As a Google Cloud Interconnect provider, Liquid C2 can now offer its customers direct access to Google Cloud services. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Liquid C2, a division of Liquid Intelligent Technologies and a prominent pan-African technology group, has become the first Google Cloud Interconnect provider in Africa

This strategic collaboration with Google Cloud, a leading global hyperscaler, greatly enhances the cloud solutions that Liquid C2 provides to its customers across the continent through its Cloud Connect portfolio.

Cloud Interconnect allows organisations to extend their external networks directly to the Google Cloud network via a private, high-availability, low-latency connection. As a Google Cloud Interconnect provider, Liquid C2 can now offer its customers direct access to Google Cloud services. This enables African companies to leverage the full benefits of the Cloud.

The direct connection's increased speed and higher bandwidth significantly improve the performance of cloud-based applications. By utilising this service, Liquid C2 customers will reduce their dependence on the public internet, thereby enhancing security and overall business performance.

“Being the first Google Cloud Interconnect provider on the continent is a significant milestone on our journey to becoming the leading provider of cloud solutions in Africa. By partnering with Google Cloud, we can leverage the strengths of both organisations to offer solutions that address the needs of the African market. Direct access to the Google Cloud network will bring about the enhanced security and operating efficiencies that our customers in wholesale, enterprise, and government are seeking,” said Oswald Jumira, CEO of Liquid C2.

Liquid C2’s partnership with Google Cloud aligns perfectly with its vision of a digitally enabled Africa where no African is left behind. It also reflects Liquid C2’s commitment to empowering businesses on the continent with tailored solutions to meet their unique technological needs.

This partnership builds on Liquid C2’s existing collaborations with Google Cloud to provide AI-driven cloud and security solutions to customers across Africa, further enhancing its position as a trusted Managed Service Provider.

Siemon expands UltraMAXTM with 48-port patch panels, Turbo Tool, and pre-terminated cables, enhancing performance and streamlining network installations. (Image source: Siemon)

Siemon, a global leader in network infrastructure solutions, has announced the expansion of its UltraMAXTM copper connectivity system with innovative new products designed to enhance network performance and versatility

Following the successful initial launch of UltraMAX, the latest additions include UltraMAX 48-port patch panels in 1U flat and angled configurations, the UltraMAX Turbo Tool, and pre-terminated copper trunk cables. These new products promise to deliver exceptional connectivity and streamline the installation process.

UltraMAX is designed to surpass conventional limitations, boosting the performance of category 5e, 6, and 6A UTP systems. Combining ease of use, high quality, and top-tier performance within a sleek, modern design, UltraMAX meets today’s dynamic networking requirements. The system includes a comprehensive range of outlets, patch panels, and termination tools, allowing users to design, configure, and implement category 5e, 6, and 6A UTP network deployments with maximum flexibility. Featuring Siemon’s innovative linear punch-down technology, UltraMAX outlets guide and verify proper conductor placement, ensuring fast and easy terminations for users of all skill levels. This results in superior, consistent, and reliable terminations, reducing installation time and eliminating costly reworks.

The new UltraMAX 48-port patch panels are expertly engineered to maximise space and efficiency. Available in both flat and angled configurations, these panels allow users to optimise rack space while meeting stringent Category 6A Alien Crosstalk requirements. Constructed from high-strength steel with a scratch-resistant finish, these panels provide a durable foundation for critical network connections. Designed for significant space efficiency, they offer 48 ports in just 1U, minimising rack space usage while upholding strict Category 6A Alien Crosstalk standards. Features such as customisable labels, color-coded icons, and a magnified label holder simplify port identification and management. Removable rear cable managers help maintain organised cabling and optimal performance. These panels are available as empty, kitted, or pre-loaded with outlets.

The UltraMAX Turbo Tool is designed for user-friendly efficiency, drastically reducing termination time for category 5e, 6, and 6A UTP UltraMAX outlets. Unlike traditional single-conductor punch-down tools, the Turbo Tool terminates all 8 conductors in a single action, enhancing productivity and ensuring reliable high-performance connections. It features a rotatable tool head for flexible cable entry and compliance with bend radius requirements. Constructed from 16-gauge steel and high-impact resistant plastics, the tool is built to withstand job site conditions. Its ergonomic design includes a spring-loaded handle for comfortable one-handed operation, accelerating termination time by 15 percent compared to traditional tools. The integrated safety latch secures the handles for safe storage, and the replaceable cutting die extends the tool’s lifespan, ensuring flawless terminations across all category 5e, 6, and 6A UTP UltraMAX outlets. The tool supports terminations for UltraMAX hybrid, keystone, and panel-style outlets.

"UltraMAX signifies Siemon’s commitment to advancing copper connectivity solutions”, commented Kevin Stronkowsky, Siemon’s global copper product manager. "The expansion of UltraMAX with these new products underscores our dedication to innovation, providing intuitive, high-quality solutions that meet evolving customer needs. UltraMAX Reloaded introduces a new standard of efficiency and performance to UTP systems, enabling our clients to deploy networks swiftly and reliably."

The African Banking Digital Transformation Report by African Banker and Backbase offers vital insights into Africa's digital banking revolution. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The African Banking Digital Transformation Report, by African Banker and Backbase, provides key insights into the digital revolution in Africa's banking sector, highlighting trends, innovations, and financial inclusion efforts

The African Banking Digital Transformation Report, a collaboration between the pan-African publication African Banker and Backbase, the creators of The Engagement Banking Platform, stands as a pivotal resource in Africa's financial news sphere, providing comprehensive insights into the ongoing digital revolution within the continent's banking sector

Africa’s burgeoning population, projected to reach 2.49 billion by 2050, along with a remarkable surge in the usage of smartphones and tablets (with mobile phones accounting for 75% of web traffic), sets the stage for a significant expansion in digital banking. The advantages, including speed, convenience, and enhanced user data, enable banks to offer more personalised solutions for their clients. In 2021, the most recent year with complete data, 55.07% of the African population had a bank or mobile money account, a substantial increase from 23.33% in 2011.

