The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reportedly directed fintech firms like Moniepoint, OPay, Kuda Bank, and Palmpay to restrict new account openings. This move comes after the recent freezing of 1,146 bank accounts linked to unauthorized forex transactions, aimed at preventing further illegal activities. As of the time of writing, attempts to open new accounts with some of these fintechs were met with a message stating, “Sign up is currently unavailable. Please check back later.” However, existing accounts remain operational for incoming and outgoing transactions. The Nigerian government h ..read more

Speaker of Council, Cllr. Mncedi Ndzwanana, has collaborated with the Telkom Foundation, Tshwane North College (TNC), CoGTA, and Eskom to equip the students of Winterveldt High School with vital resources. The school was provided with 31 computers and 34 chairs, a critical step in preparing the youth of Tshwane for a future in the digital age. This effort is part of the Speaker’s vision to foster a generation adept in technology. By working with respected entities like the Telkom Foundation, TNC, CoGTA, and Eskom, the Speaker is dedicated to enabling learners to thrive in a world dominated b ..read more

The platform for launching careers in Science and Technology acts as an additional approach to motivate students to engage with STEM subjects and consider careers in the STEM sector. At present, young students are developing abilities in problem-solving, creativity, and computer literacy. Facilitator of Coding and Robotics at Nelson Mandela University, Louise Fouche, discusses their early approach to teaching coding to young learners in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. “We introduce coding from a very basic level, akin to assembling a puzzle,” she explains. “Piece by piece, student ..read more

Wasoko, the Kenyan e-commerce firm supported by investors like Tiger Global and 4DX Ventures, has denied reports that it has shut down its operations in Rwanda, just weeks after halting activities in Zanzibar and pausing operations in Uganda and Zambia. In an email to TechCabal, the company announced that it is currently expanding its team in Rwanda, along with Tanzania and Kenya. In Rwanda, Wasoko is on the lookout for partnership and procurement associates. The company has also listed three positions available in Kenya and four in Tanzania, which includes openings for two procurement manag ..read more

Opera initially valued its stake at $269 million in December 2023 but revised it in subsequent filings due to a smaller financing transaction. OPay experienced significant growth over the past year, partly driven by a currency redesign that caused cash scarcity, prompting more people to turn to fintech apps like Moniepoint and OPay for transactions. This surge in usage propelled national payment volumes to record levels in early 2023, with annual digital payments reaching N611 trillion by the end of the year, according to the Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement Scheme (NIBSS). OPay experienced si ..read more

Cameroon has been seizing Starlink kits at its borders due to the Internet service provider lacking a license in the country. Starlink plans to discontinue service in regions where it isn’t licensed, including Cameroon, on April 30. Cameroonian authorities worry about Starlink’s impact on the national telecommunications and Internet provider, Camtel. In a notice to customs personnel, Cameroon Customs Director General Fongod Edwin Nuvaga acknowledged the presence of imported Starlink equipment and emphasized its potential threat to national security. He highlighted that this technology, known ..read more

Kubik, an innovative Ethiopian startup that transforms plastic waste into affordable, eco-friendly building materials, has secured $1.9 million in a seed extension funding round. The investment was contributed by African Renaissance Partners, an East African venture capital firm, along with Endgame Capital, a syndicate investing in climate technologies, and King Philanthropies, which focuses on climate action and alleviating extreme poverty. This financial boost supports Kubik’s expansion in Ethiopia, especially following the recent launch of its factory in Addis Ababa. The facility speciali ..read more

In a significant stride towards establishing Nigeria’s leadership in Artificial Intelligence (AI) development across Africa, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, has unveiled the country’s first Multilingual Large Language Model (LLM). This groundbreaking announcement was made on Friday by the Communications Minister, Dr. Bosun Tijani, following the successful conclusion of a four-day AI workshop held in Abuja. The LLM was developed through a collaborative effort involving a Nigerian AI company, Awarritech, a global tech firm, DataDo ..read more

Bayobab, the digital infrastructure company formerly known as MTN GlobalConnect, has made a significant stride in its strategic growth plans with the completion of its structural separation from parent company MTN Group. This milestone aligns with the company’s ambitious 2025 targets set by MTN. In a pivotal move, Bayobab has acquired the fiber-optic assets from its affiliate, MTN Zambia. This acquisition marks a major development for the company, as well as for the connectivity landscape in Zambia and its neighboring countries in Southern Africa. Frédéric Schepens, CEO of Bayobab Group, e ..read more

In a move to enhance social connections and enrich digital experiences, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, has introduced Llama 3, a new AI assistant designed to engage in conversations, make suggestions, and improve user interactions. Llama 3, which was initially available only in the United States, is now being rolled out across several African countries, including Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, with plans for further expansion in the pipeline. Seamlessly integrated into all Meta platforms, the AI assistant leverages real-tim ..read more