New Post Africa

Category: Technology

  • Kenya to launch first home-grown creative digital platform

    Kenya to launch first home-grown creative digital platform

    INTERNATIONAL (Agency Report) — March 9, 2026 — The Kenyan government is set to unveil its first locally developed creative digital platform within the next two months, a move aimed at strengthening the country’s creative industry and reducing dependence on foreign-owned social media.

    John Tanui, Principal Secretary for the State Department of ICT and the Digital Economy, announced that several initiatives are underway to support home-grown platforms for content creators. He noted that the Ministry of ICT is collaborating with United Nations agencies under the “DigiKen” programme, which focuses on promoting the development of locally built digital platforms.

    Tanui highlighted that while thousands of young Kenyans earn income through international platforms such as Facebook and TikTok, the sector remains vulnerable to policy changes or market exits by these global players. He urged innovators, universities, and researchers to prioritize the creation of local platforms for advertising, content creation, and digital marketing, stressing the importance of resilience and sustainability in Kenya’s digital economy.

    Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie, chair of the National Assembly Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation, commended ongoing legislative reforms that support digital innovation. He pointed to the rollout of 47 Digital Hubs and expanded fibre connectivity as key steps in empowering youth and widening access to online opportunities.

    Kiarie also reminded content creators to use digital tools responsibly, noting that while the growing digital space offers immense opportunities, it also carries responsibilities and risks if misused.

  • LASRRA, Identiko Solutions pilot android registration devices

    LASRRA, Identiko Solutions pilot android registration devices

    Lagos, Nigeria (NPA) — March 8, 2026 — The Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA), in collaboration with Identiko Integrated Solutions, has successfully completed a pilot test of its newly developed Android-based enrollment devices.

    The exercise, held on Thursday at Identiko’s headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja, was designed to evaluate the devices’ functionality, usability, and efficiency in real registration scenarios. Key features showcased included biometric capture, resident data entry, document verification, and seamless system synchronization.

    Selected LASRRA registration officers and field operatives participated in intensive training sessions, gaining practical experience in device configuration, biometric data capture, troubleshooting, and data synchronization. The goal was to equip staff with the skills needed to improve accuracy, speed, and reliability in resident registration across Lagos State.

    Speaking at the event, Identiko’s Head of Training and Field Operations, Mr. Abiodun Shabi (representing CEO Jide Agbaje), emphasized that the pilot phase was crucial for assessing performance, durability, and connectivity under field conditions.

    “Participants will deploy the devices in select locations, document their experiences, and provide feedback on ease of use, speed of data capture, and stability. This will guide further improvements before full rollout,” he explained.

    Project Manager Mr. Enitan Samson added that the pilot was a critical step in ensuring the devices perform reliably in real-world registration environments.

    Following the review of pilot results, Identiko Solutions will work closely with LASRRA to implement technical adjustments, workflow enhancements, and additional staff training. Once finalized, the Android devices will be deployed across all LASRRA registration stations, enabling faster, more efficient resident enrollment and strengthening the agency’s mandate of maintaining an accurate and comprehensive residents’ database.

    The initiative underscores LASRRA’s commitment to modernizing resident registration through scalable digital technology. Identiko Solutions, known for building secure identity verification and enterprise IT systems, is partnering to ensure Lagos State achieves a robust, future-ready digital infrastructure for resident data management.

  • Master AI, Embrace Cybersecurity, Build Solutions: Governor Mbah Urges Enugu Youths

    Master AI, Embrace Cybersecurity, Build Solutions: Governor Mbah Urges Enugu Youths

    ENUGU, NIGERIA (NPA): Enugu State Governor, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has called on the youths of the state to embrace technology and innovation as critical drivers of development. He made the remarks in his opening address at the second edition of the Enugu Tech Festival.

    Governor Mbah emphasized that “technology and innovation are not accessories to development; they are the operating system of modern progress. Across the world, ideas, code, and creativity are redefining economies. Here in Enugu, we have made a deliberate decision — we will not be spectators in this revolution. We will be producers.”

    Highlighting his administration’s policy focus on advancing school infrastructure and redefining learning, he outlined initiatives designed to build a new ecosystem where innovation can thrive. These include:

    •             Smart Green Schools equipped with robotics, artificial intelligence, and applied engineering.

