Author: Akin Naphtal

MTN Group has strengthened the leadership of its fintech and digital infrastructure platforms by appointing four non-executive directors to the boards of its MTN Group Fintech and Bayobab businesses. The appointments, which include prominent industry figures, align with the company’s Ambition 2025 strategy, aimed at accelerating growth and enhancing its digital services across Africa. Herman Bosman has been appointed as the independent chairman of the MTN Group Fintech board of directors. Bosman, who brings extensive experience and leadership to the board, previously served as the CEO of Rand Merchant Investment Holdings and RMB Holdings. He holds a B. Com and…

The United States government took a bold step in cybersecurity by releasing three new encryption algorithms designed to withstand the future threat of quantum computers. These algorithms, two of which were developed by IBM, are intended to protect sensitive digital information, such as confidential emails and e-commerce transactions, from potential cyberattacks by quantum computers. Why quantum-safe encryption matters? Quantum computing is a rapidly advancing technology that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to solve complex problems much faster than today’s computers. While this technology holds great promise for scientific breakthroughs and economic growth, it also poses a serious threat to…

Meta and Spotify are reportedly exploring a deeper integration of music within Meta’s Instagram app, potentially allowing users to continuously share the music they’re listening to through Instagram’s Notes feature. The new functionality, currently in testing, was first identified by reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi, known for uncovering unreleased app features. Paluzzi shared a screenshot on Meta’s Threads platform, revealing an option that would enable users to “continuously share” their Spotify music on Instagram, rather than manually selecting a song from Instagram’s existing music catalog. The feature would allow users to stop sharing at any time, according to the screenshot. While…

Starlink, the Elon Musk-owned satellite internet service, is now accessible in Botswana, three months after securing an operating license. Starlink’s launch in Botswana comes after one year of engagements with the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA). The company submitted its license application in early 2023 but got the license in May 2024. Starlink’s application was rejected in February 2024 citing missing information, people familiar with the matter said. The regulator denied the claims. In February 2024, BOCRA banned the use, sale, and importation of Starlink kits in the country. In May, President Masisi met with a delegation of Starlink’s executives…

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…