry, as well as access to the accelerator pitch competition.

All these seek to create a conducive environment for fintech innovation while ensuring sustainable development within the sector.

Kassim said the event presents a warming opportunity to collaborate with one of the premier financial technology associations in East Africa.

“We are confident that this partnership affords Fintechs, Banks, Regulators, Stakeholders, and Financial Institutions on the continent a great platform to extend their reach, explore expansion and growth opportunities in the sub-region, connect with other African and global players, and access detailed knowledge sharing that has been critical to the growth of the industry over the last 11 summits,” he added.

“We are keen to welcome members of AFIK to the 12th Africa Fintech Summit, and even more importantly, spotlight the towering progress and growth that Kenya’s Fintech ecosystem has offered to the collective African technology Landscape. To this we say, Karibu.”

Founded in 2021 by a team of experienced fintech professionals, AFIK is dedicated to spearheading digital innovation within Kenya’s financial sector.

Recognising the transformative potential of financial technology, AFIK brings together a diverse group of fintech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, companies, investors, and policymakers to create a unified platform for collaboration and progress.

Its mission is to empower members and the broader fintech community to harness the power of digital technology, making financial services more accessible, convenient, and inclusive for all Kenyan citizens.

“In line with our theme for the year, Fintech in Every Industry, we will be focusing on Fintech’s role in Climate Solutions, cross-border trade, e-commerce, mobile money & digital banking, Fintech powering digital health, agricultural technology, mining and economic prosperity as well as investments under AfCFTA,” Africa Fintech Summit CEO Zekarias Amsalu said.

Nigeria fines Meta $220 million for violating data privacy laws

On July 19, Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) accused the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, Meta for violating antitrust, data protection and consumer rights laws.

The tech giant was issued a fine of $220 million by Nigeria after investigations carried out in conjuction with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission between Mat 2021 and December 2023 found multiple and repeated violations of the country’s data protection and consumer rights laws on Facebook and WhatsApp.

FCCPC CEO, Adamu Abdullahi said Meta abused its market influence by sharing Nigerians’ personal information without their consent and denying them a right to determine how their personal information is used.

“After inspecting Meta for 38 months, the commission found that Meta participated in invading the personal data of Nigerians. This is exploiting the Nigerian consumers and its market.” Abdullahi said.

“Being aware of the investigation, Meta proposed a ‘remedy package’ however it fell short of the demands made by the commission. Therefore we order Meta to stop any future actions that do not meet national applicable standards.”

Nigeria being one of the most populous countries in Africa  with a population of 200 million, statistics show it has over 164 million active internet users who use popular social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp to connect with one another.

Communication Minister Bosun Tijani stated that around three quarters of Nigerians under the age of 24 commonly use Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp that has over 51 million users.

Meta has not only been accused by the government of Nigeria but also the European Union (EU)  for introducing a paid ad- free option that goes against the digital regulations of the bloc.

The non-compliance, Digital Markets Act (DMA) passed on March 25 ensured that the tech firms provided its users a fair digital environment by creating more options.

Facebook and Instagram forced its users to make payments to avoid their personal information being sold or compromised to continue using the app for free.

Under the DMA, a company's total global turnover can be imposed a fine of 10 per cent or 20 per cent if it repeatedly fails to uphold the law. Meta risks losing billions if found guilty by the EU executive arm.

KenGen to add 42.5MW of solar energy in Seven Forks dam

Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) is set to add 42.5MW of solar energy to the national grid by 2027 in a move to scale up Kenya’s green energy deployment.

The installation of the solar power plant will be done in the home of the Seven Forks dam where KenGen generates most of its hydroelectricity.

The plant will become the country’s second largest solar plant, behind the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation developed 54.65 MW Garissa solar power plant.

KenGen noted that the additional capacity will not only scale up renewable energy but also cushion Kenyans against the rising cost of power.

This, it said, will complement the hydroelectricity generation during the day and save water for electricity generation at night, especially during drought.

The project is being implemented in partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD) with an aim to deliver more renewable energy to the national grid.

The signing ceremony was attended by State Department of Energy PS Alex Wachira, KenGen MD and CEO Peter Njenga, French ambassador to Kenya Arnaud Suquet and AFD country director Bertrand Willocquet.

