January 2025

A groundbreaking innovation by Professor Kobby Mensah, a marketing expert at the University of Ghana Business School, is set to transform the university admissions process for Senior High School (SHS) students.

The software, named Admissions Checker, leverages students’ West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) grades and high school courses to determine their eligibility for admission into various universities and programs.

Prof. Mensah described the software as a tool to empower students in navigating the often complex admissions process. “The software is designed to provide students with realistic choices and opportunities for university admission. By inputting their academic records, students can receive a report indicating their admission opportunities in percentage terms,” he explained.

Admissions Checker is tailored to guide students through informed decision-making. Users input their high school courses, WASSCE grades, and demographic details, which are processed through advanced algorithms.

The system then generates a detailed report, offering students a clear picture of their chances for admission to specific universities and programs.

The software also includes a unique feature for students who are still in high school. SHS 1 students can use their terminal examination results to evaluate their potential eligibility for university admission. This enables them to monitor their progress, identify weaknesses, and adjust their study strategies long before taking their WASSCE exams.

“This feature allows students to assess their readiness for university admission early on, ensuring they are well-prepared to secure strong performances in their final exams,” Prof. Mensah noted.

Admissions Checker seeks to eliminate the uncertainty and stress often associated with university admissions by offering an accurate and comprehensive assessment of opportunities.

According to Prof. Mensah, the tool is designed to help students “embark on their academic journey with confidence, armed with the knowledge of their eligibility for esteemed institutions and sought-after courses.”

With its ability to streamline the admissions process and guide students toward achieving their academic goals, Admissions Checker is poised to become an invaluable resource for Ghana’s education system.

Source: Emmanuel Nkansah (Techfocus24.com)

Vodacom and Orange have joined hands to form, a first of its kind, rural towerco partnership in Africa. Through this partnership, the companies will collaborate to build, own, and operate solar-powered mobile base stations in underserved areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The initiative will extend network coverage and enable access to telecommunications and mobile financial services to up to 19 million people in less densely populated rural communities, reinforcing their commitment to bridging the digital divide and driving inclusive growth.

Deploying and operating networks, particularly in deep rural areas, continues to be a significant challenge in the DRC. To bridge the digital divide and expand network coverage in underserved communities, the companies have pledged to jointly construct up to 2,000 new solar-powered base stations over six years, using 2G and 4G technologies. This agreement commences with an initial commitment of 1,000 sites after which Orange and Vodacom may scale the project by a further 1,000 towers. The completion of this joint venture remains subject to the approval of administrative, regulatory, and competition authorities.

Collaborating with Vodacom by sharing both passive and active infrastructure is the most effective approach to fulfilling our commitment

Beyond enhanced population coverage, this combined investment will enable consumers to access voice, data, and mobile money services. With the first base station expected to start operating in 2025, Orange and Vodacom will be sharing active and passive equipment owned by the joint venture as anchor tenants for an initial term of 20 years. The joint venture will offer its passive infrastructure to any MNO interested wherever technically feasible to increase usage and promote a wider range of options for the population.

“With a footprint serving over 210 million customers across Africa, we have the opportunity to significantly contribute to the continent’s socio-economic development by building a digital society and fostering inclusivity for all. This aligns with our purpose to connect for a better future, and our partnership with Orange is a crucial step towards providing mobile coverage to people in previously underserved areas in the DRC,” says Shameel Joosub, CEO of Vodacom Group.

“Our longstanding presence in Africa, including over 10 years in the DRC, has equipped us with a deep understanding of the market and customer needs. Collaborating with Vodacom by sharing both passive and active infrastructure is the most effective approach to fulfilling our commitment to accelerating connectivity access for everyone, including rural areas, while minimising our environmental footprint,” says Orange Middle East and Africa CEO, Jérôme Hénique.

Mobile Internet penetration in the DRC is at 32.3% and Orange and Vodacom’s announcement to construct new base stations in the country aligns with the country’s new vision for the digital economy as included in the National Digital Plan Horizon 2025 adopted in 2019 (https://apo-opa.co/4afDBYm). The plan aims to foster digital transformation across various sectors, leading to improved public services, enhanced economic growth, and equitable access to digital services for all citizens. This initiative emphasises e-citizenship, e-government, and e-commerce and is expected to contribute to job creation, bridge the digital divide, and boost the country’s GDP.

Source: Extensia.tech

The Burkinabe government has decided to allocate the 3600-3800 MHz frequency band to the mobile service. This is one of the new features of the National Frequency Band Allocation Plan (PNAF) updated by decree in the Council of Ministers on Thursday, January 9. According to the Electronic Communications and Postal Regulatory Authority (ARCEP), this paves the way for 5G and next-generation services.

