Category Archives: Tech

Stay updated on the latest technology news, innovations, gadgets, and digital trends shaping Nigeria and the world — only on News Access NG.

Flapmax partners IBM to advance quantum computing innovation in Ghana

Posted on by
Reply

Flapmax, a leading AI infrastructure company, has announced a new collaboration with IBM to accelerate quantum science and artificial intelligence development in Ghana. The initiative is being driven through the company’s research and education arm, FAI Institute, and will see Palm University College host the country’s first quantum-AI summit.

The event will run alongside the IBM Qiskit Fall Fest and is scheduled for November 21, 2025, at Palm University College in Accra, with virtual participation also available. The summit will feature keynote presentations, technical workshops, hands-on programming sessions and a global hackathon designed to give students and innovators practical exposure to emerging quantum computing technologies.

Dr. Peter Carlos Okantey, Founder and President of Palm University College, described the event as a milestone for Ghana’s technology education landscape.

“Hosting Ghana’s most comprehensive quantum computing summit reflects the momentum building at Palm University College and within Ghana’s broader education landscape,” he said. “Through strong collaborations with institutions like IBM, Intel, and Flapmax, our students now have direct access to quantum tools that can shape entire industries.”

Supporting Global Quantum Education Efforts

The summit forms part of the FAST AI Summit: Quantum Computing Ghana 2025 and aligns with the United Nations International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. Through the partnership, IBM Quantum is providing students with guidance and access to quantum development tools, algorithms and real-world applications.

Palm University College was chosen based on its growing focus on STEM innovation and its legacy of academic leadership in West Africa.

Flapmax Eyes Future-Ready Talent Development

Speaking on the partnership, Dr. Dave Ojika, Founder and CEO of Flapmax, said the initiative is designed to build the next generation of African quantum and AI researchers.

“Flapmax is deeply invested in expanding access to transformative technologies—AI, quantum computing, and high-performance scientific tools—across the continent. Our collaboration with IBM and Palm University College accelerates the development of quantum-AI talent capable of advancing frontier research,” he noted.

Already, Ghana is beginning to apply quantum research to real-world challenges. In a previous project supported by Flapmax and Intel, Palm University College students used quantum tools to model cocoa disease resilience—offering early insights that could benefit one of Ghana’s most valuable export crops.

Similar quantum-AI applications could support:

  • Materials innovation for next-generation batteries
  • Energy grid optimization
  • Healthcare modelling and epidemiology
  • Climate-resilient agriculture

To support continuous practical learning, students have also launched the Palm University AI & Quantum Computing Club to promote collaboration and mentorship.

Global Recognition and Opportunities

FAI Institute and Palm University College were selected from more than 600 global applicants for the IBM Qiskit Fall Fest, placing Ghana among the top 150 institutions represented worldwide. The Summit will host keynote speakers from IBM, technical breakout sessions, innovation labs and immersive activities celebrating African technological heritage and future potential.

The hybrid hackathon will run alongside the event with challenge tracks in healthcare, agriculture and energy. Winners will receive access to Flapmax’s hybrid Quantum–AI compute platform, while all participants will earn an official IBM certificate.

More than 100 registered attendees from multiple institutions in Accra have already confirmed participation.

For registration and additional event details, participants can visit the official event portal.

Senegalese Adama Fall leverages GoDaddy Airo to build digital legacy

Posted on by
Reply

For Senegalese footballer Adama Fall, the game is just the beginning. Currently pursuing a master’s degree in Cybersecurity at Arizona State University (ASU), Adama is combining his international academic journey with entrepreneurial development through the ASU Student-Athlete Venture Studio, in partnership with GoDaddy Empower.

With support from GoDaddy Airo®, Adama is learning how AI-driven tools can help student-athletes build a strong online presence that reflects both their sports careers and aspirations beyond the pitch. The initiative goes beyond name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities, equipping young athletes with the skills to shape their personal brands and long-term professional futures.

Read Also: Google launches Hustle Academy 2025 for African SMBs

Adama says the goal is not just personal growth, but also empowering other athletes to tell their stories and create lasting impact through technology and digital engagement.

