Reports and Coverage

Vodacom Tanzania PLC and CRDB Bank have united their efforts to introduce a smartphone financing program aimed at accelerating smartphone adoption and narrowing the digital divide in Tanzania. This partnership, unveiled at a launch event in Dar es Salaam, underscores Vodacom's dedication to initiatives geared towards reducing device costs. Among these initiatives are subsidies for feature phones and financing options facilitating the shift from 2G to 4G-enabled smartphones. Leveraging strategic partnerships, such as this collaboration with CRDB Bank, is instrumental in broadening their customer base.

Mobile money services in West Africa have grown significantly over the past decade, with registered accounts doubling, according to the 2024 'State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money' by the GSMA. In 2023, global money transactions increased by 14% year-over-year, totaling USD 2.7 million per minute. The GSMA Mobile Money Programme, supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, aims to improve mobile money ecosystems for underserved populations.

Ethiopia's mobile value-added services (MVAS) market is poised for significant growth, with projections indicating a substantial increase from US$ 1,434.5 million in 2022 to a staggering US$ 7,479.7 million by 2031. This exponential growth, forecasted at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 20.14% between 2023 and 2031, underscores the country's evolving telecom landscape and the rising prominence of mobile-based services.

The most recent Trade in Transition report, incorporating perspectives from international trade specialists and senior executives, including representatives from Egypt, emphasizes a significant uptick in businesses' adoption of technology and adaptable trade tactics. This study underscores the resilience of Egyptian enterprises in the face of economic adversities in 2023 and apprehensions surrounding geopolitical developments.

In the vibrant and innovative city of Dubai, UAE, from December 10 to 11, 2024, the highly anticipated annual Telecom Review Leaders’ Summit will be back as a cornerstone event in the ICT industry's calendar.

NetBlocks, an internet observatory, reported a major disruption in internet connectivity affecting West and Central Africa. This outage was compounded by multiple failures reported by operators of subsea cables in the region. Despite the widespread impact, the precise cause of these cable failures remained unclear at the time of reporting.

Nigeria has urged the West African region to adopt a unified and collaborative strategy to safeguard shared telecommunications infrastructure and enhance connectivity to ensure uninterrupted service. Reuben Muoka, spokesperson for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), emphasized this after recent disruptions caused by undersea cable cuts.

In the past decade, mobile financial services (MFS) have transformed the landscape of financial transactions, making it easier, faster, and more accessible for people around the globe to manage their money. This transformation is particularly significant in developing countries, where traditional banking infrastructure is sparse, but mobile phone penetration is high. From mobile banking to mobile wallets to peer-to-peer transfers to microloans, MFS have become a cornerstone of economic activity for individuals and businesses alike.

Amidst the ever-growing necessity for connectivity, telecom giants like MTN are forging ahead to ensure uninterrupted access for millions across Africa. Keeping an eye on the escalating demand for connectivity, MTN remains steadfast in its dedication to pioneering technological advancements, which aim to enhance network reliability and accessibility. Anchored by a strong commitment to customer-centricity and strategic alignment with its corporate objectives, MTN is poised to redefine the telecommunications landscape, ushering in a new era of connectivity and experience excellence across the region.

Driven by AI technologies, telecom companies are embarking on an accelerated transformation journey. Recognizing that advancing digital intelligence transformation hinges on the integration of vast carrier knowledge, experience, and data with cutting-edge AI technologies, Huawei, the leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices has identified the critical need for this fusion.