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Los Angeles, CA, Dec. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Los Angeles, CA – WARP, a tech-driven leader in middle-mile logistics, will showcase its groundbreaking supply chain innovations at NRF ’25 Retail’s Big Show, taking place in New York, January 12-14, 2025. WARP’s exhibition at Booth #2412 will feature its full spectrum of middle-mile supply chain solutions, including a powerful new integration of AI, machine learning (ML), and advanced technology that promises to dramatically reduce logistics costs while enhancing operational efficiency and visibility.

WARP’s advanced platform has already transformed the logistics landscape by optimizing every load, every time, while delivering substantial savings. The company’s innovative network includes over 50 cross-docks and 9,650 carriers nationwide, all working in synergy to ensure greater flexibility, visibility, and cost-effectiveness for Fortune 500 companies.

“We are excited to demonstrate how WARP’s innovative middle-mile solutions can help top-tier retailers and e-commerce brands save millions by reimagining their logistics strategy,” said Daniel Sokolovsky, CEO and Co-Founder of WARP. “What we’re doing is disrupting a traditional industry with data-driven, AI-powered solutions that deliver unmatched operational performance, improved visibility, and significant bottom-line savings.”

WARP blurs the lines between LTL, FTL, and parcel delivery, combining the best elements of each to create a dynamic, highly efficient logistics system. Using its AI-enabled technology and groundbreaking consolidation techniques, WARP brings together over 8 types of vehicles, ranging from 53-foot trailers to cargo vans and even sedans, creating a seamless connection between shippers, fulfillment centers, distribution hubs, and last-mile sortation.

“At WARP, we believe that true innovation isn’t just about cutting-edge technology-it’s about delivering a superior customer experience at every touchpoint,” said Troy Lester, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) of WARP. “By combining AI-driven optimization with a deep focus on customer-centricity, we’re not just improving the speed and cost of shipping-we’re enhancing the overall experience for our partners, ensuring they get the right goods, at the right time, in the right place, every time.”

“This is only the beginning of our technology roadmap,” said Diep Nguyen, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of WARP. “We’re incredibly excited to continue evolving our platform by feeding more data and volume into the network, which will benefit shippers, cross-docks, and carriers alike. As we scale, the increased flow of data will allow us to refine our algorithms, further optimize routes, and offer even greater efficiencies and cost savings to our partners.”

The company’s platform offers Fortune 500 shippers and other large enterprises an opportunity to streamline their supply chains with:

• Real-time tracking for end-to-end visibility
• Cross-docking for optimized route management
• Route optimization powered by machine learning to improve load efficiency

WARP’s tech-enabled solutions help reduce logistics costs, enhance supply chain agility, and increase sustainability-all while improving customer satisfaction and operational resilience.

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Recent months have seen significant market changes surrounding President Trump’s return to the White House. Most relevant to the clean transportation industry has been the marked shift in climate agenda. Whereas the Biden Administration’s climate agenda focused on global efforts to protect the health, safety, and economic vitality of communities and environment, the incoming Trump Administration takes a different stance, focusing on domestic fossil fuels production and American manufacturing, among other things. Amidst all this, there are both changes and constants in the landscape of clean transportation incentives.

Wait, Wait – is my Existing Award at Risk?
The key term here is “rescind” — also known as a “claw back.” This is the process by which funding agencies can cancel or terminate existing funding programs and award agreements. The new administration’s ability to rescind incentive funding will largely depend on the stage of the funding project. Projects with already awarded funding and contract agreements in place are likely to avoid rescission, as the legal process and costs involved would be too burdensome for the incoming administration.

While existing awards and executed agreements may avoid the risk of rescission, the situation is different for existing funding programs that have not yet issued current awards and future solicitations. For example, the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which include investments in climate and clean energy, may not see future committed funds reach the market, though time will ultimately determine their fate.

Perhaps the most impacted arena for clean transportation incentives will be at the federal level. While the new administration has not specifically put grants and funding (and, more specifically, clean transportation incentives) on the chopping block, President Trump’s proposed sweeping budget cuts will could impact the availability and volume of federal incentives. Though the recent incoming tide of federal funding may recede, expectations are quite different at the state level. Borne out in the previous Trump Administration, the availability of incentives at the state level is expected to be robust, with state administrations taking actions otherwise deferred or ignored by the federal government.

