Author: WAJ Reporter

Swypt Launches Kenya’s First Decentralized Stablecoin, cKES Swypt has introduced cKES, Kenya’s first decentralized stablecoin, pegged 1:1 to the Kenyan shilling. This stablecoin has been integrated into Mento, another decentralized platform. This move highlights the growing trend in Kenya’s fintech sector, where stablecoins serve as an alternative to mobile money and banking systems. However, the evolving regulatory landscape in Kenya could pose challenges to the platform’s growth. Founded in 2023, Swypt aims to address inefficiencies in peer-to-peer (P2P) crypto trading. The company focuses on enhancing accessibility and efficiency in digital payments through solutions like stablecoin transactions and SME payments. With…

The Madagascar national basketball team, Ankoay, has started receiving their overseas players back to the country. Ankoay began their preparations on February 2nd and will play against Ivory Coast on February 21st. A single win is enough for them to advance in the Afrobasket 2025 qualifiers. Among the overseas players joining the team are Rija Lahontan, Kiady Razanamahenina, Sitraka Raharimanantoanina, M’Madi Mathias, and Johan Andy Pierre Randriamananjara. In Group D standings, Ivory Coast leads with three victories and six points. Egypt follows with two wins and one loss, accumulating five points. Madagascar’s other opponent, the Central African Republic, has lost…

Bento Africa, a Nigerian HR technology startup, has temporarily halted operations. The company, which had previously faced allegations of tax and pension irregularities, made this decision following the resignation of its founder and CEO, Ebun Okubanjo, and the layoff of its engineering team after protests over unpaid January salaries. In January, the company laid off its 10-person engineering team after they refused to work due to not receiving their January salaries. Despite resigning on January 30, Okubanjo told employees on January 31 that the salaries would be “strategically delayed” to prioritize processing client payroll. The layoffs severely disrupted Bento’s operations,…

Manchester United is monitoring Ghana national team player Antoine Semenyo. The winger, who plays for Bournemouth, has been impressive this season with his speed, goal-scoring instinct, and versatility. The Red Devils believe his dynamism could add a lot to their squad. The January transfer window was quiet for Manchester United, as they only signed two players. At the same time, they sent Antony and Marcus Rashford on loan. With limited attacking options, it is expected that the club will focus on strengthening this area in the upcoming summer transfer window. Reports indicate that United plans to focus on signing players…

South African Matthew Breetzke became the first player to score 150 in a One Day International (ODI) debut. The batsman managed to score 150 runs off 148 balls, helping the Proteas reach a total of 304-6. Matthew Breetzke broke the record previously held by former West Indies cricketer Desmond Haynes, who had scored 148 against Australia in 1978. The third-highest score by a player on ODI debut is 127 runs. These statistics highlight the magnitude of Breetzke’s achievement. During the match, Breetzke was supported by Wiaan Mulder, who scored 64 runs, and Jason Smith, who contributed 41 runs. However, despite…

On Saturday, February 8, network disruptions occurred in some parts of Lagos State. MTN Nigeria issued an apology to its customers regarding the issue: “Dear Customer, we sincerely apologise for the challenges experienced with internet services yesterday in parts of Lagos State. This has been resolved, and services are fully restored. Thank you for your understanding.” However, no explanation for the disruption was provided on their social media channels. Due to the disruptions, many customers were unable to make calls, access data services, or send messages. Additionally, numerous customers reported unreliable network connections and slow internet speeds. However, these complaints…

Newcastle United has entered the race to sign Victor Osimhen. Currently on loan at Galatasaray, the Nigerian striker is set to be offloaded by Napoli in the upcoming summer transfer window. The 26-year-old forward has garnered significant interest from Premier League clubs. Osimhen has scored 17 goals in 22 matches for the Turkish side and is just 15 goals shy of surpassing his career-high for goals in a single season. His next move is highly anticipated. Several clubs are interested in Osimhen, including Chelsea, Arsenal, and Newcastle United. There is also strong interest from Saudi Arabian clubs, and Manchester United…

Qualcomm has opened applications for its “Make in Africa” Startup Mentorship Program, aimed at supporting early-stage African startups. The program will offer services such as engineering consultation for product development, business coaching, and intellectual property (IP) protection guidance. Startups that receive positive responses will gain direct access to Qualcomm engineers and business mentors. Applications will remain open until February 16, and the program will take place between April and December 2025. Due to the rising investments on the continent, there has been an increase in demand for technological innovation. As more startups venture into hardware, IoT, artificial intelligence (AI), and…

