The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has introduced a new mobile app aimed at tracking power outages across the country. This development reaffirms a statement made by NERC’s Vice Chairman, Musiliu Oseni, during the inauguration ceremony of the commission’s forum office in Abeokuta, Ogun State last year. The official launch…
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.
WhatsApp, in its Android beta version 2.23.19.8 seen by WABetaInfo, introduced a feature called “Third-party chats.” This development follows the European Commission’s confirmation that Meta, the owner of the instant messaging platform, is considered a “gatekeeper” under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). DMA requires communication apps like WhatsApp to…
NABU, the international literacy nonprofit, has partnered with WhatsApp, NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation (CAFF) to introduce “NABU Nigeria.” This initiative, unveiled on International Literacy Day, is dedicated to tackling Nigeria’s literacy issues and promoting the preservation of its rich culture. The primary goal of…
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu announced a joint foreign exchange (FX) liquidity program with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following a high-level meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on Monday. President Tinubu revealed the initiation of a joint FX liquidity program between Nigeria and…
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued a stern warning to telemarketers, saying in a press release, that it will prosecute those who illegally access the telephone numbers of telecom subscribers for commercial activities and gains. This is because utilising people’s phone numbers without their consent is considered a violation…
Flutterwave, a leading African fintech company, has entered the Indian market through a strategic partnership with IndusInd Bank Ltd., a significant financial institution in India. This expansion aims to extend Flutterwave’s remittance services into Asia’s second-largest economy. Flutterwave’s Olugbenga Agboola expressed his gratitude to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu…
China has issued directives to officials working in central government agencies, instructing them not to use Apple iPhones and other foreign-branded devices for official purposes. While the specifics of the ban and its extent remain somewhat unclear, it has sparked concerns about data security and raised questions about its potential…
President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria recently shared his vision for the country to partner with global technology giant Oracle. This partnership aims to address critical challenges facing Nigeria’s civil service, including “a bloated payroll and outdated data management systems”. Mr President expressed his vision for a more efficient and citizen-centric…
Zoho Corporation announced today it is celebrating 100 million users with its 55+ business apps. This makes the global tech company standout in the SaaS industry, being the first bootstrapped organisation to achieve such a feat. This milestone follows its remarkable $1 billion annual revenue, highlighting its rapid growth in…
Btrust, a non-profit organisation co-founded by music icon Jay-Z and Block CEO Jack Dorsey, has acquired Qala, an African Bitcoin talent development firm. This acquisition, which remains undisclosed in its financial terms, holds the potential to transform the world of Bitcoin software development in Africa. How? Btrust has made it…
Pesapeer, a digital finance company, has announced it is rebranding. This strategic move is designed to redefine the company’s core identity, placing a renewed emphasis on localising the global money transfer experience for immigrants. In doing so, Pesapeer is preparing to reshape its entire approach, pivoting towards the dynamic future…
Wasoko, an innovative African e-commerce company, recently announced its expansion plan into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The strategic move capitalises on the company’s well-established e-commerce hub in neighboring Rwanda, marking the second time in 2023 that Wasoko has ventured into new territory, following its successful entry into Zambia…
A hacking group, self-identified as Anonymous #Sudan, orchestrated a Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack on X, formerly known as Twitter, affecting over a dozen countries on a fateful Tuesday morning. Their objective: to apply pressure on Elon Musk to launch his Starlink service in Sudan. Reports of technical issues flooded in…
Edo State, Nigeria, is on the verge of becoming the country’s first fully e-governed state. The eagerly anticipated transition to a paperless civil service started today, September 1, 2023. Under the leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki, the state government has been relentless in its pursuit of digital transformation, setting an…
Dr Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy said, on behalf of the Federal government of Nigeria, that the country has secured $500 million in funding to launch a local funding program that will drive innovation and entrepreneurship within the digital sector. The Minister made this known at…
X (Twitter) said it is collecting users’ biometrics, job, and education information. The social networking site updated its policies to include biometric data as well as the user’s employment and educational background. The company did not specify what it considers to be biometric data, but it is possible that it…
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has mandated electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to swiftly replace faulty and outdated prepaid meters for their customers. The directive, issued during a NERC Workshop held in Kano state, underscores the importance of efficient metering systems and consumer protection within the electricity sector. The commission’s…
Gabon, a central African nation, recently witnessed a tumultuous turn of events as military officers orchestrated a coup following controversial election results. The aftermath of this political disorder led to a nationwide internet shutdown and subsequent restoration, affecting 2.3 million residents. Amid the backdrop of upcoming elections, President Ali Bongo…
Drive Electric is on a mission to bring eco-friendly transportation to the forefront worldwide, and they’re really making things happen. Their latest move? Teaming up with seven new partners through the LEAP Fund to push forward electric mobility and climate-friendly actions on a global scale. With a strong determination to…
X (formerly Twitter) has announced its decision to lift the ban on paid political advertisements, marking a shift in policy. The move is aimed at supporting accurate and safe political discourse on the platform and comes ahead of the highly anticipated US 2024 elections. This change in stance marks a…