Author: Akin Naphtal

Flutterwave, Africa’s leading payments technology company, has been ranked No. 1 in Fast Company’s Most Innovative Company for Europe, Middle East, and Africa 2024, joining others like Nvidia, Open AI, or YouTube on the list. This year’s list shines a spotlight on businesses that are shaping industry and culture through their innovations. These organizations are setting new standards and achieving remarkable milestones in all sectors of the economy. Alongside the World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies, Fast Company recognizes 606 organizations across 58 sectors and regions. “We’re thrilled to be recognized as No. 1 in the Most Innovative Company Europe, Middle…

Leading Ghanaian ecommerce company, Hubtel, has unveiled its first Artificial Intelligence (AI) Lab, becoming the first company to launch an AI lab in Ghana. The Lab is expected to help reshape user engagement, strengthen security measures, and stimulate economic growth through innovative AI solutions. Head of Engineering at Hubtel, Augustine Gyawu Adjei, spoke on the company’s commitment to using AI technology to enhance user experience and drive sustainable growth. He stated, “Hubtel’s vision is to become Africa’s most useful company. The AI Lab represents a significant step towards achieving this vision by harnessing the transformative potential of AI.” The Hubtel…

In today’s digital landscape, there is a very high chance that people can face attempted hacks from cybercriminals. As cybercriminal tactics grow more sophisticated, individuals must remain vigilant to protect themselves from potential threats. To this end, Russian cybersecurity firm, Kaspersky, has provided a roadmap of seven steps for preventive measures, outlining crucial steps to safeguard against malicious activities. Kapersky’s Seven Steps By following these seven steps, individuals can fortify their defences and lessen the risks posed by evolving cyber threats. Source: APO Group

Chinese short video platform, TikTok, has partnered with the African Union Commission’s (AUC) Women, Gender, and Youth Directorate (WGYD) to enhance online safety awareness among Africa’s youth, parents, teachers, and guardians. Digital connectivity has become vital in daily life, particularly in Africa, where concerns over digital safety are mounting amidst the continent’s rapid digital transformation. The partnership aims to address these concerns through the launch of the Africa-wide #SaferTogether Campaign, aimed at educating and engaging various stakeholders on digital safety. The campaign, launched at the TikTok Safer Internet Summit in Accra, Ghana, covers in-app and on-ground activities designed to educate…

Meta Platforms, formerly Facebook, has proposed a reduction in its monthly subscription fee for Facebook and Instagram, slashing it from 9.99 euros to 5.99 euros in an effort to ease concerns raised by privacy and antitrust regulators. The move comes amidst mounting criticism from privacy activists and consumer groups regarding Meta’s subscription service in Europe, which requires users to pay a fee to ensure their privacy. The subscription service was launched by Meta in November to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which restricts the company’s ability to personalise advertisements for users without their explicit consent, thus impacting its…

Apple has reportedly begun discussions to integrate Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence (AI) engine into the iPhone, according to Bloomberg News, with sources saying the negotiations centre around licensing Gemini for upcoming features in the iPhone software slated for release later this year. While the specifics of the agreement, including terms and branding, remain undecided, the prospect has already generated significant market reactions. Alphabet, which owns Google, has seen its shares surge over 6% in early U.S. trading, while Apple saw a 2.5% increase. Although any potential deal is unlikely to be finalised before Apple’s annual developer conference in June, the…

Popular messaging platform Telegram has successfully raised $330 million through bond sales, according to its founder and CEO, Pavel Durov, who announced the achievement on his own Telegram channel. “The increased demand for our bonds shows that global financial institutions value Telegram’s growth in audience and monetisation,” Durov remarked, noting the strong investor interest in Telegram’s future prospects. In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Durov expressed the company’s aspiration to achieve profitability in 2025 as it moves closer to a potential stock market listing. Speaking on Telegram’s determination to compete with major players in the market, Durov further…

The Digital Economy Magazine has named the CEO of MTN Uganda, Mulinge Sylvia M.B.S, as its Personality of the Week. Sylvia is a driven leader passionate about using technology to improve lives and empower communities, especially women. With over 22 years of experience in telecommunications and consumer goods, she has a strong track record in strategic thinking, brand building, and business development. Prior to her joining MTN Uganda, Sylvia served as Chief Consumer Business Officer at Safaricom PLC, where she played a key role in increasing brand equity and revenue market share. She is also a member of the Meta…

Kenya is set to join a select group of nations in Africa where content creators can monetise their content on Facebook and Instagram, with the feature expected to roll out by June this year. The announcement was made by the President of Global Affairs at Facebook, Nick Clegg, during a meeting with Kenyan President William Ruto at State House Nairobi. The move marks the conclusion of a year-long effort by the Kenyan government, led by President Ruto, to enable creators to earn from their online content. “Kenyan content creators who meet the eligibility criteria will now earn from their Facebook…

Orange, a leading telecommunications operator in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) which supports the development of new digital services, has opened submissions for the 14th Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP), beginning on Monday 18th March 2024. Entrepreneurs from the 17 countries within Orange’s footprint are invited to submit their innovative start-up projects with a positive societal impact. The OSVP, established in 2011, aims to recognise and reward start-ups leveraging new technologies to address challenges in various sectors including education, healthcare, e-commerce, agriculture, and the environment. By fostering social and environmental innovation, Orange seeks to contribute to socio-economic development and…