Commerce

Mastercard Strive, Arifu, and MTN Group support small businesses in Côte d’Ivoire and Uganda with digital tools, skills, and financial access. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Mastercard Strive has teamed up with Arifu and MTN Group to empower nearly one million small businesses in Côte d’Ivoire and Uganda

The partnership focuses on digitizing operations, promoting the adoption of digital financial services, and connecting businesses to digital marketplaces through the MoMo Coach chatbot. This initiative equips small business owners with essential digital skills, enabling them to embrace digital tools, secure funding, and effectively participate in online marketplaces.

The MoMo Coach solution, powered by Arifu’s Grasp Platform, delivers micro-learning experiences through mobile messaging. Accessible on multiple platforms, including WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, SMS, and MoMo, it offers business owners and entrepreneurs the flexibility to access practical advice and actionable strategies for growth in the digital economy.

Since its launch in Côte d’Ivoire and Uganda, the program has reached over 930,000 MTN customers, merchants, and agents. More than 75,000 small business owners have taken advantage of free digital courses, with over 45,000 actively engaging with MoMo Coach. Available courses, such as “How to Start Your Business,” “Money Management,” and “Grow and Secure Your Business,” address common challenges like affordability and access to relevant knowledge. These courses are tailored to the needs of MoMo merchants and agents, equipping small business owners with tools to overcome obstacles and thrive in the digital landscape.

Bayobab Group advances Africa's connectivity with innovative solutions, empowering businesses and fostering economic growth across the continent. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Bayobab Group has cemented its position as a leader in connectivity, earning the prestigious title of Best Wholesale Operator at the 2024 World Communication Awards

This recognition highlights the organisation’s innovative approach and commitment to delivering seamless, secure, and scalable connectivity across Africa and beyond.

Over the past 18 months, Bayobab has transitioned from a regional leader to Africa’s foremost wholesale operator, inspired by the iconic baobab tree's strength and resilience. The company’s expansive network has become a vital enabler for enterprises, operators, and governments seeking reliable connectivity to drive progress and enhance digital inclusion.

Driving innovation through strategic partnerships

As a continental gateway for data traffic, Bayobab connects 5.6 billion global mobile subscribers and nearly 300 million African users. By leveraging an open-access model and operating through Bayobab Fibre and Bayobab Communication Platforms, the organisation provides a robust ecosystem for innovation and growth.

Significant advancements in the past year include expanding its fibre network to 114,000 kilometers, ensuring high-speed, reliable connectivity across underserved areas. Collaborations with global technology leaders such as Meta, Google, and Microsoft have brought advanced solutions like WhatsApp Business Messaging and international fibre connectivity to clients. Tailored solutions have also been developed to address unique challenges, ensuring customer-specific network and communication needs are met.

Key partnerships have been instrumental in achieving these milestones. Collaborations like the East2West fibre project with Africa50 and Smart Africa have facilitated seamless global market access for landlocked countries, while the 2Africa subsea cable landings deliver high-capacity bandwidth to enhance operations and service delivery.

Bayobab’s commitment to integrating cybersecurity, sustainability, and future-ready infrastructure ensures that customers remain competitive in an evolving digital landscape. This award underscores the organisation’s dedication to delivering innovative connectivity solutions that empower businesses, foster economic growth, and transform communities across Africa and the world.

MTN South Africa launches Digital Experience Centre, redefining connectivity with immersive technology and customer-focused experiences. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

MTN South Africa has unveiled its cutting-edge Digital Experience Centre in Johannesburg's Morningside, setting a new standard for retail spaces focused on digital communications and connectivity

This innovative Centre offers an immersive and interactive experience, allowing visitors to explore the future of telecommunications through hands-on engagement with advanced technology.

According to Mmenyana Ranku, general manager of the Branded Retail Channel at MTN South Africa, the Centre addresses the growing need for consumers to understand the full potential of their mobile devices and the technology that powers modern communication. “The MTN Digital Experience Centre embodies our commitment to staying ahead of global trends while meeting the evolving needs of our customers.”

“We believe that to remain relevant, we must continuously adapt and create experiences that reflect how technology is becoming an essential part of everyday life. The Centre redefines the traditional retail model by integrating cutting-edge technology into meaningful, hands-on interactions. Every aspect is designed to inspire exploration, delivering a personalised journey with immersive product demonstrations and tailored recommendations,” Ranku added.

MTN aims to make technology accessible and intuitive, helping customers see how it can enhance their lives. “Aligned with MTN’s vision for the future, the Centre highlights the latest innovations, keeping customers connected to what’s new and relevant. It also tells the story of our partnerships—demonstrating how the products and services we offer empower people and enrich their digital experiences,” remarked Ranku.

Immersive, future-focused experiences

The Centre places heavy emphasis on interactivity, encouraging customers to explore devices and services at their own pace through self-service kiosks. Its experiential areas truly showcase MTN’s technological strengths. The Connected Home Area demonstrates how MTN’s 5G technology can power smart home devices, from security systems to automated lighting and kitchen appliances. The six interconnected zones in this area highlight the seamless integration of various devices, creating an ecosystem designed to enhance everyday living.

