Author: Akin Naphtal

Apple’s wearables, home and accessory business, which includes the Apple Watch, AirPods earbuds, and other products, brought in $8.28 billion in revenue during the third quarter of 2023. Apple can for now resume sales of its flagship smartwatches, after a U.S. appeals court this week paused a government commission’s import ban on the devices imposed in a patent dispute over its medical monitoring technology. The tech giant had filed an emergency request asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to halt an order from the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), which had ruled that Apple had infringed…

Infobip, a global cloud communications platform, introduces AI Hub – an extensive artificial intelligence upgrade – enabling businesses to enhance end-to-end conversational experiences throughout the entire customer journey. Integrating advanced analytics, AI, and generative AI features with Infobip’s core Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) portfolio, AI Hub supports digital transformation. It enables businesses and brands to build end-to-end conversational customer journeys, enhancing customer engagement whether for marketing, sales or support and driving business growth with minimal effort and no coding knowledge. In launching Infobip AI Hub, the global cloud communications platform collaborated with Microsoft to develop new ways of integrating generative AI within…

Israel’s government has approved a $3.2 billion grant for US chipmaker, Intel’s, upcoming $25 billion chip plant in southern Israel, which marks the largest-ever investment by a company in the country. The announcement comes amid Israel’s ongoing hostilities with Palestinian militant group Hamas, and it showcases a significant display of support by a major US company during a period of increased pressure on Israel to minimise civilian casualties. Intel’s expansion plan for its Kiryat Gat site, located 42 km from Gaza, is part of the chip company’s broader strategy to strengthen the global supply chain. The investment follows Intel’s recent…

US tech giant, Nvidia, along with its employees from over 30 countries, has raised $15 million for non-profit organizations supporting civilians affected by the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. Nvidia disclosed on Sunday, that its employees donated over $5 million, with the company doubling that amount to reach the $15 million figure. This initiative has been noted as the largest humanitarian fundraiser in GPU company’s 30-year history. According to Reuters, the contributions made by Nvidia’s employees’ contributions were directed to various organisations in the region, including Asor Fund (JGive), American Friends of Magen David Adom, Doctors Without…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has lifted its ban on cryptocurrency transactions, stating in a circular dated 22 December, that it was acknowledging global trends that indicate the necessity of regulating such activities. Initially implemented in February 2021, the ban prevented banks and financial institutions in Nigeria from engaging in or facilitating transactions involving crypto assets, with the CBN citing concerns about money laundering and terrorism financing as the reason for its decision. Following this, Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) introduced regulations in May of the same year for digital assets, signalling the country’s attempt to strike a…

ChatGPT parent company, OpenAI, has reportedly entered discussions to secure a new round of funding, aiming to raise at least $100 billion according to sources who spoke with Bloomberg News. Currently, the terms, exact valuation of funds, and the timeline for this potential funding round remain subject to change, as per the report. Additionally, OpenAI has engaged in talks regarding funding for a new chip venture, potentially partnering with G42, a company based in Abu Dhabi. However, the relationship between this chip venture and the broader funding initiative remains unclear. The discussions with G42 have allegedly involved considering raising funds…

Digital Realty Nigeria, formerly Medallion Data Centre Limited, has been honoured with the most coveted West Africa Datacentre of the Year award at the eighth Africa Digital Economy Awards (ADEA) held in Nairobi, Kenya in November. The CEO, Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani, was also named a Digital Economy Leader in Africa as he made it to the 2023 Africa Top 50 Digital Economy Leader listing. The recognition as the West Africa Datacentre of the Year solidifies Digital Realty’s position as a go-to provider for fast, efficient, and cost-effective data and connectivity services in Nigeria. Digital Realty Nigeria is a key player…

China has unveiled a new bill aimed at curbing in-game spending, adding to a number of measures released in a years-long effort to regulate the booming video game industry, and reduce spending limits of Chinese gamers. Released on Friday, 22nd December these regulations are the most explicit to date, targeting features that increase spending and imposing restrictions on digital wallet top-ups for in-game purchases. Key Restrictions Impact on Industry: Analysts have predicted that the regulations could reduce daily active users and in-app revenue for game developers. Also, game companies may need to rework their game design and monetisation strategies. International…

Ride-hailing drivers in Ghana have criticised the Ghana Revenue Authority’s decision to implement a vehicle income tax (VIT), which must be paid quarterly, and which is slated to take effect from 1st January, 2024. The tax notice states that anyone who owns a commercial vehicle, and earns income from its operation must pay the tax. Ride-hailing companies operating in the country, including Uber, Bolt, and Yango, are required to verify that their drivers have paid the VIT before allowing them to operate on their platforms. The GRA also requires ride-hailing companies to request a soft copy of the VIT sticker…

Kenyan telecommunications giant, Safaricom PLC, has announced a new partnership with premium music service, Mdundo.com to launch an exclusive subscription service, allowing Kenyans to enjoy their favourite DJ mixes for Ksh 5 per day. This subscription provides Kenyans with an affordable and convenient way to access a wide range of music content. The service is exclusive to Safaricom users, and can be accessed on Mdundo.com website. Chief Consumer Business Officer, Safaricom PLC, Fawzia Ali, explained that the “goal is to provide Kenyans’ freedom, choice and control over the content they consume, and we are delighted to embark on this journey…