Industry News

Youth unemployment is at an all-time high in South Africa, with it sitting at 62.4 percent most recently.

A dearth of adequate digital skills has long been highlighted as a reason for this, and to the private sector’s credit, several organisations have stepped up in recent years to assist in training and upskilling to ensure relevant market-ready skills are entering the market.

One of those organisations is Huawei South Africa, which has for many years partnered with a number of government departments on digital skills training and industry-readiness programmes.

In fact, it took this week to highlight what strides it has made in this regard. To that end, Huawei says it has engaged an estimated 37 000 participants over the past two years through its aforementioned initiatives.

“This work is closely aligned with South Africa’s digital development priorities, as outlined in the South Africa Digital Infrastructure Investment Study 2025 by the Development Bank of Southern Africa and the National Planning Commission, which sets out the investment and policy conditions needed to support inclusive digital transformation through 2035,” Huawei explained in a release to Hypertext.

“Huawei’s operations and investments in South Africa are aligned with national priorities, which is why digital skills and talent development have become such an important area of focus for us. We are working with government, academia and the wider innovation ecosystem to help build the capability the country needs for inclusive and sustained digital growth,” added Christina Naidoo, chief operating officer of Huawei South Africa.

Some of the initiatives that have resulted in that impressive number of 37 000 include, its annual Women in Tech initiative, which is handled in partnership with the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT), as well as the Department of Employment and Labour and the Department of Small Business Development. Women in Tech 2025 has trained more than 300 women in South Africa since 2021.

Another important initiative is DigiSchool, which targets primary school learners, and reached 6 200 participants in 2025. Added to this is 4IR training and the Huawei ICT Academy, which reached a combined 7 082 participants, as it aimed to open pathways into areas such as AI, networking, and cloud computing.

Sticking with the Huawei ICT Academy, it has been established in 47 TVET Colleges, 25 universities and universities of technology, seven private colleges, and two training organisations to date. This has seen a substantial number of learners in the tertiary education space given the chance to pursue opportunities in the local technology space.

“Through Huawei’s LEAP (Leadership, Employability, Advancement, and Possibility) Programme, designed to bridge the digital skills gap in Sub-Saharan Africa by providing comprehensive training and resources, the company has reached over 18,000 participants in South Africa in 2025 alone, while also training customer engineers, partners and subcontractors to strengthen technical capability in the market,” the company highlighted.

This year, one of Huawei’s newest initiatives is Code4Mzanzi, which was announced in February. It is a, “Huawei Cloud developers competition run with the Department of Small Business Development and academic partners including UCT, UJ, UP and Wits. The competition drew 353 teams and 1,041 participants, bringing students, startups and young developers into a live environment where they could build, test and refine solutions using Huawei Cloud tools, mentorship and product support.”

There is always more to do when the country’s youth unemployment rate is as high as it is, but Huawei South Africa is certainly doing what it can when it comes to skills development, and over the past two years, has quickly grown a sizeable ICT talent ecosystem.

“When students and young developers are challenged to solve real problems, they sharpen technical skills, build confidence and learn to innovate under pressure. That is how digital talent grows stronger, and how countries create the kind of capability needed to compete, build and lead in the global digital economy,” concluded Naidoo.

Source : www.htxt.co.za

Ghana’s national cybersecurity response team logged more than 3,500 digital incidents in the first quarter of 2026, authorities revealed Thursday, as the country deepened a formal cooperation programme with Italy to confront an accelerating wave of online threats.

Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George disclosed the figures at a stakeholder workshop in Accra hosted by the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) alongside Italy’s Cyber 4.0 Cybersecurity Competence Center. The incidents between January and March included malware attacks, ransomware attempts and intrusions targeting Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) across key sectors.

“Between January and March 2026 alone, the National Computer Emergency Response Team has recorded 3,500 incidents, with increasing reports of malware activity, ransomware attempts and attacks targeting Critical Information Infrastructure,” George said.

Authorities have responded with coordinated enforcement operations since January, resulting in multiple arrests tied to online fraud and identity theft networks. The crackdown builds on wider action that has produced hundreds of cybercrime-related arrests since 2025.

The Accra workshop, which also drew Italy’s Ambassador to Ghana Laura Ranalli and Cyber 4.0 Director Matteo Lucchetti, centred on three pillars: raising awareness of Ghana’s National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy (NCPS), strengthening operational capabilities, and expanding international cooperation. Participants are expected to produce a report of measurable steps to guide ongoing collaboration between the two countries.

The Italy-Ghana programme, funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and coordinated by Cyber 4.0, was formally announced in December 2025. It aims to support Ghana in implementing its national cybersecurity strategy, train local professionals, and promote the country’s role in global cyber diplomacy forums.

