Ghana’s Minister for Communications and Digitisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has revealed plans to license satellite internet provider Starlink, following recent disruptions to four subsea cables that caused a widespread internet blackout in Ghana and neighboring regions. Just three months after warning against the use of Starlink kits, the country now appears…
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.
The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has sounded the alarm on the escalating issue of electronic waste (e-waste) worldwide, raising significant health and environmental concerns. As the proliferation of discarded computers, mobile phones, and televisions accelerates, the ITU emphasises the urgent need for concerted action to address this growing challenge. E-waste…
Safaricom’s M-PESA has forged a significant partnership with Onafriq, Africa’s leading digital payments network, aimed at enhancing remittance flows to Ethiopia. Through this collaboration, M-PESA users within Ethiopia will be able to receive remittances from various parts of the globe seamlessly. This strategic move by M-PESA aligns with the growing…
In an exciting development, Kenyan content creators are set to earn revenue from their posts on Meta platforms Facebook and Instagram, commencing June this year. This significant stride stems from a collaborative effort between President William Ruto and the social media giant, Meta, signaling a breakthrough for Kenya’s digital content…
Digital commerce startup tappi, supported by Mercy Corps Ventures, has expanded its services to Côte d’Ivoire, marking its third African country after successful operations in Kenya and Nigeria. The strategic expansion, facilitated through an existing partnership with telecom giant MTN, aims to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in establishing…
According to a report from Bloomberg, Apple is engaged in discussions with Google regarding a potential collaboration to integrate Google’s advanced large language model (LLM) generative artificial intelligence (AI), known as Gemini, into an upcoming iOS update. The negotiations between the two tech giants revolve around licensing iOS features that…
ZTE Corporation, a global leader in ICT solutions, introduced its Fibre To The Room for Business (FTTR-B) series at the FTTH Conference 2024. This groundbreaking release encompasses innovative solutions aimed at accelerating the digital evolution of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Key highlights of the FTTR-B series include: The FTTR-B…
Vodacom Group Ltd., a prominent mobile communications firm majority-owned by Vodafone, has revealed plans to optimise its operations in South Africa through a strategic reduction in its workforce. Responding to inquiries on Monday, March 18, 2024, the Johannesburg-based telecommunications giant, currently boasting a workforce of 5,400 employees, disclosed that the…
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has underscored the imperative of responsibly harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to safeguard consumer rights and foster trust within the dynamic telecoms landscape. During the commemoration of the 2024 World Consumer Rights Day on March 15th, Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC,…
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has unveiled plans for a global collaboration aimed at bolstering the protection of undersea cables, crucial arteries of the digital infrastructure. In a statement shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Minister Tijani underscored the imperative of…
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have announced a strategic partnership aimed at streamlining processes associated with the National Identification Number (NIN)-SIM linkage. This collaborative effort was disclosed in a statement jointly released by Ayodele Babalola, Technical Adviser for Media and Communications to the…
Equinix, a global leader in digital infrastructure, has announced a strategic leadership shift. Effective late Q2 2024, Adaire Fox-Martin, a seasoned technology executive currently leading Google Cloud’s go-to-market efforts and serving as Google Ireland’s head, will assume the role of Equinix’s President and CEO. This move signals a new chapter…
Binance, the leading cryptocurrency exchange, is making efforts to reconcile with Nigerian authorities amid recent regulatory tensions. In a statement issued on Thursday, Binance reaffirmed its dedication to compliance and cooperation with Nigerian regulatory bodies. The exchange highlighted its extensive collaboration with Nigerian law enforcement, revealing that it has responded…
The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa has made a significant announcement, revealing the approval of operating licences for 59 cryptocurrency firms as of March 12, 2024. This announcement was made by a representative of the FSCA during the ongoing FSCA Industry Conference in Johannesburg. Among the 355…
The Federal Government revealed on Wednesday its plan to launch a $2 billion fund aimed at connecting all of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas through fiber optics. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, the initiative seeks to enhance internet connectivity nationwide. According to Dr. Bosun Tijani,…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has forged an official partnership with Gluwa, a leading blockchain infrastructure firm, with the aim of accelerating the widespread adoption of Nigeria’s digital currency, eNaira, by harnessing the capabilities of blockchain technology. This collaborative effort seeks to transform the nation’s digital financial landscape, especially…
South Africa and the Czech Republic are advancing collaborative efforts in the realm of science, technology, and innovation (STI), with both nations in the process of finalising a government-to-government agreement. The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) anticipates the agreement to be reviewed, with plans for a potential signing in…
PurpleZA, a frontrunner in professional development for educators, is gearing up for the launch of an innovative gamified platform designed to empower individual teachers in taking control of their professional development and acquiring Google certifications. The new platform is poised to cater to motivated self-starters, fostering self-learning and providing avenues…
Bolt, the popular e-hailing service, is making significant strides to improve the experience for its driver-partners across Africa. With new features introduced in South Africa and Nigeria, the company aims to provide more earning opportunities and benefits for its drivers while enhancing the overall quality of its service. In South…
Kingsley Adonu, the visionary founder and chairman of S Mobile Group, has announced plans to inaugurate an innovation center in Enugu State, named the S Mobile Tech Hub. This initiative, categorised as a corporate social responsibility (CSR) effort, aims to foster skills development, youth entrepreneurship, and job creation within the…