Author: Akin Naphtal

Safaricom PLC has partnered with iXAfrica Data Centres, Kenya’s leading hyperscale-ready data centre operator, to introduce East Africa’s first AI-ready data centre services, tailored for enterprise and cloud solutions. This collaboration equips businesses and government clients with scalable, cost-effective solutions for data storage, backup, and high-performance computing, ideal for AI-driven workloads, cloud and edge computing, data analytics, disaster recovery, and flexible bandwidth needs. The infrastructure supports Kenya’s ambition to become a key player in the global AI landscape. “This partnership strengthens Safaricom’s enterprise offerings with cutting-edge data centre services, aligning with our vision to be Africa’s leading purpose-led technology company…

Visa has appointed Victor Makere as its new country manager overseeing operations in Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda. The appointment places Mr Makere at the helm of Visa’s strategic growth efforts across the four East African markets. He will be tasked with driving business expansion, deepening client engagement, and promoting the adoption of digital payment solutions to foster financial inclusion and economic growth. Visa said that in his new role, Mr Makere will oversee a diverse portfolio of clients, setting business objectives, leading key projects, and supporting the rollout of new products and services. His mandate includes enhancing Visa’s value…

NTT has announced a major global expansion of its data centre operations, acquiring land across North America, Europe, and Asia to support nearly one gigawatt (GW) of future capacity. The strategic move is part of the company’s previously unveiled $10 billion investment plan aimed at scaling its data centre infrastructure through 2027. According to Doug Adams, CEO and President of NTT Data’s Global Data Centers division, the expansion aligns with the company’s vision to provide scalable, AI-ready infrastructure in high-growth regions. “By bringing new capacity to high-growth regions, we’re building the foundation enterprises need to innovate, scale and lead confidently…

Cassava Technologies has entered into a strategic partnership with Zindi, a global platform for artificial intelligence (AI) talent, to accelerate AI development and digital transformation across Africa. The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will see them collaborate on providing AI solutions and Graphics Processing Units-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) across the continent. The partnership aims to combine Cassava’s data centre GPU capabilities with Zindi’s AI innovation platform to strengthen Africa’s AI ecosystem. According to both parties, the collaboration will unlock new opportunities for developers, start-ups, and entrepreneurs, and enable the development of AI solutions tailored to address local challenges.…

Bayobab Uganda, a subsidiary of MTN Group, has officially launched its latest fibre optic route — a 260-kilometre stretch from Malaba to Kampala — aimed at enhancing digital connectivity and positioning Uganda as a strategic hub in the East African digital ecosystem. The new Uganda Railway National Long Distance (NLD) fibre link was unveiled on May 6 in Kampala and runs parallel to the existing railway infrastructure, linking communities from the Kenya border through Tororo to the capital. The development is part of Bayobab’s broader mission to power Africa’s digital economy by strengthening regional interconnectivity and enabling access to high-speed…

The prestigious Ghana Information Technology & Telecom Awards (GITTA)—long hailed as the “Oscars” of Ghana’s ICT sector—is taking a bold step forward. After more than a decade of celebrating Ghana’s digital excellence, the awards scheme is rebranding and expanding its scope across the continent. Now known as the Digital Innovation Awards (DIA), the 14th edition is scheduled to take place June 26–27, 2025, in Accra, Ghana. A Legacy of Innovation, A Future Without BordersEstablished in 2010, GITTA was created to honour outstanding achievements in digital innovation and to showcase Ghana’s remarkable progress in digital transformation. Over the past 14 years,…

Inlaks, a leading African systems integrator and ICT solutions provider, has named Charles Ifedi as its new Chief Executive Officer for its African operations. The appointment marks a pivotal move in the company’s strategic push to deepen its footprint across the continent’s fast-evolving technology landscape. Ifedi, a fintech pioneer and co-founder of Interswitch Group, steps into the role following the tenure of interim CEO Henry Okolo, who will now resume his duties as a board director. The leadership transition is seen as a major step in positioning Inlaks for accelerated growth, digital transformation, and market expansion. With over 25 years…

Orange Group has announced key changes to its executive leadership, effective this summer, as part of a strategic realignment within its global operations. Jérôme Hénique, currently Executive Vice President and CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA), has been appointed Executive Vice President and CEO of Orange France, effective June 1, 2025. He will continue to serve on the Group Executive Committee and report directly to Christel Heydemann, CEO of the Orange Group. Additionally, Hénique will join the Board of Directors of Orange MEA on the same date. He replaces Jean-François Fallacher, who is stepping down to pursue new…

Vertiv has announced a major upgrade to its SmartAisle solution, expanding its capabilities for edge computing deployments of up to 180 kW. Now available across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), the enhanced system integrates power, cooling, racks, and intelligent monitoring into a single, pre-engineered unit aimed at streamlining and accelerating edge deployments. Designed with energy efficiency in mind, the updated SmartAisle aligns with the European Union’s Energy Efficiency Directive. It features built-in Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) monitoring, allowing organisations to track operational sustainability and meet responsible business objectives. “The upgraded Vertiv SmartAisle really changes the game when it…

Digital Afrique Telecom (DAT), a leading provider of digital solutions in West Africa, has partnered with European identity verification firm IDCanopy to introduce a comprehensive Know Your Customer (KYC) and Know Your Business (KYB) platform designed to meet the latest compliance mandates issued by the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO). The collaboration aims to support financial institutions across the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) in aligning with BCEAO’s Instruction No. 001-03-2025, which strengthens anti-money laundering (AML), counter-terrorism financing (CFT), and customer due diligence (CDD) requirements. The new solution integrates advanced features, including real-time screening for sanctions…