TechAfrica News

🚀 A New Chapter Begins for TechAfrica News! 🌍 After eight incredible years, TechAfrica News is proud to announce a significant change that marks a new chapter in our journey—a fresh, transformative logo that embodies our evolution and commitment to innovation. TechAfrica News is about modern and transformative Africa, the one that leads in innovation, not the one left behind. Our new logo represents this spirit of progress and collective growth, as we continue to cover the stories that matter in shaping Africa’s future and represent the young and diverse communities on the continent. “As we step into this new era with our fresh new logo, we're not just rebranding— we're reaffirming our commitment to telling the stories of Africa and its journey to become a leader in innovation and transformation. This is just the beginning of our journey, so stay tuned for what is coming next!”  - Akim Benamara, Founder & Chief Editor of TechAfrica News We are incredibly thankful for the community and industry support we have. So many amazing people and companies have been a part of our journey so far, from satellite operators to telcos, associations and technology vendors – thank you for appreciating and trusting our work. “Your story is truly powerful when it's told by you. The new Africa must be narrated by Africans, for Africans. When TechAfrica News tells the story of Africa, it resonates deeply, because it's authentically told by us.”  - Lacina Koné, CEO of Smart Africa    The future is bright, and we’re excited to have you with us on this journey. Stay tuned for the TechAfrica News podcast and all exciting new projects we will share with you soon! #TechAfricaNews #Africa #MiddleEast #Transformation #Furture #Innovation #IndustryNews #DigitalTransformation

++ Vodacom’s Proposed Acquisition of #Maziv Prohibited by South Africa’s Competition Tribunal of South Africa ++ The Competition Tribunal (“Tribunal”) has today issued its order prohibiting the proposed transaction involving Vodacom (Pty) Ltd (“Vodacom”) and Business Venture Investments No 2213 (Pty) Ltd, also known as “Maziv”. The proposed transaction would have combined the country’s largest mobile operator, Vodacom, with one of South Africa’s largest fibre infrastructure players, Maziv. Maziv is a wholly owned subsidiary of Community Investment Ventures Holdings (Pty) Ltd (“CIVH”). CIVH has two main operating subsidiaries, Dark Fibre Africa (Pty) Ltd and Vumatel (Pty) Ltd. #techafricanews #africa #southafrica #proposed #transaction #investments #fibre #infrastructure #investment

++ e& capital and AT&T Ventures Fuel Derq’s Vision for Global Smart Road Networks ++ Derq, the leading provider of real-time AI-powered intelligent transportation system (ITS) solutions has announced strategic investments from e& capital; the venture capital arm of e&, a global technology group headquartered in the UAE; and AT&T Ventures, the venture capital arm of AT&T, one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world. "Derq is a global innovator, and our investment is a testament to our commitment to supporting visionary businesses that move the world forward. By backing Derq, we are not only investing in a company at the forefront of intelligent transportation technology but also contributing to the development of innovative solutions that will benefit communities globally. We believe in Derq’s vision of creating safer and smarter road networks. Their AI-powered ITS solutions are perfectly aligned with e& capital’s strategic focus on investing in companies that are disrupting industries through emerging technologies like AI, connectivity, and IoT." - Kushal Shah, Managing Director, e& capital "We’re excited to make this strategic investment in Derq, a significant innovator in intelligent transportation solutions. Their solutions are transforming how cities and industries approach mobility, safety and efficiency. We look forward to collaborating with their team to drive forward innovations that will shape smarter, more connected infrastructure." - Vikram Taneja, Head, AT&T Ventures "We are thrilled to have the support of e& and AT&T, two global telecommunication and technology leaders. These strategic relationships not only validate the progress made to date but empower us to scale our operations and enhance our ability to deliver next-generation intelligent transportation solutions to customers around the world." - Dr. Georges Aoude, co-founder and CEO, Derq #techafricanews #middleeast #artificial #Intelligence #vision #smart #orad #network #solutions #data

