January 2025

The Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani announced that the Federal Government has approved a 50% tariff hike for telecommunications companies to sustain and develop the industry. The new tariff is aimed at enabling telecom operators to invest in infrastructure and improve connectivity across the nation.

The minister made this statement at the maiden Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Nigeria (RAIN) Summit held on Saturday in Ibadan. The event, themed “The Rain of Transformation is Upon Us: CEOs Arise,” brought together industry leaders and stakeholders to discuss technological progress in Nigeria.

Addressing the audience, Tijani urged Nigerian youths to drive innovation, emphasising that the government’s role is to provide the infrastructure needed for progress.

He stated, “The biggest challenge for governments is individuals. As we invest in infrastructure to drive the progress of technology, we need innovators, entrepreneurs, and individuals to actually build the technologies.”

Tijani also praised Dr Olusola Ayoola, the founder of RAIN, for his contributions to Nigeria’s technological development.

“Without folks like him and the work they are doing in the ICT terrain, it will be difficult for Nigeria to develop technologically. Governments cannot build the progress we want. What governments can do is lay the foundation for that progress,” he added.

The minister highlighted the transformative potential of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), noting their importance in shaping Nigeria’s future. “The productivity and prosperity that nations seek will come from the smart application of AI,” Tijani remarked.

He further expressed optimism about the work being done by RAIN, stating, “With what RAIN is building, we will start to see more direct applications coming from the innovation that young people are driving. Our role is to continue to support these efforts.”

Chief Aderemi Oseni, Special Guest and Chairman of the House Committee on the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, stressed the importance of identifying and developing technological capacities among youths. He argued that creating opportunities in technology could significantly reduce youth unemployment.

Former CEO of First Bank of Nigeria, Dr Adesola Adeduntan, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the transformative impacts of robotics and AI on business operations.

“Robotics and AI have revolutionised decision-making, improved efficiency, reduced operational costs, and delivered personalised services to customers,” he said.

Bayo Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the Oyo State Governor on ICT and e-Governance, highlighted the state’s technological strides. He noted that Oyo State had invested significantly in building robotics and AI hubs for educational purposes, ensuring an enabling environment for technological transformation.

Dr Olusola Ayoola, Convener and CEO of RAIN described the summit as a platform to unite young Nigerian entrepreneurs and innovators. He emphasised that Nigeria can leverage advanced technologies like AI and robotics to achieve prosperity if harnessed effectively.

“RAIN has a network in about 50 institutions across Nigeria, aimed at advancing tech development through AI and robotics. Policy direction should focus on making AI and robotics learning accessible to youths, supported by local experts as trainers,” Ayoola said.

The summit concluded with awards of excellence presented to the Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, and Justice Ruqayat Ayoola, the mother of RAIN’s CEO.

Source: NAN/Chidimma Gold( Voice of Nigeria)

The  Artificial Intelligence For Sustainable Development (AI4SD) Shecodes project has been launched at Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) to empower females.

The initiative, funded by the French Embassy in Ghana, seeks to equip female students with the skills necessary for careers in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

The project, rolled out in partnership with KsTU Women in Engineering (WinE), targets female students from various departments at the Kumasi Technical University (KsTU), providing them with coding training in AI and other STEM fields.

Dr. Eunice Akyereko Adjei, the team lead for AI in Education, revealed the challenges women face due to stereotypes in male-dominated fields.

She noted that the AI4SD project in education will address and change these biases, promoting a more inclusive environment for women in technology.

“We want to break stereotypes faced by women in male-dominated fields, and we’re ready to help women sharpen their skills,” she said.

The project will inspire students to use their knowledge to address developmental challenges in Ghana and beyond.

“When we give students skills training for a specific program, we’ll give them a challenge, and they’re required to use the skills they acquire from the training to solve them.

We expect to see prototypes from most of these students because many of them are offering engineering courses,” she added.

Dr. Kingsford Sarkodie Obeng Kwakye, a member of AI in education under the AI4SD project, introduced the students to machine learning, popular machine learning frameworks, and ethical issues in machine learning.