Empowering businesses

MTN’s Digital Experience Centre also provides businesses with an overview of services aimed at boosting productivity and connectivity:

• Unified Communications and Collaboration (UCC): MTN’s UCC suite supports advanced voice, video conferencing, messaging, file sharing, and collaboration tools across platforms and devices.
• Cloud Services: From hosting applications to offering cloud backup and recovery, MTN’s cloud solutions safeguard business data and ensure continuity in case of cyber threats or disruptions.
• Internet of Things (IoT): MTN’s IoT services allow businesses to monitor and manage IoT devices in real-time, enhancing operational efficiency.
• MTN Private Networks: Businesses benefit from secure, dedicated networks that ensure better performance and reliability.
• Managed Security Services: MTN’s Managed Security suite offers businesses protection against cyber threats, with advanced monitoring and real-time defense.

Showcasing cutting-edge devices and gaming

The Handset Manufacturers Walk features store-in-store displays from top brands such as Apple, OPPO, Vivo, Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, and Honor, each offering pre- and post-sales support. Visitors can experience MTN’s network capabilities through PS5 gaming stations in the Gaming Area, playing popular games like Fortnite and FIFA. Through a partnership with Mettlestate, MTN hosts regular gaming tournaments where customers can compete for prizes.

The Centre also includes a Talk Studio for small events, featuring an intelligent screen that displays AI-generated content. This space gives visitors a glimpse into the future of AI in communications. Additionally, a high-tech boardroom is available for client meetings, providing an opportunity to explore MTN’s featured services and solutions.

“The MTN Experience Centre is more than just a store—it’s a celebration of mobile technology and a window into the future of connectivity,” concludes Ranku. “It embodies our commitment to pushing boundaries and offering customers an unmatched experience where technology truly comes to life.”

Grid operators rely on Brady's portable printers to ensure fast, reliable cable and cabinet identification, enhancing service restoration efficiency. (Image source: Brady Corporation)

A large grid operator needed reliable identification labels and printers to enable technicians to quickly recognise and code any cable in the field. Read the short case study and see how the challenge was answered by Brady specialists 

Power must flow. Of the many challenges grid operators face, keeping companies and homes powered 24/7 is without a doubt a very important one. Outages must be prevented, and if they do happen, power must be restored quickly after a cable or pipe was damaged, or malfunctioned.

Clearly labelled electrical cabinets and cables greatly support the speed and efficiency of time-sensitive interventions during the day and at night. Because of this, our customer needed a fast and flexible label printing solution. Above all, they needed reliable labels that stay attached and remain legible.

Solutions: Versatile and fast field labelling solution

Brady proposed the M410 Label Printer, B-342 sleeves, B-427 self-laminating vinyl labels and B-595 in- and outdoor yellow vinyl labels. Our customer also decided on the M710 Label Printer to print bigger sized labels and pre-slitted sleeves at the office.

The M410 Label Printer is an easy to use, rugged, portable printing solution that can create both die-cut and continuous labels up to 25 mm wide in the field. The printer automatically recognises label cartridges and auto-calibrates when a label or sleeve cartridge is inserted. This makes the M410 Label Printer a versatile and fast field labelling solution.

B-342 sleeves meet the requirements of SAE AS23053/5 (Class 1) for Insulation Sleeving and SAE AS-81531 for Marking of Electrical Insulating Materials. The cable sleeve stays attached indefinitely and offers good print legibility. The sleeves are highly reliable, and can be counted on during fast interventions. They are available for a wide variety of cable diameters, including 6, 12 and 18 mm. The grid operator uses black-on-yellow B-342 sleeve cartridges for the M410 Label Printer to maximise fast legibility.

B-427 self-laminating vinyl labels are also ideal for wire and cable identification. They offer good clarity, conform easily to the shape of a cable and they can resist water and oil. Our customer uses black-on-yellow B-427 label cartridges for the M410 Label Printer to identify already terminated cables.

The power grid operator also prints yellow B-595 vinyl labels with the M410 Label Printer, and in larger sizes with the M710 Label Printer to identify electrical cabinets on the outside. B-595 is a sturdy, all-round identification label with good outdoor resistance. The labels enable field technicians to quickly recognise the electrical cabinet that needs to be serviced.

Results: Quickly recognise cabinets and cables

When a power outage does occur, the power grid operator is very well prepared to restore the flow of energy quickly. Reliable labels enable technicians in the field to deliver their best work fast, because they can easily recognise the cabinet or cable that needs servicing. When a cable or component is replaced, technicians can immediately add a new label with the M410 Label Printer to keep the entire network identified, and ready for efficient upgrades or maintenance.

Identify any cable or component

As an installation professional you know what a nightmare unidentified cables & components can be.  Professional identification labels take away this frustration and increase your job efficiency. With a Brady Portable Printer you can print any label you need on-site in mere seconds, even die-cut and custom labels.

Learn more about Importance of professional labelling in the free guidebook from Brady >>