Author: Akin Naphtal

Airtel Uganda introduced its first 5G Home Broadband device to boost connectivity across the country. The new development was announced recently during the telco’s night golf monthly mug tournament at Uganda Golf Club. Airtel Uganda, Home Broadband Director, Mr. Denis Kahindi expressing his excitement about the new product said, “Imagine monitoring your business complex in real-time, ensuring everything is in perfect order, all through the seamless connectivity of our 5G Home Broadband device.” “Picture enhancing your home security, allowing you the peace of mind to take time off and indulge in more rounds of golf,” he added. Kahindi emphasized that…

European Union countries and lawmakers have agreed to implement the Cyber Resilience Act, designed to protect connected devices, including laptops, fridges, mobile apps, and smart devices, from cyber threats, in response to rising cyber attacks globally. Proposed by the European Commission in September 2022, the Cyber Resilience Act, which the EU agreed to implement on 30th November, will be applicable to all products connected directly or indirectly to another device or network. The legislation outlines cybersecurity requirements for the design, development, production, and sale of both hardware and software products. The new rules state that manufacturers must assess the cybersecurity…

Verto, a fintech and payment solution founded in London has agreed with the United Bank of Africa (UBA) to provide a platform for financial transactions for Kenyan entrepreneurs, small-scale businesses in the East African country, and corporations in over 190 countries. Following comments on the deal, the Country Director for Verto in Kenya, Kevin Nganga noted that the partnership would leverage Verto’s already-established financial ecosystem worth the $3 billion the company recorded last year. He also disclosed that the deal is closing a huge gap in Kenya’s international trade transactions. “By aligning with UBA Bank, Verto is strategically positioned in…

As part of its Digital Communities (DCs) initiative, American Tower Corporation (ATC) Ghana has inaugurated an ICT centre at the Ghana Girls Guide in Achimota, Accra. The internet service provider (ISP) has been actively establishing computer-equipped learning centres in the country. These centres utilise uninterrupted power supply and broadband connections from ATC Ghana’s tower sites, offering access to ICT services and training for basic school pupils and residents in underserved communities. The DCs, strategically located near basic schools, aim to facilitate teaching and learning by providing the schools easy access to technology. Before 2023, ATC Ghana had established 10 DCs…

Absa has revealed it launched its first data science and engineering academy. This academy is designed to foster emerging talent in the field of data and aims to transform its first cohort of 20 learners into data specialists, with advanced knowledge and skills to deliver value across the data lifecycle. According to the company, “Data Science and Engineering has become a scarce and critical skill due to the ever-expanding volume of information in the digital age”. The increasing growth of devices and online platforms implies a growing demand for individuals who can effectively navigate and interpret data. This skill is…

Latin American fintech Clara has launched a payment account in Brazil that it expects will help it reach 6 billion reais ($1.23 billion) in transactions in 2024, the company announced earlier this week, as it eyes growth in the region’s largest economy. Clara, which also provides corporate cards and expense management solutions, said the new product would allow clients in Brazil to expand their payment methods, adding bank slips and express wire transfers (TEDs) to its traditional credit card. The firm said it expects to more than double the number of clients served in Brazil next year with the new…

Pan-African mobile operator MTN SA has announced an opening voluntary severance package (VSP) and voluntary early retirement (VERP) for eligible employees, as part of its ongoing focus on cost-efficiencies and streamlining. According to an MTN statement, the offer has been extended to all departments and business units, and it is not targeting any specific figure. “The focus will remain on streamlined but sustainable operations, to best serve our customers,” it says. During a town hall meeting with CEO Charles Molapisi recently, MTN launched discussions with employees and key stakeholders, including the Communication Workers Union (CWU). “VERPs and VSPs are only…

Cotribute, an award-winning embeddable fintech platform helping credit unions grow deposits, loans and membership has announced it has received the Access Provider Certification of Global Know Your Customer (GKYC) from FIS® (NYSE: FIS), a global leader in financial services technology. The certification is awarded following the successful integration of FIS’ GKYC module with Cotribute’s digital loan application and account opening platform to provide community banks and credit unions with a modern, frictionless experience that expedites onboarding while controlling fraud. The GKYC solution provides a real-time decisioning solution for identity verification and fraud detection designed to reduce friction during the customer…

JSE-listed retailer Pepkor announced recently that Pep sold eight million cellular handsets during the year, 50% of which were smartphones. The retailer said the growth in consumer demand for smartphones exceeded product availability in certain smartphone product lines. With the aim of making smartphones affordable for customers, a cellular handset rental product was developed and is being tested in 180 stores. “To date, 120 000 cellular rentals have been provided through both the group’s internally developed capability and third parties,” said Pepkor. The company added that Pep achieved very pleasing results with strong like-for-like sales growth of 9% in H2FY23…

Vodafone Foundation and UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, have moved to help educate refugees through the Intant Network Schools (INS) digital platform, with both foundations highlighting the importance of educating refugees and the need to increase development investment in this area. This happened during the Connected Education event, held on 28th November. It featured a host of high-profile speakers, including Vodafone Group CEO, Margherita Della Valle, Assistant High Commissioner for Operations at UNHCR, Raouf Mazou, Deputy Secretary General of the ITU, Tomas Lamanauskas, and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, poet, and activist, Emi Mahmoud, The speakers noted that the population of forcibly…