Industry News

MTN Nigeria has awarded N5 million in startup grants to young entrepreneurs in Kano as part of its youth empowerment initiative, “The Gathering on 100.” The programme brought together entrepreneurs, innovators, content creators and young leaders for networking, innovation and skills development through activities such as a Pitchathon competition, technology showcases and creative exhibitions. MTN’s Senior Manager for Sales, North-East Region, Abu-Sufyan Aliyu, said the initiative aims to help young people discover their potential, develop innovative solutions and build businesses that can positively impact society.

The Pitchathon rewarded outstanding business ideas, with the overall winner receiving N2.5 million, while the first and second runners-up received N1.5 million and N1 million, respectively. The winning startup, Applicant, co-founded by Samiat Damilola-Yusuf, plans to use the grant to enhance its platform, expand its team and strengthen its marketing efforts. Following successful editions in Lagos, Enugu, Aba and Kano, The Gathering on 100 will continue its nationwide tour with its next stop in Abuja.

Source  : www. primetimenews.ng

CSquared has activated capacity on the 2Africa West submarine cable, adding a new international connectivity route to strengthen internet resilience across West and Central Africa. The new capacity complements the Equiano cable system and CSquared’s terrestrial backbone, providing operators with multiple international routes and reducing dependence on a limited number of coastal cable landing stations.

The investment comes amid growing concerns over network reliability following major subsea cable cuts in March 2024 and June 2026, which disrupted internet services across the region. CSquared CEO Ian Paterson said operators need diverse international routes to support growing demand, while Chief Technology Officer Samuel Owusu Yeboah noted that resilient connectivity is essential for cloud services, mobile networks and digital platforms. The expansion reinforces Africa’s push for a more reliable digital infrastructure as the continent’s digital economy continues to grow.

Source : tech.africa

Huawei has signed a collaboration agreement with Getesa, Equatorial Guinea’s state-owned telecommunications operator, to modernise the country’s national telecom network. Over the next six months, the partnership will focus on upgrading network infrastructure, expanding capacity, increasing data speeds, improving service stability and enhancing the quality of voice and data services for consumers, businesses and public institutions.

The project follows an audit that identified weaknesses in Getesa’s network equipment, bandwidth and infrastructure, which have contributed to congestion and poor service quality. With internet usage continuing to grow—reaching about 1.18 million users by the end of 2025—the government is also looking to leverage the state-owned Segesa fibre-optic network to expand broadband access nationwide. Huawei has been identified as a key technical partner in plans to commercialise the 2,000-kilometre fibre network and strengthen Equatorial Guinea’s digital connectivity.

Source :  www.developingtelecoms.com

Helios Towers has secured a US$29 million documentary credit facility from Standard Bank to support the expansion of telecommunications infrastructure across Africa. The financing will fund the procurement and importation of telecom equipment, strengthen the company’s working capital position and provide payment certainty to suppliers as it continues to expand its tower portfolio across underserved markets.

Structured under the Loan Market Association’s Social Loan Principles, the facility will enable Helios Towers to accelerate tower deployment, network densification and mobile coverage in remote communities. Group Finance Director Alex Carter said reliable digital infrastructure is fundamental to Africa’s future growth, adding that the facility provides the flexibility and financial certainty needed to advance the company’s mission of expanding connectivity across the continent.

Source : www. techcentral.co.za

Ericsson and AT&T have successfully demonstrated advanced drone detection using 5G network sensing technology, highlighting how capabilities often associated with future 6G networks can be delivered using today’s infrastructure. Conducted in authorized airspace outside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the demonstration used Ericsson’s Massive MIMO radios and AT&T’s 5G network to detect, locate and continuously track multiple drones in real time. The system combined sensing-enabled radio transmissions, AI-powered algorithms and advanced signal processing to monitor drones without requiring dedicated sensing hardware.

The demonstration showed how existing cellular infrastructure can be transformed into a distributed sensing platform capable of enhancing security at major venues, critical infrastructure and public spaces. By synchronizing observations from multiple sensing nodes, the technology accurately tracked drones flying between 300 and 400 feet, providing real-time information on their location, speed and altitude. The companies said the approach offers a cost-effective way to expand low-altitude threat detection while laying the groundwork for Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC), a key feature expected to play a major role in future 6G networks.

Looking ahead, AT&T and Ericsson plan to continue developing network sensing capabilities through additional trials and industry collaboration, including preparations for major global events such as those planned in Los Angeles in 2028. Beyond drone detection, the technology could improve event planning, infrastructure management and vehicle movement monitoring while supporting public-sector agencies with wider visibility into low-altitude drone activity. The companies say the initiative demonstrates that the transition toward 6G will be an evolution of existing 5G technologies, enabling practical benefits well before full 6G commercialization.