George said the government is embedding cybersecurity across flagship digital initiatives, including the One Million Coders Programme, which incorporates secure software development, and the Girls in ICT Programme. Regulatory reforms are also progressing, covering certification of cybersecurity service providers and the mapping of critical infrastructure across 13 economic sectors.

“Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. It requires collaboration across governments, industry, academia, and international partners,” he said.

Source : www.newsghana.com.gh

The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George (MP), has initiated steps to onboard global tech firm Code Raccoon into the Government’s flagship digital skills and training programme, following a courtesy call by the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Jorn Halsinger.

During the meeting, the Minister noted the need to have technical engagements between Code Raccoon and the Ministry’s implementation team to explore the integration of the company’s learning Ambylon platform into the Government’s central digital training portal.

This, he said, forms part of efforts to expand access to industry-relevant digital skills, particularly in artificial intelligence, coding, and entrepreneurship.

‎Samuel Nartey George emphasised that the Government is prioritising a seamless, user-friendly learning experience, where all courses are accessible through a single national platform.

‎ He explained that ongoing integrations with global partners, including Google and Coursera, were being structured to allow users to access external learning environments without leaving the Government’s portal.

‎“We are building a unified system where learners can access thousands of courses through one interface. Once a user selects a course, the system seamlessly connects them to the provider’s platform through API integration,” the Minister stated.

‎The Minister disclosed that the Government has already begun rolling out the initiative, with nearly 10,000 digital devices distributed to learning centres across the country. He added that a national registration portal is expected to go live shortly, enabling students to enrol and begin courses.

‎He further noted that the programme is being implemented through strategic partnerships, with private sector collaborators supporting content delivery and funding components of the initiative. This, he said, allows Government to scale the programme efficiently despite financial constraints.

‎For his part, the CEO of Code Raccoon, Mr Jorn Halsinger expressed Code Raccoon’s readiness to support Ghana’s digital transformation agenda by providing access to a wide range of courses through the Ambylon platform which currently has 5,744 courses covering coding, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurial skills and other topics.

He indicated that the platform is designed not only to prepare learners for employment but also to equip them to become job creators.

‎The CEO of Code Raccoon Ltd indicated that the proposed collaboration would enable Code Raccoon’s virtual learning environment to be integrated into the Government’s platform via API, allowing automatic user onboarding and access to its course library.

‎The engagement underscores Government’s broader strategy to leverage global partnerships in delivering large-scale digital skills training and positioning Ghana’s workforce for emerging opportunities in the global digital economy.

Source : www.myjoyonline.com

PARLIAMENT – MTN Uganda and Airtel Uganda have urged the government to slash the excise duty on mobile money withdrawals from 0.5 percent to 0.25 percent and introduce a cap of Shs5,000 per transaction.
The telecom giants made the appeal on Wednesday when their officials appeared before Parliament’s Finance Committee to submit views on tax bills funding the 2026/27 national budget.

MTN’s General Manager for Corporate Services, Dennis Kakonge, told lawmakers the current levy unfairly burdens ordinary Ugandans. “When you send money for Parish Development Model, Emyooga, women down there will suffer the tax burden, they are your taxpayers,” Kakonge said. He explained that a Shs500,000 withdrawal attracts Shs2,500 in excise duty on the full  amount withdrawn, plus 15 percent on the service fee. “This creates tax burden. Uganda taxes mobile money transactions more heavily than markets with larger digital economies and higher income. There is a need to address this challenge”, he added.

Airtel Uganda Managing Director Soumendra Sahu joined the delegation in pushing for the reduction, arguing it would boost transaction volumes and ultimately increase government revenue. The operators projected that a 0.25 percent rate could generate up to Shs80 billion annually in the short term.

The mobile money withdrawal tax was first introduced in July 2018 through the Excise Duty (Amendment) Act as a 1 percent levy on all transactions. Following public outcry and a sharp drop in usage, it was revised in November 2018 to 0.5 percent on withdrawals only.

The plea comes as Parliament debates several other tax proposals in the 2026/27 budget process. These include a 30 percent environmental levy on imported second-hand clothes, new excise duty of Shs500 per litre or kilogram on cooking oil and fat, Shs1,000 per 50kg on cement and related materials, higher duties on paints and imported spirits, and withholding taxes on land sales in urban areas and non-business assets.
Committee members expressed mixed reactions, balancing revenue needs against financial inclusion. The Finance Ministry has previously rejected similar reduction proposals for the coming fiscal year.

Source : www.chimpreports.com

MTN Ghana has announced the appointment of Richard Acheampong as Chief Home Officer, effective 1 November 2025.