“Though policy priorities shift and corresponding grant funding evolves, one thing remains constant: those who pursue grant funding have to be prepared for the rigorous post-award reporting and implementation environment.”

Project Developers (and Their Grant Writers) Will Need to Tell Different Stories
Incentive funding programs often require applicants to tell a compelling story to demonstrate the value of their project. While some programs, like California and New York’s truck voucher programs, issue awards based on administrative documentation, most funding requires multi-page narrative descriptions. This need for storytelling will persist, but the focus of these stories will shift.
For the past four years, much of the available federal funding has been secured via applications demonstrating quantifiable emissions reductions, benefits for public health, and alignment with climate change initiatives. Looking ahead though, federal grant funding may be issued on the grounds of economic development and the use of domestically-sourced energy — initiatives more in alignment with the Trump Administration’s overarching goals.  At the state level, we expect little may change in terms of the stories being told — applicants will need to continue to make their case based on localized impacts and community benefits.

The Reliable Constant – Post-Award Reporting
Despite the changes, one constant remains — the administrative burden of post-award reporting. Some may think of grant funding as a charitable donation without strings attached, but that is hardly the case. Incentive funding for clean transportation projects typically involves executed agreements with government agencies, requiring awardees to undertake recurring reporting and compliance requirements to access the funding.

JoAnne Golden, senior vice president of strategic initiatives at TRC Companies, emphasizes this.
“Though policy priorities shift and corresponding grant funding evolves, one thing remains constant: those who pursue grant funding have to be prepared for the rigorous post-award reporting and implementation environment — the contractual obligations, reporting and compliance requirements, and recurring deadlines can create unexpected administrative burdens and risks if not planned for accordingly,” she said.

Understanding the Past Holds the Keys to the Future
The next steps for many within the industry should be consistent with prior practices — moving forward with decarbonization efforts with the right partners by your side and the right goals in mind. The market would be vigilant to see the forest through the trees now and in the future, recognizing that we’ve been here before. The experience of the previous Trump Administration offers valuable lessons, and while some things could change, constants like the need for an integrated incentives strategy and preparation for post-award reporting requirements remain crucial.

Fermata raised $10 million from Raw Ventures to expand operations and work towards profitability by 2026.

Israeli startup Fermata, founded in 2020 by bioinformatics expert Valeria Kogan, is using AI and computer vision to monitor greenhouse crops for diseases and pests. The company’s software works with standard cameras, capturing images of plants twice a day and alerting farmers to potential infestations via an app. Initially considering robotic solutions, Kogan shifted focus after consulting with farmers, realising that simpler camera-based monitoring was more effective.

Based in Israel, Fermata has gained traction by prioritising farmer needs and keeping its AI training in-house, improving model accuracy. Partnering with major agricultural firms like Bayer and Syngenta, the company has deployed over 100 cameras and continues to expand. The startup recently secured a $10 million Series A investment from Raw Ventures, its existing investor, to scale operations and work towards profitability by 2026.

Plans for growth include strengthening the sales team and expanding beyond greenhouse tomatoes into new crops. Despite AI’s previous struggles in agriculture, Fermata’s practical approach and farmer-centric model have helped it carve a niche in the industry.
The GIP Digital Watch Observatory team, consisting of over 30 digital policy experts from around the world, excels in the fields of research and analysis on digital policy issues. The team is backed by the creative prowess of Creative Lab Diplo and the technical expertise of the Diplo tech team.

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A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today between the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) and the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA).

POA learned that the Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Governor of National Bank of Ethiopia, Mamo Mihretu and Director General of Ethiopian Capital Market Authority, Hana Tehelku.
This partnership represents a major step forward in the establishment and effective operation of securities depository, clearing, and settlement services in Ethiopia, it was learned.

Moreover, The MoU outlines a collaborative effort for the issuance and depository of electronic securities, dematerialization of paper-based securities, and provision of a strong foundation for secure and efficient securities clearing and settlement systems.

 Ethiopian Capital Market Authority will regulate and oversee activities related to non-government securities, while NBE will operate the central securities depository (CSD) in line with agreed terms and conditions as per the Capital Market Proclamation.

