Plug and Play Africa

🌟 Calling all #Fintech Startups in Africa! 🌟 We're excited to announce that applications are now open for the 3rd Cohort of the Visa Accelerator Program - Africa! 🌍 🚀 Are you a disruptor with bold ideas ready to transform the Fintech space in Africa? This is your moment to shine! Join our accelerator for its third edition to unlock unparalleled resources, receive mentorship from industry leaders, and seize investment opportunities that can supercharge your growth! 💼 💡 💥 Apply today: https://lnkd.in/dwF4t96y #PNPTCFintech

At Plug and Play, we are deeply saddened by the passing of Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Fatima Zohra, the beloved mother of King Mohammed VI of Morocco. Our thoughts and prayers are with His Majesty, the Royal Family, and the people of Morocco during this difficult time. May her soul rest in peace, and may her memory bring comfort and strength to all who mourn her loss. ببالغ الحزن وعظيم التأثر، تلقينا نبأ وفاة صاحبة السمو الملكي الأميرة للا لطيفة، والدة صاحب الجلالة الملك محمد السادس، نصره الله وأيده، إلى عفو الله ورحمته. باسم جميع أعضاء و أطر Plug and Play، نتقدم بأحر التعازي إلى صاحب الجلالة الملك محمد السادس وكافة الأسرة الملكية. في هذه اللحظات العصيبة، نسأل الله تعالى أن يتغمد الفقيدة بواسع رحمته ويسكنها فسيح جناته، وأن يلهم صاحب الجلالة الملك وكافة الأسرة الملكية الصبر والسلوان. حفظ الله جلالته وأطال في عمره. إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون. #PNPTCMorocco Ministry of Industry and Trade - Morocco UM6P - Mohammed VI Polytechnic University Moroccan Retail tech Builder STARTGATE

🌍 Calling all startup visionaries! The UN Tourism Artificial Intelligence Global Startup Competition is now open for applications! 🕐 The deadline for applications is July 31st. Apply here: https://pnptc.in/3Xx1ZQN 🎯 We're looking for AI-driven solutions that have the potential to reshape the tourism landscape and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 🚀 What's in it for you? Get ready to pitch at the UN Tourism Demo Day, enjoy a 2-month acceleration program at SPARK, join the UN Tourism Innovation Network, and become part of the Plug and Play ecosystem by entering their Playbook platform and joining their Silicon Valley Summit. Plus, potential pilot project collaborations and networking opportunities await! 🤝Program benefits include curated mentorship, scholarships, travel and accommodation to pitch at the UN Tourism Demo Day, and access to the TUI Female Future Shaper Bootcamp (if applicable). Check the website for more information on benefits. 🔎 This program is for early-stage or Series A startups focusing on sustainability and scalability with a tested pilot and solid business plan. Open to all industries and geographies. 💡 Your contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals, potential business impact, maturity of the product/technology and team, and partnership readiness are key evaluation criteria. 💼 Steer tourism towards a future that is sustainable, inclusive, and aligned with the aspirations of a better world. #callforstartups #SustainableTourism #AIinTourism #TravelTech UN Tourism Academy

As we get closer to the application deadline for the UN Tourism Women in Tech Startup Competition, we would like to invite you to the online information session taking place on June 25th at 3 PM KSA time. Find out more here https://pnptc.in/3Xujhy5 This program offers a unique opportunity for idea stage, early stage, or at Series A startups, that are using technology in a way that's relevant to sustainable tourism. Join us in the webinar, where you will learn about the program benefits and selection criteria #PNPTCTourism #WomenInTech #SustainableTourism #callforstartups #TravelTech UN Tourism Academy

Cairo-based fintech Sahl has secured $6M in Series A and Seed funding to fuel its expansion as a one-stop payment platform for utility bills. 🌍 Part of our Visa Accelerator Program, Sahl is reinventing the way people handle their day-to-day finances. The app, one of the few in Egypt to directly integrate with government entities, leverages NFC technology to provide users with a seamless experience, allowing payments for over 50 services, including electricity, gas, water, and mobile, all in one place. The company is set to enhance its offering and broaden its reach the KSA and the UAE. Congrats Abdullah Assal, Ibrahim Assal, Ahmed Othman and team! 🤩🚀 Learn more about the round, led by Ayady Egypt with participation from Egypt Pay, El-Delta Electronic Systems , and E-Finance. 👉 https://lnkd.in/erCvTAv4

