Author: Akin Naphtal

Globacom has launched its e-SIM service, offering customers a seamless and modern alternative to physical SIM cards. As part of the rollout, customers who activate the eSIM and purchase a data plan worth N1,500 or more will receive an instant 5GB data bonus. In a statement released in Lagos, Globacom described the eSIM as a software-based digital chip embedded directly into smartphones and wearable devices, eliminating the need for traditional SIM cards. The innovation allows users to switch between numbers seamlessly without the hassle of inserting or replacing a physical SIM. “Customers on any network can enjoy ‘SIM-less’ freedom with…

NAPAfrica, Africa’s leading Internet Exchange Point (IXP), has reached a significant milestone by surpassing five terabits per second (Tbps) of traffic. This achievement cements its position as the fastest-growing IXP on the continent and one of the top ten globally by total traffic volume. With over 655 networks peering at its exchange points, NAPAfrica continues to play a crucial role in keeping African internet traffic local, reducing costs, and enhancing network performance. The exchange has witnessed remarkable growth over the years, with traffic peaking at 100 Gbps in 2016, reaching 500 Gbps in 2018, surging to 2 Tbps in 2021,…

Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Tecogen Inc., a clean energy company specializing in ultra-efficient on-site power, heating, and cooling solutions. Through this collaboration, Vertiv will integrate Tecogen’s advanced natural gas-powered chiller technology into its portfolio, providing data centers worldwide with alternative energy solutions to reduce grid dependency and support AI expansion. As the power demands of artificial intelligence and critical digital infrastructure continue to rise, some regions are experiencing strain on their electricity grids. Tecogen’s natural gas-powered chiller solutions, which have been used for over 40 years in high-demand sectors…

Orange Africa and Middle East (OMEA) and Eutelsat have announced a strategic partnership aimed at bridging the digital divide in Africa and the Middle East through satellite connectivity. The initiative seeks to bring broadband access to remote and underserved areas, reinforcing digital inclusion across the region. As part of this multi-year agreement, Orange will leverage the EUTELSAT KONNECT satellite, which offers advanced broadband technology, to provide reliable and affordable internet access. The initial deployment will focus on Jordan, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with plans to expand coverage to additional countries over time. By integrating Orange’s…

Network International, a leading digital commerce enabler in the Middle East and Africa (MEA), has partnered with Airtel Money, Airtel Africa’s mobile money platform, to roll out digital payment solutions across key African markets. Uganda is the first country to go live under the pan-African payment processing partnership, with further activations planned across Africa and Francophone countries in 2025. Under this collaboration, Network International will provide expertise and support for transaction processing, card management, fraud prevention, API sandbox services, reconciliation and settlement, and online access for Airtel Money users. Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Reda Helal, Group Managing Director –…

In the telecommunications sector, Stephen Blewett, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, is one of the prominent leaders who exhibits foresight and transformational leadership. A seasoned executive with a sterling career spanning over 20 years, Blewett embodies the essence of innovation, resilience, and business excellence. Before his tenure at MTN Ghana, he served as Operations Executive for MTN Markets, overseeing operations in Côte d’Ivoire, and as a Non-Executive Director for MTN WECA, contributing to the growth of markets across Liberia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Benin, and Congo Brazzaville. His exceptional leadership at MTN Cameroon saw the company achieve profitability…

MTN Ghana has recorded a crucial financial performance in the 2024 fiscal year, with service revenue surging by 34.5% to GHS 17.9 billion ($1.1 billion), surpassing its medium-term targets. The company’s strong growth was driven by substantial increases in data and mobile money (MoMo) revenues, despite macroeconomic challenges and a slight decline in voice revenue. A key driver of this performance was data revenue, which soared by 53.8% year-on-year to GHS 9.0 billion ($581 million). This growth was attributed to a 13.7% rise in active data subscribers, reaching 17.5 million, and a 19.0% increase in average megabytes consumed per user.…

Bayobab, a leading connectivity and infrastructure provider in Africa, has signed a five-year strategic agreement with Infobip to enhance its SMS delivery and security solutions across the continent. The partnership will see Bayobab leverage Infobip’s Communication Platform as a Service (CPaaS) Customer Modules and Routing management for campaign management, APIs, analytics, and SMS delivery. Additionally, Bayobab, a subsidiary of MTN Group, will utilize Infobip’s security solutions, including firewall protection, to safeguard its mobile subscribers. According to Infobip, the agreement streamlines SMS connectivity for Bayobab while reducing administrative costs. Traditionally, brands had to establish individual connections with each MTN Group Mobile…

IHS Rwanda, a subsidiary of IHS Holding Limited, has partnered with the Ministry of ICT and Innovation (MINICT) to launch the Digital Talent Program (DTP), a key component of the Government of Rwanda’s One Million Coders (OMC) initiative. The program was officially launched on February 26 at Club Rafiki in the Nyarugenge District. DTP is a youth-focused training initiative aimed at developing a digitally skilled workforce to meet the demands of Rwanda’s evolving digital economy. The initiative aligns with the One Million Coders program and contributes to the government’s goal of equipping 1,000,000 Rwandans with essential digital skills, while training…

Teraco, a Digital Realty Company and provider of interconnection platforms and vendor-neutral colocation data centers, today announced that it has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with South African-based integrated energy aggregator NOA to supply wind-powered renewable energy to Teraco’s data centers. Teraco, which announced late last year that it had commenced construction on its own 120MW solar PV plant in the Free State, has signed this PPA to complement its renewable energy program with wind power. The agreement provides Teraco and NOA with the flexibility to grow renewable energy offtake as both companies evolve to meet increasing demand. Wind…