Africa’s Gaming Industry Reaches $1.8 Billion and Continues to Grow Africa’s gaming industry has reached an impressive $1.8 billion, with the market growing steadily. According to data from Newzoo, Africa’s gaming sector grew by 12.4% in 2024 compared to the previous year. This growth has boosted the continent’s global ranking in the gaming industry. Mobile Gaming Dominates the Market Mobile gaming now accounts for 90% of Africa’s gaming market. Out of the 349 million games played in 2024, 304 million were mobile games. Additionally, mobile gaming has become the preferred choice for most gamers worldwide, with 87% of the global…

The American technology company IBM has decided to withdraw from Nigeria, Ghana, and other key African markets. The company has transferred its regional functions to MIBB, a subsidiary of the telecommunications and IT holding Midis Group. This move is part of IBM’s new operational model, which will be implemented in selected African countries starting from April 1, 2025. MIBB will market and sell the acquired products and services in 36 African countries. In doing so, it will have access to IBM’s software, hardware, cloud, and consulting solutions. This transition is expected to drive innovation and growth in the region. IBM…

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has launched the National Broadband Alliance (NBAN) policy to expand internet access in the country. This policy focuses on sectors where the public interacts, such as healthcare facilities, religious centers, schools, and markets. Its aim is to promote widespread broadband adoption in a sustainable manner. The project aligns with Nigeria’s National Broadband Plan (2020-2025) and the Strategic Roadmap from the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy. The goal is to increase broadband penetration to 70% by 2025, with a target of minimum speeds of 25 Mbps in cities and 10 Mbps in rural areas.…

Artificial Intelligence: A Groundbreaking Development in Recent Human History Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a groundbreaking development in recent human history. Reshaping the entire technology sector, AI has had a significant impact on Africa, addressing the continent’s social, environmental, and economic challenges while shaping its future. Thanks to this technology, Africa can unlock its existing potential in a faster and more sustainable manner. AI’s Role in Key Sectors AI provides solutions to crucial issues on the continent, such as predicting epidemics and floods, diagnosing diseases through medical imaging, and detecting plant or skin diseases from images. At the same time,…

Integral Partners with Access Bank for FX Solutions in West Africa New Foreign Exchange Capabilities for Access Bank Access Bank Nigeria has secured Integral’s FX solution package to enhance its currency trading capabilities and support regional expansion across West Africa. The new platform provides the bank with pricing engines, advanced liquidity aggregation, and distribution tools. White-Label FX Services for Regional Growth The integration of FX services allows Access Bank to offer white-label solutions to affiliate banks and provide branded trading interfaces across its expanding regional network, enabling seamless system integration and boosting FX trading capabilities. Regional Expansion Strategy Aligned with…

Datamellon, a global leader in AI, data, and cloud innovation, is set to make a strategic entry into Kenya on February 15, 2025. With this move, the company will expand into East Africa, aiming to accelerate Kenya’s dynamic technology ecosystem with its expertise and technological solutions. From small startups to large enterprises and the public sector, businesses in Kenya will now have access to seamless cloud migration, AI-powered innovation, and various cloud solutions. Kenya has become a rapidly growing tech hub, and many startups continue to thrive here. Businesses in Kenya, looking to gain momentum in their digital transformation journeys,…

The technology brand Xiaomi, which has recently gained popularity in smartphone production, will be launching its Redmi Note 14 series in South Africa on February 11, 2025. The event that Xiaomi has planned for the launch is expected to generate significant interest. Xiaomi’s goal with the new launch is to bring flagship-level innovations to a broader audience. The most attention-grabbing model in the new series is the Redmi Note 14 Pro + 5G. The phone’s primary camera boasts 200MP and will showcase top-tier technology in various areas. The camera also features Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and advanced zoom capabilities. Additionally,…

The South Africa-based fintech startup 6DOT50 has enabled cryptocurrency payments for vehicle purchases. , Customers can now buy new or used cars from nearly 1,500 dealerships using Bitcoin and seven other cryptocurrencies. In its statement, 6DOT50 explained that its platform utilizes a voucher system, which helps minimize the risks associated with cryptocurrency transactions. This approach reduces crypto-related risks while also bridging the gap between digital assets and traditional currencies. The company also reported processing approximately $1 million worth of crypto transactions across more than 90,000 retail locations. With this service, 6DOT50 has become part of the growing digital asset payment…