The appointment reflects MTN Ghana’s continued focus on strengthening and accelerating growth in the Home broadband and digital services segment, as demand for reliable, high-speed connectivity continues to rise across the country.

Richard brings over two decades of senior leadership experience spanning the telecommunications, brewery and advertising sectors.

Within the MTN Group, he has held several impactful leadership roles across multiple markets, most recently serving as Chief Consumer Officer at MTN Zambia and previously as Chief Marketing Officer at MTN Rwanda.

Across these roles, he was instrumental in shaping consumer strategy, driving customer-centric innovation and delivering strong market and revenue growth.

In his new role, Richard will be responsible for driving the strategic direction, expansion and operational performance of MTN Home, delivering innovative, reliable, and future‑ready connectivity solutions for homes nationwide.

Commenting on the appointment, Stephen Blewett, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, said: “Richard’s deep understanding of the business, strong commercial acumen and passion for customer excellence position him perfectly to lead MTN Home into its next phase of growth.

“As Home broadband becomes increasingly central to how Ghanaians work, learn, and live, his leadership will be critical to delivering superior customer experiences”.

The appointment underscores MTN Ghana’s commitment to investing in strong leadership as it advances its Ambition 2030 strategy and continues to build a resilient, customer-focused, and digitally enabled business.

Source : www.myjoyonline.com

Africa’s first preparatory meeting for the 2028 World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly (WTSA-28) wrapped up in Accra this week with a sharper continental agenda on artificial intelligence governance, cybersecurity, emergency communications, and the economic regulation of digital platforms, as delegates sought to lock in a unified position for one of the most consequential global technology gatherings of this decade.

The five-day meeting, hosted by Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA) in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) at The Palms Airport City Hotel, brought together ministers, regulators, and technical experts from across the continent under the theme “Strengthening Africa’s Common Position for WTSA-28.”

Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George set the tone in his opening address, framing the gathering as a turning point. “We want to develop a united African proposal that reflects our continent’s needs while aligning with global standards,” he said, repeating the phrase that has become the rallying call of Africa’s digital diplomacy: the continent must become rule-makers, not rule-takers.

A Track Record to Build On

The push for greater influence is backed by recent results. At WTSA-24, Africa submitted 37 proposals and secured adoption of 34, while placing experts from 13 countries in 29 leadership roles across ITU study groups. Those numbers, cited repeatedly during the Accra deliberations, were held up as proof that coordinated continental advocacy translates into real institutional weight.

ATU Secretary-General John Omo stressed that the momentum must be sustained. He reminded delegates that more than 800 million Africans remain offline, and that access alone has not resolved deeper issues of affordability, quality, and trust. “The decisions we make here in Accra will ripple across our digital landscape for years to come,” he said.

Emergency Numbers and AI Top the Agenda

Beyond the headline ambition, the Accra meeting produced specific technical priorities for the WTSA-28 cycle. Delegates advanced proposals for a single standardised emergency telephone number across Africa, compatible with the international codes 112 and 911, as part of a joint ITU-ATU workshop running alongside the main preparatory sessions. Participants framed the initiative as foundational infrastructure for public safety and cross-border integration.

The agenda also addressed the governance of artificial intelligence, the resilience of submarine cable infrastructure, cybersecurity frameworks, the regulation of Over-the-Top (OTT) services such as messaging and streaming platforms, and affordable broadband access through infrastructure sharing. Speakers consistently called for standards that remain technology-neutral and flexible enough to accommodate new entrants rather than entrenching dominant incumbents.

Seizo Onoe of the ITU’s Telecommunication Standardisation Bureau offered support from the global body, saying that ITU standards and capacity-building must create firm foundations for the digital future Africa seeks.

Ghana’s Own Stake

For Ghana, the week served dual purposes. The country used the platform to seek support for the re-election of NCA Director-General Rev. Ing. Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko to the ITU Radio Regulations Board (RRB) at the next ITU Plenipotentiary Conference, scheduled for Doha, Qatar in November 2026. Officials also highlighted Ghana’s contributions through West African connectivity infrastructure and its Type Approval and Conformance Laboratories as evidence of growing national technical capacity.

The deliberations in Accra are expected to feed directly into Africa’s Common Positions, the formal mechanism through which the continent will seek to shape global information and communications technology standards at WTSA-28 in a way that reflects African development priorities.

Source : www.newsghana.com.gh

Ghana’s telecommunications regulator is intensifying efforts to tighten industry standards, warning that weak enforcement could expose consumers to substandard devices while undermining service quality in the country’s rapidly expanding digital economy.

