Editors Pick
How Tunzaa’s Buy Now Pay Later service is helping Tanzanians without bank accounts shop smarter
Tunzaa, a Tanzanian fintech startup founded by Ng’winula Kingamkono in 2020, has introduced a Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) model to enhance e-commerce in Tanzania. This project, launched on December 24, 2024, empowers consumers by offering flexible monthly payments for goods and services. Read also: Proparco fuels African climate innovation with $5M fund investment Revolutionising […]
Modupeoluwa OlalereKenya proposes new licensing rules for Internet cafés, including CCTV and activity logs
On Monday, Kenya’s Communications Authority (CA) announced a proposal to overhaul licensing rules for internet cafés, reflecting a growing need for regulation in the digital age. In a notice dated December 23, the Authority explained that the proposed changes align with the government’s initiative to establish free public Wi-Fi hotspots in public institutions. With the […]
Modupeoluwa OlalereCBN and NCC give banks, telcos ultimatum to settle N250 billion long-running USSD debt
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have ordered Deposit Money Banks and Mobile Network Operators to settle the long-running N250 billion Unstructured Supplementary Service Data debt dispute. CBN and NCC are regulatory agencies under the Federal Government of Nigeria. CBN regulates the banking sector while NCC regulates the telecom […]
Staff WriterAffordable yuletide travel: BuuPass, FlexPay offer flexible payment plans for Kenyans
Kenyan startups BuuPass and FlexPay on Friday announced a partnership to simplify travel for Kenyans during the holiday season. This collaboration addresses many financial challenges when booking trips, especially during peak travel times. Innovative payment solutions BuuPass, established in 2016 by Sonia Kabra and Wyclife Omondi, has revolutionised travel planning by enabling users to search, […]
Modupeoluwa OlalereClash of the giants: Meta, Apple battle over privacy, interoperability in Europe
Tech giants Apple and Meta are at odds in Europe in a showdown bordering on the implementation of EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) over privacy and interoperability concerns. The (DMA) is a competition law that forbids designated gatekeepers, such as Apple and Meta, from denying competitors access to core platform services. This includes Safari, the […]
Olanrewaju AdeniyiIwájú bags three nominations at the Children’s & Family Emmys
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced the 3rd Annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards nominations on December 12, 2024. Among the nominees is “Iwájú,” a groundbreaking animated series co-created by Kugali Studios and Disney+. The series has received three nominations: Best Children’s or Young Teen Animated Series, Best Younger Voice Performer in […]
Modupeoluwa OlalereMTN’s child safety campaign addresses online harassment and exploitation in Africa
MTN Group presented the results of its Online Child Safety African Insights study, conducted in collaboration with IPSOS, to legislators, educators, advocacy organizations, and digital safety specialists on Thursday. The event also showcased MTN’s intensified efforts to combat online child abuse and exploitation through its Help Children Be Children (HCBC) project. Additionally, the event showcased […]
Staff WriterNairobi to host 7th annual Africa Tech Summit in 2025
The 7th Annual Africa Tech Summit Nairobi has been officially announced to hold February 12 and 13, 2025. This event is a significant gathering for tech leaders, startups, and investors across Africa and beyond. The announcement was made on Thursday, highlighting the summit’s continued growth and pivotal role in fostering innovation and investment in African […]
Modupeoluwa OlalerePalmpay and Jumia join forces to enhance Nigerian e-commerce payments
PalmPay, a leading fintech company in Nigeria, has partnered with Jumia, Africa’s largest e-commerce platform. This collaboration, revealed on Thursday, aims to enhance the digital payment options available to Nigerian consumers, making online shopping more accessible and efficient. Read also: PalmPay partners with NFIU to combat financial fraud, support Nigeria’s digital economy A new era […]
Modupeoluwa OlalereChatGPT and Sora suffer major outage amid high demand
ChatGPT and Sora suffer major outage amid high demand Olanrewaju Adeniyi OpenAI suffered a major outage around 3:00 p.m. PT on Wednesday, leaving users of ChatGPT, Sora, and its developer-facing API digitally stranded. The AI company confirmed the outage on its status page but issued another update around 9:00 p.m. PT, claiming its […]
