Author: Akin Naphtal

Having boasted over 40,000 towers across 10 markets, IHS Towers CEO, Sam Darwish addressed the telecom industry’s pressing challenges in meeting the growing global demand for data connectivity. He emphasized the critical need for robust infrastructure, leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support the increasing communication requirements worldwide. In a detailed discussion, Darwish highlighted how the continuous surge in consumer data and AI-driven demands presents a unique growth opportunity for the telecom industry. He explained how IHS Towers is actively exploring this potential while committing to ethical leadership in emerging markets across Africa and Latin America. IHS Towers ranks among the…

Zambia’s Minister of Science and Technology, Felix Mutati, has unveiled the nation’s ongoing efforts to establish an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Framework, outlining the country’s progress and future plans in AI development. Mutati announced via an X post during the Future of AI in Africa Conference launch in Lusaka. He revealed that the government is crafting an AI Strategy in collaboration with the Tony Blair Institute, an organisation renowned for its expertise in advising governments on strategy, policy, and implementation. Additionally, Zambia is partnering with the European Union (EU) to create a Startup Bill aimed at fostering a supportive environment for…

Vodacom has announced a partnership with Lugalo Golf Club, aiming for the transformation of the golf experience through digital innovation and high-speed connectivity. This initiative highlights Vodacom’s dedication to advancing sports by integrating cutting-edge technology. The launch event featured prominent figures such as the Chairman of Lugalo Golf Club, Gilman Kasiga, the Chairman of Tanzania Golf Union (TGU), Brigadier General Michael Luwongo, President of the Tanzania Ladies Golf Union, Queen Siraki, and Head of Marketing & Enablement at Vodacom Business, Aileen Peter Meena. The partnership promises to make golf more accessible and enjoyable for everyone, from local amateurs and professional…

The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation has successfully modernised 50 post offices across Ghana, with 25 upgraded and 25 refurbished as dedicated eServices centres, as part of the World Bank-funded eTransform project. The eTransfrom project aims to leverage ICT for improved government service delivery and digital inclusion in the country. The upgraded post offices, strategically located to ensure broader accessibility, are now equipped with state-of-the-art technology to facilitate online transactions, electronic communication, and various digital services. This enhancement is expected to streamline administrative processes, improve service efficiency, and offer greater convenience for citizens. “The initiative also supports local economic activities…

In a globally connected epoch, social media is shaping lives constantly in Africa, and effortlessly bridging geographical divides. With its vibrant cultures and ever-evolving digital frontier, the continent is witnessing an immense transformation, via social media. The most popular social media platforms in Africa today are Facebook, WhatsApp, X (formerly known as Twitter), Tik Tok and Snapchat. These platforms have spurred a digital revolution. People now create, share, exchange, and modify ideas that go viral just with a snap of the fingers in virtual communities. The tool of social media has connected geographically separated people, enabled user-generated and interpersonal communication,…

The Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation (MoCD), in collaboration with Smart Africa and the Data Protection Commission (DPC), has successfully concluded its National Data Strategy workshop, held at the Alisa Hotel from 27th to 28th June, 2024. The two-day workshop, which focused on data protection and the development of effective digital strategies in Ghana and Africa, was supported by organisations including the European Union (EU), the Africa Union (AU), and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). The workshop saw stakeholders and delegates from Benin, MTN, Telecel, NCA, the Data-Pop Alliance, and other government and private agencies participating. Speaking at…

Paycorp, a global company in payment solutions, is at the forefront of shaping the future of payments across Southern Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, and the UK. With a steadfast commitment to innovation over its two-decade journey, Paycorp integrates expertise, reliability, and agility into its comprehensive suite of services. These include transaction processing, cash management solutions, and cutting-edge offerings like cardless transactions and cryptocurrency solutions. The latest addition to its repertoire is embedded business funding. Over the past year, Paycorp’s Capital Express has revolutionized business funding in South Africa by partnering with Retail Capital, a division of TymeBank, to provide…

Orange has inaugurated the Orange Digital Center (ODC) Guinea-Bissau, an ecosystem dedicated to the development of digital skills to promote innovation, strengthen the employability of young people and support local entrepreneurship. The ceremony is taking place in the presence of high-level political authorities, including the Minister of Transport, Telecoms and the Digital Economy, members of Orange Guinea Bissau management team and members of the Orange Africa and Middle East Management Committee. Orange Digital Center (ODC) is an ecosystem that brings together in a single location a range of free programs open to all. These range from hands-on digital training for…

Infobip has announced its recognition as a leader in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) for the second consecutive year. The Croatian-based IT and telecom firm believes this recognition highlights its commitment to providing CPaaS solutions that empower businesses to deliver exceptional customer experiences by seamlessly integrating omnichannel communications. Gartner is an American technological research and consulting firm, that conducts technology research and shares its findings through private consulting, executive programs, and conferences. CPaaS is a cloud-based platform that provides Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for businesses to integrate real-time communication features like SMS and…

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has called on the Kenyan government to increase investment in technological and infrastructural development to facilitate the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the country. The recommendation was presented by Peter Ngure, Kenya’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to UNESCO, during the conclusion of the East African Nations AI course at a UNESCO-supported forum. Ngure emphasized the need for Kenya to establish more technology hubs and incubation centers to boost AI integration. Ngure stated: “Expand investment towards infrastructure development to address cross-cutting issues for AI. Establish ICT innovation and technology hubs and…