This MoU reflects the shared vision of the two institutions of the country to drive economic growth, financial innovation, and a thriving capital market in Ethiopia.

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African Startups made significant strides in 2024, with many ventures successfully securing funding to drive their growth and expansion.
This progress was achieved despite the often restrictive legislative environments in several countries, which can pose challenges for Startups from the outset.

The funding landscape has evolved, with venture capitalists investing in innovative companies and crowdfunding platforms enabling contributions from a broad base of individuals.

Some African start-ups have grown so successful that they have attained “unicorn” status—a designation reserved for companies valued at $1 billion or more.

In 2024, two African start-ups achieved this milestone. Moniepoint surpassed a $1 billion valuation in late October, following the completion of its Series C funding round, as reported by sources familiar with the transaction.

Shortly thereafter, in mid-December, Tyme raised $250 million in funding, elevating its valuation to $1.5 billion.
According to a recent report by Africa: The Big Deal, African Startups demonstrated remarkable resilience in 2024, despite a significant decline in investment.

The report reveals that African start-ups raised $2.2 billion in equity, grants, and exits.
Notably, 10 Startups accounted for 51% of the total funding in 2024, the largest proportion since 2019.
These start-ups spanned various sectors, including banking, transportation, electric vehicles, and renewable energy.
The following table lists the top 10 African start-ups that secured the most funding in 2024.

Startup	Industry	Funding Details	Location/Country
Tyme	Digital Banking	Raised $250M in Series D, reaching a $1.5B valuation.	Singapore, South Africa, Philippines
Moniepoint	Fintech (SMBs)	Secured $110M in Series C funding, reaching a $1B valuation.	Nigeria
MNT-Halan	Fintech	Secured $157.5M in 2024, totaling $677.5M over two years.	Egypt
M-Kopa	Fintech (Financial Access)	Received $51M in loans to enhance digital connectivity in Kenya.	Kenya
d.light	Solar Solutions	Raised $176M securitization facility and additional funding totaling $186.4M in 2024.	Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria
Sun King	Off-Grid Solar Energy	Received $80M from IFC for Sun King Nigeria Limited and $7M debt funding from Lendable.	Kenya, Nigeria
BasiGo	Electric Vehicles	Raised $42M to deliver 1,000 electric buses to East Africa in 3 years.	Kenya
Spiro	Sustainable Transportation	Secured $50M in debt financing from Afreximbank to expand operations.	Cameroon, Morocco
Moove	Mobility Fintech	Raised $100M in Series B funding to expand EV financing to 16 markets by 2025, reaching a $750M valuation.	Nigeria
Nuitée	Travel Tech	Raised $48M in Series A to expand travel tech offerings.	Global

In 2024, 86% of the 42 ventures that raised $10 million or more were based in the Big Four markets—Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, and Kenya.

Additionally, eight of the top 10 startups were also located in these countries. These four nations accounted for 84% of Africa’s total startup funding that year.

Kenya led with $638 million, representing 88% of East Africa’s total funding of $725 million, making it the top funding recipient for the second consecutive year.

Nigeria followed closely with $410 million, nearly 70% of West Africa’s $587 million. Egypt raised $400 million, despite a 22% decline in North Africa’s overall funding, which totaled $478 million.

South Africa secured $394 million, contributing to an 18% decrease in the region’s total funding, which amounted to $397 million

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Capital market resonates with the Ethiopian government’s idea of private sector-led economic development, resilient and sustainable economy and financial inclusion, Director General of Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA), Hana Tehelku stated.

Hana recently sat down with ‘Ethiopia in Focus’ prepared by Prime Minister Office Press Secretary, Billene Seyoum.
 During the interview, the director general said concrete measures have been taken to establish the regulatory frameworks and build its capacity in the capital market.

“We are in a continuous learning process to understand the market, how it operates and how to better supervise it and regulate it.

The other one would be to increase potential intermediaries and capital market service providers,” She said.
According to Hana, as a regulator, the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority has carried out extensive market development activities.

In the past couple of years, “We’ve done a lot of engagement individually with potential issuers, potential capital market service providers, even potential investors,” the director general revealed.