++ American Tower Uganda Enhances Tower Reliability with NEC XON’s Advanced Remote Monitoring Units ++ ATC selected equipment provided by NEC XON to ensure constant visibility of key tower infrastructure so that Ugandans have reliable access to critical internet services through their chosen carriers. ATC, which possesses an extensive network of tower infrastructure across Uganda, leases space to major carriers like MTN. The network, supporting millions of users, must remain operational at all times. "Phase 1 was awarded in June 2021, with rollout starting in December 2021. Hundreds of sites have been implemented." - Tracey Townshend, Key Accounts Executive, NEC XON #techafricanews #africa #uganda #tower #reliability #advanced #remote #monitoring #units

🇿🇦 Countdown to AfricaCom 2024: A Gateway to Africa’s Connected Future With less than two weeks to go #AfricaCom2024 is gearing up to open its doors for the 27th edition. As an official media partner, TechAfrica News is proud to play a pivotal role in this transformative event and share the latest news from the event with our audience! Check our pre-event overview here: Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/d8jz83Dn 🗓️ Date & Location:  When: November 12-14, 2024  Where: Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) 📺 Featured Exhibitors Among the numerous exhibitors showcasing their innovations, we spotlight some key players in the telecom sector: 🌍 PortaOne: A leader in billing and customer management solutions for telecom providers, known for enhancing service delivery across Africa. 🌍 PROTEI: Focused on providing telecom operators with core network components to modernize and prepare for 5G networks. 🌍 Ciena: A networking solutions provider that empowers businesses with high-bandwidth technologies for robust communication networks. 🌍 Perception TVCDN: Offers customizable solutions for Telcos to launch branded TV services over broadband networks. 🌍 Openserve: South Africa’s largest telecommunications infrastructure provider, committed to reliable and scalable connectivity. 🌍 STULZ : Innovator in solutions for critical infrastructure environments, specializing in data centres. 🌍 Angola Cables: Connects Africa to the global digital landscape through extensive submarine cable systems and data services. 🌍 London Internet Exchange (LINX): A major Internet Exchange Point (IXP) facilitating seamless data exchange for ISPs and content providers. 🌍 TelcoBridges: Specializes in high-performance gateways and SBCs, enhancing voice and data communication for service providers. Check more for the full exhibitors highlights in the article! - https://lnkd.in/d8jz83Dn We can’t wait to see you in Cape Town! Let’s embark on this exciting journey towards a more connected and digitally inclusive Africa together. Stay tuned for more updates as we count down to AfricaCom 2024! 🎉   #TechAfricaNews #DigitalTransformation #Connectivity #AfricaCom2024

++ Standard Bank Group Partners with #Volante to Revolutionize Payment Systems Across Africa ++ Volante Technologies, the global leader in Payments as a Service (PaaS), has announced a strategic partnership with Standard Bank, Africa’s biggest bank by assets, to modernize payment infrastructure across the African continent. This marks one of the most ambitious PaaS payment deals signed in history, with no other payment providers servicing this many countries for one single customer in their PaaS cloud. "Our collaboration with Volante goes beyond much more than just a working partnership; it represents a pivotal moment in our evolution, built on trust and cultural alignment. Volante distinguished itself by passing our rigorous vetting process and stood out for its transparency and unwavering spirit of partnership. Their PaaS technology is a perfect complement to our needs, and their shared values and dedication permeate their entire organization, not just at the leadership level. Together, we are transforming the payments landscape while empowering communities and fostering growth across Africa." - Bessy Mahopo, CIO, CIB transformation programs at Standard Bank "We are proud to partner with Standard Bank and support its ambitious payment modernization goals. Our PaaS solution is an ideal fit for the bank’s needs, enabling rapid time-to-market, lowering costs, and fostering innovation. We look forward to working closely with Standard Bank as it continues to expand across the continent, bringing the strength and depth of our technology roadmap to both the bank and its customers. Together, we aim to deliver a superior experience for corporate treasury customers, ensuring they can operate more efficiently in an ever-evolving financial landscape." - Deepak Gupta, EVP Product, Engineering & Services, Volante Technologies #techafricanews #africa #fintech #payment #systems #financial #landscape #technology #experience

