Disney to develop children’s programmes in East Africa

The Walt Disney Company will develop and implement educational entertainment and outreach programmes in East Africa with local partner WildlifeDirect and US government agencies. The collaboration will develop and distribute children’s programme National Geographic Kids Africa. The 26-part television series will be shot primarily in East

Africa with additional filming in West and Southern Africa. Kenya-based WildlifeDirect will collaborate on research and creative approaches. It will be produced entirely by African storytellers, with a commitment to showcasing African stories of leadership, expertise and conservation.

Kenya and South Africa sign eight bilateral deals

Kenya and South Africa have signed eight bilateral agreements in areas including transport, health, diplomatic consultations, training, tourism and migration. The signing of the agreements took place during talks between Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Other deals include a Bilateral Air Services Agreement and agreements on government printing works and the return of nationals refused entry and illegal entrants.

Kenyan fintech Asilimia raises $2m to expand in East Africa

Asilimia, a Nairobi-based startup that is building digital infrastructure to connect African MSMEs to the formal financial economy, has raised $2m to grow its team, deliver new services and expand into new markets in East Africa. The startup raised $1m in pre-seed funding from a wide range of investors, including Fredrik Jung Abbou (co-founder of Kry and Lendo), Norrsken Impact Accelerator and other European funders. It also raised $1m in a debt round that included Bpifrance and GreenTec Capital Partners. The firm’s digital platform formalises payments, revenue collection and accounting for business owners.

Engie acquires stake in South African CSP project

French energy firm

Engie has completed the acquisition of Abengoa’s indirect stake in the Xina Solar One Concentrated

Solar Power (CSP) plant in South Africa. The Xina Solar One plant, located at Pofadder in the Northern Cape, provides approximately 400 GWh of clean electrical energy to 95,000 South African households. Following completion of the transaction, Engie will hold a 40% equity stake in the Xina Solar One plant, as well as 46% of the Xina Operations and Maintenance Company (Pty) Ltd. Engie will have a total installed capacity of 1,320 MW in South Africa.