Author: Akin Naphtal

In line with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation (MoCD) has announced a series of measures to enhance the security and trustworthiness of e-commerce and digital transactions in Ghana. The AfCFTA, which came into force in January 2021, aims to create a single market for goods and services across the continent, with a potential market of 1.2 billion people and a combined GDP of $2.5 trillion. E-commerce and digital platforms are expected to play a key role in facilitating trade and boosting economic growth under the AfCFTA. However, e-commerce and…

MainOne, a provider of connectivity and data center solutions in West Africa, has unveiled its new open access, carrier-neutral, Uptime Tier III standards Data Center, AB1.2, in VITIB, Grand Bassam, Cote d’Ivoire. The new data center, which will be operational in November 2023, will offer increased capacity, security, and reliability for customers in the region. The Company has been providing world-class connectivity, colocation, and interconnection services to meet the technological needs of customers in Cote d’Ivoire since the landing of its submarine cable and the launch of its first data center in 2019. The company is now expanding its data…

Global technology services provider, DXC Technology, has revealed a five-year contract signing with locomotive manufacturer, Alstom to oversee the management of Alstom information system. DXC seeks to support Alstom’s digital transformation by presenting innovative, sustainable mobility solutions as part of their extended partnership. With Alstom’s cloud infrastructure optimization, DXC aims to address challenges identified in the mobility sector. DXC, under new contracts, will develop an efficient cloud strategy that spans 122 physical locations. Using advanced tools and agile methodologies, DXC aims to streamline Alstom’s vital IT architecture, targeted at modernizing its enterprise applications, including SAP. DXC will also aid Alstom…

MultiChoice streaming service, Showmax, has announced plans to discontinue its streaming services outside Africa by 1st December 2023, to focus primarily on meeting the needs of its African customer base. The move follows Showmax’s earlier announcement to shut down its paid tier, Showmax Pro, which previously offered users access to live sports and news from SuperSport. Showmax revealed in a statement that, “for the moment, we will be focused specifically on the African market and on meeting the needs of our growing customer communities across the dynamic continent.” Showmax 2.0 and NBC Universal Partnership Showmax 2.0 is scheduled to launch…

UK’s largest pub company, Stonegate Group, is underway to unveil an innovative digital media network called “MiXR” to connect consumers to the entire Stonegate managed estate through a dedicated app. MiXR will also provide brand partners with a digital media platform and advertising channel, encompassing over 4,500 screens across 850 managed venues throughout the UK by October 2024. Recent studies have highlighted the resilience of the on-premises hospitality sector in the face of economic uncertainty and rising living costs. Over 39% of UK consumers have expressed their intention to prioritize visits to on-trade establishments in the coming year. The MiXR…

ChatGPT creator, OpenAI, with its first developer conference, has signalled its expansion into the consumer market, with CEO, Sam Altman, sharing updates allowing users to access custom-made AI “apps” designed to assist with various tasks. With this move, the company aims to make the most of ChatGPT’s immense popularity, with the chatbot now boasting 100 million weekly active users since its launch in November last year. OpenAI calls these customized AI apps “GPTs,” representing early versions of AI assistants capable of real-world tasks, including flight bookings on behalf of users. Later this month, OpenAI plans to introduce the GPT Store,…

Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, while representing Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has entered an agreement with France to commence the Investment in Digital & Creative Enterprises (I-DICE) program. The I-DICE program is an initiative organised by the Federal Government of Nigeria, with the Vice President’s office heading it. The program aims to empower young Nigerians by creating job opportunities within the digital and creative sectors, contributing to the nation’s economic growth. France’s Contribution The French government, represented by Minister for European and Foreign Affairs, Ms. Catherine Colonna, demonstrated its commitment to the I-DICE…

Ghana and Togo have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in a bid to enhance cross-border communications and reduce the cost of roaming services for their citizens. Ghana’s Director-General of its National Communications Authority (NCA), Mr. Joe Anokye and Togo’s Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications (ARCEP), General Manager Mr. Michel Yaovi Galley signed the agreement in Ghana’s capital Accra. The signing of the MoU was followed by a two-day bilateral meeting between the two regulators and the mobile network operators of both countries, who also signed the Tripartite Agreements to commence the implementation of the Regulation. The meeting discussed the…

Africa’s leading Fintech Company, MFS Africa, has rebranded itself to showcase its growth and ambition in the digital payments space across the continent The company chose to rename itself after expanding quickly and buying several companies, including GTP, which gave it a larger share of the US market “It was getting harder for us to use the MFS trademark outside of Africa because it really belonged to another company in the US,” said Onafriq’s creator and CEO, Dare Okoudjou, stated. “With this new name, we can bring everyone together under one brand and identity.” The new name Onafriq reflects MFS…

The modern business model is one of agility. In the past few years, we have seen a growing number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) discarding traditional, hierarchical ‘top down’ infrastructures and creating flatter and more flexible structures. As reported in Mimecast’s “State of Email Security 2023 Report”, the modern work surface is dependent on collaboration tools, embracing ways to integrate communications and messaging with project management. While this culture promotes innovation, collaboration and an entrepreneurial work ethic, it easily puts strains on IT systems designed for a different age. Veeam’s Data Protection Trends 2023 Report highlighted that nearly 80%…