Industry News

• Agreement to include a range of capabilities from Ericsson’s cloud-native dual-mode 5G Core solution, as well as Ericsson Cloud IMS

• Integration of cutting-edge automation technologies to streamline network operations, optimize resources in real time, and drive operational and capital expenditure reductions

• Agreement accelerates the transition to 5G Standalone (SA). A strengthened cloud-native platform will help create new value in SoftBank’s telecom business

STOCKHOLM, March 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) has signed a multi-year framework agreement with SoftBank Corp. (SoftBank) in Japan to deploy next-generation core network solutions to expand and modernize SoftBank’s core network infrastructure and accelerate 5G Standalone (SA) adoption.

The agreement will tap the full scope of Ericsson’s Core Networks’ portfolio, including the Ericsson dual-mode 5G Core solution running on Ericsson’s Cloud Native Infrastructure Solution (CNIS). The deployment will include subscriber data management through Ericsson’s User Data Consolidation (UDC) solution, policy control, and cloud-based IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) solutions.

These solutions will enable SoftBank to accelerate its transition to 5G SA while managing existing 4G and 5G services in an integrated manner, improving overall network scalability and reliability. The agreement will also strengthen SoftBank’s foundation for 5G Advanced use cases and AI-driven operations across the network.

Hideyuki Tsukuda, Executive Vice President and CTO, SoftBank Corp., says: “Ericsson’s advanced cloud-native technologies and automation solutions are an extremely important foundation for achieving the ‘fusion of AI and networks’ that we are promoting. Through this renewal of our core network, it becomes possible to significantly heighten the autonomy and efficiency of network operations, in addition to accelerating the transition to 5G SA. SoftBank will build a robust and flexible next-generation infrastructure, continuing to provide new value to customers while driving innovation in the telecom industry.”

Jawad Mansour, President and Representative Director of Ericsson Japan, says: “We are very pleased that SoftBank, an industry frontrunner in merging AI with telecommunications, has selected our core network and IMS solutions to underpin its further evolution. By combining our technology with global experience, we will support SoftBank’s objectives to enhance network performance, improve operational efficiency, and advance the adoption of all forms of automation – contributing to digital transformation that helps address societal challenges in Japan.”

Agreement scope:

Network modernization

Existing subscriber mobility functions, MME (Mobility Management Entity) and AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) nationwide will be migrated to cloud-native dual-mode 5G Core on CNIS, enabling flexible software-based control across legacy and next-generation access technologies. Voice gateway and policy control capabilities will also be modernized to cloud-native configurations (PCC, PCG, CCPC), delivering scalable and resilient voice domains and robust policy control frameworks.

Network expansion and data management enhancement

A full cloud-native subscriber data management capability, through Ericsson’s UDC solution, will be deployed on CNIS to strengthen subscriber data management and meet increasing service and capacity demands. This will include a data provisioning layer provided by EDA (Ericsson Dynamic Activation), data storage layer from CCDM (Cloud Core Data-Storage Manager) and a subscription management layer, Cloud Core Subscription Manager (CCSM), with additional functionality to ensure subscriber data across 4G and 5G.

IMS modernization

SoftBank’s IMS solutions will be modernized to Ericsson Cloud IMS, enhancing voice and multimedia service quality and accelerate the rollout of new services

These capabilities will help SoftBank to shorten time-to-market for new services. Orchestration and automation on cloud infrastructure will simplify operational processes and reduce OPEX. In addition, advanced orchestration, efficient scaling, and hardware modernization are expected to help reduce overall network energy consumption.

Ericsson will continue to support SoftBank as a trusted partner in building an innovation platform to create new business value by utilizing AI, cloud, and network capabilities.

Ericsson’s long partnership as a trusted SoftBank supplier spans both core network and radio access network hardware and software products and solutions.

Source : sg.finance.yahoo.com

On Thursday, March 26, 2026, the Nigerian All-Share Index edged higher by 32 points to close at 200,957.9, as market activity remained weak.

The gain represents a 0.02% increase from 200,925.8 recorded previously, amid a total trading volume of 678 million shares.