++ Network International and Ant International Partner to Drive Digital Payments in Middle East, Africa ++ Network International (Network), a leading enabler of digital commerce in the Middle East and Africa (MEA), and leading global digital payment and financial technology provider Ant International, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore extension of innovative digital payment solutions to businesses in the Middle East and Africa, driving digital transformation and financial inclusion in the region. "We are excited to strengthen our partnership with Ant International to expand their footprint in the Middle East and Africa and contribute to financial inclusion efforts within the region. This collaboration underscores our commitment to accelerating digital transformation, enabling the growth of businesses in the region." - Nandan Mer, Chief Executive Officer, Network International "We are delighted to join hands with Network International to serve regional and global merchants, including SMEs in UAE and the MEA region. By combining our innovative technologies and digitisation solutions with Network’s deep know-how of this region, we are providing more growth opportunities to the merchants, enabling them to thrive in the digital era." - Peng Yang, Chief Executive Officer, Ant International #techafricanews #middleeast #africa #international #digital #payments #innovation #payment #technologies

++ #Sudan Increases African Development Fund Pledge to $3M, Joining Push for $25 Billion Replenishment Goal ++ Sudan has increased its pledged contribution to the replenishment of the African Development Fund to $3 million, its Minister for Finance and Economic Planning Dr Gebreil Ibrahim Mohamed Fediel announced. Fediel made the announcement during a meeting with his Sierra Leonean counterpart, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, Gambian Finance Minister Seedy Keita, Liberian Minister for Agriculture, Dr Alexander Nuatah and African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina. The ministers and Adesina met on the sidelines of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund’s annual meetings in Washington DC. "Incredible show of solidarity for increasing its contribution to the Fund and for continuing to honour its financial commitments to the Bank despite facing difficult challenges." - Akinwumi Adesina, President, African Development Bank "I commend President Adesina and the leadership of our governors and heads of state for championing the call for a bold $25 billion ADF-17 Replenishment. This unified effort reflects Africa’s determination to lead its transformation." - Rufus N. Darkortey, Executive Director for The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Sudan, African Development Bank Group #techafricanews #africa #sudan #development #fund #pledge #leadership #governers #determination #transformation

++ MTN Launches Early Talent Development Program for Women and People with Disabilities in South Sudan ++ MTN Early Talent Development Program has been officially launched. This comprehensive initiative aims to engage and empower female students and individuals with disabilities from local universities in South Sudan. To achieve this, MTN’s Early Talent Development Program aims to recruit, develop, and accelerate top graduates and Students from three major Universities in South Sudan-University of Juba, John Garang University, and Rumbek University. #techafricanews #africa #southsudan #development #program #talent #woman #peoplewithdisabilities #universities

++ #Saudi EXIM and Africa Finance Corporation Partner to Boost Exports and Investments across Africa and Saudi Arabia ++ The Saudi Export-Import Bank (Saudi EXIM) and Africa Finance Corporation(AFC), Africa’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on initiatives to boost exports in both the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and AFC’s member countries This MoU, signed on the sidelines of the ongoing 2024 IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings, will also promote exchange of information, technical expertise and knowledge sharing between both institutions.  "The MoU with the Africa Finance Corporation comes as part of the bank’s commitment to enhancing international economic and trade relations. The agreement will cover several areas of cooperation, including exploring opportunities to support joint projects between companies in the Kingdom and the member countries of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), by providing credit solutions that support companies and institutions of all sizes and activities. It will also pave the way for local investors to benefit from promising investment opportunities in Africa, thereby enhancing the flow of non-oil Saudi exports to expand into various African markets, in line with empowering the non-oil national economy and creating a diverse and inclusive economy in line with Saudi Vision 2030." - His Excellency Eng. Saad Al-Khalb, CEO, The Saudi Export-Import Bank "Strategic partnerships are vital for economic transformation, and in today’s world, no nation can tackle sustainable development alone. As such, AFC is pleased to partner with the Saudi Exim Bank, marking a major milestone in strengthening ties between Africa and Saudi Arabia. Leveraging our collective expertise and resources, we aim to contribute significantly to driving industrialization, facilitating trade and creating jobs for a dynamic economic ecosystem that benefits both regions." - Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO, AFC #techafricanews #africa #saudiarabia #exports #investments #finance #corporations #collective #expertise