The GoDaddy Empower program partners with schools, community organisations and institutions to equip aspiring entrepreneurs of all backgrounds with free digital tools, training and mentorship for online business growth. Adama’s story is featured as part of the GoDaddy Empower Spotlight Series, which highlights individuals benefiting from the initiative.

More information is available at StudentAthlete.GoDaddy/Africa, and Adama’s story can be viewed via the programme’s featured video.

TikTok, AfricTivistes hold first West Africa safety summit in Dakar

Posted on by
Reply

TikTok has deepened its engagement with regional stakeholders as it hosted its first West Africa Safety Summit in Dakar, Senegal, in partnership with AfricTivistes. The gathering brought together government officials, policy experts, regulators, media, NGOs, and industry leaders from countries including Nigeria, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad and Ethiopia to discuss safer digital practices and region-specific content moderation challenges.

Speaking at the event, TikTok’s Outreach and Partnerships Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, Duduzile Mkhize, reaffirmed the platform’s commitment to enhancing user protections through collaboration and informed policy development.

“While global, we remain hyper-local in our everyday efforts,” Mkhize said. “Only through insights sharing and working closely with policymakers and regional partners can we prevent a fragmented and insecure digital environment. United action is vital in ensuring a safe space for our community to discover, create and connect responsibly.”

Senegalese digital specialist and AfricTivistes co-founder, Aisha Dabo, also highlighted the importance of African representation in global digital policy discussions. Dabo, who sits on TikTok’s Sub-Saharan Africa Safety Advisory Council, noted that local expertise plays a crucial role in shaping meaningful safety frameworks.

“This summit is an opportunity to highlight African-led solutions to digital challenges and ensure that our regional realities are reflected in global safety conversations,” she said. “Building an inclusive, open and secure internet is essential for the continent’s digital future.”

Read Also: Shakara Festival set to redefine ‘Detty December’ with groundbreaking four-day music, culture experience in Lagos

Robust Enforcement and Safety Standards

TikTok’s latest Community Guidelines Enforcement Report shows the platform’s combined use of advanced technology and human content moderation teams to swiftly detect and remove harmful material. Since January 2024, more than 34 million videos have been removed across West Africa — representing an average of 0.6% of all content published in the region.

Between April and June 2025 alone, enforcement actions led to 8.3 million video removals, with 87% taken down through automated detection.

The platform also disclosed that in March 2025, it disrupted a covert influence network of 129 accounts operating from Togo, which sought to manipulate political discourse in West Africa and France.

In Senegal, over 2.5 million videos have been removed between Q1 2024 and Q2 2025, alongside the interruption of 16,000 TikTok LIVE sessions during the period.

Globally, TikTok removed 189 million videos in the second quarter of 2025, accounting for 0.7% of uploaded content. Of these, 99.1% were proactively detected, while 163.9 million were removed using AI-driven systems. The platform also deleted over 76 million fake accounts, along with 25.9 million suspected underage accounts.

LIVE Monetization Enforcement

For the first time, TikTok also released data on the enforcement of its LIVE monetization policies. In Q2 2025, action was taken against 2.32 million LIVE sessions and over 1 million creators for violating LIVE monetization guidelines. Most penalties came in the form of warnings, aimed at educating creators on compliance and responsible engagement.

TikTok says its evolving approach blends advanced automated systems with skilled safety teams to protect digital integrity and curb the spread of misinformation, hate speech and other harmful content.

For more details, users can visit the platform’s Safety Centre.

South Africa to host G20 social summit November

Posted on by
Reply

South Africa will host the G20 Social Summit from 18–20 November 2025 at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. The event, held under the theme “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability,” aligns with the priorities of South Africa’s G20 Presidency, which focuses on inclusive growth, poverty reduction and building an ethical, developmental state.

The Summit continues the people-centred approach introduced by Brazil and will unite governments, civil society, labour, youth groups, women’s organisations, faith-based movements, persons with disabilities, philanthropy and grassroots networks. Its goal is to elevate social development and inclusion to the same level of priority as economic and financial issues in the global arena.

