Telecom
AfriTECH 4.0 Set to Drive Conversations on Africa’s Digital Future
Africa Tech Alliance Forum (AfriTECH 4.0), one of the continent’s leading technology-focused events, is scheduled to hold Thursday, November 07, 2024 at Oriental Hotel, Lekki Road, Lagos-Nigeria.
The forum will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, innovators, and entrepreneurs to explore the theme “Leapfrogging Digital Transformation for Future of Africa’s Economy.”
AfriTECH 4.0 is poised to address critical conversations around the digital evolution of Africa, with a focus on key topics such as emerging technologies, sustainability, policy frameworks, and innovation in the tech ecosystem.
The forum will highlight the importance of building sustainable and inclusive digital infrastructures that can drive economic growth and social development across the continent.
Event Highlights Include:
· Keynote Presentations from prominent technology leaders and policymakers.
· Panel discussions: telecommunications/data centre business, artificial intelligence, fintech, blockchain, cybersecurity, and digital skills development.
· Workshops and Masterclasses led by industry experts on strategies for digital transformation.
· Networking Opportunities for attendees to connect with key stakeholders in Africa’s tech landscape.
· Exhibitions showcasing cutting-edge technologies and innovative startups from across Africa.
· Africa Tech Alliance Excellence (ATAEx) Awards in recognition of individuals, businesses and institutions leading digital transformation in Africa.
Notable Speakers at AfriTECH past events include Mr. Austin Okere, founder, CWG PLC, Ola Williams, Country Manager, Microsoft Nigeria & Ghana; Dr. Ayotunde Coker, CEO, Open Access Data Centre (OADC); Dr. Aminu Maida, EVC/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Kashifu Inuwa, DG, NITDA; Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani, CEO, Digital Realty (Nigeria); Chuks Anakudo, Managing Director/CEO – Global Accelerex; Prof. Wale Peter Obadare, Chief Visionary Officer, Digital Encode Limited; Dr. Seyi Akindeinde, founder, NeuRaL AI; Chris Uwaje (Oracle) pioneer president, Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria; Dr. Krishnan Ranganath, the Regional Executive for West Africa and Morocco at Africa Data Centres; Emmanuel Amos, President, InnovationBed Africa; among others.
Prominent speakers have also lined up for AfriTECH 4.0 who will share insights on driving Africa’s digital economy, fostering innovation, and ensuring digital inclusion for all.
“With Africa’s growing digital economy and the increasing importance of technology in various sectors, AfriTECH 4.0 will provide a platform for stakeholders to collaborate on strategies to harness the power of technology to solve some of the continent’s most pressing challenges”, said, Chike Onwuegbuchi, co-convener, AfriTECH.
Event Registration is now open via the link here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1xQJc8d141wUZ5Swuj2lhiPFLLKUV0xCjE3f_P2bjKfY/edit and interested participants can sign up to attend the forum both virtually and in person.
Telecom
Group Advocates for Digital Rights at 2024 Internet Governance Forum
Paradigm Initiative (PIN), a leading pan-African organisation dedicated to advancing digital rights and inclusion in the Global South, has made significant contributions to the just-concluded 2024 Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
PIN’s participation in the prestigious global event underscores the organisation’s commitment to fostering inclusive digital policies and ensuring that Africa’s voices are central in global discussions about the future of the internet.
During the week-long forum, PIN team members played key roles in numerous sessions, emphasising the importance of a digital rights perspective in the development of emerging technologies, advocating for a more inclusive digital future, and addressing the specific challenges the African continent faces in terms of digital access and inclusion.
PIN Executive Director, ‘Gbenga Sesan, spoke at high-profile sessions, including the Leadership Panel on ‘The Internet We Want’, which outlined the vision for a global internet that is accessible, secure, and inclusive.
At the Africa Youth IGF Parley, ‘Gbenga provided a platform for young Africans to address pressing issues such as internet restrictions, the digital divide, and digital rights violations.
Adeboye Adegoke, Senior Manager for Grants and Programmes Strategy at Paradigm Initiative, contributed to Open Forum #12, advocating for policies that ensure a rights-respecting and inclusive digital future. His discussions highlighted the importance of policies that place human rights at the core of technological advancements.
Ihueze Nwobilor, Senior Programmes Officer, spoke at the session, ‘A Rights-Respecting Approach to Emerging Tech Development,’ where he called for the prioritisation of human rights in the development and deployment of emerging technologies across Africa and beyond.
The organisation’s Senior Manager for Partnerships and Engagements, Thobekile Matimbe, shared valuable insights during the ‘Better Products and Policies Through Stakeholder Engagement’ session.
She emphasized the role of the private sector in engaging with local communities to ensure that digital products and policies are inclusive and meet the needs of vulnerable groups across Africa.
Bridgette Ndlovu, PIN Partnerships and Engagements Officer, moderated a session on ‘Implementation of the USF in 26 African Countries,’ where she and other speakers, including ‘Gbenga Sesan, discussed the crucial role of Universal Service Funds (USF) in advancing digital inclusion, particularly in underserved and rural areas.
