Author: Akin Naphtal

Qatar’s Civil Services and Government Development Bureau has selected Sprinklr, a customer experience management platform to handle the digital experiences of citizens across all government agencies. This move is in line with Qatar’s National Vision 2030 to create a competitive government that can measure, monitor, and improve public services. The bureau has established a Citizen Experience Center of Excellence (CoE) that will use Sprinklr’s Unified-CXM platform and professional services expertise to provide fast, personalised interactions with government agencies on any communications channel. The CoE seeks to eliminate fragmented technology by uniting about 40 public service agencies on a centralised platform…

Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem, Hub71, has launched a new platform called ‘Hub71+ Digital Assets’ to advance Web3 and digital assets, with the deployment of over $2 billion in funding for Web3 startups and blockchain technologies. The platform is designed to support startups at all stages of development, and to help them scale globally through a range of programs and initiatives. Located in Abu Dhabi Global Market, the platform provides a regulatory environment with exceptional blockchain and virtual asset infrastructure. FAB, the UAE’s largest bank, and its research and innovation center, FABRIC, are the anchor partners of the platform, offering…

After nine years of her appointment as CEO of the world’s largest online video sharing and social media platform (YouTube), Susan Wojcicki, has decided to step down from her role. Wojcicki, who joined Google as its 16th employee in 1999, made this known in a statement on Thursday. She revealed that she would be starting a “new chapter focused on my family, health, and personal projects I’m passionate about.” Her statement read in part, “Today, after nearly 25 years here, I’ve decided to step back from my role as the head of YouTube and start a new chapter focused on…

FEATURE ARTICLEBy Naa Korkoi Essah; Head, PR, Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation (Ghana) In Ghana, “Girls in ICT” refers to the initiative aimed at encouraging and empowering young girls and women to pursue careers in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. The initiative is part of a global effort by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to bridge the gender gap in the technology industry. Ghana has made significant progress in promoting gender equality in ICT, but there is still room for improvement. The country is working towards increasing the number of women in ICT by offering mentorship, training and…

Canadian cleantech entrepreneurs are making huge strides on solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges, including technology for energy-efficient buildings, advances in sustainable agriculture and innovation in water security. This is good for our economy, good for workers and good for our environment. According to the Honourable François-Phillippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, he announced investments totalling $68.2 million in 17 Canadian cleantech companies through Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC). These companies work in a wide range of cleantech sectors, such as agriculture, transportation, waste management and energy conservation. The SDTC funding will help them develop clean technologies…

Tesla is voluntarily recalling 362,758 vehicles equipped with the company’s experimental driver-assistance software, which is marketed as Full Self-Driving Beta(FSD Beta) in the US, according to a recall notice to the public this week. Tesla will deliver an over-the-air software update to cars to address the issues, the recall notice said. The FSD Beta system may cause crashes by allowing the affected vehicles to: “Act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow…

Tigo Tanzania and Ericsson have announced they are joining forces to launch 5G and to fully modernize and expand the existing 4G network across the country. 5G is now launched in Dar Es Salaam, Dodoma, and Zanzibar and will be gradually rolled out across the country at strategic locations. Ericsson is currently upgrading Tigo Tanzania’s existing 4G network with Radio Access Network (RAN) products and microwave solutions (MINI-LINK 6000).Leveraging the latest energy-efficient products from the 5G Ericsson Radio System portfolio, Tigo’s network is being expanded and upgraded to increase network capacity, providing the benefits of a fast and reliable connection.…

Mastercard has partnered with Nigerian digital payment startup NowNow, to help SMEs reduce the risk of cyberattacks. There has been a significant increase in cybercrime in recent years. According to the Nigerian Communications Commission, Nigeria loses an estimated USD500, 000, 000 (Five Hundred Million United States Dollars) yearly due to cybercrime. SMEs are a huge target for cybercriminals as they typically do not have the resources to defend themselves or to act accordingly once they have been breached. NowNow supports SMEs with regular web application penetration tests to ensure that applications are not vulnerable to any cyber threats. It is…

Barbados and Seychelles-registered crypto exchange company Blockfinex has acquired a 100% stake in Nigerian crypto payment gateway startup Fluidcoins. The deal, which is reportedly Nigeria’s first acquisition of 2023 and the country’s first acquisition in the crypto ecosystem, will see the founding team of Fluidcoins continue to work on the product, which includes Flip and Fluidshops. READ ALSO:Embrace, Use Digital Platforms Responsibly’ says Tanzanian Minister of Comms Bolt announce plans to invest Sh66.9 billion in Kenya and the rest of Africa Unchorlight Kenya partners with Lami Technologies to cover Boda Boda riders Flip, a crypto wallet launched five months ago,…

The Tanzanian government has disclosed that digital transformation is going to play a big role in the economic development of the country, urging people to embrace and use it responsibly. The statement was made by the Deputy Minister for Information, Communication and Information Technology Eng Kundo Mathew as he presided over 2022/23 Men and Women of the Year Awards in Dar es Salaam over the weekend. He said the use of digital platforms in managing businesses and other activities is now inevitable, hence the need for people to be equipped with necessary skills on how to use them. READ ALSO:…