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Weekly Update EP:01 Khaya Sithole , MK Election Ruling, ANC Funding, IFP Resurgence & More

Weekly Update EP:01 Khaya Sithole , MK Election Ruling, ANC Funding, IFP Resurgence & More

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    Facebook brings Internet.org Innovation Challenge to Africa

    Facebook is launching the Internet.org Innovation Challenge in Africa, with the aim of recognising developers and entrepreneurs who are using the internet to improve the standard of education and economic health in their communities. Developers across Africa are invited to enter the challenge.
    Facebook brings Internet.org Innovation Challenge to Africa
    ©HONGQI ZHANG via 123RF

    Facebook will present an Innovation Challenge Award of $150,000 to the app, website or service judged to be the best in two categories: learning/education and economic empowerment. Each Innovation Challenge Award winner will also receive a package of tools and services worth up to $60,000 from Facebook's FbStart programme. Two apps, websites or services in each category will receive an Impact Award prize in the amount of $50,000.

    Connecting people across growth economies

    This follows the success of Facebook's Internet.org Innovation Challenge in India, an award designed to recognise people making the internet more relevant for women, students, farmers and migrant workers in India. Facebook awarded prizes to services working on these challenges in India, where it was inspiring to see the range of entrepreneurship devoted to improving people's lives.

    "The Internet.org Innovation Challenge in Africa supports our vision of a connected world by recognising those who are working on solutions that aim to improve education and economic health of communities in Africa," says Ime Archibong, director of strategic partnerships at Facebook. "We're looking forward to seeing how African developers are providing real value for their communities. By connecting people and empowering them with access to services and information, we can help them achieve extraordinary things and help them to enhance their lives."

    The details of the awards

    The awards are open to developers of apps, websites and online services that provide real value to African communities under the following pillars:

      • Learning/education - apps, websites or online services that make use of technology to inspire and deliver learning• Economic empowerment - apps, websites or online services that help to advance the economic strength and ability of communities

    All entries must be received by 1 May 2016. Winners will be announced in August/September 2016.

    Source: African Press Organisation

    APO is the sole press release wire in Africa, and the global leader in media relations related to Africa. With headquarters in Dakar, Senegal, APO owns a media database of over 150,000 contacts and the main Africa-related news online community.

    Go to: www.bizcommunity.com/PressOffice.aspx?cn=apogroup
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