Author: Akin Naphtal

MTN Group has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, MTN International (Mauritius) Limited, will sell a portion of its stake in MTN Uganda, aligning with Uganda’s regulatory licence terms and MTN’s objective to increase local shareholding in its Ugandan operations. This move by MTN is expected to enhance local participation in the company’s growth and further solidify its commitment to the Ugandan market. In a notice to shareholders on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, MTN stated, “The offer, although open to investors more broadly, will provide an opportunity for Ugandan retail and professional investors to own a stake in MTN Uganda…

Blockchain is seen as a catalyst of innovation in today’s world of digital infrastructure and social media platforms. Its technology promises to give control of data back to the people through its decentralised manner of operation, and the greater transparency and inclusiveness this yields. Does blockchain lead to a reorganisation of power? Using a combination of computer science, law and political science, ERC grantee Primavera de Filippi looks at the governance of blockchain systems and the ‘invisible powers’ at play. Why is blockchain often described as a ‘trustless’ technology? Blockchain technology was originally created to enable bitcoin operations, so mostly…

It is reasonable to think of your crypto wallet as a safe that holds your cryptocurrency funds. As a practical matter, there’s nothing wrong with envisioning it that way. The underlying reality is quite different, however. A crypto wallet is really a user interface that allows you to query your cryptocurrency’s underlying blockchain for information, receive funds from other users, and send funds to others by writing transactions to the blockchain. Your crypto wallet doesn’t actually hold any funds Wallets Manage Cryptography Bitcoin wallets and other crypto wallets are based on public-key cryptography. The essential elements of a wallet are…

In recent years, digital finance has emerged as a transformative force, revolutionizing the way individuals and businesses manage their financial transactions. From mobile payments to blockchain technology, the landscape of finance is undergoing a profound shift toward digitization, offering unprecedented convenience, efficiency, and accessibility. One of the most significant advancements in digital finance is the rise of mobile payment platforms. With the widespread adoption of smartphones and mobile internet connectivity, consumers can now conduct a wide range of financial transactions directly from their mobile devices. Mobile payment apps enable users to transfer money, pay bills, and make purchases with just…

Digital finance is at the forefront of a revolution, fundamentally altering the way we perceive and engage with financial services. This revolution encompasses a myriad of technological innovations, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer behaviors, all of which are reshaping the financial landscape in profound ways. One of the defining trends in digital finance is the rise of mobile banking and payment solutions. With smartphones becoming ubiquitous and internet connectivity reaching even remote areas, mobile devices have become the primary channel for accessing financial services. Mobile banking apps offer users the flexibility to manage their finances anytime, anywhere, while mobile payment…

Digital finance is undergoing a dynamic evolution, propelled by technological innovation, changing consumer behaviors, and regulatory developments. This dynamic ecosystem encompasses a wide range of financial services and technologies, each playing a unique role in reshaping the way we manage money, conduct transactions, and access financial services. One of the prominent trends in digital finance is the rise of fintech startups. These agile and innovative companies leverage technology to deliver financial services in new and disruptive ways, challenging traditional banking institutions. From peer-to-peer lending platforms to robo-advisors, fintech startups are democratizing access to financial services and driving innovation across the…

Those who came before us made certain that this country rode the first waves of the industrial revolution, the first waves of modern invention, and the first wave of nuclear power, and this generation does not intend to founder in the backwash of the coming age of space. We mean to be a part of it—we mean to lead it.” That was President Kennedy more than a half-century ago. Even then, he understood better than most that America’s place in the world was bound up with our determination to be at the cutting edge of progress. We were a beacon…

That puts it in second place across all blockchains, just behind Tron’s 2.2 million daily active users, according to Token Terminal. But the Ronin network only generated the 13th highest fee revenue of all blockchains in the past 30 days with just $200,000. So something isn’t quite adding up. The growth in user numbers is a dramatic turnaround from last October when Ronin was practically on life support with less than 20,000 daily active users. That’s around the time when farming simulation game Pixels ditched its birthplace Polygon and migrated to the then-dying chain. Pixels’ arrival kickstarted the revival of the…

Microsoft South Africa has unveiled a $70 million investment in the South African economy, as part of a 10-year agreement with the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC) to support small, micro, and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs), create jobs, and prepare the country for the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution. A substantial portion of the $34.6 million investment will fund an enterprise development program. The DTIC emphasized that the initiative’s primary goals are to support technology businesses led by black South African entrepreneurs and to promote innovation in disruptive technologies. Additionally, a $18.9 million skills development effort is planned to provide…

Google has announced the launch of Umoja, the first-ever fibre optic cable directly connecting Africa to Australia, as part of Google’s Africa Connect project, aimed at enhancing digital connectivity and infrastructure across the continent. Umoja, meaning “unity” in Swahili, joins Google’s Equiano cable in bolstering Africa Connect. This new route will provide more reliable connectivity for African countries and establish a resilient network essential for a region historically affected by high-impact outages. VP of Global Network Infrastructure at Google Cloud, Brian Quigley, stated during the announcement, “we are excited to announce Umoja, a new fibre optic cable connecting Africa to…