may 2024 / vol. 2 issue 5 / an ITP Media Group publication Africa Innovates The tech startups overcoming funding barriers For sponsorship enquiries: Priyanka Pillai Group Commercial Manager edge Middle East T: +971 4 444 3399 M: +971 52 576 0260 E: priyanka.pillai@itp.com For speaking opportunities: Sindhu Kashyap Editor edge Middle East T: +971 4 444 3497 E: sindhu.varadarayan@itp.com For event enquiries: Karishma Vithalani Senior Events Manager T: +971 4 444 3226 E: karishma.vithalani@itp.com Building an AI Frontier REGISTER INTEREST TO ATTEND SCAN TO VISIT WEBSITE itp.events/edgeDigitalFutureForum WEDNESDAY 12 TH JUNE 2024 GROSVENOR HOUSE, DUBAI, UAEedge_may 2024 3 contents may 2024 12 10 22 cover story Africa Unleashed The tech startups overcoming funding barriers 224 edge_may 2024 From Page 28 28 contents 34 other stories AI and sustainability How organisations can balance energy consumption and conservation 34 Gadget Watch 6 amazing gadgets to keep an eye out for 44 Review HP’s Poly Voyager Free 60+ UC 48 “Confluent understood early-stage startups making the initial move to a new technology ”edge_may 2024 5 editor’s letter PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 (0)4 444 3000 Web: www.itp.com Offi ces in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London, Mumbai, Riyadh & Geneva ITP Media Group CEO Ali Akawi Managing Director Alex Reeve Editorial Group Editor Kate-Lynne Wolmarans +971 4 444 3541 / kate.wolmarans@itp.com Editor Sindhu V Kashyap +971 4 444 3497 / sindhu.varadarayan@itp.com Commercial Editor Arya Devi +971 4 444 3175 / arya.devi@itp.com Art Art Director Amjad Ayche Art Editor Tofi q Memon Contributing Designer Muhammed Nahas Advertising Group Commercial Director Anup Nagpurkar +971 4 444 3573 / anup.nagpurkar@itp.com Group Commercial Manager Priyanka Pillai +971 4 444 3399 / priyanka.pillai@itp.com Client Services Manager Cherylann DAbreo +971 4 444 3404 / cherlyann.dabreo@itp.com Photography Videographer Muhammad Kaleem Senior Video Editor Liju Cheruvathur Social Media & Production Manager Andy Ruedas Production Production Manager Denny Kollannoor Production Coordinator Manoj Mahadevan Senior Image Editor Emmalyn Robles Distribution Circulation Executive Rajesh Pillai Distribution Coordinator Avinash Pereira ITP Group CEO Ali Akawi CFO Toby Jay Spencer-Davies Welcome to the May issue of edge! In this issue, I’m excited to dive into Africa’s tech scene. Over recent years, we’ve witnessed a remarkable transformation, with technology in Africa evolving amidst geopolitical and macroeconomic shifts. Our cover story this month delves into this burgeoning landscape. As we increasingly incorporate generative AI (GenAI), sustainability becomes a pressing concern. Like all advancements in AI and tech, it presents both opportunities and challenges. While GenAI’s energy consumption raises alarms, its applications can also empower companies to reduce waste and optimise resources through precise mathematical modelling. We shine a spotlight on the edge Security Leadership Awards, honouring industry leaders and trailblazing companies for their commitment to cybersecurity innovation and excellence. Furthermore, we sit down with Tim Graczewski, Head of Confluent for Startups, to discuss the programme’s objectives and impact. As we journey through the ever- evolving frontier of technology, let’s keep the conversation dynamic and vibrant. Let’s embrace the myriad opportunities ahead while remaining mindful of the profound responsibilities they entail. Stay curious, stay connected! To a secure and safe digital world Sindhu V Kashyap editor Published by and © 2024 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication, which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the readers’ particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair review.6 edge_may 2024 news Geopolitical unrest and ideology differences bring a spike in DDoS hacktivism In its Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Threat Intelligence Report findings, Netscout Systems stated there has been an exemplifying shift in the global security landscape where DDoS hacktivism has transcended geographic borders in the past year. Groups like NoName057(016) and Anonymous Sudan, as well as lone hackers and small collectives, are increasingly using DDoS to target those ideologically opposed to them. For example, Peru saw a 30 per cent increase in attacks. This was tied to the protests of former Peruvian President Fujimori’s release from prison on December 6, 2023. Poland saw a surge at the end of 2023, all associated with a regime change and statements reaffirming Poland’s support of Ukraine in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The social media platform X (previously Twitter) was attacked by Anonymous Sudan to influence Elon Musk regarding Starlink service in Sudan. The same group attacked Telegram for suspending its main channel. NoName057(016), Anonymous Sudan, and Killnet have taken credit for DDoS attacks in Ukraine, Russia, Israel, and Palestine, targeting communications infrastructure, hospitals, and banks. These attacks were primarily targeted by groups towards geographies that had ideological differences. The report states there were seven million DDoS attacks in the second half of 2023, accounting for close to a 15 per cent increase in the first half. There has been a rise in DNS water torture attacks. Daily attacks from hacktivists increased more than ten-fold between the first and second halves of 2023. news bytes Stay in the loop with the latest news and trends from the tech scene Groups like NoName057(016) and Anonymous Sudan, are increasingly using DDoS to target those ideologically opposed to them. CYBERSECURITYedge_may 2024 7 news BUSINESS The partnership announced the opening of Jassor Fund, a technology-focused investment initiative ADQ and Oman Investment Authority launch $180 million tech fund In a move to reshape the technological landscape of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, ADQ, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, has announced the establishment of Jasoor Fund, a technology-focused investment initiative with a staggering capital injection of $180 million. The partnership sees Oman Investment Authority (OIA) represented by ITHCA Group, marking a pivotal step outlined in their comprehensive framework agreement penned in 2022. Jasoor Fund is poised to become a cornerstone for driving digital transformation across the Sultanate of Oman and the wider MENA region. With a keen eye on sectors ripe for disruption, including fintech, edtech, healthtech, cleantech, food