Olanrewaju AdeniyiBill Staples takes over as GitLab CEO, Sid Sijbrandij steps down for health reasons
GitLab has appointed Bill Staples as its new CEO, effective December 5, 2024. This leadership change comes as the company’s co-founder, Sid Sijbrandij, steps down to focus on his health while battling a rare form of cancer. Sijbrandij will continue to support GitLab as the Executive Chair of the Board. Read also: MultiChoice South Africa […]
Modupeoluwa OlalereAirtel Money introduces ‘Paybill Rudishiwa’ to give back 50% transaction fees as airtime
Airtel Money on Thursday introduced ‘Paybill Rudishiwa,’ as a means of giving back 50 percent of paybill transaction fees as airtime to customers. This incentive is available to customers making payments to over 2 million merchant paybills in Kenya. Paybill Rudishiwa not only enhances value but also ensures users stay connected throughout the festive period. […]
Staff WriterU.S. lawmakers accuse State Department of discriminating against Nigerians, Kenyans in high visa rejections compared to Asians
Three U.S. lawmakers—Gwen Moore, Sheila Jackson Lee, and Sara Jacobs—have rebuked the U.S. State Department under Secretary Antony Blinken for disproportionately rejecting student visa applications from Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and other African nations while approving far more visas for applicants from other regions, particularly Asia. In a letter addressed to Blinken on January 24, […]
Staff WriterParatus, MoveOn Telecoms partner to install Starlink services in Kenya
The establishment of Paratus Kenya, a joint venture with Nairobi-based IT and ISP company MoveOn Telecoms Ltd., further solidifies the Pan-African telecommunications and network services provider Paratus Group’s planned sub-equatorial growth. The new business was founded with the primary goal of supplying and setting up Starlink services. In Africa, Paratus was named an Authorised Reseller […]
Staff WriterMicrosoft denies using user data to train AI models
Microsoft on Wednesday denied allegations that it utilises user data from its Microsoft 365 applications, such as Word and Excel, to train its artificial intelligence models. This statement followed a wave of social media concerns raised by users regarding the company’s “connected experiences” feature, which requires users to opt-out if they do not want their […]
Modupeoluwa OlalereSmart Applications enhances healthcare in Kenya with new digital system
Tech company Smart Applications International (Smart) unveiled its cutting-edge digital system earlier this month to improve healthcare services and streamline patient operations. Kenya-based Smart Applications International, commonly known as Smart, operates primarily from its headquarters in Nairobi. Established over two decades ago, the company has emerged as a prominent ISO-certified ICT provider, serving 12 African […]
Modupeoluwa OlalereMisaina: Accelerating business growth in Madagascar with no-code technology
Misaina Incorporation, a tech pioneer in Madagascar, provides no-code solutions to help SMEs and startups digitally change. The company, founded in 2017 by Amboara Rabe-Harinoro, provides customised software development services to help organisations streamline operations without coding. Misaina provides complete no-code training programs for entrepreneurs and freelancers, focusing on accessibility and efficiency. These programs allow […]
Modupeoluwa OlalereLagos govt deploys technology to gauge building strength and safety averting collapse risks
The Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory Agency (LSMTL) has unveiled a cutting-edge online registration system aimed at enhancing the safety and longevity of buildings through technology in response to recent reports of building collapses. This initiative is designed to improve the accuracy and efficiency of building material testing, which is critical for ensuring the strength […]
Modupeoluwa OlalereMultiChoice South Africa CEO Marc Jury set to leave
Marc Jury, the CEO of Showmax and MultiChoice South Africa, is stepping down. This will take effect in March 2025, when he will depart from the organisation after ten years in a different position. Eighteen months ago, Jury was named CEO of MultiChoice South Africa. He served as CEO of SuperSport from 2020 to 2023 […]
Pelumi ApantakuNigerians to pay for new multipurpose national ID card
Nigerians will have to pay for the new multipurpose national identity card due to the government’s limited revenue, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) announced on Friday. This was said by Dr Peter Iwegbu, NIMC’s Head of Card Management Services, at a 2-day roundtable discussion for online editors that took place in Lagos. Read also: […]
Staff Writer