Author: Akin Naphtal

MTN Group has made a significant move to promote financial inclusion in Africa by announcing that Mobile Money Corporation (MMC), the fintech subsidiary of MTN Cameroon, has obtained a Payment Services Provider license from the Banking Commission of Central Africa through the Ministry of Finance. This license will enable MMC to offer a broader range of financial services to its customers. MTN Cameroon established MMC with the vision of creating an inclusive MoMo (Mobile Money) ecosystem accessible to all individuals. With the newly acquired Payment Services Provider License, MMC can now expand its fintech services and provide a more diverse…

Chipmaker Nvidia is partnering with the University of Bristol-led research consortium and Hewlett Packard to develop a new supercomputer called Isambard 3. The consortium, known as GW4 Alliance, includes the universities of Bath, Cardiff and Exeter, with Bristol leading the initiative. The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) agency has pledged £10 million ($12.5 million) in funding for the project. Isambard 3 will utilize 384 Arm-based NVIDIA Grace CPU Superchips and will primarily support medical and scientific research. According to Nvidia, this supercomputer is expected to deliver six times the performance and energy efficiency of its predecessor, Isambard 2. READ ALSO:OpenAI…

OpenAI, the U.S.-based artificial intelligence (AI) firm known for creating ChatGPT, expressed its commitment to gathering diverse input on decisions that impact its AI systems. During the AI Forward conference in San Francisco, OpenAI President Greg Brockman outlined the organization’s approach to shaping AI regulations globally. Brockman introduced an initiative inspired by the Wikipedia model, aiming to establish an inclusive framework that promotes transparency, accountability and the participation of various stakeholders in discussions. OpenAI recognizes the importance of inclusive and comprehensive dialogue on AI regulation and Brockman stated that the organization is actively considering democratic decision-making processes to involve a…

Volkswagen is reportedly in discussions with Huawei to integrate HarmonyOS, Huawei’s operating system, into its cars sold in China. This move is driven by the preference of Chinese customers for domestic products, making HarmonyOS an ideal fit for Volkswagen vehicles in the Chinese market. HarmonyOS, which was developed by Huawei in response to the US ban, has been gaining traction across different devices. Despite the ban, Huawei has been able to continue using the Android platform due to its open-source Linux nature. HarmonyOS is versatile, capable of running on various devices such as smartphones, tablets, wearables, computers, wireless earphones and…

ZainTech, the digital solutions division of Zain Group, has announced the acquisition of Adfolks, a cloud-native engineering firm based in the UAE. The acquisition is part of ZainTech’s strategy to expand its technology services and offer comprehensive solutions to its growing customer base. It also aligns with Zain Group’s transformation into a multi-core digital ICT entity. Adfolks, founded by Arun Mohan in 2016, specializes in cloud transformation services and helps clients leverage cloud and cloud-native technologies to address business challenges. The company is known for its expertise in Modern Infrastructure, Application Modernization, Security, Data & ML and Automation. As a…

Facia, a leading provider of facial recognition technology, has announced its participation in GITEX AFRICA 2023, the largest tech and start-up exhibition in Africa. The company expressed excitement about showcasing its advanced facial recognition capabilities to the attendees at GITEX. They view this event as a valuable opportunity to engage with the tech community and contribute to Africa’s growing tech ecosystem. GITEX AFRICA is a three-day pan-African forum that will take place on May 31. The event will bring together tech giants, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), government entities, start-ups, academic institutions and investors. It aims to accelerate collaboration, foster…

Arabsat, a leading satellite communications operator, has announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Loft Orbital, a space infrastructure provider, to collaborate on the development of a future low earth orbit (LEO) infrastructure. The partnership aims to meet the diverse needs of Arabsat’s customers across various sectors. Under the agreement, Arabsat plans to leverage Loft’s space infrastructure platform to offer earth observation services to all 22 member countries of the Arab League. This will enable the development of reliable applications in areas such as agriculture, transportation and logistics, border and maritime monitoring and environmental protection. Loft will deploy these missions…

TGT Diagnostics, a UAE-based company specializing in well diagnostics for the hydrocarbons industry, has announced plans to establish a new technology hub in Abu Dhabi. The company has reached an agreement with Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD Group) for the construction of the facility, according to a press statement. READ ALSO:Vodacom Supports Healthcare Delivery with New Network Sites in Limpopo Vodafone CEO’s Bold Measures Lead to Share Price Plunge and Heightened Concerns Bolt Food Honors Kenyan Restaurants with Annual Restaurant Awards The new hub, set to be operational by the end of this year, represents a significant investment for…

Vodacom, in its commitment to promote digital inclusion and bridge the digital divide, has handed over five new live sites to the Limpopo Department of Health. These sites will enhance coverage and provide high-speed connectivity to hospital staff, patients, visitors and surrounding communities, ultimately improving healthcare delivery in the region. As part of an ongoing partnership with the Department of Health, Vodacom aims to find digital solutions that contribute to building an inclusive and connected society. By strategically establishing 4G network sites near major hospitals, the company is facilitating access to internet services, enhancing customer experience and driving transformative change…

Last month, Vodafone appointed Margherita Della Valle as CEO in hopes of revitalizing the struggling company. However, investors remained cautious, waiting to see if the company veteran was capable of turning things around. Shortly after her appointment, Della Valle presented a blunt assessment of the challenges Vodafone is currently facing. This assessment has had a severe impact on the company, causing its shares to plummet to their lowest point in 20 years. Della Valle, who hails from Italy and has been with Vodafone since 1994, previously serving as its chief financial officer since 2018, announced her plans to cut 11,000…