Author: Akin Naphtal

Pure Health, the UAE’s largest healthcare group, has acquired Dubai-based IT services provider PureCS as it boosts its portfolio amid preparations for an initial public offering in Abu Dhabi next month. The 100 per cent acquisition of PureCS will help Pure Health use the latest technology to enhance its services and solutions, “underpinned by the importance of the role of AI and technology in the healthcare and consumer sector”, Pure Health said in a statement on Thursday. Pure Health, which is backed by Alpha Dhabi Holding and International Holding Company, declined to disclose the value of the deal to The…

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has called on Nokia Networks to increase its investments in Research and Development (R&D) to support the growth of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Nigeria. Following the reports, Maida was quoted in a conversation when a delegation from Nokia Networks of Finland led by the Deputy Minister, Under-Secretary of State for International Trade from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Jarno Syrjala, visited the commission recently to explore further opportunities for mutually-beneficial relationships. He told the delegation that the Nigerian…

Leveraging innovative technology and strategic partnerships to combat gender-based violence (GBV), MTN Group has announced our participation in the global “UNiTE! Invest to Prevent Violence against Women & Girls” campaign. Our involvement underscores our commitment to creating safer, more equitable environments for women and girls. UNiTE! is a 16-day campaign of activism against the scourge of GBV which affects around 736 million women worldwide. The campaign focuses on breaking the barriers of silence and stigma that often surround GBV, empowering women to stand strong and speak out. According to the World Health Organization, in sub-Saharan Africa a third of women…

I love engaging and insightful discussions about technology. I have a knack for doing that with total strangers, a true sign of an extrovert. This article was inspired by a discussion I had with one of the greatest minds in Satellite Radio in Asia last weekend when I shared a ride with him as we headed to the International Telecommunication Union -World Radio Communication Conference in Dubai. I enjoyed our chat because many people had raised similar topics since taking up the realms as the MD-CEO of NIGERIAN COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE LIMITED (NIGCOMSAT). It was refreshing to have a chance to…

In a bid to fortify the accountancy profession against the challenges of the future, the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) has hosted its 40th Annual Seminar with a focus on digital transformation and the fight against corruption. The seminar, which was held from 20th to 24th November, gathered industry leaders, experts, and speakers to discuss the theme of ‘future readiness of the accountancy profession.’ Grace Kamau, the Chief Executive Officer of ICPAK, emphasized the need for accountants to be adaptable and agile in the face of constant changes and challenges on both local and global fronts. Identifying…

Some say leaders are born, others argue that leaders are made. Both of these arguments have merit, because some are born to inherit leadership positions, while others toil to get there. Peter Ndegwa is among the latter, achieving his current position of CEO at Safaricom PLC by dint of hard work, excellence, and perseverance. Born in Kenya in 1969, Peter Ndegwa always had a curious mind while growing up. After attaining a high school from Starehe Boys’ Centre, Ndegwa charged on to achieve a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Nairobi, and an MBA from the prestigious London…

Orange Botswana celebrates the business’ CEO, Nene Maïga, on her prestigious Female Innovator of the Year Award 2023, received at the Africa Tech Festival Awards in Cape Town, South Africa. This distinguished accolade recognises the exceptional contributions of women in the fields of technology, media, and telecommunications across the African continent. Having assumed the role of CEO at Orange Botswana in 2021, Nene Maïga is widely regarded as a trailblazer in the telecom industry. Her selection as one of the six outstanding women contending for this award underscores her exceptional leadership, unwavering dedication, and ceaseless efforts in propelling innovation and…

Five thousand three hundred (5,300) small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) from across South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria have graduated from Google’s Hustle Academy. Google launched the Hustle Academy back in 2022 and has since empowered over 10,000 entrepreneurs across Africa. More than 3,000 of these SMBs are from Kenya. The Hustle Academy program focuses on addressing the challenges faced by African SMBs and provides practical skills and resources that are essential for business growth. Business owners undergo five days of hands-on training and receive 3,000 hours of training on fundamental aspects of business to help them navigate the challenges faced…

VFS Global, the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions, appointed Jose Manuel Aisa Mancho as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Jose joins VFS Global from Cellnex Telecom and will report to Zubin Karkaria, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, and will be based in Dubai, UAE. He has over two decades of experience across the suite of finance sub-functions, including mergers and acquisitions, financial planning, investor relations, management control, treasury, and tax. He has previously worked in different organisations including Abertis Infrastructures, CriteriaCaixa and Cellnex. He was also a Non-Executive Officer in infrastructure companies…

Patsnap, the world’s leading AI-powered innovation intelligence platform, has made successful inroads into the Japanese market in a bid to catalyse a surge of innovation in the East Asian country. At the recent Growth Industry Conference (GRIC) 2023 held in Tokyo, Guan Dian, Patsnap’s co-founder, unveiled the company’s strategic plans in Japan for the future. GRIC 2023 is Japan’s largest hybrid global conference and community specialising in the growth industry with the goal of elevating the country’s startup ecosystem to global standards. During a panel session at the conference moderated by Nikkei’s Tsubasa Suruga, Guan and Carmen Yuen, general partner…