Raxio ups capital to $380 million; Cue raises $5 million for AI agents
Weekly News Digest...
Good morning!
Welcome to this week’s Africa AI News email digest!
As usual, lots happening across the continent. South African startups Cue and HyperDev secured fresh investment to expand AI-powered customer service and software deployment; Kenya joined the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), while COMESA advanced plans for a regional AI framework across 21 member states. Across the continent, organisations continued investing in AI talent, with Morocco launching a digital leadership academy for women, and the University of Benin securing support for a new AI centre.
Meanwhile, data centre group Raxio has disclosed a capital increase to $380 million, funding its Africa investment. Tanzania is the next market for the data centre investor/operator, which is expected to go live later this year.
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/Carrington
Data Centres
Raxio passes $380 million in committed capital
#Africa #datacentres – Pan-African operator Raxio Group has surpassed $380 million in committed capital after shareholders Roha and Meridiam increased their equity stakes. The company reported sixfold growth in contracted power during the first half of 2026 as cloud and AI workloads drive demand for larger, higher-density data centres. (Africa AI News)
Startups
Cue raises $5 million for customer-service agents
#SouthAfrica #funding – Cape Town-based Cue raised $5 million in a round co-led by Knife Capital and FAM Investments. Serving more than 500 companies across South Africa and the UK, the platform will invest in autonomous agents, voice infrastructure, security, integrations and international expansion. (African-Startups)
HyperDev secures over $1 million for deployment
#SouthAfrica #funding – South African generative-AI software platform HyperDev raised more than $1 million, reported as R16 million, from RIQ, Loom Ventures and other investors. Announced within three months of launch, the funding will target the gap between AI-generated code and deployed software. (Tech In Africa)
Kuadra to launch Egypt construction AI
#Egypt #construction – Kuadra is preparing to launch Egypt’s first unified AI platform for the construction sector. The platform automates tender analysis, procurement and project management, reducing document processing from days to hours, with future expansion planned into the oil and gas industry. (Daily News Egypt)
Investment
Kenya-France back ventures across six countries
#Kenya #innovation – Kenya and France launched a research-to-venture programme linking AI training, innovation hubs and youth entrepreneurship across six African countries. The initiative includes EUR 1.9 million for African large-language-model development and a pilot involving French Tech Nairobi and Kenyan technology company Qhala. (Ecofin Agency)
COMESA advances regional AI framework
#Africa #Policy – COMESA began consultations on a regional AI strategy, coordinated regulatory framework and digital-inclusion plan for its 21 member states. The process forms part of the World Bank-backed $2.48 billion IDEA programme, with workshops completed in Kenya and Zambia and further consultations planned. (Ecofin Agency)
Telecom
Ethio Telecom and Huawei widen partnership
#Ethiopia #telecom – Ethio Telecom and Huawei expanded their partnership into AI, cloud, cybersecurity, IoT and data centres. They also plan to extend Telebirr beyond mobile payments into business tools, e-commerce, microcredit and cloud services for SMEs, building on its reported 54.84 million users. (Ecofin Agency)
Education
Tomorrow Foundation expands learning in Nigeria
#Nigeria #education – Tomorrow Foundation signed a three-year partnership with Thunderbird School of Global Management and Arizona State University to bring the 100 Million Learners Initiative to Nigeria. The self-paced programme offers up to 40 languages and pathways covering entrepreneurship, leadership and future-ready skills. (IT News Africa)
UNIBEN wins backing for AI centre and research
#Benin #education – The University of Benin has secured major funding commitments through its new Trust Development Fund, including support for an AI Centre, AI curriculum development and ICT infrastructure. Additional pledges cover renewable energy, research facilities and scholarships. (Independent Nigeria)
Morocco launches women’s digital leadership academy
#Morocco #education – Morocco and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have launched the Women’s Leadership Academy for the Digital Era to strengthen digital, leadership and innovation skills. The initiative aims to prepare more women for leadership roles as the country expands AI adoption and digital government services. (Arab Founders)
Policy
Kenya joins global AI cooperation organisation
#Kenya #policy – Kenya has signed the agreement establishing the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), saying it will promote inclusive access to AI as a global public good. The government says the partnership supports its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy and ambitions to become a leading African AI innovation hub. (Tech Review Africa)
Digital Economy
World Bank backs Egypt’s AI transition
#Egypt #digitaleconomy– The World Bank Group has pledged to support Egypt’s digital economy and artificial intelligence ambitions, including broadband expansion and implementation of the country’s second National AI Strategy. Discussions also covered data governance, digital infrastructure, investment, public-private partnerships and AI skills development. (Daily News Egypt)
Gambia central bank launches research initiative
#Gambia #financialservices – The Central Bank of The Gambia has launched a Working Papers and Seminar Series to strengthen evidence-based policymaking and research. The initiative will explore issues including artificial intelligence, data science and digital technology, while fostering collaboration with universities, African central banks and international partners. (The Point)
Egypt expands AI finance training
#Egypt #training – The Central Bank of Egypt has launched the fifth cohort of its Generative AI in Finance programme. Delivered with industry partners, the initiative equips banking professionals with skills in large language models, financial modelling, compliance and digital transformation. (Businessmen Egypt)
Music
Uganda’s AI music boom sparks copyright debate
#Uganda #music – Ugandan musicians are increasingly using AI to write lyrics, compose melodies and speed up production, lowering costs and widening access to professional tools. Artists and legal experts, however, say updated copyright laws are needed to protect creators as AI content becomes more sophisticated. (CGTN)
Space
Namibia and China launch AI satellite project
#Namibia #space – Namibia and China’s STAR VISION have announced a joint AI satellite project to strengthen satellite engineering and space science capabilities. The initiative includes researcher and student training in orbital engineering and supports Namibia’s long-term ambitions in Earth observation and AI-enabled satellite applications. (Space in Africa)
[ This newsletter was both AI edited & human edited ]