Author: Akin Naphtal

South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, has called for the digital transformation of the ministry, clamouring for a complete overhaul of the department’s outdated paper-based systems. Speaking on Johannesburg’s 702 radio station, the minister emphasized the need to transition to digital systems to close the loopholes that corrupt officials and syndicates exploit. Schreiber said:“The question we need to ask is why these officials can manipulate the system. How does it work that one individual can process 192 fake passports?” The answer is obvious to me: we have way too much discretion of humans to intervene in the system,”…

Kenya’s Principal Secretary for the State Department of ICT and Digital Economy, Eng. John Tanui, has emphasised the need to leverage digital skills and expertise to create opportunities for the nation’s youth. Speaking at the ICT Secretaries and Directors Induction event held at the Kenya School of Government, Eng. Tanui highlighted that Kenya and Africa are poised to become the world’s largest emerging markets due to their growing populations and rapid technological advancements. Accompanied by Ambassador Prof. Bitange Ndemo, Kenya’s former Permanent Secretary for ICT and now the Kenyan Ambassador to Belgium, Tanui stressed that integrating Information and Communication Technology…

Benue State, Nigeria, has partnered with Google to train 10,000 young people in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) across the state. The initiative, announced by Governor Hyacinth Alia, aims to empower the youth with essential digital skills, positioning them to succeed in the growing digital economy. Governor Alia emphasized the significance of the ICT training program, highlighting its potential to provide young people with the tools they need to build a brighter future. “This initiative is designed to equip youths with the skills needed to compete in the digital economy, opening doors to endless opportunities,” the governor stated. In addressing…

Alphabet’s Google has unveiled its latest lineup of Pixel smartphones, featuring deeper integrations of its artificial intelligence (AI) technology, during a high-profile event at Alphabet’s Bay View campus in Mountain View, California. The new Pixel smartphones come with a host of AI-driven upgrades, including a Pixel-exclusive feature that allows users to search for information stored in screenshots. Additionally, Android users can now use Gemini, Google’s AI chatbot, as an overlay on top of other apps to answer questions or generate content. “There have been so many promises, so many coming-soons, and not enough real-world helpfulness when it comes to AI,…

Elon Musk’s xAI has rolled out its latest AI models, Grok-2 and Grok-2 mini, in beta today, introducing enhanced reasoning capabilities and image generation on the X social network. Currently, access to Grok is limited to Premium and Premium+ users on the platform. In a statement, xAI announced, “We are excited to release an early preview of Grok-2, a significant step forward from our previous model Grok-1.5, featuring frontier capabilities in chat, coding, and reasoning. At the same time, we are introducing Grok-2 mini, a small but capable sibling of Grok-2.” The company revealed that Grok-2 has already been tested…

China’s Huawei Technologies is set to unveil a new artificial intelligence (AI) chip named Ascend 910C, which is reportedly comparable to Nvidia’s H100 model, and has been undergoing tests by Chinese internet and telecom companies in recent weeks. It is believed that this move could challenge U.S. chipmaker Nvidia’s dominance in the Chinese market. This development comes in the wake of U.S. sanctions imposed last year that prevent Nvidia from selling its advanced chips, including the H100, to Chinese customers due to national security concerns. In response, Nvidia introduced three alternative chips tailored for the Chinese market, including the H20.…

Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s largest music label, has announced the expansion of its agreement with Facebook parent company, Meta Platforms, to create new opportunities for UMG’s artists and songwriters across Meta’s vast social media ecosystem. UMG, which represents global superstars such as Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish, was the first major music company to licence its content to Facebook in 2017. This new agreement builds on that relationship, further integrating music into Meta’s platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and, for the first time, WhatsApp. The updated deal also addresses the critical issue of compensation for artists and songwriters,…

Austrian privacy advocacy group, NOYB, led by privacy activist, Max Schrems, has filed a complaint against the social media platform X, (formerly Twitter), accusing the company of using personal user data to train its artificial intelligence (AI) systems without their consent. The complaint, lodged under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), was submitted to data protection authorities across nine European Union countries, aiming to increase pressure on Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC). The Irish DPC, which serves as the primary EU regulator for most major U.S. tech companies due to their EU headquarters in Ireland, has been urged to order…

In a crucial move to enhance the aviation industry, Safaricom, one of Kenya’s leading telecommunications operators, has entered into a strategic partnership with Kenya Airways aimed at enhancing the airline’s operational efficiency and customer experience. This collaboration is set to introduce state-of-the-art technologies and innovative solutions across various facets of air travel and aviation services. The partnership will address multiple key areas, starting with in-flight services. Passengers can look forward to improved in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity, ensuring a seamless online experience during their journeys. Additionally, the alliance will bolster cybersecurity measures to safeguard the airline’s digital infrastructure and customer data, reinforcing…

Fincra , a Nigerian payment infrastructure provider, has relocated its headquarters to the residence of Lord Lugard, one of Nigeria’s colonial administrators, in Ikoyi, Lagos. The move is part of Fincra’s strategy to be closer to its clients and enhance its service delivery. The new office location, unveiled on July 31, is expected to boost the company’s operations. “Our new office is more central for clients and partners,” said Wole Ayodele, CEO of Fincra. “It will enable us to better serve our customers with more efficient operations, faster response times, and personalized support.” Founded in 2021, Fincra offers a range…