MTN South Africa and Huawei have completed Africa’s first 5.5G network trial, marking a significant milestone in the region’s telecommunications landscape. The trial demonstrated the transformative potential of 5.5G technology, which offers key features such as 10 Gbps connection speeds, ten times the number of Internet of Things (IoT) connections, reduced latency, and improved energy efficiency.
These advancements represent a tenfold increase in network performance compared to current 5G networks, positioning South Africa at the forefront of digital innovation. Moreover, with ultra-fast speeds and advanced services like 24K extended reality (XR), high-speed Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), holographic conferencing, and enhanced private networks, 5.5G will not only drive the development of South Africa’s digital economy but also support new business opportunities.
In addition, it will bridge the digital divide, enabling previously unconnected regions and individuals to benefit from high-speed connectivity. As a result, this technological leap will be crucial in accelerating digital transformation, enhancing network efficiency, and creating new opportunities for consumers and enterprises across the country.
The successful trial utilised Huawei’s commercial SingleRAN technology, ultra-wideband, active-antenna units, and advanced beamforming techniques, ultimately achieving an ultra-high-speed experience of 8.6 Gbps. In particular, the trial leveraged millimetre wave and C-band spectrum resources in 5G standalone mode, showcasing the capabilities of 5.5G in real-world conditions.
Why does it matter?
Furthermore, the collaboration between MTN and Huawei reflects a shared vision of advancing Africa’s digital future by providing cutting-edge technologies and accelerating the region’s digital economy. As Huawei continues to support Africa’s development, this partnership demonstrates MTN’s ongoing commitment to innovation and the delivery of enhanced solutions that improve the lives of South Africans.
INTRO Technology has entered into a strategic partnership with Sterling and Wilson Data Center (SWDC) by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the Kemet Data Center project located in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE). Under this agreement, SWDC will serve as the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor, overseeing key responsibilities such as design, planning, budgeting, and timeline management.
That partnership is significant for enhancing Egypt’s digital infrastructure and solidifying the country’s role as a leader in the data centre and cloud services industry. The Kemet Data Center is designed to meet the growing demand for cloud services, the Internet of Things (IoT), and digital transformation across the Middle East and Africa, providing secure and scalable data storage solutions.
Both Hatem Suliman, Vice Chairman and Group CEO of INTRO Holding, and Prasanna Sarambale, CEO of SWDC, expressed their enthusiasm for the collaboration, emphasising their commitment to international standards and alignment with Egypt’s Vision 2030. The partnership is crucial as it combines the technological expertise of INTRO Technology with SWDC’s extensive experience in constructing high-quality data centres.
Why does it matter?
By enhancing the digital infrastructure in Egypt, the Kemet Data Center will position the country as a competitive hub for international investments, foster economic growth, and support job creation. Ultimately, this collaboration will facilitate access to advanced digital solutions, driving innovation and contributing to Egypt’s strategic vision for a digitally transformed economy.
Digital technology experts highlighted the need for collaboration and partnerships among African nations to tackle shared cybersecurity threats effectively. By emphasising a unified approach, participants recognised that regional cooperation is essential in addressing the complexities of cyber risks that impact businesses and governments.
Public-private partnerships were also advocated, as collaboration between the private sector and governmental agencies can foster the development of effective cybersecurity solutions, creating a safer business environment and promoting resilience against cyber threats. Additionally, they underscored the importance of identifying and valuing critical infrastructure, which is vital for informing robust security strategies. Sharing best practices among African countries can enhance defences without reinventing solutions, creating a collective strength across the continent.
Specifically, the call for harmonised cybersecurity laws across Africa aims to create consistent regulations that address capacity gaps and enhance digital security. Additionally, capacity-building initiatives are essential for equipping individuals and organisations to tackle evolving cyber challenges.
Moreover, they emphasised the need for effective incident response frameworks, as these strategies are crucial for minimising the impact of cyber incidents on businesses and governments. Ultimately, this proactive approach boosts resilience and fosters trust in the digital ecosystem, enabling Africa to navigate the complexities of the digital age confidently.
Google is facing accusations of censorship after locking the pan-African media platform African Stream out of its Gmail Workspace, resulting in the loss of two years’ worth of emails and files stored in the cloud. The organisation has claimed that this action is part of a broader crackdown by US tech companies on its content, which is dedicated to providing a voice for Africans and challenging negative stereotypes.
The controversy escalated following remarks from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who suggested that African Stream is influenced by Russian propaganda, labelling the outlet as ‘Kremlin propagandists.’ Within the last two weeks, African Stream pointed out that it had also been banned from other platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and Threads, and criticised Google for not providing any credible reasons for the ban.
In response to the allegations, African Stream has denied any wrongdoing and questioned why major tech companies would bow to a single speech by a US official. The organisation emphasises its commitment to delivering African-centered content and amplifying African voices globally, raising significant concerns about the implications of censorship and the influence of political narratives on the policies of major tech firms.
China and Africa cooperate to enhance digital infrastructure, which has emerged as a cornerstone of their evolving economic partnership. Over the past decade, substantial investments from Chinese enterprises have facilitated the construction of essential digital frameworks across Africa.
That includes initiatives such as laying extensive fibre optic cables, establishing robust 5G networks and creating data centres that ensure high-speed connectivity. As a direct consequence of this collaboration, millions of people are now connected, and local economies are being transformed through expanded e-commerce opportunities. Notably, the surge in digital trade has opened new avenues for economic growth in African nations, attracting vital investments and fostering entrepreneurship.
