Author: Akin Naphtal

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…

Mastercard, a U.S.-based multinational on card payment services, has reiterated its commitment to the enhancement of digital infrastructure to support Africa’s growing demand for seamless digital transactions. it also said the company will utilize technology for the promotion of financial inclusion in the continent. The venture’s Country Manager for the South African region, Gabriel Swanepoel said this at the Mastercard Indaba 2024, an annual customer engagement and leadership conference held in South Africa, attesting that technological advancements and economic shifts are shaping the continent immensely. Swanepoel stressed the importance of deploying tailored technology to ensure safety and efficiency in digital…

Fintech startup, Cadana, has raised $7.1 million in seed funding led by Costanoa Ventures, with additional contributions from Better Tomorrow Ventures and 500 Startups, aimed at enhancing Cadana’s payroll services for international hiring platforms and financial institutions. Following the funding announcement, Cadana’s CEO, Albert Owusu-Asare, emphasised the company’s commitment to addressing specific market challenges. “We have concentrated our efforts on establishing a strong local infrastructure to tackle these issues. Over the last three years, we have worked on integrating local payment systems, ensuring compliance, and incorporating benefits systems to enhance our service offerings and better fulfil the requirements of our…

Paramount Global has announced that it will raise subscription rates for its flagship streaming services as part of a broader strategy to recalibrate its business and pay off debt. The price adjustments come amid failed merger talks between Non-Executive Chairwoman, Shari Redstone, and David Ellison’s Skydance Media regarding the potential sale of Redstone’s controlling stake in Paramount Global to the independent studio, according to sources. Starting 20th August for new users and September 20 for existing customers, the Paramount+ with Showtime plan will increase by $1, bringing the monthly cost to $12.99. The Paramount+ Essential subscription rate will see a…

Senegal-based cloud communication start-up, LAfricaMobile has secured $4.6 million in a Series A funding round for expansion its operation across French-speaking Africa. Founded in 2014, LAfricaMobile enables clients to run extensive communication campaigns using mobile technologies such as SMS, USSD, voice, WhatsApp, airtime, and text-to-speech. The company has established connections in over 15 countries and with 60 operators, facilitating nearly 100 million transactions. With the new funding, LAfricaMobile plans to broaden its operations significantly. Fatoumata Bâ, the founder and executive chair of Janngo Capital, expressed her admiration for LAfricaMobile’s vision, team, and technological solutions, highlighting their unique services in a…

American multinational, Microsoft has said the African continent has the potentials to shape the future of work as large language learning models (LLMs) evolve and the environment for Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications is still in its infancy. In the company’s whitepaper tagged:” AI and the Future of Work in Africa” in collaboration with industry African experts, said about One billion Africans currently under the age of 35 with the continent projected to be home to almost half of the world’s youth population by the turn of the century, making the continent is poised to make up a significant portion of…

To tackle underlying issues of mental health among youths in South Africa, the Foundation for Professional Development (FPD) has launched a pioneering mobile game, The StepWell Saga – Stronger Together. Funded by a groundbreaking grant from Grand Challenges Canada, this initiative aims to reach young people through an engaging platform where they spend significant time: mobile gaming. The StepWell Saga, Africa’s first serious game dedicated to mental health, unfolds as a captivating 2D side-scrolling adventure. Designed to be data-efficient, the game is easy to download and play, even on low-storage phones. Players embark on a journey to restore light to…