He, however, called for more collaboration to ensure the success of similar projects.

“Machine learning is transforming education, there should be more collaboration with stakeholders for its success,” he advised.

The Artificial Intelligence For Sustainable Development (AI4SD) Shecodes training will officially commence on the 8th of February at KsTU.

Prof. Abena Agyeiwaa Obiri-Yeboah, Pro Vice Chancellor of Kumasi Technical University (KsTU), reaffirmed the university’s commitment to inclusive education during the event.

 She emphasized that, “the AI4SD project in education aligns with the university’s vision”.

 The Pro Vice Chancellor encouraged students to take full advantage of the coding opportunities provided in the training.

Prof. Robert Dery Nagre, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology at KsTU, stressed on the need to include Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the institution’s engineering curriculum.

“AI is shaping the world on a daily basis, cutting across every field. It’s time we embrace it fully

AI is not included as part of the core courses in the engineering curriculum at KsTU.

However, last year, efforts were made to make AI a compulsory subject for all engineering students.

While the initiative was not fully implemented, the university plans to include AI in the curriculum in the next revision of its programs,” he revealed.

Source : Anita Adzoga ( My JoyOnline)

The MTN Ghana Foundation has taken a significant step in advancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education with the handing over of a modern integrated STEM laboratory at Wiamoase in the Ashanti Region. The ultra-modern integrated STEM Lab is the first of its kind in the region.

The facility is part of MTN Ghana Foundation’s commitment to empower young people through education and innovation. The integrated STEM Lab will provide students and teachers with hands-on experience in robotics, programming, electronics and other STEM related programs.

The MTN Ghana Foundation supported the project with GHS 746,425.00 to furnish the Integrated STEM Lab with the following equipment:

• Lego Education: The latest LEGO education STEM learning solution for pre-school, primary and secondary school students. SPIKE Essential will engage students in hands-on investigation of STEM concepts using everyday themes.
• REV Robots: This kit has over 1400 parts. The kit provides the most robot design flexibility of any kit on the market, providing teams with a strong foundation to build on.
• Drone Technology
• Virtual Reality Sets 
• Scratch, Java and Python Programing
• Science Research

The MTN Ghana Foundation’s support for STEM education and this project reaffirms MTN’s belief that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern, connected life.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Robert Kuzoe, Senior Manager of the MTN Ghana Foundation, reiterated MTN’s commitment to bridging the digital gap in underserved and unserved communities.  He said “Our support for STEM education and this project reaffirms our belief that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern, connected life. I am happy to say that this Integrated STEM Lab is more than just a building; it is a gateway to opportunities. It symbolizes hope, progress and a brighter future for the children and youth of Wiamoase and beyond”.

For his part, the Chief of Wiamoase, Nana Boakye Yiadom, expressed his appreciation to the MTN Ghana Foundation for the initiative and urged the students to embrace digital literacy and make good use of the facility to learn digital skills.

Source: jbklutse.com

Exabeam has announced the debut of LogRhythm Intelligence Copilot, a generative AI-powered capability that provides actionable insights to security teams and accelerates workflows. This release strengthens Exabeam’s position as a recognized innovator, offering true AI to automate cybersecurity while others fail to deliver.

LogRhythm Intelligence Copilot uses purpose-driven AI to assess the nature and impact of a cyber threat and suggest the next measures. The new functionality helps security teams to respond more quickly, think more strategically, and confidently neutralize threats.

Less than 90 days after Exabeam joined forces with LogRhythm, the company released LogRhythm Intelligence to empower self-hosted LogRhythm SIEM customers with machine learning-based AI. Embedded in LogRhythm Intelligence, it delivers automated Threat Summaries, which provide a concise overview of critical detections, categorize threats using the MITRE ATT&CK® framework, and recommend next steps tailored to each case.

Drawing on the success of Exabeam Copilot, the fastest-adopted feature in the cloud-native New-Scale Security Operations Platform, LogRhythm Intelligence Copilot empowers customers with faster threat response, contextual insights, and improved communication of threats. Empowering novice and seasoned analysts alike, LogRhythm Intelligence Copilot is a productivity win for overworked teams.

