Author: Akin Naphtal

Vodacom teamed up with Huawei Technologies to support the third season of Vodacom Digital Accelerator (VDA), taking seven startups on an exhilarating journey to Shenzhen, China. For these startups, nearing the end of their acceleration program, the trip proved to be an inspiring adventure, igniting fresh ideas and endless possibilities. Shenzhen, renowned as a nexus for entrepreneurs, innovators, and tech firms, provided the perfect setting for this immersive experience. The city’s remarkable evolution from a fishing village to a global tech hub offered the group invaluable lessons in visionary leadership and strategic planning. During the visit, the cohort explored leading…

The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) recently held a two-day workshop aimed at enhancing the skills of technical teams from Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). The workshop, which was conducted in partnership with the Tanzania Internet Service Providers Association (TISPA), at TCRA Mawasiliano Towers in Dar es Salaam However, the event focused on key topics such as Internet Exchange Point (IXP) peering, IP version 6 implementation, and DNSSEC validation. ALSO READ: BURNA BOY HITS OVER 530,000 STREAMS ON SPOTIFY WITH “HIGHER” It also served as a platform for technical discussions on the Tanzanian Internet ecosystem, addressing…

Can anyone stop Burna Boy? Nigerian afrobeats/afro-fusion star, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, famously known as Burna Boy, has skyrocketed to global stardom, smashing African records with his chart-topping hits, albums, and sold-out concerts. His latest single “Higher” racked up 530,792 streams on Spotify Nigeria within its first day, surpassing Wizkid’s previous record of 518,000 streams. “Higher” now holds the title for the most opening-day streams for a solo song by an African artist. ALSO READ: TANZANIA: VODACOM LAUNCHES GOLF TOUR WITH TECH INTEGRATION, PARTNERS WITH LUGALO GOLF CLUB In addition, Burna Boy broke his own record with “City Boy,” a Grammy-nominated…

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…