Telecel Ghana CEO Patricia Obo-Nai Wins Double Honour at 4th Ghana CEO Awards

Ing. Mrs. Patricia Obo-Nai

Patricia Obo-Nai, CEO of Telecel Ghana, has been honoured with two top awards—Telecom CEO of the Year and Female CEO of the Year—at the 4th Ghana CEO Vision and Awards held on July 27, 2025, at the Kempinski Hotel, Accra.

Organised by Globe Productions in partnership with the Graphic Communications Group, the awards celebrate executive excellence in leadership, innovation, and national impact across more than 30 sectors, including finance, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, and the creative industries.

This year’s ceremony, themed “Positioning CEOs as Catalysts for Attracting Investment and Tourism to Ghana,” brought together diplomats, government officials, traditional leaders, and top CEOs to spotlight the role of private sector leadership in Ghana’s economic growth and international appeal.

Receiving her award from His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse, Patricia Obo-Nai dedicated her win to her team and Telecel customers, stating:

“This award belongs to our cherished customers and the dedicated team at Telecel, who work tirelessly each day to connect people and make an impact. Leadership is most meaningful when it improves lives and opens doors for the next generation.”

The selection was based on criteria including strategic vision, corporate growth, innovation, and contributions to Ghana’s development.

In his remarks, Latif Abubakar, CEO of Globe Productions, described the event as a celebration of CEOs who are driving business profitability while shaping Ghana’s image as an investment and tourism destination.

Representing the Presidency, Deputy Chief of Staff Nana Oye Bampoe Addo challenged corporate leaders to act as economic diplomats, building confidence and partnerships that advance the country’s progress.

Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts, Dzifa Gomashie, added that the real impact of leadership lies in the transformation leaders create and the legacies they leave behind.

Patricia Obo-Nai’s recognition reflects her influential role in driving digital transformation, promoting digital inclusion, and contributing to Ghana’s socio-economic development.

Source: My Joy Online

Ericsson, Global Operators Finalise 50:50 API Joint Venture

Ericsson

By Kavit Majithia

Ericsson has officially completed the formation of a 50:50 joint venture with 12 major global telecom operators to advance the use and development of network APIs through its API-focused subsidiary, Aduna.

The participating operators—AT&T, Bharti Airtel, Deutsche Telekom, KDDI, Orange, Reliance Jio, Singtel, Telefónica, Telstra, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Vodafone—have taken a combined 50% equity stake in Aduna. Ericsson retains the remaining 50%, marking a significant milestone in the company’s vision for open, programmable networks.

Aduna, operational since September 2024, aims to foster an ecosystem that includes developers, hyperscalers, and other industry players. It is working to establish standardized APIs through alignment with the CAMARA open source project and the GSMA’s Open Gateway initiative.

Beyond investment, the operator partners are contributing commercial support, deep industry relationships, and expertise in telecom and developer engagement.

Since its launch, Aduna’s ecosystem has grown to include additional operators such as SoftBank Corp and NTT Docomo, as well as tech giants like Microsoft and Syniverse.

Anthony Bartolo, CEO of Aduna, celebrated the transaction’s closing as a crucial milestone:

“In just ten months we have built an impressive ecosystem comprising the biggest names in telecoms and the wider ICT industry. The closing provides renewed motivation for Aduna to accelerate the adoption of network APIs by developers on a global scale.”

Source: Mobile World Live

US National Security Experts Oppose Nvidia’s H20 Chip Sales to China

NVIDIA

By Mike Robuck

A coalition of 20 U.S. national security experts has strongly opposed the decision to allow Nvidia to resume sales of its H20 AI chip to China, warning it poses a serious threat to U.S. economic and military superiority in artificial intelligence (AI).

In a letter addressed to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on July 28, the experts criticized the move as a “strategic misstep,” stressing that the H20 chip—though redesigned to comply with October 2023 export controls under President Joe Biden—remains a potent accelerator for China’s AI ambitions.

The H20, optimized for AI inference tasks, was specifically tailored to bypass U.S. export restrictions. According to the letter, the chip surpasses even the high-performance H100, which is currently restricted due to its cutting-edge capabilities.

The experts warned that allowing H20 sales to China would not only reduce availability for U.S. developers but also potentially bolster China’s military AI development, thereby weakening the integrity of U.S. export controls. “This is not a question of trade. It is a question of national security,” the letter asserted.

Signatories include prominent figures such as Matt Pottinger, former Deputy National Security Advisor under President Trump, Stewart Baker, a former Homeland Security official; and David Feith, a former National Security Council member.

The opposition comes amid heightened scrutiny of U.S.-China tech competition. Last week, the Trump campaign unveiled an AI Action Plan aimed at reinforcing U.S. leadership in the field. Meanwhile, a House panel on China has also urged the Commerce Department to halt Nvidia’s sales to the Chinese market.