and agriculture, and logistics, the fund aims to nurture high- growth technology enterprises. This strategic move is anticipated to catalyse innovation and propel economic growth, emphasising the fund’s core mission of bolstering the region’s digital economy. Establishing a technology-focused fund in collaboration with ADQ heralds a transformative juncture for Oman’s technology sphere. The new data hub will serve as the central repository for all ministry data President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, inaugurated Egypt’s first government data and cloud computing centre. Also known as a data hub, the centre is Egypt’s commitment to advancements it aims to make in information technology. In his speech, Dr Amr Talaat the Minister of Communications and Information Technology said the new data hub will serve as the central repository for all ministry data. The Minister added it will be fortified against all unauthorised access and cyber threats. The president added that the state has spent billions of dollars in ensuring an integrated infrastructure, and this launch is a step forward in Egypt’s technological progress. This centre will also drive the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology across all government operations by offering AI and data analysis applications for decision-making at all levels. The centre will drive the integration of AI across government operations by offering AI and data analysis applications for decision-making at every level. Egypt launches its first data and cloud computing centre CLOUD8 edge_may 2024 news SOCIAL The tech giant’s shares dipped as low as 19 per cent in extended trading Though Mark Zuckerberg started Meta’s earnings call with talk on the newest favourite—artificial intelligence (AI), operating systems, headsets, and glasses, the call focused on the $200 million in market cap wiped out of Meta. The company’s shares dipped as low as 19 per cent in extended trading on April 24th, 2024. This drop was despite the tech giant reporting better-than-expected profit and revenue for the first quarter. On the call, Zuckerberg stated, “It is worth noting we’ve historically seen a lot of volatility in our stock during this phase of our product playbook, where we’re investing in scaling a new product but aren’t yet monetising it.” He focused the call on how the company is bleeding cash but will win in the long term. Close to 98 per cent of Meta’s revenue is generated from digital advertising. Zuckerberg also added that Meta is investigating how current investments can be converted into additional dollars. He emphasised the company’s effort to build a ‘leading AI’ and went on to say that the ways to Meta loses $200 billion in value build a massive business include scaling business messaging and introducing ads or paid content into AI interactions. There was a significant focus on Meta Llama 3, the newest large language model and the recent rollout of Meta AI, the company’s answer to ChatGPT. Meta has also opened access to the operating system that powers its Quest headsets, which Zuckerberg stated will help the mixed reality ecosystem grow faster. Zuckerberg said Meta’s AR glasses are the – “Ideal device for an AI assistant because you can let them see what you see and hear what you hear.” The giant’s Reality Labs unit, which houses the company’s hardware and software for developing the nascent metaverse, continues to bleed cash. Reality Labs reported sales of $440 million for the first quarter and losses of $3.85 billion. The division’s cumulative losses since the end of 2020 have topped $45 billion. Meta’s stock price almost tripled last year and, as of Wednesday’s close, was up 40 per cent in 2024. It reached a record $527.34 in early April.edge_may 2024 9 news Cisco Study: 91% of UAE Companies use AI Technologies in cybersecurity A recent study by Cisco found a significant surge in the use of AI technologies in UAE organisations’ cybersecurity strategies. The study pointed out that 91 per cent of companies in the survey are integrating AI in their security defences, primarily in response, threat detection, and recovery. The 2024 Cisco Cybersecurity Readiness Index was developed in an era of hyperconnectivity and a rapidly evolving threat landscape. The readiness of companies is assessed in the index on five key pillars – AI Fortification, Network Resilience, Identity Intelligence, Cloud Reinforcement, and Machine Trustworthiness. These are comprised of 31 corresponding solutions and capabilities. The study is based on a double-blind survey of more than 8,000 private sector security and business leaders across 30 global markets conducted by an independent third party. The respondents were asked to indicate which of these solutions and capabilities they had deployed and at what stage of deployment. Fady Younes, Managing Director for Cybersecurity at Cisco in the MEA said the importance of proactive cybersecurity measures cannot be overstated. The investment aims to strengthen the collaboration between the two companies. Microsoft invests $1.5 B in Abu Dhabi’s G42 FUNDING The UAE-based artificial intelligence (AI) company G42 has raised $1.5 billion in strategic investment from Microsoft. The investment focuses on strengthening the collaboration between the two companies by bringing the latest Microsoft AI technologies and skilling initiatives to the UAE and other countries worldwide. As part of this expanded partnership, Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, will join the G42 Board of Directors. The investment also enhances UAE’s global AI hub position and provides partners and customers more opportunities. H.H. Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of G42 said “Microsoft’s investment in G42 marks a pivotal moment in our company’s journey of growth and innovation, signifying a strategic alignment of vision and execution between the two organizations. This partnership is a testament to the shared values and aspirations for progress, fostering greater cooperation and synergy globally.” The partnership will also support the development of a skilled and diverse AI workforce and talent pool that will drive innovation and competitiveness for the UAE and broader region with the investment of $1 billion in a development fund for developers. Both G42 and Microsoft aim to collaborate to ensure the benefits of secure AI technologies and cloud capabilities are responsibly shared with growing economies globally. CYBERSECURITY The study pointed out that most companies are integrating AI in their security defences, primarily in response, threat detection, and recoveryNext >