ALT The first quarter of this century was defined by digitization: taking legacy processes, institutions, and behaviors and translating them into software. We built platforms, scaled connectivity, optimized speed, and automated execution. That work unlocked access, reduced friction, and connected billions. But it also reached its limits. What worked for the first 25 years of this century is structurally insufficient for the next 25. The world we now operate in has changed faster than the logic guiding its design. The next quarter of the century demands a different foundation. Q2 is building Africa’s next-generation innovation infrastructure — from AI-powered farms and logistics systems to interactive simulations that make learning profitable, and we invite you to dream with us. Read more: q2corporation.com/2026-2050

ALT Nthanda Manduwi was awarded as the Most Inspiring Business Leader in Malawi, in celebration of her work leading her new deeptech startup: Q2 Systems. Read more about the award, and her dedication of the award to her late mother, Captain Lonnie Constance Kalua-Manduwi: byntha.com/cca-2026

ALT Newlab Detroit, MI

ALT The Kwathu Kollective is launching a new opportunity for young creatives, technologists, storytellers, artists, and aspiring developers across Malawi to help build the country’s first commercial video game. Through the Nyenyezi Fellowship – Game Development Edition, selected fellows will work alongside the Kwathu team during the 2026 Xbox Game Camp Africa in contributing to the development of Kwathu Smart Innovation Farms [KSIF] — an immersive simulation game exploring agriculture, infrastructure, logistics, innovation, and African futures through interactive storytelling and gameplay. This 12-week immersive fellowship is designed to expose young Malawians to the growing global games industry while helping build real products with real-world impact. Fellows will receive mentorship and exposure connected to the broader gaming ecosystem through initiatives such as Xbox Game Camp Africa. More details: kwathu.org/nf-gamedev-2026 Application form: https://forms.office.com/r/cvRZKeEUuc

ALT In her TEDxMSU talk, Nthanda Manduwi argues that in an age of AI and data, human ego—not intelligence—is the true bottleneck. Read her full words: byntha.com/tedx

ALT Nthanda Manduwi will be speaking at the African Business Conference hosted by the Africa Business Club at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business on February 6, 2026. The conference, themed Global Connections, African Opportunities: Empowering the Diaspora and Beyond, brings together students, professionals, and leaders to explore innovation, capital, identity, and collaboration shaping Africa’s future. Nthanda will join Panel 1: Navigating Dual Worlds: Identity, Impact, Influence, where she will share perspectives on decolonizing entrepreneurship, building foundational businesses, and why Africa’s next phase of growth depends on intentional education, talent strategy, and systems-level economic design.

ALT Read more about our participation in Xbox Game Camp Africa via our website: kwathu.org/xbox

ALT Once a promise of the future, AI is now a present-day force already shaping power, labor, and institutional capacity. Across politics, technology, food systems, climate, and markets, this edition traces where AI is delivering real leverage, where it is failing to translate into impact, and where its costs—social, environmental, and political—are being quietly absorbed. Have a read: voiceofdevelopment.com/winter-2026

ALT Broad College of Business Michigan State University