Author: Akin Naphtal

Mastercard has opened its first office in Mauritius to broaden its presence in East Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. This also strengthens Mastercard’s commitment to serving the emerging market of Mauritius with its innovative financial products and services. Its physical presence in Mauritius signifies the company’s efforts to drive the next level of growth and support towards the country’s digital economy. Through this office, Mastercard will be focusing on delivering key value to its customers and businesses in the region, by being able to deliver greater agility and efficiency when providing services to Mauritian stakeholders. The Company’s dedication to…

European aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, through its subsidiary AALTO HAPS Ltd., is set to establish its first communication hub for high-altitude drones (Zephyr) in Kenya’s Laikipia County. The hub, expected to commence operations early 2024, aims to serve customers by the third quarter. Airbus cites Kenya’s favourable conditions, including weather, open spaces, uncongested airspace, stable government, economic environment, and a tech-savvy population as reasons for choosing the location. The initiative promises to generate nearly 1,000 job opportunities and boost local internet adoption, potentially transforming accessibility and internet speeds across the country. Airbus plans to collaborate with local telecommunications service providers like…

Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Afriwave Telecom, Mr. Francis Poku, has announced the forthcoming launch of an SMS platform which will serve as a centralised hub for all Value-Added Service (VAS) providers, providing them with convenient access to Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) through a unified interface. Poku, made this announcement during the inauguration of the newly refurbished Teshie Orphanage. Afriwave Telecom demonstrated its commitment to corporate social responsibility by refurbishing the orphanage’s library, donating a thousand spaces bookshelves and installing six desktop computers with a one-year internet subscription. Licensed by the Government of Ghana through the National Communication Authority, Afriwave…

Xiaomi has introduced the Redmi 13C in the Kenyan market, positioning it as a festive gift combining affordability with impressive hardware features, catering to tech enthusiasts and Kenyans seeking a budget-friendly yet capable smartphone. Scheduled for launch this December the Redmi 13C features a 6.74-inch display, with which it aims to provide an enjoyable visual experience for activities such as gaming, streaming, and web browsing. The smartphone boasts a 50MP triple camera system, offering creative possibilities for capturing stunning landscapes, portraits, and low-light scenes. Equipped with an ample 5000mAh battery, the Redmi 13C ensures that users can keep up with…

Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director-General/CEO of the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, possesses extensive expertise in various areas such as policy formulation, administration, growth management, talent development, solutions architecture, resource mobilization, and strategy implementation, making him a transformational expert. Born on 21st February 1980, Abdullahi attended Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi where he graduated as a BSc degree holder in Computer Science. Abdullahi obtained executive certificates from esteemed universities including Harvard University, University of Cambridge, London Business School, and Oxford University in the UK. He is also a graduate of the renowned IMD Business School in Switzerland, and has received…

Stanbic Kenya Foundation has partnered German development agency, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ), to implement the 2023 Blue Economy Program, targeting 246 entrepreneurs in the coastal region of Kenya. The initiative, which covers six counties, namely Tana River, Lamu, Kilifi, Kwale, Taita Taveta, and Mombasa, will focus on providing training and support owners of local businesses and enhance the capacity of the local businesses industry. The Blue Economy Program includes workshops and experiential learning sessions aimed at equipping entrepreneurs with financial, operational, and digital marketing skills. Some micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) have also received financing to…

YouTube has officially launched its music streaming service, YouTube Music, and the ad-free YouTube Premium in the Kenyan market, providing users who pay the subscription fees an uninterrupted experience across both platforms. The individual subscription for YouTube Music is priced at KES 419, with the Family plan available at KES 669. For a comprehensive package, the YouTube Premium Bundle is offered at KES 499, and the YouTube Premium Family plan is set at KES 949. With YouTube Music, Kenyan users gain access to an extensive library of over 100 million official songs, live performances, music videos, remixes, podcasts, and hard-to-find…

Telecommunications company, Airtel, has recently introduced its new data centre business named Nxtra by Airtel, to facilitate Africa’s digital transformation, and create one of the largest networks of data centres on the continent. Strategically positioned in major cities to complement existing edge sites, Nxtra is tailored to address the growing demands of African businesses, with its data centre infrastructure designed to host the next generation of computing. The facilities will offer multi-megawatt capacity in phases, adhering to stringent global security standards and ensuring ‘five nines’ availability. Leveraging Airtel Africa’s extensive fibre footprint, Nxtra aims to provide secure and scalable integrated…

In a bid to boost digital connectivity and literacy, Airtel Rwanda has announced the launch of the second phase of its Connect Rwanda initiative, named ConnectRwanda 2.0, to the Nyanza district. The launch event, which was attended by Governor Alice Kayitesi, the Governor of the Southern Province in Rwanda, was marked by expressions of gratitude towards the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, Rwanda, and Airtel Rwanda for their joint efforts in making the ConnectRwanda 2.0 initiative a reality in Nyanza District. During the launch in Nyanza District, Kalema Gordon, the Director General of Digital Transformation at the Ministry of ICT…

Moove, Mobility fintech company has appointed Miguel Rodrigues as its first Chief Financial Officer. The appointment marks a significant milestone in Moove’s scale-up journey, positioning the company for financial and operational excellence. Rodrigues brings a wealth of experience to Moove, having previously served as Chief Financial Officer at Creditas, where he played a pivotal role in the company’s growth. His tenure at Creditas, along with his previous experience at The Kraft Heinz Company and Goldman Sachs, equips him with unique insights and proven strategies that will be invaluable to Moove’s next phase of growth. In his new role as Chief…