“While others talk about innovation, we deliver it,” said Steve Wilson, Chief Product Officer at Exabeam. “The cybersecurity industry is flooded with buzzwords and half-baked AI tools that add complexity without solving the problems SOC teams face. Exabeam technology isn’t just about AI for AI’s sake—it’s about delivering real, measurable outcomes. With Exabeam, AI-powered cybersecurity isn’t a pipe dream; it’s a reality—security teams benefit from simplified workflows that produce immediate results, streamlining daily workflows.”

Source: itnewsafrica.com

KCB Bank Kenya, in partnership with Mastercard, has officially released Kenya’s first multi-currency prepaid card. This unique technology is intended to simplify international transactions, allowing clients to spend easily in several worldwide destinations.

This card, designed to address the different demands of students, sports, online shoppers, corporations, and corporations, offers a low-cost way to manage overseas transactions. It makes frequent travelers and global spenders more comfortable by lowering excessive transaction fees.

The card supports 11 major currencies such as Kenyan Shilling, US Dollar, British Pound Sterling, Euro, Swiss Franc, Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Indian Rupee, Japanese Yen, South African Rand, and Chinese Yuan.

Also Read: KCB & Mastercard Unveil World Elite Credit Cards

Angela Mwirigi, Director of Digital Financial Services at KCB Bank Kenya, stated, “The launch of this card marks a significant step in strengthening our long-standing partnership with Mastercard. This collaboration brings together two industry leaders, combining our expertise, innovation, and shared vision to offer exceptional financial solutions that align with our goal of being the bank of choice in Kenya.”

The prepaid feature allows cardholders to load specific amounts, providing better spending control. Users can manage their prepaid balances through a self-serve portal on the website. Real-time exchange rates automatically convert currencies during purchases, eliminating the need for multiple wallets or currency exchanges.

Once enrolled, cardholders will benefit from favorable exchange rates and reduced conversion costs, eliminating unexpected charges and simplifying global spending. The card’s ability to manage multiple currencies removes the need for separate currency accounts or physical cards, ensuring greater convenience and security.

Shehryar Ali, Senior Vice President and Country Manager for East Africa at Mastercard, remarked, “We are excited to partner with KCB Bank Kenya to launch the country’s first platinum multi-currency prepaid card, which offers the highest number of currencies. This historic milestone is a significant step in redefining global commerce. Our solution simplifies cross-border transactions, allowing individuals and businesses to focus on what truly matters. At Mastercard, we are committed to fostering secure, flexible, and accessible payment ecosystems that drive global opportunity.”

Source: itnewsafrica.com

In today’s rapidly expanding technological landscape, AI is no longer an optional investment. Greg Williams, UiPath’s Regional Vice President for South Africa, highlights that artificial intelligence is becoming a crucial aspect of corporate operations across industries, particularly with the rise of agentic automation.

AI-Powered Automation: A Growing Necessity

“AI-powered automation is poised to play an increasingly crucial role in helping South African companies enhance their competitiveness and operational efficiency,” says Williams. He believes that 2025 will see a surge in organizations exploring the opportunities AI presents and developing the necessary capabilities to harness it effectively.

UiPath’s AI and Automation Trends 2025 and State of the Automation Professional Report 2024 show that AI is already making significant strides in automation projects worldwide. In South Africa, PWC reports that 92% of CIOs expect widespread AI adoption shortly, which further underlines the urgency for businesses to adapt.

Despite fears of job losses in labor-intensive economies like South Africa, UiPath’s report reveals that 61% of companies globally have increased their automation workforce in the past year. Moreover, 81% of surveyed companies plan to hire more as automation continues to rise, dispelling common myths about AI replacing human jobs.

The Rise of Agentic Automation

Looking ahead to 2025, UiPath predicts a milestone in the maturity of AI and the emergence of agentic automation. But what exactly is agentic automation?

