Latest news with #Tala
Business Wire
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
AI in Africa to Top $16.5B by 2030: Mastercard Explores Path for Continued Digital Transformation
NAIROBI, Kenya--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mastercard has today released its latest whitepaper, Harnessing the transformative power of AI in Africa, a pan-African study of the continent's readiness, opportunity and roadmap for responsible artificial intelligence (AI) adoption. The whitepaper provides detailed insights into how AI—if deployed responsibly and inclusively—can unlock transformative outcomes across the continent's major industries, including agriculture, healthcare, education, energy and finance. With Africa's AI market projected to grow from USD 4.5 billion in 2025 to USD 16.5 billion by 2030 according to a recent report from Statista, the paper presents a clear case for multi-stakeholder collaboration and investment. It highlights how Africa's unique demographics, mobile-first infrastructure and entrepreneurial spirit position it as an active architect of the future. Mark Elliott, division president, Africa at Mastercard, commented: 'Africa's engagement with AI is already reshaping lives — not just in labs, but in farms, clinics and classrooms. To unlock its full potential, we need investment in infrastructure, data, talent, and policy. At Mastercard, we believe responsible, locally rooted AI can drive inclusive growth and connect more people to opportunity.' The whitepaper outlines the potential positive impact of AI on digital infrastructure, policy and governance, research and development, local language processing and investment into Africa. It also explores how AI can accelerate job creation, with up to 230 million digital jobs projected by 2030, and increase access to formal finance through AI-enabled credit scoring and fraud prevention. Greg Ulrich, chief AI and data officer, Mastercard, said: 'AI is only as powerful as the trust behind it. At Mastercard, we're committed to building AI that's responsible, inclusive, and built to bring value to our customers, partners and employees. This isn't just innovation—it's innovation with integrity.' Regional highlights covered in the whitepaper include: South Africa: South Africa attracted USD 610 million in AI-focused venture capital in 2023, with total AI investment expected to reach USD 3.7 billion by 2030. With the highest data and infrastructure readiness in Africa, the country is solidifying its role as a continental leader in AI research and application. It is home to the Artificial Intelligence Institute of South Africa which serves as a gateway for students and professionals to access world-class education, research and industry news. National plans aim to develop up to 300 AI start-ups and train 5,000 AI professionals by 2030, creating the foundation for a vibrant, homegrown AI ecosystem. Kenya: An emerging leader in AI innovation, Kenya has leveraged its 'Silicon Savannah' status to securely deploy AI across sectors. Platforms like Tala use mobile data for credit scoring, while Jacaranda Health's UlizaLlama, an AI-powered chatbot, provides maternal health support in five local languages. The newly launched National AI Strategy (2025–2030) outlines the government's commitment to positioning Kenya as a regional leader in AI research and development, innovation and commercialization for socioeconomic development. Nigeria: Nigeria ranks second in the number of AI startups in Africa and secured USD 218 million in VC investment in 2023. As one of Africa's most dynamic AI ecosystems, Nigeria is using AI to personalize learning (Rising Academies), deliver microfinance via and strengthen governance with AI tools that monitor public fund allocation. With a $1.4 billion projected AI market size by 2025, the government's proactive approach, combined with growing private-sector innovation, suggests promising growth in AI applications. Morocco: An emerging AI hub in North Africa, Morocco is advancing AI adoption across healthcare, energy, agriculture, and finance. Institutions such as Mohammed VI Polytechnic University and DeepEcho are driving local innovation, while the MoroccoAI Annual Conference is shaping national dialogue on the future of AI. Under its Digital 2030 strategy, Morocco aims to attract USD 1.1 billion in investment and create 240,000 digital jobs by 2030. Despite this progress, the whitepaper warns that data fragmentation, language exclusion and regulatory inconsistency could deepen the digital