Latest news with #GIZ
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Raya Holding completes final accelerator cycle in partnership with GIZ, with Raya FutureTECH
10 high-potential startups pitching innovations in logistics, fintech, retail, renewable energy, EVs, and smart mobility Raya Holding provides executive mentorship, commercial collaboration, and investment opportunities through its diverse investment portfolio The Raya-GIZ partnership aims to empower youth and support the digital economy under the framework of the DevelopPPP program Cairo, Egypt: Raya Holding for Financial Investments has officially launched the third and final cycle of its startup accelerator program, Raya FutureTECH, in collaboration with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), under the DevelopPPP program, an initiative by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) designed to foster impactful partnerships between the private sector and development efforts in emerging markets. The Raya FutureTECH accelerator targets startups working in strategic sectors aligned with Raya's areas of operation, including information technology, customer experience, logistics, fintech, retail, clean energy, and smart mobility. The program offers hands-on mentorship from Raya's senior executives, proof of concept creation, opportunities to collaborate with industry leaders, and access to the group's broad expertise and capabilities, helping entrepreneurs move from concept to real-world application and growth. This cycle kicked started in March, and over the past few months, all participating startups have received personalized one-on-one sessions and mentorship from experts at Raya Holding and specialists in their respective fields. The final cycle concludes with a flagship pitching night, where 10 startups will present their innovative solutions to a jury including representatives from Raya Holding, GIZ. Winning startups will receive additional support and potential funding from Raya to continue developing their solutions and scale their impact, further reflecting Raya's commitment to open innovation as a strategic tool for inclusive, sustainable growth. The Investment Readiness Program will support five winners from this cycle, offering both group and one-on-one guidance on financial modeling and valuation, while also connecting startups with potential customers, partners, and investors Ahmed Khalil, CEO of Raya Holding for Financial Investments, stated: "At Raya Holding, we believe that supporting startups is not just a social responsibility, it's a natural extension of our role as an investment company that places innovation at the core of its strategy. We open our doors to visionary founders, offering them the mentorship, collaboration, and even direct investment they need to grow. These new ideas don't just enhance our investment portfolio, they fuel an entire ecosystem of progress. Our investment philosophy is clear: the future belongs to those we empower today." He added, 'While this may be the final cycle within our current partnership with GIZ, the journey of Raya FutureTECH continues. Our commitment to the entrepreneurial ecosystem remains strong, and we will keep supporting the next generation of founders through bold, future-focused initiatives that reflect Raya's role as an active enabler of innovation and growth in Egypt.' Sameh Hammad, Implementing Head of Project at GIZ Egypt, shared, 'GIZ is a strong supporter of private businesses in emerging economies and markets with new technologies. By partnering through programmes like DeveloPPP for jobs, we help these businesses grow, create jobs, and boost economies. Our work with Raya on growth-stage scale-ups is one of three key initiatives to support startups at different stages.' He continued, 'With this programme, we've assisted 34 growing companies in tech sectors like agri-tech, logistics tech, e-commerce, and fintech. We've seen promising ideas from Egypt's startup scene, providing them with technical support, skills development, and networking opportunities. Our aim is to connect them with investment opportunities, helping them thrive and strengthening Egypt's tech and business landscape for the future.' Participating Startups: For Wheelz: A mobility tech platform that integrates real-time vehicle diagnostics, a centralized spare parts marketplace, and InsurTech solutions to reduce breakdowns, costs, and accidents. Tayara: Egypt's first EV-Fleet-as-a-Service platform, transforming delivery fleets with affordable, eco-friendly electric bikes and inclusive rider services. Nanovate: Builds AI-powered chat and voice agents that automate sales, support, and engagement across digital platforms with human-like fluency. Mezatech: Offers integrated retail, repair, refurbishment, and recycling solutions for tech devices, covering the full product lifecycle with dedicated brands. Card-Y: A cross-border virtual payment platform empowering individuals and businesses in Africa with seamless financial freedom. EVRaid: Egypt's first AI-driven EV powertrain manufacturer, developing high-performance, locally produced energy systems for electric vehicles. Oaaps: Simplifies logistics and customs operations by digitizing international trade processes, targeting e-commerce, factories, and global traders. WinFi: A cloud-first Wi-Fi solution enabling businesses to control their networks, gather customer insights, and unlock new engagement channels. TGS (The Green System): Tackles food security and climate change through year-round agricultural technology that ensures efficient, sustainable food production. Meyahh: A digital procurement platform transforming the water treatment supply chain by connecting contractors, distributors, and manufacturers in one ecosystem. Launched in 2020 by Raya Contact Center (RCX), a portfolio company of Raya Holding. Raya FutureTECH joined the Global Accelerator Network (GAN) in 2021, granting Egyptian startups access to one of the world's largest entrepreneurial communities. Since inception, the program has hosted 12 digital webinars, 6 hackathons, and 3 full acceleration cycles, leaving a tangible impact on Egypt's innovation and startup landscape.
