Author: Akin Naphtal

Mastercard and Trip.com have partnered to demonstrate how AI-powered and agentic commerce technologies could transform the way consumers search for, book and pay for travel services. The initiative is powered by Mastercard’s Agent Suite for Merchants and developed in partnership with Network International. It demonstrates how travelers can use Trip.com’s AI agent, TripGenie, to discover travel options, make bookings and complete purchases through an integrated digital experience. As consumers increasingly use AI assistants to discover products, compare choices and make purchasing decisions, Mastercard’s Agent Suite for Merchants is designed to help businesses integrate agent-powered shopping experiences into their existing e-commerce…

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has inaugurated and inducted members of its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) as part of efforts to strengthen accountability and transparency within the Commission. The National Commissioner/CEO of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, delivered the opening remarks at the ceremony held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja. He emphasised that public service is a position of trust and urged public servants to uphold honesty, accountability and transparency in carrying out their official responsibilities. Dr Olatunji highlighted the importance of transparency in preventing corrupt practices, noting that the NDPC has measures in place to promote…

MTN MoMo Zambia has partnered with FNB Zambia to introduce an ATM Cash Out service, allowing MoMo customers to withdraw money directly from their mobile wallets at FNB ATMs without needing a bank card or an FNB bank account. The new service builds on the existing partnership between the two companies, which already allows customers to transfer funds between MTN MoMo wallets and FNB bank accounts, as well as make MoMo payments through FNB point-of-sale terminals. The companies said the ATM service is designed to strengthen the connection between mobile money and traditional banking while giving customers greater flexibility in…

Kitsoft, an international GovTech company with Ukrainian roots, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Smart Africa Secretariat to strengthen cooperation around the digital transformation of Africa’s public sector. The partnership will centre on three major areas: Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), e-governance and artificial intelligence. Through the collaboration, Kitsoft and Smart Africa will share practical knowledge and experience in digital government, organise joint expert and training programmes, and explore opportunities to develop digital public services using low-code technologies. Smart Africa is an alliance comprising 42 African countries focused on accelerating digital transformation across the continent and supporting…

SNB Group and Mastercard have expanded their strategic partnership to strengthen digital commerce and payment capabilities for merchants across Saudi Arabia. As part of the expanded collaboration, SNB will continue using Mastercard Gateway under Mastercard Merchant Solutions, a unified global payments platform that gives businesses access to a broad range of technologies and services through a single integration point. The partnership is expected to enable SNB to provide merchants with secure, seamless and scalable payment solutions while helping businesses respond to changing consumer preferences and grow their digital operations. The collaboration combines SNB’s established position in the Saudi financial market…

Kenya’s ICT Authority (ICTA) has launched an international tender to expand the country’s national fibre-optic backbone and improve cross-border and metropolitan connectivity. The project is being implemented under the World Bank-supported Kenya Digital Economy Acceleration Project. The procurement notice, identified as KE-ICTA-538567-NC-RFB, is divided into two lots. Lot 1 covers the expansion of National Backbone Links, while Lot 2 focuses on Cross-Border and Metro Links. Both framework agreements will initially run for three years, with the possibility of extensions of up to two additional years. “This investment will strengthen the resilience and redundancy of our national infrastructure,” said Eng. John…

Senegal has secured a commitment from US-based cybersecurity company Cybastion to mobilise approximately $300 million for digital transformation projects, as President Bassirou Diomaye Faye seeks to attract greater technology investment and strengthen the country’s digital ecosystem. The commitment was announced after President Faye met a Cybastion delegation led by Chairman and CEO Dr Thierry Wandji in Washington on 14 September 2026, during the first day of his working visit to the United States. The meeting formed part of his engagements with US private-sector stakeholders ahead of discussions with the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. The proposed funding will support…

Bujeti, a Nigerian fintech backed by Y Combinator, is expanding its financial management platform with an artificial intelligence (AI) workforce designed to automate routine finance operations for businesses. Its new system can process financial documents, follow up on unpaid invoices, monitor transactions and respond to employees’ finance-related questions. Called the Real-time Agent Intelligence Network (BRAIN), the system uses four AI agents, which Bujeti refers to as “Teammates”. The agents work with financial information already stored on the platform, including accounts, budgets, vendors, contracts and transactions. Bujeti said the Teammates will become publicly available on September 30. The launch comes as…

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has officially commissioned its new headquarters, marking a major development in the country’s efforts to strengthen data protection and privacy. The facility was commissioned by the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr ‘Bosun Tijani, and hosted by the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji. Speaking at the commissioning, Dr Tijani praised Dr Olatunji for his leadership and commended the Commission for its role in supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation. He also recognised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s contribution to strengthening the country’s data protection ecosystem, including the…

Vision Bank, Saudi Arabia’s first Islamic bank built around artificial intelligence and regulated by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), has entered into a strategic partnership with Publicis Sapient, a technology company specialising in enterprise AI platforms and services. The agreement was announced at Money20/20 Middle East in Riyadh and is aimed at accelerating product innovation and enhancing the bank’s customer experience. Under the agreement, Publicis Sapient will support Vision Bank in developing, launching and putting into operation its Innovation Strategy and Innovation Hub. The initiative will be tailored to the bank’s growth plans, customer groups, regulatory environment and evolving technology…