divide. Harnessing the potential of AI in Africa will be instrumental in accelerating financial inclusion and driving the continent's digital and economic growth. Strategic collaborations between governments, fintechs, and global partners will be key to unlocking AI's full impact. Mastercard's whitepaper draws on insights from leading African technologists, policymakers, academics and entrepreneurs, including interviews with UNESCO, the African Center for Economic Transformation, and fintech leaders across the region. To download the full whitepaper, click Editor's Note 'Harnessing the transformative power of AI in Africa' has been written by White Paper Media Consulting (WPM) in partnership with the Mastercard EEMEA team. The findings and outcomes presented in this paper are based on interviews of various key stakeholders named in the report. These were put into perspective with contextual research by WPM. Markets covered include Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa. Infographic and report design is by WPM. About Mastercard Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we're building a resilient economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
5 best leggings: sculpting & flared styles from £25
LEGGINGS are a clothing item that everyone needs in their wardrobe. The best leggings will be comfortable, supportive and flattering on every body shape, and we've put some of the hero brands to the test. 2 Flimsy, see-through leggings are a thing of the past, as there's a whole world of high-quality options that don't compromise on style. From fitness activities to running errands, a pair of leggings have become the ultimate throw-on-and-go fashion item. They pair with everything from chunky knitwear to fitted tops, and they're my go-to for wearing at home when I still want to feel put together. High-waisted leggings, flared styles and sculpting options are all popular, and scrunch-bum leggings are also trending for enhancing the silhouette. We've put a selection of styles through the ringer to see if they're worth the money, from Gymshark, Halara, Tala and more. Best leggings at a glance: How I tested 2 There are a few important features to consider when searching for the perfect pair of leggings. Firstly (and most importantly), a good pair of leggings need to be comfortable. As a fashion item that will be worn to the gym or for lounging at home, they need to be stretchy enough to wear for long periods without digging into the skin. One hurdle that leggings often fall at is having a see-through design, and I was closely keeping an eye on the quality of each pair. I also considered any special features, including sculpting styles, sweat-wicking properties and how they feel on the skin. I wore the leggings for visits to the gym, long walks, and for lounging at home, to determine whether they work as fashion all-rounders. Gymshark Vital Seamless Leggings Cons: Expensive when full price, slightly tight on the waist Rating: 5/5 I've been wearing Gymshark leggings for years, and they're yet to disappoint me. The Vital Seamless Leggings are not only a brand bestseller, but they're also my new favourite. Featuring sweat-wicking technology and breathable mesh dots, they're comfortable even after intense workouts, and I don't ever need to worry about sweat patches. The feature I love the most is the supportive ribbed waistband. It sits high on the stomach, sucking me in without ever feeling suffocating. For more cinching styles, read our roundup of the best high-waisted leggings. Gymshark's leggings have mastered the balance between comfort and style, smoothing out lumps and bumps around my waist and thighs, while still remaining comfortable enough to wear for long periods. At full-price, the leggings are on the expensive side, but Gymshark often has big sales with price drops of up to 50%. BetterMe High Impact Mesh Leggings BetterMe High Impact Mesh Leggings, £52 Pros: Stretchy, sweat-wicking, nice colour, smooths lumps and bumps, subtly shapes the figure Cons: Expensive Rating: 5/5 BetterMe is best-known for its health coaching app, but branched out into the activewear space in 2022. I tried the brand's High Impact Mesh Leggings, and I honestly can't fault them. Firstly, I'm obsessed with the dark green colourway, but the pair also comes in burgundy, black and ivory shades. The leggings have a stretchy design that feels so soft on the skin, with a high-rise fit that flatters the figure. The waistband and mesh detailing are why they're so comfortable for