The National Communications Authority (NCA) says standardisation must move beyond compliance and become a central pillar for efficiency, innovation, and long-term sector growth.

Director-General, Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, maintains that as Ghana positions itself as a digital hub in West Africa, ensuring uniform technical standards across networks and devices will be key to sustaining investor confidence and improving user experience.

Speaking to Citi Business News on the sidelines of the 1st African Preparatory Meeting for the 2028 World Telecommunications Standardization Assembly in Ghana, he underscored the strategic importance of the gathering in shaping Africa’s voice in global telecom governance.

According to him, “we are hosting the first Africa preparatory meeting for the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly, scheduled for 2028. These meetings allow regional groups to collate proposals from individual countries, harmonise them, and engage other regions to find common ground.”

He added that Ghana’s role as host reflects its growing influence in the digital policy space, noting that “for this cycle, Ghana is hosting the first regional meeting, bringing together representatives from across Africa and other regions.”

Mr. Fianko stressed that the impact of telecom standards extends directly to everyday users and businesses.

“Telecom standards are crucial because they enable economies of scale and ensure interoperability. For instance, your phone can roam across networks because of agreed standards,” he explained.

He further noted that standards also serve as a consumer protection tool, adding that “they also protect consumers from substandard devices and support large-scale production, which is why this conference is important.”

The outcomes of the meeting are expected to shape Africa’s negotiating position ahead of the 2028 global assembly, with implications for cross-border connectivity, digital trade, and the continent’s broader competitiveness.

Source : www.citinewsroom.com

Delivered in partnership with the Government of Tanzania, the UCSAF programme is designed to extend mobile network coverage to rural and underserved communities, helping to bridge the digital divide and unlock social and economic opportunities through advancing Tanzania’s digital transformation.

Helios Towers, a leading independent mobile infrastructure company operating across Africa and the Middle East, has announced the completion of 133 telecommunications sites, rolled out over the past two years, under the Universal Communications Service Access Fund (UCSAF).

Delivered in partnership with the Government of Tanzania, the UCSAF programme is designed to extend mobile network coverage to rural and underserved communities, helping to bridge the digital divide and unlock social and economic opportunities through advancing Tanzania’s digital transformation.

In addition to expanding coverage to underserved communities, Helios Towers has also supported 3G and 4G technology upgrades across all of its UCSAF deployments, ensuring faster and more reliable connectivity.

Tanzania remains a strategic market for Helios Towers, where the company has invested over USD 500 million to date, alongside contributing approximately USD 500 million in local taxes and levies – demonstrating its long-term commitment to the country’s development.

Since launching its operations in Tanzania in 2011, Helios Towers has delivered more than 4,200 sites nationwide, reinforcing its long-term partnership in advancing national connectivity goals. Of these, around 1,900 sites – nearly 45% of Helios Towers’ footprint in Tanzania – are located in rural areas, significantly improving access to communication services in previously unserved and underserved communities. Today, over 46 million Tanzanians live under Helios Towers’ tower footprint coverage.

This expanded connectivity is helping to transform lives by enabling access to mobile financial services, digital education, healthcare information, and e-government platforms – key enablers of Tanzania’s growing digital economy.

“The launch of these UCSAF sites marks an important step forward in connecting rural communities across Tanzania. With nearly half of our sites located in rural areas, we are proud to be extending reliable mobile coverage to areas that have historically been underserved. Connectivity is a powerful enabler of opportunity – supporting access to financial services, education, healthcare and information. Through our continued partnership with the Government of Tanzania and our customers, we are helping to build a more inclusive digital future for all Tanzanians.”

– David Dzigba, Managing Director, Helios Towers Tanzania

Looking ahead, Helios Towers remains committed to supporting the next phase of the UCSAF programme. The company is working closely with UCSAF to enable a strong rollout, while continuing to invest in infrastructure that accelerates digital inclusion and sustainable economic growth across Tanzania.

Source : www.techafricanews.com

MTN Nigeria with a current subscriber base of 95.3 million and a market share of 51.69 per cent, has continued the lead in mobile number portability, maintaining the highest number of inward porting and the least number of outward porting in the last five months, statistics released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has shown.

Inward porting refers to the number of subscribers that joined a particular network, using their telephone numbers, in search of a better service quality, while maintaining the same number. Outward porting refers to the number of subscribers that left a particular network, using their telephone numbers, in search of a better service quality, while maintaining the same number.

According to the statistics, which THISDAY obtained from NCC’s website, MTN maintained the lead in mobile number porting in the last five consecutive months.

