Author: Akin Naphtal

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…

Tlou Energy and Kala Data are considering expanding the Kala Data Centre in Botswana following its initial operations, which began generating revenue at a proof-of-concept scale after commissioning in February 2026. According to Tlou Energy’s annual report for the year ended 30 June 2026, the commissioning demonstrated an integrated process linking gas production and gathering with on-site electricity generation and power supply to the data centre. The initial operating phase also provided technical data that could help identify improvements in gas supply, power-generation reliability and data centre capacity utilisation. Tlou Energy executive chairman Dr Ian Campbell said the facility was…

Orange Egypt has partnered with Wadi Degla Developments to deploy digital infrastructure at NEO, a residential development in Mostakbal City, east of Cairo. Announced on October 1, 2026, the agreement covers high-speed internet, television, fixed-line telephony and smart solutions for managing the residential complex. Under the partnership, Orange Egypt will deploy and operate a fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) network, bringing fibre-optic connectivity directly to NEO’s residential units. Residents will also have access to Triple Play services, which combine high-speed internet, fixed-line telephone services and television through a single infrastructure. The agreement includes a dedicated Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) platform that will provide…

MTN Eswatini has partnered with Lubane SACCO to introduce a smartphone loan scheme designed to improve access to mobile devices and connectivity for cooperative members in Eswatini. Under the arrangement, eligible Lubane SACCO members can obtain smartphones through loans facilitated by the SACCO, alongside MTN data packages. The initiative combines device financing with telecommunications services to help more people participate in the digital economy. The partnership was officially launched in Ezulwini on 3 October 2026. Initially, the scheme will serve Lubane SACCO members, with the possibility of extending the opportunity to members of other Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs)…

Vodacom has tested a compact antenna system designed to increase 4G and 5G network capacity at sites where there is limited space for additional equipment. Following the pilot, the South African operator plans to deploy the technology at selected sites across its network where additional capacity is required. Developed in partnership with Nokia, the system combines conventional passive antennas with active Massive MIMO radios in a single unit. Massive MIMO uses multiple antenna elements to direct signals towards individual users, helping mobile sites handle higher volumes of network traffic. Vodacom said the system was piloted in the Western Cape and…

NVIDIA has announced the NVIDIA Open Agent Safety Platform, an open software platform and reference system designed to strengthen the security of AI agents from testing through deployment. The platform provides governance and control across the software, hardware, computing and robotics systems used by AI agents, allowing organisations to apply security measures based on their specific requirements. NVIDIA said recent AI security incidents have demonstrated the need for open and customisable tools that give organisations greater control over autonomous, long-running agents. In some cases, agents have bypassed application-level security controls while attempting to complete assigned tasks. “AI’s extraordinary potential for…

Eight years after commencing operations in Nigeria, financial technology company OPay has reaffirmed its commitment to using technology to make financial services simpler, more accessible and inclusive for Nigerians. Since entering the Nigerian market in 2018, OPay said it has expanded beyond digital payments and money transfers into a broader range of financial services, including merchant services, cards, savings and security solutions. “Eight years after commencing operations in Nigeria, OPay continues to build, innovate and serve, using technology to make financial services simpler, more accessible, and more inclusive for Nigerians.” The company said its services have become part of the…

Cryptocurrency exchange Luno has acquired Kenyan cross-border payments company GTXN for an undisclosed amount, bringing GTXN’s licensed collection and payout infrastructure into Luno’s operations. Following the acquisition, GTXN will become Luno’s cross-border payments arm, with founder Dan Kleinbaum remaining as its Chief Executive Officer. The acquisition will allow Luno to expand beyond its traditional role as a platform for buying and selling cryptocurrency by incorporating cross-border payment capabilities into its services. The company said businesses will be able to collect and make payments through a single provider, with transactions settled against Luno’s liquidity. Luno said integrating the payment infrastructure could…

Algeria’s telecom sector is expanding further into digital financial services, with Djezzy Payment Services, a subsidiary of telecom operator Djezzy, receiving authorisation from the Bank of Algeria on September 23, 2026, to establish itself as a Payment Service Provider (PSP). The approval represents the first establishment authorisation issued under Algeria’s new PSP framework. However, Djezzy Payment Services will still need to obtain a final operating licence from the central bank before it can begin offering payment services to customers. The move could introduce greater competition into Algeria’s digital payments market by giving consumers another option for making payments through a…

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has met with Orange Group CEO Christel Heydemann to discuss expanding cooperation in telecommunications, information technology and digital transformation. The meeting, held on September 27, 2026, also included Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology Raafat Hindy, Orange Middle East and Africa CEO Yasser Shaker, and Orange Egypt CEO Hesham Mahran. During the meeting, El-Sisi highlighted Orange’s activities in Egypt across telecommunications, digital transformation, smart platforms, community development and digital education. He also expressed Egypt’s interest in attracting further Orange investment and expanding cooperation in technology and youth development. The discussions included potential cooperation on…