Author: Akin Naphtal

The Volta Region kicked off a week-long Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop at Adonai University in Ho, as part of Ghana’s national “Girls in ICT” initiative. The program, targeting 100 ICT teachers from across the region, aims to equip educators with advanced digital skills to mentor young women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The opening ceremony on Monday drew regional education officials, Ministry representatives, and partner agencies. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations (MoCDTI), in collaboration with the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) and the Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT…

In a major step toward advancing Nigeria’s digital innovation, the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, welcomed Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and a senior delegation to finalize a landmark agreement. The signing establishes the Nigerian AI Scaling Hub, backed by up to $7.5 million in funding and technical expertise from the Gates Foundation. The agreement follows prior discussions between Dr. Tijani, Gates, and young African innovators, where artificial intelligence emerged as a pivotal focus. The new AI Hub will prioritize developing solutions for healthcare, agriculture, and education—sectors critical to…

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming from a mere digital assistant into a collaborative colleague, according to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Speaking at the Snowflake Summit 2025, Altman highlighted the shifting role of AI, suggesting it is poised to unlock new realms of knowledge and reshape workplace dynamics. Altman described how AI agents, such as ChatGPT, are increasingly integrated into workflows, performing tasks akin to those of entry-level employees. “You hear people talk about their job now is to assign work to a bunch of agents, look at the quality, figure out how it fits together, give feedback,” Altman said, drawing…

Vodacom Group has appointed Mohamed Abdallah as the new chief executive officer of Vodacom International Markets and Vodafone Egypt, marking a significant step in the company’s Vision 2030 strategy to streamline operations and drive growth across Africa. Abdallah, previously the CEO of Vodafone Egypt, will now oversee Vodacom’s operations in Egypt, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lesotho, Mozambique, and Tanzania. This unified leadership structure aims to enhance operational excellence and deliver on Vodacom’s strategic priorities, the company announced. The CEOs of Vodacom DRC, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Tanzania will report directly to Abdallah, who in turn will report to Vodacom…

Heirs Technologies, a key driver of Africa’s digital transformation, is advancing its mission to nurture the continent’s next generation of tech innovators through its i-Academy training program. The company’s Supplementary Technical Engineering Program (STEP) recently organized a transformative visit for trainees to the Cisco Edge Centre, offering hands-on exposure to state-of-the-art cloud networking technologies. The 2025 Cloud and Security Cohort, launched in April, welcomed 100 aspiring engineers selected from over 3,600 applicants across Nigeria. The program, designed to equip young Africans with globally recognized skills, integrates best practices from CompTIA, expert mentorship, and industry-leading certifications. Trainees are positioned to excel…

MTN Nigeria is set to launch a new 1,500-rack, Tier 4 data centre before the end of the current quarter, according to Yahaya Ibrahim, the company’s chief technical officer. The facility, announced in June 2024, is part of MTN’s strategy to strengthen Nigeria’s ICT infrastructure amid surging demand for data services. Ibrahim said, “Our new data centre is almost complete and is scheduled to go live this quarter. It is part of our broader strategy to support the continued growth of ICT services across the country.” This follows Airtel Nigeria’s groundbreaking for its first data centre in Lagos in March…

Nigerian-based fintech PalmPay has earned top honours as the fastest-growing financial services company in Africa, according to the Financial Times’ prestigious Fastest-Growing Companies in Africa 2025 list. Ranked second overall out of 130 firms, the recognition comes just six years after the company’s launch in 2019. Compiled in partnership with research firm Statista, the ranking spotlights Africa’s most dynamic businesses based on revenue growth, customer adoption, and scale of operations. PalmPay recorded a staggering 583.6% compound annual growth rate between 2020 and 2023. With over 35 million registered users and up to 15 million daily transactions, PalmPay has quickly cemented…

Vodafone and CK Hutchison have officially completed the merger of Vodafone UK and Three UK, creating a new mobile powerhouse with 29 million customers. The newly formed company, VodafoneThree, is 51% owned by Vodafone and 49% by CK Hutchison Group Telecom Holdings Limited. Vodafone will fully consolidate the entity into its financial results. Max Taylor, former CEO of Vodafone UK, has been appointed CEO of VodafoneThree, while Darren Purkis of Three assumes the role of CFO. Described as “one of the most important structural changes in the history of UK mobile” by CCS Insight analyst Kester Mann, the merger sets…

The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations (MoCDTI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today (29-05-25) with the Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) and Presight AI to establish the Ghana-UAE Innovation and Technology Hub. The hub aims to position Ghana as a continental leader in digital transformation and technological advancement, creating a platform for investment, innovation, and job creation. The partnership is expected to drive economic growth, build export capacity in advanced technologies, and strengthen diplomatic ties between Ghana and the United Arab Emirates. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Hon. Samuel George, Minister for Communication,…

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to face a significant digital divide. New initiatives are emerging to address this challenge, including the Smart Village Project, which aims to reduce digital inequality and expand access to essential services The DRC signed a partnership agreement with Chinese tech multinational Huawei to launch a pilot smart village. The project is designed to improve living conditions in rural communities by integrating digital technologies into an ecosystem of connected services and smart devices. “I was honored to represent Prime Minister Judith Suminwa at the signing of the partnership agreement with Huawei for equipping a…