Author: Akin Naphtal

Mastercard and Beast Industries are joining forces to help creators and young people turn digital influence into business opportunities, combining financial tools, exclusive experiences and practical education to support their growth in the digital economy. As the creator economy continues to reshape how people build businesses, connect with audiences and generate income, the partnership aims to bridge the gap between online popularity and long-term financial success. Through co-branded consumer and creator card programmes, tools and educational initiatives, the organisations intend to equip the next generation with resources to develop their ideas, strengthen their financial knowledge and build sustainable futures. Founded…

Spotify has introduced audiobooks in Nigeria, allowing users to explore books alongside music and podcasts on its platform. The rollout began on 14 October, offering Nigerians another way to enjoy books while commuting, exercising or carrying out household activities. Through its Audiobooks+ subscription, users can access 15 hours of listening each month for ₦2,300. According to Spotify’s Nigerian website, the service is an add-on billed separately from eligible Premium subscriptions. Unused listening hours expire at the end of each month, while users can purchase extra hours or individual audiobook titles. The launch forms part of Spotify’s broader expansion of its…

Cassava Technologies, an African technology company, has strengthened its artificial intelligence infrastructure by adding NVIDIA’s Nemotron AI models to its AI Factory. The step is meant to widen access to advanced AI tools for businesses and developers across the continent. The Nemotron models are now available on the Cassava AI Multi-Model Exchange (CAIMEx), a platform where organisations can tap into a range of AI models through application programming interfaces (APIs). This gives businesses more choice when building and deploying AI-driven applications, without necessarily having to spend on large-scale computing infrastructure of their own. NVIDIA’s Nemotron models are built for advanced…

Airtel Africa Plc, a telecommunications and mobile money services provider, has announced that it will publish its financial results for the six-month period ended 30 September 2026, on Friday, 30 October 2026. Operating in 14 markets across sub-Saharan Africa, the company continues to navigate changing business conditions, driven by growing demand for mobile data, investments in network expansion and developments in its mobile financial services business. The upcoming results will be released amid changing macroeconomic conditions across Airtel Africa’s key markets, including Nigeria, with investors monitoring the company’s recent performance and its ability to sustain growth. Airtel Africa’s strategy continues…

The World Bank Group has launched its first digital strategy, combining its public- and private-sector capabilities to help developing countries improve affordable digital access, strengthen public services and generate employment opportunities. The strategy focuses on four priorities: expanding reliable connectivity, making smartphones and internet data more affordable, strengthening digital services and skills, and helping countries prepare to benefit from artificial intelligence (AI). “Digital technology can help countries create jobs and make scarce resources go further. Realizing that potential requires a comprehensive approach—from reliable connectivity and affordable devices to digital skills and useful services,” said World Bank Group President Ajay Banga.…

Mastercard has unveiled a redesigned Mastercard Experience Centre in Dubai, reaffirming its investment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as it celebrates 40 years of operations in the country. Located at the company’s regional headquarters in Dubai Internet City, the centre serves as a flagship customer engagement hub for 81 markets across Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EEMEA). The upgraded facility offers customers, regulators, industry stakeholders and student delegations an enhanced visitor experience through immersive demonstrations, redesigned collaboration spaces and digital installations showcasing Mastercard’s work. It is designed to help partners understand how the company supports the movement…

Digital Economy Live opened its 2026 edition at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City under the theme “Building Africa’s Digital Future: Inclusion, Infrastructure & Intelligent Growth,” drawing policymakers, regulators, technology leaders and industry executives for two days of high-level exchange. The programme began with ceremonial opening remarks Akin Naphtal, Group Chief Executive Officer of InstinctWave and Group Publisher of Digital Economy Magazine, observed that “Digital Economy Live and the accompanying awards serve as mechanisms for converting dialogue into institutional standards. He noted that the presence of ministers, regulators, ambassadors and enterprise leaders in Accra demonstrated growing recognition that digital infrastructure,…

PawaPay has secured a Payment Service Provider (PSP) licence from the Bank of Mozambique through its local subsidiary, Quidexplus Mozambique, allowing the payments aggregator to onboard merchants directly in the country. The licence was announced on 8 October 2026 in Maputo. The authorization enables PawaPay to begin commercial operations in Mozambique, with merchant on-boarding expected to start within days. The company says it is among the first businesses licensed to operate as a PSP in the country. The license will allow PawaPay to establish direct relationships with Mozambican businesses and connect them to mobile money services used by their customers,…

Kenya’s State Department for ICT and Digital Economy is exploring a potential partnership with Equity Group to strengthen digital infrastructure, promote financial inclusion and expand regional trade as part of the country’s broader digital economy development efforts. On 6 October 2026, John Kipchumba Tanui, Principal Secretary in the State Department for ICT and Digital Economy, met with Equity Group Managing Director and CEO James Mwangi and his team at the group’s headquarters to discuss possible areas of collaboration. The discussions centred on how cooperation between the government and financial institutions could link digital infrastructure with financial services and business development,…

Zimbabwe, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Uncommon.org, is stepping up efforts to expand broadband connectivity across all 2,400 administrative wards and improve access to digital services in underserved communities. As part of this initiative, the government has launched an artificial intelligence (AI), digital and innovation hub at Nyamuroro Vocational Training Centre in Gokwe North, a predominantly rural area in the Midlands Province. The facility is the ICT Ministry’s first AI digital innovation hub established in a rural community. The hub is expected to give young people access to computers, digital skills training, artificial intelligence, coding…