Source : www.thefastmode.com

The ICT lab, delivered in response to a request from the university’s leadership, is designed to support digital learning, research and innovation at Ghana’s premier higher education institution.

Telecel Ghana has handed over a fully equipped 42-unit ICT laboratory to the University of Ghana as part of its corporate social responsibility programme aimed at strengthening digital education and innovation in the country.

The ICT lab, delivered in response to a request from the university’s leadership, is designed to support digital learning, research and innovation at Ghana’s premier higher education institution. The facility is expected to enhance students’ access to digital resources and provide an improved environment for technology-enabled teaching and learning.

The initiative builds on a long-standing partnership between Telecel Ghana and the University of Ghana that began in 2010. Over the years, the telecommunications operator has provided the university with dedicated internet and connectivity solutions to support its academic and administrative operations.

Telecel Ghana said the latest investment underscores its continued commitment to strengthening Ghana’s digital education ecosystem by expanding access to digital infrastructure and equipping students and researchers with the tools needed to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven world.

Source : www. techafricanews.com

Huawei has called for Africa to shape the future of artificial intelligence (AI) on its own terms, with experts at the seventh ICT Editors Xchange in Johannesburg emphasizing the need for AI systems built around the continent’s realities, languages and data. Speaking under the theme “Africa’s Intelligence, Africa’s Terms,” Huawei South Africa Deputy CEO Charles Cheng said Africa’s digital future should be driven by cloud computing, AI, connectivity, secure networks and local talent, stressing that African nations must retain ownership of the data, platforms and innovations that define their digital transformation.

The event also highlighted the importance of African-generated data and indigenous languages in AI development. Digital futurist Nicky Verd urged businesses to embrace adaptability in the AI era, while AuraaAfrica founder and CEO Gift Lubele warned that Africa risks being excluded from the AI revolution if its data is not represented in global models. University of Pretoria researcher Dr. Olaperi Okuboyejo added that AI has the potential to transform education but must support African languages, noting that current mainstream AI tools perform poorly in many indigenous languages.

Huawei Cloud South Africa Director of Cloud Solutions Sales Calvin Huang said robust cloud infrastructure and computing power are essential to achieving Africa’s AI ambitions. He noted that while challenges such as deployment costs and data sovereignty remain, Huawei is addressing them through open AI systems, local infrastructure and industry partnerships. Huang added that Huawei’s AI infrastructure is now operational in its Johannesburg region, positioning the company to support the continent’s growing AI ecosystem.

Source : cajnewsafrica.com

MTN South Africa, in partnership with The African United Business Confederation (AUBC), hosted a high-level business roundtable at the MTN Innovation Centre to discuss the regulatory framework, universal access and consumer protection in satellite broadband. The event brought together government officials, regulators, telecommunications operators, technology firms, investors and business leaders to explore how satellite broadband can accelerate digital inclusion, expand connectivity to underserved communities and support economic growth across South Africa and the wider African continent.

The discussions focused on the evolving regulatory landscape, consumer protection, universal access obligations and the opportunities presented by emerging satellite broadband technologies. Among the speakers were ICASA Chairperson Mothibi Ramusi, Department of Small Business Development Director-General Thulisile Manzini and MTN South Africa Chief Commercial Officer Divyesh Joshi, who emphasized the importance of collaboration between government, regulators and industry to bridge the digital divide. AUBC President George Sebulela said the dialogue reflected the value of partnerships in shaping policies that promote investment, innovation and inclusive digital transformation.

MTN South Africa reaffirmed its commitment to working with policymakers, regulators and industry stakeholders to expand digital access and create economic opportunities through improved connectivity. The roundtable concluded with a shared call for an enabling policy and regulatory environment that supports investment, competition and consumer protection while expanding affordable broadband services. AUBC said the recommendations from the discussions will guide future engagements with policymakers and industry as it continues to advocate for policies that foster digital inclusion and sustainable economic development.

Source : www.africa.com

MTN Uganda and Stanbic Bank Uganda moved quickly to address temporary service disruptions that affected some customers on Saturday. MTN confirmed that a major power outage at one of its data centres impacted voice, data, and Mobile Money services, while Stanbic reported temporary interruptions to its internet banking, mobile banking, ATMs, POS machines, FlexiPay, and other digital channels.

Both companies promptly informed customers of the situation and assured the public that their technical teams were working to restore services as quickly as possible. Although the outages occurred on the same day, neither company has indicated that the incidents were linked or caused by a cyberattack, and there is no public evidence suggesting a connection.

The incident highlights the critical role of resilient digital infrastructure and the importance of rapid response mechanisms in maintaining essential telecom and banking services. It also reflects the commitment of both MTN Uganda and Stanbic Bank to restoring normal operations and keeping customers informed throughout the process.

Source : www. chimpreports.com