Brief (457)
Africa’s domestic payment card scheme Verve International has announced its cards are now accepted on AliExpress, one of the world’s largest online retail platforms.
This collaboration marks a significant step in Verve’s global expansion efforts, providing millions of cardholders access to AliExpress’s extensive product offerings.
By adding their Verve card details during checkout, cardholders can pay in local currency for a wide range of products.
Namibia’s Communications Regulatory Authority (CRAN) has issued an order for Starlink to cease operations in the country, citing the lack of a required telecommunications license, according to Reuters.
The cease-and-desist order, issued on November 26, 2024, follows an investigation confirming unauthorized network activities by Starlink.
Starlink has applied for a license in Namibia, but CRAN stated the application is still under review. Meanwhile, the regulator has advised consumers against purchasing Starlink equipment or subscribing to its services, calling such actions illegal.
Egyptian digital payment provider e-finance has partnered with UK-based Cassava Technologies to drive digital transformation across Africa.
The agreement, signed at the 28th Cairo ICT Exhibition and Conference held Nov 17- 20, aims to enhance Egypt’s digital landscape while introducing advanced solutions across the continent.
The collaboration focuses on fostering financial inclusion and supporting digital economies across Africa.
Kenya will host the 61st Biannual Plenary Session on the FinTech Revolution in Africa on December 1, 2024. The forum will bring together FinTech leaders to discuss banking sector advancements and the integration of financial technology.
Organized by the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) in partnership with the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), the event will highlight Africa’s growing role in financial innovation and its potential to drive inclusive growth and transformation.
This plenary aims to position Africa as a global leader in digital finance, fostering financial inclusion and economic transformation.
On November 26, Huawei handed over smart boards and other technology to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, received by Permanent Secretary Maambo Hamaundu.
This move reaffirmed Huawei’s commitment to supporting Zambia's digital transformation through enhanced collaboration with the government.
The equipment, featuring video conferencing and wireless sharing, aims to boost connectivity and streamline operations, reducing the need for travel.
Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) briefed stakeholders, on November 26, about the upcoming Communications Electronic Equipment Type Approval Regulations, set to take effect Dec. 1, 2024.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance Malawi's communication infrastructure. This approach is intended to facilitate interoperability among communication networks and equipment while also protecting public health.
Stakeholder sessions were also held in Blantyre, with another planned for Mzuzu.
The London Internet Exchange (LINX) will launch LINX Accra, a new interconnection platform at PAIX Data Centres, in early Q1 2025.
This expansion responds to rising demand in Ghana’s networking community and will improve local and international internet traffic through faster, more reliable, and cost-effective connections.
LINX Accra will reduce latency and boost connectivity for businesses and consumers. The platform supports local ISPs while positioning Accra as a key internet gateway for West Africa.
Beyond Limits, an advocate for digital innovation, in partnership with the U.S. Consulate General Lagos, has unveiled the Beyond Limits Fellowship for Founders Cohort 3.0.
The 12-week program, running from January to March 2025, will equip 30 early-stage Nigerian startups with skills, mentorship, and resources to build scalable tech ventures.
Applications, open until November 29, 2024, will select startups from across Nigeria. The top three startups will receive $10,000 in resources to fuel growth.
Brij Technologies Inc. unveiled the BrijX Currency Swap B2B Digital Platform on Tuesday November 19. This will enable real-time mobile money currency swaps between Ghanaian Cedi and Nigerian Naira without traditional foreign exchange intermediation.
Supported by the U.S. Embassy in Ghana and licensed by the Bank of Ghana, BrijX is undergoing final integration with Mobile Money Limited Ghana and G-Money Financial Services. The platform is expected to go live before Christmas 2024.
The National Communications Authority (NCA) of Ghana, in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation and mobile network operators (MNOs), is negotiating with Gambian stakeholders to implement the ECOWAS Free Roaming initiative.
The ongoing talks, held from November 19 to 21, 2024, are expected to result in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This effort will lower telecommunications costs for travelers between Ghana and The Gambia.
Ghana has established ECOWAS roaming agreements with Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, and Togo, which provide local rates for calls and SMS, free reception of local and international calls, and internet access priced at local rates.
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Ghana to Establish ICT Lab in Bouya Community to Boost Digital Inclusion
The Minister of Communications and Digitalisation Ursula Owusu-Ekuful announced, on November 18, plans to establish an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) lab in Bouya Community. This initiative aims to bridge the digital divide and enhance ICT literacy among residents.
The ICT lab will provide residents with access to digital skills training, e-learning platforms, and online resources, creating opportunities for education, entrepreneurship, and global connectivity.
The project aligns with the government’s broader vision of leveraging technology to drive innovation and economic progress across Ghana.
The Lagos State Government has awarded N100 million ($59, 618.93) in grants to 26 innovative agripreneurs. The announcement was made during the inaugural Lagos Agrinnovation Summit held on November 14.
Beyond the financial support, these entrepreneurs receive mentorship, technical assistance, and access to an extensive professional network to scale their ventures.
The grants aim to promote sustainable practices across the agricultural value chain. It is part of Lagos State’s broader strategy to engage youth in agriculture and create a sustainable economy.
Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, is preparing to launch in Tanzania. Its local subsidiary, Starlink Satellite Tanzania Limited, has applied for national network facilities and application services licenses with the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), as confirmed in a public notice on November 15, 2024.
The TCRA has opened a 14-day public consultation period for stakeholders to comment on the applications, with a decision expected afterward.
Starlink’s expansion into Tanzania could help bridge the digital divide and improve connectivity nationwide.The service aims to provide high-speed satellite internet, particularly in underserved rural and remote areas.
Visa has announced investments in four African fintech startups from its Visa Africa Fintech Accelerator, underscoring its commitment to financial inclusion and Africa’s digital ecosystem.
The investments focus on startups addressing Africa’s unique challenges including: Workpay, a Kenyan HR and payroll platform operating across 35 countries; Oze, a Ghana-based digital platform providing SMEs with record-keeping tools and an ML-powered credit scoring system; OkHi from Nigeria, a smart addressing solution to verify and locate physical addresses; and ORDA, a Nigerian restaurant management software supporting over 1,500 restaurants with inventory and order processing tools.