Africa Tech Digest

Liquid Intelligent Technologies launches OneVoice for Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams, introducing seamless Voice calls

28Sep

By Africa Tech DigestNo Comments

Africa, Telecommunications

Liquid Intelligent Technologies launches OneVoice for Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams, introducing seamless Voice calls

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, September 28, 2021/APO Group/ -- Liquid Intelligent Technologies (www.Liquid.Tech), a leading pan-African technology group, is excited to have been announced as a launch partner for Microsoft’s new Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams. Through its OneVoice platform, Liquid enables Microsoft customers worldwide to seamlessly integrate regulatory-compliant calling plans in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda – initiated from the Microsoft Teams Admin Centre. Operator Connect enables seamless PSTN phone services in Teams. With OneVoice for Operator Connect, businesses will benefit from the seamless integration of voice telephony directly into their existing Teams install base. In addition, Liquid’s flat-rate calling plans save mone...

China plans to deploy digital satellite TVs in 200 Togolese villages

28Sep

By Africa Tech DigestNo Comments

Africa, Telecommunications

China plans to deploy digital satellite TVs in 200 Togolese villages

The Chinese government plans to distribute digital satellite television and hardware in 200 villages across Togo, speeding up the West African country’s plans to switch to digital terrestrial television (DTT) broadcasting. DTT, which will replace analog television, is a technology that improves image quality and reduces operating costs inherent in broadcasting. In October 2019, the Togolese parliament passed a law authorising the DTT migration, a process that began a few years before the regulation was approved. The project was expected to kick off with the construction of nine digital television signal transmission sites. However, it has stalled as DTT coverage in the French-speaking country remains low, and non-existent in rural areas. On paper, the Chinese interventio...

Capitec Mobile Banking App Down in South Africa

28Sep

By Africa Tech DigestNo Comments

Southern Africa, Telecommunications

Capitec Mobile Banking App Down in South Africa

Scores of South African users online have turned to social media to report that they are having issues connecting and using the Capitec Mobile Banking app. Many users are saying that they can’t seem to log into the app. Some users are claiming that they are unable to access the app because it is rejecting their pin codes. According to DownDetector.com, a website where users can report certain outages and problems with internet services, Capitec began having issues with its app from 7 am this morning, which coincides with the users who have been claiming they have been struggling to connect since early morning. It seems the lender has noticed its outage issue and has begun sending out SMSs to make its customers aware. Continue reading Image: Capitec

28Sep

By Africa Tech DigestNo Comments

5G, Africa, Mobile

MTN Announces 5G Roll Out Date in Ghana

The Ghanaian arm of the largest telecom company in Africa has announced its intentions to launch and make operational 5G services in the West African country by 2023. This comes as MTN has yet to fully cover Ghana with its 4G spectrum, but projects to gain 98% 4G coverage by the end of 2022. Currently, MTN’s 4G coverage has reached 73% of the country. ModernGhana reports that the company revealed that it is modernizing its infrastructure and working with regulators towards 5G and that it will seek to have 5G mobile connectivity operating in Ghana by 2023. According to the CEO of MTN Ghana, Selorm Adadevoh, who made the announcement, MTN is taking steps towards 5G in order to be in a better position to take advantage of the digital space. “Almost every 10 years, there is a new ...

The Committee of e-Business Heads in Nigeria discuss the Adoption of Digital Currency in Nigeria in Q3 Industry Forum

27Sep

By Africa Tech DigestNo Comments

Mobile Transfers, Nigeria

The Committee of e-Business Heads in Nigeria discuss the Adoption of Digital Currency in Nigeria in Q3 Industry Forum

As the Central Bank of Nigeria sets to launch the E-Naira on October 1st, 2021, the question everyone is asking is; are we ready for this bold move? Nigeria will be the 1st SubSaharan African country to adopt the use of digital currency and there have been concerns about the technology and its adoption. The Committee of E-Banking Industry Heads (Cebih) in its 3rd Quarter Industry Forum discussed the digital currency’s adoption with the theme “Digital Currency and the Prospects of Central Bank Digital Currency in Nigeria”, held in Abuja on Wednesday 22 September 2021. Varying concerns such as the technology, adoption, financial inclusion, the impact on forex, and the value of the CBDC were discussed. Continue reading Image: Techcabal