Equity capitalization remained flat at N128.9 trillion, unchanged from the prior session, with a total of 42,222 deals executed

MTN Nigeria led value trades at N11.06 billion, while Access Holdings followed with transactions totaling N3.4 billion on the NGX.

What the data is saying 

Trading sentiment remained broadly bullish on March 26, 2026, pushing the market’s year-to-date return to 29.14% from 28.98%, despite softer activity levels.

On the gainers’ chart, Zichis and Premier Paints led the pack, each advancing by 10.00% during the session, while on the losing end, University Press and Sunu Assurances declined by 9.17% and 8.88% respectively.

In terms of volume, Access Holdings topped activity with 134.5 million shares, followed by Wema Bank at 105.5 million and Veritas Kapital at 74.1 million.

Zichis recorded 23.3 million shares traded, while UBA saw 18.1 million shares exchange hands, indicating sustained investor participation.

By market value, MTN Nigeria dominated with N11.06 billion, trailed by Access Holdings at N3.4 billion, Wema Bank at N2.7 billion, Aradel at N1.9 billion, and Zenith Bank at N1.7 billion

Source : www.nairametrics.com

Ghana’s public sector artificial intelligence (AI) training programme has entered its second cohort at Akuse, with senior government officials participating in sessions designed to move beyond awareness and embed AI directly into institutional decision-making.

The National AI Masterclass, Akuse Cohort 2, organised by the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations in partnership with AI Africa and Knowledge Web Center, ran from March 21 to 25 and targeted deputy directors and senior officers across ministries, departments, and agencies.

Chief Director at the ministry, Alexander Yaw Arphul, said the programme reflects government’s commitment to improving institutional efficiency and preparing public agencies to contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s digital economy. The training focuses on equipping officials with practical tools to apply AI in policy and service delivery, moving past introductory knowledge toward integrated, deployable systems.

Facilitator David King Boison cautioned that technical competence alone would not drive the transformation government is seeking. “AI alone is not enough; true national transformation requires the integration of human judgment, strategy, ethics, and multiple forms of intelligence,” he said.

Director for Digital Technology, Samuel Antwi-Gyekye, said approximately 100 public officials have now completed training across earlier phases of the programme, with each cohort focused on translating AI capability into governance practice.

President Mahama has issued a directive requiring all government agencies to integrate AI tools into public sector operations during 2026, and an Emerging Technologies Bill covering AI, blockchain, and robotics is currently in draft form to establish ethical and data governance standards. The Akuse programme serves as the on-the-ground delivery arm of that policy framework.

Upon completion, institutions are expected to have AI-ready officers, customised use cases, institution-specific tools, and a 90-day roadmap for adoption, paving the way for sector-specific applications in health logistics, climate security, and digital automation.

Source : www.newsghana.com.gh

Tetracore Energy Group has announced a strategic partnership with global technology giant Huawei and Inspirive Technologies to develop a $400m Tier III data centre.

The project, slated for the Tetracore Energy Park in Ogun State, represents a pioneering “energy-to-digital” model designed to solve the perennial challenge of power instability in Nigeria’s tech sector.

In a statement issued by the TEG management on Wednesday, the 20MW facility is positioned to become the backbone of Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital ecosystem.

With a delivery timeline of 10 to 12 months, the data centre will be built to global Tier III standards, ensuring the high redundancy and operational resilience required by major financial institutions, government bodies, and international cloud providers.

Speaking on the strategic importance of the project, the President and CEO of Tetracore Energy Group, Olakunle Williams, emphasised that energy is the prerequisite for any digital advancement.

“Sustainable digital transformation is fundamentally dependent on reliable energy infrastructure.

This project reflects our ability to integrate energy and technology at scale, creating platforms that enable long-term economic growth. The Tetracore Energy Park was deliberately designed to support projects of this magnitude, and this development reinforces our commitment to execution in complex environments,” he said.

The project leverages the unique strengths of each partner. While Tetracore provides the specialised energy foundation, powered by its 100 MW independent power plant, Huawei brings world-class technological hardware to the table.

A representative from Huawei Nigeria highlighted the company’s commitment to efficiency: “Huawei is proud to contribute its global expertise in data centre technologies to this project. Together, we are delivering a high-performance, energy-efficient facility aligned with international standards, supporting Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital ecosystem,” the statement added.