Zawya
7 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and partners strengthen Ghana's capacity to monitor and report on women, peace and security commitments through the continental results framework
The ECOWAS Commission, through its Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs (DHSA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection of the Republic of Ghana, successfully hosted a three-day national capacity-building workshop on the Continental Results Framework (CRF) for Women, Peace and Security (WPS) from the 10th to 12th of June 2025, in Accra. The workshop was part of ECOWAS's continued efforts to support Member States in institutionalizing robust, data-driven mechanisms for tracking and reporting on the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and related WPS commitments. It forms part of the broader ECOWAS Peace, Security and Governance (EPSG) Project, co-financed by the European Union and the German Government (BMZ), and implemented by GIZ. Delivering remarks on behalf of Dr Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, the Director, Humanitarian and Social Affairs of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Olatunde Olayemi welcomed participants and reaffirmed the Commission's commitment to inclusive peace and security. 'Ensuring the full-fledged contributions of women is sine qua non,' he noted. He emphasized that ECOWAS's adaptation of the African Union CRF into a simplified regional framework is key to achieving more effective monitoring, implementation, and reporting on WPS across West Africa. Mrs. Josiane Sombo, representing the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), highlighted the role of civil society as co-creators of peace and custodians of accountability. She noted that the CRF is not merely a technical tool; but a moral and political commitment and as civil society, they remain committed to ensuring that evidence-based, inclusive, and collaborative reporting is embedded in WPS monitoring systems. Speaking on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Ms. Paulina Hawkins reiterated Germany's strong support for feminist development cooperation. She highlighted that the workshop represents a vital step in localizing regional frameworks and enhancing national ownership of the WPS agenda. 'For the CRF is not just a reporting mechanism, but a strategic instrument for institutional transformation,' she added. The European Union Delegation to Ghana, represented by Davide Messina, emphasized that the EPSG Project reflects the EU's long-standing partnership with ECOWAS to promote inclusive governance and gender-responsive peacebuilding. He highlighted that the training is more than capacity-building but should be seen as an investment in a stable, peaceful, and prosperous West Africa. Delivering the opening remarks on behalf of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ms. Faustina Acheampong Akua Frempomaa underscored Ghana's leadership in WPS implementation. With the GHANAP II and the Gender Equity Act of 2024, Ghana is setting new standards for institutional accountability. 'This workshop provides a timely opportunity to enhance our national reporting systems and align with regional WPS frameworks,' the representative affirmed. Over 40 participants, including government officials, civil society representatives, security sector personnel, and technical working group members, were trained on the application of the simplified CRF tool and questionnaire. Through participatory sessions and practical exercises, stakeholders strengthened their capacity to monitor WPS indicators, track progress, and contribute meaningfully to Ghana's national and regional WPS reports. The workshop concluded with a renewed commitment to inter-agency collaboration and institutionalizing the CRF within national monitoring and evaluation systems. Ghana joins seven other Member States – Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Benin, Liberia, The Gambia, Senegal and Togo that have hosted similar national CRF trainings as part of ECOWAS's regional strategy to enhance WPS accountability mechanisms. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Zawya
18-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: ACI launches digital platform for industrial waste exchange
AMMAN — The Amman Chamber of Industry (ACI) on Sunday launched a digital platform for industrial waste exchange, the first of its kind in Jordan, in a qualitative step towards promoting circular economy practices and sustainability in the industrial sector. The platform, which was launched with the support of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) through the "Green Activities in Industrial Facilities" project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. It will contribute to transforming environmental challenges into real economic opportunities, said President of the Jordan and Amman Chambers of Industry Fathi Jaghbir, during a meeting at the chamber's headquarters. The platform seeks to stimulate industrial exchange between factories by offering reusable waste as raw materials in other industries, reducing waste, lowering costs and enhancing partnerships between sectors, according to a statement from Amman Industry. For his part, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment, Jihad Alswaier, pointed out that the transition to a green and circular economy has become a strategic and indispensable option for the Kingdom. He added that this transition can only be achieved through a sustainable partnership based on mutual trust between the government and the industrial sector, praising the launch of this waste exchange platform, where waste has become a "recoverable" resource, not a "worthless" waste. "Industrial Waste Exchange" is a digital platform that aims to enable industrial enterprises to display non-hazardous waste resulting from their production processes, and exchange it with other industrial enterprises that can use it as raw materials, thus enhancing industrial cooperation opportunities, achieving economic benefits and saving on waste disposal costs and purchasing raw materials. The platform will also contribute to minimising the environmental impact of industrial activity and stimulate innovation opportunities in the field of recycling and reuse, within an integrated framework of circular economy concepts © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