Source: Mobile World Live

MTN Ghana Empowers Youth with Mentorship and Digital Skills Training

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The MTN Ghana Foundation reinforced its commitment to youth empowerment and digital transformation at the 2025 National Youth Mentorship Summit, held at the University of Ghana Business School. The event drew about 800 students and young professionals for sessions on mentorship, digital readiness, and leadership.

Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, MTN Ghana’s Senior Manager for Corporate Communications, underscored the company’s focus on equipping youth with digital tools and soft skills for success in a connected world. She encouraged participants to “stretch” beyond their comfort zones to achieve excellence.

A key feature of MTN’s participation was a spotlight on the MTN Skills Academy, which offers free training in data analytics, cybersecurity, and career development. Ebenezer Terkpeh, Education Portfolio Advisor, revealed the Academy aims to reach over 10,000 youth in Ghana with globally certified digital training.

Albert Prempeh Kusi, convener of the summit, commended MTN Ghana for its sustained investment in youth development, noting the impact of initiatives like the Skills Academy and national mentorship collaborations.

Source: Business Ghana | July 2025

Tanzania Launches TTCL Strategy to Advance Digital Inclusion and Development

The Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation (TTCL) has unveiled a new Three-Year Business Strategic Plan (2025/26–2027/28) aimed at enhancing digital inclusion and national development through modern, accessible communication services.

Presented to the Ministry of Information, Communication, and Information Technology in Dodoma, the strategy was introduced by TTCL Director General Moremi Marwa. He noted the plan’s core focus is to improve the quality of life for Tanzanians by providing reliable, inclusive, and future-ready digital infrastructure.

The strategy positions TTCL as a self-sustaining, efficient, and value-generating institution aligned with national development goals. It also signals TTCL’s readiness to adapt to global ICT trends while ensuring all citizens benefit from affordable, high-quality connectivity.

Permanent Secretary Mohammed Khamis Abdulla, who chaired the session, reaffirmed the Ministry’s support for TTCL’s transformation agenda.

Source: Tech Africa News |

Econet Embraces AI and Expands 5G to Drive Growth in Zimbabwe

AI

Econet Wireless is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and expanded 5G infrastructure to boost network demand and improve service delivery across Zimbabwe.

In its latest trade update for the quarter ending May 31, company secretary Tatenda Ngowe revealed that Econet has accelerated its shift to a services-led model, integrating AI-driven tools with upgraded network infrastructure and digital platforms to deepen customer insights.

“AI-based applications are becoming core to our processes, enabling us to understand usage patterns and deliver hyper-personalized services,” Ngowe stated.

As a result of these innovations, Econet reported a significant rise in performance metrics—data traffic more than doubled year-on-year, while voice volumes rose by 44%, driven by rising demand for digital connectivity and an expanding ecosystem of services.

To support this growth, Econet deployed 20 new network sites and broadened its 5G coverage across the country. The company underscored that data services will remain central to the future of telecoms in Zimbabwe, presenting major opportunities for long-term value creation.

Source: IT Web Africa |

Tanzania and Kenya Launch Cross-Border Fibre Link to Boost Regional Connectivity

Tanzania and Kenya have jointly inaugurated a terrestrial fibre optic interconnection linking Dar es Salaam to Mombasa via the Lunga Lunga/Horohoro border—marking a strategic step toward regional digital integration.

The initiative, led by the Tanzania Telecommunications Corporation and Kenya’s ICT Authority, is designed to enhance internet access through secure and resilient cross-border infrastructure. It connects Tanzania’s National ICT Broadband Backbone (NICTBB) to Kenya’s submarine cable landings in Mombasa, strengthening the interoperability of both countries’ networks.

“We are reviewing our service delivery policies between the two countries to ensure citizens benefit from high-quality and affordable communication services,” said Jerry Silaa, Tanzania’s Minister of Information, Communication, and Information Technology, at the launch on July 18.

This new link reduces Tanzania’s reliance on foreign submarine infrastructure, expands international internet access, and supports ambitions for regional economic and digital integration. It comes as Kenya, with an internet penetration rate of 48%—representing approximately 27.4 million users—leverages its well-established undersea cable capacity in Mombasa.

The fibre interconnection is also expected to spur cross-border e-commerce, promote digital inclusion, and improve data security across the region. As East African nations move to harmonize their digital infrastructures, this bilateral partnership exemplifies how cooperative frameworks can accelerate the delivery of essential digital services and attract ICT investment.

