Hermplify has launched a new platform to help women entrepreneurs and young girls in Africa manage businesses, access loans, and learn tech skills, CEO Anthony Olanrewaju announced Monday. “Our mission at Hermplify is simple: to give women and girls the tools they need to succeed in business and life,” Olanrewaju said. “With the platform, our scope is to ‘amplify’ every ‘her’ in underserved communities across Africa.” The platform includes features such as automated invoicing, payment processing, and online storefronts to assist women in managing and growing their businesses. It also offers educational resources with courses on digital marketing, web design, and data analysis. Hermplify provides soft loans and financial services aimed at helping women start and expand their businesses. The initiative comes as Africa’s digital economy is projected to reach $300 billion by 2025. Olanrewaju said the platform’s goal is to provide opportunities for women entrepreneurs to thrive in an increasingly competitive market.
Nigerian Government to Establish Digital Hubs in 200 Rural Communities
The federal government has announced plans to build digital technology hubs in 200 rural communities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to address the lack of digital infrastructure and promote economic growth. The initiative was revealed on Sunday by the Special Assistant to the President on ICT Development and Digital Innovation, Tokoni Igoin as part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Igoin emphasized that the project seeks to empower rural youth and marginalized groups by providing access to tools and skills for the modern economy. “This ICT initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises the development of the ICT sector alongside other key areas of Nigeria’s economy,” Igoin said. The digital hubs will feature co-working spaces, mentorship programs, and workshops aimed at nurturing creativity and entrepreneurship. Project Coordinator, Charles Folayan said the hubs will serve as innovation centers to support start-ups, students and individuals with disabilities. By equipping these communities with digital tools, the government hopes to reduce unemployment, curb poverty, and combat social challenges. “The goal is to reduce unemployment, poverty and social vices by fostering innovation, building capacity and creating sustainable pathways for development,” Igoin said. With many rural areas still lacking digital infrastructure, the project aims to bridge the gap between urban and rural regions. The government hopes this initiative will help communities thrive by fostering skills and creating opportunities for economic diversification and local development.
FCCPC Calls Out GTB, MTN and Air Peace Over Mounting Consumer Complaints
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) is set to question Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), MTN Nigeria, and Air Peace Limited following widespread customer complaints about poor service and questionable business practices. According to a statement released Sunday by Ondaje Ijagwu, the FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, the hearings are scheduled for December 3, 4, and 5. The investigations come after a surge in consumer frustrations in banking, telecommunications, and air travel. From failed transactions to unexplained charges and soaring ticket prices, Nigerians have taken to various platforms to demand answers. “The FCCPC will engage GTB over network failures that leave customers unable to access funds or use banking apps. MTN will be answering to complaints about undelivered data services and disappearing data bundles. Air Peace is under review for what passengers are calling unreasonably high ticket prices, especially on local routes,” the statement said. GTB customers have reported repeated struggles with network outages, sometimes during critical moments when they need access to their money the most. Frustrated users have described being locked out of their accounts or having transactions fail without explanation. The FCCPC will examine whether these failures violate consumer rights under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) of 2018. MTN Nigeria, the country’s largest telecom provider, faces scrutiny over complaints that data plans are vanishing without proper usage and that refunds or resolutions are hard to come by. Customers have long accused the company of charging them for services they never received. For domestic travelers, Air Peace is a name that has become associated with escalating ticket prices. Many passengers have pointed out sharp increases in fares on routes that were once affordable. The airline will need to provide explanations and justify these price changes to the commission. The FCCPC said its mission is to ensure Nigerian consumers receive fair treatment and that companies operate within the bounds of the law. “The companies will appear to provide detailed explanations and defend their practices. Our focus is to address these concerns and ensure compliance with regulatory standards,” the statement noted. The commission encouraged consumers to keep sharing their experiences, stating that these reports are vital for improving accountability and fairness in the market. This inquiry is a chance for affected Nigerians to get answers and for the companies involved to either clean up their acts or face the consequences.
