Newsletter 24102023

Newsletter 24102023: Nigerian FG signs N1billion partnership with IHS Towers to establish the 3MTT Learning Community

EMPOWERMENT

Nigerian FG signs N1billion partnership with IHS Towers to establish the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Learning Community

Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, announced that the Federal Government has entered three-year, N1 Billion partnership deal with IHS Towers to establish the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Learning Community.

According to him in a post on X platform, “this initiative, which is in support of our recently launched 3MTT programme, will facilitate the set up of learning communities in the 36 states and the FCT. The N1billion funding from IHS Towers also includes a commitment to paying the salaries of 37 dedicated learning community managers for each location for the next 3 years.”

The 3MTT Learning Community, which will utilize dedicated training spaces in each state, aims to support the development of comprehensive digital skills and prepare participants for the current and future needs of a digital workforce. In addition, these communities will provide a dynamic ecosystem that allows participants and community managers to actively engage in knowledge sharing, collaboration and innovation...…Continue reading

MOBILE MONEY

Safaricom Takes Full Ownership of M-PESA Holdings

In a defining move that reshapes the landscape of mobile financial services, Safaricom PLC has proudly declared its full acquisition of M-PESA Holdings Co. Limited. The deal, culminating in Safaricom’s purchase of the entirety of M-PESA Holdings from Vodacom International Holdings BV, has solidified Safaricom’s position at the helm of the mobile money industry.

The journey to this acquisition started on April 17th, 2023, when Safaricom embarked on a strategic agreement with Vodafone International Holdings BV. This pivotal arrangement resulted in the complete transfer of MPESA Holdings Limited’s shareholding from Vodafone BV to Safaricom.

M-PESA, which has grown to become an emblem of mobile money prowess not just in Kenya but across East Africa, now nestles under Safaricom’s wing. This acquisition is more than just a corporate maneuver; it’s about stewardship. M-PESA Holdings, as outlined by the National Payment System Regulations of 2014, has the critical mandate of holding and managing M-PESA customer funds within a trust. With this acquisition, Safaricom takes on the mantle of ensuring these funds are stewarded with the utmost care and integrity.….Continue reading

SOCIAL MEDIA

Instagram will soon let you create custom stickers from photos

After recently unveiling the under-testing story-sharing options, Instagram is testing a sticker creation feature that will let users make custom stickers from their own photos — and other users’, in some cases — and pop them into Reels or Stories.

While Meta has been going all in on prompt-based, AI-generated stickers lately, this tool is something much simpler. It’ll just select the subject of a photo and remove the background, creating a free-floating sticker that can be placed over other content.

Instagram’s new custom sticker feature sounds a lot like the sticker feature Apple introduced to iOS 16 last year, which already lets you add your custom stickers to Instagram posts. You can even make stickers from another person’s content through the power of screenshots....….Continue reading

OTHER STORIES

• Mozambique and Tanzania have emerged as potential sources for South Korea as it explores options in African nations to secure a supply of graphite. This move comes in response to China tightening its export controls on this critical material, which is extensively used in electric vehicle (EV) batteries..….Continue reading

• In a move set to revolutionize how the younger generation interacts with technology, Safaricom has unveiled its newest platform: Safaricom Hook. This innovative platform is strategically designed to cater to the diverse needs of the Gen Z demographic, offering them a trifecta of hooks: technology, career, and culture…….Continue reading

• MTN Group has announced the appointment of David Behr as the new CEO of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre of Excellence (CoE), effective November 1, succeeding Vaughn Naidoo, who held the interim position…..Continue reading