Author: Akin Naphtal

Dar Ventures, the venture capital arm of design and engineering firm, has partnered with Plug and Play to expand its DarE startup programme for technology companies operating across architecture, engineering, construction (AEC) and the wider built environment. The partnership will give DarE access to Plug and Play’s global network of startups, investors and corporate partners. The programme will operate as a 12-week hybrid programme targeting pre-seed to pre-Series A startups with a minimum viable product or market-ready solution. While the programme will primarily target companies across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, startups from other global markets will also be…

The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation on digital economy development and responsible and inclusive artificial intelligence. The agreement was signed by Rania Al-Mashat, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCWA, and Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the DCO. The signing follows a meeting between the two organisations’ principals on 23 June, moving their strategic discussions towards a formal framework for cooperation and implementation. The partnership comes as countries across the Arab region accelerate digital transformation, invest in advanced technologies and…

Cloudera has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Muroon, the technology and digital enablement subsidiary of Tawuniya, to explore opportunities to support enterprise digital transformation and Saudi Arabia’s technology ambitions under Vision 2030. The proposed collaboration will examine how Cloudera’s data, analytics and AI technologies can help organisations across the region modernise their technology environments, accelerate digital transformation and create long-term business value. Under the proposed partnership, the two companies will explore the use of hybrid data platforms and AI-driven analytics to support Muroon’s expanding IT and digital enablement objectives across the Tawuniya ecosystem and the wider regional market.…

Barbara Melem, Head of Corporate Communications & Sustainability (Senior Manager) at IHS Cameroon, has been named Telecom Sustainability Personality of the Year at the prestigious 11th Africa Digital Economy Awards (ADEA 2026). The prestigious ceremony, held on September 9, 2026, at the Emara Ole-Sereni Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, celebrated the continent’s most visionary corporate leaders, innovators, and organizations shaping Africa’s digital future. The 11th ADEA edition, powered by Digital Economy Magazine, convened industry pioneers, executive leaders, and policy decision-makers. Among 36 celebrated awardees, Melem’s individual triumph capped a remarkable night for IHS Towers. With over two decades of distinguished experience across…

Liberia’s Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has partnered with Cybastion to establish technology and business innovation hubs for women, alongside childcare centres across the country. The agreement was signed by Cybastion CEO Dr. Thierry Wandji Ketchiozo and Liberia’s Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Gbeme Horace Kollie, during the Corporate Council on Africa’s Trade and Investment Roundtable held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The initiative, known as the Liberia Women’s Digital and Economic Empowerment Program, will focus on improving women’s access to digital skills, entrepreneurship training and business development opportunities.…

The Director-General and CEO of Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has participated in a high-level engagement convened by the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue, bringing together technology leaders, investors and digital policy experts to discuss opportunities for accelerating digital transformation. The engagement focused on key areas including artificial intelligence, trusted digital infrastructure, connectivity, technology investment, digital skills and emerging technologies, while examining the growing role of technology diplomacy in supporting economic competitiveness and national development. Inuwa highlighted Nigeria’s youthful population, growing digital ecosystem and regulatory clarity as major opportunities for positioning the country…

Safaricom has become the first internet service provider in Kenya to surpass one million fixed broadband subscribers, reaching 1,024,950 customers by the end of June 2026, according to data from the Communications Authority of Kenya. The milestone gives the telecom operator a 36.1% share of the fixed broadband market, marking a significant expansion of a business that had a limited presence in the sector nine years ago. The growth has been driven largely by Safaricom’s ability to combine its mobile, mobile money and broadband services within one customer ecosystem. By June 2026, the company controlled nearly 70% of mobile subscriptions…

Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure, has announced that its 2.3 MW VertiCool Chip coolant distribution unit (CDU) has qualified as a NVIDIA DSX Ready CDU. The model is the first CDU to receive qualification specifically under the NVIDIA DSX Ready programme, which helps AI factory builders identify power and cooling products that meet applicable NVIDIA DSX requirements. Vertiv is among the initial providers of qualified CDU solutions under the programme. The NVIDIA DSX Ready initiative is designed to give AI infrastructure developers a clearer way to evaluate specific infrastructure components as they plan increasingly complex facilities for…

Verto, B2B global payments platform has launched its new Verto Card in partnership with Visa, introducing a multi-currency corporate card designed to help African businesses manage international payments and spending more efficiently. Supporting Global Business Transactions The Verto Card is linked directly to Verto wallets and enables businesses to fund, spend and settle payments across multiple currencies. The card supports transactions in 11 currencies, with zero foreign-exchange markups on eligible currencies, while providing indirect access to an additional 160 currencies. Verto said the new card is designed to address challenges faced by African companies operating internationally, including foreign-exchange costs, payment…

Network International, a fintech company operating across the Middle East and Africa, has launched Network MAX, a new suite of business card solutions designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UAE improve cash flow, strengthen financial control and manage everyday business payments. Network MAX brings together two digital-first solutions designed for different SME needs. For micro and small businesses that often face working-capital pressures while waiting for settlement funds, the service provides instant access to settlement funds through the My Network business app, helping merchants maintain operations while earning cashback on eligible business spending. For established and…