Author: Akin Naphtal

By Hannah Lang Although Apple is discontinuing its buy now, pay later service launched last year, the company is sticking with the product, with a successor to the offering launching later this year via third parties like Affirm. Buy now, pay later (BNPL) exploded in popularity as the COVID-19 pandemic forced more shoppers online, and the product has continued to resonate with consumers. BNPL loans drove $75 billion in online spending in 2023, up 14.3% from 2022, according to Adobe Analytics. On Monday, Apple said its new solution “will enable us to bring flexible payments to more users, in more…

Kenya’s Safaricom has partnered with digital lender, Pezesha, to offer a new credit product, Mkopo wa Pochi, aimed at small business owners, enhancing Safaricom’s existing loan products and allowing businesses to borrow money directly through their M-Pesa business accounts. The Mkopo wa Pochi product is now available through an update on Safaricom’s M-Pesa super app. It complements Pochi la Biashara, Safaricom’s business wallet specifically designed for small business owners. This partnership marks Pezesha’s entry into Kenya’s mobile money market, as it seeks to leverage Safaricom’s extensive customer base of over 32.4 million active M-Pesa users. Mkopo wa Pochi capitalises on…

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided to utilise artificial intelligence (AI) technology to prevent social media abuse targeting 15,000 athletes and officials during the Paris Olympics next month, IOC President Thomas Bach announced on 14th June. The decision comes due to the Olynpics taking place amid ongoing conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war, and the hostilities between Hamas and Israel in Gaza. These events have already led to instances of social media abuse. With the Olympics commencing on 26th July, over 10,500 athletes will compete across 32 sports. The IOC anticipates more than half a billion social media engagements during…

Microsoft has announced plans to invest €6.69 billion ($7.16 billion) in developing new data centres in Spain’s north-eastern region of Aragon, aiming to transform Aragon into a major cloud computing hub within Europe. The regional government of Aragon confirmed that the U.S. tech giant has applied for a construction permit to build data centres on a site outside the city of Zaragoza. This information corroborates a recent report by the local newspaper, El Heraldo. The investment will be distributed over a span of ten years. Aragon is also attracting interest from Microsoft’s main competitor, Amazon’s cloud computing division, AWS. Last…

Dell Technologies in collaboration with Computer Aid International, CDW, and the Small Projects Foundation has established a new Solar Community Hub in Newlands This initiative aims to strengthen community capacity building, promote skill development, and connect underserved populations to technology. “The project will benefit many generations with the opportunity to participate in higher education and vocational courses, as well as prepare them for the job market.” Monde Mfene, Ward Councillor Over 2.48 million students and community members worldwide have benefited from Dell Technologies’ sponsorship of these centers, including those in Brazil, Colombia, Kenya, Mexico, India, Morocco, Egypt, Nigeria, and South…

Norwegian investment fund for developing countries, Norfund, has reaffirmed its support for Kenya’s e-mobility sector with an investment of $307 million, signifying Norfund’s commitment to fostering sustainable development and economic growth in the region. During an official visit to Kenya, Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Espen Barth Eide, toured BasiGo’s Buruburu charging and servicing depot. “Our visit to BasiGo is a testament to Norway’s commitment to supporting Kenya’s growth through strategic investments. We are excited about the future possibilities that our continued partnerships can bring to the region and especially e-mobility,” Mr. Eide said. The fossil fuel-powered transport sector stands…

Kenya’s Principal Secretary for ICT and Digital Economy, Eng. John Tanui, has visited WORQ Coworking Space TTDI in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in a bid to gain insights into Malaysia’s Digital Hubs initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Digital through the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). Eng. Tanui shared his experiences on his LinkedIn page, highlighting the significance of WORQ TTDI as a hub for modern professionals, MSMEs, and startup businesses. “Worq TTDI stands out as a hub for modern professionals, MSMEs and start-up businesses, offering state-of-the-art facilities, flexible workspaces, and a nurturing ecosystem designed to foster innovation and collaboration,” he…

Leading data technology giant, Africa Data Centres, has partnered cloud computing giant, Unicloud Africa, and Tier IV colocation services provider, ONIX Data Centres, to establish more resilient cloud and data infrastructure in Ghana. The partnership was signed on the side lines of the 13th Ghana Information Technology and Telecom Awards (GITTA), which was held on 7th June, 2024 at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra. The awards event celebrated and appreciated innovations and leaders in Ghana’s ICT field. Through their partnership, Africa Data Centres and ONIX Data Centres aim to provide high-quality, reliable data centre services that can support increased…

Network International (Network) has been appointed Airtel Africa’s payment processor. Operating in 14 African nations, Airtel Africa is a well-known provider of mobile money and telecommunications services. Through this alliance, Airtel will be able to continue providing cutting-edge cellular services across the continent and beyond. Airtel Africa will have the resources needed to spur innovation, successfully negotiate the rapidly evolving landscape of digital banking, and deliver unparalleled value to its stakeholders and customers thanks to their collaboration with Network International. Dr. Reda Helal, Group Managing Director, Processing, Africa, and Co-Head Group Processing at Network International, commented, “Our collaboration with Airtel…

Ecobank, the pan-African financial services Group, officially opens call for applications to the 7th edition of its Fintech Challenge. This annual competition invites early-stage and mature fintech startups to partner with Ecobank, offering a grand prize of US$50,000 and a chance to scale their solutions across Ecobank’s extensive network spanning 35 African countries. Despite the fintech eruption in the African continent, a McKinsey report reveals that fintech start-ups in Africa are still facing several challenges such as reaching scale, navigating an uncertain regulatory environment, and managing scarcity of funding. The Ecobank Fintech Challenge provides a unique opportunity for Fintech Entrepreneurs…