PIN’s participation at IGF 2024 has been an important moment for advocating digital rights in Africa. “Paradigm Initiative’s participation was a powerful reminder that Africa’s digital future must be shaped by inclusive, rights-respecting policies.
“Our participation at the IGF is a continuous demonstration of the need for all stakeholders to collaborate in building a more inclusive and accessible internet for everyone, especially those in under-served communities,” PIN Executive Director, ‘Gbenga Sesan stated.
Telecom
Patricia Technologies Begins Repayments to Customers Affected by 2022 Security Breach
Lagos-based financial technology firm Patricia Technologies has commenced repayments to customers impacted by a 2022 security breach. This follows a two-year period where the company focused on recovering funds and rebuilding trust.
In 2022, Patricia experienced a significant cyberattack, resulting in the loss of over 600 million Naira from customer accounts. Following the breach, the company temporarily restricted withdrawals and collaborated with law enforcement, leading to the arrest of several suspects, including a prominent politician.
Patricia had previously requested a two-to-five-year repayment window, a plan that has now begun to be implemented. The company has started disbursing funds to affected customers in phases, with the first batch of payments initiated on December 10, 2024.
CEO Hanu Fejiro emphasized the company’s commitment to its customers, stating, “This repayment process represents a milestone in fulfilling our promise to make things right.”
He encouraged customers to update their information on the Patricia platform and monitor official channels for further updates on their individual repayment timelines.
Subscribers who are getting paid in this phase have since been officially notified by email. One of the subscribers, with initials BP (for purposes of confidentiality), expressed appreciation and satisfaction with being paid by Patricia via an email reaction: “I really appreciate your effort. Though it took a long time, I’m satisfied with what I’ve received. Thank you for keeping to your words.”
Telecom
From Niche App to Global Giant: TikTok’s Controversial Journey
TikTok’s rise from a niche video-sharing app to a global social media giant has sparked controversies worldwide, with concerns over its links to China and its influence on users and politics.
In Albania, Prime Minister Edi Rama announced Saturday that TikTok would be banned for at least a year starting in 2025.
The decision follows a tragic incident in Tirana where a 14-year-old was killed and another injured in a fight stemming from an online confrontation. Rama described TikTok as the “thug of the neighborhood.”
In Romania, the European Union is investigating whether TikTok played a role in far-right candidate Calin Georgescu’s unexpected first-round presidential election victory.
The probe focuses on alleged Russian interference and claims of “preferential treatment” by TikTok. This marks the platform’s third EU investigation, potentially risking fines of up to six percent of its global revenue.
TikTok stated it has implemented “robust actions” to combat election misinformation, while Russia denies meddling.
In the United States, TikTok faces mounting pressure after the government passed a law in April requiring ByteDance, its Chinese parent company, to divest from the platform by January 2025.
The U.S. claims TikTok allows China access to American user data, a claim TikTok denies. ByteDance admitted its employees had accessed U.S. user data but insisted it does not share information with Chinese authorities.
TikTok could face a nationwide ban if ByteDance fails to comply, threatening its 170 million U.S. users.
Australia recently enacted a landmark law banning under-16s from accessing social media, including TikTok, with hefty fines of up to AU$50 million for noncompliance.
TikTok expressed disappointment, warning the law could push young users to less regulated parts of the internet.
In Europe, TikTok was forced to remove an engagement feature in its TikTok Lite version after EU regulators raised concerns about its addictive nature.
The feature rewarded users aged 18 and older with points redeemable for goods based on time spent on the app.
TikTok also faces criticism for its role in spreading hazardous challenges, some of which have reportedly led to child deaths, such as the blackout challenge.
Disinformation remains a significant issue, with a study by NewsGuard revealing that one-fifth of videos on topical subjects like the Russia-Ukraine war contained misleading or false information.
Despite these controversies, TikTok remains a dominant force in social media, attracting creators and influencers worldwide.
Its powerful algorithm and innovative features have secured its place at the forefront of digital engagement.
However, the platform continues to grapple with mounting scrutiny over its practices and societal impact.
TikTok’s meteoric rise has reshaped the social media landscape, cementing its status as a global powerhouse with over 1.04 billion monthly active users worldwide as of 2024.
This milestone, achieved in less than a decade, underscores TikTok’s unparalleled growth trajectory compared to platforms like Facebook and Instagram, which took significantly longer to reach similar heights.
In the United States alone, 170 million people actively use the app, contributing to its $16 billion U.S. revenue in 2023.
Globally, TikTok engages over a quarter of social media users and nearly one-fifth of internet users monthly, with U.S. adults spending an average of nearly an hour daily on the platform.
Its popularity is further evidenced by 137 million downloads in the first quarter of 2024.
Since its 2018 launch, TikTok has grown from 55 million users to over a billion, fueled by its dynamic algorithm and appeal across diverse demographics.
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