Author: Akin Naphtal

EA Technology, a global leader in grid-edge intelligence, has launched OLIMS, a new online platform designed to streamline the testing, monitoring, and maintenance of high-voltage (HV) electrical assets across the UK. The OLIMS platform gives Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) and industrial site operators a single, centralised view of HV transformer oil test results, enabling real-time insights, easier trend analysis, and more informed maintenance decisions to improve asset reliability. The platform is supported by EA Technology’s oil testing laboratory at its Capenhurst headquarters, which processes over 40,000 oil samples annually. Following a major expansion in autumn 2025, the lab has doubled…

Google has announced a major expansion of its Gemini artificial intelligence features across Gmail, introducing AI-powered tools designed to help users manage emails more efficiently on the world’s most widely used email platform. In a statement released on Thursday, the company said the new Gemini-powered features will be rolled out in phases and, in some cases, enabled by default. Users who prefer not to use the AI tools will need to manually opt out of the features within their inbox settings. Among the most notable upgrades is Gmail’s enhanced ability to summarize lengthy email threads. According to Google, when users…

Meta Platforms Inc. has taken a major step to secure the energy backbone for its rapidly expanding artificial intelligence operations, announcing a series of long-term nuclear power agreements designed to support its next-generation AI infrastructure, including the Prometheus AI supercluster. The company has entered into multiple 20-year power purchase agreements with nuclear energy partners in the United States, ensuring access to reliable, large-scale electricity essential for powering energy-intensive data centers and high-performance computing systems. As part of the deal, Meta will purchase electricity from three nuclear facilities operated by Vistra: the Perry and Davis-Besse plants in Ohio, and the Beaver…

Smart Payment Technologies has announced a strategic partnership with Castles Technology, a global leader in payment hardware, to significantly enhance its flagship G8 payment gateway. The collaboration integrates Castles Technology’s advanced, device-agnostic hardware platforms with Smart Payment Technologies’ sophisticated software ecosystem, creating a more robust and flexible payment processing solution. The combined offering is PCI P2PE-certified, ensuring high security standards while allowing merchants and independent software vendors (ISVs) to deploy scalable systems across diverse environments.Early rollouts will target high-demand sectors such as electric vehicle charging, unattended kiosks, hospitality, entertainment, and retail, industries where reliable, adaptable payment systems are essential. The…

The UK government has launched a major new initiative to enhance the security and resilience of digital public services, backed by more than £210 million in funding. The Government Cyber Action Plan aims to protect citizens’ data and ensure uninterrupted access to essential online services such as applying for benefits, paying taxes, and booking healthcare appointments. Driven by a newly established Government Cyber Unit, the plan seeks to address escalating cyber threats that could disrupt daily life in minutes. Digital Government Minister Ian Murray emphasised the urgency of the measures: “Cyber-attacks can take vital public services offline in minutes –…

Network International, a leading digital payments enabler in the Middle East and Africa, has made history by becoming the first payments platform in the United Arab Emirates to support stablecoin transactions through the acceptance of AE Coin. The milestone follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Al Maryah Community Bank (MBank). Under the partnership, AE Coin – the UAE’s first Central Bank-licensed, fully reserved, and AED-denominated stablecoin – will be integrated into Network’s point-of-sale (POS) terminals and e-commerce platforms. This will allow merchants to accept the stablecoin seamlessly in both physical stores and online channels. The move…

Africa’s leading payments giant, Flutterwave, has acquired Mono, a prominent Nigerian open banking startup often dubbed the “Plaid of Africa,” in an all-stock transaction valued between $25 million and $40 million. The move unites two key players in Africa’s fintech infrastructure landscape, allowing Flutterwave to expand beyond traditional payments into advanced data access, identity verification, and direct bank transfers. Flutterwave, which processes local and cross-border transactions across more than 30 African countries, will integrate Mono’s APIs into its platform. These tools enable businesses to securely access customer bank data (with consent), verify accounts, initiate payments, and analyze financial patterns—capabilities crucial…

MTN Digital Infrastructure, operating commercially as Bayobab, has announced the appointment of Sajid Ahmad Khan as Regional Managing Director for South and East Africa, effective 5 January 2026. In this newly created role, Khan will oversee Bayobab’s operations across the region while directly leading the company’s business in Kenya. Khan’s mandate includes translating Bayobab’s pan-African connectivity vision into tangible regional impact, with a focus on driving commercial performance, accelerating network monetisation, and enhancing customer value through strategic leadership and cross-border collaboration. With more than 26 years of global leadership experience across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, Khan has a…

MTN Digital Infrastructure, operating commercially as Bayobab, has named telecommunications veteran Lloyd Mphahlele as Managing Director of Bayobab South Africa FibreCo, effective 1 January 2026. In this role, Mphahlele will oversee the FibreCo operations in South Africa, focusing on strategic execution, maximising returns on investment, and managing end-to-end performance across the fibre network. With more than 28 years in the sector, Mphahlele previously held senior positions at Telkom SA and Vodacom SA before joining MTN Group as General Manager for Transport & OSS Tools. He has played a key role in advancing Open and Disaggregated Transport technology across Africa, establishing…

stc Group, Saudi Arabia’s leading digital enabler, has signed a new five-year Master Frame Agreement (MFA) with Swedish telecom giant Ericsson to fast-track the deployment of advanced digital infrastructure and enhance technology adoption across the Kingdom. The agreement allows stc to leverage Ericsson’s cutting-edge portfolio, including 5G hardware and software, cloud-native solutions, advanced managed services, and comprehensive network support. It builds on the companies’ longstanding partnership, which dates back to the successful rollout of one of Saudi Arabia’s first 5G networks in 2019. Key focuses of the MFA include accelerating nationwide 5G expansion through technologies such as 5G Standalone, 5G…