Author: Akin Naphtal

In a recent announcement, the Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority has designated three locations for the construction of expansive data centers by Google Cloud Kuwait. This move highlights the growing significance of digital transformation, particularly in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister of State for Municipal Affairs and Minister of State for Communication Affairs, Fahad Al-Shu’la, expressed confidence in achieving the objectives outlined in Kuwait Vision 2023. He emphasized the government’s determination to establish fruitful partnerships with international and local technology companies, startups and innovative business leaders. READ ALSO:Instant Cash Becomes First Money Transfer Operator to Obtain RPSCS…

Instant Cash, a prominent money transfer brand and part of the FINTX portfolio under Emirates Post Group’s fintech arm, has been granted the Retail Payment Services and Card Scheme Regulation (RPSCS) Category 2 License by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE). This achievement makes Instant Cash the first Money Transfer Operator (MTO) in the UAE to receive this license. Obtaining the RPSCS Category 2 License is a significant milestone for Instant Cash as it aligns with the company’s ambitious expansion strategy. With this license, Instant Cash is poised to expand its services locally, regionally and globally, thereby strengthening its…

A leading global water technology provider, Xylem and its regional partner, the Tiba Manzalawi Group have launched a new joint-venture manufacturing site, the Xylem Egypt Plant, that will provide world-class water solutions and brands to the region. Xylem works closely with local partners to deliver international best-of-breed water solutions to match requirements on the ground. As the Egyptian market grew, the feasibility of establishing a local manufacturing site became a reality, and Xylem with its partner, Tiba Manzalawi, collaborated to make the factory a reality. The new Xylem Egypt Plant will produce parts and complete units, including manufacturing and assembly…

A Tunisian fintech company, Konnect has announced its participation in GITEX Africa 2023 which will take place in Marrakech, Morocco from 31st May to 2nd June. GITEX Africa is the continent’s largest technology exhibition and the perfect platform for tech companies to showcase their cutting-edge technology and demonstrate its impact in improving the lives of people in Africa. Konnect has established itself as a key player in the digital payment sector, offering financial services to its customers and providing reliable, secure, and innovative payment solutions. At GITEX Africa, Konnect will be exhibiting its latest solution that has been designed and developed…

Kenyan-based startup Amini, Corp. has secured $2 million in pre-seed funding in an oversubscribed round led by European Climate Tech fund Pale Blue Dot. Other investors include Superorganism, RaliCap, W3i, Emurgo Kepple Ventures and a network of angel investors from the global technology community. Amini aims to address Africa’s environmental data gap by leveraging artificial intelligence and satellite technology. READ ALSO:Angola Cables and Orange Forge Infrastructure-Sharing Partnership for West Africa’s Djoliba Network Lentra Launches SaaS-Based Loan Management System on Google Cloud Platform IOSCO Proposes World’s First Unified Regulation for Cryptoasset Markets Despite being home to abundant fertile land and mineral…

Angola Cables and Orange have entered into an agreement to share infrastructure for the Djoliba Network in West Africa. This collaboration aims to provide businesses with improved access to efficient and secure digital and cloud services, addressing the growing demand in the gigabyte economy By gaining access to the Djoliba network and leveraging Angola Cables’ robust submarine infrastructure, businesses will benefit from enhanced connectivity for accessing international markets. The agreement offers expanded traffic destinations across West Africa and other regions globally, enabling greater connectivity and facilitating business growth. READ ALSO:Lentra Launches SaaS-Based Loan Management System on Google Cloud Platform IOSCO…

Fintech company Lentra has announced the launch of its software-as-a-service (SaaS)-based loan management system, called 1LMS, on Google Cloud Platform (GCP). The platform utilizes microservice architecture, where features like KYC and collateral are treated as independent microsystems. This architecture allows for a more agile and nimble system compared to traditional monolithic architectures, enabling financial institutions to launch new products more efficiently. Previously, Lentra’s loan management system was hosted on a different cloud provider. However, with its expansion into Southeast Asian markets, including Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, Lentra sought to scale up its infrastructure. By partnering with Google and leveraging…

The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) made an announcement on Tuesday, unveiling a proposal for the world’s first unified regulation of cryptoasset markets. This move comes in response to concerns raised by the collapse of the FTX exchange last year, which highlighted the need for enhanced consumer protection measures. IOSCO, aiming to address various issues in the financial sector, has presented a set of standards as part of its proposal. The cryptocurrency industry has been advocating for a global regulatory framework, as different jurisdictions currently enforce their own rules, often limited to anti-money laundering checks. READ ALSO:Kenyan AgriTech Startup…

iProcure, a leading agricultural inputs supply company based in Kenya, has announced its expansion into Tanzania through a strategic partnership with the Farm to Market Alliance (FtMA). This expansion follows a successful Series B funding round of $10.2 million aimed at supporting iProcure’s entry into new markets. FtMA, a consortium of public and private institutions focused on empowering smallholders and improving the entire agricultural value chain, will collaborate with iProcure to launch its technology platform in Tanzania. READ ALSO:MTN Cameroon’s Mobile Money Corporation Granted Payment Services Provider License Nvidia Collaborates with University of Bristol-led Consortium to Build Isambard 3 Supercomputer…

The French Permanent Mission in Geneva, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum have organized a high-level panel discussion on the sustainability of mRNA technology vaccines and regionalized vaccine manufacturing. The event, held at the World Economic Forum headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, brought together global leaders, experts, and delegates from various countries, including Kenya. The Kenyan delegation actively participated in the panel discussions and gained valuable insights into the best way forward for their country’s involvement in the vaccine manufacturing space, particularly leveraging the new technology transfer around mRNA technology. The discussions emphasized the importance of adopting comprehensive strategies and…