Canadian News Outlets Sue ChatGPT’s Creator OpenAI Over Copyright Infringement
A coalition of Canadian media organizations have filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, accusing the company of using their news articles without permission to train its artificial intelligence systems. The lawsuit, filed Friday in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, seeks financial compensation and a halt to what the outlets describe as unauthorized use of their work. The plaintiffs include CBC/Radio-Canada, Postmedia, Metroland, the Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail, and The Canadian Press. In their joint statement, the outlets allege that OpenAI has been profiting from their content while violating copyright law. “OpenAI is capitalizing and profiting from the use of this content, without getting permission or compensating content owners”, the statement read. The legal action demands punitive damages and payment of any profits OpenAI earned by using Canadian news articles in developing its products. It also seeks an injunction to stop the company from using their articles in the future. The lawsuit is part of a larger global debate over the rights of content creators in the age of artificial intelligence. OpenAI, which has faced similar allegations in the United States, has previously defended its actions by saying it respects intellectual property and is committed to working with creators to develop fair compensation models. Media and technology expert, Richard Lachman, an associate professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, said the case raises difficult questions about how intellectual property laws apply to AI. “The argument of the companies is, ‘We’re essentially reading the news that was on a public website. That’s not illegal. A human can read the news”, Lachman said. He compared the situation to recent offers from book publishers to pay authors for using their work in AI training. “Clearly, there’s value. The question is, what is that value?”, he said. The lawsuit follows similar legal challenges abroad. In December 2023, the New York Times sued OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging their content had been used without permission. That case is ongoing. This latest legal move by Canadian media outlets signals a growing effort to ensure news organizations are properly compensated as AI systems reshape the way information is consumed and monetized. “This is about protecting the future of journalism”, said one media executive, who asked not to be named. “If we allow our work to be used without permission, it jeopardizes the entire ecosystem of quality reporting.” The outcome of the case could set a precedent not only for Canadian media but for content creators worldwide.
GitHub CEO Predicts AI Revolution to Upend Half of Engineering Jobs, Urges Developers to Adapt
GitHub CEO, Thomas Dohmke has warned that artificial intelligence may take over as much as half of all engineering roles, and urged workers to focus on acquiring new skills to stay relevant in the industry. Speaking in an interview with the Economic Times, Dohmke said the industry is already experiencing a significant shift and stressed that adaptation is key to navigating the changes. “We’re not worried about AI taking away half the engineering jobs”, Dohmke said. “I think we’re much more worried that AI has added additional skills and challenges to what a full-stack engineer has to do today.” His remarks comes as automation powered by AI tools has led to widespread job losses in the tech industry, leaving many developers anxious about their future. However, Dohmke expressed optimism, pointing to emerging opportunities such as “prompt engineering”, where developers craft specific instructions for AI systems like GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT. Dohmke believes these new roles could reshape the industry, encouraging workers to shift from traditional coding to mastering how to guide AI effectively. “The shift to AI is generating new sorts of jobs that people must switch over to”, he added. GitHub, owned by Microsoft, has played a pivotal role in integrating AI into the tech ecosystem. Its flagship product, GitHub Copilot, uses AI to help developers automate coding tasks. While this innovation has been widely praised for its efficiency, it has also raised questions about the future role of human programmers. While some see this as a bleak future for developers, Dohmke believes it marks the beginning of a new phase in technology—a shift that will reward those ready to adapt.
Africa’s Broadband Future Takes Shape at 2024 Congress in Cape Town
Leaders from across the technology, finance and government sectors gathered this week in Cape Town for the 2024 Broadband Development Congress to discuss Africa’s path to wider internet access and the growing role of artificial intelligence in transforming the continent’s digital landscape. The event, organised by the World Broadband Association (WBBA) as part of the Africa Tech Festival 2024, served as a platform for new ideas and partnerships aimed at addressing the continent’s digital gaps and improving broadband access. A key moment at the event was the release of a whitepaper titled ‘The Role of AI in Fixed Networks Sustainability’, which explored how AI can help build more reliable, energy-efficient networks. “Africa has the resources, the talent, and the potential to lead the next phase of the digital revolution”, said Dr. Li Zhengmao, Chairman of the World Broadband Association (WBBA), in his opening remarks. He emphasised how expanding internet access can open opportunities in education, healthcare, and commerce for millions across the continent. The Congress came at a pivotal time, with broadband subscriptions rising 22% in the past year and revenue projected to grow to $6.7 billion by 2029. Despite these gains, the digital divide remains a significant hurdle, with many communities still lacking affordable, reliable access to the internet. Leaders like Guinea’s Chief of Staff Nfaly Sylla emphasised on the importance of national initiatives while citing Guinea’s National Data Centre as a model for other African nations. “We must create systems that ensure every citizen, no matter where they live, has access to the tools they need to succeed”, Sylla said. The role of telecom companies was another hot topic. Ke Ruiwen, CEO of China Telecom, spoke about the shift from traditional telecom operations to technology-driven companies, urging investors to view Africa as a key market for growth. “Our future success is tied to Africa’s ability to thrive digitally”, Ruiwen said. Discussions also touched on practical steps to improve broadband access, including affordable financing models, regulatory reforms and scalable infrastructure. Experts like Dr Sunil Piyarlall of Openserve called for fairness in how digital infrastructure is distributed, while Pieter Viljoen of Yangtze Optics Africa Cable outlined strategies to meet the rising demand for fiber networks. The potential of AI was a recurring theme throughout the event. According to WBBA Director General, Martin Creaner, AI offers tools to make networks more efficient and sustainable, but only if operators prioritize quality data. “The technology is here. Now it’s about making sure we use it wisely and effectively”, Creaner said in his closing remarks.