Nigeria’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (FMSTI) has partnered with US-based tech firm Afri-Tech United to embark on a groundbreaking cloud migration initiative. This ambitious project aims to modernise the country’s infrastructure, optimise both public and private sectors, and propel Nigeria into a new era of technological leadership. The…
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.
Microsoft Nigeria, in collaboration with Get Funded Africa, recently held an electric vehicle (EV) hackathon at the Microsoft African Development Centre (MSADC) in Lagos. The event aimed to empower Nigerian startups and innovators revolutionizing the country’s EV landscape. Three outstanding startups emerged victorious, receiving cash prizes and recognition for their…
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries, from healthcare and finance to manufacturing and retail. As companies race to leverage the power of AI, a crucial question arises: Who should lead the charge? Choosing the right leader for your AI initiative can make the difference between groundbreaking success and a…
In the relentless battle against cyber threats, a troubling trend is emerging: ransomware attackers are increasingly setting their sights on the very lifeblood of data protection – backups. As organisations grapple with the escalating frequency of ransomware assaults, safeguarding backup systems has become a critical imperative in fortifying cyber resilience.…
In a strategic move aimed at addressing antitrust concerns, Microsoft has announced that it will begin selling its popular chat and video application, Teams, separately from its Office suite of products on a global scale. This decision comes six months after the tech giant initiated a similar unbundling effort in…
In a significant development for AI transparency and accountability, OpenAI has announced that ChatGPT, its groundbreaking chatbot, will now cite sources for all responses it generates. This move aims to provide users with greater context and verifiability regarding the information provided by the AI model. The decision comes amid growing…
The world of technology mourns the loss of Dr. Thomas Mensah, a pioneering figure in fiber optics technology, whose contributions have left an indelible mark on global communications networks. Dr. Mensah passed away on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at the age of 74, succumbing to a brief illness at the…
Nigerian mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) Zegtel is making a big bet on improving mobile connectivity in the country. The company has announced a planned investment of $21.8 million over the next five years to expand mobile network access, particularly for underserved populations. This move comes as Nigeria, along with…
Nigerian fintech leader Aella Credit has shed its former name, announcing a strategic rebrand as Aella Microfinance Bank. This move signifies the company’s commitment to expanding its offerings and becoming a one-stop shop for financial services tailored to the needs of the average Nigerian. Aella, boasting over 2 million users…
In its annual Ads Safety Report, Google revealed a significant increase in its efforts to combat deceptive advertising. The report highlights the company’s success in blocking malicious content, with a staggering 206.5 million ads flagged for violating its misrepresentation policy in 2023. This figure represents a crucial step forward in…
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has taken decisive action to address concerns surrounding a data breach, leading to the restriction of access to the National Identification Number (NIN) database for licensed agents. The move follows revelations of unauthorized access by a third-party entity, expressverify.com, prompting investigations by regulatory bodies.…
Ride-hailing giant Uber has reached an agreement with the Lagos State Government to share trip data, following a period of tension that included impounding of drivers’ vehicles and threats of sanctions. The crux of the issue was the type of data Uber would share. Riders were concerned that their personal…
Two senior executives from Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, have taken legal action against Nigerian authorities, alleging violations of their fundamental rights. Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s head of financial crime compliance, and Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance’s regional manager for Africa, have filed a lawsuit against Nigeria’s national security adviser’s office and…
Venture capital firm Satgana has announced the successful closure of its first fund, aimed at supporting early-stage climate-tech startups in Africa and Europe. With commitments totaling €8 million ($8.6 million), Satgana plans to back up to 30 startups working on climate change mitigation and resilience solutions. Romain Diaz, Founder and…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revoked the mobile money licence of Cellulant Nigeria, a subsidiary of Cellulant Corporation, one of Africa’s pioneering fintech companies. The revocation, effective from December 6, 2023, marks Cellulant’s exit from the consumer-facing mobile money market as it shifts focus to providing payment services…
Gemini, Google’s evolving AI assistant, has taken a significant leap forward in its navigation capabilities with the introduction of automatic Google Maps integration. This latest update streamlines the process of accessing directions, offering users a seamless and hands-free experience. Previously, when users requested directions through Gemini, they would receive a…
YouTube is rolling out a groundbreaking feature that enables creators to share exclusive Shorts with their paying subscribers, marking a significant expansion in monetisation options for content creators on the platform. This move allows creators to offer short-form videos exclusively to their paid viewers, adding another layer of value to…
Patrice Motsepe, South Africa’s billionaire, is reportedly engaging in discussions with Vivendi SE’s Canal+ to bolster its bid for MultiChoice Group, South Africa’s leading pay-TV provider. These discussions come as Canal+ approaches the April 8 deadline to submit a formal buy offer for MultiChoice. Canal+ has been steadily increasing its…
MTN Group, a leading telecommunications company, has announced the appointment of Mike Silber as Group Executive Regulatory, effective from April 1, 2024. Silber, a well-known figure in the ICT industry and a specialist attorney, joins MTN Group from Liquid Intelligent Technologies, where he served as Group Chief Regulatory Officer for…
Telecel Group, an Africa-focused telecommunications company, has made significant strides in expanding its operations by acquiring two West African units from MTN Group Ltd., Africa’s largest wireless company. This strategic move comes as Telecel gears up for an initial public offering (IPO) within the next three years. The acquired assets…