From the statistics, the total number of inward porting as at February 2026 was 1,835. Out of the number, MTN alone gained 1,183 subscribers that ported into its network, followed by Airtel, which gained 428 subscribers that ported into its network, then Globacom, which gained 195 subscribers that ported into its network. T2 gained 21 subscribers that ported into its network, while VITEL gained only eight subscribers that ported into its network as at February 2026.

In October 2025, the total number of inward porting across all networks was 1,597. Out of the number, MTN alone gained 937 subscribers that ported into its network, followed by Airtel, which gained 357 subscribers that ported into its network, then Globacom, which gained 277 subscribers that ported into its network. T2 gained 26 subscribers that ported into its network.

In November 2025, the total number of inward porting across all networks was 1,392. Out of the number, MTN alone gained 827 subscribers that ported into its network, followed by Airtel, which gained 282 subscribers that ported into its network, then Globacom, which gained 264 subscribers that ported into its network. T2 gained 14 subscribers that ported into its network, while VITEL gained only five subscribers that ported into its network.

In December 2025, the total number of inward porting across all networks was 1,393. Out of the number, MTN alone gained 964 subscribers that ported into its network, followed by Globacom, which gained 217 subscribers that ported into its network, then Airtel, which gained 206 subscribers that ported into its network. T2 gained six subscribers that ported into its network, while VITEL also gained six subscribers that ported into its network.

In January 2026, the total number of inward porting across all networks was 1,468. Out of the number, MTN alone gained 740 subscribers that ported into its network, followed by Airtel, which gained 494 subscribers that ported into its network, then Globacom, which gained 215 subscribers that ported into its network. T2 gained 12 subscribers that ported into its network, while VITEL gained only seven subscribers that ported into its network.

For the outward porting also known as outgoing porting, MTN maintained the least number of subscribers that ported out of a particular network, which is an indication that majority of the subscribers believed in the resilience of the MTN network and decided to remain with the network.

According to NCC’s statistics, in February 2026, the total number of outward porting across all networks was 1,835. Out of the number, MTN lost only 195 subscribers that ported out of its network, followed by Airtel, which lost 241 subscribers that ported out of its network, then Globacom, which lost 381 subscribers that ported out its network. T2 lost as much as 1,018 subscribers that ported out of its network, in search of better service quality in other networks.

Source : www.thisdaylive.com

African countries have been urged to harmonise positions and strengthen cooperation ahead of the World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly (WTSA) 2028.

A unified continental approach, it was noted, would enable Africa to play a more influential role in shaping global digital policies and standards, rather than remaining passive adopters.

Mr Samuel Nartey George, Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, made the call at the opening of a two-day first African Preparatory Meeting for WTSA 28 in Accra.

Organised by the Africa Telecommunications Union (ATU) in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Ministry, the meeting was on the theme “Strengthening Africa’s Common Purpose Position for WTSA 28.”

“We want to develop a united African proposal that reflects our continent’s needs while aligning with global standards,” Mr George said, stressing the need for Africans to “become rule makers, not just rule takers.”

He explained that digital technologies were transforming economies and societies at an unprecedented pace, making it imperative for Africa to actively participate in global standardisation processes.

“Standards are the invisible architecture of the digital world. They ensure interoperability, foster innovation, enhance security and enable inclusive access to digital services”” he said.

The Minister identified priority areas including bridging the digital divide through rural broadband expansion, strengthening cybersecurity frameworks, promoting affordable connectivity, and ensuring safe and inclusive development of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things.

“This week’s meeting is our chance to align positions, strengthen regional cooperation and build consensus. Let us agree on concrete strategies that will guide our continent’s action and enable us to shape Africa’s digital future together,” he charged participants.

Mr George reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to equitable digital access and regional collaboration through initiatives such as the West African Regional Communications Infrastructure Programme.

Mr John Omo, Secretary-General of ATU, described the gathering as a critical starting point for Africa’s preparations towards WTSA 28.

He expressed concern about persistent challenges, noting: “This shows that access alone has not resolved affordability, quality and trust issues.”

Mr Omo stressed that more than 800 million Africans were still not using mobile internet, urging stakeholders to prioritise affordability, meaningful connectivity, emergency communications, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

“The decisions we make here in Accra will ripple across our digital landscape for years to come,” he said.

Mr Seizo Onoe, Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau of ITU, underscored the importance of developing standards that were impactful and widely adopted.

“ITU standards and capacity building must create firm foundations for the digital future we want,” he said.

Reverend Edmund Yirenkyi Fianko, Director-General of the National Communications Authority, highlighted Ghana’s investments in type approval and conformance laboratories, positioning the country as a regional hub for equipment certification and interoperability assurance.

Source: gna.org.gh