wearing all day, and I've been reaching for them to exercise and for running errands. Made from nylon and lycra, they give light tummy control, and I've noticed how much they smooth out my thighs. Marks & Spencer Good Move Go Balance High Waisted Yoga Leggings Marks & Spencer Good Move Go Balance High Waisted Yoga Leggings, £25 BUY HERE Cons: Limited colour range Rating: 5/5 These leggings are perfect for yoga and pretty much any other occasion, too. They're silky soft and cosy but still lightweight and breathable so that you won't overheat during a workout. I love the flattering V-shaped waistband; it's unique and has a nice twist on a regular pair of black leggings. But also, it makes your waist smaller and your bum look lifted. The leggings will pair perfectly with running trainers, and we tested some of the best styles. At the moment, it only comes in black and brown, but hopefully Marks & Spencer will launch more colours soon. Halara UltraSculpt High Waisted Scrunch Bum Leggings BUY HERE Pros: Lifts the bum, sculpts the figure, compression to smooth out bumps, good selection of lengths and colours, currently on sale Cons: Ruching is quite visible, feels tight Rating: 4/5 Halara is the TikTok-famous brand that even Taylor Swift is fan of, and I tried UltraSculpt Scrunch Butt Leggings. Featuring compression for shaping, a V-shaped waistband and an ultra-high waist, the stretchy leggings are just as comfortable as they are flattering. The all-over compression held me in while smoothing out unwanted bumps, and the black colourway is ideal for both exercise and everyday wear. The leggings feature padding and ruching that lifts the butt, and while the design is quite discreet, I would prefer if it was completely invisible. Halara currently has a huge sale on, where shoppers can save up to 80% sitewide, and the sculpting leggings are reduced by £20. Read our full Halara leggings review. TALA SkinLuxe High Waisted Flared Legging BUY HERE Pros: Flattering flared leg, waistband doesn't fall down, super soft, easy to put on, comfortable, back pocket with zip, lightweight, sustainable (made from recycled nylon) Cons: Only available in four colours Rating: 4/5 TALA's SkinLuxe flared leggings have been one of our favourites for a while now. Flared jeans are so in right now, and so are flared leggings. Not only are they trendy, but this shape is really flattering on the waist, thighs and bum. They're great for accentuating curves without being skin-tight. I wear this pair all the time, as they're ideal for WFH and then heading out for a walk with friends. They're also great for hardcore workouts, especially on days when you're feeling a little bloated or feel like covering up a bit more, as the high waist will not roll down. Leg length: Full; Size range: XS to XL; Colours available: 4 colours; Fabric: Recycled nylon and lycra What to wear with leggings? There are two reasons why leggings are a wardrobe staple. Firstly, they're comfortable for every occasion, and they can be worn with just about anything. For lounging at home and running errands, leggings can be styled with T-shirts, knitwear and trainers, but they can also be teamed with various activewear for trips to the gym. Leggings also make a great base for layering during the colder months, and they look effortlessly stylish paired with longline coats and a crossbody bag. Building a capsule wardrobe means finding timeless clothing items that can be styled in multiple ways, and leggings are the item that does just that. How to style flared leggings? Flared leggings have made a comeback in recent years, and they've become a popular choice for everyday and loungewear. Traditionally worn for yoga, the wide-leg style could be thrown on for any occasion, giving me of an elevated feel than traditional leggings. The design is also flattering on every body type, and they look stylish paired with tank tops, cropped T-shirts, cardigans and leather jackets. Tala, the clothing brand founded by influencer Grace Beverly, is known for its figure-flattering flared leggings. It has a range of flared styles available on the site to pair with crop tops, sweatshirts and more. Do Gymshark leggings run small? Gymshark leggings are usually considered to be true to size, but the sizing is largely down to the individual styles. I tested Gymshark's Vital Seamless Leggings (the brand's bestseller), and I found the design to be exactly true to size. It's always worth reading the product reviews before taking the plunge to determine how accurate the sizing will be.
