Author: Smart Megwai

Prominent civil society organization Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu, demanding the immediate revocation of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) controversial cybersecurity levy and threatened legal action if the order is not rescinded. SERAP strongly condemns the 0.5% levy on…

The democratic process faces a new breed of adversary – not foreign powers or shadowy groups, but sophisticated AI algorithms capable of generating highly convincing deepfakes. Amidst a looming ‘disinformation arms race’ with potentially dire consequences for elections worldwide, Microsoft and OpenAI are taking action. The tech giants announced a…

CMC Networks, a leading global data communications provider, has unveiled a powerful new cloud solution tailored for the African market. CMC Cloud, an Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) offering, is designed to bring lightning-fast edge computing to businesses across the continent, enhancing user experience and accelerating the growth of Africa’s digital economy. CMC…

South Africa has taken a bold step forward in the global AI arena with the launch of the Defence Artificial Intelligence Research Unit (DAIRU). Announced on May 3rd, 2024, the military-focused initiative underscores the nation’s growing technological ambitions and its focus on employing AI for defense and broader national development.…

In a move that signals a bold step towards modernizing air travel, the Federal Government of Nigeria is embracing the power of satellite technology for the aviation industry. The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Technology, Mr. Festus Keyamo, recently declared that the nation is committed to sustainable air travel by…

In a move to increase transparency and reduce fraud, the Nigerian federal government has mandated that all Point of Sale (PoS) agents must register as businesses with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). This directive aligns with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) guidelines and existing legal requirements. Fintech companies and…

IBM has announced a major expansion of its software portfolio on AWS Marketplace, now reaching 92 countries globally, including 18 across Africa. This move streamlines procurement, simplifies purchasing, and drives greater efficiencies for African businesses to access IBM’s cutting-edge technology solutions on the cloud. African enterprises can now seamlessly purchase…

Google, the African Union (AU), and YouTube are joining forces to launch #DiscoverMyAfrica, a month-long celebration of African creativity, innovation, and heritage. Throughout Africa Month, creators are invited to share their unique perspectives on the continent through YouTube Shorts, while special events and resources will highlight Africa’s vibrant creative industries.…

A Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria has postponed the trial of Tigran Gambaryan, an executive at cryptocurrency exchange Binance, until May 17th. Gambaryan, along with his company Binance Holdings Limited and another executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, face charges of money laundering exceeding $35 million. The delay comes after Gambaryan’s defense…

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…