MTN Nigeria becomes the first African telecom provider to join PMI’s Global Executive Council, driving industry innovation. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

MTN Nigeria joins PMI Global Executive Council, marking Africa's first telecom firm to gain this recognition and shape global project management standards

George Asamani, MBA, the managing director for Sub-Saharan Africa at the Project Management Institute, awarded the official certificate of membership to Roger Shutte, general Manager of Infrastructure and cloud engineering at MTN Nigeria, recognising the company’s new role on the PMI Global Executive Council.

As a member of this esteemed council, MTN Nigeria now holds the potential to shape the future of project management worldwide. Through the exchange of best practices and valuable insights, MTN will play a key role in driving industry innovation, setting new standards, and fostering transformative change. The contributions of MTN, one of the globe's largest mobile network operators and the leading provider in Africa, will significantly enhance the Global Executive Council's collective efforts to promote excellence and innovation in project management.

This milestone underscores Africa’s growing prominence in the telecommunications sector, with MTN at the forefront of technological advancements and connectivity improvements across the continent. MTN Nigeria’s inclusion in the PMI Global Executive Council not only highlights its leadership but also establishes a new precedent as the first African telecom company to achieve this level of recognition.

AfriLabs joins ITU Development Sector, enhancing its mission to drive innovation and tech growth across Africa with global collaboration opportunities. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

AfriLabs has announced its official acceptance as a member of the ITU Development (ITU-D) Sector

During its session held from June 4-14, 2024, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council formally welcomed AfriLabs into its ranks.

The ITU, a specialised United Nations agency, focuses on information and communication technologies. The ITU-D Sector specifically aims to foster international collaboration and ensure equitable access to telecommunication and information technologies.

AfriLabs’ inclusion in ITU-D marks a significant milestone in its mission to advance innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology development across Africa. This new partnership will allow AfriLabs to engage in global discussions and initiatives that promote digital transformation and sustainable development in the region.

Anna Ekeledo, executive director of AfriLabs, expressed, “We are thrilled to join the ITU as an ITU-D Sector Member. This membership not only validates the efforts of AfriLabs in fostering innovation and technology growth in Africa but also provides us with a unique opportunity to collaborate on a global scale. We look forward to leveraging ITU’s vast resources and network to further our mission of empowering African tech hubs and startups, ultimately driving socio-economic development across the continent.”

Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, also welcomed AfriLabs: “I am pleased to welcome AfriLabs as a new ITU-D Sector Member. The AfriLabs’ vast network of technology and innovation hubs is aligned with ITU-D’s efforts in building capabilities in innovation and entrepreneurship for its members and will support the development of the African technology and innovation ecosystem.”

AfriLabs’ addition to the ITU-D Sector highlights the critical need to support technology and innovation in emerging markets. With its extensive network of over 450 innovation centers across 53 African countries, AfriLabs will contribute valuable insights and perspectives to ITU’s programs and initiatives.

For Ghanaian customers, this license means more efficient and secure money transfers across the country. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Flutterwave, a leading payments technology company, has recently secured an Enhanced Category Payment Service Provider license from the Bank of Ghana

This achievement signifies a major expansion of Flutterwave's presence across Africa, enabling the firm to offer a wide range of payment services directly within Ghana.

Ghana's favorable market conditions make it an ideal location for Flutterwave’s advanced solutions. With a stable democracy, a tech-savvy youth population, and a mobile internet penetration rate of 71%, Ghana is ripe for rapid digital growth. The country's digital payments market is expected to reach US$7bn in 2024 and grow at a rate of 15.78%, leading to a projected total value of US$12.96bn by 2028.

Ghana's payment revolution 

For Ghanaian customers, this license means more efficient and secure money transfers across the country. Businesses will gain access to direct collection and payout services, automated invoicing, payment links, and a versatile checkout solution that accommodates various payment methods such as cards, mobile money, and bank transfers.

Olugbenga ‘GB’ Agboola, founder & CEO of Flutterwave, commented, "When we started this journey, our goal was to unite the fragmented payment infrastructure in Africa, and securing this license in Ghana brings us a step closer to achieving that mission. At Flutterwave, we are committed to using our platform to promote economic growth to the nation, while also providing unparalleled service to all our prospective customers in Ghana and in the diaspora."

The Enhanced Category license enables Flutterwave to operate independently without relying on third-party services, making payment processes more efficient for both businesses and customers. Additionally, this license allows Flutterwave to support other licensed fintech companies in Ghana, contributing to a more integrated and effective financial ecosystem.

Oluwabankole Falade, chief regulatory officer at Flutterwave, said, "We are grateful to the Bank of Ghana for their trust and support in granting us this license. This milestone highlights our commitment to regulatory compliance and delivering secure, reliable payment solutions. We are excited to contribute to Ghana's dynamic business ecosystem and support the financial inclusion of Ghanaians, both locally and globally."

This agreement will enhance DTB’s digital strategy in Kenya, addressing increasing demand for digital payments. (Image source: Network International)

Diamond Trust Bank, a tier one bank listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), partners with Network International, the leading MEA digital commerce solutions provider, to enhance digital payment solutions, offering advanced card hosting, processing, and security features in Kenya 

This agreement will bolster DTB’s digital-first strategy in the Kenyan market, addressing the growing demand for digital payment solutions fueled by increasing internet penetration and mobile phone usage. Network will provide DTB with advanced digital payment solutions, including a sophisticated API gateway and stringent security protocols. The partnership encompasses a variety of payment products and services, such as debit, credit, and prepaid card hosting and processing, as well as e-commerce solutions. Additionally, DTB will gain access to value-added services like card fraud prevention, 3D Secure authentication, and card control solutions.

Jamie Loden, chief operating officer at DTB, emphasised the importance of customer delight, stating, “Our partnership with Network International marks a significant milestone in our efforts to expand our capabilities and elevate our services in a rapidly evolving digital environment. It also complements our desire to facilitate the inclusion of more citizens in the formal financial system. Our collaboration with a market leader like Network International will help us satisfy the growing demand among our customer base for new and superior card and digital banking experiences that are convenient, safe, and seamless, thereby ensuring customer delight.”

Dr Reda Helal, group managing director – processing, Africa & co-head group processing at Network International, commented, “We are excited to collaborate with Diamond Trust Bank in meeting the rising interest among the emerging middle class, youth and SME market segments, especially the unbanked, for services that support a digital lifestyle and enable financial inclusion.  We welcome the opportunity to support Diamond Trust Bank’s passion for providing best-in-class digital and card customer experiences by enabling innovation and enhanced operational efficiency, as well as broaden our contributions to the success of Diamond Trust Bank’s digital product innovation and expansion.”