Author: Akin Naphtal

The adoption and utilisation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is synonymous with empowerment, as it transforms processes efficiently acting as an enabler of effectiveness in operations in every sector of the economy, including commerce, agriculture, health, security and governance. Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), stated this while delivering the 10th and 11th combined Convocation Lecture of the Fountain University at Osogbo, Osun State. In the paper titled: “Empowering the Nigerian Youth through Information and Communication Technology”, Danbatta recalled the impact of the ICT revolution in all parts of human endeavour…

Amazon says it will continue to accept payment in the UK from Visa credit cards, reversing a decision to ban the cards. The attempt to place the ban on Visa credit cards in the UK was announced in November, 2021 and was expected to take effect on Wednesday, January 19, 2022. In an email to customers, Amazon said it was “working closely on a potential solution that will enable customers to continue using their Visa credit cards on Amazon.co.uk.” The company did not say what the solution was or how long it might be in place, but added that “should we…

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) under the supervision of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy through its subsidiary, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) is hosting 3 editions of the NITDA HACKATHON in January 2022. NITDA Hackathon is a national event in collaboration with academic institutions to drive digital innovation and entrepreneurship by challenging Nigeria’s teeming youths to ideate and develop solutions from inception through to the market. The hackathon is set to develop and grow a global network of IT experts, comprising Nigerian youths within the country and in the diaspora. It is…

Egyptian ed-tech startup Orcas has raised a US$2.1 million pre-Series A funding round as it prepares to expand into Pakistan in the early months of this year. Co-founded by Hossam Taher and Amira El Gharib in 2019, Orcas provides K-12 students with live one-on-one tutoring sessions, both online and in-person. It also provides self-paced learning environments to complement the learning experience. The startup is already active in Saudi Arabia and is now expanding to Pakistan after raising US$2.1 million in a round co-led by CIRA’s NFX Ventures and Access Bridge Ventures. It also saw participation from Algebra Ventures, Launch Africa…

Another regulatory brick in the wall for Apple: The iPhone maker agreed this weekend to changes to its App Store in the Netherlands focused on dating apps, agreeing to allow local developers of dating apps to be able to offer non-Apple based payments (via Reuters). In December, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) found Apple in breach of national competition rules — ordering it to adjust what it described as “unreasonable conditions” in the App Store that apply to dating app providers. Apple had been facing the threat of a financial penalty if it failed to make changes by the weekend.…

Hyundai and its Genesis brand are reportedly close to adding support for Apple’s digital car key feature, which lets you unlock and start compatible vehicles using the iPhone’s Wallet app, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. According to Gurman, the so-called “CarKey” feature is set to come to Hyundai’s Genesis lineup this summer. Hyundai already offers proprietary iOS apps, including MyHyundai with Bluelink and the Genesis Intelligent Assistant, which include the ability to remotely start, or unlock the doors of compatible vehicles. But adding support for Apple’s implementation of the digital key feature should make the functionality more seamless, and benefit from system-level Apple Wallet shortcuts. Hyundai’s…

TECNO is reportedly working on a smartphone with a retractable telescopic lens, which is first of its kind in the World. The giant manufacturing smartphone company stated that the new smartphone with telescopic macro lens is expected to arrive later this year, 2022. Towards this goal, the smartphone maker went ahead and introduced the world’s first telescopic macro lens claimed to not only improve the quality of macro pictures but also the whole experience of taking them. The smartphone features a telephoto macro lens that extends from the body and allows you to take close-up shots without having to get too…

The administrators of the largest illegal marketplace on the darknet for stolen credit cards are retiring after making an estimated $358m (£260m). The anonymous owners of UniCC thanked the criminal fraternity for their business, citing age and health for the closure. Many other illegal darknet marketplaces have also shut down voluntarily over the winter for unknown reasons. Police say the trend leaves them with mixed feelings. The darknet is a part of the internet only accessible through special browsing software. ‘We are not young’ Cryptocurrency experts at analysts Elliptic traced hundreds of millions of dollars in crypto-payments made to UniCC.…

Pan-African fintech startup and digital bank Carbon Bank has partnered with Network International,the leading enabler of digital commerce across Africa and the Middle East, as part of its plan to boost its digital payment offering. Under the agreement, Network International will issue and process physical Visa debit cards on behalf of Carbon, enhancing the bank’s offering to customers. True to Carbon’s mission of empowering all people with the financial access they need to pursue a life of dignity and prosperity, the collaboration will support financial inclusion among the unbanked and underbanked in Nigeria. In addition to payment services, Carbon also…

Nigerian fintech startup Sparkle, a digital ecosystem providing financial, lifestyle, and business support services, has partnered with Network International, to power its recently launched payment card offering. This is coming months after collaborating with Visa to enable them to issue Visa cards to its users. Founded by former Diamond Bank chief executive officer (CEO) and tech entrepreneur, Uzoma Dozie with the aim of providing seamless solutions to Nigerian individuals, SMEs, and retailers. Sparkle’s new virtual and plastic debit cards are targeted at SMEs and upwardly mobile, unbanked consumers across Nigeria, bringing them the convenience, flexibility, safety, and security of cashless…