Author: Akin Naphtal

Global advocate for mobile operators, GSMA, has collaborated with TikTok, the leading short-form video platform, to transform digital literacy in Africa. This agreement paves the way for the TikTok module into the GSMA’s Mobile Internet Skills Training Toolkit (MISTT), a comprehensive set of free resources designed to impart essential digital skills. This initiative builds on previous digital literacy efforts, such as the TikTok and ThinkWifi partnership in South Africa, demonstrating a continued commitment to advancing digital access and knowledge. Integrating the TikTok module into the MISTT aims to equip individuals with the tools needed to navigate the digital landscape effectively,…

In the quest to drive Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has reiterated its commitment to accelerate collective prosperity through technical efficiency in the digital ecosystem in the country. In a press release signed by the Executive Secretary, of Citizens Watch Advocacy Initiative (CWAI), Kenneth Aigbegbele, the agency emphasized that it’s necessary to leverage technology to bring the right level of economic opportunity. The Director-General of NITDA Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, made this statement while emphasizing on the need for a safe and inclusive online environment, responsible for human and artificial intelligence practices. Inuwa Abdullahi said:…

In a world where communication is key, Google Translate has committed efforts to break language barriers, enabling people to connect and understand each other better in the global digital ecosystem. Harnessing the latest technologies, Google aims to make this powerful tool accessible to a wider audience than ever before. In 2022, Google Translate made a significant leap by incorporating 24 new languages through Zero-Shot Machine Translation, an innovative method where a machine learning model learns to translate a language without any prior examples. This breakthrough was part of Google’s ambitious 1,000 Languages Initiative, a project designed to support the world’s…

US-based Esports organisation, Turner Esports, and Ghana’s KiddieeSports, have announced a partnership aimed at empowering children in Africa through the realms of video games, Esports, and innovative technology. This collaboration is driven by the belief that beyond entertainment, video games and Esports can be powerful tools for education, skill development, and personal growth. The partnership has five objectives, namely: Read2Play Flagship Program A cornerstone of this partnership is the flagship program, Read2Play. Now in its fifth year at the 21st Ghana International Book Fair, Read2Play merges books, literacy, and gaming, creating a unique platform for children to explore and discover.…

Kenya is making significant strides in its digital transformation and smart governance initiatives, as seen by a recent meeting between key stakeholders from the Kenyan State Department of ICT and Digital Economy, Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV), and GIZ Kenya. The meeting, chaired by Kenya’s Principal Secretary for the State Department of ICT and Digital Economy, Eng. John Kipchumba Tanui, focused on enhancing collaboration and synergy between the involved partners. Discussions revolved around the progress of various collaborative projects, including the Digital Transformation Centre, Smart Governance initiatives, and capacity building programs for civil servants. Eng. Tanui, in a LinkedIn…

The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation (MoCD) has overseen the graduation of 530 participants of its DigSMART Scale-Up training, themed “Fast track digitisation for service delivery,” as part of the government’s efforts to enhance digital skills in the public sector. The Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, delivered the keynote address, emphasising the critical need for public servants to be adept in using digital tools. “We realised that digital competence was very crucial, which led to the launch of this program,” she stated. The training, divided into three cohorts—leaders, managers, and officers—was launched in February 2024 with a comprehensive…

Huawei has unveiled Smart Village project in quest to provide solar energy, telecoms networks and internet services to approximately 150,000 pupils across Zambia. The company’s project, Smart Village which was in collaboration with the Zambian government underscores its commitment to enhancing connectivity in rural communities. The project will be progressively rolled out across nine provinces, ensuring that rural areas are prioritized. The Vice President at Huawei Southern Africa, Phil Li, emphasized that the project would not only enhance connectivity but also provide reliable and sustainable energy to these communities. The Chinese embassy’s chief of mission, Wang Sheng, urged Chinese companies…

Chinese electronics maker, Hisense has expressed satisfaction in its immense contributions to South Africa’s economy, highlighting the company’s achievements since the opening of its Western Cape factory in 2013. The company’s deputy general manager in South Africa, Luna Nortje, emphasized that the Atlantis facility has become Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest television production plant, manufacturing an impressive 4.5 million televisions and 2.9 million refrigerators. Nortje highlighted these accomplishments during a corporate social responsibility event hosted by Hisense in Atlantis, north of Cape Town. The event aimed to spark students’ interest in technology, demonstrating the company’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and community empowerment.…

IHS Holding Group has announced its third annual sponsorship of the National Web Art Creativity competition, organized by the Ministry of National Education and Literacy in Ivory Coast. The competition provides a platform for students and educators across Côte d’Ivoire to express their creativity using computers and related technologies such as tablets, smartphones, and drones. Organized by the Directorate of School Life of the Ministry of National Education and Literacy, the competition is an integral part of the annual National Festival of Arts and Culture in Schools. Since 2022, when IHS began its sponsorship of the competition, more than 205…

YouTube has introduced an eraser tool that enables creators to remove copyrighted music from their videos while preserving other audio elements such as dialogues and sound effects. This new tool aims to simplify the process for creators who want to address copyright claims without compromising the quality of their content. The video sharing platform’s chief Neal Mohan announced the eraser tool was release on X (former Twitter), highlighting its enhanced capabilities. The tool uses an AI-powered algorithm to accurately detect and remove copyrighted songs while leaving the rest of the audio intact. This update follows a period of testing during…