As report shows Ethiopia is the 3rd largest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa and its impressive trajectory positions it amongst the fastest growing economy in the region driven by ambitious economic reforms, strategic investments, and increasingly vibrant private sector.

As a result, the recent establishment of the capital market is a key milestone to modernizing Ethiopia’s financial market.
 Hana pointed out that the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority has been conducting conversations with potential investors both locally and internationally.

Noting that Ethiopia has been consistently delivering on its promise in the macroeconomic reforms and other spheres, the director general noted that the country is also delivering on the implementation of the capital market.She added Ethiopia has established the necessary institutions like Ethiopian Securities Exchanges to have a vibrant capital market.

For her, this establishment demonstrates the commitment of the government to realize a competitive capital market ecosystem.

The entry of the Ethiopian capital market has already put in place a good guarantee for international investors, she stated.
Hana added the development of capital market regulatory frameworks is evidently the first effect as a concrete measure of the government to open the financial sector for international investors.

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Few sectors are as vibrant as real estate – from the quest for dream houses to the demand for commercial hubs, no one can deny the allure of property investment. At the core of this dynamic industry lies a technology designed for ongoing evolution: the blockchain.
Blockchain is primarily known in relation to cryptocurrencies, and those who look into bitcoin price prediction 2025 are also introduced to the concept of this technology as well. However, the use of blockchain technology goes beyond the realm of digital currencies, as it has impacted many industries, including supply chain and finance, and has also left a mark on the real estate sector.
As the data suggests, blockchain holds substantial potential when it comes to the real estate sector. For example, in 2020 alone, the global market for blockchain in the real estate industry had a value of $328.3 million, and it’s expected to reach $3.8 billion by 2028. This massive growth illustrates a sustained expansion of the applications of the blockchain in the real estate landscape – in fact, around 86% of decision-makers in the industry believe that blockchain can be genuinely transformative.
In the real estate industry, diligence activities tend to be time-consuming. Before purchasing or renting a property, different intermediaries inspect documents to tackle any future problems, whether legal, financial, or technical. Furthermore, the information about the property is written on paper, which makes it prone to change or corruption.
However, blockchain technology has the potential to change this – storing digitally property-related papers in platforms powered by the blockchain makes them easily accessible at the same time safeguarding them and ensuring they won’t be altered in any way. In other words, implementing the blockchain means automating due diligence, making it faster and more accurate.
Brokers, tenants, owners, and buyers rely on different listing platforms to look for property information. These platforms often require high fees and are based on subscriptions. Unfortunately, they also frequently lack accuracy, offering outdated and distorted information, leading to inefficiencies in the real estate process and, often, disputes.
Fortunately, blockchain tackles this issue by decentralizing the data and allowing everyone to share it in a P2P network. Furthermore, it enables brokers to receive extra data monitoring solutions while reducing the associated costs.
In the traditional real estate landscape, property management is a complex task, especially when different stakeholders are involved. There are often two ways of approaching property management: offline, through manual paperwork, or by using independent software. The information is confined to a particular person and database, respectively.
However, blockchain can also help tackle this issue in real estate by increasing its role in property transactions. How exactly does this work?  A property management system based on the blockchain can make all the steps of the process a lot easier from the beginning to the end. For example, smart contracts enable the automation of lease payments between tenants and landlords, meaning that the security deposit will be automatically transferred back to the tenant’s account when the lease finishes, ensuring a seamless experience for both parties.
Another area of real estate that the blockchain impacts is the management of files and payments. Currently, the involvement of third-party intermediaries and extensive documentation lead to a troublesome, lengthy, and expensive process, an effect that escalates when it comes to mortgages and international transactions.
However, blockchain technology can simplify the filing process, bringing innovation to the real estate world by introducing property-verifiable digital identities. Similarly, introducing crypto assets can decrease the barrier of various currencies used in multiple places, reducing the fees and taxes involved and improving the payment process.
Finally, a real estate platform based on the blockchain can also make the investing process easier through tokenization and fractional ownership. Many companies don’t really know how tokenizing real estate works, but on the other hand, some organizations are implementing it on a massive scale.
Simply put, in the tokenization process, the owner offers digital tokens to those sharing the property, enabling the monitoring of investments through the blockchain, where all the transactions are time-stamped and immutable. The most significant advantage of tokenizing real estate through blockchain technology is reducing the risk of fraud, which is quite common in the industry.
While blockchain brings incredible advantages to the real estate sector, it is by no means a perfect technology, and given that its application in real estate is still relatively new, it’s essential to understand what challenges lie ahead.
As with any other technology, adopting blockchain in real estate is expensive because it involves costs at different steps, from development and integration to training. Suppose you are a budding property seller; in such an instance, this upfront financial commitment could prevent you from embracing the technology. A solution to this would be the adoption of a public blockchain infrastructure, such as the BSV blockchain, offering incredible features without incurring infrastructure costs.
Developing and managing blockchain solutions demands specialized technical expertise in areas such as cybersecurity, smart contract programming and development; however, these skills can be expensive and scarce, and without access to skilled professionals and proper internal expertise, implementing blockchain in real estate can be pretty challenging.
Although blockchain has inherent security advantages, it’s still prone to vulnerabilities such as insider threats and smart contract bugs. Due to this, it’s necessary to implement solid security measures and conduct ongoing monitoring to protect sensitive information in the real estate world.
When it comes to blockchain in real estate, the regulatory landscape is still evolving, and countries across the globe have unique laws regarding tech and real estate. This aspect is worth mentioning because managing smart contracts and digital property records demands clear regulations and rules. Luckily, the BSV blockchain was created to work within the legal system and comply with the different regulations and rules, so it’s the ideal solution to ensure upfront compliance.
Undoubtedly, blockchain holds substantial promise in the real estate realm, simplifying processes, boosting security measures, and bringing new opportunities for buyers and sellers. While the technology is still evolving, it’s worth paying attention to its progress and how it will transform the real estate world.