16-06-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Awards Top 15 Youth-Led Health Innovations Under Bingwa PLUS Programme
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has announced 15 youth-led innovations as winners of the Bingwa PLUS Y-Health Incubator Pitch Competition, marking a significant milestone in empowering Africa's next generation of public health leaders. The competition, held in Abuja, Nigeria, from May 27 -30, 2025 showcased innovative health solutions developed by young African changemakers aged 18–35. The 15 winning projects were selected from 30 finalists, who emerged from an initial pool of 50 pre-screened candidates. The finalists underwent a rigorous six-week self-paced training programme focused on health leadership, project design, communication, resource mobilisation, and monitoring and evaluation. The Bingwa PLUS programme is an extension of the African Union Bingwa Initiative launched in 2022, designed to equip youth with the tools and resources to co-create scalable and sustainable health interventions. Supported by GIZAfrican Union and YouthHub Africa, the initiative reflects Africa CDC's strategic focus on youth empowerment and innovation in public health. During the two-day pitching event, the 30 finalists presented their solutions before a distinguished panel of judges comprising health experts, development partners, and industry leaders. The selected winners will each receive grants ranging from EUR 1,500 to EUR 3,000, alongside tailored mentorship from leading public health and innovation professionals to support implementation over the coming months. 'This event exemplifies the power of youth-led innovation in transforming health landscapes across Africa,' said Dr. Chrys Promesse Kaniki, Africa CDC Senior Technical Officer for Strategic Programmes and Youth Programmes Lead. 'By investing in young leaders and their ideas, we are fostering a new generation of health innovators equipped to tackle Africa's most urgent health challenges.' The winning projects will now enter an intensive implementation phase, with ongoing mentorship and support to scale their impact across communities. Africa CDC and its partners will continue to track progress, document success stories, and promote these solutions through advocacy and technical collaboration. To view the full list of winners, click here: Africa CDC Awards Top 15 Youth-Led Health Innovations Under Bingwa PLUS Programme Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Good to see tribal women's income increasing in short time: Ackermann
German ambassador to India, Philipp Ackermann, who was on his maiden visit to the state, on Wednesday visited mango plantations run by tribal women, a park developed from a closed coal mine, and he had a fruitful meeting with chief minister Hemant Soren. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Talking to Dhrubajyoti Malakar, he shares the experiences of his visit. Excerpts... How was your experience visiting Jharkhand for the first time? A very nice experience, though it was a short one. We went to see this tribal community of women, who started growing mango trees to improve their livelihoods and their prosperity with the help of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). It's heartening to see how strong the women in the tribal communities are and how, in a very short time, they could increase their income. We also went to the Tata Steel coal mine, and we were led around the beautiful park they made out of a dump. We were shown how Tata tries to work with nature and the local populace to reduce the harmful impacts of coal mining. What are the main highlights of your meeting with chief minister Hemant Soren? I had a very good and substantive meeting with the chief minister. He was very good and very intellectual. I was inspired by our discussion. So, it was a full day in Jharkhand. And I will tell you one thing — the chief minister, I don't know whether he knew or not, but he brought the best mangoes for the dessert. I was just over the moon and he gave me a big bag of Malda mangoes. Although the women grew Banganapalle mangoes, he gave me the Malda one. And those were very good. Are you looking forward to visiting Jharkhand again? I will certainly come back. Not only for the mangoes, of course. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now There is a lot to discover in Jharkhand and I would like to come back. I had the nicest impression of a state which was, until now, unknown to me, and I will certainly try to improve my knowledge of Jharkhand. In your keynote address at the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership conversation series, you mentioned that coal mines are transforming into tourism spots in Germany. How do you see Jharkhand's potential in that area? Many coal mines in Germany have been transformed into tourism spots and recreational areas for the local population. Jharkhand also possesses a great potential in that sector. We have seen what the Tata Steel mine did. Migratory birds are coming again to the water basin of the park. Even if the state is still conducting coal mining, a lot of things can be done. I think there are good examples here in Jharkhand.
