Telecom
African ICT Foundation, UN- ECOSOC Ink MoU to Explore Digital Communications Benefits for Africans

The African ICT Foundation, (AfICTF) a non-governmental organization championing digital inclusion across the African continent and the Observatory for Digital Communication OCCAM, affiliated to ECOSOC, United Nations, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the benefits of Digital Communication.
According to the MoU, both organizations will explore the benefits of digital communication especially E-learning and ICT Platform for global development, research, granting education to young people, technological innovation, and its applications to expand the benefits of new technologies to disadvantaged communities.
The MoU was signed by both organizations after careful consideration of the importance of Digital Communication and new technologies in inducing sustainable global development, research, granting education to young people, technological innovation, and its applications to reach the 2030 UN Agenda, expand the benefits of new technologies to all and reach a fairer and more inclusive digital Society.
Specifically, the MoU will help to facilitate the exchange of digital innovation, researchers, and experts for conducting research or exchange ideas while also providing for ICT professionals, researchers, and experts to participate in conferences, symposia, and international meetings of both organizations.
The MoU is also going to open up opportunities for collaboration for the AfICTF and OCCAM in holding joint conferences, research, technical and audio-visual projects as well as participation in European and African Union projects or other international funded projects for promoting digital communication, e-learning and ICT technologies for telemedicine.
Commenting on the MoU, Mr. Tony Ojobo, President of the AfICTF, said that the partnership will boost the foundation’s quest to deepen internet penetration across the continent saying that it will help to actualize its mandate of affordable and reachable ICT and broadband internet for Africans everywhere.
He also stated that the MoU will further help the Foundation to fulfill its mandate formulating, evaluating, and promoting ICT and telecommunication policies which are aimed primarily at creating job opportunities, accelerating innovation, and boosting productivity and the progress of African economy.
Commenting on the MOU, Arch. Saporito President of OCCAM, said that a collaboration between our two organization could improve the paradigm shift towards a fairer and more inclusive digital Sociaty.
We live in a period of Transition. Transition has become the keyword of the global agenda. Understanding where this digital transition will head us to is crucial. Only a collaboration and a shared interpretation could lead us to a more equal and participative digital habitat
In addition, this collaboration will empower the Observatory’s action in the African Continent and will strengthen the already existing partnership between Europe and Africa.
Telecom
MTN Mulls Establishment of Fintech Firm in Nigeria, Others

MTN Uganda is seeking input from stakeholders on a plan to structurally separate its mobile money service, MoMo, from its core telecoms business.
According to the company, the proposed change will be discussed at the upcoming extraordinary general meeting on July 2.
If approved, the telco’s fintech business will be run by a new company controlled by MTN Group Fintech Holdings B.V. and a trust benefiting minority shareholders following a merger.
Additionally, the restructuring also aligns with MTN Group’s ambition 2025 strategy which aims to unlock value, attract new investors, and strengthen regulatory compliance by creating standalone fintech entities in Uganda, Ghana, and Nigeria.
The company’s fintech division has over 13 million customers, with an 18.4% revenue increase in the first quarter of 2025, driven by 19.0% growth in mobile money services, 19.8% growth in transaction volumes, and a 31.4% increase in transaction value.
Reports say the decision is part of the telco’s compliance with the National Payment Systems Act 2020, which mandates mobile money businesses to operate as standalone entities, and to align with MTN Group’s regional fintech strategy.
MTN Uganda, which is led by CEO Sylvia Mulinge, highlighted that the implementation of the proposed transaction will be subjected to a number of conditions and regulatory procedures.
“The implementation of the proposed transaction shall be subject to a number of conditions, including the company and MTN MoMo receiving all required regulatory approvals and no-objections and complying with any regulatory conditions,” said MTN Uganda in notice.
Telecom
ngCERT Issues High Alert to Nigerians Using Android Phones

Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team (ngCERT) has raised alarms over a new wave of advanced cyberattacks targeting Android mobile phones through a malware campaign dubbed Tria Stealer.
The malicious software is designed to infiltrate Android devices, hijack messaging accounts, intercept One-Time Passwords (OTPs), to steal sensitive personal and financial data.
According to ngCERT, Tria Stealer spreads primarily through deceptive tactics, such as fake event invitations distributed via popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram.
Unsuspecting users are enticed to download an infected (APK) file, often disguised as a harmless system application, to evade detection.
Once installed, Tria Stealer requests extensive permissions, including access to SMS, call logs, and app notifications.
It immediately commences data harvesting activities, sending stolen information to a Command and Control (C2) server operated via Telegram bots.
This trojan spreads through fake links, usually disguised as wedding or event invites, and tricks users into downloading malicious APK files
“Account takeover of messaging platforms. Impersonation of victim for fraudulent money transfer requests. Compromise of banking and financial applications. Identity theft and credential harvesting.”
In plain terms, if your phone is compromised, the consequences could be catastrophic.
Your financial apps are vulnerable, your reputation could be ruined by impersonation and even simple personal messages could be twisted into tools for scams.
Here’s what users should be doing now:
Don’t download apps outside the official Play Store.
Be suspicious of random invites or links, even from people you know.
Turn on 2FA for everything—banking, emails, social platforms.
Get a reputable antivirus and keep it updated.
If you run an organisation, you should already be taking this seriously.
ngCERT’s guidance says you should raise awareness, monitor mobile devices, and not let your team click on unverified links.
“Deploy network monitoring for suspicious outbound connections to known C2 domains,” it said, meaning, keep an eye on every digital door in and out.
This isn’t one of those cases where you wait to see if it affects you. By the time you realise it, it may already be too late.
Telecom
MTN and Ecobank Launch Chess Championship to Empower Nigeria’s Youth

MTN Nigeria is set to host the National Schools Team Chess Championship, Nigeria’s largest inter-school chess competition, scheduled to take place from June 26th to 28th, 2025, at the Ecobank Pan African Center in Victoria Island, Lagos.
The championship, organised in partnership with Ecobank and the Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF), aims to promote intellectual development, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills among young Nigerians, while also identifying and nurturing future chess champions.
The championship is open to primary, secondary, and tertiary level students, and this year’s edition will host an impressive 1,600 students from 400 schools across 36 states and the FCT.
The competition will feature team-based play, with each team comprising four players from the same school. A significant prize pool of over N40 million is at stake, with winning schools also having the invaluable opportunity to represent Nigeria internationally.
Onyinye Ikenna Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at MTN Nigeria, expressed the company’s commitment to the initiative, stating, “Our investment is driven by our commitment to fostering youth development, just as our shared value initiative.
“By supporting, we not only contribute to the growth but also engage with the younger demographic in a meaningful way, as we believe we are good together”.
MTN’s sponsorship of the National Schools Team Chess Championship is a natural extension of its long-standing dedication to empowering young people through various initiatives in sports, education, and skill development, including programs like MTN Champs and MTN Campus Invasion.
The company aims to establish itself as the leading driver of youth empowerment, education, and strategic thinking through chess in Nigeria.
The event will also feature the presence of Tunde Onakoya, a renowned chess master and inspiration, who will join the championship week to share his experiences and further inspire the young participants.
His involvement underscores the profound impact strategic thinking can have on transforming lives and building dreams.
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