Author: Akin Naphtal

Ghana has issued nearly 19 million biometric digital identity cards, highlighting immense progress in the successful digitalization of public offices including DVLA, the ports, registrar general, filing of taxes, passport application, NHIS registration and renewal among others. The West African nation has already issued electronic Identification to its adult population and a new initiative ensures that all babies are issued with Ghana Card numbers at birth before receiving their Ghana Cards after their full biometrics are formed. Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) has encouraged more funding within the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL), allocating over 108 million euros to projects designed…

Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has licensed 51 cybersecurity companies, marking a drastic move towards aligning the West African nation’s cybersecurity standards with global frameworks. This initiative makes Ghana the first country in Africa and the second globally, after Singapore, to implement a comprehensive regulatory framework for cybersecurity players. The cybersecurity agency’s Director-General, Dr. Albert Antwi-Boasiako warned that offering cybersecurity services without proper licensing or accreditation violates the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038). He emphasized that violators would face strict sanctions, including criminal prosecutions and administrative penalties. Additionally, Antwi-Boasiako urged other CSPs, CEs, and CPs in the process of obtaining…

Huawei Technologies and the Government of Zambia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to build 100 smart villages across the country. The announcement was made during the launch of Zambia’s first Smart Village in Muchila, Namwala District, Southern Province. In addition, Muchila is now connected to the world with a Rural-Star communications tower that provides wireless coverage to residents. By design, a rural-star telecom tower reduces network deployment costs by 50% and it is used in traditional rural network solutions. Namwala District now boasts of a mini-solar grid that is powering a school, a clinic and the residences of…

With over 23 years of expertise, Mike Ogbalu III is a stalwart in Africa’s digital and financial technology sectors. His experience in enterprise-wide IT infrastructure and in retail, commercial, and e-business banking is evidence of his impeccable skills and leadership. Ogbalu, a seasoned engineer, has many feathers to his cap in his quest to transform commerce on the continent Having worked as an intern at ExxonMobil, at the Primary Place of Assignment in fulfilment of his mandatory service with the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), Ogbalu was positioned as Head of Hardware and Networks at Standard Trust Bank, kicking off…

Telecommunications giant, Globacom has launched three innovative Artificial Intelligence AI-focused services designed to enhance the customer experience and provide opportunities for monetization and prizes. This initiative aims to offer invaluable insights into harnessing AI for everyday needs while allowing subscribers to win exciting prizes through lottery draws. The three new AI-focused services introduced by Globacom include “Glo Awoof Win EverWage,” a game service that offers subscribers the chance to win a lifetime salary or participate in a monthly draw with a prize of N12 million; “Glo Awoof Win SMS-to-AI,” which provides instant and accurate information on any topic without the…

The West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA) has set aside some cogent initiatives to facilitate infrastructure sharing among West African countries to reduce internet costs for telecom subscribers. The Executive Secretary of the telecom regulation body, Aliyu Aboki, announced this development during a meeting with stakeholders. According to him, infrastructure such as gateways, and data centres are facilities that could be shared by countries in the region. Admitting that the cost of internet across West African countries is still high, Aboki said a lower cost of internet access would enhance the digital economy for the respective countries in the region…

Liquid C2, a subsidiary of Liquid Intelligent Technologies, has extended its Cloudmania business into Egypt. Recall that Cloudmania is Liquid C2’s distribution business unit for cloud and cyber security solutions with operations in 35 countries across the Middle East and Africa. Its strategic partnership with Microsoft has paved the way for equipment and agreements with several cloud and cyber security services and solutions, including Microsoft 365 and Azure solutions, within a fully supported ecosystem. In his reaction to this landmark expansion the Vice President of Operations at Liquid C2, Sherif Shaltout said: “Extending Cloudmania’s reach to Egypt reflects our confidence…

South Korean electronics maker, Samsung has launched its newest version of foldable smartphones, the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Galaxy Z Flip6, along with Galaxy Buds3 and Galaxy Buds3 Pro. The company unveiled these new products at their second Galaxy Unpacked event, held in Paris, France. It would be recalled the firm ushered in the era of mobile AI through the power of Galaxy AI. With this introduction of the new foldables, Samsung is opening the next chapter of Galaxy AI by leveraging its most versatile and flexible form factor perfectly designed to enable a range of unique mobile experiences. Samsung…

Kenya’s Principal Secretary for the State Department of ICT and Digital Economy, Eng. John Tanui, has met with a delegation from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) East Africa, led by Chief Technical Advisor Ms. Caroline Njuki, to discuss initiatives to expand Kenya’s digital jobs ecosystem. Eng. Tanui shared the news on his LinkedIn page, highlighting the key areas of discussion, namely the development of a comprehensive Digital Job Creation Strategy, implementation of fair labour policies, establishment of digital skills guidelines, and execution of capacity-building programs. These efforts aim to create a strong framework for digital job opportunities in Kenya. The…

New research from digital identity security specialists, ID Crypt Global, has revealed a 230% increase in the number of fake social media accounts on TikTok over the past year, adding to content-related challenges such as harassment, self-harm encouragement, misinformation, and child sexual exploitation. The analysis by ID Crypt Global highlights a troubling trend, specifically the rise of fake accounts on social media platforms. In Q1 2024, Facebook removed 631 million fake accounts, marking a 48.1% increase from 426 million in Q1 2023. However, TikTok’s figures are even more alarming, with a 232.5% increase in fake account removals over the past…