In the vibrant and innovative city of Dubai, UAE, from December 10 to 11, 2024, the highly anticipated annual Telecom Review Leaders’ Summit will be back as a cornerstone event in the ICT industry's calendar.
NetBlocks, an internet observatory, reported a major disruption in internet connectivity affecting West and Central Africa. This outage was compounded by multiple failures reported by operators of subsea cables in the region. Despite the widespread impact, the precise cause of these cable failures remained unclear at the time of reporting.
Nigeria has urged the West African region to adopt a unified and collaborative strategy to safeguard shared telecommunications infrastructure and enhance connectivity to ensure uninterrupted service. Reuben Muoka, spokesperson for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), emphasized this after recent disruptions caused by undersea cable cuts.
In the past decade, mobile financial services (MFS) have transformed the landscape of financial transactions, making it easier, faster, and more accessible for people around the globe to manage their money. This transformation is particularly significant in developing countries, where traditional banking infrastructure is sparse, but mobile phone penetration is high. From mobile banking to mobile wallets to peer-to-peer transfers to microloans, MFS have become a cornerstone of economic activity for individuals and businesses alike.
Amidst the ever-growing necessity for connectivity, telecom giants like MTN are forging ahead to ensure uninterrupted access for millions across Africa. Keeping an eye on the escalating demand for connectivity, MTN remains steadfast in its dedication to pioneering technological advancements, which aim to enhance network reliability and accessibility. Anchored by a strong commitment to customer-centricity and strategic alignment with its corporate objectives, MTN is poised to redefine the telecommunications landscape, ushering in a new era of connectivity and experience excellence across the region.
Driven by AI technologies, telecom companies are embarking on an accelerated transformation journey. Recognizing that advancing digital intelligence transformation hinges on the integration of vast carrier knowledge, experience, and data with cutting-edge AI technologies, Huawei, the leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices has identified the critical need for this fusion.
Mobile money services in West Africa have grown significantly over the past decade, with registered accounts doubling, according to the 2024 'State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money' by the GSMA. In 2023, global money transactions increased by 14% year-over-year, totaling USD 2.7 million per minute. The GSMA Mobile Money Programme, supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, aims to improve mobile money ecosystems for underserved populations.
With the electric vehicle (EV) market in South Africa expected to grow at a rate of 16.3% annually until 2028, with a projected value of ZAR 615 million by 2024, it's evident that the automotive landscape is headed towards a future defined by innovation. However, the shift to electric vehicles represents just the tip of the iceberg for the automotive sector. By 2030, an estimated 95% of new vehicles sold globally will be interconnected, heralding an era dominated by software, customization, and automation.
The most recent Trade in Transition report, incorporating perspectives from international trade specialists and senior executives, including representatives from Egypt, emphasizes a significant uptick in businesses' adoption of technology and adaptable trade tactics. This study underscores the resilience of Egyptian enterprises in the face of economic adversities in 2023 and apprehensions surrounding geopolitical developments.
During the Huawei Product & Solution Launch 2024 at the Mobile World Congress, Bruno Zhang, CTO of Huawei Cloud, gave a detailed presentation on how cloud and AI benefit the telecom industry at large.