President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Minister in The Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, and former Deputy President Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka as Co-Convenors to guide the Summit’s organisation and ensure alignment with broader G20 objectives.

Read Also: AU congratulates South Africa as G20 Chair, Host

Across three days, participants will deliberate on pressing global issues affecting people’s daily lives. Key thematic sessions will cover:

•             Digital Inclusion and Equitable Transformation

•             Inclusive Climate Justice

•             A Just Transition and Energy Democracy

•             Trade, Resilience and Inclusive Value Chains

•             Sustainable Finance and International Financial Architecture

•             Accelerating the SDGs and Agenda 2063

Deputy President Paul Mashatile will deliver the Opening Ceremony address on 18 November, while President Cyril Ramaphosa will close the Summit on 20 November and receive the G20 Social Declaration from delegates. Brazil, as part of the G20 Troika, will also participate in the Closing Ceremony.

The Summit offers South Africa an opportunity to advance the African Agenda and amplify the priorities of the Global South within the world’s premier platform for international economic cooperation.

Thirteen official G20 Engagement Groups—including W20, B20, L20, Y20, C20, P20, Startup20, S20 and others—will contribute their policy recommendations throughout the Summit, ensuring diverse voices and constituencies shape the outcomes.

Big 5 Global showcases Intl solutions to strengthen Africa’s construction supply chains

Posted on by
Reply

As urbanisation accelerates across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, demand for housing, transportation and large-scale infrastructure continues to surge. With the UN projecting that 68% of the global population will live in cities by 2050, construction stakeholders are turning to Big 5 Global to access international technologies that enhance supply chain resilience, boost efficiency and support sustainable development.

Bringing together participants from more than 165 countries—70% of whom are global solution providers—Big 5 Global connects Africa’s construction market with a worldwide network of manufacturers, suppliers and technology innovators.

Strengthening Global Supply Chains

This year’s event features 2,800 exhibitors and over 60,000 products and solutions, offering buyers a diverse range of sourcing options to support reliable, cost-efficient project execution.

Germany and Italy return with advanced materials, including high-performance concrete and stone systems. India expands its presence with cutting-edge MEP and smart construction solutions for major projects across Africa and the Middle East. Austria and Pakistan showcase export-ready innovations in modular construction, interiors and MEP systems designed to reduce cost overruns and improve delivery timelines.

Exhibitors from Armenia, Croatia, Hungary, Jersey, Norway, New Zealand and Serbia further broaden procurement opportunities for firms seeking resilient and diversified supply routes.

Lufuno Ratsiku, President of the South African Council for the Projects and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP), said Big 5 Global continues to play a vital role in shaping the continent’s construction future.

“Beyond theoretical discussions, it enables high-impact dialogue on urban development, construction and technology solutions, helping position Africa’s industry professionals at the forefront of regional growth and resilience,” he said.

Digital Tools Transforming Procurement and Delivery

At Digital Construction World, global brands including Autodesk, Nemetschek Group, Odoo, Premier Construction Software, Procore Technologies, RIB Software and Trimble demonstrate how digitalisation is reshaping procurement, project tracking and site management.

Read Also: Africa Tech Festival Awards 2025 celebrates continent’s tech, innovation leaders

Solutions featured include:

  • Odoo, which integrates procurement, HR and operations into a single suite
  • Premier Construction Software, which streamlines cost monitoring and project control
  • Trimble, whose automation tools reduce site rework by up to 25%
  • Meter Technology, which offers a fully integrated digital platform capable of completing complex surveying and engineering work within 48 hours

Meter Technology Founder and CEO Eng. Ahmed Al-Ansary said the platform replaces decades-long inefficiencies with AI-powered precision across nine countries.

Sustainability and Smarter Materials

Eco-friendly construction takes centre stage, with global exhibitors focusing on reducing environmental impact throughout the supply chain.

China’s Eco-Friendly Zone, built entirely from recyclable materials, highlights solutions for low-carbon construction. Other key contributors include:

  • Grundfos Gulf Distribution, showcasing energy-efficient pumping systems
  • Deewan Equipment Trading, presenting modular and precast manufacturing plants that cut onsite waste
  • Hitech Concrete Products, offering thermally efficient precast wall systems
  • GF, returning with sustainable MEP solutions and building technologies

Michael Rauterkus, Executive Committee member of GF, said sustainable water management remains essential as the region pursues one of the world’s most ambitious urban development agendas.

