Author: Akin Naphtal

Naspers, a leader in South Africa’s digital ecosystem, anticipates that e-commerce and other digital platforms will contribute R91.4 billion ($5 billion) to the economy by 2035. This projection could see the sector contributing 1.38% to the country’s GDP within the next decade, according to research conducted by Naspers and the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA). Naspers, which owns South Africa’s top online retailer, Takealot, has been aggressively expanding its services, including the introduction of one-hour delivery options for a range of products, from phone chargers to toys. This move is part of Naspers’ strategy to strengthen its competitive position…

MTN Group and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) have made a collaborative effort in organizing the third edition the of the Africa PachiPanda Challenge, which seeks to inspire innovative solutions to pressing environmental issues The 2024 PachiPanda Challenge, a competition to empower Africa’s young eco-entrepreneurs, is now open for applications. This year, the challenge is expanding beyond Zambia to include participants from South Africa and Nigeria, marking its third year of operation The PachiPanda Challenge invites young people aged 16 to 35 and youth-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to propose sustainable solutions that can positively impact their…

Recent technological breakthroughs have improved the efficiency, economy, and environmental sustainability of syngas production, a key process in the chemical and energy industries. Syngas, a mixture primarily composed of hydrogen (H₂) and carbon monoxide (CO), is essential in the production of chemicals and fuels, including methanol, ammonia, and liquid hydrocarbons through Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Innovations in gasification technologies, catalytic processes, and environmental controls are driving the transformation of syngas production. These advancements have led to higher syngas yields, reduced emissions, and improved overall process efficiency. The Chief Scientist at GreenTech Innovations, Dr. Alex Morgan, emphasized the impact of these advancements, stating,…

In a significant move towards modernization, BotswanaPost has announced a series of innovative strategies aimed at transforming the traditional postal service into a dynamic and digitally-driven service provider. This strategic shift aligns with the country’s National Reset Agenda and seeks to foster stronger relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. During a recent announcement, BotswanaPost Board Chairperson, Mr. Nathan Kgabi, outlined the organization’s strategic roadmap, which focuses heavily on leveraging technology for digital transformation. This initiative is expected to enhance service delivery, ensure operational sustainability, and contribute to the organization’s growth while maintaining robust social relations with its stakeholders. The…

iXAfrica Data Centres, a leading hyper-scale, AI-ready data center in Kenya, has announced a pioneering partnership with Moringa School, a top technology skills provider, to introduce the country’s first comprehensive Data Protection course. This groundbreaking collaboration will cover cloud fundamentals and data center management, aiming to bolster data security awareness across the nation. The partnership was officially launched at iXAfrica’s state-of-the-art NBOX1 Data Centre in Nairobi, with the event graced by Kenya’s Data Protection Commissioner, Immaculate Kassait, MBS. The initiative represents a significant step forward in enhancing the skills of technology professionals in Kenya and East Africa, particularly in the…

Mastercard has partnered with Scale, an issuer orchestration partner, to run the deployment of fintech services across Africa and the Middle East. The collaboration is set to break down the technical and commercial barriers that have historically prevented fintech companies, aggregators, enablers, payment service providers (PSPs), and telcos from launching payment programs in these regions. This partnership underscores Mastercard’s commitment to driving innovative payment solutions and bridging the digital divide. By leveraging Scale’s expertise in the fintech sector, Mastercard aims to enhance financial inclusion and expand access to financial services throughout the region. Amnah Ajmal, Executive Vice President of Market…

Daser David has been appointed the new President and Chief Executive Officer of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) with a distinguished career that bridges technology, policy, and strategic leadership. His appointment marks a for DBI as it continues to advance its mission of fostering digital innovation and inclusion. His professional journey is a receipt of his diverse expertise and commitment to the tech sector. As the Founder and CEO of nHub, he cultivated a thriving environment for startups, driving growth and innovation within the technology ecosystem. His leadership at nHub, particularly in his role as Director of Startup Growth &…

Andela has announced the appointment of Carrol Chang as its new CEO. Chang will replace Jeremy Johnson, Andela’s co-founder, who is stepping down from the role but will remain on the company’s board. Chang is set to join Andela’s board on September 17. She brings extensive experience from her previous roles as the global head of driver and courier operations at Uber and has also held positions at McKinsey & Company and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Expressing her enthusiasm for the new role, Chang stated, “I am deeply grateful for the privilege to lead Andela. It’s rare to…

Raxio Group, a carrier-neutral Tier III data center operator, has inaugurated a $30 million data center in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marking a focal point in the nation’s digital ecosystem. The facility, named Raxio DRC1, is the largest of its kind in the country and has received Tier III accreditation from the Uptime Institute, a global industry authority. Located in Limete, southeast of Kinshasa, the two-story, 1,542-square-meter data center represents a key component of the DRC’s Plan National du Numérique, which aims to foster digital inclusion, stimulate private sector growth, and accelerate the digital transformation of public services.…

Portugal International, Cristiano Ronaldo has demonstrated his unparalleled influence, this time in the digital realm. The launch of his YouTube channel has set a new record, amassing 17.1 million subscribers within just 24 hours of its debut. The five-time best footballer of the year announced the channel, and within the first 12 hours, it had already attracted 10 million subscribers. The pace of growth is unprecedented, especially when compared to other popular YouTubers; it took digital sensation MrBeast 132 days to reach a similar milestone. Ronaldo’s channel, which already features 19 videos, offers fans an intimate look at his life…