Two new computer rooms provide 3,000 students and teachers with modern tech, high-speed internet, and training. (Image source: Paratus Group)

Internet Technologies Angola S.A. has inaugurated two new computer rooms at the Chiazi Polytechnic Institute in Cabinda, providing over 3,000 students and teachers with access to modern computers, interactive displays, and high-speed internet

The initiative forms part of Paratus’ commitment to expanding digital inclusion and equipping Africa’s next generation with the skills required for a digital future.

Funded through the Internet Technologies Angola S.A. Solidarity Golf event and contributions from corporate partners CABSHIP and NOSSA SEGUROS, the facilities are further supported by ANGOSAT-2 satellite technology, extending reliable connectivity to one of Angola’s most remote regions. Paratus will continue providing maintenance, technical support, and training to ensure the labs remain fully operational and impactful for years to come.

Francisco Pinto Leite, country manager of Internet Technologies Angola S.A., said, "Our focus is on creating sustainable educational resources that empower local teachers and students to build practical skills. Projects like this go beyond technology and to strengthen our community and foster long-term growth."

Schalk Erasmus, CEO of Paratus Group, added, "Paratus believes that access to digital tools is the foundation for Africa’s future. By investing in innovative projects, we are shaping opportunities for young people to develop skills that will help them participate fully in the global digital economy."

The launch of these computer rooms in Cabinda highlights Paratus’ dedication to long-term social investment in education and digital inclusion across Africa. By combining innovative technology, local partnerships, and sustainable support, Paratus aims to create opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom, helping communities thrive in an increasingly connected world.

Sandy Motley, president, Fixed Networks, Nokia. (Image source: Nokia)

Nokia has announced that fibertime is expanding its fibre broadband access footprint to reach an additional 400,000 homes across South Africa’s underserved communities

This rollout is part of fibertime’s broader goal of connecting 2 million homes by 2028. The company will deploy a combination of Nokia’s IP and fibre access technologies to build semi-mobile networks in underserved areas, providing end-users with unlimited high-speed internet across homes, businesses, and communities.

Under the agreement, fibertime will deploy Nokia’s Lightspan access nodes and Wi-Fi 6 enabled fiber access points, using Nokia’s ONT Easy Start to automate and simplify fiber modem activation and streamline deployments. Fibertime will also implement Nokia’s 7750 Wireless Access Gateway to create a single SSID network, allowing customers to move around their townships while staying connected.

“With Nokia’s support, we’re able to significantly ramp up the roll-out of our low-cost, high-speed, fiber internet service to underserved township communities across South Africa. We’re now connecting 1,200 households a day to flexible, high-speed access — up to 950Mbps in some cases — without the need for contracts or debit orders. Once a township is connected, customers simply buy vouchers at a local spaza, retail outlet, or via their banking app, enter the voucher number in their fibertime app, and immediately have access to unlimited and unthrottled fiber-to-the-home internet at a cost of R5 per day,” said Danvig De Bruyn, CEO, fibertime.

To further enhance automation and scalability across its network, fibertime will also deploy Nokia’s Altiplano and Network Services Platform solutions, along with the Altiplano Fiber Health Analyzer, which detects network anomalies and identifies potential issues before they escalate.

“Nokia’s automation and AI-powered tools not only help us to improve operational efficiencies but also enhance the reliability of our FTTH network. We can now detect disruptions earlier and resolve incidents more quickly to ultimately improve the subscriber experience,” commented De Bruyn.

“Reliable broadband is critical for thriving communities—powering education, healthcare, and local economies. Yet too many people remain unconnected because of the unique challenges tied to where they live. With our fiber and IP solutions, we’re changing that, bringing broadband services to thousands of customers at once, in regions once considered too difficult to serve,” said Sandy Motley, president, Fixed Networks, Nokia.  

The agreement to connect an additional 400,000 homes builds on a previous announcement between Nokia and fibertime™ to deploy FTTH networks across Cape Town, Johannesburg, Gqeberha, Mangaung and Stellenbosch.  

Merger creates UAE homegrown fintech leader to drive innovation, scale, and financial inclusion across Middle East and Africa

Network International, a leading fintech company across the Middle East and Africa (MEA), has officially completed its strategic merger with Magnati, a prominent payment solution provider in the UAE, under the ownership of a Brookfield-led consortium

The newly merged entity will operate as Network International LLC. With an enhanced suite of offerings including digital payments, data-driven insights, SME lending, and advanced fraud prevention, the combined platform is positioned to drive innovation, scale, and financial inclusion across the region. The company will continue partnering with governments to accelerate digital transformation and broaden access to financial services throughout MEA.

