Niger and Algeria have officially launched operations of a trans-Saharan fibre optic backbone linking the two countries, strengthening digital connectivity and telecommunications cooperation. The launch ceremony was held on 6 October 2026 in Assamaka, on the Niger-Algeria border, and was jointly chaired by Niger’s Minister of Communication and New Information Technologies, Hamani Kargné, and Algeria’s…
Zimbabwe has launched an Artificial Intelligence, Digital and Innovation Hub at Nyamuroro Vocational Training Centre in Gokwe North, expanding access to digital skills and innovation opportunities in rural communities. The hub was established through a partnership between the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Uncommon.org. It…
MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita has been elected to the GSMA Board of Directors for the 2027–2028 term, extending his role in shaping the direction of the global mobile industry. The GSMA Board comprises 26 senior representatives from mobile operators around the world, including multinational groups and smaller independent operators. The Board provides…
Huawei and Qualcomm have announced a multi-year, broad patent license agreement covering cross licences to their respective patent portfolios across several technology fields, including 5G, computing, artificial intelligence and networking. The agreement also includes Qualcomm’s purchase of certain Huawei U.S. patents covering compute, AI, networking and other technologies. The transaction is expected to close following…
The Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA) has published the Universal Service and Access Fund (USAF) Manual under section 82(4)(d) of the Electronic Communications Act, 2005. The Manual establishes a strategic and administrative framework for managing the Fund, covering subsidies provided under section 88 of the Act and project grants awarded under…
Vodacom South Africa and SmartOps Fleet have partnered with organisations across the technology, financial services, automotive and e-hailing sectors to launch an integrated programme aimed at expanding participation in South Africa’s growing e-hailing economy. The programme aims to introduce up to 55,000 vehicles over the next nine to 12 months, potentially supporting up to 110,000…
Senegal has signed a memorandum of understanding with the World Investment and Business Council for Africa and Blue Cloud Softech Solutions as part of efforts to strengthen local digital manufacturing and advance the country’s digital sovereignty. The agreement was signed on 6 October 2026 by Senegal’s Minister of Telecommunications and Digital Affairs, Samba Diouf. It…
Starlink is expanding its Starlink for Communities programme with a new model that allows property owners and local operators to generate income by sharing a single Starlink connection with people nearby. Under the programme, hosts install a Starlink dish and router at locations where there is demand for internet access, including apartment complexes, campgrounds, rural…
Niger and Algeria have officially launched operations of a trans-Saharan fibre optic backbone linking the two countries, strengthening digital connectivity and telecommunications cooperation. The launch ceremony was held on 6 October 2026 in Assamaka, on the Niger-Algeria border, and was jointly chaired by Niger’s Minister of Communication and New Information Technologies, Hamani Kargné, and Algeria’s…
Mastercard and Tamatem have partnered to enhance in-app gaming payment experiences across the Middle East and Africa, with the collaboration initially launching in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Under the agreement, Mastercard Gateway, available through Mastercard Merchant Cloud, will become the payment gateway behind Tamatem Plus, Tamatem’s white-label digital commerce platform and marketplace. The solution…
WSO2 has opened its first Africa-based office in Johannesburg, South Africa, marking a new phase of the company’s expansion across the continent. The investment comes as governments, banks, telecommunications providers and retailers across Africa increase efforts to modernise legacy systems and strengthen digital infrastructure for artificial intelligence. WSO2 said Africa has been one of its…
Tech Mahindra has expanded its agentic AI readiness through a partnership with Google Cloud aimed at scaling hands-on capabilities in Google Cloud Gemini Enterprise across its global workforce. The partnership is designed to support growing enterprise demand for production-ready AI by combining trained and certified talent with reusable industry solutions, production deployment experience and a…