Adding to the sentiment of local empowerment, the Chief Technology Officer of Inspirive Technologies, Williams Abiola, said, “This development marks a major milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s digital backbone. By combining local expertise with global technology partnerships, we are delivering a scalable, world-class data centre capable of supporting enterprise growth, cloud adoption, and long-term digital transformation.”

As artificial intelligence adoption accelerates across Africa, the demand for high-performance computing and low-latency processing has reached an all-time high. This data centre is purpose-built to handle AI-driven workloads and advanced analytics, reducing Nigeria’s reliance on offshore hosting and significantly improving national data security.

By locating the facility within the Atakobo Energy Park, the partners have effectively bypassed the national grid’s limitations, ensuring a dedicated, stable power supply that is critical for high-performance digital infrastructure.

The facility will serve a broad spectrum of high-growth sectors, including fintech, telecommunications, e-commerce, and education, as well as emerging technology startups across the continent.

Source : www. punchng.com

This aligns with MTN’s broader Ambition 2030 strategy, which prioritizes connectivity, fintech, and digital infrastructure.

MTN Group has begun the gradual phase-out of its Ayoba super app across African markets, ending a seven-year effort to build a local alternative to global messaging platforms like WhatsApp. The move, confirmed in March 2026, marks a strategic shift in how the company delivers digital services.

The company is now focusing on a unified digital ecosystem that brings together messaging, entertainment, and financial services in one integrated platform, rather than maintaining separate standalone apps. This aligns with MTN’s broader Ambition 2030 strategy, which prioritizes connectivity, fintech, and digital infrastructure.

Launched in 2019, Ayoba quickly grew to tens of millions of users, supported by free data promotions and SMS-based access. However, the app struggled to retain users long-term as global competitors offered stronger network effects and broader functionality. Technical issues and onboarding challenges also affected user experience in its later stages.

As part of the transition, Ayoba was removed from app stores on 20 March 2026, with existing users given a limited window to access and back up their data. New downloads are no longer available, and users who uninstall the app cannot reinstall it. The company has advised users to review updated terms as it moves into this new phase.

Source : www. techafricanews.com

Scancom PLC, operators of MTN Ghana, have reported strong financial and operational performance for the 2025 financial year, with shareholders approving a higher dividend payout at the company’s 8th Annual General Meeting.

The meeting, held at the University of Professional Studies, Auditorium in Accra on Tuesday, March 24, brought together shareholders, board members, and management to review the company’s performance and future direction.

Board Chairman of MTN Ghana, Ishmael Yamson, said the company’s performance came despite a challenging global economic environment.

He explained that 2025 was marked by uncertainty, driven by geopolitical tensions and trade disputes, although investments in artificial intelligence helped sustain global growth.

“The global economy in 2025 faced intense volatility, shaped by escalating geopolitical tensions and US-led trade disputes,” he said, adding that despite these pressures, global growth reached 3.3% for the year.

Mr Yamson also pointed to easing inflation globally and a weakening US dollar as factors that provided some relief to emerging markets.

Against this backdrop, MTN Ghana delivered strong results, recording a 36.1% increase in total revenue compared to 2024. The growth was driven by expansion across data, mobile money, digital, and voice services.

The company also reported a 43.5% rise in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA), with profit after tax increasing by 55.9%.

On the back of this performance, the Board recommended a final dividend of 40 pesewas per share, bringing the total dividend for 2025 to 48 pesewas per share. This represents about 81% of profit after tax and a 57.4% increase compared to the previous year.

Chief Finance Officer, Antoinette Kwofie, said the payout reflects both strong performance and confidence in the company’s outlook.

She said that MTN Ghana remains committed to distributing between 60% and 80% of its profits as dividends, explaining that the slightly higher payout for 2025 was supported by solid operational results.

Mrs Kwofie also addressed rising costs, attributing them to strategic hiring in key growth areas such as fintech and home broadband, as well as employee share schemes linked to the company’s share price growth.

She assured shareholders that the company continues to strengthen its risk management systems, particularly in mobile money operations, through enhanced fraud prevention measures and public education.

