The Future is Female Mentorship Programme, a media and PR training programme, has announced its 20 female finalists for the 2024 edition. This year's programme saw a strong focus on startups in healthcare, AI, agritech, and climate tech, highlighting the growing importance of these industries in the tech ecosystem.

The programme's emphasis on supporting female founders is particularly significant, given the ongoing challenges women face in the tech industry. By providing media and PR training, the programme aims to empower these entrepreneurs to effectively communicate their vision and secure the funding and support they need to succeed.

In other news, Apple is set to announce its smallest computer ever, with the Mac Mini expected to shrink to the size of a DVD case thanks to the company's new M4 chip. This development is likely to have significant implications for the tech industry, with Apple also planning to release new versions of its devices with the M4 chip in the coming months.

Meanwhile, Sterling Bank has announced plans to pitch its core banking software to other banks and fintech companies, highlighting the growing demand for cost-effective banking solutions. The bank's decision to build its own banking software from scratch is a testament to the importance of innovation in the fintech sector.

In Kenya, Stanbic Bank has completed a core banking software upgrade, switching to Temenos T24 R23 to improve its lending and banking services. The move is seen as a key step in the bank's efforts to stay ahead of emerging cyber threats.

These developments demonstrate the dynamic nature of the tech and startup ecosystem, with innovation and entrepreneurship driving growth and progress in various sectors.