Author: Smart Megwai

When discussing the intersection of Africa and blockchain technology, the conversation often centers around cryptocurrency and its role in remittances. While this is an important area, overlooking the transformative potential of blockchain for Africa’s complex supply chains would be a mistake. From agriculture to manufacturing, outdated and fragmented supply chains…

After weeks of widespread disruptions, West Africa is slowly regaining reliable internet access. However, the recent severance of multiple undersea cables has starkly exposed the continent’s dependence on a limited and vulnerable network of connectivity infrastructure. The crisis began in mid-March when a suspected seismic event near Ivory Coast damaged…

In a significant win for Nigerian consumers, a legal challenge has temporarily halted MultiChoice Nigeria’s plans to significantly raise subscription fees for its DStv and GOtv Pay-TV services. The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) issued a restraining order in response to a suit filed by consumer advocate Festus Onifade,…

Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has declared the misuse of social media platforms a critical threat to both national and global security. Ribadu’s statement underscores the growing concern within the Nigerian government about the spread of disinformation and its potential to destabilise the country. Addressing a gathering of…

Mauritius Telecom, the leading telecom company in the Indian Ocean island nation, is spearheading a new subsea cable project to enhance connectivity between Africa, the Indian Ocean islands, and Asia. The planned “T4” cable will significantly improve redundancy and capacity in a region that has faced recent service disruptions. The…

Kenyan travel booking platform BuuPass is poised to become a dominant force in African intercity travel following its acquisition of QuickBus, a competitor with a strong presence in Nigeria and South Africa. This deal represents a strategic move that will expand BuuPass’s reach, simplify the booking experience for travelers, and…

The recent move by Starlink, a satellite internet service operated by SpaceX, to significantly reduce prices in Nigeria has triggered a wave of frustration and disappointment among users grappling with persistent payment issues. The decision to slash the cost of Starlink’s hardware kit by over 45%, from approximately N1 million…

Bitcoin analyst Willy Woo has sparked excitement within the cryptocurrency sector, predicting the industry could reach 1 billion users by the end of 2025. While attaining this milestone would signal increased mainstream adoption, industry experts are divided on whether Woo’s optimism is well-founded. Woo’s prediction is based on an extrapolation…

The Nigerian government, under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, has launched a comprehensive data tracking system aimed at addressing shortcomings in the nation’s education sector. This initiative marks a major step towards tackling issues such as lagging student performance, low enrollment rates, and inadequate support for vulnerable learners. A statement issued…

The Nigerian federal government, led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, has signed the Aso Accord with state governments and private sector stakeholders. The agreement aims to deliver affordable and accessible financial services to all Nigerians, with a particular focus on underserved and disadvantaged populations. Key figures endorsing the Accord include…

Threads, Meta’s text-focused social app, has surpassed a significant milestone, reaching 150 million monthly active users. This rapid growth, highlighted by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, represents a 20 million user surge since February and underscores a potential transformation in how users engage with social media. Industry reports suggest Threads is…

The indictment of an Equity Bank Kenya employee in connection with the bank’s recent $2.1 million fraud case underscores a growing trend of insider threats within the country’s financial sector. Initial reports by Innovation Village (per TechCabal) revealed the employee’s alleged installation of malware to facilitate the theft, highlighting major…

MTN South Africa, in collaboration with Investec and Electrum, is set to launch PayShap on its Mobile Money (MoMo) platform. This move will make MTN MoMo the first non-banking service provider to offer PayShap, a real-time, low-fee interbank digital payment solution. The partnership represents a major breakthrough in expanding financial…

While the Nigeria Startup Act’s potential to revitalise the tech sector is undeniable, its ability to drive solutions for long-standing local problems could prove its true legacy. The NSA’s focus on creating a supportive environment for innovative startups promises to unleash a wave of creative problem-solving directly tackling the challenges…

Logitech’s new “Logi AI Prompt Builder” software, paired with the AI Edition of its M750 wireless mouse, raises intriguing questions about our evolving relationship with AI. While a dedicated button offers the promise of simplifying complex interactions with powerful AI chatbots, its current form highlights the ongoing challenges of making…

The Namibian Ministry of Information and Communication Technology has issued a stark warning: unregistered SIM card holders risk losing their phone numbers permanently if they fail to register by June 30th, 2024. This follows the recent deactivation of over 500,000 unregistered SIM cards in a nationwide crackdown mandated by the…

Tigo Tanzania has made history as the first telecom operator in the country to launch fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) and fiber-to-the-office (FTTO) services, ushering in a new era of reliable and high-speed connectivity. “Our new Tigo Fibre service reflects our commitment to empowering Tanzanians through cutting-edge internet access,” remarked John Sicilima, Chief…

The reported termination of the Katangowa project contract, originally awarded to Bridgeways Limited, has left a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the future of Lagos’s vibrant Computer Village. This situation raises troubling questions not only for the traders but also for the wider reputation of Nigeria as it seeks to…

The Nigeria Startup Act (NSA), signed into law in 2022, is starting to make its impact felt. The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) reports that a total of 12,948 startups have registered on the official Nigeria Startup Portal. This enthusiastic response underpins the potential of the NSA to transform…

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has a massive undertaking ahead. The goal of registering 200 million Nigerians with the National Identification Number (NIN) by 2025 requires a dramatic acceleration of the enrollment process. With approximately 105 million NINs issued to date, nearly 95 million citizens still lack this key…