The 3600-3800 MHz band is part of the 3.5 GHz band (3300 MHz to 4200 MHz) which is the preferred option for 5G deployments worldwide according to the Global Association of Telephone Operators (GSMA). “Its ability to provide both coverage and capacity, combined with good spectrum availability, makes it an ideal band for 5G. The prioritisation of a particular band is also resulting in a rapidly developing ecosystem, with the launch of increasingly affordable devices,” the organisation said.

The deployment of 5G could support the Burkinabe government’s digital transformation ambitions. In a study published in 2021, the American technology company Dell Technologies already explained that 5G guarantees transmission speeds up to 100 times faster than 4G or previous networks, as well as reduced latencies and an unprecedented level of network capacities. This technology will pave the way for even more advanced and innovative applications, enabling increased connectivity in real time and at any time, thus facilitating the digital transformation of various sectors.

It is important to note that Burkina Faso has only identified the spectrum needed for the deployment of 5G. No specific information has yet been communicated on a roadmap for the commercial deployment of this cutting-edge technology in the country. According to a generic approach defined by the GSMA, the next steps include the release of spectrum, the definition of technical conditions and restrictions, the valuation of spectrum, the planning of the process of awarding licenses to telecom operators and the actual award of licenses.

According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), 2G, 3G and 4G networks cover 92.6%, 53.2% and 36.6% of the population respectively. Furthermore, the basic cost of deploying 5G is estimated at between $3 billion and $8 billion in a country, according to a 2022 study by Ericsson. The Swedish company estimates that an additional investment of 20 to 35% is needed afterwards to generalise network coverage.

Source: Extensia.tech

Nigeria and the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) have announced the award of a USTDA grant to Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy (FMCIDE) for a feasibility study to support internet access for 12 million people through the deployment of new fibre optic backbone infrastructure across the country.

FMCIDE says it has selected US-based HIP Consult, an independent management consulting firm with a specialisation in ICT, to conduct the study.

The study will support Nigeria’s National Broadband Plan 2020-2025, particularly its targets to increase the country’s broadband penetration rate from the current 42.27% to 70% and to ensure that at least 90% of the population has access to affordable, reliable broadband coverage.

The study will assess the deployment of at least 90,000 kilometres of new fibre optic backbone infrastructure along existing routes of the national power grid, railways, roads, and oil and gas pipelines.

It will identify gaps in the backbone infrastructure market and develop strategies to bridge those gaps to strengthen connectivity across Nigeria, including to underserved and hard-to-reach communities.

Enoh T Ebong, USTDA’s Director, says: “As Nigeria and the United States deepen our cooperation in the technology sector, USTDA is proud to partner with FMCIDE to deliver concrete action in support our shared digital infrastructure goals. This project will help expand connectivity to Nigeria’s urban and rural communities while opening opportunities for trusted US technologies to advance the country’s digital priorities.”

Source: Developing Telecoms

Scancom Plc, popularly known as MTN Ghana, reached a milestone on January 13, 2025, as its stock price closed at an all-time high of GH₵2.55 on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE). This marks a significant moment for the telecom giant, reflecting growing investor confidence in its performance and prospects.

The stock, which opened the day at GH₵2.51, gained 0.04 pesewas amid positive market sentiment fueled by statements from the Finance Minister Designate, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, during his vetting. Dr. Forson reaffirmed his administration’s intent to abolish the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) within the first 120 days of President John Dramani Mahama’s tenure.

While acknowledging the revenue generated by the E-Levy, Dr. Forson highlighted its adverse effects on financial technology (fintech) growth and Ghana’s transition to a cash-light economy which has MTN Ghana at the forefront with its Mobile Money platform. “The fact remains that the E-Levy retards our progress towards a cash-light economy and fintech. We need to abolish the E-Levy,” he stated.

In the last quarter, MTN’s revenue from Mobile Money grew by 50.8 percent to GH₵3.1 billion, driven by a 79 percent increase in advanced services.

MTN Ghana, which began 2025 with a share price of GH₵2.50, has already achieved a two percent gain this year. Over the past four weeks, the stock has risen by 8 percent, placing it fifth in performance on the GSE.

The telecom company also retains its position as the most traded stock on the exchange. Between October 10, 2024, and January 13, 2025, MTN Ghana recorded a total trade volume of 28.6 million shares worth GH₵67.9 million, averaging 454,685 shares per session. The highest volume during this period was 4.27 million shares on December 20, while the lowest was 317 shares on November 13.

Investors continue to show optimism in MTN Ghana’s growth trajectory, buoyed by its strong market performance and evolving regulatory landscape.

Source: Kweku Zurek ( Graphic online)

Two months after the launch of Ghana’s first 5G wholesale network, telecommunications operators in the country have yet to lease capacity from the infrastructure to provide commercial 5G services, sparking concerns about the network’s immediate impact.

The 5G infrastructure, developed by Next-Gen InfraCo (NGIC), a public-private consortium, was inaugurated on November 1, 2024, by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the then-Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful.

The rollout was celebrated as a transformative initiative to improve digital inclusivity and accelerate national development.