Digital: The way forward

The 2024 edition of The African Banking Digital Transformation Report highlights that 76% of banks consider digital transformation as either their top priority or among their top three priorities, while the remaining 24% also regard it as crucial. With nearly half of the continent lacking access to any form of bank account, including around 60% of women, this result signifies the potential for banks to expand their customer base through inclusive digital offerings.

This year, cloud computing emerged as the most frequently mentioned technology being integrated into digitisation strategies, surpassing Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity & Resilience as the primary driver since our 2023 survey. This shift can be attributed to the increasing sophistication of AI solutions, which now extend into other technological areas, including Cybersecurity.

In an interview for the report, Ecobank group chief digital officer Nvalaye Kourouma stated, “I really see AI as a game-changer, both internally and externally” because AI-powered tools help overcome language barriers for engaging customers in different countries. “We now have the capability to build local natural languages into our AI interactions so that language and writing are no longer barriers. Speech and image can be used to communicate more effectively. AI opens the door for a different level of engagement with our customers, so it’s encouraging,” he added.

The 2024 edition of the Report draws on comprehensive survey data from over 150 banks across 35 countries, offering an in-depth analysis of current digital banking trends, key innovations, and progress in digital transformation. This publication underscores Backbase's dedication to advancing technology and promoting financial inclusion in Africa.

The demand for cloud services in Africa is robust, with the Infrastructure as a Service & Platform as a Service sectors projected to grow annually by 18% to reach US$13bn by 2028. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Orange Middle East & Africa (OMEA) and Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS) have jointly announced their upcoming deployment of AWS Wavelength in Morocco and Senegal later this year

This collaboration aims to provide startups, enterprises, and public organisations with the opportunity to securely process and store data locally, utilise AWS services for digital innovation, and create low-latency applications. These zones mark the pioneering AWS Wavelength Zones accessible through both wireless and wireline connections, empowering any customer to deploy and operate applications locally on AWS infrastructure situated in Orange data centers. This initiative enables developers to cater to various use cases, particularly in highly regulated sectors such as telecom, finance, public services, and healthcare, as well as industries reliant on low-latency applications like gaming. By extending AWS services locally, customers can seamlessly integrate with their existing applications and access the full spectrum of cloud services available in an AWS Region, benefiting from the security, scalability, and reliability of AWS.

The demand for cloud services in Africa is robust, with the Infrastructure as a Service & Platform as a Service sectors projected to grow annually by 18% to reach US$13bn by 2028. McKinsey reports early indications of Africa's growing embrace of cloud services, indicating sustained momentum in this direction. The introduction of the new AWS Wavelength Zones will enable customers to harness cloud capabilities while meeting compliance standards for applications necessitating local data hosting.

Orange, a prominent global telecommunications operator with a customer base exceeding 298 million worldwide and a presence in 26 countries, including 18 in Africa and the Middle East, stands as a key partner in this endeavor. As an AWS Advanced Tier Services Partner, Orange boasts a proven track record of supporting enterprises in their cloud adoption journeys. Leveraging the new local infrastructure, alongside existing AWS Regions, Orange is poised to drive cloud adoption in Africa. Additionally, Orange will serve as an anchor customer for the AWS Wavelength Zones, deploying some of its IT workloads locally to accelerate its digital transformation efforts.

Jérôme Hénique, CEO at Orange Middle East and Africa said, “The announcement of AWS Wavelength Zones for North & West Africa is a major achievement in our strategy to foster the cloud transformation of African businesses. We are providing the benefits of AWS to Moroccan and Senegalese organisations, from SMBs to MNCs, while ensuring data residency in secure Orange Datacenters in combination with our best-in-class connectivity solutions.”

Historically, AWS Wavelength Zones have existed in countries with AWS Regions. Today’s announcement showcases a new and evolved AWS Wavelength Zone design to help meet the needs of customers in these emerging geographies, providing the key benefit of bringing AWS services into countries without an AWS Region or AWS Local Zone. Customers can deploy their applications to AWS compute and storage located within Orange’s data centers in Morocco and Senegal, so application traffic only needs to travel from the device to the local AWS Wavelength Zone either via Orange’s network or the network of another mobile or internet service provider. With the new design, customers can deploy applications with low latency and granular data residency controls, providing further choice to help customers address stringent data residency requirements, such as in-country for regulatory, contractual, or security reasons. The work together will also strengthen local digital businesses and startups, by encouraging innovation and offering simplified access to cloud services and development tools.

“The deployment of AWS Wavelength Zones in North and West Africa, in collaboration with Orange, will further empower customers in growing geographies with local AWS services,” said Jan Hofmeyr, vice-president of EC2 Edge at AWS. “Customers of all sizes and all industries in Morocco and Senegal will be able to access local AWS compute and storage for data residency, low latency, and security needs for applications across real-time gaming and regulated industries, helping customers unlock new innovation and accelerate digital transformation.”

Swarmio is a telco-grade gaming technology provider that offers unparalleled solutions that elevate the gaming experience and drive revenue for both telcos and game publishers. “There is a dynamic and growing gamer community in Africa, including Morocco and Senegal, and we want to provide them with advanced gaming experiences but run into technical hurdles involving locally available cloud services,” said Vijai Karthigesu, CEO and Founder of Swarmio. “AWS Wavelength will help us transform the worldwide gaming landscape by combining the power of AWS with our Swarmio Edge platform to provide an unmatched, low-latency experience that allows creators to connect and delights global game publishers and developers.”