Author: Akin Naphtal

American astronaut, Neil Armstrong, upon stepping on the moon, famously spoke of that first step as “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Unlike Armstrong, Joseph Anokye has not landed on the moon, but the small, determined step that eventually led to him becoming the Director General of Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA) has become a giant leap for Ghana’s communications industry. While still a youth in Ghana, Joseph Anokye attended the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, gaining a Bachelor’s degree in Geodetic Engineering. His desire to grow his knowledge led him to…

Ben Tagoe, VP Africa of Cyberteq Falcon a leading cybersecurity company in Ghana, has admonished internet users about the core components of cybersecurity attacks including the relationship between threats, vulnerabilities, and risks in the cybersecurity industry. According to Mr. Tagoe, vulnerabilities are weaknesses or flaws in systems, applications, networks, or business processes that can be exploited by threat actors, such as hackers, malware, or insiders. Threats are individuals or events that seek to take advantage of these vulnerabilities for malicious purposes, such as stealing data, disrupting services, or extorting money. Risks are the estimated impact and likelihood of an exploit…

The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) Dr. Vincent Olatunji has emphasized the importance of continuous learning in the field of data protection, during a session of the D4D Development Hub project in Lagos. The D4D Development Hub project is a joint initiative of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and the African European Union (AU-EU) to enhance the digital skills and employability of Nigerian youth in emerging technologies, such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. The project offers free online and offline training courses, mentorship, career guidance, and job placement opportunities to the participants,…

South African streaming service, Showmax, has surpassed Netflix as Africa’s streaming market leader, taking advantage of Netflix’s recent market percentage decrease to claim the top spot with a 40% market share. While Netflix controlled over 40% of the African streaming market in 2021, the US-based streaming service share has suffered a market share decrease to 35%, according to recent data from Omdia Research. Showmax, with 1.8 million subscribers, has experienced a 26% year-on-year growth in paid subscribers over the last four years. The streaming service attributes its success to a primary focus on local content production, with a substantial investment…

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy, Hon. Eliud O. Owalo has been adjudged the Digital Economy Personality of the Year at the 8th Africa Digital Economy Awards (ADEA) 2023, held on 10th November, at the Emara Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. The Digital Economy Personality of the Year is in recognition of his impeccable role in driving digitalization in Kenya as well as his role as CS for the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy which has birthed several initiatives and innovations making Kenya a digital hub in the continent.…

In a bid to enhance its e-commerce footprint, Amazon has partnered Snapchat to enable US users to directly purchase certain products listed on Amazon through the social media app, mirroring a recent deal between Amazon and Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta. An Amazon spokesperson has revealed that Snapchat users will have the convenience of shopping directly from Amazon’s ads within the Snapchat platform. The entire shopping experience, from product selection to checkout, can be completed seamlessly without leaving the social media app. As part of this integration, potential buyers will have access to real-time pricing, Prime eligibility, delivery estimates, and detailed product…

The National Communication Authority (NCA) has clinched two prestigious awards at the 8th Africa Digital Economy Awards (ADEA) in Kenya. Recognized as the “Africa Communications Regulator of the Year,” the NCA, led by Director General Mr. Joe Anokye, stood out for its outstanding performance in overseeing the Ghanaian communications sector. In addition to this accolade, Mr. Anokye secured a spot among Africa’s Top 50 Digital Economy Leaders. The awards ceremony, held on November 10, 2023, at the Emara Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairobi, aimed to acknowledge and celebrate Africa’s digital champions, innovators, and groundbreaking inventions across various domains in the…

Nigerian digital bank, Eyowo, has remained in a state of uncertainty six months after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) revoked its Microfinance Bank (MFB) license, preventing the fintech from reassuring its customers who are currently in limbo, as to when it can resume operations. The CBN revoked Eyowo’s MFB license over possible non-compliance, leading to a prolonged period of disruption with many Eyowo customers facing challenges in withdrawing their deposits. The startup, in a statement has attributed the delay in the resumption of operations to some processes that it needs to conclude. These processes include changing its name and…

Ghana’s Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation is set to unveil the re/Start initiative in collaboration with the Smart Africa Digital Academy (SADA) and Amazon Web Services (AWS). The launch of this digital skills program, aimed at enhancing the employability and entrepreneurial capacities of Ghanaian youth in emerging technologies, will take place on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at the Ghana-Indian Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (GI-KACE) in Accra. Guest expected to grace the occasion include the Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful; the Director-General of GI-KACE, Mr. Kwasi Adu-Gyan; the Country Director of SADA, Mr. Eric Akumiah;…

Vodafone Group Plc and Accenture have announced their intention to form a strategic partnership to commercialise Vodafone’s shared operations, which provide various services to Vodafone’s operating companies and partner markets. The partnership will create a new shared services unit, in which Vodafone will retain majority interest and management control, while Accenture will invest €150m for a minority stake. The new unit will leverage Accenture’s technology and transformation services, such as digital solutions, platforms, and artificial intelligence, to accelerate growth, enhance customer service, and drive significant efficiencies for Vodafone and its partners. “Today’s announcement is a significant development for Vodafone as…