Author: Akin Naphtal

“A Minister of Artificial Intelligence who is the age of my son, appointed to regulate a hypothetical technology, proves to me that your government has too much time and resources on its hands.” Those were the words of a senior government official during a bilateral meeting in 2017, soon after I was appointed as the world’s first Minister for Artificial Intelligence. Upon hearing that remark, I distinctly recall feeling a pang of indignation by their equating youth with incompetence, but even more so by their clear disregard and trivialization of AI. Six years into my role of leading the UAE’s…

Empire Partner Foundation’s (EPF) multi-million rand tech fund is exploring investment opportunities in Africa, while simultaneously developing strategic connections with companies and foundations across the continent to co-invest and amplify impact. Jacqueline Govender, CEO, EPF Tech Fund was quoted to the media, said: “We’re actively engaging with our portfolio firms and possible investors, focusing on high-growth digital startups addressing difficulties in areas such as accommodation, education, financial inclusion, rural and community development. She added: “We’re now also expanding our geographic reach beyond South Africa.” According to Govender, the fund is seeking to invest in young, high-potential, innovative entrepreneurs to drive…

Netstar announced a strategic partnership with Microsoft. The collaboration aims to utilise the extensive data from over 1.9 million connected devices, to improve safety and efficiency in mobility, while also providing custom solutions for individuals and businesses. As part of this partnership, the Altron-owned telematics and vehicle tracking company is integrating with Microsoft’s Connected Fleets Architecture, with all services hosted on the secure and scalable Microsoft cloud. “Netstar recognises the critical nature of data in shaping the future of mobility. Our integration with Microsoft and other key collaborators is dedicated to setting standards for connected fleet architecture,” says Cliff de…

Alviere, a leading embedded finance platform provider, has announced that it has been chosen by Onafriq, Africa’s largest digital payments network, to enable payments and remittances from the United States to Africa. Onafriq connects various payment schemes with more than 500 million mobile wallets, over 200 million bank accounts, and 400,000 small-to-medium businesses in its network across Africa’s fast-growing yet fragmented payments ecosystem. Cross-border payments are critical for many African families and merchants: according to the World Bank, remittance flows to sub-Saharan Africa alone reached US$53 billion in 2022, Onafriq has made enabling financial access across borders a core part…

After joining forces with Comcast NBCUniversal and Sky to revamp its app and service, Showmax is now focusing on African markets. At a press parley to announce its upcoming launch, the streaming service said it will be present in 44 African countries, against seven countries it had operating units in when it initially launched. The shift in the market comes as more global streaming giants eye the continent’s over one billion population, even though the streaming era is yet to catch up on the continent. And with over 450 million smartphone users on the continent, Showmax is positioning itself as…

TowerCo of Africa (TOA), a subsidiary of AXIAN Telecom, proudly announces the immediate appointment of Kash Pandya as a Non-Executive Director. With a distinguished leadership background in telecommunications and engineering, Mr. Pandya’s expertise will play a crucial role as TOA endeavors to enhance mobile communications accessibility across Africa. Mr. Pandya, currently Vice Chairman on the Supervisory Board of Vantage Towers AG and a Non-Executive Director on the Board of James Fisher & Son Plc, brings vast experience in managing large-scale operations and strategic planning. His notable tenure as Chairman of Climate Impact Partners and CEO of Helios Towers Plc reflects…

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Communications and the Digital Economy, CS Eliud Owalo has presided over the launch of the Jitume Digital Hub at Bungoma North Technical and Vocational College in Tongaren, Bungoma County. Besides the launch of the Jitume Digital Hub yesterday 19th January, CS Owalo was also present with President Ruto on 17th January as the President launched a Digital Hub in Bidii Ward, Kwanza Sub-County, Kitale, Transnzoia County. Also present at the lauch of the Jitaume Digital Hub were PS, ICT and the Digital Economy, Eng. John Tanui, MBS, and PS, Broadcasting and Communication, Prof Edward Kisiang’ani,…

This marks the second consecutive year of the program’s operation in our country, underlying Exness’ ongoing dedication to supporting education in STEM fields in South Africa. Multi-asset broker Exness announces it is now accepting applications for its Fintech Scholarships program from exceptional South African students. This marks the second consecutive year of the program’s operation in our country, underlying Exness’ ongoing dedication to supporting education in STEM fields in South Africa. Exness Fintech Scholarships is designed to create a pathway to academic excellence and career development for outstanding, underprivileged, talented individuals, empowering them to be the next generation of tech…

The Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, has said that NIMC and the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, are synergising with security agencies to track down kidnappers and rescue the victims. The disclosure was made by the DG, Odusote recently in Abuja at the Stakeholders Consultation Forum in Nigeria Digital Identification for Development Project, NDID4D. She said they were going to use the National Identity Numbers, NIN, and Subscribers Identity Modules, SIM, databases to track them down. The theme of the forum is, “Fostering Inclusion and Feedback Mechanism in the Nigeria Digital (ID4D) Project.” Odusote did not…

The Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems Limited (GhIPSS) has announced a strategic partnership with Visa to enable the processing of domestic transactions in Ghana Cedi with Visa cards issued in Ghana. GhIPSS posted a press release on 16th January 2024, noting that as Ghana’s National Payment Systems Infrastructure Provider, it will handle switching, clearing, and settling domestic Visa transactions between acquirers and issuers in the country. This collaboration aligns with the Bank of Ghana’s Guidelines for Domestic Processing of Payment Card Transactions with Payment Cards Issued in Ghana, published in August 2021. The guidelines aim to facilitate the processing…