Author: Akin Naphtal

stc Group has reported impressive financial results for the first nine months of 2024, posting a revenue surge of $577.26 million to reach $15.03 billion, a 3.92% increase over the same period last year. Net profit hit $3.03 billion, marking an 11.9% growth year-over-year, excluding a one-time gain of $350 million. from the sale of Al Khobar land recorded in Q3 of 2023. stc’s subsidiaries also contributed significantly to this performance, with an 11% increase in revenue that bolstered the Group’s results, exceeding market expectations. Following shareholder approval to sell a 51% stake in the Telecommunication Towers Company (TAWAL) to…

Huawei’s Carrier Business President James Chen outlined the company’s strategy for harnessing the combined potential of AI and networks to drive greater business value. In a speech titled “Network+AI, Unleashing More Business Value” at the 10th Ultra-Broadband Forum (UBBF 2024), Chen introduced Huawei’s “FOUR NEW” approach, which focuses on four pillars: new hub, new services, new experience, and new operation. He emphasized that these components are essential for expanding market reach, fostering service innovation, enhancing competitiveness, optimizing network operations, and achieving business growth. “Huawei is committed to collaborating with global carriers and partners to unlock new business value and build…

Nvidia, a leader in artificial intelligence, is expanding its presence in healthcare with ambitious plans to bring AI-driven robotics, or “physical AI,” to hospitals nationwide. The technology giant envisions a future where robots assist in various hospital tasks, from X-ray operations to linen delivery, part of Nvidia’s broader push to dominate the advanced robotics market. Kimberly Powell, Nvidia’s Vice President of Healthcare, shared the company’s vision during a keynote at the HLTH conference, noting the transformative potential of AI in healthcare. “This physical AI thing is coming where your whole hospital is going to turn into an AI,” Powell told…

In an unexpected decision, Starlink has temporarily halted new subscriptions in Nairobi and five neighboring counties in Kenya, citing an overwhelming demand that has exceeded its network capacity. The affected regions include Kiambu, Machakos, Narok, Murang’a, and Nakuru, where Starlink’s satellite-based internet service has rapidly gained popularity. According to Starlink, the surge in users in Nairobi and surrounding areas has saturated network capacity, limiting its ability to accommodate additional subscribers. “Nairobi and neighboring areas are currently at network capacity. This means that too many users are trying to access the Starlink service within Nairobi, and there isn’t enough bandwidth to…

In a crucial step toward modernizing its digital infrastructure, Benue State in Nigeria has officially partnered with Huawei Technologies to launch the “Smart Benue State” initiative. The collaboration was formalized during a ceremony held at Huawei’s headquarters in Shenzhen, China, where Dr. Hyacinth Alia, Governor of Benue State, met with Huawei executives to unveil the ambitious program. The “Smart Benue State” initiative aims to leverage Huawei’s advanced technology to enhance the state’s infrastructure while creating job opportunities in key sectors such as security, healthcare, and education. Governor Alia expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating that the collaboration with Huawei…

Ghana has taken a monumental step toward digital transformation with the launch of 5G technology, an advancement expected to revolutionize sectors across the nation. This significant milestone was unveiled over the weekend, with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo leading the announcement alongside key stakeholders from the tech and telecom industries. Speaking to an audience of industry leaders and government officials, President Akufo-Addo highlighted the transformative potential of 5G technology to support Ghana’s ambition of becoming a regional digital economy hub. “This technology is more than just faster internet,” he stated, underscoring 5G’s capacity to drive large-scale connectivity and bring revolutionary…

American Tower Corporation (ATC) Uganda has partnered with NEC XON, selecting the company’s equipment to strengthen its tower infrastructure and enhance internet service reliability across the nation. ATC Uganda, which maintains a vast tower network leasing space to major telecommunications providers such as MTN, serves millions of users who depend on its infrastructure for continuous connectivity. To support these operations, NEC XON will deliver hardware, including remote terminal units (RTUs), while ATC will oversee the software component. NEC XON emphasized that its vendor-neutral hardware underwent rigorous testing and was approved alongside ATC’s former RTU system, which had been in place…

MTN South Africa (MTN SA) and Huawei have successfully launched the world’s first commercial deployment of the pioneering SDB IBT 2D microwave solution in Johannesburg. This advanced solution, utilizing Super Dual Band (SDB) and two-dimensional intelligent beam tracking (IBT 2D), is designed to prevent link stability issues in dual-band settings, offering unprecedented resilience against challenges such as pole shaking. With much of South Africa situated on a plateau, the country frequently experiences high-intensity sunlight and significant temperature variations between day and night. These conditions often lead to tower deformation, particularly in monopole and mast towers, impairing the performance of large-capacity…

African fintech, Moniepoint just closed $110 million in new financing, which landed Google’s Africa Investment Fund as a new investor. Development Partners International’s African Development Partners (ADP) III fund led the Series C round. Other investors, including African private equity firm Verod Capital and existing investor Lightrock, also participated. Moniepoint, also backed by QED Investors, British International Investment (BII), and Endeavor Catalyst, has raised over $180 million since its launch in 2015. According to the Financial Times, the round makes Moniepoint a unicorn — a private company with a valuation of $1 billion or more. The African fintech was last…

As Poland prepares to assume the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union in January 2025, leading technology firms, including Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Nokia, and Vodafone, are calling on the incoming administration to position Europe as a digital leader and revitalize its global competitiveness. With the new European Commissioners also set to take office, Poland’s six-month presidency will play a crucial role in shaping the EU’s political and economic agenda. In advance of a scheduled meeting with Dariusz Standerski, Secretary of State at Poland’s Ministry of Digital Affairs, along with ambassadors, representatives from the Office of Electronic Communication,…