Author: Akin Naphtal

According to Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI and cofounder of Google DeepMind, the future of work will involve a deep, interactive partnership between humans and artificial intelligence, AI In a recent episode of the Big Technology Podcast, Suleyman described a future where managing AI agents becomes a central part of daily professional life. “I do think your day-to-day workflow just isn’t going to look like this in 10 or 15 years’ time,” he said. “It’s going to be much more about you managing your AI agent, asking it to go do things, checking in on its quality, getting feedback,…

In a significant development aimed at enhancing digital communication experiences, MTN Group has partnered with Meta to improve the quality and reliability of voice and video calls on real-time calling applications such as WhatsApp across 12 African markets. The strategic collaboration leverages application-aware networks and network-aware applications to create a seamless and high-quality user experience. The initiative optimizes the interaction between MTN’s mobile networks and real-time calling apps, ensuring efficient traffic delivery and enhanced call performance. Nigeria Leads with First DeploymentThe enhancements were first rolled out in Nigeria, where MTN and Meta teams have been working since MWC 2024 to…

Ericsson has launched a new wireless-first branch networking architecture designed to support enterprises managing increasingly AI-driven and distributed operations. The innovative architecture integrates 5G, Wi-Fi 7, and SD-WAN technologies into a unified platform to simplify network management while enhancing performance for critical business applications. At the heart of the solution is the newly introduced Cradlepoint E400, a powerful routing and security device equipped with support for 3GPP Release 17 5G, Wi-Fi 7, and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity. The E400 forms part of a broader ecosystem that includes new LAN switches and Wi-Fi 6 access points, all managed via…

Equinix, the world’s leading digital infrastructure company, has officially launched its latest data center expansion in Lagos, further strengthening Nigeria’s position in the global digital economy. The new facility, named LG2.3, is designed to support the country’s ongoing digital transformation by delivering advanced colocation and secure interconnection services to enterprises across West Africa. The inauguration was led by Bruce Owen, President of EMEA at Equinix, who joined other company executives for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the newly expanded site. The event marks a significant milestone in Equinix’s investment strategy for Africa, reflecting its long-term commitment to enabling scalable, secure, and…

MTN South Africa, in collaboration with Lynk Global, has successfully conducted Africa’s first-ever satellite-to-phone voice call using standard mobile phones. The historic event took place in Vryburg, a small town in South Africa’s North West Province, and was attended by top executives from both companies, including MTN South Africa’s Chief Technology and Information Officer, Rami Farah, and Lynk Global’s Chief Commercial Officer, Dan Dooley. “The beautiful thing about this trial is that using the satellite, you are able to connect large, unreached areas, thereby eliminating the connectivity challenges that traditional terrestrial infrastructure faces,” said Farah. “After this trial and the…

Digital Realty, the world’s leading provider of cloud- and carrier-neutral data center solutions, has officially launched its first data center on the Greek island of Crete. The new facility, HER1, located near Heraklion, marks a strategic expansion aimed at reinforcing the Mediterranean’s position as a global digital crossroads. HER1 is the first carrier-neutral data center on Crete, making Digital Realty the only global provider with infrastructure on the island. The facility is uniquely positioned to connect Europe with Asia, the Middle East, and East Africa via a dense network of subsea cables, transforming Crete into a key interconnection node in…

According to the United Nations, Africa stands at the brink of a monumental transformation, with the potential to inject $2.9 trillion into its economy by 2030 through the harnessing of artificial intelligence (AI). In a keynote address at the Global AI Summit on Africa last week, UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies, Amandeep Gill, emphasized AI’s capacity to create 11 million new opportunities and generate 500,000 jobs annually across the continent. While optimistic about AI’s potential, Gill called for a cautious and structured approach. He highlighted the necessity of a multilevel governance framework to ensure that…

Avanti Communications CEO Kyle Whitehill is steering the company through a rapidly evolving satellite industry, where the rise of Starlink has reshaped market dynamics. While traditional geostationary (GEO) satellite operators face mounting pressure, Whitehill sees this transformation as an opportunity to adapt and innovate. “The old model of large-scale satellite investments with uncertain returns is no longer sustainable,” Whitehill explains. “We are shifting towards strategic deployment and partnerships to enhance efficiency and adaptability.” Starlink’s initial focus on rural broadband in the U.S. quickly expanded into aviation, maritime, and military communications, significantly disrupting the industry. Whitehill points out, “They turned up…

Raxio Group has secured $100 million in financing from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to accelerate the expansion of its Sub-Saharan African regional data centre platform. The funding will enable Raxio to double its colocation data centre deployments within the next three years, responding to the growing demand for AI and cloud services across markets such as Ethiopia, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Scaling Digital Infrastructure in AfricaRobert Skjødt, CEO of Raxio Group, emphasized the importance of financing in bridging Africa’s digital divide. “This funding will allow Raxio to bring digital infrastructure to the regions that need…

AMD has finalized its acquisition of hyperscale server manufacturer ZT Systems for $4.9 billion, following a $1 billion investment the chipmaker previously made. ZT Systems’ U.S.-based data center infrastructure manufacturing business is expected to be sold off later this year, with AMD currently in discussions with multiple strategic partners. The company designs, integrates, manufactures, and deploys servers for major cloud providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure, generating an estimated $10 billion in annual revenue and delivering hundreds of thousands of servers each year. A Strategic Move in AI and Data CentersWith the acquisition, ZT Systems will operate…