Author: Akin Naphtal

Kenya and Germany are strengthening their collaboration in renewable energy and information and communication technology (ICT), marking a significant step forward in their bilateral relationship. Dr Margaret Ndung’u, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, hosted Dr. Robert Habeck, Germany’s Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, in Naivasha this week to discuss their joint efforts. The partnership builds on a shared commitment to sustainable development and climate action. “This engagement underscores the Kenya-Germany relationship, built on mutual respect and shared values, as both nations work to address global challenges like…

Galaxy Backbone (GBB), a state-owned ICT solutions provider, announced a partnership with pan-African digital infrastructure company WIOCC. Nigeria has set an ambitious target of achieving 70% broadband penetration by 2025. The agreement aims to leverage the strengths of both entities to enhance broadband access across Nigeria.As of October 31, 2024, the penetration rate stood at 42.27%, according to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). According to official statistics, Nigeria had 91.57 million broadband users and 134.78 million internet subscribers as of late October, out of a population estimated at 216 million. Despite these numbers, a substantial portion of the…

The integration of digital technologies is gradually revolutionizing road traffic management in Africa, offering innovative solutions to enhance traffic flow and safety. Senegal is at the forefront of this transformation with a new project aimed at modernizing its transport infrastructure. Senegal’s Minister of Infrastructure, Land, and Air Transport, Malick Ndiaye, met with Terry HE, President of Huawei Northern Africa. The meeting focused on implementing a road traffic digitalization project designed to streamline traffic flow and improve road safety across the country. Key adjustments were approved during the meeting to maximize the project’s impact. Plans include establishing a comprehensive network across…

IHS Towers has announced a definitive agreement to sell its 70% stake in IHS Kuwait Limited (“IHS Kuwait”) to Zain Group, Kuwait’s leading mobile network operator. The deal includes approximately 1,675 sites and an additional 700 managed sites in Kuwait. The transaction, valued at an enterprise worth $230 million, reflects a transaction multiple of 14.2x based on the estimated Adjusted EBITDA for IHS Kuwait after leases. This valuation represents a notable premium compared to the current group valuation multiple of IHS Towers. Subject to customary closing conditions, including government and regulatory approvals, the deal is expected to be finalized in…

The Ghanaian government has made digital technology the heart of its socioeconomic development strategy, launching a $5 million fund to foster technological innovation across the nation. Last week, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Ghana’s Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, officially introduced the country’s new Digital Economy Policy and Strategy. This comprehensive roadmap is designed to harness digital technologies to drive economic growth, enhance public services, and ensure equitable access to digital resources. The strategy is built on five core pillars: entrepreneurship, digital skills, digital government, universal access, and emerging technologies. According to Minister Owusu-Ekuful, the policy is intended to accelerate Ghana’s ongoing digital…

MTN Group, Africa’s largest telecom provider, has announced the appointment of Sandile Gwala as an independent non-executive director, effective January 1, 2025. Gwala, a seasoned professional and entrepreneur, is the co-founder and CEO of a business consultancy serving clients locally and internationally. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) in Information Systems and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Natal, South Africa. With extensive experience in the professional services sector, Gwala has previously served as a group executive director and partner at Deloitte in South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Denmark. In a statement, MTN highlighted…

Raxio Group, a leading African data center operator, has announced the appointment of Robert Skjødt as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2025. Skjødt will succeed Robert Mullins, who revealed plans to step down in late 2023. Mullins will continue as an advisor to ensure a smooth leadership transition. In a statement, Raxio outlined its ambitious plans under Skjødt’s leadership to at least double its presence across Africa within the next three years. The company currently operates Tier III carrier-neutral colocation data centers in Uganda, Ethiopia, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Côte d’Ivoire, with projects underway…

MTN Group has announced the extension of Ralph Mupita’s tenure as Group President and CEO, securing his leadership until August 31, 2030. Mupita, who originally held a contract set to expire on September 30, 2025, received the extension following approval by the group’s board. MTN’s Group Chairman, Mcebisi Jonas, emphasized the significance of continuity during challenging global and regional times. “Extending Mupita’s tenure will allow MTN to effectively navigate the complex geopolitical dynamics, market volatility, and macroeconomic challenges affecting the business,” Jonas said. He added that the decision ensures the company focuses on strategic priorities and on commitments to shareholders…

SEACOM, a leading African connectivity and cloud services provider, has agreed with Forefront, a cybersecurity managed services company, and Cloudflare, Inc. , to strengthen cybersecurity resilience across the continent. The synergy will deliver Cloudflare’s state-of-the-art security solutions to businesses in Africa, enabling them to modernize their infrastructure while safeguarding against cyber threats. “This partnership marks an exciting new addition to our product portfolio by providing cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions to our clients,” said Sajid Khan, SEACOM’s Group Managing Director for Digital Services. “By collaborating with Cloudflare, a respected name in the industry, SEACOM is committed to ensuring our clients have access…

Kenya’s leading telecommunications company, Safaricom, has received regulatory approval from the Capital Market Authority (CMA) to launch its second money market product, Zidi. The product will be introduced in partnership with Standard Investment Bank, ALA Capital Limited, and Sanlam Investments East Africa Limited. Zidi, which will be accessible through the M-PESA platform, aims to simplify investment for subscribers, enabling them to grow their wealth via the capital markets. The fund aligns with Safaricom’s strategy to deepen its presence in the financial services sector and promote financial inclusion. Wyckliffe Shamiah, CEO of the CMA, hailed the initiative as a testament to…