    •             Digital governance platforms to improve transparency and efficiency.

    •             GIS-driven land administration to restore credibility in the real estate sector.

    •             Expanded digital infrastructure to power a knowledge-based economy.

    The governor urged young people in Enugu and beyond to seize the opportunities available: “Master artificial intelligence. Learn cybersecurity. Build solutions. The tools are here. The environment is here. The opportunity is here.”

    Reflecting on the state’s history, he noted: “A century ago, Enugu was known for what it extracted. This generation will be known for what it designs.”

    Earlier, Newpost Africa reported that under the administration’s “Tomorrow is Here” mantra, Enugu inaugurated the Haier Factory — a $20 million Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) project by China’s Haier Global Business Group in partnership with the state government. The facility, located in Enugu city, positions the state as a hub for the production of smartphones, tablets, computers, smart boards, Android televisions, education and health technologies, as well as renewable energy solutions for electricity, agriculture, and transportation.

  • Newpost Africa Relaunches, Reaffirms Commitment to World-Class Journalism

    Newpost Africa Relaunches, Reaffirms Commitment to World-Class Journalism

    LAGOS, NIGERIA (NPA): Nigerian media organisation Newpost Africa Media Publishing® (Newpost Africa) has announced its return following a successful restructuring process. The relaunch underscores the company’s renewed commitment to delivering journalism of the highest standards—anchored in integrity, balance, and diversity.

    Positioning itself as “Nigeria’s independent, world-class media organisation”, Newpost Africa emphasized its founding principles of strict editorial neutrality, an uncompromising stance against propaganda, and reporting that informs without bias or distortion. The organisation stressed that credible journalism is indispensable to democratic societies and informed citizenship.

    In a statement issued on February 22, 2026, Newpost Africa encouraged stakeholders and readers to actively engage with its mission. “By sharing perspectives and experiences, you contribute to a platform that values truth, dialogue, and collective responsibility in shaping the public record,” the statement read.

    Driven by a team of seasoned professionals and supported by a global network of journalists and writers, Newpost Africa said it is well-positioned to deliver timely coverage of rapidly evolving stories with speed, clarity, and analytical depth—while maintaining accuracy and editorial discipline.

    Its editorial focus remains firmly on Nigeria and the African continent, ensuring accountability from policymakers, institutions, and power brokers. At the same time, the organisation pledged to continue reporting on international developments that shape Africa’s place in the global context.

    The relaunch, according to the statement, is not merely a return but a reaffirmation of purpose and a strategic commitment to excellence in journalism. “This relaunch is a reaffirmation of our mission to uphold the highest standards of journalism and to serve as a trusted voice in Nigeria, Africa, and beyond,” the organisation noted.

  • Enugu Govt, Haier Group Launch $20m Factory, Eyes $30m Expansion

    Enugu Govt, Haier Group Launch $20m Factory, Eyes $30m Expansion

    ENUGU, NIGERIA: The Enugu State Government has inaugurated the Enugu Haier Factory, a $20 million Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) project by China’s Haier Global Business Group in partnership with the state. The facility, located in Enugu city, positions the state as a hub for the production of smartphones, tablets, computers, smart boards, Android televisions, education and health technologies, and renewable energy solutions for electricity, agriculture, and transportation.

    Under the partnership, the state provided land for the factory’s infrastructure and will serve as its largest customer, purchasing 25,000 all-in-one desktops and 300,000 tablets to power its 260 Smart Green Schools. Governor Peter Mbah described the investment as a milestone in his administration’s drive to reposition Enugu as a premier destination for industry and innovation, with a vision to grow the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion.

    “This partnership represents the convergence of vision, innovation, and opportunity—to generate Made in Enugu technologies that compete globally, while enabling us to support key local sector developments,” Mbah said. He added that the initiative reduces import dependence, lowers costs, ensures sustainability, and builds local capacity. He also praised President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, noting that steady inflows of FDIs reflect improved macroeconomic stability, a stronger naira, rising foreign reserves, and easing inflationary pressures.