However, during a recent interview on TV3 (on January 3, 2024) Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful emphasised that the government has fulfilled its mandate and placed the responsibility squarely on the shoulders of telecom operators.

“People didn’t listen when we were launching it. It’s a wholesale infrastructure, we built it. It’s now up to the telecoms company to buy capacity from it and deliver it on to their subscribers. I’ve done my part. The rest of it is left to the telcos and the NGIC. I know I’ve delivered on my mandate,” she stated.

Revolutionary yet unused initiative

The NGIC network, which received a ten-year exclusive licence to deploy 4G and 5G infrastructure, launched with plans to cover Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi by the end of 2024 and achieve nationwide coverage by 2026. The wholesale network model is designed to reduce rollout costs for operators while ensuring rural inclusion through phased expansion and government subsidies for underserved areas.

During the launch event at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel on November 1, 2024, Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful described the project as a “revolutionary leap forward that promises to redefine connectivity, productivity, and overall quality of life.” She encouraged citizens to hold their service providers accountable for any delays in delivering 5G coverage in the initial rollout areas by December 2024.

“If you live in the initial 5G catchment areas and still cannot access 5G by December, kindly call out your network operator, because they have to make it available to you,” she urged.

Source: Kweku Zurek ( Graphic Online)

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) weekend officially launched the Women in the Digital Economy Fund (WiDEF) project, aimed at closing the gender digital divide and enhancing business opportunities for women in Northern Nigeria. 

The initiative, titled “Addressing Gender Digital Divide and Enhancing Business Opportunities for Women in Northern Nigeria (AGENDA-WIN),” officially commenced in December 2024 and will run for two years.

At a press conference Monday in the Kano office, while addressing journalists about the project, the manager, Zainab Aminu, assured that the project will focus on four northern states, comprising Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, and Yobe states, while Lagos and Rivers will serve as control states for measuring the impact of the program.

WiDEF is a collaboration between USAID, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Microsoft, the Reliance Foundation, and other strategic partners and is managed by CARE, the Global Digital Inclusion Partnership, and the GSMA Foundation.

Zainab said CITAD’s WiDEF project seeks to address the systemic barriers that prevent women and girls from accessing digital opportunities, which are critical for economic development. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) said globally, there are 244 million fewer women than men using the internet, a disparity that affects their access to education, employment, entrepreneurship, and financial independence.

Zainab added that the AGENDA-WIN project is targeted at focusing on several key activities to empower women, including digital literacy training, economic empowerment initiatives, policy advocacy for gender-inclusive digital policies, community awareness campaigns, and mentorship programs connecting women and girls with successful role models in the tech industry.

She said the need for such a project is critical, as Nigeria’s tech sector remains largely male-dominated, with women occupying less than 20% of tech jobs, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. By increasing women’s participation in the digital economy, CITAD aims to drive economic growth, innovation, and inclusion in Nigeria.

Source: blueprint.ng

MTN South Sudan and the National Communications Authority (NCA) have officially launched electronic SIM (eSIM) technology in the local market.

According to the company, it was the first to introduce eSim technology in the country.

The NCA states that as a regulator, it is willing to assist MTN and other mobile operators in innovating and making eSIM-enabled smartphones available.

“Today marks another milestone in South Sudan’s telecommunications journey. As MTN, we are proud to be the first operator in the country to launch eSIM technology. This is not just about innovation; it’s about simplifying connectivity and delivering convenience to our customers,” said Ali Monzer, CEO of MTN South Sudan.

Napoleon Adok Gai, NCA’s director general, believes that eSIM technology improves customer experience while also strengthening security. He also sees customer support and education as top responsibilities. 

Source: itweb.africa

Apple denied committing Siri privacy violations and detailed its user data protection guardrails, days after settling a class lawsuit around the technology for $95 million.

The iPhone maker agreed to the payout last week after a 2019 class action lawsuit, which alleged Apple’s voice-activated virtual assistant Siri recorded private conversations and sold user data to third parties.  

In a statement, Apple clarified that Siri data has never been disclosed to advertisers, used to create marketing profiles, nor sold “to anyone for any purpose”.

The company explained that user requests are processed on-device using neural engines for many Siri interactions, minimising the transmission of data to Apple servers. However, when requests require input from Apple servers, user data is apparently anonymised through random identifiers to prevent its association with individual accounts.

Additionally, the company claimed its Private Cloud Compute technology allows Siri to access larger models for Apple Intelligence requests without storing or exposing user data.

Apple highlighted that audio recordings of Siri interactions are only retained if users opt-in to improve Siri functionality, claiming it as the “most private digital assistant”.

The vendor reiterated, “We believe privacy is a fundamental human right and we will continue our relentless focus on designing our products and services to protect it.”

Siri rival Google Assistant was hit with a similar lawsuit alleging privacy breaches and mishandling of user audio recordings in 2021.

Source: Mobile World Live