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KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 9): Malaysia’s property sector will be mainly driven by the completion of mega infrastructure projects and the transition to new technologies this year, according to CBRE – WTW group managing director Tan Ka Leong at the media launch of the real estate consultancy’s 2025 Market Outlook Report earlier on Thursday.
“As we look to 2025, it is clear that the Malaysian property market is entering a transformative phase. From infrastructure projects such as the East Coast Rail Line (ECRL), the Johor-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link (RTS Link) and the Pan Borneo Highway to the adoption of advanced technologies and sustainable urban redevelopment, the nation is poised to deliver promising opportunities for investors and stakeholders,” Tan said in his welcome address.
“To maximise and sustain the benefits from these game changers, development planning and building regulations should be reviewed and updated to fully leverage the potential of the property market,” he added.
Presenting on the Klang Valley market, CBRE – WTW associate director of research and consultancy Mary Kurien said that the transaction volume of high-rise residential units continues to supersede that of landed units in the first nine months of 2024 (9M2024).
“This represents a shift in consumer inclinations towards more affordable and spatially efficient non-landed dwellings.”
In 9M2024, the residential high-rise segment recorded an 11% year-on-year increase in transaction volume and a 19% year-on-year rise in transaction value. This is compared to 6% (volume) and 7% (value) for landed units for the same period.
Mary highlighted that the office market in the Klang Valley has become increasingly competitive.
“Landlords will have to adopt more competitive leasing strategies to retain existing tenants and attract new ones. There is also a shift towards sustainable and tech-driven office spaces, with 77% of the incoming supply of over 6.1 million sq ft being green-certified buildings.”
As for the retail sector, she said it showed improved sentiments with a forecasted 3.9% increase year-on-year in 2024, with new completions including the New Ocean Fine Food City in Petaling Jaya, the rejuvenated Semua House in Kuala Lumpur and the Elmina Lakeside Mall in Shah Alam.
“Older malls continue to struggle and search for a niche in the changing retail landscape,” she added.
In Klang Valley’s industrial sector, Mary noted that major players such as Google, Amazon Web Services (AWS), NextDC and Mah Sing Group Bhd (KL:MAHSING) are investing billions of ringgit in data centres.
“Klang Valley’s new industrial parks focus on high-tech industries, artificial intelligence (AI) and green real estate certifications.”
Meanwhile, premium hotels including SO Sofitel @ Oxley Tower in Jalan Ampang and Park Hyatt @ Merdeka 118 are set to debut in Kuala Lumpur within the next three years.
According to Mary, 61% of the incoming hotel supply within the Klang Valley are made up of five-star hotel rooms.
Over in Johor, upcoming mega infrastructure projects and the formulation of special economic zones will continue to fuel Iskandar Malaysia’s property market, according to CBRE – WTW director Paul Brendan Chan.
“For instance, the strong market momentum is expected to extend with more residential products being introduced to the market, the expansion of co-working spaces within purpose-built offices, the increment in retail footfall and occupancy, the high demand for warehouses and data centres, and the new entries of international hotel brands,” he said.
CBRE – WTW (Penang) director Tan Chean Hwa echoed similar sentiments in the Penang market, citing ongoing infrastructure projects such as the Penang LRT and the Silicon Island that are contributing to the state’s sustained growth.
According to him, key sectors to look out for in the Penang market this year include the office and industrial sectors, driven by investments and rising demand.
“The overall Penang property market in 2025 is anticipated to be cautiously optimistic with ongoing infrastructure projects, government incentives and a thriving industrial sector driving growth. But this may be dampened by uncertainties arising from unfavourable trade policy and investor hesitancy,” he said.
For the Sabah property market, C H Williams Talhar & Wong (Sabah) director Cornelius Koh said that the most active property sector in Kota Kinabalu, excluding the agricultural segment, is the residential segment, which accounted for 74% of transaction volume and 50% of transaction value in 9M2024.
“On the whole, the market in Kota Kinabalu is in recalibration mode since the Covid-19 pandemic. Besides that, [tourist] arrivals in Sabah continue to record steady growth but have yet to reach pre-pandemic levels.”
Sarawak is gearing towards becoming a developed high-income state by 2030 in line with the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030, said C H Williams, Talhar, Wong & Yeo Sarawak director Yip Phooi Leng.
She added that the hotel sector in Sarawak is expected to achieve a record-breaking five million visitors with an estimated tourism receipt of RM13 billion in 2025.
“It’ll be an exciting year in 2025 with the increase in tourist arrivals anticipated and tourism activities mooted for Sarawak.”