🎙️ Assessing the VC & Startup Support landscape in Morocco Our Morocco PM, Sarina Amini joined Medi1TV's Khadija Ihsane to discuss the current state of venture capital and startup support in Morocco. As part of the discussion, Sarina shared insights on the local startup landscape, shedding light our approach to finding, funding, and enabling local ventures. 🌍 A link to the full episode is available in the comments section ⬇️

📣 Attention, women-led startups! 🌍 There's one month left to apply to the second edition of the UN Tourism Women in Tech Startup Competition 🚀 If your startup is in the idea stage, early stage, or at Series A, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Get the chance to compete for financial and in-kind support, connect with investors, and gain invaluable exposure. Check all the details and find the application form on this page https://pnptc.in/4a9VfLx Apply now and join us in making the tourism sector more sustainable while empowering women in tech. 💪 #PNPTCTourism #WomenInTech #SustainableTourism #callforstartups UN Tourism Academy

GITEX AFRICA 2024 Recap: Forging new partnerships, connecting with new and old friends, and celebrating tech & innovation in Morocco! 🇲🇦 🤝 Plug and Play Morocco signed an MOU for a strategic partnership with the Ministère de la Transition Numérique et de la Réforme de l'Administration and TECHNOPARK Maroc (MITC) to continue supporting the local startup scene and further enhance our offering in the region. 🇪🇬 Our Egypt Director, Karima El Hakim, took part in three standout panels: Discussing how Africa and the Middle East's hyper-growing tech leaders are preparing for IPO, alongside Salman Butt, founder and CEO of unicorn Salla E-Commerce Platform, and Egypt’s giant fintech player Valu's Walid Hassouna. Addressing filling in the banking gap with BaaS featuring prominent industry experts Djiba Diallo of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, Mohamed Hicham Chraibi of Riyad Bank, Arjun Vir Singh of Arthur D. Little and younes Zoubir of CIH BANK. Then, sharing perspectives on the love hate relationship between startups and regulation alongside esteemed peers Ory Okolloh of Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures, Nameer Khan of the MENA FINTECH ASSOCIATION and founder Ibrahim Hassan of portfolio startup Digified. 🎙 Under the theme of tech for good, our Morocco PM Sarina Amini, moderated a fireside chat on the critical importance of approaching innovation in fintech with a human impact lens, ensuring technology serves humanity. The discussion featured insights from Money Fellows' Ahmed Wadi and Evelyn Kaingu of Lupiya. 💳 The week was also an opportunity to spotlight the 22 startups accepted into our second Visa Accelerator Program at the Visa stand, and to host our first networking gathering alongside Visa and Amazon Web Services (AWS) in Morocco. This year’s edition was a monumental innovation fest, shedding light on the immense opportunities in the region and reaffirming Morocco's central role in this ecosystem. Looking forward to the next one!

Last week, we had the privilege of participating in the U.S.-Morocco Venture Capital Forum, a successful conference hosted by our friends at Prosper Africa, US Mission Morocco and USAID ahead of GITEX AFRICA. During the event, our Director Aziz El Hachem took the stage alongsid Badr Belkadi and Yassine LAGHZIOUI. In a discussion moderated by British Robinson, they shed light on how Morocco is becoming an increasingly vital gateway to investing in Africa. Huge thank you to H.E. Ambassador Puneet Talwar, British Robinson and Romi Bhatia for the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment at Plug and Play Morocco in further driving the local ecosystem forward! We extend our gratitude to Mohamed Amine Boudhiba and the team at CrossBoundary Group and we look forward to future collaborations!

🚀 Investment Announcement! 🤝 We are proud to announce our investment in The Egyptian Fintech startup Fincart which specializes in streamlining shipping and financing for social sellers, small & medium-sized e-commerce brands, and marketplaces so they can seamlessly grow their businesses. With the funds from our investment, the startup will be able to enhance its technology, and expand its market reach throughout the Middle East and in the kingdom. Hear from, Plug and Play Saudi Arabia Country Director Abdullah Alakeel, Plug and Play Egypt Country Director KARIMA👼🏽 El Hakim 🎈🧸🐪 , and Fincart CEO Mostafa Masry on this partnership 👇