Source: Agence Ecofin|

Helios Towers Urges Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in One Million Coders Programme

Helios Tower

Helios Towers Ghana has called on stakeholders to ensure that persons with disabilities (PWDs) are fully included in the government’s flagship One Million Coders programme. The appeal was made by the company’s Managing Director, Kweku Frempong, during a coding literacy event at the Demonstration School for the Deaf in Mampong-Akuapem.

“It is commendable to promote digitisation for the able-bodied, but it is far more impactful to also carry along our less-abled brothers and sisters,” Frempong stated, emphasizing that digital inclusion must be intentional and widespread.

Echoing the call, Setumte D. Ametewee, Headmaster of the Demonstration School for the Deaf, urged the government to implement targeted measures to include students with disabilities in the national coding agenda. He also appealed for support in the form of IT equipment to aid coding instruction at the school.

The event formed part of the Coding Caravan initiative, now in its fourth year, organized by the Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana (IIPGH) in collaboration with the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and sponsored by Helios Towers Ghana. This year’s theme, “Breaking Barriers: Coding, Leadership and Inclusion for All,” emphasized the need to bridge the digital divide for learners with disabilities.

Speaking to the media, Louis Bobbie Osei, Research and Regulatory Manager at the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, reinforced the importance of digital access for special needs students. “We believe that beyond able-bodied students, special needs students also deserve to have access to this knowledge,” he said, calling on private sector partners to support sustained learning opportunities.

With PWDs estimated to make up about 8% of Ghana’s population, stakeholders argue that excluding them from the One Million Coders initiative would undermine its national impact. The call for inclusion aims to unlock the full potential of Ghana’s human capital through equitable digital empowerment.

Source: B&FT (Business & Financial Times)

Camtel battles wave of sabotage crippling fibre network

Fibre

Cameroon Telecommunications (Camtel) expressed concern over recurrent acts of sabotage against its fibre infrastructure in the capital, Yaounde, which have resulted in massive internet service outages.

Unidentified individuals destroyed critical telecoms infrastructure, including overhead fibre optic cables and distribution boxes, in the most recent attack, which occurred overnight on July 13 and 14.

According to a statement released by the telco yesterday, this is the third such incident in less than a month, with similar attacks on June 25 and July 10.

Camtel said three sub-distribution boxes were entirely destroyed, resulting in an internet blackout for the whole Mfou zone.

The disruption impacted a wide range of users, including schools, businesses, healthcare providers, and households.

Images released by the company show poles tampered with, wires severed, and underground installations dug up or destroyed.

The telco condemned the destruction and stated that it had contacted law enforcement and judicial authorities to locate and prosecute the culprits.

The organisation emphasised that all available technical resources have been deployed to restore service as soon as possible.

The state-run telecom operator has also apologised to its customers for the inconvenience and reaffirmed its commitment to the quality, dependability, and security of its infrastructure throughout the country.

“The national telecommunications network is a strategic asset serving the economic, social, and institutional life of Cameroon,” the statement added, noting that safeguarding telecom infrastructure is a collective responsibility.

No group has taken credit for the vandalism. Camtel’s general manager, Judith Yah Sunday Achidi, revealed in May that recurrent concerted vandalism against its key infrastructure, particularly the national optic fibre backbone, is sometimes carried out by its own staff.

Source: IT Web Africa

Uganda Launches Free Public Wi-Fi in Rural Bwera to Bridge Digital Divide

Uganda

Source: Uganda Digital Acceleration Project | July 2025

In a significant step toward narrowing Uganda’s digital divide, the National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U) has launched free public Wi-Fi in Bwera Town, Kasese District—bringing internet access to schools, health centers, and government offices in the once-quiet border community.

The initiative forms part of the Uganda Digital Acceleration Project (UDAP-GovNet), a government-led, World Bank–backed programme focused on extending last-mile digital connectivity across underserved regions.

At a launch event along Mpondwe Road, Uganda’s State Minister for ICT, Godfrey Kabyanga, described the rollout as a tool for empowerment. “Access to the internet is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity,” he said. “This is about giving people the power to learn, trade, and grow.”

Kabyanga also urged responsible usage, warning against misuse of the free platform: “We’re offering a tool for development, not a weapon for abuse.”

NITA-U Executive Director Hatwib Mugasa confirmed that Bwera is among several pilot locations under UDAP-GovNet. “What we’ve started in Bwera is just the beginning. Our goal is to ensure that no community is left behind in Uganda’s digital transformation,” he said, noting additional Wi-Fi installations planned for Mpondwe and surrounding areas.

For local residents, the impact is already tangible. “With rising data costs, this is a lifeline,” said Tsindika Brian, a student in Bwera. “This Wi-Fi will help us save money and stay connected.”

The UDAP-GovNet project aims to increase the efficiency and reach of digital government services, while equipping communities with the tools to participate in Uganda’s growing digital economy.