Author: Akin Naphtal

African fintech leader, Flutterwave, has obtained a Payment Institution License from the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), enabling full operations in Senegal and marking a key milestone in its pan-African expansion. The license positions Flutterwave to deliver its comprehensive suite of digital payment solutions in one of Francophone Africa’s fastest-growing economies, tapping into Senegal’s thriving mobile money ecosystem. “This license is a gateway to unlocking immense business opportunities and integrating Senegal into Africa’s digital economy,” said Olugbenga Agboola, Flutterwave’s co-founder and CEO. “Senegal has the potential to significantly drive Africa’s growth story.” The move aligns with Flutterwave’s strategy…

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across East and Southern Africa are poised to benefit from a groundbreaking partnership between Odoo, a leading provider of business management software, and Network International, a prominent payment solutions company. The collaboration integrates Network International’s payment gateway into the Odoo platform, enabling SMEs to seamlessly accept card payments and mobile money within their existing software, simplifying collections and boosting sales in the region’s rapidly growing digital economy. The integrated solution offers a single sign-in for operations and payments, equipped with fraud-protection tools and real-time data dashboards. This allows merchants to adapt to diverse customer payment…

Digital Realty has forged a strategic partnership with Vodafone Greece to enhance Crete’s digital connectivity, positioning the island as a key digital hub in Southern Europe. The collaboration, announced today, centers on establishing a point of presence (PoP) for Vodafone Greece at Digital Realty’s HER1 data centre in Heraklion, marking a significant step in strengthening the region’s digital infrastructure. The HER1 facility, Crete’s first carrier-neutral interconnection point, will house critical equipment for submarine cable systems, serving as a vital hub for all cable landing stations on the island. Vodafone Greece will also deploy two new fibre routes connecting the HER1…

MTN Nigeria, in partnership with Huawei, has launched the country’s first hybrid 400G-800G Automatically Switched Optical Network (ASON), setting a new benchmark for high-speed connectivity in West Africa. Unveiled today, this innovative network marks a pivotal moment in strengthening Nigeria’s digital backbone, delivering unprecedented transmission speeds and resilience to meet the surging demand for data. The hybrid ASON integrates 400G and 800G high-speed optical channels, positioning MTN Nigeria at the forefront of broadband innovation. By leveraging Huawei’s cutting-edge 400G/800G platforms, including advanced Optical Cross-Connect (OXC) systems and hybrid ASON architecture, the network achieves rapid data transmission while reducing operational costs…

Digital Realty has joined forces with the London Internet Exchange (LINX) to unveil LINXAccra, a major new interconnection hub based in Accra, Ghana. Launched at Digital Realty’s state-of-the-art ACR2 carrier-neutral data center, LINXAccra stands as one of the continent’s largest interconnection points, poised to revolutionize connectivity in the region. The partnership enables Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to connect directly to LINX at the Accra facility, unlocking enhanced performance, greater reliability, and a superior internet experience for consumers. With LINXAccra now live, international content providers can localize their services in Ghana, delivering faster streaming, quicker downloads, and a significant reduction in…

NTT Data, a global technology powerhouse, will usher in a new era of leadership in Europe with the appointment of Anne-Sophie Lotgering as CEO of its European operations. Succeeding Chieri Kimura, Lotgering will report directly to Abhijit Dubey, president and global CEO, as she takes the helm to drive innovation and growth across the region. With over two decades of leadership in IT services and telecommunications, Lotgering brings a wealth of expertise to NTT Data. Her illustrious career includes senior roles at Orange and Microsoft, where she served as general manager for Microsoft Services in Central and Eastern Europe. Most…

Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani, Managing Director of Digital Realty Nigeria, has been honoured as the Digital Economy Icon of the Year at the 2025 Digital Innovation Awards (DIA), held at the Labadi Beach Resort in Accra. The award recognizes his outstanding contributions to advancing Africa’s digital infrastructure, cementing his reputation as a transformative leader in the continent’s technology sector. The Digital Innovation Awards, organized by InstinctWave, is one of Africa’s foremost platforms celebrating excellence in ICT and digital transformation. This year’s ceremony highlighted the pivotal role of data centers and digital infrastructure in shaping Africa’s economic future. Mr Akin Naphtal, CEO,…

Mobile money subscriptions in Kenya surged by 7.3% to 45.4 million users in the quarter ending March 2025, according to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) Third Quarter Sector Statistics Report for the Financial Year 2024/2025. This growth has driven the country’s mobile money penetration rate to an impressive 86.6%. The CA attributes the rise in mobile money usage to a parallel 6.7% increase in active mobile (SIM) subscriptions, reaching 76.2 million and reflecting a 145.3% penetration rate. “This growth in active mobile subscriptions is driven by effective customer win-back campaigns by operators,” the CA noted in its report. ALSO…

Airtel Uganda has expanded its 4G network to Kassanda district, delivering faster and more reliable connectivity to residents and businesses as part of its nationwide coverage campaign. The new network sites are already transforming call quality and data experiences, empowering local communities with better access to digital services. During a recent visit to Kassanda, Airtel Uganda’s Managing Director, Soumendra Sahu, engaged with customers, agents, and community members to assess the impact of the upgraded infrastructure. The expansion is driving economic participation, improving access to knowledge, and fostering affordable connectivity for local businesses and families. ALSO READ: GHANA’S ICT MINISTER INSPIRES…

Hon. Samuel Nartey George, Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, today visited Girls in ICT training centres across the Volta Region, engaging with young trainees to promote digital skills and STEM education. The centres included In My Father’s House, RC Basic School in Abor, Keta Municipal, and Amissah-Arthur Learning Centre in Ohawu, Ketu North District. The minister expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, which aims to train 3,000 girls and 300 teachers in digital skills this year. “The Girls in ICT program is a flagship effort to equip a new generation of girls with future-ready skills,” George said, highlighting its…