Driving Regional Development and Net-Zero Goals

Josine Heijmans, Senior Vice President at dmg events, noted that the global construction sector must accelerate collaboration to meet net-zero targets and rising urbanisation demands.

“Big 5 Global continues to connect governments, international manufacturers and regional players, strengthening construction supply chains and advancing sustainable growth across the built environment,” she said.

The event is supported by key regional partners, including the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Dubai Civil Defense, Dubai Municipality, Riyadh Region Municipality, Meter Technology, GF, Daikin, Hisense, Schüco, Alumil, and others.

Africa Tech Festival Awards 2025 celebrates continent’s tech, innovation leaders

Posted on by
Reply

The Africa Tech Festival Awards 2025 held on Wednesday, 12 November 2025 in Cape Town honoured Africa’s trailblazers in technology and innovation, bringing together tech leaders, innovators, and changemakers from across the continent to celebrate excellence in digital transformation.

The awards recognised individuals and organisations driving meaningful impact across the African tech ecosystem. Finalists and winners were selected through a rigorous three-stage process, including a public vote and adjudication by an expert panel of judges representing leading voices in business, technology, and finance.

2025 Award Winners

•             Connectivity for All: Orange

•             AI Leader of the Year: Jean-Francois Arnod, CMO, Orange

•             Telco of the Year: Vodacom

Read Also: Africa Tech Festival 2025 unveils expanded speaker line-up featuring leaders from government, business, sport

•             Innovation for Impact: Mastercard Community Pass

•             CXO of the Year: Dejan Kastelic, CTO, Vodacom

•             Changing Lives: SES & the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI)

•             Female Innovator of the Year: Ms Ennaifer Asma, Senior VP CSR, Orange Middle East & Africa

•             Fintech Innovation of the Year: Vodacom

•             Startup of the Year: Booi Industries (Pty) Ltd

•             Cybersecurity Leader of the Year: Tim Theuri, CISO, M-Pesa Africa

Expert Judging Panel

The winners were selected by a distinguished panel of industry experts, including:

•             Vukosi Sambo, Group CIO, PHA STM Healthcare & Marara Group

•             John Bosco Arends, Group Head: Information and Network Technology Operations, City of Johannesburg

•             Sithembile Songo, Group Head: Information Security, Eskom Holdings

•             Nina Triantis, Global Head Telecoms, Media and Technology, Standard Bank

•             Bas Wijne, CEO, APO Group

•             Bunmi Adeleye, Chief Strategy Officer, Retail Supermarkets Nigeria (Shoprite Nigeria)

•             Robert Aouad, CEO, ISOCEL Telecom

The Africa Tech Festival 2025 ran from 11 to 13 November at the Cape Town International Conference Centre, providing a platform for Africa’s innovators to showcase breakthroughs, foster collaboration, and accelerate the continent’s digital growth agenda.

Africa Tech Festival 2025 opens with focus on responsible AI

Posted on by
Reply

Africa’s technology leaders opened the 28th annual Africa Tech Festival 2025 with a unified call for responsible, inclusive, and people-centred digital innovation to drive the continent’s AI and tech future.

The opening day brought together government officials, global tech companies, and startup leaders to discuss strategies for ethical AI, equitable digital access, and meaningful social impact. Key participants included South Africa’s Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Hon. Solly Malatsi, Deputy Minister Hon. Mondli Gungubele, and representatives from Cassava Technologies, OpenAI, and Meta.

Minister Malatsi stressed that Africa’s digital growth depends on affordable connectivity, reliable digital infrastructure, and strong digital literacy.

“When these foundations are in place, everything else accelerates,” he said, highlighting the importance of coordinated action to ensure technology benefits society at large.

In a major announcement, Cassava Technologies revealed it is now Africa’s first NVIDIA Cloud Partner (NCP), deploying NVIDIA GPUs across five sites to power AI development. Founder Strive Masiyiwa noted partnerships with Google, Anthropic, and others are enabling access to world-class AI tools tailored for African industries.

