Author: Akin Naphtal

Results from a survey conducted by Swiss staffing provider, Adecco Group, have predicted that artificial intelligence (AI) will impact employment within the next five years, with 41% of senior executives at 2,000 large companies surveyed expecting a reduction in their workforces due to AI technology. Generative AI, a branch of artificial intelligence capable of producing text, photos, and videos based on open-ended prompts, has created a divide in opinions, ranging from optimism about its potential to automate repetitive tasks, to concerns over people losing their jobs. Major tech players such as Google and Microsoft have already begun workforce restructuring efforts,…

Ghanaian fintech company Zeepay Ghana Ltd has secured an equity investment from a group of pan-African investment firms, including Africa50, Oikocredit, Injaro, Verdant Capital Hybrid Fund, and I&P. The investment aims to fuel Zeepay’s expansion efforts across Africa and the Caribbean, furthering its mission to promote financial inclusion and revolutionise cross-border payments, particularly in low-income countries. Zeepay, founded in 2014, has swiftly become as a key player in the payment infrastructure landscape, boasting a presence in over 20 countries globally. It facilitates instant remittance settlements into mobile money wallets in Africa and the Caribbean on behalf of leading international money…

Network International, a facilitator of digital commerce in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, has partnered with fintech solutions provider, Souhoola, to offer merchants ‘Buy-Now-Pay-Later’ (BNPL) payment options at Network’s networkpay point of sale terminals in Egypt. The BNPL payment option is being implemented to enhance access to finance for both banked and unbanked consumers in the country. The collaboration signifies a significant advancement in digital payment solutions, particularly in Egypt, where Network International launched its networkpay service last year. This service, which includes face-to-face, digital, and online payment channels, has already served 2,500 merchants in the region. Meanwhile,…

Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has announced the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy Workshop which will be hosted in Abuja from 15th to 18th April, 2024. Supported by the global fundraising organization, Luminate, the workshop aims to develop a comprehensive framework for a multi-year strategy and action plan concerning the research, application, and adoption of AI within Nigeria. In a LinkedIn post, Dr. Tijani expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming workshop, highlighting its significance in shaping Nigeria’s approach to AI. He stated, “we will develop a co-created framework for a multi-year strategy and action plan…

A survey conducted across Africa by RegTech Africa and Agpaytec, has unveiled that consumer preference has shifted from cash payments to digital payment methods, with 91% of the survey’s 2,591 respondents preferring electronic transactions. The research, titled “African Digital Payment Systems and Consumers’ Experience in 2023,” offers valuable insights into the driving forces behind Africa’s rapidly evolving payment landscape. Notably, 76% of respondents wanted a unified payment platform, advocating for accessible application platforms that could smoothly consolidate their array of payment accounts. CEO of RegTech Africa, Cyril Okoroigwe, stressed the importance of prioritizing interoperability and user-friendly design in crafting advanced…

The ExxonMobil Foundation, in collaboration with JA Africa, has launched the “ExxonMobil STEM Africa” initiative, a $300,000 program aimed at fostering science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education for approximately 3,000 African students across Nigeria, Namibia, Angola, and Mozambique. This initiative seeks to equip middle and high school students with the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue future careers in STEM fields through immersive quizzes and hands-on experiences at Innovation Camps. According to the president of ExxonMobil Foundation, Alvin Abraham, nurturing students’ STEM skills is crucial for developing the next generation of problem solvers across Africa. The program aims to…

Web services provider, Yahoo, has announced its acquisition of Artifact, an AI-driven news platform co-founded by the creators of Instagram, as part of its efforts to strengthen its news offerings and incorporate advanced technology across its web services. In a blog post earlier this year, Artifact announced its decision to slow its app operations, citing a limited market opportunity. Yahoo’s acquisition, however, shows it is still confident in Artifact’s technology and its potential to revolutionise news delivery. Artifact’s AI-powered recommendation engine and other features will be integrated into Yahoo’s existing news brands, which include TechCrunch, Engadget, and Yahoo Finance. This…

Telecel Ghana and Huawei Ghana have signed a new framework contract in a bid to strengthen cooperation and partnership to enhance network experience and coverage across Ghana. The agreement, sealed during the recent Mobile World Congress (MWC) held in Barcelona, aligns with Telecel’s ambition to lead Africa’s digital revolution, and Huawei’s vision of delivering digital solutions to individuals, homes, and organisations worldwide. Having recognised the role telecommunication plays in shaping modern society, Telecel Ghana and Huawei Ghana have been collaborating since 2023. This has resulted in the deployment of over 500 4G+ sites as part of Telecel Ghana’s dedication to…

MTN Ghana has announced the official appointment of Stephen Blewett as chief executive officer, succeeding Selorm Adadevoh, who has been appointed as the Chief Commercial Officer of the MTN Group. Speaking on the new appointment, Chairman of the Board of MTN Ghana, Ishmael Yamson said “we welcome Stephen into the MTN Ghana family and look forward to working with him to move the company forward to achieve our Ambition 2025 strategy and beyond.” Who is Stephen Blewett? Stephen Blewett is a seasoned executive with a rich background in telecommunications who holds over 30 years of leadership experience in the corporate…

South Korean tech giant, Samsung, is planning to integrate advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology into its voice assistant, Bixby, in a bid to enhance the functionality and appeal of its devices. Bixby, Samsung’s proprietary voice assistant, debuted in 2017 alongside the release of the Galaxy S8 smartphone. Initially offering features such as live translations and restaurant recommendations, Bixby has since become a central component of Samsung’s ecosystem, available on the company’s smartphones, smartwatches, and home appliances. Traditionally, voice assistants like Bixby have functioned in a transactional manner, responding to user queries with pre-programmed responses. However, with recent advancements in AI…