Author: Charissa Swanepoel
Abidjan: TECHz – News Desk The Director General of Energy, Narcisse Kalifa Éhouman, officially launched the digital platform for requesting VAT (Value Added Tax), TOB (Tax on Banking Operations), and customs duties and taxes applicable to renewable energy equipment on Friday, February 20, 2026, in Abidjan-Plateau. The objective is to simplify administrative procedures, reduce processing times, strengthen the transparency and traceability of procedures, secure the processing of applications, and sustainably improve the business climate. This ceremony, which he presided over on behalf of the Minister of Mines, Petroleum and Energy, Mamadou Sangafowa-Coulibaly, was attended by representatives of partner administrations, including…
Lomé: TECHz – News Desk The Ministère de l’Economie Numérique et de la Transformation Digitale of Togo has officially launched the field data collection phase of the Project Census of Socio-Economic Infrastructure (PRISE II), aimed at updating the country’s National Geoportal. The initiative seeks to inform focal points and decentralized service actors about their roles in collecting accurate data and highlight how this information contributes to effective public decision-making. The campaign commenced on February 18, 2026, with an official ceremony at the Togo Digital Agency in the Autonomous District of Grand Lomé (DAGL). The event brought together representatives from the…
Abuja: TECHz – News Desk Ericsson in partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the Office of the Vice President, Tech Revolution Africa and ecosystem partners, will launch a four-month innovation hackathon for young talents, startups, and university students at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa. The program combines hands on mentoring, an eight-week acceleration, and practical learning across priority technologies including 5G, IoT, Cloud, AI, and sustainable technologies. Participants will develop solutions in digital inclusion, smart cities, agritech, and sustainability, with outstanding teams gaining access to accelerators and further incubation opportunities. The Hackathon is one of the key…
Praia: TECHz – News Desk The Government of Cape Verde has unveiled its National Strategy for the Implementation of 5G, signaling a major step toward establishing the country as a fully digital nation. The strategy positions digital infrastructure as a key driver for economic growth, inclusion, and competitiveness, enabling Cape Verde to take full advantage of global opportunities. The plan emphasizes the role of 5G in expanding public services, supporting e-commerce, fostering fintech development, and creating skilled jobs for the youth across all islands and within the diaspora. Central components include universal digital identity, widespread digital subscriptions, and a data…
Kitwe: TECHz – News Desk The Ministry of Technology and Science in Zambia officially launched the Kitwe KVTC Telecommunications (KVTC) Tower on 15 February 2025, marking a major step in expanding the country’s digital connectivity. The event was officiated by the Hon. Minister of Technology and Science, Felix C. Mutati, MP, who praised IHS Towers for its continued investment in Zambia’s telecommunications infrastructure. At the ceremony, IHS Towers CEO, Mr. Phiri, highlighted that the company operates over 87,000 towers globally, including more than 2,000 in Zambia, and emphasized the firm’s commitment to supporting government initiatives and delivering quality services to…
Washington: TECHz – News Desk A 2025 report by the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) reveals that biometric and digital identification systems have been rapidly adopted across Africa, with forty-nine countries implementing at least one form of biometric technology. These systems-including fingerprint recognition, facial scans, and iris identification-are often promoted as tools to modernize public administration and strengthen electoral processes. However, the report warns that they are increasingly used for state surveillance and can contribute to systemic exclusion. The report highlights that thirty-five African countries now use biometrics in election processes to improve voter registration and authentication. Over…
Riyadh: TECHz – News Desk Saudi Arabia has launched its first defense-focused venture capital fund, MasnaVentures, aiming to raise $100 million from investors in the US and the Kingdom. The fund is designed to support the localization of defense technology manufacturing within Saudi Arabia, targeting sectors such as unmanned aerial vehicles, aerospace, counter-UAS systems, automated platforms, AI-enabled defense technologies, and maritime solutions. MasnaVentures is led by Lucien Zeigler and Nehal Farooqui, entrepreneurs with established experience in the US-Saudi defense corridor. Zeigler heads Redsalt Defense and its US-Saudi joint venture SR Advanced Strategic Systems, while Farooqui leads device services firm Zension…
Doha: TECHz – News Desk The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) has released an updated version of the Qatar National Frequency Allocation Plan (QNFAP), reflecting the latest developments in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, particularly in radiocommunication services. The update incorporates outcomes from the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 as well as insights gathered through a public consultation involving local, regional, and international stakeholders. These contributions helped ensure that the plan aligns with best practices and international standards. The QNFAP serves as the official regulatory framework for managing Qatar’s radio spectrum, a finite national resource owned by the State. It…
Dubai: TECHz – News Desk NTT DATA, a global leader in AI, digital business and technology services, has acquired Zero&One, an Amazon Web Services (AWS) Premier Tier Services Partner in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The acquisition significantly strengthens NTT DATA’s cloud capabilities and positions it to tap into the rapidly expanding Middle East cloud services market. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Dubai, Zero&One is a leading regional cloud consultancy. The company holds nine AWS competencies and was one of the first in the region to achieve the AWS Generative AI Competency. In 2025, Zero&One was named…
Cairo: TECHz – News Desk Vodafone Group Plc has announced that its African subsidiary, Vodacom Group Limited, confirmed Vodafone Egypt’s participation in a multi-year investment programme led by Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA). The programme covers spectrum allocations in the 1,800MHz and 3,500MHz bands, as well as the renewal of the 2,600MHz band. In the initial phase of the programme, Vodafone Egypt has secured 2 x 10MHz of 1,800MHz spectrum. The payment for this spectrum will be spread over four annual installments, beginning with US$100 million (€84 million) in FY26.…