On tax matters, she said ongoing audits by the Ghana Revenue Authority are at various stages, with management engaging authorities to resolve outstanding issues.

Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, described 2025 as a strong year for the business, supported by both internal strategy and improved economic conditions.

“I am pleased to report that 2025 was a year of robust operational and financial performance for MTN Ghana,” he said.

He added that disciplined execution of the company’s strategy, coupled with easing inflation and a stronger local currency, helped boost consumer spending and investor confidence.

According to him, Ghana’s macroeconomic environment improved significantly during the year, with inflation dropping sharply and the cedi strengthening against the US dollar.

“This created a stable and predictable economic climate… leading to higher spending and fuelling economic growth,” he said.

MTN Ghana also recorded strong growth in its mobile money business, with revenue rising by 35.7% to GH¢6.0 billion. The number of active users increased by 12.3% to 19.3 million.

The growth was partly driven by the removal of the e-levy, which reduced transaction costs and encouraged wider use of digital financial services.

Looking ahead, the company expects Ghana’s economy to remain stable in 2026, supported by controlled inflation and improved policy measures.

However, Mr Blewett cautioned that global risks, including geopolitical tensions and trade uncertainties, could still affect the outlook.

Despite these risks, he said MTN Ghana is well-positioned to grow, with continued investments in digital services, network expansion, and customer experience.

He added that the company is upgrading its myMTN and MoMo platforms to deliver more user-focused services, while also strengthening security systems to protect customers.

Beyond business, MTN Ghana says it will continue to invest in social initiatives through its foundation, focusing on education, healthcare, and digital inclusion.

“The MTN Ghana Foundation will continue to champion transformative projects that address critical societal needs, with a particular focus on expanding access to quality education and strengthening healthcare delivery across our communities.”

“We are intensifying our efforts to bridge educational gaps by supporting infrastructure development, providing essential learning materials, and promoting digital literacy initiatives for students and teachers.

“In healthcare, our programs will prioritize the renovation of medical facilities, provision of life-saving equipment, and health outreach campaigns that benefit underserved populations,” the CEO said.

The company expressed appreciation to its customers, regulators, and shareholders, noting that their support remains key to its continued growth.

“To our customers, your loyalty and trust inspire us every day to raise the bar and deliver exceptional service. To the government and regulators, thank you for fostering an environment in which we can thrive. And to our shareholders, your belief in Scancom PLC empowers us to pursue our ambitions with confidence.”

Source: www.myjoyonline.com

• Experts meet from March 23–26 ahead of ministerial decisions on March 27 
• Discussions focus on telecom harmonization, digital regulation and regional infrastructure 
• Outcomes expected to support ECOWAS digital single market and cross-border services 

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has convened technical experts in Freetown, Sierra Leone, from March 23 to 26, 2026, as part of a policy process aimed at accelerating digital integration across the region. According to ECOWAS, the meeting brings together specialists in telecommunications, ICT policy and digital transformation to develop recommendations that will be submitted to ministers for adoption on March 27. The discussions focus on regulatory harmonization, infrastructure development and frameworks to support digital services across member states.

The consultations come as ECOWAS advances plans to establish a regional digital single market, an initiative endorsed by stakeholders in early 2026. According to regional authorities, the objective is to align national regulations, improve interoperability of digital systems and reduce barriers to cross-border digital services within the bloc.

Fragmentation remains a major constraint to digital growth in West Africa. Differences in licensing regimes, spectrum allocation, data governance and taxation continue to limit the expansion of telecom operators, fintech firms and digital platforms across borders. Harmonized rules as stated by officials are expected to lower operational costs, improve market access and encourage investment in regional digital infrastructure.

According to the World Bank, digital technologies could contribute substantially to economic growth in Africa, with increased broadband penetration linked to higher GDP growth rates and productivity gains. In West Africa, expanding access to digital services is also seen as a key driver for financial inclusion and SME development.

ECOWAS officials indicate that the digital single market initiative is designed to support cross-border trade, particularly in sectors such as e-commerce and digital financial services. The framework aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Area, which seeks to facilitate intra-African trade and the movement of goods and services across the continent.