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Kalp Foundation and The Gambia Partner to Build Blockchain-Powered Digital Public Infrastructure
The Kalp Foundation has announced a transformative partnership with The Gambia aimed at developing a blockchain-powered digital public infrastructure (DPI) platform, dubbed Gambia One. This collaboration marks the first of its kind globally, as the Kalp Foundation takes a leading role in shaping a future where inclusive growth, powered by blockchain technology, can reach every corner of society.
At the heart of this partnership is Gambia One, a revolutionary application that leverages the advanced capabilities of Kalp Blockchain to enable secure data exchange, digitise critical services, and streamline government operations. But this is more than just a technological project—it represents an inclusive development initiative designed to bridge the digital divide and empower underserved communities in The Gambia, a country with a rich history but one that faces significant challenges in terms of infrastructure and digital access. The Gambia, like many nations in Africa and around the world, has struggled with connectivity and access to essential services for its citizens, particularly those in rural and remote areas. This initiative is expected to deliver real-time solutions that improve public service delivery, increase transparency, and create a more inclusive digital ecosystem. By leveraging blockchain’s decentralised nature, Gambia One will ensure secure, tamper-proof data, ultimately helping to build trust between the government and its citizens.
Tapan Sangal, the founder and director of the Kalp Foundation, expressed immense pride in this historic partnership, highlighting the organisation’s long-standing commitment to using blockchain technology for positive social change. “We are deeply honoured to collaborate with The Gambia in its journey towards becoming a future-ready nation powered by a robust blockchain-driven digital ecosystem. This initiative showcases Kalp Foundation’s dedication to delivering scalable, compliant, and transparent solutions that empower governments to modernise their processes, improve citizen services, and drive equitable growth,” Sangal said. What makes this collaboration especially noteworthy is its focus on capacity building and skilling initiatives. The Kalp Foundation isn’t just helping The Gambia build the infrastructure needed for digital transformation; it’s also equipping the nation’s leadership and youth with the tools they need to thrive in the emerging blockchain economy. Skilling programmes will train young Gambians in blockchain and related technologies, providing them with the expertise required to support and further develop the nation’s digital ecosystem.
The Gambia’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Hon Lamin Jabbi, warmly welcomed the partnership, praising Kalp Foundation’s vision and expertise in fostering a digitally inclusive ecosystem. “Together, we will harness the power of blockchain-enabled DPI to deliver innovative, citizen-centric solutions that align with global standards of trust, transparency, and accountability. This initiative is a testament to our commitment to building a brighter, more inclusive future for our nation,” he said. Hassan M. Jallow, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, also commented on the significance of the project. He noted that the partnership with Kalp Foundation represents a monumental step forward in the Gambia’s digital transformation. “By leveraging Kalp Blockchain’s groundbreaking technology, we are setting a benchmark for how nations can unlock their full potential through innovation and collaboration,” said Jallow.
This partnership is not just about one country—it’s about setting a global precedent for how blockchain technology can be used to empower nations and create sustainable growth. Kalp Foundation has ambitious plans to scale this model beyond The Gambia, with multiple partnerships in the pipeline aimed at transforming the digital landscape in other countries, especially those with large underserved populations. This project aligns with The Gambia’s long-term vision of becoming a future-ready nation, with a thriving digital ecosystem that can provide more equitable access to services, education, and financial opportunities for all of its citizens. It is also in line with global efforts to use technology as a tool for economic development and social empowerment, bridging gaps in infrastructure and opportunity.
The Gambia One platform, with its emphasis on inclusivity, transparency, and compliance, is poised to play a pivotal role in the nation’s digital future. The collaboration with Kalp Foundation will help The Gambia unlock new opportunities for growth, technological innovation, and a more connected society. This initiative not only promises to change the lives of Gambians but also sets the stage for blockchain technology to become a central tool in driving sustainable development worldwide. As Kalp Foundation continues its mission to transform the digital landscape, this partnership with The Gambia stands as a testament to the power of technology to change lives. It’s a clear example of how innovation can be harnessed to create a more equitable and sustainable future for all.

