Author: Akin Naphtal

Standard Bank Namibia has appointed Allvan Farmer as its new Chief Information Officer (CIO), effective as the bank moves to accelerate its digital and technology transformation agenda. Farmer brings nearly two decades of experience in banking and financial services across Namibia and the broader Southern African region. His background spans enterprise technology leadership, payments infrastructure, cyber security, and regulatory governance in highly regulated financial environments. The appointment comes as Standard Bank Namibia intensifies efforts to modernise its technology platforms and strengthen its digital foundations. Farmer has previously led large-scale technology and operational transformation programmes to enhance cyber resilience, modernise operating…

Safaricom’s groundbreaking mobile money platform M-PESA has achieved a significant milestone, surpassing 40 million monthly active customers in Kenya as it marks its 19th anniversary. Launched on March 6, 2007, as a simple peer-to-peer transfer service, M-PESA has transformed into a comprehensive financial ecosystem, powering payments, savings, credit, investments, and more for millions of Kenyans daily. “Reaching 40 million monthly active customers in Kenya is a milestone we celebrate as we recommit to enabling every Kenyan to transact safely, grow their savings, and build their wealth,” said Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom PLC. “To us, every M-PESA transaction tells a…

TIME dotCom Berhad has successfully upgraded its trans-Pacific network by deploying advanced coherent optical technology from Ciena, achieving data transmission speeds of up to 1 Tb/s (terabit per second) across the FASTER submarine cable system. The roughly 9,000-kilometer FASTER cable, a critical high-capacity link connecting Japan to the United States, serves as a vital artery for international data traffic between the Asia-Pacific region and North America. The enhancement positions TIME dotCom as a key gateway supporting cloud providers, enterprises, and global carriers amid surging demand driven by AI, cloud computing, and digital services. Global bandwidth consumption has more than tripled…

Ghana has recorded one of the most significant improvements in Africa in the 2025 editions of the Digital Nations and Society Index (DNSI) and the Digital Policy and Regulatory Index (DPRI), according to findings presented at the GSMA Ministerial Programme at the ongoing Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. This achievement is specifically because Ghana abolished the “obnoxious” E-Levy and also recently granted technology neutrality to all telecom operators in the country. The Digital Africa Index report was formally presented on March 2, 2026, by the Senior Director of Economics at GSMA Intelligence, Kalvin Bahia, who highlighted Ghana as the…

Telecom giant Vodafone has signed a major agreement with Amazon Leo, Amazon’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite broadband network, to connect more 4G and 5G mobile base stations in hard-to-reach areas, dramatically improving coverage and network resilience across Europe and Africa. The partnership enables Vodafone to deploy base stations more quickly and cost-effectively in regions without existing fibre or fixed wireless infrastructure, bypassing the high expenses and delays associated with traditional backhaul methods. Amazon Leo provides high-speed connectivity—up to 1 Gbps download and 400 Mbps upload—linking remote masts directly to Vodafone’s core network. The deal also enhances network reliability for…

German cleaning technology company Kärcher has appointed Joe Lahoud as Regional President for its newly unified Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, placing 68 countries under a single leadership structure as part of efforts to streamline operations and accelerate growth. The company announced on Monday that the consolidation merges its Middle East and African businesses into one coordinated structure designed to enhance access to its portfolio of more than 1,000 professional and consumer cleaning products. These include high-pressure cleaners, industrial scrubber driers, autonomous robots and municipal sweepers. ALSO READ: AIRTEL AFRICA REAFFIRMS DATA PRIVACY COMMITMENT FOR 2026   Under the new framework, Lahoud…

As a leading telecommunications provider connecting millions across the continent, Airtel Africa has reaffirmed its dedication to safeguarding customer data, emphasizing that trust is at the core of its operations. During International Data Privacy Week (January 25–30, 2026), teams across Airtel Africa’s operating companies (OpCos) united for a series of engaging, hands-on activities designed to deepen understanding of data protection.   ALSO READ: FAAN, MTN NIGERIA ROLL OUT FREE AIRPORT WIFI AT LAGOS, ABUJA HUBS   Employees participated in interactive quizzes, team discussions, debates, and specialized training sessions that highlighted what trust means in practice and how everyday decisions play a critical role in…

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), in partnership with MTN Nigeria, has officially launched free WiFi services at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Terminal 2 and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, marking a significant step toward enhancing passenger experience and strengthening digital infrastructure across Nigeria’s aviation sector. The official unveiling took place at MMIA Terminal 2 in Lagos, where FAAN’s Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, was represented by the Director of Airport Operations, Captain Abdullahi Mahmood. Also present at the ceremony was MTN Nigeria’s Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Lynda Saint-Nwafor, who represented the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Karl Toriola. ALSO…

MTN Group has agreed to acquire IHS Holding Ltd. in an all-cash transaction valued at $6.2 billion, in a move set to reshape Africa’s digital infrastructure landscape. IHS announced Tuesday that shareholders will receive $8.50 per share — a 239% premium to its share price at the start of its strategic review in March 2024. The board unanimously approved the deal and recommended it to shareholders. ALSO READ: MAROC TELECOM POSTS $760M PROFIT ON STRONG AFRICAN GROWTH   MTN has committed to vote its shares in favour of the transaction, while long-term shareholder Wendel also pledged support, securing over 40% backing ahead of the vote.…

Maroc Telecom reported a net profit of $760 million (MAD 6.969 billion) for 2025, marking a dramatic rebound driven by operational recovery and stronger cross-border performance. The result represents a 288% increase compared to 2024, underscoring how a diversified regional footprint is helping the operator navigate domestic pressures while funding long-term infrastructure upgrades. The company also revealed that its turnover for 2025 reached $4 billion (MAD 36.7 billion), a 1.4% increase from 2024. Maroc Telecom attributed the growth primarily to international operations, which rose by 5.3%, fueled by rising demand for data, mobile money, and broadband services across its African subsidiaries. The operator…