Network International extends partnership with EGBANK to enhance ATM acquiring services and drive digital payment transformation in Egypt. (Image source: Network International)

Network International has announced the expansion of its strategic partnership with EGBANK to advance the bank’s ATM acquiring services, marking a key development in enhancing EGBANK’s banking experience and driving its digital transformation with cutting-edge solutions

This extended collaboration will harness Network’s expertise to bolster EGBANK’s market position in Egypt. It also builds on the existing relationship by integrating new payment technologies and innovative solutions to boost consumer trust and convenience.

Hossam El Sholkamy, deputy CEO of EGBANK, stated, “We are thrilled to enter a new phase of growth through the strategic partnership with Network International. Using Network’s expertise, we are shaping the market with new products and services that will facilitate our digital payment transformation, offering an elevated experience for our customers and emphasising our pivotal role in the Egyptian financial market.”

Dr Reda Helal, group managing director – processing, Africa & co-head group processing at Network International, commented, “We are excited to extend our existing partnership with EGBANK to transform digital payments for their customers in the ATM acquiring side of the business. Implementing Network’s innovative solutions underlines the bank’s impact in the Egypt market by providing superior payment experiences. We look forward to capturing the opportunities that lie ahead and achieving new heights of success by working together.”

True hybrid networks integrate diverse connections into a seamless, unified network regardless of infrastructure. (Image source: Livewire Digital)

Livewire digital managing director Tristan Wood focuses on the impact of autonomous networks on Telcos and the Maritime Sector, following the launch of Inmarsat's NexusWave Driven by Livewire's RazorLink SD-WAN Software

Telecommunications companies are deeply involved in the journey of network automation. This is driven by artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and the pressure to increase margins from connectivity while maintaining prices. However, another significant development is the impact of hybrid connectivity, which involves bonding multiple networks. Tristan Wood, UK MD of Livewire Digital, suggests this could be a major disruptor, especially in the maritime sector.

A PwC industry survey last year found nearly half of telecom CEOs predicted existential threats unless their companies adapted to the changing market. The entry of other B2B operators into the connectivity space is intensifying the battle for revenue.

Currently, satellite dominates maritime broadband communications, but the cost of airtime remains a key concern. True hybrid connectivity, which bonds multiple networks and routes traffic via the most effective network, is becoming crucial. Inmarsat’s newly launched NexusWave offers a unified multi-dimensional network that combines traditional GEO satellite connectivity with more cost-effective services, such as Low Earth Orbit satellite (LEO) and terrestrial LTE cellular services when near coastal cell sites.

Network autonomy is also a focal point for many telecom companies. These next-generation networks use generative AI tools to self-monitor and resolve technical issues on demand, potentially revolutionising telephony and connectivity markets. The transition from Level 3 autonomy (automating tasks within pre-defined limits) to Level 5 autonomy (adapting to unknown conditions) is inevitable, depending on how quickly established and new players implement it.

According to TM Forum,  the global industry association for service providers and their suppliers, most telcos (84%) are not yet at Level 3 autonomy, which ranges from manual maintenance to closed-loop operations with selective AI in specific environments. Capgemini Research Institute indicates most telcos aim to achieve at least Level 3 autonomy by 2028.

Why is this important?

Autonomous networks offer benefits in quality of service (QoS), experience (QoE), and cost-efficiency. Various autonomous network initiatives over the past two years have shown operational performance improvements by up to 20% and reductions in operational expenditure (OpEx) by 18%. The economics alone are compelling.

Although delving into the technical details of implementing autonomy across fixed-line, cellular, or satellite networks isn't possible here, the broad principles are similar. These include customer-facing conditions like subscriber churn and behavior predictive analysis, predictive maintenance, network slice optimisation, adaptive and dynamic network policies, and network failure prediction. Collectively, the benefits are substantial.

For telcos using satellite and cellular or other networks, the advantages of hybrid connectivity are even greater. This brings us back to the concept of true hybrid networks, which transition from vertical integration of autonomy to a three-dimensional approach.

True hybrid networks are heterogeneous, turning a single bonded connection (fixed-line, cellular, satellite, emergency services network) into one seamless connection, offering ubiquitous, always-on connectivity. Intelligent management of resources to suit various conditions is crucial in government and business-critical environments, where lives and livelihoods are at stake. Inmarsat’s NexusWave demonstrates the maritime sector’s potential to benefit from this technology.

Hybrid connectivity, enabled by SD-WAN, uses software-defined networking to distribute network traffic across a WAN, creating a virtual overlay that bonds underlying private or public WAN connections like fiber, wireless, satellite, or cellular. This seamless combination and transition between networks allow multiple technologies to work together, sharing the load and resources.

