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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.”

Zoho partners with She Code Africa to upskill African women in tech through intensive training in low-code development via the Young Creators Program. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Zoho, a global tech firm, has partnered with She Code Africa (SCA), a non-profit dedicated to empowering and upskilling African women in tech

In this collaboration, Zoho will conduct “Train the Trainer” sessions for SCA Academy instructors, introducing them to Zoho Creator, the company's low-code app development platform. These sessions aim to provide trainers with the skills needed to effectively utilise Zoho Creator. After the training, these instructors will share their knowledge with more students involved with SCA, enabling them to create impactful applications using low-code technology to address real business challenges.

This initiative is part of Zoho Creator’s broader ‘Young Creators Program’ (YCP), which started globally in 2022. The YCP focuses on preparing future business leaders by equipping them with advanced digital skills and encouraging technological innovation. The program’s goal is to cultivate the next generation of tech-savvy leaders and innovators.

Empowering tech talent

As part of the YCP, Zoho will host 30 female trainers from the SCA Academy for an intensive three-day training session in Lagos, Nigeria. The sessions will delve into enterprise-grade application development using low-code technology. Participants will receive training materials and complimentary access to the Creator platform for one year.

“At Zoho, we believe in supporting local communities by upskilling and hiring local talent, empowering local businesses with our technology, and promoting responsible and sustainable development. Our growth strategy, known as transnational localism, embodies these values. In continuation of this commitment to support progress at the grassroots, we are partnering with She Code Africa to equip Nigerian students with critical tech skills,” said Kehinde Ogundare, country head, Zoho Nigeria.

The YCP has already empowered over 2,000 students worldwide with hands-on training in Zoho Creator, providing them with completion certificates and attractive rewards. Beyond skill development, it enhances confidence, fosters personal growth, and opens new opportunities in the tech industry. Zoho’s investment in young talents is designed to ignite creativity and innovation, making essential tools accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or resources.

“The ‘Young Creators Program’ aims to bridge the technical skill gap and support talent-building for our youth who will be the next generation of leaders and professionals. We are glad to partner with Zoho to help our trainers learn the latest advancements in low-code technology, and then pass on the knowledge to our other students,” said Maryblessing Okolie, community manager.

She Code Africa is a non-profit organisation dedicated to celebrating and empowering young girls and women in technology across Africa. Through training, workshops, scholarships, mentorship, and more, it supports a vibrant community of over 51,000 members with the ambitious goal of empowering 100,000 girls by 2030.