Author: Akin Naphtal

Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani, Managing Director of Digital Realty Nigeria, has been honoured as the Digital Economy Icon of the Year at the 2025 Digital Innovation Awards (DIA), held at the Labadi Beach Resort in Accra. The award recognizes his outstanding contributions to advancing Africa’s digital infrastructure, cementing his reputation as a transformative leader in the continent’s technology sector. The Digital Innovation Awards, organized by InstinctWave, is one of Africa’s foremost platforms celebrating excellence in ICT and digital transformation. This year’s ceremony highlighted the pivotal role of data centers and digital infrastructure in shaping Africa’s economic future. Mr Akin Naphtal, CEO,…

Mobile money subscriptions in Kenya surged by 7.3% to 45.4 million users in the quarter ending March 2025, according to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) Third Quarter Sector Statistics Report for the Financial Year 2024/2025. This growth has driven the country’s mobile money penetration rate to an impressive 86.6%. The CA attributes the rise in mobile money usage to a parallel 6.7% increase in active mobile (SIM) subscriptions, reaching 76.2 million and reflecting a 145.3% penetration rate. “This growth in active mobile subscriptions is driven by effective customer win-back campaigns by operators,” the CA noted in its report. ALSO…

Airtel Uganda has expanded its 4G network to Kassanda district, delivering faster and more reliable connectivity to residents and businesses as part of its nationwide coverage campaign. The new network sites are already transforming call quality and data experiences, empowering local communities with better access to digital services. During a recent visit to Kassanda, Airtel Uganda’s Managing Director, Soumendra Sahu, engaged with customers, agents, and community members to assess the impact of the upgraded infrastructure. The expansion is driving economic participation, improving access to knowledge, and fostering affordable connectivity for local businesses and families. ALSO READ: GHANA’S ICT MINISTER INSPIRES…

Hon. Samuel Nartey George, Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, today visited Girls in ICT training centres across the Volta Region, engaging with young trainees to promote digital skills and STEM education. The centres included In My Father’s House, RC Basic School in Abor, Keta Municipal, and Amissah-Arthur Learning Centre in Ohawu, Ketu North District. The minister expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, which aims to train 3,000 girls and 300 teachers in digital skills this year. “The Girls in ICT program is a flagship effort to equip a new generation of girls with future-ready skills,” George said, highlighting its…

OpenAI has launched Codex, its most advanced AI coding agent, now available to ChatGPT Pro, Enterprise, and Team subscribers. The cloud-based tool, introduced in a research preview, promises to revolutionize software development by automating complex tasks, allowing developers to focus on high-value work. Codex can write features, debug code, answer codebase queries, and propose pull requests, handling multiple tasks simultaneously. While tasks may take one to 30 minutes, users retain full computer access during processing. OpenAI is offering “generous access at no additional cost” for a limited period before introducing pricing and rate limits. “We envision a future where developers…

Colt Data Centre Services (Colt DCS) has reaffirmed its leadership in sustainable data centre operations, securing its EcoVadis Platinum rating for the third consecutive year and achieving a remarkable 32% reduction in absolute Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions since 2019, according to its latest sustainability report. This milestone, accomplished amidst operational expansion in high-growth markets like Japan and India, underscores Colt DCS’s commitment to environmental stewardship and aligns with the growing demand for sustainable infrastructure in Africa’s burgeoning digital economy. The company’s environmental achievements are notable. Colt DCS eliminated Scope 2 emissions through 100% renewable electricity sourcing,…

Safaricom Ethiopia has relaunched its 4G network in Arbaminch City, marking a significant step in its nationwide expansion while reinforcing its commitment to social good through a partnership with Mary Joy Ethiopia, a leading NGO supporting vulnerable women and children. The relaunch event in the Gamo Zone showcased Safaricom’s dual focus on connectivity and compassion. CEO Wim Vanhelleputte emphasized, “We’re not just building a network; we’re fostering community resilience, opportunity, and hope.” As part of its humanitarian efforts, Safaricom donated approximately $9,000 (500,000 Birr) to equip a new elderly care centre managed by Mary Joy Ethiopia. The facility provides essential…

Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) has appointed Jurgen Peschel as its CEO. Peschel’s appointment follows the abrupt resignation of former managing director Anthony Masunga in August 2024.He has been self-employed as a CEO in ICT, based in Switzerland, offering strategic expertise to global organizations. Peschel served as CEO and Managing Director of 9mobile in Nigeria, leading a strategic turnaround that enhanced financial stability and enterprise valuation. He modernized IT and network services, expanded LTE coverage, and strengthened regulatory relationships. Prior, as Deputy Group CTO at Digicel Group in Jamaica, he spearheaded the Digicel 2030 transformation, optimizing operations across 28 markets and…

Airtel Business Uganda unveiled Network as a Service (NaaS), a digital solution powered by Cisco that it says will help businesses scale efficiently and securely. The event, hosted at the Serena Hotel, united key players in Uganda’s technology and enterprise sectors. Rajesh Agrawal, networks director, highlighted NaaS as a game-changing technology designed to suit the needs of organisations at every stage of their growth. “Whether you’re a startup in Bugolobi, a retail chain in Gulu, or a financial institution with operations across East Africa, this service meets you where you are and grows with you,” he said. Agrawal emphasised the…

Cassava Technologies, a leading pan-African technology company, has announced a strategic partnership with Vambo AI, an innovative African start-up, to accelerate the development of AI solutions tailored to Africa’s linguistic, cultural, and economic contexts. The collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding, marks a significant milestone in Africa’s digital transformation journey. Under the agreement, Vambo AI will leverage Cassava’s state-of-the-art AI Factory, powered by NVIDIA GPU-based supercomputers, to develop and distribute African-trained large language models and AI systems. This initiative focuses on creating open-source language models designed for African languages, enabling developers, researchers, and businesses to build inclusive, culturally relevant…