Latest news with #JesseMoore
Zawya
15-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Kenya: M-KOPA-branded smartphones surpass 1mln sales in first year
Leading fintech company M-KOPA has achieved a remarkable milestone, surpassing 1 million sales of its branded smartphones within just 12 months of launch. M-KOPA's smartphones mark a significant departure from traditional devices by embedding the company's innovative Smart Money Platform, designed to improve financial inclusion across Africa. These smartphones go beyond merely connecting users to the internet, offering customers access to vital services such as health insurance, affordable credit, and device protection. With an M-KOPA smartphone, individuals can transform their financial circumstances, grow their businesses, and achieve their economic goals. Manufactured in M-KOPA's assembly plant in Nairobi, which has rapidly grown to become the largest smartphone factory in Africa by volume, these smartphones are setting new standards for affordability and financial empowerment. Since the factory's inception in 2023, M-KOPA has created over 400 new jobs and was awarded ISO 9001 quality certification in 2024. Since the launch of the flagship X20 model, M-KOPA has expanded its product range to include the X2, M10, and S34 models. These devices are now available exclusively through M-KOPA's network of sales agents in Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa. Additional models are expected to be released in the second half of 2025. Jesse Moore, CEO and Co-Founder of M-KOPA, shared his thoughts on the achievement: 'Selling 1 million M-KOPA smartphones within 12 months demonstrates the trust that customers have in our brand and reputation for both quality and innovation. We are not just selling affordable smartphones: we're selling financial inclusion tools that transform lives.'
Herald Sun
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Herald Sun
Coalition pledges $20m to new Gymnastics SA centre
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Parents have rejoiced through tear-filled eyes at the announcement that a new 'Olympic level' gymnastics facility could be on the horizon for South Australia. The announcement comes just days after The Advertiser revealed the dangerous shortfalls in equipment and premises for young gymnastics in SA, forcing some, including Olympic athlete Jesse Moore, to move interstate. A crowd of nearly 100 young gymnasts sat in anticipation as Senator Anne Ruston and Liberal candidate for Boothby Nicolle Flint announced a $20m investment into constructing a purpose-built gymnastics facility if the Coalition won the 2025 federal election. Flying in especially for the announcement, former SA star gymnast, now president of Gymnastics Australia, Sam Offord said he 'can't wait' for an upgrade to the same facilities he'd used while training. 'I'm trying not to cry,' Mr Offord said, surrounded by gymnasts at the Marion Leisure and Fitness Centre. 'When I was training in the corner, there's a plaque on the wall and I thought 'this is pretty cool, the building was opened in 1982'. 'I've lived and breathed in this facility, and it's been amazing, but it's time for us to have a new home.' The new 'world-class, Olympic level' facility would be just what 'the kids of South Australia deserve to grow and aspire,' said Gymnastics SA chief executive Nastashia Buck. 'When you have aspirations to go to the Olympics, we should in this state have a space and a place that lets you do that,' she said. 'So that when you go to the national competitions you don't feel like you have a less than ideal preparation, that we don't have less or substandard opportunities in this state.' Annabelle Quiniones, 11, was recently named SA's best young gymnast by The Advertiser and said the new centre would 'make me feel good' and give her more space to train. Annabelle's mum, Lovely, said the announcement was 'amazing'. Ms Buck said last week that a new facility would cost somewhere in the realm of $60m-$70m, and 'worst case scenario' about $80m, though it is unclear where the additional funding would be found. Ms Ruston said the facilities at the Marion Leisure and Fitness Centre were 'probably great 40 years ago', but were in dire need of an upgrade. State sports minister Emily Bourke said last week she had met with Gymnastics SA to 'discuss measures needed to help meet growing demand on the sport's facilities'. Ms Bourke said upgrades already issued include lighting at the Marion Leisure and Fitness centre, $500k for a new training facility for the Murraylands Gymnastics academy, $3.5m to Tea Tree Gully Gymsports and $3 million for Hub Gymnastics 'to get communities active'. 'Our government is building on a series of programs delivering millions of dollars' worth of projects across the state, enabling athletes to participate in the sport they love,' she said. 'We look forward to continuing to have these conversations with the gymnastics community.' Originally published as 'Training for the Brisbane Olympics': Coalition's $20m SA gymnastics centre election pledge
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Business owners ditch national grids in favor of unexpected alternative: 'You can change the world'
For some, renewable energy from solar panels is a cheap, sustainable alternative to grid-provided power. For others, it's a necessity. According to The New York Times, 600 million people in Africa do not have access to electricity. To avoid the need for expensive energy infrastructure, off-grid power generation is increasingly the solution to bring energy to communities. One provider of pay-as-you-go solar energy on the continent has touted the viability of renewable energy systems for businesses and homeowners. "If you treat low-income people as customers, not charity cases, you can change the world," Jesse Moore, co-founder and CEO of M-KOPA, told Bloomberg. As Corporate Knights detailed, solar energy is powering small businesses, health clinics, and farms. In addition to providing much-needed electricity, it is helping to boost economic growth. World Bank Group estimates that at the current pace of development, mini-grids could provide power to 46 million people by 2030. However, greater investment is needed to meet a Sustainable Development Goal 7 target to have solar energy reach 380 million people by the end of the decade. "Solar mini grids can reach populations today that would otherwise wait years to be reached by the grid," said Gabriela Elizondo Azuela, manager of the World Bank's Energy Sector Management Assistance Program. "They have the potential to transform the power sector in Sub-Saharan Africa. Through World Bank operations and advice to governments, ESMAP is helping take mini-grids from a niche to a mainstream solution." It's not just in Africa where communities are seeing the potential of cheap solar energy. In Lakeland, Florida, for example, a housing development is set to feature solar panels on every property that are connected to a local microgrid. Those residents will soon benefit from low energy bills, but their homes will also be more resilient during extreme weather events — when grid outages are common. With Florida particularly prone to hurricanes, being able to keep the lights on and use essential appliances can be a genuine life-saver. If you were to install home solar panels, which of these factors would be your primary motivation? Energy independence Lower power bills Helping the planet No chance I ever go solar Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. What's more, since those panels won't contribute to the production of planet-warming pollution while in operation — the energy grid, on the other hand, still relies heavily on dirty fuels — these homeowners will also reduce their contribution to making those intense weather conditions worse. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
