Cryptocurrencies: Mingle for Mutual Benefits

No one knows it all when it comes to cryptocurrencies and, to a larger extent, digital technology as a field to be explored. Hence, it is always a good idea to mingle with others to share in and learn from their discourses. Otherwise, it could have been easier to muzzle others’ initiatives and new ideas wouldn’t have flowed freely.

Kenyans, Nigerians face-off on Twitter

A Twitter hashtag that reportedly sprang up following the first visit of Facebook‘s founder to Africa could have implications for the control of social media in regions across Africa.

Is Facebook losing its grip on Africa?

Mark Zuckerberg‘s visit to Africa may boost Facebook‘s drive on the continent in the face of heightened criticism from users and competition from new decentralised platforms in other parts of the world.

The downside to blockchain and bitcoin uptake in Africa

Some business leaders in Africa have reservations about the strength of blockchain technology as a means through which to increase the continent’s internet penetration.

Startup pitches Bitcoin as solution to Zim economic hardship

“Keeping it real, most African economies are still controlled by neocolonialism,” he says. “The West has more to say about African financial markets than the finance ministers of these African countries. World Bank, IMF along with large multinationals don’t fund serious research and development in Africa. So innovations like Bitcoin aren’t a priority to these powerful African influencers. It’s gonna take the local indigenous business persons and farmers to see the value of Bitcoin and overthrow the legacy of the oppressive colonial financial system in Africa.”

Orange completes acquisition of mobile operator Airtel in Sierra Leone

Orange announces today that, together with its Senegal-based partner Sonatel, it has completed the acquisition of 100% of the mobile operator Airtel in Sierra Leone. Since the signature of an agreement with Bharti Airtel International (Netherlands) BV (“Airtel”) in January 2016, Orange has obtained all the official approbations necessary to complete this transaction.

UN HRC: States commit to protect civil society space

A crucial resolution gives practical guidance to states on how to ensure civil society space based on their existing commitments under international human rights law has been adopted at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC). Though 244 organisations from around the world jointly expressed their support for the international human rights standards which has over 60 cosponsoring States, some of the countries that voted against civil society are Congo, Nigeria, and South Africa according to Article 19.

Africa urged to smarten up on big data

Africa‘s use of big data will yield more benefit if the continent focuses on smart data to address complex situations.

e-Passport for Africa a reality

Africa has the technical capacity to deliver on an AU (African Union) initiative to drive the development and adoption of a common African passport.

Complex Bitcoin Phishing Scheme Revealed – Cisco’s OpenDNS Security Team

Criminals have started staging phishing campaigns having discovered that Bitcoin can provide an easier way to steal, says Cisco’s OpenDNS security team after they revealed a complex phishing scheme aimed at collecting user credentials from various Bitcoin-related services.

Bitcoin Price Rises Sharply After the UK Votes to Leave the EU, Trading Volumes Big

The Bitcoin market has welcomed the outcome of the Brexit vote in the UK with open arms as the price of its currency soars following a falling trend in recent days. The price of Bitcoin dipped to as low as $583 just before the June 23 Brexit voting day – a sharp drop from its two-and-a-half year high of nearly $775 on June 17. However, after votes were cast, with a win for the Brexit supporters, the digital currency gained in value to over $650 – a 24-hour recovery for a seven-day drop.

Bitcoin Powered Cooperative Search Engine Introduces Search Mining

Launched in September 2015, SearchTrade has already sold 1321 keywords as part of its search mining concept. SearchTrade works like any other search engine, but takes its revenue from the advertisers, and uses Bitcoin to distribute it back to users. In this way, people become active participants with technological resources being distributed evenly.

South African to head Bitcoin’s global body

Cape-based venture capitalist Llew Claasen, a managing partner at Newtown Partners, has been named as the new Executive Director of the Bitcoin Foundation. The move could boost the level of adoption of the cryptocurrency in Africa, say industry insiders.

Mauritius first in Africa to sign Convention 108

In a move that could lead to a widespread adoption of a global initiative in Africa, Mauritius has ratified the Convention for the protection of individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data, also known as “Convention 108“.

Africa’s ICT capacity builders heading to Kenya

Kenya will host the Global ICT Capacity Building Symposium (CBS-2016) after it formalised arrangements with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in an agreement signed by ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao and the Director-General of the Communications Authority of Kenya, Francis Wangusi.

Ghana reviews Electronic Communications bill

The government of Ghana, via the National Communication Authority (NCA), has amended the controversial draft Electronic Communications (Interconnect Clearing House services) Act 2016 and is hoping for an improved response from the public and stakeholders.

Bitcoin Better at Being Gold Than Gold, Winklevoss Twins Say

The  Winklevoss Twins have described Bitcoin as better than gold because it experiences ‘a lot less volatility’ and is a better store of value at the moment. They cited a Wall Street Journal story in May which described how the virtual currency has been more stable than gold over the last 28 days.  

Tech startups want President Buhari’s attention

President Muhammadu Buhari will attend the first government-organised event for startups from across Nigeria to pitch new and emerging technologies ideas to venture capitalists, investors and decision-makers in the public and private sector.

Africa: pundits predict 200% growth in smartphone adoption by 2021

Smartphone subscriptions will increase by more than 200% between 2015 and 2021 in the Middle East and Africa, according to the latest Ericsson Mobility Report.

Glo under pressure in Ghana

Ghana‘s National Communication Authority (NCA) has given telecommunications service provider Glo until December 2016 to extend its 3G coverage to all 21 district capitals in the country’s northern region.