Author: Akin Naphtal

Leading multinational bank, Access Bank Group, has launched an innovative solution in collaboration with Mastercard to expand access to cross-border payments and remittances to and from the continent, bringing Africa closer to the global economy. By leveraging the network and treasury capabilities of Mastercard Move, Access Bank, through its cutting-edge Access Africa platform, shall empower individuals and businesses to enjoy instant, traceable, seamless, and cost-effective international transactions. The newly launched solution will from 8th of May 2024, be operational across Africa, with expansion plans in place for further penetration across the continent. The solution offers a global gateway for businesses…

Microsoft is reportedly in the process of training a new, in-house AI language model as it aims to compete with counterparts from Google and OpenAI, according to a report by The Information on Monday. The project, internally dubbed MAI-1, is being supervised by Mustafa Suleyman, a co-founder of Google DeepMind and former CEO of AI startup, Inflection, as per information from two Microsoft employees familiar with the initiative. While the exact purpose of MAI-1 is yet to be finalised, its potential applications will depend on its performance. Microsoft might provide a preview of the model during its upcoming Build developer…

Telecel Mobile Financial Services Ltd, known for Telecel Cash, has partnered with Cellulant, a leading technology company, to introduce Telecel Cash as a convenient payment option for Google Play users in Ghana. This collaboration allows Telecel Cash customers to easily buy apps and services directly from Google Play, improving their digital transactions. This initiative is a step towards broadening payment choices and enhancing transaction convenience for Google Play users, particularly in areas where traditional credit card usage is limited. By integrating Telecel Cash, Telecel Ghana and Cellulant are offering a smooth, secure, and user-friendly payment solution tailored to the preferences…

A research note sourced from digital intelligence firm, Sensor Tower, and released by the Bank of America on Monday, 6th May, has revealed that video streaming services witnessed a drop in downloads and active users during April 2024, Across all video streaming services, including industry giants like Netflix, Paramount, and Walt Disney, downloads and monthly active users (MAU) collectively declined by 4%, as stated in the note. Here are the numbers provided by the research note: Looking ahead, media companies are shifting their focus towards international expansion, investing in sports streaming ventures, and raising prices on their platforms in…

Ugandan hub for tech entrepreneurs, Hive Colab, has celebrated the graduation of 40 startups from the Youth Startup Academy Uganda (YSAU), amidst the activities of the SWARM Summit held in Uganda on 25th and 26th April, 2024. Themed “The Future is Now: Emerging Trends Shaping Startup Ecosystems,” the SWARM Summit spotlighted Uganda’s young and innovative minds, aiming to foster innovation, collaboration, and growth within the country’s startup community. The event featured keynote addresses from industry leaders, providing insights into the current state and future direction of Uganda’s startup ecosystem, along with engaging panel discussions. One of the highlights of the…

Digital Economy Magazine, an InstinctWave Group Publication, has announced the launch of the 13th Ghana Information Technology and Telecom Awards (GITTA), scheduled to be held at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel, Accra, on 7th June, 2024. Popularly referred to as the ‘Oscars’ of Ghana’s ICT and Telcom Industry, the 13th GITTA will celebrate organisations and individuals at the forefront of digitisation with innovative products and services that keep the sector exciting. This year’s GITTA will feature newly enhanced categories designed to recognise individuals and businesses that, through their hard work, innovative approaches, and dedication, are shaping a new, smarter, and more…

Apple has witnessed a 7% surge in its stock price, driven by the tech giant’s announcement of promising sales growth projections and a record stock buyback plan, which attracted investors who had been cautious over Apple’s weak demand and increased competition in China. Last Thursday, Apple revealed forecasts for fiscal third-quarter sales that surpassed Wall Street’s expectations. Additionally, the company approved an additional $110 billion in share repurchases, marking the largest ever buyback authorisation by a U.S. company, according to EPFR analyst, Winston Chua. Following Friday’s stock gain, Apple’s market capitalisation soared by nearly $200 billion, reaching $2.86 trillion, second…

Apple has announced plans to extend its newly introduced core technology fee (CTF) to apps downloaded on its App Store for iPadOS, after the operating system for iPads was included in a list of key services subject to EU tech rules. The move comes as part of Apple’s efforts to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) enforced by the European Commission, which mandates changes to Apple’s closed ecosystem. In March, Apple introduced a CTF of 50 euro cents per user account per year for major app developers, regardless of whether they utilise Apple’s payment services or the App Store.…

Kenya’s President William Ruto has called upon institutions of higher learning to embrace innovation and emerging technologies to make education more accessible and affordable to students, assuring that the government will support universities in offering online learning. The president was speaking at the charter award ceremony for Tangaza University and Management University of Africa at State House Nairobi. During the ceremony, Prof Edward Etengu and Dr Reuben Musyoka Mutiso were installed as Chancellors of Tangaza University and Management University of Africa, respectively. In his address, President Ruto highlighted the importance of leveraging technology to enrich the country’s human resources and…

South Korean tech giant, LG Electronics, has concluded its LG Showcase MEA 2024 event, held over a two-day period at the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers Hotel in Abu Dhabi, attracting over 500 attendees eager to experience the brand’s latest innovations. Themed “Reinventing Together,” the event echoed LG’s dedication to meeting its customers’ evolving needs. The LG Showcase MEA 2024 built on the success of its iteration in 2023, providing a platform for attendees to immerse themselves in LG’s customer-focused inventions. CEO of LG MEA Region, Mr. Il Hwan Lee, expressed delight at the event’s success, noting the positive reception…