A hybrid platform adapts to various variables to optimise performance and reduce costs, using the most cost-effective option. Integrating existing and future connectivity services can enhance efficiency in systems, workflows, and people. Despite advances like 5G and LEO satellite services, no single network can address the demand for seamless connectivity on the move. Hybrid connectivity offers a comprehensive solution for coverage, bandwidth, reliability, and cost.

The market opportunities for true hybrid connectivity are vast. It addresses the challenges of dynamic connections across different network coverages, making it suitable for industries like defense, space exploration, autonomous vehicles, emergency services, telehealth, cloud-based HPC, AI, and machine learning. Hybrid connectivity enables intelligent connections, revolutionising telecommunications and other technology-driven sectors.

The maritime sector, with its need for data and speed of connection, will benefit greatly from true hybrid connectivity. Inmarsat’s NexusWave, featuring RazorLink’s SD-WAN technology, addresses challenges of network connectivity, efficiency, and cost.

Telecommunication companies face a critical pivot point. Embracing true hybrid connectivity early could yield significant market opportunities, allowing telcos to capitalise on this technology before others move into the space.

enza will leverage TerraPay’s extensive connectivity to over 2.1 billion mobile wallets globally. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

enza, an innovative payments technology company, and TerraPay, a leading global money movement company, are excited to announce a strategic partnership aimed at transforming Africa's payments landscape

This collaboration addresses two significant issues hindering business growth in Africa, thereby accelerating financial inclusion:

Transforming the payment acceptance landscape:

enza will leverage TerraPay’s extensive connectivity to over 2.1 billion mobile wallets globally, enabling the acceptance of these wallets alongside other domestic and international payment brands, both online and in-person.

Simplifying cross-border payments for African businesses:

Many businesses in Africa face challenges in making or receiving cross-border payments efficiently and cost-effectively. This partnership will address these issues by utilising TerraPay’s access to over 7.5 billion bank accounts, more than 2 billion wallets, and over 6 million cards worldwide.

Commenting on the partnership, enza executive director Andrew Key said, “We are thrilled to find an internationally renowned partner in TerraPay. enza is delighted to be able to incorporate TerraPay’s capabilities into our propositions being delivered to many of Africa’s leading banks. We are particularly excited about the role the partnership will play in transforming the experience of businesses across Africa, bringing many of them into the formal financial ecosystem for the first time.”

Ani Sane, co-founder and chief business officer at TerraPay, added, “The enza leadership’s track record and depth of their relationships across Africa are unparalleled, so combining their market reach and services with our money movement network makes us very optimistic about the future of this partnership. This will be a further step towards enabling true financial inclusion, by empowering transactions that can change lives, irrespective of the size or volume.”

BII announces a U$20m loan to TerraPay to enhance low-cost, high-speed remittance transfers to Africa, promoting financial inclusion and economic opportunities. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

British International Investment (BII), the UK's development finance institution (DFI) and impact investor, has announced a US$20mn senior secured loan to TerraPay, a global cross-border payments processor that focuses on remittance transfers into Africa

This investment aims to lower costs, increase speed, and enhance the reliability and accessibility of remittance transfers into the continent, thereby improving financial inclusion.

Reducing Africa's remittance costs

Sub-saharan Africa has the highest remittance costs globally, with an average cost of 8% for sending US$200 in 2022, compared to the global average of 6.2%. This cost is more than double the Sustainable Development Goal target of 3%, according to the World Bank.

TerraPay's network connects traditional money transfer operators, such as Western Union, and digital-only fintechs like Wise, with major mobile money operators in Africa, including M-Pesa, MTN Mobile Money, and Airtel Mobile Money. Its technology-enabled model facilitates real-time, lower-cost digital money transfers, addressing the issues of high transfer fees and slow settlements for the African diaspora.

BII's funding will be used as part of TerraPay's working capital to pre-fund increasing remittance volumes to Africa. The funding will prioritise key African corridors, with high volumes expected in Kenya, Ghana, Egypt, Uganda, Tanzania, Cameroon, Mali, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Mozambique.

BII is committing through Lendable's existing senior secured facility, leveraging the partner's expertise in fintech debt investing across Africa and their investment monitoring capabilities.

Chris Chijiutomi, managing director and head of Africa at BII, stated, "Sending money to Africa is expensive. That is why our investment in TerraPay is critical to help increase availability of lower-cost, efficient, accessible, and reliable remittances. This aligns with our goal to support resilient financing and improve economic opportunities on the continent."

Suresh Samuel, managing director and head of fintech at Lendable, added, "We have been supporting TerraPay since 2020, as the company accelerated its growth facilitating remittances across emerging markets. We continue to believe in the importance of increasing digital payments globally and are excited to work with BII in furthering support to TerraPay to expand this mandate."