Author: Akin Naphtal

Vertiv, a global leader in critical digital infrastructure, has named Paul Ryan as its new president for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), effective January 1, 2026. Ryan, currently the chief procurement officer, will succeed Karsten Winther, who will retire from the role on December 31, 2025, after a distinguished tenure. Winther’s leadership has been pivotal in strengthening Vertiv’s EMEA operations. “Karsten has made impactful contributions, navigating complex market dynamics with strong leadership and a passion for growth,” said CEO Giordano Albertazzi. Winther, who progressed from regional sales to executive leadership, drove business strategy, operational excellence, and profitability across…

BasiGo, a n e-mobility startup, is transforming public transportation in East Africa with its innovative electric bus model. Starting with just two buses in Nairobi in 2022, the company has rapidly expanded, deploying its 100th electric bus across Kenya and Rwanda by mid-2025. These buses now serve over 20,000 passengers daily, save 250 tonnes of CO₂ emissions monthly, and support more than 1,000 local jobs. BasiGo’s success hinges on its pioneering “Pay-As-You-Drive” financing model, which addresses the high upfront cost of electric buses—often six times that of diesel alternatives. This comprehensive package includes the bus, charging, maintenance, insurance, and a…

Börje Ekholm, President and CEO of Ericsson, underscored Ericsson’s commitment to nurturing world-class talent, pointing to the company’s work in designing custom silicon for 5G products and leading AI applications in telecom. “Our engineers are building the foundation for a connected future,” he said, encouraging students to bring their curiosity and ambition to the industry. Ekholm recently visited Chalmers University of Technology, where he engaged with students on the transformative potential of 5G, AI, and the evolving telecom industry. Addressing a group of aspiring engineers, Ekholm emphasized the critical role of education and adaptability in shaping the future of technology…

Across Africa, telecommunications and data center companies are marking Customer Service Week 2025 with a unified focus on delivering exceptional service and fostering stronger connections with their customers. Under the global theme “Mission Possible,” industry leaders are emphasizing innovation, trust, and customer-centric strategies to drive digital transformation. Airtel Africa, led by CEO Sunil Taldar, reaffirmed its dedication to fast, affordable, and reliable services. Taldar emphasized the company’s mission to bridge the digital divide and transform lives through customer-focused initiatives. Similarly, MTN Ghana’s CEO, Stephen Blewett, highlighted the importance of listening to customers, from social media feedback to in-store interactions, to…

Cassava Technologies, a global technology leader with African heritage roots, has appointed Marco Gagiano as its new Global Head of Connectivity. This strategic appointment strengthens Cassava’s executive team and underscores its ambition to dominate as the premier digital solutions provider across its markets. Gagiano will oversee Cassava’s connectivity operations throughout Africa, managing an extensive portfolio that includes fibre, satellite, wireless, and wholesale voice and connectivity services. His role is pivotal in driving the company’s mission to deliver innovative, high-impact digital solutions across the continent. With over 20 years of leadership experience in telecommunications and technology, Gagiano brings a wealth of…

Vertiv, a global leader in critical digital infrastructure, has announced a significant leadership transition, with Scott Armul stepping into an expanded role as Chief Product and Technology Officer, effective January 1, 2026. The move follows the planned retirement of Chief Technology Officer Stephen Liang, who will conclude his 30-year tenure with the company on the same date. Armul, a seasoned Vertiv executive, expressed enthusiasm for his new role, emphasizing the opportunity to build on Liang’s legacy. “Stephen has been a driving force in making Vertiv a technology innovator,” Armul said. “I’m honored to take on this expanded role, aligning our…

Airtel Africa has successfully tested high-speed satellite internet on a moving train across 669 kilometers of remote, forested terrain in Sub-Saharan Africa, marking a historic step toward bridging the region’s digital divide. Announced on October 6, 2025, the groundbreaking trial, powered by Airtel Satellite for Business and Eutelsat OneWeb’s low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, delivered uninterrupted connectivity through areas where traditional cell towers and fiber optics are absent. The test demonstrated stable, high-speed internet with download speeds up to 100 Mbps and upload speeds of 20 Mbps, meeting the trial’s traffic plan and enabling seamless performance for both train operations…

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced a groundbreaking multi-year partnership today, launching an AI and cloud-based platform, NBA Inside the Game, set to transform fan engagement, game analysis, and broadcasting across the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, Basketball Africa League, and NBA Take-Two Media. As the NBA’s official cloud and AI partner, AWS will power a new era of digital innovation, leveraging its advanced AI infrastructure to process billions of data points into immersive insights and interactive experiences. The platform will integrate real-time analytics into live broadcasts, the NBA App, and NBA.com, starting with the…

Africmed International Hospital Ltd, a premier healthcare provider in The Gambia, has cemented its reputation as a leader in innovative medical care by securing prestigious accolades at the 2025 editions of Africa Digital Economy Awards (ADEA) and Digital Innovation Awards (DIA), InstinctWave-powered events. Renowned for its cutting-edge services and programs, Africmed blends top-tier medical expertise with advanced technology to deliver compassionate, high-quality care. Africmed bagged top honours at the 10th ADEA, solidifying its role as a trailblazer in blending technology with patient care. The institution was crowned Digital Health Provider of the Year, a prove to its groundbreaking use of…

Safaricom PLC, Africa’s leading telecommunications and fintech provider, has announced a transformative upgrade to its M-PESA platform, marking the most significant overhaul since 2015. James Maitai, Group Chief Technology and Information Officer (CTIO) at Safaricom, described the upgrade as a bold step into a “Fintech 2.0 era,” designed to enhance scalability, reliability, and innovation for millions of users across Africa. Launched in 2007 as a simple mobile money transfer service, M-PESA has grown into the continent’s largest fintech ecosystem, processing 4,500 transactions per second and serving over 35 million Kenyans, with millions more users across Africa. The platform now supports…