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Welcome to the paradox of digital transformation. The long-standing practice, which until recently was the focal point of business and technology change, will find itself toiling in the background as AI developments move front and center. But at the same time, digital transformation could spread across more practitioners than ever before.
Front-line employees, equipped with AI-powered low-code tools, are expected to take on more digitalization projects in a broad effort extending beyond the IT shop.
The economics of digital transformations reveal another irony. Spending on transformation continues to grow, with some market research estimates predicting a market approaching $4 trillion within a couple of years. But an expanding market could also mean a maturing one. Some sectors such as e-commerce will likely show slower growth, following a wave of rapid digital commerce adoption.
Here are five digital transformation trends set to shape 2025.
AI-driven transformation emerged as a trend in 2023, as more organizations began to view generative AI (GenAI) as a source of competitive advantage.
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That pattern will continue in 2025 as AI as transformation becomes the rule rather than the exception. Expanding GenAI deployments and newer agentic AI projects will play important roles in reinventing business processes. It will become increasingly difficult to distinguish AI transformation from digital transformation.
Market researchers and industry executives confirmed the ascendence of GenAI. IDC forecasts digital transformation to grow to a $3.9 trillion market worldwide in 2027 on the strength of AI and generative AI investment. At Accenture, CEO Julie Sweet described GenAI to investors during an earnings call earlier this year as the “most transformative technology of the next decade.”
In addition, agentic AI, which automates workflows through autonomous agents, is “emerging as a transformation force,” according to research from GlobalData, a data and analytics firm based in London. The company said it expects agentic AI to redefine automation in industries such as healthcare, financial services, energy and retail.
For most of its history, digital transformation has been approached as a marquee project or an enterprise-wide initiative made up of several projects.
Business and technology forces, however, have compelled transformation to evolve. C-suite impatience with the speed and cost of initiatives has reduced their size and scope in recent years. Emerging AI technologies, meanwhile, have captured organizational attention and taken the spotlight from digital transformation.
As a result, IT leaders next year might see digital transformation become more of a general corporate directive rather than a specific, high-profile initiative. That directive will point toward ROI-justified business outcomes, with technology providing the means for getting there.
AI is the most visible transformation lever now, but earlier waves of technology such as ERP have also fulfilled that role. The technology catalyst changes over time and might outshine transformation as a rallying point, yet transformation persists. The background shift doesn’t necessarily make digital transformation less important. In a way, the change in status underscores its importance as an accepted fact of business life that doesn’t need top billing. The established methods and platforms of transformation set the stage for AI innovation.
Digital transformation could also see a change in who does the work. Recent research suggests the responsibility for digital transformation will be diffused across organizations, rather than concentrated in the IT department.
Thomas Davenport and Ian Barkin, authors of the MIT Sloan School of Management article “How AI-empowered ‘citizen developers’ help drive digital transformation,” contended that frustration with transformation programs stems from businesses having too few centralized IT personnel to deliver digital capabilities.