    Haier Group Vice President Sun Yongle announced that the factory will produce 200,000 units annually across ICT, medical equipment, and new energy product lines, employing about 100 workers initially, with plans to expand to over 200 employees. He emphasised that this is only the first stage of Haier’s investment in Enugu, with future cooperation expected in agriculture, mining, and transportation. Total investment is projected to exceed $30 million. “Our goal is for our products to be not only Made in Enugu, but also Designed in Enugu, with management and technical teams mainly composed of local professionals,” Yongle stated.

  • Dangote Group Unveils Vision 2030, Signs $400m Agreement with China’s XCMG

    Dangote Group Unveils Vision 2030, Signs $400m Agreement with China’s XCMG

    LAGOS, NIGERIA: The Dangote Group has unveiled its Vision 2030 strategy, outlining plans to transform into a $100 billion pan-African industrial powerhouse by the end of the decade. In a statement released Monday, the conglomerate emphasised its commitment to “deepening investments across the continent, strengthening human capital, reducing import dependence, creating jobs, and advancing sustainable industrialisation.”

    Demonstrating its resolve, the Group announced the signing of a $400 million agreement with China’s XCMG Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. to acquire advanced construction equipment. The deal is expected to accelerate the expansion of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, which recently achieved recognition as the world’s largest oil refinery. The current output of 650,000 barrels per day is projected to rise to 1.4 million barrels per day under the expansion plan.

    Beyond crude refining, the agreement will boost production of key byproducts. Polypropylene output is expected to increase from 900,000 metric tonnes per year to 2.4 million, while Nigeria’s urea production capacity will scale from 3 million to 9 million metric tonnes annually. The Group described these milestones as central to its broader industrial vision, positioning Nigeria as a global hub for energy and petrochemicals.

  • SpaceX’s Starlink gets nod for satellite internet in Vietnam

    SpaceX’s Starlink gets nod for satellite internet in Vietnam

    Vietnam’s government has allowed SpaceX to launch its Starlink satellite internet service in the country, state media reported on Saturday.

    The report said the Ministry of Science and Technology granted Starlink’s local unit a license to provide both fixed and mobile satellite internet services. The company was also granted a license to use radio frequencies and radio equipment. The ministry did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation outside business hours.

    The approval came ahead of an expected visit next week of Vietnam’s top leader To Lam to the United States to attend the inaugural meeting of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace initiative to address global conflicts. The trip has not been officially announced.

    Last year, Vietnam’s government said it would allow SpaceX to operate its internet service on a trial basis.

    Local media said it was not clear when Starlink would launch its services in Vietnam. SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment on a weekend. Vietnam and the U.S. are negotiating a trade deal after Washington imposed 20% tariffs on Vietnamese goods in August. The two sides held their sixth round of talks earlier this month, but have not announced an agreement.

  • Bitcoin Jumps To Record As Trump’s Election Turbocharges Cryptocurrencies

    Bitcoin Jumps To Record As Trump’s Election Turbocharges Cryptocurrencies

    Bitcoin soared to a record high above $82,000 on Monday on expectations that cryptocurrencies will boom in a favourable regulatory environment following the election of Donald Trump as U.S. president and of pro-crypto candidates to Congress.

    The world’s biggest and best-known cryptocurrency , has now more than doubled from the year’s low of $38,505 and was last at $82,236, having earlier touched a record high of $82,527.

    Trump embraced digital assets during his campaign, promising to make the United States the “crypto capital of the planet” and to accumulate a national stockpile of bitcoin.

    “Bitcoin’s Trump-pump is alive and well… with Republicans on the cusp of taking the house to confirm a red wave in Congress, it seems the crypto crowd are betting on digital-currency deregulation,” said Matt Simpson, senior market analyst at City Index, referring to Republican control of both houses.

    While Simpson warned that Trump’s near-term priorities are likely to lie elsewhere, crypto investors see an end to stepped-up scrutiny under U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler whom Trump has said he will fire.

    The cryptocurrency industry spent more than $119 million backing pro-crypto congressional candidates, many of whom won their races.

    In Ohio, one of the crypto industry’s biggest foes in Congress – Senate Banking Committee Chair Sherrod Brown – was ousted, while pro-crypto candidates from both the Democratic and Republican parties won in Michigan, West Virginia, Indiana, Alabama and North Carolina.

    REUTERS/Ankur Banerjee and Samuel Indyk