Vodafone Considers Selling Ghana Unit, Bezos Steps Down as Amazon CEO, and Myanmar Military Blocks Facebook

Africa

Binance announces $1m African developer’s fund

Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, has announced a $1million fund to help African developers build apps on the Binance Smart Chains. Developers on the continent get to also benefit from an 8-week training course to help them build DApps on Binance’s network.

Vodafone considers selling its Ghana unit

Vodafone might be looking to sell off its Ghana unit as part of a restructuring process. Reports indicate it is likely to sell its 70% stake to its African subsidiary, Vodacom.

AgroCenta raises $790k in funding

Ghanaian digital food distribution firm AgroCenta has secured a $790,000 in a Pre-Series A round involving the UK Charity Shell Foundation. Other investors include the Rabo Foundation, AV Ventures, and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Europe

Ofcom wants broadband change to be hassle-free

UK’s communications watchdog, Ofcom, wants switching between broadband services to be simpler. Under new proposals, a user should be able to automatically switch up by contacting a new provider.

TikTok to block Italians under 13 years from its app

TikTok has agreed with Italian authorities to block all kids under 13 years from accessing its app. This came after a 10-year-old girl died while engaging in a breath-holding challenge she found on the app.

Sweden’s Embracer buys splashes $2.5bn on gaming firms

Swedish gaming company has acquired three more firms in a $2.5 billion deal. The three firms are Gearbox, Easybrain, and Aspyr Media Inc. Payment for Gearbox includes performance-induced commitments.

The Americas

Jeff Bezos steps down from Amazon

Jeff Bezos has stepped down as Amazon CEO after nearly 30 years in charge. He will become the company’s new Exec Chairman and will be replaced by Andy Jassy.

Starship prototype crash-lands again

SpaceX’s Starship prototype crash-landed after it had ascended some six miles into the air in a short test. It was the second test of the Starship prototypes after another of the unmanned spacecraft failed a successful land in January.

Robinhood lifts trading restrictions on GameStop

Online brokerage app Robinhood has lifted trading restrictions on all stocks including GameStop. The online app had halted trading on a number of apps after deposit demands by regulators increased ten-fold.

Asia

Myanmar military block Facebook

Myanmar’s military have blocked access to Facebook days after they overthrew its government. The military say blocking the social media – which is the only internet access to many – will promote stability.

China bans children’s use of mobile phones in school

China’s Ministry of Education has banned the use of mobile phones in school by children in a bid to save their eyesight, boost concentration, and prevent addiction. Children will need parent’s consent to use their phones in school.

China’s Ant Group agrees with regulators on restructuring plan

Ant Group Co has reportedly reached an agreement with Chinese regulators to become a financial holding company and hive off trove of credit data. The new restructured firm could be on track for another IPO within the next two years, it was said.