Author: Jessica Adiele

Jack Dorsey’s latest tech venture, Bitchat (which sounds like a weekend project) is incredibly intriguing as it offers hints at the growing trend of secure and decentralized communication. In early July, the Twitter co-founder released a beta version of Bitchat through TestFlight, which also included supplementary whitepaper on GitHub. All…

Redington Turkey and Mastercard have recently formed a partnership that appears to be both timely and strategic, in midst of rapidly evolving cyber attacks. It’s not a flashy acquisition or merger, but rather preparing for heightened digital dangers through synchronized attacks. Redington Turkey, part of the global Redington group with…

Xiaomi’s new product, the Redmi Pad 2, is not just a budget-friendly tablet, but also offers several features that are typically found in midrange models. By combining the tablet’s impressive 60Hz refresh rate, quad Dolby Atmos speakers with a slim build of just 9,000 mAh battery, and Helio G100Ultra chipset,…

The passing of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) has sparked concerns about whether it might mirror data privacy laws in other countries. Recently, Multichoice was sanctioned by the NDPC and fined over ₦766.2 million. It’s not just a legal matter; this fine is merely an ironic restriction. Multichoice, which…

Flutterwave, one of Africa’s most prominent financial technology firms, has marked a major step in its international growth by revamping and reintroducing its Send App to users across a broader range of U.S. states. This follows the company’s successful acquisition of 20 new Money Transmitter Licenses (MTLs), boosting its total…

Many industry observers were taken aback by Amazon’s announcement to quietly shut down its standalone Freevee streaming app in August. Freevee Originals, licensed movies and Live TV users will have to switch to Prime Video – which is still free with no subscription and heavily supported by advertisers. The statement…

The fact-checking feature of Community Notes is being tested by X (previously Twitter) with the aid of artificial intelligence. A pilot program has been launched by the company to enable large language models (LLMs) to create notes that can provide context to posts that are deemed misleading or incomplete. While…

Reports suggest that Figma, the collaborative design platform with a reputation for changing product team practices and strategies, is about to go public in upcoming tech IPOs (Initial Public Offerings). The Information reports that Figma’s IPO has the potential to generate up to $1.5 billion, providing investors with renewed hope…

Several Nigerian telecom operators have temporarily suspended SIM-related services including SIM swaps, upgrades, and NIN linking, following a notice from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) announcing a system upgrade. Operators such as MTN, Airtel and Globacom, said the temporary pause began on June 29 and will run through July…

To promote the use of artificial intelligence (AI), Ecobank Group has entered into a strategic partnership with Google Cloud. It is hoped the partnership will improve customer experience, increase operational efficiency and help foster a data-led culture at the bank’s 35 countries offices. It’s a clever idea, at least from…

Instagram has quietly rolled out a feature that music lovers, influencers, and content creators have been asking for: playable Spotify snippets directly in Stories. Prior to this time, sharing a song on Instagram through Spotify necessitated the use of identifying visual sticker linked to the track, but without any audio…

The satellite internet revolution appears unstoppable, until development slows. In Kenya, Starlink’s user base dropped from around 19,400 in December 2024 to approximately 17,500 by March 2025—a roughly 10% decline. As someone who closely tracks tech trends in emerging markets, this dip raises questions: is this a temporary slowdown or…

If we are to be honest, Nigeria doesn’t have a reliable internet connection at all. Whether you’re deep in a rural community, battling spotty mobile data in the city, or simply trying to conserve battery, USSD codes remain one of the most underrated tools for financial and mobile transactions. Yet,…

I have never been more frustrated than when my smartphone was charged to 100% full, but then came down to 30% in less than a few hours. It’s unlikely that smartphone batteries would have kept pace with the technology used today, given the intense dependence on mobile devices in our…

When faced with the challenges of a rapidly evolving digital economy, inclusion is often dismissed as an important topic. But HP Nigeria just flipped the script. Two Nigerian nonprofits, She Code Africa and Slum2School Africa, have received $400,000 in support from the company’s Digital Equity Accelerator, with half of it…

The act of waiting in line at the bank for essential financial transactions as a Nigerian resident is not only time-wasting but also means missing out on one of Africa’s most transformative finance. Millions are using mobile payment platforms like OPay, PalmPay or Moniepoint which has revolutionized the way people…

Mobile data is not only a commodity but also carries the weight of life for millions of mobile-first users in Africa. Due to escalating data expenses and fluctuating internet connectivity, accessing content-heavy platforms like TikTok, YouTuber, and Instagram can be quite expensive. These apps are centred around video and visuals,…

West African mining companies are facing a unique challenge as gold prices have hit record highs of over $3,300 per ounce, leaving investors and governments wary. The resurgence of illegal mining activities, commonly known as “wildcat mining,” on commercial concessions in Ghana, Guinea, and Burkina Faso has been caused by…

I have been following Apple’s AI plan for a while, and it has been like reading narrated stories with heightened excitement, as they reveal unexpected details. Reports from Reuters and Bloomberg have revealed that Adrian Perica, the M&A head for Apple, have considered acquiring Perplexity AI, a startup that is…

Last week in Johannesburg, Lenovo’s Accelerate 2025 event was more than just a showcase of technology; it was also an opportunity to promote Africa as the future of AI. The message conveyed was that advanced AI-enabled systems, which are built on collaboration, inclusion and practicality, are now indispensable. The phrase…