“Digital transformation is taking too long, in part because millions of application development, coding, data science, and tech-associated jobs are going unfilled,” according to the authors. “The only way for companies to fill the void is through greater emphasis on the skill development of their existing staff — their citizens.”
Davenport, a digital fellow at the MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy, and Barkin, co-founder of 2B Ventures, suggested companies can let front line employees “create applications, mobile apps, automated workflows, and data analyses.”
Forrester Research believes that the citizen-development push will come through generative AI. The market research firm’s “Predictions 2025: Automation” report, published in October, forecasted that citizen developers outside of the IT department will create 30% of “GenAI-infused automation apps” next year. Those developers’ domain expertise, along with access to low-code tools, will let them effectively prompt generative AI’s large language models and integrate the results into applications, according to Forrester Research.
While digital transformation remains a large and growing market, IT leaders might see signs of maturation in 2025. That trend could manifest itself in a couple of ways.
First, businesses will continue to carefully weigh transformation spending, a tendency that has gained prominence since 2023 when enterprises began to emphasize cost optimization. CompTIA, an IT industry association in Downers Grove, Ill., cited a higher bar for digital transformation as its No. 1 trend to watch next year.
“After heavy investments in digital tooling and resources after the pandemic, organizations will be hitting the pause button to evaluate the success of past initiatives and to determine their direction for the future,” CompTIA noted in its “IT Industry Outlook 2025” report.
CompTIA said organizational debt — cloud sprawl, inefficient workflows and insufficient technical skills — limits the potential of technology deployments. Tech spending won’t evaporate, but companies will take a closer look at the “real benefits” of prior investments as well as adjust how they run procurements and evaluate new projects, according to CompTIA’s report.
Second, digital transformation will show maturity in less stellar growth in some sectors. For example, e-commerce has cooled following the COVID-19-inspired digitalization wave. FTI Consulting, a business advisory firm based in Washington, D.C., noted in its “2024 Online Retail Report” that the “most impressive growth days of the U.S. e-commerce retail environment have past.”
FTI Consulting pegged the U.S. e-commerce market at $1.2 trillion in 2024, growing 9.8% year over year. Looking ahead, e-commerce will continue to take market share from brick-and-mortar retailers but at a decelerating rate, according to the company’s research.
“[W]e have entered a maturing phase for the e-commerce channel, where it grinds ahead without fanfare,” the report read.
Digital transformation over the years has often conflated with cloud adoption, at least until the arrival of generative AI.
Cloud computing, however, continues as a transformation focus for many organizations. One of the reasons is GenAI. Organizations outgrowing on-premises proofs of concept find space to grow in the cloud, according to a December report from Wipro, a technology services and consulting company based in Bengaluru, Kanataka, India.
“As AI models have scaled up, our research shows that cloud has become a necessity for 9 out of 10 enterprises,” the company’s “Pulse of Cloud Quarterly Report” read.
The report, based on a survey of more than 500 senior executives and decision-makers, identified scalability as the No. 1 benefit of using cloud infrastructure for AI. Twenty-nine percent of the respondents cited scalability. Increased productivity and increased data security tied for a distant second, with each benefit cited by 16% of the executives polled.
Enterprises will increasingly rely on both cloud and AI as enabling technologies for digital transformation. But other factors will drive cloud transformation next year. Mainstream maintenance for SAP’s ERP Central Component software is set to expire at the end of 2027, making 2025 a potential cloud migration milestone for businesses still using on-premises ERP.

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