Author: Akin Naphtal

In a move towards positioning Nigeria as a global leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has revealed that the Ministry has identified over 6,000 Artificial Intelligence researchers of Nigerian descent across the globe. The announcement came during the Zenith Bank Tech Fair 2023 held recently in Lagos. Speaking at the event, Dr Tijani emphasized the strategic importance of these Artificial Intelligence researchers, stating that they will play a crucial role in the country’s ambitious plan to integrate AI across all sectors, contributing to economic growth and job creation. The initiative…

Albantsho, a fast-growing Nigerian creative tech startup, has announced the launch of “The Scriptwriter”, a suite of easy-to-use screenwriting tools for African creators, which is currently available free of charge for users across Africa. It is a robust screenwriting tool created by Africans for Africans, offering a platform that enables screenwriters to create polished stories that meet formatting requirements. The platform rivals similar tools, with its block-based script editor that is user friendly and free. Easing the Strain Screenwriting Demands “The creative aspect of screenwriting can be very mentally demanding, but that doesn’t mean professionals can afford to focus on…

Brazil-based ransomware group N4ughtySecTU has threatened to leak the data of South African consumer credit reporting agencies, TransUnion and Experian within 72 hours unless its demand for a $60 million ransom is met. N4ughtySecTU says it gained access to data from the aforementioned agencies after an initial attack in March 2022, claiming to have extracted 28 million credit records and 54 million identity numbers from TransUnion’s files. TransUnion, refused a $15 million ransom at the time, and faced the threat of having at least 3 million South African customers’ details being released. However, TransUnion denied the breach, attributing it to…

Johannesburg-based startup Eagle-Eye Defence is revolutionising vehicle security by introducing biometric authentication which offers car owners enhanced control over their vehicles. The company’s innovative technology is designed to prevent vehicle theft and curb unsafe driving, providing owners with peace of mind and a robust security solution. Biometric Authentication for Vehicle Control Eagle-Eye Defence utilises biometric fingerprint or facial recognition technology to ensure that only authorized drivers can start a car. This advanced authentication process offers an additional layer of security beyond traditional key-based systems. Car owners can remotely control their vehicles through a dedicated mobile app, adding convenience to the…

Kenyan’s M-KOPA, specialising in pay-as-you-go models for solar panels and smartphones, has extended its services to address South Africa’s (SA) electricity crisis after securing $250 million in debt and equity to fuel its expansion initiatives across Africa. South Africa’s Electricity Challenges South Afica has been experiencing electricity challenges for over a decade now, marked by incidents of load shedding. In July, reports highlighted a 12-hour-long power outage in January, which temporarily eased up in May. However, Eskom, South Africa’s power utility, warned in September that load shedding might worsen in 2024, projecting a failure in electricity generation capabilities to meet…

The Kenyan government has announced the adoption of Microsoft’s cloud-first strategy in a shift that will prioritise Microsoft’s cloud services over traditional on-premises solutions, aiming to elevate public service delivery. Microsoft will collaborate with the government, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) through the ICT Authority to establish a joint working framework. The framework, slated for finalisation by February 2024, sets the stage for a comprehensive integration of Microsoft cloud services across Kenya’s various government entities. The agreement between the Kenyan government and Microsoft is geared towards expediting the nation’s digital transformation initiatives. Aligned with the objectives outlined in the Kenyan…

Nigeria’s Minister for Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, has announced the government’s official launch of its Startup Engagement Portal, marking a crucial step in implementing the Startup Act that was signed into law thirteen months ago. The Startup Engagement Portal serves as the gateway to the benefits and opportunities outlined in the Nigerian Startup Act. Positioned as a one-stop shop for startups, the portal streamlines paperwork and registration processes with key agencies such as the Corporate Affairs Commission, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Central Bank of Nigeria. One of the portal’s notable features is its…

The Chinese technology company Huawei launched the “Seeds for the Future” program recently in Botswana, aiming to cultivate local information and communications technology (ICT) talent and young leaders for the future and promote the development of digital communities. About 25 undergraduate students from four universities in Botswana will participate virtually in the program from Nov. 21 to 27. During the event, the students will gain rich experiences, including technical lectures, leadership workshops, Chinese cultural experiences and communication with peers from around the world, said David Zhang, managing director of Huawei Technologies Botswana, who officially inaugurated the ceremony in Botswana’s capital…

Vodafone, Ericsson, and Qualcomm Technologies have successfully tested a new radio and chipset technology that will enable customers to connect many more low-cost, energy-efficient devices to fast 5G networks. The technology, called RAN Reduced Capability (RedCap), is a new software enhancement that optimizes the network for low-powered devices like smart watches, credit card readers and portable routers, without draining their battery life. The companies demonstrated the technology in a European first test in September in the Spanish city of Ciudad Real, using Vodafone’s live, multi-vendor testing 5G network named ‘CREATE’ (Ciudad Real España Advanced Testing Environment). The test used Qualcomm’s…

General Motors’ (GM) self-driving unit, Cruise, is preparing to relaunch its robotaxi services, aiming to rebuild trust and demonstrate performance, after California authorities prohibited Cruise’s self-driving vehicles from public roads following a collision in October. Last week, Cruise temporarily halted all supervised and manual car trips in the US, coupled with an expanded safety review of its robotaxis. There was also a shake-up within the company, leading to CEO, Kyle Vogt, and Chief Product Officer, Daniel Kan, resigning. Though facing setbacks in a sector reliant on public trust and regulatory cooperation, Cruise had earlier outlined plans to expand its fully…