Read Also: Shakara Festival set to redefine ‘Detty December’ with groundbreaking four-day music, culture experience in Lagos

Deputy Minister Gungubele, speaking on “Building Digital Nations – Governance for a Tech-Driven Africa,” highlighted South Africa’s national AI policy as a blueprint for safe, inclusive, and transformative AI innovation.

The AI Summit Cape Town featured panels on equitable AI access, open-source innovation, and the role of autonomous systems in African industries. Speakers included Emmanuel Lubanzadio (OpenAI), Akim Benamara (TechAfrica News), Thabo Makenete (Meta), Katarzyna Hewelt (Resolution), Abdul Kader Baba (Infrastructure South Africa), and Ravi Bhat (Microsoft Africa).

“Africa Tech Festival is more than an event—it’s a movement showcasing Africa’s ingenuity and ambition in the digital age,” said Kadi Diallo, Portfolio Manager of Africa Tech Festival. “This year, the focus is on responsible innovation that delivers real-world impact.”

The festival, running across multiple platforms including AfricaCom, AfricaTech, The AI Summit Cape Town, and AfricaIgnite, also celebrated entrepreneurial innovation during AfricaIgnite Founder Day on 10 November, drawing investors, founders, and venture capitalists.

The opening day concluded with AFest at Grand Africa Café & Beach, offering delegates networking opportunities alongside live music and entertainment.

The 2025 edition of Africa Tech Festival highlights Africa’s growing digital ecosystem and its commitment to shaping a sovereign, inclusive, and socially impactful tech future.

Cassava Technologies unveils Africa’s first AI multi-model platform

Posted on by
Reply

Cassava Technologies, a global technology leader with African roots, has unveiled Africa’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) Multi-Model Exchange, known as Cassava AI Multi-Model Exchange (CAIMEx) — a pioneering platform designed to advance local AI development and accessibility across the continent.

The new platform provides mobile network operators (MNOs) with seamless access to multiple world-leading AI models and large language models (LLMs) from providers such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google, all through a single, easy-to-use interface.

With CAIMEx, African operators can now integrate advanced AI tools without the need for complex infrastructure or costly international setups. Managed and supported locally by Cassava, the exchange simplifies access to global AI innovations while keeping costs affordable and performance optimized for African users.

Read Also: Google unveils two Gemini’s new AI-powered features

“Africa’s growing AI ecosystem has the potential to be more than just a consumer of imported technology,” said Ahmed El Beheiry, CEO of Cassava AI. “Through CAIMEx, we’re building a bridge between global innovation and African ambition — empowering mobile network operators to deliver world-class AI experiences to their subscribers easily and affordably.”

CAIMEx currently supports AI models including:

  • Anthropic’s Claude models
  • Google’s Gemini models
  • And other leading AI providers

The platform enables operators to select AI models that best serve their business and customer needs — whether for real-time insights, advanced reasoning, customer engagement, or operational efficiency. It combines speed, scalability, and data security to help organisations across the continent harness the full potential of AI.

Importantly, all services on CAIMEx are hosted within Cassava’s regional AI factories, ensuring that data remains in Africa. This supports data sovereignty, privacy, and regulatory compliance, while giving millions of African mobile subscribers and small businesses access to world-class AI tools — not just large corporations.

Cassava Technologies says the initiative reflects its ongoing commitment to building a digitally empowered Africa by providing relevant, secure, and scalable digital solutions that drive transformation and improve lives across the continent.

Canon showcases Nora Awolowo’s “Racket Queen” in Lagos

Posted on by
Reply

Canon, a global leader in imaging and optical technology, has celebrated the creativity of Nigerian filmmaker Nora Awolowo with an exclusive screening of her latest short film, Racket Queen, in Lagos.

The event, held recently, featured two special screenings — a media session in the morning and an industry-focused showcase in the evening. Both gatherings highlighted Awolowo’s artistic ingenuity and the power of Canon’s cutting-edge technology in modern filmmaking.