Flat6Labs closes $10M seed fund for Tunisian startups

27Sep

By Africa Tech DigestNo Comments

North Africa, Start-ups

Flat6Labs closes $10M seed fund for Tunisian startups

Regional seed and early-stage venture capital firm, Flat6Labs, has finished raising $10 million for its seed fund targeted at Tunisian startups, according to a statement released by the company. The seed fund, called Anava Seed Fund (ASF), at first sought a close of $3 million but instead closed 3.3x of the initial figure. The fund represents the increasing investments in early-stage African startups, mainly North African ones. In May, Flat6Labs completed the close of its Egypt-based fund — Flat6Labs Accelerator Company fund (FAC) at $13 million. Continue reading Image: Getty Images

Absa Launches Facial Recognition Tech in South Africa

27Sep

By Africa Tech DigestNo Comments

Africa

Absa Launches Facial Recognition Tech in South Africa

Absa, one of South Africa’s largest banks and a pan-African lender, has officially launched facial recognition technology in its Android and iOS apps, which some users will need to utilize to authenticate certain transactions through facial scans. “Technology is leaping ahead faster than ever, and it’s up to us to ensure that you stay right at the cutting edge. We are, therefore, proud to introduce the Absa ID Facial Biometrics to our Absa Banking App,” the bank writes in a statement on their website. The ID Facial Biometric is a new feature, Absa says, that allows users to link their unique facial characteristics with their mobile devices to “create even greater security.” Continue reading Image: MyBroadband

YouTube May Soon Let You Download Videos From Your Browser

26Sep

By Africa Tech DigestNo Comments

Apps

YouTube May Soon Let You Download Videos From Your Browser

YouTube is currently testing an official way to download videos on your desktop web browser saving you the hassle (and danger) of having to install sketchy 3rd party mods and having to go through 3rd party websites just to download your favourite songs. Users who want to see if they are eligible to be part of the testing phase, which runs through 19 October, should check out YouTube’s experimental features page, which lists any new features being tested that are currently available to Premium subscribers. The Verge writes that not everyone will be able to take part in the test. Continue reading Image: Speechling

Data Science Nigeria launches the Artificial Intelligence Startup Incubation Program with 12 Startups

26Sep

By Africa Tech DigestNo Comments

AI, Nigeria

Data Science Nigeria launches the Artificial Intelligence Startup Incubation Program with 12 Startups

Data Science Nigeria, an organization with a vision to build a world-class Artificial Intelligence, knowledge research, and innovation ecosystem that delivers high-impact transformational research has launched Nigeria’s 1st AI Startup Incubation and Research Hub. The event also included a bespoke AI Startup Summit with the theme, “Building Nigeria’s Artificial Intelligence Unicorns: How to build scalable startups leveraging AI and Exponential technologies”. It had Anitha Vadavatha, CEO and co-Founder, AB Plus Ventures, and Samuel Odeloye, Co-founder Lara.ng by RoadPreppers as speakers. Please visit bit.ly/DSNAISSVideo to watch the recorded video of the AI Startup Summit. Speaking at the launch event, the founder and lead mentor, Data Science Nigeria, Dr. Olubayo Adeka...

Blizzard Entertainment Lost 12-Million Active Players in 3 Years

26Sep

By Africa Tech DigestNo Comments

Gaming

Blizzard Entertainment Lost 12-Million Active Players in 3 Years

The global gaming industry continues breaking records, with revenues and the number of users reaching all-time highs. However, the competition in the market is also stronger than ever, causing difficulties for some game developers in keeping their fan base. One of them is Blizzard Entertainment, a gaming industry titan, whose user base dropped significantly over the past few years. According to data presented by MejoresApuestas.com, Blizzard Entertainment has lost 12 million active players since 2018, with its global fan base falling to 26 million players in the second quarter of 2021. Continue reading Image: Blizzard