“Agentic Automation is the next step in AI-powered systems,” explains Williams. “It leverages the power of generative AI (GenAI) to empower agents to analyze unstructured data, recognize patterns, make decisions, and take autonomous actions.” These systems are fueled by large language models (LLMs), GenAI, and large action models (LAMs), allowing for reliable, self-driven operations.

Key Trends to Watch in 2025

UiPath has outlined several key trends for 2025 that will shape the future of AI and automation in businesses:

TREND I. The rapid development of AI agents that autonomously understand, plan and operate within complex workflows.

Prediction: Agent-based AI will allow companies to automate complex processes with minimal supervision, increasing productivity and opening up new opportunities for industry-specific automation solutions.

Preparation: Subject at least one process to agent automation. Passivity stifles innovation, so it is worth joining the pioneers in agentic AI or at least keeping a close eye on their activities.

TREND II. With the development of agent-based artificial intelligence, orchestration is becoming increasingly important.

Prediction: In order to realise the full potential of agentic AI, businesses will need a dynamic infrastructure that enables humans and robots to collaborate with agents. Additionally, it will need to enable their creation, deployment, and monitoring of their activities with transparency and compliance.

Preparation: Create a plan for the introduction and scaling of an agentic AI environment, taking into account the need for human oversight and the role of RPA robots as the ‘hands and feet’ of new agents.

New business strategies

This year’s changes will not only affect the technology behind AI itself but also the ways in which it can be used in a business context. Organisations will rethink how they approach problems such as technology debt or the lack of a concrete strategy when implementing AI, as both the opportunities for its widespread implementation and the costs of falling behind do so too.

TREND III. Executives are disillusioned with spending millions on AI without the expected results. Companies that implement AI without clear strategies to measure and demonstrate ROI will struggle to justify the short-term costs but rue the costs in the long run.

Prediction: Companies need to develop procedures to track and measure the impact of AI on key business outcomes such as productivity, cost savings and revenue growth. The role of business technology providers will also increase. One of the most widespread uses of AI are ‘copilots’, which help employees with various office tasks. These are being developed by major enterprise technology providers such as Microsoft, GitHub and Google and are yielding excellent results. For example, UiPath has created Autopilot for Developers, which reduces automation development time by 75%.

Preparation: A greater focus on AI ROI measurement tools and strategies, a thorough analysis of the company’s use of the technology, and training in the use of embedded tools such as ‘copilots’. With greater integration opportunities and the increasingly autonomous nature of AI, the ROI calculation needs to evolve beyond time savings.

TREND IV. Heads of technical departments are turning to AIOps (Artificial Intelligence for IT operations) tools to streamline operations, automate routine tasks and improve system reliability.

Prediction: As organisations increasingly rely on complex digital infrastructures, many are struggling with technology debt—the cumulative weight of compounding inefficient processes and outdated systems that can slow down innovation or increase the cost of operations.

Preparation: Investing in AIOps can prove invaluable for managing technology ecosystems more effectively. This will reduce short- and long-term technology debt, while freeing up resources to drive innovation.

Regulatory landscape

TREND V. Escalating regulation: global lawmakers are working to control the power of AI.

Prediction: The AI Act introduced by the European Union could result in the first fine related to artificial intelligence. The EU is spearheading the introduction of increasingly restrictive regulations on the technology. This could discourage investment in AI within the EU and stifle growth, or alternatively become a model for legislation in the US, UK and Asia-Pacific, which the AI research communities are still waiting for with bated breath.

Preparation: Implement robust data governance and adequate security measures, prioritise transparency as well as comprehensibility of AI algorithms, and establish clear accountability structures for AI-related decisions.

As AI continues to mature, Williams stresses the importance of proactively embracing agentic automation and other emerging AI technologies. “The future of business is autonomous and intelligent,” he says. “Companies that adopt AI early and focus on building sustainable, transparent AI systems will be better equipped to thrive in the competitive landscape of 2025 and beyond.”

Source: itnewsafrica.com

SC Ventures has partnered with KiyaAI, a digital solutions provider, to develop Akashaverse, an entertainment, social, shopping, and lifestyle hub powered by immersive technology and artificial intelligence.