Racket Queen was shot entirely using the Canon EOS C400 cinema camera, a high-end tool designed for professional filmmakers. The film’s stunning visuals and emotional depth underscored Canon’s ongoing support for Africa’s growing creative community, providing them with innovative tools to tell authentic stories.

During the media screening, journalists from diverse sectors — including arts, culture, entertainment, business, and technology — were treated to an exclusive first look at the film and gained deeper insights into Nora’s creative process.

Read Also: Canon honours young sustainability leaders at 2025 Global Good Awards

Later in the day, Canon hosted an engaging industry session for filmmakers, industry peers, and members of Canon’s creative network. The event doubled as a vibrant networking platform that celebrated collaboration, innovation, and storytelling excellence.

The occasion also featured the soft launch of Canon’s EOS C50, a compact yet powerful entry-level cinema camera aimed at empowering emerging filmmakers. The C50 joins Canon’s professional cinema lineup, making high-quality production tools more accessible to new creators and storytellers.

Speaking at the event, Rashad Ghani, B2C Business Unit Director for Canon Central and North Africa, said:

“At Canon, we believe in the power of storytelling and the importance of equipping creators with the right tools to express their vision. Our collaboration with Nora on Racket Queen demonstrates how technology and artistry can come together to elevate filmmaking in Africa. We’re proud to continue empowering creators and building a thriving creative community across the region.”

Canon’s partnership with Awolowo reflects its Innovation, Customer, and Employee Experience (ICE) strategy — a commitment to fostering innovation, enhancing customer empowerment, and building lasting partnerships. By continuously providing filmmakers with top-tier imaging technology, Canon reinforces its reputation as the go-to brand for professional videography in Nigeria and across Africa.

Rack Centre partners EdgeNext to launch CDN, Cloud hosting services in Nigeria

Posted on by
Reply

Rack Centre, West Africa’s leading Tier III carrier- and cloud-neutral data center, has partnered with EdgeNext to launch Content Delivery Network (CDN) and cloud hosting services in Nigeria. The services will be hosted at Rack Centre’s state-of-the-art LGS2 facility in Lagos.

With over 200 million people and one of Africa’s youngest populations, Nigeria’s digital economy is growing rapidly. The surge in demand for internet services, mobile applications, gaming, e-commerce, and social media platforms has created a pressing need for high-performance infrastructure capable of delivering seamless digital experiences.

EdgeNext’s expansion into Nigeria aims to address this demand by improving content delivery efficiency, ensuring fast and stable application performance, and enabling businesses to scale effectively across the region. Its global acceleration network provides smoother, low-latency experiences for video streaming, e-commerce, and social media platforms, while flexible cloud hosting resources help developers and SMEs deploy services quickly, reduce IT costs, and accelerate digital transformation.

Read Also: MoniePoint, trade ministry, CAC partner to strengthen SME businesses

EdgeNext is also developing gaming cloud solutions to support Nigeria’s thriving gaming community, offering low-latency, high-concurrency acceleration for mobile, PC, and cloud gaming, ensuring immersive user experiences.

“Launching our CDN and cloud hosting services in Nigeria marks a key milestone for EdgeNext,” said Terence Wang, CEO of EdgeNext. “By partnering with Rack Centre, we are delivering secure, reliable, and low-latency services for enterprises, developers, and end users, ushering in a new era of cloud and edge computing in Nigeria.”

Lars Johannisson, CEO of Rack Centre, added: “EdgeNext’s arrival at Rack Centre demonstrates the strength of Nigeria’s digital infrastructure ecosystem. Our LGS2 facility provides the capacity, connectivity, and sustainability that global providers need to serve this market effectively.”

Rack Centre’s 13.5MW campus hosts over 73 carriers, ISPs, and network operators. The LGS2 facility achieves a design PUE of 1.35 using sustainable energy sources and offers direct connectivity to every subsea cable landing on Africa’s Atlantic coast, including Equiano and the forthcoming 2Africa cable.

This collaboration underscores the growing demand for edge services across Africa and reinforces Rack Centre’s position as a key gateway for international technology providers seeking to expand into the continent.