On his part, Willocquet said France is keen on partnering with Kenya in the deployment of renewable energy to stem climate change.

“Kenya has shown its prowess as demonstrated in the Olkaria Geothermal Field and the Seven Forks area,” he said.

PS Wachira welcomed the move stating that it is a big win for Kenya.

“The project will provide affordable, reliable, clean energy, create employment opportunities and community engagement through CSR. Indeed, Kenya and France have enjoyed long standing cordial relations, especially in the energy sector and this cooperation continues to advance our energy infrastructure for the benefit of the great people of Kenya,” he said.

KenGen MD Njenga noted that the partnership is timely adding that the company was working to scale up its renewable energy capacity by increasing additional electricity drawn from clean sources, moving Kenya towards a 100 per cent energy transition.

“We have made significant progress towards this goal and our partnership with AFD has been instrumental in achieving this great milestone. We are now ready to develop our 42.5 MW solar power project, adding more renewable energy to the national grid within 28 months,” he said.

“This project is going to complement hydro during the day when the sun’s intensity will be high especially during the dry season. That way we can conserve water for power generation mostly at night.”

Cameroon secures $38 million for digital transformation initiatives

Cameroon has secured a financial partnership with South Korea, amounting to XAF 23.21 billion (approximately $38 million) to fund five developmental initiatives, with a strong emphasis on digital transformation within the nation.

According to online reports, Economy, Planning and Regional Development Minister Alamine Ousmane Mey confirmed the allocation of a portion of these funds to the subsequent phase of a critical project aimed at enhancing and digitising Cameroon’s civil status registration system.

Of the total funding, $4.8 million is earmarked for the establishment of a robust and secure foundational identity system across Cameroon.

This investment is expected to lay the groundwork for a more reliable and accessible civil identification infrastructure.

The “e-Procurement System Development Project” in Cameroon, which is focused on transitioning the public contracts procurement system to a digital platform, is also set to receive a boost from this agreement.

An allocation of $5.6 million will be dedicated to the project’s second phase, with an aim to streamline procurement processes and improve both transparency and efficiency in the system.

Mey also highlighted the inclusion of a “Smart Campus” initiative, which is set to receive $8 million to advance digital governance within public administration and to modernise the delivery of public services, aligning with the country’s broader digital government strategies.

In 2018, Cameroon embarked on a master plan for the digitalisation of the civil registration system, which is part of the broader Strategic Plan for the Rehabilitation of Civil Registration in Cameroon spanning from 2018 to 2022.

“Under this Master Plan, an interface has been established to link the civil status system with other critical sectors,” the report read.

“These include the national identity agency, and the ministries of justice, transport, and health.”

“Additionally, a pilothttps://www.biometricupdate.com/202302/free-to-use-civil-registration-system-opencrvs-adds-features-configurationproject utilising the OpenCRVS  platform for birth registration has been successfully completed in 20 municipal councils across Cameroon, marking a significant milestone in the country’s digitization efforts.”

The “Support Program for the Modernization of the Civil Registration System” (PAMEC) in Cameroon is a significant initiative that has garnered international support, notably from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).

Moreover, these agencies have provided financial backing and expertise to assist Cameroon in its efforts to overhaul and modernise its civil registration system.

In August 2022, Cameroon secured a grant agreement of 1.683 billion FCFA (approximately $2.8 million), dedicated to enhancing the country’s National Civil Status System.

In a move to bolster this initiative, the reports added that this financial support is a testament to the international community’s commitment to aiding Cameroon in addressing its systemic challenges.

They further noted that historically, Cameroon’s civil registration system has faced significant hurdles in accurately recording vital events such as births and deaths.

Statistics indicate that only about half of all births are documented, and the registration of deaths is even less common.

“This inadequate documentation has far-reaching consequences for individuals, often leading to their exclusion from critical services and civic participation. Without birth certificates, many are denied access to formal education, healthcare services, the ability to travel legally, participate in voting, and the opportunity to open bank accounts or own property.”