Hadi Badri, chairman of the board of Network International, said, “This merger creates a UAE homegrown fintech champion for the Middle East and Africa region with attractive opportunities for growth and innovation. The combined platform of Network International and Magnati will empower local merchants to thrive in one of the world’s most dynamic fintech regions.”

Murat Cagri Suzer, CEO, added, “By uniting two leaders with deep regional expertise and capabilities, we are creating a fintech platform with the scale, technology, and talent to shape the future of digital commerce across the region. Together, we bring even greater value to our clients and partners through diverse product offerings, faster innovation, enhanced data and insights, and a stronger geographic footprint.”

The integration of both businesses will be conducted in a phased manner, with their brands continuing to coexist for the time being.

2025 CPR Manufacturing Report shows rising ransomware and cyber risks for global and African manufacturers

Check Point’s research, as detailed in its 2025 CPR Manufacturing Report, highlights rising cyber threats against the global manufacturing sector

The manufacturing industry is under increasing pressure from cyberattacks, with organisations facing an average of 1,585 weekly incidents in 2025 — a 30% increase year-over-year.

Africa’s industrial and manufacturing entities are not immune, experiencing an average of 1,872 attacks per week over the last four weeks, highlighting the growing global threat landscape.

Ransomware remains the dominant concern, inflicting losses that can reach hundreds of millions of dollars and, in severe cases, pushing companies into insolvency. Beyond financial impacts, cyberattacks disrupt production, delay shipments, erode customer trust, and attract regulatory scrutiny. As such, cybersecurity has become a core business risk, not merely an IT concern.

“Attackers know that every hour of halted production can cost millions. That’s why ransomware groups view manufacturers as prime targets: they don’t need to steal sensitive customer data when they can simply shut down operations and demand payment,” explained Lorna Hardie, regional director: Africa, Check Point Software Technologies.

Global examples illustrate the potential consequences. In 2023, a ransomware attack disrupted Clorox operations, leading to US$356mn in quarterly losses. Nucor, North America’s largest steel producer, had to halt production after a 2025 cyber breach. Sensata Technologies suffered delays in shipping and production due to ransomware, and sustained attacks forced Schumag AG into insolvency in 2024.

Supply chain connectivity further amplifies risk. Manufacturers rely on extensive networks of suppliers, global partners, and IoT/OT systems, meaning that one vulnerable link can compromise entire production lines. Criminal groups now sell access to manufacturing networks, giving ransomware affiliates direct paths into operations. In Africa, heavy reliance on Europe as a trading partner increases vulnerability, particularly with the EU’s NIS2 Directive imposing stricter security requirements on critical sectors. “African businesses must act now to comply with the EU's NIS2 Directive or risk losing valuable revenue streams through their European trading partners,” Hardie warned.

State-backed and hacktivist groups are also increasingly targeting manufacturers. Intellectual property theft, including drone blueprints, automotive designs, and defense-related technologies, has been on the rise. Politically motivated disruptions affect manufacturers tied to critical infrastructure, energy, and defense supply chains. Such incidents underscore that manufacturing security is not only a technical issue but also a matter of national competitiveness and economic stability.

To safeguard operations, executives are urged to adopt proactive strategies:

• Build resilience into operations: Treat downtime as a board-level risk, test continuity plans, and ensure recovery times are measured in hours.

• Secure the supply chain: Implement cyber standards across vendors, enforce visibility into third-party access points, and address potential vulnerabilities.

• Protect intellectual property: Recognise that cyber threats are increasingly deliberate and geopolitical. Invest in monitoring, advanced detection, and data-loss prevention.

• Invest in proactive defense: Move beyond compliance to prevent disruptions before they occur.

“Executives who embrace these priorities are not just defending against today’s threats, they are building a competitive edge. In an industry where uptime, trust, and innovation drive market share, resilience becomes a differentiator,” Hardie noted.

With cyberattacks intensifying in both frequency and sophistication, manufacturing executives must act decisively. Those who prioritize cyber resilience today will protect not only their production lines but also the long-term future and competitiveness of their business.