Author: Akin Naphtal

Canada’s BlackBerry has announced that it has exceeded first-quarter revenue estimates as of Wednesday, 26th June, driven by strong demand for cybersecurity services amid increasing online threats. The company’s U.S.-listed shares surged 7.2% in after-hours trading following the announcement. BlackBerry, which offers cybersecurity and data protection services to enterprises and governments, reported quarterly revenue of $144 million, surpassing analysts’ average estimate of $134.1 million, according to LSEG data. Over recent months, notable companies including CDK, UnitedHealth Group’s Change Healthcare unit, and Live Nation Entertainment’s Ticketmaster unit have experienced large-scale data breaches. Despite a broader slowdown in tech spending, these high-profile…

The reality of COVID-19 has become an eye-opener, pushing organizations of the brick-and-mortar era—if you like, the analogue era—to penetrate and leverage the digital space. The world is now embracing communication software designed for the seamless transmission of information across various channels. During the ravaging pandemic, which forced the world into lockdown, certain communication software emerged into the limelight and became essential tools for business. These applications help corporate bodies remotely transmit files in multiple formats between computers. These software applications are integral components of communication systems within the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Model, which enables diverse communication systems to…

Amazon.com plans to introduce a new section on its shopping site that will feature inexpensive items shipped directly to international consumers from warehouses in China, according to a report by The Information on Wednesday. This move is Amazon’s response to the rising popularity of bargain sites like Temu and Shein. The new marketplace will offer unbranded fashion, home goods, and daily necessities, with products expected to be delivered to customers within 9 to 11 days, the report stated, based on slides shown to Chinese sellers. In a recent closed-door meeting, Amazon informed Chinese sellers that it would begin signing up…

Israel is set to launch a tender to establish the country’s first supercomputer, aiming to maintain its position as a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, according to CEO of the state-backed Israel Innovation Authority, Dror Bin. Bin made the announcement on Wednesday, 26th June at an AI conference. He stated that the supercomputer will be launched in July. While AI has been beneficial for Israel’s tech sector, Bin warned that it could become a liability if proactive measures are not taken, given the rapid evolution of AI technology. The Israeli government has allocated $250 million for a national…

The World Bank has highlighted the potential of digital technologies to aid Equatorial Guinea in diversifying its oil-dependent economy. According to the bank, the adoption of digital technologies could significantly enhance the productivity of small and medium-sized enterprises, foster innovation, and create high-skilled jobs in the West African nation. In a recent report, the World Bank, with support from the Digital Development Partnership (DDP), in collaboration with the Government of Equatorial Guinea, developed the Digital Economy Country Diagnostic. This report emphasizes the importance of digital transformation as a catalyst for economic diversification in the coming years. The report identifies Equatorial…

Nigeria’s Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy under Bosun Tijani has announced a drastic surge in the performance of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector despite historical setbacks in the digital economy of country. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in the first three-quarters of President Bola Tinubu’s term, the nominal GDP value of the ICT sector grew from N7.1 trillion in Q3 2023 to N8.4 trillion in Q4 2023, before experiencing a “patterned fall” to N7.9 trillion in Q1 2024. Historically, this Q1 decline has occurred in seven of the last eight years. The nominal GDP…

In the heart of the Copperbelt, in Zambia, MTN organized a digital skills and entrepreneurship masterclass, a remarkable initiative aimed at empowering about 35 young individuals from remote areas of the region. The training which was supported by the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA), Access Bank Zambia, and GOPES Class Zambia, helped pave the way for a brighter future in the digital world. The MTN Zambia General Manager of the Northern Region led the charge, accompanied by over 33 enthusiastic staff members. Together, they discussed the fascinating world of Artificial Intelligence (AI), providing comprehensive training to the eager…

Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, and PEM fuel cell market leader, Ballard Power Systems have entered into a strategic technology partnership with a focus on backup power applications for data centres and critical infrastructures, scalable from 200kW to multiple MWs. Collaborating to demonstrate the technical feasibility and customer benefits of hydrogen-powered fuel cell solutions, Vertiv has integrated Ballard fuel cell power modules with Vertiv™ Liebert® EXL S1 uninterruptible power system (UPS) within a successfully demonstrated proof of concept (POC) at Vertiv’s facility in Ohio. The Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships, Ballard, Nicolas…

Chinese smartphone maker, Huawei, has achieved China’s highest smartphone market share, leading the market during the 20th May – 16th June period, which coincided with the 618 shopping festival, according to Counterpoint Research. The company saw a 42.4% increase in sales compared to the same period last year. Counterpoint Research noted that Huawei’s impressive sales performance was driven by strong demand for its new 5G products. Overall, smartphone sales in China rose by 6.8% during the period compared to the previous year. Among other major brands, Xiaomi’s sales increased by nearly 12.6%, while Apple’s sales saw a modest rise of…

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced that all SIM cards used in the country are now produced domestically. This significant development was disclosed by Babagana Digima, Head of New Media and Information Security at the NCC, during a training session for media executives in Lagos. The two-day event, titled “Upskilling Media Stakeholders on Trends in Telecommunications,” aimed to enhance media professionals’ understanding of current trends and advancements in the telecom sector. Digima attributed the milestone to the NCC’s concerted efforts to promote local content and indigenous participation in the telecommunications industry, spearheaded by the Nigeria Office for Development in…