The PAMEC project plays a crucial role towards rectifying these issues, aiming to create a more inclusive and functional civil registration system that can reliably document these essential life events and, by extension, protect the rights and improve the lives of Cameroon’s citizens.


** OPPORTUNITIES & UPCOMING EVENTS
------------------------------------------------------------

Antler Nairobi is looking to invest $2M into early-stage startups over the next 6 months.

Antler (https://www.antler.co/) Nairobi, a branch of the global early-stage VC firm, plans to invest $2 million in early-stage startups over the next six months. The firm seeks 10 ambitious teams or companies, each to receive a $200,000 investment.

Antler Nairobi is particularly interested in ventures:
* Addressing significant problems
* Developing tech or tech-enabled solutions
* Building from East Africa

If you happen to know any founders or entrepreneurs who would be excited about this, please share!

Antler, present in 30 cities globally, invests from "day zero" and offers long-term partnership with follow-on funding up to $10 million for growth-stage startups at Series A and beyond.

Interested entrepreneurs can apply through the link below 👇🏾
Apply for the Antler program here (http://antler.co/apply)

Mullahacks 1.0

Date: August 9-10, 2024

Time: 09:00 am-18:00 pm

Venue: Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Lang’ata
LINK (https://paydexp.com/mullahacks)

Kenya Internet Summit and Awards

Date: August 14-15, 2024

Time: 07:30 am - 18:30 pm

Venue: Hyatt Regency, Westlands
LINK (https://forum.kenic.or.ke/)

Kenya Internet Governance Forum (KIGF) 2024

Date: August 1, 2024

Time: 08:00 am - 20:00 pm

Venue: Edge Convention Centre, South C
LINK (https://kigf.or.ke/)


** The My Tech Story Africa Podcast is live!
------------------------------------------------------------

Season 3 of the MTS Africa podcast (https://linktr.ee/mytechstoryafrica) is currently ongoing! Tune in every Wednesday at 11:00 am EAT and make sure to subscribe so that you don’t miss out.

The latest episode featured the talented & inspiring Alison Eyo at Rayna UI (https://www.raynaui.com/) , a top design system known for creating stunning and user-friendly interfaces.

Discover why actually doing design work (not just watching videos) is key to mastering the craft. Learn how being curious and asking the right questions can supercharge your design decisions.
Watch the full episode 🧡 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRLylThK5Us)


** Get Your Tech On: Monthly Roundtable Discussions
------------------------------------------------------------

Just like our monthly newsletter tech roundups, we've also recently launched a new monthly tech roundtable series where we bring together industry leaders for in-depth discussions.


Our latest episode featured Dominic Mulinda, Head of Product at HoneyCoin, and Evans Munene, Software Engineer at Google. They shared their expertise on a wide range of topics, including:
* Kenya's Gen Z Digital Era
* Xbox One vs. Game Pass
* Digital ID Systems for Babies
* MTN's Adoption of an OpenAPI System in Nigeria
* …and much more

Curious to hear their insights? You have three options:
1. Watch the full episode on our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@MyTechStoryAfrica)
2. Listen to the podcast on audio platforms (https://linktr.ee/mytechstoryafrica)
3. Click the link below 👇🏾

Listen to the Tech Roundtable episode 🧡 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9ndpYrlySI)

That’s all for now folks!

Feel like we missed something? Or you’d like to engage with us? We’d love to hear from you!

Here’s how you can stay connected:
* 📩 Connect with us on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-tech-story-africa/?viewAsMember=true)
* 📸 Find us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mytechstoryafrica/)
* 🎧 Listen on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@MyTechStoryAfrica) & Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/5B5vXDpOCeVDIjj8dcD130?si=b3402b33d7064cb0)
* 🤝 Partner with My Tech Story Africa (mailto:mytechstory.ea@gmail.com?subject=&body=)

Yours Truly,

Charity Wanjugu & Melinda Kirwa
Logo

Copyright (C) *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*. All rights reserved.
*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|**|LIST:DESCRIPTION|**|END:IF|*

Our mailing address is:
*|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|**|LIST_ADDRESS|**|END:IF|*

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences (*|UPDATE_PROFILE|*) or unsubscribe (*|UNSUB|*)
http://eepurl.com/iLpBT-