Author: Akin Naphtal

According to a new research report by Nokia, the Middle East is much further ahead in terms of 5G adoption than Africa, where many operators are still developing their 4G business models. The Nokia MEA Mobile Broadband Index provides a comprehensive overview of the mobile broadband landscape in the MEA region, highlighting the steady growth of 5G and its impact on digital transformation. READ ALSO:Samsung Electronics Egypt Explores Expansion Plans in Egyptian Market Convergence Partners acquires strategic stake in 42Markets Group Animal welfare experts raise concerns over Neuralink’s oversight board filled with company insiders The report confirms that many parts…

Samsung Electronics Egypt is exploring expansion plans in the Egyptian market, according to a statement from the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) on May 7th. GAFI CEO Hossam Heiba said that Samsung has already invested over $500 million in Egypt, with sales exceeding $1.3 billion. Heiba added that Samsung has become the leading exporter of electronics in Egypt, catering to both domestic and international markets. The company has contributed to the growth of the electronics industry in Egypt by manufacturing electronic tablets and mobile phones, creating around 5,000 direct and indirect job opportunities. READ ALSO:Convergence Partners acquires…

Convergence Partners, a private equity investment manager focused on the technology sector in sub-Saharan Africa, has acquired a stake in 42Markets Group, an incubator, investor and builder of high-growth specialist businesses in the financial and capital markets sector. Convergence Partners has a 20-year history of investing successfully in digital infrastructure in the region, with more than $600m under management, including the recently launched Convergence Partners Digital Infrastructure Fund, focused on long-term investments in data centres, fibre networks, wireless and towers, edge, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, cloud, fintech and platforms across Africa. READ ALSO:Animal welfare experts raise concerns over Neuralink’s…

Neuralink, the brain-implant company owned by Elon Musk, has filled its animal-research oversight board with insiders who could potentially financially benefit as the company reaches development goals, according to company documents and interviews with six current and former employees. These oversight boards are required by law for organisations conducting experiments on certain types of animals to ensure proper animal care, high research standards and reliable data. The membership of the Neuralink panel raises questions about potential conflict-of-interest regulations aimed at protecting research integrity, a dozen animal-research and bioethics experts told Reuters. Neuralink is conducting animal experiments in order to seek…

Apple Inc has reported an increase in iPhone sales despite a global slump in the smartphone market. The rise was attributed to growth in emerging markets like India, where Apple is attracting Android phone users. Apple saw a 1.5% increase in iPhone sales to $51.3 billion for its fiscal second quarter while global smartphone shipments fell 13% in January to March, according to research firm Canalys. Apple gained market share from Android phones during this period. Apple said it set sales records in several countries across South Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Apple’s biggest focus is India, where…

Trukkin, a techno-logistics firm based in the Middle East, has partnered exclusively with P&E Auctions, a division of Plant & Equipment, to handle all onshore transportation of heavy machinery and equipment sold through its online auction platform, PlantAndEquipment.com. The e-auction unit of Plant & Equipment has become a trusted platform for connecting buyers and sellers of heavy equipment, trucks and machinery, with over 100,000 listings and a wide range of top brands of new and used equipment. Trukkin has announced that the platform is expanding into live online auctions to meet the demand in the Middle East region. Trukkin CEO…

South African data provider, Rain, has entered the country’s mobile market for the first time by launching a 4G mobile network. The move puts Rain in direct competition with the country’s other three players in voice calls – Vodacom, MTN and Telkom. Until now, Rain has primarily focused on the home internet market. Rain launched South Africa’s first 4G data-only network in 2018 and the country’s first commercial 5G network in 2019. However, after acquiring spectrum in the 2022 auction, Rain’s 4G network now has a more comprehensive reach, allowing it to enter the market as a full mobile network…

Nokia, a leading telecom group, has announced that it has signed a deal with Orange Jordan to supply 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) equipment throughout the Kingdom of Jordan. The agreement will enable Orange Jordan to provide enhanced connectivity and capacity to its customers, while also supporting the digital transformation of the country and economy. Nokia will supply 5G RAN equipment from its AirScale portfolio, which is powered by its energy-efficient ReefShark System on Chip (SoC) technology and will replace Orange Jordan’s entire existing RAN network. READ ALSO:Apna joins forces with MongoDB to reduce downtime and enhance the user experience…

Apna, a professional networking and jobs platform, has partnered with database management company MongoDB’s developer data platform Atlas to improve user engagement and reduce downtime. Apna hopes to personalize user engagement and match people with jobs more effectively. Apna has experienced a significant reduction of 90% in downtime incidents and a notable increase of 40% in developer productivity since adopting MongoDB and implementing microservices architecture, according to a company statement. MongoDB Atlas serves as the primary data source for the platform’s content management system, which handles all interactions within the app. READ ALSO:Kenya Introduces New QR Code Standard to Improve…

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has announced the introduction of the Kenya Quick Response Code Standard 2023 (KE-QR), a new standard that will guide the issuance and use of Quick Response (QR) codes for digital payments by Payment Service Providers and banks regulated by the CBK. The KE-QR is based on the Ghana Universal GHQR and is aimed at promoting financial inclusion and improving digital payment processes. The Ghana Universal GHQR was lauded at the Mobile World Congress Africa in Rwanda for attaining maturity in access to financial inclusion. Kenya, represented by CBK, admitted to facing challenges in rolling…