Akashaverse will investigate immersive and interactive digital environments to change how people perceive and interact with events, e-commerce, and religious tourism—Akashaverse, powered by KiyaAI’s immersive experience platform Bharatmeta.

“Akashaverse intends to transform the way people connect and interact with spaces and services that were previously out of reach,” said Sanjeev Mehta, Founder and CEO of Akashaverse. “Our hub is being designed to enhance engagement and interactions and to enable users to immerse themselves in rich digital environments.”

The platform aims to make traditional experiences more accessible and inclusive by utilizing virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence technologies. It allows users to participate in virtual pilgrimages, visit virtual stores, and engage in bespoke events from anywhere with real-time insights on product engagement from customers and enables a new innovative distribution channel for corporate clients through its commercial ecosystem.

“KiyaAI’s immersive UI platform blends real and virtual worlds. It empowers businesses to adopt cutting-edge technology by enabling visualization, online transactions, and interaction with GenAI-driven virtual assistants,” said Rajesh Mirjankar, co-founder, MD & CEO of KiyaAI. “By leveraging its capabilities to integrate with the India Stack, it ensures these solutions work seamlessly within India’s digital ecosystem. This collaboration with SC Ventures reflects our shared vision of leveraging cutting-edge technologies to empower communities and create impactful digital ecosystems.”

Source: itnewsafrica.com

Safaricom announced the official launch of Ziidi MMF in collaboration with two fund managers, Standard Investment Bank and ALA Capital Limited.

The Product allows Customers to control, grow and manage their finances and wealth with free deposits and withdrawals via their M-PESA wallet.

Ziidi MMF is a unit trust, governed by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) and managed by a group of fund managers. It enables consumers to earn interest by investing M-PESA wallet funds into the Ziidi account, with over KES 2.85 billion in assets under management since its public opening in December 2024.

This money market fund uses the ease of M-PESA to provide clients with a quicker, easier, and more intelligent way to invest and build wealth.

James Wangunyu, SIB’s Founder & Managing Director, said, “We are excited to partner with Safaricom as a fund manager for the Ziidi Money Market Fund. Our commitment to investors is that we will strive to offer them exceptional profits to help them achieve their financial goals. Based on our track record of providing above-market-average returns, I am confident in our ability to deliver this promise.”

“By combining our institutional synergies with Safaricom, we hope to provide an attractive investment portfolio, which will, in turn, enhance financial inclusion among low- and mid-income earners in line with the government’s bottom-up economic transformation agenda,” he added.

Ziidi MMF provides users with visibility into the daily interest rate gained, making investing and growing money straightforward, transparent, and worry-free. Customers can make free deposits to the Ziidi MMF account and withdrawals to their M-PESA wallets with as little as KES 100.

Also Read: Safaricom Launches M-PESA Powered Investment Fund

‘Ziidi MMF represents not just an opportunity for financial growth but also a reflection of Safaricom’s commitment to innovation, responsible investing, and creating long-term value for its investors. This solution ensures that every Kenyan can achieve their financial goals while enjoying the flexibility of managing their investments directly through their mobile devices,’ said Sean Gichuru, ALA’s Chief Investment Officer.

‘At ALA Capital, we believe that success is not just measured by financial returns but by the positive impact we create in our community and the world around us. We are humbled and honored to be a part of this historical journey that aims to provide a unique investment experience’, Mr. Gichuru added.

“Ziidi MMF is part of our continued efforts to diversify M-PESA beyond payments and deepen financial wellness. “Ziidi ni Ziidi” introduces the mindset that a little goes a long way, and any kind of growth is valuable. This empowers people to define prosperity on their terms and make wealth creation achievable to all,” said Dr. Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom PLC.

“As we launch Ziidi MMF, we are making an invitation to every Kenyan, irrespective of their financial standing, to take the first step towards wealth creation. Together, let’s embrace this responsibility and let Ziidi MMF be the catalyst for a future where every Kenyan has the means to wealth creation in their own way,” concluded Dr. Ndegwa.

Source: itnewsafrica.com