Fashion Network
29-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
West End's strong 'seven-days-a-week trading' gives Shaftesbury Capital reasons to be happy in H1
With the pandemic now long disappeared from the rearview mirror, the UK's commercial property sector continues to prosper year-on-year. And reflecting that performance is Shaftesbury Capital, reporting Tuesday (29 July) that half-year results to 30 June saw an ongoing 'strong performance', according to CEO Ian Hawksworth, who talked of 'growth in rents, earnings, dividends, valuation and [net tangible assets]'. And of course, having London's West End (worth £5.2 billion across 2.7 million sq ft of lettable space and attracting around 200 million visitors annually) as your key asset, he said the area's portfolio 'continues to be busy and vibrant with high footfall and seven days a week trading'. Those positives meant H1 gross profit grew 11% to £89.2 million, while growth in underlying earnings lifted 16% to £40.6 million across a portfolio. Valuation increased by 3.1% to £5.2 billion 'driven by [estimated retail value] growth and stable yields'. Net tangible assets were up 3.3% at £3.8 billion. West End leasing demand remains 'strong' with 193 transactions (representing £19.2 million of contracted rent) completed 9% ahead of December 2024's estimated ERV, it noted. Investment activity is mainly focused on Covent Garden and Carnaby/Soho. During the period, £71 million was invested in its portfolio, comprising £15.8 million in capital expenditure and £55 million in targeted acquisitions (before costs), 'presenting asset management opportunities with excellent rental growth prospects'. In recent months, Soho and Carnaby Street welcomed a number of openings, 'reinforcing the area's position as one of London's most vibrant shopping districts'. On Carnaby Street, Tala opened its first UK store delivering a range of activewear, Farm Rio opened its first dedicated store in the West End, and UK-Korean beauty retailer Pureseoul launched its largest flagship to date. US shoe brand Autry debuted its first UK store on Beak Street, Charlotte Tilbury will open a new flagship later this year in a gateway unit to Carnaby Street at one of its key entrance points, and MAC Cosmetics launched a new experience-led concept as part of a relocation on Carnaby Street. Looking to the current H2, Shaftesbury Capital said it's begun with 'positive momentum' and is well positioned to grow the business and take advantage of market opportunities in London's West End'.
Fashion Network
29-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Network
West End's strong 'seven-days-a-week trading' gives Shaftesbury Capital reasons to be happy in H1
With the pandemic now long disappeared from the rearview mirror, the UK's commercial property sector continues to prosper year-on-year. And reflecting that performance is Shaftesbury Capital, reporting Tuesday (29 July) that half-year results to 30 June saw an ongoing 'strong performance', according to CEO Ian Hawksworth, who talked of 'growth in rents, earnings, dividends, valuation and [net tangible assets]'. And of course, having London's West End (worth £5.2 billion across 2.7 million sq ft of lettable space and attracting around 200 million visitors annually) as your key asset, he said the area's portfolio 'continues to be busy and vibrant with high footfall and seven days a week trading'. Those positives meant H1 gross profit grew 11% to £89.2 million, while growth in underlying earnings lifted 16% to £40.6 million across a portfolio. Valuation increased by 3.1% to £5.2 billion 'driven by [estimated retail value] growth and stable yields'. Net tangible assets were up 3.3% at £3.8 billion. West End leasing demand remains 'strong' with 193 transactions (representing £19.2 million of contracted rent) completed 9% ahead of December 2024's estimated ERV, it noted. Investment activity is mainly focused on Covent Garden and Carnaby/Soho. During the period, £71 million was invested in its portfolio, comprising £15.8 million in capital expenditure and £55 million in targeted acquisitions (before costs), 'presenting asset management opportunities with excellent rental growth prospects'. In recent months, Soho and Carnaby Street welcomed a number of openings, 'reinforcing the area's position as one of London's most vibrant shopping districts'. On Carnaby Street, Tala opened its first UK store delivering a range of activewear, Farm Rio opened its first dedicated store in the West End, and UK-Korean beauty retailer Pureseoul launched its largest flagship to date. US shoe brand Autry debuted its first UK store on Beak Street, Charlotte Tilbury will open a new flagship later this year in a gateway unit to Carnaby Street at one of its key entrance points, and MAC Cosmetics launched a new experience-led concept as part of a relocation on Carnaby Street. Looking to the current H2, Shaftesbury Capital said it's begun with 'positive momentum' and is well positioned to grow the business and take advantage of market opportunities in London's West End'.
CTV News
04-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
CHEO Telethon: Tala's Story
Ottawa Watch CTV's Austin Lee shares the story of Tala, who was diagnosed with cancer at just three-years-old.