Key policy areas under discussion include telecom infrastructure sharing, regional roaming frameworks, cybersecurity standards and data protection rules. These measures are intended to create a more predictable regulatory environment for private sector investment while improving access to digital services for businesses and consumers.

The Freetown meeting is part of ECOWAS’ institutional process for developing regional policy, where technical recommendations are reviewed and adopted at ministerial level before implementation by member states. The outcomes of the March 27 session are expected to shape the bloc’s digital policy direction in the coming years.

Source: www.ecofinagency.com

More than 300 youths graduated from the Huawei DigiTruck programme in Chuka, Tharaka-Nithi County, in a significant boost to Kenya’s efforts to bridge the digital divide and equip young people with market-ready skills.

The training, delivered through a mobile digital classroom, is part of a partnership between Huawei Technologies Kenya and the Government of Kenya, targeting underserved communities with hands-on instruction in basic software applications, internet use and digital tools for entrepreneurship and employment.

The graduation, held at Chuka DCC Grounds, was presided over by Hillars Olemoke , Director in the Department of Fisheries and Blue Economy, who represented Principal Secretary Betsy Njagi.

He said the initiative is aligned with government efforts to empower youth through digital literacy and innovation.

Mr. Olemoke noted that digital skills are increasingly critical in unlocking opportunities across sectors such as banking, security and the global online job market.

“This is the era of digital literacy. Young people can leverage these skills to access global opportunities and create their own employment,” he said.

He urged the graduates to apply the skills learnt responsibly and effectively, adding that the government has established digital hubs to support continuous learning and innovation.

He further revealed that, in collaboration with partners, plans are underway to equip the hubs with laptops and other resources to ensure sustainability of the programme.

“The government is committed to supporting the youth. We will continue working with partners to ensure these skills translate into meaningful opportunities,” he added.

Huawei Kenya Public Affairs Director, Yuta Leng, said the DigiTruck initiative aims to enhance digital inclusion nationwide, with plans to expand training to all 47 counties.

She noted that more graduations are expected, including one in Kisumu later this year, as the programme scales up its reach.

“We are committed to leaving no one behind in this digital era by equipping young people with essential skills for innovation, productivity and competitiveness,” she said.

A beneficiary of the programme, Allan Munene, said the training had equipped him s practical digital skills that will enable him to pursue new opportunities and improve his livelihood’s.

He encouraged fellow youth to take advantage of such initiatives, noting that digital skills are increasingly vital in today’s job market.

Source : www.kenyanews.go.ke

Swedish telecommunications company Ericsson has filed applications to register three trademarks in Russia related to heating, cooling, and ventilation, a TASS correspondent has learned.

The trademark applications, one of which uses the company name in Cyrillic, were submitted to the Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent) on March 23, 2026, by Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson of Sweden. The trademarks are intended for Class 11 of the International Classification of Goods and Services, which covers heating, cooling, and ventilation devices.

Earlier, Rospatent head Yuri Zubov told TASS that well-known foreign brands aim to secure both registration and renewal of their trademarks in Russia. He explained that trademarks protect against counterfeiting, ensuring that no one sells products under the brand’s name. Trademark holders are also interested in preserving their reputation, even if the local market—here, Russia—is temporarily inaccessible.

Ericsson suspended operations in Russia in 2022. In 2023, it halted purchases from domestic and foreign suppliers, stopped providing services to external clients, closed all local branches, and reduced its staff by 99%, providing severance payments. In 2024, the company continued terminating contracts with service providers.

Source : www.caliber.az

The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has urged Ghanaians to fully participate in the upcoming SIM card re-registration exercise.

Speaking in an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Channel One TV’s Face to Face on Tuesday, March 24, Mr. George said it is important for all users of telecom services to take part in the process once it is rolled out.

“It’s advisable for everybody to ensure that when we roll out the registration process, you take part in it. Bearing in mind that you took part in a system that traumatised people—people queued for days—but now you have a system that will allow you to do this in the comfort of your home. The process will be mandatory for the use of telecom services in the country,” he stated

The minister also announced that the government expects to roll out the re-registration exercise in the third quarter of this year.

“I’m confident that in the third quarter of this year—anytime between July, August, and September—we will definitely be in a good position to roll out,” he said.

Source: www. citinewsroom.com