South Africa’s ambitious broadband initiatives have stumbled, leaving taxpayers burdened and connectivity goals unmet. Despite billions of rand being poured into various projects—including Stellenbosch’s 2012 Wi-Fi town plan, Tshwane’s free Wi-Fi, and the Johannesburg Broadband Network Project—the digital divide remains stubbornly wide. Crippling corruption, maladministration, and poor service delivery have…
Author: Smart Megwai
Smart Megwai
Smart is a technology journalist covering innovation, digital culture, and the business of emerging tech. His reporting for Innovation Village explores how technology shapes everyday life in Africa and beyond.
Meta, formerly known as Facebook, is facing yet another legal battle as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a lawsuit alleging that the company lied about its motives behind the acquisitions of WhatsApp and Instagram. The FTC claims that Facebook’s actions were aimed at neutralizing competitive threats and maintaining…
VGS, a leading payment tokenization firm, has solidified its strategic partnership with Onafriq, Africa’s largest payments network, to elevate security and foster innovation for fintech companies across the region. This collaboration builds upon a longstanding relationship between the two entities, where VGS has been a trusted partner in ensuring PCI…
Kenya’s proactive approach to digital inclusion is yielding promising results, with the widespread adoption of locally-assembled, low-cost smartphones transforming the nation’s digital landscape. The East Africa Device Assembly Kenya (EADAK) plant, a public-private partnership, has produced over 490,000 4G-enabled handsets since its establishment late last year, with a significant portion…
Kenya’s ambitious Konza Technopolis project is set for a major transformation into a cutting-edge film and creative hub thanks to a Ksh30.8 billion (USD 238 million) loan secured from Korea Exim Bank. The agreement, finalised during the Korea-Africa Summit on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, marks a significant step in Kenya’s…
The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has begun the process of paying insured depositors of Heritage Bank following the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) revocation of the bank’s license. The NDIC assures customers that their deposits are protected, with a guaranteed payment of up to N5 million per depositor. This…
Google has rolled out a significant update to its messaging capabilities, introducing text message editing and other enhancements to its Rich Communication Services (RCS) platform. This upgrade brings Android closer to parity with Apple’s iMessage, intensifying the competition between the two tech giants in the messaging arena. For years, iPhone…
Nollywood, known for its diverse storytelling, has seen a surge in the popularity of thrillers on streaming platforms like Netflix and Prime Video. These suspenseful tales, often rooted in social issues and cultural nuances, are captivating audiences worldwide. The rise of Nollywood thrillers on streaming platforms isn’t merely a trend;…
Nigeria is on the brink of a digital revolution, with an ambitious goal to digitise 70% of its government services by 2025. This transformative initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, promises to reshape the way citizens interact with government, making services faster, more convenient, and…
Have questions about the NELFUND student loan application? You’re not alone! The newly launched application portal has generated a lot of interest, but it’s also raised some questions and concerns for potential applicants. This FAQ aims to address common inquiries and provide clear guidance to help you navigate the process…
Nigeria’s vibrant technology ecosystem is set to take center stage in 2025 as the country hosts GITEX Africa, the premier tech event on the continent. This landmark event follows a successful 2024 edition in Marrakech, Morocco, where a number of Nigerian startups made their mark, highlighting the country’s burgeoning tech…
Oracle’s planned cloud regions in Casablanca and Settat represent a significant leap forward for Morocco’s digital landscape. This strategic investment promises to deliver a wide array of benefits for local businesses and government agencies, bolstering their ability to modernize, innovate, and compete in the global digital economy. For Moroccan businesses,…
As Europe prepares for pivotal elections that will shape the continent’s future, the messaging app Telegram has emerged as a major concern for policymakers and democracy advocates alike. The platform, known for its encrypted messaging and lax content moderation, has become a hotbed of disinformation, conspiracy theories, and propaganda, raising…
Leading African fintech company Flutterwave continues its ambitious expansion across the continent, securing a preliminary payment aggregator license in Mozambique. This strategic move strengthens Flutterwave’s position as a dominant player in the African digital payments landscape. The Bank of Mozambique’s decision to grant Flutterwave this license marks a significant milestone…
Rising petrol prices and increasing operational costs have become significant challenges for businesses across Nigeria, and the food delivery sector is no exception. Glovo, a prominent player in the Lagos food delivery market, has taken a bold step towards tackling these challenges head-on by partnering with local electric vehicle (EV)…
Android users could soon be streaming Apple TV+’s award-winning content directly from their smartphones. A recent job listing suggests that Apple is finally developing a dedicated app for the rival platform, marking a significant shift in the company’s traditionally closed-off strategy. This move could open up a massive new audience…
Pick n Pay’s on-demand grocery service, Asap!, has emerged as a dominant force in the South African market, securing the second-place position among on-demand grocery providers. This achievement comes as the retailer reported a 74.4% surge in online sales for the 52 weeks ending February 25, 2024, primarily fueled by…
YouTube Music’s latest feature is transforming how we find songs. Now, you can simply hum a tune into your Android phone, and the app will work its magic – like having a song detective in your pocket! This follows YouTube’s August announcement in a blog post that it would be…
The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has been fined R500,000 by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) for refusing to air a Democratic Alliance (DA) election advertisement. This decision has sparked a broader debate about media freedom and the independence of public broadcasters in South Africa. Icasa’s complaints…
The NBA’s influence extends far beyond the basketball court, and its latest move in Africa proves just that. The recent announcement of the “Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator” program showcases a bold new strategy – leveraging technology to drive the growth of basketball and the wider sports industry across the…