Moreover, Chinese companies have played a crucial role in this transformative process by offering technical support, financial backing, and infrastructure development. Consequently, these efforts have contributed to a vibrant marketplace where an increasing number of online shoppers can access a diverse range of goods and services. Additionally, efforts to promote sustainable development are evident in the improvements to service trade and the establishment of resilient financial infrastructures. By leveraging advancements in digital technology, the partnership optimises sectors such as transport and tourism, enhancing operational efficiency and user experiences.
Why does this matter?
Furthermore, as financial technology (fintech) rapidly evolves, there is a focus on bolstering the stability of financial systems in African countries. By harnessing technologies like blockchain, IoT, and AI, Chinese financial institutions collaborate with local partners to create innovative service models, addressing financial risks and fostering an investment-friendly environment. Through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative, both regions are committed to advancing digital transformation while ensuring economic growth aligns with sustainable practices that benefit future generations.
African perspectives are vital for developing AI solutions tailored to the continent’s unique challenges, according to US officials. At the Global Inclusivity and AI: Africa Conference, the acting Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology, Dr Seth Center, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Joy Basu, emphasised the importance of African representation in shaping global AI policies.
The event focused on fostering deeper conversations about AI’s potential role in Africa’s development. Basu praised the diverse voices from across the continent and stressed the need for African leaders to influence AI’s future applications, especially in sectors like agriculture and healthcare. The conference marked a pivotal step in increasing African engagement in critical technology discussions, which are already being supported in global forums like the G20 and the United Nations.
AI could help Africa achieve its Sustainable Development Goals, addressing key challenges across agriculture, healthcare, and education, according to Dr Seth Center. He noted the transformative role AI can play in boosting economic development, reducing poverty, and improving healthcare access. However, collaboration, both regional and global, will be essential to ensuring that AI is developed responsibly.
Startups and entrepreneurs will play a significant role in shaping Africa’s AI landscape, with many countries already crafting national AI strategies. The African Union is also working on governance frameworks to enable cross-border collaboration. These efforts will help unlock opportunities for innovation, ensuring AI’s benefits reach all parts of the continent.
Stakeholders are urging a concerted effort to close Africa’s digital infrastructure gap, which is seen as a critical factor for the continent’s economic growth and prosperity. Specifically, the disparity between Africa’s large population and its small contribution to global GDP underscores the need for enhanced digital connectivity.
Stakeholders believe that Africa can unlock its economic potential and improve its overall quality of life by addressing infrastructure deficiencies, such as the significant fibre network gaps. Therefore, they advocate for increased investment in broadband services and expanded fibre networks to drive sustainable development and technological advancement.
Industry leaders call on governments and private sector entities to collaborate more effectively in creating supportive regulatory frameworks for digital infrastructure. In particular, such regulations are essential for fostering investment and ensuring that digital growth is rapid and sustainable. Governments, regulatory bodies, and businesses can develop policies that promote fair competition and infrastructure expansion by working together. Consequently, this collaborative approach is crucial for overcoming existing barriers and enabling Africa to leverage digital technology for enhanced innovation and economic opportunities.
Huawei and Vodacom Tanzania have launched the DigiTruck initiative, a groundbreaking program to enhance digital education and skills across Tanzania. The initiative aligns with the Tanzanian government’s vision of promoting innovation, inclusion, and sustainable development through digital technologies. DigiTruck seeks to empower individuals with the skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly digital world by focusing on underserved populations, particularly youth and women.
The DigiTruck program is designed to provide digital skills training and education, with plans to cover ten regions in its first year. By the end of the second year, the initiative aims to reach all areas of Tanzania, benefiting thousands of individuals. A vital feature of this initiative is its emphasis on inclusion, as the DigiTruck will serve as a mobile classroom equipped with innovative ICT solutions. The setup will make quality education more accessible, especially for those in remote areas.
The DigiTruck initiative is supported by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 15 February 2024 between Huawei and Vodacom Tanzania. This agreement outlines plans for collaboration in corporate social responsibility, startup acceleration, and digital skills development.
Huawei’s global experience with DigiTruck initiatives in 18 other countries, impacting over 93,000 people, underscores the program’s potential to transform lives through digital education.
IBM has teamed up with WWF-Germany to develop an AI-driven solution aimed at safeguarding African forest elephants, a species facing severe threats from poaching and habitat loss. This new technology will use AI to accurately identify individual elephants from camera trap photos, enhancing conservation efforts and allowing for more precise tracking of these endangered animals.
The partnership will combine IBM’s technological expertise with WWF’s conservation knowledge to create an AI-powered tool that could revolutionise how elephants are monitored. By focusing on image recognition, the technology aims to identify elephants by their unique physical features, such as heads and tusks, much like human fingerprints.
Additionally, the collaboration will employ IBM Environmental Intelligence to monitor and analyse biomass and vegetation in elephant habitats. The data will be crucial in predicting elephant movements and assessing the ecosystem services provided by these animals, such as carbon sequestration. Such insights could also pave the way for sustainable finance investments by quantifying the carbon services offered by elephants.
IBM emphasised the broader potential of this initiative, highlighting its role in supporting nature restoration and contributing to global climate change efforts. By integrating advanced technology with conservation strategies, the partnership seeks to make a lasting positive impact on both the environment and sustainable development.
This paper, based on a survey to central banks, analyses the development, motivations and concerns of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) in Africa relative to other emerging and developing regions.
Like their peers, a key motivation for African central banks is achieving greater payment system efficiency. Central banks in Africa also place more emphasis on financial inclusion. These factors could foster CBDC issuance and favour the adoption.
